M is for Monkey Bread- #AtoZChallenge

M” is for Monkey Bread! Yummmmmm!!

I tried this recipe last week. I had to make some adjustments since I didn’t have exactly what they called for. Also, since I am only cooking for myself now, I didn’t want to overload the place and wind up throwing most of it away. So, to start with, I cut their recipe in half. I only used 1 can of (Kroger brand) biscuits, and halved everything else except the walnuts and raisins (I like both of those things). 😉

Ingredients

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cans (16.3 oz each) Pillsbury™ Grands!™ Flaky Layers refrigerated Original biscuits
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, if desired
1/2 cup raisins, if desired
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

Steps

  • 1 Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease 12-cup fluted tube pan with shortening or cooking spray. In large -storage plastic food bag, mix granulated sugar and cinnamon.
  • 2 Separate dough into 16 biscuits; cut each into quarters. Shake in bag to coat. Arrange in pan, adding walnuts and raisins among the biscuit pieces.
  • 3 In small bowl, mix brown sugar and butter; pour over biscuit pieces.
  • 4 Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown and no longer doughy in center. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Turn upside down onto serving plate; pull apart to serve. Serve warm.
I didn’t have a bundt pan (fluted tube pan), so I just used a round cake pan. It was just big enough to fit with the recipe cut in half. Mine may not look as good as theirs, but it still tasted wonderful and it made the whole house smell delicious for days. 🙂

Cherry Cheese ‘Pockets’

Today was kind of a slow day around here (other than the usual computer issues). I took the time to do a little bit of ‘experimental’ cooking.

Since I live alone, I don’t usually cook much. I normally eat soup & sandwich for lunch and then I’m not really hungry til late. I try not to eat anything then, but just go to bed.

Today, I made some ‘pigs in a blanket’ (sausage wrapped in crescent rolls) for breakfast. Since I was baking, I thought I might as well throw something else in the oven. 😉

I had this recipe floating around for a while for these little sweets made with the same crescent rolls, but stuffed with cream cheese and cherries (or apples, etc). It looked really easy and so I decided to try it.

Here’s what they looked like before putting them in the oven…

And, here’s what they looked like when they came out…

Maybe not as pretty as the ones in the recipe I copied from, but I didn’t have any confectioners sugar. They tasted alright without it.

Here’s the recipe I went by (with some of my own modifications- I used the dough sheets instead of crescent rolls, no confectioners sugar for icing, I added cream cheese to the filling).

Refrigerated crescent rolls let you make these fruit-filled pastries in a hurry. My family loves these turnovers for breakfast, but they’re so delicious, they’ll be welcome any time of the day. Feel free to experiment with other pie fillings as well. —Elleen Oberrueter, Danbury, IA

Source: Quick Cherry Turnovers Recipe | Taste of Home

Free Form Harvest Apple Tart

This popped up in my email this morning. Yes, my email finally started working again here this morning after 3-4 days of having absolutely no luck with that! No reason why it didn’t work, or why it did this morning. I just hope it continues!

Anyway, this recipe looked so good, and so simple, I thought I’d share it with you. Just follow this link. I think I’ll skip making the home made crust and just use a frozen crust to save time and effort.

I can’t complain about the food on here, the cooks are doing a great job with what they have to work with. Still, I like to cook my own food sometimes. I can’t wait to get home and try out some of these great recipes I’ve been seeing lately.

I’m due off this ship tomorrow. Of course, the crewboat won’t get us off here til 10-12 at night and we won’t hit the dock in Grand Isle til Thursday morning. I probably won’t actually make it home til around 9 pm Thursday night. Great to get off here, but sucks to be SO totally exhausted by the time I get home that I’ll have to waste 2 days catching up on sleep before I can really do anything. 🙁

Make the Ultimate Apple Pie

Everything You Need to Know to Make the Ultimate Apple Pie | Epicurious.com.

I’m out here on the ship and REALLY starting to miss my sweets!

They try, but somehow they just don’t ever seem to get it right. I’ve very rarely been aboard a ship without great cooks. Most companies understand that a good, hot meal is the only thing the crew has to look forward to during the day and it helps morale enormously to have good food to eat.

I’ve been on this ship a few times now and I have to give them credit. They have improved a lot since I was first here. I just wish they would get the snacks and sweets down!

They have a BBQ on Saturdays here, and they make a very nice apple crumble. I had it yesterday. It was really good. The only problem with it was the “crumble”. It didn’t. I know a couple of easy recipes to fix that part. Or maybe this lesson on apple pies in the link above at Epicurious.com would help?

Halloween Treats Recipe Slideshow

Halloween Treats Recipe Slideshow – Photos | Epicurious.com.

I thought you all might enjoy some of these special Halloween recipes. Yes, it’s my favorite holiday. Yeah, I know it’s getting kind-of late, but you can always eat any leftovers later (along with the candy).

Some of them are cute, some are silly, some look really good, some I would take a pass on. Something there for everyone I guess.

Here are a few shots from the article to whet your appetite (there are over 40 more). 🙂

White Chocolate-Raspberry Cheesecake Bars

White Chocolate-Raspberry Cheesecake Bars Recipe – Kraft Recipes.

I love cheesecake! I love chocolate! I love white chocolate! And, I love raspberries!

This is the perfect combination. 🙂

Looks so good and simple to make. Use some Oreo cookies for the crust like they say, or make it even easier and use a store bought crust. It should just take a few minutes to make this and then you have to wait at least a couple hours for it to cool off.

That’s the hardest part…

Waiting.

I’ve got at least 2 more weeks before I can go home and try some of this. 🙁

Raspberry-Lemon Pie Recipe

Raspberry-Lemon Pie Recipe – Kraft Recipes.

This is one I will DEFINITELY have to try asap! I am not due to get off this rig for another 2 weeks. 🙁

I wish I could teach the cooks on here how to cook some real American style food. They do OK with some local style stuff. Basic chicken and fish type things. But they sure as hell don’t know how to do dessert!

I have to say, I’ve never been on a rig with worse food. I don’t know if it’s because we’re working off Africa and they can’t get a lot of things here, or because their grocery budget is too low and they’re forced to buy things in Luanda where it costs $10 for a cup of coffee…

Usually the food on a rig is excellent. The companies figure it’s a cheap price to pay for good morale. We eat like kings out here. Not this time. 🙁

This recipe (just click the link above the photo) looks very simple and delicious but they don’t have the ingredients to make anything like that here. 🙁

I’ll have to wait until I get home to taste it. I wonder if its better then my usual raspberry whipped cream pie?

Twisted Strawberry Shortcake

Twisted Strawberry Shortcake Recipe – Kraft Recipes.

This looks SO good! Strawberries have been on sale and so I bought a bunch the other day. Too bad I didn’t see this recipe until after I went to the store. 🙁

The only thing I have that the recipe calls for is the strawberries and milk. Oh yeah, and I always keep a can of whipped cream in the fridge (never know when that’ll come in handy). 😉

Since I’ll be leaving for work again so soon, I don’t want to go back to the store again now. I know I’ll buy way more stuff than I intended to and then wind up having to throw most of it away when I leave for work. I HATE THAT!

I guess I’ll just have to settle for strawberries and whipped cream and will try this recipe next time I get home (if the strawberries are still in season).

Almond Cheesecake with Raspberries

PHILADELPHIA Almond Cheesecake with Raspberries Recipe – Kraft Recipes.

Almond Raspberry Cheescake

Almond Cheesecake with Raspberries

I LOVE cheesecakes! I like all kinds of cheesecakes. I’ve never had one I didn’t like. 🙂

This one looks absolutely amazing! I don’t have any raspberries at the moment but I do have strawberries and I’m sure they would work just fine. The recipe even says to use whatever berries you want. 🙂

I am a little curious tho, they make the crust here with the cake mix instead of the usual crumbs. They don’t mention baking it before you pour the cheese mixture into it. I’ve never done it like that before. I wonder if you’re supposed to bake the crust a little first like usual and they just forgot to mention it, or if it’s really supposed to be done that way.

Has anybody done a cheesecake like this before? How does it turn out?? Does the crust cook along at the same time as the filling?

Hey, raspberries on sale at Krogers for only 99 cents! I’ll have to go get some! 🙂

Cranberry Chocolate Cream Tart

Cranberry Chocolate Cream Tart « Go Bold with Butter.

Here’s another delicious looking dessert! The recipe looks pretty simple, but I would probably skip making my own crust and just go with a store bought one.

Do that and it looks REALLY quick and easy. I like cranberries, but it looks like it would be just as good using a can of cherry pie filling (which would make it even easier).

I could have fun experimenting with this one. The filling sounds perfect the way it is. 🙂

Triple-Lemon Cheesecake

With a Grateful Prayer and a Thankful Heart: Triple-Lemon Cheesecake

I LOVE cheesecake! This one looks and sounds so yummy! I can’t wait to try out this recipe when I get home. 🙂

I hope some of you can try it sooner than I’ll be able to get to it. 😉

Enjoy!!

Darkest Chocolate Cake with Red Wine Glaze

Darkest Chocolate Cake with Red Wine Glaze Recipe | Epicurious.com.

Just in time for Valentines Day (in case you’re a late starter, like I am). 😉

I got this recipe in my email from Epicurious.com. It looked perfect for a sweet treat for a sweetie. 😉

Chocolate and wine, together, umm…

Lemon-Raspberry Whipped Cream Pie

I’ve put a few recipes on here before. Things I saw online and thought they were worth sharing. So far, I haven’t personally made or eaten any of those. This is my first recipe post that I actually HAVE made (and eaten) myself. 🙂

I actually do like to cook. When I have the time and I’m not in a rush. I haven’t been able to do much lately. It seems I’m always too busy.

I did have a little time this time home so I decided to make this pie. It’s one of my all time favorite desserts. It’s so fast and easy, and it’s SO good! 🙂

Sweet and creamy, with just the right amount of tangy lemon and raspberries.

It only takes a few minutes to make and it only has a few ingredients. It’s not my original recipe. I got it out of a magazine a long time ago. I think it might have been Womens Day.

Doesn’t this look delicious?

Lemon-Raspberry Whipped Cream Pie

Lemon-Raspberry Whipped Cream Pie

DSC04178

Here’s the recipe I use…

1 tub (12 oz) frozen whipped topping (thawed)

1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

1 can (6 oz) frozen lemonade concentrate (thawed)

12 oz fresh raspberries (about 3 cups)

1 6-oz ready to fill graham cracker pie crust

options: 1/4 tsp liquid yellow food color, lemon twist and mint leaves for garnish

  1. Spoon 1/2 cup whipped topping into a decorating bag fitted with a star tip. Fold top of bag over and seal with a paper clip or tape. Refrigerate til needed. (I just used a plain old ziplock baggie with a corner cut off. It’ll look fancier if you do use the star tip (or spend more time fiddling with it). I didn’t really feel like bothering with all that. 😉
  2. Filling: Put condensed milk, food color (if using), and lemonade in a large bowl. Stir with a rubber spatula til completely blended. Add a large spoonful of whipped topping; stir until well combined. Fold in remaining topping.
  3. Set aside about 1 cup berries for garnish; gently fold remaining berries into the filling. Spoon into crust, smooth top, mounding filling slightly in the middle. Cover loosely with foil or a pot (or the plastic top that comes with the pie crust) and refrigerate at least 6 hours.
  4. Up to 1 hour before serving: Using topping reserved in bag, pipe a border about 1 inch from edge of filling and a dot in the middle. Garnish, as shown, with reserved berries. Lemon and mint go in the middle (if using).

All that’s easy enough. I never wait to add the garnish. I just put the berries and whipped cream on top as soon as I put it in the pie crust. I think next time I’ll make it even easier (and save a few calories too). Skip the pie crust altogether. I usually have a little extra and put it in any old lidded container. It might not look as pretty, but it tastes just as good. 🙂 

I’m pretty sure it would be just as good with some other ingredients, like trade the raspberries for blueberries? or maybe use limeade instead of lemonade with the berries? I think it would be easy and fun to experiment with this one. I have noticed that it is very forgiving (I have made it a few times without following the recipe exactly).

White Chocolate-Candy Cane Cheesecake

White Chocolate-Candy Cane Cheesecake Recipe – Kraft Recipes.

White Chocolate-Candy Cane Cheesecake recipe

Yum! I love cheesecakes! Any kind of cheesecake! This one sounds perfect for the holidays. The way it’s decorated even reminds me of firecrackers! If you’re good, make one for a present for friends or family. 🙂 If you’re baaaddd then eat it all up yourself! 😉

Lots of people tell me they have a hard time with cheesecakes. I’m not sure why. They’re usually pretty simple to make. I don’t usually even bother with making my own crust. I just use a store bought crust and that makes it even easier to make the cake.

The trick is to beat it enough, that will make it nice and fluffy like the picture here. The other big thing is to use the proper (‘springform’) pan. You need to use the springform pan and make your own crust if you’re making one that is going to be thick!

I have a whole cookbook just for cheesecakes. I love to make them. Now I can find tons more on the internet like this one. 🙂 I only wish I had the time at home to make them (and eat them). Last time I made something like this, I had to throw the whole thing out, I never even got to eat any of it. 🙁

The Grinch Stole Christmas Cookies

The Grinch Stole Christmas Cookies | Sugar Dish Me.

I don’t usually bake much but this recipe meets my requirements of

1. easy to make and

2. tastes great. 😉

I’m going back offshore in just a couple of days so I actually cooked my Christmas dinner tonight. I only just found this recipe so didn’t try it. Instead I made a few of those cookies that you just break off the huge bar and bake for a few minutes.

Next time I get some time, I might try this recipe. I like the whole green grinch thing. 😉

Apple-Cranberry Crumb Bars Recipe

Apple-Cranberry Crumb Bars Recipe – Kraft Recipes.

Here’s another easy to make yummy looking dessert. It seems like the time of the year for cranberries (tho I like them year round). I really only see the fresh ones in the stores after Halloween. I haven’t tried this  recipe yet but I’m definitely adding it to my list! 🙂

Daily Prompt: Food for the Soul (and Stomach)- postscript

Now that we’ve had appetizers, drinks and dinner… it’s time for some dessert! Ice cream! Yummy! 🙂

chocolate ice cream with fancy chocolate and berries

chocolate ice cream with fancy chocolate and berries

More ice cream, YES!!

more ice cream (gelato really)

more ice cream (gelato really)

Checking out the bakery….OMG!!!

such delights at the local bakery

such delights at the local bakery

Cooookiiiesss…. where’s Cookie Monster, he’d have a blast! 🙂

DSC02638

I do LOVE my sweets. 🙂

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/11/11/daily-prompt-food/

Salted-Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe

Salted-Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe – Kraft Recipes.

Yummy!  🙂

AND, easy to make! Two of my favorite things when it comes to food. So much of it looks and tastes delicious but when I look for the recipe, it takes too much work. 🙁

I’m not much into things that take a lot of effort in the kitchen. I do like pecan pie. I think the extra ingredients will just add to it.

Salted-Chocolate Pecan Pie recipe