Busy Body Blog

004.06.12 Butter Cookies

Butter Cookies
Ingredients
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups (or 3 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Coarse Pink Decorating Sugar, optional
Directions
Sift together the flour and salt into a large bowl.

Put the butter into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, and beat on medium speed until fluffy and light, about 2 minutes. Add the sugar and vanilla, and mix until combined. Reduce the speed to low, and slowly add the flour and salt mixture to the butter and sugar mixture, mixing on low speed until the dough comes together and is smooth. Turn the dough out onto a sheet of plastic wrap. Cut the dough into quarters, and wrap each piece in plastic wrap, then chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

When you’re ready to bake the cookies, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (9 by 13-inch) sheet trays with parchment paper.

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it soften slightly. Using a rolling pin dusted with flour, roll out 1 of the dough quarters, (keeping the others refrigerated until you need them), on a lightly floured work surface, to a 1/4 to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut the cookies into the desired shapes, then use a metal spatula to transfer the cookies to 1 of the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 1 1/2 inches apart. Sprinkle the cookies with decorating sugar, if desired.

Repeat with remaining dough, and bake the cookies until they are light brown around the edges and on the bottom, about 8 to 12 minutes. Cool briefly on the pan, then use a metal spatula to transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

003.30.12 Zucchini Cakes (paleo)

busybody to Recipe - Paleo, Recipe - Side

Zucchini Cakes (paleo)

Ingredients

2 medium zucchini;
1 tsp salt;
2 green onions, finely chopped;
2 cloves garlic, minced;
1 egg;
½ cup almond flour (optional);
½ tsp baking powder;
Coconut oil or clarified butter, for cooking;

Preparation

Begin by using a large-scale grater to grate your zucchini. You want to avoid creating small, thin strands, as the zucchini could get mushy upon frying.
Once grated, place in a bowl and toss in the salt. Allow the zucchini to sit in the salt for at least 10 minutes. Then, extract any excess water from the zucchini (if you have never done this before, I am sure you will be surprised at how much water there actually is!). The easiest way to do this is to place the grated vegetable in a large piece of cheese cloth and wring it out. I was not so prepared and did not have this available, so I used a colander and pressed the zucchini against the sides with force, making the water drip out. It ended up working out just fine.
Return the zucchini to a large bowl and combine with the green onions, garlic, egg and baking powder. You could use almond flour, as it really helps in keeping the cakes from crumbling a apart, but you can also do without.
Once everything has been mixed, form cakes of about 2 to 2.5″ in diameter out of the mixture.
Place a large skillet over a medium-high heat. You want to allow the skillet to really warm up prior to adding any cooking fat to the pan.
Add some of your chosen cooking fat to the pan, just enough to coat the surface of the skillet and then place the zucchini cakes in the pan. Allow them to cook for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side, just enough so that they are crispy and golden brown. Enjoy these patties as is, or as a side to a delicious soup.

003.30.12 Flourless Chocolate Cake

busybody to Recipe - Dessert

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Ingredients
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips or bittersweet chocolate, roughly chopped
1 cup (2 sticks) plus 3 tablespoons butter, cut into chunks
1 1/4 cups sugar
6 eggs
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla extract

Method
Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray, then line the bottom with a circle of parchment paper. Spray the paper with cooking spray, too, then set the pan aside.

Place two-thirds (8 ounces) of the chocolate and 1 cup (2 sticks) of the butter in a medium saucepan over medium low heat. Stirring often, melt chocolate with butter until completely blended. Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl. (Alternatively, you may use your microwave to melt the butter with the chocolate, if desired). Add sugar and mix well. Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Sift cocoa into bowl and stir until just blended.

Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until cake has risen and top has formed a thin crust. The cake should be just firm in the center when done. Cool for 10 minutes, then invert onto a plate, removing sides of springform pan. Remove and discard parchment paper and set cake aside to cool completely.

Meanwhile, make the chocolate glaze. Melt remaining 4 ounces chocolate and 3 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium low heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat, then stir in milk, honey and vanilla. Set aside to cool slightly.

When cake has cooled, pour glaze onto the center. Using a spatula or the back of a spoon, very gently smooth glaze along the top and sides of the cake. Chill cake, uncovered, for 30 to 60 minutes before serving to set the glaze and make the cake easier to slice.

**FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE INTERESTED IN MAKING CUPCAKES OUT OF THIS RECIPE!**

I found the recipe yielded about 15 cupcakes…You will have to fill the cups more than the traditional 2/3 full–I recommend 3/4.

I baked them 15 minutes at 375 and then for an additional 10 at 350. So 25 minutes total. They were perfect.

003.30.12 Taco Seasoning

busybody to Spice Blend

Taco Seasoning

Ingredients
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons hot smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions
Put all of the ingredients in a small jar and shake to combine. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

012.19.11 Easy Cream Biscuits

busybody to Recipe - Bread

Easy Cream Biscuits

Ingredients
2 cups self-rising cake flour
1 cup heavy cream
3 tbsp. butter, melted

Directions:
1.Mix flour and cream until just combined. On floured surface, pat into 1/2-inch-thick rectangle. Fold in half; pat out again. Pat and fold 3 more times. Pat to 1/3 inch; cut with 2 1/2-inch cutter. Place in greased 8-inch pan; brush with butter. Bake at 450° until golden, 15 minutes.

012.19.11 Holiday Treats

busybody to Uncategorized

Candy Bar Fudge

1 1/2 cups crushed candy bar (like Butterfinger)
2 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 can (14 oz.) condensed milk
1/2 cup peanuts

Directions:1.Line 8-inch square pan with parchment, leaving overhang; sprinkle with 1/2 cup candy. Melt chips in condensed milk over low heat. Add nuts and candy. Pour into pan; chill. Cut into squares.

Pecan Pie Popcorn

Ingredients
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 tbsp. brown sugar1 stick butter
1/4 tsp. salt
7 cups popped popcorn
3/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions:
1.In pan, cook syrup and sugar over medium heat, whisking, 5 minutes. Whisk in butter and salt until thickened, 5 minutes. Mix popcorn, nuts and maple butter on parchment-lined sheet. Spread evenly; bake at 250° for 20 minutes.

Chocolate-Peppermint Pretzel Rods

Ingredients
12 oz. dark chocolate chips
20 pretzel rods
1 cup crushed candy cane

Directions:1.In microwave, melt 6 oz. chocolate in 30-second increments at medium power; stir in remaining chocolate until melted. Coat top two-thirds of each pretzel with melted chocolate; sprinkle with crushed candy cane and place on wax-paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate to harden, about 30 minutes.

Pistachio Clusters

Ingredients
1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup pistachios
Coarse sea salt

Directions:
1.Melt chocolate in microwave in 15-second increments, stirring well after each. Stir in nuts. Drop mounds onto parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and let harden.

012.19.11 Parkerhouse Rolls

busybody to Recipe - Bread

Parker House Rolls

Prep Time:20 min
Inactive Prep Time:2 hr 0 min
Cook Time:25 min
Serves: about 24 rolls.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups milk
1 stick unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for brushing
1/2 cup sugar
1 package active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
6 cups all-purpose flour
Directions
Place milk in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat, stir in the butter and sugar and let cool. Dissolve yeast in warm water and let sit until foamy. Combine milk mixture, eggs, yeast, salt, and 1/2 of the flour in a mixer with the dough attachment and mix until smooth. Add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, and stir until a smooth ball forms.

Remove from the bowl and knead by hand on a floured surface for about 5 minutes. Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 60 to 70 minutes. On a floured surface, punch down the dough and shape into desired shapes. Place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Cover again and let rise until doubled, about 30 to 40 minutes.

Preheat the oven 350 degrees F.

Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and brush with melted butter before serving.

012.19.11 Baked Macaroni and Cheese

busybody to Recipe - Pasta, Recipe - Side, Recipe - Vegetarian

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients
1/2 pound elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon powdered mustard
3 cups milk
1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 large egg
12 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Fresh black pepper
Topping:
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup panko bread crumbs
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente.

While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and mustard and keep it moving for about five minutes. Make sure it’s free of lumps. Stir in the milk, onion, bay leaf, and paprika. Simmer for ten minutes and remove the bay leaf.

Temper in the egg. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the macaroni into the mix and pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.

Melt the butter in a saute pan and toss the bread crumbs to coat. Top the macaroni with the bread crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and rest for five minutes before serving.

Remember to save leftovers for fried Macaroni and Cheese.

012.19.11 Pickled Jalapenos

busybody to Recipe - Vegetarian

Pickled Jalapeños Recipe
330g, whole or sliced
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup water
1 tbsp peppercorns (I used pink because I like colour)
2 bay leaves
3 cloves of garlic, lightly pounded
2 tbsp coarse sea salt
1 tbsp sugar
Pack the jalapeños in a glass jar.
In a saucepan, add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for about 5 minutes.
Pour the hot pickling liquid over the jalapeños and let it rest for a few hours. Shake it up a little so that the peppercorns are evenly distributed.
For a crunchy bite, you can start nibbling on them within a few hours. As for softer texture, let this sit for 4-5 days.
Keep refrigerated for upto two months or can it according to jar manufacturer’s instructions.

012.19.11 Slow Cooker Shredded Korean Beef Tacos

busybody to Recipe - Beef

Slow Cooker Shredded Korean Beef Tacos

3-4 pounds beef roast (I used a trimmed chuck roast)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup soy sauce (La Choy and Tamari Wheat-Free are gluten free)
1 head garlic (peeled, but leave cloves intact–approx 10 cloves)
1/2 onion, diced
1 inch fresh ginger root, peeled and grated
2 tablespoons seasoned rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 whole jalapeno, diced (be careful! use gloves!)

The Directions.

Use a 6-quart slow cooker. Okay. This truly can’t be any easier. I didn’t brown my meat, but I did trim off the visible fat. I can make these directions complicated and tell you to add this or that first,
but it honestly doesn’t matter. This is going to cook on low all day long, and the ingredients will distribute just fine all on their own. Throw everything in however you’d like.

Cover, and cook on low for 8-10 hours or until meat has fully shredded— you can help it out by cutting the meat into pieces an hour or so before serving time. Serve in soft corn or flour tortillas (we are gluten free, and used tiny corn tortillas that are labeled gluten free) with shredded cabbage salad and white or brown rice.

this is how I made my shredded cabbage:

1 bag shredded coleslaw from the grocery store’s produce section
1 tablespoon soy sauce (la choy or tamari wheat-free)
2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
toss together and serve immediately (it gets too wilty if you make it early in the day)

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