Stuffed Mushrooms

Posted on September 14, 2010 by The Amateur Foodie

1 lb. large mushrooms
3 tbsp parmesan cheese
1 clove garlic
1 small onion, chopped
1 tbsp. chopped parsley
2 tbsp melted butter
6 tbsp olive oil
1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Clean the mushrooms and remove the stems.

2. Combine parmesan cheese, garlic, onion, parsley, butter and breadcrumbs. Fill the mushroom caps with the mixture.

3. Coat bottom of baking pan with 2 tbsp of olive oil. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the stuffed mushrooms.

4. Bake in over for 20 minutes at 325 degrees, or until the tops are golden brown. Serve warm.

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Inspiration From a Unique Location

Posted on September 13, 2010 by Kristen Putch

I spent my holiday weekend at my cabin in the Adirondack Mountains in northern New York, which gave me some time to relax and unwind.  I found in an old cookbook produced by our local Fish and Game Club several years ago. It is stuffed with some interesting recipes written by some of our locals.

The home of our cabin is Beaver River, NY, and isolated community in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, located at the eastern end of Stillwater Reservoir, formerly the Beaver River Flow. It is 6/10th of a square-mile in size and is completely surrounded by the Forever Wild Adirondack State Park, and water, so there is absolutely no road access.

It is not only unique due to it’s location, but because of the type of people it attracts. It is a relaxed area where people can leave the problems they face back in the ‘real world’ behind for a while.

As far as my personal experience, I grew up in this unique community. My parents built our camp when I was only 2-years-old, and I spent every weekend and vacation here. Until I became a teenager, it was my home. It wasn’t until I graduated college and began to deal with the ‘real world’ myself that I began to appreciate our little oasis in the woods as a place to relax and clear my head. I can also say that my love of food began here. Some of the best and most hearty meals I ever ate were cooked in a cast iron skillet and served with a lot of love and laughter on a table lit by a gas lantern.

I hope you enjoy these recipes which are as unique and special as the individuals and the community they came from.

Happy Eating.

Posted in Family, Inspiration | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Pineapple Shrimp Kabobs

Posted on August 5, 2010 by The Amateur Foodie

These are super easy to throw on the grill and enjoy!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup each soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and honey
1 garlic clove, minced
1 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 large green pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 can (8 ounces) pineapple chunks, drained

Directions:

1. In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, vinegar, honey, and garlic. Set aside 1/3 cup.

2. On eight metal or soaked wooden skewers, thread the shrimp, green pepper, and pineapple.

3. Place in a shallow dish; pour remaining marinade over kabobs. Cover and chill for 1 hour. Cover and chill reserved marinade.

4. Coat grill rack with nonstick cooking spray before starting the grill. Drain and discard marinade from kabobs.

5. Grill, uncovered, over medium heat for 3 minutes, turning once. Baste with reserved marinade.

6. Grill 3 to 4 minutes longer or until shrimp turn pink, turning and basting frequently.

Happy Eating.

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Veggie Samosas

Posted on August 4, 2010 by The Amateur Foodie

Due to this evening’s Top Chef, I was inspired to share an Indian recipe.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 cans garbanzo beans, drained
2 tablespoons curry paste
1/2 cup apple juice
3 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
1/4 cup all-purpose flour for dusting

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onion until browned, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat and add garbanzo beans. Mix curry paste with apple juice until smooth, then add to skillet. Simmer mixture 10 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding more apple juice or water as needed to keep mixture moist.

3. Cut each sheet of pastry into 3 equal-size rectangles, then cut each rectangle in half. (You will have 18 pieces total.) Dust a clean, flat surface lightly with flour, and roll each piece of pastry until it is double in size. Dust pastry with flour as needed, to prevent it from sticking to rolling-pin. Spoon an equal amount of filling into center of each pastry square. Fold in half and press edges to seal. Place on nonstick baking sheets.

4. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes, until golden brown.

Happy Eating.

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Cucumber Salad

Posted on August 3, 2010 by The Amateur Foodie

Ingredients:

2 cups thinly-sliced chilled cucumbers
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup thinly-sliced fresh onions
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon dill weed
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 dash cayenne

Directions:

1. Place cucumber slices in medium-size glass bowl and sprinkle with salt. Stir in onions.

2. Place remaining ingredients in 2-cup glass measure and beat with fork to combine. Pour over cucumbers and onions and toss lightly. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Stir before serving.

Happy Eating.

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Onion Tart

Posted on August 2, 2010 by The Amateur Foodie

Ingredients:

1 refrigerated pie crust
1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/2 red onion, sliced
1 cup shredded Gouda cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 jarred roasted piquillo peppers, diced
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper to taste
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon mustard

Directions:

1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes.

3. Sprinkle chilled tart shell with Gouda and Parmesan cheeses. Arrange the cooked onion and piquillo peppers decoratively over the cheese.

4. Beat 2 eggs and heavy cream with the mustard in a bowl; pour egg mixture over the onion and cheese.

5. Bake in the preheated oven until the crust is golden brown and the custard has set, 30 to 45 minutes.

Happy Eating.

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Recipe of the Day: Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Posted on July 29, 2010 by The Amateur Foodie

I needed a little sweetness in my life today…

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk
40 miniature chocolate covered peanut butter cups, unwrapped

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Sift together the flour, salt and baking soda; set aside.

3. Cream together the butter, sugar, peanut butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla and milk. Add the flour mixture; mix well.

4. Shape into 40 balls and place each into an ungreased mini muffin pan.

5. Bake at 375 degrees for about 8 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately press a mini peanut butter cup into each ball. Cool and carefully remove from pan.

Happy Eating.

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Happy Birthday, Jackie!

Posted on July 28, 2010 by The Amateur Foodie

For those who don’t know me… I idolize Jackie Kennedy. I think she was (and still is) the epitome of style and grace. Today, Mrs. Kennedy would have been 81-years-old. So, in honor of her birthday, I wanted to share one of Jackie’s favorite recipes: homemade Fettuccine Alfredo .

 

Jackie Kennedy’s Fettuccine Alfredo

Ingredients:

1 lbs egg noodles
3 ounces butter
1/4 tsp chopped garlic
1 cup plus 4 tbsp heavy cream
4 egg yolks
4 ounces parmesan cheese (adjust to preference)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Cook pasta in 6 cups of boiling, salted water until al dente.

2. Heat butter in large skillet over medium heat and add garlic, do NOT brown. Add 1 cup of cream and bring to a boil.

3. Mix the egg yolks with the remaining cream.

4. Add pasta to the hot cream and toss well. Add the remaining cream mixture to the pasta and continue to toss while adding in the parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.

5. Toss until the sauce is very creamy (about one minute). Serve and eat immediately.

Happy Eating.

Posted in Inspiration, Recipes | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Homemade Pancakes

Posted on July 28, 2010 by The Amateur Foodie

This ain’t bisquick…

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 1/4 cups milk
1 egg
3 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions:

  1. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg and melted butter; mix until smooth.
  2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

Happy Eating.

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Loaded Potato Salad

Posted on July 27, 2010 by The Amateur Foodie

Another new twist on a classic favorite.

Ingredients:

6 medium red potatoes
1 1/2 cups buttermilk ranch dressing
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
6 sliced of bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 bunch green onions – chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Clean potatoes and boil with skins on. Drain, chill and cube.

2. Add cheese, bacon and onions to ranch dressing. Pour mixture over potatoes, mix well and chill.

Happy Eating.

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