Showing posts with label Scrumtrulescent Saturdays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scrumtrulescent Saturdays. Show all posts

Saturday, March 19, 2011

I need to stop partying...

So any one notice the absence of Scrumtrulescent Saturdays?
because I just don't know about it.

I have 3 other "parties" going on every week and recipes are not my high point.
Don't get  me wrong, I love recipes and trying them out.  But I'm no foodie.
I don't experiment with spices or any other edible item...
which there is nothing wrong with that!  I wish I were like that...my husband wishes I were like that!
I just try to get through each week to feed my family :)

So i think we are going to retire "Scrumtrulescent Saturdays".  
It's had a very strong 3 week run, don't you think?
I need the weekend free to hang out with my family and to do nothing.

So if you've come over today, wanting to link up, you can still leave a comment with the link and I will go visit your recipe.  I love seeing what everyone makes.  I've tried a few that have linked up these past few weeks and I am so impressed!  So much talent on blogland.

Anyways, you guys have a great weekend.  I'll see you tomorrow for Scrapbook Sundays!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

scrumtrulescent saturdays.



 Another week, another wonderful group of recipes!

Jen over at Pinstripe to Pearls shares this Easy Peasy Baked Ziti

Lindsey at Inspiring Creations has some yummy Spanish Rice...and a Raspberry Slushy!

Thanks so much guys for partying with me!
Grab yourselves a Feature button!!

Alright, on to my recipe.

Our weekly menu usually has just a simple, plain but delish B.L.T.
Yep, we love our BLT's around here.

And I have the best way to cook the bacon.
I got this idea from my friend Maggie and BLT's have never been the same since.
It's all how you prepare the bacon before you cook it.
take 3 slices of bacon, cut it in half.
Then lay down 3 halfs then take the other 3 and weave them together, like so:
That's for two sandwiches above.

Throw it on the grill, flip when needs be and you'll get a lovely grid of bacon that fits perfectly on your sandwich!


YUM.

I'll be Linking up to THESE parties!




Please grab a button and put on the post or blog when joining us so everyone can know and follow along!
Use a specific link to your recipe.




Saturday, March 5, 2011

scrumtrulescent saturdays #2



Week #2 is here!  I am so stoked for the attendance I had last week!  So many yummy recipes!
Let's see all who linked up, shall we?

Country Girl has these delectable Butterfinger Cupcakes!

It's a Crafty Life showed us some good ol' Chicken Pot Pie!

The Crafty Gals has a very yummy looking Taco Soup.


I'm a Mom, not a Professional showed us how to make Rolo Cookies!

TNT Cook has these yummy pulled pork sandwiches.

These pizza bites look yummy at anytime, by Our Little Beehive.


These Rockin' Lobster Sliders look delish from Simple Sweetness.

I definitely want to try these Molten Lava Cakes by Pinstripes to Pearls 

Desi over at SteakN'PotatoesKindaGurl made Butterscotch Banana Bread!

Thanks so much guys for partying with me!
Grab yourselves a Feature button!!

Alright, on to my recipe.


Old-Fashioned Chocolate Layer Cake

From America's Test Kitchen



Do not let the length of this recipe scare or intimidate you!  It is worth it all!

Do not substitute semisweet chocolate chips for the chopped semisweet chocolate in the frosting—chocolate chips contain less cocoa butter than bar chocolate and will not melt as readily.

.

For best results, don't make the frosting until the cakes are cooled, and use the frosting as soon as it is ready. If the frosting gets too cold and stiff to spread easily, wrap the mixer bowl with a towel soaked in hot water and mix on low speed until the frosting appears creamy and smooth. Refrigerated leftover cake should sit at room temperature before serving until the frosting softens.

Serves 10 to 12
.

Cake
12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), very soft, plus extra for greasing pans
1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (8 3/4 ounces), plus extra for dusting pans
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate , coarsely chopped
1/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa (3/4 ounce)
1/2 cup hot water
1 3/4 cups sugar (12 1/4 ounces)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon table salt
1 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 large eggs
2 large egg yolks


~



Frosting
16 ounces semisweet chocolate , finely chopped
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick)
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons corn syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1 1/4 cups heavy cream (cold)



1. FOR THE CAKE: Adjust oven rack to middle position; heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9-inch-round by 2-inch-high cake pans with softened butter; dust pans with flour and knock out excess. Combine chocolate, cocoa powder, and hot water in medium heatproof bowl; set bowl over saucepan containing 1 inch of simmering water and stir with rubber spatula until chocolate is melted, about 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup sugar to chocolate mixture and stir until thick and glossy, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove bowl from heat and set aside to cool.

~
2. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in medium bowl.

-Combine buttermilk and vanilla in small bowl.

-In bowl of standing mixer fitted with whisk attachment, whisk eggs and yolks on medium-low speed until combined, about 10 seconds.

-Add remaining 1 1/4 cups sugar, increase speed to high, and whisk until fluffy and lightened in color, 2 to 3 minutes.

-Replace whisk with paddle attachment.

-Add cooled chocolate mixture to egg/sugar mixture and mix on medium speed until thoroughly incorporated, 30 to 45 seconds, pausing to scrape down sides of bowl with rubber spatula as needed.

-Add softened butter one tablespoon at a time, mixing about 10 seconds after each addition.

-Add about one-third of flour mixture followed by half of buttermilk mixture, mixing until incorporated after each addition (about 15 seconds).

-Repeat using half of remaining flour mixture and all of remaining buttermilk mixture (batter may appear separated).

-Scrape down sides of bowl and add remaining flour mixture; mix at medium-low speed until batter is thoroughly combined, about 15 seconds.

-Remove bowl from mixer and fold batter once or twice with rubber spatula to incorporate any remaining flour.

-Divide batter evenly between prepared cake pans; smooth batter to edges of pan with spatula.
~

3. Bake cakes until toothpick inserted into center comes out with a few crumbs attached, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool cakes in pans 15 minutes, then invert onto wire rack. Cool cakes to room temperature before frosting, 45 to 60 minutes.

~

4. TO MAKE FROSTING: Melt chocolate in heatproof bowl set over saucepan containing 1 inch of barely simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove from heat and set aside. Meanwhile, heat butter in small saucepan over medium-low heat until melted. Increase heat to medium; add sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, and salt and stir with heatproof rubber spatula until sugar is dissolved, 4 to 5 minutes. Add melted chocolate, butter mixture, and cream to clean bowl of standing mixer and stir to thoroughly combine.
~

5. Place mixer bowl over ice bath and stir mixture constantly with rubber spatula until frosting is thick and just beginning to harden against sides of bowl, 1 to 2 minutes (frosting should be 70 degrees). Place bowl on standing mixer fitted with paddle attachment and beat on medium-high speed until frosting is light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir with rubber spatula until completely smooth.

~

6. TO FROST CAKE: Place one cake layer on serving platter or cardboard round. Spread 1 1/2 cups frosting evenly across top of cake with spatula. Place second cake layer on top, then spread remaining frosting evenly over top and sides of cake. Cut into slices and serve.

I'll be Linking up to THESE parties!



Saturday, February 26, 2011

Scrumtrulescent Saturdays Party: Green Mountain Pizza



Saturdays I will share a recipe with you and you then can link up a fav recipe too!
doesn't that sound good?
so Welcome to Scrumtrulescent Saturdays!
And I would LOVE to see any yummy recipes you might have too.
So link them up at the end :)


So today, I will share with you my favorite pizza ever:

Green Mountain Pizza
don't you love the heart shaped wonder?

So I got this recipe from my good friend Jaime.  She actually invited us over when we first moved to San Antonio.  We ate this pizza and both my husband and I were in love.
Anyways, here's the recipe today.

Ingredients:
1/4 c Alfredo cause (any kind BUT Ragu)
2 chicken breast halves (8 oz) cooked and shredded (Cut chicken into cubes and then cook in 1-2 tbsp of bacon greese. )
16 oz. Pizza crust (see below)
1/2 lb bacon, cut into 1/2 in. pieces
10 large fresh spinach leaves
2 c. grated mozzarella cheese
4-6 green onions, sliced diagonally
2 c. grated Swiss cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread Alfredo souce evenly over pizza crust. Arrange spinach leaves over sauce. Add green onions, shredded chicken and bacon. Sprinkle Cheeses over top. Bake for 15 minutes or until bubbly. Serves 4 huge portions. (this pizza is very filling!)

Here's the best pizza dough you will ever have!
Pizza Dough from Bobbi Johnson

4 c. flour
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. instant yeast
1 1/2 c. hot water

Combine yeast and water. Set aside. Combine flour, sugar, and salt. Add yeast mixture. Knead for 10 minutes and let rise until double. Spread out on pizza pan. Add sauce and toppings. Preheat oven at 350 degrees, bake for 20-30 minutes or until cheese melts.

So here's a few tips for you:

cut the bacon into 2 inch or less pieces and cook.

 Save the grease for the chicken!
 Place the chicken in the bacon grease to brown.  Set both aside for the pizza.


Now the dough...I highly recommend this instant yeast.  works like a charm every time!
 Follow directions in the recipe.  Mix yeast and hot water first.  Combine the dry ingredients then slowly combine the two.
 I use these kneading attachments.  
Don't use your normal mixing attachments.  
You need to knead the dough..duh!..say that 3 times fast!
 And what kitchen wouldn't be complete with out a "empty all drawers" attack from your 16 month old during cooking time?..oh that rascal!
 Let the dough rise for about 15 minutes.  I let that sit and then get the rest of the ingredients ready, like cut up the onions and grate the cheese.  Saves time!

Anyways, after all your efforts, you will have a delicious meal!




OHHH and I forgot some big news.
I have a HUGE surprise in store.  But in order to get things going, I need to have at least 200 followers!!
I need your help!  
Please, if you like what you see, follow me!...there's a catchy tune right there folks, eh? eh?
seriously, I would love your help in spreading the news about this blog.
And don't forget the giveaway going on right now!


Alrighty, grab a button & link up!