Cooking Tip of the Day: January 2012

Recipe: Apple Dumplings

Ok folks… this recipe for Apple Dumplings is not a traditional one… in fact it is downright odd… but it is easy… it is foolproof and it is amazing… yes… I said amazing… absolutely amazing.

I came across the recipe recently and thought… you pour Mountain Dew over it??? really??? I mean are you sure??? The stuff you drink on a hot summer’s day??? That Mountain Dew??? Yep… that Mountain Dew.

I thought this could not be right…. So I decided to Google it… and lo and behold… lots… I mean lots of this recipe is out there… origin unknown… so… I decided to try it… and all I can say is WOW!

This is perfect for company or a party…. easy to assemble and bake it… it’s as simple as that…

TIPS

Well… no real tips here… just follow the recipe and you’ll do just fine… trust me.

Lots of pictures today… just follow along.

Try this … you will be slurping the syrup from the bottom of the pan… I had to literally walk away… I couldn’t stop… really!

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Recipe: Apple Dumplings

All you need:

2 Granny Smith apples, cored and peeled
2 cans of Pillsbury Crescent rolls
2 sticks (1 cup) of butter, melted
1 ½ cups sugar
Cinnamon (a sprinkling or to taste)
12 oz. Mountain Dew

All you have to do:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter a 9 x 13 baking dish.

Start with two Granny Smith apples...

Peel and core them...

Cut each cored and peeled apple into 8 slices.

Separate the crescent dough into triangles

Wrap a slice of apple with a crescent dough triangle.

They don't have to be perfect...honest.. you'll see.

I told you they don't have to be perfect.

Arrange the wrapped apple slices in the prepared baking dish.

Melt the butter in a large measuring cup in the microwave.

Add the sugar and stir a little.. it will be very gloppy (like that word?).

Pour the butter and sugar mixture over the dough in the baking dish.

That's it... keep going... pour every last drop over that dough...

Yep... they're swimmin' in all that butter and sugar... that's alright.. trust me.

Pour the Mountain Dew over the dough. I know.. it's weird... just trust me.

Keep going... you're almost there... now just sprinkle with cinnamon.

Bake for 40 minutes until golden brown.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Be sure to spoon the syrup at the bottom over the servings.

Super Bowl Party Food Ideas - Make it a BBQ without the Grill

How about BBQ? ... but you don't have to roll out the grill for this one... a crockpot will do the trick!

You can't have too many options when it comes to deciding on party foods... so here is another great idea for your Super Bowl party or get-together... the menu is easy and practically cooks and bakes it itself... like having help in the kitchen!

First... a munchie or two...

Bacon Cheddar Pinwheels

You can find these pretzels in the frozen section of the grocery store... they bake quickly and add a real stadium feel to your party... serve with mustard and cheese sauce (put it in a squeeze bottle which you can pick up at Walmart for under a dollar)..

A big bowl of popcorn is another terrific munchie idea... inexpensive too!

Then ... drum roll please....

BBQ Pork Sandwiches - these terrific sandwiches will definitely be a hit.. they're easy.. make the pork ahead... with little work and few ingredients... and reheat it in time for the party!

Oven Fries... easy and quick also... perfect with the BBQ Pork Sandwiches... and they go great with side salads too! let the oven do the work for you.

Coleslaw…. - absolutely perfect with BBQ!

And to finish things off nicely....

Perfect Peach Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream - another fool proof easy recipe... so good and so easy... a great ending to a great night!

Recipe: Loaded Fries

Steak fries fully loaded with cheddar cheese, crispy applewood smoked bacon and green onions served with sour cream or better yet…. Sour Cream Horseradish Sauce or Spicy Ranch Dressing…. totally delicious and totally easy!

Perfect as a side dish or even a great party food for watching the big game. If you do them as a party food.. make small piles of fries so people can easily take a serving.

I know the restaurant version of this is loaded with fat and calories.. but you can cut that back a lot by making them yourself and making a few adjustments without giving up flavor. Probably quantity is key here…. the good news here is… you control it.

TIPS

I bake my fries. This is a big fat and calorie saver…. Simply line a baking sheet with non-stick foil… and lightly spray it with olive oil cooking spray…. Lay frozen steak fries on the baking sheet and lightly spray them with olive oil cooking spray… bake as directed on the bag.

Use whatever cheese you prefer… and many cheeses now come in lower fat versions… you decide what’s best for you and how much to use.

Bacon … well is bacon… you could use bacon bits.. but I honestly use the real deal… just not tons of it… 2 strips of bacon.. cooked and finely chopped in my mini chopper was more than enough… and since the fries were shared… it cut the fat intake per person considerably… without losing the bacon flavor.

Sour Cream Horseradish Sauce… again… ingredients and quantity are key here… you decide.. if you don’t mind lower fat sour cream.. definitely substitute… need the recipe? Click here.

For a really terrific Spicy Ranch Dressing... click here.

I use green onion… both white and green parts.. both are flavorful.

These are so easy to make.. and so good…. a really great treat!

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Recipe: Loaded Fries

All you need:

Frozen fries
Shredded cheddar or other cheese
Chopped green onion
Applewood smoked bacon, cooked and chopped

All you need to do:

Preheat and bake the fries according to package instructions. *See tips about spraying them with olive oil cooking spray.

Place the baked fries on an oven proof platter or plate.

Sprinkle with cheddar cheese, green onion and chopped bacon.

Bake at 450 degrees F for about 5-10 minutes or until cheese has melted.

Allow to cool for a few minutes then serve hot with Sour Cream Horseradish Sauce or Spicy Ranch Dressing.

How to Make Perfect Oven Fries

It’s always a challenge to cut the fat in foods that are family favorites and are traditionally fried. One way to do that is to oven bake them. The biggest complaint is that they simply don’t taste as good as the fried version. French fries are a prime example.

Actually … I think the actual taste difference is minimal.. what probably is the biggest difference is texture. After all… a “good" French fry is not oily because it has been fried in really hot oil. There is something about the crisp outer part of a French fry and that soft potato inside… that just well… is so good.

So how do you get that perfect crisp exterior and soft potato interior when baking them? The answer is easy…. read on….

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Recipe: Perfect Oven Fries

All you need:

Frozen fries
Olive oil cooking spray
Non-stick foil

All you have to do:

Line a baking sheet with non-stick foil.

Spray the foil lightly with olive oil cooking spray.

Lay the frozen fries in a single layer on the baking sheet.

Lightly spray the tops of the fries with the olive oil cooking spray.

Bake according to package directions, turning the fries halfway through the baking time.

Now how easy is that?

Recipe: Sour Cream Horseradish Sauce

My family has always loved horseradish in sauces. It is a natural addition to sour cream and is typically a German accompaniment to many foods, especially beef. So when I had a Sour Cream Horseradish Sauce served with potatoes… it was naturally a hit with me. Something about that little bite that you feel all the way to your nose…. I just love it.

Now this sauce has as much or as little bite as you like. I wrote the recipe to have a mild flavor… if you’re like me and like it a bit sharper… just add more horseradish to your taste.

This recipe is very basic… and much of it is to your personal taste.

TIPS

I keep horseradish sauce in the fridge.. you can find it either in the deli section or the condiment section of the grocery store. It’s ready to use and is pretty much like a horseradish mayo… you can use that instead of the prepared horseradish in the recipe.. either will work… the sauce is usually milder.

You can find prepared horseradish in the dairy section of the grocery store.. it’s usually in small jars.

Unless you know the strength of the horseradish… start with a small amount and add to your taste.

You can use lower fat sour cream.. but the real deal is awesome with this.

Enjoy it on grilled beef or pork… actually just about any meat… this makes a great fondue sauce for beef too.

It also goes well with baked potatoes and even fries. Add a bit into mashed potatoes for some kick… this sauce is very versatile.

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Recipe: Sour Cream Horseradish Sauce

All you need:

1 cup sour cream
3-4 tablespoons prepared horseradish (to taste)
2-3 drops Worcestershire sauce
Sprinkling of salt (to taste)
Sprinkling of pepper (to taste)

All you have to do:

Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.

Refrigerate until needed.

Super Bowl Party Foods

Looking for great Super Bowl Party Foods??? You've come to the right place... great recipes and tips to make your party a success!

So let's start here …

Munchies... here are a few to get you started thinking..

Lil Smokies in a Blanket

Mini Loaded Potato Empanadas

Mexican Layered Dip

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Corned Beef Bread Dip

Ranch Spinach Dip

Want more substantial food?... here are some ideas:

Mini Grilled Reuben Sandwiches

Mini Ham and Swiss Party Sandwiches…. They’re quick and easy and can be made completely ahead… and won’t break the bank…

Don’t like Ham and Swiss? … make any combinations of meats and cheeses you want…. salami and provolone… turkey and pepper jack cheese….you can even make tuna melts… just make the tuna salad and use whatever cheese you want … be creative!

Wings… make them ahead or buy those in the freezer section of the grocery store… heating them up is a snap

Burgers… for those of you in a warmer climate… put your man to work!... let him barbeque burgers… you take care of the rest… on a tight budget?....don’t want to make full size burgers … make mini ones (sliders)… set out fixin’s such as lettuce, tomato, onions, etc…. and condiments

Chicken Dippers…. Make your own ahead or buy the frozen ones and heat them up on game day… put out sauces to dip…

TIP: put spoons out in your sauces… gives them a hint to put the sauce on their plates and not dip in the bowl… helps prevent double dipping.

Make salads … they’re fairly cheap to make… make them completely ahead and they go with a number of terrific foods…. terrific with sandwiches, wings, burgers, or chicken dippers

Salads to go with your sandwiches, wings, burgers and chicken dippers:

Egg Potato Salad Fit for a Party…. the name says it all… a perfect go-together for a sandwich.

Coleslaw….

German Potato Salad...

New York Deli Style Potato Salad...

Classic Macaroni Salad...

Tuna Macaroni Salad...

Quick and Easy Salami and Provolone Pasta Salad...

Three Bean Salad...

Don’t forget Desserts…. cookies and bar cookies go well… lots to choose from… pick a couple and you’re good to go!