KITCHEN CORNER

PECAN PIE BROWNIES (I just used a 8 X 8 metal baking pan)

18.4 oz Brownie mix ½ cup Canola oil 2 eggs ¼ cup water ½ cup packed brown sugar ½ cup light corn syrup (I used agave syrup, or you can use light maple syrup or honey) 2 eggs 1TBS bourbon (hey that’s what the recipe said but I used 2TBS) 2 tsp vanilla extract ½…

KITCHEN TIPS

Peeling a hard-boiled egg: one of the most annoying things ever. Cut the egg in half and scoop each half out with a spoon. Thin sliced onion: my knife skills are not that great, so I use a vegetable peeler – works perfectly! Melting butter in a microwave. So fast and easy until it pops…

MONTE CRISTO SANDWICHES FOR TWO – Ham or Turkey

A large egg, 2 TBS milk 1 TBS confectioner’s sugar (plus some for dusting) 1 tsp vanilla extract ¼ tsp ground cinnamon Dash salt 4 slices wheat sandwich bread lightly toasted *2 TBS raspberry jam or cranberry sauce 4 slices Swiss cheese *4 oz. ham or turkey, 4 tsp Dijon mustard, 2 TBS butter Heat…

CHICKEN CORDON BLEU FOR TWO

2/3 cup panko crumbs 1 TBS unsalted melted butter 2 oz. Gruyere or Swiss cheese cut into 2.5 X 1.5 sticks 4 thin slices deli ham  2 large thin chicken breasts 4 tsp Dijon mustard 1 large egg lightly beaten Preheat oven to 400 degrees with rack in upper middle.  Toss panko with melted butter,…

NEW ORLEANS BBQ SHRIMP FOR TWO

1 lb. jumbo shrimp head on 1/2 cup Worcestershire Juice of 2 medium lemons 1/2 tsp ground black pepper 2 tsp Cajun or Creole seasoning 1 TBS hot sauce (Crystal or tabasco) Pinch white pepper 2 TBS chopped garlic ½ cup cubed butter (or butter/oil/white wine) Chopped parsley Crusty bread Rinse shrimp and snip the…

MARIA BERRY’S BREAD PUDDING

1 lb. white bread torn into chunks  1 can evaporated milk (shake well) 12 oz. regular milk 4 oz. butter softened  5 eggs lightly beaten 1 cup sugar  2 tsp vanilla extract 2 tsp cinnamon  ¼ cup brandy 1 cup raisins  2/3 cup caramel sauce  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Place bread chunks into large…

SMOTHERED PORK STEAKS

3 TBS olive oil 1 lb. boneless pork shoulder steaks 1 TBS Steak Seasoning ½ tsp black pepper 2/3 cup thinly sliced onion or ¼ cup sliced shallots 12 oz. sliced mushrooms 3 cloves garlic minced 3 TBS flour 1-1/2 cups chicken stock ½ TBS tomato paste ½ TBS white wine vinegar 1/4 cup heavy…

LAMB CHOPS WITH MERLOT

4 lamb chops, ¼ cup dried cherries and ¼ cup dried apricots , ¼ cup port 1 clove garlic, peeled and halved  1/4 cup flour , 1/4 cup olive oil  ½ cup diced red onions  ¼ cup chopped or shredded carrot  ¼ cup chopped celery rib, 1 bay leaf 2 cloves garlic minced  1tsp minced…

Sauteed Pork Loin (or Chicken Breasts) with Wine and Grapes

2 large, pounded chicken breasts or 2 half inch thick pork chops or sliced pork loin  Flour (seasoned with salt and pepper) 2 tbs. oil , 2 tbs. minced shallot  ½ cup seedless grapes, halved ¼ cup dry white wine 2 tsp. brandy (any dark whiskey will do) , ¾ cup chicken broth  2 tsp….

MISO GLAZED SALMON OVER RICE

(I use the little cups of brown minute rice) I used to buy white miso at the Thai market, but they stopped carrying it, so I order online. ¼ cup maple syrup ¼ cup white miso ¼ cup soy sauce ¼ cup rice vinegar ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes 3 TBS extra-virgin olive oil 2 skin-on salmon fillets 2 cups rice Green…