Homemade Chocolate Pudding

 

Ingredients 

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups milk
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
M and M's, optional

Directions 

In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt. gradually add milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat; boil and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in butter and vanilla. Spoon into individual serving dishes. Chill until serving. Sprinkle with M and M's if desired.

Pecan Sandies Cookies

 

Ingredients

2 cups butter, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons water
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups chopped pecans
Additional confectioners' sugar

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 300°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add water and vanilla; mix well. Gradually add flour; fold in pecans.

2.  Roll dough into 1-in. balls. Place on ungreased baking sheets and flatten with fingers.

3.  Bake 20-25 minutes or until bottom edges are golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. When cool, dust with confectioners' sugar.

Homemade Chocolate Eclairs

 

Ingredients

Choux Pastry

3/4 cup water
1 1/2 tablespoons water
8 1/2 tablespoons butter
1 pinch salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
5 eggs
Filling and Topping:
5 1/3 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 drops vanilla extract, or to taste

Directions

1.  Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Butter a baking sheet.

2.  Heat 3/4 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons water, 8 1/2 tablespoons butter, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil; turn off the heat and sift in flour. Beat vigorously with a wooden spoon until mixture is well combined and leaves the sides of the pan.

3.  Cool the mixture to room temperature, about 10 minutes. Crack in eggs, 1 at a time, stirring gradually into a smooth dough. Lift the spoon to check the consistency; dough should slide gradually back into the bowl.

4.  Fit a piping bag with a coupler and 3/4-inch round nozzle. Drop piping bag, nozzle-down, into a tall glass and fold edges down around the glass. Spoon dough into the bag. Gather edges and twist together.

5.  Pipe dough into 5-inch-long logs onto the prepared baking sheet. Press logs down with wet fingers if any peaks form.

6.  Bake in the preheated oven until golden and firm, 30 to 35 minutes. Let eclairs cool on a wire rack while preparing the topping and filling.

7.  Place chocolate and 1/4 cup butter in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir frequently, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching, until chocolate is melted, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

8.  Beat cream in a chilled glass or metal bowl using an electric mixer until frothy. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract gradually, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Fill a clean piping bag with the whipped cream.

9.  Use a paring knife to cut an X in either end of each eclair. Pipe a portion of the whipped cream into one end of each eclair until it starts to ooze out the other side. Dip the top halves in melted chocolate-butter mixture. Refrigerate eclairs until filling hardens, about 30 minutes.

Peanut Butter Brownie Bars

 

Ingredients 

1 package fudge brownie mix (13-inch x 9-inch pan size)
12 peanut butter cups, chopped
1/2 cup salted peanuts, chopped
2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1-1/4 cups creamy peanut butter
1 tablespoon butter
1-1/2 cups crisp rice cereal
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions 

1.  Prepare brownie batter according to package directions. Spread into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs.

2.  Sprinkle with peanut butter cups and peanuts. Bake 4-6 minutes longer or until chocolate is melted. Cool on a wire rack.

3.  Meanwhile, in a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter; stir until smooth. Stir in the cereal, vanilla and salt. Carefully spread over brownies. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting.

Best Rocky Road Brownies

 

Ingredients 

1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup miniature marshmallows
1/3 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup chopped pecans

Directions 

1.  In a small heavy saucepan, melt butter and chocolate; stir until smooth. Remove from the heat; stir in sugar. Stir in the egg, vanilla and salt until well blended. Stir in flour just until blended. Fold in the marshmallows, chips and pecans.

2.  Spread into a greased 8x4-in. loaf pan. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

Cookbook Mail (May 28)

 

It was born in the 1940s when traditional Northern Mexican cuisine collided with the robust flavors of Texas ranchers’ kitchens. Now, chef and restaurateur Ford Fry presents the definitive book on the topic with craveable recipes that are heavy on flavor and light on fuss. Peppered throughout are jump-off-the-page photographs, helpful ingredient explainers, playful histories, and important cooking tips. These melty, crispy, hot-as-heck classics include Dirty Breakfast Tacos, Grilled Shrimp Diablo, Cheese Enchiladas Con Chili Gravy, Sopaipillas with Local Honey, and more salsas than you can imagine. Pour yourself a Classic Margarita on the Rocks — don’t forget to salt the rim — and get ready to satisfy the rumble in your stomach.

Butterscotch Toffee Cookies

 

Ingredients 

2 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup canola oil
1 package butter pecan cake mix (regular size)
1 package (10 to 11 ounces) butterscotch chips
1 package (8 ounces) milk chocolate English toffee bits

Can’t find butter pecan cake mix? That’s OK. This recipe is pretty versatile. Anything from yellow cake mix to a spiced cake mix will bring equally soft and chewy results.

Instructions 

Step 1: Mix It Up

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat eggs and oil until blended; gradually add cake mix and mix well. Fold in chips and toffee bits.

Pro Tip: Add in chips and toffee bits by hand. This reduces the risk of over mixing, ensuring your cookies don’t get too tough.

Step 2: Bake Some Magic

Drop by tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Bake until golden brown, 10-12 minutes.

Pro Tip: Make sure to space cookies evenly on the baking sheet — usually about 2 inches — and consider using a piece of parchment paper so no dough sticks to the pan. Once they’re out of the oven, let the cookies cool 1 minute before moving to wire racks.
How to Store Toffee Chip Cookies

We understand if the cookies don’t make it to the storage stage, but if you manage to save a few, wait until they are completely cooled before putting them away. This will avoid the build-up of condensation that makes cookies soggy.

To retain enough moisture to keep your cookies fresh and soft, you can store an apple wedge with them. (You can find more baking secrets where that came from.)

Juicy Peach and Strawberry Crumb Pie

 

Ingredients 

1 sheet refrigerated pie crust
3-1/2 cups sliced peeled peaches (about 4 medium)
2-1/2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
6 tablespoons cold butter

Directions 

1.  Preheat oven to 375°. Unroll pie crust into a 9-in. pie plate; flute edge. In a large bowl, combine peaches, strawberries and lemon juice. In a small bowl, mix sugar, cornstarch and basil. Add to fruit and toss gently to coat. Transfer to crust.

2.  In a small bowl, mix flour and brown sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over filling. Place pie on a foil-lined baking pan.

3.  Bake on a lower oven rack until topping is golden brown and filling is bubbly, 45-55 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

Vegan Paella

 

Ingredients

2 cups boiling water
1 cup white rice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 tomato, diced
2 cups vegetable broth
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 cup peas
1 cup drained and quartered canned artichoke hearts

Directions

1.  Mix boiling water and rice together in a bowl; let stand for 20 minutes. Drain.

2.  Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onion and garlic until onion is transparent, about 5 minutes. Add green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and tomato; cook and stir until peppers are slightly tender, about 3 minutes.

3.  Mix rice and vegetable broth into onion-pepper mixture; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer. Add paprika, salt, and turmeric; cover skillet and simmer until rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Stir peas and artichoke hearts into rice mixture and cook until heated through, about 1 minute more.

Garlic Beef Enchiladas

Ingredients 

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon rubbed sage
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes, cut up

SAUCE

1/3 cup butter
4 to 6 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) beef broth
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1 to 2 tablespoons chili powder
1 to 2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 to 2 teaspoons rubbed sage
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 flour tortillas (6 inches), warmed
2 cups shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese, divided
Optional toppings: halved grape tomatoes, minced fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeno peppers and medium red onion, chopped or sliced

Directions 

1.  Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat, crumbling meat, until beef is no longer pink, 6-8 minutes; drain. Stir in flour and seasonings. Add tomatoes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 15 minutes.

2.  In a saucepan, heat butter over medium-high heat. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute or until tender. Stir in flour until blended; gradually whisk in broth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce and seasonings; heat through.

3.  Pour 1-1/2 cups sauce into an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. Place about 1/4 cup beef mixture off center on each tortilla; top with 1-2 tablespoons cheese. Roll up and place over sauce, seam side down. Top with remaining sauce.

4.  Bake, covered, until heated through, 30-35 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, until cheese is melted, 10-15 minutes longer. Serve with toppings as desired.

Alcohol-Free Mint Julep

 

Ingredients

1/4 cup water
1/4 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves
2 cups crushed ice
1/2 cup prepared lemonade
Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish

Directions 

1.  In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar and 1 tablespoon of chopped mint. Stir and bring to a boil. Cook until sugar has dissolved, then remove from heat and set aside to cool. After about an hour, strain out mint leaves.

2.  Fill 2 cups or frozen goblets with crushed ice. Pour 1/2 of the lemonade into each glass and top with a splash of the sugar syrup. Garnish each with a mint sprig and a straw. Serve on a silver platter.