Empanadas Galore!

272.  Empanadas!!!  The word evokes happy thoughts!!!

Recently, a group of my friends got together to make empanadas.  It was for a fund raiser.  Everyone took orders from friends and family and we set to work.  

We counted out all the orders and came to realize, we needed to make over 1000!!!  in one day!!!!

 We started at 9:00a.m. and had such a great time visiting, talking and yes...eating empanadas.

 We made three huge batches of beef filling with great spices.  It was easier for us to use pre-made empanada dough rounds.

 We also made two huge batches of chicken filling along with mixed cheese filling.

 Half way through the day, our hosts served us a beautiful meal of roast pork "Pernil" and fantastic rice and pigeon peas,  "Arroz Con Gandules" and a beautiful salad.

 Along with that...a steady flow of espresso (as you can see my little cup in this picture), to keep us going!

This was quite the experience and so enjoyable.  By 11:00p.m. we finally finished and were all throughly exhausted, but so happy to work together.  Our hosts were amazing!!!!

These empanadas we fried in hot oil.  What tasty little things they are.  I officially know all about empanadas now...but realized that day...I do not want to work in an empanada factory, I'll stick with my day job!!!

"Have a Great Empanada Day!"
~The Empanada Chef

Striped Bass Fillets with Lemon Rice

223. Today our friend John brought us beautiful fillets of striped bass caught fresh from the Atlantic off Long Island ( NY) shore .

John's brother Billy prepared the fish impeccably! The fillets were beautiful! And each was wrapped separately in plastic wrap.

The fish was so fresh it had no scent at all! John's brother Billy is the Executive Chef at Becco

in NYC. Billy said to season it with salt and pepper and place it in a hot pan with heated olive oil. Sear about 3 minutes then place under the broiler for about 3 more minutes.

The fish cooked beautifully.

It was so flakey and tender. I brushed butter on the top and small amount of lemon juice.

To accompany the fish I made a side of Lemon Rice.

Lemon Rice

I place 3 Tablespoons of butter in a saucepan and a cup of uncooked rice. I take a small bunch of Angel Hair Pasta and break it into small pieces and toss it in with the rice. Turn the heat on high and brown the uncooked rice and pasta pieces in the butter for a few minutes. Pour in 2 cups cold water, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest. Bring to a boil, turn heat to simmer and cover. Cook for approximately 20 minutes. Test for doneness and seasoning. Add more salt or butter to taste and juice from 1/2 a lemon before serving.

"A great lie is like a great fish on dry land; it may fret and fling and make a frightful bother, but it cannot hurt you. You have only to keep still, and it will die of itself."

~ George Crabbe

"A fish may love a bird, Señor, but where would they live?"

~Drew Barrymore, "Everafter"

Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread with Cranberries

203. ♣ Today, my honey brought home a beautiful homemade Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread. It was still warm from just being baked. My sweet friend baked it and shared it with our family. Instead of raisins, she used cranberries. They added a sweet surprise to every bite.

It was dense and crumbly, and when slathered with butter and jam, was a delicious breakfast meal.

Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread with Cranberries

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 egg

1 cup buttermilk

3 Tablespoons honey

1 cup dried cranberries

Mix flour, baking soda and salt together in a large bowl. Whisk together the egg, buttermilk and honey. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and the cranberries. Mix together just till ingredients are combined.

Place parchment paper on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with flour and place dough onto the parchment paper shaping into a circle. Bake bread at 375 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Test with a toothpick. Serve warm with butter and jam.

"I believe in the sun when it's not shining,

I believe in love even when I feel it not,

I believe in God even when He is silent."

♣ Irish Quote ♣

Apple Picking

178. Apple picking is a yearly tradition for our family. And, visiting Wickham's Fruit Farm in Cutchogue, NY is always a highlight.

When you pull into the parking lot and step out of the car, the aroma of fresh made donuts fills the air. You can purchase sugar and cinnamon, sugar or plain. We always go for the mixed bag.

They are cake like and so delicious!

Once you pay for u-pick apples, you walk across the field and climb onto a wagon. Our Girls Club came along for the fun.

After you fill your bag with apples and eat one or two you head back to the farm stand.

They have all types of fruit, cheese, apple cider, jams, jellies

and delicious baked goods.

They also have fantastic honey collected from their own hives.

We had a wonderful day and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine, time with friends and the delicious apples.

"You never know how many apples there are in one little seed."

~ Annonymous

5 Minute Chocolate Cake

130. When I received an email the other day telling me that a piece of chocolate cake was only 5 minutes away, I had to find out.

My sweet friend Wanda sent me the email and thought I would enjoy this recipe. It is crazy, but it works. The recipe she sent me is as follows:

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE 4 tablespoons flour 4 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons cocoa 1 egg 3 tablespoons milk 3 tablespoons oil 3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional) A small splash of vanilla extract 1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe) Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT ! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous). And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night! So here is my process. I started with a large mug.

I mixed the dry ingredients together.

The cake began to rise above the cup rim at the 2 minute mark. It was so cool!

When I turned the cup upside down the cake came away from the cup. I sprayed the cup with cooking oil spray before adding the ingredients. Slicing it in half, the cake was baked through but was slightly dry in the very center.

The texture is a bit gummy but the flavor is like a brownie. Very chocolaty and delicious.

Since the chocolate worked so well...I had to try a white cake.

Because I eliminated the cocoa, which is 2 Tablespoons of dry ingredient,

I added 6 Tablespoons of flour and about half a teaspoon of vanilla.

It baked beautifully!

The white cake was gummy also but flavor was very good.

Next...my Maggie said, "Let's try a Red Velvet Mug Cake". What a great idea...so I followed the chocolate cake recipe and just added red food coloring with the liquids.

I found that mixing the batter till it becomes very bubbly helps the cake to rise higher and be less gummy.

This cake will not have the same texture as a standard cake but if you have a craving for Chocolate Cake and only have a few minutes...it does the trick! Thanks Wanda! What a fun recipe!

"I have this theory that chocolate slows down the aging process.... It may not be true, but do I dare take the chance?"
-- Author Unknown