by Kathy Douglas | Sep 10, 2024 | Appetizers, Entrees
Spice up your dinner routine with these irresistible Korean Steak Bites in Hoisin Sauce. Tender, juicy pieces of marinated steak are seared to perfection and tossed in a rich, savory hoisin sauce that delivers a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and umami flavors. Ideal as an appetizer or a main dish, these steak bites bring the bold and vibrant tastes of Korean cuisine to your table with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Makes 2 servings as a main dish or 4 servings as an appetizer.
16 ounces one-inch-thick Rib Eye Steak
2 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp rice vinegar
2 green onions, white and green, thinly sliced, divided
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tbsp plus 2 tsp hoisin sauce, divided
¼ tsp fresh grated ginger
¼ tsp gochujang chili paste
Cooking spray, as needed
½ tsp sesame seeds
Cut the Rib Eye Steak into 1” cubes.
Add the sesame oil, rice vinegar, 1 thinly sliced green onion, minced clove of garlic, 2 teaspoons hoisin sauce, fresh ginger, and gochujang, and whisk together in a large bowl.
Add the beef tenderloin cubes and toss to evenly coat. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes.
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a metal rack on the foil. Spray the rack with cooking spray. Remove the rib eye cubes from the marinade, shaking off any excess, and place on the rack. Bake in the oven on broil for about 8 minutes, turning halfway through for medium 135˚F to medium-well or 140˚F. Transfer the cubed cooked rib eye to a bowl.
While the steak cooks, add the left over marinade with the remaining 2 tbsp Hoisin Sauce to a saucepan and place over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes or to 165˚F to reduce the liquid. The remaining liquid must be cooked to 165˚F before adding to the cooked steak for food safety reasons. Add the reduced sauce to the cooked steak and toss well to coat.
Place onto a serving platter and sprinkle with sesame seeds and remaining thinly sliced green onions.
by Kathy Douglas | Sep 3, 2024 | Appetizers
Delight your guests with these elegant salmon triangles, a perfect appetizer or light meal accompaniment. Encased in crisp phyllo pastry, each triangle is filled with a savory blend of smoked salmon and cream cheese, accented by the tangy flavors of capers and lemon. These delectable bites promise to elevate any gathering or serve as a sophisticated addition to a fresh salad. Makes 9 triangles.
2 tbsp butter, melted
8-ounce package cream cheese, room temperature
1 tablespoon capers, finely chopped
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp chives, cut into ¼-inch pieces
4 ounces smoked salmon
6 Sheets Phyllo dough, cut into three long pieces
If frozen, defrost the Phyllo dough in the refrigerator the night before. Remove the cream cheese from the refrigerator about 2 hours before you start the recipe and bring it to room temperature.
Preheat the oven to 350˚F. To prepare it, line a quarter-sheet tray with parchment paper.
Cut the 6 sheets of phyllo dough into three long pieces per sheet. Melt the butter in the microwave or in a saucepan over medium heat on the stovetop.
Add the softened cream cheese, finely chopped capers, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Cut chives into ¼-inch pieces and add 2 tablespoons to the bowl. Chop the 4 ounces of salmon into smaller pieces and add to the bowl. Stir to combine well.
Take a filo strip and brush the strip with melted butter. Place a spoonful of the salmon mix at one end, about ½ inches from the end of the piece. Fold the filo into a triangle. Butter another piece of filo, place the ‘triangle’ on top, and fold it into the filo so it’s double-wrapped. Brush the top with butter and place it on a parchment-lined sheet. Repeat these steps until you’ve made all nine triangles.
Add to the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Turn over the triangles and bake for 5 minutes or until browned and crisp.
by Kathy Douglas | Aug 27, 2024 | Desserts
It’s sweet campfire memories with no fire or sticks needed. Experience the nostalgic joy of campfire treats with a modern twist in these irresistible S’more Bar Cookies. Each bite captures the essence of the classic s’more: a buttery graham cracker crust forms the foundation, followed by a rich, chocolatey center that melts in your mouth.
The pièce de résistance is a fluffy layer of homemade marshmallow that can be lightly toasted to perfection. These decadent bars are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth and bringing a touch of campfire magic to your Labor Day Holiday weekend without needing an open flame. Yield is one 9×9 pan, about 16.
Graham Cracker Crust
¾ cup melted unsalted butter, plus 1 tablespoon for the pan
4 cups graham cracker crumbs
¼ cup sugar
½ tsp salt
Preheat oven to 350˚F.
Line a 9×9” pan with foil allowing extra foil to hang over the sides for easy removal. Butter the foil.
In a large bowl, Stir together the melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and salt until well combined. Press into the bottom of the pan and bake for 8 minutes. Remove and cool slightly while you make the chocolate center. Reduce the oven temperature to 300˚F.
Chocolate Center
¾ cup unsalted butter
6 oz semisweet chocolate chips
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
¾ cups dark brown sugar, packed
½ cup confectioners’ sugar
1 ½ tbsp granulated sugar
1 ½ tbsp light corn syrup
1 ½ tbsp pure vanilla extract
¼ tsp salt
¾ cup all-purpose flour
Place the butter and semi-sweet chocolate in a stainless-steel bowl. In a large saucepan, bring water to a simmer. Place the bowl of chocolate and butter over the hot water, being careful not to let the bowl touch the water. Stir every few minutes until melted; remove and set aside to cool slightly.
Whisk the eggs, egg yolks, brown sugar, confectioners’ sugar, granulated sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, and salt in a large bowl. Slowly add the chocolate to the egg mixture in small amounts to temper the chocolate into the eggs. When thoroughly mixed, whisk in the flour. Pour the batter over the graham cracker crust and smooth the top. Place in the oven and bake for 1 hour or when small bits still stick to a cake tester when you check for doneness. Remove and cool completely.
Marshmallow Topping
4 envelopes unflavored gelatin
3 cups granulated sugar
1 ¼ cups light corn syrup
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
Soften gelatin in ¾ cups of water and set aside. In a small saucepan, combine ¾ cups of water with sugar and corn syrup. Bring to a boil and cook to 238˚F on a candy thermometer to make a hot syrup. Using a stand mixer fitted with a whisk, beat the gelatin mixture on high while slowly streaming the hot syrup into the bowl with the gelatin. Then add the salt and extract and beat until stiff peaks form for about 15 minutes.
Using a greased spatula, spread the marshmallow over the cooled brownies. Cool completely, then refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight. Remove using the foil, then, using an oiled knife, cut into 16 pieces.
Optional: Place the cut s’mores on a cookie sheet when ready to serve. Use a kitchen torch or place under the broiler to brown the marshmallow top.
by Kathy Douglas | Aug 20, 2024 | Desserts
Dive into the rich, indulgent flavors of a classic Texas Sheet Cake, a beloved Southern dessert that never fails to impress. This iconic treat boasts a moist, tender sheet-tray-sized chocolate cake topped with a luscious, fudge-like icing, making it a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
With its large, easy-to-serve format, Texas Sheet Cake is perfect for Summer or Fall gatherings, potlucks, and celebrations. Using simple ingredients, this one-inch-tall cake has a straightforward preparation that creates a decadent, melt-in-your-mouth experience, ensuring it will quickly become everyone’s favorite. Yields one 13-by-18-inch cake.
Cake
1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the pan
2 cups (215g) chopped pecans
2 cups (255g) all-purpose flour
2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
⅓ cup (40g) unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup warm water
½ cup (115g) sour cream
2 large eggs, beaten
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Icing
¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter
⅓ cup (40g) unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ cup (60g) whole milk
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2½ cups (360g) confectioners’ sugar
To prepare the cake:
Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Prepare a 13-by-18-by-1 sheet pan by buttering it well.
Spread the pecans on a second sheet pan. Place in the oven and bake until lightly toasted, 7 to 9 minutes. Set aside to cool.
In a large bowl. combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt; whisk to combine and set aside.
Place a medium saucepan over medium heat to melt the butter, stirring often. Add in the cocoa powder and stir until well combined. Then add the warm water and boil for 30 seconds, stirring continuously. Pour the mixture into the center of the dry ingredients and combine until no traces of flour remain.
Whisk the sour cream, eggs, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Pour into the chocolate mixture and fold gently until incorporated.
Pour into the buttered pan and spread evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few crumbs, about 18 to 21 minutes. Remove from the oven and set the sheet pan on a wire rack.
To prepare the icing:
Immediately after the cake comes out of the oven, make the icing. Start by melting the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring often. Add the cocoa, stir until smooth and bubbling, then turn off the heat.
Add in the milk, vanilla, and confectioners’ sugar, and whisk until smooth with only very tiny lumps remaining.
Pour the warm frosting directly over the warm cake and spread evenly. Sprinkle the toasted pecans all over the top and gently press into the icing.
Cool completely in the pan on a rack.
Tightly wrapped, the cake will keep at room temperature for up to 3 days.
by Kathy Douglas | Aug 13, 2024 | Entrees
Use an air fryer to elevate your seafood experience with this innovative shrimp boil recipe! Combining the traditional flavors of a classic shrimp boil with the convenience and crispiness of air frying, this recipe is a game-changer. Imagine succulent shrimp, tender potatoes, juicy corn, and savory sausage all perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection in a fraction of the time. Whether you’re hosting a small casual gathering or craving a taste of the coast, this air fryer shrimp boil is a delightful and easy-to-make dish that brings a modern twist to a beloved favorite. Serves 4.
1 lb fresh large shrimp, shelled and deveined
5 tbsp butter
nonstick cooking spray
8 oz small new potatoes, whole, larger ones cut in half
2 ears of corn, husks and silks removed
2 sweet medium purple onions, sliced into ½ rings
1 tablespoon Old Bay seafood seasoning
One pound andouille sausages, cut into 1/2-inch thick pieces
Chopped parsley leaves
If you have small corncobs, cut in half and large one in three pieces.
Rinse the shrimp and peel and devein them if needed. Preheat your air fryer or set your oven to Air Fry and heat to 370˚F. Coat your air fryer basket with cooking spray.
Melt the butter on the stove in a small saucepan over low heat. Add 1 tablespoon of Old Bay Seafood Seasoning and whisk to combine completely.
In a large bowl, add the small new potatoes, cut corn cobs, and onion slices. Using only half of the seasoned butter, pour over the mixture and toss to coat everything. Add to the air-fry basket and cook for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, stir the vegetables and add in the shrimp and the sausages. Cook for 5-8 minutes longer or until the potatoes are fork tender, the shrimp are pink and cooked to 145˚F, and the sausage is cooked to 160˚F.
Pour the contents onto a large platter and pour over the remaining seasoned butter. Sprinkle over parsley leaves and serve immediately.
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