Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

Carrot Cake is best in all occasion such as, weedings, birthdays, reunions, parties,etc. Sure that everybody will like it's delicious taste. It will add enjoyment to the party.

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

Photo credit: Google

What you need:

2 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

¾ tsp salt

½ tsp nutmeg

¾ cup granulated sugar

¾ cup packed brown sugar

3 eggs

¾ cup vegetable oil

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups grated carrots

1 cup drained crushed canned pineapple

½ cup chopped pecans

Icing

1 pkg cream cheese, softened

¼ cup butter, softened

½ tsp vanilla

1 cup icing sugar

What to do:
Grease and flour 13- x 9-inch (3.5 L) metal cake pan; set aside.
In large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and nutmeg.
In separate bowl, beat together granulated and brown sugars, eggs, oil and vanilla until smooth; pour over flour mixture and stir just until moistened. Stir in carrots, pineapple and pecans. Spread in prepared pan.
Bake in centre of 350°F (180°C) oven for 40 minutes or until cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean. Let cool in pan on rack. (Make-ahead: Cover with plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 2 days. Or ovenwrap with heavy duty foil and freeze for up to 2 weeks; let thaw before continuing.)

Icing:

In bowl, beat cream cheese with butter until smooth. Beat in vanilla. Beat in icing sugar, one-third at a time, until smooth. Spread over top of cake. (Make-ahead: Cover loosely and refrigerate for up to I day.)

Source: canadianliving.com

Homemade Bagels

In-between meal is the favorite of my youngest son. He always wants to eat bread, cakes and other baked products. I had discovered another recipe which made him amazed when he had tasted this. So, I used to bake this twice a week because this is his favorite food.

Homemade Bagels

Photo credit: Google

What you need:

2 packs yeast (1 pack equal to 1 tbsp.)

3 tsp salt

2 cups warm water (about 110 degrees)

1 tsp sugar in 3 quarts of water

3 tbsp sugar

Corn meal

5 ½ to 6 cups all purpose flour

1 egg yolk, beaten with 1 tbsp water

What to do:

*In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in sugar and salt; gradually mix in 4 cups of flour.

*Beat well to make a smooth batter. Mix in about 1 ¼ cups more flour to make a stiff dough.

*Turn dough onto floured board and knead until smooth and satiny (10 t0 20 minutes), adding flour as needed to prevent sticking; dough should be firmer than for most other yeast breads.

* Place dough in a greased bowl; turn over to grease top.

*Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled about 40 minutes.

*Punch dough down; knead briefly on a lightly floured board to release air, and then divide into 18 equal pieces.

*Form each piece into a smooth ball by gently kneading. Holding ball with both hand, poke your thumbs through shaping bagel like a doughnut, 2 ½ to 3 inches across.

*Place shaped bagels on a lightly floured board, cover lightly and let stand in warm place for 20 minutes.

*Bring sugar water mixture to boiling in a 4 or 5 quart pan; adjust heat to keep it boiling gently.

*Lightly grease 2 baking sheet 9at least 12 and 15 inches) and sprinkle with corn meal.

*With a slotted spatula, lift one bagel at a time and lower into water; boil 5 or 6 at a time, turning often, for 5 minutes.

*Lift out of pan, drain briefly on towel and place on baking sheet. Brush bagels with egg yolk mixture.

*Bake in a preheated 400 degrees oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until well browned and crusty. Let cool on a rack.

*Makes 18 bagels.

Vegetable Lumpia

My husband loves to eat lumpia. Every time I go to the grocery store I should include a pack of lumpia just for him.

I try to make my own menu and it has an effective result. Every time I make this menu I try to sell some to my friends and they like it. Here started my lumpia business.

Vegetable Lumpia

Chicken/Pork

Photo credit: Google

Here's what you need:

1 kilo ground pork or chicken meat

½ kilo carrots

½ kilo potatoes

½ kilo sayote

salt and pepper to taste

½ cup soy sauce

3 medium onions

1 whole garlic

oil

lumpia wrappers

What to do:

*Peel the carrots, potatoes and sayote. Wash and slice into small cubes.

*Slice the onion and garlic into very small parts.

*Heat the big pan and then add a litle oil.

*Saute the garlic and then the onion.

*Add the ground pork or the ground chicken meat.

*Add the carrots, potatoes, and sayote.

*Add the soy sauce, salt and pepper to taste.

*Cook for 15 to 20 minutes.

*Remove from heat and let it cool.

To make a vegetable lumpia,

*Put 1 tablespoon of mixture in a lumpia wrapper and then roll.

When done,

*Heat the pan, put oil for frying.

*When the oil is hot, put the rolled lumpia.

*Fry until golden brown.

Just fry a certain amount that can be consume. You can place the remaining inside the container and place it in a freezer.

Try this and you can start your own lumpia business.

Making Yogurt

Some people love yogurt. For them it is rich in nutrients and vitamins. Yogurt is simply milk jelled to a pudding consistency by certain acid-forming bacteria growing in it.

Yogurt is made from sweet milk, not sour, but has a characteristic sour taste that blends lusciously with the natural sugar of fruit.

Yogurt is a dairy dessert without added fats, sugars, and calories of ice cream. Essentially, it contains the same calories, proteins, minerals, and other nutrients as milk.

Photo credit: Google

Procedure:

1. Scald utensils to be used with boiling water.

2. Prepare the milk. Start with 1 quart. Use pasteurized-homogenized, dry or evaporated milk, reconstitute with warm water. If using skim or non fat dry milk, add at least a little whole milk for a thicker culture.
   
   
3. Add the starter. Buy 1 container of plain commercial yogurt. Stir ¼ to 1/3 cup yogurt into 1 cup prepared milk and stir or shake briskly. Pour milk into scalded jars and fasten lids loosely.

4. Incubate the mixture at 110-120 degrees by any of these methods:

-Use a yogurt maker.

-Set jars into Styrofoam ice chest.

-Fill chest with warm water. (110-120 degrees) to top of the jars; cover. Add warm water as needed within next few hours to keep temperature up.

-Set jars into warm oven and turn off heat. Leaving oven light on maybe exactly the right temperature. Check with thermometer.

-Set jars on rack in large pan of warm water on the stove; occasionally turn heat on briefly. Or set pan over pilot light.

-Set jars in pan of warm water, cover and wrap all in a blanket or set jars on top of your refrigerator and cover with a towel.

5. Check consistency. Yogurt should not be moved while it is setting. Checking in 2

to 3 hours, and every half hour after that. Usually 3 to 6 hours is needed for junket-like consistency. Refrigerate. Save ¼ cup to start next batch. Yogurt stays tasty in the refrigerator 1 to 2 weeks.

6. Serve yogurt.

-with any fresh, frozen canned fruits.

-blended with frozen fruit and honey and freeze

-with honey or molasses

-sprinkled with wheat germ or granola

-as a low-calorie sour cream substitute in salads, salad dressings, casseroles, or on baked potatoes.

-accompanying hot spicy dishes, especially curries.

Always add fruit, sugar or honey to yogurt with a folding motion. Stirring or beating breaks down gel.

Source: Cooking with a Cause cook book       

Best for Snacks

Often we want a change with the snacks that we serve with our family. We want new look, new taste, and of course new acknowledgement from our family members.

I have tried one recipe which I made to change the snack that I serve to my family. This is easy to do and you can use common ingredients.

Cinnamon Rolls

Photo credit: Google

For Dough you need:                                     For Filling

1 cup water                                                       ½ cup sugar

2 tbsp.butter softened                                       1 tbsp. ground cinnamon

2 eggs                                                               ¼ cup butter or margarine

3 ½ cups bread flour                                         ¼ cup white sugar

1 tsp. salt 

 1 tsp. active dry yeast

What to do:

*Dissolve 1 tbsp. active dry yeast to ½ cup warm water. Let froth and set aside for 10 minutes.

*Mix together remaining ½ cup water and butter. Then add eggs.

*Mix together all dry ingredients and make a well in the middle.

*Pour all liquids into the well. Mix well with the spoon.

*transfer to a board or table top to knead. Knead lightly for five minutes.

*Let the dough rise double for about an hour.

*Punch down and divide the dough to two.

*Flatten dough with hands on rolling pin into 9x12-inch rectangle on lightly floured surface.

*Divide in half the filling.

*Spread the butter, cinnamon mixture,(add nuts, if you want).*Roll up tightly, beginning at 12-inch side.

*Pinch edge of dough into roll to seal. Cut roll into slices.

*Place in pan (or cookie sheet or muffin tray).

*Cover, let rise in warm place for one hour or until double.

*Heat over 350 degrees.

*Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.

*Remove from pan.

Ready to serve.

Try this to have a change in your family’s snack. You can serve this with fruit juice or cold drinks.

Source: Cooking with a cause cook book

Moroccan Pork

One thing I know about cooking is that, it must capture the appetite of the people. As a mother and a cook I’m always looking for a food that can capture my children’s appetite and attention when it comes to the table.

Again as a common thing, always searching for the right kind of menu at the web which offers lots of recipes. In doing so, I have discovered again another menu. When I tried this I’m glad because my family especially my husband and kids really like this menu.

Moroccan Pork

Photo credit: Google

                                                                      

What you need:

1/2 pounds boneless pork loin roast,

cut into 1-inch cubes
2 (16 to 19-ounce) cans garbanzo beans, drained
12 ounces plum tomatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 2 cups)
1 large yellow bell pepper, seeded, cut into 1-inch squares
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup golden raisins
2 tablespoons

tomato paste
2 tablespoons water
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons instant chicken bouillon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons peanut butter

Hot cooked couscous (optional)

What to do:

Place garbanzo beans, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, raisins, tomato paste, water, garlic, chicken bouillon and cumin in 5-quart slow cooker. Mix until well combined.

1. Place pork slices on top of bean mixture. Cover. Cook on low heat setting 6 to 7 hours, or until pork is tender. Stir in peanut butter. Serve over couscous if desired.

A very simple and common recipe but when cook it will surely catch the appetite and attention of your family.

Source: www.cooksrecipe.com

Best but Simple Menu

As a mother and a cook, I always think on what food to cook for my family especially when there is an occasion. My children would demand for the best food to serve to their visitors. Same as usual I would go on to the different websites of recipe and look for best cookbooks to help me with what menu to cook.

Here is one of the simple menu which I tried and their friends like this. I’ve taken this from allrecipe.com.

Best but Simple Lasagna

Photo credit: Google

What you need:

1 pound sweet Italian sausage

3/4 pound lean ground beef

1/2 cup minced onion

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste

2 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce

1/2 cup water

2 tablespoons white sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves

1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 tablespoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

12 lasagna noodles

16 ounces ricotta cheese

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

What to Do:

1. In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
4. To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Try cooking this menu and I’m sure that your family will love it too.

Source: allrecipe.com

As a mother, During Father's Day

As a mother, during father's day, I'm very much curios on what food to serve to my family in celebration with the occasion. I want my kids to recognize their father's effort not only on father's day but all the day. But of course, I give much focus during this occasion.



As I think over on what to cook, this recipe which I have read from one of the famous web enter to my mind and I decided to try this. As usual it brought great effect to my family.

Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Pork Sausage Gravy 

Photo credit: Google

            
What You need
4 cups vegetable oil for frying 2 links pork sausage
1 cup all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon white pepper 2 ½ cups heavy cream
1 teaspoon garlic powder salt and black pepper to taste
3 eggs
1 clove garlic, mince
1 tablespoon copped fresh parsley
4 (4 ounce) beef tenderloin fillets, pounded thin
2 links pork sausage
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cup heavy cream
saltand black pepper to taste

What to Do:
1.Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2.In a bowl, stir together 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, white pepper, and garlic powder. In a separate bowl, beat eggs with garlic and parsley. Dredge each tenderloin fillet in seasoned flour, dip in egg mixture, and dip back into flour mixture. Shake off any excess flour.

3.Gently place the steaks into the hot oil, 2 at a time, and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.

4.Place the sausages in a small skillet over medium heat, and fry them until very dark brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. Finely chop the sausages, and set aside. In the same skillet, melt butter, and stir in 3 tablespoons of flour. Cook the butter-flour mixture until it turns a pale beige color, about 1 minute, then stir in the sausage, cream, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer, and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Serve sauce over the fried steaks.

A simple recipe but will make the family enjoy especially during father's day.
 
 
Source: allrecipe.com

Eggplant is One of the Favorite

Eggplant is one of the favorite of my kids especially when it is fried. Everytime I go to the market I always buy eggplant because I know that when I cook any recipe with eggplant my kids would enjoy eating. Eggplant is their favorite vegetable and I serve this to them trice to four times a week.

Here is the menu which I use to cook and if you try this I know for sure that your kids will love it too.

Eggplants in Eggs and Flour

Photo credit: Google

Here's what you need:

½ kg.medium size eggplants

3 eggs

1 cup flour

salt and seasoning

oil

1 medium onion

cloves of garlic

What to do:

Prick the eggplants with a fork and grill for 8 to 10 minutes in moderate heat until it is fully cook.

While grilling the eggplants, slice the garlic and onion, mix the eggs and flour, add salt and seasoning to taste, add the garlic and onion.

When the eggplant is cooked, remove from grill and remove the skin of the eggplants.

Flatten each eggplant by using a fork then put a little salt in both sides.

Heat the frying pan and put the oil.

Dip the flatten eggplant into your mixture. Be sure that every part is covered.

Fry the eggplant and turn to the other side when it is golden brown.

Continue on until all of the eggplants are cook.

Now this is ready to serve. To be more attractive you can serve this with sauce of your own choice.

Try this and for sure your kids will love and enjoy this simple ordinary recipe .

I know For Sure

I know for sure that each of us really love cooking. Everyone who visits this site wants to know more recipes and wishes to discover more nutritious food to serve for their family. As I think over about this topic I always put in mind that whatever I suggest or whatever I write for sure my kids would be the first to love it.

Here is another recipe that I had taken from the different websites that I visited while doing some research for food that my kids would love. This is a very simple recipe but I assure you that this is nutritious, good for the heart, and will bring satisfaction to your kids as they eat this.

This can also be done by kids but they need an adult supervision.

Berry Tasty Muffins

                                  

                                                         Photo Credit: Google

Help your kids prepare the following:

1 cup flour 1 cup outmeal

3 tbsp. Salt 3 tbsp. Sugar

1 cup milk 4 tbsp. Baking powder

1 cup blueberries, washed 1 egg

¼ cup vegetable oil nonstick cooking spray

Utensils needed:

Mixing spoon muffin/cupcake tin

2 large bowls papper muffin/cupcake liner

fork wire rack for cooling muffins

measuring cups and spoons

What to do:

1. Pre-heat oven to 400degrees fahrenheit (200 degrees celcius)
2. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, oatmeal, sugar, salt, and baking powder.
3. Mix in blueberries.
4. In another bowl, break the egg and use a fork to beat it, just a little bit. Then add the milk and vegetable oil and mix.
5. Add egg mixture to the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
6. Using a mixing spoon, mix about 25 to 30 times. Don't mix too much! Your muffin mixture should be lumpy, not smooth.
7. Line a muffin with paper liners or lightly spray with nonstick spray. Spoon in the muffin mix. Fill each muffin cup about 2/3 of the way up.
8. Bake for about 20 minutes.
9. When muffins are finished baking, remove from muffin tin and cool themon a wire rack.
10. Enjoy your berry tgasty muffins!

Nutritious Analysis Per Serving

136 calories

3g protein

6g carbohydrate

1 g fiber

18 mg cholesterol

344 mg sodium

86b mg calcium

0.9 mg iron

Note:Nutritional may vary depending on ingredients brand used.

Resources: http://kidshealth.org

                 en.wikipedia.org

A place where Family Enjoys

Truly, a home is a place where family stays together, and they even enjoy eating their snacks together. In this case, a mother is the one who should always think on what food to cook in order for her family to enjoy.

Here's a recipe which I had already tried and the kids really enjoy their snacks every time I serve this.

Family Doughnuts

Photo credit: Google

                                                             

Ingredients:

                                        

1 pck dry yeast (or 2 tsp yeast)

¼ cup sugar

¼ cup warm sugar1tsp salt

¾ cup likewarm milk

1 egg

¼ cup shortening or vegetable oil or margarine

3 ½ cups white flour (or partially whole milk)

What to do:

*Dissolve yeast in warm water.

*Stir in milk, sugar, salt, egg, shortening, and 2 cups of the flour. Beat till smooth.

*Mix in enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle. Add more flour if needed.

*Turn dough into lightly floured board or counter top; knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.

*Place in greased bowl; turn greased side up. Cover, let rise in warm place until double, about 1 ½

hours.

*Punch down and roll dough 3/8 inch thick on lightly floured area.

*Get several glasses (the size you want your donut to be) and cut out several round shapes. Use a metal

cap from any bottle to cut the holes in the middle. (Let all the kids help with rolling out and cutting

donuts).

*Heat oil (3 or 4 inches), to 375 degrees in deep pan.

*Drop doughnuts into hot fat. (only adults can do this.)

*Turn doughnuts as they rise to surface.

*Fry 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown on both sides.

*Carefully remove from oil; do not prick the surface.

*Drain on paper towels, while warm, roll doughnuts in sugar and cinnamon, or shake into sugar

mixture in a bag.

For Glaze: Blend 1/3 cup boiling water into 1 cup confectioner's sugar. Add any food color you like.

Dip warm doughnuts into warm glaze.

To Garnish: Sprinkle glazed doughnuts with chopped nuts, colored sugar or confetti candies. Do this

while glaze is still warm so they will stick to the glaze.

Try this, and I'm sure that the whole family will really enjoy in preparing, cooking and most of all sitting together and enjoying this great delicious snacks.

Source: Arlene Guina

Cooking with a Cause

Everyday, I always wonder

Everyday, I always wonder what to serve with my family during meal time. It seems that everyday they wish to have a new look at the table. As I mother I always tried my best on what to serve and look for menu that I'm sure would satisfy their food cravings. I always look at different recipes in order to have new look at the table.

FLORIDA BUTTER BEANS WITH CARAMELIZED ONION AND BACON

Photo credit: Google

                                                         

½ pound Florida butter beans,soaked

4 slices high-quality bacon,diced

2 ½ medium yellow onions

2 celery stalks, diced

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

salt

¾ teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves

freshly ground pepper

Put the beans and their soaking water in a stockpot and add more cold water if needed to cover the beans by 1 inch. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, partially covered, until the beans are beginning to soften, about an hour.

In a medium, heavy skillet over medium heat, saute the bacon until the fat is rendered and the bacon is beginning to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Removed with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Pour off all but two table spoons of the bacon fat from the pan over medium heat. Add to the celery and garlic and suate until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Add to the beans, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until the beans are tender, 1 to 1 ½ hours. When the beans are nearly soft, season them with salt.

Meanwhile, cut remaining 2 whole onions in half, then cut into thin slices. Wipe out the skillet with a paper towel, pour in two tablespoons of the reserved bacon fat, and set over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and a few pinches of salt. Cook, stirring, until the onions wilt. Reduce th heat to low and cook, stirring occassionaly, until the onions are medium brown, soft, and caramelized, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Add 2 tablespoons of water and stir to loosen any browned bits on the bottom of the fan. Add the thyme and season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the bacon to the caramelized onions and heat gently.

Top each serving of beans with some of the caramelized onions.

Ready to serve to your family and let them experience the Florida top recipe.

Source:www.thekitchn.com

Kitchen Adds Love

Truly kitchen adds love, because every menu that is being cook in the kitchen by a loving mother, touched with it's loving hands, create more love from the family and friends who are being served with that menu.

Here's another recipe which I've tried already and it has a great effect within my family and friends..

SPAGHETTI ALLA CARBONARA

Ingredients: 

425 gms. (15 oz) dried Spaghetti 25 gms. (1 oz.) 2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp. Olive oil salt and pepper

1 large onion, thinly sliced 175 gms. (6 oz) mushroom,thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic,chopped fresh sage sprigs to garnish

175 gms. (6 oz) rindless bacon 300 ml (½ pint) 1 ¼ cups double heavy cream

3 eggs beaten 100 gms. (3 ½ oz) 1 cup freshly grated parmesan

cheese plus extra for serve (optional)

How to Cook it:

• Warm a large serving dish or bowl. 
• Bring a large pan of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and 1 tbsp of oil and cook until tender, but still firm to the bite. Drain, return to the pan and keep warm. (Do not rinse pasta). 
• Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan (skillet) over a medium heat. 
• Add the garlic and bacon and fry until the bacon is crisp. Transfer to a warmer dish.
• Melt the butter in the frying pan (skillet). 
• Add the mushrooms and fry stirring occassionally for 3-4 minutes. 
• Return the bacon mixture to the pan. Cover and keep warm. 
• Mix together the cream, eggs and cheese in a large bowl and then season to taste with salt and pepper. Working very quickly, tip the spaghetti into the bacon and mushroom mixture and pour over the egg mixture, toss the spaghetti quickly into the egg and cream mixture, using 2 forks. 
• Garnish and serve with extra grated Parmesan.

Ready to serve...

Cooking tip:

The key success with this recipe is not to overcook the eggs. That is why it is important to keep all the ingredients hot enough to cook the eggs and to work rapidly to avoid scrambling it.

Source: Edith Mar

Cooking with a cause

My Children Demands Cheesecake

When it comes to cakes, my children would really demand for a cheesecake. I don't know if what is really behind those cheesecakes why is it that they really love it. Being a mother i'm always concern with my children's favorite. I simply go on to my favorite book which is recipe. I discovered here a pumpkin cheesecake that my children really loved when I tried to baked it for them.

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

Credit: http://sugarmamabakingco.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/blog-pumpkin-cheesecake1.jpeg

Filling:

4 (8 oz.) packages light cream cheese,softened

¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar

½ cup granulated sugar

6 eggs

16 oz of pumpkin

¼ cup heavy cream

11/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp ground cloves

½ tsp ginger

• Prepare crust, refrigerate until ready to fill. 
• Soften unwrapped creamcheese at room temperature. 
• Beat creamcheese in large bowl until fluppy. Gradually add sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating wellfter each addition. Add pumpkin. Pour into crust-lined pan. 
• Bake in pre-heated 325 degrees oven 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until center feels firm when touched. Cool in pan on wire rack. 
• Carefully run a sharp knife around edges to loosen sides so cake will not crack on top. 
• Remove from pan by placing in a plate on top, then turn it over.
• Put another plate on the “bottom” and turn over again. Or if you have a 'spring-form pan' chill completely before removing sides. Brush top and sides with maple syrup.
• Before serving, garnish with whipped cream and hopped walnuts. This recipe could also be put into 2 pie plates and baked for approximately 1 hour.

Crust:

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

3 tbsp melted butter

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tbsp firmly packed brown sugar

3 tbsp finely chopped walnut or peacans (optional)

• Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.
• Grease a cakepan or 9-inch or 10-inch spring form pan.
• Combine crumbs, butter, cinnamon, sugar and nuts. Line bottom and partly up the sides of prepared pan and refrigerate until ready to add filling.

Credit: http://just4ucheesecake.com/order/images/pumpkin_cheesecake.jpg

Now enjoy the delicious pumpkin cheesecake with your kids..

Eggplant Parmesan

This heartily casserole makes eight to ten generous servings. You can layer the eggplant, meatsauce and cheese well ahead of time, then bake it just before serving.

Credit: http://www.anthonyspizzamcdonough.com/images/eggplant_parmesan_dinner.jpg

What you need:

Eggplants olive or salad oil

3 eggs beaten with 1/3 cups water 
1 lb. Mozarella cheese

All purpose flour (Quickmelt cheese will do)

½ grated parmesan cheese

What to do:

• Cut eggplant into slices into ¼ inch thick. Coat each slice with flour and shake off excess. 
• Heat about ¼ inch oil in wide frying pan over medium-high heat. Dip eggplant slices in egg mixture, drain briefly and cook without crowding, adding oil as needed, until well browned and tender when pierced. 
• Drain on paper towels. Arrange about half the eggplant in a shallow 3 to 4 quarts casserole.
• Spoon half the meatsauce over it, then cover sauce with mozarella. Repeat with layers of eggplants, meatsauce and mozarella. Top with parmesan cheese (at this point you may cover and refrigerate, if made ahead). 
• Bake, uncovered in a 375 degrees fahrenheit oven for 40 minutes (50 minutes if refrigerated ) or until bubbly. Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Meatsauce:

• In 5 or 6 quarts kettle, krumble 1 ½ lbs. (680 gms.) lean ground beef and add 1 ¼ to 1 ½ lbs thinly sliced mild Italian pork sausages (using removed),1 seeded green bell pepper (finely chopped ), 2 medium sized onions (chopped) and ½ lb mushrooms (chopped). 
• Cook over medium heat , stirring frequently, until meat is no longer pink. 
• Add, large can (6 oz.) tomato paste. 
• Cook rapidly, uncovered, until sauce is very thick (about 45 minutes) stirring often. Remove from heat and let stand understurbed for 5 to 10 minutes, then skin and discard fat. 
• Use sauce hot or cold, you may cover and refrigerate sauce for up to 4 days; freeze for longer storage.

Credit: http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub//1203_edf_eggplantparm_l.jpg

Try this and you will realize that cooking really contributes a lot to your family.

It's Pizza Time!!

It's pizza time, kids would come up running when they saw their mother having a plate of pizza. Children and adults love to eat pizza. Many mothers would like to bake pizza for their kids to enjoy. Here's a simple pizza recipe from “STEP-BY-STEP COOKBOOK” by John Peacock and Hillary Miller.

Credit: http://www.olathe.lib.ks.us/teens/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/pizza.jpg

PIZZA

Pizza base:

1x400 gms can whole peeled tomatoes

2 tsp active dry yeast preferably Italian

1 tsp sugar

1 tbsp tomato paste

250 ml. (8 fl.oz) warm water

1 plumb clove garlic,crushed

1 tbsp. white bread flour

1 tsp dried basil

300 gms (11 oz) white bread flour

1tsp dried oregano

2 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

salt and freshly ground black pepper

300 gms (11 oz) mozzarella cheese grated

toppings of your choice, e.g. salami, mushrooms

tuna, green and red pepper, ham, sliced onion

olives, shrimps, asparagus

1 tbsp gated parmesan

• Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water in a large mixing bowl. 
• Sprinkle with 1 tbsp flour, cover with a cloth and put in a warm place for approximately 10 minutes, until frothy. 
• Sift 250 gms (9 oz) flour and salt over yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon to form a dough, adding remaining flour as necessary. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 5 minutes. Place in a lghtly oiled bowl, cover, and put in a warm place until doubled in size. This will take approximately 1 hour.
• Preparing topping for pizza by slicing tomatoes and placing in a pan with juice and tomato paste. Add garlic, herbs, sugar, and seasoning.
• Simmer for 5-10 minutes, with the lid off to allow mixture to reduce. Cool. 
• Knock down proven dough for 1 minute on a lightly floured surface. Roll out into a large circle with a diameter of approximately 35 cm. (14 in., or into smaller circles. 
• Spread pizza base with cooled tomato mixture. Sprinkle with grated mozarella cheese, followed by toppings of your choice.
• Finally, sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese. Bake at 220 degrees celcius (425 degrees fahrenheit/ gas 7) for about 15 minutes. 

Credit: http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/strollerderby/2009/02/pizza-pepperoni-bacon-1.jpg

Serve imediately. Serve 4.

Serve it now for your kids to enjoy it.

Simple Fried Chicken

Everywhere around the world, one of the fastest growing businesses nowadays are food chain, restaurant, and other food company. Almost all of them serve numerous chicken recipes. This record just shows that people really crave for food specially chicken. They are looking for a food which will meet their satisfaction.

Many would would visit website just to know more about new recipes, read books about recipe, just to find out menu that would be very easy to follow and food which will satisfy their taste.

Being one of them, I'm also looking for the best food to serve for my family. In doing this, I found out a new and simpliest easy to cook recipe. I tried it and it works, I got a delicious and nutritious menu.


Here's my simple recipe.

Credit: http://www.google.com.ph/imglanding?q=simple%20fried%20chicken&imgurl

Ingredients:

1 dressed chicken (approx. 1 kil) cut into pieces
½ cup soy sauce
3 tbsp vinegar
garlic (cut into small cubes)
medium onion cut into pieces
1 tsp.salt

for frying:

oil
bread crumbs
cooking steps:

• Combine all ingredients together except oil and bread crumbs.
• Soak the chicken into the combined ingredients for 1 hour.
• Remove chicken and roll it in the bread crumbs.
• Heat the pan and place exact amount of oil.
• Deep fry the chicken until golden brown.
• Ready to serve with your favorite sauce.

Credit: http://mikes-table.themulligans.org/fried_chicken_hushpuppies-3.jpg

This is just a very simple and easy to cook recipe, but I'm sure that if you try this you will really feel the delicious and nutritious food which will satisfy your cravings.

With less expense and easy to cook method now you can have this “Simple Fried Chicken” recipe.

Paradise Chicken Salad in Pineapple Boats

Try this chicken salad in pineapple boats and you'll experience a real different taste which will satisfy your cravings due to its delicious savour.

Ingredients:

2 fresh pineapple (uncut)

1 medium banana, sliced

2 ½ cups cubed cooked chicken

1/3 cup salted peanuts

¾ cup diced celery

1 cup (11 oz.) mandarine orange segments drained canned pineapple chunks (equivalent to what is removed from fresh pineapple or to taste)

1 can of pineapple chunks


Procedures:

• Prepare pineapple shells.
• Cut in half lenghtwise through green top.
• Cut each in half again. (should have 4 pieces from each pineapple with green top intact.)
• Remove fruit from each section.
• Cut fruit into chunks.
• Drain pineapple shells (upsidedown) on paper towel.
• Combine pineapple, chicken and celery in large bowl.
• Cover and refrigerate. 

Dressing: 

¾ cup mayonnaise

2 tbsp chopped chutney

1 tsp curry powder

• In a small bowl, mix dressing ingredients.
• Cover and refrigerate.
• Just before serving, drain any juice from fruit/chicken mixture.
• Add banana and peanuts; toss lightly with dressing.
• Fill pineapple boats.
• Sprinkle each with coconut and garnish with mandarine orange segments.

This is nice for a fancy luncheon salad/entree. Tastes and looks great too.

If delicious foods is your weakness you can now try this simple “Paradise Chicken Salad in Pineapple Boats”. You”ll keep on making this one because through this salad you can experience a new delicious taste.

Health: Food is good but we always need to have a diet in order to stay away from obesity...

Source: Linda Reed

Cooking with a Cause