Recipes

Ginger Steak

Published on by carol lou

This recipe is a family favorite recipe.  Always met with rave reviews and anticipation.  My husband grew up with this recipe; one that his mom used to make.  I have been making this recipe for years and it is just too good not to add to your recipe rotation.  Serve with plenty of rice.

Ginger Steak 

Ginger Steak
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. 1 inch ginger root, peeled and grated
  2. 1 1/2 to 2 pounds, sirloin steak, sliced diagonally, very thin
  3. 1 tablespoons butter
  4. 1/4 cup red wine
  5. 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped slivered almonds
  6. 1 teaspoon chili powder
  7. 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  8. 1 medium onion, chopped
  9. 8 oz. sliced mushrooms (optional)
  10. 2 cups beef broth
  11. 2 tablespoon plum jam
  12. 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  13. 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
  14. 2 tablespoons sherry
  15. Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
  1. Brown meat in butter in a large saucepan or dutch oven. Remove beef from pan, add onions, ginger and mushrooms to pan and saute for 5 minutes over medium heat. Add red wine and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, stirring to get all of the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add broth, almonds, chili powder, garlic powder, plum jam, red wine vinegar and almonds. Stir well to combine. Return browned beef to pan with any juices. Simmer slowly covered for 40 minutes. Add cornstarch mixture, increase heat to medium and stir until thick, (if you would like a thicker sauce, repeat cornstarch mixture). Add sherry, check seasoning, add salt and pepper, to taste.
https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Puffed Pancake

Published on by carol lou

If you asked my husband what his favorite breakfast is, he would tell you a Puffed Pancake.   We love pancakes, however they can be heavy and so filling.  This pancake is thin and crispy.  The best part about this pancake is how easy it is to make.  It takes more time for the oven to preheat than to combine the ingredients.  Next time you are looking for a new breakfast treat, try a Puffed Pancake. 

 puffed pancakde

 

Puffed Pancake
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. 3 tablespoons butter
  2. 2 eggs
  3. 1/2 cup flour
  4. 1/2 cup milk
  5. 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  6. Confectioners sugar
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425
  2. Combine eggs, flour, milk, and cinnamon. Whisk until smooth.
  3. Put ovenproof 10 inch skillet in oven, after 4 minutes, put the butter in the skillet to melt.
  4. Watch carefully, swirl pan to coat with the butter. Pour the batter into the skillet.
  5. Bake 15 -20 minutes, until golden brown and puffed. Do not open oven door while baking.
  6. Remove from oven, dust with confectioners sugar. Serve with maple syrup.
Notes
  1. This would also be a wonderful dessert, omit syrup and serve with a warm fruit compote.
https://apassionforentertaining.com/

 

Avocado Orange Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Published on by carol lou

 This is a very light and refreshing salad.  Even though an unexpected combination, you will find that the flavors are spectacular together.  Use the dressing sparingly, you can always add more.  I find that drizzling the dressing over each plated salad makes a beautiful presentation.  You can also add grapefruit, blood orange slices or any other citrus combination you prefer.

Avocado Orange Salad

 

Avocado Orange Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. Salad ingredients to include lettuce varieties, avocados and citrus slices.
  2. Poppy Seed Dressing
  3. 1/4 cup honey
  4. 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  5. 1 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  6. 2 tablespoons poppy seed
  7. 1/3 teaspoon salt
  8. 2/3 cup canola oil
Instructions
  1. Combine all dressing ingredients in a screw top container. Shake vigorously until the dressing thickens. Refrigerate. Shake well before using.
https://apassionforentertaining.com/

 

 

 

 

 

Guinness Cheese Toasts

Published on by carol lou

What does everyone focus on during the month of March?  March Madness and St. Patrick’s Day.  Here is a recipe that is perfect for both occasions.  Perfect with a cold beer while watching the games and a great appetizer for a St. Patrick’s Day dinner.  Easy to make and the hot bubbly cheese makes this a recipe that you will probably use time and time again.  I think this would also be great grilled appetizer for a summer BBQ.

Guinness Cheese Toasts

Guinness Cheese Toasts
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. 1 pound extra sharp cheddar cheese cut into 1 inch cubes
  2. 3/4 cup Guinness Stout
  3. 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  4. 2 cloves of garlic
  5. Tomato slices
  6. Baguette, cut into 1/3 inch slices
  7. Olive oil
Instructions
  1. Put the cheese, Guinness, cayenne pepper and garlic in the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth.
  2. Preheat broiler.
  3. Lightly brush bread slices with olive oil, put under the broiler until just golden brown.
  4. Spread cheese mixture on each bread slice, boil an additional 2 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Watch closely.
  5. Serve with tomato slices, if desired.
Notes
  1. If you do not have a food processor, finely grate the sharp cheddar cheese and mix in the Guinness, cayenne and garlic. Stir until all is combined.
https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Three Ingredient Beer Bread

Published on by carol lou

This recipe is so easy it is almost embarrassing.  I have had this recipe for years and I cannot remember who gave it to me, but it is possibly the easiest and quickest recipe I have.  Three ingredients and you have a loaf of bread. I have seen mixes in gourmet stores for beer bread, the mix is purely a combination of self-rising flour and sugar, they have you add the bottle of beer.  You can make this gem at home for under $2.00.  I am sure there are many variations of this bread, but this recipe is just too good to pass over.  Quick, easy, and delicious – how much better can it get?  Try different types of beer, I was just thinking that a chocolate stout would probably be wonderful. I would serve that bread with a side of Nutella.

Beer Bread

 

Three Ingredient Beer Bread
No need to purchase a bread mix when you have this recipe
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. 3 cups self-rising flour
  2. 3 tablespoons sugar
  3. 1 12 oz. bottle of beer
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350
  2. Grease a 9 x 5 loaf pan
  3. Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
  4. Pour into prepared pan
  5. Bake 50 - 60 minutes, until golden brown
https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Milk Chocolate Bar Pie

Published on by carol lou

This is a definite throw-back recipe for me.  When I was growing up, my mother received this recipe from the interior decorator that was working with my mom when we were remodeling our early 1900’s farmhouse.  I remember how much everyone loved this pie when it was served.   I never thought too much about it, until I found the recipe card for this recipe with her name on it.  It is a classic 1950’s recipe that is as delicious today as it was then.  I added sliced almonds, the original recipe used chocolate bars with almonds

 milk chocolate bar pie

 

Milk Chocolate Bar Pie
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. 6 - 1.55 oz. milk chocolate bars
  2. 17 large marshmallows, quartered
  3. 1/2 cup milk
  4. 1/2 cup sliced almonds
  5. 1 cup whipping cream, whipped until stiff peaks form
  6. 1 9-inch graham cracker crust.
Instructions
  1. Prepare graham cracker crust or used a purchased crust.
  2. Simmer a small amount of water in a medium saucepan, make a double-boiler by putting a glass mixing bowl over simmering water. In the bowl, add milk, chocolate bars, and marshmallows. It will take approx. 10 minutes for all to melt, stir frequently and whisk when melted for a smooth consistency. Remove from heat and cool. Stir mixture occasionally while cooling. Beat whipping cream. When chocolate mixture has cooled, fold in whipped cream. Pour into prepared pie crust and refrigerate for 3 hours. Garnish with additional whipped cream when serving.
Notes
  1. Graham Cracker crust
  2. 1 1/4 graham cracker crumbs
  3. 1/4 cup sugar
  4. 5 tablespoons melted butter
  5. Combine, pour into pie pan and pat into the pan and up the sides, to make an even crust.
  6. Bake at 350 for 6 -8 minutes
https://apassionforentertaining.com/
.                 

Creamy Salsa Whitefish

Published on by carol lou

This is my favorite way to cook any type of whitefish. In the photo below, I baked halibut. I have also used cod and haddock. The results are always outstanding. If you like a crunchy topping, try a light dusting of crushed tortilla chips over the topping prior to baking.  This recipe is so easy and the results are so good.

 IMG_2700

 

Creamy Salsa Whitefish
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. 2 - 4 fish whitefish fillets (fillets that are white, lean, and firm. I use halibut, haddock or cod)
  2. 1/4 cup salsa, type is your choice, I used a medium spiced salsa
  3. 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  4. 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350
  2. Spread topping over fish fillets
  3. Bake 20 - 25 minutes, until done
https://apassionforentertaining.com/

 

Banana Lemon Bread

Published on by carol lou

The lemon in this bread adds a twist to traditional banana bread.  This bread is extremely moist with just that hint of lemon.  Make sure to test the bread with a cake tester or wooden skewer, when it comes out clean, your bread is ready to remove from the oven.  Enjoy.

Banana Lemon Bread

Banana Lemon Bread
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. 2/3 cup butter, softened
  2. 1 cup sugar
  3. 2 eggs
  4. 3 ripe bananas, mashed
  5. 6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  6. 2 cups flour
  7. 1 teaspoon baking soda
  8. 1/2 teaspoon salt
  9. 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
  10. Confectioners sugar
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350
  2. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Blend in the bananas and lemon juice.
  3. Stir together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the banana mixture. Stir in the lemon zest and mix just until blended.
  4. Pour the batter into a greased 9 1/2 x 5 1/2 in. loaf pan.
  5. Bake for 1 hour or until done.
  6. Remove the baked loaf from the pan after 15 minutes from removing from oven. Cool.
  7. Sift confectioners sugar over the top prior to serving.
https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Calzones

Published on by carol lou

I thought I would try making a calzone filling using Italian sausage, pepperoni, fennel and mushrooms. I like to cook the filling in advance, drain and cool prior to filling the dough. The result was wonderful. I began by making my pizza dough recipe for the crust.  I also used my favorite pizza pan: this pan has perforated holes and  produces a crisp crust.

  calzones

 Calzones – just prior to baking

IMG_2693

 

Calzones
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. 1 recipe pizza dough
Filling
  1. 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  2. 1 small onion, chopped
  3. 1 small fennel bulb, chopped
  4. 1/2 lb. hot Italian sausage
  5. 1/2 cup pepperoni, diced
  6. 8 oz. mushrooms
  7. 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
  8. 4 slices provolone cheese
  9. Extra virgin olive oil and dried basil for topping
  10. Marinara sauce
Instructions
  1. Heat oil in skillet, add onion and fennel, cook for 3 minutes over medium high heat. Add sausage and stir breaking into small pieces. Cook for 5 minutes, add mushrooms and pepperoni. Cook until sausage is brown. Drain mixture and cool.
  2. Preheat oven to 400
  3. Prepare dough and after it has rested, divide in 1/2. Roll each piece into a rectangle approx. 9 in. x 8 in.
  4. Spread ricotta cheese over 1/2 of dough, leave 1 inch around edge.
  5. Top with 1/2 of the filling.
  6. Top with 2 slices of provolone.
  7. Fold dough over and seal edges.
  8. Repeat with remaining dough and ingredients.
  9. Brush tops with olive oil and sprinkle with dried basil
  10. Bake 20 -25 minutes until golden brown
  11. Remove from oven and let the calzones sit for approx. 5 minutes prior to slicing.
  12. Serve with your favorite marinara sauce.
  13. Serves 4 - 6
https://apassionforentertaining.com/

 

Portuguese Pan Rolls

Published on by carol lou

Portuguese Rolls are near and dear to my husband.  Being from Portuguese lineage and also growing up in Hawaii, these rolls are what he remembers from his childhood. This recipe adds not only lemon and lemon zest, but also a jigger of bourbon.  Talk about a wonderful flavor, perfect to serve with dinner or a perfect sandwich roll.  Soft, fluffy and oh so delicious.

portugese sweet rolls

 

Portuguese Pan Rolls
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. 3 1/2 - 4 cups of flour
  2. 3 eggs
  3. 3/4 cup sugar
  4. Jigger of bourbon
  5. Grated rind on 1 lemon
  6. 1/2 cup canola oil
  7. 1/2 teaspoon salt
  8. 1 package dry yeast
  9. 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  10. 1/2 cup warm water
Instructions
  1. Mix warm water, yeast, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Stir until dissolved. Add 1/2 cup flour to yeast mixture, set aside. Beat sugar, eggs, oil, lemon rind, lemon juice, and bourbon. Add to yeast mixture. Add flour (mixture will be sticky). In a warm place raise until double (approx. 1 hour). Dust surface with flour and knead dough for approx. 10 minutes. Shape into rolls, place rolls in well greased baking pan. Cover and let raise until double. Bake 375 for 20 minutes.
https://apassionforentertaining.com/