Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Rosemary & Pecan Crusted Salmon with Garlic Butter Asparagus

 All too often I hear people say “I don’t like fish” or “I have no idea what to do with it”. Well, look on the bright side guys, fish is one of the best meats to try new flavors on. Like this one:


Ingredients:
 Note: I use a food processor for chopping
4 frozen Salmon fillets, skin on
1 cup pecans
2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper  
3 tbsp butter
Directions:
1.       Heat oven to 400 degrees
2.      In a medium glass bowl melt butter then set aside.
3.      In the food processor place pecans, rosemary, salt & pepper
4.      On medium speed grind until the pecans are roughly chopped
5.      Pour mixture into a separate medium glass bowl and set aside
6.      Next line a baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick spray
7.      Now, dip fish in butter, skin side up.
8.     Then dip into pecan mixture, again skin side up.
9.      Next, place fillet on baking sheet, this time skin side down.
10.  Repeat this process with other 3 fillets.
11.   Bake for 15 minutes, fish should be cooked but tender.



With these delicious little touches the fish will come out perfectly every time. You know longer have to worry what to do with or whether or not you and the family will enjoy it. The next dilemma will be, “What do I serve on the side?” No worries though, I have that covered too.



Ingredients:

1 bundle fresh asparagus
1 tsp finely chopped garlic
1 tsp butter

Directions:

1.       In a medium fry pan on medium-high heat place butter and garlic
2.      Next rinse asparagus and remove the bottom.
3.      Place in pan, turning once or twice to coat them in the garlic butter.
4.      Reduce heat to low, cover, and saute about 10-15 minutes. Asparagus should be tender but still crunchy.



Now the meal is complete! You have the fantastic nutty flavor of the fish combined with amazing garlic butter asparagus and nice slice of bread. This is a meal that is sure to change everyone’s thought on fish and will be served over and over again.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Triple B- Beautiful Bailey's Butter cream

Frosting is fine, but Butter cream is better! Butter cream frosting can be used to complete many delicious desserts, everything from frosted graham crackers to devil food cupcakes. The possibilities are endless. The other beautiful thing about Butter cream is, you can make it any flavor you choose. Here is one of my favorites:
Ingredients:
1 cup of butter (2 sticks), at room temperature
3 cups of powdered sugar
4 tbsp Bailey’s Irish cream
2 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
1.      In a large mixing bowl combine butter, powdered sugar, Bailey’s, and vanilla
2.      Turn mixer on medium and mix until well combined and smooth
3.      Remove bowl from mixer and cover
Note: If not using right away, place in refrigerator. If using, set aside and leave at room temperature.

That’s it! It is really that simple. The end result is deliciously, delectable everytime!


Thursday, September 15, 2011

Colby/Jack, Sausage & Bacon Pizza

Well, pizza is not the most original recipe I have come up with. This one however, is not your typical pizza. Why? Well, there is no mozzarella in sight. Instead, I used a Colby/Jack cheese blend to give it a little WOW! factor along with my other toppings.

Ingredients:
1 Pillsbury pizza crust
1 cup of pasta sauce
¼ large white onion, peeled and sliced
½ Green bell pepper, cored and chopped
3 Mild Italian sausages, browned and sliced
5 strips of bacon, cooked and chunky chopped
2 cups Colby/Jack cheese
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
½ tsp dry oregano
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp dry parsley
½ tsp dry basil
3 tbsp olive oil
Non-stick spray



Directions:
1.       Heat oven to 400 degrees
2.      Spray baking sheet with non-stick spray
3.      Place pizza crust on baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes
4.      In a medium fry pan place 1 & ½ tbsp olive oil and cook sausage until brown on both sides. Remove from pan and set aside.
5.      Rinse out pan.
6.      Place remaining 1 & ½ tbsp olive oil in fry pan and cook bacon until crisp. Then set aside.
7.      Remove crust from oven.
8.     In a medium sauce pan heat up sauce.
9.      Now, cover crust with 1 to 1 & ½ cups of sauce.
10.  Layer with 1 cup of cheese, onion, bell pepper, sausage, & bacon.
11.   Top with remaining 1 cup of cheese.
12.  Bake for an additional 10 minutes.
13.  Remove and allow cooling for 5 minutes before serving.
Totally scrumptious!! The Colby/Jack cheese is just enough of a change to make it mouth watering and amazing. Hopefully you will agree!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Beef Casserole

Alright folks, there is no fancy story to go with this recipe. Just a really great dish that will fill you up.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef
1 green bell pepper, halved and chopped
6 green onions, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 can of Pillsbury crescent rolls
5 fresh sage leaves, chopped
2 sprigs of fresh rosemary, chopped
2 tsp pepper
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp crushed red pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 can diced tomatoes
½ cup ketchup
1 bag shredded cheese



Directions:
1.       Heat oven to 375 degrees
2.       Line bottom of medium glass baking dish with crescent roll dough
3.       Bake dough for 11 minutes
4.       In medium to large fry pan add olive oil, ground beef, salt, pepper and garlic. Cook till beef is brown
5.       Remove dough from oven and reduce heat to 350 degrees
6.       Next add carrots, bell pepper, and green onions. Cook till carrots are slightly tender
7.       Add tomatoes, crushed pepper and ketchup
8.       Now pour meat mixture over dough
9.       Sprinkle top with sage, rosemary, and cheese
10.   Cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes
11.   Let cool for 10 minutes and serve



This is a great dish! Perfectly spicy and satisfying. My suggestion, serve with a dollop of sour cream.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Avocado & smoked Gouda BLT's w/ Wasabi mayo


Next to baseball and apple pie what could be more American than a BLT? Nothing really. But how about a BLT with a surprising twist? Well, try this out and prepare to be pleasantly shocked.

Ingredients:

(Makes 2 sandwiches)
1 avocado, peeled and sliced (1/2 for each sandwich)
4 strips of bacon, cut in half
4 slices of smoked Gouda (2 on each sandwich)
1 tomato, sliced (3 slices per sandwich)
1 loaf of Artisan bread of your choice
Wasabi mayo
2 leafs of green leaf lettuce (1 slice for each sandwich)


Directions:
  1. Spray medium fry pan with non-stick cooking spray
  2. Fry bacon over medium-high heat until crispy
  3. Slice 4 pieces of artisan bread
  4. Spread wasabi mayo on both slices
  5. Next, place tomato and lettuce on one slice
  6. Then add cheese
  7. Remove bacon and place on a paper towel to remove grease
  8. Place 4 pieces of bacon on top of cheese
  9. Now place avocado and top with other slice of bread
  10. Repeat steps 1 – 10 for second sandwich


This is an excellent sandwich. It combines the cool, smoothness of the smoked Gouda and avocado with the kick of the wasabi mayo. Complete this taste adventure with the warm, crispiness of the bacon. Yum!! My mouth is watering just thinking about. Pair it with a great salad or some fresh fruit and a cold beverage. DELICIOUS!!!!

Monday, September 5, 2011

Lemon Tart with Fresh Berries


Lemons, can enough wonderful things be said about these tiny, vibrant, refreshingly citrus fruits? I think not. Mix them with delicious fresh berries and magic begins to happen. With the tang of the lemon and the sweet of the berries, your mouth is happy and you do a little dance. I am bonkers about this combination, so, I share with you a lovely lemon and fresh berry dessert.

Ingredients:
1 box Krusteaz lemon bar mix
3 eggs
1/3 cup water
6oz of fresh blackberries
6oz of fresh raspberries
6oz of fresh blueberries
1 can of ready whip


Directions:
1.      Heat oven to 350 degrees
2.      Prepare lemon filling according to the directions on the box and set aside
3.      Spray pan with non-stick spray, you can use an 8x8x2- inch pan or a round cake pan.
4.      Cover bottom of pan with crust and bake for 8 min
5.      Whisk filling once more then pour over hot crust
6.      Return pan to oven and bake for an additional 26-28 minutes
7.      Let cool for 10 minutes
8.      Arrange berries on top of tart
9.      Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours
I am guilty!! I did indeed use a packaged product to help me with this recipe. If you choose to make the tart from scratch that is fine. I will have the greatest admiration for you. Either way, it is rich and delicious and will always make you smile. Enjoy!

Friday, September 2, 2011

Grilled Black Bean and Ground Beef Chili Quesadillas

Hello Aubrie Cooks Lovers!! Thanks for stopping by and checking out the site, I really appreciate it. The following recipe does not have and exciting story to go with it, it is just something that popped into my head and sounded extremely yummy. Here it is:

Ingredients:
1 package flour tortillas
1 lb ground beef
1 package chili seasoning
1 can black beans, drained
1 & 1/2 packages Mexican styled shredded cheese
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/2 purple onion, diced

Directions:
preparation of meat:
1. Heat grill and spray with non-stick spray
2. in a medium fry pan, brown the meat medium-high heat
3. add onion, salt, pepper, chili seasoning, and beans
4. simmer for 10 minutes on low

preparation of quesadillas:
1. place 1/3 cup of meat and 1/4 cup cheese inside tortilla
2. fold in half
3. grill for approx. 30 seconds to 1 minute, until cheese is melted

This recipe makes about 11 quesadillas, it varies depending on the amount of meat and cheese you decide to use. Serve with sour cream and salsa, DELICIOUS!!!!