Oh cooking...

Oh, how I love to cook meals people enjoy. This week I cooked my first Turkey of the season, just a frozen one on sale at Kroger. Nothing fancy just a little salt, pepper and rosemary. Then a remix of last weeks Chicken Tikka Marsla - this time with the cardamon (kind of pricy @ $12/bottle), and proper  fresh serrano chile were missing last week. Last night it was Maple Salmon, & tonight -- I'm taking the day off and heading to the Beans for a pasta bake.

Next week check back for the much anticipated Pumpkin Curry Soup, and my first Sweet Potato of the season. I really didn't start eating sweet potatoes until 2 years ago. I always hated the mush that was served at Thanksgiving , and figured that was the only way people ate them (which may have been true in the 80's)

Here are a few delicious recipes from the past week or so --


Easy Turkey Recipe http://tiny.cc/easyturkey

Chicken Tikka Marsala http://tiny.cc/tikkam

And, here is a little TV spot I was lucky enough to do this morning for our event this weekend!

Anytime Lemon-Poppy Seed Muffins

These delicious little muffins were super easy to make - and delicious. I made them froze them - and then a few days later cooked the entire batch.

I would like something with a bit more lemon -- but maybe next time. Also, perhaps warming it with a little butter would have been good.

http://tiny.cc/lpsmuffins

Tip: Poppy seeds are a normal spice - but are quite hard to find you may have to ask your grocer to order a bottle.

Rich's Fried Chicken (or pork)

This makes a great dinner and the leftovers make delicious breakfast sandwiches. A few weeks ago Rich (Anne's husband) was staying over after a long day of packing. I was exhausted but gave him run of the kitchen to make whatever he wanted. The result was a delicious fried chicken. Jordan used the leftoveres the next day for a breakfast sandwich and has promised to stop his frequent trips to chic-fila for breakfast if I make this every week. So -- here is the much anticipated recipe. I'll post photos next week as well as the homemade biscuit recipe I use :)

Ingredients
4 Chicken breasts/thighs/pork loins - TENDERIZED
1 egg
1/3 cup buttermilk or heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup of bread crumbs - you may need more depending on absorption of meat to breading
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
*other seasonings can be added for different flavors to the preference of the dish (for example red pepper flakes, cumin, rosemary, chili powder, curry, etc)
1/2 cup or more of frying oil - vegetable oil, sunflower oil, canola oil - DO NOT USE OLIVE OIL


Directions
~Mix egg and milk and beat together
~Mix together bread crumbs and desired seasonings
~Begin Heating oil, med to high heat for frying
~Place meat in egg/milk mixture for 2-3 minutes to get it slimy
~Take meat out and coat meat in bread crumb mixture to have a even breaded coating on meat
~When oil reaches frying temperature - check by taking a pinch of bread crumb mixture and putting it in oil to see if it sizzles
~Apply meat with breading to frying oil and cook meat entirely through - note the breading may darken faster than meat cooks, so use medium heat at first and flip meat consistently, cut meat in the center to check when done or use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature to make sure it is done.

I LOVE the Fall -- Cider, Pumpkins, and Parties

So look forward to amazing recipes this month. Including Jordan's Magic Cider, Pumpkin Curry Soup, and more information about the BIG Halloween party downtown at Footlite Theater. But, for now -- save the date October 30th ghouls and goblins for a fantastic afternoon with the kids or evening with your hubby (or sig other) at Spooktacular Featuring Live Music by Scott Kline & Destination: Earth!

Ugly Dip - Guest Recipe from Ms. Sara

Sara, a dear friend from work makes this amazingly ugly and devilishly delicious dip. I made it twice this past weekend!

Ugly Dip
~Looks ugly, tastes pretty great

1 Roll regular or hot sausage
1 can Rotel (Do NOT drain)
2 pkgs Cream Cheese
Red Pepper Flakes to add heat (optional)

Brown meat, drain grease.  Add Rotel and Cream Cheese.  Warm through.  Serve warm with tortilla chips.

Doubles easily

Tip: It will take about an hour and a half to warm in a crock pot

Mandel Bread / Almond Biscotti

As promised here is the recipe I use to make almond biscotti's a hard cookie perfect for dipping in hot chocolate or coffee.

4 eggs
1 1/2 Cups Sugar
3/4 C oil
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
3/8 tsp. almond extract
3 c. flour
3 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
sliced almonds


Use large aluminum tray. 325 for 35 in. cut & return to oven 250 for 35 min.

* You can also dip them in chocolate or white chocolate for a more refined look.

All Recipes has a pretty close recipe that uses a little less flavoring and a topping of milk/sugar. They also have more specific instructions. http://tiny.cc/biscottis

Grandma Betty's Manicotti Recipe

A few weekends ago Becky Smith, the future Mrs. Colglazier, & I whipped together a last minute dinner for Jordan and Scott as we waited for them to return from Boston.

Manicotti

INGREDIENTS
Package of Manicotti noodles
- Filling & Topping -
1/4 c fresh ground parmesan
1 lb. ricotta
1/2 lb mozzarella
2 eggs
salt & pepper
1 pkg chopped frozen Spinach (cooked & drained)*
- Sauce -
1 lb ground beef
oregano - italian seasoning
1/2 c onion
2 cloves garlic
#2 can tomatoes - 2 1/2 cups
1 8oz can of tomato sauce
1 can of tomato paste*
1/3 t black pepper
1 1/2 t salt

DIRECTIONS
Cook sauce on top of stove for about 45 min. (Brown meat with onions and garlic then add remaining ingredients) Cook manicotti shells 8-10 min. Rinse in cold water - fill with mixture. Pour half meat sauce into 12 x 7 1/2 baking dish arrange manicotti. Top with remaining sauce. Sprinkle 1/2 Parmesan chese on top - bake 350 degree 30-35 min .




Tips: The tomato paste in the sauce is optional - I add it because I like a thicker consistency. We also skip the spinach - Jordan hates cooked green leaves.