Fantastic Food

this is my new favorite salad: Chicken breast, marinated in Yoshida's for at least an hour, then grilled Romaine lettuce, chopped Spinach (optional) handful craisins 2 Tbs. chopped scallions 1/2 c. grated carrot One 11 oz. can mandarin oranges sliced sweet pepper (optional) slivered almonds (optional) Dressing--put all the following ingredients in a bowl and whisk together: 1/3 cup rice wine vinegar 1 teaspoon minced garlic (or 1/4 tsp. garlic powder) 1 teaspoon minced ginger (or 1/4 tsp. ginger powder) 2 tablespoons canola OR olive oil 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons chili-garlic sauce or chili sauce (less or more to desired level of spice) 

This cake is soooo moist and delicious!  I actually didn't even have the right chocolate (just regular semi-sweet, not dark) and it STILL tasted awesome!  I can't wait to try it with the dark chocolate :)  By Chef Tyler Florence Ingredients 2 1/2 cups cake flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature 2 cups sugar 3 1/2 ounces semisweet or bittersweet dark chocolate, melted and cooled 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 eggs 1 1/2 cups cold water Chocolate Chip Butter Cream, recipe follows Dark chocolate shavings, for decoration Directions Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl,  sift  together the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and the sugar until light and fluffy. Add the cooled chocolate and vanilla and beat for 3 minutes to incorporate. Beat in the  eggs  one at a t...

Ingredients 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast 1 teaspoon white sugar 1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C) 2 1/2 cups bread flour 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon salt Directions Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). In a medium bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes. Stir in flour, salt and oil. Beat until smooth. Let rest for 5 minutes. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat or roll into a round. Transfer crust to a lightly greased pizza pan or baker's peel dusted with cornmeal. Spread with desired toppings and bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Let baked pizza cool for 5 minutes before serving. Nutritional Information  Amount Per Serving   Calories:  189  | Total Fat:  4.1g  | Cholesterol:  0mg

ITALIAN SAUSAGE SOUP 1 ½ lbs mild Italian sausages, cut into ½ inch slices 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed 2 large onions, chopped 1 large can (about 28 oz) Italian-style tomatoes 3 cans (14 ½ oz each) regular-strength beef broth 1 ½ cups water ½ tsp dry basil 1 Tbs dry parsley 1 medium-size chopped green pepper 2 medium-size zucchini (1/2” slices) 5 oz (about 3 cups) bow-shaped noodles Grated Parmesan cheese (optional) 1. In a 5-quart heavy pot, over medium high-heat, cook sausage slices until lightly browned on the outside and no longer pink inside when slashed. Remove from pot with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels, and set aside. Spoon off and discard all but 3 Tbs. drippings. Add garlic and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft (about 5 minutes). 2. Stir in tomatoes (break up with a spoon) and their liquid; then add sausage slices, broth, water, and basil. Bring to a full rolling boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes...

1 medium onion, minced 2 green bell peppers, chopped 1 lb. bacon 3 Tbs. worcestershire sauce 2/3 cup Ketchup 1 15 oz. can pineapple tidbits, drained (or crushed pineapple) 8-9 cups pork & beans (or 1 3lb., 5oz. can + 1 1lb. 15 oz. can) 1 cup brown sugar 2 Tbs. molasses 1 1/2 Tbs. red vinegar Directions: Cook bacon so that it's easily crumbled.  Using a couple Tbs. of leftover bacon grease, saute onion and peppers for 2 or 3 minutes, then add all remaining ingredients except  pork & beans.  Simmer for a few minutes, then mix with pork & beans in a large bowl.  Pour in a greased 9x13 baking dish and bake @ 350 degrees for 1 hour, uncovered.  (it might not all fit in the 9x13 dish, especially if you use more beans.  I typically cook it in the next size smaller and put the rest in another dish, then put them in the oven together.)  Serves 15 or so.

Yet another recipe from Tyler Florence, but with a few of my own changes. *This feeds a good size crowd, probably 15 or so depending on the appetites...   Ingredients Dry Rub: 3 tablespoons paprika 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon dry mustard 2 tablespoons coarse sea salt 1 (5 to 7 pound) pork roast, preferably shoulder or Boston butt Cider-Vinegar Barbecue Sauce: 1 cup cider vinegar 2/3 cup yellow or brown mustard 1 cup ketchup 2/3 cup packed brown sugar 2 garlic cloves, smashed 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon cayenne 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Pan drippings from the pork *The sauce smells VERY strongly of vinegar (and this is quite a bit toned down from his original recipe), but don't worry--when mixed with the meat, it all comes together perfectly! 12 hamburger buns 1 recipe Cole Slaw, recipe follows Pickle spears, for serving Directions Mix the paprika, garlic power,...

I'm a big scone lover, and these are amazing !!  The recipe is from one of my favorite food network chefs, Tyler Florence.  I think the glaze really makes them pop with flavor. Ingredients Blueberry  Scones: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons sugar 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold, cut in chunks 1 cup heavy cream, plus more for brushing the scones 1 cup fresh blueberries Lemon  Glaze : 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted 1 lemon,  zest  finely grated 1 tablespoon unsalted butter Directions Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Sift  together the dry ingredients; the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Using 2 forks or a  pastry blender , cut in the butter to coat the pieces with the flour. The mixture should look like coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center and pour in the heavy  cream . Fold everything together just to incorporate; d...