Blueberry Coffee Cake

Blueberry Coffee Cake

Blueberry Coffee Cake

This pretty cake is a birthday and holiday staple for my family.

                  Marsha Gleason                                                              Watertown, Massachusetts

 

Blueberry Coffee Cake Recipe

Blueberry Coffee Cake

2 cups sugar

½ cup butter (1 stick)

4 oz. cream cheese

3 eggs

1 egg white

3 cups flour

2 cups (1 pint) fresh blueberries (frozen also work well)

1 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

8 oz. vanilla or lemon yogurt

2 tsp. PURE VANILLA EXTRACT

Glaze:   ½ cup powdered sugar

4 tsp. fresh lemon juice

 (HIGHLIGHTED – are found in PENZEYS SPICES)

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Thoroughly grease and flour a large fluted tube pan or Bundt pan and set aside.

In mixing bowl, beat together the sugar, butter and cream cheese until blended.  Add the eggs and egg white and beat well.  Sift the flour into a separate bowl.  Remove 2 tablespoons of flour and toss with the blueberries in a small bowl.  Add the baking powder, baking soda and salt to the bowl with the flour.  Mix.  Start adding the flour mixture into the butter mixture alternating with some yogurt.

When all the flour and yogurt are added, add the VANILLA and then carefully fold in the blueberries.  Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 65-75 minutes, until browned, risen and not jiggly in the center.

Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes and then remove from the pan.  If desired, glaze the cake with a glaze made with 4 teaspoons lemon juice mixed with ½ cups sifted powdered sugar.  Drizzle over cooled cake before serving.        16-20 servings

(Recipe for Blueberry Coffee Cake was in Penzeys Spices catalog)

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French Banana Pancakes Recipe

French Banana Pancakes

French Banana Pancakes

Recipe provided courtesy of Taste of Home magazine.  Find more great recipes at

www.tasteofhome.com

 

These pancakes are a real breakfast favorite in our family.  Even our 8 and 10 year-old daughters make them all by themselves when they have friends spend the night.   Now their friends’ mothers are asking for the recipe!

                       Cheryl Sowers                                                                                        Bakersfield, California

 

French Banana Pancakes Recipe

French Banana Pancakes

Pancakes:   1 cup flour

¼ cup confectioners’ sugar

1 cup milk

2 eggs

3 Tbsp. butter, melted

1 tsp. vanilla

¼ tsp. salt

Filling:   ¼ cup butter

¼ cup packed brown sugar

¼ tsp. ground cinnamon

¼ tsp. ground nutmeg

¼ cup half-and-half cream

5 to 6 firm bananas, halved lengthwise

Whipped cream and additional cinnamon, optional

Sift flour and confectioners’ sugar into a bowl.  Add milk, eggs, butter, vanilla and salt; beat until smooth.

Heat a lightly greased 6 inch skillet; add about 3 tablespoon batter, spreading to almost cover bottom of skillet.  Cook until lightly browned; turn and brown the other the other side.  Remove to a wire rack.  Repeat with remaining batter (make 10-12 pancakes), greasing skillet as needed.

For filling, melt butter in large skillet.  Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Stir in cream and cook until slightly thickened.  Add half of the bananas at a time to skillet; heat for 2-3 minutes, spooning sauce over them.  Remove from the heat.

Roll a pancake around each banana half and place on a serving platter.  Spoon sauce over pancakes.  Top with whipped cream and dash of cinnamon if desired.          5-6 servings

(Recipe for French Banana Pancakes was in tasteofhome.com)

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Seafood Primavera

Seafood Primavera

Seafood Primavera

The sauce in this recipe from Jennifer VonGroven is so delicious, you may want to double it and use it to toss with steamed veggies or as a dip for fresh bread.

 

Seafood Primavera Recipe

 

Seafood Primavera

1 ½ lbs. fresh or frozen shrimp, deveined (1/2 lb. fresh or frozen unseasoned mussels, but I’m not a lover of mussels)

¾ pkg. angel hair or your favorite pasts

1-2 Tbsp. CHICKEN or VEGETABLE SOUP BASE

1 cup asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1 ¼ tsp. PENZEYS MINCED GARLIC, or 5 cloves fresh garlic, minced

2 shallots, minced

2 tsp. butter

¼ white wine

4 green onion, chopped and divided

¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

1 Tbsp. FOX POINT SEASONING (or SUNNY PARIS or MURAL OF FLAVOR)

1 cup grated Romano cheese

1 large lemon (1/2 juiced, ½ thinly sliced)

¼ tsp. salt, to taste

¼ – ½ tsp. PENZEYS FRESHLY GROUND PEPPER

 (HIGHLIGHTED – are found in PENZEYS SPICES)

Prepare the seafood for cooking.  Clean and rinse the shrimp.  If the seafood is frozen, it does not need to be completely thawed, but do not clean it well since it’s going straight from pot to plate.

Bring a large pot of water for the pasta to a boil.  Add the SOUP BASE and stir.  Add the pasta and cook until al dente.  Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water when draining.  Place in a serving bowl and toss with a bit of olive oil.

Steam or pan-cook the asparagus in olive oil until just starting to get tender, but not wilted.  In a separate large pan with a lid, heat the olive oil over medium heat.  The oil is ready when you can either smell it or notice just a bit of steam rising from the pan.  Toss in the garlic and shallots, and cook until tender and just starting to brown.  Add the butter, white wine, half the green onion, the parsley and FOX POINT, cover, and cook the wine is reduced to about half or less.

Remove the lid, add 3 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water, the shrimp.  Cover and allow to steam for about 3 minutes (if liquid is evaporating too quickly, add the remaining pasta water).  Stir in the cheese and cook for about 1 minute with the cover off.  Squeeze the juice from one half of the lemon over the seafood and remove from heat.  Stir well to get all the good flavor from the bottom of the pan, salt and PERRER to taste.  Add the asparagus, remaining green onion and the seafood mixture to the pasta and toss to combine.  Garnish with extra grated Romano, black pepper and lemon slices.

(Recipe for Seafood Primavera was in Penzeys Spices catalog)

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Chipotle-Marinated Flank Steak

Chipotle-Marinated Flank Steak

Chipotle-Marinated Flank Steak

Every time I see marinated flank steak, I always think of my late brother-in-law, Tony.  In the summertime, he always made marinated flank steak on the BBQ.  I’m not sure if he would like this Chipotle-Marinated Flank Steak…but it sure does sound gooood.  This one is for you, Tony!

 

Chipotle-Marinated Flank Steak Recipe

Chipotle-Marinated Flank Steak

1 Tbsp. minced canned chili in adobo sauce

1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar

2 tsp. brown sugar

1 tsp. dried thyme

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. cumin seeds

¼ tsp. coarsely ground black pepper

Pinch ground cloves

1 ¼ lb. flank steak

Combine chili, vinegar, brown sugar, thyme, garlic salt, cumin, black pepper and clove in a large bowl or baking dish; add steak and turn once to coat both sides in mixture.  Cover the plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 24 hours.  Remove from bowl; discard marinade.

Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium high.  Add steak and cook 5 to 6 minutes on each side for medium-rare or to desired degree of doneness.    Cool 5 minutes before cutting across diagonally into very thin slices.           4 servings

(Recipe for Chipotle-Marinated Flank Steak was in Newsday, Thursday, May 23, 2013)

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Lemon Grilled Salmon

Lemon Grilled Salmon

Lemon Grilled Salmon

Recipe provided courtesy of Taste of Home magazine.  Find more great recipes at

www.tasteofhome.com

 

This tender and flaky fish is wonderful to serve to family and friends.  A savory marinade that includes dill gives the salmon mouthwatering flavor and since it can be grilled or broiled, you can enjoy it all year round!

Lemon Grilled Salmon Recipe

Lemon Grilled Salmon

2 tsp. snipped fresh dill or ¾ tsp. dill weed

½ tsp. lemon-pepper seasoning

½ tsp. salt, optional

¼ tsp. garlic powder

1 salmon fillet (1 ½ lbs.)

¼ cup packed brown sugar

3 Tbsp. chicken broth

3 Tbsp. canola oil

3 Tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce

3 Tbsp. finely chopped green onions

1 small lemon, thinly sliced

2 onions sliced, separated into rings

Sprinkle dill, lemon-pepper, and salt if desired and garlic powder over salmon.  In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the brown sugar, broth, oil, soy sauce and green onions; add salmon.  Seal bag and turn to coat.  Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour, turning once.

Drain and discard marinade.  Grill salmon skin side down, over medium heat; arrange lemon and onion slices over the top.  Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.     6 servings

(Recipe for Lemon Grilled Salmon was in tasteofhome.com)

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Nut-Topped Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins

Nut-Topped Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins

Nut-Topped Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins

Recipe provided courtesy of Taste of Home magazine.  Find more great recipes at

www.tasteofhome.com

 

A sweet, crispy topping highlights these tender muffins that are filled with two favorite spring foods, rhubarb and strawberries.  They’re perfect for a bunch or a grab-and-go-breakfast.

                Audrey Stallsmith                                                                           Hadley, Pennsylvania

 

Nut-Topped Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins Recipe

Nut-Topped Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins

2 ¾ cups flour

1 1/3 cups brown sugar

2 ½ tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. cinnamon

¼ tsp. salt

1 egg

1 cup buttermilk

½ cup canola oil

2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup fresh chopped strawberries

¾ cup diced fresh or frozen rhubarb

Topping:   ½ cup chopped pecans

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

½ tsp. cinnamon

1 Tbsp. cold butter

In a large bowl, combine the first six (6) ingredients.  In another bowl, whisk the egg, buttermilk, oil and vanilla.  Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.  Fold in strawberries and rhubarb.  Fill greased or paper lined muffin cups two-thirds full.

In a small, combine the pecans, brown sugar and cinnamon.  Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Sprinkle over batter.

Bake at 400 F. for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.  Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.  Serve warm.        1 ½ dozen

(Recipe for Nut-Topped Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins was in tasteofhome.com)

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake

Recipe provided courtesy of Taste of Home magazine.  Find more great recipes at

www.tasteofhome.com

 

Family and friends always “ooh” and “aah” when I bring out this tempting cheesecake after holiday dinners!  Filled with peanut butter and cream cheese and drizzled with chocolate in a fudge crust, it’s a showstopper.

 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Recipe

 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake

Brownie Crust:   ¼ cup butter, cubed

3 oz. unsweetened chocolate

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 ½ tsp. vanilla

2/3 cup flour

1/8 tsp. baking powder

1 oz. semi-sweet chocolate

Filling:   1 jar (12 oz.) creamy peanut butter

2 pkg. (one 8 oz., one 3 oz.) cream cheese, softened

1 cup packed brown sugar

3 eggs

½ cup sour cream

Topping:   ¾ cup sour cream

2 tsp. sugar

Melted semi-sweet chocolate, optional

In a microwave, melt butter and unsweetened chocolate; stir until smooth.  Set aside.  In a large bowl, beat brown sugar and eggs until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.  Beat in chocolate mixture and vanilla.  Combine flour and baking powder; gradually add to batter and mix well.  Stir in chopped chocolate.

Spread 1 cup into a greased 9 inch springform pan.  Cover and refrigerate remaining batter.  Place pan on a baking sheet.  Bake at 350 F. for 17-19 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.  Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes; place in freezer for 15 minutes.

For filling, in a large bowl, beat the peanut butter, cream cheese and brown sugar until smooth.  Add eggs and sour cream; beat on low speed just combined.  Spread remaining brownie batter about 1 ½ inch high around sides of pan, sealing to baked crust.

Pour filling into center.  Bake at 350 F. for 45 minutes or until center is almost set.

For topping, combine sour cream and sugar; spread over filling to within ¾ inch of edges.  Return cheesecake to the oven; turn oven off and let stand for 5 minutes.  Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.  Carefully run a knife around pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer.  Refrigerate overnight.  Drizzle with melted chocolate.  Refrigerate leftovers.            12 servings

(Recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake was in tasteofhome.com)

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Triple-Layer Pretzel Brownie

Triple-Layer Pretzel Brownie

Triple-Layer Pretzel Brownie

Recipe provided courtesy of Taste of Home magazine.  Find more great recipes at

www.tasteofhome.com

 

Triple-Layer Pretzel Brownie Recipe

Triple-Layer Pretzel Brownie

3 cups crushed pretzels

¾ cup butter, melted

3 Tbsp. sugar

1 pkg. fudge brownie mix (13×9 inch pan size)

¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

½ cup creamy peanut butter

In a small bowl, combine the pretzels, butter and sugar.   Press into an ungreased 13×9 inch baking dish.  Bake at 400 F. for8 minutes.  Cool on a wire rack.

Reduce heat to 350 F.   Prepare brownie mix batter according to package directions.  Pour over prepared crust.  Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs (do not overbake).  Cool completely on wire rack.

In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and peanut butter; stir until smooth.  Spread over top.  Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm.  Cut into bars.  Store in an airtight container.           2 dozen

(Recipe for Triple-Layer Pretzel Brownies was in tasteofhome.com)

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Sweet and Sour Spareribs

Sweet and Sour Spareribs

Sweet and Sour Spareribs

Recipe provided courtesy of Taste of Home magazine.  Find more great recipes at

www.tasteofhome.com

 

Just the tempting aroma of these ribs reminds me of many simple but delicious meals mom made.  Dad especially loved these tender tasty ribs with their thick, tangy sauce.  Mom liked them because the sauce was no fuss to make.

                Ruth Ann Stelfox                                                                              Raymond, Alberta

 

Sweet and Sour Spareribs Recipe

Sweet and Sour Spareribs

5 to 6 lbs. pork spareribs or pork loin back ribs

½ cup sugar

½ cup packed brown sugar

2 Tbsp. cornstarch

1 cup ketchup

2/3 cup cider vinegar

½ cup cold water

Place ribs on a rack in a large shallow pan.  Bake, uncovered, at 350 F.  for 1 ½ hours.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the sugar, brown sugar, cornstarch, ketchup, vinegar and water until smooth.  Bring to a boil.  Cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened.  Remove ribs and rack from pan.  Drain and discard fat.  Return ribs to roasting pan; drizzle 1 ½ cups sauce over ribs.  Bake 3 minutes longer.  Cut ribs into serving-size pieces; brush with remaining sauce.

 

(Recipe for Sweet and Sour Spareribs was in tasteofhome.com)

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Barbecued Chicken

Barbecued Chicken

Barbecued Chicken

Recipe provided courtesy of Taste of Home magazine.  Find more great recipes at

www.tasteofhome.com

 

My family truly loves this recipe.  We don’t fry foods much anymore and prefer to barbecue, so I adapted my mother’s recipe for barbecue sauce to suit our tastes.  Every summer, we have a neighborhood cookout.  I take this chicken and watch it disappear!

Linda Scott                                                                                          Hahira, Georgia

 

Barbecued Chicken Recipe

Barbecued Chicken

Spice Rub  –  2 Tbsp. onion powder

4 tsp. salt or salt substitute

1 Tbsp. paprika

2 tsp. garlic powder

1 ½ tsp. chili powder

1 ½ tsp. pepper

¼ tsp. ground turmeric

Pinch cayenne pepper

Sauce:   2 cups ketchup

3 Tbsp. brown sugar

2 Tbsp. dried minced onion

2 Tbsp. thawed orange concentrate

½ tsp. liquid smoke, optional

Pat chicken dry.  In a small bowl, mix spice rub ingredients; reserve 1 tablespoon spice rub for sauce.  Rub remaining spice rub on all sides of chicken.

Grill chicken, uncovered, over medium heat 20 minutes, skin side down.  Meanwhile, combine all sauce ingredients; stir in reserved spice rub.  Turn chicken; grill 20-30 minutes longer or until juices run clear, basting frequently with sauce.            8 servings

(Recipe for Barbecued Chicken was in tasteofhome.com)

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