OPh my. I go away for a couple of days, and Raeanne and Suzanne start the French Lick party without me! LOL! For everyone's infomation, all 3 of mine are the truths! (JK!!!LMAO!) I guess Suzanne is # 3 Raeanne is # 2 Well, it is a quiet Saturday night here. Rog went to bed early, and I'm watching Flashdance, and thinking OMG--did I ever really wear torn sweatshirts?? (yep.) I think that's why I love to watch old(er) movies--for just a second, I am back to an age where there wasn't any major problems, and I still believed all people were good, and the whole world was open for the taking. :):) OK--advice needed--mom keeps wanting me to come over and watch some 2+ hours, B&W, 1940 movie with who-knows in it (I've never heard of them). At the risk of sounding like a cold-hearted @#!^%, I have NO (none, el zilcho, nada) desire to do this--heck, I don't even have the time to watch what I actually want to watch, much less this thing. Now, I know how important spending time with her and dad is, and I enjoy just sitting around yapping, but our choices of movies are a complete 180. The last time I got coerced into this, I pr@yed to die of boredom, and then fell asleep. It was a truly aweful movie, and part of me resents being guilted into this. We're fixing Christmas dinner for Christmas Eve to take over, before we go to Midnight services, and mom brought up this d@mned movie again. Gawd, I'll watch it, but I'd rather be sh0t--any suggestions? (I really am not being cold, I would just rather sit around and talk--and she knows this.) Anyhoo--hope this finds everone well! When are we going to reveal the truths? Hugs, Maddie PS--Suzanne, I got your package yesterday, but I couldn't get my x-ray glasses to work! Darn piece of cr@p!! LMAO!!

I'm old enough to remember when Twinkies first came out and they had a REAL cream filling! My Twinkie story is from a home magazine, of all places. They were highlighting loft conversions, when this was still an emerging trend. One was a beautiful, high-ceilinged industrial loft in an old factory - that used to make Twinkies. I admired the brick walls, the giant windows, the clever remodeling they had done to turn it into a home. But it wasn't until I read the text that said: "...And we just left the pipes up there exposed. Those are the old pipes where they used to move the Twinkie cream filling across the building. When they closed the factory down, they just left the filling, still in the pipes. Who knows, maybe it's still good after fifty years?" Holy cow! They live under gallons of Twinkie cream filling?!? (These were very big pipes, several of them crossing through the length of their apartment) All I could think of was, "Boy, I hope they never have a fire there - think melted fake cream filling, smoke and water, making an oozing mess all over your living space!"

* Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Tue, Nov 17, 09 at 20:26 I am getting so hungry reading all these recipes and posts! Here's the potato-fennel soup recipe I mentioned earlier. It was posted on this forum back, oh wow, exactly 3 years ago today, November 17, 2006, by Lynnalexndra. She said in the post that it was an Ina Garten recipe. Roasted Potato-Fennel Soup 4 pounds red potatoes, unpeeled and quartered 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons good olive oil 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3 cloves) 1 tablepspoon kosher salt 2 teaspoons fresh ground pepper 4 cups choped yellow onions (4 onions) 4 cups chopped fennel bulb (about 2 pounds) 3 quarts chicken stock or water 1 cup heavy cream Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with 1/4 cup olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes, until cooked through. Saute the onions and fennel with 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large stock pot on medium heat until translucent, 10 - 15 minutes. Add the roasted potatoes (including the scrapings from the pan) and the chicken stock. Cover and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 1 hour, until all the vegetables are very soft. Add the heavy cream and allow the soup to cool slightly. Pass the soup through the largest disk of a food mill or chop coarsely in batches in a food processor fitted with a metal blade. (I use an immersion blender). Taste for salt and pepper. Reheat and serve hot. This past weekend I made a different roasted potato soup which combined this cookalong with the squash one. I just made it up as I went along. I made a mistake or 2, but it ended up tasting quite good. One of the mistakes I made was cutting the squash up into too small of pieces. I tried peeling it before roasting, but the scalloped shape made that too frustrating, so I decided to roast it first, then scrape the squash out. Well, it was a pain to do since I had cut it up into small pieces. My goal was to get all the vegetables cut into fairly equal sizes. The second mistake was just not having the equipment. I didn't have my trusty immersion blender with me (we were at our Oklahoma house), so I couldn't puree the veggies. I was never able to smash up the onions, so they remained in pretty big pieces. We just called it country style. Next time I make this, I'll experiment with the size of squash pieces and use a blender. Roasted vegetable soup Pre heat oven to 375 degrees 1 acorn squash 2 russet potatoes 2 onions 1 bulb of garlic Olive Oil Salt and pepper to taste dried sage, around 1/2 to 1 teaspoon or to taste Cut up the potatoes and onions into similar sizes. If you can peel the squash ahead of time, that's great, otherwise, just cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, and place along side the other vegetables on a large baking sheet. Coat the veggies with olive oil, and sprinkle with the salt, pepper and sage. Bake until the veggies are barely tender, around 40 minutes to an hour, stirring them every 15 or 20 minutes. Towards the end of roasting time, in a large soup pan, bring some water to a boil, enough water to cover the vegetables. When the veggies are done roasting, add them into the boiling water. Scrape the squash pulp out of the skins and add to the pot, too. Stir and let simmer till the veggies are tender. Turn off heat and puree using an immersion blender if you have one, or just smash them with your spoon as best you can, which is what I did. That makes it more "country style." Enjoy. Sally o RE: Cookalong #15 ------------ POTATOES clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by lakeguy35 (My Page) on Wed, Nov 18, 09 at 0:03 Nancy and all, glad to see the cookalongs are back!! Lots of great recipes above that I'll be saving and working my way through. I've loved these pancakes for years and finally found a copy cat recipes that I've been playing with. I add at least twice as much onion and double the parsley. Sour cream and applesauce are my choices to go on top of them. Perkin's Potatoe Pancakes Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup whole milk 4 eggs 3 tablespoons butter, melted 3 tablespoons sugar 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley 1 tablespoon minced onion 4 shredded fresh potatoes -or- 2 1/2 cups frozen hash browns (defrosted) Directions: Combine all of the ingredients, except for the potatoes, in a large mixing bowl. Beat by hand until smooth. Add the potatoes to the batter and mix by hand until the potatoes are combined. Let the batter rest while you preheat a skillet to about medium heat. Grease the pan with some butter. Ladle 1/4 cup scoops of batter into the pan. Cook as many at a time as will fit comfortably into your pan. Cook each pancake for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side until brown. David o RE: Cookalong #15 ------------ POTATOES clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Thu, Nov 19, 09 at 22:20 Looking through the recipes that have been posted already, I can see that I will be using this thread many, many times. It's a good reminder of some of the very best uses of potatoes. Then I got to thinking that I didn't notice any basic potato salad recipes..... and what potato collection would be complete without potato salad. I also wanted to share a favorite soup, I make a double batch of this and take to my DM in 8oz freezer containers, every few months.... she loves it! I usually cut back the milk a bit so that it is almost like a side dish. Loaded Baked Potato Soup 4 lg baking potatoes, baked (Note: Plan ahead and bake the potatoes when convenient) 2/3 C butter 2/3 C flour 6 C milk 3/4 tsp salt 1/2 tsp black pepper 4 green onions, chopped and divided 1 1/4 C grated cheddar cheese, divided 12 slices bacon (thick is best), cooked, crumbled and divided 1 8-oz carton sour cream (can use plain yogurt) ~Cut potatoes in half, scoop out the pulp and set aside. Discard skins (or make some potato skin snacks) ~Melt butter in a heavy saucepan, add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook 1 min., stirring constantly and gradually add milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick and bubbly. ~Add potato pulp, salt pepper, 2 tbsp of the green onion, 1/2 C bacon and 1 C cheese. Cook until thoroughly heated and stir in sour cream. Add extra milk for desired consistency. ~Garnish with remaining onion, bacon and cheese. Yield: about 10 cups. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Backwoods Basic Potato Salad 3# cooked and cooled red potatoes, chopped 4 hard boiled eggs, chopped 2 lg stalks of celery, chopped 6 green onions, chopped ¼ C sweet pickle relish Dressing 1½ C Hellman's (Best Foods) mayo 1 tsp celery seed 1 Tbsp vinegar 1 Tbsp sugar ½ tsp garlic powder 1 tsp salt ½ tsp pepper 1 tsp dry mustard Combine dressing ingredients and toss with potato mixture. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Backwoods Deli Style Potato Salad 3# red potatoes, cooked, cooled and chopped 2 stalks of celery, chopped 6 green onions, chopped ½ C chopped red pepper ½ C thin sliced radishes Dressing 1½ C Miracle Whip 2 Tbsp vinegar 2 Tbsp sugar 1 tsp celery seed 1-2 Tbsp prepared mustard Combine dressing ingredients and toss with potatoes and vegetables. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Blue Cheese Potato Salad 3# cooked red potatoes, cooled and chopped ¼ C dry white wine ½ tsp salt ¼ tsp pepper ½ C mayo (Hellman's) ½ C sour cream 1½ Tbsp Dijon mustard 4 oz. blue cheese, crumbled 3 green onions, chopped fine 1 C coarsely chopped celery In a large bowl combine potatoes, wine, salt and pepper. Let sit until the wine is absorbed by the potatoes, about 30 minutes. Combine mayo with remaining ingredients. Add to potatoes and stir well. Allow about 30 minutes for flavors to combine before serving. This blue cheese salad is great with a good steak or grilled tenderloin. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ranch Potato Salad 3# cooked red potatoes, cooled and chopped 5-6 green onions, chopped 6-8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled ½ C shredded cheddar cheese 1 envelope dry ranch dressing mix 1½ C Hellman's Mayo (sometimes I use part sour cream if I have it on hand) Toss together the potatoes, onions, bacon and cheddar. Combine the ranch dressing mix and mayo, pour over the potato mixture and stir to combine. Nancy o RE: Cookalong #15 ------------ POTATOES clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Sun, Nov 22, 09 at 22:55 Was this the weekend to do the cookalong? Did anybody else do it this weekend? I tried Lori's Gnocchi. It was the first time I've ever eaten them, and certainly the first time to make them, but that was half the fun! I think I need more practice, but DH really enjoyed them, so I don't think he'll object to me practicing on him. I did the sage butter sauce that she recommended. Very simple but quite delicious. On the side, I served a spinach salad with dried cranberries, shallots, shredded carrots and toasted almonds, and a vinaigrette made from Trader Joes Orange Mango Vinegar sauce and olive oil. Photobucket Sally o RE: Cookalong #15 ------------ POTATOES clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Mon, Nov 23, 09 at 1:14 I'll be here tomorrow, to draw a name. Got caught up in watching the AMA awards tonight... LOL Nancy o RE: Cookalong #15 ------------ POTATOES clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Mon, Nov 23, 09 at 10:45 Just drew a name.... Sherrman....hope you check this thread! Please pick a new topic and post it here asap. I'll be checking. Nancy o RE: Cookalong #15 ------------ POTATOES clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Mon, Nov 23, 09 at 12:03 TTT so Sherrman can see :) o RE: Cookalong #15 ------------ POTATOES clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by chase (My Page) on Mon, Nov 23, 09 at 13:42 I'm way late posting but ;last night I made Potato and cheese pierogi for the cook a long. Sauted the pierogi in butter and onion after boiling. Served with cabbage roll's, sour cream and sauerkraut. It was so good! Can't wait to hear what Sherrman has up her sleeve! o RE: Cookalong #15 ------------ POTATOES clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by annie1992 (My Page) on Mon, Nov 23, 09 at 14:40 Sharon, I'm late too. I was in Toledo, Ohio, I took my mother to the library there to do her geneology stuff, she was looking for birth/death/marriage records, etc. Anyway, while I was at Elery's I made potato bread using the King Arthur Flour recipe. I made it Friday evening and baked it on Saturday to take to Mom's cousin for dinner on Saturday night. I forgot my camera, so no pictures, but here's the recipe: Potato Bread 1 tablespoon dry yeast 9 tablespoons (1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon) granulated sugar 1 1/2 cups lukewarm (110°F) potato water (water in which potatoes have been cooked) 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened 1 1/2 tablespoons salt 2 eggs 1 cup mashed potatoes (5 small potatoes, 2 medium or 1 large) 6 cups (approximately) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour Boil unskinned potatoes until easily pierced with the tip of a knife. Remove potatoes from water (reserving water), and let sit till they're cool enough to handle. Peel potatoes and mash them. Set aside. Dissolve yeast and 1 tablespoon of sugar in lukewarm potato water. Beat in butter, remaining 1/2 cup sugar, salt, eggs and potato. Stir in enough flour to make a dough suitable for kneading. Turn dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Or, knead in a mixer equipped with a dough hook for 5 minutes, or in a food processor for 90 seconds to 2 minutes. Place kneaded dough in a greased bowl, turning to coat all sides. Set bowl in the refrigerator overnight; for maximum flavor, we like to refrigerate it for about 16 hours. Remove dough from refrigerator and shape to fit 3 medium-sized (8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch) loaf pans, or 1 medium-sized and 1 large (10 x 5-inch) loaf pan, or 8 mini (6 x 3 1/2-inch) loaf pans. Let rise until doubled in bulk, about 4 hours (remember, dough is cold from refrigerator, and will take longer to rise). Bakes loaves in a preheated 375°F oven for 45 minutes, or until bread tests done. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack. Annie o RE: Cookalong #15 ------------ POTATOES clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Mon, Nov 23, 09 at 19:59 TTT...still waiting for Sherrman.. o RE: Cookalong #15 ------------ POTATOES clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Tue, Nov 24, 09 at 7:07 TTT o RE: Cookalong #15 ------------ POTATOES clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Tue, Nov 24, 09 at 9:44 Annie, I'm glad you posted that potato bread recipe, because when I made the gnocchi, I boiled one too many potatoes. They were very large, so I decided I didn't need 3. I'm wanting to make potato bread with the 3rd potato. Thanks. Sally o RE: Cookalong #15 ------------ POTATOES clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Tue, Nov 24, 09 at 12:03 I have to go out for the rest of the day but I'll check back this evening. Sherrman......where are you???? Nancy o RE: Cookalong #15 ------------ POTATOES clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Tue, Nov 24, 09 at 23:23 TTT o RE: Cookalong #15 ------------ POTATOES clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Wed, Nov 25, 09 at 11:48 Sherrman? o RE: Cookalong #15 ------------ POTATOES clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by kathleen_li (My Page) on Wed, Nov 25, 09 at 15:37 I bought a 50 lb bag of potatoes at the farm and I have been trying to find 50 ways to use them on my blog.. I cut them with fall shaped cutter, tossed them in oil and s and p and baked till browned.. I intend to do them with star cutters for Christmas. The gkids loved them.. Photobucket So many excellent potato recipes from all of you here..thank you! Here is a link that might be useful: LOTS of POTATOES... o RE: Cookalong #15 ------------ POTATOES clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by woodie2 (My Page) on Wed, Nov 25, 09 at 17:29 Kathleen - they're beautiful! What a cool idea. o RE: Cookalong #15 ------------ POTATOES clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings * Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Thu, Nov 26, 09 at 8:02 How cute! I can't imagine trying to use up 50# of potatoes before they start growing. I see you don't have the limited imagination I do. Sally

Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Mon, Nov 15, 10 at 19:49 Pull out The Holiday recipes! Annie1992 has picked out next ingredient and it a great one for this time of year. >>>>>>>>>>>>> BUTTER This basic staple is heavily used in recipes this time of year. What are some of your favorites? Recipes do not have to be just for the Holidays as I know we all use butter throughout the year. But please, no 'fake' butter recipes. Nancy Here is a link that might be useful: Cookalong #36 ------ HONEY Follow-Up Postings: o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by lindac (My Page) on Mon, Nov 15, 10 at 20:20 One of my faves....blender Hollendaise. Ingredients 4 egg yolks ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon dry mustard 1 Tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice ( I like 2 tablespoons) 1 shot tobasco - ¼ pound butter (one stick) Have eggs at room temp, as well as lemon juice. Place eggs, lemon, tobasco, salt and mustard into blender and blend until well mixed. Heat butter until bubbling hard but not brown….with blender running slowly pour into the blender….hot butter cooks the eggs and the sauce thickens….serve immediately or keep hot over boiling water. And of course Ann's Caramel sauce Linda, 1 cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup white sugar and one cup of whipping cream. pinch of salt (optional) and vanilla. Add everyone except the vanilla and bring to a boil. Cook for 5 or 6 minutes and remove from heat. Add vanilla. Ann. (If there is any left, eat with a spoon) LOL And there are shortbread cookies, spritz, butter cookies, pecan snow balls etc etc etc... It's all about butter! o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by doucanoe (My Page) on Mon, Nov 15, 10 at 21:04 OMG,I can feel my waistband tightening..... Aw heck, you only live once! Here we go! Buffalo Wings 2-1/2 lb chicken wings, separated 1/2 c butter 1/2c Louisiana Hot Sauce 2 6oz. pkg dry Italian dressing mix 2 T lemon juice 1/2 tsp dry basil Fry unbreaded wings in hot oil until meat is cooked and skin is crispy. Meanwhile, melt butter in saucepan, stir in remaining ingredients. Toss cooked wings in sauce until coated. Place wings on baking sheet and bake 10 minutes at 350º Serve with Blue Cheese dressing and celery sticks ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Originally posted back in 2005 by Janet_KS I have made this one often....super simple! Toffee 1/2 lb. butter 1 cup brown sugar (firmly packed) 4 or 5 Hershey bars or milk chocolate chips (approx. 6-8 oz.) 3/4 cup chopped pecans Butter cookie pan and sprinkle with 1/2 cup chopped nuts. Put butter and sugar in heavy skillet and bring to boil. Boil for 12 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour candy into cookie pan and allow it to cool a minute or two. Place chocolate on top of candy and wait a couple of minutes for it to soften. Spread chocolate evenly and top with remaining nuts. When cool, break into pieces. JANET'S NOTES: I sometimes use margarine instead of butter and usually only cook it for 10 minutes rather than 12 minutes (probably varies due to type of skillet used). To cool quickly, I put mine in the refrigerator. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This is the best Scampi recipe I've ever had. It's from allrecipes, posted by slipmaloney. Deeeee-Lish! Ultimate Shrimp Scampi 1 (16 ounce) package angel hair pasta 1/2 cup butter 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup minced onion 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley 1 tablespoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 dash Worcestershire sauce 1/4 cup lemon juice 1 teaspoon dry white wine 1 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp 1/2 cup Asiago cheese, diced 1 large avocado - peeled, pitted and diced Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the angel hair pasta, and cook until al dente, 2 to 3 minutes; drain. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, onion, parsley, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and white wine. Once the mixture begins to bubble, increase the heat to medium-high, and stir in the shrimp. Cook and stir until the shrimp turn pink, and are no longer transparent in the center, about 5 minutes. Serve the scampi over a bed of angel hair pasta, and sprinkle with Asiago cheese and avocado to serve. Linda o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by ruthanna (My Page) on Mon, Nov 15, 10 at 23:31 This is a truly decadent first course and needs the best quality ingredients you can find, including the butter. COACH HOUSE CRAB WITH PROSCIUTTO - 6 servings 24 thin slices of prosciutto 12 oz. Fresh lump crab meat 3/4 cup unsalted butter 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1/2 tsp. Tabasco sauce (I use Cholula) 1 lemon 2 Tbs. minced parsley Freshly ground black pepper Arrange 4 slices of prosciutto on a flat surface, each slightly overlapping the other. Place a heaping tablespoon of crab in the center of the end slice. Roll ham slices over filling cigar-style; repeat with remaining meat and crab to make 6 rolls. Heat butter in a large skillet; when it foams, add the six rolls. (The ham will cling to the drab when heated.) Turn rolls once and cook until ham starts to frizzle and crab is heated through. Transfer to a hot serving dish. Add Worcestershire and Tabasco to skillet and squeeze in juice of lemon. Heat for about 30 seconds and pour over ham. Sprinkle each roll with parsley and pepper. o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by canarybird (My Page) on Tue, Nov 16, 10 at 2:58 I'll have to add this one: AUNTY DOE'S SHORTBREAD Posted by canarybird (My Page) on Mon, Dec 17, 07 at 13:42 Here's the recipe from my Aunt which has been made for over 60 years and is a family favourite which has been passed on and on and on. It's one great shortbread!: Aunty Doe's Shortbread 1/2 lb salted butter - softened to room temperature 1/2 cup sifted icing sugar (confectioner's sugar) 2 cups flour Mix butter and icing sugar, then add flour, mixing by hand. Form into a brick shape...if necessary put in fridge to cool, then slice into thick rectangles. (Slice thickly from the end of the "brick" and then slice each one again so the pieces come out at around 1" x 2" (2.5 cm x 5 cm) and about 3/4 inch thick. She liked to put a small dot of either red or green glace cherry in the middle of each.) Bake on parchment lined cookie sheet at 275F for one hour. SharonCb o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by caliloo (My Page) on Tue, Nov 16, 10 at 3:08 YUM! Here are a few must haves for the holidays..... MARINATED SHRIMP WITH CHAMPAGNE BEURRE BLANC Sauce base 2 cups Champagne or other dry sparkling wine 1/3 cup finely chopped shallots 2 tablespoons Champagne vinegar or other white wine vinegar 1/4 teaspoon whole black peppercorns Shrimp 1 cup Champagne or other dry sparkling wine 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons minced shallots 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 24 extra-large uncooked shrimp (about 2 pounds), peeled with tail left intact, deveined 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives 1 tablespoon minced fresh tarragon 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley Nonstick vegetable oil spray 1 cup (2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 16 pieces For sauce base: Combine Champagne, shallots, vinegar, and peppercorns in heavy medium saucepan. Boil until reduced to 1/4 cup liquid, about 20 minutes. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover and let stand at room temperature.) For shrimp: Combine Champagne, olive oil, shallots, and ground pepper in resealable plastic bag. Add shrimp to bag and seal; shake bag to coat shrimp evenly. Marinate shrimp at room temperature at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour, turning bag occasionally. Mix chives, tarragon, and parsley in small bowl. Preheat broiler. Spray broiler pan with nonstick vegetable oil spray. Drain shrimp; discard plastic bag with marinade. Arrange shrimp on prepared pan in single layer. Broil shrimp until just opaque in center, about 2 minutes per side. Stand 3 shrimp, tails upright, in center of each plate. Rewarm sauce base over medium-low heat. Whisk in butter 1 piece at a time, just allowing each to melt before adding next (do not boil or sauce will separate). Season beurre blanc to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon warm sauce around shrimp. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and serve. Market tip: Champagne and sparkling wines labeled extra dry are actually slightly sweeter than those labeled brut. The latter works best for this dish. ******************************************************** Phyllo Triangles with Lobster Filling Martha Stewart Entertaining Makes about 50 1 Steamed Lobster 4 Tbsp unsalted butter 6 scallions finely chopped ¼ cup white wine or vodka 1 ½ tbsp all purpose flour ¼ cup heavy cream pinch of cayenne pepper Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper 1 lb Phyllo 1 lb unsalted butter, melted Remove meat from lobster and chop. Set aside Melt 2 tbsp butter in a small skillet and sauté the scallions for 2 or 3 min. Add lobster meat and wine or vodka and stir quickly to combine over high heat. Drain the mixture reserving the liquid. Melt the remaining 2 tbsp butter in another skillet. Add the flour and cook slowly without coloring the flour for 5 minutes. Add the reserved liquid and cream and stir constantly until the mixture begins to thicken. Stir the lobster meat back into the cream mixture, add cayenne and season to taste. Cool completely before filling the triangles. Prepare the triangles as you would sharon’s Spanikopita. If you need those directions, I can copy them over. o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by pat_t (My Page) on Tue, Nov 16, 10 at 4:26 OMG - this is to die for on a steak! ROQUEFORT BUTTER 1/2 lb. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature 2 shallots, sliced thin (about 2/3 cup) 1 clove garlic, minced 4 oz. Roquefort cheese, crumbled 1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves 1 Tblsp. good-quality red-wine vinegar Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste Melt 1 Tbs. of the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook until the shallots are soft, about 5 min. Set aside to cool. Meanwhile, using a mixer or a wooden spoon, beat the remaining butter until soft and creamy. Scrape the butter off the beaters or spoon. Add the cooled shallots and garlic, Roquefort, thyme, and vinegar to the butter and mix together with a rubber spatula. Season with salt and pepper. Taste again for balance, adding a drop more vinegar or a dash more salt if necessary. If you like, serve with a generous tablespoon of Roquefort Butter on each steak, letting the butter soften slightly on the cooked steak for a minute or two. Yields about 1-1/2 cups. This butter mixture, called a compound butter, can be stored in a covered plastic container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap the butter in plastic wrap or waxed paper, roll into a log 2 inches in diameter, and freeze for up to 2 months. Recipe from Fine Cooking magazine. o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by nancedar (My Page) on Tue, Nov 16, 10 at 4:43 Hope someone from up North, like Canada LOL, posts a TNT recipe for Butter Tarts. Ate one every day from a little bakery when I lived a short while in Brossard QC (next to Montreal). Yum. Nancy o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by jasdip (My Page) on Tue, Nov 16, 10 at 7:19 My Mom makes the best butter tarts! She even sells them at my step-father's work! LOL Walnuts/raisins are often in Canadian butter tarts. Mom just puts raisins in hers, but you can put both, or none in. Jasdip's Mom's Butter Tarts :D 2 eggs, beaten 1 cup brown sugar 1 tsp vanilla 2 tsp cream or half and half 1/2 cup butter, melted raisins Make pastry and cut with a large biscuit cutter and put into muffin cups. Put some raisins in each unbaked shell. Spoon mixture over top. Bake at 425 degrees 10 minutes, reduce heat to 350 until done, another 8-10 minutes. o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Tue, Nov 16, 10 at 7:46 BUTTERY DINNER ROLLS 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 (1/4 ounce) packages active dry yeast 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1/4 cup nonfat dry milk 1 1/4 cups warm water (105 to 115 degrees F) 1 large egg slightly beaten 8 tablespoons butter melted 2 tablespoons butter flavored vegetable shortening Place 2 cups flour in a large mixing bowl. Add yeast, salt, sugar and dry milk. Set aside. In a mixing bowl, combine water and egg and stir to blend. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour water mixture into the well. Mix by hand, beating 150 strokes and frequently scraping bottom and sides of bowl. Add 1/2 of the melted butter and beat to incorporate. Add remaining flour, about 1/3 cup at a time, beating to incorporate each addition. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Set dough in a warm, draft free place such as oven with a pan of the hottest tap water on the rack below. Allow batter to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. Coat cups, bottoms and sides of 12 cup muffin pan (or two small round pans) with shortening. Punch down batter (batter will be extremely soft and sticky). Drop by hand or spoonful into prepared muffin cups to make 12 rolls (or in pan touching the next). Brush dough with 1/2 remaining melted butter. Let rise uncovered in a warm draft free place until doubled in bulk, about 30 minutes. In preheated 400 degree oven, bake rolls on middle rack for 16-18 minutes. Brush tops of baked rolls with remaining melted butter. TEXAS ROADHOUSE CINNAMON BUTTER Texas Road House is known for their delicious rolls. 1 C. (2 sticks) butter, softened 1/3 C. sweetened condensed milk (chilled) 1/2 tsp. corn syrup 3/4 to 1 tsp. cinnamon (to taste) Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until mixture is smooth. Serve with hot rolls or muffins. This may be stored in the refrigerator. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This recipe eliminates the rolling and turns of the traditional croissant recipes. I freeze the butter in the second step and my pea sized chunks are larger rather than smaller peas. I have also used this dough to shape old fashioned Butterflake dinner rolls. EASY CROISSANTS Source of Recipe RC 1 package yeast 1 cup water 3/4 cup evaporated milk 1 egg 1/3 cup sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 5 cups flour, divided use 1/4 cup melted butter 1 cup firm butter 1 egg, beaten 1 tablespoon water In a bowl, combine yeast with water. Add evaporated milk, egg, sugar, salt and 1 cup of the flour. Beat to a smooth batter and blend in 1/4 cup melted butter. In a large bowl, cut the 1 cup of firm butter into the remaining 4 cups of flour until pea-sized. Pour the yeast mixture over the, butter-flour mixture and gently mix just until the flour is moistened. Cover with clear plastic wrap and refrigerate until well-chilled, 4 hours to 4 days. Knead the dough on a floured board about 6 turns to release air bubbles. Divide the dough into 4 equal parts. Keeping the other parts refrigerated, roll one part into a 15-inch diameter circle, then cut into 8 equal wedges. For each croissant, roll wedges toward the point. Gently turn the ends toward the center to form a crescent. Place on an ungreased baking sheet with the point down, about an inch apart. Repeat with remaining parts. Cover the croissants with a clean tea towel and let rise at room temperature. When almost doubled in bulk, about 2 hours, brush them with a mixture of the 1 beaten egg and 1 tablespoon water. Bake at 325 degrees for 35 minutes. My notes... after removing the dough from the refrigerator, knead a couple of times. Put half of the dough back into the refrigerator. Roll remaining dough, into a rectangle, fold up like a letter and roll into a rectangle again, about 10 X 15. Cut into 7 rolls along the wide side (zig-zag pattern) each roll will be about 4 1/2 to 5" on the wide end and 10" long. Repeat with other half of dough. Total 14 croissants that are large enough for making sandwiches. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Rolls Source of Recipe www 2 packages active dry yeast 1 cup warm water 2/3 cup plus 1 tsp. granulated sugar 1 cup warmed milk 2/3 cup butter 2 tsp. salt 2 eggs, slightly beaten 7 cups flour Filling: 1 cup melted butter 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts, optional 1 1/2 cups raisins, optional In a cup, combine yeast, warm water and 1 tsp. sugar, stir and set aside. In a large bowl, mix milk, remaining 2/3 cup sugar, melted butter, salt and eggs; stir well and add yeast mixture. Add half the flour and beat until smooth. Stir in enough of the remaining flour until dough is slightly stiff (dough will be sticky). Turn out onto a well-floured board; knead 5-10 minutes. Place in glass or plastic bowl and cover. Let rise in warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. When doubled, punch down dough and let rest 5 minutes. Roll out on floured surface into a 15 x 20 inch rectangle. To prepare filling: Spread dough with 1/2 cup melted butter. Mix together 1 1/2 cups sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over buttered dough. Sprinkle with walnuts and raisins, if using. Roll up and pinch edge together to seal. Cut into 12 slices. Coat bottom of a 13-by-9-inch baking pan and an 8-inch square pan with remaining 1/2 cup melted butter, then sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Place cinnamon roll slices close together in pans. Let rise in warm place until dough is doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes. Topping: 1 cup butter or margarine 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup Karo syrup 2 cups pecans chopped (optional) In a saucepan place all ingredients except for the pecans. Melt these ingredients on range top. Mix in pecans then pour over top of rolls. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. bake for approximately 25 minutes or until done. Let cool. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Enjoy! Nancy o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by ruthanna (My Page) on Tue, Nov 16, 10 at 8:27 CAUTION: This recipe uses uncooked eggs.. TOASTED WALNUT BUTTER ��" 4 cups ��" 8 servings 1 pound butter, room temperature 3 Tbs. heavy cream 3 egg yolks 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 1 cup lightly toasted ground walnuts 2 tsp. salt 2 tsp. pepper 1 1/2 Tbs. minced garlic In a food processor or by hand, cream the butter. Add the cream and egg yolks and blend until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients. Refrigerate, well covered, if not using immediately. For each entree serving, have 1/ 2 cup of the butter at room temperature; toss with cooked, drained pasta over low heat in the pasta cooking pan. Dust with minced parsley and additional Parmesan, if desired. This butter is also good on baked potatoes, steamed green vegetables, chicken breasts, etc. Minced fresh herbs can be added but I prefer to let the walnuts be the dominant flavor. o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by jessyf (My Page) on Tue, Nov 16, 10 at 9:21 Just found this one on thekitchn. Thinking about it for Friday AM after T-giving. No-Knead Pumpkin Rolls with Brown Sugar Glaze Makes 16-18 rolls For the dough: 1/4 cup water 1 scant tablespoon yeast (1 package) 1 cup milk 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup sugar 1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour For the filling: 1/2 cup butter 1 cup packed brown sugar 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ginger 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 2 cups pecans - toasted, chopped, and divided in half (optional) For the glaze: 1/4 cup butter 1/2 cup milk 1 cup brown sugar pinch salt 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar Sprinkle the yeast over the water and let it sit a few minutes until the yeast is dissolved. Meanwhile, warm the milk and butter in a small saucepan on the stove top until the butter is melted. Combine this with the sugar in a large heat-proof mixing bowl and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Let the milk mixture cool until it is just warm to the touch - NOT HOT. Then stir in the yeast and the pumpkin. Add the salt and five cups of the flour all at once, stirring until all the flour has been absorbed. Squish it between your hands if you’re having trouble incorporating the last of the flour. The dough will be sticky, but should come together in a shaggy ball. If it's still more the consistency of cookie batter, work in an additional 1/2 cup of flower. Cover the dough and let it rise for 1-3 hours. During this time, it should double in bulk. At this point, you can punch the dough down and refrigerate it overnight or continue shaping the rolls. To shape the rolls (either immediately or with the refrigerated dough), sprinkle your work surface with a little flour and dump the dough on top. Pat it down into a rough rectangle and then use a floured rolling pin to roll it into a rectangular shape about a half an inch thick, longer than it is wide. If the dough gets sticky, sprinkle a little more flour on the dough’s surface and on your hands. Melt the butter in the microwave and stir in the brown sugar and the spices. Spread this over the rectangle of dough, leaving an inch of bare dough at the top. Sprinkle one cup of the toasted pecans over the dough, if using. Starting at the edge closest to you, roll the dough into a cylinder and pinch it closed at the top. Rub a tablespoon of soft butter into the bottom of two 9x13 baking dishes, two 9-inch cake pans, or a combination. Using a bench cutter or a sharp knife, cut the cylinder into individual rolls 1 - 1 1/2 inches thick. Place them into your baking dishes so they have a little wiggle room on all sides to rise. Cover them with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise until they fill the pan and look puffy, 30 minutes for already-warm dough and 1 hour for dough that’s been refrigerated. About 20 minutes before baking, begin heating the oven to 375°. When the rolls are ready, bake them for 20-25 minutes, until the tops are golden and starting to look toasted around the edges. Rotate the pans halfway through cooking. While they are baking, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the milk and butter. When the butter has melted, add the brown sugar and salt. Stir until the brown sugar has melted. Remove from heat and strain into a mixing bowl to remove any sugar clumps. Stir in the powdered sugar. This should form a thick but pourable glaze. Let the baked rolls cool for about five minutes and then pour the glaze on top. Sprinkle the remaining cup of pecans over the top, if more nuttiness is desired. Eat them immediately. Leftovers will keep for several days and are best reheated for a minute in the microwave. o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Tue, Nov 16, 10 at 9:38 Here's one of my favorites, from one of my favorite forum members. Lars, I hope you don't mind me posting this recipe. Oh, and I've always followed it as written, using the Amaretto. I bet they're good using the other suggested substitutes as well. Lars' Danish Butter Cookies  1-1/4 cups unsalted butter, softened 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar 3 egg yolks, beaten 2-1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cream of tartar 1-1/2 teaspoons Amaretto   How to Prepare : Cream butter and sugar. Beat egg yolks in, one at a time. Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Chill dough. Roll dough into small balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Press dough with any press or glass dipped in sugar. Bake at 325 degrees for 12 to 18 minutes, or until lightly brown around edge. Remove immediately from cookie sheet and cool. You can substitute other flavorings for the Amaretto, such as a bit of grated lemon rind or vanilla or coconut extract. Sally o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by denise8101214 (My Page) on Tue, Nov 16, 10 at 11:15 Here is a recipe for Pasta Frolla from my friend and neighbor. I had a little trouble with the conversions but maybe your scales will make that easier. The conversions I use are in parenthesis. It is like a rich shortbread. She served it filled with lemon curd with a few shapes of the dough on top. Very pretty, very tasty. Pasta Frolla 270 gr. (2 cups) All purpose flour 115 gr. (1 cup) Powdered sugar 135 gr. (9 1/2 Tbsp.) Butter 4 Egg yolks A little orange peel grated Using a food processor mix the flour with the diced butter to make crumbs. Add sugar and orange peel then one yolk at a time. The pastry will all lump together. Leave it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Using a rolling pin, roll out on a board or cold surface. Remove some to make criss-cross pattern or shapes with cutters on the surface after filling the base. Using a flan dish (for this quantity I use a flan dish that measures about 9.5 inches in diameter. If the pastry breaks when you try to lift it to put in the dish, don’t worry, just piece it together in the dish and put bits around the edge of the dish too. The fill it with lemon curd or whatever you want. When you have finished adding the pastry on top, be it criss-cross or shapes, use some of your egg whites to brush all the pastry that is visible. I cooked it at about 350 degree F for about 45 minutes. Mine is a convection oven so you’ll just have to be careful. Here is a link to a blog recipe that is similar and it has pictures. Here is a link that might be useful: Similar recipe o Cookalong #37 --- BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by denise8101214 (My Page) on Tue, Nov 16, 10 at 11:21 Links to all the other cookalongs. Here is a link that might be useful: Cookalong Links o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by lindac (My Page) on Tue, Nov 16, 10 at 14:43 Forgot about one of my favorite uses for butter. Buy whole lobsters....get big pot of salted water to boiling, plunge lobsters in head first, clap on the lid and boil about 6 minutes for small "chicken" lobster. Drain, remove feelers and place on your plate along side a dish containing about 1/2 a cup of melted butter. Works with crab too! Linda C o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by mustangs (My Page) on Tue, Nov 16, 10 at 15:19 Annie selected BUTTER?? Ratz! Butter and cream are my nemeses (plural of Nemesis?)...but Annie is my hero. As usual, I'll be watching the Cookalong closely. o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by publickman (My Page) on Tue, Nov 16, 10 at 15:54 Sally, thanks for posting that recipe! I'm not on the forum much at home, and I don't have the recipe here. It's definitely one of my favorite butter recipes, and I've made it often. You know I was born in Texas, don't you! One of my favorite new uses for butter is to make grilled garlic toast. Here's the method: Mash two or three cloves of garlic in a mortar & pestle with about a teaspoon of salt. Add one stick of soft butter and blend with the garlic. Add 2-4 tablespoons of EVOO plus fresh herbs and fresh black pepper, as you desire. Slice your bread of choice (I use sourdough) into 1/2" thick slices, butter both sides, and then place the bread on a charcoal grill for a smoked flavor. If the grill is very hot, they will toast in about two minutes each side, and so you have to watch them carefully. The butter is very good at absorbing the smoky flavor, and I always use Mesquite charcoal. You could grill them inside, but the flavor will not be the same. If you toast them in a toaster oven, put butter on one side only and make the slices thinner. Lars o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by jasdip (My Page) on Tue, Nov 16, 10 at 18:16 This is my go-to biscuit recipe. Super easy, and delicious. I cut it in half, for the 2 of us. Baking Powder Biscuits 4 cups flour 2 tbsp baking powder 3/4 tsp salt 1 cup butter, cubed 1 3/4 cups milk In large bowl whisk flour, baking powder and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until coarse crumbs. (I also rub some in with my fingers.) Pour almost all of the milk over top, stirring with a fork to form ragged dough. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. With lightly floured hands, knead gently until dough comes together. Pat or roll into 3/4" thickness. Using a 3 1/4" floured cutter, cut out rounds. Place on ungreased rimless baking sheet. Gather up scraps and cut more rounds, pressing remaining scraps into final biscuit. Brush tops with remaining milk and bake in center of 375* oven for about 30 minutes or until golden. Let cool on pan on rack. Leftovers or make-ahead: Wrap individually in plastic wrap and freeze in airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Thaw and reheat in 350* oven 10 minutes. o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by triciae (My Page) on Tue, Nov 16, 10 at 18:40 We don't much like white pastas or red sauces but this time of year we really enjoy these ravs. DH made them a couple weeks ago & used wonton wrappers since making pasta isn't yet something he's willing to try. They were great but if you use the wontons you have to be careful 'cause they cook very quickly & will fall apart...we know because DH lost the first batch! :) Roasted Butternut Squash Ravioli with a Sage Brown Butter Sauce Ingredients 9 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons minced shallots 1 cup roasted butternut squash puree Salt/Pepper, to taste 3 tablespoons heavy cream 3 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus 2 ounces Pinch nutmeg (itty-bitty pinch) 1 recipe pasta dough, rolled out into wide ribbons, about 1/4-inch thick 12 fresh sage leaves 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley leaves Directions In a large saute pan, over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add the shallots and saute for 1 minute. Add the squash puree and cook until the mixture is slightly dry, about 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the cream and continue to cook for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in 3 tablespoons cheese and nutmeg, to taste. Season with salt and pepper. Cool completely. Cut the pasta ribbons into 3-inch squares. Place 2 teaspoons of the filling in the center of each pasta square. Bring 1 corner of the square to the other, forming a triangle and seal the pasta completely. Add the pasta to pot of boiling salted water. Cook until al dente, about 2 to 3 minutes or until the pasta floats and is pale in color. Remove the pasta from the water and drain well. Season the pasta with salt and pepper. In a large saute pan, melt the remaining 8 tablespoons of butter. Add the sage to the butter and continue to cook until the butter starts to brown. Remove from the heat. Place some of the pasta in the center of each serving plate. Spoon the butter sauce over the pasta. Sprinkle the 2 ounces of cheese over each plate and garnish with parsley. /tricia P.S. These are also very good with a bit of finely crumbled bacon added to the squash puree. Not much, just a tablespoon, or so. o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by shambo (My Page) on Tue, Nov 16, 10 at 18:58 This is one of my absolute favorites! I even served kourabiedes at my wedding instead of cake. I used to drive my mom & grandma nuts snitching bits of raw dough. Just be careful to not inhale any powdered sugar when you eat them! This is my family's recipe. Kourabiedes (Greek Butter Cookies) Traditional Greek Christmas cookies coated with powdered sugar. 1 pound sweet, unsalted butter ½ cup powdered sugar 1 egg yolk 4-4½ cups flour (no more than 4½ cups) 1-2 pounds powdered sugar Soften butter at room temperature. In large bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy using an electric mixer. Add sugar and egg yolk and continue to cream. Gradually add the flour, a little at a time, until a very, very soft dough is formed. Break off pieces slightly larger than a walnut and roll into balls, half-moons, or S-curves. Place on unbuttered cookie sheets (use parchment paper, if desired) allowing an inch between each cookie. Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until golden colored, not browned; do not over bake. Remove from the oven and carefully place on paper towels and allow to cool. Sift powdered sugar over cooled cookies; they must be very well coated. Makes about 3 dozen cookies. For a colorful presentation, cookies may be served in individual paper muffin baking cups. Variations: ·Add ½ cup blanched and finely chopped almonds or finely chopped walnuts to the dough before shaping. ·Add 1 teaspoon vanilla with the egg yolk. ·Add ½ teaspoon baking powder for a lighter, fluffier cookie. ·Sprinkle cookies with 1-2 tablespoons rose water as soon as they come out of the oven (before dusting with powdered sugar). ·Stud each cookie with a whole clove before baking. o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by annie1992 (My Page) on Tue, Nov 16, 10 at 21:43 LOL, Cathy. Yes, butter seemed like a good choice, with the holidays coming up.... Annie o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Wed, Nov 17, 10 at 9:42 Yes. Lars, I knew you at least lived in Texas. I see your cookies in my near future! Denise, I've never heard of pasta frolla. Can you tell more about what it is? Sally o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by nancedar (My Page) on Wed, Nov 17, 10 at 22:00 jasdip - OMG those butter tarts are even better than I remember in Brossard! Please give a hug to your mom and tell her she made my day, week, month, year, lifetime with that recipe. All you Southern continent folks really need to try this treat. Actually, I sent it to my sister in Alaska so she would be just Western continent. LOL. Nancy o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by jasdip (My Page) on Sat, Nov 20, 10 at 19:24 I just read your post now Nancy. Gee thanks!!!! They are the best I've ever had, and I'm not even being biased. I'm truthful, they are. Not sickeningly sweet and runny. Glad I could help you find a great butter tart recipe! o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by lorijean44 (My Page) on Sun, Nov 21, 10 at 10:24 My contributions are all cookies: Butter Bits 1 cup flour 1/2 cup butter, room temperature 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pinch of salt Preheat oven to 375 F. Mix all ingredients. Place walnut-sized ball of dough on parchment- or silicone mat-lined baking sheet. Flatten in criss-cross pattern with floured fork. Bake for 15 - 18 minutes. (Mine browned a little too much this time.) When completely cooled, lightly sprinkle with confectioners's sugar before serving. Yield: 1 to 1-1/2 dozen cookies * * * * * * * * * * Shortbread 1 pound of butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 cup sugar 5 - 6 cups of unbleached flour Cream the butter with the extracts. Gradually add the sugar and the flour. When the climate is dry, I generally only need 5 cups of flour. It was raining most of the day today and it took all 6 cups of flour to come together. Pat/roll the dough out to a rectangle on an ungreased cookies sheet, 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch thick. Prick the top of the dough with a fork. Bake at 350 F for 25 - 30 minutes, or until the edges barely turn golden. Slice the dough while still warm, but leave on the cookie sheet until thoroughly cooled. * * * * * * * * * * Russian Teacakes 2/3 cups toasted nuts (hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts are all good choices - I used walnuts this time) 2 cups of flour, divided 1 cup of unsalted butter, room temperature 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup confectioners' sugar to roll baked cookies in Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Toast the nuts in a dry skillet on top of the stove over low heat, stirring frequently. (This should take about 5 - 8 minutes.) Cool. Place cooled, toasted nuts and 2 tablespoons of the flour in a food processor, and finely chop the nuts, being careful not to over-process the nuts to a paste. Set aside. In bowl of mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 1 - 2 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Add remaining flour and salt, and beat until well-combined. Stir in nuts. Cover and refrigerate dough for about 1 hour or until dough is firm. Form the dough into walnut-sized balls, and place them 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.Bake 12 - 15 minutes, until the edges of the cookies start to turn golden. Remove from oven and place on cooling rack for about 3 minutes. In a large bowl, sift remaining powdered sugar. Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar until well-covered. Store in an airtight container. Makes about 3 dozen cookies. Lori o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Sun, Nov 21, 10 at 11:04 Lori, those all look so good! I love your photos, too, especially the one of the shortbread. But I want to try the Russian Tea Cakes. Jasdip, I scrolled back and looked at your recipe for the Butter Tarts. Can you elaborate on your recipe? There are so many pastry recipes, what do you use for pastry? The ignorant want to know. (Me.) Sally o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by jasdip (My Page) on Sun, Nov 21, 10 at 11:50 Here's Mom's pastry that she uses Sally. I love the pastry part the best! One time when we were all coming, she made a batch of butter tarts, but left one unfilled. Just baked pastry. For me! LOL I always pick the tart with the most pastry showing. 5 cups flour 1 tbsp sugar 1/4 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 1/2 lb butter 1/2 lb lard (or 1 lb) lard 1 egg 1 tbsp vinegar Combine dry ingredients, and cut in lard/butter. Mix an egg in 1 cup measure, add vinegar and add 3/4 cup ice water. Add the liquid to the flour, stirring with a fork. Mix into a ball, divide into 2. Refrigerate one of the balls, freeze the other for future use. Roll and cut with biscuit cutter or a can, and press into muffin tins. (I don't know what size of a cutter mom uses, but it's big, because she always has a "dimple" on each tart. That's how I distinguish hers from anyone else's on a plate. LOL o Question for jasdip clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by walnutcreek (My Page) on Sun, Nov 21, 10 at 15:54 For the pastry your mom uses, the following was posted: 5 cups flour 1 tbsp sugar 1/4 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 1/2 lb butter 1/2 lb lard (or 1 lb) lard 1 egg 1 tbsp vinegar Will you please clarify the: 1/2 lb lard (or 1 lb) lard o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by jasdip (My Page) on Sun, Nov 21, 10 at 16:02 Sorry for the confusion! Either 1/2 lb butter plus 1/2 lb lard, or 1 lb lard. Whichever your preference. o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Sun, Nov 21, 10 at 17:00 Not a lard eater here, but is it basically a pie dough? Sally o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by booberry85 (becky@leadsafe.us) on Sun, Nov 21, 10 at 17:58 Butterhorns This came from Penzeys One Magazine, issue one 2005. This is a â€sleeper.ââ¬Â They donââ¬â¢t seem like very much when you first make them, but you find yourself craving them. The recipe makes 72 cookies. Ingredients Dough 1 (2 ý teaspoons) package yeast 1 þ cups milk, divided ý cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided 2 eggs 1 cup butter 5-5 ý cups flour 1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar Filling ý cup sugar ü cup butter, melted 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon Icing 1 cup powdered sugar 1 tablespoon butter, softened 2 tablespoons milk ü teaspoon pure vanilla extract Heat ý cup milk to lukewarm (warm to touch). Pour into a small bowl with yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes, until foamy. In a large mixing bowl, beat 2 eggs with ý cup sugar until blended. Melt 1 cup butter. Mix with 1 ý cup warm milk. Pour milk, butter, yeast mixture and 2 ý cups flour into the mixing bowl. Blend until just mixed. The dough will be very wet. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk (1 to 1 ý hours). After the first rise, mix in 2 ý cups flour. If the dough is still sticky, mix in another ü cup to ý cup flour. Grab a hunk of dough the size of a tennis ball and roll it in a circular shape on a lightly floured surface. Use as little flour as possible. In a small bowl, combine filling ingredients. Spread the filling, about a tablespoon, on the dough circle. Donââ¬â¢t spread too much filling or butterhorns will unroll during baking. Cut the circle into 8 triangles (like a pizza), and roll the butterhorns up, starting at the outside edge. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and place on a greased baking sheet. o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by jasdip (My Page) on Sun, Nov 21, 10 at 18:14 Sally, Yes, a pie pastry! o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by walnutcreek (My Page) on Sun, Nov 21, 10 at 19:53 Here are two butter recipes I like. One is savory and one is sweet. Provençal Butter This recipe comes from Jean Francois Meteigner of La Cachette in Los Angeles, CA. 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter 2 teaspoons finely chopped black olives 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary 1 teaspoon chopped garlic 1 teaspoon ground black pepper Allow butter to soften. Sauté the rosemary for 10 seconds in a dab of butter, remove and let cool. Mix all ingredients with a wire whisk until well combined. Serve with French baguettes or freshly baked sourdough rolls. Orange Honey Butter 1 lb. butter 2 1/2 C. honey 3/4 C. light brown sugar 1/2 t. cinnamon 1 t. lemon zest 1 T. orange zest Mix all these ingredients in your mixer bowl. Blend to combine and then whip it until it is very light. Roll it into several logs or put in a crock and chill. Very good on toast, French toast, pancakes, etc. o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by annie1992 (My Page) on Sun, Nov 21, 10 at 22:08 I was waiting for Ruthanna to post, this is her recipe, but this is one of my favorite ways to use butter, it's wonderful melted over pan fried fish, and equally good as a spread on bread or melted to sauce vegetables. TOMATO BASIL BUTTER à 1 Tbs. olive oil à 1 1/ 2 cups peeled, seeded and chopped tomatoes (about 1 lb.) à 2 tsp. minced garlic à 1/ 2 cup sweet butter softened à 2 tsp. grated lemon rind à 1/ 2 tsp. salt à 1/ 8 tsp. pepper à 1/4 cup minced fresh basil à à Heat the olive oil in a small skillet. Add the tomatoes and garlic and sauté, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes or until the tomatoes form a puree that will mound. Let cool. à Put the butter in a mixing bowl and beat in the tomatoes and remaining ingredients. Can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated but best served at room temperature so that it will melt quickly over the fish. à à Freezes well, make a ââ¬Å"logââ¬Â, wrap in waxed paper, then Ziploc bags. Annie o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by sally2 (My Page) on Mon, Nov 22, 10 at 8:22 I made Lori's Russian Tea Cakes last night, and they're very good. Mine don't look as pretty as hers do in her picture, though. (Isn't that the case with cookbook pictures, too?!) I waited 3 minutes, then rolled them in the powdered sugar, and it sort of melted, or dissolved soon after rolling them. They taste fine, though. Oh and the other thing that happened was that the first one I rolled, I sort of gently tossed it into the bowl of sugar, and it broke completely into crumbs, almost like it exploded. I don't know why. I was much, much more gentle with the following cookies. They are very tender cookies, and just melt in the mouth. Sally o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by chase (My Page) on Fri, Nov 26, 10 at 13:56 Jasdip, I just finished making a batch of your Mom's butter tarts and they are wonderful! Best I've had. My recipe uses corn syrup which bugs me so I've been looking for one that didn't. Yours is it! I love them...so won't be making them often! LOL Thank your Mom for me. o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Thu, Dec 9, 10 at 9:32 I just read through this again and I know I gained a couple of pounds while reading. It all sounds so good. I'm going to pick a name right now for our last Cookalong of 2010.... >>>>>>>>>>> Lorijean44 Please put your thinking cap on and let us know what you decide. Just post your choice here and I'll start the new thread. Nancy o RE: Cookalong #37 ----BUTTER! clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by wizardnm (My Page) on Thu, Dec 9, 10 at 16:18 Lori has picked dates for Cookalong #38. Thank you Lori, that's a good idea. I know I use more dates this time of year than any other. I'll get it set up now... Nancy Here is a link that might be useful: Cookalong #38 ---- Dates!