Sunday, January 8, 2012

Pizza Dough for a Pizza Stone

Thanks Bobby Flay & Food Network!

Pizza Dough for a Pizza Stone

3 1/2 to 4 C. bread flour, plus more for rolling (Chef's note: Using bread flour will give you a much crisper crust.  If you can't find bread flour, you can substitute it with all-purpose flour which will give you a chewier crust.)
1 tsp. sugar
2 1/4 tsp. instant dry yeast
2 tsp. kosher salt
1 1/2 C. water, 110 degrees F (very warm water)
2 Tbsp. olive oil, plus 2 tsp.

Combine flour, sugar, yeast, and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and combine.  While the mixer is running, add the water and 2 tablespoons of the oil and beat until the dough forms into a ball.  If the dough is sticky, add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together in a solid ball.  If the dough is too dry, add additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time.  Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead into a smooth, firm ball.

Grease a large bowl with the remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil, add the dough, cover bowl with plastic wrap and put it in a warm area to let it double in size, about 1 hour.  Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 2 equal pieces.  Cover each with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let them rest for 10 minutes before utilizing as pizza dough.

White Chocolate, Pretzel, Peanut Butter Cookies

Thanks Picky Palate!

White Chocolate, Pretzel, Peanut Butter Cookies

1 stick softened butter (8 Tbsp.)
1/2 C. sugar
1/2 C. packed brown sugar
1 C. white chocolate chips, to melt
1 1/4 C. creamy peanut butter (reserve 2 Tbsp. to add to melting white chips)
1 egg
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/4 C. flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1 C. broken pretzel pieces
1 C. additional white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy.  Melt white chocolate chips and 2 Tbsp. peanut butter over double boiler until melted.  Add melted chocolate chips and remaining peanut butter to beaten butter and sugars.  Beat in egg and vanilla.

Place flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl; mix to combine.  Add to wet ingredients until just combined. Then, pour in pretzels and additional white chocolate chips.  With a cookie scoop, scoop dough onto a silpat or parchment lined baking sheet.  With the palms of your hand, gently press down each cookie to about 1/2 inch in thickness.  Sprinkle each cookie with a touch of sea salt. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until edges become golden and slightly crisp.  Let cool for 10 minutes on baking sheet before removing.

(Makes about 3 dozen cookies).

Lehi Orange Rolls w/ Cream Cheese Icing

Thank you Sister's Cafe for the original recipe that I've made my own!

Lehi Orange Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing

1/3 C. warm water
2 Tbsp. yeast
3 eggs
1 tsp. orange extract
1 C. warm water
1 tsp. salt
1/3 C. sugar
1/2 C. oil
5 1/2 to 7 C. flour, divided
1 C. butter, softened, divided
1 1/3 C. sugar, divided
zest of 2 oranges

Dissolve yeast in 1/3 C. very warm water.  Add eggs and beat.  Add orange extract, 1 cup warm water, salt, 1/3 cup sugar, oil, and 4 1/2 cups flour.  Beat.  Add 1/2 to 1 cup and knead for several minutes.  Place dough in greased bowl and cover with greased plastic wrap.  Put in a warm place and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled. 

Knead dough 5 or 6 times.  Divide in half.  Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.  Roll each half out into a narrow and long rectangle, about 1/2 inch thick.  Spread with softened butter, remaining sugar, and orange zest.  Roll up lengthwise and pinch to seal edge of dough.  Cut rolls about 1 1/2 inches thick. Place in a greased pan fairly close together and cover with greased plastic wrap.  Let rise for 1 hour in warm place.  Bake at 350 degrees F for 12 to 17 minutes.  Don't overbake.  Let cool slightly, then ice with orange cream cheese icing.

Orange Cream Cheese Icing

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, at room temperature
4 Tbsp. Butter
1/2 package powdered sugar (about 3 cups)
2 Tbsp. orange juice
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2-1 tsp. orange extract, to taste

Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.  Add remaining ingredients and beat until smooth and creamy.  Add more orange juice if necessary for desired consistency.  Use over orange rolls.

Note: Food coloring can be added to icing to make it orange in color if so desired.

Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes

Thanks allrecipes!

Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes
4 russet potatoes, peeled & sliced into 1/4 inch slices
1 onion, sliced into rings (optional--I didn't)
salt and pepper to taste
3 Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 C. milk
1 1/2 C. shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Spray a 1-quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Layer 1/2 of the potatoes into bottom of prepared casserole dish.  Top with the onion slices, and add the remaining potatoes.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

In a medium-size saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.  Mix in the flour and salt, and stir constantly witha whisk for 1 minute.  Stir in milk.  Cook until mixture has thickened.  Stir in cheese all at once, and continue stirring until melted, about 30 to 60 seconds.  Pour cheese over potatoes, and cover the dish with aluminum foil.

Bake 1 1/2 hours in the preheated oven.

Pecan Pie Cheesecake

Thanks Bake or Break! Five Stars from everyone at my Thanksgiving table!

Pecan Pie Cheesecake

Crust:
1 3/4 C. vanilla wafer crumbs
1/4 C. firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 C. butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine wafer crumbs and brown sugar.  Stir in melted butter.  Press into bottom and up sides of a 9" springform pan.  Bake for 6 minutes.  Set aside to cool.

Pecan Filling:
1 C. sugar
2/3 C. dark corn syrup
1/3 C. butter, melted
2 eggs
1 1/2 C. chopped pecans
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan.  Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.  Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, about 8-10 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour into crust and set aside.

Cheesecake Filling:

3 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 C. firmly packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
4 eggs
2/3 C. heavy whipping cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Reduce oven to 325 degrees F. With a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat cream cheese at medium speed until creamy.  Add brown sugar and flour and beat until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each one.  Stir in cream and vanilla.  Pour over pecan filling.  Bake for 1 hour.***  Turn off oven and leave cheesecake in oven with the door closed for 1 hour.  Remove from oven and run a knife along the outside edges to loosen cheesecake from sides of pan.  Let cool.  Chill for at least 4 hours (I usually chill overnight) before serving.

***I always place the springform pan on a cookie sheet and then fill the cookie sheet with 1/4 " of water when I put the cheesecake in the oven to bake.

Roast Turkey

Thanks Good Eats & Alton Brown!

Roast Turkey

For the brine:
1 C. kosher salt
1/2 C. light brown sugar
1 gallon chicken stock
1 Tbsp. black peppercorns
1 1/2 tsp. allspice berries
1 1/2 tsp. chopped candied ginger
1 gallon heavily iced water

For the aromatics:
1 red apple, sliced
1/2 onion, sliced
1 cinnamon stick
1 C. water
4 sprigs rosemary
6 leaves sage
Butter, melted

Directions:
2 to 3 days before roasting, begin thawing the turkey in the refrigerator or in a cooler kept at 38 degrees F.

Combine the vegetable stock, salt, brown sugar, peppercorns, allspice berries, and candied ginger in a large stockpot over medium-high heat.  Stir occassionally to dissolve solids and bring to a boil. Then remove the brine from the heat, cool to room temperature, and refrigerate.

Early on the day or night before you'd like to eat:

Combine the brine, water and ice in a 5-gallon bucket. Place the thawed turkey (with innards removed) breast side down in brine.  If necessary, weigh down the bird to ensure it is fully immersed, cover, and refrigerate or set in a cooler for 8 to 16 hours, turning the bird once half way through brining. 

Preheat oven to temperature specified on turkey's package.

Combine the apple, onion, cinnamon stick, and 1 C. water in a microwave safe dish and microwave on high for 5 minutes. 

Remove bird from brine and rinse inside and out with cold water.  Discard brine.  Pat bird dry with paper towels.

Add steeped aromatics to the turkey's cavity along with the rosemary and sage.  Tuck the wings underneath the bird and coat the skin liberally with melted butter.

Cook turkey in oven (or roaster oven) for 2 to 2 1/2 hours.  Check temperature.  (My turkey took about 3 hours total, but make sure you check the breast temperature to make sure it has reached 180 degrees. 

King's Hawaiian White Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding

Thanks allrecipes!

King's Hawaiian White Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding

1 (16 oz) loaf King's Hawaiian Original Hawaiian Sweet Round Bread, cut into 1 inch cubes
2 C. Heavy Cream
1 1/4 C. white chocolate chips
1 1/2 C. white sugar
2 C. milk
2 eggs, beaten
3 egg yolks, beaten
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 C. toasted pecans, chopped (optional)
1 (12 oz.) jar caramel sauce

Cut the bread into cubes the night before and leave out to become slightly stale (or put into food dehydrator until pretty dry and crispy).

In a medium saucepan, heat hte cream over medium heat.  Meanwhile, place the white chocolate chips in a large mixing bowl. When the cream comes to a simmer, remove the pan from the heat and slowly pour over the chips, whisking until the chips melt. Whisk the sugar into the mixture, add the milk, eggs, egg yolks, and vanilla.

Add the bread to the bowl, gently stirring to coat the cubes. Set the mixture aside to allow the bread to soak, tossing periodically (about 30-40 minutes or so).

Toss the pecans into the soaked bread mixture, then pour into a baking dish.  (individual dishes can be used for single servings if desired).

Place in 350 degree F oven for about 45 minutes.  Test the bread pudding to make sure the top is golden brown and the inside is cooked (not too dry though).

Remove from oven and serve with caramel sauce.

Yellow Squash & Chive Pancakes

Thanks Skinny Taste!

Yellow Squash & Chive Pancakes**

2 C. steamed squash, mashed
1 egg
1 egg white
2/3 C. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/3 C. parmesan cheese
3 Tbsp. fresh chopped chives (or 1 Tbsp. dried chives--like I did)
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
pinch fresh cracked pepper
olive oil spray

Combine all ingredients (except olive oil spray) in a medium sized bowl and mix well. 

Heat a large skillet on medium heat, when hot spray lightly with oil and reduce heat to medium-low.  Drop 1/4 cupfuls of batter, slightly flattening them with the back of a spoon and cook a few minutes or until golden.  Turn and cook the other side until golden.  Set aside and repeat with the remaining batter.


**I served these with a cheese sauce made with velveeta and milk.  (Not as healthy, but tasty!) 

Cauliflower Fritters

Thanks Skinny Taste!

Cauliflower Fritters

4 C. steamed cauliflower (roughly chopped)
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 C. whole wheat flour
2 eggs
1/2 C. pecorino romano (or parmesan)
1/4 C. parsley, finely chopped (optional--I used some dried parsley)
1/4 C. hot water
salt and pepper
nonstick cooking spray

In a large bowl, combine cauliflower, flour, garlic, eggs, grated cheese, parsley, salt and pepper.  Add water so that batter becomes slightly more dense than pancake batter.

Spray a nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray.  On medium-low heat, cook like pancakes until golden brown (turn fritter and cook both sides). 

Bananas Fosters Topped Overnight French Toast

Thanks Skinny Taste!

Bananas Fosters Topped Overnight French Toast

10 oz. Bread (Homemade white bread is YUMMY!) sliced 1 inch thick
2 eggs
1 C. egg substitute (or 4 more eggs)
1 1/2 C. Milk
1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. rum extract

Banana Topping:

1 Tbsp. butter
1/2 C. Brown sugar (packed)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 Tsp. rum extract
4 medium, ripe bananas, sliced

Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.  Arrange bread slices in one layer in baking dish, squeezing them slightly to fit.

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, egg substitute, milk vanilla, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, sugar, salt, and rum extract until combined well and pour evenly over bread. 

Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight for best results.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and bring bread to room temperature.

Bake uncovered, in middle of oven until puffed and edges are very light golden brown (40 to 45 minutes).


While it's baking, in a large deep saute pan melt butter over low heat.  Add brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and rum and stir until sugar is dissolved.  Add a few drops of water if needed and let sauce simmer about 2 minutes.  Add sliced bananas and remove from heat.  Keep covered until french toast comes out of the oven.

When french toast is cooked, serve french toast topped with the banana mixture.
Enjoy!!!