Key Lime Pie

This year for Thanksgiving, I decided to make Key Lime Pie, instead of something you can simply buy around this time of year, like pumpkin pie. This was my very first time making this pie and I was nervous about how it was going to come out. All I know is that I tried the yogurt for Key Lime Pie and it was so good. So I decided to try making it myself; besides anything can be slightly or abruptly changed when you're cooking.

Ingredients:
~ 3 large egg yolks
~ 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
~ 1 tablespoon grated Key lime rind
~ 1/2 cup fresh Key lime juice
~ green food coloring (optional)
~ 1/2 cup whipping cream
 FOR THE CRUST:
~ 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
~5 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

First you have to preheat the oven to 350F. Then you begin to make the crust; you put all the graham cracker crumbs in a bowl, add the butter or margarine and mix. Then you press the crumbs evenly over the bottom and sides of the 9" pie pan. Bake the crust for 8 minutes and then set aside and let cool. In a large separate bowl, beat the yolks until they are nice and thick. Beat in the milk, lime rind, and juice-and coloring if you are using it. You then pour the mixture into the prebaked pie shell and refrigerate until set, about 4 hours. When it is ready to serve, whip the cream. Pipe a lattice pattern on top or you can spoon dollops around the edges.

I made this pie for Thanksgiving and brought it to the dinner that we were having with our neighbors. When they decided to put the desert out on the table, many were intriuged with the green colored desert. When everyone ate it they liked it, but there were some flaws pointed out. It turned out that the pie was too lemon-y. There was to much lime rind in it. So, if you're making this; I would suggest using less lime rind. About a quarter of a teaspoon would be appropriate. In the end, it was well liked and delicious. This is definately a recipie worth trying!

Chicken Picatta

My mom loves to cook chicken, all types. And chicken picatta is one of her favorites. For this recipie, we usually cook rice or pasta for a side dish, but that is optional. Once you've tried this amazing chicken meal, you'll want to cook it again and again. Hope you enjoy it!

To make this flavorful dish, you will need:
~ 4-6 thin Chicken Breasts
~2 fine chopped scallions
~2-3 chooped garlilc cloves
~6 oz. chicken broth
~olive oil
~1/2 cup cooking sherry or white wine
~flour
~1 lemon (all juice)
~salt and pepper
~1-2 tbsp. capers

First, you must heat the pan- put a thin layer of olive oil, to prevent burning. Heat to very hot- to this point where it even feels like its burning when you put your hand a foot above the pan. Next, pour the flour onto a plate and dredge the chicken in the flour. Sautee each side for 2-3  minutes- sprinkle a little salt and pepper on each side. Remove chicken from heat, and place onto a plate on the side. (To preserve the heat, you may cover the chicken strips with aluminuim foil). Then, deglaze the pan with the garlic, lemon, scallions, wine, and broth. You then put the poultry back in the pan, cover and simmer on loow heat  for about 5-10 minutes.

I made this meal with my mom the other night and we had a blast cooking it! It turned out delicious and everyone loved it for dinner. Unfortunately, that didn't last very long. But that is a good result, and shows that it was a good meal. I encourage everyone to try this appetizing dish and possibly even serve it at the next get-together you have with friends and family.

Looking For A Quick And Tasty Snack?

I actually found this recipe online, and I really liked it! So, I decided to try it, and it sure was delicious! It is the perfect snack if you are looking for something chocolaty and peanut buttery. It's quick and easy and is a recipe that you'll definitely want to keep for future party planning. This easy treat is called Reese's Squares. And guess what? IT REQUIRES NO BAKING!

You'll Need:

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1 lb confectioner's sugar (3 to 3 1/2 cups)

1 1/2 cups peanut butter 

1 cup butter, melted

1 (12 ounce) bag milk chocolate chips

First you must combine the graham crumbs, sugar and peanut butter and then mix well. Next, you blend in all of the melted butter until well combined. Then,  firmly press the mixture evenly into a 9 x 13 inch pan. Melt chocolate chips in microwave or in double boiler, and spread over the peanut butter mixture. Then chill until just set and then cut into bars (these are very hard to cut if the chocolate gets "rock hard").

This recipe was actually a good turn out for me. Although my family enjoys a sweet treat every now and then, they don't really go for chocolate and peanut butter together. But surprisingly, they really liked them, and I even ended up giving a portion of them to my neighbors. And they enjoyed them just as well.

http://food.sndimg.com/img/recipes/29/67/9/small/picdjGLS3.jpg

Stuffed Shells May Be What's For Dinner Tonight

Pasta may seem like the common, easy-yet boring to eat meal. But I think it just depends on how the pasta is cooked and what flavors you add to it. You can make fettuccini, lingiuni, elbows, angel hair, or just plain spaghetti. But my pesronal favorite are shells. You can practically cook them in any way, and with anything. Well, my love for this type of pasta has created options and new ways to cook them. But if there is one thing I've learned from such experience, it is: I love stuffed shells.

So I decided that today I'd teach you how to make this delicious meal.

  Stuffed Shells
For this recipie you need:
~3 cups of Ricotta Cheese
~1 1/2 cups of shredded Mozzerella Cheese
~1 box of Shells
~2 eggs
~1 tablespoon parsley
~1/2 teaspoon garlic
~ a dash of oregano

First, you must boil the shells in some lightly salted water. Just for about 4 to 5 minutes. Then drain the shells, either in paper towels, some waxed paper, or by drainer. Then mix the shredded Mozzerella Cheese, eggs, parsley, garlic, and oregano in a medium-sized bowl. When the shells are fully drained, stuff the shells with the cheese mixture. Then, place all the shells in a glass tray 9'13" and place into the oven. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes- or until heated through. And it is optional, but you can also sprinkle some cheese over the shells once you put them into the oven. Then, just enjoy the meal!

So, I made the stuffed shells for dinner the other night, and fortunately it came out close to perfection. I thought I was going to have a few problems at first because, after about 10 minutes into the cooking, I checked on the shells and saw no difference. I started to worry that the whole recipie was going to be ruined, but thankfully it was just me. The shells came out fine! They came out nice, warm and cheesy. I hope it comes out as delicious for you, as it did for me!

Making Dutch Butter Cookies

So, today I decided I was going to make this delicious recipe I found at home called Dutch Butter Cookies. And, I know, I know, it sounds kind of nasty at first, you think "BUTTER? Eww, gross." But butter isn't even the main ingredient you taste, in these amazing cookies! It tasted absolutely fabulous; warm and sweet, with a nice cup of tea, on this cold October day.

I was all ready and set to begin my cooking today, when I realized, I didn't have enough sugar. So, there is the first lesson to be learned: ALWAYS CHECK FOR ALL INGREDIENTS, FIRST. So, I guess its good to be friends with all your neighbors, you never know when you will need a cup of sugar!

So here is how to make these scrumptious cookies:
Ingredients Needed:
~1 3/4 cups of flour
~1 1/2 sticks of butter
~1 cup of sugar
~1 egg

In a bowl, knead everything together. For those of you who don't know what "knead" is, it means to punch the dough almost. Just not too violently. Then, spread the mixture in the bottom of a 9" spring form type pan. Bake in the oven at 375 for 30-35 minutes. Sprinkle sugar on top after it has been removed from the oven. Let it cool off, 2-3 minutes.Cut into wedges and serve warm.


After I made them, I gave a piece to everyone in my family, and they said they liked it!My younger siblings in particular, who like just about everything that contains sugar, enjoyed it the most. It was a fun experience, and I will definitely be cooking something else for next time!

What I Have Learned This Summer With Master Chef

This whole past summer, I have been watching the show Master Chef. This show has three of America’s top chefs who judged about 20 to 25 average people all over America who thought they could be the Master Chef. In the end, if you won the whole competition, you would win $250,000 and they would allow you to open your own restaurant. These small little cooking skills would always challenge you and your skills in the kitchen. At the end of every episode there would be at least one person going back home, ending their time on Master Chef. I learned a lot watching this show; like how long a soufflé is supposed be out of the oven before it deflates, how just the mood in the area can totally change the fluffiness in egg whites, or how to hand make pasta. I love working in the kitchen, and will soon be cooking something of my own, and sharing it.