Recipes and Cooking Advice

[~baby~doll~]

Yorkshire Pudding

(something like that at least)

1 cup flour
1 cup of eggs (about 5)
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons of heavy cream (whipping cream)
a bit of salt
Y/you can add other herbs to taste such as rosemary or whatever Y/you like

Beat the eggs with heavy cream until frothy
In a bowl add flour, milk and a pinch of salt
mix completely
preheat oven to 425 degrees
add egg mixture to the flour and milk. Mix well until batter is smooth and creamy.

In a 5x8 or 6x8 baking pan add 3 tablespoons oil or beef drippings (can be done in muffin tin as well adding oil or drippings to each cup) place pan or tin in the oven until the oil begins to smoke. Remove the pan or tin from oven and pour in batter. Do not fill muffins to full as the pudding will puff.

Put the pan or tin back in the oven as quickly as possible and allow the pudding to cook 15 to 25 minutes. It will puff high in or above the rim. Let brown.

Remove from oven and serve.

Traditionally served with beef with gravy or heated drippings. Yorkshire pudding can be served as a dessert with ice cream, fruit, syrup or whipped cream as well.
It is a change of pace from potatoes or rice.
Serves around 4.

[~baby~doll~]

Quicker Brioche Rolls

1 package of dry yeast
1/3 cup warm water
3 1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
1 cup softened butter

Glaze
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon heavy cream or water

Add yeast to warm water with sugar and allow to rise in a small bowl or tall glass

In a mixer or by hand begin blending all other ingredients except glaze
When yeast has risen add to mixture
When dough is mixed knead for around 10 minutes until smooth and silky. Add flour as needed to keep from sticking.

On a floured counter roll out dough and fold together. Roll out again and repeat the process 3 times. Let the balled dough rest for about 10 minutes.
Roll out dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Use 3 inch cookie cutter to make circles. Stack 3 circles on top of each other and set in a baking pan. Repeat until all but a small amount of dough is used. The remaining dough is used to make a small button on top of each roll. press edges of rolls down lightly.
Let rolls rise for about an hour or around double the size.
Cook at 400 degrees maybe 15 minutes until brown on top and center is cooked. Cooking time varies depending on oven and thickness of the rolls after rising. Check frequently to avoid burning.

[~baby~doll~]

This one is not my recipe but one i like. It serves maybe 10 or 12 but can be scaled down for smaller cuts of lamb. i added a recipe for a Greek salad which goes very well with the roasted lamb. If you have a gathering this combo will accommodate a number of guests.

Herb-Roasted Lamb


12 large unpeeled garlic cloves, divided
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 (6-pound) boneless leg of lamb, trimmed and tied
4 to 5 pounds small unpeeled potatoes (16 to 20 potatoes)
2 tablespoons good olive oil


Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place the oven rack in the lower third of the oven so the lamb will sit in the middle of the oven.

Peel 6 of the cloves of garlic and place them in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Add the rosemary, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, and butter. Process until the garlic and rosemary are finely minced. Thoroughly coat the top and sides of the lamb with the rosemary mixture. Allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Toss the potatoes and remaining unpeeled garlic in a bowl with the olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place in the bottom of a large roasting pan. Place the lamb on top of the potatoes and roast for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours, or until the internal temperature of the lamb is 135 degrees (rare) or 145 degrees (medium). Remove from the oven and put the lamb on a platter; cover tightly with aluminum foil. Allow the lamb to rest for about 20 minutes. Slice and serve with the potatoes.

Greek Salad (You may need to double up if served for large number of friends)

Makes about 4 1/2 cups

3/4 pound tomatoes, seeded, diced (about 2 cups)
2 cups diced seeded peeled cucumber (from about 1 large)
1 cup diced red bell pepper (from about 1 large)
1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives or other brine-cured black olives, halved
1/4 cup diced red onion
3 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (about 2 ounces)


Toss first 9 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Gently mix in cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

Oh this goes well with Sauvignon blanc.

[~baby~doll~]

These take maybe 20 minutes to prepare and 8 to 10 minutes to cook. The hardest part is deciding what ingredient's you desire.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease cookie sheet or sheets, makes around 40 cookies.

I start with dry ingredients and stir in a large bowl by hand

1 cup white sugar
1 cup light or dark brown sugar
3 cups rolled oats
2 cups white flour or wheat flour or a cup of each (if wheat use a bit more shortening)
1 teaspoon baking soda a bit more for more fluff but not too much more
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon or all spice or nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt less if desired

Combine ingredients by hand until well blended. Next add,

1 teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract
2 eggs
1 cup shortening may need more to gather all loose dry ingredients.

Optional:
nuts crushed
pineapple minced
carrots grated

Add extra flour or shortening to mixture to accommodate added goodies
I mix by hand to get a feel for the texture so it is not to dry or damp.
roll into walnut sized balls and place on cookie sheet pressing lightly in the center. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes in the 375 degree oven and presto they are done and delicious.
Many other possibilities exist so add what you like as long as the dough will hold together in the ball shapes.
Let cool about five minutes before transferring to cookie dish.

[JDeere]

Okay cooks!

Who has some recipes they want to share that are pretty simple and easy for a guy to make for a romantic dinner?

[Tierney]

Originally Posted by JDeere

Okay cooks!

Who has some recipes they want to share that are pretty simple and easy for a guy to make for a romantic dinner?

Do you have anything in mind J? Are there particular things she likes?

I am a fan of the steak and lobster tail - with a fresh Caesar salad - and a good bottle of wine. For bread I do a fresh baguette. All of which is pretty easy to make.

I have a ton of recipes I could share for other things.

Put out some ideas you are tossing around or what her likes are, if you could.

[JDeere]

Originally Posted by Tierney

Do you have anything in mind J? Are there particular things she likes?

I am a fan of the steak and lobster tail - with a fresh Caesar salad - and a good bottle of wine. For bread I do a fresh baguette. All of which is pretty easy to make.

I have a ton of recipes I could share for other things.

Put out some ideas you are tossing around or what her likes are, if you could.

Awesome. Let me think about it and I will post later tonight.

[Corkey]

Originally Posted by JDeere

Okay cooks!

Who has some recipes they want to share that are pretty simple and easy for a guy to make for a romantic dinner?

What do you both like to eat? I'd start there. Steak veggies and a nice desert are simple and tasty.

[Chad]

I am bumping this thread.