Apple Date Cake with Caramel Rum Sauce

Published on by carol lou Category: Desserts, Uncategorized

This description will be brief – my husband thinks this is the best cake I have ever made! 

apple date cake

Apple Date Cake with Caramel Rum Sauce
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. 1 cup pitted dates, chopped
  2. 1 teaspoon baking soda
  3. 1 1/4 cups flour
  4. 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  5. 1/4 teaspoon salt
  6. 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  7. 1 1/4 cups sugar
  8. 1 egg
  9. 1 teaspoon vanilla
  10. 1 apple, peeled and chopped
  11. 1/2 cup flaked coconut
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. In a small saucepan bring dates and 1 cup of water to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda ( it will foam) set aside and cool to room temperature. In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, sugar, egg and vanilla and beat until smooth. Slowly add cooled date mixture. Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Beat until combined. Fold in apple and coconut. Spread in prepared pan. Bake 45 - 55 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool on rack. Run a knife around sides of springform before releasing sides. Carefully remove sides and parchment. Serve with caramel rum sauce.
Notes
  1. Caramel Rum Sauce
  2. In a small saucepan combine 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup sugar, 5 tablespoons butter, 1/2 cup heavy cream. Bring to a boil and boil one minute. Remove from heat and add 1 tablespoon of rum. Serve warm or at room temperature.
https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Tomatillo Chicken Bake

Published on by carol lou Category: Main dishes, Recipes

We usually go out to our local Mexican restaurant to cure our Mexican food cravings.  When I served this dish, we agreed this tasted like something we would have ordered from our favorite Mexican restaurant.  I had leftover chicken and wanted to prepare something using the corn tortillas I had in the refrigerator.  I have to say this was so good, we can’t wait to have the leftovers (now, in my opinion, that is a good recipe). 

tomatillo chicken bake

Tomatillo Chicken Bake
Serves 6
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. 1 cup sour cream
  2. 1/4 cup milk
  3. 1 13 oz. can tomatillos, drained
  4. 1 clove garlic
  5. 1 tablespoon olive oil
  6. 1/2 cup chopped onion
  7. 1 4 oz. can diced green chiles
  8. 6 6-inch corn tortillas
  9. 2 cups shredded, cooked chicken
  10. 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
Instructions
  1. This dish is best if assembled ahead of time and heated before serving.
  2. Grease an 8 x 8 inch baking dish.
  3. Mix together sour cream and milk and set aside. In a blender or food processor, blend tomatillos and garlic. In a small saucepan, heat oil and cook onion and green chiles until onions are transparent. Mix in tomatillo mixture and set aside. Cut tortillas into quarters. Layer the following in the prepared pan - 1/3 of the tortillas, 1/3 of the chicken, 1/3 of the tomatillo sauce, 1/3 of the sour cream and 1/3 of the cheese. Repeat layers, finishing with cheese.
  4. Bake at 350 degrees covered for 30 minutes, remove cover and bake an additional 10 minutes.
Notes
  1. Serving a crowd? Since you can make this ahead, it would be perfect for entertaining. Simply double this recipe, use a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. This would easily serve 10 - 12. Serve with sliced avocado, shredded lettuce, and diced tomatoes. Add a side of black or refried beans and you are ready for a fiesta!
https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Piadina

Published on by carol lou Category: Breads, Recipes

The recent snowfall gave me the opportunity to go though my recipe collection.   Here is one that you must try. Piadina is a thin Italian flat bread or sometimes referred to as a griddle flat bread.  They are typically filled with a variety of cheeses, cold cuts and vegetables, but also with sweet fillings such as jam or Nutella.  They are quick and easy to make, I make the dough in my food processor and the dough is done in a flash. After you make the dough, you simply divide the dough in 5 pieces, roll them into thin circles and quickly cook them.  Absolutely delicious served warm. 

dough 1.   dough 2

             Roll dough into circles                              Cook in large hot skillet or griddle

piadina

 

piadina sandwich  

    Delicious served with meat and cheeses. (also fantastic with Nutella)

Piadina
Yields 5
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. 3 cups flour
  2. 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening
  3. 1 tablespoon salt
  4. 2 teaspoons baking powder
  5. 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
  6. 1 cup cold water
Instructions
  1. Mix all ingredients together to form a dough ( I make mine in the food processor, you can also combine in a large mixing bowl and knead lightly). Cut into five pieces. Roll each piece into a thin circle approximately 8 inches in diameter. Heat a cast iron skillet or griddle until hot, brush with olive oil. When hot add one circle at a time. Watch carefully, as soon as it is golden brown, flip with a spatula a cook the other side. Be careful not to burn, these cook very fast. I brush the skillet with oil prior to cooking each Piadina.
https://apassionforentertaining.com/

                 

Chocolate Olive Oil Cupcakes

Published on by carol lou Category: Desserts, Recipes

Recipe #5 – Spartan Olive Oil Challenge #EVOOChallenge

This is a version of my mother’s favorite chocolate cake recipe.  These can be made quickly with ingredients in your pantry.  The addition of the olive oil makes these gems moist with dense chocolate flavor.  Oh…I might have forgotten to tell you, you mix them in one bowl – how easy is that?   This is the perfect triple chocolate combination, chocolate cake, chocolate chips and chocolate ganache. Just my kind of sweet delight.

Chocolate olive oil cupcakes

 

 

Chocolate Olive Oil Cupcakes
Yields 12
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. 1 1/2 cups flour
  2. 1 cup sugar
  3. 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  4. 1 teaspoon baking soda
  5. 1/2 teaspoon salt
  6. 1 teaspoon vanilla
  7. 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  8. 5 tablespoons olive oil
  9. 1 cup water
  10. 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line one twelve count muffin pan with paper liners.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, soda, and salt. Whisk dry ingredients together. Add the vanilla, vinegar, olive oil and water. Whisk until smooth. Fold in the chocolate chips.
  3. Divide batter between the twelve cupcakes.
  4. Bake 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
  5. Remove from oven, cool.
  6. Dip in ganache.
Notes
  1. Chocolate Ganache
  2. 6 oz. semi sweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces or you can use semi sweet chocolate chips
  3. 1/2 cup heavy cream
  4. Heat cream until small bubbles appear around the edge, remove from heat. Add chocolate and stir until smooth. Dip cooled cupcakes in ganache.
https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Rosemary Rolls with Olive Oil and Sea Salt

Published on by carol lou Category: Uncategorized

Recipe #4 – Spartan Olive Oil #EVOOChallenge

These rolls are perfect to serve along side any entrée, but also would be great as a hamburger roll.  I know that many cooks hesitate to bake bread and use yeast.  This recipe is so easy and the results outstanding that I encourage you to try them.  You simply mix the dough in a large mixing bowl, knead the dough (simply place the dough on a floured surface and gently incorporate the ingredients – check out this site for step-by step instructions http://www.wikihow.com/Knead-Dough)  Then you let the dough rise, shape into round balls, dip in olive oil, let rise again and bake.  The results – you will be a hero in the kitchen!

IMG_2390

Rosemary Rolls with Olive Oil and Sea Salt
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. 3 envelopes active dry yeast
  2. 3 1/2 cups warm water
  3. 9 cups flour
  4. 1 tablespoon salt
  5. 1/2 cup chopped fresh rosemary
  6. 1/3 cup sea salt
  7. 1 cup olive oil
Instructions
  1. Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large bowl. Stir in flour and 1 tablespoon salt; mix well. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; kneed until smooth and elastic. Place dough in a lightly greased large bowl; turn dough to grease top. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place 2 hours. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Sprinkle both sheets generously with rosemary and sea salt. Punch dough down. Divide into dough into 36 to 48 pieces. Shape each into a 2 1/2 inch ball. Dip each ball into olive oil and sprinkle with rosemary. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Let rise until double. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake approximately 25 minutes or until golden brown.
https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Dill Feta Chicken on Couscous

Published on by carol lou Category: Main dishes, Recipes

Recipe #3 in the Spartan Oil #EVOOChallenge.

I use olive oil exclusively when I saute vegetables or protein for any recipe.  One reason is olive oil is a monounsaturated fat, and is considered a good fatty acid (high density lipoproteins, HDLs) that protects against bad cholesterol, or low density lipoproteins (LDLs).  One other reason is the taste – I love the taste of olive oil. 

This recipes features the taste of the Mediterranean.  The dill, olive oil and feta add just the touch to create a unique recipe.  When I served this to my taste testers, this recipe received five stars!  Easy to prepare and perfect for entertaining.

Dill Feta Chicken on couscous

Dill Feta Chicken on Couscous
Serves 6
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken breasts
  2. 3 scallions, sliced, white and green parts
  3. 1 large garlic clove, small dice
  4. 3 tablespoons Spartan Olive Oil
  5. 1 28 ounce can diced tomatoes with liquid
  6. 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  7. 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  8. 2 tablespoons fresh dill, minced
  9. 8 ounces feta cheese, divided
  10. Olive oil, to drizzle over chicken
  11. Couscous, prepared according to package
Instructions
  1. In a large saucepan, saute scallions and garlic in olive oil until translucent. Add tomatoes and liquid, balsamic vinegar, and tomato paste. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened (approximately 10 - 15 minutes). Add chicken, dill and 1/2 of the feta cheese. Cover and reduce heat to low. Prepare couscous.
  2. Spoon couscous in serving bowl, top with chicken mixture, sprinkle with remaining feta and drizzle with additional olive oil.
Notes
  1. My favorite couscous is all natural, grande pearl shaped.
https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Pecan Muffins with Orange Honey Cream Cheese

Published on by carol lou Category: Breads, Recipes

Recipe #2 – Spartan Oil  #EVOOChallenge

Why olive oil?  I know we have all heard the benefits of using olive oil in recipes.  I did a bit of research and found this interesting article; http://www.oliveoiltimes.com/olive-oil-health-benefits.  After you read this article, I think we will all rethink the oils we use when we cook.  Take a look, very interesting.

On to my second challenge recipe.  Ever thought of replacing butter with olive oil?  That is exactly what I did with my muffin recipe, this recipe has always been good with butter, but I must say, delicious when using olive oil.  The oil makes these muffins very moist and delicious.  I baked these in miniature muffin tins and then flipped them over when I removed them from the pans.  I like the look of the flat tops.  Top with a dollop of Orange Honey Cream Cheese, it is hard to eat just one!

Pecan Muffins with Orange Honey Cream Cheese

Pecan Muffins with Orange Honey Cream Cheese
Yields 24
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. 1/3 cup Spartan Olive Oil
  2. 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
  3. 2 eggs, beaten
  4. 1/2 cup flour
  5. 1 teaspoon vanilla
  6. 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly greased 24 mini muffins pans. Combine oil and sugar in a mixing bowl, mix well to combine. Add eggs, flour and vanilla, mix well. Fold in pecans. Fill each muffin pan 3/4 full. Bake for 15 minutes. Cool, serve with Orange Honey Cream Cheese
Notes
  1. Orange Honey Cream Cheese
  2. In a medium bowl combine 8 oz. cream cheese (room temp.) 1 tablespoon of honey and the zest of one orange.
https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Olive Oil Marinated Goat Cheese

Published on by carol lou Category: Appetizers, Recipes

Recipe #1 in the Spartan Oil #EVOOChallenge.

When challenged to create recipes using Spartan Oil Olive, I took the challenge with no hesitation.  I use their olive oil in many of my recipes and always find the results outstanding.  When testing these recipes, we hosted a party for eight, all of our guests serving as my “taste testers”.  This proved to be a wonderful evening of great food, olive oil discussions and candid comments.  As the week progresses, you will see my other EVOO challenge recipes. 

Looking for a make ahead appetizer that you can make up to one week in advance?  This appetizer is perfect with a great glass of wine or a cocktail. Serve the marinated cheese on crackers or baguette slices.  If you have any leftover, you can refrigerate and it will be terrific in other recipes. Here are a few ideas: mix with warm pasta and roasted vegetables for a terrific pasta dish, spread on baguette slices and broil until bubbly  or put the goat cheese in an oven safe ramekin and top with sun-dried tomatoes and bake in a 350 degree oven until melted, serve with crackers.

Olive OIl Marinated Goat Cheese

Olive OIl Marinated Goat Cheese
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. 2 logs of goat cheese, sliced in 1/2 inch slices
  2. 1 cup Spartan Olive Oil
  3. 4 bay leaves
  4. 1 tablespoon fresh ground mixed peppercorns
  5. 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh thyme
  6. 1 large clove of garlic, slivered
  7. 3 tablespoons fresh basil, slivered
  8. Sliced baguette
Instructions
  1. Place goat cheese in a serving dish with one inch sides. In a small saucepan, over medium-high heat, heat oil, bay leaves, pepper, and thyme until it sizzles. Pour hot oil over goat cheese. Sprinkle garlic and basil over cheese. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bring to room temperature prior to serving. Serve with baguette slices.
Notes
  1. Marinated goat cheese may be stored up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
https://apassionforentertaining.com/

The Challenge!

Published on by carol lou Category: Uncategorized

I was contacted by Spartan Oil and asked if I was interested in participating in the Spartan Oil #EVOOChallenge.  Next week, I’m collaborating with other food and healthy living bloggers on this challenge. Stay tuned next week for the creative recipes that have been cooked up.  My challenge is to post one recipe each day, January 18 – 22, using Spartan Olive Oil.  Wait till you see some of the unique recipes I have crafted for this event.  I love the label on their bottle – Bold Oil for Fearless Cooks – how could I not accept that challenge!

spartan oil bottle

Game Day Wings

Published on by carol lou Category: Appetizers, Main dishes, Recipes

I don’t know about you but this is one exciting time of year – the football playoffs.  Yes, if you know me well, you know that I am an avid fan and especially loyal to one Midwest NFL team.  With the Super Bowl just weeks away and play-off games going on now – I thought it was time to post my Game Day Wing recipe.  You can serve these with or without the classic ranch dressing on the side.  If you like your wings “hotter”, just step up the amount of red pepper you add.  These will definitely put you in the game day mood.  Cheers for those pigskins!

GAme Day Wings

 

Game Day Wings
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. 16 chicken wings, cut apart
  2. 1 1/2 cups ketchup
  3. 4 tablespoons soy sauce
  4. 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  5. 3 tablespoons honey
  6. 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil. Place wings on baking sheets, salt and pepper both sides of the wings. Mix remaining ingredients and pour over wings. Bake for 60 - 70 minutes, turning every 10 minutes. Remove from the oven when the wings are glazed and the meat is falling off the bones.
https://apassionforentertaining.com/