Strawberry Shortcake

My all time favorite dessert!  Love strawberries and whipped cream!  The shortcake just pulls it altogether!  I think I might add a bit more sugar to the whipped cream but I like things sweet!  If your going to indulge then you better have it the way you like it!

this is the definition for indulge: To yield to the desires and whims of, especially to an excessive degree.

Enjoy!  I'm going to!

Strawberry Shortcake

1 1/2 pounds strawberries, stemmed and sliced

1/4 cup sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

3 Tbs sugar

3/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

Whipped cream, recipe follows

Direction:

Mix strawberries with 3 Tbs sugar and refrigerate while juices envelop, at least 30 min.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, 3 Tbs sugar and salt in a medium bowl.  Add heavy cream and mix until just combined.  Spread mixture in an ungreased 8 in. square pan and bake until golden, 18-20 min.

Remove shortcake from pan and place on a rack to cool slightly.  cut into 6 pieces and split each piece in half horizontally.

Spoon some of the strawberries with their juice onto each shortcake bottom. Top with generous dollop of whipped cream and then the shortcake top.  Spoon more strawberries over the top and serve.

Whipped Cream:

1 1/2 cups heavy cream, chilled

3 Tbs sugar

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp freshly grated lemon zest

Using a mixer, beat the heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest until soft peaks form.  about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes!  Yeah!  You'll love this!



Spicy Noodles

This is a great side dish and so easy to prepare.

My son Chris, a college student, loves this dish!  He can prepare it quickly and usually has the ingredients on hand.  That's a miracle for a college student!! 

Spicy Noodles

Ingredients:

8 oz Linguine pasta

Olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 to 1 tsp of red pepper flakes

salt and pepper

2 Tbs of parsley

Directions:

Cook the pasta according to the package.  Don't under cook it if anything you want it to be slightly over cooked. Drain.  While pasta is cooking, chop up your garlic and parsley. 

Place a large saute pan over med high heat. When pan in hot add about 1 Tbs of Olive oil.  Saute your garlic and red peppers 30 seconds.  Add your noodles and toss with garlic/pepper flakes.  Add more olive oil it looks dry.  add salt and pepper to your liking and toss in the parsley.  Toss until everything is incorporated.  Serve as a side dish.

Spinach and bacon Quiche



 I absolutely love quiche and why is it that real men don't eat quiche?  Remind me again... 

Quiche: a French tart with a filling of custard flavoured with cheese, onions ham or bacon, or chopped vegetables. What's to not like about that?  

 

Spinach and Bacon Quiche

Ingredients:

6 large eggs, beaten

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

Salt and pepper

2 cups chopped fresh baby spinach, packed

1 pound bacon, cooked an crumbled

1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese

1 (9 inch) refrigerated pie crust, fitted to a 9 inch glass pie plate.

 

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees

 

Combine the eggs, cream, salt, and pepper in a food processor or blender.  Layer the spinach, bacon, and cheese in the bottom of the pie crust, then pour the egg mixture on top.  Bake for 35 to 45 min until the egg mixture is set.  Cut into 8 wedges.

 

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

This may sound like a silly recipe but well worth it if you have a sweet tooth like I do tonight! 

It is worth it and so easy to do if you have the ingredients on hand (which I happen to have) Ok I gotta go now.  I have a cake to make! ;)   add DRY INGREDIENTS TO MUG, AND MIX WELL. add THE EGG AND MIX THOROUGHLY

 5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

INGREDIENTS:
4 Tbs flour
4 Tbs sugar
2 Tbs cocoa
1 egg
3 Tbs milk
3 Tbs oil
3 Tbs chocolate chips (optional) but I wouldn't leave them out
a small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug
DIRECTIONS:
Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well.  Add the egg and mix thoroughly.  Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.  Add the chocolate chips ( off course your using them, right?) and vanilla extract, and mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.( I think that means at full power which is what I set mine to).  the cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. ( I just eat it out of the mug with some whip cream or strawberries on top or both!!  Ahhhh such delight!

Mandarin Spinach Salad with Orange Vinaigrette

The citrus juice in this dressing makes the salad especially refreshing. Plain gelatin thickens the dressing just enough to make it more texturally pleasing, without adding calories.  Calories, fat and cholesterol were reduced by:

• reducing the amount of walnuts
• reducing the amount of oil and replacing it in part with additional lime juice and orange juice
• Thickening the dressing with gelatin rather than more oil

Vinaigrette:

1/4 cup orange juice

2 Tbs lime juice

1 Tbs honey

2 tsp walnut or peanut oil

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp plain gelatin

1/8 tsp ground black pepper

Salad:

1 bag washed torn or baby spinach (6 oz.)

1 can mandarin oranges (15 oz) drained

1 avocado, chopped

1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

2 Tbs chopped walnuts, toasted

TO MAKE THE VINAIGRETTE:  In a small glass measuring cup, whisk together the orange juice, lime juice, honey, oil, salt, gelatin, and pepper.  Let stand for 5 min. for the gelatin to soften.

TO MAKE THE SALAD:  Divide the spinach among 6 plates.  Top with oranges, avocado, onion, and walnuts.  Whisk then drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad before serving.

Makes 6 servings

149 calories, 3 g protein, 9 g fat, 17 g carbohydrates

Hint:  To toast walnuts, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat.  Cook, shaking the pan often, for 2 minutes, or until lightly browned and fragrant.

Szechuan Beef

 Sliced sirloin is marinated in soy sauce spiced with red pepper and garlic, then stir fried with broccoli, onion, water chestnuts and peanuts.  Serve with steamed rice.

Ready in 40 min

Servings: 6

Szechuan Beef

Ingredients:

1 pound siloin steak, cut into bite size strips

1 Tbs souy sauce

2 tsp corstarch

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper

1 clove garlic minced

2 Tbs vegetble oil

3 cups fresh broccoli florets

2 small oinions, cut into wedges

1 (8oz.) can water chestnuts, drained

1/4 cup chicken brothh

1/2 cup peanuts

Directions:

1. Toss beef with soy sauce, cornstarch, crushed red pepper and garlic in a non-metal bowl.  Cover and refrigerate 20 min.

2. Heat oil in wok or large skillet over high heat.  Stir fry beef until no longer pink, 5 min.  Stir in broccoli, onions and water chestnuts; cook 2 minutes.  Pour in broth, and bring to a boil.  Stir in peanuts, cook one minute more, and serve.