Rissoles

3 c water
3 c flour
1 cube butter (1/2 c)
pinch salt

in a pan, heat water, salt and butter until melted. add flour slowly. let cool
sprinkle dough with flour and knead
stretch dough to 1/8in
cut into circles (with a cup or cookie cutter)
stuff with chicken and fold dough over; pinch edges to close.
roll in egg wash and bread crumbs
heat oil on med-high and fry until golden brown.. enjoy

Chicken filling:
saute onions, salt, and garlic in butter
add chicken pieces and cook on low-med covered.
let cool and shred

Sweet Potato Fries

Cut up sweet potatoes about 1/4" thick.
rinse them and pat them dry

lay them out on paper towel and sprinkle with salt (let sit to release moisture)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
dredge in seasoning:
1 spoonfull of paprika
" salt
" garlic powder
" pepper
" onion powder
" oregano
" thyme
a cup or so of flour
place on greased baking sheet (do not let the fries touch eachother)

bake for about 5-10 minutes

Heat oil to about 360-375 degrees (med-high to high) watch so the oil doesn't burn!

take fries out of oven and place a few at a time in oil until golden and crispy. place on cookie cooling rack (upside down) over newspaper

This works well with Yams as well (you can also use this method without the seasonings and just add salt after frying)

serve with ranch/ketchup :) enjoy!!

Fruit Arrangement

This was inspired by fruit arrangements..which costs about $75-$90!
so I figure.. I will do one for free..this one I did for a friend's baby shower

I started out with a small round watermelon. use a melon baller and scoop out balls and put in a bowl until the watermelon half is empty.. then scrape out excess watermelon scraps and save. turn the empty watermelon upside down and put on cake platter. cut melon balls in half.
line the watermelon half with strawberries around the edge. with a flower cookie cutter, cut out flowers in a pineapple, save.
starting from the bottom of the watermelon half, using skewers cut in half putting the sharp end into the watermelon, use grapes as stem and add strawberries. then, on another stem, adding grapes, then your pineapple flower and watermelon ball half.
for one of the stems I did grapes and then manderin oranges for the top!
be creative and use different colorful fruits! this is great for occasions and get togethers, so people can just pull out a skewer and eat the fruit!

Chocolate Bannana Muffins

1/2 cup butter, softened1 cup sugar2 eggs1 1/2 cups flour3 Tbs. cocoa1 tsp. baking soda1 tsp. salt1/2 tsp. cinnamon1 tsp. vanilla1 cup mashed banana1/2 cup sour cream1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts1 cup chocolate chips
*Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Add vanilla, banana, sour cream, nuts and chocolate chips. Pour into muffin tins and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
props to Rachel Cunningham for this recipe :)

Peruvian Alfajores

1-1/2 cups unsalted butter
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup ground almonds
3 cups flour

Manjar Blanco Filling:(doce de leite)

5 cups whole milk
1-1/8 cups sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla

1. Prepare the Manjar Blanco filling. Put the milk, sugar and vanilla in a medium saucepan and let it come to a boil. Continue to boil the mixture, stirring occasionally, until thickened, approximately 45 minutes. The Manjar is ready if you put a bit on a plate and it does not run.
2. Cream butter with confectioners' sugar until fluffy.
3. Stir in remaining ingredients.
4. Wrap and chill 30 minutes (if you leave it longer, just let it warm up to the point of being able to be rolled out).
5. Roll dough out to 1/4" thickness. Cut in 2 1/2" circles and place on parchment lined cookie sheet. They won’t expand much, so you can place them pretty close together.
6. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes.
7. Cool cookie sheets between batches and cool cookies on wire rack.
8. When cookies have completely cooled, carefully spread some manjar blanco on one cookie and top with another cookie. Other alternatives to fillings: chocolate nutella.. yum, also dulce de leite (you can buy in a can.. or you can put a can of sweetened condensed milk in a pan full of water and boil for 3 hrs) I added the manjar blanco with a little of the dulce de leite.. super yum!
9. Dust tops with confectioners' sugar and enjoy immediately.

Here is a different version: instead of sandwiching the cookies together, add the manjar blanco on top of a thumbprint type cookie :)

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I am ready to share the best chocolate chip oatmeal cookie you will ever make!
(props to a girl named Keely and my friend Jackie who gave me the recipe)

Ingredients:
2 1/2 c oatmeal (blend in blender until fine)
2 c flour ( I use wheat flour..can use white if you'd like..I like to pretend it's healthier)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 c brown sugar
1 c sugar
2 eggs
2 sticks imperial margarine (I swear it tastes better with this brand of margarine)
1 tsp vanilla
1-2 c chocolate chips
1 c chopped pecans
Mix your dry ingredients, then your wet and combine with mixer. add the oatmeal last and I tend to use my "clean" hands to mix it, it works better. then, add the chocolate chips and chopped nuts.
Bake @ 350 for 8-10 minutes

Chocolate Cake Truffle

Ok these are delish and super easy..
thank you Cari for introducing these to me!
we had these at Bunco and they were a hit.. everyone loved them

start with a box of chocolate cake..or any kind and follow recipe on the box..or if you like homemade cake..then do that.
once the cake is done, put in a bowl and mix with 1 package of cream cheese and form into balls
melt a bag of baking chocolate and dip balls into melted chocolate.. cool on wax paper
melt some white baking chocolate and put in ziploc bag, cut a small hole in the corner and drizzle the top
presto, you have yourself a yummy truffle

Thumbprint Cookies with Chocolate

1 1/2 c sifted flour
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 c butter or margarine
1/2 c brown sugar
1 egg separated
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 c finely chopped pecans (or blended)
Sift flour with salt. Cream butter in mixing bowl and add brown sugar. blend in egg yolk and vanilla. add sifted flour and salt and mix. shape dough into balls and dip into beaten egg white and then into blended pecans. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Press floured thumb into center of cookie.

Bake 375 degrees for 12-15 min, fill the indentions with nutella (as shown), or whatever you'd like.. be creative.

Sugar Cookies with Brigadeiro Sauce

These were a hit after FHE tonight :)

1/2 c shortening
1/2 c butter
1/2 c white sugar
1/2 c powdered sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 c flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
Cream together the shortening, butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla. Then mix in flour, salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar. blend well. roll up dough and chill

Brigadeiro chocolate sauce:

add 1 can sweetened condensed milk to a pan on med heat. add 1 Tbsp butter and 1-2 Tbsp cocoa powder (I prefer Nestle).

mix until thickened on low-med heat, stirring continuously.

Roll dough into balls about 1 in and place on cookie sheet. flatten with cookie stamp or the bottom of a glass (you can be creative here).

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 min

Add Brigadeiro sauce on top and enjoy :)

Chicken nuggets with Sweet & Sour Sauce

cut up chicken breast pieces to desired size and make sure all are similar in size and make sure they're no thicker than 1/2 in thick.


another option is: cube chicken and place in food processor and blend into a paste. form into balls and flatten into nugget pieces.

season chicken pieces with: season salt, salt, parsley, onion powder, and pepper
mix 2 eggs to about 1/2 c milk..set aside
mix about 1c flour, 1/4c finely grated parmesan cheese, 1tsp paprika, oregano, and dry mustard, salt and pepper..set aside
heat hoil to at least 350 degrees

place chicken nugget pieces in flour mixture, coat evenly, then egg/milk mixture, and flour mixture again. Place on wax paper

when oil is nice and hot, place about 3-4 pieces in oil and fry for a few minutes until golden brown, turning the pieces occasionally.
drain on newspaper or paper towel.
(you can freeze leftovers and bake them at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or so)
Sweet and Sour sauce:

1 c apricot preserves

3 tbsp heinz 57 sauce

3 tbsp italian dressing

3 tbsp soy sauce

combine and serve!

I served with Spinach Salad

Brigadeiros

warning: These are very rich and yummy chocolately desserts!
Ingredients:

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 Tbsp butter

1-2 Tbsp cocoa powder (or however chocolately you prefer)
Heat the milk and butter on low-med heat and as it gets hotter, gradually add the chocolate powder. stirring constantly.

Continue stirring occasionally until the milk thickens. You want it to reduce to a good thickness that it doesn't run off the spoon.
Once it is thick, take off the heat and let it cool in the pan: now you are ready to form into balls.
grease your hands with butter and start forming into balls (about 1/2 in) and dip into chocolate sprinkles.

serve shortly after and enjoy!
(Picture pending)

Pastel

This my dear is what we call Pastel (pronounced like posh-tew) Is it yummy in my tummy (of coarse most things fried are). salgadinho's are tasty salty treats!


So, first you need masa (which is the flattened dough, which I'm sure none of you are going to make..unless you have a tortilla press, otherwise..you need to buy this, which is sorta like an egg roll dough. I get these in Brasil and they are round, but square ones would work.

*Add cooked hamburger meat (cooled) in the center; you can also add some cheese. dab your finger in some water and seal the edges. fold over and seal by pressing a fork all the way around the edges.

*Next .. you fry in med-high heated oil...until golden brown.

(side note: make sure your meat isn't too hot when making these, because it will make a tear in your dough because of the heat).

This is a typical Brasilian home meal.. enjoy

Arepas

super simple!

I just bought Harina PAN white corn flour (pre cooked) I got this at Lee Lee supermart (Dobson & Warner)
mix the flour with water (about 1:1) until you get a good dough consistency. add the water first, then salt (about 1tsp) and flour last. need until dough forms
make about 2-3 in sized balls, well compacted (or whatever size arepa you prefer)
with the palm of your hand rotate the ball into a flatten disc shape (with enough thickness to slice down the middle for your fillings)
heat a greased griddle to med heat and grill on each side for about 5 or so minutes..when it browns a little (should sound kinda hollow if you tap it) another option would be to pan fry it and that also is delicious!
Next add your ingredients:

I used shredded beef, guacamole, cheese, lettuce, black beans, sour cream and fresh salsa with this tradition Venezuelan dish!

Enjoy!!

Heres another version you can also try (courtesy Bobby Flay):
2 1/2 cups milk
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 1/2 cups white arepa flour (precooked cornmeal)
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon honey
Vegetable or canola oil, for cooking
Bring milk to a simmer in a small saucepan, then remove from heat and stir in butter.

Combine arepa flour, salt, pepper and cotija in a large bowl. Add the hot milk and honey and stir until combined. Let mixture stand until milk is absorbed enough for a soft dough to form, 1 to 2 minutes (dough will continue to stiffen).

Form the dough into 12 balls (about 2 inches in diameter) and flatten between palms into 3 1/2 to 4-inch patties (about 1/3-inch thick).

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until the oil begins to shimmer, fry 4 arepas at a time, until lightly golden brown on both sides and just cooked through about 2 to 3 minutes per side; transfer to a baking sheet lined with paper towels.

Slice the arepas in half crosswise, mound some of the ingredients on the bottom, and top with the other half.

Bolinhos

This is a common appetizer or side dish in Brasil. Very easy to make!
First, you make some mashed potatoes. I assume everyone can make mashed potatoes, but if not..here you go :
cut and peel potatoes and boil. I use a masher I got from Brasil, but you can mash them however you please. I like to mash them so they are fine and creamy. Add milk, sour cream, and garlic salt...mix. Let cool.
Dough:
mix cooled mashed potatoes with flour until you get a dough like consistency. Roll into long strips, that looks like a long snake. cut into 1/2in to 1 in balls..add a little more flour to coat the balls. Heat oil in a fryer. Add a few balls and wait until golden brown, add parmesan cheese and COMER BEM!

Cheese Ball

Ok I'm sure most of you know how to make a cheese ball.. but I figured I'd post it in case you don't! they are super easy and fast

depending on the size of your ball you want, I used 2 packages of cream cheese (fat free..no one can even tell). add 2 triangles of laughing cow swiss cheese(they are in the cheese isle in a small round container), parsley, 1/2 packet of ranch dip seasoning (I like to use Gonga Breath brand), shredded cheddar cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese (keep adding the cheese until you get an even mix)..mix ingredients until well blended. Roll up your cheeses in a ball and roll in crushed walnuts (or whatever nuts you like). wrap in cellophane and store in fridge. serve with crackers.. like wheat thins or crackers hard enough to spread the cheese on it.

Roast Beef Pita with Fried Zucchini

Ingredients: Roast Beef salad
Roast Beef
Avocado
Green onion
Tomato
Parsley
Garlic Salt
Tear up roast beef (deli sliced) in pieces, into a bowl. Slice avocado and tomato. Chop green onion (I like to use both green side and white side). Sprinkle parsley and garlic salt to taste, then store in a container in fridge..while you make the pita bread!
Ingredients: Whole Wheat Pita

2 (1/4 oz) pkg active dry yeast
2 c warm H20
1/2 tsp honey
1/4 c olive oil
1 tbsp salt
5 c wheat flour
cornmeal
In a bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/2 c warm H20. Add 1/2 of the honey, let stand for 5 min. Add olive oil, remaining H20 and honey; mix. Stir in wheat flour and salt; knead onto floured surface (I use wheat flour again). Let it rise in a greased bowl for 30 min covered. Flatten a ball about the size of your fist, dip one side with cornmeal, bake on a slightly greased pan @ 475 degrees for 8-10 min. Cut in half and split with a knife to make a pita pocket!

Ingredients: fried zucchini

Zucchini
Bread Crumbs
Eggs
Oil
Slice Zucchini to desired thickness. Coat in eggs, previously whisked; then coat in bread crumbs, and repeat again. Prepare hot oil in a pan or a deep fryer (I like using a deep fryer). Fry until golden brown (only fry a few at a time). serve with ranch dip!

Ingredients: Ranch Dip

mayonnaise
sour cream
onions
parsley
onion powder
salt
paprika
garlic
pepper
Mix 1 3/4c Mayo and 2c sour cream with herbs (other ingredients) about 1/1.

Ingredients: Ranch dressing


15 saltine crackers
2c dry minced parsley flakes
1/2 c dry minced onion
2 tbsp dry dill weed
1/4 c onion salt
1/4 c garlic salt
1/4 c onion powder
1/4 c garlic powder
Mix

1 tbsp mix
1c mayonnaise
1c buttermilk
Put crackers in blender on high speed until powder. Add parsley, onions, dill weed and blend. Stir in onion, salt, garlic salt, onion powder, and garlic powder. Put in a container and store in fridge to stand (best if you prepare in advance)

I love ranch dressing/dip, both are great..sorry I don't have exact specifications

Sprinkle grated cheese on roast beef salad and stuff into pita pocket. Serve with fried zucchini and ranch dip or dressing.

Enjoy!