Macaroni Salad

I don't usually like macaroni salad, but this stuff is amazing. My husband came up with the recipe. We've made it several times in the last few months.


1 lb. elbow macaroni
1 c. mayo
1/4 c. white vinegar
2/3 c. sugar
2 1/2 Tbsp. yellow mustard
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
2 eggs, hard boiled
2 celery stalks, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1/4 c. pimentos, diced
3 green onions, thinly sliced

Cook the macaroni according to package directions. Drain. Set aside.

In a bowl, combine the mayo, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper. Mix altogether. Pour this dressing over the pasta and toss until the pasta is all coated.

Add in all the vegetables and eggs. Stir together. Serve and enjoy!

Easy French Bread

Before baking

2 1/2 c. bread flour (or all-purpose)
1 Tbsp. yeast
1/2 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. honey
3/4 c. hot water
olive oil
1 egg
1/2 Tbsp. water

In a large bowl, stir together 1 cup of the flour, yeast, and salt. Add in the hot water and honey. Stir, then add in 1 more cup of flour. Sprinkle part of the last 1/2 cup flour on a dry surface. Knead about 5 minutes, slowly incorporating the remaining flour into the dough as you knead.

Roll out into a rectangle. Then roll the dough lengthwise, making sure it is tight. Seal the seams and fold the end under. Lay seam side down on a parchment lined baking sheet. Cut diagonal slits in the top. Brush very lightly with olive oil.

Ready to eat

Cover and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 425 F.

In a small bowl, beat the egg and water together. When the dough has risen, brush the top with the egg wash. Bake 15-20 minutes. Bread should sound hollow when tapped. Serve warm.

Here's a link to the recipe I used: http://www.recipesformyboys.com/2013/04/one-hour-french-bread.html

Fijian Honey Bread

1 1/4 c. cake flour
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 c. honey
1 egg

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. allspice
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Grease a bread pan; set aside.

Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. Stir until well mixed. Pour into greased bread pan.

Bake for 32-42 minutes, or until the middle is set.

Cool 10 minutes in the pan, then remove to a wire rack. You can serve it warm out of the oven, but I have found that if you wrap it up and store it til the next day, it's a little more moist and the flavors have had time to blend together.

Here's a link to the recipe I adapted: http://www.food.com/recipe/fijian-honey-cake-457964

Curry Meatballs

Meatballs:
2 eggs
3/4 c. rolled oats

Meatball mixture

1/8 c. milk
1 lb. ground beef
1/2 Tbsp. ginger, minced
1 Tbsp. fish sauce
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/4 c. cilantro, chopped
3/4 tsp. salt
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. lime juice
dash of white pepper
black pepper, to taste
1/2 Tbsp. curry powder
dash or two of Sriracha sauce
1/2 tsp. coriander
1/2 tsp. cumin
1 Tbsp. coconut oil

Meatballs in the curry sauce

Sauce:
1 can (14 oz.) coconut milk
dash white pepper
1/2 Tbsp. curry powder
1/2 tsp. coriander
1/2 tsp. cumin
1 Tbsp. cilantro, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. ginger, minced
salt and pepper, to taste
1/8 c. lime juice

Hot cooked rice
Sriracha sauce, optional

Meatballs cooking

Combine the eggs, oats, and milk in a large bowl. Let stand 5-10 minutes. Then add in the rest of the ingredients for the meatballs except the coconut oil. Mix it all together. Shape into meatballs, about the size of golf balls.

Heat the coconut oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 2-3 minutes. It's okay if they are not cooked all the way through. Depending on the size of your skillet, you may have to brown the meatballs in batches. When the meatballs are browned, remove to a paper towel lined plate.

Curry meatballs with Sriracha

In the same skillet, turn the heat to low and add in all the sauce ingredients except the lime juice. Stir it all together. Place all the meatballs in the skillet. Simmer on medium heat for 8-10 minutes, flipping once or twice. Stir in the lime juice.

Serve over hot cooked rice with some Sriracha sauce (if you want it). Enjoy.

Makes about 12-15 meatballs, depending on the size.

Here's a link to the recipe I adapted: http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2013/09/thai-green-curry-meatballs.html

Mini Pumpkin Muffins with Cinnamon and Sugar

Muffins:
1 3/4 c. cake flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 c. butter, melted
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Muffins just out of the oven

1 c. pumpkin puree
1/2 c. milk

Coating:
1/2 c. sugar
2 Tbsp. cinnamon
1/4 c. butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 F.

To make the muffins: In a large bowl, mix together the cake flour, baking powder, salt, and spices. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar. Add in the egg. Whisk for 1 minute. Add in the vanilla, pumpkin, and milk. Stir to combine.

Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture. Stir until just combined.

Grease a mini muffin tin. Scoop batter into the tin, about 2/3 full.

Bake 12-13 minutes, or until the center is cooked through. Check with a toothpick. Allow to cool. While the muffins are cooling, make the coating.

To make the coating: In a shallow bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon. Stir to mix. In another shallow bowl, add the melted butter (or melt it in the bowl you're going to use).

Mini pumpkin muffins

When the muffins have cooled, dip each muffin first into the butter, then roll in the cinnamon and sugar mix. Enjoy warm.

Makes about 36 mini muffins.

These do not store well after the coating is put on, so if you don't plan to eat all 3 dozen, just don't put the coating on until you're ready to eat them.

Here's a link to the recipe I adapted: http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2012/08/26/mini-cinnamon-sugar-pumpkin-muffins/

Strawberry Peach Tart

Plan ahead... needs to chill

The crust for this tart is fantastic. Almost like a croissant. 

Crust:
1 1/2 c. bread flour

Dough after chilling

3 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. butter, very cold
1/3 c. ice cold water, plus more if needed
1 egg, beaten
addition sugar for sprinkling

Filling:
2 peaches, pitted and sliced (fresh, not frozen)
2 c. strawberries, sliced (fresh, not frozen)
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

To make the crust: In a large bowl, mix the bread flour, sugar, and salt together. Using a cheese grater, grate in your cold butter. Stir to mix. Add the ice water and stir. If the dough is still too dry, add up to 3 more tablespoons, but add them in one at a time. Your dough should stick together. Knead it a few times just to get the dough to come together. Shape into a ball, then flatten into a thick disc. Wrap with plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour at least.

While the dough is chilling, making the filling.

Before baking

To make the filling: Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl, stirring around to make sure the fruit gets coated with the sugar and vanilla. Let sit until the dough is ready.

When your dough is ready, preheat the oven to 425 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out your dough into a 12 inch circle. Transfer dough to the prepared baking sheet.

Spoon the fruit (not juices) into the center of the dough, leaving a 2 inch border around the edge, so you'll be able to fold it up. Gently fold up the edges around the fruit, overlapping as needed, and pressing to seal the edges. Pour a few spoonfuls of the juices over the fruit, but not all of it. There should be a tablespoon or two left in the bowl. You don't want to dough to get too soggy while it's baking.

Strawberry Peach Tart!

Brush the dough with the beaten egg. Sprinkle with a little bit of sugar.

Bake for 25 minutes or until the dough is golden brown. Allow to cool a few minutes before serving. Or you could serve this at room temperature. Either way it is delicious.

Here is a link to the recipe I adapted: http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2013/08/14/rustic-strawberry-peach-tart/

Buffalo Chicken Pasta

Super quick dinner to make. 

1/2 lb. pasta (I used bowtie)
6-8 oz. chicken breast, cubed
garlic powder
basil
dash of coriander
dash of cumin
dash of onion powder
2-3 sprigs of cilantro, chopped
2/3 c. blue cheese dressing
1/2 c. Frank's hot sauce

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain.

Cook the chicken over medium heat. Sprinkle with garlic powder, basil, cumin, coriander, and onion powder. Add in the cilantro. Cook until chicken is cooked all the way through.

In a medium sized bowl, mix together the blue cheese dressing and the hot sauce.

In a large bowl, add the pasta and chicken. Toss. Add the dressing mix, and stir all together, making sure to coat all the pasta and chicken. Serve hot.

Here's a link to the recipe I adapted: http://www.divaliciousdishes.com/recipes/dinners/56-buffalo-chicken-pasta

Honey Butter Beer Bread

2 c. flour

Before baking

1 c. bread flour
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
12 oz. beer (whatever kind you want)
3 Tbsp. honey
4 Tbsp. butter, melted

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Grease bread pan and set aside.

Just out of the oven!

In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add in the beer and honey, then stir to completely combine. Pour the batter evenly into greased pan. Pour the melted butter over the top of the batter. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the top is golden and the middle is baked through. Let cool a few minutes before slicing. Enjoy.

Here's a link to the recipe I used: http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2013/04/02/honey-beer-bread-recipe/

Pecan Shortbread Cookies with White Chips

Dough

*Plan ahead... needs to chill

4 sticks butter, room temperature
1 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. vanilla
4 1/3 c. flour
2 c. pecans, chopped
2 c. white chips

Cream the butter and sugar together. Beat in the vanilla.

Add in the flour a cup at a time, mixing in completely after each cup. Stir in the pecans and chips, mix well.

Cookie Log

Make two 12 inch logs out of the dough on two sheets of wax paper. Roll each log in the paper, twisting at the ends.

Refrigerate dough for at least 2 hours.

When the dough is chilled, heat the oven to 325 F.

Slice the dough into about 3/8 inch slices and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15-22 minutes, or until the cookies start getting slightly golden on the edges. The middle will stay pale.

Ready to eat

Let the cookies rest a few minutes on the baking sheet before removing to a cooling rack.

Makes about 3 1/2 dozen cookies. Recipe is easily halved.

Here's a link to the recipe I used: http://theviewfromgreatisland.com/2012/05/white-chocolate-chip-pecan-shortbread-cookies.html

Chicken Tikka Masala

3 Tbsp. butter
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. cumin
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. turmeric
14 oz. can tomato sauce
1 c. whipping cream
2 tsp. paprika
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
4 chicken breasts, cubed
1/2 tsp. curry powder

Make ghee out of the butter. Microwave the butter until it boils. The solids in the butter will settle to the bottom. Just pour out the clarified butter on the top into a large skillet. Cook the onion in the ghee about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook about 1 minute. Then add in the cumin, salt, ginger, cayenne, cinnamon, and turmeric. Stir and continue to cook about 2 more minutes.

Add tomato sauce into the onion mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 10 minutes. Mix in cream, paprika, and sugar. Bring sauce back to a simmer, and cook, stirring often, until the sauce thickens, about 10-15 minutes.

Heat oil in a different skillet over medium heat, then add in the chicken and curry powder. Sear chicken until starting to brown on the outside, but still pink on the inside, about 3 minutes. Make sure you stir often. Transfer chicken and any pan juice into the sauce. Simmer chicken and sauce until the chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes.

Serve as is or over hot rice.

Here's a link to the original recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/curry-stand-chicken-tikka-masala-sauce/