Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Microwave risotto

I watch Hell's Kitchen and see the contestants screw up their risotto week after week.  They make it for every show and always get it wrong, and they're CHEFS! 
I was determined to learn how to make risotto, easily.  I found this recipe on allrecipes.com and its sooo yummy, and easy.  I wouldn't get kicked out of Gordon Ramsey's kitchen with this stuff.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/microwave-risotto/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=risotto&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Home%20Page

After reading the reviews, I skipped the onions because a lot of people said that they burnt.  I used some of my own stock and some stock in a box.  I also cooked it on 70% power. 


                                                             Before it was cooked
                   Ready to eat. I added a little bit of warm water at the end, until it was the right texture.


Overnight French Toast

This is another recipe that my friend Jess shared with me. 

Here is the link: http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=544253

I also copy and pasted it here:

Ingredients

1/3 cup butter, melted
3/4 C brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
12 slices whole wheat bread (works best if slightly stale, but not required)
6 eggs
1 1/2 c milk
splash of vanilla
dash of salt





Directions

Place melted butter in 9 x 13 pan. Add brown sugar and cinnamon. Mix well and spread over bottom of pan. Cover with 2 layers of bread slices. Beat eggs, milk, vanilla, and salt. Pour egg mixture over bread; Cover and refrigerate overnight. Uncover and let sit on counter for 15 minutes. Bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes or until knife comes out clean and it is not squishy.

Makes 12 servings. When serving, cut bread slices in half (the 2 layers of bread will create one THICK piece of bread). Can also put 1 tsp of fruit spread between slices before adding egg mixture.

Number of Servings: 12

This is a picture of the butter and brown sugar mixture, and the egg and milk mixture. 

Finished Product:


 

Monday, July 30, 2012

Aly's princess hat cupcakes

http://www.bhg.com/party/birthday/cake/birthday-cakes-and-cupcakes-for-girls/

To coat the cone in icing, I put it on the end of a butter knife so I wouldn't have to hold it. 

I did the ribbon, with airheads but they looked strange when I put them on because I used red, and it didn't go with the pastel colors very well. 

Instead of putting candies around the cone, I piped icing around the edge. 

Instead of candies on the cone, I used silver glittery sprinkles. 

The kids loved them!




Sunday, July 15, 2012

Shortcake

This is what I use for my strawberries, instead of the spongy ones at the grocery stores.  My friend Lindsey gave me this recipe.  Its the one that her dad makes. 

2 cups of all purpose flour
1 tablespoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
3 tablespoons of sugar
1 stick butter, chilled-cut into 8 pieces
2/3-3/4 cup of milk

Preheat oven to 425

In food processor, or mixing bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar, pulse to mix.  Add cup up butter to mixture and pulse until mixture is well mixed.  There will be small chunks of butter.  Transfer to a large bowl and stir in milk, just until dough is moist.  Let dough stand for a minute.  Knead dough 2-3 times, until its less sticky.  Add more flour if needed. 
Pat the dough into 3/4 inch thick, by 3 inch wide biscuits.  Can be done with your hands, or a cookie cutter.  Sprinkle with sugar.
Bake 10-15 mins,  until risen and golden brown. 

Makes about 8 shortcakes.

Here is a picture of some that I made, if you can see it under the strawberries and cream.  I used real cream and whipped it with a little bit of sugar and vanilla. 



Maui Scalloped Potatoes

Here is another Disney recipe that I made before we left.  Its from Ohana at the Polynesian.  We ate there on our last day at Disney.  :-( 

http://allears.net/din/recipes/rec_maui.htm

4/8/12

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

My favorite tilapia

My friend Jess shared this recipe with me and its my absolute favorite way to cook fish.  Its from sparkpeople. 

http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=75983

My pictures are below.