Stuffed Burgers with Pepper Jack Cheese

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, April 18, 2011

These beef burgers are filled with piquant pepper jack cheese, then cooked and topped with guacamole and crispy bacon.


Ingredients:


2 large avocados, preferably Haas, peeled and pitted
1 Tbs. fresh lime juice
Kosher salt, to taste
1 1/2 Tbs. chopped fresh cilantro
1 1/2 lb. ground beef
2 oz. pepper jack cheese, grated
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
4 hamburger buns
8 bacon slices, cooked until crispy

Directions:


Prepare a medium-hot fire in a grill. Place a cast-iron griddle on the grill to preheat. 

In a bowl, combine the avocados and lime juice and mash them together with a fork. Season with salt and stir in the cilantro. Set the guacamole aside. 

Divide the ground beef into eight 3-oz. portions and shape each into a ball. 

Using a stuffed burger press according to the manufacturer’s instructions, make 4 burgers, stuffing each with 1/2 oz. cheese. Season the burgers with salt and pepper. 

Place the burgers on the griddle and cook, turning once, about 4 minutes per side. Place the burgers on the buns and top each with 1/4 cup guacamole and 2 bacon slices.

Serve immediately. Serves 4.

Williams-Sonoma Kitchen.

William- Sonoma Mac And Cheese Frittita

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, April 18, 2011

Ingredients:

  • 8 eggs
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • 1 1/2 tsp. unsalted butter
  • 2 1/2 tsp. vegetable oil
  • 3 cups cooked macaroni, chilled
  • 6 oz. ham, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
  • 3/4 cup fresh or frozen peas, blanched if frozen
  • 8 oz. cheddar cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

Directions:

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, salt and pepper. Set aside. 

In the deep half of a frittata pan over medium heat, melt the butter with 1 1/2 tsp. of the oil. Add the macaroni, ham and peas and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 2 minutes. Using a spatula, flatten the mixture and spread it evenly across the pan. Cook, without stirring, until a golden crust forms underneath, 5 to 6 minutes. Sprinkle the cheese on top and let melt for 1 minute. 

Meanwhile, in the shallow half of the frittata pan over medium-low heat, warm the remaining 1 tsp. oil. Pour the eggs over the macaroni in the deep pan. Place the shallow pan upside down on top of the deep pan and cook until the edges of the frittata are set and the center is beginning to set, about 4 minutes. Uncover the pan and gently run the spatula around the edge of the frittata to loosen the sides. Re-cover with the shallow pan and flip the frittata into the shallow pan. Cook, covered, until the eggs are set, 2 to 4 minutes. 

Carefully slide the frittata onto a serving plate and let rest for 3 to 5 minutes before slicing. Serves 8.

Williams-Sonoma Kitchen.

 

Clementine Bakery Butterscotch Brownies

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, April 17, 2011

 

Note: Adapted from Clementine Bakery in Los Angeles

3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (3.5 ounces) flour

11/4 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (9.25 ounces) dark brown sugar

5 tablespoons butter, melted

1 extra-large egg

1/2 plus 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped toasted walnuts

1. Heat the oven to 325 degrees.

2. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt and set aside.

3. In a large bowl, stir the brown sugar into the melted butter. Stir in the egg, then the vanilla.

4. Stir in the dry ingredients, then fold in the nuts.

5. Place the batter in a greased 8-inch square baking pan and bake until set (a toothpick inserted will have moist crumbs), 25 to 30 minutes.

6. Remove from heat and cool slightly before serving.

Each of 16 servings: 152 calories; 2 grams protein; 22 grams carbohydrates; 0 fiber; 7 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 23 mg cholesterol; 16 grams sugar; 194 mg sodium.

Source:  Culinary S.O.S. L. A. Food Times

Louie’s Italian Beef Seasoning…

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, April 12, 2011

My friend, Barb, is a huge fan of Louie’s Seasoning.  You can buy it at your local grocery or it’s available on their website.

Ina Garten, Barefoot Contessa, Tequila Lime Chicken

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, April 01, 2011


 

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup gold tequila
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (5 to 6 limes)
  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (2 oranges)
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh jalapeno pepper (1 pepper seeded)
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic (3 cloves)
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 whole (6 split) boneless chicken breasts, skin on

Directions

Combine the tequila, lime juice, orange juice, chili powder, jalapeno pepper, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add the chicken breasts. Refrigerate overnight.

 

Heat a grill with coals and brush the rack with oil to prevent the chicken from sticking. Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade, sprinkle well with salt and pepper, and grill them skin-side down for about 5 minutes, until nicely browned. Turn the chicken and cook for another 10 minutes, until just cooked through. Remove from the grill to a plate. Cover tightly and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Source:  Food Network

Magnolia Bakery Peanut Butter Pie

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, March 16, 2011

 

 

Ingredients

Crust
1 cup butter (melted)
4 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
Filling
2 cups heavy cream
3 cups cream cheese
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar,10x
1 tbls + 1tsp pure vanilla extract
Caramel Topping
2 cups Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, chopped into 1/4" pieces
1/2 cup peanuts, finely chopped

Preheat convection oven to 350 degrees. Combine melted butter and wafer crumbs in a large bowl and mix by hand until a wet crumb forms. Shape the crust by pressing into the pie pan, making sure you form the crumb into the sides. Bake for 8 minutes and cool to room temperature.

While the crust is baking and cooling, make the filling. Beat the heavy cream in the mixer using a whisk attachment on medium until stiff peaks form, about 10 minutes. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese with the paddle attachment on medium-high until smooth and creamy. Lower mixer speed to medium and add the peanut butter, sugar, and vanilla. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until completely combined. Set aside.
Take the cooled crust and drizzle about 3 tablespoons of caramel onto the bottom. Next fill, spread and smooth the filling in the pie shell. Sprinkle the chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and peanuts all over the top of the pie. Store in a covered container and refrigerate for at least 5 hours before serving.

Source:  The Today Show

Barefoot Contessa - Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, March 14, 2011

 

Ina and her guest cook, Amelia Durand whipped this up.  I'm such an Ina fan, and this looks amazing.  What would the world be without the Barefoot Contessa, the woman is a wonder.  ~ jan


Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound sausage, such as kielbasa or andouille, sliced
  • 1 pound smoked ham, cubed
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 1 green bell pepper, cored and diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, cored and diced
  • 1 cup seeded and diced tomato
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced OR 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
  • 2 teaspoons diced fresh oregano
  • 1 teaspoon diced fresh thyme
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 6 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
  • 3 cups long-grain rice, rinsed
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 to 8 dashes hot sauce, optional (recommended: Tabasco)
  • 1/2 cup chopped scallions, divided
  • 3/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, divided
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 pound medium shrimp, deveined (20 to 24 count)

Directions

Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or black iron pot over medium heat, add the kielbasa and saute for 8 to 10 minutes, until browned. Remove the kielbasa to a bowl, and set aside. Add the ham to the same pot and cook 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove to the bowl with the kielbasa, and set aside. Add the butter, onion, celery and peppers to the same pot and saute for 8 to 10 minutes, until the onion is translucent. Add the tomato, garlic, jalapeno or cayenne, oregano, thyme, and tomato paste and cook until all the vegetables and herbs are blended well. Add the stock and bring to a rolling boil. Stir in the rice, and add the sausage, ham, bay leaves, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Return to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. Add 1/4 cup of the scallions, 1/4 cup of the parsley, the lemon juice and the shrimp, and stir well. Cover the pot, remove it from the heat and allow the jambalaya steam, for 15 minutes, before serving.

 

Garnish with the remaining 1/4 cup scallions and 1/2 cup parsley, and a dash of hot sauce, if desired.

Source:  FoodTV - The Barefoot Contessa
Episode:  Cooking with Rice 

 

Barefoot Contessa Salted Caramels ~ Fleur de Sel Caramels

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, March 14, 2011

 


Ingredients

  • Vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon fine fleur de sel, plus extra for sprinkling
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

Prep the pan.

Line an 8-inch-square baking pan with parchment paper, allowing it to drape over 2 sides, then brush the paper lightly with oil.

Boil the sugar.

In a deep saucepan (6 inches wide and 4 1/2 inches deep), combine 1/4 cup water, the sugar and corn syrup and bring them to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil until the mixture is a warm golden brown. Don't stir -- just swirl the pan.

Heat the cream.

In the meantime, in a small pot, bring the cream, butter and 1 teaspoon of fleur de sel to a simmer over medium heat. Turn off the heat and set aside.

Finish the caramel.

When the sugar mixture is done, turn off the heat and slowly add the cream mixture to the sugar mixture. Be careful -- it will bubble up violently. Stir in the vanilla with a wooden spoon and cook over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, until the mixture reaches 248 degrees F (firm ball) on a candy thermometer.

Fill the pan.

Very carefully (it's hot!) pour the caramel into the prepared pan and refrigerate for a few hours, until firm.

Cut the caramel.

When the caramel is cold, pry the sheet from the pan onto a cutting board. Cut the square in half.

Roll it up.

Starting with a long side, roll the caramel up tightly into an 8-inch-long log.

Cut into pieces.

Sprinkle the log with fleur de sel, trim the ends and cut into 8 pieces. (Start by cutting the log in half, then continue cutting each piece in half until you have 8 equal pieces.) It's easier to cut the caramels if you brush the knife with flavorless oil like corn oil.

Wrap the candies.

Cut glassine or parchment paper into 4-by-5-inch pieces and wrap each caramel individually, twisting the ends. Store in the refrigerator and serve the caramels chilled.

Source:  Ina Garten for Food Network Magazine

 

Seana's Salsa Deviled Eggs

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, March 13, 2011

 

My friend, Seana, from Napa Valley, sent me her much loved recipe for Salsa Deviled Eggs.  Can't wait to try it, has to be a winner, Seana is a world class cook.  ~ jan

SALSA DEVILED EGGS

Makes 20

10 hard boiled, extra large eggs, peeled, halved

1/3 cup mayonnaise

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1/4 cup finely chopped, drained, oil packed sun-dried tomatoes

1 Tbsp finely chopped pickled jalapeno peppers

6 green onions, thinly sliced

6 Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped

Remove yolks from eggs and place in medium bowl. Blend in mayonnaise and mustard. Stir in all remaining ingredients. Spoon mixture into pastry bag fitted with large plain or star tip. Pipe mixture into egg white halves. (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Cover tightly and refrigerate.)

Triple Threat Coconut Cream Pie

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, March 08, 2011


1 Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crust, softened as directed on box
1 can (13 1/2 oz) coconut milk, shaken well
1/2/ cup plus 1 tablespoon sweetened shredded or flaked coconut, toasted
1 cup whole milk
1/2 vanilla bean, split (or 1 teaspoon vanilla)
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
5 large egg yolks
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into four pieces

Topping

1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, well chilled
1-1/2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons dark rum (or 1 teaspoon vanilla)
1/4 cup sweetened shredded or flaked coconut, toasted
1 oz white chocolate, shave
  1. Heat oven to 450°F.
  2. Unroll pie crust onto cooking parchment or wax paper. Brush a small amount of coconut milk onto dough (just enough to moisten it). Sprinkle 1/2 tablespoon of the toasted coconut evenly on dough, then press it lightly into dough, just enough to make it stick.
  3. Sprinkle 1/2 tablespoon toasted coconut onto bottom of 9-inch pie plate, then form dough into plate. Prick bottom and side with fork. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light brown. Cool.
  4. Heat the remaining coconut milk, the whole milk, 1/2 cup toasted coconut, vanilla bean, 1/3 cup of the sugar and the salt to a simmer in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, about 5 minutes to dissolve sugar.
  5. In a separate large bowl, with whisk, beat the egg yolks, remaining 1/3 cup sugar and the cornstarch until well combined. Gradually beat the simmering liquid into the yolk mixture to temper it, then return the entire mixture to saucepan, scraping the bowl with a rubber spatula. Discard vanilla bean.
  6. Heat the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, beating constantly with whisk, 5 to 6 minutes or until mixture is thickened.
  7. Remove from heat; beat in the coconut extract and butter. Pour into the cooled crust; press a sheet of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the filling and refrigerate until the filling is cold and firm, at least 3 hours or overnight.
  8. Just before serving, beat the cream and sugar in a chilled bowl using electric mixer at medium speed until soft peaks form. Add the rum and continue to beat until slightly stiff peaks are formed. Spread or pipe the whipped cream over the chilled filling. Sprinkle 1/4 cup toasted coconut and shaved chocolate over the top. Store in refrigerator.
Makes 8 servings
Source:  You sweet talker, Betty Crocker...
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