# Saturday, April 17, 2010

Apple Butter Zucchini Bread Recipe

Apple Butter Zucchini Bread

The Muse Gourmet


 

Made with pure fruit, no sugar apple butter, this zucchini bread is moist and flavorful. The bread is a nice addition to a summer salad or brunch. Extra loaves freeze nicely

Ingredients

  • 2 cups white granulated sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 Tablespoon good quality vanilla
  • 2 cups shredded zucchini with skin
  • ½ cup Biesterveld’s All Fruit Apple Butter
  • 1/3 cup orange juice
  • 3 cups King Arthur Bread Flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

Grease and flour 2 9” loaf pans…or use Wilton Cake Release to coat the pans.

Preheat oven to 350F.

Mix sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla in large bowl. Beat until well blended.

On low speed, blend in shredded zucchini, apple butter and orange juice.

Blend in flour, soda, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon until combined. You may want to mix these ingredients in a small bowl first before adding to the batter to get an even distribution of ingredients.

Stir in nuts.

Pour evenly into the loaf pans. Bake 60-70 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Let cool in pans 10 minutes, then remove bread from the loaf pans and allow to cool completely on baking racks.

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Saturday, April 17, 2010 7:57:51 AM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)     #    Technorati Blog reactions Blog reactions
# Thursday, April 15, 2010

Southwest Couscous Salad

Southwest Couscous Salad

The Muse Gourmet


 

Light, refreshing and ready in fifteen minutes. Couscous is generally sold in bulk at the market. It is a coarsely ground pasta made from semolina. The dressing gives this a southwest twist. Serves 8-10

Ingredients

  • 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar (do not substitute any other vinegar)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 8 green onions, chopped (greens and onion)
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • ¼ - ½ cup cilantro leaves, washed and chopped
  • 1 cup frozen organic corn, thawed
  • 2 15 oz. cans black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup Couscous
  • 1 ¼ cups chicken stock

Directions

Whisk together olive oil, lime juice, vinegar and cumin.

Add green onion, bell pepper, cilantro, corn, and black beans. Mix well. Cover, refrigerate.

Boil chicken broth in the microwave. Stir in couscous. Cover, let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with fork. Allow to cool to room temperature.

Combine cooked couscous with dressing and vegetable mixture. Salt and pepper to taste.

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Thursday, April 15, 2010 9:34:48 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)     #    Technorati Blog reactions Blog reactions
# Monday, April 12, 2010

Curry Flavored Couscous Recipe




As we are approaching summer, you'll find me taking a spin with entrees that are easy to prepare, take little kitchen time and are relatively light. Summer means time outside with the family, sporting events, craft fairs and walks in the park.



To help me with my focus, I recently had the oppotunity to meet the mother of one of my dear friends. Ms. Johnnie Mae has been dedicated to eating healthy whole foods for years and has some wonderful recipes to share. She has a carefree approach to cooking and uses lots of fresh herbs to boost the flavor of otherwise dull proteins and fibers. The reward for her healthful eating can be found in her delightful spirit and beautiful complexion.



The key to healthy cooking is always in the quality of ingredients. Spices and herbs are no excpetion. Unless specifically noted, assume that I am using spices from Penzey's. They are, without question, simply the very best I have ever used. The flavors are intense and the aromas intoxicating. I am fortunate to live in a city that has a Penzey's retail store, but if you are not so fortunate, you may order from Penzey's online. The online store leaves a little to be desired in terms of ease of use and the recipes aren't that good, but the spices are wonderful.



So, Ms. Johnnie Mae, this couscous is the first of many recipes to come that are dedicated to you.



Curry Flavored Couscous

The Muse Gourmet


 

Simple and delicious.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups Couscous
  • 3 cups chicken stock
  • 1 Tablespoon curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup golden raisins
  • ¼ - ½ cup cilantro leaves, washed and chopped
  • ½ cup slivered almonds, toasted in a 350 F oven for 5 minutes

Directions

Pour couscous into a 2 quart casserole dish.

In a medium kettle, heat chicken stock, curry powder, garam masala, salt, pepper, olive oil and raisins to boiling.

Remove from heat and pour over couscous.

Cover with plastic wrap and then lid. Let sit for 10 minutes.

Remove plastic wrap, fluff with fork.

Garnish with cilantro and slivered almonds.

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Monday, April 12, 2010 7:06:04 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)     #    Technorati Blog reactions Blog reactions
# Saturday, April 03, 2010

Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs...Every Time




Easter Eggs

Easter is around the corner. And with Easter comes the tradition of coloring eggs.



Eggs are a symbol of new life, rebirth and spring. But, easy as it may seem, there are a few tricks to getting perfect hard boiled eggs that peel easily.



The first thing you ought to know is that really fresh eggs don't work well. So, when you buy your eggs in the market, let them sit in the refrigerator for a few days before you boil them. I realize that it would have been better if I had let you know this a few days BEFORE Easter, but as the saying goes...better late than never.



Use large eggs. I have no specific reason for this other than I always use large eggs and know exactly how long it takes them to cook. Oh, and for what it's worth, I always get the most cage free, natural, free range chicken eggs that I can find. Yes, they are more expensive, but if you've ever done any research into the treatment of chickens, it will be hard for you to buy the regular commercial eggs without feeling guilty. Nuff said.



Now for the eggs:

To boil the eggs, put them in a single layer in a large saucepan. Don't stack them. Cover the eggs with 2 inces of COLD water. Using cold water keeps the eggs from cracking.



Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt. This will also help with the cracking and peeling.



Bring the water to a good boil (lots of bubbles rising to the surface without the eggs knocking together to crack them).



Remove the pan from the heat. Cover with a tight fitting lid. Let sit for 15 minutes. Covered.





Cool the eggs however you prefer. Strain them and let them cool to room temp, put them in an ice bath, ...





Happy Happy Easter to you! May the holiday bring you renewal of mind, body and spirit.



The Muse Gourmet


 


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Saturday, April 03, 2010 12:35:11 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)     #    Technorati Blog reactions Blog reactions
# Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Raspberry Rhubarb Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Raspberry Rhubarb Bars

The Muse Gourmet


 

Simple and delicious.

Ingredients

  • 1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
  • 2 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
  • 4 Tbsp. milk
  • 3/4 cup margarine, melted
  • 1 cup Biesterveld’s All Fruit Raspberry Rhubarb Spread
  • 1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch pan.

In a large bowl, mix together cake mix, oats, milk and melted margarine so that it makes nice clumps and there is no dry mix left.

Press 1/2 of the oats mixture evenly into the bottom the prepared pan. In a separate bowl, mix jam with lemon juice, and spread over the crust. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture evenly over the top.

Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 23 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned. Cool before cutting into bars.

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Wednesday, March 24, 2010 10:38:34 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)     #    Technorati Blog reactions Blog reactions
# Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Easy Honey Roasted Chicken Recipe

Use a variety of All Fruit Spreads for an assortment of pastries.

Ingredients

  • 1 (4 pound) whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
  • 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons prepared Dijon-style mustard
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 T Biesterveld’s All Fruit Apricot Spread

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C)

Sprinkle chicken with paprika, pepper, and curry powder. Place in a roasting pan.

Combine mustard, honey, and jam in a small bowl. Pour over chicken, and marinate for 1 hour or overnight.

Bake in a preheated oven for 1 hour, basting often.

download pdf version  dancing woman

Honey Roasted Chicken


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Tuesday, March 23, 2010 11:08:34 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)     #    Technorati Blog reactions Blog reactions
# Monday, March 22, 2010

Fresh Plum Tart Recipe

A simple French country tart in less than an hour.

Ingredients

  • 1-9” Pillsbury unbaked piecrust
  • 1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp sugar
  • 2 Tbsp flour
  • ½ cup Biesterveld’s All Fruit Apricot Spread
  • ¼ cup Biesterveld’s All Fruit Strawberry Spread
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg, slightly beaten
  • 4-5 plums, pitted and cut into 8-10 slices

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line a tart pan with the unbaked piecrust. Bake according to package instructions until light brown in color.

In a medium size bowl combine ¼ cup sugar and 2 Tbsp. flour, mix until combined.

Gently warm Biesterveld’s All Fruit Apricot and Strawberry Spread over low heat until melted. Measure 1/2 cup of the all fruit spread and add this as well as the melted butter and the egg to the flour mixture. Mix until uniform. Reserve the rest of the jam to glaze the tart after baking.

Place the plum slices in concentric circles starting on the outer edge of the tart pan, covering the entire bottom of the pan.

Pour the fruit spread and flour mixture over the plums. Sprinkle remaining 1 Tbs. Sugar over the tart.

Bake 45-50 minutes in a 350-degree oven until the jam bubbles and the fruit is soft.

Remove from oven and brush the remaining fruit spread over the plums. Serve warm or at room temperature with ice cream.

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Fresh Plum Tart


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Monday, March 22, 2010 4:24:33 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)     #    Technorati Blog reactions Blog reactions
# Saturday, March 20, 2010

Easy Cream Cheese Danish Recipe

Use a variety of All Fruit Spreads for an assortment of pastries.

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
  • ½ c sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • ¼ cup Biesterveld’s All Fruit Spread (your favorite flavor)
  • 1 tsp. light vanilla soymilk (or skim milk)
  • 1/4 tsp. almond extract (optional)
  • 2 (8 oz) cans Pillsbury Crescent Roll dough
  • For Icing
  • ½ c powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 3 tsp milk

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, sugar and lemon juice. Beat until smooth. Separate dough into 8 rectangles, firmly pressing perforations to seal. (OR use the Crescent Creations dough and cut into 8 rectangles. No pressing the perforations needed.)

Spread each rectangle with about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture. Leave 1/2 inch around 1 long side and two short sides clean and free of cream cheese. Roll up jelly roll style starting on long side, rolling to long side with 1/2 inch free of cream cheese.

Firmly pinch edge and ends to seam. Gently stretch each roll to around 10-12 inches. On an ungreased cookie sheet, coil each roll into a spiral with the seam side on the inside, tucking end under. Make a deep indentation in the center of each roll and fill with 1/2 tsp. Biesterveld’s All Fruit Spread.

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes until deep golden brown.

In a small bowl blend glaze ingredients, adding enough milk to make drizzling consistency. Put icing in a small plastic zipper bag. Snip a small amount off the corner of the bag, creating a small hole. Drizzle icing from bag using hole over warm rolls.

download pdf version  dancing woman

All Fruit Cream Cheese Danish


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Saturday, March 20, 2010 10:26:12 PM (Central Daylight Time, UTC-05:00)     #    Technorati Blog reactions Blog reactions