I know, I know...we've been a little slow at updating. Busy times around the Blair household, but we've settled in for a quiet evening and decided we need to do this now, or it might not get done. We made this cheese last week and it was such a fun experiment. The recipe is courtesy of marthastewart.com . I was skeptical and thought this would be a long drawn out process, but much to my surprise - it was quick and painless. Very versatile as well, we are gonna try again next week, but add some fresh herbs to it. Was great with Ritz Crackers.
Fresh Buttermilk Cheese
Makes 1 six ounce round that serves 4 with crackers.
1 quart of whole milk
1 1/2 cups whole or low fat buttermilk
2 teaspoons coarse salt
Line a colander with three layers of cheesecloth. Combine Milk, buttermilk and salt in a large heavy bottomed saucepan and heat over meduim heat until mixture has separated into white curds and translucent whey, about 8 minutes. If using lowfat buttermilk, it separates at about 180 degrees and the curds will clump together readily. If using whole buttermilk, separation occurs closer to the boiling point, about 212 degrees and the curds are finer grained. When using whole buttermilk, let the curds and whey stand off the heat for 3 minutes after separation, so the curds will cling together and facilitate the straining step.
Ladle the contents of the saucepan in the prepared colander over the sink. Let the whey drain, 1 -2 minutes. Lift the corners of the cheesecloth and gather them together. Gently twist the gathered cloth over the cheese and squeeze out any excess whey.
Cheese can be unwrapped immediately and served warm or let stand until cooled to room temperature, about 10 minutes more. To serve a firmer cheese (this is how we liked it ) transfer cheese to a small flat bottomed dish or pie plate and refrigerate till cool. Tent cheese with plastic wrap and keep refrigerated up to 2 days.
Jamie's reaction to the cheese: mmmmm...but we tried it warm and it was definetely better cold. It was kinda like a cream cheese. Today was a CBA test. Yesterday was Regan's birthday and there was a left over roll and I took it to school and ate it for snack and everyone laughed at me! I wish it was summer so I could go fishing. Because it is warm and the fish will come up and bite. BYEBYE!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Mountain Dew Cake
Let me start by saying - I am NOT a Mountain Dew fan. But you know me, got a new recipe- gotta try it. LOL. I tried this out on Super Bowl night for the family and had no complaints and it is ALL gone tonight. Just washed the cake server up. Got this recipe from the Paula Deen Magazine but adapted it a little since I didn't have the necessary ingredients.
Mountain Dew Cake
1 Box lemon cake mix ( I didn't have one so I substituted one yellow cake mix and a teaspoon of lemon extract)
1 (3.4 ounce) box of lemon flavored instant pudding mix ( I used lemon jello mix)
1 (12 ounce) can of Mountain Dew Soda
3/4 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease and flour a 10 cup bundt pan. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, and pudding mix. Add soda, oil, and eggs. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan, and bake for 45 -50 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool completely on a wire rack.
This cake was SUPER moist ! Was great without a frosting but you could dress it up with a simple powdered sugar drizzle or my favorite: take a white ready made frosting and throw it in the microwave for 25 seconds or so until it is pourable and drizzle over cake.
Here's what Jamie thought: It was yummy!I ate it for dessert. There was no complaints from anyone because it was yumilicious. I figured out what I got for my writing CBA- I got a 75 on my revising and editing i got an 86. We are going to the Alamo, the Imax and the missions on Friday for our field trip and it is going to be so fun. I have never been to the imax and missions.Today we played a new game in gym and it was with a bowling pin and a basketball. Whenever we hit the pin with the basketball we had to go shoot a whole bunch of baskets to get points. My papa Dan was here this weekend and i had fun seeing him. For our valentines party at school we are having an ice cream party and I am bringing sprinkles. The end.Bye.
Mountain Dew Cake
1 Box lemon cake mix ( I didn't have one so I substituted one yellow cake mix and a teaspoon of lemon extract)
1 (3.4 ounce) box of lemon flavored instant pudding mix ( I used lemon jello mix)
1 (12 ounce) can of Mountain Dew Soda
3/4 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease and flour a 10 cup bundt pan. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, and pudding mix. Add soda, oil, and eggs. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan, and bake for 45 -50 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool completely on a wire rack.
This cake was SUPER moist ! Was great without a frosting but you could dress it up with a simple powdered sugar drizzle or my favorite: take a white ready made frosting and throw it in the microwave for 25 seconds or so until it is pourable and drizzle over cake.
Here's what Jamie thought: It was yummy!I ate it for dessert. There was no complaints from anyone because it was yumilicious. I figured out what I got for my writing CBA- I got a 75 on my revising and editing i got an 86. We are going to the Alamo, the Imax and the missions on Friday for our field trip and it is going to be so fun. I have never been to the imax and missions.Today we played a new game in gym and it was with a bowling pin and a basketball. Whenever we hit the pin with the basketball we had to go shoot a whole bunch of baskets to get points. My papa Dan was here this weekend and i had fun seeing him. For our valentines party at school we are having an ice cream party and I am bringing sprinkles. The end.Bye.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Shae's Birthday Lava Cake
Found some spare time to share the Molten Lava Cake Shae wanted for her birthday celebration. These are popular at restaurants for a premium dessert price. They are so simple and easy to make at home. Got our monthly Parrot Head meeting tonight at The Ticket- can't wait. Maybe it will help me feel better about this nasty weather we've been having.
Molten Lava Cakes
4 squares of Baker's Semi Sweet Baking Chocolate
1/2 cup butter
1 cup powdered sugar
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
6 TBSP flour
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Butter 4 (3/4 cup) custard cups or ramekins. Place on a baking sheet.
Microwave chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on high for 1 minute or until butter is melted. Stir with wire whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in sugar until well blended. Whisk in eggs and egg yolks. Stir in flour. Divide batter between prepared custard cups. Bake 13 to 14 minutes or until sides are firm but centers are soft. Let stand one minute. Carefully run small knife around cakes to loosen. Invert cakes onto dessert dishes. Serve immediately - get creative : top with whipped cream, ice cream, crushed graham crackers, marshmallow creme, etc.
Jamie's comments: When I ate it the lava cake the chocolate was like Lava-oohy gooey and running out the side like a volcano. School is going great. Taks test coming up. Writing and Revising and Editing CBA's today. I think I did good. Today I got three mints at school, I love peppermints.Do you like chocolate?Then this was the best recipe for you because it has chocolate in the middle and chocolate on the outside.Bye!
Molten Lava Cakes
4 squares of Baker's Semi Sweet Baking Chocolate
1/2 cup butter
1 cup powdered sugar
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
6 TBSP flour
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Butter 4 (3/4 cup) custard cups or ramekins. Place on a baking sheet.
Microwave chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on high for 1 minute or until butter is melted. Stir with wire whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in sugar until well blended. Whisk in eggs and egg yolks. Stir in flour. Divide batter between prepared custard cups. Bake 13 to 14 minutes or until sides are firm but centers are soft. Let stand one minute. Carefully run small knife around cakes to loosen. Invert cakes onto dessert dishes. Serve immediately - get creative : top with whipped cream, ice cream, crushed graham crackers, marshmallow creme, etc.
Jamie's comments: When I ate it the lava cake the chocolate was like Lava-oohy gooey and running out the side like a volcano. School is going great. Taks test coming up. Writing and Revising and Editing CBA's today. I think I did good. Today I got three mints at school, I love peppermints.Do you like chocolate?Then this was the best recipe for you because it has chocolate in the middle and chocolate on the outside.Bye!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Melt in the Mouth Fondue
Hello to all....been a couple days since we updated. Been busy busy- This weekend was the Boat and RV Show in San Antonio, we got free tickets so we went and drooled over the ocean cruisers we can't afford...lol. Then we headed back to San Antonio with the kids and a friend of Shae's to The Melting Pot. Anyone ever been there? It's a chain of fondue restaurants-really neat, but bring a large checkbook because it is so not cheap. Smart people though, they make you cook your own food and they charge you more...how does that work? So we came home and Shae (the teenager who is obsessed with Fondue) asked for more the next day. Some great dippers were marshmallows, cheesecake, rice crispy treats, brownies, pound cake, bananas, strawberries, apples, pretzels.....you get the picture.
So here is our version of Chocolate Fondue thanks to an OLD Better Homes and Gardens cookbook Fondue and Tabletop Cooking.
Chocolate Fondue
6 1 ounce squares of unsweetened chocolate
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup light cream
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/8 tsp salt
3 TBSP creme de cacao or orange flavored liqueur ( I left it out)
In a saucepan melt chocolate over low heat. Add sugar, cream, butter, and salt. Cook, stirring constantly about 5 minutes or till thickened. Stir in liqueur. Pour into fondue pot, place over fondue burner.
We bought our fondue pot at a resale shop for a dollar. It doesn't get used a ton, but it is fun when it does. Shae would use it everyday if we would let her.
Here's what Jamie thought about the fondue:
So here is our version of Chocolate Fondue thanks to an OLD Better Homes and Gardens cookbook Fondue and Tabletop Cooking.
Chocolate Fondue
6 1 ounce squares of unsweetened chocolate
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup light cream
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/8 tsp salt
3 TBSP creme de cacao or orange flavored liqueur ( I left it out)
In a saucepan melt chocolate over low heat. Add sugar, cream, butter, and salt. Cook, stirring constantly about 5 minutes or till thickened. Stir in liqueur. Pour into fondue pot, place over fondue burner.
We bought our fondue pot at a resale shop for a dollar. It doesn't get used a ton, but it is fun when it does. Shae would use it everyday if we would let her.
Here's what Jamie thought about the fondue:
Chocolate fondue is the BEST thing ever.It waS realy realy good.I can't wait tell we have more.At school we are going to do a play called Blam It On The Wolf.I am Iggie the pigge.Bye .
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Fruit Turnovers
Hey everyone, Jamie made a great dessert tonight and we thought we would share. Simply and easy and we had everything already- that is my favorite kind of recipe. We have been wondering if anyone has tried any of our recipes so far and what your results were...good, bad, indifferent? We would love to hear it.
This recipe came from one of the many cookbooks Jamie owns. This one is her favorite because it was signed by her idol Paula Deen. The book is Paula Deens My First Cookbook.
Fruit Turnovers
1 can of refrigerated biscuits (10 biscuits)
1 15 ounce can of fruit
1/2 cup of white sugar mixed with 1 tsp cinnamon
2 TBSP butter cut into 10 pieces
1 cup confectioners sugar
1 1/2 TBSP milk
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Put parchment paper on cookie sheet. Pat each biscuit into a 4 inch circle. Drain the liquid from the fruit and chop the fruit into little pieces- we used strawberries.
Place about 1 tablespoon of chopped fruit in the middle of each biscuit. Sprinkle with a little less than a teaspoon of the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Dot each with a piece of butter. Shape each biscuit into a semi circle by folding one side over to match the other side. Press with a fork all around the edge to seal. Transfer to cookie sheet. Bake the pies for 10 to 12 minutes
Mix the confectioners sugar and milk together until smooth, dribble icing on pies.
Jamie was able to completely do this recipe without any assistance from mom. I was so proud of her (and I enjoyed eating them :^)
Jamie's turn:
It was yummy. The best part was the fruit. It was fun to make especially from my first Paula Deen cookbook. School is doing great. Working for my taks test. I lost a tooth and the tooth fairy came to see me last night. I got a dollar. Sisters birthday this weekend and we are going to the Melting Pot. Has anyone been there before. We are excited about the fondue-we love it. Bye bye!
This recipe came from one of the many cookbooks Jamie owns. This one is her favorite because it was signed by her idol Paula Deen. The book is Paula Deens My First Cookbook.
Fruit Turnovers
1 can of refrigerated biscuits (10 biscuits)
1 15 ounce can of fruit
1/2 cup of white sugar mixed with 1 tsp cinnamon
2 TBSP butter cut into 10 pieces
1 cup confectioners sugar
1 1/2 TBSP milk
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Put parchment paper on cookie sheet. Pat each biscuit into a 4 inch circle. Drain the liquid from the fruit and chop the fruit into little pieces- we used strawberries.
Place about 1 tablespoon of chopped fruit in the middle of each biscuit. Sprinkle with a little less than a teaspoon of the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Dot each with a piece of butter. Shape each biscuit into a semi circle by folding one side over to match the other side. Press with a fork all around the edge to seal. Transfer to cookie sheet. Bake the pies for 10 to 12 minutes
Mix the confectioners sugar and milk together until smooth, dribble icing on pies.
Jamie's turn:
It was yummy. The best part was the fruit. It was fun to make especially from my first Paula Deen cookbook. School is doing great. Working for my taks test. I lost a tooth and the tooth fairy came to see me last night. I got a dollar. Sisters birthday this weekend and we are going to the Melting Pot. Has anyone been there before. We are excited about the fondue-we love it. Bye bye!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
The Pollo is Loco!
Friday night we grilled some chicken on the pit and I must say it was outstanding! My mouth is watering thinking about that crispy skin. So here goes our marinade recipe:
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup white wine (I used cooking wine)
1/2 TBSP Oregano
1/2 tsp Thyme
1 1/2 TBSP Salt
5 minced garlic cloves
1 tsp Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce ( In the chinese section at the grocery store-or just plain old tabasco would work)
Mix all ingredients and marinate 6 chicken thighs for about 2 hours in the refrigerator. Sprinkle thighs with Lawry's Season Salt and MOST IMPORTANT Bolners Fiesta Chicken Rub- very liberally - my chicken is covered in it. Grill till done.
Jamie and I were going fishing today, but the wind is really whipping too hard for that, so we settled on making some soap bait and hopefully we can use it tomorrow. Sure is stinky stuff, but it works pretty good on those old catfish.
Till we eat again.....
Jamie is here. The chicken was fabulous. Dad did a good job grilling-took awhile, but worth it. No bisquits though :( Yesterday was grandma's birthday. We had a party for her. It was fun. I want to go fishing today, but Mom will not let me because it is windy. We made soap bait and I remember doing that when my dad and david used to go fishing. It stinks! Babybel cheese is good, I am eating some right now. We watched how it was made on Unwrapped last week. Bye Bye See you next time.
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup white wine (I used cooking wine)
1/2 TBSP Oregano
1/2 tsp Thyme
1 1/2 TBSP Salt
5 minced garlic cloves
1 tsp Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce ( In the chinese section at the grocery store-or just plain old tabasco would work)
Mix all ingredients and marinate 6 chicken thighs for about 2 hours in the refrigerator. Sprinkle thighs with Lawry's Season Salt and MOST IMPORTANT Bolners Fiesta Chicken Rub- very liberally - my chicken is covered in it. Grill till done.
Jamie and I were going fishing today, but the wind is really whipping too hard for that, so we settled on making some soap bait and hopefully we can use it tomorrow. Sure is stinky stuff, but it works pretty good on those old catfish.
Till we eat again.....
Jamie is here. The chicken was fabulous. Dad did a good job grilling-took awhile, but worth it. No bisquits though :( Yesterday was grandma's birthday. We had a party for her. It was fun. I want to go fishing today, but Mom will not let me because it is windy. We made soap bait and I remember doing that when my dad and david used to go fishing. It stinks! Babybel cheese is good, I am eating some right now. We watched how it was made on Unwrapped last week. Bye Bye See you next time.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Best Ever Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake
Unfortunately, a friend of ours lost her grandfather this week. Along with some other friends, Jamie and I contributed a cake for the family meal. It is a great "go to" recipe when you need a quick cake. This came from a Kraft Foods magazine a few years ago. Must warn you - it is uber chocolatey. And the frosting/glaze is soooo good.
Best Ever Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake
1 pkg (8 squares) Baker's Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate - divided
1 pkg (2 layer size) Chocolate Cake Mix
1 pkg (4 serving size) Jell-O Chocolate Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
4 eggs
1 cup Sour Cream
1/2 cup Oil
1/2 cup water
1 Tub (8 oz) frozen Cool Whip Whipped Topping
2 TBSP Sliced Almonds - * I use white chocolate curls
Preheat oven to 350 degress. Grease two 9 inch round baking pans. Chop 2 of the chocolate baking squares, set aside. Beat cake mix, dry pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, oil and water in large bowl with mixer on low till moistened then medium for 2 minutes. Stir in chopped chocolate. Spoon into prepared pans. Bake 30-35 minutes or until wooden tooth pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let the cool completely.
Place frozen whipped topping and remaining 6 chocolate squares in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on high 1 1/2 minutes, stir and microwave another minute or until chocolate is completely melted. Let stand 15 minutes to thicken. Place 1 cake layer on serving plate, top with 1/4 of the chocolate mixture and the second cake layer. Spread top and side with remaining chocolate mixture. Garnish with almonds. Store in refrigerator.
Jamie is chomping at the bit to tell you her description of the cake:
Man I wish I could have some of that. The name even makes me drool. We also made this cake for a bake sale and it sold for $10. I would have bought it for $20. I can't wait till I can go to the Spurs game on Wednesday. Going back to school tomorrow- oh man! We are about to fry some chicken.Byebye. Oh yeah and we are making boston cream pie for us. Why is it named pie if it is a cake? Do you know?
Best Ever Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake
1 pkg (8 squares) Baker's Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate - divided
1 pkg (2 layer size) Chocolate Cake Mix
1 pkg (4 serving size) Jell-O Chocolate Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
4 eggs
1 cup Sour Cream
1/2 cup Oil
1/2 cup water
1 Tub (8 oz) frozen Cool Whip Whipped Topping
2 TBSP Sliced Almonds - * I use white chocolate curls
Preheat oven to 350 degress. Grease two 9 inch round baking pans. Chop 2 of the chocolate baking squares, set aside. Beat cake mix, dry pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, oil and water in large bowl with mixer on low till moistened then medium for 2 minutes. Stir in chopped chocolate. Spoon into prepared pans. Bake 30-35 minutes or until wooden tooth pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let the cool completely.
Place frozen whipped topping and remaining 6 chocolate squares in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on high 1 1/2 minutes, stir and microwave another minute or until chocolate is completely melted. Let stand 15 minutes to thicken. Place 1 cake layer on serving plate, top with 1/4 of the chocolate mixture and the second cake layer. Spread top and side with remaining chocolate mixture. Garnish with almonds. Store in refrigerator.
Jamie is chomping at the bit to tell you her description of the cake:
Man I wish I could have some of that. The name even makes me drool. We also made this cake for a bake sale and it sold for $10. I would have bought it for $20. I can't wait till I can go to the Spurs game on Wednesday. Going back to school tomorrow- oh man! We are about to fry some chicken.Byebye. Oh yeah and we are making boston cream pie for us. Why is it named pie if it is a cake? Do you know?
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