Ginger Pear Smoothie

Ginger Pear Smoothie

2 ripe pears, washed, quartered and cored
1 cup cantaloupe chunks
2/3 cup Dole Pineapple Orange Banana Juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tsp Spice World Squeeze Ginger (or 2-inches fresh peeled ginger)
1 cup ice
Honey to taste

Place all ingredients in Ninja blender and process on "Smoothie" mode for a couple of minutes until smooth.  If you have a less powerful blender, you might want to peel the pears first.

Adapted from Ninja recipe.

Italian Ricotta Cookies

Italian Ricotta Cookies

Yield: About 4 dozen

"Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups (495g) all-purpose flour*
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup (8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 3/4 cups (370g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 15 oz. ricotta, whole milk or fresh (1 3/4 cups)
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs

Glaze

• 1 Tbsp butter (salted or unsalted), melted
• 3 3/4 cups (460g) powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, or 1 1/4 tsp almond extract and more milk as needed
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 - 6 Tbsp milk

Directions

• For the cookies:
• In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking soda and salt for 20 seconds, set aside. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment whip together butter, granulated sugar and lemon zest until pale and fluffy (scrape down sides and bottom of bowl occasionally throughout entire mixing process). Mix in ricotta and vanilla extract then blend in eggs one at a time. Set mixer on low speed and slowly add in flour mixture and mix until combined. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill 2 hours or up to 2 days. Preheat oven to 350 degrees during last 20 minutes of dough chilling.
• Scoop chilled dough out 1 Tbsp at a time and shape into balls (if it's too sticky just drop onto sheet using two spoons), drop onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Bake in preheated oven 12 - 14 minutes until underside of cookies are golden. Cool on baking sheet several minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. 
• Once cool dip tops of cookies in glaze and return to wire rack, immediately add sprinkles if using. Allow glaze to set at room temperature. Store in an airtight container in a single layer.
• For the glaze:
• In a mixing bowl whisk together powdered sugar, melted butter, lemon juice or almond extract, vanilla and 4 Tbsp milk until smooth, adding in more milk 1 tsp at a time to thin as needed (you don't want it to be very thin, it should be quite a bit thicker than a doughnut glaze).
• *Scoop flour directly from container using measuring cup and level top using a butter knife. Don't whisk or sift before measuring and don't spoon into a cup. I thought I better note that because in the recipe I adapted these from it stated 4 cups flour (480g) but it only took me 3 1/2 cups to get to the weight they had listed and then some (495g). The best option is to use a kitchen scale, I highly recommend investing in one if you don't already have one. I always use mine when baking.
• Recipe source: adapted from New York Times"

I found this recipe on Pinterest.  It's linked to:

From <http://www.cookingclassy.com/italian-ricotta-cookies/> 

  







My notes:  I would definitely weigh the ingredients next time I make these.  Mine spread a little too much, but they were delicious!  I used the lemon juice in the glaze.  The cookies were soft and cakey with just a hint of lemon.  Very yummy!!

Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

1 cup shredded carrots

5 cups water

1 (6.2-ounce) package fast-cooking long-grain and wild rice mix,

seasoning packet reserved

1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped broccoli

2 cups chopped cooked chicken

1 (8-ounce) loaf pasteurized prepared cheese product, cubed

1 (10-3/4-ounce) can cream of chicken soup, undiluted

In a soup pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and carrots and saute 5 minutes, or until tender.  

Add water, seasoning packet from rice, broccoli, and chicken. Bring to a boil then stir in rice; reduce heat,

cover, and cook 5 minutes.  Add cheese and soup; cook 5 minutes, or until cheese melts, stirring constantly. Serve immediately.

Delicious with a warm French Loaf!  

Ukrainian Creamed Potatoes

Ukrainian Creamed Potatoes

4 baking sized potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks (or use new potatoes if available)

1/2 small onion, thinly sliced

Salt to taste

4-6 tablespoons butter

A good handful of fresh dill, chopped

Heavy cream (enough to coat the potatoes)

Place the potatoes and onion in a large saucepan.  Cover with water, salt to taste and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender.  Drain and set potatoes aside.

Return the saucepan to the burner and add the butter.  Cook over medium high heat until the butter is melted.  Add the chopped fresh dill and the cream.  Cook 1-2 minutes until mixture just comes to boil.  Add the potatoes and toss gently to coat.  The cream will thicken a bit and coat the potatoes.

Delicious!!!  Found on Pinterest.  CW 11/7/16

Pork in Paprika Cream

Pork in Paprika Cream

1.5 lbs pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into small chunks

1 onion, halved and sliced thin

Salt and Pepper to taste

Paprika (I used half regular paprika and half smoked paprika)

EVOO

Beef Broth

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 heaping tablespoon sour cream

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil.  Add the pork and onion slices.  Season with salt, pepper and paprika and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned.  Add enough beef broth to cover the pork and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer until pork is tender.  Stir in tomato paste and cook another 15-20 minutes.  Stir in the sour cream just before serving.

Excellent with Ukrainian Creamed Potatoes and Buttered Peas! 

CW 11/7/16

Greek Green Beans

Greek Green Beans

1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and halved
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup chopped tomato (I used several sliced mini San Marzanos)
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dijon mustard
Salt and Pepper to taste
3-4 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese

In a large skillet heat the olive oil and saute the green beans, garlic and bell pepper until the beans are tender and starting to turn a little brown in spots.  Stir in the tomato and cook 2 or 3 minutes.  Add the vinegar, parsley, oregano and mustard and toss to coat.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Top with the feta just before serving.

YUM!  Excellent with Grilled or Roasted Chicken!

Salted Caramel Mocha

2-3 tsp Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate syrup
1-2 tsp Caramel syrup (I prefer Ghirardelli's)
Pinch Fleur de Sel
3 heaping tablespoons Coffee Mate
Hot Coffee
Whipped Cream

Put the chocolate and caramel syrups in a large mug.  Add the salt and Coffee Mate then slowly stir in the hot coffee until mixture is combined, leaving room at the top for the whipped cream.

Delicious!  Better than Starbucks.  If you want it sweeter, add 1/2 tsp sugar (or to your taste)