May 27, 2011

Pineapple Upside Down Cake



In large mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients:
2 ½ C. Flour
1b C. Sugar
1 t. Salt
3½ t. Baking Powder

then add in wet ingredients and Mix:
1¼ C. Milk
1 C. Oil
3 Eggs
1 Tb. Vanilla

In separate bowl, combine:
3/4 C. Softened Butter (1 1/2 sticks)
1 1/4 C. Brown Sugar
Mix until smooth.

Open a 9 oz. can of Crushed Pineapple, drain and set aside.
Open a 9 oz. Can of Pineapple rings, drain and set aside.

Grease a 9x13 inch pan, (Wilton’s Cake Release is the best for preparing cake pans) and spread brown sugar mixture evenly across the bottom of the pan. Place pineapple rings until there is a single layer covering the bottom of the pan. With a spoon, tuck crushed pineapple in and around the pineapple rings until you have one solid layer of pineapple. If you so desire, you may add maraschino cherries in the middle of the pineapple rings instead of pineapple.
Place in preheated oven (350)and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, checking at 5 minute intervals between 35 and 45 minutes. When the cake is lifting away from the edges of the pan, it is ready.
Happy Eating. This recipe is from Candice Salima (candicesalima.com)

Years ago I lived down the street from Candice and she shared this recipe with me. It was the very best scratch cake I have EVER eaten and with all the gooey brown sugar and pineapple...WOW! The cake is moist, dense and not too sweet. I had lost my copy of the recipe and was so happy to find it again on her website. I have already made it twice in the last week, we like it that much!!!

All American Chocolate Cake



This cake is HUGE and really rich! You may need a gallon of milk per person but soooo worth it! It has layer after layer of cake and fudge frosting, gooey deliciousness!!!
Great for any event or party!

CP Shrimp Wanton Soup




I love love love this soup! It is so fast and easy but yet sooo delicious!!!

Ling ling Potstickers




This are soooo good! Great for any party or just for lunch. The best method to cook them is to just follow the directions on the bag. They come out juicy, tender and with just enough crispiness, mmmmm mmmm and the dipping sauce....heaven!!!

Broccoli Slaw



Everything comes in the bag at Costco and Wow is it delicious!!! It kind of has an Asian flavor and comes with Chinese crunchy noddles and sliced almonds. It's great just the way it comes or I bet if you wanted you could add green or red onion and chicken chunks too.

I first tried this at our ward Mother's Day dinner and it was my favorite thing there! Then I used it at our cousin Garden Party tonight and again it was so yummy!!! So if your out of time an need a great salad give this a try, my mom and I love it!

The Chessecake Factory: Lemoncello Cream Torte



This is only at Costco during the summer months. It is a lite summer dessert. I usually serve this with fresh strawberries and blackberries mixed with a little honey for a nice shine and a little sweetness. Delicious!!! Elegant dessert with little effort.

When this is not available I like to use the cream cheese danishes they make at the Costco bakery. Also very delicious!!!

May 26, 2011

Hawaiian Edamame



1 pound edamame in the pod (you can buy these frozen and thaw
by running cool water over them)
3 Tablespoons sesame oil, divided
2 teaspoons finely minced fresh garlic
1 teaspoon finely minced fresh ginger
1 teaspoon white sesame seeds
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
1 to 2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Heat a large wok over medium-high heat (or use a large skillet).
Add 2 Tablespoons of the oil, then the edamame. Stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, until wellcoated with the oil. Move the edamame to the sides and add the remaining 1 Tablespoon oil, garlic, and ginger in the middle. Stir-fry for 20 to 30 seconds, until barely light golden brown, then add the sesame seeds. Stir to mix evenly, coating the edamame. Sprinkle the sugar in and toss several times, allowing the sugar to melt and coat the edamame. Add the soy sauce and red pepper flakes, and mix well. Season with salt if needed. Transfer to a platter and serve immediately.

I found this recipe online at http://tammycirceo.typepad.com. I wanted to do something extra special with edamame for our cousin Garden Party and found this recipe. Well lets just say... AMAZING!!! It is defiantly my Favorite of the evening.and will be making this again soon! Maybe tomorrow for lunch ;)

Bruchetta



2 C diced tomatoes (squeeze out seeds before dicing)
1/3 C diced red onion
1/2 Tbs balsamic vinegar
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp kosher salt
a few cracks black pepper
1/4 C chopped fresh basil leaves
1 french baguette or bread of your choice
Butter & additional olive oil
1 large garlic clove
optional- fresh mozzarella cheese


Combine tomatoes, onions, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and 1 tsp olive oil in a bowl and mix to combine. Add basil and gently toss to distribute. Give it a taste and add additional salt and pepper if necessary. Cover and chill.

Slice baguette into half inch slices. Lightly spread both sides if sliced bread with real butter. In a lg pan over medium heat drizzle a little olive oil and then brown both sides of the bread. Remove from pan. Slice garlic clove in half and rub cut side down on each piece of bread. Top with about 2 tablespoons of the tomato mixture.

Recipe by Our Best Bites

I made this tonight for our cousin Garden Party and they were a HIT!!! Rubbing the garlic on the bread was great and the kick of balsamic vinegar was a great addition all together the flavors made the PERFECT BITE!!! I can't wait to make this all summer with garden fresh tomatoes! Even my son Mahonri loved this and he usually HATES tomatoes!

Chicken Oriental Pasta Salad

1 box Bowtie pasta
3 Chicken breasts, cubed
2 Green Peppers
1 Yellow pepper
1 Read Bell pepper
1 Bag spinach
Candied almonds or pecans

Dressing:
¼ c. Sesame seeds
½ c. Chopped parsley
1/3 c. Red wine vinegar
1/3 c. Soy sauce
½ c. Canola oil
3 Tb. Sugar
½ tsp. Salt
½ tsp. Pepper

Boil pasta, drain, chill. Cook the chicken breast at 375 degrees for 1 hour, sprinkled with lemon pepper. Cut vegetables. Toss all ingredients together. Mix with dressing and serve. Dressing: Blend all ingredients together.

This recipe is submitted by Valerie Crawford.
She brought it to our farewell to the Agrens moving party and it was Super!!! I had to have the recipe!!! I just made it tonight for our cousins Garden Party and again it was absolutely amazing! The only this I did different is I just cut the raw chicken breasts into chunks and browned them in a pan with olive oil and some lemon zesty seasoning then chilled them before adding them to the salad. Just an note this makes a HUGE bowl of salad, so it's great for big gatherings.

Sorry no picture I will have to take one the next time I make it.