Not for the faint of heart, these lemon bars are intensey lemon flavored. They actually tasted like a lemon meringue pie without the meringue, they were so custardy inside.  Easy to make, too, my personal tweaks at the end of the recipe.  I will never look further than this for a lemon bar recipe, these are perfection. Thank you Ina Garten, what a National Treasure you are.

Ingredients

For the crust:

1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 cups flour
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

For the filling:

6 extra-large eggs at room temperature
3 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (4 to 6 lemons)
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

For the crust, cream the butter and sugar until light in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Combine the flour and salt and, with the mixer on low, add to the butter until just mixed. Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and gather into a ball. Flatten the dough with floured hands and press it into a 9 by 13 by 2-inch baking sheet, building up a 1/2-inch edge on all sides. Chill.

Bake the crust for 15 to 20 minutes, until very lightly browned. Let cool on a wire rack. Leave the oven on.

For the filling, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. Pour over the crustand bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the filling is set. Let cool to room temperature.

Cut into triangles and dust with confectioners' sugar.

And now for my tweaks:

I made a saddle of parchment paper (I sprayed the parchment with Pam just to be on the safe side) and put it in my 9x13 pan before patting in the crust. Putting a bit of additional flour on your hands really helps press them into the pan easily. I'm a big fan of using saddles, because you can just lift your bars right out of the pan to cut them. 

After I baked the lemon bars for the minimum time (just until they slightly jiggled but not brown, the tops were pale, with just a bit of browning around the edges) I put them in the refrigerator overnight. I didn’t cut them, I didn’t dust them with confectioner’s sugar, I just cooled them and put them in the fridge.

The next morning I lifted the edges of the parchment paper, they came out with just a little bit of a tug, I put them on a cutting board, and I put another cutting board on top and flipped them, then it was simple to peel off the parchment paper. It didn’t stick at all, thanks to the Pam. I then flipped them again so they were upright, cut them into large squares, took the cutting board, put it over the sink, used a strainer and dusted the squares heavily with confectioner’s sugar. I used a lot of powdered sugar.

I read all of Ina’s reviews before I made these, and decided to make her original recipe. There was a bit of confusion about the size of the pan, in the following video she says 9x12, but the website says 9x13, I used 9x13 and they were fine. But since I like all things thick, I might consider just the next size smaller pan the next time I make these.  But then again, these were pretty darned perfect...

A few of the reviewers complained that the filling tasted floury. I tasted one corner when they were warm, and I could detect a faint flour taste, but the secret lies with overnight chilling. This allows the flavors to marry, and trust me, you don’t taste flour, you taste lemon! Utterly delightful, yummy, fresh lemon. I think they are best cold, too. I learned from my elderly neighbor, who loves cold cake and bars, that things straight from the fridge do have a delightfully fresh, cool taste.

I’ve made lemon bars many times, but never with results like this. I think in the past I always dusted with the sugar too soon and it soaked into the bars, and I never refrigerated them. But, oh what a difference a day in the refrigerator makes...

You can dust leftover bars with more powdered sugar to freshen them.  Who doesn't like a lot of powdered sugar. 

Give these bars a try the next time you want a WOW Dessert! They won't disappoint...
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#lemonbars #lemon #dessert #baking #lemonbar #homemade #desserts #lemons #food #sweets #lemoncake #cookies #brownies #foodphotography #lemonsultan #bakery #foodie #glutenfree #yummy #lemondessert #lemonade #homebaker #sweet #sweettooth #lemonsquares #cake #lemonwater #lemoncurd #yum

This really is an absolutely delicious recipe, it's mellow, the flavors aren't overpowering at all, it's just warm, creamy, gooey perfection. 

She made this yummy recipe on Season 2, episode 4 of The Magnolia Table.  I watched that episode and knew I just had to make this and it did not disappoint.  It's such a nice change from cumin infused, adobo type sauces, it's like the Mexican version of Fettuccine Alfredo.  Well, okay, not really, but you get the idea...

Ingredients

Cooking spray

2 (10-ounce) cans mild green enchilada sauce
1 (10-ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 (8-ounce) container sour cream (1 cup)
4 cups shredded meat from 1 store-bought rotisserie chicken
1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
1 (14-ounce) bag grated mozzarella cheese (about 3 1/2 cups)
10 (8-inch) soft flour tortillas
1 tomato, chopped
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro 🤮
1 lime, cut into wedges

Cooked rice (preferably Mexican rice) and seasoned beans (preferably charro beans), warmed, for serving (optional)

Steps

Position an oven rack in the top third of the oven and heat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a deep 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, whisk together the enchilada sauce, condensed soup and sour cream. Spread 1/2 cup in the baking dish; set aside the remaining 3 1/2 cups creamy enchilada sauce.

In a medium bowl, combine the chicken and chiles (including any liquid from the can); set aside.

Sprinkle about 2 heaping tablespoons mozzarella on a tortilla, then add a heaping 1/3 cup of the shredded chicken and chiles. Tightly roll up the tortilla and place it seam side down in the prepared baking dish. Continue filling and rolling the remaining tortillas with 2 tablespoons mozzarella and a heaping 1/3 cup chicken mixture, placing the tortillas in the baking dish as they are filled, pushing the rolled tortillas as needed to fit in a single layer.

Pour the reserved creamy enchilada sauce over the filled tortillas. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top. Bake until the cheese is melted, about 15 minutes. If you’d like it to be a bit browner in spots, you can pop it under the broiler for another minute or two.

Sprinkle enchiladas with tomato and cilantro and pass with lime wedges for squeezing on top. Serve enchiladas with rice and beans, if desired. Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; reheat in a 300-degree oven.

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#enchilada #jancooksrealfood #mexicanfood #enchiladas #food #burrito #mexican #foodie #dinner #foodporn #instafood #tacos #chimichanga #nachos  #lunch #texmex y #foodstagram #fajita #foodphotography #chicken #margaritas r #mexicancuisine #chickenenchilidas #joannagaines #magnoliatable

A lot of people add taco seasoned ground beef to their Taco Salad, we never do, but we do serve it with grilled burgers.  It's just soul soothing, yummy goodness, period!

This is so easy, it goes together in no time.  Here's how you do it.

1 can of light red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 chopped onion, green onion is awesome in this salad
iceberg lettuce, shredded
sliced cherry or grape tomatoes
Handfuls of grated cheddar cheese
Handfuls of Nacho Doritos that you crush lightly with your hands.
Catalina Dressing

Put everything in a large salad bowl, ending with the Doritos, toss at last minute with the chips and serve.

Now wasn't that easy?  It's not really a recipe, you just throw in what you like.  You can use any kind of  chip with this, Mexican corn chips, Fritos, etc. but the Doritos really are the best, because they have that great tangy, cheesy taste.

If you want to add seasoned and cooked ground beef, go for it and top it with a big dollop of sour cream.  You want corn in it?  That works, too.

So many possibilities with this, and you just can't go wrong, it's so good.

Note:  I put the beans in the fridge overnight, and then drain and rinse at the last minute so they are cold.

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#tacotuesday #taco #tacosalad #salad #yummy #jancooksrealfood tacoseveryday  #tacolover #foodporn #foodie #tacosarelife #tacosfordays #mexicanfood # #tacotime #taconight #tacolife #tacotruck #tacoshop #yummy #tacolove #food #dinner #tacobar 

This is our friend Charlie’s recipe and it’s excellent!  The ladies love this!

1 can limeade concentrate - 12 oz.
3/4 can triple sec
3/4 can tequila
2 caps Roses Lime Juice

Add ingredients to your blender, fill with ice and blend to a slushy consistency.  Rim your glass with a squeeze of fresh lime, dip it in salt and you've got the best Margarita you've ever tasted.  How easy is that?

These Stemless Margarita Glasses are a best seller for a reason... they don't tip.  'Nuff said 😜

     You can check them out here

These are stemless wine glasses, even though you could use them for Margaritas.  I've had this set for years because I'm a big fan of green glass and the fact that they're embossed is even better.  I've also bought them for family, for friends, everybody loves these glasses.  

Why?  Because they're cute 😁 and they also happen to be the perfect size and they're easy to hold.

They're still available on Amazon, after all these years.  

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#margaritas #tequila #tacos #mexicanfood #margarita #cocktails #happyhour #drinks #foodie #tacotuesday #food #beer #mexican #mexico #burritos #bar #comidamexicana #mexicanrestaurant #guacamole #nachos #cincodemayo #bartender #jancooksrealfood

Their story began in Chicago, Illinois in November of ’91 when Maggiano’s Little Italy opened the doors of its first location on the corners of Clark Street and Grand Avenue. The dishes were simple, authentic classics, many of them coaxed out of Italian grandmothers, mothers, and aunts whose ideas of a recipe were a pinch of this and a sprinkle of that. What happened next, as they say, is history.

The restaurant was successful from the very beginning. Eager diners sometimes waited hours to celebrate family-style over Italian–American cuisine, reminiscent of a Sunday night visit to their grandmother’s house -- or as they say in Italy, nonna’s casa! These delicious dishes paired with great service, generous portions and a warm atmosphere kept our guests and their families coming back for more.

Their Baked Ziti is the most requested of all their recipes.  And you can make this in your own kitchen.  I love doing this, but then I'm a cook.  I love the process from the prep to the finished product and for me, it's a joy, being in the kitchen and I hope that by sharing these wonderful recipes it will be a joy for you as well.  It's not that difficult to make a wonderful meal, just break it down into steps, turn on some amazing music and cook!

16 oz ziti pasta
20 oz canned or fresh marinara sauce - they prefer Rao's
2 oz olive oil
1 oz butter
1 lb ground Italian sausage
1 oz chopped basil
2 Tbsp minced garlic
8 oz shredded Mozzarella
1 cup white wine
3 Tbsp grated Parmesan
12 oz can of diced tomatoes
1 basil sprig

Steps

Place ziti Pasta in boiling water and cook as stated on the back of the packaging or until your desired al dente. Place the Olive Oil into a heated sauté pan over medium-high heat and cook the Italian sausage.

Once the sausage is almost cooked, add the garlic and continue cooking for approximately 30 seconds. Add the white wine and bring to a simmer, reducing the wine until almost completely dry.

Lower the heat to medium, and add the diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, butter and chopped basil. Remove from the heat, and add the pasta and half of the Mozzarella. Then toss to blend.

Transfer to the baking dish and top with the remaining Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Place underneath a broiler or in a convection oven for approximately 2-3 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Garnish with basil sprig and serve immediately.

If pretty Italian stoneware is your thing - here's a link to this two piece set.  And I'm the queen of justification, you can make this at home, buy this pretty stoneware set that you will use for years and it won't cost you as much as one meal in an Italian restaurant. 

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#ziti #pasta #bakedziti #italianfood #zitilover #food #foodie #pastalover #zitipasta #dinner #homemade #foodlover #italian #foodphotography #genovese #comfortfood #delicious #napoli #mozzarella #cheese