For the past year, I have been baking and decorating cakes.
I haven`t taken a class or anything it`s really just for fun.
It just happens, to my luck, that people like my cakes and have been asking me to make some :O)
YAY! It makes me SO happy!
Here is the link to my Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gens-Homemade-Cakes/121729464601356
Check it out and like it :O)
Peace <3
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
May 15th National Chocolate Chips cookie day
How I love this day!
Chocolate Chip cookies.
I don't know many people who don't like them cookies.
Classic. Delicious. Versatile.
There are SO many great chocolate chip cookies recipes out there it's craaaaaaaaaazy!!!
To celebrate, I made the delightful ones:
CHOCOLATE CHIP OATIES
Ingredients:
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, room temp
Generous 1/2 cup of muscovado sugar (or brown sugar)
1 egg
2/3 cup oatmeal
1 tbsp milk ( I used coconut milk)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup flour ( any kind, gluten free, whole wheat, all purpose..)
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
6 squares bittersweet chocolate, broken into pieces (or 1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips)
6 squares milk chocolate, broken into pieces (or 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips)
(really, you can use the kind of chocolate your palette desires!)
Preheat oven at 350F/180C
Grease or place parchment paper on 2 large cookie sheets.
Place butter and sugar in a bowl and beat together with a wooden spoon until light and fluffy.
Beat in the egg.
Add the oatmeal, milk and vanilla.
Beat together until well blended.
Sift the flour, cocoa and baking powder into the mixture and stir.
Stir in the chocolate pieces.
Place dessertspoonfuls of the mixture on the prepares cookie sheets and lightly flatten with a fork.
Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, until they have slightly risen and firmed.
Remove from the oven and let cool on the cookie sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks to cool completely.
**After baking, it is IMPORTANT that the cookies be left on the cookie sheets for 2 minutes, because this ensures they do not fall apart when transferred to a cooling rack**
Makes 20 cookies
Funny how the cookies match my counter perfectly! :O)
Chocolate Chip cookies.
I don't know many people who don't like them cookies.
Classic. Delicious. Versatile.
There are SO many great chocolate chip cookies recipes out there it's craaaaaaaaaazy!!!
To celebrate, I made the delightful ones:
CHOCOLATE CHIP OATIES
Ingredients:
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, room temp
Generous 1/2 cup of muscovado sugar (or brown sugar)
1 egg
2/3 cup oatmeal
1 tbsp milk ( I used coconut milk)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup flour ( any kind, gluten free, whole wheat, all purpose..)
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
6 squares bittersweet chocolate, broken into pieces (or 1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips)
6 squares milk chocolate, broken into pieces (or 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips)
(really, you can use the kind of chocolate your palette desires!)
Preheat oven at 350F/180C
Grease or place parchment paper on 2 large cookie sheets.
Place butter and sugar in a bowl and beat together with a wooden spoon until light and fluffy.
Beat in the egg.
Add the oatmeal, milk and vanilla.
Beat together until well blended.
Sift the flour, cocoa and baking powder into the mixture and stir.
Stir in the chocolate pieces.
Place dessertspoonfuls of the mixture on the prepares cookie sheets and lightly flatten with a fork.
Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, until they have slightly risen and firmed.
Remove from the oven and let cool on the cookie sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks to cool completely.
**After baking, it is IMPORTANT that the cookies be left on the cookie sheets for 2 minutes, because this ensures they do not fall apart when transferred to a cooling rack**
Makes 20 cookies
Funny how the cookies match my counter perfectly! :O)
Homemade pizza sauce
One day I really wanted to make pizza, but I didn't have any pizza sauce.
So I made this sauce and it was really good!! :O)
PIZZA SAUCE
Ingredients:
1 can Tomato paste
Dried Oregano
Dried Basil
Dehydrated Garlic (or powder, granulated, minced, even fresh would do)
Dehydrated onions (or powder, granulated, minced, even fresh would do)
Salt and Pepper
Sugar, Stevia, whatever sweetener you like
Mix in all ingredients to taste.
Start with 1 tbsp of each (except salt, pepper and sugar) and work your way up to taste.
I use less salt and pepper, maybe 1tsp each. If needed I'll add more.
Add sweetener to counter the acidic tomato taste.
Start with 1 tbsp and work your way up is necessary.
Let stand 10-15 minutes and use on Pizza Crust.
So I made this sauce and it was really good!! :O)
PIZZA SAUCE
Ingredients:
1 can Tomato paste
Dried Oregano
Dried Basil
Dehydrated Garlic (or powder, granulated, minced, even fresh would do)
Dehydrated onions (or powder, granulated, minced, even fresh would do)
Salt and Pepper
Sugar, Stevia, whatever sweetener you like
Mix in all ingredients to taste.
Start with 1 tbsp of each (except salt, pepper and sugar) and work your way up to taste.
I use less salt and pepper, maybe 1tsp each. If needed I'll add more.
Add sweetener to counter the acidic tomato taste.
Start with 1 tbsp and work your way up is necessary.
Let stand 10-15 minutes and use on Pizza Crust.
Homemade pizza crust
So I have this buddy of mine who, in my opinion, is a bread expert! hehehe
He gave me this pizza crust recipe.
It's great. I have used it plain for pizza crusts, made little garlic breads, some basil bread sticks, some nutella hazelnut and raspberry rolls, etc.
VERY versatile, easy peasy to make.
I urge you to never buy pizza again and just made this crust over and over again! It is fantastic!
PIZZA CRUST
Ingredients:
1 package (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
1 cup hot water(105-115F)
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp Olive Oil
2 1/2 - 31/2 cups flour
1 tbsp cornmeal (optional)
Roasted garlic, crushed peppers, basil, etc for seasoning (OPTIONAL)
Mix yeast in hot water in the bowl of a stand mixer.
Wait 5 minutes.
Add salt, Olive Oil, and flour.
Mix until all is properly combined and not too sticky to the sides of the bowl.
At this point, if you want, add the roasted garlic or basil, or what ever seasonings you want (OPTIONAL)
Place dough in an oiled bowl.
Cover and let rise for 1 hr or until it's doubled in size.
Flour the counter and your hands.
Punch the dough down on the floured counter.
Roll it to the desired size and thickness.
Oil a pizza pan and sprinkle some cornmeal (cornmeal optional)
Add Topping and cook at 425F for 15 minutes.
He gave me this pizza crust recipe.
It's great. I have used it plain for pizza crusts, made little garlic breads, some basil bread sticks, some nutella hazelnut and raspberry rolls, etc.
VERY versatile, easy peasy to make.
I urge you to never buy pizza again and just made this crust over and over again! It is fantastic!
PIZZA CRUST
Ingredients:
1 package (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
1 cup hot water(105-115F)
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp Olive Oil
2 1/2 - 31/2 cups flour
1 tbsp cornmeal (optional)
Roasted garlic, crushed peppers, basil, etc for seasoning (OPTIONAL)
Mix yeast in hot water in the bowl of a stand mixer.
Wait 5 minutes.
Add salt, Olive Oil, and flour.
Mix until all is properly combined and not too sticky to the sides of the bowl.
At this point, if you want, add the roasted garlic or basil, or what ever seasonings you want (OPTIONAL)
Place dough in an oiled bowl.
Cover and let rise for 1 hr or until it's doubled in size.
Flour the counter and your hands.
Punch the dough down on the floured counter.
Roll it to the desired size and thickness.
Oil a pizza pan and sprinkle some cornmeal (cornmeal optional)
Add Topping and cook at 425F for 15 minutes.
Homemade Cool Whip
I got this recipe from The Chocolate covered Katie blog (WHICH I SUPER LOVE!) a while ago.
This is pretty much all the whip cream I use now!
It is delicious and very easy and stress free to make it!
Ingredients:
1 Can coconut milk (get a good quality, it'll work better)
Sugar, Stevia, Icing sugar... to taste
Open the can of coconut milk. (don't shake the can before opening)
Once the can is opened, do not stir the milk.
Put the can as is in the fridge over night (12 hours) uncovered.
Pour the content of the can in a bowl.
Mix in a little sweetener (about 1-2 tbsp but really is to taste)
Either use a fork or whisk to mix it or a hand mixer.
You can discard the water in the can for a thicker consistency. (I keep it.)
This whipped cream is especially fantastic on crepes/pancakes!
This is pretty much all the whip cream I use now!
It is delicious and very easy and stress free to make it!
Ingredients:
1 Can coconut milk (get a good quality, it'll work better)
Sugar, Stevia, Icing sugar... to taste
Open the can of coconut milk. (don't shake the can before opening)
Once the can is opened, do not stir the milk.
Put the can as is in the fridge over night (12 hours) uncovered.
Pour the content of the can in a bowl.
Mix in a little sweetener (about 1-2 tbsp but really is to taste)
Either use a fork or whisk to mix it or a hand mixer.
You can discard the water in the can for a thicker consistency. (I keep it.)
This whipped cream is especially fantastic on crepes/pancakes!
How to thicken Coconut milk
I love the taste of coconut milk.
I use it a lot in recipes when they call for milk.
But what about when they call for heavy cream????
I made an experiment and it worked wonders!
Here is how I make my very own "coconut heavy cream"
Ingredients
1 can coconut milk
a pinch of stevia, sugar, icing sugar...
Open the can of milk.
Once opened, do not stir the contents.
Leave it in the fridge for 6 -8 hours.
Pour the can into a bowl.
Mix in a pinch of sugar.
Blend it for 5-10 minutes to get the consistency you desire.
And Voila!! :O)
I pour the heavy cream in a mason jar and use in baking/cooking!
Enjoy!
I use it a lot in recipes when they call for milk.
But what about when they call for heavy cream????
I made an experiment and it worked wonders!
Here is how I make my very own "coconut heavy cream"
Ingredients
1 can coconut milk
a pinch of stevia, sugar, icing sugar...
Open the can of milk.
Once opened, do not stir the contents.
Leave it in the fridge for 6 -8 hours.
Pour the can into a bowl.
Mix in a pinch of sugar.
Blend it for 5-10 minutes to get the consistency you desire.
And Voila!! :O)
I pour the heavy cream in a mason jar and use in baking/cooking!
Enjoy!
Mother's day deserts!
To follow the homemade AWESOME pizzas, I had to make an awesome desert as well to finish the evening in style. So I decided to make a Chocolate Raspberry Tart.
I changed the recipe a little. Here's what I did:
CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY TART
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups of Oreo Crumbs
1 Tbsp of Sugar
½ Cup of Melted Butter
1 ¼ cup of Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1 cup of coconut milk, thickened
¼ tsp of Salt
1/4 tsp of vanilla extract
About 3 cups of Fresh Raspberries
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9” tart pan with non stick cooking spray and set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together the Oreo crumbs, melted butter and sugar. Press this mixture in the tart pan making sure you press it very evenly. Place it on a baking sheet and refrigerate it for about 20 minutes.
Bake it for about 10 minutes. Let it cool completely.
Place 1 cup of the raspberries in a blender and puree it. Pass it through a fine sieve and get rid of the seeds.
Place the chocolate chips and salt in a bowl and set aside. Place the thick coconut milk in a small sauce pan and bring it to a simmer.
Pour the thick coconut milk over the chocolate and let it sit for a few minutes. Stir until the chocolate is all melted and then stir in the raspberry puree and vanilla extract.
Pour the chocolate mixture into the baked tart shell and chill it in the fridge for about an hour and a half. Arrange the raspberries over the top and place it back in the fridge for another hour or so.
The picture is a little orangy but the tart was deeeeeeeeeeeeeelicous!!!!!!
I also made some Red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing.
I used some coconut milk + 2 tsps of lemon juice instead of buttercream milk.
Also, I used less red coloring gel and added some raspberry and beet juice, which you cannot taste once the cupcake is cooked by the way. It's just healthier with less red coloring gel.
And I made some Vanilla cupcakes with raspberry icing.
I added some raspberry juice to the batter and used coconut milk instead of whole milk.
I changed the recipe a little. Here's what I did:
CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY TART
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups of Oreo Crumbs
1 Tbsp of Sugar
½ Cup of Melted Butter
1 ¼ cup of Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1 cup of coconut milk, thickened
¼ tsp of Salt
1/4 tsp of vanilla extract
About 3 cups of Fresh Raspberries
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9” tart pan with non stick cooking spray and set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together the Oreo crumbs, melted butter and sugar. Press this mixture in the tart pan making sure you press it very evenly. Place it on a baking sheet and refrigerate it for about 20 minutes.
Bake it for about 10 minutes. Let it cool completely.
Place 1 cup of the raspberries in a blender and puree it. Pass it through a fine sieve and get rid of the seeds.
Place the chocolate chips and salt in a bowl and set aside. Place the thick coconut milk in a small sauce pan and bring it to a simmer.
Pour the thick coconut milk over the chocolate and let it sit for a few minutes. Stir until the chocolate is all melted and then stir in the raspberry puree and vanilla extract.
Pour the chocolate mixture into the baked tart shell and chill it in the fridge for about an hour and a half. Arrange the raspberries over the top and place it back in the fridge for another hour or so.
I also made some Red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing.
I used some coconut milk + 2 tsps of lemon juice instead of buttercream milk.
Also, I used less red coloring gel and added some raspberry and beet juice, which you cannot taste once the cupcake is cooked by the way. It's just healthier with less red coloring gel.
And I made some Vanilla cupcakes with raspberry icing.
I added some raspberry juice to the batter and used coconut milk instead of whole milk.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Mothers day Pizzas
For mothers day I decided to make homemade pizzas and turn my kitchen into a pizza buffet!
To satisfy the different palettes, I made 4 different kinds.
The first I tried was a Caprese Pizza. I love Caprese salads so I decided to try the Pizza version. Boy, I didn't go wrong with that one!!!!
#1: CAPRESE PIZZA
You will need:
Pizza crust
Pizza sauce (tomato based)
3 medium Tomatoes
1tsp Salt
Fresh basil leaves
1 tbsp of olive oil
250 g fresh mozzarella cheese
Preheat oven at 425°F (220°C).
Start off by slicing the tomatoes into 1/4-in slices.
Place onto paper towel-lined cutting board.
Season both sides with salt and let stand 15 minutes.
Blot tops of tomato slices with another paper towel.
Slice mozzarella cheese into 1/4-in thick slices
Spread the pizza sauce evenly all over the crust.
Arrange tomatoes, basil leaves and cheese slices in overlapping rows on crust.
Bake 5-10 minutes just until the cheese melts
Cook’s Tips: Salting tomatoes pulls out the excess moisture, preventing a soggy pizza. Blotting well with paper towels results in a more concentrated flavor
Pizzas are crispier when baked on a stone pizza pan.
#2: ALL DRESSED
Pizza crust
Pizza sauce (tomato based)
1 Sliced peperoni
1 Sliced green peppers
1 sliced tomato
6 sliced mushrooms
Olives, green and/or black, to taste
1/2 large onion sliced
Basil leaves
Shredded mozzarella, to taste
Preheat oven at 425°F (220°C).
Start off by placing sliced tomatoes onto paper towel-lined cutting board.
Season both sides with salt and let stand 15 minutes.
Blot tops of tomato slices with another paper towel.
Spread pizza sauce evenly over crust.
Arrange peperoni, vegetables and cheese in overlapping rows on crust.
Bake for 15 minutes.
#3: VEGGIE DELIGHT
Pizza crust
Pizza sauce (tomato based)
1 Sliced tomato
1 Sliced green pepper
6 sliced mushrooms
1/2 broccoli cut into little bushels
Basil leaves, to taste
Olives, green and/or black, to taste
1/2 large onion sliced
Shredded mozzarella, to taste
Preheat oven at 425°F (220°C).
Start off by placing sliced tomatoes onto paper towel-lined cutting board.
Season both sides with salt and let stand 15 minutes.
Blot tops of tomato slices with another paper towel.
Spread pizza sauce evenly over crust.
Arrange vegetables and cheese in overlapping rows on crust.
Bake for 15 minutes.
The fourth pizza that I made was a special order for my sister-in-law because she really doesn't like cheese so I made her a cheese-less All dressed pizza!
To satisfy the different palettes, I made 4 different kinds.
The first I tried was a Caprese Pizza. I love Caprese salads so I decided to try the Pizza version. Boy, I didn't go wrong with that one!!!!
#1: CAPRESE PIZZA
You will need:
Pizza crust
Pizza sauce (tomato based)
3 medium Tomatoes
1tsp Salt
Fresh basil leaves
1 tbsp of olive oil
250 g fresh mozzarella cheese
Preheat oven at 425°F (220°C).
Start off by slicing the tomatoes into 1/4-in slices.
Place onto paper towel-lined cutting board.
Season both sides with salt and let stand 15 minutes.
Blot tops of tomato slices with another paper towel.
Slice mozzarella cheese into 1/4-in thick slices
Spread the pizza sauce evenly all over the crust.
Arrange tomatoes, basil leaves and cheese slices in overlapping rows on crust.
Bake 5-10 minutes just until the cheese melts
Cook’s Tips: Salting tomatoes pulls out the excess moisture, preventing a soggy pizza. Blotting well with paper towels results in a more concentrated flavor
Pizzas are crispier when baked on a stone pizza pan.
#2: ALL DRESSED
Pizza crust
Pizza sauce (tomato based)
1 Sliced peperoni
1 Sliced green peppers
1 sliced tomato
6 sliced mushrooms
Olives, green and/or black, to taste
1/2 large onion sliced
Basil leaves
Shredded mozzarella, to taste
Preheat oven at 425°F (220°C).
Start off by placing sliced tomatoes onto paper towel-lined cutting board.
Season both sides with salt and let stand 15 minutes.
Blot tops of tomato slices with another paper towel.
Spread pizza sauce evenly over crust.
Arrange peperoni, vegetables and cheese in overlapping rows on crust.
Bake for 15 minutes.
#3: VEGGIE DELIGHT
Pizza crust
Pizza sauce (tomato based)
1 Sliced tomato
1 Sliced green pepper
6 sliced mushrooms
1/2 broccoli cut into little bushels
Basil leaves, to taste
Olives, green and/or black, to taste
1/2 large onion sliced
Shredded mozzarella, to taste
Preheat oven at 425°F (220°C).
Start off by placing sliced tomatoes onto paper towel-lined cutting board.
Season both sides with salt and let stand 15 minutes.
Blot tops of tomato slices with another paper towel.
Spread pizza sauce evenly over crust.
Arrange vegetables and cheese in overlapping rows on crust.
Bake for 15 minutes.
The fourth pizza that I made was a special order for my sister-in-law because she really doesn't like cheese so I made her a cheese-less All dressed pizza!
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