KAF Baking Class

Perfect Apple Pie

On October 19th, I took two free baking classes offered by King Arthur Flour.  The classes were amazing and were taught by the co-author of three of KAF cookbooks, Susan Reid.

The morning class was Perfect Pie Crusts and Scones.

The evening class was Baking with Whole Wheat.  Between the first and second class I bought two of the cookbooks at the bookstore.  

Susan signed them for me before the second class started.

When Susan was talking about WHITE Whole Wheat in the first class I thought of a visual aid that I had made.  I sewed a ziplock down the middle and poured red wheat in one side and white wheat in the other side.  I gave that to her before the second class started and she loved it.

Since the bookstore didn't have "Cookie Companion" in stock, Susan said to order it from the KAF website and she would sign it before it shipped out.

and as promised this is what was written inside.

Easy Fruit Dip

I made this today for our End of Season Soccer Party.  This dip is so good, it's hard to believe that it's this easy!

Fruit Dip 

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 jar marshmallow cream

Using a hand mixer, combine cream cheese and marshmallow cream until well combined and smooth. Serve with fruit.

Olive Garden Salad

Walmart was out of pepperoncinis, so  I went to another store and bought the LAST bottle on the shelf!


Olive Garden Salad
by Estes McDoniel Cookbook & The On-Call Cook

1 head romaine lettuce, torn
1/4 of a red onion, thinly sliced
1 carrot, shredded
1/4 of a purple cabbage, shredded (I left this out)
1 cup black olives
croutons
1 tomato, chopped
pepperoncinis
parmesan cheese

dressing:
1/4 c Newman's Own Family Italian Dressing
1/4 c pepperonicini juice (from the jar with the pepperoncinis)

Combine the dressing ingredients and stir to combine.  Make sure you shake the Italian dressing before pouring it.

Add the salad ingredients in a large bowl.  Drizzle about 1/2 of the dressing on the salad and toss it.  Add more dressing if you'd like.

Sprinkle on the Parmesan Cheese.

Candy Corn Cupcakes

Yesterday I made these Candy Corn Cupcakes for our Ward's Fall Festival (aka Trunk or Treat).  I pinned this idea from two different bloggers... Your Homebased Mom and The Girl Who Ate Everything.  I used the recipe from The Girl Who Ate Everything, but wasn't crazy about it.  I think I will try a different method of "doctoring" up boxed cake mix the next time.

Meatloaf Glaze

I recently made a meatloaf recipe, which didn't turn out great except for the glaze. Next time I'll make my sweet and spicy meatloaf, but use this glaze on it.

Meatloaf Glaze
by Our Best Bites

1 cup ketchup
1 cup barbecue sauce (I love Cattleman’s Kansas City BBQ Sauce)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 TBSP Creole (or other favorite) mustard

Combine the ketchup, barbecue sauce, mustard, and brown sugar in a small saucepan and heat over low, stirring occasionally.

Reserve 1/2 cup of the glaze and set it aside. Brush meatloaf with a coating of the glaze from the pan. While the meatloaf is cooking, generously brush it every 10 minutes with the glaze from the pan (not the reserved glaze).

When the meatloaf is done, allow it to stand for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with the reserved sauce, a green salad, and potatoes.

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

I made this about 2 weeks ago and LOVED it!  This sauce is amazing and easy!

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
by Your Homebased Mom

1 lb. ground beef, turkey, chicken or Italian sausage (I used turkey)
2 cans (14 oz) petite diced tomatoes
2 cans (14 oz) tomato sauce
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
2 cans water, use the tomato sauce can
2 tsp minced garlic
2 tsp dried onion
3 Tbsp sugar (or to taste)
salt to taste
1 Tbsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp dried basil
2 Tbsp dried parsley

Brown meat along with garlic and onion. Drain meat and add tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water. Stir and then add sugar and seasonings. Season to taste. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer. Allow it to simmer uncovered for several hours. If it gets too thick, just add some additional water or tomato sauce. Stirring frequently.

Lots O' Meat Lasagna

I made this with high hopes and it did not disappoint. Both Jeff and I loved it.  After I took my first bite, I said with surprise "This is good!" (my last few attempts at Lasagna have not been great)

Lots O' Meat Lasagna
by Paula Dean

1/2 pounds ground chuck (I used 85/15)
1 pound ground Italian sausage
1 onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons ground oregano
1 teaspoon ground basil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano
2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
1 1/2 cups small curd cottage cheese (about 16 oz container)
1 (5-ounce) package grated Parmigianno-Reggiano
2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley leaves
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
9 oven-ready lasagna noodles
2 (8-ounce) packages shredded mozzarella

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large saucepan, combine ground chuck, sausage onion and garlic. Cook over medium heat until meat is browned and crumbled; drain.

Return meat to pan and add oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce and paste. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 30 to 45 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine cottage cheese, Parmesan, parsley, and eggs.

Spoon 1/4 of sauce into bottom of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking pan. Place 3 uncooked lasagna noodles on top of sauce. Do not overlap noodles. Spread 1/3 of cottage cheese mixture over noodles, top with 1/4 of sauce and 1/3 mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers, ending with sauce, reserving 1/3 of mozzarella cheese.

Bake 45 minutes. Top with remaining cheese and bake 15 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Hannah's Cookbook

I decided to compile all of Hannah's recipes from her cooking class to make her a cookbook.  I found a small scrapbook at TJ Max and printed out the pictures I had taken from her class.  Hannah wanted the original handouts from her class, instead of me retyping the recipes.  I had to get creative with some of the pictures in order to make everything fit.  I think it turned out so cute, and Hannah is very proud of her book.

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have seen this particular recipe on 3 different blogs in the past 2 weeks, so I thought I'd better try it! It did not disappoint. Hannah said "These are SO delicious!!!", which made me feel pretty good!

Chocolate Chip Cookies
found here, here, and here 

2 cups plus 2 TBSP flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 sticks (12 TBSP) butter, melted & cooled until warm
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg plus 1 yolk
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Combine the dry ingredients. Set aside. Cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolk and the egg. Mix well. Add the vanilla. Incorporate the flour mixture. Add the Chocolate chips. Put big scoops onto a cookie sheet. Space a couple inches apart. Bake for 10-14 minutes (in my oven, I baked them 14 minutes). Don't overbake! They will appear underdone, but they aren't. They are working their magic to become chewy. Cool for a few minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool.

Microwave Smores (Hannah's Cooking Classes)

Microwave Smores

8 regular or chocolate graham cracker squares
3 TBSP chocolate-hazelnut spread
3 TBSP marshmallow creme

Spread 4 squares with chocolate-hazelnut spread. Spread remaining graham crackers with marshmallow creme.  Place graham crackers, marshmallow sides down, on top of chocolate-hazelnut spread.  Place on a microwave-safe plate.  Microwave, uncovered on 100% power for 30 seconds.  Serve at once.

Pink Yink Ink Drink & Popcorn Fantasy(Hannah's Cooking Classes)

Pink Yink Ink Drink
no picture, Hannah was sick this class

1/2 pint fresh or 1/2 cup frozen blackberries, thawed
1 cup milk
6 fresh strawberries, green tops removed, or 1/2 cup frozen, thawed
1 tsp honey

Put the blackberries in a blender and puree them. Pour into a large glass. Put the milk, strawberries and honey in the blender and blend. Strain the mixture (optional). our the strawberry mixture carefully on top of the blackberries. Makes one serving.

Popcorn Fantasy

Pop microwave popcorn and remove carefully from microwave.  Gather "extras" of your choice and place in large bowl with popcorn.  Mix together, share and enjoy.

Suggested extras:

• craisins
• yogurt covered raisins
• mini pretzels
• chocolate or butterscotch chips
• popcorn toppers (shake-on flavors)
• grated cheese
• Other dried fruit- cherries, blueberries, etc
• Gumdrops or other chewy candy (gummy worms, gummy bears)

You can also drizzle on any favorite ice cream topping.  The idea is to change the taste and texture of the snack, providing a "popcorn fantasy."

Berry Parfait (Hannah's Cooking Classes)

Berry Parfait

2 1" thick angel food cake slices, cut into 1" cubes
3/4 cup fresh strawberries (sliced) and/or raspberries
4 oz container vanilla pudding
1/4 cup whipped cream

Gently stir vanilla pudding and whipped cream together.  Place 1/4 cake cubes in the bottom of each glass.  Add 1/4 of the berries and top with 1/4 of the pudding mixture.  Repeat each layer.  Serve immediately.  Makes 2

Granola-Whole Wheat Waffles

I made these this morning and they were very good.  And, with the combined whole wheat flour, granola and yogurt, they were healthy too! 


Granola-Whole Wheat Waffles
by Betty Crocker

1 1/2 cups Original Bisquick® mix
1/2 cup granola cereal
1/2 cup Gold Medal® whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups milk
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 container (6 oz) Yoplait® Original strawberry yogurt (2/3 cup)

In medium bowl, stir all waffle ingredients until blended. Pour batter by 2/3 cupfuls onto center of hot waffle iron; close lid. Bake 2 to 3 minutes or until steaming stops and waffle is golden brown. Carefully remove waffle. Serve with syrup or sliced up strawberries.

Ham and Cheese Calzone (Hannah's Cooking Classes)

Ham and Cheese Calzone

1 1/4 cups chopped sliced cooked ham or turkey breast
1 cup packaged broccoli florets
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (6 oz)
10 oz package refrigerated pizza dough
1 TBSP milk

Turn on oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil; lightly coat the foil with cooking spray.  For filling, in medium bowl use the wooden spoon to combine ham, broccoli and cheese.  On a lightly floured surface unroll pizza dough.  Roll dough into a 12-inch square.  Using a sharp knife, but into nine 4-inch squares.  Spoon about 1/3 cup filling onto each of the squares.  Moisten edges of dough with water.  Fold dough over filling from corner to corner.  Press edges of dough with tines of a fork to seal.  Use the fork to prick holes in the top of each calzone to allow steam to escape.  Place calzones on baking sheet.  Brush with milk using pastry brush.  Put baking sheet in oven.  Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until golden.  Turn off oven.  Use hot pads to remove baking sheet from oven.  Serve warm.  Makes 9 calzones.

Sugar Cookies and De-Pinkalicious Punch (Hannah's Cooking Classes)

Sugar Cookies

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 TBSP light corn syurp
1 TBSP vanilla extract

In a medium-size bowl, mix the flour and salt. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar, stir in the egg, then the corn syrup and vanilla extract. One third at a time, add the flour mixtures until thoroughly mixed. Pat the dough into two disks, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours, or until firm enough to roll. If it is too firm, soften at room temperature for 5 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Roll one disk of dough between two pieces of waxed paper or plastic wrap, 1/4 to 1/2 thick. Remove the top sheet and cut out the cookies with cookie cutters. Using a metal spatula, transfer the shapers to baking sheets, about 1 inch apart. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until bookies start to brown lightly around the edges. Remove the baking sheet to a wire rack and cool for 5 minutes. Using a metal spatula, transfer the cookies to racks and cool completely before frosting and decorating

Tip #1: Don't use margarine. Use the good 'ol fattening BUTTER.

Tip #2: Don't use the microwave to soften the butter. Let it sit out on the counter at room temperature until it is softened. If you use the microwave, you may melt it too much, which will impact the texture of your dough and make it too sticky.

Tip #3: I roll out about a third of the dough at a time so that I can carefully gauge the thickness of the dough. I like mine to be on the thick side (about 1/2 inch thick).

Tip #4: Do NOT overcook. They may not look done, but they are.

Tips from All Things Thrifty

De-Pinkalicious Punch

1 cup pink lemonade
1 cup raspberry sherbert
12 oz can of lemon/lime soda

In a pitcher, combine the sherbet, pink lemonade and soda, stir and serve.  Makes 3 cups

Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips (Hannah's Cooking Classes)

Fruit Salsa 
by Taste of Home

1 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries
1 medium navel orange, peeled and finely chopped
3 medium kiwi fruit, peeled and finely chopped
1 can (8 oz) unsweetened crushed pineapple, drained
1 TBSP lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp sugar

In a small bowl combine, cover and refrigerate until serving.

Cinnamon Chips
 by Taste of Home

10 flour tortillas (8 inches)
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Brush tortillas with butter, cut each into eight wedges.  Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over tortillas.  Place on ungreased baking sheets.  Bake at 350 for 5-10 minutes to just until crisp. Serve with fruit salsa.

Blueberry Bumplings and Fridge Jam (Hannah's Cooking Classes)

Blueberry Bumplings
by Green Eggs and Ham Cookbook

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
4 oz. butter, softened and cut into small pieces
1/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1 large egg
3/4 cup half-and-half

Preheat the oven to 400.  In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.  Add the butter and mix well with your fingertips until crumbly, then add the fresh blueberries.  Ina  small bowl, mix together the egg and the half-and-half, then quickly beat into the flour mixture. Do not overwork. (If using frozen blueberries, add them now).  Pat the dough out between sheets of wax paper or plastic wrap until about 1/2 inch thick.  Cut into 2-inch circles, squares or triangles.  Place the cutouts on a baking sheet, non-stick or lined with parchment paper, and bake until golden on top, about 10 minutes.  Serve hot.  Makes about 12 bumplings.

Strawberry Fridge Jam

2 cups cut up fresh or frozen strawberries (Hannah used mixed berries)
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup water
1 box lemon jello (or pectin)

Place fruit and sugar in a heavy saucepan with water.  Heat to boiling, reduce heat to low/medium and boil for approximately 10 minutes, crushing berries as they soften.  Add jello and cook for additional 10-14 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.  Skim off any foam with a metal spoon and pour into sterilized jars.  Secure lids and keep n courter until cool.  Tighten lids the rest of the way. Refrigerate.

Fruit Smoothie and Campfire Taco Salad (Hannah's Cooking Classes)

This Saturday, Hannah started cooking classes at the local recreation center.  She loves classes and loves sharing her creations with us.

Fruit Smoothie

2 ripe small bananas
1 cup unsweetened whole strawberries, frozen
1 cup vanilla low-fat yogurt
3/4 cup milk

Remove the peel from the bananas.  Using the table knife, cut bananas into chunks.  Put banana chunks, frozen strawberries, yogurt and milk into the blender.  Cover blender with the lid and blend on high speed about 1 minute or until mixture is smooth.  Turn off blender.  Pour drink into glasses.  Use rubber scraper to get all of the drink out of the blender.  Makes 2 servings.

Campfire Taco Salad
by Taste of Home

6 snack-size bags (1-1/2 ounces each) corn chips
1 can (15 ounces) chili without beans
3 cups (12 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 cup sour cream
1 jar (8 ounces) mild salsa
1/2 medium head iceberg lettuce, shredded

Cut the top off each bag of chips; set aside. Place chili in a saucepan; cook on a grill over medium heat for 10 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of chili into each bag of chips. Top with cheese, sour cream, salsa and lettuce.

Cheese Enchiladas

I really loved these, but Jeff didn't.  I guess I'll only be making these when Jeff isn't going to be eating with us!

Cheese Enchiladas
by Callie

1 1/2 cup Monteray Jack Cheese
1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
2 oz cream cheese
1/4 cup salsa
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
red or green enchilada sauce
4 tortillas
lettuce
sour cream
olives
pico de gallo
guacamole

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  In a bowl, combine 1 cup of each of the cheeses and  the cream cheese (I put mine in the microwave for about 15 seconds to make it more manageable.) Stir all of that up. Add the salsa to the cheese mixture and combine. Add the green onions and the seasonings. Mix well. Pour some of the enchilada sauce in a 8x8 pan or whatever you're using to bake in. Pour some more on a shallow plate or pie plate. Place the tortilla on the sauce. Flip it over to coat the other side. Pout 1/4 of the mixture on the tortilla. use a spatula to spread it out. Repeat with all four tortillas. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Take it out and serve them with shredded lettuce, olives, pico de gallo, guacamole, and whatever you like with enchiladas.

Perfect Pie Plates

Perfect in every way!

Now the pies below are not a special recipe, in fact they are pies from a can. The special part is the pie pan. They are from my mom. I remember my mom baking with these and always loving the edges and how perfect they made the pie look. On my recent visit to Hawaii my mom gave these to me. I can't tell you how grateful I am and how excited I am that Hannah will (hopefully) have the same memories of these that I do. Of course when Jeff saw them, he immediately wanted a cherry pie. Even though it was from a can, it was great! Thanks mom!! I love you!!

Ernest's Birthday Cake (Deep Dark Chocolate Cake)

Deep Dark Chocolate Cake
by Hershey's

2 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa or HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Cocoa
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup boiling water

1 Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round pans or one 13x9x2-inch baking pan.

2 Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of electric mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.

3 Bake 30 to 35 minutes for round pans, 35 to 40 minutes for rectangular pan or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. (Cake may be left in rectangular pan, if desired.) Frost with Quick Vanilla Buttercream Frosting.  8 to 10 servings.