Alison Lewis

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Healthy Breakfast or Afternoon Snack for Kids and Adults: Pumpkin Muffins

April 20, 2010

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We love pumpkin in anything at my house, and these Pumpkin Muffins are my kid’s favorite. I modified this recipe from Ellie Krieger’s recipe from The Food Network. I increased the spices a bit and used allspice instead of cloves. Pumpkin Muffins are perfect for an afternoon snack or quick on-the-go breakfast. These have saved me when we are flying out the door to school in the morning and to sports activities in the afternoon. Also, they are as pretty, and delicious, as they look.

Pumpkin Muffins

Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Yield: 12 servings
Ingredients
Cooking spray
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole-grain pastry flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons unsulphered molasses
1/4 cup canola oil
2 large eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/4 cup confectioners sugar, sifted or chopped, toasted pecans
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose and whole-wheat flours, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and nutmeg.

3. In a large bowl, whisk the sugar, molasses, oil and 1 egg until combined. Add the other egg and whisk well. Whisk in the pumpkin and vanilla. Whisk in the flour mixture in 2 batches, alternating with the buttermilk. Whisk just until combined.

4. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin pan and sprinkle with the powdered sugar or toasted pecans. Tap the pan on the counter a few times to remove any air bubbles. Bake for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center of 1 of the muffins comes out clean.

5. Let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Run a knife around the muffins to loosen them and unmold. Cool completely on the rack. Top with powdered sugar or pecans.
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One Response to “Healthy Breakfast or Afternoon Snack for Kids and Adults: Pumpkin Muffins”
kathryn N. says:
April, 30 2010at 07:59 am
Can you just use 2 C all-purpose flour and no pastry flour?

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Spring Little Cakes: Easter Petis Fours

April 01, 2010

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My daughter’s Leigh’s favorite dessert is Petit Fours, and these remind me just like her: sweet, pretty and incredible! I thought for Easter and spring, I would offer this recipe from Land O Lakes butter that I use when I’m short on time. It uses a cake mix which really cuts down on the work. These are light and taste as good as they look.

Petit Fours

Prep: 2 hours
Cook: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 dozen
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
1 (18 1/2-ounce) package white cake mix
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Icing Ingredients
3 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon almond extract or vanilla
3 drops food color

Candy flowers, if desired
Frosting flowers, if desired
Preparation
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 2 (8-inch) square baking pans. Set aside.

2. Prepare cake mix according to package directions, adding 1/2 teaspoon almond extract with water. Evenly divide cake batter between prepared pans. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans. Cool completely. Trim edges from cake; cut each cake into 24 (1 1/2 x 1-inch) pieces.

For the icing:
1. Combine sugar, cream of tartar and water in 3-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a full boil (12 to 14 minutes). Cover; boil 3 minutes. Uncover; continue cooking until candy thermometer reaches (228°F. to 234°F.) or small amount of mixture dropped into ice water forms a 2-inch soft thread (15 to 20 minutes). Remove from heat; cool to 110°F. or until bottom of pan is slightly warm to touch (do not stir) (1 hour). Stir in powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon almond extract and food color.

2. Place wire rack on baking sheet. Place cake pieces cut-side up on wire rack. Carefully spread icing over edges of cake pieces using small spatula or spoon. Spoon about 1 tablespoon over top of each cake and let drizzle over sides. Repeat, coating each piece twice, if needed. (If icing becomes too thick, reheat over low heat until thin consistency and easy to drizzle (2 to 3 minutes)). Scrape icing from baking sheet; reuse, if needed. Garnish each petit four with candy flowers or frosting flowers, if desired.
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3 Responses to “Spring Little Cakes: Easter Petis Fours”
Robin Bloomston says:
April, 06 2010at 11:18 am
I am a Savages petit four junkie! Cant wait to make these, What cake mix brand do you suggest?
Kristi Rimkus says:
April, 02 2010at 09:48 am
How pretty! Perfect for Easter Sunday. How talented you are!
Pat Sinclair says:
April, 02 2010at 04:24 pm
i worked on this recipe when I was a free-lancer in the test kitchens at Land O'Lakes. Mine didn't look nearly as pretty!

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Creative Holiday Cookies: Fennel Pistachio Cookies

December 07, 2009

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These Fennel-Pistachio Cookies are so delicious. I know it sounds a little strange, but the combination of fennel seeds, lemon zest, and amaretto, is incredible. See me on Tuesday morning CBS 42 in Birmingham on “Wake Up Alabama” between 6 and 7 a.m making Chipotle Chocolate Cookie as well as these and Cinnamon Chai cookies. I developed this recipe for http://butterisbest.com. Butter is great to use for holiday baking, especially cookies.

Fennel-Pistachio Cookies

Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Yield: 2 dozen
Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons amaretto or almond extract
1 tablespoons lemon zest
1 1/2 teaspoons fennel seeds

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup pistachio nuts, chopped, plus extra for garnish (optional)
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat butter with an electric mixer at medium speed until creamy. Gradually add sugar; mix well. Add egg; beat well. Add amaretto, lemon zest and fennel seeds; mix to combine.

2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to butter mixture; beat well. Stir in pistachio nuts (dough will be stiff).

3. Shape dough into 1-inch balls; place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. If desired, flatten balls slightly and sprinkle with additional chopped pistachios.

4. Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly on baking sheets; remove to cooling racks and cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
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Holiday Upscale Appetizer: Uptown Fromage

December 06, 2009

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I made this appetizer for my dad’s 80th birthday dinner last week at my sister’s house. It’s really easy, beautiful and filled with wonderful flavors of sun-dried tomatoes, basil pesto, oregano and goat and cream cheese. I got it out of the book, “Recipes Worth Sharing” by Favorite Recipes Press. It’s a great cookbook and has wonderful recipes for family gatherings and occasions such as this. Here’s the picture from the party with my dad, his daughters and granddaughters (I’m the one in the yellow and blue shirt).

Uptown Fromage

Prep: 25 minutes
Yield: 12 to 16 servings
Ingredients
16 ounces cream cheese (I used light)
8 ounces goat cheese
2 garlic cloves minced
111/2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
1/4 cup basil pesto
1/2 cup oil-pack sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
1/4 cup pine nuts
2 baguettes, thinly sliced or assorted crackers
Preparation
1. Line a loaf pan with plastic wrap; tape is helpful in keeping the plastic wrap in place. Combine the cream cheese, goat cheese, garlic and oregano in a food processor and process until blended. Spread 1/3 of the cheese mixture over the bottom of the prepared loaf pan. Top with pesto and spread with half the remaining cheese mixture. Sprinkle with tomatoes and spread with remaining cream cheese mixture.

2. Chill, covered, for 8 hours or longer. Invert the pan onto a serving plate adn discard the plastic wrap. Sprinkle the top of the cheese loaf with the pine nuts, pressing lightly to ensure the pine nuts will adhere. Garnish with oregano and serve with baguette slices or assorted crackers.
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One Response to “Holiday Upscale Appetizer: Uptown Fromage”
Rhonda says:
December, 07 2009at 06:43 am
After you wrote about that cookbook last I ordered it for both my daughter and daughter-in-law for Chanukah. It looks like a great cookbook. Thanks for recommending it!!

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Easy Holiday Food Gift: Butterscotch Bar Cookie Mix

November 30, 2009

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I love to make homemade food gifts for Christmas and Hanukkah gifts, especially this year when everyone is trying to save money. This 4 ingredient food gift is as simple as can be and very economical. You can get the jars at any local store and even Walmart. Which ever you choose, this recipe is delicious, and everyone loves it. Happy December!

Butterscotch Bar Cookie Mix

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Yield: 3 dozen
Ingredients
11/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate morsels
2 cups (12 ounces) butterscotch morsles
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Preparation
1. Layer all ingredients in a 1-quart jar in order given; tightly seal. Makes 1 gift jar.

Chocolate Butterscotch Bar Cookies: Combine Chocolate Butterscotch Bar Mix and 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (you can use the low-fat). Press into a greased aluminum foil-lined 9-inch square pan. Bake at 350F for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool completely and cut into squares.
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One Response to “Easy Holiday Food Gift: Butterscotch Bar Cookie Mix”
Susan Gilpin says:
December, 01 2009at 10:14 am
Alison, love the bar cookie idea. I will use this one! Also want to use the wasabi-cranberry snack mix you posted a while back...I have misplaced the recipe. Could you please resend it to me. Thanks! PS I'm doing meatloaf tomorrow night for dinner!

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Healthy Thanksgiving or Christmas Side Dish: Marinated Broccoli and Cauliflower

November 22, 2009

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Yesterday I was a presenter in Wetumpka, Alabama at “Gathering at the River”, a Cookbook Fair and Tasting. This was a fundraiser for Trinity Episcopal Church. I had a great time and met some fabulous, sweet people who loved my book, recipes and Ingredients, Inc. t-shirts. We talked a lot about Thanksgiving, and a few asked me for some low-fat, healthy Thanksgiving and Christmas side dish ideas. This recipe for Marinated Broccoli and Cauliflower is a great one and is so easy to prepare. Thanks to everyone who attended! Hope you like this recipe.

Marinated Broccoli and Cauliflower

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients
1 large head cauliflower, cut into small florets
1 large head broccoli, cut into small florets
1/3 cup white wine vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup chopped red onion
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons capers
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Preparation
1. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Working in batches, blanch cauliflower and broccoli until just tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl.

2. Whisk together vinegar and remaining ingredients. Pour over cauliflower mixture, tossing well. Cover and refrigerate overnight to up to 1 day. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
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In Company with Martha Stewart and Bon Appetit: Dark Chocolate-Pistachio and Cherry Bark

November 18, 2009

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One of the best parts being a food blogger is when some of my favorite media writes about me, and it’s just out of the blue. Yesterday, a very famous food blog, “The Kitchn” listed their favorite top 10 Brittle and Bark recipes. I made it on the list in great company with Martha Stewart, Bon Appetit, Epicurious and many others. Check out the post http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/break-off-a-piece-barks-and-brittles-101614

This recipe ran last year during my first month of my blog. It’s 3 ingredients and fabulous. I will be making it on television next month in Birmingham NBC 13 “Daytime Alabama” and NewsChannel 4 CBS “Talk of the Town” in Nashville, Tennessee.

Chocolate-Pistachio and Cherry Bark

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 1 minute
Yield: 11/2 pound
Ingredients
1 (12-ounce) package semisweet or dark chocolate morsels (I used Nestles semisweet and Hershey’s dark chocolate)
1 cup pistachio nuts, shells removed and toasted
1 cup dried cherries or cranberries (or half-and-half)
Preparation
1. Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl, covered with wax paper on HIGH 1 to 2 minutes or until melted, stirring once. Add pistachios and cherries, stirring well. Spread on large baking sheet covered with parchment paper.

2. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Break bark into pieces. Store in a tightly sealed container in refrigerator up to 1 month. Pack in decorative boxes or tins lined with wax tissue paper or colored cellophane for gift giving.

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One Response to “In Company with Martha Stewart and Bon Appetit: Dark Chocolate-Pistachio and Cherry Bark”
kathryn N. says:
December, 03 2009at 09:29 am
Does this have to stay in the refrigerator all the time or just for storage? My chocolate has a dusty look to it now (made it 10 days ago). Stored it in a screw on top ziploc container. Maybe that type of container is not air tight or did the chocolate get too hot?

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Holiday Cookies with a Kick: Chocolate Chipotle Shortbread Cookies

November 17, 2009

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I live in interesting (and fortunate) life as a Recipe Developer creating Christmas recipes in the heat of July and summery recipes and grilling during winter. I created this recipe last summer for a “REAL BUTTER” recipe project coming up with “regional” cookie ideas and recipes. I’m not from the west, but I thought a touch of chipotle mixed with chocolate in a shortbread-type cookie would rock. They did! My assistant, Alacia, has been a fan of chipotle ever since. You can’t go wrong with Chocolate Chipotle Shortbread Cookies. They are perfect for holidays or anytime of the year.

Chocolate Chipotle Shortbread Cookies

Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 12 minutes
Yield: 3 dozen
Ingredients
8 ounces dark chocolate morsels (11/3 cups)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground chipotle seasoning
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 325F.

2. Microwave chocolate on HIGH heat for 45 seconds; stir. reheat in 15 second intervals, stirring until melted or heat chocolate over a double-boiler, stirring until melted.

3. Combine, flour, cinnamon and chipotle in a medium bowl; Set aside.

4. Beat butter at medium speed of an electric mixer until creamy. Add brown sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in melted chocolate. Stir in flour mixture until blended. Stir in pecans.

5. Shape dough into 1-inch ball; place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten bottom with a glass dipped in sugar.

6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are set. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
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Reduced-Fat Desserts for Parties: Dark and Semisweet Chocolate Brownies

November 11, 2009

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I have a lot of of television cooking segments coming up next month in Birmingham and Nashville. One of which is making “lower” fat desserts. Everyone wants ideas for great, easy desserts to take to a party, and if they are reduced-fat, even better. I like to use a combination of dark and semisweet chocolate and all egg whites in these Dark and Semisweet Chocolate Brownies. Feel free to make them with or without nuts but just remember: keep a glass of cold milk (or red wine) nearby.

Dark and Semisweet Chocolate Brownies

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Yield: 2 dozen
Ingredients
1 cup semisweet morsels
1/2 cup butter, cut into pieces
4 egg whites
11/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup dark chocolate morsels
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 13- x 9-inch baking pan.

2. Melt 1 cup semisweet morsels in a large heavy-duty saucepan over low heat; stir until smooth. Remove from heat; stir in egg whites. Stir in flour, sugar, vanilla and baking soda. Stir in dark chocolate morsels and nut, if desired. Spread in prepared baking pan.

3. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out slightly sticky. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.
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One Response to “Reduced-Fat Desserts for Parties: Dark and Semisweet Chocolate Brownies”
marissa says:
August, 24 2010at 03:56 pm
do you nutrition facts for these brownies.. i would love to know the details please

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Three Ingredient Easy Treats: Chocolate Turtle Candies

October 28, 2009

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One of my subscribers from Florida, Melanie, asked me to make these delicious treats and put them up on my blog. I wasn’t familiar with this recipe or idea, but some people are. If you haven’t ever seen this, you will love it. They are only 3 ingredients, and everyone loves them. I taught a private cooking lesson today for an amazing and adorable second grader, and she even said, “What a great party idea!”

Chocolate Turtle Candies

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 3 minutes
Yield: 24 candies
Ingredients
24 small pretzels
24 Rolo candies
24 whole pecans
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350F.

2. Place pretzels on a large nonstick baking sheet. Top each evenly with rolos. Place in oven and bake 3 minutes or until slightly melted. Remove from oven and immediately place whole pecan on top, pushing down to melt chocolate. Let cool completely before serving.
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