Mocha Brownies

            When I initially set out on this meal-mastering journey, I found a recipe for Espresso Cream Crunch, which I have detailed previously for you.  Chris and I both love coffee SO much, and are always game to give coffee flavored treats a go.  You would think that we get so much of it that we wouldn’t need to try coffee flavored treats, but we do! 

            So, when I saw the Pioneer Woman had included a recipe in her cookbook for Mocha Brownies, I couldn’t wait to give them a try.  When I slid the cookbook in front of Chris’s view, and asked if he wanted me to try them, I think that he said something to the effect of “Oh Yeah!”  Bolstered by his enthusiasm for all things mocha, I added these to my initial “Pioneer Woman Must-Try List.” 

            Luckily for us, this recipe did not disappoint!  If you yourself are not an avid coffee drinker, I think that the over-all coffee taste is not strong at all, and that you will find they are a nice take on the traditional brownie.  I do plan to make these again, as my version of Mae’s Mocha Icing seemed to look a bit different from what hers looked like.  The taste was fantastic, I just thought it looked “funny.”  Chris didn’t seem to notice anything and LOVED them!  Try them for yourself soon!

Slainte!

Brownies:

-Four 1-ounce squares unsweetened chocolate

-1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter

-2 cups of sugar

-4 large eggs

-3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

-1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

Mae’s Mocha Icing:

-2 sticks butter, softened

-5 cups powdered sugar

-1/4 cup cocoa powder

-1/4 teaspoon salt

-3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

-1/2 to ¾ cup brewed coffee, cooled to room temperature

Brownies+PW+Tulips=Pure Joy!

Preparation:

-Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick baking spray.

-Place the chocolate squares in a microwave safe bowl.  Melt the chocolate, being careful to not let it burn.  Set aside.

-In a medium mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar.  Beat in the eggs.

-With the mixer on low speed, drizzle in the melted chocolate.  Add the vanilla extract and mix.

-Add the flour to the bowl and mix just until combined, do not overmix.

-Pour the batter into the baking pan.  Spread evenly in pan and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the center is no longer soft.

-Set aside the brownies to cool before icing.

-To make the icing, in a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt and vanilla.

-Mix until slightly combined, add the coffee.

-Whisk until it is the desired consistency.

-Spread onto the brownies, and refrigerate until cooled.  Cut into squares and serve!

Enjoy!

Chicken Fried Steak

            

            My first go at the Pioneer Woman’s cookbook was trying her recipe for Chicken Fried Steak.  I will admit, that I was super pumped to make this recipe, but simultaneously very nervous that it was too difficult for my current abilities.  In the end, my desire to be able to both prepare and enjoy a chicken fried steak won out.

            The preparation for this dish was surprisingly easy, and it was kind of fun to get my hands a little dirty coating the steaks.  The only real stumbling block I hit was needing a bit more time to thoroughly cook the steaks.  I poked into them when she suggested I remove them from the heat and they were a bit too rare for my liking.  In fact, I would say that I probably ended up doubling the recommended cooking time. 

            When the steaks were done, and it was time to make the gravy I really started shaking in my Pioneer Woman boots…The steaks were one thing, but I really thought that I might never in my lifetime prepare a homemade gravy.  As you can tell from the photos, it was a bit thick as I got a little flour-happy, but when the ingredients formed themselves into gravy I was yelling upstairs like a madwoman, “Honey!  The Pioneer Woman taught me how to make GRAVY!  I CAN make gravy!”

            This meal was a huge hit with Chris, and I recommend you give it a try if you want to feel like you have really achieved something in your kitchen.  However, I beg you, go easy on the flour!

Slainte!

Recipe:

-3 lbs cube steak

-2 large eggs

-1 ½ cups milk, plus 2 cups for the gravy

-2 teaspoons seasoned salt, such as Lawry’s

-3/4 teaspoon paprika

-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

-1 ½ teaspoons black pepper

-1/2 cup canola oil or vegetable oil for fying

Preparation:

-Begin with an assembly line of dishes for the meat, milk-egg mixture, and flour mixture, with a clean plate for the breaded meat.

-Mix the flour, seasoned salt, paprika, cayenne, and black pepper.  Stir gently.

-Lightly season the meat with salt and pepper.

-Dip into the egg mixture, turning to coat

-Dip into the flour mixture, turning to coat

-Dip again into the egg mixture

-Dip again into the flour mixture

-Place on clean plate

-Repeat until all meat pieces are prepared

-Heat the oil in a large skillet, place the meat into the skillet, cooking approximately 2 ½ minutes per side (like I said, it took me a bit longer)

-Remove to a paper-towel lined plate and keep warm

-After frying the meat, pour off the grease into a heat proof bowl.  Without cleaning the pan, return ¼ cup of the grease back to the pan, allowing it to heat up.

-Sprinkle 1/3 cup flour evenly over the grease.  Whisk together

-When the mixture turns a golden brown, add the 2 cups of milk, whisking until it is the desired consistency

Enjoy!

New Obsession: The Pioneer Woman

            A couple of months ago, someone encouraged me to check out the Pioneer Woman’s website.  Of course, I thought about doing so, but never did.  It wasn’t until multiple people prompted me to check it out, that I actually made that fateful click onto her glorious website.  Now, I say fateful because I think that in that first visit to her site, I stayed for hours mesmerized by nearly everything.

            I was struck by how relatable she is, and how I couldn’t stop laughing while reading various posts.  She does all of her own photography and shares stories about her life as an “accidental country girl.”  Her recounting of her life on a ranch almost makes me want to pack up and hit the country.  Well, not quite, but you get the point. 

            So, needless to say, when I saw her on the Today Show, and she was promoting her new cookbook, I new I had to have it.  I needed it so badly, in fact, that I told my husband to please be sure to let Santa know that in addition to really pining away for a new camera, I was going to need the Pioneer Woman cookbook as well.  Well friends, Santa did not let me down, and I have never enjoyed flipping through a cookbook so much!

            I love this cookbook so much in fact, that I am hereby declaring this Pioneer Woman Week at the McQuillan household, and I will be trying 4 of her recipes for you and letting you know how they turn out.  I’m super excited, so be sure to stay tuned!

Slainte!

Mrs. McQuillan

Goulash Take 2!

            A couple of weeks ago some of you might remember I tried a Phelps County recipe for goulash that I wasn’t crazy about.  Try as I might, I just couldn’t accept the goulash simply because it wasn’t my mom’s recipe.  Finding myself in this predicament, I decided to do a little comparative research and shut up already and try my mom’s recipe to see if it was indeed superior.

            Hypothesis in hand, and a fresh request from Brent and Abbie (who are still, sadly, at Children’s in Omaha) for something involving pasta, I called mom for the recipe.  Now, like all tried and true mother’s recipes she rattled it off by heart, without concise measurements. 

            So I prepared this one easily, and without much fuss, packed it up and took it to the hospital.  When Chris and I took our first bite, we agreed that my hypothesis was indeed proven true.  Study results: When it comes to goulash, mom knows best!

Slainte!

Recipe:

-2 cups macaroni

-1 lb hamburger

-large can of tomato sauce

-garlic powder (to taste)

-1 can corn

-brown sugar (approx. ¼ cup)

Preparation:

-Cook the macaroni according to package directions

-Meanwhile, brown the hamburger

-Combine all ingredients in the macaroni pot

Enjoy!

Mediterranean Meal

            This next recipe for Mediterranean Style Beef Pitas was a little outside of the box for me.  To date, I have never prepared a pita in my home, and have rarely purchased hummus-which I now love!  I am probably most embarrassed to admit that also prior to preparing this recipe, I had never formed hamburger into patties!  Don’t tell my parents, as they would probably be VERY embarrassed by this!

            Because I have recently come to realize that the only things I cannot do in the kitchen are those that I let myself believe I can’t do, I thought “what the heck” and decided to give it the old college try.  I was so pleased to see that in no time at all, I had prepared an incredibly tasty meal, which was very flavorful! 

            If you are searching for a new idea for dinner, which features the taste of the Mediterranean, give this one a try soon!  I promise, you will not be disappointed.  Just be sure to heat the pitas as they are much better warm, which I learned the hard way!  Hope you are all staying warm!

Slainte!

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/mediterranean-beef-pitas-00000000027588/index.html

Enjoy!

Ravioli with Brown Butter and Sage

            This next recipe I tried recently was quite possibly the most fabulous smelling thing I have made to date.  I am not exaggerating one bit when I tell you that I imagine meals in heaven (if there are meals in heaven, and I sure hope there are) smell like this.  I found this recipe online at Real Simple’s website, and as a result of my compulsive pasta preparing tried it immediately.

            It was really very easy, and turned out so great.  I was a bit nervous how the leftovers would be the next day, but they were just as good!  If you have a pasta tooth (is there really such a thing?) like me, I would recommend you try this one soon.  I would especially recommend it if you are having company and want the guests to arrive in your home and know from the wonderful aromas that greet them that you, yes YOU, are a fabulous cook!

Slainte!

For recipe and preparation instructions click below:

Preparation of the Brown Butter and Sage

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/ravioli-brown-butter-sage-10000001572917/index.html

Enjoy!

Holiday Traditions

Photo taken with my NEW CAMERA!

            A warm welcome and well wishes to you all in 2011!  I am simultaneously glad and sad to be moving out of the holiday season and into this New Year.  I received blessings in 2010 that I may never be able to express ample gratitude for, and pray especially that 2011 will be a year of health and happiness for my family.  I am grateful that I live in a place where I can experiment with different foods, and that I have been given the resources to mess around in my kitchen in hopes of “mastering meals,” and that there are people out there who enjoy my ramblings, and have even tried a thing or two from this blog.  Most especially, I am grateful for Mr. McQuillan and his patience and willingness to eat whatever is put on his plate.

            I often dream about the type of home we will create one day, and when this daydreaming is taking place, I conjure images of the multitude of “traditions” we will implement.  With that said, I have always enjoyed my step-father’s stories of his Grandmother who immigrated to the U.S. from Denmark.  He tells stories about her in the same way that Chris talks about “Grandpa Walt.”  As the stories come to an end, I always wish that I could meet her and talk about Denmark and their Danish traditions.

            A few years ago, a friend vaguely mentioned that their family always had Danish pancakes, known as Ebelskivers, for breakfast on Christmas morning.  I love traditions like this, so when I recently saw an Ebelskiver pan at Williams-Sonoma I put together an argument for why we needed one to Chris and we made the purchase!  I must say, they were out of the “special turning tools” and I would quickly learn that this was for good reason…

            Now, when one is setting out to create new family traditions, you would assume that great care would be put into the first time the “tradition” would take place…WRONG!  I was such a ding bat about this that I literally dinked around my home all day on Christmas Eve, left my house at 5:45pm to head to the store only to find that they CLOSED at 6!  Fuming at my own stupidity, I drove to Walgreens where of course they do not sell buttermilk, and sat (Blackberry in hand) searching for a dumbed-down recipe for Ebelskivers that did not involve buttermilk in the aisle.

            When I had finally got what I needed, and was driving away, I called home to ask Mike if his grandma had ever made Ebelskivers for him.  Of course, he reported that she made them “all the time.”  I read online that Danish women turn them with a knitting needle, and even if this isn’t how she turned them, this is how I picture her doing it.  It makes for a much better picture than me and my goopy fork!

            These really were very easy and I would recommend them as a fun variation on the traditional pancake.  Chris really enjoyed them, and next time I will experiment with different fillings to see what we like best. 

            Slainte to more meal mastering in 2011!

Recipe:

*This is the recipe that I was hoping to make.  I think that it will be better than the one I used as the only variation is the use of buttermilk, and I think this would likely make a big difference.

http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,174,144184-244206,00.html

Enjoy!

Finished product: a little toasty due to my slow turning skills :)