Perfect Pie Crust

December 5, 2013 Posted in Dessert, Holiday, Pie

This is the Tenderflake lard company’s recipe for flaky pie crust. Tenderflake is based in Canada so I modified a little since I couldn’t get my hands on their lard.
 
Ingredients: {for the pie crust}: Yields 3 times 9″ double pie crusts or 6 pie shells
 
5 ½ cups all purpose, pre-sifted flour
2 teaspoons of salt
1 lb. or 16oz. of Farmer John Premium Manteca Lard or any lard
1 egg, lightly ...
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Dulce de Leche Caramel Sauce

December 5, 2013 Posted in Dessert, Sauces & Dressing

Dulce de Leche translation meaning “candy of milk” or “milk candy.” This was fabulous inside and on top of my homemade apple pie. I’m looking forward to incorporating it into many other dishes.
 
 
Ingredients:
   
1 can = 14 oz. Sweetened Condensed Milk, remove label
 
One pot of hot water enough to cover the can for 2 full hours
 
 
Directions:
 
Making homemade creamy caramel can be qu...
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Lemon Breakfast Cake

November 17, 2013 Posted in Breakfast, Cake, Dessert

This recipe is very similar to a sponge cake except it doesn’t get the airy light fluff that sponge cake does. It is slightly thicker like cake. You can add poppy seeds and it would taste just like lemon poppy seed muffins. To make this more light and fluffy, I believe I will need to lower the oven to 325 and possibly add in baking powder. My next goal is to master a sponge cake or angel food cake.
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Reese’s Peanut Butter Fudge

November 15, 2013 Posted in Dessert, Holiday

My Grandma had this recipe in her recipe box more than 5 times so I knew it would be good. The best part is that it is super easy and it does taste just like a Reese’s Peanut Butter cup. These would be perfect to have out for the holidays. I took cold slices of it to the neighbors last night so they had a surprise dessert after dinner. It is basically peanut butter chocolate fudge...
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Potato Wedges

November 14, 2013 Posted in Side Dishes

Crispy on the outside, and tender in the inside. Oven-roasted potato wedges are easy to make, and a great alternative to French fries. Some restaurants often call these steak fries. You can marinade in advance to save time.

Makes 8 portions
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Ingredients:
4 medium russet potatoes, scrubbed, rinsed, and cut into wedges
3 tablespoons oliv...
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Thousand Island Dressing

November 14, 2013 Posted in Sauces & Dressing, Soups & Salads

I don’t know about you, but I love French fries dipped in thousand island dressing. You can also put it on burgers or salad. Basically a blend of mayo, ketchup, and relish.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
1 pinch of kosher salt
1 pinch of white pepper or black course pepper
Optional: 1 teaspoon or more of hot pepper sauce, Tapatio or Tabasco

Directions:

Combine al...

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Maple Glazed Salmon

November 8, 2013 Posted in BBQ & Grilling, Dinner, Fish, Paleo

My husband does not like salmon but I sure do. The best part about this recipe is that it is quick and you can baste your salmon and through it in the oven while you prep other food. This came out lightly sweetened with just the right about of seasoning. You could still taste the fish but if gave a since of Hawaiian flare. It just needed some grilled pineapple. Next time!
Ingredients:
4 skin-on salmon fillet...
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Filet Mignon & Peppercorn Sauce

November 7, 2013 Posted in Beef, Dinner, Paleo

Steaks:
4 thick filet mignon steaks, fat trimmed off optional
Olive Oil
Salt & crushed peppercorns
1 tablespoon of butter
Sauce:
1/3 cup minced shallots
1 tablespoon minced garlic cloves
¼ cup Cognac or Brandy
2 cups of brown stock, canned beef broth or use 2 beef bouillon cubes in 2 cups of hot water
2 tablespoons black peppercorn coarsely crushed with rolling pin in a baggy or hopefully you have a pep...
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Garlic Parmesan Chicken

November 4, 2013 Posted in Chicken, Dinner, Pasta

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 clove garlic, minced
1 cup dry bread crumbs
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon of dried basil leaves or dried oregano
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray baking dish with cooking spray.
In one bowl, blend the garlic and olive oil...
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Spicy Shrimp Scampi

November 4, 2013 Posted in Fish, Pasta

We were having our dear friend Jeff over for dinner and I wanted to make something I haven’t made before. I knew he liked shrimp and I knew he liked chicken. I bought a fresh sourdough baguette from Trader Joe’s and the Trader Joe’s olive tapenade for the boys to enjoy as an appetizer...

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