Showing posts with label cinnamon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cinnamon. 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, October 11, 2013

Braised Pork Loin Chops with Brown Sugar Peach Sauce

Lots of experimenting and a delicious result.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:
3 Pork Loin Chops
3 Tbsp Butter
Seasoning (Tarragon, Basil, Ground Cinnamon)
2-3 Carrots Peeled & Sliced
1 Cup Chicken Broth
2 Tbsp Vinegar (I used Champagne) 
3 Tbsp Fruit Jelly (1 Tbsp Red Raspberry, 2 Tbsp Raspberry Peach Champagne)
2 Fruit Cups (Peaches in Brown Sugar)
2-3 Tbsp Brown Sugar (If you want to sweeten it up a bit)

 Directions:
Season the park chops and melt the butter in a large frying pan.  Add the pork loins and cook turning once until golden on both sides about 6-10 minutes total.  Transfer the pork to a plate.
Melt the remaining 1 Tbsp butter in the pan over medium heat.  Add the carrots and saute until softened about 3-4 minutes.  Stir in the chicken broth and cook, stirring to scrape up the browned bits on the bottom.  Stir in the remaining ingredients.  
Return the pork to the pan and spoon the sauce over them.  Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes.  Serve by spooning sauce over the pork.

Some of the basic ingredients I used
Cook the seasoned pork in the frying pan
When the pork is golden transfer to a plate
Saute' the carrots
Add the chicken broth
Add the remaining ingredients
Return the pork to the sauce
Serve by spooning sauce over the pork and enjoy

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

BBQ Spare Ribs

These ribs turns out very juicy and delicious!  I definitely think you should give them a try and see what kind of twist of your own that you can add to it.  I love cooking with flavored beer, it always adds a nice accent to the meat.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1 Rack St Louis Style Pork Spare Ribs 2.5-3lbs
Seasoning: Grill Mates Barbeque, Tarragon, Dash of Cinnamon, Garlic Salt, Dash of Grill Mates Spicy Montreal Steak
1 Beer ( I used Sam Adams White Water IPA) I also love a nice apple or raspberry beer
1/4 bottle of BBQ sauce (I used New England Apple Maple)

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.  Cut the rack in between the bones so that the ribs are separated to cook.   Season both sides of the ribs in the deep dish you are going to use for cooking.  Pour 1 full beer over the top to tenderize the meat while cooking.  This should cover about 3/4 of the ribs.  Make sure that the ribs are bone side down and cook int he over for about 45 minutes.  Remove from the oven, bast with the liquid in the pan and drizzle some BBQ sauce on top of the ribs to let the flavor soak in a little bit.  Return to the oven and cook for another 30 minutes.  The ribs should be finished cooking and you can serve them with additional BBQ sauce drizzled or smothered on top depending on your preference.  Enjoy!

Season both sides of the ribs
Pour 1 beer over the ribs
Bone side down cook in the oven for 45 minutes
Turn the ribs, baste and drizzle BBQ sauce over top and continue cooking for about 30 minutes
Remove from the oven
Serve with additional BBQ sauce on top

Friday, August 16, 2013

Raspberry Glazed Pork

Here is the deliciousness of the meal that we had tonight :)  Enjoy

Raspberry Glazed Pork
 
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp Butter
4-5 Pork Loin Chops
Seasoning (Tarragon, Alpine Touch, Mediterranean Oregano, Dash of Cinnamon)

Glaze Ingredients :
2-3 Tbsp Butter
1/4 Cup Red Raspberry Preserves
3 Tbsp Sugar
Fresh Raspberries (Can use frozen berries once thawed)

Directions:
Add the 2 Tbsp butter to the pan and melt.  Season the pork loins and add to the melted butter in the pan.  Cook on medium-high heat until thoroughly browned on both sides (about 15 minutes).  Turn the heat to low-Simmer and score the meat (cut against the grain to allow the glaze to seep into top section of the meat for added flavor).  Prepare the glaze by melting the butter in the microwave (about 20-35 seconds).  Add the raspberry preserves and sugar and return to microwave for another 20 seconds.  Thoroughly mix together and spoon over the pork in the pan.  Cook until glaze is warm and soaking into the pork.  Remove from heat and serve with the glaze and adding the fresh raspberries on top. 
 


Add the seasoned pork to the melted butter in the pan
Brown the pork thoroughly on both sides
Melt the butter in the microwave
Mix the glaze ingredients together
Add the glaze tot he pork and warm
Serve with the fresh raspberries on top and enjoy