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Tip Tuesday in the Kitchen

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It’s “Tip Tuesday” here in the kitchen, and I’ve got a quick tip that saved me a few times during this quarantine. 

Yeast is a hot commodity in my area of Virginia these past few weeks. 

Are we ALL baking our own sandwich bread all of a sudden? I don’t know about you, but when I can’t find something (ingredient wise) that’s when I go to the “googles” for substitutes. 

I could write an entire blog post about ingredient substitutions, (and I just might ), but today I’ll leave it at this wonder called “DIY Self Rising Flour”

You probably have the ingredients on hand right now in your pantry. It’s three basic baking ingredients, that when combined, can be used instead of yeast in some recipes. You won’t get the same softness as with a yeast dough and it’s multiple risings… but your recipes will still be soft and have great texture to them. So if you can’t find yeast in these crazy Covid-19 times, run to your pantry to make this easy substitute!

DIY Self Rising Flour

1 cup of all-purpose flour

 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon fine salt.

There you have it, my first ingredient substitution blog post!  I hope to do more in the future. 

If you try it, tell me what you think.

Gina

 

 

 

 

“Sprouting Brownie Cupcakes”

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It’s May already foodie friends. MAY. Can you believe it?

I’m excited to move into a new month with new recipes to try. This is the May installment of “A Year of Brownies”, courtesy of Food Network Magazine.

This month was a fun take on a brownie, for several reasons.

First of all, you bake them like a cupcake. Next , you make a decadent chocolate ganache to top them off, and finish off with a layer of crushed Oreos!

The “sprouts” on top of the Oreo crumb “dirt” make the brownie look like a sprouting plant. So, I had to bring out piping bags and decorating tips. Not something I’m used to doing for a brownie, but, oh well… I have time now.

Lastly, I learned a little about a new-to-me baking product called “Black Cocoa Powder”. I got mine on Amazon, and it only took about 4 days to come in. I’m not complaining, either. I was happy to be able to get it all!

Back in October, I stumbled across a recipe for a cool Halloween themed cake. I couldn’t find this specialty cocoa powder in stores or get it delivered in time, so it was a no-go on the cake . I’m happy that I read the May recipe ahead of time, otherwise I would have been out of luck again!

Here’s a quick read all about the product on the TheKitchn.com. It’s meant to give your baked goods an almost “black” color, one that regular cocoa powder just can’t achieve on its own.

Here’s a picture of an unfrosted brownie. What do you think of the color?

Black cocoa is supposed to make your baked goods darker in color…. what do you think?

As for my take on this month’s brownie recipe, I LOVED it. Not a fan of the “sprouts” on top (I’d rather do flowers or leaves), but, hey, I tried!

Sharing is caring, and I shared these with neighbors (and my family) and they loved the recipe as well.

If you’d like to make your own, here’s the link !

These can certainly be made anytime of the year, with no decorations and just the Oreo crumbs. Or, I’d use a different decorating style. Or, maybe I should practice piping “sprouts” lol!

Enjoy! And let me know if you make these!

Next month, get out out your cast iron skillet for a skillet brownie with pecans!

Gina

Disney inspired Curried Chicken Salad

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Happy Sunday, Foodie Friends!

This post is a few days overdue. I’ve had several friends ask me about this recipe, as AnnMarie and I shared it on our latest installment of the “Curly Girls”! If you haven’t watched us this past Tuesday, click here .

Sips and Swirls of fine wine and Disney recipes!

Now that you’ve caught up, here’s the recipe and wine pairings we shared.

Curried Chicken Salad (adapted from the cookbook “A Cooking Safari with Mickey” by Pam Brandon and the Disney Chefs)

This recipe is featured in Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Wild Africa Trek. Try this easy version, when you can’t make it to the “Happiest Place on Earth”!

1 1/2 pounds cooked, cubed chicken (I used Purdue Oven Carvers)

1 tsp. salt

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/3 cup Greek Yogurt (can simply use all Greek yogurt if you prefer)

1/4 cup chopped red onion

1 tbsp. lime juice

4 tsp. curry powder

1 tsp. honey

1/2 tsp. ginger

1/4 tsp. black pepper

3/4 cup sliced red grapes

1/2 cup diced mango (I used pre-cut mango from my grocery store produce aisle )

Combine mayo, yogurt , onion, lime juice, curry powder, honey, ginger, pepper, and salt in large bowl and combine. Stir in chicken, and mix until blended. Fold in mango and grapes. Serve with a side salad, naan bread, or your favorite crackers or roll.

Wine notes:

Big Game Reserve, Cape Leopard 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon

Kanonkop Estate Wine 2016 Pinotage

Cheers to a delicious lunch, light dinner, or midnight snack!

“Being Intentional Today”

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Happy Monday, foodie friends!

Today’s post is a little spotlight on a recent kitchen guest (I should say repeat guest) that shares my love of Jesus, friends, and desserts!

Sonia Santos is the visionary behind “Intentional Life Ministries”, a multi-generational /multi-cultural group of powerful women who meet monthly to celebrate womanhood in love and prayer. Borrowing from their Facebook bio, Intentional Life Ministries encourages “meaningful and encouraging relationships rooted in the word of God.” One of her focuses in the ministry centers around everyday life and overcoming the stigma of domestic responsibilities. My kind of group!

The ministry recently celebrated their 6 month anniversary with good friends, good food and fellowship. I have been baking for their brunches for the past three months, and Sonia is always gracious and asks me to join them. One day I will, but duty calls on weekends for this baker gal, and I have to let my desserts have all the fun.

If you are looking for the opportunity to unplug from the stresses of daily life and surround yourself with encouraging and uplifting women in a faith filled environment, I suggest you make your way to the next Intentional Life Ministries meeting on April 13th.

Visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/IntentionalLife Ministries, and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/beingintentionaltoday

In the meantime, take a peek at their beautifully striking logo, on both cake and cookies!