Jessica, that is NOT "Bulldog". That would be "Pitbull". And I earned that through years of being a complete and total b*tch, so I wear the designation proudly. I AM "The Pitbull". When I'm not busy being "Empress of the Universe". As for the devilled eggs, you ever see what happens when you let a kid under 5 touch a devilled egg? It's not pretty, and so the "egg pictures" were redacted. LOL It sure is hard to believe that my little sweetheart is three, isn't it? Thankfully, she'll still sit on my lap with her arms around my neck and sing "I love you, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck". She's gonna stop that soon, isn't she? Sigh. Bud doesn't like kisses, he cries. San, if you are out there, Makayla sends special "tisses" for you. Annie

Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Tue, Mar 3, 09 at 8:27 Compumom has chosen BASIL for this Cookalong. Let's put our thinking caps on and come up with a wide variety of ideas for using it. Our virtual dinner featuring basil will be on Saturday, March 14. For those that may have missed the first Cookalong..... the idea here is to post hints, recipes and discuss the focus ingredient over the next two weeks. Recipes can use any form of the ingredient. Please mention the recipe source and whether it is one that you have already made (T+T) or one that you might be trying for the first time. I'm going to make an attempt to link all the cookalongs together. Nancy Here is a link that might be useful: Cookalong #3 -- Carrots Follow-Up Postings: o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by lpinkmountain (My Page) on Tue, Mar 3, 09 at 9:41 As a segue, here's what I'm planning to make next, another recipe from Orangette's blog. I have acini de pepe to use up. It combines carrots and basil. I can't afford the fresh stuff though. There is a chance that I still have some pesto cubes in the freezer. So I will have to make some adjustments. I also don't have fresh thyme. I can't afford to buy fresh herbs. But I do have dried herbs from my own garden from last summer. I'm also going to use canned tomatoes. But I know some of you lucky southern climate folks can get fresh ones! Provenl Tomato Soup with Orange, Saffron, and Tiny Pasta Adapted from Gourmet, September 2006 This business of blanching, peeling, and seeding the tomatoes may be a little fussy, yes, but it makes for a lovely, soft tomato flavor. Plus, theres nothing quite so satisfying for the fingers as slipping the skins from a few tomatoes, or scooping out their seeds and juicy slop. And aside from that mild labor, this soup is pretty straightforward. With a stir every now and then, it mainly cooks itself. And it makes for easy eating on the front stoop a table for two with a view! on an early fall evening. With a hunk of bread and some cheese alongside, its dinner. 2 lb good-tasting tomatoes 2 medium onions, peeled, quartered lengthwise, and thinly sliced (~2 cups) 1 medium carrot, finely chopped or cut into very thin rounds 1 celery stalk, finely chopped 4 large garlic cloves, minced 1 (3- by 1-inch) ribbon of fresh orange zest, minced 1 tsp finely chopped fresh thyme Scant ¼ tsp dried hot red pepper flakes ¼ tsp fennel seeds 1 Turkish bay leaf 3 Tbs good-tasting olive oil 2 Tbs tomato paste 4 ¾ cups water ¾ tsp salt, or to taste Pinch crumbled saffron threads 1 to 2 tsp granulated sugar ¼ cup small soup pasta, such as acini di pepe 2 Tbs finely chopped fresh Italian parsley ¼ cup finely chopped fresh basil Bring a 5- to 6-quart saucepan of water to a boil. Cut a shallow X in the bottom of each tomato with a sharp knife, and blanch them, 2 or 3 at a time, in the boiling water for about 15 seconds, until the skin around the X starts to curl. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the tomatoes to a bowl of ice water. When they are cool enough to handle, peel them, core them, and halve them crosswise. Set a sieve over a medium bowl, and squeeze the tomato halves gently over it, cut sides down, to extract the seeds and pulp. You may have to use your fingers to coax them out. Press on the seeds in the sieve to push through any juice; then discard them. Reserve the juice and the tomatoes. Pour the water out of the saucepan, and wipe it dry. Pour in the oil, and warm it over medium heat. Add the onions, carrot, celery, garlic, orange zest, thyme, red pepper flakes, fennel seeds, and bay leaf. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are very soft but not brown, about 8-10 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their reserved juice and the tomato paste, water, salt, saffron, and 1 tsp sugar. Simmer, uncovered, stirring and breaking up the tomatoes with a spoon occasionally, about 25-30 minutes. Add the pasta, stir to mix, and simmer, uncovered, until tender, about 5 minutes. Discard the bay leaf, and stir in the parsley and basil. Taste, and adjust sugar and salt as needed. Serve. Yield: 4-6 servings, depending on what else youre eating Here is a link that might be useful: On stewing, and soup o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by woodie2 (My Page) on Tue, Mar 3, 09 at 10:33 This is a tried and true favorite of mine - Crispy Chicken Cutlets with Basil-Parsley Sauce Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray Recipe Summary Difficulty: Easy Prep Time: 18 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Yield: 4 servings 2 pounds chicken cutlets Salt and pepper 3 to 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 cup Italian bread crumbs 1/3 to 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano, a couple of handfuls 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning 1 clove garlic 1 (3-ounce) jar pine nuts (pignoli) 1 lemon, zested 2 eggs, beaten Olive oil, for shallow frying Basil- Parsley Sauce: 1 cup loosely packed basil leaves 1/2 cup loosely packed parsley leaves 1/2 lemon, juiced Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, eyeball it 1 Roma or plum tomato, seeded and finely chopped, for garnish Season the cutlets with salt and pepper on both sides turn lightly in flour. Combine next 7 ingredients in food processor and pulse-process the crumbs to chop the spices, garlic and nuts and evenly distribute the flavors throughout the crumb and cheese mixture. Transfer the mixture to a plate. Beat eggs in a separate shallow dish. Heat a thin layer of oil in a large skillet, just enough to coat the bottom of the pan, over medium to medium high heat. Coat the cutlets in eggs then breading and add to the hot oil. Cook cutlets in a single layer, in 2 batches if necessary, about 3 or 4 minutes on each side, until cutlets' juices run clear and breading is evenly browned. Return food processor bowl to base and add basil, parsley and lemon juice. Add a little salt and pepper. Turn processor on and stream in oil until a loose paste forms. Serve chicken cutlets with a generous amount of basil and parsley sauce poured over the cutlets. Garnish the chicken with finely chopped Roma tomato. o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by marlingardener (My Page) on Tue, Mar 3, 09 at 11:44 I'm not in the gourmet chef league as many of the posters are, but I do have a unique and tasty appetizer featuring basil. Dip cherry tomatoes in hot water just long enough to slip their skins. Take young basil leaves and stick them in the stem end of the tomatoes. Serve on a platter laying on a bed of crushed ice. If you can get yellow and red tomatoes, it looks prettier. o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by lindac (My Page) on Tue, Mar 3, 09 at 11:45 There was a show on the food network this past 2 weeks that was a challenge using basil. They cooked basil ice cream and a basil scented cornmeal cake.....and only one person did the traditional basil pesto over pasta.... I use lots of basil in the summer when I have it growing and fresh, but rarely use it in the winter but for the pesto in the freezer. I add a cube of pesto to lots of things like soups, sauces and as a bread dip. Linda c o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by jude31 (My Page) on Tue, Mar 3, 09 at 11:51 Nancy, you are playing my song! Love, love, love basil and I can't wait to see all the recipes posted. I'll be back with one or more. jude o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by jessyf (My Page) on Tue, Mar 3, 09 at 19:26 Time to drag this one out of my cobwsebbed magazine collection. I mde this quite a few times then forgot about it. Actually the recipe calls for pork chops..... I used Trader Joe's frozen or jarred mango when I couldn't find fresh to my liking. Grilled Chicken with Mango-Basil Sauce Bon Appétit : June 1997 Ingredients 1 small mango, peeled, pitted 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons vegetable oil 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 jalapeño chili, seeded, minced 1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves 3/4 cup canned low-salt chicken broth 1 1/2 tablespoons golden brown sugar 1 tablespoon soy sauce 4 6- to 8-ounce flattened chicken breasts, boneless/skinless Preparation Puree mango in processor. Set aside 1/2 cup puree (reserve any remaining puree for another use). Heat 1 tablespoon oil in medium skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and jalapeño, then basil; sauté just until basil wilts, about 1 minute. Add broth, brown sugar and soy sauce. Bring to boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and simmer 3 minutes. Gradually whisk in cup mango puree. Simmer until sauce thickens and coats spoon, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Prepare barbecue or preheat broiler. Brush chicken with 2 teaspoons oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill or broil until just cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to plates. Rewarm sauce over low heat, stirring occasionally. Drizzle over chicken. Here is a link that might be useful: Original recipe, Bon Apetite o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil -basil -- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by jessyf (My Page) on Tue, Mar 3, 09 at 19:39 Who posted the Pho recipe. Was it RachelEllen or Natalie ntt_hou). I can't find it. I think it would be a good addition. I admit that I can't make it better than I can get elsewhere around Los Angeles, but someone ele might want to make it. It calls for lots of basil at the end. o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by lakeguy35 (My Page) on Tue, Mar 3, 09 at 19:53 This is a T & T in my files from Ina Garten. David Roasted Tomato Basil Soup Copyright, 1999, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, All rights reserved Show: Barefoot Contessa Episode: Feel Good Food Recipe Summary Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour 35 minutes Yield: 6 to 8 servings 3 pounds ripe plum tomatoes, cut in half 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons good olive oil 1 tablespoon kosher salt 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper 2 cups chopped yellow onions (2 onions) 6 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 (28-ounce) canned plum tomatoes, with their juice 4 cups fresh basil leaves, packed 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves 1 quart chicken stock or water Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Toss together the tomatoes, 1/4 cup olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread the tomatoes in 1 layer on a baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes. In an 8-quart stockpot over medium heat, saute the onions and garlic with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the butter, and red pepper flakes for 10 minutes, until the onions start to brown. Add the canned tomatoes, basil, thyme, and chicken stock. Add the oven-roasted tomatoes, including the liquid on the baking sheet. Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for 40 minutes. Pass through a food mill fitted with the coarsest blade. Taste for seasonings. Serve hot or cold. Note: I don't have a food mill. I just use a stick blender. o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by canarybird (My Page) on Wed, Mar 4, 09 at 6:28 Since we both love any kind of pasta with pesto, I might be making this or perhaps I'll try to find a local Spanish recipe using basil for a change. I make this often and it's delicious: PESTO - from Italian TV demo 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 cups basil leaves 1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 teasp salt 1/2 teasp f.g. pepper 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated 1/2 cup pine nuts (2 small jars) teasp water Process in food processor, adding oil slowly until all is creamy. SharonCb o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Wed, Mar 4, 09 at 9:36 I'm hoping basil plants will be at the nursery in time for this challenge, but it might be a week or 2 early for that. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I hate to go out and buy basil at the grocery store when it's so close to time to plant it. Here's a recipe by Giada De Laurentis I've posted before, but it pertains to this challenge, and we really like it. To make it vegetarian, I substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth. I've made it with regular couscous, with orzo, and with the Israeli couscous. All worked, but the regular couscous was the least successful. The slightly larger texture of the Israeli couscous or the orzo works the best. Mediterranean Salad Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentis 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus 1/4 cup 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 (1-pound) box Israeli couscous (or any small pasta) 3 cups chicken stock 2 lemons, juiced 1 lemon, zested 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves 1/4 cup dried cranberries 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted In a medium saucepan, warm 3 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the couscous and cook until toasted and lightly browned, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Carefully add the stock, and the juice of 1 lemon, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the couscous is tender, but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the couscous. In a large bowl, toss the cooked couscous with the remaining olive oil, remaining lemon juice, zest, salt, and pepper and let cool. Once the couscous is room temperature, add the fresh herbs, dried cranberries, and almonds. Toss to combine and serve. Recipe Summary Difficulty: Easy Prep Time: 20 minutes Inactive Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Yield: 6 servings Episode#: EI0819 Copyright © 2006 Television Food Network, G.P., All Rights Reserved There's also a Brown Rice and Basil Salad recipe by Ina Garten I've made before that's really good. I don't have it on my computer, and don't have time now to type it out, so I'll try to do that tonight, or at least before the deadline. Linda, I saw that episode of Iron Chef where basil was the secret ingredient. I thought a lot of what they made sounded good, and some sounded odd. It looked, though, that the judges were pretty tough on both contestants, and didn't rave about any of the food. I was a little surprised they were so blase about what they were served. Sally o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by shaun (My Page) on Wed, Mar 4, 09 at 10:35 marlingardener I'd really love to see a picture of the recipe you posted for the cherry tomatoes. Do you happen to have one? o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by lisazone6_ma (My Page) on Wed, Mar 4, 09 at 12:31 I make a dipping oil for bread using pesto in the winter, and fresh basil in the summer. I don't measure, I simply add things to taste, but I'll put in approximate amounts - you can change amounts to increase/decrease the total. The basic ingredients are as follows, but you can add other things or leave what you don't like out and it'll still work. 1 cup extra virgin olive oil 2-3 tbsp balsamic vinegar Sea salt or kosher salt Fresh cracked black pepper 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 1 hot dried red pepper crushed or 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes 2-3 tbsp pesto or 6-8 large fresh basil leaves chopped 2 tbsp Garlic paste made from roasted garlic, or couple cloves chopped (even if using the pesto, and I like a lot of garlic - you can reduce the amount if you prefer it less intense) I roll the fresh basil leaves together then cut them with a scissors to make strips or chiffonades (sp?) Mix all ingredients and let sit for a bit for flavors to combine. You can just refrigerate any leftovers and bring to room temp to use again. The cheese, and especially if you use the pesto, makes it on the thick side, but that's the way we like it! Lisa o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by chase (My Page) on Wed, Mar 4, 09 at 12:43 Think I might make this dish. Haven't had it for a long time. Cherry Tomato, Onion, Basil Sauce 2 Tbl olive oil 1/2 sweet vidalia onion sliced thin few drops best balsamic vinegar 2 garlic cloves minced 1 Lb cherry tomatoes halved 8-10 Basil leaves chopped salt and pepper 4 Oz Small Mozzarella Balls (Boccacini) Or Fresh Moz Cut In 1/2 Inch Squares Place oil in saute pan, add sliced onions and saute on medium heat until limp. Do not let brown or crisp. Add a few drops balsamic. Cook a few more minutes.Add garlic and continue to cook until onions are caramelized. Add cherry tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Cook over medium low heat until the tomatoes loose their shape and give up their juices. Add basil and simmer until basil is limp and sauce is fragrant. Add the moz and toss with fresh cooked pasta such as linguine. Serve with Parmesan cheese. Here is another favourite dish of mine. Very special. Pork With Herb Crust I usually only do one 5 rib roast but I keep the same measurements for the herbs! Serve with Garlic Parmesan mashed potatoes and green beans 2 (3- to 4-pound) racks of pork 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 1/2 Tsp salt 7 garlic cloves minced 1/3 Cup fresh basil Chopped 1/3 Cup fresh thyme Chopped 1/3 Cup fresh parsley Chopped 2 Tbl pepper Coarsely Ground 1 1/4 Cup butter (or margarine)cut up 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 2 Can chicken broth 1 Tbl tomato paste 2 Tbl fresh sage Chopped 1/4 Tsp pepper Rub pork with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt. Stir together garlic and next 4 ingredients; press onto pork. Place pork on a rack in a lightly greased broiler pan; cover bone tips with aluminum foil to prevent burning. Bake at 350 for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion registers 150max, I prefer 140-145 ! Transfer pork to a serving tray.Cover and let rest while making sauce (even if you don't make the sauce let the pork rest for at least 10 minutes to redistribute juices and let the internal temp climb a bit more) Pour pan drippings into a skillet. Add butter to drippings; cook over medium heat until butter melts. Whisk in flour until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, until caramel colored. Gradually whisk. in broth and next 3 ingredients; cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, 2 to 3 minutes or until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Serve with 'pork. Garnish, if desired. Yield: 8 servings.~ o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by cloudy_christine (My Page) on Wed, Mar 4, 09 at 12:59 Franco and Margaret Romagnoli had a cooking show on PBS years ago. One of my favorite pasta dishes comes from their cookbook, The Romagnolis' Table. It's a rich, butter-based sauce that couldn't be easier. The recipe intro says the sauce is classic with mostaccioli, ziti, and rigatoni, "and rather more special and delicate with homemade fettucine." I usually make it with our favorite thin spaghetti, DeCecco fedelini. Pasta with Tomato and Basil Sauce 8 tablesooons unsalted butter 12 fresh plum tomatoes, or 3 cups canned (I often use more than 12) 6 fresh basil leaves (or more) 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (I use less) 6 Tablesoons Parmesan cheese, sprinkled on the sauced pasta 1 1/4 pounds of pasta (I use less), or a 5-egg batch of home-made fettucine. Melt the butter in a big frying pan over medium heat. Remove from heat. Add the tomatoes. If you use fresh plum tomatoes: peel them, and cut them into chunks before adding to the butter. If you use canned tomatoes: crush them gently with a wooden spoon as you stir them in. Break the basil leaves into the pan, add the salt, raise the heat, and when the whole combination starts to boil, lower the heat to a simmer. Let it bubble along about 20 minutes, or until the juice has cooked away a bit,and the color darkened. Stir occasionally during the simmering process. If the sauce hasn't simmerd enough, it will sink to the bottom of the dish instead of coating the pasta when mixed. Cook and drain the pasta, and turn it out on a deep platter or a wide, shallow bowl, cover with the sauce, and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese. Turn the pasta with a serving fork and spoon to get the saude to coat it. Serve immediately. o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by ruthanna (My Page) on Thu, Mar 5, 09 at 7:38 Basil is a tough ingredient for me at this time of the year. I like fresh basil with tomatoes, corn, etc. and I rarely buy those ingredients except in the summertime. I have been making this recipe with dried basil since my college days and it's as economical now as it was then. Even though it doesn't use much basil, it definitely is the standout flavoring. CHICKEN LIVERS AND RICE - 2 to 3 servings 4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2 inch slices 1 lb. chicken livers, trimmed and quartered 1/4 cup flour 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup uncooked rice 1 envelope instant chicken broth 1/2 tsp. dried basil, crumbled 1 whole bay leaf 1 1/4 cup water 2 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley (do not omit) Cook bacon until crisp in large skillet. Combine flour, salt and pepper and dredge chicken livers in it. Remove bacon and reserve. Brown livers in bacon grease. Remove and reserve. Saute onion over medium heat in same skillet (add 1 Tbs. olive oil of needed.) Stir in rice, broth pack, basil, bay leaf and water. Heat to boiling; then turn heat to low. Stir mixture thoroughly, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the skillet. Cover. Simmer 20 minutes without lifting lid. Spoon reserved livers over rice but dont stir. Put lid back on and simmer for another 10 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Remove bay leaf. Sprinkle with bacon and chopped parsley. Note: You can substitute 1 1/4 cups of chicken broth for the water and omit the instant chicken broth packet. Photobucket o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by theresafic (My Page) on Mon, Mar 9, 09 at 13:49 For various reasons I was unable to participate in the first two cookalongs but I plan to on basil. My husband bought me an aerogarden for Valentines day and I have basil growing. Not enough for a whole recipe but enough for garnish or to enhance the flavor of the dried basil I will use. I am not sure of what I will make but I want something different than pesto or using it on pasta. I'll think about it and post back later. I hope that people are still interested in the cookalong for this weekend. o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by ruthanna (My Page) on Mon, Mar 9, 09 at 14:58 I often make a salad with basil to pack for lunch - great northern beans, tuna, chopped red onion, tomato, parsley, basil, sprinkle of garlic powder and sliced black olives with an olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing. I mix all the ingredients ahead of time except the tuna and then add it the morning I'm going to eat it. o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by chase (My Page) on Mon, Mar 9, 09 at 15:34 I'm still in....hoping to see lots of basil ideas. David's soup is calling me but I'm not settled on a main dish but Woodies Crispy Chicken sure is sounding good! o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by joanm (My Page) on Mon, Mar 9, 09 at 20:03 The only recipe I make often that has basil leaves is Rachael's chicken meatballs. Chicken Sausage Meatballs Rachael Ray 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken 1 tablespoon grill seasoning (recommended: Montreal Steak Seasoning by McCormick) 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, 1/3 palm full 1/4 cup tender sun dried tomatoes (available in pouches or tubs in produce section) 10 leaves fresh basil extra-virgin olive oil Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place chicken in a medium bowl with grill seasoning and add the fennel seeds. Pile sun-dried tomatoes on top of each other in small stacks then slice into thin strips. Coarsely chop the thin strips and add to bowl. Stack 10 basil leaves together then roll them up into a log. Shred the basil by thinly slicing the log. Add basil to the bowl. Drizzle some extra-virgin olive oil over the chicken, mix meat together and roll into mini balls, 1 1/2 inches across, and arrange on a nonstick cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degree F for 10 to 12 minutes or until firm and lightly golden. Remove meatballs from oven, add to sauce and serve with pasta. o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by gardenguru1950 (My Page) on Mon, Mar 9, 09 at 20:51 I'm not sure if I can participate in the Cookalong (is that like a billabong?) but I invented this last Friday night and it came out pretty dang good: Three recipes [to assemble] ... CREAMY BASIL PESTO WITH ROASTED GARLIC For 2 pizzas Ingredients 2- 1/2 cups fresh basil leaves 1/4 cup fresh fennel leaf 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup pine nuts, dry toasted (stovetop pan) 1 head garlic, roasted, peeled 2 oz cream cheese (or mascarpone or "Better Than Cream Cheese") 1/2 cup packaged mixed Italian cheeses, shredded 1 tsp lemon juice (about ¼ lemon) 1 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, freshly finely grated Directions Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add more olive oil if its too thick to spread. ----- ROASTED VEGETABLES For 2 pizzas Ingredients 2 medium yellow onions, cut into thin wedges 1 large fennel bulb, cored, cut into wedges 1 small red bell pepper, chopped 1 small green bell pepper, chopped 1 medium whole head garlic, a little bit of the tops chopped off 1/2 tsp dried oregano 1/2 tsp dried basil 1/2 tsp fennel seed 1/2 tsp fresh milled black pepper pinch of salt (optional) 4 + 2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil 6 medium white mushrooms, sliced 1 small Japanese eggplant, peeled and sliced crosswise 1 small zucchini, sliced crosswise Directions Place onion, fennel and bell pepper pieces on a deep cookie sheet and sprinkle with the herbs and pepper (and, if you wish, salt). [Save a teeny bit of the basil and oregano for the garlic.] Drizzle the veggies with 4 Tbs of olive oil and tossed well to coat. Place the garlic head on a piece of foil and sprinkle with a bit of the herbs and drizzle it with a bit of oil. Wrap the foil into a closed tent and place on the cookie sheet. Place the cookie sheet with veggies and garlic into a 280°F oven and roast for one and one-half hour, turning the veggies every half hour. After one and a half hours, toss the mushrooms, eggplant and zucchini with 2 Tbs of olive oil and then mix it with the onion mixture. Roast/bake for an addition hour. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Use the garlic for the pesto. ----- DLS PESTO AND ROASTED VEGETABLE PIZZA Serves 4+ Ingredients 2 packages Trader Joes plain pizza dough 4 Tbs olive oil creamy pesto per recipe roasted vegetables per recipe 8 oz mozzarella, sliced thin 1/2 pound provolone, sliced thin Directions Follow directions on pizza dough package with these exceptions: have a pizza stone warming in the 450°F oven. When the pizza has set its 20 minutes, place it on the pizza stone and "blind bake" for 6 minutes. If it puffs up too much in the middle, punch it with a few fork holes. Remove it from the oven and brush the edges and about 1 inch from the edge on the top with olive oil. Spread half of the pesto onto each pizza crust, making sure not to take it to the very edge. Spread half of the roasted vegetables on each pizza crust. Lay half of the mozzarella on each crust. Top with half of the provolone per crust. Bake at 450°F for 8 minutes. Best dang pizza I've ever eatin'! Joe o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by coconut-nj (My Page) on Fri, Mar 13, 09 at 2:07 Caught this on page 2. Joe, that pizza sounds great. I like both cheeses on my pizza too. The provolone is great. The one I made for myself last week had hunks of ricotta on it too. I'm going to be making one of my favorite uses for basil. Ratatouille. I got very nice eggplant, and the squash looks very good too. I get groceries delivered and had ordered 2 lbs of white mushrooms, which they refer to as large bulk mushrooms. The person who filled the order sent me almost 2 lbs of portobello mushrooms for the price of loose white mushrooms. Well, they are large. So... the rat stew will benefit from that nice mistake. The store is very nice when they make mistakes and naturally don't charge you extra. Smiles. I remember the recent discussion about keeping herbs/basil so I thought I'd share my method. I use a lot of basil. I make big batches of pasta sauce so that I can eat it for breakfast and lunch for most of a week. I rarely go two weeks without having it. Right now I have four, gallon size freezer bags stuffed full of basil. Many have said they make pesto and freeze it or put it in ice cubes with water. I just wash big bunches well, shake the excess water off and stuff it into the bags. The bit of water that clings seems to protect the leaves. If the basil came from the garden and the stems are long I cut them back, wash them and bag them seperately. The stems are great in sauce for long cooking and easy to fish out. My favorite is to let the basil go to flower at the end of the season and pull the whole plants up. I then cut off the flower heads and bag them seperately. I love the flavor of the flowers in sauce. Very tender. Seperate the heavy stems and rest of the plant and wash and freeze. I have heard people say that when you freeze the leaves they then turn black. Well, you don't thaw when you go to use them or they would turn black/dark. You just use them right from the frozen state and they cook up very much like fresh. When I have the big bags frozen, as I go to use each bag I crush the frozen leaves up in the bag. If there are big blocks [from leaving them too wet], I just hit them with a rolling pin or hammer. After the leaves are crushed it's ready to use. It's best to use a soup spoon to scoop the leaves out when you use them because otherwise they will stick to your hands. Smiles. The pieces of stem that were attatched are now loose and I take those pieces and put them in the sauce first. Many soften enough to be eaten, or they can be fished out if they're too big. I've done this for a number of years and it keeps me and my basil addiction going through the winter and until fresh is ready to pluck again. If you like your basil fine, you can put some in a measuring cup with some water and give it the hand blender. I might make some gnocchi with a basil and sour cream sauce for an appetizer for the ratatouille dinner. o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by annie1992 (My Page) on Fri, Mar 13, 09 at 12:50 Wow, I'd forgotten all about this. I'm leaning toward Ruthanna's chicken livers! Annie o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by cabogirl (My Page) on Fri, Mar 13, 09 at 17:43 My daughter loves this dip and makes it every time we have a get together. I believe she found it on Allrecipes Sun-Dried Tomato Dip INGREDIENTS: 1/4 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 1/2 cup sour cream 1/4 cup mayonnaise 2 cloves garlic, minced hot pepper sauce to taste 3/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/4 cup fresh basil DIRECTIONS: In a food processor, mix the sun-dried tomatoes, cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic, hot pepper sauce, salt, and pepper. Process until well-blended. Add basil, and continue processing until smooth. Chill at least 1 hour in the refrigerator before serving. o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by ruthanna (My Page) on Fri, Mar 13, 09 at 19:56 I did break down and buy some fresh basil today. I could have bought 13 pounds of cabbage this week for the same price. LOL So I'll have to see what I can come up with for tomorrow night. o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Sat, Mar 14, 09 at 9:46 I'm not going to be doing anything with basil tonight, because we have a wedding to go to. I might do something tomorrow, but I don't know what, yet. We've been so busy the last couple of weeks that I just haven't had time to think it out. Plus, I was hoping we'd get some basil plants into the nursery, but that didn't happen yet. Hmmm, I'll have to figure out what to cook, if anything, and do it tomorrow instead of tonight. Sally o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by compumom (My Page) on Sat, Mar 14, 09 at 10:16 I think I may try Cabogirl's dip! I've been MIA this week more or less and today I'm cooking a big pan of Mac& Cheese for DGS's birthday party. Since I'm going off to the market(s) this morning, I'll p/u the ingredients for this too. Coconut, thanks for the tips on how to keep fresh basil around longer! o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by canarybird (My Page) on Sat, Mar 14, 09 at 10:19 Well I've bought my basil but still need some more pine nuts, for tomorrow's pesto dinner. I would have liked to try something new but sometimes other obligations get in the way and suddenly it's the 'Basil Weekend' LOL. So it will be a Sunday dinner for us. Looking forward to seeing what you all are cooking up today and tomorrow! SharonCb o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by ruthanna (My Page) on Sat, Mar 14, 09 at 10:34 I woke up to a never before seen sight this morning - my DH browsing through a pile of my cookbooks. Except for this week when we were out of town most of the week for a death in the family, I've tried making the Cookalong ingredient in different ways and DH enjoyed the anticipation of which would be next. So he announced that he had found a perfect (?) recipe using fresh basil and I have all the ingredients for it so we'll see how it turns out. o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by lpinkmountain (My Page) on Sat, Mar 14, 09 at 12:34 I'm making Jessy's mango chicken tomorrow, except I'll modify the recipe to make it in the crockpot--I'm taking dinner over to a friend's house. I'm making CloudyChristine's gingerbread for dessert from the last thread, with lemon curd sauce. And that morrocan salad with carrots. Now I just need one more vegetable. A modified ratatouille might actually be good, I have some canned tomatoes in the fridge to use up. Today I'm making the tomato soup with basil and saffron for lunch. I'll report back. o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by malna (My Page) on Sat, Mar 14, 09 at 17:43 I hate it when life/work gets in the way of "cooking along". It was late last night by the time we got off the phone with clients, and the meat was defrosting...so stew tonight. Not something I could figure out how to get basil into - LOL. This is what I was PLANNING on making for tonight: Pesto Chicken Roll Up from Chef Bonnie Mair of The Hub Cafe 1 package of puff pastry (2 sheets) 1 (7oz) container of Pesto (or 1 cup of your own) 2 cups of baby spinach 2 cups of chicken cut into bite sized pieces 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided 1 tsp garlic salt 1 egg, lightly beaten Cook chicken in a little bit of oil and season with pepper and garlic salt. Drain and set aside. Or you can use precooked chicken, but I think this way gives it more flavor. Roll out pastry sheets onto a cookie sheet. Divide all ingredients into two and evenly use on both sheets. Spread Pesto over both sheets. Top with mozzarella, 1/2 of the parmesan cheese, spinach and chicken. Roll the pastry sheet into itself until it is into the desired shape. Place the seam on the bottom and adjust it on the cookie sheet. Do this with both rolls. Brush each roll with the egg and then sprinkle it with the rest of the parmesan cheese and garlic salt. Make several slits in the top of the roll to vent. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Slice into individual servings. With a cup of minestrone soup to start, and this for dessert: Mini Cheesecakes (from All-Recipes) with Blueberry-Basil Topping INGREDIENTS: 1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs 1 tablespoon white sugar 1 tablespoon margarine, melted 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese,softened 1/4 cup white sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 egg DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 6 cup muffin pan. 2. In a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and margarine with a fork until combined. Measure a rounded tablespoon of the mixture into the bottom of each muffin cup, pressing firmly. Bake in the pre-heated oven for 5 minutes, then remove to cool. Keep the oven on. 3. Beat together the cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest and vanilla until fluffy. Mix in the egg. 4. Pour the cream cheese mixture into the muffin cups, filling each until 3/4 full. Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 25 minutes. Cool completely in pan before removing. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Blueberry-Basil Topping from an idea borrowed from Bakerella's recipe for Blueberry-Basil cupcakes: Purée 1 can of blueberry pie filling and 1 T. ground basil in a food processor. Sigh...I knew I should have cheated and made this a couple of days ago. o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by annie1992 (My Page) on Sat, Mar 14, 09 at 18:24 I've had the "day off" cooking all day. My corned beef is out of the oven, my barm brack is baked. I have chicken stock simmering on the stove and chicken enchiladas ready to cook tomorrow after the farm. So what about the basil? I made that green pasta with all the basil, and had some for dinnr with a sprinkle of grated asiago because I'm out of parmesan. I figured leftovers will make a great St. Patrick's Day lunch, they're so nice and green, LOL. Photobucket Annie o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by ruthanna (My Page) on Sat, Mar 14, 09 at 22:01 We had pureed spinach soup with garlic, fresh basil and dill, potato rolls and a chef salad. Photobucket o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by theresafic (My Page) on Sat, Mar 14, 09 at 22:49 DH and I made Rachel Ray's chicken meatballs except about the only ingredient we used from HER recipie was basil. Basically we made Turkey Meatloaf: 1.25 lb ground turkey 1 egg 1 cup oatmeal 1/2 roasted red pepper Handfull chopped walnuts shredded romano cheese fresh basil oregano garlic Mix together and place in loaf pan, cook @ 375f for 45 minutes. We both loved it, a keeper! From Desktop From Desktop o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by coconut-nj (My Page) on Sun, Mar 15, 09 at 2:10 Malna, you'll make it when you get a chance. You could have made it the other day, I don't think we are that strict about when we cookalong, eh? Smiles. Anne, you pasta looks great. I can almost taste it. That spinach soup has me wanting that too. Nice RuthAnna. I spy some basil on that salad too, eh? I love meatloaf Theresa and that looks like one we both would like. Well, I did make the gnocchi for a first course. After I saw Annies pasta I zapped some of my frozen basil with the egg and added it to the gnocchi as well as making a basil sour cream sauce for them. They were great. We got kind of full on them so we waited a while then had a nice bowl of the ratatouille a bit later. We were running late all day so it was nice to just slow down and enjoy our basil feast. I made the ratatouille with eggplant, basil, spanish onions, green and red peppers, portobello mushrooms, yellow summer squash and zucchini. We had it over some rice. It really hit the spot since I hadn't made it in a while. I used a ton of basil, including a bunch of my basil flowers, just how I like it and lots of garlic too. Our camera is still acting up. For some reason the battery will only last for one or two pics and if you leave the batteries in they go dead when you turn it on again. Odd. o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Sun, Mar 15, 09 at 15:25 I'm home from vacation and cooking something for dinner tonight with basil..... ????? Just a reminder, those that posted on Cookalong #4, please check this thread tomorrow. I'll draw a name tomorrow morning...it might be you and we will be anxious to see what the next Cookalong ingredient is. Nancy o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by canarybird (My Page) on Sun, Mar 15, 09 at 17:07 Oh there are some really good sounding recipes here. I must try your meatballs Joan. I even have sundried tomatoes that a friend brought down from England and gave to me just this week, and I bring Montreal Steak seasoning back from Canada every year, so this is one of the rare instances when I have all ingredients. But today was our basil day and since we have a hot desert wind from the east this weekend, the temps have been around a balmy 28�C (82.4�F) and I didn't feel like doing rolled chicken breasts in the oven, so went for the pesto and noodles with a salad. We sat outside on the patio for lunch for the first time in ages. My hubby set the table and did a pretty good job.....despite that he put the tablecloth on face down (JIM TEX I'm still using the one you sent me in the swap years ago). The blackbirds and doves kept us entertained with a songfest and flying acrobatics back and forth across the garden. It's been a lovely day. I was recently asked to write restaurant reviews for a new golfing website in the south of Tenerife. I'm one of the few members of a local forum who lives in the north of the island so I accepted to test and write about restaurants here where we live, adding photos of the food and surroundings. I sent in my first draft yesterday and was pleased to see it published this morning without so much as a word changed. This is going to be very enjoyable as once I showed the writeup to the restaurant owner she invited Wolf and I to our next meal. This is a perfect hobby for foodies isn't it! Link to my writeup. SharonCb o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Sun, Mar 15, 09 at 21:49 SharonCb, I don't know what to say other than awesome! Great column and wonderful pictures. There are some really good recipes here. I guess that's already been said but I wanted to say it again. Good job CF'ers! I made the recipe that Sharon (Chase) posted, Cherry Tomato, Onion and Basil Sauce. We enjoyed it! Sauce simmering in the pan... Photobucket Finished and ready for me to dig into... Photobucket After a week of dining out and having some pretty rich foods, this was a refreshing dish. Great way to use Cherry Tomatoes too! Nancy o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by lpinkmountain (My Page) on Sun, Mar 15, 09 at 22:20 Well the best laid plans . . . I did end up cooking and I did end up using some basil, and it was definitely a CF inspired meal, but it wasn't quite the dinner I was planning. I found out that instead of a quiet working dinner with just my friend/colleague, one of our friends and her husband was in town visiting and she just got back from deployment in Iraq. So it was dinner for five and I did most of the cooking but I brought it over to my friend's house. The dinner was in the new kitchen addition my friend is building. Sorry no pics, it just wasn't that kind of a night even though my friend has a camera. There was too much catching up to do. Our friend is from PA but now she and her husband live in Colorado so it was a treat to see them. I made curried chicken thighs and I was going to use Jessy's mango basil recipe, but while searching for mango chutney at the grocery, I found a jarred mango chutney sauce that had all the ingredients except basil, so I bought it. With that hot chicken curry I made Thai fried rice with dried mint and basil from the garden and fresh cilantro. That plus garlic, soy sauce and lime juice. The veggies were from a frozen mix plus fresh purple cabbage. It was very good with the chicken curry. Salad was plain romaine lettuce and spring mix with blue cheese dressing. Dessert was CloudyChristine's gingerbread from the last ginger thread, plus lemon curd sauce. Yes, I made lemon curd for the first time and it was yummy! Never got around to making the soup, but I finally got the ingredients for it. I just didn't feel like going out yesterday to the grocery store. o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Sun, Mar 15, 09 at 23:18 Everyone's food looks and sounds so good! Alas, I just didn't have it in me this weekend to participate. We've been so busy the last couple of weeks, and had a lot going on, that by the time today rolled around I was doing good to open a can of soup for lunch, and I won't admit to what I ate for supper. Now that I've looked at and read about what everyone else did, I'm sorry I didn't put forth a little effort. Sally o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by lakeguy35 (My Page) on Sun, Mar 15, 09 at 23:46 I agree, lots of good looking food here for this cookalong. I went with Sharon's rack of pork recipe but used a short hunk of loin I had in the feezer. Here it is after resting a bit.... Image Hosting by I had it with some steamed cauliflower and little roasted reds....homemade rolls too...forgot to include them in the pic. Image Hosting by Taking the leftovers to work tomorrow for lunch. Yum!! David o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by compumom (My Page) on Mon, Mar 16, 09 at 1:38 Wow David, it looks great! I'm back to report that Cabogirl's SUNDRIED TOMATO BASIL DIP was a big success! I subbed 2% Greek Fage Yogurt for the sour cream and it worked perfectly and cut a bit of fat, nevertheless everyone raved and DH asked me to make it again, soon! It took about an hour + for the basil favor to come through. I served it with Pita Crackers from Trader Joe's, they worked well or as a fresh veggie dip. It did set up firmer than this photo shows as it was taken right after it came out of the food processor. I'm also trying Cocoanut's idea of freezing the washed basil leaves to see how they come out. No report yet! Thanks!! Here is a link that might be useful: Sundried Tomato Basil Dip o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by jojoco (My Page) on Mon, Mar 16, 09 at 9:04 These all look great! My favorite way to use basil is to eat it on a sandwich with tomato, mozzarella, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. S&P, too. Preferably, use fresh mozz, and go pick the tomatoes just before making the sandwich. Use great bread. If you can get Judy's peasant bread from New Haven, Ct, all the better. Truly, my favorite sandwich and one of my favorite meals. Jo o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Mon, Mar 16, 09 at 9:30 Our next Cookalong topic will be picked by Lakeguy35 David please pick an ingredient and I'll start the thread. Sweet? Savory? Baking? Cooking? It's up to you! Nancy o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by lpinkmountain (My Page) on Mon, Mar 16, 09 at 9:36 I still have a bunch of cilantro left so I'm going to try to whip up a batch of this Thai curry paste and freeze it in cubes like I do pesto. I know cilantro looses its punch in the freezer, but adding corriander helps. This recipe is from Moosewood Restaurant Lowfat Favorites. Thai Curry Paste 1/4 cup chopped scallions 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, basil or Thai basil (I'll use cilantro mixed with dried basil, which I need to use up) 2 TBLSP garlic cloves 2 TBLSP ginger root, fresh grated 1 TBLSP fresh grated lemon or lime peel, or minced inner stalk of fresh lemongrass 1 TBLSP brown sugar 1-2 fresh red or green chilis (I'll use dried) 3 TBLSP fresh lemon or lime juice 1 TBLSP dried ground corriander 1 tsp. tumeric 1/2 tsp. salt Combine in blender or food processor and puree until quite smooth. Keeps a week in the fridge, longer in th freezer. Thai basil and fresh lemongrass gives the most authentic taste. Good with jasmine or basmati rice. o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by jessyf (My Page) on Mon, Mar 16, 09 at 9:52 Yummy dinner last night - grilled chicken with mango basil sauce, garnished with basil (of course). Guests were slopping up the sauce off their plates with bread. Also making an appearance was grilled sparagus and orzo pilaf. o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by lakeguy35 (My Page) on Mon, Mar 16, 09 at 14:34 Okay, I wanted to pick something that would be good for both sweet and savory. Y'all know I love my desserts. I pick LEMON! I'm thinking you can make dinner, desserts, or both.. : ) David o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by dixiedog_2007 (My Page) on Mon, Mar 16, 09 at 15:13 I've just run through real quick but there is a lot of good sounding recipes and pictures. I need to go back and really look through everything more closely. I wish I could have contributed but too much going on right now. o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Mon, Mar 16, 09 at 15:55 Here's the link for Cookalong #5 -- Lemon Here is a link that might be useful: Cookalong #5 -- LEMON o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by lpinkmountain (My Page) on Thu, Mar 19, 09 at 21:51 Last night I made the Provençal Tomato Soup with Orange, Saffron, and Tiny Pasta from Orangette's blog. This is some of the BEST tomato soup I have ever had! The pinch of saffron really makes it! I used dried lemon peel and a dash of orange juice instead of orange peel, dried parsley and basil and canned tomatoes, still yum! o RE: Cookalong #4 --- Basil --- Thread #1 clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by rob333 (My Page) on Fri, Oct 23, 09 at 8:50 still need 1 and 2......

Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Tue, Aug 10, 10 at 23:54 Ready for another Cookalong? Joanm looked in her pantry to come up with this next focus ingredient and it's something that everybody uses.... Cinnamon!!!!!!!!! Without even looking it up, I'm sure it's the most popular, well used spice in the world. I can't wait to see your favorite T+T recipes. Nancy Here is a link that might be useful: Cookalong #32 ---------- PEACHES! Follow-Up Postings: o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by lindac (My Page) on Wed, Aug 11, 10 at 0:04 Cinnamon and ground red pepper...mixed half and half makes an awesome rub for a grilled pork loin! And we have cinnamon rolls apple dumplings any kind of crisp...apple peach, rhubarb blue berry is nothing without cinnamon. And a lovely Greek tomato sauce with as trong whiff of cinnamon. I need to make a Penzey's run! Linda C o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by claire_de_luna (My Page) on Wed, Aug 11, 10 at 14:29 This is my ''go to recipe'' when I need something quick! Forgive me for not posting something new, but this is an old favorite. One Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes With Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting Makes 2 dozen 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 3/4 teaspoon baking powder 3/4 teaspoon salt 2 large eggs 3/4 cup warm water 3/4 cup buttermilk 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pans with liners; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, sift together cocoa, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add the eggs, warm water, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla; mix batter until smooth, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of bowl to assure batter is well mixed. Divide the batter evenly among liners (use an ice cream scoop), filling each about one-third full. Bake until tops spring back when touched, about 20 minutes, rotating pan once if needed. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely. Cinnamon Buttercream 1 cup butter 1 T. vanilla 1 T. ground cinnamon (Penzey’s Vietnamese Cinnamon) 1 lb. powdered sugar 3 T. Half and Half or cream o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by terri_pacnw (My Page) on Wed, Aug 11, 10 at 14:39 My favorite thing to do with cinnamon.. "ornaments" Drain a cup of applesauce well overnight in a coffee filter lined wire strainer. Mix enough cinnamon in to make a moist but firm dough. Roll out to between an 1/8"-1/4" and cut out with cookie cutters or form into small "buttons" with your hands. Let dry in a low oven, dehydrator or tight weaved cooling rack until dry.. I like to use them as "package" decorations as well as garlands on the Christmas tree..or even in a glass vase, with christmas lights...(the warmth scents the room)... I'll be back with a few "edible" recipes. LOL o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Wed, Aug 11, 10 at 15:22 Some favorites... Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread 2 cups all purpose flour 1 1/2 cups sugar, divided 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup buttermilk 1 egg 1/4 cup vegetable oil 3 tsp. ground cinnamon Glaze: 1/4 cup confectioner' s sugar 1 1/2 to 2 tsp. milk Combine flour, 1 cup sugar, baking soda and salt. Combine buttermilk, egg and oil; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. In a small bowl, combine cinnamon and remaining sugar. Grease the bottom only of a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan. Pour half of the batter into pan. Sprinkle with half of the cinnamon sugar. Carefully spread with remaining batter and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar; cut through batter with a knife to swirl. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely. Combine glaze ingredients and drizzle over loaf. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Apple Harvest Breakfast Bake 3/4 cup quick-cooking oats 3/4 cup warm apple juice 2 tablespoons oil or applesauce 2 large egg whites 2 teaspoons vanilla 1 tablespoon margarine , melted 1 cup packed brown sugar , divided 1 large granny smith apples , peeled and thinly sliced (about 1 1/2 c.) 1 1/4 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg Preheat oven to 350°F Combine oats, apple juice, and oil or applesauce in a small bowl; let stand for 10 minutes.Stir in egg whites and vanilla. Pour margarine in the bottom of a 9" round cake pan coated with cooking spray.Sprinkle 1/4 cup brown sugar.Arrange apple slices spoke-like on top of brown sugar, working from center of pan to edge. Combine 3/4 cup brown sugar, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg in a large bowl; stir with a whisk.Add oat mixture and stir just until moistened.Pour into prepared pan. Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.Cool in pan 10 minutes Place a plate upside down on top of cake; invert onto plate.Cut into wedges. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Apple Cinnamon Crepes Serves: 6 to 8 (generously) / Preparation time: 45 minutes Total time: 1 hour 45 minutes Don't let the long list of ingredients discourage you. All the ingredients can be prepared a day ahead and combined the day you serve. These make generous portions, enough to share. CREPES 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour Pinch of salt 3 large eggs 1/2 cup sugar 1 1/2 to 2 cups milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 4 tablespoons clarified butter CREAM FILLING 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened 1 cup confectioners' sugar SAUCE TOPPING 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon flour 1 cup water 1 tablespoon butter 1 teaspoon maple flavoring APPLE FILLING 4 Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, shredded 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 tablespoon sugar GARNISH Whipped cream Maraschino cherries Confectioners' sugar Whisk together the flour and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar. Whisk in 1 1/2 cups of the milk, the vanilla and the flour until combined. If the mixture is too thick, add the remaining milk. Cover and refrigerate batter for 30 minutes. Heat a crepe pan or an 8-inch skillet over medium heat for about 1 minute. Cover the surface of the pan with 1 tablespoon of clarified butter and heat until it sizzles. Ladle about 1/2 cup of the batter into the middle of the pan and immediately start swirling the pan to move the batter over the surface. Cook for 45 seconds or until the crepe is lightly golden brown. Flip the crepe over and cook the other side for 20 seconds. Remove the crepe to a plate and repeat with the remaining batter, adding more clarified butter to the skillet as needed. Place wax paper between the crepe layers. The crepes can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Makes 6 to 8 crepes depending on how thick you like them. To make the cream filling, in a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese until it's smooth. Add the confectioners' sugar and beat until it's incorporated. Set the cheese aside. For the sauce topping, in a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, flour and water. Cook over medium heat until the mix becomes slightly thick. Remove it from the heat and whisk in the butter and maple flavoring. Set the sauce aside. To make the apple filling, place the shredded apples, cinnamon and sugar in a covered microwave dish. Heat on high for 1 minute. Remove and stir. Microwave on high for another 1 minute, then remove and stir them. Continue until the apples are heated through. To serve: Place a warm crepe on a serving plate. Place 2 heaping spoonfuls of the cream filling in the center of the crepe. Spread it the length of the crepe. Add about 1/2 cup of the heated apple filling. Fold both sides of crepe toward the center of filling. Top with 2 spoonfuls of the heated sauce. Top with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar. From Frances Gurk, Garden City. Tested by Susan Selasky for the Free Press Test Kitchen. Analysis based on generous servings. 730 calories (31% from fat), 25 grams fat (15 grams sat. fat), 117 grams carbohydrates, 12 grams protein, 300 mg sodium, 174 mg cholesterol, 191 mg calcium, 3 grams fiber. Copyright © 2006 Detroit Free Press Inc. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nancy o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by caliloo (My Page) on Wed, Aug 11, 10 at 15:33 I definitely need to make those ornaments. I will be searching the dollar store for cheap-o cinnamon though, I am not using my Vietnamese stuff for that! LOL! And Nancy - I am so making that Breakfast bake for tomorrow AM! That is one of the few benefits of being an insomniac, I can bake at 4 AM and not heat up the house LOLOLOL! IT sounds fantastic! Here are a couple of favorites at our house: Spice Rubbed Lamb Chops (Morocco) From Food Network Kitchens 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus extra for seasoning 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus extra for seasoning 1 teaspoon freshly ground cloves 1 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 8 loin lamb chops Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Mix the 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon together. Brush each lamb chop lightly with the olive oil and season with the spice mixture. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chops in the skillet, without crowding until brown and crisp on both sides, about 3 or 4 minutes for both sides. Finish chops in the oven for 1 minute for medium rare, or to desired doneness. ********************************************************* Greek Meatballs 1 egg, beaten ½ cup soft breadcrumbs 2 tbsp raisins, snipped 2 tbsp pine nuts, toasted 4 cloves garlic, minced ½ tsp salt ½ tsp ground cinnamon (or more to taste) 1 lb ground lamb EVO In a large bowl combine egg, bread crumbs, raisins, pine nuts, garlic, salt and cinnamon. Add lamb, mix well. Moisten hands with water and shape lamb mixture into 32 meatballs. Preheat oven to 400F. Lightly brush a 15 x 10 pan with oil. Place meatballs ½ inch apart on pan. Brush lightly with EVO. Bake about 20 minutes or until cooked through (160F). Drizzle with additional EVO if desired and serve immediately. Yogurt Feta Sauce 4 oz. Crumbed feta cheese ¾ c. plain yogurt (Preferably Greek) 2 T. milk 1 clove minced garlic 1/3 c. seeded cucumber, chopped or shredded 1 t. fresh dill (optional) Place cheese, yogurt, milk and garlic for sauce into food processor using steel blade and process until smooth. Put it in abowl and gently mix in the cukes. o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by doucanoe (My Page) on Thu, Aug 12, 10 at 9:14 I am kinda picky about what I like cinnmon in. Don't care for it much in savory dishes, or with chocolate, but I do like it in breads and rolls and things with apple or pumpkin. Here is a Lebanese dish from my son-in-law that my daughter raves about. I am going to try it, and hopefully it will change my mind on the savory issue! Stuffed Zucchinis 5 med. zucchinis with centers cored out Stuffing: 1/2 cup short grain rice that has soaked in water for a half hour 1/2 - 1 lb cooked ground beef (depending on your affinity for meat) 1/4 tsp. allspice 1/4 tsp. cinnamon 1tsp. salt ------- 8 oz. tomato sauce (or crushed tomatoes) 3 cups water 6 tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp. dried mint 2 cloves crushed garlic Drain rice and mix with the rest of the stuffing ingredients. Fill each zucchini 3/4 full and place standing up in a stock pot. In a separate bowl, mix the remaining ingredients and pour over zucchinis. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook for an hour or until rice is tender. Eggplant may be substituted for zucchini and if you don' t want the hassle of coring the vegetables, just cut in slices and cook in sauce and serve over rice. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ And here is a T&T dessert recipe. I have subbed cream for the evaporated milk with no problem. Apple Walnut Cobbler Source BH&G January 1997 5 c tart apples, peeled and thinly sliced 3/4 c chopped walnuts 3/4 c sugar, divided 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 c all purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 egg, beaten 1/2 c evaporated milk 1/3 c butter or margarine, melted Half & Half or light cream (Optional) Preheat oven to 325F. Lightly grease an 8x8 square baking dish. Spread the apples in prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with 1/2 c walnuts, 1/4 c sugar and the cinnamon. In medium mixing bowl, stir together the flour, 1/2 c sugar and baking powder. In small bowl, combine the egg, milk and melted butter. Stir egg mixture into the dry ingredients until smooth. Pour evenly over the apples, sprinkle with remaining walnuts. Bake 50-55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Serve warm, cut into squares. If desired, serve with half & half or cream. 9 servings Linda o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by tracey_oh (My Page) on Thu, Aug 12, 10 at 10:57 I'd say these are more of a cross between a scone and a biscuit than a regular biscuit. Found this recipe when I was looking for a way to use up some extra plain yogurt I had. Cinnamon Biscuits Bon Appetit Yield: Makes about 12 biscuits 2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups cake flour 4 teaspoons baking powder 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 2 large eggs 1 cup chilled plain yogurt Blend 2/3 cup sugar, flour, cake flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and baking soda in large bowl. Add butter, rub in with fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal. Beat eggs in medium bowl. Transfer 1 tablespoon beaten eggs to small bowl; reserve for glaze. Whisk yogurt into remaining eggs in medium bowl. Stir yogurt mixture into dry ingredients. Gather dough into ball. Gently knead dough on lightly floured surface until dough just holds together, about 6 turns. Roll or pat dough into 1-inch-thick round. Using 2 1/2- to 3-inch-diameter heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out biscuits. Gather dough scraps, reroll to 1-inch thickness and cut out additional biscuits. Place biscuits on ungreased baking sheet. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover biscuits and reserved egg glaze separately and refrigerate.) Preheat oven to 400°F. Brush biscuits with reserved egg glaze. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Bake biscuits until puffed and light golden, about 18 minutes. Cool 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by ruthanna (My Page) on Thu, Aug 12, 10 at 16:30 I probably use cinnamon as often in savory dishes as in sweet ones but never in overpowering quantities. I make this often in summer, when green beans and tomatoes are ready in the gardens. BEEF AND GREEN BEAN STEW " 4 servings 1 lb. lean beef 1 Tbs. olive oil 1 large onion, peeled and coarsely chopped 2 vine-ripened tomatoes, peeled, diced 1 cup tomato juice 2 Tbs. lime juice 1/4 tsp. curry powder 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon 2 Tbs. chopped fresh mint salt and pepper to taste 1 clove garlic, minced 1 pound fresh green beans, tipped and cut Cut the beef into 1 1/2 inch cubes. Brown the meat cubes in the oil in a Dutch oven. Stir in remaining ingredients except green beans. Lower heat to simmering. Cover tightly and simmer over low heat until beef is tender â" about one hour. Stir in green beans. Cover and cook five minutes. Uncover and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until green beans are tender-crisp and liquid is reduced to a thick sauce. Good served with cooked orzo or small boiled potatoes. o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by mustangs (My Page) on Thu, Aug 12, 10 at 16:55 Cognac Fruit Dip This makes a lot; I half the recipe below and itâs plenty for the family Christmas brunch. 12 ounces cream cheese 1 cup confectioners sugar, unsifted 7 ounces marshmallow creme 1 cup sour cream 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 teaspoons almond extract 2 teaspoons cinnamon 2 tablespoons cognac whole fresh strawberries for dipping In small bowl of electric mixer, cream the cheese until soft and smooth. Add the confectioners sugar and beat until well-blended. Add the sour cream and the rest of the ingredients. Blend just until well-combined. Cover and chill several hours before serving. o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by lowspark (My Page) on Fri, Aug 13, 10 at 10:01 I'm hoping for recipes for Cinnamon Ice Cream and Cinnamon Babka. Here's my ultra lame-o contribution to this thread. My kids LOVED this for dessert when they were little. Haven't made it in a long time. Spread a tortilla with butter. Sprinkle generously with sugar and cinnamon. Broil till bubbly (maybe 2-3 minutes). Eat. o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by joanm (My Page) on Fri, Aug 13, 10 at 10:39 I am hoping for a cinnamon ice cream recipe too. I had it at a restaurant once and it wowed me. I tried mixing some cinnamon into store bought vanilla once with mixed results. Now that I have an ice cream maker I should try it again. Here is a recipe that I saw Cat Cora make once. It looked really good and she said she makes it for her family. I haven't tried it yet, but maybe I can give it a shot during the cook along. Cinnamon stewed Chicken Cat Cora Prep: 20 minutes Cook: 1 hour, 15 minutes Makes 6 servings Ingredients: 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 (2 1/2- to 3-pound) whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 coarsely chopped yellow onions 5 garlic cloves, minced and divided 1/2 cup dry white wine 1 cup water 1 cup chicken broth 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano 1/2 cup ricotta salata cheese, grated Instructions: 1. Mix cinnamon, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Pat chicken dry with paper towels, and rub with cinnamon seasoning. 2. Heat olive oil in a deep skillet over high heat. (Donât overcrowd chicken, or it will steam rather than brown.) Brown chicken in oil for about 4â"5 minutes on each side. Turn frequently with a spatula. Remove chicken when nicely browned on all sides; set aside. 3. Lower heat to medium-high. Add onions and 3 minced garlic cloves and cook, stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes or until onions are soft and golden brown. Add wine to pan, scraping up any browned bits with a spatula. 4. When wine has evaporated, add water, broth, tomato paste, oregano, and remaining 2 garlic cloves. Return chicken to pan. (Liquid should cover the chicken about three-fourths of the way.) Cover and simmer over low heat about 1 hour or until chicken is tender and cooked through. Add salt and pepper to taste. 5. Serve chicken topped with sauce and sprinkled with cheese. Remove skin before eating. (Serving size: about 1 piece of chicken with sauce) Nutrition: Calories 336; Fat 15g (sat 4g, mono 6g, poly 2g); Choles¬terol 98mg; Protein 35g; Carbohydrate 11g; Sugars 5g; Fiber 2g; Iron 3mg; Sodium 796mg; Calcium 94mg o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by claire_de_luna (My Page) on Fri, Aug 13, 10 at 13:50 You know, I may be in the minority, but I've tried Cinnamon Ice Cream twice now, and didn't care for it much. It was gritty, and didn't have a great texture. If someone knows how to make it without being gritty, I'd love to know the secret. o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by lpinkmountain (My Page) on Fri, Aug 13, 10 at 14:29 I love cinnamon in savory dishes. Here are 3 I like. I'll most likely be making a version of one of them this weekend, as I have lots of veggies to use up. As for sweet, this time of year I'm most likely to use cinnamon ina fruit pie or cobbler. But those things aren't good for my figure so I don't make them unless I know I'll have enough company to help me eat them up before they mold. I might make something this weekend since I am going visiting, and if so I'll report back with the recipe. Influenced Vegetable Stew (From "Enchanted Broccoli Forest" by Molly Katzen) 3/4 cups raw kidney beans, cooked as per your favorite method, or one can of dark red kidneys 3 TBLSP olive oil 4 med. cloves crushed garlic 1 1/2 cups chopped onion 1 1/4 tsp. salt 1 cup thinly sliced potatoes 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. ground cumin lots of fresh black pepper crushed red hot pepper to taste juice from 1 large lemon 2 large carrots, sliced 1 small cauliflower, broken into small flowerettes 4 med. sided fresh, ripe tomatoes, cubed (I tend to use a can of diced tomatoes here) 2 tsp. honey In a very large skillet, saute the onions and garlic in olive oil, with salt, for 5 minutes, or until the onions are soft and transluscent. Add potatoes, spices and lemon juice. Coer and cook 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. (Note: I parboil potatoes, or I add some of the tomato liquid, because otherwise in my experience, starchy potatoes stick to the pan unless you use more olive oil which I don't like to do). Add remaining ingredients except for the beans. Cover, and let stew over med. heat about 30 min, stirring occasionally. Add the cooked beans, stir, cover and let it simmer about 10 more minutes. Serve with tsatsiki (cuke salad with yogurt or sour cream), greek olives and crusty bread. Picadillo (from the "Three Guys from Miami Cook Cuban" Web site) Olive oil for frying 1 large onion, diced 1 large green bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped 4 garlic cloves, minced 2 lbs. ground beef or ground round (I sub one lb. fake meat crumbles. You can also use marinated tofu, carribean or smoked style) 3 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped (again, I'll use canned diced ones unless I have a plethora of fresh ones) 1/2 tsp. ground cumin 1/8 tsp. cinnamon 1/8 tsp. ground cloves 1/2 tsp. oregano 1/2 cup chopped green olives or 1/4 cup capers (optional) Salt and pepper to taste Saute onion, green pepper, and garlic in large frying pan. Fry about 5 min., until they are softened, then add the ground beef. Mash the veg. ingredients into the frying meat. Add the tomatoes, cumin, cinnamon, cloves and oregano and cover. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes. Add olives and raisins and simmer 5 min. longer. Adjust seasonings to taste. Serve over rice or polenta. Optional: instead of serving over rice, you can add potatoes into the mix, 3 cups peeled and diced. Fry with meat and then simmer in tomato sauce. Parboil potatoes if you wish. Add a dash of dry red wine to the final stew. This one is a big hit with kids, like sloppy joes over spaghetti. Not traditional Cinci chili but better, IMHO. More subtle. Cincinnati Style Chili (Recipe courtesy "Gourmet" magazine) 2 TBLSP veg. oil 2 med. onions, chopped 5 cloves garlic, minced 2 lbs. ground beef chuck (I use 1 lb. fake meat crumbles and a can of dark red kidney beans) 4 TBLSP commercial chili powder 1 TBLSP sweet paprika 1 tsp. cumin 1/2 tsp. allspice 1/4 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 1/4 tsp. ground coriander Salt and fresh ground black pepper 1 bay leaf 1 TBLSP red wine vinegar 1 TBLSP molasses 1 cup tomato sauce 1 1/2 cups water or bouillon (I don't add it all at once and only add as needed to get the desired chili thickness) Spaghetti cooked and drained, kidney beans (If not adding them instead of meat), grated cheddar, chopped white onion and oyster crackers as traditional accomaniments for "Five Ways" chili. I omit the crackers and onions, but heap on the cheddar. In a large heavy pot, heat the oil over med. heat and cook the onions and garlic until softened. Add the ground beef (or veggie equivalent of fake meat and kidney beans), stirring unil the beef is no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat and discard. Add the spices, stirring to combine and cook 1 min. Add the bay leaf, red wine vinegar, molasses, tomato sauce and water/bouillon. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer chili covered for about 1 1/2 hours, adding additional water if necessary, to achieve a thick and soupy consistency. Discard bay leaf and adjust salt and pepper. Serve the chili over cooked spahgetti with the traditional accompaniments. o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by hawk307 (My Page) on Fri, Aug 13, 10 at 15:55 One of my favorites, Cinnamon Bunns, East Coast Style, ( not Cinnamon Rolls ). If anyone would like the Recipe, I'll post it. Thanks Lou o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by nightnurse1968 (My Page) on Fri, Aug 13, 10 at 22:53 This is a great recipe that I make during the holidays but they would be good any time. I never drizzle the icing but I'm sure they are great like that. CINNAMON BUN COOKIES from VANILLA COOKIE DOUGH ½ cup (2 ounces) powdered sugar ¾ cup (1½ sticks, 6 ounces) unsalted butter ½ tsp salt 1½ tsp vanilla extract 1½ cups (6¼ ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour MIDDLE: 1 large egg white 1 Tbs water ¼ cup granulated sugar 1½ tsp ground cinnamon ICING: ½ cup powdered sugar 2 Tbs heavy whipping cream ½ tsp vanilla extract ½ tsp ground cinnamon 1. Prepare dough: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, cream together the sugar, butter, salt and vanilla. Add the flour, stirring to make a cohesive dough. Flatten the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until youâre ready to use it. 2. Roll the dough: Transfer chilled dough to a lightly floured piece of parchment or waxed paper. Roll it into a 9Ã12-inch rectangle. In a small bowl, whisk together egg white and water until foamy. Brush onto rolled out dough. In another small bowl, whisk together sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle it evenly over the dough. Starting with a long edge, carefully roll the dough into a log, sealing the edge (if dough sticks to parchment, gently use a metal spatula to guide it off of the paper). Wrap in plastic wrap or parchment, and freeze until firm. 3. Bake the cookies: Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease (or line with parchment) two cookie sheets. Remove the dough from the freezer and unwrap it. Using a sharp knife, gently cut it into ½-inch slices. Transfer them to the prepared baking sheets. Bake the cookies for 12 to 15 minutes, until theyâre a light golden brown. Remove them from the oven and transfer to a rack to cool. 4. Ice the cookies: Sift or strain the powdered sugar into a medium-sized bowl to remove any lumps. Whisk the cream into the sugar to make a smooth icing. Drizzle or spread icing onto cookies (or serve alongside in a bowl for dipping). Yield: 2 dozen cookies Read more: o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by gardengrl (My Page) on Sun, Aug 15, 10 at 18:35 This recipe is from Bon Appetit and promises to solve that "strange texture" cinnamon ice-cream can have if the cinnamon powder is added too early in the recipe. I'm sure if you just want cinnamon ice-cream, you can omit the rum. Cinnamon-Rum Ice Cream Makes 1 1/2 quarts 6 large egg yolks 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided 1 1/2 cups whole milk 3/4 cup sugar Pinch of salt 2 tablespoons dark rum 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon Whisk egg yolks to blend in medium metal bowl. Pour 1 cup cream into another medium bowl; set fine strainer over bowl with cream. Whisk milk, sugar, pinch of salt, and 1/2 cup cream in heavy medium saucepan; bring to simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves. Gradually whisk hot milk mixture into egg yolks. Return mixture to same saucepan and stir constantly over medium-low heat until custard thickens slightly and instant-read thermometer inserted into the custard registers 160° (do not boil), about 5 minutes. Pour custard through strainer set over bowl with cream. Whisk mixture to blend; then whisk in rum and cinnamon. Chill custard until cold, about 2 hours. Process custard in ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer ice-cream to container; freeze until firm, at least 4 hours or overnight. o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by terri_pacnw (My Page) on Sun, Aug 15, 10 at 22:39 Alexa, yep $$ store cinnamon...:) o cinnamon recipes clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by terri_pacnw (My Page) on Sun, Aug 15, 10 at 22:53 Okay here's 2 in my arsenal. Roselin's Chocolate Snickerdoodles 1c buter 1 1/2 c sugar 2 eggs 2 1/4 c flour 1/2 c cocoa 2 t cream of tarter 1 t baking soda 1/2 t salt 1 t vanilla Topping 2T sugar 2 t cinnamon Combine butter, sugar, vanilla and eggs. Cream well. Sift dry ingredients except Topping. Add to egg mixture and chill dough for at least 1 hour. Roll dough into walnut size balls and roll in cinnamon sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 375F for 8-10 minutes. Makes 4-5 dozen. Applesauce Cake 3/4 c butter, softened 1 1/2 c sugar 3 eggs 2 3/4 c flour 1 1/2 t salt 1 1/2 t baking powder 3/4 t baking soda 3/4 t nutmeg 3/4 t cinnamon 1 14oz can of sweetened applesauce (I use homemade barely sweetened and also have used pear sauce.) 3/4 c chopped nuts (optional) 2 greased loaf pans (8x4) Preheat oven to 350F. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in blended dry ingredients, alternating with applesauce. Stir in 3/4 c chopped nuts before pouring into 2 loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour or until done. (start checking at 50 minutes) Remove and cool for 10 minutes and then remove from pans and cool on rack. Optional Sugar Glaze: Mix 1/2 c icing sugar with 1 T water, pour over cake. o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by canarybird (My Page) on Mon, Aug 16, 10 at 3:49 I will look for what I have in my recipe file, although I lost so much of it when my computer crashed in April. When I was kid and wanted a snack I would make some... Cinnamon Toast Mix equal parts of cinnamon and icing sugar (confectioners' sugar) in a cup. Spread freshly made toast thickly with soft butter. Then sprinkle the sugar/cinnamon mix on top. Eat...Yum...and don't tell your mom or your dentist! SharonCb o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by terri_pacnw (My Page) on Mon, Aug 16, 10 at 11:21 oooh icing sugar..I never heard of that...it would be meltier..(spell check doesn't like that word) LOL I keep a sugar jar/dispenser full of cinnamon sugar for the boys. But use granulated. o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by lowspark (My Page) on Tue, Aug 17, 10 at 21:53 Nancy, I made your Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread. It came out of the oven 10 minutes ago. Delicious!!! This one's definitely a keeper!! o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Wed, Aug 18, 10 at 11:02 I don't have any recipes to share that feature cinnamon that wouldn't basically repeat what's already been posted, but I can see I'm going to be adding many of the above recipes to my arsenal. As far as ornaments are concerned, when my children were small, we painted santa faces on cinnamon sticks, and glued wires to them to make Christmas ornaments. They turned out quite cute. They make long, skinny Santas. We actually still have a few left. Sally o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by ci_lantro (My Page) on Thu, Aug 19, 10 at 7:59 Lou, I would love to have a recipe for the cinnamon buns. Those look so yummy! Please post the recipe!! o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by ann_t (My Page) on Thu, Aug 19, 10 at 10:09 You can't go wrong wtih the Joy of Baking's Cinnamon Rolls. I top mine with a cream cheese frosting. Sometimes I pack them into the pan so that they touch and they end up looking like this: Or I bake them on a cookie sheet, spaced so they don't touch and they look like this: Home Cookin Chapter: Recipes From Thibeault's Table Cinnamon Rolls (Buns) ===================== From Joy of Baking Dough: 4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose " flour 1 package active dry yeast 1 cup milk 1/3 cup "" butter 1/3 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt "3 eggs Filling: 3/4 cup packed brown"sugar 1/4 cup all-purpose " flour 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1/2 Cup" butter 1/2 cup light raisins (optional) 1 tablespoon half-and-half 1 recipe Powdered Sugar Glaze Powdered Sugar Glaze: In a bowl stir together 1 1/4 cups sifted powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon light corn syrup, 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract and enough half-and-half (1 to 2 tablespoons) to make the glaze thin enough to drizzle over cinnamon rolls. . In a large mixing bowl combine 2 1/4 cups of the flour and the yeast. In a small saucepan heat the milk, the 1/3 cup butter, 1/3 cup sugar, and salt just till warm (120 degrees to 130 degrees)and butter is almost melted, stirring constantly. Add to flour mixture. Add eggs. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping sides of bowl. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the remaining 2 1/4 to 2 3/4 cups flour as you can. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough that is smooth and elastic (3 to 5 minutes). Shape into a ball. Place in a greased bowl, turning once. Cover; let rise in a warm place till double (about 1 - 1 1/2 hours). For filling, combine brown sugar, the 1/4 cup flour, and cinnamon. Cut in remaining butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Set aside. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll the dough into a 12 inch square. Sprinkle filling over dough square; top with raisins (if desired). Roll up jelly-roll style; pinch edges to seal. Slice roll into eight 1 1/2 inch pieces. Arrange dough pieces, cut side up, in a greased 12 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan. Cover dough loosely with clear plastic wrap, leaving room for rolls to rise. Refrigerate dough for 2 to 24 hours. Uncover and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. (If you are making the cinnamon rolls immediately, donât chill dough. Instead, cover loosely, let dough rise in a warm place till nearly double, about 45 minutes.) Break any surface bubbles with a greased toothpick. Brush dough with a half-and-half. Bake in a 375 degree oven to 25 to 30 minutes or till light brown. If necessary to prevent over-browning., cover rolls loosely with foil the last 5 to 10 minutes of baking. Remove rolls from oven. Brush again with half-and-half. Cool 5 minutes. Invert onto a baking rack and invert again onto a plate. Can drizzle with Powdered Sugar Glaze. Serve warm. Makes 8 rolls. Note: I prefer a Cream Cheese icing. 1/4 cup butter 1 cup cream cheese Cream together and add enough icing/powder sugar to make a creamy icing. o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by caliloo (My Page) on Thu, Aug 19, 10 at 10:12 OMG Ann - those photos are absolutely drool worthy and since I have made that recipe before I know for a fact that it turns out the best product ever! Ci_Lantro - you need to look no further - this IS the Holy Grail of Cinnamon Buns! Alexa o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by annie1992 (My Page) on Thu, Aug 19, 10 at 10:59 I don't care for cinnamon with tomatoes, otherwise I love it nearly any way. These cookies are a King Arthur Flour recipe, but I seldom cut them out, I roll them into logs and slice and bake when I want them. I never have cinnamon oil and I sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar before baking. Cinnamon Snaps 1/2 cup (1 stick, 4 ounces) unsalted butter 3/4 cup (5 5/8 ounces) brown sugar, packed 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon oil, optional 1 large egg 2 tablespoons light corn syrup (1 1/2 ounces) 1 2/3 cups (8 1/2 ounces) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour To prepare the dough: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and cinnamon oil. Beat in the egg and syrup. Add the flour, beating until smooth. Divide the dough in half, and shape each half into a smooth-edged disk (like a hockey puck). Wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour, or overnight. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease (or line with parchment) two baking sheets. To shape and bake the cookies: Working with one half of dough at a time, roll the dough 1/8" thick. Use a cutter to cut the shapes of your choice, and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets. Bake the cookies for 12 to 13 minutes; this will make a cookie thatâs crisp, but not hard. (If you have any doubts about your ovenâs temperature or baking time, bake one cookie first, allow it to cool, and see if itâs the texture you like.) Remove the cookies from the oven, and cool them on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely. Yield: about 7 dozen 2" to 2 ½" cutout cookies. annie o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Thu, Aug 19, 10 at 12:47 Ann, you would have to post that recipe. I haven't made those rolls for awhile and now I have a very strong craving. Those are the best unadulterated cinnamon rolls. Just the way I like them. Annie, the cookies would be great too! Nancy o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by rosewitch (My Page) on Thu, Aug 19, 10 at 15:41 To me Cinnamon Buns/Rolls are what Ann posted. I love those and that recipe is wonderful. The picture Lou posted is what I know as Sticky Buns. I just can't eat them for all the toothache inducing sticky stuff. I like cinnamon buns sometimes with the cream cheese drippy frosting! But I admit to also eating them plain hot from the oven when I can't wait just for the warm yeasty roll. I hate cold weather but I am so ready for a long baking day when it cools off a bit. Kat o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by annie1992 (My Page) on Thu, Aug 19, 10 at 15:53 Kat, we've always called them "sticky buns" or _sticky rolls) too, because they're...well...sticky. (grin) I like the frosting on cinnamon rolls but when I was a kid they were never frosted, we ate them hot from the oven with butter on them, like any other bread. I still love them that way the best. Annie o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by rosewitch (My Page) on Thu, Aug 19, 10 at 16:13 Annie, So glad to hear that I am not the only one that likes them with butter and almost plain. I think the cinnamon taste is the best that way! My favorite days growing up were the ones spent in my grandmother's farm kitchen on baking day. She would bake bread, dinner rolls and make apple dumplings and cinnamon rolls; enough for the week. I couldn't wait for the cinnamon rolls to come out of the oven. Oh and there were always chewy oatmeal raisin cookies too. As she aged the oatmeal cookies became the only baking she did; but boy she didn't lose her touch with them. Anyone around would fight over those cookies! She sure didn't have the kitchen equipment we have today, but what she turned out of that kitchen was wonderful. Kat o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by caliloo (My Page) on Thu, Aug 19, 10 at 16:43 I was all set to make Ann T's Cinnamon Buns and then as I was gathering ingredients I realized I was out of yeast! No idea how that happened but in any case, I was still in the mood for something cinnamon-y and I found this recipe in my "to try" file. It is in the oven right now and smells heavenly! And I think I will make the white glaze from Ann cinnamon Buns instead of the brown sugar one listed here... or maybe I'll cover half with one and half with the other. Alexa Apple Coffee Cake with Crumble Topping and Brown Sugar Glaze Cake: ⢠1 stick plus 2 teaspoons unsalted butter ⢠1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar ⢠2 large eggs ⢠2 cups all purpose flour ⢠1 teaspoon baking soda ⢠1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ⢠1/2 teaspoon salt ⢠1 cup sour cream ⢠1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract ⢠2 cups peeled, cored and chopped apples Crumble Topping: ⢠1/2 cup packed light brown sugar ⢠1/2 cup all purpose flour ⢠1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon ⢠4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened Brown Sugar Glaze: ⢠1/2 cup packed light brown sugar ⢠1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract ⢠2 tablespoons water Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish with 2 teaspoons of the butter. In a large bowl, cream together the remaining stick of butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs 1 at a time, beating after the addition of each. In a separate bowl or on a piece of parchment, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream and vanilla. Fold in the apples. Pour into the prepared baking dish, spreading out to the edges. To make the topping, in a bowl, combine the sugar, flour, cinnamon, and butter, and mix until it resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the topping over the cake and bake until golden brown and set, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes. To make the glaze, in a bowl, combine the sugar, vanilla, and water and mix until smooth. Drizzle the cake with the glaze and let harden slightly. Serve warm. o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by denise8101214 (My Page) on Sun, Aug 22, 10 at 17:45 All the Cookalong Links Here is a link that might be useful: All the Cookalong Links o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Sun, Aug 22, 10 at 22:08 I'll be out of town until Wednesday night. Will draw a name upon my return... Keep adding cinnamon recipes.....I love cinnamon! Denise...thank you for keeping track of the threads! Nancy o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by dancinglemons (My Page) on Mon, Aug 23, 10 at 2:51 Baked Beans (semi-homemade) 2 large cans Bush*s Vegetarian Beans 1/2 cup ketchup 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 2 tablespoons mustard (yellow) 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 cup chopped onions Put all in large pot and simmer for 20 minutes or Bake in 350F oven for 45 minutes Enjoy! DL o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Mon, Aug 23, 10 at 10:04 I'm a little late to the party, but I made this last night for DS's and my combined birthday dinner. DH, who says he hates cake, loved it. The best part about it is that it's easy and quick. DH had made some chocolate chip ice cream, and the comments about cinnamon ice cream got me to thinking this would be a perfect match to go with the ice cream. It was. I didn't make the frosting - partly due to time constraints, but also because I figured the ice cream would serve that purpose. I'm not much of a frosting lover. I'll post the recipe for it, anyway. From: Baking, From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan Cinnamon Squares For the cake: 1 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided 1 tablespoon plus 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided 1 1/2 teaspoons instant espresso powder 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder Pinch of salt 3/4 cup whole milk (I used 1%, which is all I had, and it turned out fine) 2 large eggs 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 stick plus 2 tablespoons (10 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted and cooled 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped, or 1/2 cup store-bought mini chocolate chips For the frosting 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped 2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces Getting ready: Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan and line the bottom with parchment or wax paper. Place the pan on a baking sheet. To make the cake: Stir 2 tablespoons of the sugar, 2 1/2 teaspoons of the cinnamon and the espresso together in a small bowl. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, the remaining 1 1/4 cups sugar, the baking powder, salt and the remaining 1 tablespoon cinnamon. In another bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs and vanilla. Pour the liquid ingredients over the flour mixture and gently whisk until you have a homogenous batter. Now, using the whisk or a rubber spatula, fold in the butter with a light touch, just until the butter is absorbed. You'll have a smooth, satiny batter. Scrape half of the batter into the pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle the chocolate over the batter and dust with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Cover with the rest of the batter and smooth the top again. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the cake is puffed and beginning to pull away from the sides of the pan; a thin knife inserted into the center will come out clean. Transfer the cake to a cooling rack and let it rest for 15 minutes before un-molding it onto another rack. Peel off the paper, invert it onto the first rack, and cool to room temperature right side up. To make the frosting: Put the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl and fit the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Cook, stirring gently and often, just until they melt. Be careful not to overheat the mixture so much that it thins out; the chocolate should be smooth, very shiny, thick and spreadable. (If it thins, leave the frosting at room temperature for a bit, until it thickens a little.) Using an offset metal icing spatula or a table knife, spread the frosting in generous sweeps and swirls over the top of the cake. Allow the frosting to set at room temperature, then cut the cake into 9 squares, each about 2 1/2 inches on a side. Boy, after typing out that frosting recipe, I'm wondering why I didn't want it! Sally o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by hawk307 (My Page) on Mon, Aug 23, 10 at 18:14 ci lantro: Sorry I haven't been Posting much, plus I've been away to AC, NJ. Below is the Recipe for the Cinnamon Bunns and Dough. rosewitch: Far as I know Cinnamon Bunns are mainly an East Coast name. Anything West of N.Y. , N.J. and Pa. they are called Sticky Bunns. *********************************** Louâs Cinnamon Buns ------ SS Pan ,9 ½ in by 12 in by 2 ½ in deep Or Pyrex baking dish 3/4 stick of butter and 1 tablesp. Of Vegetable oil Pancake syrup , Brown Sugar and a little granulated sugar Cinnamon and Raisins Melt the butter in the pan and let it cool ( put it in the refrig. a few minutes) Level it across the pan and back into the refrig to harden. Take it out and Sprinkle very little oil and move it around with the back of a spoon. Dribble some pancake syrup all around the pan , then a little gran. Sugar Then lay in some brown sugar . Donât be chincey , leave some lumps. Last sprinkle ( good bit ) of Cinnamon and Raisins. You can also add some walnuts, If you want to. If you donât want to , donât do it but donât blame me , if you didnât Do and wish you had done , etc. Take half + of the recipe of the Braided Bread dough and roll it out to about 3/16 in thick ( 3 pennies ) You can do the dough in 2 pieces if it is easier. Try to roll them out to at least 16 in long. x 12 in. Sprinkle some pancake syrup, Sugar and cinnamon on the dough , then some raisins. Roll the dough up loosely, Making a 12 in. long Roll and cut into 1 in. pieces. Mark the roll ,at half way and half again before cutting., into 8 pieces. Do the same to the other piece of dough Place these pieces in the pan that you prepared , leaving spaces in between , because the dough will grow. Push them around with your fingers, to fill the pan evenly. When the dough is doubled , bake in a 320 degree oven , on a shelf near the top, for about 25 to 35 minutes or golden brown. You can Baste , with an egg milk mix, while baking. When it is removed from the oven , place a piece of aluminum foil over it and a large cutting board or cookie tin and then flip it over and remove the pan. If some of the goodies stay in the pan take them out right away and patch the Buns while the goo is still hot. WARNING !!!! Get away from them until they cool. !!!!!!!! You will burn your lips Now you can see if you used enough brown sugar and gooey stuff. ************************************************* Everyone has their own way to do this, which is better. But! I like to cook and bake using easier ways, long as the end results are the same. I've used this recipe since I got out of the Army, a very long time ago and converted it from Army Baking (Large amounts )to Home Baking. It wasn't easy going from 4 Quarts to 4 cups , etc. But I worked it out. I got the results that I wanted and I'm passing it on to everyone . Here is the recipe: ************************* Louâs - - - Braided, Plaited Bread or Dough for Cinnamon Buns , Bagels, Etc. ************************* 2 cups of milk, (warm ) - - Sometimes I sub Powdered Milk 1 1/3 cup of Sugar 3 large eggs- beaten (save ½ egg w. a little milk for basting ) 1 tablesp.+ of Vanilla - - ½ cup + of oil - - 1/2 teasp. Salt 2 packs of Fleischmans Active dry yeast AP Flour - 3 cups to start ( probably about 6 total ) enough to knead into a soft ball that doesnât stick to your hands. I now substitute a cup of WW Flour. Makes a nice texture and tender. Stir the yeast in a 1/3 cup of warm water w. 1/2 spoon of sugar, to test it for raising. In a large mixing bowl, or (KA mixer) place the warm milk ( not hot ) add the sugar ,vanilla , salt & eggs Beat until the sugar is dissolved and add the Yeast and mix well. Add 1 cup of WW flour and 3 cups of AP flour and mix with mixer a few minutes. Add flour until you make a " soft " Ball of dough that doesnât stick to your hands. Donât make it too stiff , try to keep it a "soft dough." On the Work Top, Sprinkle some flour under the ball and Knead it until smooth. Place it in a large bowl, Rub some oil on top. Cover with a damp towel and place in a warm spot ( until double.) I usually turn my oven on for a few minutes to warm and shut it. Place a pan of hot water on the bottom shelf. Then place the dough bowl in the oven to rise. When ( doubled ) deflate and put it out of the bowl onto a floured worktop. Punch it down and knead the dough again. Then cut into 2 pieces ( 2 loaves ). Divide each piece into 3. Roll each of these 3 pieces into the shape of a sweet potato ( about 12 in long ). With the basting ( egg ) mixture and wet the tips of the 3 pieces and stick them together at one end . Then spread the other end the shape of an arrow While keeping the stuck ends down and away from you , twist each piece clockwise about 8 times and lay them down so you can Platt or Braid them and stick the other ends together There are other ways to Braid ( 6 Strands ) but I take the fast easy way to do things. Place the 2 shaped loaves on lightly oiled cookie tins, or in loaf pans. Preheat the oven to 400 deg. Spray some Pam on the loaves or brush with oil. This will keep them from drying while raising. When doubled in size (about 20 min.) place in the oven , top shelf and bake until slightly tan. Baste them with the egg mix and rotate them back into the oven and ( Turn temperature down to 325 deg.) Baste again when they are a dark tan. Cook till a rich brown, mahogany color. Take them out of the pans onto a rack to cool. Control yourself !!!! Let them cool !!! This sounds like a lot to do but it is easy and should take only 10 minutes to mix and shape. The most time is in the waiting for the dough to rise and for the bread to cool . But it do look great !!! & Professional This dough can also be used for Cinnamon Buns . I use it for Bagels too. I like the Subtle , sweet taste. o PS - Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by hawk307 (My Page) on Mon, Aug 23, 10 at 22:03 Should have read thru the Recipe. Didn't know all the Braided Bread was in there too. Lou o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Mon, Aug 30, 10 at 10:20 Whew...it's been a busy week, I'm late in getting this next Cookalong started. Here we go....... drawing a name.....it is >>>>>>>> Terri pacnw Terry, please pick out next subject, check the FAQ for the list of what has already been covered. Then post to this thread and I'll set up the new one. Thanks all, there are many good recipes here. Nancy o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by terri_pacnw (My Page) on Mon, Aug 30, 10 at 11:19 WOW...me...a winnner... Well, every thing I could think of..was already chosen.. BUT Chocolate, Chicken(we did years ago, could do a redo), Coconut or Coffee... Ummmm I'm picking Chocolate...cocoa, cocao nibs, milk, dark, semi, white, cocoa butter..bittersweet, unsweetened.. o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by therustyone (My Page) on Mon, Aug 30, 10 at 11:36 Whether they are called 'Cinnamon Buns', Cinnamon Rolls', or 'Sticky Buns'. I can vouch for Lou's recipe. The grandsons love them! For us, I go light on the syrup, heavy on the cinnamon. Also add lots of walnuts. And 'plump' the raisins in hot water. Addictive! Rusty o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Mon, Aug 30, 10 at 11:57 Thanks Terri! What a wonderful choice, there are very few who dislike chocolate. I'll set up the new cookalong.... Here is a link that might be useful: Link to Cookalong # 34 - Chocolate o RE: Cookalong #33 ----------Cinnamon! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by hawk307 (My Page) on Mon, Aug 30, 10 at 22:33 Rusty: Thanks for the Plug !!! I appreciate it. Almost too late ??? Terri: I have all of them Chocolates, Now I'll have to think of how to use them , besides eating them . Lou

Is 'Egg Muffins' another name for 'Frittatas'? I tried some of Jimmy Dean's frittata muffins awhile back, and I love them. Picked up another package the other day, and thought, I'll bet I can make these myself much cheaper, just as good, and with less salt. (I'm supposed to eat low sodium). So I've been looking up recipes on the 'net. There are many out there! Seems like the possibilities are limited only by your taste preferences and imagination. Also whether to pre-cook the vegetables seems to depend on the cook's preference, and maybe on the type of veggie, but also the size of the dice. I haven't tried them yet, but will when I finish this package I just bought. I figure the purchased ones are frozen, and microwaved from the frozen state (1 min & 40 sec for two frozen muffins), so it should be okay to freeze and nuke the home made ones, too. Rusty