Sugar Baking Blog: Strawberry Shortcake with Grand Marnier 4th of J…: “Ingredients for dough. 2 cup flour 1 egg 2 teaspoons baking power 1/4 cup sugar plus 1 tablespoon 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extra…”
Monthly Archives: June 2011
Yogurt Parfait Berries and Homemade Granola or a Kashi mix
Delicious Homemade Granola: Made with Hemp granola, Chia seeds, Golden Flax seeds, Goji berries, dried fruits and seeds with Cocoa bits or nibs. Homemade Granola is a great weekender.
Kids will think they are having dessert for brunch or breakfast. Bag the granola in baggies for a snack, take to school or office.
Keep some in the car for that long drive or sitting in rush hour traffic!
How to make your own Homemade Granola.
Best place to buy all your ingredients is at WholeFoods Markets or your favorite organic store. WholeFoods has a nice selection of Organic items and they sell by weigh. The selection of dried fruits such as cranberries, cherries, raisins and many nuts and seeds. is a nice selection. You can mix and match what ever you like in your granola. All seeds should be raw and unsalted.
There is a Honey toasted Oats that you can add to your mix if you do not want to bake your own Honey Oats using Raw Oats.
Suggested Ingredients:
Honey or Maple syrup
Raw Oats or Honey Roasted Oats
Hemp Granola
Chi seeds
Golden Flax seeds
Pumpkin seeds
sliced Almonds ( Trader Joe’s )
Goji berries
Cocoa bits or Nibs ( same thing )
Cranberries
or if you do not have time to make your own granola add Kashi Go Lean cereal crunch with a touch of Honey sweetness.
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| Loreen’s perfect Granola mix . A good crunch with a nice combination of flavors. |
( Optional )
Coconut
sesame seeds
sunflower seeds
Fresh Fruit for a Yogurt Parfait
Fresh strawberries chopped
Banana slices
Blueberries
Raspberries
Mango chopped
Be creative, add your favorite fresh fruits.
Directions: Pre-heat oven at 300 degrees F
This is only if you want your Granola toasted and are using Raw Oats.
Using a baking sheet ( cookie sheet ) cover with parchment paper ( optional ) or lightly spray with a cooking oil.
drizzle lightly with honey or Maple.
Bake for about 20 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Stir once while baking in the oven.
Last 3 minutes of baking toast slice almonds. Do not burn Almonds.
Let the Oats, nuts and seeds cool completely before adding dry fruits, seeds and Cocoa nibs
Mix and store in an air tight container. I like to use a cereal container, works best but I am sure any container will work. Granola stores up to 2 weeks .
For a Fresh Fruit Yogurt Parfait, I recommend any type of Greek yogurt. We love Greek Gods yogurt and Vanilla yogurt is delicious
Layer a clear glass container with yogurt and fruits. Garnish the topping with your homemade granola. Use martini glasses or wine glasses.
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| You can make the Parfait in small glasses as a started for a brunch or breakfast. |
What are Goji berries?
( information from WholeFoods Market )
Goji Berries
These little dried red berries, like cacao nibs, are another “super food” getting a lot of attention lately for their antioxidant powers. Goji berries are especially rich in carotenoids and xeaxanthin–both nutrients that are fantastic for supporting healthy eyes and vision. Goji grows naively in China, Mongolia, and Tibet and is a member of the nightshade family. The berries have a similar texture to raisins but are a bit more tangy. Use them to boost the “eye-Q” of your granola or as a hot cereal topping. Goji juice is also available in the antioxidant section of the Whole Body department.
These little dried red berries, like cacao nibs, are another “super food” getting a lot of attention lately for their antioxidant powers. Goji berries are especially rich in carotenoids and xeaxanthin–both nutrients that are fantastic for supporting healthy eyes and vision. Goji grows naively in China, Mongolia, and Tibet and is a member of the nightshade family. The berries have a similar texture to raisins but are a bit more tangy. Use them to boost the “eye-Q” of your granola or as a hot cereal topping. Goji juice is also available in the antioxidant section of the Whole Body department.
Health benefits?
Goji Berries contain 19 amino acids including Isoleucine and Methione., this is 6 times more than Bee Pollen provides. The Linoleic acid that is found in Goji Berries promotes body fat loss and has been found to be 15 times more nutritional than spinach, and taste better too.
Cacao Nibs or bits
Cacao nibs are a raw chocolate before all other stuff has been added. Cacao beans are roasted, than hulled, then lightly crushed to create the nibs. Most nibs then go on to be powdered and have cocoa butter, sugar, and milk added. Since the bulk of the antioxidant punch from chocolate comes the pure cacao bean, the nibs are more nutrient rich than their creamy bar cousins. On their own, they are bittersweet and taste like chocolatey coffee bean. They are used in bake goods, trail mixes, granola and Mexican mole sauces.
Honey Muffins using Kashi Cereal very Flavorful
These kashi \”Go Lean Crunch\” cereal muffins are moist and very flavorful. Make a dozen, share with friends, take some to work. Freeze Muffins or grab one in the morning on your way out. Great with your morning Coffee or Tea.
Ingredients:
4 cups Kashi \”Go Lean Crunch\” “Go Lean Crunch” cereal
1 cup Passion Fruit juice (or apple)
1 cup soy milk
1 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup black raisins
1/2 cup carrot shredded (optional) I did not use it
1/2 cup canola oil
5 eggs beaten
1/2 cup dark honey
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup Trader Joe’s slice Almonds
1/2 teaspoon salt
Optional ingredients
:cranberries (I added cranberries to my Kashi muffins)
zest of an Orange
chopped Dates
Walnuts
Golden Flax seeds
Directions: Pre-heat oven at 375 degrees F Makes 18 Muffins
Prepare greased muffin cup or use foil cupcake cups. The Muffin comes out easy using disposable foil cups.
Prepare greased muffin cup or use foil cupcake cups. The Muffin comes out easy using disposable foil cups.
In a large bowl combine 4 cups Kashi Go Lean Crunch, juice, soy milk, oil, honey, mix and set aside
Mix all dry ingredients in a medium bowl, brown sugar, flour, baking soda and salt.
Stir well.
Beat eggs and pour into cereal mixture, mixing well than mix in dry ingredients into cereal mixture.
Mix raisins and almonds in the Kashi cereal mixture.
Spoon mixture into muffin cups 2/3 full. Top the muffin batter with dry Kashi cereal and drizzle a little honey on top of batter mixture.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
Why I like Kashi, first of all, I am not paid to endorsing this product. What I am starting to do is letting friends know what I use because I am asked “What kind of cereal did you use?”
I shop at different markets, I like WholeFoods (healthy and local grown produce), and Trader Joe\’s, has a little of everything at great prices. TJ and WholeFoods have a wonderful selection of nuts, dried fruits and organic seeds etc, you can also find Kashi cereal at most supermarkets.
Back to why I like Kashi, in a box you have all the combinations of Crunch, Fiber, Omega-3 all the good stuff of multi grain with a touch of honey sweetness.
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| add this Kashi cereal to your muffin batter |
This cereal is great as a topping on yogurt with 1/2 teaspoon honey and fresh blueberries or strawberries. Sprinkle golden flax seed and you will have a healthy, crunchy breakfast parfait. I will post a photo on my breakfast parfait recipe. Yogurt parfait use Kashi cereal as a topping
Enjoy these Kashi Honey Muffins that are moist and tasty.
Bell Peppers Italian style Antipasto
There is nothing like fresh homemade roasted Italian Bell Peppers. It is best to use red, yellow or orange bell peppers.
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| On a hot grill roast the bell pepper |
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| Turn the bell peppers so that all sides are charred, this will cook the bell pepper on all sides. |
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| a perfect roasted bell pepper |
Put all hot charred bell peppers in a brown paper bag and close the bag. The steam of the hot peppers will make it easy to peel off charred skin.
A Peel bell pepper
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| place all peel pepper on a platter. Rinse your hands if your hands are blacken by the charred skin but do not rinse peppers in water. Make sure your hands are dry. |
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| Cut pepper, clean out seeds and cut off the top. Discard tops. |
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| A clean bell pepper |
In a bowl add 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, diced garlic, salt and fresh ground pepper to your liking. Add fresh basil, chopped parsley and dry oregano. Add bell peppers, make sure all peppers are brushed with olive oil, and marinate for a couple of hours. Refrigerate peppers. Serve cold.
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| Serve peppers on a platter. Enjoy with sandwiches, as a side dish, or as an appetizer, |
This recipe was requested by my friend Cindy Wu.
Enjoy<3
Mussels with pasta cooked in Wine, Garlic and Lemon
Summer time is here and this is a recipe that is easy and fast to make for those hot summer days.
Ingredients:
- 2 Lbs mussels fresh or frozen
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons good olive oil
- 1 cup chopped shallots
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup chopped paisley
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- 1 finely diced jalapeno
- 1 cup good dry white wine
- 2 lemons (juice of i lemon for cooking with mussels and the other cut up for the dish)
- 1 teaspoons sea salt
- freshly ground black pepper to your liking
- 1 bag of your favorite spaghetti
- cilantro for garnish
Directions:
Clean your mussels in a bowl of water to make sure all sand is gone. Rinse until water is clear. Remember if the shell does not open, when cooked, disregard the mussel and throw it away.
In a large pot or skillet add butter and olive oil. Add shallots and cook at a low heat until translucent .
At this point start to boil water for your pasta using a large pot. Bring to a boil.
Add garlic (do not burn the garlic). Cook for a minute than add wine, parsley, cilantro, jalapeno, juice of a lemon and add cut lemon skin into the pot. Salt & pepper to your liking. Bring to a boil than reduce to a medium heat, adding mussels. Stir well and cover with a lid.
Cook 8-10 minutes. Do not over cook the mussels or they will be rubbery in texture.
Cook 8-10 minutes. Do not over cook the mussels or they will be rubbery in texture.
n your pasta pot with boiling water, add the spaghetti cook according to package directions (about 9 minutes) Add pasta amount depending on servings.
At this point both should be ready about the same time.
When mussels are done do not open the lid. Place cooked pasta in a large platter or bowl. Spoon the cooked mussels over pasta. Sever with fresh cilantro and lemon slices.
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| Easy mussel seafood recipe for lazy summer days |
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| very refreshing papaya salad |
Enjoy with my papaya salad recipe. Enjoy the rest of the white wine with your meal!
Spicy Lime Cucumber Avocado Salad with a hint of Chili
I have a lime tree and I try to use lime in many dishes. Lime chicken, lime salads, Lime pies, cookies and so on. This lime salad had a nice crunch and a little hint of hot jalapeno chili. Cucumbers and avocado cool the hot jalapeno.
Ingredients:
2 Persian cucumbers sliced
1 small onion ( chopped and marinated in juice of 1/2 lemon )
2 avocados cut cubes
1 tomato diced
1/2 Lime juice
1 lemon juice
1 honey orange juice’( any orange )
hand full cilantro
1 1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 green onion diced
1 jalapeno diced
salt
pepper
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| green salad with crunch and spice |
Directions:
Chop the onion and marinate in lemon juice for 30 minutes. In a serving dish, add the cut up cubes of avocado, sliced cucumbers, tomato diced, green onion diced.and dice the jalapeno very fine and sprinkle over the salad. Add the lime, orange and lemon juice. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Mix in the onionsinto the greens, adding olive oil, toss lighty and mix well,
Before serving add cilantro, salt & pepper.
Enjoy with a steak or chicken.
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| Healthy dinner plate. Watermelon & feta salad, spicy lime salad, grill pineapple with grill chicken. Baked sweet potato garlic asparagus. |
Salads do not have to be boring or served with store salad dressing. Fruit juices and chili, herbs and spice can create a nice natural salad dressing.
Filed under Salad
Papaya Salad with a bite of chili… lazy Summer days
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| refreshing Summer salad with a little chili |
This is a very refreshing Papaya salad for those lazy summer days. When it’s too hot and you need a refreshing salad or last minute side dish. The papaya salad will bring back days of a tropical vacation. Spoon salad in lettuce leaves with a nice muffin for brunch. Going to a BBQ? This papaya salad will be a hit. Very easy to prepare. Make sure the papaya is ripe. Enjoy.
Ingredients:
1 large Orange Mexican papaya ( 4 small servings)
2 Roma tomatoes
2 green onions
brunch of cilantro
1 jalapeno
2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
1 key lime juice
salt to your liking
fresh ground pepper
2 avocado cut cube or sliced ( optional )
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| A very colorful papaya salad |
Directions:
In a large salad dish, add chopped papaya cut into cubes.
Add cut up tomatoes.
Add chopped green onions. Cut the jalapeno very tiny, by cutting it into tiny bits, it will not be as hot and will give the papaya salad a nice bite. Sprinkle the jalapeno over the salad, adding lime and lemon juice. Refrigerate for 20 minutes,
Before serving add cilantro, salt and pepper.
Serve in Romaine lettuce leaves. add a few slices of avocado.
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| nice side dish with roasted chicken or tandoori |
Filed under Salad
Spaghetti and Turkey meatballs with Homemade sauce
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| Fresh Turkey meatballs with a homemade tomato sauce |
Spaghetti and Turkey meatballs a simple recipe.
There is nothing as good as an easy flavorful pasta sauce. I love the smell of garlic slow cooking in olive oil. Pasta sauce is very easy to make and only takes less than 30 minutes, always use fresh ingredients.
Turkey Meatballs recipe
1/2 lb ground Turkey
2 cloves garlic diced
1/3 of an onion diced
2 egg beaten
2 oz Parmesan (optional)
1 cup panko bread crumbs (panko is a Japanese style fine bread crumbs)
1 – 2 teaspoon chili flakes (to your liking)
1/2 salt
fresh ground pepper
1/4 cup milk
1 small brunch parsley finely chopped
1/3 cup olive oil.
Directions for Turkey Meatballs
In a large bowl add the ground turkey, diced garlic, diced parsley, chili flakes salt and pepper.
Add panko bread crumbs soaked in milk than squeeze the bread crumbs dry, add to turkey mixture.
Add a beaten egg, grated Parmesan add to the mixture. Mix well, and start to roll into little round balls.
In a skillet add olive oil, heat at a medium temperature, add meat balls, turning for an even golden brown on all sides.
Tomato Sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 fresh Roma tomatoes chopped
5 cloves garlic diced
2 teaspoon oregano
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup parsley chopped
1 onion diced
chili flakes (to your liking)
fresh ground pepper
fresh basil, add last to the ingredients to kept the beautiful green color.
In a large sauce pan add olive oil at a medium to low heat. Add diced onions and stir until translucent adding diced garlic.
Cook 1 minute (do not burn the garlic) add fresh chopped tomatoes and the can of diced tomato sauce.
Stir the mixture, adding oregano, parsley, chili flakes, fresh ground pepper. Salt to your liking. Stir until all is combined. Cook for about 15 minutes.
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| Fresh Ingredients |
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| Meatballs |
Enjoy <3
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| Turkey meatballs are healthier and the chili flakes gives it spice! |
Happy National Donut Day, baked Mini Chocolate and Vanilla Donuts
Today is National Donut Day (June 3). Made these donuts for the occasion. Light and fluffy and baked. Many Donut shops are giving freebies, like Krispy Kremes and Dunkin Doughnuts!
Mini doughnuts
1 1/3 cup cake flour
2/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
a pinch of ground nutmeg
pinch of salt
2 small eggs
1 tablespoon butter a plus 2 teaspoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons cocoa powder ( more if needed
Directions for Donuts: pre-heat oven at 400 degrees
Oil or spray the mini donut pan with a baking spray. Set aside.
In a large bowl mix flour, sugar and baking powder, nutmeg and salt.
Beat eggs and pour into the mixture. Melt butter and cool than pour into cake mixture.
If making chocolate donuts divide batter into two parts. Add cocoa powder to one part and mix well.
Use a piping bag or if using a plastic sandwich bag, cut a small hole on the corner of the bag. Spoon batter into the donut hole pan. Bake 6 minutes or until done, when the donut springs back to touch.
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| semi sweet chocolate topping and Pink Vanilla icing |
Glaze
1/2 cup milk
2 cups white power sugar
1 drop of red food coloring (for light pink)
In a sauce pan, add milk and powder sugar (add more if needed). Remove from heat and stir, adding vanilla and food coloring
For chocolate frosting
For chocolate melt semi sweet chocolate chips with a tiny dab of butter and a few drops of milk. Mix well (for a glossily donut topping).
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| Enjoy with Coffee or Tea <3 |
Filed under Donuts
Curry Spicy & Hot Vegetarian style
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| Curry is served with Basmati Rice and the Rice enhance with fennel seeds |
This Curry is Spicy and HOT! You can make your Curry mild.
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 small onion finely chopped
2 green cardamon pods * ( heat for 1 minute in a small skillet and transfer to mixture )*
1 cinnamon stick*
4 whole cloves*
1 teaspoon fennel seeds*
1 teaspoon turmeric powder*
1 teaspoon ground coriander powder*
1 tablespoon chili powder ( hot )*
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper*
1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced
3 cloves garlic minced
5 tablespoon thick Greek style yogurt
1 teaspoon tomato paste
3 carrots chopped or sliced
1 large onion cut in 8
1 1/2 can chickpeas ( rinsed )
2 zucchinis chopped
2 potatoes chopped
2 1/2 cups – 3 cups vegetarian broth ( vegetable broth ) more if needed
2 cups fresh washed spinach add 3 minutes before serving.
Fresh Spanish leaves or Cilantro for garnishing
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| A few ingredients that make curry flavorful |
Directions 35 Min’s cooking time
In a skillet heat oil and add the chopped small onion and stir until translucent and turns to a golden brown at a low heat, cook 10 minutes.
Add ginger and garlic and cook for 2 minutes than transfer to a food processor ( Kitchen aide ),
Add the onion mixture back to the skillet, adding, turmeric, cardamons, coriander power, cloves and fennel seeds, cayenne pepper and cook until it becomes a thick paste.
Add tomato paste, broth, carrots, zucchini, and potatoes.
Add chili and yogurt ( a little at a time ) add more chili powder if you like your curry hotter.
Reduce heat to low and cook for 20 minutes. Stir as it cooks. Curry is done when vegetables are tender.
Last 3 minutes add all the spinach. Sir until blended into the Curry mixture,
Garnish with cilantro. Serve with rice.
Remove cinnamon stick before serving.
Suggestion:
Serve with sliced cucmbers in yogurt as a side dish to cool the spicy Curry chili
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| long grain rice with fennel seeds ( add the seeds after the rice is cooked) |
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| For a Spicy and Hot Curry I love this Chili brand Deer Brand Indian Chili |
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| Sadaf Curry Powder is a short cut to making curry |
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| Fennel seeds |
According to Dr OZ Fennel seeds is a spice, herb, and vegetable all roll into one and loaded with disease blasting flavonoids. Can be added to soups, breads, and salads. Fennel seeds is also known as a natural way to ease mild digestive disorders such as an upset stomach.
Filed under Curry, Vegetarian