Candy Cane Biscotti

Candy Cane Biscotti
Recipe submitted by David Gaimari

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2/3 cup finely crushed peppermint candy canes

Coating:

1 (14-ounce) package vanilla candy coating (almond bark)
2 drops red food color
1/4 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine butter and sugar in bowl.  Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy.  Add eggs; continue beating until well mixed.  Add flour and baking powder; beat at low speed until well mixed.  Stir in crushed candy.

Divide dough into fourths on lightly floured surface with lightly floured hands.  shape each into 9x1 1/2-inch logs.  Place logs 3 inches apart onto lightly greased large cookie sheet.

Bake 18-20 minutes or until tops are cracked and ends just start to turn light brown.  Remove from oven; reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees.  Cool logs 10 minutes on cookie sheet.

Carefully remove logs to cutting surface.  Cut into 1/2-inch slices with sharp serrated knife.  (Discard ends). Arrange pieces on same cookie sheet, cut-side down.  Continue baking 12-14 minutes, turning once, or until cookies are lightly browned and crisp on both sides.  Remove to cooking rack; cool completely.

Place candy coating in 2-quart saucepan.  Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 5-7 minutes, or until melted.  Remove from heat.  Stir in food color and peppermint flavoring.

Dip each biscotti half way into warm coating; shake off excess.  Place onto waxed paper.  Immediately sprinkle with crushed candy canes.  Let set at room temperature until coating is hardened.

48 cookies

Pizza Soup

Pizza Soup
Recipe submitted by Lisa VanMansum

Lisa VanMansum writes, . . . I had a soup like this at the restaurant Paprika.  It was the perfect soup for a chilly day! Great warm, satisfying flavor and a snap to make.  Serve along with some chewy bread.

Ingredients:

1 (8 oz)  sweet or hot Italian sausage - loose or remove casings.
1 yellow onion - diced small
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fennel seed
1 can of diced tomatoes, including juice
1 can chicken broth
1 can white Cannellini beans, rinsed
1 tablespoon fresh basil - minced
Fresh Parmesan cheese - finely grated

Directions:

Using a large pot - brown sausage until fully cooked; drain off grease and remove from pan.  Saute onion, garlic and fennel seed, until onion is softened 3 - 4 minutes.  Add cooked sausage back into pot, along with diced tomatoes and chicken broth.  Bring to a gentle boil and then reduce to simmer for 10 minutes.  Add beans and fresh basil - just warm through for about 5 minutes.

Serve with fresh grated Parmesan on top of each serving.

Recipe submitted by Lisa VanMansum

Maple - Glazed Pumpkin Spice Cake

Maple - Glazed Pumpkin Spiced Cake
Recipe submitted by Luti Lauvao Gibbs

Ingredients:

Cake:

2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups canned pumpkin puree
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups packed light brown sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature

Glaze:

2 tablespoons whole milk
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon maple extract
2 cups sifted confectioner's sugar

Directions:

Make cake:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Butter and flour a 10-cup Bundt pan.

Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt together in a bowl.  In another bowl, whisk together pumpkin, buttermilk and vanilla. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Scrape down sides and bottom of bowl. Beat in one third of flour mixture, then half of pumpkin mixture, beating until just combined. Repeat, ending with last third of flour mixture. Scrape batter into Bundt pan, smoothing top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes.

Let cake cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes, then turn out onto rack to cool completely.

Make glaze:

Whisk together milk and maple syrup and extract.  Whisk in confectioner's sugar until glaze is smooth and of drizzling consistency. Up to 6 hours before serving, set cake on a wire rack over a plate and drizzle with glaze, allowing it to run down the sides.  Let cake rest at room temperature to allow glaze to set.

Serves 12

Recipe submitted by Luti Lauvao Gibbs

Fresh Apple Cake

Fresh Apple Cake
Recipe submitted by Margie Brennan

Ingredients:

2 cups sliced apples
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1/3 cup oil
1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup crushed nuts (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, mix the sliced apples and 1 cup sugar.

Add the remaining ingredients together and mix well.

Pour into a 9 x 9-inch baking dish..

If using crushed nuts, scatter over the top of cake.

Bake for 45 minutes.

Recipe submitted by Margie Brennan

Overnight French Toast with Caramel Syrup

Overnight French Toast with Caramel Syrup

I had the pleasure of tasting gourmet french toast with caramel syrup at a little french restaurant called L'Atelier Cafe in Palm Springs California.   I had never tasted caramel syrup before, and let me tell you, I was asking a lot of questions after tasting it for the first time. I found this "Overnight French Toast with Caramel Syrup" recipe online and it tastes just like the special treat I had in Palm Springs.  The caramel syrup is over the top delicious!

Ingredients:

French Toast:

1 loaf (thick-sliced) French, baguette or cinnamon bread
8 eggs
3 cups milk
1 tablespoon brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 tablespoons butter
Powdered sugar

Caramel Syrup:

1 cup brown sugar
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup light corn syrup

Directions:

Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Place the bread slices flat in the baking dish.

Mix all ingredients, reserving the butter and pour over the bread.

Cut butter into pieces and dot over the top.

Refrigerate over night or a least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Bake 45 to 50 minutes.

Sprinkle powdered sugar over french toast.

Caramel Syrup Directions:

Whisk together all ingredients over medium heat in a 2 quart saucepan until sugar is dissolved and mixture is warmed through.  Some separation is normal during cooling. Stir before pouring if necessary.

Down East Maine Pumpkin Bread

Down East Maine Pumpkin Bread
Recipe by allrecipes.com

It's pumpkin time, and do we have a great tasting recipe for you!  This pumpkin bread is moist, delicious and easy to make!  Serve this bread the day after it's baked.

I make this bread with Trader Joe's organic canned pumpkin.  It's the best!  I also use 3 cups of flour, verses 3 1/2 cups.

Ingredients:

1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
3 cups sugar
3 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease and flour three (x3) 7x3-inch loaf pans.

In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin, eggs, oil, water, and sugar until well blended.

In a separate bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients, then stir into pumpkin mixture until just combined. Pour into prepared pans, filling each about two-thirds full.

Bake 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center of loaves comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pans on a rack; then turn loaves out onto rack to cool completely.

263 calories

Low-Fat Berry Bundt Cake

Low-Fat Berry Bundt Cake

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup cholesterol free egg substitute
1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 cups raspberries
2 cups blueberries

*I use 4 cups of COSTCO'S, KIRKLAND, RADER FARMS, FROZEN NATURE'S THREE BERRIES (Raspberries, Blueberries, and Blackberries).

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray 6-cup Bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.

In a medium bowl, combine sugar, buttermilk, egg substitute and oil.

Add the sugar mixture to the flour mixture; stir until moistened.

Fold in berries.

Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake 1 hour or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool in pan on wire rack.  Serve with additional berries, if desired.

12 servings
215 calories

Are you looking for another low-fat recipe?  If yes, here's our most requested recipe. Low-Fat Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

http://crowdedkitchen509.blogspot.com/2013/05/low-fat-lemon-poppy-seed-cake.html

Guinness Beef Stew

Guinness Beef Stew
Recipe submitted by Lisa VanMansum

Ingredients:

1 (3 1/2-to-4-pound) boneless beef chuck-eye roast, pulled apart at seams, and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
Salt and pepper
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 onions, chopped fine
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 1/4 cups Guinness Draught (do not use Guinness Extra Stout, it will be too bitter)
1 1/2 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
1 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, unpeeled, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Directions:

Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat to 325 degrees.

Season beef with salt and pepper.

Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering.  Add onions and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until well browned, 8 to 10 minutes.

Add tomato paste and garlic and cook until rust-colored and fragrant, about 2 minutes.

Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.  Whisk in broth, 3/4 cup Guinness Draught, sugar, and thyme, scraping up any browned bits.  Bring to simmer and cook until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.  Stir in beef and return to simmer.

Transfer to oven and cook, uncovered, for 90, stirring halfway through cooking.

Stir in potatoes and carrots and continue cooking until beef and vegetables are tender, about 1 hour, stirring halfway through cooking.

Stir in remaining 1/2 cup Guinness Draught and parsley.

Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve.

Serves 6 to 8

Recipe submitted by Lisa VanMansum

Do you like ice cream?  If yes, here's another recipe that Lisa VanMansum has submitted.  Buttermilk Ice Cream.

http://crowdedkitchen509.blogspot.com/2014/08/buttermilk-ice-cream.html

Buttermilk Ice Cream

Buttermilk Ice Cream
Recipe submitted by Lisa VanMansum

Ingredients:

4 large egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cup cold buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Whisk egg yolks lightly in a medium bowl.  Add sugar and beat until mixture is a milky lemon-yellow color, about 1 minute.

Heat cream and 1 cup buttermilk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, while stirring, until a thermometer reads 150 degrees, 6 to 8 minutes (milk should not boil).

Pour cream mixture in a thin stream into egg mixture, whisking continually until incorporated.  Transfer to clean container, cover and refrigerate until very cold, for 4 hours or overnight.

Add remaining 1/2 cup buttermilk and vanilla and stir to incorporate.  Churn custard in an ice-cream maker according to manufacturer instructions until thick, 20 to 30 minutes. (the longer you churn, the smaller the ice crystals, thus creamier ice cream.)

Transfer to an airtight container, cover surface with plastic wrap, and seal lid.  Freeze at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.  Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Double the recipe for a larger ice cream maker!  Serve with fresh raspberries or sliced peaches!!!

Serves 6

Yields: 1-quart

Recipe submitted by Lisa VanMansum

White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies

White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies
Recipe submitted by Rachel G.

Ingredients:

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 tablespoons shortening
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 (7 oz) boxes Jiffy raspberry muffin mix
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1  1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Directions:

Beat together cream cheese, butter, shortening and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl until combined.  Add eggs beating after each addition.

Mix in muffin mix and flour until just combined.  Add white chocolate chips and stir until incorporated.

Chill dough in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line baking sheet with Silpat or lightly grease baking sheets.

Scoop cookie dough mix onto baking sheets.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown on edges.

In between baking batches of cookies make sure to store the dough in the refrigerator.

3 dozen

Brazilian Grilled Pineapple

Brazilian Grilled Pineapple
Recipe by Allrecipes.com

Ingredients:

1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 6 wedges

Directions:

Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.

Whisk brown sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl.  Pour sugar mixture into a large resealable bag.  Place pineapple wedges in bag and shake to coat each wedge.

Grill pineapple wedges on the preheated grill until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes per side.

6 servings

Rhubarb Muffins

Rhubarb Muffins
Recipe submitted by Margaret Patterson

Hands down, this is the best rhubarb muffin recipe ever!

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder                                                      

1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups diced rhubarb
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Topping:

1 tablespoon melted butter
1/3 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Best Muffin Ever!

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease two 12 cup muffin pans or line with paper cups.

In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

In a separate bowl, beat the brown sugar, oil, egg, vanilla and buttermilk with an electric mixer until smooth.

Pour in the dry ingredients and mix by hand just until blended.

Stir in rhubarb and walnuts.

Spoon the batter into prepared cups, filling almost to the top.

Topping:

In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, white sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of this mixture on top of each muffin.

Bake in the preheated oven until tops of the muffins spring back when lightly pressed, about 25 minutes.

Cool in the pans for a least 10 minutes before removing.

18 to 24 servings.

Happy Graham!

Recipe submitted by Margaret Patterson

Interested in another recipe by Margaret Patterson?  If yes, here a great tasting banana nut muffin recipe.

http://crowdedkitchen509.blogspot.com/2014/06/banana-nut-muffins.html

Banana Nut Muffins

Banana Nut Muffins
Recipe submitted by Margaret Patterson

Ingredients:

1 cup Crisco
1 cup sugar
2 eggs

2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1/2 cup milk
3 ripe bananas, smashed

1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place muffin cups in muffin pan, or grease muffin pan with butter.

Cream together the Crisco, sugar, and eggs.

Add the flour, salt, baking soda, vinegar, milk and smashed bananas and mix well.

Stir in nuts.

Spoon the batter into prepared cups, filling almost to the top.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

Recipe submitted by Margaret Patterson

Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken

Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken
Recipe by Allrecipes.com

Ingredients:

1 (16 oz) jar salsa
1 (1.25) package dry taco seasoning mix
1 limes, juiced
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
3 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

flour tortillas
shredded lettuce
diced tomatoes
mild cheddar cheese, shredded
chopped olives
sour cream

Directions:

Place the salsa, taco seasoning, lime juice, and cilantro into a slow cooker, and stir to combine.

Add the chicken breasts, and stir to coat with the salsa mixture.

Cover the cooker, set to high, and cook until the chicken is very tender, about 4 hours.  If desired, set cooker to low and cook 6 to 8 hours.

Shred chicken with forks to serve.

Place all side ingredients (diced tomatoes, sour cream, etc) in separate bowls and serve with black beans and Spanish rice.

Orange-Ginger Glazed Carrots

Orange-Ginger Glazed Carrots

I make this dish every year for Thanksgiving.  It's a tradition!

Ingredients:

1 (1 lb) package baby carrots
1 teaspoon grated orange rind
1/4 cup fresh juice
2 teaspoon butter
2 teaspoon honey
1 to 3 teaspoons freshly grated ginger or 1 teaspoon ground ginger may be substituted
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

Stir together all ingredients and 1 cup water in a medium saucepan over medium heat, and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally 30 to 35 minutes or until liquid evaporates and carrots are glazed.

6 servings

Italian Sausage Stromboli

Italian Sausage Stromboli

Ingredients:

Olive oil
1 medium sweet onion, diced
4 to 5 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound spicy Italian sausage
1/2 cup "All Time Favorite Tomato Sauce" or any pizza sauce, plus extra for dipping
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 (13.8 oz) Pillsbury refrigerated pizza crust

1 tablespoon butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon dry Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

Link to "All Time Favorite Tomato Sauce"
http://crowdedkitchen509.blogspot.com/2012/04/all-time-favorite-tomato-sauce.html

Directions:

In a large saucepan, drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil and saute the diced onions for 4 to 5 minutes.  Add the minced  garlic and saute for another 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the Italian sausage and cook until there is no pink visible.  Remove from the heat and drain any excess fat from the pan.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

On parchment paper, stretch the dough into a 10 x 13-inch rectangle.

Sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.  Arrange the cooked sausage on top, and then drizzle with the "All Time Favorite Tomato Sauce".  Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.

Begin to roll the dough starting from the widest edge.  Arrange seem side down on the prepared baking sheet.

Brush the top and sides with the melted butter.

Sprinkle the seasonings on top, and finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Bake for 18 minutes.

Allow to rest 5 to 10 minutes before cutting into 1 to 2-inch slices.  Serve with additional "All Time Favorite Tomato Sauce" for dipping.

4 servings