Archive for January, 2009

29
Jan
09

The Immortal PB&J Sandwich with a Twist

By laurelg1 2 Comments
Categories: Entree' and Recipes
Tags: ,
image00001

GPB&J

Yes, I’ve actually lowered myself to posting about a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I guess I am proving that I am a real redneck, but hey, there are few people that dislike this good ole classic. If you have kids, PB&J are likely staples at your house. I think my son bleeds peanut butter and jelly.

I was out a little late this evening and had to feed the hypoglycemic beasts at home as quickly as possible and this sandwich fit the bill.

These sandwiches are a great twist on a classic. I hope you try it, just for the heck of it…(Sorry to all the gourmet-ers out there, you will be disappointed in this one).

Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches

What you need -

Warm a large skillet, then take your favorite bread, peanut butter and jelly and make enough sandwiches to feed your crew. Butter the outsides of the bread and grill in the skillet (just like a grilled cheese) until you achieve your desired amount of browning – my kids like it golden, my dad likes it nearly charred. Slice the grilled sandwich dust with powdered sugar and serve.

Oh, buy the way, April 2nd is National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day. Can you guess what we are having for lunch that day?

image00002

Mmm, PB&J Warm & Melting!

25
Jan
09

Top-Drawer Cookies

By laurelg1 1 Comment
Categories: Cookies and Recipes
Tags: , ,
Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Chocolate Chunk Cookies

No, I don’t mean where my kids stash their midnight snacks. I mean recipe choices that are at the top of my list. Since there are a gazillion choices for cookie recipes – namely chocolate chipped – to each his own. Soft? Fluffy? Cakey? Thin? Crispy? For me, it completely depends on my mood. I think I base my preferences more on how the cookies hold up the next day. If you work during bankers hours, chances are just whipping up a batch of cookies to serve warm at work ain’t gonna happen. Even if you make the dough ahead of time, you have to dedicate time to watching over the oven etc… So I want to make sure that my cookies are just right about 12 hours after they are cooked. Maybe even 24 hours.

So, here is my top-drawer version of the classic.

Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chunky Style

Ingredients:

  • 4½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 cups salted butter, softened
  • 1½ cups packed brown sugar
  • ½ cup, plus 1 tablespoon, granulated sugar
  • 2 (3.3 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 2 cups bittersweet chocolate chunks (from a bar)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Sift together the flour and baking soda, set aside.

 

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat in the instant pudding mix until blended. Stir in the eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour mixture then the chocolate. Using a cookie scoop, (or a heaping teaspoon), drop cookies on un-greased sheets.

 

Bake 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are golden brown. Cool on pan for two minutes then remove to brown paper bag to help absorb oils until cool. Store in airtight container.

 

This recipe makes a WHOLE bunch of cookies. About 7 dozen, so feel free to half the recipe. I like to bake what I need, then roll the rest into balls and freeze. Then I can pop the cookies directly in the oven anytime – as few or as many as I need!

25
Jan
09

Fruity Cream Cheese Loaves

By laurelg1 5 Comments
Categories: Breakfast, Muffins & Quick Breads and Recipes
Tags: ,
Apple Cinnamon Cream Cheese Loaf

Apple Cinnamon Cream Cheese Loaf

 

Blueberry Cream Cheese Loaf

Blueberry Cream Cheese Loaf

 

I have had a particular post bookmarked on my “to bake” list for a while now and finally got the opportunity to make use of it. This wonderfully easy recipe comes from My Kitchen Snippets and this post (which has wonderful photo illustrations). I made two slight changes to her recipe for the Blueberry Loaf and I made a second loaf filled with an apple cinnamon mixture. Both loaves turned out wonderfully – and were so easy and convenient. I served them for snacks at church this morning. I will post the recipe, but you should really go to her blog and check out her other recipes too.

Both loaves turned out beautifully with a golden brown, flaky crust. It is such a great idea to use breadsticks as they are already pre-sliced perfectly making braiding the loaf a cinch.

Blueberry Cream Cheese Loaf

Ingredients :

  • 6 oz of low fat cream cheese
  • 1 egg – separated
  • 3 tbsp of powder sugar
  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberry
  • 1 (11 oz) tube of bread stick dough

Glaze

  • 1/2 cup of powder sugar
  • 2 tbsp of lemon juice ( I used milk for this)

Directions:

Preheat over to 350 degrees.

In a bowl combined soft cream cheese, powder sugar and egg yolk. Mix until well combined.

Remove breadstick dough from the tube, unroll it and separate the dough and you will have two rectangles. Join the dough up by placing both dough rectangles horizontally on a lightly greased baking sheet. Press the steam together. Spread cream cheese mixture onto the centre of the dough. Sprinkle the blueberry on top of the cream cheese. Separate the dough perforations up to the cheese mixture (You might need a scissors for this) Slightly pull and stretch the dough strips. Start from the top and bring and braid dough strip to cover the filling. Make sure to tuck and seal both ends of the loaf.

Beat the egg white and brush it all over the loaf, (I sprinkled sugar on top too). Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool the loaf.

Combine the powdered sugar and lemon juice (or milk). Whisk until smooth. Drizzle all over the cool loaf before serving.

For the Cinnamon Apple, I used pie filling (mixed w/sugar and cinnamon) instead of the blueberries and cut the apple pieces very small. I didn’t measure, I used layered the top of the cream cheese with apples.

muffins-quick-breads_00006

Beautiful Braids!

25
Jan
09

Nine Inch Bacon Cheeseburger?

By laurelg1 Leave a Comment
Categories: Beef, Entree' and Recipes
Tags: ,
Burger Pie

Burger Pie

This is by far the biggest cheeseburger I have ever made… ok, it’s not a beef patty with a bun, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese and bacon – but it sure tastes like one. It could be called “lazy burger”, or “redneck burger”. Today, I didn’t care. I was tired, fighting a head cold and listening to hungry people complain. Better, I had all seven ingredients to make a hearty lunch. Thank you Bisquick for the recipe…I adapted it slightly, if you want the original recipe, go here. I served a home tossed Caesar salad for the side. (There was not a drop left of either!)

Bacon Cheeseburger Pie

(aka Impossibly easy Cheeseburger Pie from Bisquick)

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 packet onion soup mix
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (2% milk)
  • 1/2 cup Bisquick Heart Smart Mix
  • 1 cup milk (skim)
  • 2 eggs
  • Bacon Pieces (I used Oscar Meyer Real Bacon Bits)
  • Ketchup (optional)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9″ pie pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Brown the ground beef with the soup mix in a skillet. Layer in bottom of pie pan and top with cheese. Stir the Bisquick, Milk and eggs until blended and pour into the pie pan. Sprinkle bacon pieces over top of pie and swirl ketchup over the top. Bake in the oven for 20 – 25 minutes, or until lightly browned and set in the middle. Remove and let stand about two minutes then slice and serve.

Note: I didn’t have regular Bisquick or an onion, so I compromised. No one knew – it was still great. I also thought the bacon and ketchup made a “prettier top”.

21
Jan
09

Sauce, Pepperoni, Cheese & Two Slices of Bread

By laurelg1 3 Comments
Categories: Entree' and Recipes
Tags: ,
Pizza Sandwich

Pizza Sandwich

A little butter and a hot skillet will make this ingredient combination a quick , warm, comfort and come back for more sandwich. When I resort to this sandwich, it means that grocery day is very soon… enough that I am scraping the barrel to make dinner. My pantry is sadly void. Basically, this a souped up grilled cheese sandwich, but it very kid compatible.

It is a great hot sandwich that can easily be adapted to ones taste and/or available ingredients. I even make a version for my lactose intolerant dad…

Grilled Pizza Sandwiches

Ingredients: 

  • Sliced bread – I use fresh baked Italian
  • Pizza Sauce
  • Sliced Pepperoni
  • Mozzarella Cheese (I use lactose free for my dad’s)
  • Butter, or butter spray
  • Non stick cooking spray

Directions:

Heat skillet and butter one side of each bread slice. Place bread, butter side down and top with some pizza sauce. Layer with some cheese, then pepperoni and more cheese. Top with a little more pizza sauce then other slice of bread – buttered side out. Carefully flip sandwich to grill both sides and cook until cheese is melted – hint: use thinly shredded cheese to speed melting time.

Slice and serve with additional pizza sauce (if desired).

Like I said – you can easily adjust the ingredients and “toppings” to your taste. Additional seasoning are optional – my family never asks.

« Previous Entries

Want to "Bake Me More" in your inbox?

Welcome! BakeMeMore.com

Categories

Hey Foodies!

Foodie Blogroll