Cooks with Passion

Isn't that what it is all about. PASSION. We love to eat. We love to get people together to eat. We love meeting places to eat. We just love eating.
I look forward to making that special thing that makes everyone smile.
Hope you enjoy my favorites.

D e n i s e

2.24.2010

Creamy Chocolate Icing

Mom's chocolate icing was always a favorite.

1/2 cup shortening
1 egg
1/2 cup cocoa
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup milk
4 cups powdered sugar

Whip till creamy. Store in fridge.

2.11.2010

Banana Cream Pie

A simple pie done in the microwave.
I love the coconut extract!

5 TB. cornstarch
2 TB. Tapioca
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
2 1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Mix in a microwave safe bowl. Bring to a boil in the microwave. Stir constantly every minute or so. This will get frothy. Let it go for about 6-10 mins.

Meanwhile, mix in a large metal bowl :

4 egg yolks

Add the hot mixture from the microwave to the eggs very slowly while whisking quickly.
This will make your custard.
When cool add sliced bananas, 1 1/2 tsp. coconut extract, and 2 TB. of butter.


Pour custard into pie crusts.
Makes enough filling for 2 pies. Cool further in fridge for several hours.
Top with whipped cream.

2.04.2010

Salmon Kyoto

This is a wonderful marinade for chicken also.

1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup orange juice concentrate
2 T. oil
2 T. ketchup
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
fresh garlic
1-2 break offs of fresh ginger, minced

Combine and pour over salmon fillets. Marinate overnight or for several hours.

Sugar Cookies

This is from my dear friend Jenny Jolley. I love the nutmeg addition.

2/3 cup butter, softened
2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
5 cups flour

Combine butter and sugar. Add eggs, vanilla and sour cream.
Mix all the dry ingredients together then add to previous mixture.
Chill for about 2-3 hours.
Roll out and cut.

Bake @ 375 for 6-8 mins. They will not brown.
Frost.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

This is great to double. Cook up some brown rice and add some fortune cookies.

4 breasts chicken, cubed
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 eggs, beaten well
1 green pepper, seeded and sliced
1 red pepper, seeded and sliced

Sauce
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup vinegar
1 T. soy sauce
3-4 T. Ketchup


Sprinkle chicken w/garlic salt. Let stand 30 mins. or so.

Mix the flour and cornstarch together.
Dip chicken in eggs, then flour/cornstarch mixture, then place in a greased fry pan. Fry until golden. Place chicken in a 9x13 pan. Pour sauce over fried chicken and bake @ 350 for 45-1 hour. Turn once during cook time.

Meatballs

A great appetizer or main dish

2 lbs ground chuck (the leaner the better)
1 cup dried bread crumbs
1/2 cup dehydrated onion
2 tsp. cornstarch
2 tsp. salt
2 dashes allspice
1 1/2 cup evaporated milk
2 eggs

SAUCE
2 bottles chili sauce
1 cup grape jelly

Form into walnut-sized meatballs and put close together in a 9x13 dish lined with foil. Very important.
Combine sauce ingredients and mix well. Pour over meatballs.
Bake @ 350 for 1 hour.

Makes 2 9x13.