Sugar & Spice Donuts

This is the second time I've made these donuts. I don't know if they are for everyone, if you are not into the spice, then just eliminate them (cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice). However, they are fun to make, especially if you have kids that can join ya! (Inspired by Neely's Maple Glazed donuts on foodnetwork)

WHAT YOU NEED (Makes about 20-25 depending on size of cookie cutter)

DOUGH
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup of sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 egg yolk
1/3 cup buttermilk (or milk)
3/4 cup pear sauce puree (you can get baby food pear, or boil some pears until soft then puree)
3 tablespoons melted salted butter
Cookie Cutter (you can use a glass or anythign with round surface if you don't have)

CHOCOLATE GLAZE (crispy cream recipe)

1/3 cup butter

2 cups of powder sugar

4-6 TBSP hot water

4 OZ of semi-sweet chocolate (about 1/2 a cup)

LET'S GET STARTED

1) Mix first 8 ingredients (dry) in one bowl)

2) Beat together the rest of the dough ingredients, then slowly add in the dry ingredients and mix with wooden spoon (don't over mix)

3) The dough will be extremly stick, but don't panic!

4) Heat Vegetable oil in a fryer or a pan.

5) Over clean surface, put a generous amount of flour, then spoon the dough on top. Flour your hands well and pat down flat (it should be abut 1/2 an inc thick, it will rise!).

6) Cut the circles out, and using a flat spatula, pick up the dough, and drop into the oil for 3 minutes on each side or until browned.

7) Keep repeating step 5 & 6 until you run out of dough.

8) Once fried, glaze your donuts and enjoy!

GLAZE

Heat the butter and chocolate together until smooth, slowly add powder sugar, and water. You should have a creamy smooth glaze. This glaze develps a thick skin very quickly, so if you do want to add sprinkles, make sure you dip and sprinkle right away!

HINT: Try to drop 1 or 2 donuts at a time, so the oil stays at the same temperature. There are alot of different glaze recipe. You can just mix milk and powder sugar with drop of vegetable oil until you get your consistency. You can also squeeze oranges and add powder sugar for orange flavor, etc..

ENJOY!

Bang Bang Shrimp

This is basically why we go to Bonefish Grill. My husband and I love this dish, and it's great for anyone that wants that extra kick in their seafood.

WHAT YOU NEED

20-25 pieces peeled shrimp (Serves 4 as appetizer, add more if serving as a side dish)
Vegetable Oil for frying
Breading
1 egg and cup of milk whisked together
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (You can use normal breadcrumbs but it wont be as crunchy)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon rubbed (ground) sage
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
Sauce
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup of chili garlic sauce (I use the Vietnamese sauce found in international section of grocery store)
1 tspn of hot sauce (if you want it spicier)
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon rice or white vinegar

LET'S GET STARTED

1) Combine flour, panko, salt, black pepper, sage, onion powder, garlic powder, and basil in a dish.
2) Prepare the egg and milk in another bowl.
3) Bread the shrimp by first coating each with the breading mixture., then dip into the egg and milk mixture, and then back into the breading.
4) Once you finish breading the shrimp, cool them in the fridge for about 30 minutes. You can bread them in the morning, and fry them right before your guests come!
5)Combine all ingredients for the spicy sauce in a small bowl; cover and set aside.

6) Fry 5 pieces at a time on medium heat for about 5 minutes or until golden brown, then drain on paper towel.
7) Once you finish frying, place them in the sauce and toss. Then place on a plate and garnish with green onions, or parsley.


ENJOY!

Chocolate Pancakes

I made these for my dear husband as a breakfast-in-bed gift! Although he is not a chocolate lover, he still enjoyed them (and so did I!) They are very chocolaty, so I don't recommend you making them unless you really LOVE chocolate!

WHAT YOU NEED

1/2 cup of bittersweet chocolate
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large eggs
1 large egg yolks
1.5 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

LET'S GET STARTED

1) Melt the chocolate and butter in heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir until it's all melted and smoothed. Let it cool for few minutes.
2) Wisk together the eggs and sugar until creamed. Whisk in the melted chocolate, then fold in the flour 1 tablespoon at a time.
3) melt 1 tablespoon of butter over low heat pan, and drop a full tablespoon of batter into pan.
4) Cook for two minutes on each side. Repeat until you finish the batter!

HINT: Serve it with vanilla ice cream, or whip cream, to compliment taste of chocolate

Cranberries & Almond Oat Bars

I needed a quick snack for my son, who's slowly turning into a picky eater. At the same time, i didn't want something unhealthy and super sweet, so I looked at many recipes, and fixed up few things, and this is what I got!

This literally took me 5 minutes to make and 25 minutes to bake. Make a bunch and store them in an air tight container for up to a week.

WHAT YOU NEED

1.5 cups of oats
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/4 cup of butter
1/3 cup cranberries
1/3 cup shaved almonds
1 tablespoon of honey


LET'S GET STARTED


1) Pre-heat stove to 375
2) Line a baking pan with greased(pref butter) parchment paper
3) Mix all ingredients together
4) Place the mix in the baking pan and flatten. It should be about 1/4 of an inch high.
5) Bake until browned, about 23-25 minutes
6) Take the pan out, and wait 5 minutes
7) Use a pizza cutter, and cut into squares
8) Let it cool for another 15 minutes before taking it out

Good Luck!!!

HINTS

I first just buttered a pan, but it was very difficult to cut and remove the bars, so I used parchment paper, removed from pan, then sliced it with pizza cutter

Optional Icing: I used juice from cranberries and mixed with powdered sugar until it turned into a thick liquid

Banana Ice Cream for Infants & Toddlers

I found this recipe on 'First Meals & More' by Annabel Karmel, and added few more ingredients. It's SOOO EASY! It is natural and great dessert for kids, especially if they are teething. Did i mention, no sugar added! My son was a little hesitant at first because he never tasted something that cold, but he then just kept eating!

WHAT YOU NEED

1 Banana (per serving)
Yogurt
Heavy Cream (Optional)


LET'S GET STARTED

1) Peel banana, put in Ziploc bag and freeze.
2) Once frozen, cut into small pieces, and place on food processor (or mixer)
3) Add 1 tablespoon of yogurt, and 1 tablespoon of heavy cream.
4) Mix together, and voila!

Chicken Casserole

I give credit to my two friends, Aisha & Shazia. This recipe has NEVER failed me! Try it out and enjoy!

WHAT YOU NEED

1 onion
1 pd of chicken (cut into small pieces)
2 cups of cheddar cheese
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 can of cream of broccoli soup
3/4 cup of milk
french fried onions
1 bag of wide egg noodles

LET'S GET STARTED

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. boil water and noodles in a separate pot
2) In big saucepan, saute 1 onion. add 1 spoon of garlic and some crushed red pepper and salt. Cook for a minute.
3) add chicken, cook until done.
4) Reduce heat to low, add soups and cheese, then add milk. heat until everything is melted and one mixture.
5) Mix noodles with mixture in a 13x9 pan and put in the oven for 20 minutes.
6) Top with french friend onions and cook for another 5 minutes. remove and serve.

HINT

You can add vegetables such as corn or spinach and cook with chicken for extra flavor. I also add a spoon of thyme to the garlic.

Broccoli & Cheese Rice

A friend of mine made something like this a while back, and as I was running out of time and ideas for dinner, I decided to try it!

When my little boy eats nonstop, I know I did well. I served this with sauteed catfish, it was quick and easy.


WHAT YOU NEED: (Serving 3-4)

½ cup of broccoli
1 cup of uncooked rice
2 cups of water
2 tsp of olive oil
2 tbsp flour
1 tbsp butter
¾ cup of milk (or ½ cup of cream)
¾ cup of cheese
2 cloves of garlic crushed
Salt & pepper
Crush red pepper (optional)
Oregano (optional)

LET’S GET STARTED

1) Stir fry broccoli & garlic in oil (add red peppers and oregano)
2) Add rice, and mix thoroughly
3) Add water, and put temperature on high until it boils, then put back to low heat covered until cooked.
4) Mix cold milk and flour, then put on a pan and bring to a simmer.
5) Add cheese of your choice, until well melted, then add the butter and mix well.
6) Add the cheese sauce to the rice, and mix with a fork!


That’s it!