Apple Cider Bread

Apple Cider Bread

We always have an abundance of apple cider in our house because my kids love the stuff, so when I saw this recipe in Recipe Girl's cookbook, I knew I had to make it.
I like that it came out moist and with lots of flavor, a really good bread, my tip is to try  a combination of apples to give it all different flavors. (i.e. granny smith, braebrun, and Jonathon)

You will need:

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp ground cloves

2/3 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup packed light brown sugar

4 Tbsp (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temp

2 large eggs

½ cup apple cider

2 ¼ cup peeled and cored,chopped apples (about 3)

1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

To Make:

Preheat oven to 350 F.   
Grease and flour a 8 x 5 inch loaf pan.
 In a medium bowl, use mixer to beat the sugars and butter  until light and creamy, 1-2 minutes. 
Beat in the eggs until incorporated. Add the flour mixture half at a time, alternating with the cider, and mix just until combined.

In a small bowl, toss the apples with the lemon juice. Stir in the apples into the batter.

Scoop the batter into the pan. Bake 50-60 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. 
Cool in pan for at least 20 minutes and turn the loaf out onto a wire rack to cool completely.




Then dive in and eat up!

Recipe Source: Recipe Girl by lori lange

Neighbor Christmas Gifts

The holidays are just a few days away and I wanted to share with you my two favorite dessert recipes.

I decided to make friend/neighbor gifts out of these and here is what I did and the recipes as well.

The first one I made was these delicious Oreo Stuffed Brownies,

recipe here and I got plastic bags at Hobby Lobby and cute Christmas twine there as well.

Stack them on top of each other and they make a beautiful gift!

Oreo Stuffed Brownie Christmas Gifts

The other treat I wanted to share with my friends was this Buttermilk Banana Bread that just makes me SWOON.

The recipe is here.

I wrapped them up in wax paper and used the same string to tie the ends.

I printed off some free printables found here.

BUTTERMILK BANANA BREAD

I hope you, your friends, and neighbors all enjoy.....I know mine sure did!

Buttermilk Banana Bread

Buttermilk Banana Bread

I have such a HUGE love of bananas and I thought it was weird how I could love bananas in everything from oatmeal, to smoothies, ice cream, and pancakes, but I have never LOVED a single banana bread recipe I've ever made. I was thinking for a few years there that I just didn't like banana bread, but lo and behold....it was just that I had never found the RIGHT recipe.

Well, this one blew my socks off and I have already made it 3 times in the month of December.

Yeah...it's THAT good.

This banana bread makes me SWOON.

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 cup mashed bananas (I use about 3 average sized bananas)

4 tablespoons buttermilk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 3/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

Grease and flour 1 large loaf pan (9 1/4 X 5 1/4-inch) or mini loaf pans.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together. 

Add eggs, bananas, buttermilk and vanilla until the batter is well mixed. 

Add in the flour, baking powder, salt and soda. 

Mix until well combined. 

Divide batter into greased and floured bread pans and 

bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes (if using 1 large loaf pan) 

or 35 minutes for mini loaves and until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cut it up and rejoice over the deliciousness that you just created!

 

 Recipe Source: Melskitchencafe.com

Rosemary Rolls

Hold on to your socks!

These are going to be your next favorite thing!

I am obsessed with these and have made them 4 times already!

You will need: 

frozen, unbaked dinner rolls

melted butter

fresh rosemary

coarse sea salt

To Make:

Spray a small iron skillet or round baking tray with cooking spray or coat with olive oil. Place frozen rolls in the skillet, leaving plenty of space to rise.

Cover and allow to rise for several hours.

After rising, brush rolls with melted butter.

Sprinkle on chopped rosemary. Brush with additional butter and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.

Bake according to roll package directions (usually 400 F for 15-20 minuets) until rolls are deep golden brown on top. 

Serve them up!

Recipe Source: Pioneer Woman

Cheesy Baked Artichoke Dip

Cheesy Baked Artichoke Dip

ingredients:

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (packed) grated parmesan cheese (about 2 ounces)

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sour cream

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon onion salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

pinch of salt

2 14-ounce can artichoke hearts packed in water, well drained, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1 cup italian cheese blend

French-bread baguette slices, toasted

preparation:

Whisk 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, pepper, onion salt, and garlic powder in medium bowl to blend. 

Stir in chopped artichoke hearts. Transfer mixture to 3-cup ramekin.I didn't have a ramekin, so i just used a bowl that is oven safe.

Sprinkle dip with remaining 2 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese italian cheese and paprika.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Bake dip until heated through, about 25 minutes (about 35 minutes if chilled).

Preheat broiler. Broil until cheese melts, about 2-3 minutes. 

Serve warm with toasted baguette slices.

Recipe Source: http://www.pickycook.com

Bread Dipping Oil

I am SUCH a sucker for the yummy, delicious herbs and olive oil restaurants bring out to you with bread. I am also SUCH a fan when it has lots of flavor and enhances the already tasty bread.

I found this recipe and it makes the PERFECT bread dip.

What I like to do is make it up, use a little bit, and toss the rest in a jar and stick it in the fridge.

That way, it is all ready next time I want to have some!

You will need:

1 tablespoon crushed red pepper 

1 tablespoon black pepper 

1 tablespoon dried oregano 

1 tablespoon dried rosemary 

1 tablespoon dried basil 

1 tablespoon dried parsley

1 tablespoon garlic powder 

1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic 

1 teaspoon salt 

extra virgin olive oil 

Bread, any kind you like ( I like french or sourdough)

To Make:

Mix all ingredients together.  

To use, put 1 tablespoon of this seasoning mixture into a small bowl and pour extra virgin olive oil over it.  

Mix and dip warm slices of Italian bread into it!

Store the remaining seasoning mixture in the fridge.

For a printable version of this recipe, click here.

Source: http://www.therecipediva.com

Calzones

Calzones


I watched Pioneer Woman make these on her tv show and I immediately knew I had to make them myself.
They are the perfect size and they can be custom made to have anything you like inside!
Just remember that you need to prep in advance so that the frozen rolls have time to rise.

You will need:

16 whole Frozen, Unrisen Dinner Rolls (I Use Rhodes)

1 Tablespoon Butter

1 /2 Medium Onion, Diced

1 pound hamburger meat

½ teaspoons Italian Seasoning

1/8 teaspoons Red Pepper Flakes

15 ounces, fluid Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese

½ cups Grated Parmesan Cheese

1-½ cup Grated Mozzarella Cheese

2 whole Eggs

½ teaspoons Salt

Black Pepper To Taste

2 Tablespoons Chopped Fresh Parsley

Marinara Sauce, For Serving

1 whole Egg Beaten

Preparation Instructions

Place frozen rolls on a baking sheet to thaw. 
Cover with a tea towel and let thaw and rise for 2 to 3 hours.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and allow to cook for a couple of minutes. Add meat and cook until brown, crumbling it as you stir. Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Remove from pan and allow to cool on a plate.

In a separate bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, mozzarella, eggs, salt, pepper, and parsley. When meat is cool, stir it in. Set aside.

When rolls are thawed and risen, roll them out on a lightly floured surface until paper thin. Spoon 3-4 tablespoons (approximately) filling onto half of the dough circle.

 Fold half of the dough over itself, then press edges to seal.

Brush surface of calzone with beaten egg, then bake for 10-13 minutes, or until nice and golden brown. Serve with warm marinara sauce.

Source: Pioneer Woman

Perfect fried chicken dinner salad

Perfect Dinner Salad

If you're looking for a light easy meal for dinner then this is it!

It's a great fried chicken salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and ranch. Throw in a garlic breadstick on the side and you're good to go!

You will need:

A head of any lettuce you like, I used romaine

cucumber, sliced and diced

cherry tomatoes

boneless, skinless chicken tenders

Drake's coating (for the chicken)

Ranch dressing, or any kind you prefer

(optional) New York Brand Garlic Breadsticks, frozen

To make:

Follow the directions on the back of the Drake's coating mix to coat the chicken and then either pour some oil in a pan and fry it until it comes out white and reaches 180 degrees or what I did is place them in my deep fryer for a couple of minutes until they were done.

Then dice them up and set aside.

Chop up the lettuce and halve the cherry tomatoes. 

Remove the skin and dice up the cucumber. 

Add it all to a bowl and throw in the chicken. 

Then mix it all up, plate it, and add some ranch dressing!

I added some New York Brand frozen garlic breadsticks and just warmed them in the oven for a few minutes and they were the perfect addition!

It makes a quick meal when you have a lot going on in the evening, but just need a little something to keep going!

Braided Spaghetti Bread

Braided Spaghetti Bread
I found this recipe on Pinterest and knew right away that I HAD to try it.
Boy am I glad that I did.....it was sooo good!
I mean who doesn't love the combo of spaghetti and bread? Mix up a little Caesar Salad and you're good to go!

1 Loaf Rhodes Bread Dough or 12 Rhodes Dinner Rolls, thawed to room temperature

6 oz spaghetti, cooked

1 cup thick spaghetti sauce

8 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2 –inch cubes

1 egg white

Parmesan cheese

Parsley flakes


To make:

Spray counter lightly with non-stick cooking spray.

Roll loaf or combined dinner rolls into a 12x16-inch rectangle.

Cover with plastic wrap and let rest 10-15 minutes.

Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.

Drain and let cool slightly. Remove wrap from dough.

Place spaghetti lengthwise in a 4-inch strip down center of dough.

Top with sauce and cheese cubes.

 Make cuts 1 1/2-inches apart on long sides of dough to within 1/2-inch of filling.

Begin braid by folding top and bottom strips toward filling.

Then braid strips left over right, right over left.

Finish by pulling last strip over and tucking under braid.

Lift braid with both hands and place on a large, sprayed baking sheet.

Brush with egg white and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and parsley.

 Bake at 350°F 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly & serve.

Source: Rhodes Bread.com

Artichoke Cheese Bread

Artichoke Cheese Bread

What a great flavor explosion! This was a great addition to our weekly menu and we served it with a pasta dish, but it is tasty and hearty enough to serve with just about anything!

You will need:

1 (10 oz.) baguette, halved lengthwise

1 Tbsp butter

1 clove garlic, minced

1 1/2 cups marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 cup shredded monterey jack cheese

1/4 cup grated fresh parmesan cheese

salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste

To make:

Gently remove soft insides of baguette halves, setting "shells" aside to refill later.

Tear soft bread into small pieces by hand.

Melt butter over med-high heat in a skillet.

Add garlic and bread pieces. Cook until bread turns golden brown, about 5 minutes.

Stir together artichoke hearts, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and monterey cheese in a bowl.

Fold in browned bread and season with salt, pepper, and cayenne (if desired). 

Spoon entire mixture into reserved shells and then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes.

Cool 5 minutes and then slice up and serve!

Chevy's sweet corn tomalito

Chevy’s Sweet Corn Tomalito

Many Mexican food chains call this a "Sweet corn cake". The masa harina used in it is just corn flour and can be found usually in the baking aisle by the flour. If it's not there then for sure check the Mexican/International aisle. 

The one I buy looks like this:

You will need:

4 cups frozen corn, thawed

1/3 cup butter, softened (2/3 stick)

½ cup sugar

¾ cup milk

½ cup masa harina

½ cup corn meal

½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Cream softened butter together with sugar in large bowl with mixer until smooth. Add milk & masa & mix well.

Use blender or food processor to puree 2 cups of corn until smooth. Add pureed corn to butter/masa mixture & mix well. Add corn meal, baking powder, salt, & remaining corn & mix.

Pour mixture into 8x8 pan. Cover with foil and place the whole thing into a 9x13 pan. Add hot water to the larger baking pan until it’s about 1/3 full. Bake for 1 1/2 – 2 hours or until corn cake is firm in center. Let sit covered for 10 minutes before serving.

Makes 8 servings.

Source: Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2 by Todd Wilbur

Little Caesar's Crazy Bread

I've always loved Little Caesar's breadsticks since I was a kid, so when I saw this recipe I had to try it!

You will need:

1-10oz. tube Pillsbury pizza dough

2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter

1 teaspoon garlic salt

Kraft 100% grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Unroll the dough on a cutting board. Position it lengthwise (longer from left to right than top to bottom). With a sharp knife, cut the dough in half, and then in half once more so that you have 8 even strips of dough.

 Being careful not to stretch the dough, place each strip on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake for 6 to 8

minutes, or until the top just turns golden brown.

While the dough bakes, melt the butter (on the stove or in the microwave on high for 15 to 20 seconds), then

add the garlic salt and stir until it dissolves.

Remove the browned dough from the oven and with a pastry brush or spoon spread a coating of garlic butter

over each piece.

Sprinkle a generous amount of Parmesan cheese on each!

Source: Todd Wilbur's Top Secret Recipes