Recipes

Almond Puffs

Published on by carol lou

I cannot tell you how many times I have made this recipe.  This was one of my mother’s favorites recipes; I remember she always made these during the holidays.  It is perfect to serve for breakfast, brunch or even dessert.  This recipe has two components; the buttery crust and a custard puffed topping.  Hard to explain, but it looks and tastes like you went to the most elegant bakery.  Every time I serve this gem, I always get asked for the recipe.  This is a keeper.  One more note, these freeze beautifully; cool and wrap tightly to freeze, thaw overnight to serve in the morning.

almond puffs

 

Almond Puff
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Ingredients
  1. Crust
  2. 1/2 cup butter
  3. 1 cup flour
  4. 2 tablespoons water
  5. Filling
  6. 1/2 cup butter
  7. 1 cup water
  8. 1 teaspoon almond extract
  9. 1 cup flour
  10. 3 eggs
  11. Powdered Sugar Glaze
  12. Toasted sliced almonds
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment t.
  2. Prepare the crust - in a medium bowl cut 1/2 cup butter into small pieces, add the 1 cup flour. With a pastry blender combine until the butter is the size of peas. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of water over and mix together. Combine into a ball. Divide in half. Pat each piece of dough into a rectangle 12 inches by 3 inches. Dough rectangles should be at least 3 inches apart.
  3. Prepare the filling - heat 1/2 cup butter and 1 cup water to a rolling boil. Remove from heat. Quickly stir in the almond extract and 1 cup flour. Return to low heat, stir mixture vigorously until mixture forms a ball (approx. 1 minute). Remove from heat. With a hand mixer, beat in eggs using high speed. Continue to beat until mixture becomes smooth and glossy, about 3 minutes. Divide filling; spread half of the filling over each rectangle of crust.
  4. Bake 1 hour or until golden brown. Cool.
  5. Spread with Powdered Sugar Glaze and sprinkle with almonds.
Notes
  1. Powdered Sugar Glaze
  2. Mix 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons softened butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 - 2 tablespoons warm water in a small bowl. Mix until desired consistency. Spread over cooled puffs, top with nuts.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Sloppy Joes

Published on by carol lou

During this hectic time of year, I am always one that loves a quick to fix lunch or dinner.  I remember growing up eating Sloppy Joes occasionally and I have to admit, I still love a great overstuffed, hard to eat, and kid friendly sandwich.  My preference is to serve these on crusty rolls with a side salad.  There is something about those recipes you remember from childhood – the best of food memories!

Sloppy Joes

 

Sloppy Joes
Serves 4
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Ingredients
  1. 1 pound ground beef
  2. 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  3. 1 green pepper, finely chopped
  4. 2 cups ketchup
  5. 1/4 cup brown sugar
  6. 3 tablespoons mustard
  7. 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  8. 1/2 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
  9. Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
  1. Brown beef and drain any excess fat. Add remaining ingredients, cover and cook over medium- low heat for 45 minutes - 1 hour. Stir frequently. Serve on crusty rolls.
Notes
  1. If you like more sauce, add 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup additional ketchup.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

 

 

Parmesan Crusted Baked Chicken and How I Select the Recipes I Post

Published on by carol lou

For my faithful readers, you know that I always try to highlight recipes that are easy to prepare and generally use easy to find items and many items that I am sure are staples in your pantry.  Someone mentioned to me the other day how much they appreciated the recipes that I post.  I have to admit that many times I make very complicated recipes that require multiple steps when I entertain.  I am asked why I do not post these recipes; my response was I want to blog about great food that can be prepared with ease using the best ingredients you can find.  Recipes adding cans of soup, manufactured cheese products, pudding mixes and other premade, prepared mixes are not my idea of great cooking.  I want everyone to feel confident in the kitchen.  There is nothing better than a great meal! 

Parmesan Baked Chicken is exactly one of those perfect to make recipes.  After this chicken is baked, you have a moist chicken breast with the most marvelous parmesan baked crust.  This is the perfect dinner that you can prepare and serve in under one hour. 

Parmesan Crusted Baked Chicken

Parmesan Crusted Baked Chicken
Serves 4
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Ingredients
  1. 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  2. 2 tablespoons minced Italian parsley
  3. 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  4. 1 clove garlic, minced
  5. 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  6. 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  7. 3 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Combine parmesan cheese, parsley, oregano, garlic and pepper in a shallow bowl.
  3. Dip chicken breasts in melted butter and then roll in cheese mixture. Place in shallow baking dish. Drizzle remaining butter over the chicken. Bake 375 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes.
  4. Great to serve hot or cold.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Hot Cheese Puffs

Published on by carol lou

My featured recipe in CEO Magazine for December is Hot Cheese Puffs – you can check out the recipe in this month’s issue of CEO Magazine ( I have pasted the link below); I have also posted the recipe below. .

I can attribute my cooking skills and entertaining skills to my mother. She was an amazing cook with a flair for entertaining. I remember my parents hosting large parties throughout the holiday season. One of the things my mother was a master of was preparing things in advance. This enables you to enjoy your holiday party with the prep work complete. Hot Cheese Puffs was one of her go-to recipes. I think you will agree these are quick to prepare, store in the freezer and then bake when you need them. They are like eating a cube of bread dipped in the most luscious fondue.

Hot Cheese Puffs

1 loaf French bread

1 – 3 oz. package cream cheese

¼ lb. sharp cheddar cheese, grated

4 ounces of butter (1/2 cup)

2 eggs whites, beaten stiff

 

Remove crust from French bread and cut into 1” cubes.   In a medium saucepan, melt butter, cream cheese and cheddar cheese over medium low heat, stirring frequently. When creamy, carefully fold in beaten egg whites. Dip cubes into mixture and place on a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze. When frozen, place in a plastic bag and store in the freezer. When ready to serve – preheat oven to 450 degrees. Bake puffs for approx. 8 minutes until puffed and golden.

Hot Cheese Puffs

 

Spicy Shrimp

Published on by carol lou

If you love a  dish that packs some heat – you will love this Spicy Shrimp recipe. Marinate the shrimp one hour to up to twenty-four hours before serving.  Quick, easy and make ahead; my idea of a perfect recipe.  I like to serve this with hot crusty bread to sop of the spicy sauce.   If you like a more mild dish, decrease the amount of cayenne pepper.  When I serve this, plates are perfectly clean when finished; that is my indicator of a recipe that you will want to repeat.   The perfect accompaniment is a cold beer or a chilled white wine.

Spicy Shrimp

Spicy Shrimp
Serves 3
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Ingredients
  1. 1/2 cup olive oil
  2. 2 tablespoons spice mix (see below)
  3. 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  4. 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  5. 1 tablespoon honey
  6. 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  7. 1 pound large shrimp, shelled and deceived
  8. Lemon wedges
Instructions
  1. In a large glass baking dish, combine the olive oil, seasoning, lemon, juice, parsley, honey and soy sauce. Add shrimp and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight.
  2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Bake shrimp, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
  1. Spice mix
  2. 1 tablespoon paprika
  3. 1 tablespoon salt
  4. 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  5. 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  6. 2 teaspoons onion powder
  7. 1/2 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  8. 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme
  9. 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

 

 

 

Cauliflower Casserole

Published on by carol lou

My typical method for cooking all vegetables is drizzling them with a little olive oil, adding salt and pepper and roasting them in the oven.  However, I have a few recipes that are just too good not to share.  I thought I would share this recipe since it would be perfect to serve during the holidays.  Even non-cauliflower loving guests will love this dish.  Who doesn’t love a creamy, gooey vegetable dish with hints of bacon.  It almost tastes like a wonderful macaroni and cheese recipe with cauliflower.  I think you will agree it is delicious!

Cauliflower Casserole

Cauliflower Casserole
Serves 6
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Ingredients
  1. 4 slices bacon, chopped
  2. 4 cloves of garlic, minced
  3. 1 head of cauliflower, sliced thin
  4. 2 tablespoon flour
  5. 1 1/2 cup cream
  6. 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  7. 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  8. 1 1/2 cups grated Swiss cheese
  9. 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
  1. Saute bacon until golden brown in a large skillet, add garlic, cook an additional 1 - 2 minutes. Add cauliflower and cook stirring frequently for 5 minutes. Stir in flour and mix well. Stir in cream, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, remove from heat. Pour into a shallow casserole dish, top with cheese and parsley.
  2. Bake 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Notes
  1. The casserole can be made ahead and refrigerated. Increase cooking time to 45 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Spiced Cranberry Chutney

Published on by carol lou

Looking for the perfect condiment to serve along side your turkey? Or are you looking for the perfect appetizer to serve over the holidays? Spiced Cranberry Chutney is perfect to have in your refrigerator and ready to serve. I am going to serve this as a condiment on a cheese board with brie cheese, manchego cheese and grapes.  Serve crackers along side and you have a quick, easy, delicious and beautiful appetizer or spice up  a turkey sandwich with a generous amount of chutney. This recipe is easy to prepare and can be refrigerated for 3 weeks and is always ready to serve.

spiced cranberry chutney

 

 

Spiced Cranberry Chutney
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Ingredients
  1. 1 14 oz. can whole berry cranberry sauce
  2. 1/2 cup raisins
  3. 1/2 cup apple, finely diced and peeled
  4. 1/4 cup sugar
  5. 1/4 cup cider vinegar
  6. 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  7. 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  8. 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
  1. Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally until apples are tender and the chutney has thickened slightly, approximately 30 minutes.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Spoon Rolls

Published on by carol lou

With Thanksgiving one week again, I searched to find this quick to make recipe, perfect to serve on Thanksgiving. The reason they are called Spoon Rolls, is that you simply stir the dough, drop in muffin cups and bake. From start to finish, these hot rolls can be on the table in 30 minutes! I received this recipe years ago from a co-worker, written on a slip of paper. These my friends, are the type of recipes that transcend generations. Family favorites to be shared and enjoyed.

spoon rolls

Spoon Rolls
Yields 18
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Ingredients
  1. 1 package yeast
  2. 2 cups warm water
  3. 3/4 cup oil
  4. 4 cups self-rising flour
  5. 1/4 cup sugar
  6. 1 egg
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Dissolve yeast in warm water. Combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Stir in yeast mixture and stir until well combined. Spoon into greased muffin tins. Bake 15 - 20 minutes or until golden brown.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Chicken Piccata

Published on by carol lou

Looking for a quick to fix dinner?  Chicken Piccata is just the recipe, I dip my chicken breasts in beer prior to dusting with flour.  This combination gives a beer batter type crust that is fantastic.  If you plan on serving this with angel hair pasta, I would double the amount of dry sherry and lemon juice.  That will give you enough sauce for your pasta.  I serve this with roasted vegetables, outstanding week night dinner. 

Chicken Piccata

Chicken PIccata
Serves 4
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Ingredients
  1. 1 cup flour
  2. 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  3. 1 teaspoon salt
  4. 1 tablespoon minced parsley
  5. 6 ounces beer
  6. 4 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
  7. 1/4 cup olive oil
  8. 1/4 cup dry sherry
  9. Juice on 1 lemon
Instructions
  1. Combine flour, pepper, salt and parsley in shallow bowl. Pour beer into another shallow bowl. Dip chicken in beer and dredge in flour. Heat oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chicken 5 minutes per side. Remove chicken, add sherry and lemon juice; cook over medium-high heat for one minute, scraping bottom of pan. Return chicken to pan; cover and cook over low heat for 15 minutes. To serve, place chicken on a platter, pour sauce over the chicken.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Chocolate Orange Biscotti

Published on by carol lou

We were participating in a wine tasting of the wines of the Piedmont Region of Italy. I wanted to make an Italian cookie that would compliment this region and these wines.  I immediately thought of making biscotti and decided on a chocolate orange combination.  Biscotti are easy to make and I think homemade biscotti are so much better than the store-bought variety.  The crunch and crispy texture of these cookies are sensational.  Perfect to serve with a glass of wine, a cup of coffee or a cup of espresso.  Delizioso!

 

 chocolate orange biscotti

Chocolate Orange Biscotti
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Ingredients
  1. 1 cup slivered almonds
  2. 1 3/4 cup flour
  3. 1 cup sugar
  4. 1/8 teaspoon salt
  5. 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  6. 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  7. 3/4 pound bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
  8. 2 large eggs
  9. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  10. 2 tablespoons orange liqueur
  11. Zest of one orange, grated
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment.
  2. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and toast in the preheated oven. Watch carefully, they will become golden brown in 5 - 7 minutes. Once golden, remove from oven and cool.
  3. Combine the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a large bowl. Place 1/2 cup of the flour mixture in a food processor, add 1/2 cup toasted almonds and 1/2 cup of the coarsely chopped chocolate, process until it becomes powdery. Stir into the flour mixture, add remaining nuts and chocolate.
  4. In a small bowl, combine the eggs, vanilla, orange liqueur, and orange zest until thoroughly combined. Fold the egg mixture into the dry ingredients with a fork. Continue by kneading the the mixture until it forms a ball. Press the dough down and divide into 4 equal portions. Shape each piece into a log that 1 1/2 inches wide and 12 inches long. Place each log (2 per baking sheet) on the parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes. Then slice each log into diagonal slices (12 per log) and place on the parchment lined sheets. Return to the oven and bake an additional 10 minutes or until crisp. Cool on a rack, these can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Make 4 dozen.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/