I've skipped a few days and slacked off the recipe blogging, but all for good reason.  I recently started my own cookie business, creating one-of-a-kind filled cookies of a variety of flavors.  It had been an idea for awhile but I didn't know if I could pursue it or not.  But thanks to a lot of time, effort, and experimenting, it has emerged!  My website is complete enough to share with the world, and I look forward to expanding to shipping across the U.S.  For now--local Pittsburgh orders only unless you arrange it with me, or I like you a whole lot.

www.cookiesfromthehart.com

More recipes to come soon!

 

     Since I just spent the weekend at Rosie's house in Cleveland, I wanted to post this recipe creation she came up with.  She had some ripe bananas that she wanted to use up and also wanted to make something with Bailey's.  So why not combine both and see how it goes?  That's what we did with this banana bread!  And surprisingly, it worked quite well.  Oh and it's fairly healthy, too.   A perfect thing to eat with Irish coffee! 

Bailey's Banana Bread
(1 loaf)

2 eggs
2/3 cup white sugar
2 very ripe bananas, mashed
1/4 cup applesauce
1/3 cup nonfat milk
1/4 cup Bailey's Irish cream
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

1/3 cup chocolate chips (optional)

  Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Spray a bread pan with non-stick cooking spray, and lightly dust with flour.

In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in bananas, applesauce, milk, and Bailey's.

In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir flour mixture into banana mixture, mixing just until blended. Fold in walnuts. Pour batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.

Bake in preheated pan until golden and a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean, about 1 hour. Turn bread out onto a wire rack and let cool.

 

      Okay, so the weather in Pittsburgh today is BEAUTIFUL.  Spring, finally!!  Since the sun is out and it's actually warm, I was reminded of an old favorite recipe that features lots of spring and summer fruit.  Ever heard of fruit pizza?  The "crust" is actually made out of sugar cookie dough and you top it with cream cheese and whatever fruit you want.  It's pretty fantastic and great for this time of the year.  It's one of those recipes that looks fairly impressive to take to a picnic or party...but it's actually very simple to make.  Enjoy!

Fruit Pizza
(serves 8)

1 (18 ounce) package refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries, mandarin oranges, bananas (whatever fruit you want!)

Glaze:
1/2 cup white sugar
1 pinch salt
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon orange zest 


 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Slice cookie dough and arrange on greased pizza pan, overlapping edges. Press dough flat into pan. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Allow to cool.


In a large bowl, soften cream cheese, then fold in the whipped topping. Spread over cooled crust. You can chill for a while at this point, or continue by arranging the fruit.

Begin with strawberries, sliced in half. Arrange in a circle around the outside edge. Continue with fruit of your choice, working towards the middle. If bananas are used, dip them in lemon juice so they don't darken. Then make a sauce to spoon over fruit.

In a saucepan, combine sugar, salt, corn starch, orange juice, lemon juice and water. Cook and stir over medium heat. Bring to a boil, and cook for 1 or 2 minutes, until thickened. Remove from heat, and add grated orange rind. Allow to cool, but not set up. Spoon over fruit. Chill for two hours, then cut into wedges and serve.



 

    I don't known why, but there's something about making bread from scratch that I find very satisfying.  Sure, it takes a lot of effort, but it is SO worth it.  This is one of those recipes.  I had been wanting to experiment with bagels and try making them myself, which sometimes can be disastrous.  However, this recipe was actually easier than I thought (thanks to the bread machine) and I ended up with 8 wonderful homemade bagels that made me never want to buy bagels again.  The nice thing about this recipe, like most of the ones I post, is that you can sub in different fruit/nut combinations or leave them out all together.  It's hard to believe that boiling bread dough can create something so lovely.

Cranberry Nut Bagels

(makes 8)

1 1/8 cups water (70 to 80 degrees F)
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 cup quick-cooking oats
3 cups bread flour
2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup chopped pecans


TOPPING:
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon


In bread machine pan, place the first seven ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer. Select dough setting (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed). Just before the final kneading (your machine may audibly signal this), add the cranberries and pecans.

When cycle is completed, turn dough onto a lightly floured surface; cover and let rest for 5 minutes. Divide into eight balls. Push thumb through the center of each ball to form a 1-in. hole. Place on a lightly floured surface. Cover and let rest for 5 minutes.

In a large saucepan, bring 2-qt. water to a boil. Drop bagels, one at a time, into boiling water. Cook for 45 seconds; turn and cook 45 seconds longer. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain well on paper towels.

Combine brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over bagels. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.


 

     I just found the recipe for this drink today, so I have yet to try it, but I thought it looked good and it sort of takes traditional Irish coffee to the next level with some Grand Marnier in place of whiskey.  It looks like a lovely after-dinner drink and is a perfect one to make for St. Patrick's Day!  Have a cup of this with some scones or soda bread and may the luck of the Irish be with you.




Leprechaun's Delight
(Serves 1)

1 cup hot brewed coffee
1 fluid ounce brandy-based orange liqueur (Grand Marnier®)
1 fluid ounce Irish cream liqueur
1 tablespoon whipped cream
1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest


Pour hot coffee into a mug. Stir in Grand Marnier and Irish cream. Top with a dollop of whipped cream, and sprinkle with grated orange rind.


 

     After a weekend in Philadelphia, I wanted to post another middle eastern recipe after going to a great Syrian restaurant in the city.  The hummus there was good, but I think I can top it.  Most people assume that hummus is pretty healthy, and while it does have loads of protein and is better than the average dip or appetizer, most store-bought kinds have a ton of oil and sesame paste in them.  I'm a huge fan of the stuff and wanted to find a lighter version with less oil and more flavor.  I must say, this is now the new standard hummus in my house.  Instead of using 1/2 cup or more of oil to make a smooth hummus, you use lemon juice and cottage cheese.  Sounds strange, but it's amazing.  With just a few ingredients, you can whip up enough to last for a week.  And it's cheaper than having to keep buying it.  I recommend giving this a shot.  (You can also add whatever spices you want.  I always use curry powder.)


Lowfat Hummus
(makes about 2 cups)

1/2 cup cottage cheese
2 cloves of garlic
4 T. lemon juice
1 can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
2 teaspoons tahini (sesame paste)  if you can't find this, you can leave it out
1/2 tsp. curry powder
1/2 tsp. garam masala (or any indian spice)
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and chop until smooth.  Add more lemon juice if mixture is too thick.  Also, add spices until you are satisfied with the flavor.  Serve with veggies and pita chips.  You can store it for about 1 week in the refrigerator.

 

     When I went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic last year, our group's favorite breakfast by far was the baked oatmeal.  I had never even heard of this before, but seriously--so good!  Sort of tastes like a oatmeal cookies and we ate ours with yogurt and pineapple.  This is a great recipe because you can add raisins, craisins, or any fruit you want.  The recipe says to bake in a 13 x 9 pan, but you probably could use a smaller, square pan and make it a little thicker.  (Just bake it a few minutes longer.)  Definitely give this one a try.

Baked Oatmeal

(serves 6)

1 1/2 cups quick oats

1/2 cup sugar 

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup melted butter 

1 egg

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13 x 9 x 2 baking pan.
Combine all ingredients together. Spread on prepared baking pan.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
Immediately spoon into a bowl. Top with warm milk, fresh fruit, or brown sugar if desired.


 

     Today's recipe is almost embarrassingly easy.  Yet,  people always go crazy for this pie!  I made this several times in college since it  was pretty difficult to bake anything ever, and my friends loved it.  It's like taking a no-bake cookie  and turning it into  a frozen, creamy pie.  It reminds me a little bit of an ice-cream cake...minus the cake part.  This makes a great spring/summer dessert AND it's pretty inexpensive to make.  I always decorate mine with some extra whipped cream and chocolate chips or Reese's  pieces.  Enjoy!

No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie

(serves 6-8)

1/3 cup peanut butter
1 (8 ounce) package frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 (4 ounce) packages single serve ready-made, fat free, chocolate pudding
1 prepared graham cracker pie crust  (I use the Oreo crusts instead)
1/2 cup chocolate & peanut butter chips for garnish (optional, but recommended!!)

In a mixing bowl, combine pudding and peanut butter; stir until smooth. Fold in whipped topping; stir until completely blended.

Pour filling into pie crust. Freeze pie until firm.  Top with optional chocolate & peanut butter chips.  Partially thaw in refrigerator, for about 2 hours or so, before serving. You can store leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer.


 

   This is a great dish for a weeknight dinner or a big dinner party.  Usually I'm not that impressed with basic chicken recipes...but this one is excellent.  If you can't find gruyere cheese, just substitute swiss because it tastes similar and is a heck of a lot cheaper!  I've made this several times, all with rave reviews.  It's pretty simple and quick and I recommend pairing it with a side of green beans and a glass of wine.

Chicken Gruyere with Mushrooms
(serves 4)

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/4 cup butter, divided
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1 pound fresh mushrooms
1 onion, sliced into rings
1/2 cup white wine
8 ounces Gruyere cheese, shredded


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a shallow dish, stir together the flour, salt, pepper, parsley, and dill. Rinse chicken breasts, and pat dry. Dredge chicken in the flour mixture.

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat. Place chicken into the hot buttered skillet, and fry until brown on both sides. Transfer chicken breasts to a 1 quart glass baking dish. Add remaining butter to skillet, and fry the mushrooms and onion until wilted and lightly browned. Stir in the white wine, and reduce heat to medium. Simmer for 3 minutes to blend flavors. Pour the mushroom mixture over the chicken in the dish.

Cover dish, and bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven. After 20 minutes, remove cover, and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Continue baking for 10 more minutes, or until cheese is lightly browned and bubbly. 

 

     The first time I tried a Monte Cristo sandwich was at an Irish restaurant in downtown Pittsburgh.  Now it is probably one of my favorite sandwiches ever.  Of course, the Irish pub's version was deep-fried and quite unhealthy, but when I make them at home, I try to lighten them up a bit.  If you've never had one, you're missing out.  They're like a combination of french toast and a turkey/ham & cheese sandwich.  Best served with fruit preserves.  They could honestly be a breakfast sandwich, but since I'm a fan of all things sweet, they're great any time of the day.  Another Irish tribute for the upcoming St. Patrick's Day.


Monte Cristo Sandwich
(serves 4)

2/3 cup water
1 egg
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt 8 slices white bread 
4 slices Swiss cheese
4 slices turkey
4 slices ham
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper 

1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar for dusting 
fruit preserves (optional)


 In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg and water. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper; whisk into the egg mixture until smooth. Set aside in the refrigerator.

Assemble sandwiches by placing one slice of turkey on one slice of bread, a slice of ham on another, then sandwich them with the Swiss cheese in the middle.

Dip each sandwich quarter in the batter so that all sides are coated.  Coat a skillet or sandwich press with oil and then pan fry sandwiches until golden brown on all sides.  Dust with confectioners' sugar just before serving.  Best eaten with a side of fruit preserves or marmalade.