Cheesecake in a Jar Recipe I’m fairly certain that I’ve discussed my lack of love for the great outdoors, so it’s safe to say you’ll never hear me writing about long hikes in the woods or camping anywhere other than on a deck chair at a five star resort (Hey, I can dream, right?). Not to say that I am not fond of the fresh air and scenery, I just like to keep a screen between me and the bugs. Needless to say, I don’t last long at picnics in the park or anywhere outdoors for that matter. Usually an annoying fly or buzzing bee will send me into a fit within 20 minutes and I’ll sit there contemplating my escape route or the idea of eating in my air conditioned vehicle. Problem is, I am a big pan of picnic food. Then, a couple of friends came up with the idea of a virtual picnic. The Nature Conservancy has a website that is devoted to Picnic for the Planet. Eat Smart Be proactive, know where your food comes from and who it impacts. Eat Local Take advantage of your farmer’s market. Eat Sustainably Eat Green Eat Out
Dinner Tonight: Spicy, Sweet and Vinegary Noodles (Bibim Guksu) [Photograph: Nick Kindelsperger] When I dream of kimchi I think of great bowls of pork-laden stew and excessively large tables of Korean barbecue, which comfort me during the depths of winter. But as we're heading into spring, I wanted something that wouldn't make me think of three feet of snow, but a nice 70 degree day. Essentially, I'd need a cold dish that would embrace kimchi's acidity above all else. This recipe for bibim guksu from My Korean Kitchen is the perfect spring transition dish. About the author: Nick Kindelsperger is a freelance writer in Chicago and the co-founder of The Paupered Chef.
pumpkin cupcakes Oh, people. I know you’re pumpkin-ed out and it is not even Thanksgiving yet. But if there could be room in your gullet for one more pumpkin love — perhaps even as a last minute, the-heck-with-pie, Hail Mary pass of a Thanksgiving meal dessert — I think that these wee cakes are a worthy cause. So many pumpkin cakes and loaves and muffins are heavy, playing off the dense qualities of pureed squash, and the deep, warm spices we like to eat them with. The original recipe is from our friend David Leite, of the Consummate Chocolate Chip Cookie fame. How to make roses: I worked at a bakery in high school where I picked up some party tricks — ha! One year ago: Curried Lentils and Sweet PotatoesTwo years ago: Fettuccine with Porcini Pumpkin Cupcakes With Maple–Cream Cheese Frosting Adapted from David Leite Yield: 17 to 18 cupcakes Frosting Two (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature 2 cups confectioners’ sugar 1/4 cup pure maple syrup 2. 3.
Knock You Naked Brownies Goodness. You have to try these. Here’s how it shakes out. Several weeks ago, I was gifted with a tin of brownies. To be specific: Killer Brownies from Dorothy Lane Market in Dayton, Ohio. They’re one of the best things I’ve ever tasted. While an official recipe for the Killer Brownies is not available, the classic layered brownie recipe known as “Knock You Naked Brownies” is rumored to be a pretty good match. I decided to whip up a batch over the weekend and see if they measured up. It was all in the name of research, of course. Start by dumping this into a large mixing bowl. What’s “this” you ask? It’s German Chocolate cake mix. Not Devil’s Food. Not Chocolate Fudge. German Chocolate. And if you’re not a cake mix person, don’t worry: because of the way the ingredients are combined, the end result just doesn’t have a box mix flavor. Finely chop up some pecans. You’ll need about a cup of chopped nuts, which you’ll remember is quite different from a cup of nuts, chopped. And some evaporated milk.
homemade oreos Just before I left for the airport Monday morning, I stopped short and ran back inside, not because I forgot my power cord or business cards or anything normal like that, but to make myself a turkey sandwich. My flight left late, of course, and by the time I had time to unwrap my semi-smooshed last bit of home-cooked anything, I was so hungry, I was ready to ask the 18-month-old next to me to share one of his drooled-upon teething biscuits. Proust may have had his madeleine and my husband may have his pickled green tomatoes, but I had that turkey sandwich and in the one bite I allowed myself before the drink cart finally brought me something to wash it down with, I had found a happiness I didn’t know could exist at the front end of a much-dreaded three day business trip to a nine-acre enclosed glass pod. It was the best thing I ate for days. What followed were stale, overly-sweet muffins falsely advertised as bran, potato chips I’d found myself eating because they were “free!”
strawberry summer cake It is not summer yet. In fact, it’s been raining for more than a week, and another week — the one in which I presume we’ll be introduced to our new mosquito overlords — is promised. In fact, it was so cold that I met a friend for lunch today and had to wear both a light wool sweater and a jacket. It’s almost like summer looked at New York City and said “pbbbblt!” But I know it’s coming. I hope this will be your summer cake. And your apartment will smell like a strawberry patch. One year ago: Rustic Rhubarb TartsTwo years ago: Raspberry Buttermilk Cake and Slaw TartareFour years ago: Cellophane Noodle Salad with Roast Pork Strawberry Summer Cake Adapted, only slightly, from Martha Stewart I recently picked up some barley flour and fell in love with it. I am ever-so-slightly on the fence about the sweetness of this cake. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Whisk flour or flours, baking powder and salt together in a small bowl. Pour into prepared pie plate.
How To Make Lasagna Home Hacks | Apartment Therapy The Kitchn This recipe is a hybrid of a full-on, totally from scratch lasagna recipe and one that uses pre-made components. I do make my own sauce and cook the meat, but I use dried pasta instead of fresh, homemade pasta. You can definitely make lasagna quicker than this, if you use jarred sauce. This is a serious lasagna. What You Need Ingredients Pasta1 pound dried lasagna noodlesOlive oil Salt Meat Sauce1 1/4 pound (1 package) uncooked spicy pork or chicken sausage1 pound ground beef1 large onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic, mincedOne 28-ounce can plum tomatoes, with their juiceOne 12-ounce can tomato pasteOne 28-ounce can tomato sauce1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepperLarge pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)2 teaspoons salt, divided Cheese Layer15 ounces ricotta cheese, drained2 large eggs, beaten1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided 2 tablespoons olive oilSmall handful fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, minced 4 cups (2 packages) grated mozzarella cheese Instructions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
chocolate peanut butter cake Alex’s birthday was this past weekend and in case you are new here, let me give you a loose outline of a Standard Dessert Alex Politely Requests: Chocolate. Chocolate with chocolate. Chocolate with caramel. Chocolate with toffee. What, can you sense a theme or something? This year we added one more to the chocolate cake pile: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake. Because did I mention the chocolate cake? You might be noticing a recurring theme here this summer, but what can I say? If you like baking cakes, especially celebration cakes, you really want to get this book. But here’s the other best part (you know, if the notion of a boston cream pie cake wasn’t enough to convince you)–a lot of these cake recipes are one-bowl. Peanut butter, previously: Peanut Butter Brownies and Peanut Butter CookiesOne year ago: Brownie Mosaic Cheesecake Sour Cream-Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting and Chocolate-Peanut Butter Glaze Adapted, only barely, from Sky High: Irresistable Triple-Layer Cakes 1. 2.
Brownie Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies So, I’ve done Brownie Covered Oreos, Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies, Candy Bar Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies and…….now I present to you my newest love the BROWNIE Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie! These bad boys weigh a ton, look gorgeous and taste like a million bucks. Bake up a batch of brownies ahead of time, so you don’t have to wait for them to cool. Cut them in little squares and get to stuffing Wait until you see the size of these when that oven timer goes off. I about died. Make a batch of brownies and whip up my chocolate chip cookie dough. I cut my brownies into 2 1/2 to 3 inch squares. Break out your largest cookie scoop. You know the drill Mmmmmm. Time to bake! Gasp! Buttery crisp on the outside, fudgy brownie on the inside! Brownie Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies 1 brownie mix 2 sticks softened butter 1 Cup granulated sugar 3/4 Cup packed light brown sugar 2 eggs 1 Tablespoon vanilla 3 1/2 Cup all purpose flour 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 1. 2. 3. 4. Happy Baking!