A delicious and super moist cake with an amazing apple flavor!
1 3/4 cups sugar, divided
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
2 large apples, peeled, cored and chopped
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Beat 1 1/2 cups sugar, cream cheese, butter and vanilla until light, about 4 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beat until well blended.
In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add to sugar mixture, beating at low speed until blended.
Stir together remaining 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon. Toss 2 tbsp with the chopped apples. Stir apples into batter.
Spoon batter into greased 9 inch springform pan. Sprinkle remaining cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the top.
Bake until cake pulls away from side of pan, about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Let cool for about 5 minutes and remove the springform ring. Let the cake cool completely on a cooling rack and remove from the bottom of pan.
(tip: I use a 9 inch round of parchment in the bottom of the pan for really easy removal)
Serve warm with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Tunnel of Fudge Cake
• 2 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 c. boiling water
• 3/4 c. Dutch-processed cocoa powder, plus extra for pan
• 2 c. flour
• 2 c. walnuts or pecans, finely chopped
• 2 c. powdered sugar
• 1 tsp. salt
• 5 eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
• 1 c. granulated sugar
• 3/4 c. packed light brown sugar
• 11/4 c. (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus extra for pan
For glaze:
• 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1/2 c. heavy cream
• 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp. water
Directions
To prepare cake: Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously butter a 12-cup Bundt pan and dust with cocoa powder, tapping out excess. Place bittersweet chocolate in a small heatproof bowl. Add boiling water, whisk until smooth, cool to room temperature and reserve.
In a large bowl, whisk together cocoa, flour, walnuts (or pecans), powdered sugar and salt and reserve.
In a large measuring cup, whisk together eggs and vanilla extract and reserve.
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat granulated sugar, brown sugar and butter until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low, add egg mixture and mix until just combined, about 30 seconds. Add chocolate mixture and mix until just combined, about 30 seconds. Add flour mixture and mix until just combined.
Scrape batter into prepared pan, smooth batter with a rubber spatula and bake until edges are beginning to pull away from pan, about 45 minutes; do not overbake (do not use a cake tester, toothpick or skewer to test the cake).
Remove to a wire rack and cool, upright, for 1 1/2 hours. Invert cake onto serving plate and cool completely, at least 2 hours.
To prepare glaze: Place chocolate in a heatproof bowl. In a small saucepan over high heat, combine cream, granulated sugar and water and bring to a boil. Pour liquid over chocolate and let sit for 30 seconds. Using a whisk or a rubber spatula, gently stir chocolate and cream together in small circles, starting at center of bowl and working your way out in increasingly larger concentric circles.
Leave glaze at room temperature until it thickens just enough to pour in a ribbon, about 20 minutes. Drizzle glaze over cake and let sit for at least 10 minutes before serving. Cover tightly and store at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• 1/2 c. boiling water
• 3/4 c. Dutch-processed cocoa powder, plus extra for pan
• 2 c. flour
• 2 c. walnuts or pecans, finely chopped
• 2 c. powdered sugar
• 1 tsp. salt
• 5 eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
• 1 c. granulated sugar
• 3/4 c. packed light brown sugar
• 11/4 c. (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus extra for pan
For glaze:
• 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1/2 c. heavy cream
• 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp. water
Directions
To prepare cake: Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously butter a 12-cup Bundt pan and dust with cocoa powder, tapping out excess. Place bittersweet chocolate in a small heatproof bowl. Add boiling water, whisk until smooth, cool to room temperature and reserve.
In a large bowl, whisk together cocoa, flour, walnuts (or pecans), powdered sugar and salt and reserve.
In a large measuring cup, whisk together eggs and vanilla extract and reserve.
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat granulated sugar, brown sugar and butter until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low, add egg mixture and mix until just combined, about 30 seconds. Add chocolate mixture and mix until just combined, about 30 seconds. Add flour mixture and mix until just combined.
Scrape batter into prepared pan, smooth batter with a rubber spatula and bake until edges are beginning to pull away from pan, about 45 minutes; do not overbake (do not use a cake tester, toothpick or skewer to test the cake).
Remove to a wire rack and cool, upright, for 1 1/2 hours. Invert cake onto serving plate and cool completely, at least 2 hours.
To prepare glaze: Place chocolate in a heatproof bowl. In a small saucepan over high heat, combine cream, granulated sugar and water and bring to a boil. Pour liquid over chocolate and let sit for 30 seconds. Using a whisk or a rubber spatula, gently stir chocolate and cream together in small circles, starting at center of bowl and working your way out in increasingly larger concentric circles.
Leave glaze at room temperature until it thickens just enough to pour in a ribbon, about 20 minutes. Drizzle glaze over cake and let sit for at least 10 minutes before serving. Cover tightly and store at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
White Chicken Chili
Adjust the heat in this dish by adding the minced ribs and seeds from the jalapeño as directed in step 6. If Anaheim chiles cannot be found, add an additional poblano and jalapeño to the chili. This dish can also be successfully made by substituting chicken thighs for the chicken breasts. If using thighs, increase the cooking time in step 4 to about 40 minutes. Serve chili with sour cream, tortilla chips, and lime wedges.Serves 6 to 8
3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken breast halves , trimmed of excess fat and skin
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 medium jalapeño chiles
3 poblano chiles (medium), stemmed, seeded, and cut into large pieces
3 Anaheim chile peppers (medium), stemmed, seeded, and cut into large pieces
2 medium onions , cut into large pieces (2 cups)
6 medium cloves garlic , minced or pressed through garlic press (about 2 tablespoons)
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 (14.5-ounce) cans cannellini beans , drained and rinsed
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 2 to 3 limes)
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro leaves
4 scallions , white and light green parts sliced thin
1. Season chicken liberally with salt and pepper. Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add chicken, skin side down, and cook without moving until skin is golden brown, about 4 minutes. Using tongs, turn chicken and lightly brown on other side, about 2 minutes. Transfer chicken to plate; remove and discard skin.
2. While chicken is browning, remove and discard ribs and seeds from 2 jalapeños; mince flesh. In food processor, process half of poblano chiles, Anaheim chiles, and onions until consistency of chunky salsa, ten to twelve 1-second pulses, scraping down sides of workbowl halfway through. Transfer mixture to medium bowl. Repeat with remaining poblano chiles, Anaheim chiles, and onions; combine with first batch (do not wash food processor blade or workbowl).
3. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from Dutch oven (adding additional vegetable oil if necessary) and reduce heat to medium. Add minced jalapeños, chile-onion mixture, garlic, cumin, coriander, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften, about 10 minutes. Remove pot from heat.
4. Transfer 1 cup cooked vegetable mixture to now-empty food processor workbowl. Add 1 cup beans and 1 cup broth and process until smooth, about 20 seconds. Add vegetable-bean mixture, remaining 2 cups broth, and chicken breasts to Dutch oven and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until chicken registers 160 degrees (175 degrees if using thighs) on instant-read thermometer, 15 to 20 minutes (40 minutes if using thighs).
5. Using tongs, transfer chicken to large plate. Stir in remaining beans and continue to simmer, uncovered, until beans are heated through and chili has thickened slightly, about 10 minutes.
6. Mince remaining jalapeño, reserving and mincing ribs and seeds (see note above), and set aside. When cool enough to handle, shred chicken into bite-sized pieces, discarding bones. Stir shredded chicken, lime juice, cilantro, scallions, and remaining minced jalapeño (with seeds if desired) into chili and return to simmer. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper and serve.
Per Serving:Cal 370; Fat 6 g; Sat fat 1 g; Chol 115 mg; Carb 25 g; Protein 52 g; Fiber 7 g; Sodium 710 mg
3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken breast halves , trimmed of excess fat and skin
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 medium jalapeño chiles
3 poblano chiles (medium), stemmed, seeded, and cut into large pieces
3 Anaheim chile peppers (medium), stemmed, seeded, and cut into large pieces
2 medium onions , cut into large pieces (2 cups)
6 medium cloves garlic , minced or pressed through garlic press (about 2 tablespoons)
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 (14.5-ounce) cans cannellini beans , drained and rinsed
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 2 to 3 limes)
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro leaves
4 scallions , white and light green parts sliced thin
1. Season chicken liberally with salt and pepper. Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add chicken, skin side down, and cook without moving until skin is golden brown, about 4 minutes. Using tongs, turn chicken and lightly brown on other side, about 2 minutes. Transfer chicken to plate; remove and discard skin.
2. While chicken is browning, remove and discard ribs and seeds from 2 jalapeños; mince flesh. In food processor, process half of poblano chiles, Anaheim chiles, and onions until consistency of chunky salsa, ten to twelve 1-second pulses, scraping down sides of workbowl halfway through. Transfer mixture to medium bowl. Repeat with remaining poblano chiles, Anaheim chiles, and onions; combine with first batch (do not wash food processor blade or workbowl).
3. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from Dutch oven (adding additional vegetable oil if necessary) and reduce heat to medium. Add minced jalapeños, chile-onion mixture, garlic, cumin, coriander, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften, about 10 minutes. Remove pot from heat.
4. Transfer 1 cup cooked vegetable mixture to now-empty food processor workbowl. Add 1 cup beans and 1 cup broth and process until smooth, about 20 seconds. Add vegetable-bean mixture, remaining 2 cups broth, and chicken breasts to Dutch oven and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until chicken registers 160 degrees (175 degrees if using thighs) on instant-read thermometer, 15 to 20 minutes (40 minutes if using thighs).
5. Using tongs, transfer chicken to large plate. Stir in remaining beans and continue to simmer, uncovered, until beans are heated through and chili has thickened slightly, about 10 minutes.
6. Mince remaining jalapeño, reserving and mincing ribs and seeds (see note above), and set aside. When cool enough to handle, shred chicken into bite-sized pieces, discarding bones. Stir shredded chicken, lime juice, cilantro, scallions, and remaining minced jalapeño (with seeds if desired) into chili and return to simmer. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper and serve.
Per Serving:Cal 370; Fat 6 g; Sat fat 1 g; Chol 115 mg; Carb 25 g; Protein 52 g; Fiber 7 g; Sodium 710 mg
Double Corn Cornbread
This looked soooo good!
A cast-iron skillet (or any ovensafe pan) is our first choice for this recipe, but a 9-inch cake pan will also work. Instead of heating it on the stovetop, place the cake pan with the oil in the preheated oven for 5 minutes before adding the batter.Serves 8 to 10
1 cup cornmeal (yellow or white)
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon table salt
1 cup frozen corn , thawed
1 cup sour cream
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
4 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted
2 teaspoons Vegetable oil
1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Whisk cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in large bowl. Pulse corn, sour cream, eggs, and hot sauce in food processor until corn is coarsely chopped and mixture is combined. Fold corn mixture into cornmeal mixture, then stir in melted butter.
2. Heat oil in 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until just beginning to smoke. Take skillet off heat; quickly add batter and place skillet in oven. Bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool cornbread in skillet on wire rack for 20 minutes (handle will be hot). Serve warm.
A cast-iron skillet (or any ovensafe pan) is our first choice for this recipe, but a 9-inch cake pan will also work. Instead of heating it on the stovetop, place the cake pan with the oil in the preheated oven for 5 minutes before adding the batter.Serves 8 to 10
1 cup cornmeal (yellow or white)
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon table salt
1 cup frozen corn , thawed
1 cup sour cream
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
4 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted
2 teaspoons Vegetable oil
1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Whisk cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in large bowl. Pulse corn, sour cream, eggs, and hot sauce in food processor until corn is coarsely chopped and mixture is combined. Fold corn mixture into cornmeal mixture, then stir in melted butter.
2. Heat oil in 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until just beginning to smoke. Take skillet off heat; quickly add batter and place skillet in oven. Bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool cornbread in skillet on wire rack for 20 minutes (handle will be hot). Serve warm.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Lattice Chicken Hot Dish
Whenever I go to Sam's Club, I buy a rotissierie chicken, skin it, bone it and chop it. I keep these in ziploc bags in the freezer. So handy to have for an easy chicken casserole!
This is one of our favorites, it's easy and my kids LOVE it. It's like a chicken pot pie.
1 can cream of potato soup
3/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp seasoned salt
3 cup cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken!)
1 bag frozen vegetables
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
1 cup French fried onions
1 pkg. crescent dough, either the sheet or the rolls, cut into strips
This is one of our favorites, it's easy and my kids LOVE it. It's like a chicken pot pie.
Lattice Chicken Hot Dish
1 can cream of potato soup
3/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp seasoned salt
3 cup cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken!)
1 bag frozen vegetables
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
1 cup French fried onions
1 pkg. crescent dough, either the sheet or the rolls, cut into strips
- Combine soup, milk, salt, cut up chicken, vegetables, 1/2 cheese and 1/2 onions.
- Put in a 9x13 pan, sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
- Bake covered with foil at 350 for 20 minutes.
- Uncover and top with strips of crescent roll dough arranged in a lattice formation.
- Bake for 15 minutes longer.
- After rolls have baked, add remaining 1/2 cheese and 1/2 onions. Bake another 5 minutes, until cheese melts.
Swiss Cheese Chicken
Great recipe for skinless boneless chicken breasts....
6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
6 slices of swiss cheese
2 cans of cream of something soup (I use celery and mushroom)
1/2 can white wine or dry sherry wine
1/2 package of bread crumb stuffing (I use the sage and onion flavor) *some use the whole package, I don't care for that much, but just eyeball it, use however much you want.
1 stick of melted butter
**if I have them in the fridge, I will also add a package of sliced mushrooms.
Tuck the Swiss cheese around chicken breasts and place in a 9x13 casserole pan. Mix the soup and wine. (add mushrooms if you have them, here) Pour the soup mixture over cheese and chicken. Cover with the bread crumb stuffing. Top with melted butter.
Bake at 325 for 1 1/2-2 hours, uncovered.
6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
6 slices of swiss cheese
2 cans of cream of something soup (I use celery and mushroom)
1/2 can white wine or dry sherry wine
1/2 package of bread crumb stuffing (I use the sage and onion flavor) *some use the whole package, I don't care for that much, but just eyeball it, use however much you want.
1 stick of melted butter
**if I have them in the fridge, I will also add a package of sliced mushrooms.
Tuck the Swiss cheese around chicken breasts and place in a 9x13 casserole pan. Mix the soup and wine. (add mushrooms if you have them, here) Pour the soup mixture over cheese and chicken. Cover with the bread crumb stuffing. Top with melted butter.
Bake at 325 for 1 1/2-2 hours, uncovered.
Pasta with Smoked Bacon, Butternut Squash and Spinach
Dan found this recipe and made it for me, it's got all of my favorite ingredients. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed. Trust me!
My Favorite Things Pasta
1/2 lb smoked bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 tbsp unsalted butter
3 large (Vidalia) onions, sliced 1/4 inch thick
4 cups butternut squash, peeled & cut into 1/2 inch cubes
3/4 to 1 cup chicken broth
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped (use fresh, don't doubt me on this one!)
1 lb penne pasta (I prefer whole wheat, just a nuttier flavor)
1 big bag of baby spinach leaves
kosher salt
1 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
fresh ground pepper.
In a large heavy skillet or dutch oven with lid, over medium heat, saute bacon until crisp. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels, leave drippings in pan and add butter. Heat until butter is melted, add ionions and cook, stirring often until brown and caramelized, about 10-15 minutes, I like them a nice deep brown. (I usually add a couple tsp of sugar to the onions to help the carmelizing process). Add squash and stir and cook for about 5 minutes. Pour in chicken stock and sprinkle with chopped rosemary. Cover and cook until liquid is reduced, about 2-4 minutes. Be careful to NOT overcook the squash.
Bring a large pot of water to boil and add penne and 1 tbsp salt. Cook until al dente, or just tender. While the pasta is cooking, add the spinach by large handfuls to the onion and squash mixture. Stir and when wilted, add another handful. Continue until it's all added. Don't overcook! Toss in 2/3 of the bacon. Drain pasta and place in a large bowl. Add the vegetables along with 1/2 cup parmesan cheese. Toss to mix. Tast and season with salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with remaining bacon and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese. Serve hot.
NOTE: This makes a HUGE amount. We typically will freeze half in a casserole dish. When you want to serve the second pan, remove from freezer, thaw in fridge. Drizzle with chicken broth, cover and bake in oven to reheat.
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