Author Archives for dianna3padilla

Potato Pancakes

In intermediate cooking this week we reviewed some of the steps that it takes to get to the final part of cooking- eating. So first, make sure you have all the ingredients below, if not head to the store! Afterwards, follow this quick and easy recipe to make potato pancakes!

Ingredients

  • 4 large potatoes
  • 1 yellow onion
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour, or more, as needed
  • 1 cup vegetable oil for frying, or as needed

Directions

  1. Finely grate potatoes and onion into a large bowl. Drain off any excess liquid.
  2. Mix in egg, salt, and pepper. Add enough flour to make the mixture thick, about 2 to 4 tablespoons all together.
  3. Preheat the oven to low, about 200 degrees F (95 degrees C).
  4. Heat 1/4 inch oil in the bottom of a heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
  5. Drop two or three 1/4-cup mounds of batter into hot oil, and flatten with back of a spatula to make 1/2-inch-thick pancakes. Fry, turning pancakes once, until golden brown.
  6. Transfer pancakes to a plate lined with a paper towel to drain. Keep warm in the oven until serving. Repeat until all potato mixture is used.

Mini Fruit Pizzas

In cooking this week we learned some prepping basics like chopping, dicing, and slicing. For this recipe we’ll be prepping the fruit using cutting techniques. As the weather is getting warmer berries are a perfect snack, and this is a great recipe to treat yourself!

Ingredients

  • 1 package Pillsbury ready to bake sugar cookies (24 count)
  • 1 package (8oz) cream cheese
  • 2 tablespoons frozen limeade concentrate
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 3 cups fresh fruit of choice

Directions

  1. Bake cookies according to directions on package. Allow cookies to cool 10 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, beat cream cheese, limeade concentrate and powdered sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.
  3. Spread each cookie with 1 tablespoon cream cheese mixture.
  4. Arrange sliced fruit on top of each cookie.
  5. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.

Serving Size- 24 cookies with topping

Three Ways to Cook Chicken

This week at Ignite we are learning a few methods of cooking chicken. Chicken is a super versatile source of protein that can be paired with a lot of different starch and veggie options. This week we will focus on poached, air-fried, and sautéed chicken.

 

Poached Chicken   

Ingredients                                                   

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
  • 1 1/2 to 2 cups fat-free low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons seasoning of choice. We will be using Kingsford Garlic and Herbs All-Purpose Seasoning 

Directions

  • Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a small, heavy-bottomed pot. Make sure they fit in a single layer. Cover the chicken with broth. Add the seasoning.
  • Begin heating the pot over medium heat, giving the liquid an occasional stir. Once the water temperature reaches 175° to 180°, reduce the heat to low so that the water maintains this temperature.
  • Partly cover with the pot lid and cook for 10 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat completely and allow the chicken to remain in the hot liquid for about 15 minutes or until the internal temperature of the breasts reaches 155°.

Air-fried Chicken   

Ingredients                                                   

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
  • 2 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons seasoning of choice. We will be using Kingsford Garlic and Herbs All-Purpose Seasoning 

Directions

  • Brush each chicken breast with olive oil.
  • Sprinkle one side with the seasoning.
  • Place the chicken season side down then season the other side.
  • Cook each side for 9 minutes.
  • Take temperature of thickest part of chicken. It should read 158-160°. Return and cook 2-3 minutes then check temperature again if under.
  • Place on plate loosely covering it with foil. After five minutes check to see if the temperature is 165°.

Sautéed Chicken 

Ingredients                                                   

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons seasoning of choice. We will be using Kingsford Garlic and Herbs All-Purpose Seasoning 

Directions

  • Prep your chicken breasts by making sure they have an equal thickness over the entire breast. You can do this by pounding the thicker part of your chicken breasts with a rolling pin or meat pounder
  • Drizzle chicken with olive oil, then rub the chicken both sides with the seasoning
  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
  • Add the chicken breasts to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side. Turn down the heat if it feels like it’s getting too hot.
  • Once chicken is browned on both sides check the chicken’s temperature. It should be 165°.

Warm Feta Cheese Dip

Enjoy this week’s recipe, great for sharing with friends and family! A perfect addition for movie night. Enjoy with some tortilla chips, some sliced french baguette, or even some veggies!

 

Ingredients                                                   

  • 8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
  • 6 oz. crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/2 cup chopped roasted sweet red peppers
  • 3 tablespoons minced fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • Sliced French bread baguette or tortilla chips

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°
  • In a small bowl beat together the cream cheese, feta cheese, peppers, and basil until blended.
  • Transfer to a greased baking dish
  • Bake until bubbly, 25-30 minutes.
  • Serve with baguette slices or chips.

Serving Size: Makes 2 cups of dip

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Course Dinner
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 8

Equipment

  • 1 Pot
  • 3 Pans
  • 1 Strainer
  • 1/4 Cup

Ingredients

  • 1 Jar Prego Sauce
  • 1 Box of Spaghetti Noodles
  • 1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese
  • 1 Bag Frozen Meatballs

Instructions

Spaghetti

  • Grab a large pot
  • Fill pot up halfway with water
  • Turn hotplate on high heat (level 4)
  • Place pot on hotplate & put top on
  • Open noodle box and break all noodles in half
  • Grab a strainer and put it in the sink
  • Once water bubbles add 1 box of noodles to water
  • Cook for the amount labeled on box
  • Once noodles are done turn off hotplate
  • Bring noodles to sink and put in a strainer

Pasta Sauce

  • Grab small pan
  • Turn hotplate on medium heat (level 3) & put pan on plate
  • Wait until pan is warm (place your hand over pan to see)
  • Once pan is warm add 1 jar of sauce to pan
  • Grab a small spoon
  • Stir sauce until it is warm
  • Add spices to your liking
  • Once sauce is warm turn off hotplate

Meatballs

  • Grab meatballs from freezer
  • Grab 1 medium sized pan
  • Turn hotplate on medium heat (level 3) & put pan on plate
  • Wait until pan is warm (place your hand over pan to see)
  • Once pan is warm add all meatballs to pan
  • Grab a fork
  • Stir the meatballs around the pan
  • Cook meatballs the amount on the label
  • Once meatballs are done turn off hotplate

Ground Beef

  • Grab ground beef from fridge
  • Grab 1 medium sized pan
  • Turn on hotplate on medium heat (level 3) & put pan on plate
  • Once pan is warm place ground beef in pan
  • Grab a spatula
  • Stir meat around in a pan
  • Once meat has turned brown turn off hotplate

Combining all ingredients

  • Once all ingredients are done add sauce, meatballs, & ground beef to noodle pot
  • Add 1/4 cup parmesan cheese to pot
  • Stir and serve!

Extra Cheesy Mac and Cheese

What’s better than Kraft mac and cheese? Homemade mac and cheese with even more cheese! This recipe from Budget Bytes is an easy take on the classic comfort meal.

 

Ingredients                                                   

  • 8 oz. macaroni
  • 3 Tbsp. butter
  • 3 Tbsp. all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp. onion powder
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 8 oz. shredded sharp cheese

Directions

  • Cook the macaroni according to the package directions (boil for 7-8 minutes, or until tender). Drain the macaroni in a colander.
  • Place the butter, flour, and onion powder in a medium pot. Whisk and heat over medium until the butter is melted and the mixture begins to bubble. Once bubbling, continue to whisk and cook for one minute.
  • After cooking the butter and flour roux, whisk in the milk. Continue to cook and whisk over medium heat until the milk begins to gently simmer, at which point it will thicken to the consistency of heavy cream or gravy.
  • Turn the burner off. Season the white sauce with the salt.
  • Begin to add the shredded cheddar, one handful at a time, whisking it in until completely melted before adding more. Continue until all of the cheese has been melted into the sauce. If the sauce becomes too cold to melt the cheese, place it back over low heat only briefly to continue melting the cheese. Overheating the sauce can cause it to break and become grainy.
  • Add the cooked and drained pasta to the pot with the cheese sauce and stir to combine. Serve the mac and cheese hot and enjoy!

Serving Size: 4

Edible Cookie Dough

For St Patty’s Day this week we will be taking a beloved classic, edible cookie dough, and turning it GREEN! With mix-in’s consisting of green food dye, chocolate chips, and lucky charms. Of course any of these may be substituted for other toppings throughout the year!

Ingredients                                                   

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup mix in’s of choice

Directions

  1. For the heat-treated flour: Place the flour in a large bowl.  Microwave on high in 30 second intervals, until a digital thermometer inserted into the flour reads 165˚ (check the temperature in multiple spots to get an accurate read). Stir well, then let cool completely. Remove any small clumps.
  2. Combine the brown sugar and butter in a large bowl. Beat with a hand mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment until creamy and well combined, about 2 minutes. Add in the vanilla and milk and mix until combined.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the salt and heat-treated flour. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in 2 to 3 batches, mixing thoroughly to combine between each addition. With the mixer on low, add in your mix-ins and mix just until combined.

No Bake Lucky Charm Treats

No Bake Lucky Charm Treat

Course Dessert
Cuisine holiday
Prep Time 20 minutes
Servings 16

Equipment

  • 13x9-inch pan
  • Freezer
  • Plastic spatula
  • Sauce Pan

Ingredients

  • 5 tbsp Butter
  • 1 Bag Marshmallows
  • 6 Cups Lucky Charm Cereal
  • 8 Oz  Almond-flavored candy coating (almond bark)
  • Green Food Dye
  • Cooking spray

Instructions

  • Grab 13x9-inch pan & spray with cooking spray.
  • Grab large sauce pan
  • Plug in hotplate & turn on medium heat
  • Put sauce pan on hotplate
  • Add 5 tbsp butter to pan
  • Melt butter
  • Once butter is melted, add 1 bag marshmallows to pan
  • Stir constantly until marshmallows are melted
  • Take off hotplate & turn off hotplate
  • Add 6 cups lucky charms to pan & stir together
  • Pour mixture into pan
  • Grab spatula & press mixture into down in pan
  • Let cool for 30 minutes
  • Cut lucky charm mixture into squares
  • Grab a microwave safe bowl
  • Add 8 oz almond flavored candy coating to bowl
  • Microwave according to packaging
  • Once chocolate is done add green food coloring to bowl
  • Place one side of lucky charm squares into chocolate, repeat for all
  • Place on wax paper & enjoy!

Grilled Corn and Ricotta Dip

Ingredients:

  • 6 cans of corn
  • 2 cup ricotta
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • red pepper (to taste)
  • salt (to taste)
  • 2 bags tortilla chips

Directions:

  1. Heat grill to medium. Grill corn, turning occasionally, until charred, 12-15 minutes.
  2. Reserve 1/2 cup kernels and add the rest to a blender with ricotta, feta, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth.
  3. Transfer to serving dish and sprinkle with reserved corn. Sprinkle red pepper, salt and pepper to taste.

Serving size:

  • 6 tbsp. dip
  • 16 chips

Serves: 20

Oreo Truffle Balls

Course Dessert
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings 36

Equipment

  • Baking Sheet
  • 1 TBPS
  • Blender

Ingredients

  • Package of Oreos
  • 8 Oz Cream Cheese
  • 16 Oz Melting Chocolate

Instructions

  • Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Place Oreos in blender, 10 at a time
  • Turn blender on pulse & crush cookies
  • When all cookies are crush add back into the blender
  • Add cream cheese to blender, & turn blender on pulse
  • Take a TBSP and scoop our cookies
  • Make the mixture into a ball & place on baking sheet
  • Put all cookies in freezer for 15 minutes
  • Place melting chocolate in a microwave safe bowl
  • Melt chocolate for 1 minute or until all melted
  • Take cookies out of freezer
  • 1 by 1 put cookies in melting chocolate
  • Once all done, put balls back in fridge for 5 minutes
  • Take out and enjoy!
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