Family Recipes & KETO Friendly Recipes ~ From a Happy Cook & Kitchen ~ Something For Everyone: individuals with no diet restrictions, diabetics, gluten free, vegetarian, plus creativite & simple gifts from the kitchen.
Friday, April 26, 2024
Quick, Simple & Perfect Air Fryer Pot Sticker Dumplings
Sunday, April 14, 2024
Banana Sheet Cake With Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting
Cake Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs at room temperature
2 tablespoons spiced rum
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups extra ripe mashed bananas (about 4 medium bananas)*
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
*The riper the banana the better the flavor. I put 4 bananas in a large measuring cup and pureed with an immersion blender.
Frosting Ingredients:
4 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon spiced rum
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
3 cups powdered sugar
Garnish Ingredients:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
3 tablesppons powdered sugar
nutmeg
15 to 20 pecan halves
Cake Method:
Preheat oven to 350*. Use butter or shortening to grease the bottom and sides of a 9x13 inch baking pan. Dust with flour and set aside.
Add the butter and sugar to a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy and creamy. Add the eggs, rum and vanilla to the creamed mixture and mix at medium speed until well combined.
Sift together the flour and baking soda. Add to the creamed ingredients and mix at low speed just until combined. Add the bananas and beat on medium speed until all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Transfer to a rack to allow the cake to cool completely.
Frosting Method:
Add the cream cheese and butter to a medium/large bowl and beat on medium speed until light and creamy. Add the vanilla, rum, cinnamon and nutmeg. Beat until well mixed in. Mix in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, at low speed. When the sugar is completely mixed in and the frosting is fluffy. Spread over the top of the cooled cake.
The cake may be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. The cake may also be made ahead of time and frozen for 1 month. (Thaw overnight in the refigerator.)
Garnish Method:
Whip the cream at high speed just until soft peaks form. Add the powdered sugar and continue beatimg until the cream is stiff enough to be piped through a a pastry bag.** Cut the frosted cake into 15 to 20 equal portions.*** When ready to serve, spoon or pipe a dollop of whipped cream on top of each piece of cake. Sprinkle lightly with nutmeg. Place a pecan on top of the whipped cream. Serves 15 to 20.
**If you do not have a pastry bag, the whipped cream can be placed in a plastic baggie. Snip one corner and pipe the cream on top of each portion of cake. You may substitute canned whipped cream for the homemade cream, but it is softer and doesn't hold it's shape as well.
***This cake is delicious, but rich. I recccomend cutting into 20 servings ~ you can always have a second piece!
Notes: I reccomend making this cake the day before serving because like banana bread, the flavor is even better the following day. I also think the cake tastes best served chilled. 🍌
My husband was skeptical about this recipe, because he doesn't like rum ~ None-the-less, he really liked this cake!
Friday, April 12, 2024
Perfect & Best Air Fryer Chicken (Low Carb!)
Ingredients:
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts**
dill pickle juice***
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
cooking oil spray (I use avocado oil)
Method:
Cut the chicken breasts in half. place in a container or bowl. Add enough pickle juice to cover. Place lid on container and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
Combine the olive oil and spices in a small bowl.
Drain the pickle juice from the chicken. Arrange the chicken piece in a flat container or dish. Brush both sides of each piece with the spice mixture. Let sit in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Select AIR FRY option on air fryer. Set timer for 20 minutes and temperature to 375*. Preheat. Spray bottom rack of air fryer with cooking oil. Add chicken. Air fry for 10 minutes. Turn with tongs and continue to fry for another 10 minutes.
Remove from the fryer and allow to rest for a few minutes before serving. Makes 6 (4 ounce servings)
**Chicken thighs may be used instead of chicken breasts.
***Never throw away dill pickle juice! It makes an excellent tenderizer for chicken (don't use additional salt for seasoning) and a few swigs before bed will prevent leg cramps.
Nutritional info:
Each 4 ounce serving of chicken breast equals approximately: 87 calories ~ 7.3 grams fat ~ 3 grams carbs ~ 4.6 grams protein
Note: When I served this to my family, it became an instant favorite!
Andes Mint Chip Cookies (Simple & Gourmet!)
Store in an airtight container in the refigerator. Makes approximately 4 dozen large gourmet cookies.
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Sunflower Cheese & Crackers Board (Simple & Pretty!)
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Simple Homemade Bubble Solution ~ For Kids Of All Ages!
Saturday, April 6, 2024
Almond Joy Cookies
Sunday, March 31, 2024
Easter Cross Fresh Fruit Platter (For Easter & Church Gatherings)
Monday, March 25, 2024
Quick, Simple & Fluffy 7 Up Biscuits
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Norma's Peanut Butter Delight Bundt Cake With Chocolate Glaze (Family)
Ingredients:
bundt pan
butter or shortening for greasing
3 tablespoons flour
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup butter flavored shortening
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
3 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk or sour milk**
3/4 cup Hershey's chocolate syrup
Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup chocolate syrup
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup chopped peanuts
Method:
Preheat oven to 350*. Generously grease the bundt pan with butter or shortening (even a non-stick one). Add 3 tablespoons of flour to the pan. Turn to coat the inside of the pan with a light dusting of flour. Turn upside down and tap the sides to remove any excess flour and set aside.
Sift the flour, baking powder and baking soda into a bowl and set aside.
In a large bowl, beat together the sugar, brown sugar, butter flavored shortening and peanut butter until creamed and well blended. (Use a medium high speed, number "4" on some electric mixers.) Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla and mix in. Add 1/3 of the flour to the creamed mixture and mix in at low speed. Add one third of the milk and mix in on low speed. Continue to mix in alternate portions of the flour and milk just until all are mixed in.
Remove two cups of the batter into a separate bowl. Mix in, at low speed, the 3/4 cup of chocolate syrup into the 2 cups of bater. Spoon the peanut butter batter evenly into the prepared pan. Top with the chocolate batter. Gently rotate the pan with circular movements to settle the batter evenly in the grooves of the cake pan.
Place the bundt pan on a baking sheet and place on the middle rack of the preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. (If needed, after 50 minutes, loosely cover with aluminum foil to prevent over browning or burning on top.)
Remove from the oven and the baking sheet. Place the bundt pan on a cooling rack.
Allow to cool for 15 minutes. Use a butter knife to gently loosen the cake from the sides of the pan. Invert on to the cooling rack and allow to cool for another 30 minutes.
In a small bowl, stir together the powdered sugar, 1/4 cup chocolate syrup and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Move the cake to a serving platter. Spoon the glaze over the top of the cake. Sprinkle the chopped peanuts over the top. Let sit for 15 minutes or longer to allow the glaze to set.
Slice into 12 portions and serve. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Friday, March 15, 2024
Sean's Favorite Cheddar Beer Quick Bread (Family)
Ingredients:
butter or shortening for greasing
parchment paper
2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 cup minus 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon sea or pink Himalayan salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon fresh chopped dill or 1/4 teaspoon dried dill
2 1/2 cups (4 1/2 ounces) grated sharp cheddar cheese
12 ounces beer, ale or stout
2 tablespoons sunflower seed kernels (optional)
Method:
Preheat oven to 375*. Grease the sides and bottom of a 9x5 inch loaf pan. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit in the bottom of the loaf pan. Set aside the prepared pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, baking powder, salt, sugar and dill. Add the cheese and the beer. Stir just until all of the ingredients are well combined. Spread the dough evenly in the prepared pan. If desired, sprinkle the sunflower kernels on top and gentle press into the top of the dough.
Place the loaf pan, on a cookie sheet, on the middle rack of the oven. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Irish Barmbrack Bread ~ A traditional treat for Halloween 🎃, Saint Patrick's Day 🍀, Breakfast🌞 & Tea Time 🫖
Ingredients:
3 cups raisins
1 1/4 cups black tea
parchment paper
butter or shortening for greasing
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cardamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
finely grated peel of one lemon
finely grated peel of one orange
1 lightly beaten egg
1/4 cup whiskey (I used a honey whiskey)
Method:
Place the raisins and tea in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat just until the liquid begins to boil. Immediately reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
Preheat oven to 260* Generously grease the sides and bottom of a 9x5 inch loaf pan with butter or shortening. Line the bottom of the pan with piece of parchment paper. Set aside.
Sift the flour, baking powder and spices into a large bowl. Stir in the brown sugar and grated peels, making certain to break up any clumps of sugar. Add the cooled raisins and liquid, along with the beaten egg. Stir until all of the ingredients are well blended. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan. Place on a baking sheet and put both inside of the preheated oven. Bake for 2 hours or until a pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Pour the whiskey over the top of the bread and allow to cool for 15 minutes.
Loosen the sides of the loaf with a regular table knife. Place a plate over the loaf and invert. Remove the parchment paper and place another plate or cutting board on top of the inverted loaf. Turn over one more time to put the brack top side up. Slice with a serrated knife and served warm with cold butter. Or, you may wish to bake the bread a couple of days before serving, because like many fruit breads, the flavor tends to improve a day or two after baking. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Serve cold or toasted with butter. Makes 8 servings.
Alternate Method:
Instead of pouring the whiskey over the baked cake, reduce the tea to a 3/4 cup and increase the whiskey to a 1/2 cup. Simmer together with the raisins. This method maintains the flavor, but allows the alcohol to burn off. (This is the method that I prefer.)
Notes:
This Irish bread tastes quite nice freshly baked and warm with butter. It is even better after being refrigerated for a day or two. ~ I like it both ways! (I think it is similar in texture to an English plum pudding.)
Barmbrack bread is served all year but, a different version is baked at Halloween. Traditionally, this is when small tokens (wrapped in pieces of parchment paper) are baked into the Barmbrack. The token one receives in their slices said to foretell their fortune for the coming year. Traditionally, a ring signifies finding true love, a coin means riches and a thimble, pea, stick or button that one will never marry, a piece of cloth indicates poverty or that the recipient will become a nun. (If you would like to add treats to your loaf, I recommend rings💍 and coins!🪙) 😀