Friday, May 28, 2010

Sausage-Stuffed Pork Rolls

Another Deen Brother's Recipes From The Road cookbook. So far I have found quite a few recipes to try from it:) This was supposed to be an appetizer but I only had some bigger pork chops so it was a full blown meal!
Pork rolls and roasted potatoes.

6 4oz. boneless, center-cut pork chops
12 oz. sweet or hot Italian sausage
3 oz. provolone cheese, cut into strips
6 fresh sage leaves
Salt and freshly ground pepper
With a meat mallet or heavy pan, pound each of the chops until very thin. Remove the casing from the sausage and crumble into a skillet. Cook the sausage over medium heat about 10 mins or until no pink remains.

Preheat the broiler. Spoon about 2 T. of cooked sausage onto each pork chop.

Top each with one slice of cheese and one sage leaf.
I used ground sage because I forgot to get the leaves:)

Roll each chop around filling and secure with a toothpick. Season the rolls with salt and pepper.

Place pork rolls in a pan with olive oil over medium high heat and cook for 5 to 6 mins on each side.

Place pork rolls in a pan with olive oil over medium high heat and cook for 5 to 6 mins on each side.
To serve remove toothpicks and slice.

You could also grill or broil these rolls. Next time I will try to grill them and see how that turns out:)

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Guest Post ~ Father's Day Ideas

Baking Cookbook Gift Ideas For Father's Day

by Shannon Clark, a Snubbr expert

Would you easily describe your dad (or husband) as a world class baker? If so, consider getting him a brand new baking cookbook this coming Father's day. There's always new techniques or recipes that he can try out as he indulges in this passion of his and best of all, if you're lucky he may just share the end result.

Let's take a quick look at some of the top rated baking cookbook options available so you can find the perfect pick for your father this coming father's day.

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The Complete Baking Cookbook: 350 Recipes From Cookies And Cakes To Muffins And Pies


If your dad likes baking a variety, this cookbook is sure to please him. With many different varieties of baked goods that he can prepare when he uses this cookbook, you can ensure he never gets bored. This book really outdoes itself when it comes to cookies especially with so many different varieties to choose from that span across all sorts of ingredients.If he's a pie fan as well, rest assured there will be plenty of different ideas to keep him occupied. The book even comes with troubleshooting tips and techniques so there's a good chance he'll improve his cooking skills while he bakes up the various recipes that are found in it.

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The Joy of Vegan Baking: The Compassionate Cooks' Traditional Treats and Sinful Sweets

If you have a father who's a vegan, one of the most difficult types of dishes for him to prepare will be dessert since he's not to eat any eggs or dairy. That's where this cookbook comes in handy.With 150 different recipes that span across cakes, pudding, cookies, crepes, and pies, there will be something that's sure to please him. Since all are prepared without any animal products at all, you can also be confident that they're going to be far healthier varieties to be adding to his diet helping him maintain his ideal weight range.Whether he is rather new to the process of baking or is a seasoned pro with the oven, this cookbook will provide more than enough recipes to keep him busy for the coming months.

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The Smart Baking Cookbook: Muffins, Cookies, Biscuits, and Breads

Has your father recently undergone a total health make-over? If so, this is the cookbook you should get for him. It contains 180 different dishes that are all low in fat, high in fiber, and contain no added sugar. All are made up of natural ingredients such as fruit, nuts, honey, cinnamon, or other herbs and flavorings so he gets a healthy dessert that's still high on taste.Written by the editor of Prevention magazine, which is a magazine filled with top-notch health information, you can be sure there's nothing but high quality here.

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Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook

Perhaps no other name is as famous in the household of a baking enthusiast than Martha Stewart. Known for her delicious desserts and world-class presentation, you know your father will appreciate every single one of the recipes that comes in this book.She begins the book by providing you with a wide variety of general baking tips, which your dad can then use to improve his own techniques in the kitchen. After that the book includes a complete illustrated guide to the various types of baking equipment that will be utilized in the recipes so he'll never feel lost in the dark about what's going on.Also included in the book are plenty of recipe substitutions that can be used so if something happens and your dad doesn't happen to have the stated ingredient at home, he'll quickly be able to find a swap for it that won't wreck his afternoon of baking.Various recipes include din this guide are cakes, pies, tarts, coffee cakes, scones, biscuits, muffins, crackers, breads, as well as fine pastries. You know he'll never get bored when using this cookbook.

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The Low-Carb Baking and Dessert Cookbook

Has your dad recently adopted a low carb diet? If so, this is the book for him. It's filled with a variety of different recipes from breads, pastries, to confections, all of which will be low carb in nature. Do take note that the ingredients called for in this book will be slightly atypical as they do have to be lower in carbs, so he'll have to shop around when preparing these recipes.If he has a serious sweet tooth however and is very committed to sticking to his diet, you know that this cookbook will definitely make achieving his goals easier.


So keep all of these cookbooks in mind as you shop for a gift for your father this coming Father's Day. Any one of these will definitely make his holiday.

If you need more unique gift ideas, check out snubbr.com. They're a Q&A site for shopping advice, backed by thousands of experts. You simply ask a question, and they search for experts to answer it for you.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Chocolate-Covered Oreo Cookie Cake

Chocolate, cream cheese, Oreos, more chocolate, cool whip.... this cake get your attention yet? :)


If you love chocolate, you are probably going to love this cake!! I got this recipe from a co-worker (Thanks Mary... for all the recipes you give me!!!) and made it as my dessert for our Mother's Day get together. It is a pretty easy desert, which is always a plus!!


Prepare bake cake mix as directed on package in two 9-inch round baking pans. Cool completely. (Tip: press down the top of your cakes as soon as you remove them from the oven so they will be flatter and easier to stack.)


To make the frosting for the top, microwave chocolate and butter in small bowl for 2 minutes or until butter is melted.


Stir until chocolate is completely melted and creamy! Let cool for 5 minutes.


For the filling, beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl...


until smooth!




Gently fold in whipped topping and crushed cookies.


Place 1 cake layer, top-side down on serving plate...placing the cake top-side down should give you a lot flatter surface. Spread with cream cheese mixture.


Cover with remaining cake layer, top-side up!


Spoon the chocolate-y goodness over the top of the cake!! Mine was a little warm so it kinda dripped down the edges... once again, Character!! Let stand until set.. you will be tempted but don't dig in yet!
(sorry about the diet coke can in the background, it usually isn't too far away!! )


Enjoy, devour... whatever you want to do!!



Monday, May 24, 2010

Pork Burgers and Loaded Potato Wedges

How many of you will be having a Barbeque this coming weekend??
These are some really yummy burgers you might want to try out on the grill for the holiday:)
They are a combination of 2 of Rachel Ray burger recipes-she is the queen of burgers!!

Pork Burger

2-1/2 lbs ground pork
2 t. ground coriander
1 t. cayenne pepper
1/2 t. cumin
salt and pepper
2 t. Worecestershire sauce
1 clove garlic minced
1 to 2 T. Parsley
olive oil
6 biscuits
provolone cheese
lettuce
tomato
onion

In a large bowl combine first 8 ingredients-mix thoroughly. Shape into 6 patties, freeze for 15 mins then brush with olive oil. Heat grill and grill burgers for about 6 mins on each side over medium heat. Top each burger with cheese and serve on biscuits with lettuce, tomato and onion. We just used onion and it was perfect!

Loaded Potato Wedges

6 russet potatoes
scrubbed and baked
Once they are baked scoop out the potato and blend til smooth add a little milk and butter.
Place the potato mixture back in the shells and top with cheese and return to oven for a couple mins. Top with bacon, ranch and sour cream.


Enjoy!!

Friday, May 21, 2010

Ham-Muenster Grilled Cheese

Grilled cheese, with some extras... you can't really go wrong! This recipe was featured on the cover of the May 2010 Food Network Magazine but was made with Taleggio cheese. I couldn't find the Taleggio cheese and replaced it with the Muenster which worked out great!


Not a "skinny" grilled cheese sandwich... is it?? :)


First, carmelize the onions by melting butter and olive oil in a large skillet. Add the onions and cook about 20 minutes. I love the smell of onions cooking!!! Hmmm...



All the goods... ready for the sandwich!!



Lay out your bread and start stackin... cheese, half the ham.....


Add the carmelized onions, apple slices and the remaining ham and cheese.



Melt butter in skillet or on electric skillet, add sandwiches. Cook, pressing gently with a spatula
until bottom is golden and the cheese begins to melt, about 4 minutes.

Enjoy with your favorite side!! I served mine with O'Brady's Potato Soup... delicious!!



Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Truffle Pie

"The layers in this pie are mind-boggling. We make it for dessert whenever we have chocoholics over." The Deen Brothers

This pie is for chocolate lovers only! I have considered myself to fit that mold but this was a bit too much chocolate for me! My hubby loved it Although he did say the chocolate was a little strong. He gave some to his boss who said it was pretty good-not a man of many words:)

Truffle Filling:
2/3 c. heavy cream
6 oz. bittersweet chocolate chips

For the truffle filling, in a saucepan, bring 2/3 c. cream to a simmer. Place the 6 oz chocolate chips in a bowl and pour the hot cream over the chocolate. Let stand for a min, then gently whisk until smooth. Spread the truffle filling over the bottom of the prepared crust. Freeze for 20 mins.
1 9-inch prepared or make your own

Whipped Chocolate Filling:
6 oz. bittersweet chocolate chips-here I used German Sweet Chocolate
1-1/2 c. heavy cream
1/2 t. vanilla

Meanwhile for the whipped chocolate filling, in a double boiler or the microwave set on low power, heat the 6 oz choc with 1/2 c. heavy cream until chocolate is melted, stirring often. Let cool to room temp. In a chilled bowl, beat the remaining 1 cup of cream until thick. Add the chocolate mixture and the vanilla and beat til soft peaks form {tips curl}. Spread the whipped chocolate mixture over the truffle filling int the crust. Refrigerate over night.

This recipe calls for all bittersweet chocolate and I'm glad that I used it only in the truffle filling part because it was a little much- next time I will use German Sweet and Milk Chocolate for the whole thing.

Whipped Cream Topping:

1 c. heavy cream
1/4 c. powdered sugar

Garnish:
white chocolate~shaved
milk chocolate~shaved
semisweet or dark chocolate~shaved

Just before serving beat the 1 c. cream on medium speed of an electric mixer until it begins to thicken. Add the powdered sugar and whip until stiff peaks form {tips stand straight}.
Spread the whipped cream over the top of the pie. Using a grater or peeler make pieces or shavings of the chocolates. Garnish. Serve immediately.

Remember to make this pie the day before so it can firm up in the fridge.
Enjoy!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Chicken BLT Sandwich


This is a super simple summer sandwich and delicious too!!! I have combined a few different ideas to come to this sandwich..Lets get to it!!!

Ingredients:

*Chicken breasts (I cut mine in half and then flatten them a little)
*Tomato
*Lettuce
*Bacon, cooked crisp
*Monterry jack cheese
*Aioli, recipe follows
*Toasted sourdough bread, or wheat or anything you have on hand

Directions:

Grill chicken until cooked all the way through. While chicken is still on the grill, place slices of monterry jack cheese on the chicken to melt. (While we chose to grill our chicken you could use breaded chicken too)

Aioli:
*1/4c mayonnaise
*1/4c whole-grain mustard
*1/2 lemon juiced, or 1T of lemon juice
*1T freshly chopped rosemary leaves
*1T minced garlic
*Pinch of salt and pepper
In a small bowl, whisk all the ingedients together.


Cover and place in refrigerator until ready to serve.






To assemble sandwiches, lather aioli on both sides of toasted bread. Place chicken then bacon, lettuce, and tomato on sandwich and top with the other piece of toasted bread.








(Aioli recipe is from Aaron McCargo Jr.)

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Mini Chocolate-Meringue Cupcakes

Another great Giada De Laurentiis recipe...if you love chocolate!! (I am not a huge "dark" chocolate fan but i have to admit these babies were pretty good!! ) The are gooey-chocolate on the inside/bottom and airy/crunchy on the top... quite the combo!! I took them to work for my treat day and they were a hit there too!


Just waitin' for me (well, actually my husband, Jimmy!) to sample.

Start with the cupcakes by separating 2 large egg yolks and getting them to room temperature. Save the eggs white which you will use later in the recipe (hint: you will need three eggs whites, so go ahead and add another right now!) and also let these come to room temperature.

In a medium bowl, beat the egg yolks, vegetable oil , 1/3 cup of sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt, at high speed until smooth, about 2 minutes.


Melt chocolate chips in microwave safe bowl. Mix melted chocolate into mixture and stir until smooth.


Mixture will be thick!


In a separate bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat the egg whites at high speed until they hold soft peaks, about 3 minutes. With the machine running, gradually add the remaining 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until the mixture holds stiff peaks, about 2 minutes.

Stir 1/3 of the egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture.

Using a spatula, fold in the remaining egg white mixture.


In batches, sift the flour over the batter and fold it in using a spatula.

Line a mini cupcake pan with mini liners!! They are soo cute! :) Fill each paper liner to the top with batter and bake for 12 minutes until puffed.


Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes.


Meanwhile, make the topping by melting chocolate chips and oil and drizzle over the top of the cupcakes. Allow the topping to harden for at least 1 1/2 hours at room temperature before
serving.
Last, enjoy your bite-size little chocolate treats!!