Monday, May 9, 2016

MEATLOAF




Meatloaf


Total Time:1 hr 50 min
Prep:25 min
Inactive:10 min
Cook:1 hr 15 min
Yield:4 to 6 servings
Level:Intermediate

2 tablespoons butter
1 large onion, chopped
1 rib celery, finely chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic, plus 1 teaspoon
1 teaspoon chopped thyme leaves
1 teaspoon chopped rosemary
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/2 cup ketchup, plus 1/4 cup
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup Heavy cream
2/3 cup Breadcrumbs
1 pound ground chuck
1/2 pound pork sausage (such as breakfast sausage)
1/2 pound ground veal
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons plus 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 slices bacon, cut in half
2 tablespoons white or red wine vinegar
1/2 cup canned tomatoes, chopped or crushed

In a large skillet heat the butter over medium-high heat until melted. Add all but 1/4 cup of the onions, the celery and all but 2 tablespoons of the bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened and beginning to caramelize around the edges, about 6 minutes. Add 2 teaspoons of the garlic, the thyme, rosemary, and parsley and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

When the vegetable mixture is cooled, transfer to a mixing bowl and add the eggs, mustard, 1/4 cup of the ketchup, 1 teaspoon of the Worcestershire sauce, and heavy cream and mix until thoroughly combined. Add the breadcrumbs, ground chuck, pork sausage, ground veal, 1 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper and mix until just combined. Do not overmix. Transfer meat mixture to a 9 by 5 by 3-inch loaf pan and using your hands, form mixture into a loaf shape. Arrange the slices of bacon on the top of the meatloaf and set aside.

In a small saucepan combine the remaining 1/4 cup of chopped onion, remaining 2 tablespoons of green pepper, remaining teaspoon of garlic, remaining 1/2 cup of ketchup, remaining 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt, remaining 2 teaspoons of pepper, vinegar, and canned tomatoes and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.

Pour the sauce over the uncooked meatloaf and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the bacon and sauce are slightly caramelized on the top of the meatloaf. Remove from the oven and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Slice and serve along with the Macaroni with 4 Cheeses.

PENNE A LA VODKA CASSEROLE



Penne a la Vodka Casserole


Prep time: 25 mins
Cook time: 2 hours
Total time: 2 hours 25 mins
A fantastic casserole so full of flavor!!

4 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 lb. sweet Italian sausage, cut into 1" slices
1 lb. hot Italian sausage, cut into 1" slices
4 cups thinly sliced onions
1¾ tsp. salt
¾ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
½ cup vodka
2-16 oz. cans whole tomatoes, crushed with their juices
1 tsp. Emeril's Original Essence
½ cup heavy cream
1 lb. penne pasta
15 oz. ricotta cheese
1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1½ cups grated mozzarella cheese
Crusty bread for serving

Preheat oven to 350F. In a large skillet heat 2 Tbsp. olive oil over high heat, add the sausages and cook until browned. Add the onions, ¾ tsp salt and the black pepper. Saute until onions are transparent. Stir in the basil and garlic and cook for another 2 min. Add the vodka and tomatoes. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 40 min. Add the Essence and the cream, stir to mix, and simmer for 5 min. Remove from heat. Set aside.
Bring a large pot of water to boil with the remaining tsp. of salt. Add the pasta and boil until al dente according to manufacturer's instructions. Drain. Combine half of the ricotta, and half the Parmesan with the remaining 2 Tbsp. olive oil in a large mixing bowl. Add the pasta and toss to coat. Next, add the sausage mixture and the remaining ricotta and Parmesan, mix well.
Spray a 9x13" baking dish with cooking spray and add mixture. Top with mozzarella cheese. Bake for 45 min. until golden brown and heated through. Serve with crusty bread

Sunday, May 8, 2016

COFFEE BARBECUE DRY RUB

BBQ COFFEE DRY RUB FOR GRILLING

Prep time
15 mins
Total time
15 mins

Sweet and spicy dry rub for chicken, beef and pork


¼ cup finely ground coffee
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon black pepper
2 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon coco powder
½ tablespoon cayenne ~ or more

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Whisk together until well blended.
Rub 1 tablespoon per pound on your meat. Allow to set in the refrigerator for several hour.
Pour any remaining rub into an air tight jar. It will remain fresh about 6 months.

COFFEE BARBEQUE SAUCE


Coffee Barbecue Sauce

1 cup strong black coffee
1 cup ketchup
3/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup cider vinegar
3 Tbsp chili powder
2 tsp. salt
4 minced jalapeno peppers, seeds removed
4 cloves minced garlic
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup brown sugar


Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and simmer for 20 minutes. Puree in batches in blender or food processor. Return to saucepan and simmer for another 20 minutes to thicken.

This Barbecue Sauce is great on beef, pork or chicken!

BUTTER PECAN CAKE


BUTTER PECAN CAKE

Yield: 12 to 14 servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 32 minutes


Plenty of nuts and white chocolate make this Butter Pecan Cake a delicious, irresistible dessert.

FOR THE FROSTING:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 & 1/4 cups coarsely chopped pecans
11 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
16 ounces confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
FOR THE CAKE:
6 ounces white chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup boiling water
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 & 1/2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs, separated
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups sifted cake flour
toasted pecan halves for garnishing, if desired
DIRECTIONS:

TO MAKE THE FROSTING:
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet. Add the pecans and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until toasted – about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely.
Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the cream cheese and 1/2 cup butter until creamy. Gradually add the sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Stir in the buttered pecans and vanilla. Cover and chill at least 1 hour.
TO MAKE THE CAKE:
Place the white chocolate in a bowl and pour boiling water over it, stirring until smooth. Set aside to cool.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease three 9-inch round cake pansand line with wax paper. Grease and flour the wax paper.
Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add the sugar, beating well. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in the melted white chocolate and vanilla.
Combine the buttermilk and baking soda. Add the flour to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk mixture. Begin and end with the flour. Mix at low speed after each addition until blended.
Beat the egg whites to stiff peaks. Gently fold into batter. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of cake comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
Spread the frosting between layers and on the top and sides of cake. Garnish, if desired. Store in refrigerator.

NOTES:

This is indeed a 3-layer cake, despite the fact that I only used 2 layers. That just made for a higher frosting to cake ratio!


Read more at http://www.bakeorbreak.com/2010/01/butter-pecan-cake/#uorex84cXotcL38h.99

OBAMA FAMILY CHILI RECIPE



Obama Family Chili Recipe

Prep Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Servings: 8

"This is Presidential candidate Barack Obama's family chili recipe that he's been using for years. I live in Denver and saw something about the Brown Hotel making this recipe for the guests during the 2008 Democrat National Convention."


INGREDIENTS
1 large onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb ground turkey or 1 lb beef
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground oregano
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon ground basil
1 tablespoon chili powder
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
tomatoes, several depending on size, chopped
1 (15 ounce) cans red kidney beans

DIRECTIONS
Saute onions, green pepper and garlic in olive oil until soft.
Add ground meat and brown.
Combine spices together into a mixture, then add to ground meat.
Add red wine vinegar.
Add tomatoes and let simmer, until tomatoes cook down.
Add kidney beans and cook for a few more minutes.
Serve over white or brown rice. Garnish with grated cheddar cheese, onions and sour cream.

LUCILLE BALL'S PERSIMMON CAKE



And for your Holiday Baking - here are two of Lucille Ball's recipes:

Lucille Ball's Sunday Night Goulash
Serves 6

Ingredients:
2 bunches green onions, chopped
2 large green peppers, chopped
½ clove garlic, chopped
2 pounds ground beef
1 large can solid packed tomatoes
½ pound small egg noodles

Saute onions, green pepper, and garlic until tender. Brown meat in butter, then add sautéed ingredients. Add tomatoes with juice and simmer slowly. Add salt and pepper to taste. During last 30 minutes of cooking, add cooked, strained egg noodles.

Lucille Ball's Persimmon Cake
Serves 12

Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
3 tablespoons butter
2 cups persimmon pulp
2 cups chopped walnut meats
1 cup seedless raisins
1 cup dates, chopped fine
Rind of one orange, grated
1 cup milk
4 cups sifted cake flour
2 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon cloves
½ teaspoon allspice
½ teaspoon nutmeg
4 teaspoons baking soda
3 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Mix all ingredients and bake in two large buttered load tins for 4 small ones for 1 ½ hours at 300 degrees F.