Earl Grey Rice Pudding

 4 cups milk

½ cup white sugar

½ cup long-grain white rice

1 tablespoon butter

1 large egg

2 tablespoons milk

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

⅛ teaspoon salt

1 Earl Grey teabag (I used Stash)

Directions

• Stir 4 cups milk, sugar, and rice together in a slow cooker until sugar dissolves. Add butter and the teabag, cover, and cook on High for 2 1/2 hours.
• Whisk egg, 2 tablespoons milk, vanilla, almond extract, and salt together in a bowl.
• Pour a small amount hot rice mixture into egg mixture, whisking quickly so egg doesn't cook. Pour mixture back into the slow cooker and whisk until combined. Continue to cook on High until creamy, about 15 more minutes.
• Transfer pudding to a glass baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap leaving two corners uncovered to vent, and refrigerate until chilled completely, at least 1 hour.

NOTES:

This is crazy-easy to do in the crock pot!

The original recipe had almond extract and no tea bag.

The Earl Grey flavor is subtle and delicious. Best served warm and maybe with a little whipped cream.

Source

Enchilada Sauce

I never have this on hand when I need it, but I always have these ingredients.  I've winged it on something similar that's tomato-sauce-based, but really like this less acidic roux-broth version.

3 tablespoons olive oil

3 tablespoons flour (whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour and gluten-free flour blends all work!)

1 tablespoon ground chili powder (scale back if you’re sensitive to spice or using particularly spicy chili powder)

1 teaspoon ground cumin

½ teaspoon garlic powder

¼ teaspoon dried oregano

¼ teaspoon salt, to taste

Pinch of cinnamon (optional but recommended)

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 cups vegetable broth

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1. This sauce comes together quickly once you get started, so measure the dry ingredients (the flour, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, salt and optional cinnamon) into a small bowl and place it near the stove. Place the tomato paste and broth near the stove as well.
2. In a medium-sized pot over medium heat, warm the oil until it’s hot enough that a light sprinkle of the flour/spice mixture sizzles on contact. This might take a couple of minutes, so be patient and don’t step away from the stove!
3. Once it’s ready, pour in the flour and spice mixture. While whisking constantly, cook until fragrant and slightly deepened in color, about 1 minute. Whisk the tomato paste into the mixture, then slowly pour in the broth while whisking constantly to remove any lumps.
4. Raise heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook, whisking often, for about 5 to 7 minutes, until the sauce has thickened a bit and a spoon encounters some resistance as you stir it. (The sauce will thicken some more as it cools.)
5. Remove from heat, then whisk in the vinegar and season to taste with a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. Add more salt, if necessary (I usually add another pinch or two). Go forth and make enchiladas!

NOTES:

Makes a little more than 2 cups.  I used one and froze one.

Source

Slow Cooker Beef Tips

 1/2 pound sliced baby portobello mushrooms1 small onion, halved and sliced

1 beef top sirloin steak (1 pound), cubed

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 teaspoons olive oil

1/3 cup dry red wine or beef broth

2 cups beef broth

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 cup cold water

Hot cooked mashed potatoes

1. Place mushrooms and onion in a 3-qt. slow cooker. Sprinkle beef with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 1 teaspoon oil over medium-high heat; brown meat in batches, adding more oil as needed. Transfer meat to slow cooker.

2. Add wine to skillet, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Stir in broth and Worcestershire sauce; pour over meat. Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours or until meat is tender.

3. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and cold water until smooth; gradually stir into slow cooker. Cook, covered, on high until gravy is thickened, 15-30 minutes. Serve with mashed potatoes.

NOTES:

Easy and yummy!

I used a cheaper cut of beef roast and cremini mushrooms.

The red wine and Worcestershire sauce are essential flavors.

May not need the added salt so maybe wait until the end to see.

We ate it over spaetzel, but potatoes or rice would both be great.

Pesto

 Posting here so I can easily find it again.

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed (can sub half the basil leaves with baby spinach)

• 1/2 cup freshly grated Romano or Parmesan cheese (about 2-3 ounces)

• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

• 1/3 cup pine nuts 

• 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)

• 1/4 teaspoon salt, or more to taste

• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or more to taste


Pulse the basil and nuts in the food processor.

Add garlic and cheese.

Drizzle in olive oil. Finish with salt and pepper.

It made enough for the pesto Cavatappi recipe with a little left over. 

If you want to freeze the pesto, omit the cheese (it doesn't freeze well). Line an ice cube tray with plastic wrap, and fill each cube with the pesto sauce. Freeze and then remove from the ice tray and store in a freezer safe, zip-top bag. When you want to use it, defrost and add the grated Parmesan or Romano.

Pesto Cavatappi

 An awesome copycat of my Noodles and Company favorite.

• ▢ 1 tablespoon Salt
• ▢ 1 pound cavatappi pasta
• ▢ 1 teaspoon olive oil
• ▢ 1 large tomato cored and diced
• ▢ 4 ounces mushrooms sliced (optional, see note 2)
• ▢ 1/4 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
• ▢ 1/4 cup dry white wine (see note 3)
• ▢ ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
• ▢ 1 cup homemade pesto or store-bought (see note 4)
• ▢ 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese




• In a large saucepan or stock pot, bring 4 quarts of water and salt to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain well.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add tomatoes and mushrooms (if using) and cook for about 5 minutes, until some of the liquid has been released and the tomatoes are heated through.
• Stir in the broth, wine, and cream and bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium and cook until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 2 minutes.
• Add pesto and stir until heated through, about 2 minutes. Add pasta and toss until uniformly coated in the sauce. Transfer to a serving dish or individual plates and garnish with Parmesan cheese.

• NOTES
  Excellent! 
  I didn’t have mushrooms but did have peppers.
  Didn’t have white wine on hand but that would be good.
  I added a bunch of rotisserie chicken. Shrimp would also be good.

Dill Pickles

 Excellent recipe shared by Caroline Langfeld.

12 lb 3-5 inch pickling cucumbers

Salt Water Soak:

2 gallons water

3/4 C pickling salt

Brine:

2 quarts water

7 1/3 C vinegar
3/4 C pickling salt

1/4 C sugar

Per Quart:

3-4 garlic cloves

2-3 dill heads (I also add some of the dill 'stalk')

6-8 black peppercorns

1 small dried Chile pepper - optional - I usually do a few jars with these, but I don't like the extra zip so leave it out of most jars.

4-6 grape leaves - optional - I've never tried these; I'm a creature of the familiar and I like the recipe without, so why mess with something I know I like.

Makes about 8 quarts

  

1. Gently wash the cucumbers, and remove the blossom ends.  Halve or quarter lengthwise, if you choose, or leave them whole.  In a large bowl or crock, dissolve 3/4 C pickling salt in 2 gallons water.  Add the cucumbers.  Let them stand in the brine 8-12 hours. 
2. Bring to a boil the 3/4 C salt, 2 quarts water, the vinegar and sugar, stirring to dissolve.  While the mixture heats, divide the garlic, dill and peppercorns, and the pepper and leaves if you're using them, among 8 quart jars.  Pack a portion of the cucumbers into each jar.
3. Pour the hot liquid over the cucumbers, leaving 1/2 inch head space.  Close the jars with hot two-piece caps.  In a boiling water bath, process pint jars for 10 minutes and quart jars for 15 minutes.
4. Store the cooled jars in a cool, dry dark place for at least 1 month before eating the pickles.

NOTES:

I'm going to make a much small batch this evening.  Notes are coming soon.

Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread

 

• 
  
• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour 
• 1/2 cup (41g) unsweetened natural cocoa powder (not Dutch process)*
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder*
• 3/4 cup (135g) semi-sweet chocolate chips*
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
• 1/3 cup (80g) plain Greek yogurt or sour cream*
• 2/3 cup (135g) granulated sugar*
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 and 1/2 cups (180g) shredded zucchini (no need to blot)*

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or 8×4-inch loaf pan (for a taller loaf) with nonstick spray. Set aside.
2.  In a large bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder together until combined. Mix in the chocolate chips. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, oil, yogurt, granulated sugar, and vanilla together until combined. Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently whisk to combine. Fold in the zucchini. The batter is very thick.
4. Bake for 45–55 minutes, making sure to loosely cover the bread with aluminum foil halfway through to prevent the top from over-cooking. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with only a few small moist crumbs. The 9×5-inch pan takes closer to 45 minutes, and the 8×4-inch pan takes closer to 55 minutes. All ovens vary, so begin checking around the 45-minute mark.
5. Remove bread from the oven and allow the bread to cool in the pan set on a wire rack for 1 hour. While it’s still warm, I gently press a few more chocolate chips into the top; this is optional and only for looks.
6. Remove bread from the pan and place the loaf directly on the wire rack to cool completely.

NOTES:

I used mini chocolate chips but otherwise made it as written. Easy and excellent!

Hat tip to the ever-excellent Sally’s Baking Addiction