Showing posts with label Winning votes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Winning votes. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Cinnamon Roll Bake: April's Winning Dessert

I must apologize for the lateness of this post.  Due to my 30th birthday and having my grandparents here visiting, I was having a hard time making time to do the dough part.  I did not forget and here it is as promised.  Overall this dessert turned out well.  I don't feel like the person gave directions very well again and had to skip between recipes.  I would also add some cream cheese icing on the top as well if I were to make it again and change the dough recipe.  It is still very delicious though.

Ingredients:
Dough:
4 Cups Flour
1 1/2 Cup Half/Half (more if needed)
3 Tbsp Butter (Melted)
3/4 Cup Sugar
1 Tbsp Yeast

Filling:
8 oz (1 pkg) Cream Cheese (Softened)
3/4 Cup Powdered Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla

Topping:
5 Tbsp Melted Butter (Separated in half)
2/3 Cup Brown Sugar (Separated in half)
Sprinkle of Ground Cinnamon



Directions:
Dough:
(If you have a bread machine, you can add the dough ingredients to it and set on dough cycle or you can do it the old fashioned way like I did)
Step One: Make the Dough
Use an electric mixer to beat a portion of the flour and the remaining ingredients together, making sure all of the flour and yeast are moistened.
Use a wooden spoon to stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can (using an electric mixer at this stage can strain the motor). Stir until the dough looks ropey and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
Tip: Start by adding in the minimum amount of flour in the range. If you add too much flour during mixing and kneading, the bread can become heavy and dry.
Step 2: Knead the dough
Cinnamon rolls call for moderately soft dough, which is still slightly sticky and requires 3-5 minutes of kneading.
To knead place dough on a lightly floured surface (I use baking paper on the counter), fold dough over and push down with the heel of your hand. Turn, fold dough over, and push down again. Repeat this process over and over. You know the dough is ready when it is smooth and elastic. Shape it into a ball.
Tip: Kneading helps the gluten to form in the dough and creates the sturdy structure needed
Step 3: Let the dough rise (This took about an hour and a half for me)
Place the ball of dough into a greased bowl that is at least twice as big as the dough ball, and turn it once to grease the surface. This keeps the dough from drying out.
Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size. Punch down the dough by pushing your fist into the center. Cover the dough and let it rest on a floured surface before shaping. This calms the dough and makes it easier to work with.


Once dough is complete split the dough into two equal pieces.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray/Grease an 8 in baking dish
Spread half of the dough on the bottom of the bakign dish
Spread with half of of the brown sugar mixture.
In a mixing bowl add the filling ingredients and beat until smooth.  Spread over the brown sugar mixture.
Cover well with the remaining dough and top with the remaining brown sugar mixture.
Cook for 18-20 minutes or until brown.  Cool 10-15 minutes before slicing.  Enjoy! 
Add the dough ingredients into a mixing bowl starting with half of the flour
Beat on low speed
Add the remaining flour to the dough and mix with a spoon

Sous Chef Liam showcasing the dough
Dough should be sticky

Knead the dough for 3-5 minutes
Chef selfie
Place dough in a large bowl and cover to allow to rise
Allow dough to rise to about twice the original size

Punch the dough in the middle
Place on lightly floured surface
Roll the dough out
Add half of the dough to the greased baking dish
Add half of the brown sugar mixture and top with the sour cream mixture
Fully cover with the remaining dough
Top with the remaining brown sugar mixture
Bake for 18-20 minutes
Serve & Enjoy!


If you would like to view the previous winning desserts, click here:



January's Winner: Black Forest Pavlova

December's Winner: Pumpkin Tiramisu

November's Winner: Caramelized Banana Pudding

October's Winner: Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake

September's Winner: Apple Raspberry Crumble

Friday, May 2, 2014

Cheesy Chicken Burritos: April's Winning Dish

This was originally supposed to be a recipe for Chicken AVOCADO burritos, but once I pulled my avocados out they had gotten frozen in the back of my fridge and weren't very usable so I added in some other ingredients instead.  It still turned out very delicious and I had 3 additional tasted testers to vouch for it.  Enjoy.

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
3 Chicken Breasts (thinly sliced)
Seasoning (Taco Seasoning, Garlic Powder)
Flour Tortillas (Burrito size)
Mexican Mix Shredded Cheese
Mozzarella Cheese Shredded
Cilantro (chopped)
Green Onions (Sliced)
Tomatoes (Sliced)
Corn
Salsa
Sour Cream

Directions
Add the oil to a skillet and place the sliced chicken in.  Season generously and cook throughly.  Get a tortilla out and place the ingredients you want warm inside (chicken, cheese, green onions, corn, cilantro).  Close the burrito and place it on the grill (I use my nifty George Foreman grill).  Grill until the cheese is melted (a few minutes).  Open up the burrito and add the remaining ingredients (tomatoes, salsa, sour cream).  Serve & Enjoy.

Add the chicken oil and seasoning to the skillet
Prepare your toppings
Add the toppings you want warm tot he burrito

Grill the burrito until the cheese is melted
Add the remaining ingredients and enjoy!


 Here are the precious winners if you are interested in checking them out!

March's Winner: Carne Asada

February's Winner: Chicken Cordon Bleu

January's Winner: Sauteed Scallops

December's Winner: Pizza Pot Pies

November's Winner: Lasagna Stuffed Manicotti

October's Winner: Pumpkin Risotto

September's Winner: Burgundy Pork 

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Strawberry Lemonade Cake: February's Winning Dessert

Your votes brought the dessert choice down to the wire.  Until the very last day I thought for sure it was going to be the White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake, but at the last minute the Strawberry Lemonade Cake pulled through for the win.  This was an interesting recipe to make!  I have never before attempted a layer cake.  I find them to be a bit intimidating and they always seem like a lot of work.  Overall this really wasn't a hard recipe, the challenge came in frosting it much too soon, and my frosting began to melt on me causing the cake to slide on the second layer and my frosting to start dripping off of the cake...  In the future I would recommend chilling both layers of the cake in the fridge for half an hour before frosting and then continuing to chill it for another half an hour to give the frosting time to set before serving!  Otherwise, everything turned out wonderfully! 

Ingredients:
1 cup butter (2 sticks), at room temperature
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
2 1/2 cups all-purpose Gold Medal flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup buttermilk
8-10 large strawberries, sliced
*3 lemons should be enough for both the zest and the lemon juice

For the Strawberry Buttercream Frosting:
1 cup butter, softened
5 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons whole milk
2-4 large strawberries, chopped

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray two 9-inch round baking pans with non-stick cooking spray.
In large bowl place the butter, sugar and lemon zest. Beat until light and fluffy.
In a separate bowl, mix together dry ingredients and set aside.
With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, one at a time, combining thoroughly in between. With the mixer still running, add the lemon juice. (batter will look curdled, but it's not).
Add one third of the dry ingredients and 1/2 cup of the buttermilk. Mix, then stop and scrape the sides of the bowl. Repeat, adding another third of the dry ingredients and the remaining 1/2 cup buttermilk. Mix, then stop and scrape. Add the remaining third of the dry ingredients and mix until completely combined and the batter is light and fluffy.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake the cakes for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool for about half an hour in the fridge before removing from the pans.
While the cakes are cooling, make the strawberry buttercream frosting. Combine the butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl. Mix together on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the milk and strawberries and mix on high speed until the frosting is very fluffy and pale pink in color, with flecks of strawberry.
Invert one of the cake rounds onto a cake plate; generously spread with frosting and top with strawberry slices. Repeat with the remaining layer of cake and frosting. Frost the sides of the cake. Put in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to allow the frosting to set. Serve at room temperature.

Mix the butter, sugar & lemon zest
In a separate bowl mix all remaining dry ingredients together
Beat the eggs in one at a time and add the lemon juice
Mix the remaining ingredients in together.
My sous chef helping pour the batter into two pans
Pour the batter evenly into the 2 cake pans and stick in oven
Remove the cake layers from the oven and cool
Sous chef trying out the frosting
Mix together the butter and powdered sugar for the frosting
My sous chef happy about helping add strawberries to the mix
Get ready to mix it all together!
Mix in the strawberries and the milk
Invert the cake (turn it upside down) and set it on a dish or a plate
Spread frosting along the top of the 1st layer
Add the sliced strawberries on top of the frosting
Place the second cake layer on top of the filling
Frost and add strawberries for decoration, place in fridge to chill
Serve & Enjoy!

If you would like to view the winning desserts from past months, here they are:

January's Winner: Black Forest Pavlova

December's Winner: Pumpkin Tiramisu

November's Winner: Caramelized Banana Pudding

October's Winner: Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake

September's Winner: Apple Raspberry Crumble

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Chicken Cordon Bleu: February's Winning Choice

You voted and your choice was loud and clear for the main dish.  Chicken Cordon Bleu won by a landslide!  Having never made this before, it was definitely a new and unique challenge for me.  I was surprised that it definitely didn't take as long as I had anticipated.  I changed the recipe some to speed up cook time and ensure that the chicken was thoroughly cooked by finishing it off in the oven, instead of pan frying it the entire time.  It had a wonderful juicy finish to it!  I definitely recommend this dish to anyone!  A lot simpler than it look and so wonderful to eat!

Ingredients:
4 Skinless, Boneless Chicken Breasts
4 Slices of Provolone Cheese (I am not a big swiss fan, but any white cheese will work just fine)
8 slices of ham
2 Eggs (scrambled)
3 Tbsp All-Purpose Flour
1 tsp Paprika
1 tsp Mediterranean Basil
6 Tbsp Butter
1/2 Cup Dry White Wine
1 tsp Chicken Bouillon granules (or 1 cube mashed)
1 Tbsp Cornstarch
1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream


Directions:

Pound chicken breasts if they are too thick. Place the eggs in bowl and scramble with a fork.  Brush the egg on the top piece of the chicken breast (the pretty side).  Place a  slice of ham on either side of the cheese and put on top and in the middle of each chicken breast on the bottom side (not the side you brushed with egg). Fold the edges of the chicken over the filling, and secure with toothpicks. The side that you brushed with egg should be facing out.
Mix the flour, paprika and basil in a small bowl, and coat the chicken pieces.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Coat a baking sheet in tin foil to reduce mess and make for fast cleanup.
Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and cook the chicken until browned on all sides (about 10 minutes).  Transfer the chicken onto the foil covered cookie sheet and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
Add the wine, chicken bouillon, cornstarch and whipping cream into a bowl and whisk together.  Slowly whisk into the remaining butter in the skillet and cook on low.  Simmer for about 10 minutes and keep warm.  
Take the chicken out of the oven and remove the toothpicks using tongs for easy removal and to prevent yourself from burning your fingers or hands.  Serve by spooning the sauce on top of the chicken and enjoy! 


Pound chicken breasts to flatten and make thinner
Scramble the eggs
Brush the top side of the chicken with egg
Put a slice of ham on either side of the cheese and place in the middle of the chicken on the bottom side

Wrap the chicken around the filling and seal together with toothpicks

Mix the flour, paprika & basil together in a separate bowl
Coat the chicken with the flour mixture and set aside
Continue this process until all of the chicken breasts have been filled, sealed and coated
melt the butter in a skillet and add the chicken
Brown on all sides of the chicken (about 10 min)

Transfer the chicken to the cookie sheet and cook in the oven for 20 min
Mix the wine, cream, corn starch and chicken bouillon in a bowl
Whisk it all together
Whisk it into the remaining butter in the skillet
Add extra basil if you would like
Remove the chicken from the oven and allow to cool for about a couple minutes
Remove the toothpicks before serving
Serve by drizzling sauce over top of the chicken and enjoy!

Here are the winners of the past:

January's Winner: Sauteed Scallops

December's Winner: Pizza Pot Pies

November's Winner: Lasagna Stuffed Manicotti

October's Winner: Pumpkin Risotto

September's Winner: Burgundy Pork