Friday, January 29, 2010

Tres Leche Cake

Ingredients
For the cake:

Vegetable oil
6 3/4 ounces cake flour, plus extra for pan
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
4 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
8 ounces sugar
5 whole eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the glaze:

1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup half-and-half
For the topping:

2 cups heavy cream
8 ounces sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the cake:

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil and flour a 13 by 9-inch metal pan and set aside.

Whisk together the cake flour, baking powder and salt in a medium mixing bowl and set aside.

Place the butter into the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment, beat on medium speed until fluffy, approximately 1 minute. Decrease the speed to low and with the mixer still running, gradually add the sugar over 1 minute. Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl, if necessary. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and mix to thoroughly combine. Add the vanilla extract and mix to combine. Add the flour mixture to the batter in 3 batches and mix just until combined. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and spread evenly. This will appear to be a very small amount of batter. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cake is lightly golden and reaches an internal temperature of 200 degrees F.

Remove the cake pan to a cooling rack and allow to cool for 30 minutes. Poke the top of the cake all over with a skewer or fork. Allow the cake to cool completely and then prepare the glaze.

For the glaze:
Whisk together the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk and the half-and-half in a 1-quart measuring cup. Once combined, pour the glaze over the cake. Refrigerate the cake overnight.

Topping:
Place the heavy cream, sugar and vanilla into the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the whisk attachment, whisk together on low until stiff peaks are formed. Change to medium speed and whisk until thick. Spread the topping over the cake and allow to chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Josh B Smoothie

Oatmeal, Granola, Honey, Skim Milk, Big Ole Scoop of Pnut Butter, Banana, Egg, Vanilla

Muscle Punch Smoothie

Muscle Punch

Strawberries, Bananas, Soy Protein, Non-Fat Milk, Vanilla, Wheat Germ, Nutritional Yeast, Turbinado, Honey (sub splenda for sweetner)

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Squash Soup

Squash Soup
Recipe courtesy Alton Brown

Prep Time:10 minInactive Prep Time:--Cook Time:40 min
Level:
Easy
Serves:
4 servings
Ingredients
6 cups (about 2 large squash) seeded 2-inch wide chunks butternut squash
Melted butter, for brushing
1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus 1 teaspoon
1 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper, plus 1/2 teaspoon
3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
4 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon minced ginger
4 ounces heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Brush the flesh of the squash with a little butter and season with 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper. On a sheet pan lay the squash flesh side up. Roast for about 30 to 35 minutes or until the flesh is nice and soft.

Scoop the flesh from the skin into a pot and add the stock, honey, and ginger. Bring to a simmer and puree using a stick blender. Stir in the heavy cream and return to a low simmer. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Creamy Baked Pumpkin Risotto

Creamy Baked Pumpkin Risotto
Recipe courtesy Aida Mollenkamp

Prep Time:2 minInactive Prep Time:--Cook Time:35 min
Level:
Easy
Serves:
6 servings

Ingredients
5 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
2 cups arborio rice
2 cups pumpkin or butternut squash, small dice
1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 medium yellow onion, minced
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons mascarpone cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions
Heat oven to 400 degrees F and arrange a rack in the middle.

Combine broth, rice, squash, puree, and onion in a 3-quart baking dish, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and stir to evenly combine. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake, stirring occasionally, until most the water has been absorbed and rice granules are puffed, about 35 to 30 minutes.

Remove from oven, stir in remaining ingredients, season to taste and serve.

Monday, January 25, 2010

2-Hour Mustard Brine for Pork Chops or Roast

5 pork chops (change servings and units)
Ingredients
5 thick loin-end pork chops (can use less, or use what ever cut pork you wish)
3/4 cup kosher salt (DO NOT use regular white table salt!)
1 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1 tablespoon mustard powder (do not use prepared mustard!)
2 cups cider vinegar (heated until hot)
1 lb ice cube
Directions
1In a large plastic container with a lid, put the salt, Brown Sugar, peppercorns and mustard powder; add in the HOT vinegar and swirl to dissolve the sugar and salt completely.
2Let the mixture stand for 20 minutes at room temperature to develop flavor.
3Add in the ice cubes and shake to melt most of the ice.
4Add in the pork chops, making certain that the meat is completely covered with the brine.
5Cover with lid and refrigerate for 2 hours (NO MORE than 2 hours!).
6Rinse the pork well under cold water before cooking.
7Cook as desired.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Tuna Croquette

Ingredients
1 (7-ounce) pouch albacore tuna, drained well and shredded by hand
2 green onions, chopped fine
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 large eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup panko bread crumbs, divided
Olive oil, for sauteing
Directions
Place the tuna, onions, mustard, eggs, lemon juice, salt, pepper and 1/4 cup of the bread crumbs into a medium mixing bowl and stir to combine. Divide the mixture into 8 rounds and set aside on a parchment lined half sheet pan. Allow to rest for 15 minutes. Place the remaining bread crumbs into a pie plate. One at a time, coat each round in the panko on all sides.

Heat enough olive oil to cover the bottom of a 12-inch saute pan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the croquettes and cook 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove to a cooling rack set over a half sheet pan lined with paper towels. Allow to cool for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.