Monday, February 13, 2012

Barbecue Short Ribs

A labor of love... worth every minute after the first bite! From The Joy of Cooking (c) 1997.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Pat dry: 3 pounds beef short ribs, excess fat trimmed. Season with salt, black pepper, dried oregano.

Heat 2 tbl vegetable oil in a dutch oven. Add the ribs in batches and brown on all sides. When finished, drain all but 2 tbl of fat. Add the following and cook, stirring, over medium heat for 10 minutes:
  • 2 c chopped onions
  • 1/2 c chopped celery
  • 1/2 c chopped carrots
  • 1/2 c chopped shallots
  • 3 tbl chopped garlic
  • 1 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Pinch of oregano
Add 1 1/2 c beef stock. Bring to a boil and add the ribs back to the dutch oven. Add 2 bay leaves. Bake, covered, until ribs are tender, about 2 hours.

Meanwhile, make barbecue sauce. Combine in a medium saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring often, until the sauce comes to a simmer:
  • 1 1/2 c ketchup
  • 1 c cider vinegar
  • 1/4 c Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 c soy sauce
  • 1 c packed dark brown sugar
  • 2 tbl dry mustard
  • 4 tbl chili powder
  • 1 tbl fresh grated, peeled ginger (or 1 tsp ground dried)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbl vegetable oil
Simmer for 5 minutes.

Once short ribs are perfectly tender, remove and increase oven temperature to 450 degrees. Place the cooked ribs on a roasting rack in a shallow pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Brush with barbecue sauce. Bake until the surface is browned and edges are crispy, 10 to 12 minutes.

Serve with additional barbecue sauce for dipping. And some steamy wet napkins when you're done!

Monday, September 26, 2011

Roasted Vegetable Soup

Real prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Serves: 6
Side dish suggestions: Brown rice, applesauce

Supplies:
  • Baking sheet
  • Cutting board
  • Soup pot
  • Small pot or rice cooker
From the fridge:
  • 1 lb. asparagus, ends snapped and chopped in 1-inch chunks
  • 2 medium zucchini, sliced in 1/2 inch rounds
  • 2 medium carrots, sliced in 1/2 inch rounds on diagonal
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • Meat from rotisserie chicken, optional
From the pantry:
  • 1 tbl basil
  • 1 tbl olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 4 c chicken broth
  • 28 oz diced tomatoes
  • 1 c brown rice
Preparation:
  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
  2. Cook rice according to package directions.
  3. In a large bowl, combine vegetables, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat. Transfer to baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes.
  4. In a large pot, combine broth, tomatoes, and basil (and chicken, if using). Bring to boil. Add vegetables, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. Scoop rice into bowls and ladle soup over rice.
This one-pot dinner is so healthy and yummy. It is great on a rainy day. It is modified from Robin Miller's Quick Fix Meals cookbook. I have frozen this (without the rice) and it reheats nicely.

Chicken Alfredo Bake


Real prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4
Side dish suggestions: green vegetable, garlic bread

Supplies:
  • 2 quart casserole dish
  • Small frying pan
  • Large bowl
  • Cutting board
From the fridge:
  • Chopped leftover chicken
From the pantry:
  • 1 jar alfredo sauce
  • 1 box penne noodles
Suggested ingredient additions:
  • 2 c broccoli florets and 1/2 c shredded cheddar
  • 1 c chopped sundried tomatoes and 1/2 c toasted pine nuts (shown)
  • 1 bag frozen California mix veggies
  • 2 c chopped spinach and 1/4 bacon bits
Preparation:
  1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
  2. Toss chicken, pasta, and any other additions into large bowl. Cover in sauce and toss.
  3. Spray casserole dish with nonstick spray. Pour in pasta mixture.
  4. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
This recipe is perfect for making ahead and putting in the fridge to bake later.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Banana Bread

Real prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 50-60 minutes
Serves: 8-10
Side dish suggestions: A good breakfast!

Supplies:
Food Processor (or just mash bananas by hand)
Wooden Spoon
Small bowl to melt butter
Mixing Bowl
Loaf Pan
Cooling Rack
1 Teaspoon Measuring Spoon
1 Cup Measuring Cup
1/2 Cup Measuring Cup
1/4 Cup Measuring Cup

From the freezer:


From the pantry:
3/4 Cup Sugar
1 t. Vanilla
1 t. Baking Soda
1 1/2 Cup Flour
Pinch of Salt

Fresh Ingredients:
3-4 REALLY ripe Bananas
1/3 Cup Melted Butter
1 Egg Beaten

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Mash or process ripe bananas until mushy and mostly smooth. Pour into mixing bowl.
3. Using a wooden spoon, mix melted butter into bananas.
4. Mix in sugar, egg, and vanilla.
5. Sprinkle baking soda and salt over the top and mix.
6. Add flour last and mix.
7. Pour into buttered loaf pan.
8. Bake at 350 for 50-60 mins. until middle is set.
9. Cool on rack, remove from pan and cool completely.

Extra info...
Make sure to cook through. Even when set the middle will be barely done so don't under cook.

My husband has added chocolate chips which is really good too!

Nuts-n-Bolts

Real prep time: 8 minutes
Cook time: 2 hours
Serves: A party!
Side dish suggestions: none

Supplies:
Large Roasting Pan
Mixing Spoon
Tablespoon Measuring Spoon
1/2 Tablespoon Measuring Spoon
1 Cup Measuring Cup

From the freezer:


From the pantry:
2 lbs Mixed Salted Nuts
6 1/2 oz Corn Chex
10 1/2 oz Box Cheerios
6 1/2 oz Rice Chex
6 1/2 oz Wheat Chex
1 Package Pretzel Sticks
1 Cup Salad Oil
1 T. Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 T. Garlic Salt
1/2 T. Seasoned Salt

Preparation:
Mix all ingredients together in roasting pan. Bake at 250 for 2 hours, stirring every 15 minutes. Have fun!

Extra info...
Such a great party mix!

Homemade Granola Bars

Real prep time: 5-7 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes + Roughly 2 hours cooling and freezer time
Serves: 16 bars
Side dish suggestions: none

Supplies:
9x9 glass pan
Foil
Mixing Bowl
Mixing Spoon
Small Spatula
Large Knife
Cutting Board

From the freezer:


From the pantry:
2 Cups (plus some extra) Rolled Oats
1/2 Cup Wheat Germ
1/2 Cup (plus some extra) Mini Chocolate Chips
1/2 Cup (plus some extra) Dried Cranberries or Cherries
1 Can (14oz) Sweetened Condensed Milk

(1 Cup Sliced Almonds)

Preparation:
1. Adjust oven rack to lower middle position and preheat oven to 325.
2. Line 9x9 pan with foil (leaving extra on each end to lift out later).
3. Grease foil with cooking spray.
4. Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Turn into pan and pat down until firmly packed.
5. Bake until golden brown-about 30 mins.
6. Cool to room temp. and put pan in freezer until firm.
7. Use foil ends to remove from pan. Remove foil and use large knife to cut into 16 1x4 inch bars.
8. Can be stored in airtight container for up to 1 week or frozen.

Extra info...
Adapted from threemanycooks.com *They also have a gluten free version

Their version uses the sliced almonds and doesn't add the little bit of extra oats, chocolate chips, and dried fruit. I have a child who can't have nuts so I put a few extras in and omit the almonds and they are really great!

Fruit Pizza

Real prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Serves: 8-10
Side dish suggestions: none

Supplies:
Large Pizza Pan
Medium Saucepan
Mixing Spoon
Hand Mixer
Mixing Bowl

From the freezer:


From the pantry:
1 T. Cornstarch
3/4 Cup Sugar-separated
1 t. Vanilla

Fresh Ingredients:
1 Package Refrigerated Sugar Cookie Dough
1 T. Lemon Juice
1/2 Cup Orange Juice
8 oz Softened Cream Cheese
Assorted Fruits

Preparation:
1. Prepare different fruits to place on pizza-cut strawberries into slices (without hulls), wash and dry blueberries, rince and pat dry mandarine orange slices, etc.
2. Roll out sugar cookie dough on the pizza pan. Cook at 350 for 10 mins. Cool Completely.
3. Glaze-add oj, cornstarch, lemon juice, 1/4 cup. sugar to a medium saucepan. Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly until thick and clear. Let cool but not too cool or it will start to solidify.
4. Spread-Whip up cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, and vanilla.
5. Assemble-Spread cream cheese mixture on cooled crust. Arrange sliced fruit to cover cream cheese layer. Cover with cooled glaze. Cover all fruit completely and seal outer edges.
6. Chill and enjoy!

Extra info...
Make sure the fruit is dry otherwise the glaze will not stay. It will slide off and not seal the pizza.
The original recipe had the glaze ingredients doubled but it was way too much for me so I have adjusted to a reasonable amount. If it doesn't work for you go back to the original doubled amount.

Addie Mae's Cobbler

Real prep time: 8-10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Serves: 6-9
Side dish suggestions: A good vanilla ice cream

Supplies:
8x8 glass pan
Mixing spoon

From the freezer:


From the pantry:
1 Cup Flour
1 Cup Sugar
2 t. Baking Powder
Cooking Spray

Fresh Ingredients:
1 Cup Milk
1/2 Stick Melted Butter
2 Cups Berries (your favorites)

Preparation:
Spray pan with cooking spray. Combine all ingredients but the berries in the pan and mix well. Spread berries evenly on top-DO NOT MIX! Bake at 350 for 30 mins or until golden brown. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!

Extra info...

Aunt Nancy's Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Real prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10-12 minutes
Serves: Many
Side dish suggestions: A good meal beforehand! :)

Supplies:
Mixer
Mixing Bowl
1/2 Measuring Cup
1 Measuring Teaspoon
Jelly Roll Pan

From the freezer:


From the pantry:
2 Cups Flour
1 Cup Chocolate Chips
1 t. Baking Soda
1 t. Salt
1/2 Cup Shortening
1/2 Cup + 4 t. Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup + 4 t. White Sugar
1 t. Vanilla

Fresh Ingredients:
1/2 Cup Butter-softened
2 Eggs

Preparation:
Cream shortening, butter, brown and white sugars, vanilla, and eggs. In a seperate bowl mix flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix with creamed ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips. Spread into jelly roll pan. Bake at 375 for 10-12 mins or until golden brown and no longer puffy. Cut into squares or "bars". YUM!

Extra info...
Watch the cooking time to make sure it's not under cooked or over cooked. It's a fine art! :)

Roasted Cauliflower

Real prep time: 5-7 minutes
Cook time: 8-12 minutes
Serves: 6-8
Side dish suggestions: It is a side dish! :)

Supplies:
Mixing Bowl
Mixing Spoon
Foil
Jelly Roll Pan

From the freezer:


From the pantry:
Olive Oil
Garlic Powder
Salt
Pepper
Cooking Spray

Fresh Ingredients:
1 Head of Cauliflower

Preparation:
Wash and chop cauliflower into smallish "trees". Put in mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper to coat. Mix well. Cover jelly roll pan with foil and spray with cooking spray. Spread cauliflower out on foil. Roast at 425 for 8-12 mins. until desired doneness.

Extra info...