Cookie for one

Thank you "Pinterest"

For those days you just want to make one cookie... 1 tbsp. butter (melted), 1 tbsp. white sugar, 1 tbsp. brown sugar, 3 drops of vanilla, pinch of salt, 1 egg yolk, 1/4 c. flour, 2 tbsp. chocolate chips ... MICROWAVE 40-60 SEC

Cheesy Chowder

I took this from "Lulu the Baker" I tried it and yes it's very comforting!

Cheesy Vegetable Chowder

2 Tablespoons butter

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 cup finely chopped carrot

1 stalk celery, finely chopped (feel free to add more celery if you like celery; I don't, so I don't add much)

1 Tablespoon minced garlic

4 cups chicken broth (I usually use a mixture of low-sodium chicken broth and broth made with chicken soup base because it gives it such nice flavor)

2 large baking potatoes, peeled and chopped

1 Tablespoon flour

1/2 cup water

2/3 cup milk

2 cups chopped broccoli

2 heaping cups shredded cheddar cheese

Melt the butter in a large soup pot.  Add onions, carrots, and celery and saute over medium heat until tender.  Add garlic and cook 1 or 2 additional minutes.  Add chicken broth and potatoes, bring to a boil, and cook until potatoes are tender.  Mix flour with water, add, and simmer until soup is slightly thickened.  Add milk and broccoli and cook until broccoli is just tender and soup is heated through.  Stir in cheese, allow to melt, and serve.

 

This is from a blog called "Lebanese Recipes"- it's very informative

Middle Eastern Cooking Basics

Middle Eastern food is a cuisine built on tradition, history, and passion. Many of the ingredients and techniques used today are identical to those used in ancient Egypt. It is a cuisine that anyone can master, but you have to learn the basics! It is essential to know the spices, essential ingredients, where to shop, and basic cooking techniques.

Middle Eastern Food Culture
Food plays an important role in Middle Eastern culture. Each region has its own unique characteristics and food helps define the culture. In the Middle East, large family dinners can consist of over twenty dishes and take several days to prepare. In the Middle East, food is about family, friends, and celebration.

Essential Ingredients and Kitchen Tools
To be a success in the kitchen, you must have the right tools, very much like an artist with the right brushes and paints. The great aspect of Middle Eastern cooking is that you really don't need fancy gadgets or very many special tools to prepare a fantastic dish. Ingredients are essentials, just like in any type of cuisine. The Middle East boasts many unique ingredients, but are usually easy to find in specialty shops or ethnic grocers. 

Cooking Tips and Techniques
Learning Middle Eastern cooking tips and techniques will bring both speed, precision, and flair to your cooking. You will find that the very basics are the same with any type of cuisine.

Savory Croissants

 

I really like this site- they post some very good recipes-traditional and newer versions. Some are a little difficult because the measurements are in liters but there are lot of site that can translate.

 

 

THE ART OF ARMENIAN & MIDDLE EASTERN COOK

NEW BATCH OF MINI TWO-CHEESE SAVORY CROISSANTS

INGREDIENTS
3 cups flour

1-1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup butter (melted)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup water
2 eggs
1/2 cup Parmesan grated cheese
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese (or your favourite)
(mix both cheeses and pulse in cuisinart with some flour)


PREPARATION

In a large bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients, e.i. flour, baking powder and cheese.
In a separate larger bowl, mix the liquid ingredients... butter, vegetable oil, water and eggs.
Add the dry ingredients to the liquid ingredients ...slowly. Incorporate by mixing gently.

Let the dough sit for 1/2 hour at room temperature.

When ready, divide the dough in 4 and shape them (one at a time) into a circle and cut them Rugelagh style and roll them into crescent.

Brush the croissants with a mixture of beaten egg and few drops of lemon.

Top with nigella seeds (black seeds).

Bake in preheated 350 degrees oven until brown and crips.

more Betty Crocker- in time for Valentine's Day

PEANUT BUTTER TRUFFLE BROWNIES

Craving chocolate and sweet peanut butter all wrapped up into one indulgent bar? Start with a no-fail brownie mix, then add layers of peanut butter and melted chocolate chips. Yum.

INGREDIENTS:
Brownie Base
1 box (1 lb 6.5 oz) Betty Crocker Original Supreme brownie mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box

Filling
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons milk

Topping
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter

DIRECTIONS:
Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray or shortening. (For easier cutting, line pan with foil, then grease foil on bottom only of pan.)

In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, pouch of chocolate syrup, water, oil and eggs until well blended. Spread in pan. Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out almost clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

In medium bowl, beat filling ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread mixture evenly over brownie base.

In small microwavable bowl, microwave topping ingredients uncovered on High 30 to 60 seconds; stir until smooth. Cool 10 minutes; spread over filling. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until set. For brownies, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator

PEANUT BUTTER RIPPLE BROWNIES

Crave the classic chocolate and peanut butter flavor combo? Here it is in brownie form, frosted of course!

INGREDIENTS:
Brownies
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs
1 box (1 lb 6.5 oz) Betty Crocker Original Supreme brownie mix
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup water
2 eggs
Chopped peanuts, if desired

Peanut Butter Frosting
1 cup vanilla frosting (from 1-lb container)
1/3 cup peanut butter
2 to 3 teaspoons milk

DIRECTIONS:
Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan. In small bowl, beat sugar, 1/2 cup peanut butter, the flour and 2 eggs with electric mixer on medium speed 2 minutes; set aside.

In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, pouch of chocolate syrup, oil, water and 2 eggs until well blended. Spread in pan. Drop peanut butter mixture by tablespoonfuls onto batter. Swirl through batter with knife.

Bake 40 minutes. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

In medium bowl, stir all frosting ingredients, using spoon, until smooth and spreadable. Spread frosting over brownies; sprinkle with peanuts. For brownies, cut into 8 rows by 6 rows

love betty crocker!

ULTIMATE TURTLE BROWNIES

Make the ultimate! Indulge brownie mix with extra caramel, nuts and chocolate.

INGREDIENTS:
1 box (1 lb 6.5 oz) Betty Crocker Original Supreme brownie mix (with chocolate syrup pouch)
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box
1 bag (14 oz) caramels, unwrapped
1/4 cup whipping cream
1 bag (11.5 oz) semisweet chocolate chunks (2 cups)
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS:
Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with baking spray with flour. In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, pouch of chocolate syrup, water, oil and eggs until well blended. Spread 1/2 of batter (about 1 1/2 cups) in pan. Bake 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in large microwavable bowl, microwave caramels and whipping cream uncovered on High 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until smooth.

Pour caramel over partially baked brownie; spread to edges. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the chocolate chunks and 1/2 cup of the pecans. Drop remaining brownie batter by small spoonfuls onto caramel layer. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup chocolate chunks and 1/2 cup pecans.

Bake 33 to 36 minutes longer or until center is almost set. Cool 1 hour at room temperature. Cover; refrigerate 1 hour before serving. For brownies, cut into 6 rows by 6 rows. Store covered at room temperature.
Recipes from Betty Crocker

Although my kitchen's always open- my blogging has shut down for a while. I will be back!