Branching out a bit....

We have been asked quite a few times over the last few years if we do any cooking classes. We always just say that we've thought about it, but really haven't gotten much farther than that. With a new restaurant and a catering business that is quickly growing we weren't sure we could do it. Well, we have decided that we have had enough requests that we would like to branch out and do a little teaching. I have had quite a few suggestions as to what kind of classes and curriculum we should have. Some say casseroles, salads, baking and sauces. Others say how to prepare meat and then make a few sides for a nice put together meal. Well, I would like to have some suggestions from everyone out there. What do you all think? I would like to get a cookbook for them to follow so they have something to take away with them. I love suggestions and I can even take constructive critisism if necessary, so bring it on everyone. I want to give my students the best that I can.

Best Most Wonderful Pumpkin Muffins Ever!!!

I think these have to be the best pumpkin muffins I have ever eaten. They are moist and have the most delicious streusel topping.....mmmmm

Pumpkin Muffins

1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup butter crisco
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup milk
2 cups flour
2 eggs
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Cream brown sugar and crisco. Beat in eggs. Add canned pumpkin and milk. Mix. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, cloves and cinnamon. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture. Mix well. Apply streusel to tops of muffins. Bake at 350 for approximately 30-35 minutes. (For Jumbo Muffins)

Streusel:
1/3 cup brown sugar
3 Tbsp flour
1 Tbsp melted butter
Mix well and put on top of muffins before baking.

This recipe makes 6 jumbo muffins or 12 standard size. Double to make 12 jumbo or 24 standard. I usually always double and I always make standard size. I also do not use muffin liners, I grease my muffin tins with crisco.

Delicious Caramel Dreaminess

Found this bar recipe a few months ago and can't stop making it, better yet, I can't stop eating it. They are just dreamy!

Caramel Pecan Bars

2 cups butter, cubed
4 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
4 eggs
4 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups flour
4 tsp baking powder
4 cups chopped pecans
In a large saucepan, heat butter and brown sugar over medium heat until butter and brown sugar are dissolved. In a small mixing bowl beat the eggs, vanilla and butter mixture. Combine flour and baking powder; gradually add to the butter mixture and mix well. Stir in pecans.
Spread into a greased and parchment lined 9x13 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out with moist crumbs and edges are crisp. Cool on wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar if desired and cut into bars.

These S'mores will leave you wanting more and more...

I was looking through a magazine and was trying to find something that would be different for the dessert case at the restaurant. My clients love things that are gooey and chocolately and totally yummmm! Well, I must say that this bar fits the bill plus more. They are very easy to make and will go so quick you won't know what happened.

S'mores Bar Cookies

1 stick of soft butter

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/3 cups flour

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

5 Hershey Milk Chocolate Bars (1.55 oz. each) broken into pieces

3 cups miniature marshmallows

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8 inch square baking pan (or double the recipe and do a 9x13 like I did) and then line with parchment paper. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl until well blended. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt; add to butter mixture, beating until blended. Press half of dough into prepared pan. Bake 15 minutes. Sprinkle chocolate bar sections, marshmallows and bits of remaining dough over baked layer. Bake 10-15 minutes or just until lightly browned. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Then cut into bars.





These are fantastic!!!!

Super Apple Brownies...almost addiction

Hey everyone, if you know me you know that I am completely addicted to chocolate! No questions about it, I love it and must have it for everyone to survive. Yes, I said for everyone to survive. I know I may look like quite the sweetheart, but I can get quite violent when there is a lack of chocolate around. Well, these brownies aren't chocolate, but they are really quite delicious. Many people that come in the Cafe can't have chocolate so this is one of the recipes that we use to help them out a bit...the poor souls.

1 cup soft butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
6 medium apples, chopped
1 cup chopped walnuts, or nut of your choice
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Greas a 9x13 inch pan and I line it with parchment and then spray that. In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar and egg until fluffy. Fold in the apples and walnuts. In a separate bowl, sift flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon. Mix the two mixtures together just until blended. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared dish. Bake 35 minutes in a preheated oven or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Sprinkle liberaly with cinnamon and sugar while hot.

I'm Back.....

Hey everyone, I know it's been a long time since I've posted any yummies, but the holidays wore me down.....I have some here that I think you all will love to try.

Sweet Onion Dip

2 cups sweet onions, finely chopped
2 cups real mayo
2 cups grated swiss
Mix ingredients together and pour into an 8x8 inch baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden. Serve with a variety of crackers. Very yummy.


Another very yummy treat that I came across is this salad. It is very versatile as you can leave out certain ingredients if you need and it still is fantastic.


Caramel Apple Salad

2 pkgs. instant butterscotch pudding mix (small boxes)
16 oz. Cool Whip
1 cup mini marshmallows
8 cups chopped apple, with peel (I used granny smith and galas) you can use
whatever kind you like
1 cup chopped nuts
1 large Snickers bar, chopped
Combine all of the ingredients and store the salad in the refrigerator. This salad is so good. It is almost like a dessert!

Hope everyone enjoys these yummies, I promise to keep posting and you all let me know what you think.

Feta Salad

Since opening the restaurant I have found that there are many people who don't like to eat meat. I have tried to understand this, but with no avail. I have to admit I love my beef and piggy. This is one of the salads that we have at the restaurant.

Red and Green leaf lettuce, shredded

Chopped cucumber, I use english cucumber

Chopped black olives

Sliced red onion

Chopped tomato

Crumbled Feta cheese

You can use any kind of dressing that you like. Balsamic vinaigrette is a good choice.