Entries Tagged as 'cooking and baking'

Paleo Banana Bread Muffins

March 20th, 2013 · 1 Comment

paleo_banana_bread_muffin

I have made these paleo banana bread muffins many times and they are SO good. I think I prefer them over regular banana bread muffins.

Paleo Banana Bread Muffins
From: With Style & Grace
Makes about 7 muffins

1 1/2 cup almond flour
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
pinch of nutmeg
pinch of salt
2 very ripe bananas, mashed
2 eggs
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 chopped walnuts, plus more for topping

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place muffins cups in muffin tin and set aside.
In a large bowl, sift together almond flour, flaxseed, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt.

In a separate bowl, add the mashed bananas, eggs, honey, vanilla and olive oil – mix well.

With you hands, make a slight well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Add in chopped walnuts. Stir until combined.

Fill the baking cups about 3/4 full. Sprinkle a few chopped walnuts over each cup. Bake muffins for 21-23 minutes or insert a toothpick into the center and if it comes out clean, it’s time to remove.

Let cool for 5-10 minutes and enjoy!

[Read more →]

Tags:······

Praline Cookies

March 15th, 2013 · 1 Comment

martha_stewart_praline_cookies

Jen and Chad hosted a New Orleans-themed Superbowl party a while back. I was bringing cookies and wanted to stay on theme, so I made praline cookies.

praline_cookies_martha_stewart

Here‘s an interesting history of pralines. I definitely think New Orleans when I see them. I even learned to make pralines once while I was visiting.

praline_cookies_recipe

Aunt Mary Dillon’s Praline Cookies
From: Martha Stewart Living, February 2000

Yield Makes 3 dozen

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
2 1/2 cups light-brown sugar, firmly packed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup heavy cream, plus more if necessary
1 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
1 cup pecan halves, toasted and broken into large pieces

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and 1 1/2 cups light-brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla. Beat until fully combined. Add dry ingredients, and beat on low speed until combined.

Drop batter in rounded teaspoons onto ungreased baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake until firm and barely golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes, then transfer cookies from pan to wire rack.

In a small saucepan, combine remaining 1 cup light-brown sugar and cream. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Add confectioners’ sugar, and whisk until smooth. (If frosting thickens, thin with cream.) Add pecan pieces. Place cookies on a cooling rack over a lined baking pan. Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon praline mixture onto each cookie.

[Read more →]

Tags:·······

Mini Cherry and Blueberry Pies

February 28th, 2013 · No Comments

mini_pies_cherry

mini_blueberry_pie

homemade_mini_pies

mini_cherry_pie

In December we had a secret santa gift exchange in the office and Ronald gave me this mini pie press, knowing I was a baker. I finally got around to making mini pies and bringing them to the office. I used the recipe on the mini press package and used blueberry and cherry pie filling. Not all of the pies came out perfect, but they all came out delicious!!

[Read more →]

Tags:······

Herb, Garlic and Bacon Pork Loin

January 29th, 2013 · No Comments

bacon_pork_loin

Dallas made Herb, Garlic and Bacon Pork Loin one night and it was pretty good. I wished the bacon was a little crispier, but otherwise this was as good as it looks!

herb_garlic_bacon_pork_loin

Herb, Garlic and Bacon Pork Loin
From: All Recipes

1 (5 pound) pork loin roast
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound sliced bacon
3 cups chicken stock
1 tablespoon dried rosemary
1 tablespoon dried thyme
6 fresh basil leaves
6 fresh sage leaves
4 cloves garlic, chopped
8 fresh pearl onions, peeled (we used full-sized onions, chopped large)

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).

Rub the pork loin with olive oil and place in a roasting pan. Drape slices of bacon over the top. Combine the chicken stock, rosemary, thyme, basil, sage and garlic. Pour over the roast. Place onions around the sides. Cover with a lid or aluminum foil.

Bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Remove the lid or foil, and continue to bake for 30 minutes, or until the bacon is browned. Cook to at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).

[Read more →]

Tags:······

Cabbage Meatloaf

January 28th, 2013 · 2 Comments

Meatloaf! With cabbage in it! Dang right, it’s good for you! Also? It’s hard to take appetizing photos of meatloaf.

Cabbage Meatloaf
From: Paleo Plan

1/4 teaspoon dried sage
1 teaspoon sea salt (optional)
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1 tsp granulated garlic
1 tsp chipotle chili powder
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
1 cup red cabbage chopped
2 Tbs coconut milk (canned, full fat)
1/2 tsp hot pepper sauce
1/3 cup almond meal
1 egg, beaten
1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1/2 cup unsweetened barbecue sauce (optional)

Preheat oven to 350° F. Combine all ingredients except ground beef and BBQ sauce in a large bowl, and mix. When well blended, add ground beef and combine together with a fork. Place mixture into a non-greased loaf pan or shape into a loaf on a non-greased baking pan. Pour sauce over the top of the meatloaf. Bake, uncovered, for 75-85 minutes, or until an internal temperature of 160° F is reached (or until there is no pink in the center). Let stand for 5 minutes, then slice and serve.

[Read more →]

Tags:····