Salted Caramel Chocolate Shortbread Bars

Salted Caramel Chocolate Shortbread Bars INGREDIENTS: Yield about 5 dozens For the shortbread layer: 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp. baking powder ¼ tsp. salt 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature ½ cup sugar For the caramel layer: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces 1 cup sugar 4 tbsp. light corn syrup 2 (14 oz.) cans sweetened condensed milk For the chocolate layer: 8 oz. semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped 1 tsp. light corn syrup ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces Fleur de sel or sea salt, for sprinkling DIRECTIONS: To make the shortbread layer, preheat the oven to 325° F. Line...

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Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

Mint Chocolate Chip CupcakesINGREDIENTS: For the Cupcakes 1 (18.25 ounce) package devil’s food cake mix 1 (3.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix 1 cup sour cream 1 cup vegetable oil 4 eggs, lightly beaten 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1/2 cup warm water 1 1/2 cups Andes Crème de Menthe baking chips For the Frosting 4 sticks (2 cups) unsalted butter, room temperature 1.5 pounds (28 ounces) confectioners' sugar, sifted 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream green gel dye 1/4 teaspoon pure peppermint extract 2 ounces semi sweet chocolate, melted and cooled 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder mini chocolate...

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Bread Thickened Sicilian Tomato-Basil Soup

Bread Thickened Sicilian Tomato-Basil SoupINGREDIENTS: Serves 3-4 2 1/4 cup water 10 scallions, white and green parts both chopped and separated 3 cloves garlic, minced 4 tomatoes, chopped 1/4 balsamic vinegar 20 basil leaves, 3/4 shredded and 1/4 left whole for garnish 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper 2 cups vegetable broth salt and pepper to taste 8 oz. Italian bread, torn into small pieces DIRECTIONS: In large pot, heat 1/4 cup water over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook 3 minutes. Add the white part of the scallions, tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, shredded basil and cayenne pepper. Cook over medium high heat for 10 minutes, stirring often. Add the...

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Double Chocolate Banana Muffins

Double Chocolate Banana MuffinsINGREDIENTS: 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/3 cup cocoa powder 1 1/4 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1 large banana 1/2 cup sour cream 1 large egg 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup canola oil 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips. DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a muffin tin. I used a jumbo muffin tin. This recipe will make 12 regular-size muffins or 6 jumbo muffins. In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. In a bowl of a mixer, whisk banana and sour cream together until combined. Add egg, brown...

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Miniature Blueberry Cheesecakes

Miniature Blueberry CheesecakesINGREDIENTS: 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature 3/4 cup sugar 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 pint blueberries 24 vanilla wafer cookies DIRECTIONS: In a food processor pulse cream cheese, sugar, zest and vanilla to combine. Add blueberries and pulse until mixed. Cut 24 small rounds of waxed paper and fit each into a cup of a 24-cup miniature muffin tin. Divide blueberry mixture among cups, spooning in mixture on top of waxed paper. Gently smooth with an offset spatula or back of a teaspoon. Place 1 vanilla wafer, flat side up,...

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Grilled Eggplant, Goat Cheese, and Sun-dried Tomato Burger

Grilled Eggplant, Goat Cheese, and Sun-dried Tomato BurgerINGREDIENTS: Serves 4 12 oz goat cheese log 3 tablespoons flour salt and fresh ground black pepper 2 eggs, beaten for egg wash 1 1/2 cups panko crumbs vegetable or sunflower oil for frying 4 thick slices eggplant olive oil for brushing 4 plain or sourdough burger buns (I bought pretzel buns from Trader Joe’s – yum) 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil 1 cup arugula balsamic vinaigrette 1/2 cup spicy tomato relish (see below for recipe) DIRECTIONS: Divide the goat cheese log into four equal parts – mold into patty shapes carefully so the cheese doesn’t crumble apart. Mix flour, salt,...

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Aubergine & Green Bean Curry

Aubergine & Green Bean CurryINGREDIENTS: Serves 6 - 8 Sunflower oil, for frying 5 aubergines, sliced into long wedges 400ml coconut milk 300ml roast tomato passata 300g green beans For the curry paste 6 garlic cloves, roughly chopped 5-6 shallots, roughly chopped 2 thumb-sized pieces of ginger, roughly chopped 4 hearts of lemongrass, chopped 5 green chillies, deseeded and roughly chopped 2 tsp ground coriander 2 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp turmeric For the raita 3 tsp mango chutney 8 tbsp plain yogurt Fresh coriander, to garnish DIRECTIONS: Put all the paste mix ingredients into a blender along with a couple of tablespoons of water...

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