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.