Leigh and Me and Leigh’s Chocolate Cake
July 29, 2009
My only daughter, Leigh, has been gone for 4 weeks at camp and comes home tomorrow (today for all of you reading this). I cried so hard when she left-I couldn’t even take her to camp as I didn’t want her to see how upset I would be missing her. So in her honor, I thought I would post one of her favorite recipes that was on my blog a long time ago which she created herself and makes all on her own. She is so special, and I can’t wait to see her!
To make your own chocolate sauce drizzle, melt 1 (8-ounce) package semisweet morsels with 1 tablespoon milk. Place melted chocolate in a zip-top plastic bag and cut a hole in the bottom corner of the bag and drizzle over cake.
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Healthy Organic Trail Mix
February 18, 2009
When I am on the go (which is all of the time), I like a quick healthy snack. This trail mix is perfect because it has the combination of a sweet and salty crunch made with some of my favorite ingredients. Today, I am taping 4 different cooking segments for a new local NBC show, “Daytime Alabama”. I can’t begin to explain what it’s like to prepare for 4 different cooking shows (I thought 1 show was difficult). Don’t get me wrong, it’s really fun. I would like to give thanks to my friend Alacia who helped me prepare for these television segments.
Organic Trail Mix
Prep: 5 minutes
Yield: 6 cups
Ingredients
21/2 cups Oatmeal Squares
2 cups granola
1 cup peanut-butter filled pretzels
2 (10-ounce) package Harvest blend trail mix (I used Back to Nature)
1 (5.2-ounce) dried strawberries
1 (5.2-ounce) dried blueberries
1 (8.3-ounce) yogurt covered raisins
Preparation
1. Combine all ingredients in a airtight container and store at room temperature.
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Valentine’s Day White Chocolate Lovers: White Chocolate Dried Cherry Pistachio Bark
February 10, 2009
This three ingredient recipe was one I made for Christmas, but since there are so many white chocolate fans, I thought I would feature it again for Valentine’s Day. It’s so easy, quick and delicious. It also can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. I used Nestle semisweet morsels, and it worked great! Happy Valentine’s Day! Enjoy!
Dried Cherry and Pistachio Bark
Feel free to double or triple this recipe.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 1 minute
Yield: 11/2 pound
Ingredients
1 (12-ounce) package white chocolate morsels or any white chocolate
1 cup pistachio nuts, shells removed and toasted
1 cup dried cherries or cranberries
Preparation
1. Place white 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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Two Ingredient Food Holiday Gift Idea-White Chocolate Popcorn
December 13, 2008
Caramel popcorn can be a popular holiday gift. We usually receive several tins of it every year, and my kids devour it. As a Recipe Developer, I sometimes try to take a popular concept and give it a new twist. Since I had some extra white chocolate on hand, I thought I would develop a simple new recipe for White Chocolate Popcorn, and it worked great! This recipe takes no time at all and has only two ingredients. Best, of all, there’s hardly any mess.
White Chocolate Popcorn
Feel free to double this recipe.
Prep: 5 minutes
Yield: 6 cups
Ingredients
1 (11-ounce) package white chocoolate morsels (I used Ghiradelli white chocolate or Nestle Milk Chocolate Morsels)
6 cups popcorn (popped without salt or fat)
Preparation
1. Place white or milk chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl on HIGH 1 to 2 minutes or until melted, stirring once. Combine chocolate and popcorn in a large mixing bowl, tossing gently. Spread mixture on a large baking sheet covered with parchment paper; let cool and store in an airtight container.
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Christmas Cookie Winner! Double Chocolate Chip Peppermint Cookies
December 05, 2008
This recipe is so easy, and so fun to make. I saw a similar recipe in the Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, and my daughter, Leigh, begged me to make some. She made the orignal recipe all by herself, and we were all impressed. Since, as a Recipe Developer, I get paid to create recipes for a living, I decided I would try to rival her with this variation. Try them for yourself and let me know what you think.
Super-Duper Chocolate Peppermint Kisses
Prep: 20 minutes
Bake: 8 minutes
Yield: 20 cookies
Ingredients
1 (161/2-ounce) package chocolate chip cookie dough
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup chocolate-flavored sprinkles
20 peppermint chocolate kisses, unwrapped (chocolate kisses may be substituted)
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 375F. Lightly grease a cookie sheet; set aside. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine cookie dough and cocoa powder. Seal bag; knead with your hands until dough is well mixed. Remove dough from bag.
2. Place chocolate sprinkles in a shallow dish or small bowl. Place milk in a shallow dish or small bowl. Shape dough into 1-inch balls, Dip balls in milk to moisten, then roll balls in chcolate sprinkles to coat. Place balls 2-inches apart on prepared cookie sheet.
3. Bake in a preheated oven about 8 minutes or until edges are firm. Immediately press a peppermint kiss into the center of each cookie. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; let cool.
To store: Place cookies between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
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Brownie Shortcut
November 10, 2008
We all need a shortcut sometimes, especially in the kitchen, and I have the answer when it comes to brownies. I came upon a great brownie and blonde brownie mix at Fresh Market grocery store. It’s from the Fat Witch Bakery in Manhattan, and all you need it unsalted butter, eggs, an 8-inch pan, a mixing bowl and a spoon. It’s so easy, and you will have chewy gooey brownies in no time. Leigh made these by herself, and everyone was begging us for the recipe or to make them more! For more information see below:
Go to www.fatwitch.com or www.freshmarket.com
If you’re looking for a true homemade brownie recipe that is incredible, this is the one I highly recommend.
Outrageous Brownies
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Yield: 20 to 24
Ingredients
1 pound unsalted butter
1 pound plus 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips, divided
6 ounces unsweetened chocolate
6 large eggs
3 tablespoons instant coffee powder (optional)
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided (1 cup for batter and 1/4 cup in the chips and nuts)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 cups diced walnut pieces
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 13 by 18 by 1 1/2-inch sheet pan.
Melt together the butter, 1 pound chocolate chips, and unsweetened chocolate on top of a double boiler. Cool slightly. Stir together the eggs, instant coffee, vanilla and sugar. Stir in the warm chocolate mixture and cool to room temperature.
Stir together 1 cup of the flour, baking powder and salt. Add to cooled chocolate mixture. Toss the walnuts and 12 ounces of chocolate chips with 1/4 cup flour to coat. Then add to the chocolate batter. Pour into prepared pan.
Bake for about 30 minutes, or until tester just comes out clean. Halfway through the baking, rap the pan against the oven shelf to allow air to escape from between the pan and the brownie dough. Do not over-bake! Cool thoroughly, refrigerate well and cut into squares.
Recipe from Barefooot Contessa at www.foodtv.com
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Leigh’s Three Ingredient Banana Smoothie
November 08, 2008
This smoothie is awesome, and I am not just saying it because my 9-year old daughter whipped it together one morning. I am very impressed though. It’s so simple and delicious, and my older son said, “How did she make this so good?” Try it and see. Feel free to add strawberries, blueberries or whatever fruit you prefer, but if you like bananas, you will love this with just these simple ingredients.
Three Ingredient Banana Smoothie
Prep: 5 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
2 (6-ounce) containers nonfat vanilla yogurt (I used Dannons)
2 ripe bananas
2 tablespoons honey
2 cup crushed ice
Preparation
Combine all ingredients in an electric blender and blend until smooth.
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Chai Butterscotch Cookies Oh My
November 01, 2008
I am truly not a butterscotch fan, but I am a fan of these! I developed this recipe for “Real Butter’s” holiday recipes, and when I handed them out to friends, they begged for the recipe. I wasn’t willing to share until now. So here it goes: drumroll…for all those who asked me for the recipe.
This recipe is so simple. You can prepare the dough in no time at all and let it sit at least one hour. I have made the dough a day ahead, and it works perfectly! Adults and kids alike will love these simply super cookies. Try them and see for yourself.
Butterscotch Chai Cookies
Yield: 3 dozen
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
11/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
11/2 cups brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (12-ounce) package butterscotch chips
Cooking Directions:
1. Whisk flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl; set aside.
2. Cream butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Add flour mixture and combine until blended (do not over-mix). Fold in butterscotch chips; cover and chill 1 hour or until firm.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F.
4. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Shape dough into 2-inch balls (tablespoon scoop) and arrange on baking sheet 3 inches apart. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden and just set. Let stand 5 minutes; transfer to a wire rack.
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Leigh’s Favorite Simple Chocolate Cake
October 30, 2008Okay, I will first tell you that this cake is SO GOOD! I am a full-time Recipe Developer for national food magazines and food companies, but I promise this cake is worth a try! For those of you who are in a huge hurry, just need a break or want something their kids can make, but here is the new version!
My daugther Leigh, who is 9-years old, made the cake from the box instructions, and she was amazed she could make this on her own. After that, I discussed with her how this cake could be better. Basically we added added chocolate syrup and deleted some of the water.
Here’s is new version. No one will ever know that this cake was made from a cake mix (although I do love you Duncan Hines)! www.duncanhines.com
Gather these ingredients:
Combine 1 (18.25-ounce) package Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Devil’s Food Cake Mix, 3 eggs, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 2/3 cup chocolate syrup and 2/3 cup water and follow package directions for spraying and flouring the pan as well as mixing. Bake according to package directions. Let cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
To make your own chocolate sauce drizzle, melt 1 (8-ounce) package semisweet morsels with 1 tablespoon milk. Place melted chocolate in a zip-top plastic bag and cut a hole in the bottom corner of the bag and drizzle over cake.
And here it is! I know Leigh went a little overboard with the powdered sugar, but all is well! Just remember one thing! This is best served with a glass of cold milk!
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Leigh and Me Cook
October 29, 2008Many of you who have read my blog today asked about what “Leigh and Me Cook” is…..
Leigh is my 9 year-old daughter who I call little “Martha”. Leigh is ahead of her time and passing me by quickly. She makes her own smoothies everyday, homemade omelets cooked to order, cookies, cakes, cupcakes and wonderful chocolate-dipped strawberries. She can cut garlic and fresh herbs just as well as I.
The recipes filed under this category will be recipes or products that Leigh loves and can make all by herself with minimal assistance. I thought those of you who have children might love some of these ideas to get your kids cooking and interested and knowledgeable about food.
I have to be honest. Some days she “shows” me up in the kitchen which can by a little scary! She loves the pizza and crust in today’s earlier blog, and she recommends it highly!
Look for her Simple Chocolate Cake coming soon! A good friend of mine (who has exceptional taste in food) calls it “AWESOME”!
