Beignets...Almost as good as the Jazz Kitchen's

Beignets

Step 1- take 2 tbsp yeast and add to 1 cup warm water. Let sit for about 10 minutes, it will get a nice frothy top on it when it is ready to use. If the Yeast does not become forthy on the top start over with fresh yeast.

Step 2 - add 1 cup of flour to the yeast mixture and mix together. let this double in size.

Step 3- In a seperate bowl take 1 and 1/4 stick of softened butter and  2/3 cup sugar, cream this together.

             add in 3 eggs ( one at a time ) 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla and slowly add 3 1/2 cups flour.  start by doing this with a spoon and not the mixer. Once you get this all mixed together then you can use your mixer to finish mixing this together. It will be a soft dough.  Let this rise together for 1-1 1/2 hours or till it doubles in size.

 

When your dough has doubled in size then it is time to roll it out on a floured board. Roll it out to about 1" thick and cut into bite size pieces. They will rise and puff up in the hot oil when you are deep frying them.  fry them for about 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

In the Oil Hot Tub...Looking good

Ready to bite into them....Yummy!

Roll the Beignets in Sugar to finish them off!

Vanilla Cream Sauce for Dipping

Step 1 - seperate 12 eggs ( we need only the yolks )

to the egg yolks add 1 cup sugar and cream together

2 cups heavy cream

2 cups whole milk

1 tbsp vanilla

Bring this to a simmer

When the cream and milk mixture is warm add it to the egg and sugar mixture slowly whisking it together

pour this back in to the saucepan and keep stirring with a wooden spoon until it starts to thicken. This can take up to about 8 minutes.  Let cool and then place in the fridge. This sauce is so good on the beignets.

Granola Bars

So I found a recipe for Granola Bars on the internet through Pinterest...and they are so yummy. To make this my own...I added a couple of things that my family likes to eat in Granola bars. So here is the recipe. ( Mels Version )

2 cups oatmeal
1 cup sliced almonds  
1/2 cup pecans 
toss this together with 3 tbsp canola oil to help with the toasting.

Toast on a baking sheet at 325 oven for about 10-15 min or until golden brown
  

                 
In a seperate bowl ( use a large one ) add the next ingredients;

1 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup of dried cranberries or any other dried fruit that you like ( you can try Chocolate chips too )
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Add the oatmeal mixture to the bowl and mix it together.

In a saucepan pour 1/2 cup honey and 1 tsp of vanilla and bring to a boil. This is going to be your glue that holds the granola bars together. let is simmer for 3-4 minutes till it becomes quite thin and runny.

When your honey is ready pour over the granola mixture and mix till all coated with the honey. Use a

9 X 13 baking sheet lined with parchment paper ( you need this so that it can be removed easily from the pan.) lightly coat the parchment paper with canola oil with your hands. This helps the granola mixture to not stick to your hands when you are pressing the mixture onto the pan.

Bake at 300 degrees for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely before cutting into bars.

Ready to eat!                            

Hope you enjoy these...they are really simple to make and really heatlthy too.

Enjoy!!!!

Our Day at the Pumpkin Patch

Rylee's first time at a pumpkin patch!

 









Daddy, Rylee and Mommy

                                             







            Rylee and her Papa.
A shoulder ride...that's the way to travel!

In the pumpkins!

                                                            Waiting on a Woman!

Fun Times in the Kitchen with Friends

We had some friends over for Marvins Birthday and we ended up in the kitchen for a quick blog...this recipe has a different spin on the crusty cheesy bread that I have already posted. This is great for a large group of people. You can see by all the people that wandered through the kitchen that night...that was only a couple. The rest of them were in the backyard dancing to the wonderful DJ and Karaoke music of Jayme and Woody...You guys are the best!!!!!

 I made a huge pot of Steak Chili for the party and I served it up in mason jars...so easy for everyone to handle.

I hope that you enjoyed this little video. My friend Brenda is such a kick...we are going to do some real cooking soon....Maybe Thanksgiving.

Pictures from our Brunch at the BArn

Table at the Barn...It has an amazing view!

Here is the view from the barn....Gorgeous!

Jazzed up Orange Juice...Fill a blender 1/2 full of crushed ice. pour in ornage juice till about 1/2 full, add 1or 2 banana's Blend till becomes frothy and turns to a light yellow color. top off in the glass or pitcher with a splash of Sprite or Sparkling water to give it some fizz. To make it a "Big Girl" Beverage add Champagne! 

Here is a picture of the Brunch cassarole...it was so Yummy!

Here are thePeeps at the Barn...they are never quite sure what they are going to be surprised with!

 From right to left...Marvin- My Amzing and wonderful hubby, Liz and Ron they have been working for us for about 12 years, Leonardo - named our canvas after him...he is the master at stretching canvas  Thus the name Leonardo Canvas!

Breakfast Brunch

This cassarole has everything in it that you want for breakfast.

1 package of ground sausage ( or you can use Bacon too )

1 small to medium onion

1-1 1/2 loaf of crusty bread cut into small cubes ( I used a baguette )

2-3  cups of grated cheese ( I used a mixed blend )

1 cup cottage cheese ( you could use ricotta for this too )

6 eggs

2 cups milk

1/2 tsp ground mustard

1/2 tsp nutmeg ( I grated my own )

1/4 tsp ground pepper

Cook sausage in a large skillet until cooked through. Add onion and cook till tender.

Spread 1/2 of the bread cubes in the bottomof a 13 X 9 baking dish Layer the bread with half of the meat, onion, cheese and cottage cheese.Ttop with the remaining bread cubes and cheese, meat and onions, and all the cheeses. ( its like a breakfast lasagna )

Beat the eggs and milk in a bowl until foamy. Add the spices and pour over the top. Press the bread into the milk to make sure the bread is covered and moist.

( you  can let this stand for a few minutes to make sure the bread is all coated. )

Bake in a 350 preheated oven for about 40 - 50 minutes.

Chicken Stew in the Crock Pot

I hav been having a bit of problem with my video and voice...so I have also posted the recipes below for you.

Chicken Stew

3 or 4 chicken breasts ( you can use chicken thighs too but you will use a few more of them )

1 envelope of onion soup mix

1-2 cups of frozen pearl onions

2cups of halfed fresh mushrooms ( you can use more if you like )

1 cup dry red wine ( remember if you don't like the taste of the wine it won't be good for cooking...if you drink it - cook with it )

Brown your chicken pieces in a large skillet ( drizzle a bit of olive oil in it )

Place your meat in the crock pot, Sprinkle the top of the chicken with Onion soup mix, mushrooms, pearl onions. Pour the wine over the top cook in the crock pot for about 4 1/2 - 5 hours on low. you can cook this on high if you want for about 2 1/2 - 3 hrs also.

Garnish with some fresh snipped basil...and serve over mashed potatoes.....Yummy !  

Jazzed up tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwhiches



Jazzed up Tomato Soup

This is really easy...All I did was make a can of tomato soup to the directions.However instead of one can of milk I used half and half and milk. It makes is a little richer...but oh so yummy. Then i just chop in about 6 or 7 basil leaves add fresh groud pepper to taste. let it simmer for a few minutes.  Thats it!
When you go to serve it add a dolop of sour cream to the top and a little more fresh ground pepper.


Grilled Cheese Sandwhich

Another really easy sammy...I just cut up a baguette on the angle ( it looks a bit prettier ). For the cheese I used provolone and gruyere. It makes for a little sharper and nuttier taste. Butter the bread on both sides ( outside only )  then grill for a few minutes on both sides to a golden brown. These little sammy's are great for dipping into the soup!

Enjoy this one on a rainy day!