Sunday 30 September 2012

Banana Cream Pie

This recipe is a classic old fashioned banana cream pie. Its well worth the time to make the filling from scratch. If you can use a whisk then you can make this pie and does not really take a lot of time. You do not have to make your own pie crust or pipe the whip cream. You can just use a ready-made one in the freezer section and slather the whipped cream on top. Its really that easy.

Saturday 29 September 2012

Best Ever Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

I grew beets in my garden for the first time this year and I wanted to use them in a salad, but if I don't have fresh cooked beets or my own homemade pickled beets  I have used Costco's pickled beets and all work well. I came across this recipe from "Recipe Girl", and WOW what a great salad!! The caramelized beets, avocado and goat cheese work so well together. My kids gobbled this salad up and gave it a ten out of ten rating! It is definitely one of our favorite salads.

Wednesday 26 September 2012

Cheddar Bay Biscuits (Red Lobster)



If you love Red Lobster’s famous Cheddar Bay drop biscuits? This is them. Probably better.  I tried several knock off recipes from the internet and wasn’t completely impressed. Most of them use biscuit mix (Bisquick) as a starter. This recipe is very easy and served with Chili or Shepard's Pie. Yummers!!!

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 cups grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/4 cups milk

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
In a mixing bowl, sift together the first 7 ingredients. 
Using a pastry blender or fork cut in butter until the mixture resembles course crumbs.. 
Stir in cheese, then add sour cream and milk. Mix until combined Do NOT overmix. 
Scoop biscuit dough with ice cream scoop and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
Bake for 20 - 25 minutes.

Topping:

6 tablespoons butter, melted
¾ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon parsley
Melt butter. Stir in garlic powder, parsley, and a dash of salt. Bake at 450 degrees for 20-25 minutes. After removing biscuits from the oven, spoon the topping over them.*Your baking time may vary! I make 15 biscuits from this recipe. If you make your biscuits smaller or larger, it will change your baking time.
Link to Recipe: Red Lobster Biscuits

Combine the first seven ingredients in a large bowl
Have your next ingredients ready, butter, milk, cheddar cheese and sour cream
Work in the butter with a pastry blended


Stir in the grated cheddar cheese
Stir in the milk and sour cream

Mix until combined
With a ice cream scoop place on a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake

Combine butter, garlic powder, onion powder and parsley
Melt in the microwave
While the biscuits are hot brush the butter mixture generously over the biscuits







Saturday 22 September 2012

Cranberry Orange Scones

This is a recipe from Ina Garten one of our favourite cookbook authors. These scones are light and flaky and have a nice mellow orange flavour.  Eat them as they are or slice open and add a little of your favourite jam or jelly.
 When Prince William and Kate got married we included these scones on our early morning breakfast menu. They are so good we could serve them to royalty. This is a big recipe, they freeze well.

Wednesday 19 September 2012

Apple Crisp

I have a apple tree in my backyard and every year at this time we get to enjoy a variety of apple desserts. This apple crisp recipe has become one of our favorites!  It is quick and easy to prepare. Serve fresh out of the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream it is so delicious. Pure and simple comfort food!! 



Saturday 15 September 2012

Best Ever Croutons

  



These croutons are similar to the croutons they make at the Outback Steakhouse. These are very buttery and crunchy. I just use the cheapest bread you can buy. Not for the diet conscious!


Ingredients:

1 loaf of white sandwich bread
1/2 lb butter (not margarine)
1/2 Tablespoon Lawry's or Hys's season salt
1/4 cup fresh garlic chopped


Directions:
Pre-heat your oven to 350°
Cube the bread into about 1 inch square pieces (you can remove crusts but not necessary)
Cut the butter into smaller chunks and place in the microwave for 10 seconds. Stir and return to the microwave for another 5 seconds. It should have the consistency of mayonnaise.
Mix the seasoning and chopped garlic into the butter blend and let sit while you toast the croutons the first time.
Spread the cubes of bread onto a cookie sheet and put into the oven for 10 minutes and then remove and let cool completely before moving on to the next step.
Gently mix the cool croutons into the butter mix until completely coated.
Place the croutons back onto the cookie sheet and bake for an additional 10 minutes at 350°.
Check for desired crunchiness and, if needed, toss and return to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes.
Let cool and add to your favorite salad recipe.
This will store for up to 3 weeks.

Recipe Link:Best Ever Croutons
Cut the bread up into 1 each cubes and spread onto two cookie sheets

Mix the Cajun seasoning and chopped garlic into the butter blend

Mix well until combined

After the cubes are cooled mix the cubes and butter mixture. 

Place back on the cookie sheet and bake for approx. 10 minutes or until golden brown


Wednesday 5 September 2012

Chewy Chocolate Brownie Cookies


I found this recipe years ago on a box Crisco Golden Shortening. I would have to say they are the perfect chocolate chocolate chip cookie. Our families love their cookie soft and chewy texture. This recipe also doubles well.