chocolate ice cream

The best chocolate ice cream I've ever had; thanks Alton Brown. I used Penzey's cocoa powder, which might just be the most amazing substance on earth.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces unsweetened cocoa powder, approximately 1/2 cup
• 3 cups half-and-half
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 8 large egg yolks
• 9 ounces sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions

Place the cocoa powder along with 1 cup of the half-and-half into a medium saucepan over medium heat and whisk to combine. Add the remaining half-and-half and the heavy cream. Bring the mixture just to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and remove from the heat.

In a medium mixing bowl whisk the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the sugar and whisk to combine. Temper the cream mixture into the eggs and sugar by gradually adding small amounts, until about 1/3 of the cream mixture has been added. Pour in the remainder and return the entire mixture to the saucepan and place over low heat. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon and reaches 170 to 175 degrees F. Pour the mixture into a container and allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Stir in the vanilla extract. Place the mixture into the refrigerator and once it is cool enough not to form condensation on the lid, cover and store for 4 to 8 hours or until the temperature reaches 40 degrees F or below.

Pour into an ice cream maker and process according to the manufacturer's directions. This should take approximately 25 to 35 minutes. Serve as is for soft serve or freeze for another 3 to 4 hours to allow the ice cream to harden.

vanilla ice cream

Our favorite vanilla ice cream recipe (from Alton Brown).

Ingredients

• 3 cups half-and-half
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 8 large egg yolks
• 9 ounces vanilla sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions

Place the half-and-half and the heavy cream into a medium saucepan, over medium heat. Bring the mixture just to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and remove from the heat.

In a medium mixing bowl whisk the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the sugar and whisk to combine. Temper the cream mixture into the eggs and sugar by gradually adding small amounts, until about a third of the cream mixture has been added. Pour in the remainder and return the entire mixture to the saucepan and place over low heat. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon and reaches 170 to 175 degrees F. Pour the mixture into a container and allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Stir in the vanilla extract. Place the mixture into the refrigerator and once it is cool enough not to form condensation on the lid, cover and store for 4 to 8 hours or until the temperature reaches 40 degrees F or below.

Pour into an ice cream maker and process according to the manufacturer's directions. This should take approximately 25 to 35 minutes. Serve as is for soft serve or freeze for another 3 to 4 hours to allow the ice cream to harden.

strawberry rhubarb coffee cake

The kids love when my rhubarb plant goes crazy and I'm forced to bake them all kinds of desserts, breads, and breakfasts to try to keep up with the monster plant. This is one of their favorites!

INGREDIENTS

• FILLING:
• 3 cups sliced fresh or frozen rhubarb (1-inch pieces)
• 1 quart fresh strawberries, mashed
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup cornstarch
• CAKE:
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, cut into pieces
• 1-1/2 cups buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• TOPPING:
• 1/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup sugar

DIRECTIONS

In a large saucepan, combine rhubarb, strawberries and lemon juice. Cover and cook over medium heat about 5 minutes. Combine sugar and cornstarch; stir into saucepan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Beat buttermilk, eggs and vanilla; stir into crumb mixture.

Spread half of the batter evenly into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Carefully spread filling on top. Drop remaining batter by tablespoonfuls over filling.

For topping, melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat; stir in flour and sugar until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over batter. Lay foil on lower oven rack to catch any juice spillovers.

Place coffee cake on middle rack; bake 40-45 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Cut in squares. Yield: 16-20 servings.

honey mustard brussells sprout slaw

I love this salad from Cookie and Kate as lunch with grilled chicken and we used it as a Thanksgiving side as well. I usually buy a bag of cruciferous crunch from TJ's instead of shredding my own sprouts.

Honey Mustard Brussels Sprout Slaw

• Author: Cookie and Kate
 
• Prep Time: 20 mins
 
• Total Time: 20 mins
 
• Yield: 4
 
• Category: Salad

★★★★★

5 from 20 reviews

This delicious slaw recipe features crisp, shredded Brussels sprouts tossed with tangy honey mustard dressing, toasted almonds and dried cherries (or cranberries). This is a great gluten-free salad or side dish, perfect for potlucks or holiday meals.

INGREDIENTS

Coleslaw

• 1 pound Brussels sprouts
• ⅓ cup slivered almonds, toasted (hickory smoked almonds would be great if you can find them)
• ⅓ cup tart dried cherries or cranberries, chopped
• ⅓ cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese

Honey mustard dressing

• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 garlic clove, pressed or minced
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Shred the sprouts: First, cut off the tough ends of the sprouts and any browning outer leaves. Then shred them in a food processor using the slicing blade, pressing the sprouts against the blade with the provided plastic pusher. If you don’t have a food processor, slice them as thinly as possible using a sharp chef’s knife, then give them a few extra chops for good measure.
2. If you are using raw almonds, toast them over medium heat for three to four minutes, stirring frequently, until they are fragrant and turning golden on the edges.
3. Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, honey, mustard and garlic until emulsified. In a medium serving bowl, toss the shredded sprouts with the almonds, chopped dried fruit, Parmesan and dressing. Serve.

double chocolate pudding

From Food & Wine. I use this pudding recipe in chocolate cookie delight, but would happily eat it as is too!

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 large egg
• 2 large egg yolks
• 5 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Lightly whipped cream, for serving

How to Make It

Step 1    

In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups of the milk with 1/4 cup of the sugar and the salt and bring to a boil over moderate heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat.

Step 2    

In a medium bowl, whisk the cornstarch with the unsweetened cocoa powder and the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar until blended. Add the remaining 1/4 cup of milk and whisk until smooth. Whisk this mixture into the hot milk in the saucepan and bring to a boil over moderate heat, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to moderately low and simmer, whisking constantly, until the pudding is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 2 minutes.

Step 3    

In a medium bowl, whisk the whole egg with the egg yolks. Gradually whisk about 1 cup of the hot cocoa pudding into the eggs until thoroughly incorporated, then scrape the pudding back into the saucepan. Cook the pudding over moderate heat, whisking constantly, until it just comes to boil, about 2 minutes.

Step 4    

Strain the pudding into a medium heatproof bowl. Add the chopped chocolate, butter and vanilla and whisk until the chocolate and butter are melted and incorporated and the pudding is smooth, about 2 minutes. Transfer the pudding to six 6-ounce ramekins and refrigerate until chilled. (If you're not in a hurry, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding in the bowl and refrigerate.) 

chocolate cookie delight

Gage especially loves this dessert, but I make it with homemade chocolate pudding and whipped cream instead of the store-bought versions.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tube (16-1/2 ounces) refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 carton (12 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided
• 3 cups cold 2% milk
• 1 package (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix
• 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
• Chopped nuts, chocolate curls and miniature semisweet chocolate chips, optional

DIRECTIONS

Let cookie dough stand at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften. Press into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 14-16 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Fold in 1-3/4 cups whipped topping. Spread over crust.

In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mixes for 2 minutes. Spread over cream cheese layer. Top with remaining whipped topping. Sprinkle with nuts and chocolate curls if desired.

Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight until firm. Yield: 15 servings.

arroz con pollo

Almost as good as La Carreta. From Food Network. 

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• One 3 1/2-to-4-pound chicken, cut into 8 serving pieces and skin removed
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 cups long-grain rice
• 2 cloves garlic, finely diced
• 1 1/2 cups low-salt chicken stock
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce

Directions

Combine the salt, garlic powder, cumin, black pepper and cayenne in a plastic gallon bag. Shake until the mixture is well combined. 

Pat the chicken dry and place in the bag with the spice mixture. Shake the bag, making sure the chicken is well coated. 

Heat the oil in a 12-inch high-sided skillet over high heat until hot but not smoking. Add the chicken and brown on all sides, about 6 minutes each side. Transfer the chicken to a plate, using tongs. 

Add the onions, green peppers, red peppers and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the skillet. Cook the vegetables over moderate heat, stirring, until softened and fragrant, about 7 minutes. Add the rice and garlic and cook until the rice begins to turn gold in color and fragrant, about 1 minute. 

Meanwhile, combine the stock, tomato sauce and remaining teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Add 1 1/4 cups water and the stock mixture to the skillet and stir to make sure the rice is covered in liquid. Nestle the chicken in the rice, adding any juices from the plate. Bring the rice to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover. Cook until the chicken is cooked through, the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 35 minutes. Let the skillet stand covered, about 10 minutes before serving.

chicken enchiladas

From Genius Kitchen

INGREDIENTS

• 8 -10flour tortillas or 8 -10corn tortillas
• 1⁄2cup chopped onion
• 4garlic cloves, minced
• 1teaspoon ground coriander
• 1⁄4teaspoon pepper
• 2tablespoons butter
• 3tablespoons flour
• 1(8 ounce) carton sour cream
• 2cups chicken broth
• 1(4 ounce) canned green chili peppers
• 1cup shredded monterey jack cheese
• 2cups chopped cooked chicken
• black olives(optional)
• tomatoes (optional)
• green onion(optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Wrap tortillas in foil and heat in 350* oven for 10 minutes to soften.
2. For Sauce: In a saucepan, cook onion, garlic, coriander, and pepper in the butter until the onion is tender.
3. Stir the flour into the sour cream, and then add to the onion mixture.
4. Stir in broth and chili peppers all at once.
5. Cook and stir until thick and bubbly.
6. Remove from heat; stir in 1/2 C of the cheese.
7. For Filling: Stir 1/2 C of the sauce into the chicken, mixing well.
8. Place about 2-3 soup-spoon-size of mixture on each tortilla and roll up.
9. Arrange rolls, seam side down, in a lightly greased 12x8x2 baking dish.
10. Top with remaining sauce.
11. Bake, covered, in 350* oven for 35 minutes.
12. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake, uncovered, 5 minutes more until cheese melts.
13. Let stand 10 minutes.
14. If Desired: garnish tops with olives, tomatoes, and cheese.