Cheese Toast from The Pioneer Woman

The Pioneer Woman always inspires me, but the episode I watched yesterday was especially good.  It was all about the preparation and storage of freezer meals.

Click here for the Food Network page on that particular episode with more recipes.

My favorite thing on this episode is her cheese toast that is very easy and looks delicious.  Too bad there was no photo to share.  If I can remember, when I make it, I'll take a photo.

Ingredients

2 cups grated Cheddar

2 cups grated Monterey Jack

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) butter, softened

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt

1 crusty French loaf 




Directions

In a medium bowl, combine the Cheddar, Monterey Jack, mayonnaise, Parmesan, butter, salt, pepper and seasoned salt.

Cut the loaf in half lengthwise, then into thirds or fourths. Evenly spread the cheese mixture onto the bread pieces. Wrap each piece in a foil "purse," leaving a little room at the top between the cheese and the foil.

The bread can either be frozen for later, or baked right away. If baking right away, place on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes. 

If cooking from frozen, bake on a baking sheet at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes.

Chicken Fried Steak from The Pioneer Woman

Comfort food at it's best!

Chicken Fried Steak with mashed potatoes and gravy is one of my favorite meals.  This recipe comes from The Pioneer Woman!

One of my rules in making this meal . . . don't forget the biscuits!

Ingredients

Chicken Fried Steak:

• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 pounds cube steak (tenderized round steak that's been extra tenderized)
• Kosher salt
• 1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon butter

Gravy:

• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 to 4 cups whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Mashed potatoes, for serving

Directions:

For the steak: 

Set up an assembly line of dishes. Mix the milk with the eggs in one; the flour mixed with the seasoned salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper, paprika and cayenne in another; and the meat in a third. Then have one clean plate at the end for the breaded meat.

Work with one piece of meat at a time. Sprinkle both sides with kosher salt and black pepper, then place it in the flour mixture. Turn to coat. Place the meat into the milk/egg mixture, coat both sides. 

Place it back in the flour and coat both sides (dry mixture/wet mixture/dry mixture). 

Place the breaded meat on the clean plate, then repeat with the remaining meat.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter. Drop in a few sprinkles of flour to make sure it's sufficiently hot. When the butter sizzles immediately, you know it's ready. (It should not brown right away, if it does, the fire is too hot.) 

Cook the meat, 3 pieces at a time, until the edges start to look golden brown, about 2 minutes each side. Remove the meat to a paper towel-lined plate and keep them warm by covering lightly with another plate or a sheet of foil. Repeat until all the meat is cooked.

After all the meat is fried, pour off the grease into a heatproof bowl. Without cleaning the skillet, return it to the stove over medium-low heat. Add 1/4 cup of the grease back to the skillet and allow it to heat up.


For the gravy: 

When the grease is hot, sprinkle the flour evenly over the grease. Using a whisk, mix the flour with the grease, creating a golden-brown paste. Add more flour if it looks overly greasy; add a little more grease if it becomes too pasty/clumpy. 

Keep cooking until the roux reaches a deep golden brown color.

Pour in the milk, whisking constantly. Add the seasoned salt and black pepper to taste and cook, whisking, until the gravy is smooth and thick, 5 to 10 minutes. Be prepared to add more milk if it becomes overly thick. Be sure to taste to make sure gravy is sufficiently seasoned.

Serve the meat next to a big side of mashed potatoes. Pour gravy over the whole shebang!



2011 Ree Drummond, All Rights Reserved

Source:  The Pioneer Woman 

Twice Baked Potatoes from The Pioneer Woman

I could make a whole meal out of baked potatoes . . . and even better . . . twice baked potatoes!

This recipe comes from The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond of The Food Network, so you know it has got to be delicious!

For different variations, change the type of cheese or try combination of cheeses.

They also make great snacks straight from the fridge or pop in the microwave.

Ingredients

8 baking potatoes, washed
3 tablespoons canola oil
2 sticks salted butter (sliced into pats)
1 cup bacon bits (fry your own!)
1 cup sour cream
1 cup Cheddar or Jack cheese (or a mix of both), plus more for topping
1/2 cup whole milk
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
3 green onions, sliced
Freshly ground black pepper



Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Rub the potatoes with canola oil (I like to use softened butter and sprinkle with kosher salt) and bake for 1 hour on a cookie sheet.  Make sure they are sufficiently cooked through.

Place butter in a large mixing bowl along with the bacon bits and sour cream.

Remove the potatoes from the oven and lower the heat to 350 degrees F.

Cut each potato in half (lengthwise). 

Carefully scrape out the insides into the mixing bowl, make sure not to tear the shell.  Leave a small rim of potato for support. Lay the potato shells on a baking sheet.

Mash the potatoes into the butter, bacon and sour cream; add cheese, milk, seasoned salt, green onions and black pepper to taste . . . mix together well. (IMPORTANT: If you plan to freeze the twice-baked potatoes, do NOT add the green onions.)

Heap the potato shells with the filling.  Add a little more grated cheese on top of the potatoes and bake another 15 to 20 minutes until the potatoes are warmed through.


Source:  The Food Network
2011 Ree Drummond, All Rights Reserved

Baklava from The Pioneer Woman

Baklava always takes me back to my childhood and the Greek family friends who were our neighbors.  I was blown away the first time I had a chance to try these syrupy sweet delicacies, I had never had anything like them.

It was a treat to see The Pioneer Woman prepare this delicious pastry on the Food Network.  While it is a rather tedious process, the results are well worth it.

Ingredients
1 package Phyllo Dough
4 cups Chopped Walnuts Or Pecans
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1-1/2 stick Butter, Melted
2 cups Honey
1/2 cup Water
1/2 cup Sugar
3 teaspoons Vanilla Extract


Directions
Remove phyllo dough package from freezer and place in the fridge for 24 hours to thaw. Remove from fridge 1 hour before using.

When working with the phyllo dough, only remove the sheets you immediately need, keeping the other sheets covered in plastic wrap, then a damp cloth.

Toss together the chopped walnuts and cinnamon. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Thoroughly butter a rectangular baking pan. Make sure the sheets of phyllo will generally fit the pan (if they're a little bigger, that's okay.) If they're much bigger, just trim them with a sharp knife.

Butter the top sheet of phyllo with melted butter, then grab it and the unbuttered sheet below it. Set the two sheets in the pan, buttered sheet face down. Press lightly into the pan. Repeat this twice more, so that you have six sheets of phyllo in the pan, three of the sheets buttered.

Sprinkle on enough walnuts to make a single layer. Butter two sheets of phyllo and place them on top of the walnuts. Add more walnuts, then two more buttered phyllo sheets. Repeat this a couple more times, or until you're out of walnuts. Top with 4 more buttered phyllo sheets, ending with a buttered top. Cut a diagonal diamond pattern in the baklava using a very sharp knife.

Bake for 45 minutes, or until the baklava is very golden brown.

While the baklava is baking, combine 1 stick of the butter, honey, water, sugar, and vanilla in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.

When you remove the baklava from the oven, drizzle half the saucepan evenly all over the top. Allow it to sit and absorb for a minute, then drizzle on a little more until you think it's thoroughly moistened.

Allow the baklava to cool, uncovered, for several hours. 

Photo and recipe source:  The Pioneer Woman

Lobster Macaroni and Cheese by The Pioneer Woman

Macaroni and cheese gone wild and way decadent with delicious lobster.

How much better can mac and cheese get?

The Pioneer Woman has put her special spin in this recipe with four different cheeses!

Gotta try this soon :)

Ingredients

• 8 ounces macaroni
• 6 tablespoons salted butter, plus more for buttering the pan
• 2 lobster tails, meat removed and chopped into large chunks
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup half-and-half
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup shelf-stable grated Parmesan, such as Kraft
• 3/4 cup grated sharp Cheddar
• 3/4 cup grated fontina cheese
• 4 ounces goat cheese (chevre)

Directions


Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the macaroni until still very firm; the macaroni should be too firm to eat right out of the pot. Drain and set aside.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch pan generously.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When it just starts to brown, throw in the lobster and stir and cook for 1 minute. Set the lobster aside.

Add the remaining 4 tablespoons butter to the same skillet. Sprinkle in the flour, whisking to combine. Let the roux cook for a minute or so, whisking constantly. Pour in the milk, whisking constantly, then cook the white sauce until thick and bubbly, 3 to 5 minutes. Next, add the half-and-half, 1 teaspoon of salt and plenty of black pepper, and stir to combine. Add the Parmesan (holding back some for the topping), Cheddar, fontina and goat cheese and stir them around to melt. Stir in the lobster and macaroni.

Pour the mac and cheese into the prepared pan and top with the reserved Parmesan. Bake until bubbly and a slight crust forms on top, 20 to 25 minutes.


Recipe courtesy of Ree Drummond

SHOW: The Pioneer Woman
EPISODE: Just Me and the Girls

Click here for more macaroni and cheese recipes.

Spicy Pasta Salad

This recipe was one featured on Rhee's show on the Food Network, The Pioneer Woman this morning.  Her description of this recipe as she was making it was making my mouth water! 

I love anything with pasta, and pasta salad with mayonnaise is so delicious to me!

Rhee is becoming one of my favorite cooks . . . or is she considered a chef?

Ingredients

• 12 ounces, weight Mostaccioli
• 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup Whole Milk
• 4 Tablespoons White Vinegar
• 1-1/2 teaspoon Adobo Sauce From Chipotle Peppers (or One Minced Chipotle Pepper)
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• Ground Black Pepper To Taste
• 10 ounces, weight Grape Tomatoes, Halved Lengthwise
• 1/2 pound Smoked Gouda Cheese, Cut Into Small Cubes
• 24 whole Basil Leaves (chiffonade)

Directions

Cook pasta until done. Drain and rinse in cold water until no longer hot. Set aside.

Mix mayonnaise, milk, vinegar, salt, pepper, and adobo in a small bowl.

In a large bowl, stir together pasta, dressing, halved tomatoes, and cubed Gouda. Taste for seasonings, adding more salt and pepper if needed, and even an extra teaspoons or two of vinegar if necessary. Stir in basil at the end. Refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving.

Divine.

Photo and Recipe Source

Quesadillas de Camarones (Shrimp Quesadillas)

As I watched The Pioneer Woman on the Food Channel this morning, I realized that we have not had shrimp in quite some time and since it is my favorite food, I'm craving it and have posted lots of recipes that include shrimp lately!

These quesadillas look awesome!  One of the things I love about this recipe is the opportunity to vary the ingredients. Pork or chicken would also work well with this recipe. 

The Captain and I love spicy texmex type of food and the combination of ingredients is perfect for our taste. Sometimes we make our own tortillas to make these type of dishes extra special.  Try it sometime when you have some extra time on your hands . . . you won't be sorry!

Ingredients

• Flour Tortillas
• 12 whole Large Shrimp, Peeled And Deveined
• 8 ounces, fluid Mexican Red Sauce
• 1 whole Large Onion
• 1 whole Red Bell Pepper
• 1 whole Green Bell Pepper
• 2 cups Cheese, Grated (Monterey Jack Is Best)
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• Salt To Taste

Preparation Instructions

Pour red sauce over shrimp. Set aside.

Chop vegetables into large pieces. Heat skillet over high heat and add olive oil.

Cook vegetables over high heat until they start to get brown/black. Remove from skillet and set aside.

Return skillet to high heat, then dump in the shrimp with the sauce. Cook, stirring only occasionally, until shrimp is opaque. Add in a little water if the sauce gets dry. 

Remove from skillet and chop into bite-size pieces.

In a separate skillet, heat butter. Place a tortilla in the skillet, then layer on ingredients: cheese, vegetables, and shrimp. Top with a little more cheese and a second tortilla. Cook on both sides, adding butter before flipping to the other side so the tortilla isn’t overly dry.

Remove from skillet and slice into wedges. Serve with rice, beans, salsa, sour cream, guacamole—whatever you’d like!


Source:  The Pioneer Woman

Crazy Brownies from The Pioneer Woman

The next time I want to make something deliciously sinful and decadent, this is it!!

I was watching The Pioneer Woman this afternoon and I could not believe it when she was putting these brownies together.  All I can say is look at the ingredients list!

Won't these be a big hit on the dessert table at your next party?

Ingredients

• 1 box Chocolate Cake Mix, 18 To 20 Ounce Box
• 1/3 cup Evaporated Milk
• 1 stick Butter, Melted
• 9 whole Peanut Butter Cups (regular Size, With The Paper Pulled Off)
• 12 whole Rolo Candies
• 1/2 cup Finely Chopped Pecans
• 1/3 cup M&Ms
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• Powdered Sugar (for Sprinkling)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Put the dry cake mix in a large bowl and stir in the evaporated milk. (Mixture will still be dry.) Next, pour in the melted butter, stirring gently until the mix just comes together (don't over-mix.)

Divide the mixture in half and press half of it in the bottom of a greased 8 x 8-inch baking pan. Lay the peanut butter cups over the top. Peel the wrappers off of the Rolos and place them in the spaces between the peanut butter cups. Sprinkle nuts into the cracks, followed by M&M's. Finally, sprinkle the salt all over.

Put the other half of the batter on a cutting board and press it into a square a little smaller than the pan. (It will be very sticky.) Transfer it to the pan and lightly press it to cover all the ingredients. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the batter is fully baked. Allow to cool completely, then place the pan in the fridge, covered in foil, for a couple of hours.

Remove the brownies from the pan in one piece, then sprinkle on plenty of powdered sugar. With a sharp serrated knife, cut into small squares.


Source:  The Pioneer Woman

Fancy Mac and Cheese from The Pioneer Woman

This recipe was one of Ree's favorite things ever on her episode of the "Ten Things I Love".  At first I thought "mac and cheese"?  Then, as she went into the recipe, I could see why . . . and I can't wait to make it.

All that cheesy goodness of 4 cheeses and bacon too!

I have a feeling this is going to be my new favorite mac and cheese :)

Recipe courtesy of Ree Drummond
The Food Network
2012 Ree Drummond, All Rights Reserved
SHOW: The Pioneer Woman
EPISODE: Ten Things I Love

Ingredients

• 1 pound white button or cremini mushrooms, quartered
• Olive oil, for drizzling
• Kosher salt and ground black pepper
• 8 slices thick-cut bacon
• 2 yellow onions, peeled, halved and thinly sliced
• 5 tablespoons butter, plus more for buttering the pan
• 1 1/2 pounds macaroni
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/3 cup half-and-half
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 3/4 cup grated fontina
• 3/4 cup grated gruyere
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 4 ounces crumbled goat cheese (chevre)
• 4 ounces crumbled gorgonzola or other blue cheese

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Drizzle the mushrooms with olive oil, and then sprinkle them with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven until deep golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Set aside. Try not to eat them before the macaroni's done. Turn down the heat to 350 degrees F.

Next, fry the thick slices of bacon until chewy, but not yet crisp. Chop up the bacon into bite-size bits. Set aside. Try not to eat them before the macaroni's done.

In a large skillet over medium-low heat, saute the onions in 1 tablespoon of the butter, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Set aside. Try not to... oh, never mind.

Cook the macaroni until just undercooked. Set aside.

To make the sauce, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons butter in a large pot over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour, whisking to combine. Let the roux cook for a minute or so, whisking constantly. Then pour in the milk, whisking constantly. Cook the white sauce until thick and bubbly, 3 to 5 minutes. Next, add the half-and-half, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

Spoon some of the hot white sauce into the beaten eggs to temper them, stirring with a fork to incorporate the mixture without cooking the eggs. Pour the tempered eggs into the white sauce, stirring constantly as you add them. Add the fontina, gruyere, Parmesan and goat cheeses. Stir until the cheese all melts. Add the cooked macaroni and stir to coat. Splash in a little milk or hot water if needed for thinning.

Butter a 9- by 13-inch baking pan. Lay on half the onions, half the macaroni, half the mushrooms, half the gorgonzola and half the bacon. Repeat the layers, ending with the bacon. Bake until bubbly and hot, 20 to 25 minutes.

This is the stuff that dreams - and love handles - are made of.


Cook's Notes: 
Substitute diced ham or pancetta for the bacon. Use different cheese to your liking. Serve with steak or chicken as a side dish, or with a green salad as a main dish.

Grilled Chicken Bacon Sliders

These awesome and versatile chicken sliders can be an appetizer, snacks or a main meal.

This is the type of slider that has so many possibilities . . . use your imagination and put your special touch to it.  There are some suggestions for variations at the end of the recipe.

The recipe comes from The Pioneer Woman's website, so you know it's got to be good!

Awesome party food :)

Ingredients

• 4 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (breast Halves, Not The Whole Breast)
• 16 slices Thin Bacon
• Cajun Spice
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• 16 whole Small Dinner Rolls
• 16 slices Cheese Of Your Choice (cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, American, Swiss)
• Bottled Sauces Of Your Choice: BBQ, Louisiana Hot Sauce, Teriyaki, Etc.
• Toppings Of Your Choice: Tomato Slices, Grilled Onions, Lettuce, Celery Leaves, Etc.
• Spread Of Your Choice: Mayo, Mustards, Mayo Mixed With Chipotle Pepper, Etc.

Preparation Instructions


Slice bacon pieces in half and fry over medium-low heat until

Place the palm of your hand flat on the top of each chicken breast. Apply light pressure as you slice it horizontally in half (be careful!) When you're finished, you'll have eight thinner chicken breast pieces. Slice each of these in half so you'll wind up with sixteen small chicken "patties." Place a piece of plastic wrap on top of the thicker pieces and pound gently with a rolling pin to flatten slightly.

Brush both sides of the chicken pieces with a little bit of the bacon fat, then season with Cajun spice and salt and pepper to taste.

Heat a grill pan if you have one, or a heavy skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Cook chicken pieces on the first side for a couple of minutes, then flip them over to the other side. Lay slices of cheese (whatever kind you'd like) on top of each piece, then top with a couple of bacon slices. Cook until chicken is done, then remove from the pan.

Spread both sides of dinner rolls with the spread of your choice (mayo, mustard, etc.) and the toppings of your choice (tomato, lettuce, etc.) Place chicken pieces in between halved dinner rolls. Serve immediately!


Variations:

* Brush a little BBQ sauce on the chicken before laying on the slice of cheese and the bacon.

* Brush a little Louisiana hot sauce on the chicken. Add bacon, then top with a bunch of celery leaves before putting inside the buns.

* Change up the cheese, toppings, however you'd like!



Source:  The Pioneer Woman

Chocolate Devils

Chocolate is such a weakness for so many of us!

This recipe is a delight for the eyes and such a treat for our chocolate cravings.

What a gorgeous presentation and perfect on the dessert table for a party.

Thank you Ree Drummond for another awesome recipe!

Recipe courtesy of Ree Drummond
Recipe courtesy Ree Drummond
The Food Network
SHOW: The Pioneer Woman
EPISODE: Sweet Deliveries 
Check out the link for more delicious recipes from this episode.

Ingredients

The Best Chocolate Sheet Cake:

• Baking spray, for spraying parchment
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 sticks (1 cup) butter
• 4 heaping tablespoons cocoa
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 eggs, beaten

White Frosting:

• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 sticks (1 cup) butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar (not powdered sugar!)

Ganache:

• 3 cups heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 24 ounces semisweet chocolate, broken into pieces
• 1 jar maraschino cherries

Directions

Special equipment: a 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter and a frosting (piping) bag and tip

For the best chocolate sheet cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Use an 18-by-13-inch sheet cake pan. Cut parchment paper to fit the pan and spray each side with baking spray.

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar and salt. In a saucepan, melt the butter. Add the cocoa to the butter and stir together. Add 1 cup boiling water to the pan and then allow the mixture to boil for 30 seconds. Pour over the flour mixture, and stir lightly to cool.

Pour the buttermilk into a bowl and add the baking soda, vanilla and beaten eggs. Stir the buttermilk mixture into the butter/flour mixture. Pour into the prepared cake pan and bake for 20 minutes. Let the cake cool completely.

Cut the cooled cake into circles with a 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter, and then lay the circles on another sheet pan with a wire rack; set this pan in the fridge to make sure there is no warmth to the cake at all. (The frosting is so light and fluffy, the coolness will help keep it all together.)

For the white frosting: In a small saucepan, whisk the flour into the milk and heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens. You want it to be very thick--thicker than cake mix, more like a brownie mix. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature. If in a hurry, place the saucepan over ice in the sink for about 10 minutes or so until the mixture cools. It must be completely cool before you use it in the next step. Stir in the vanilla.

While the mixture is cooling, cream the butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. You don't want any sugar graininess left. Then add the completely cooled milk/flour mixture and beat the living daylights out of it. If it looks separated, you haven't beaten it enough! Beat it until it all combines and resembles whipped cream. Grab a spoon and taste this wonderful goodness. If there is any left after your taste test, spread it on a cooled chocolate cake.

For the ganache: Heat the cream until very hot. Add the vanilla, and then pour over the chocolate pieces. Stir to completely melt.

To assemble: Place the white frosting into a frosting bag. Squeeze the frosting onto one circle of cake. Press a second circle on top. Using a ladle, pour ganache over the cake, allowing the chocolate to run over the sides. Place 3 cherries on the center. Repeat the process with each cake. Chill the cakes until ready to serve!

French Breakfast Puffs

These delicious looking muffins are a great "on the go breakfast"  item.

I just watched this episode of The Pioneer Woman and they look so easy to make . . . my kind of breakfast for those busy mornings!

Recipe courtesy Ree Drummond
The Food Network
SHOW: The Pioneer Woman
EPISODE: Feeding Cows, Feeding Cowboys


Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup shortening
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup whole milk

Coating:

• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 

Lightly grease 12 muffin cups. 

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. Set aside. 

In a separate large bowl, cream together the sugar and shortening. Add the eggs and mix again. Alternate adding one-third of the flour mixture and one-third of the milk to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition. 

Fill the muffin cups two-thirds full. 

Bake until golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the muffins from the pan and set aside. 

To make the coating, melt the butter in a bowl or glass pan. In a separate container, combine the sugar and cinnamon. Dip the warm muffins in the butter, coating thoroughly. Then roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Helpful Hint: 

After cooling completely, puffs can be frozen in plastic bags and reheated later. 

Dulce De Leche Brownies from The Pioneer Woman

This is my favorite recipe from the episode of The Pioneer Woman that I'm currently watching, but you'll need to check out all of the recipes by clicking on the episode link.

It has been a really long time since we have had a wonderful chocolatey dessert and these brownies just reminded me!

Don't they look sinfully delicious?

Recipe courtesy of Ree Drummond
The Food Network
SHOW: The Pioneer Woman
EPISODE: Big Day at the Building



Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, plus more for greasing pan
• 5 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• Half of a 14-ounce can dulce de leche
• Powdered sugar, for sprinkling

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8-by-8-inch baking pan (a square pan will result in thicker brownies).

In a medium-large saucepan, melt the butter with the chocolate over low heat, whisking occasionally until smooth and melted. Sprinkle in the cocoa powder and whisk to combine. Allow to cool for about 10 minutes.

Stir in the granulated sugar and vanilla until just combined. Stir in the eggs. Gently stir in the flour until halfway incorporated. Pour the batter (it will be very thick!) into the prepared pan.

Place the dulce de leche in a glass bowl. Warm it in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds. Drop large dollops of dulce de leche on the surface of the brownie batter. Use a knife to slowly swirl it through the batter. Don't drag the knife sideways through the batter; hold it so the thin side of the knife leads the way.

Bake for 40 minutes, then check the brownies with a toothpick. If they are overly gooey/messy, return to the oven for 5 to 10 more minutes (just be careful not to burn the edges). Allow to cool completely (important!), then sprinkle with powdered sugar and cut into small squares.

When warm, the brownies will seem overly gooey/soft. As they cool, they will firm up. (Brownies are best several hours after baking, or even the next day!)

Toasted Ravioli from The Pioneer Woman

Toasted Ravioli are so delicious!  I've made them by pan frying the frozen ravioli in butter with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

This recipe comes from The Pioneer Woman.  They look so much crispier and crunchy than my version and I can't wait to try this out!

Ingredients

• 4 cups Vegetable Oil
• 6 whole Eggs
• 1/2 cup Half-and-half
• 2 cups All-purpose Flour
• 2 cups Seasoned Breadcrumbs
• 24 whole Frozen Ravioli (cheese Or meat)
• 2 cups Jarred Marinara Sauce, Heated
• 1/4 cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
• 1 Tablespoon Minced Fresh Parsley

Preparation Instructions

Heat the oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat until it reaches 400 degrees.

Whisk together the eggs and half-and-half in a dish. Place the flour in a separate dish. Pour the breadcrumbs into a third dish.

Grab the ravioli right out of the freezer. One at a time, drop the ravioli into the egg mixture, then dredge them in flour, then dunk them once again in the egg mixture, then coat them in the breadcrumbs. Set them aside on a plate as you go.

3 or 4 at a time, drop the breaded ravioli into the oil and fry them for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, until the surface is golden brown and the filling is hot. They brown quickly, so watch them the whole time!

Remove them to a paper towel and repeat with the rest of the ravioli. Transfer them to a serving platter, sprinkle on the Parmesan and parsley, and serve with the marinara sauce.

Source:  The Pioneer Woman

Blackberry Cheesecake Squares

When it is any type of cheesecake, it gets my attention.  

I saw Ree make this cheesecake on The Pioneer Woman this afternoon and what I loved best (besides it being cheesecake) is the crust.  Vanilla wafers and pecans sounds like a delicious crust that I'd like to try out real soon.

Recipe courtesy of Ree Drummond
The Food Network
SHOW: The Pioneer Woman
EPISODE: Make Ahead Potluck

Ingredients

Crust:

• Cooking spray, for spraying foil
• One 11-ounce box vanilla wafers
• 1/2 cup pecans
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, melted

Filling:

• Three 8-ounce packages cream cheese
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup sour cream

Topping:

• 4 cups blackberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

For the crust: Line a 9-by-13-inch rectangular baking pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.

Place the vanilla wafers and pecans into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the mixture becomes crumbs. Add the melted butter and pulse again until combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan. (If they come up the sides, that's okay!)

For the filling: Beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla together in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Add the sour cream and mix again.

Pour the filling into the crust, smooth the top and bake for 50 minutes. Turn off the oven, open the oven door and allow the pan to sit in the open oven for 15 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool.

For the topping: Add the blackberries, sugar and 1/4 cup water to a saucepan or skillet. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until the juices thicken slightly, 4 to 5 minutes.

In a small bowl, make a slurry by stirring together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water until smooth. Add the slurry to the berries, return to the boil and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and cool the mixture.

Pour the blackberries over the cheesecake and place the pan into the fridge to cool and set for at least 2 hours (several hours is better).

When ready to serve, remove the cheesecake from the pan by lifting the edges of the foil. Slice into 15 pieces with a long serrated knife.

Roasted Red Pepper Pasta from The Pioneer Woman

Lately I have been checking out The Pioneer Woman's show on The Food Network and spending more time going through the website and her recipes.  She's an amazing cook!

This recipe makes use of my newly developed love of jarred roasted red peppers and offers so much variation to this basic recipe.  I would love this pasta with some meatballs, italian sausage, chicken prepared parmesan style or simply add some fresh mushrooms.

Love the pasta she used in this recipe . . . I've never seen it before!

Another quick, easy and economical meal :)

Ingredients 

• 12 ounces, weight Pasta Of Your Choice (I Prefer Short Ones Like Rigatoni, Penne, Etc.) 
• 4 Tablespoons Butter 
• 1/2 whole Large Onion, Finely Diced 
• 3 cloves Garlic, Minced 
• 1 jar (15.5 Ounces) Roasted Red Peppers, Drained And Roughly Chopped 
• 1 cup Vegetable Or Chicken Broth 
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt, More To Taste 
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper 
• 1/2 cup Heavy Cream (more To taste) 
• 1/2 cup Parmesan Shavings (more For serving) 
• Finely Minced Parsley 
• Chopped Fresh Basil (if You Have It!) 

Preparation Instructions


Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic and saute for 2 to 3 minutes or until starting to soften. Add the chopped red peppers and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until hot.

Remove the skillet from the heat. Carefully transfer the contents of the skillet to a food processor or blender. Place on the lid and puree the pepper mixture until totally blended (there will still be some texture to the peppers.)

Heat the other 2 tablespoon butter back to the skillet over medium heat. Pour the pepper puree back into the skillet. Add the broth, salt, and pepper, and stir until heated. Splash in the cream and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings if you need to.

Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet. Add Parmesan and parsley/basil, then stir it together to coat the pasta.

Serve in bowls with extra Parmesan and a sprinkling of parsley on top.

Recipe and Photo Source: The Pioneer Woman

Go to the original article for more photos