Heart-Shaped Cheese Ball & Homemade Crackers
Hi everybody :)
I've been so busy lately, I missed from posting the other day. To make things right, I'm sharing two recipes in today's post.
Since, February is considered a month for romance; cheese, crackers and a bottle of wine are the prefect way to start off a romantic occasion. We that in mind, I'm sharing Heart-Shaped Cheese Ball and Homemade Crackers. Let's get it started...
Homemade Plain Crackers
1/2 package (1 teaspoon) active dry yeast
1/3 cup warm water (105° to 115°)
2 tablespoons cooking oil
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 slightly beaten egg white
Coarse or seasoned salt, grated Parmesan cheese, toasted wheat germ, or toasted sesame seed
In a small bowl dissolve yeast in the warm water. Stir in oil, sugar, and the 1/4 teaspoon salt; set aside.
In a medium bowl stir together flour and soda. Stir water
mixture into flour mixture.
When the dough becomes too stiff to stir, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until thoroughly combined. Then knead for 1 to 2 minutes more to make a moderately Stiff dough that is smooth and elastic. Place in a sealed plastic bag and chill for 1 hour. (Dough will rise slightly.)
On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into 1/8 -inch thick rectangle. Brush off excess flour. Cover dough and let rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, grease a baking sheet, set baking sheet aside. (Dough will rise slightly.)
Using a pastry wheel or sharp knife, cut dough into 2-inch squares, triangles, or diamond Shapes. Or, using a 2-inch round cookie cutter cut dough into rounds. (I used a small oval-shape cutter.)
Place on the prepared baking sheet. Using the tines of a fork, prick crackers well.
In a small mixing bowl stir together egg white and 1 tablespoon water, lightly brush crackers with egg white mixture. Sprinkle with coarse or seasoned salt. Parmesan cheese, toasted wheat germ, or toasted sesame seed.
(I sprinkled garlic salt & parsley on some and salt on some.)
Bake in a 350° oven for 10 to 12 minutes or till done. Remove crackers from the baking sheet and cool on a wire rack. Makes about 60 (I got about 48)
Homemade Whole Wheat Crackers: Prepare Homemade Plain Crackers as directed at left, except reduce all-purpose flour to 1 cup. Stir 1/4 cup whole wheat flour into the flour mixture. Bake a 350° oven for 12 to 14 minutes or till done.
(I sprinkled toasted wheat germ on some and salt & pepper on some.)
Source: Better and Gardens Old-Fashioned Home Baking
Heart-Shaped Ranch Cheese Ball
1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 - 2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing mix
1/2 teaspoon salad supreme seasoning
1/3 cup Cheddar Cheese
1 (2 oz.) package bacon bits (2 tablespoons)
Paprika for coating
In a medium bowl, mix together all the ingredients except paprika.
Shape into a heart.
To coat: Sprinkle a layer of paprika about the size of the heart on plastic wrap. Place cheese ball heart on top of paprika, sprinkle paprika to cover.
Wrap in plastic wrap and place in zip-lock bag and refrigerate until ready to serve. (Great if made-ahead for flavors to blend.
What I Did and/or Think:
I divided the liquid mixture in half to make half plain and half wheat crackers. The other changes are in Bold, Italic, and Purple.
The Taste: The crackers have the same taste and crunch of saltine soda crackers. They were great with the cheese ball without being overpowering. I love the flavors of the cheese ball. It contained two of my favorite thing after all; bacon and cheese :).
I think the next time I make the crackers, I'll add a little butter flavoring to the liquid mixture. It's an A.G.R. (Another Great REPEAT).
Being romantic can be very tasty :) Now what are you waiting for? Get an head start, make them today.
ENJOY! Come again...
I was featured on Bizzy Bake!!!
Linked to:
YeastSpotting! @ wildyeast
BYOB @ Roxana's Home Baking : (Feb 2013) Bake Your Own Bread
Recipe Sharing Monday @ Jam Hands
Titus 2 Tuesday
Show and Share Wednesday Semi-Homemade Mom
Jaime @ Mom's Test Kitchen
Bizzy Bake Recipe Box
Kathe With an E You're Gonna Love It
Tasty Tuesday (Food Only) @ Naptime Creation
Zentmrs: Tuesday Table
Pint Sized Baker: Two Cup Tuesday #5
Katherine Martinelli: Valentine's Day Round Up
Hamburger Soup
Hi everybody :)
Happy February! It's has been chilly here for these past few days. I been hiding under my covers refusing to get out of bed :). On cold days I like to make some of my old stand by recipes. You know, the kind that don't take to long to prepare but taste like you spent all day in the kitchen.
Today stand by recipe is Hamburger Soup. It's one of my favorites because it's easily adjustable to whatever vegetables you have on hand. Here
's what I did...
Hamburger Soup
3 - 4 lbs. ground chuck
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 medium onion, sliced
6 cups water
1 tsp. Better than Bouillon Beef Base (reduce sodium)
4 cups potatoes, peeled and cut-up
2 cups carrots, peeled and sliced
1 bay leaf
1 pack Lipton soup mix + 1/4 cup water + 1 1/2 Tbsp. cornstarch or flour
1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes
1 cup frozen baby sweet peas or okra*
Sprinkle meat with salt and pepper. Brown meat in pot over med heat. Drained.
Add onion, saute until tender.
Add water, beef base, potatoes, carrots and bay leaf. Cover and simmer over low heat until vegetables are tender; about 25 minutes.
Mix soup mix, cornstarch, and water. Add to the pot along with tomatoes and peas.
Cook about 5 minutes longer or until thicken. Remove bay leaf before serving.
*If using okra, add at the end of cooking time. Cover and let sit for about 5 minutes; the heat for the soup will cook the okra.
This is great serve with buttery hot cornbread.
ENJOY! Come again...
Linked to:
Melt In Your Mouth Monday @ Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms
Flour Me With Love: Mix it up Monday!
Recipe Sharing Monday @ Jam Hands
Marvelous Mondays @ This Gal Cooks
Skip To My Lou: Made by you Monday
Cheddar Bay-Styled Salmon Croquettes
Hi everybody :)
I try to eat salmon once a week or least twice a month. I love it fresh, frozen, or canned; for today recipe, I'm using canned salmon. I find it's best to buy the cans in bulk at Sam's Club (you get 4 (14 3/4 oz.) cans for about $6.oo).
The last time I was there, I spotted a box of Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix. So I figure, why not try it. I later came home, put it away and forgot about it... until today while trying to come up with what would make a great snack? The answer, croquettes! But, not just ordinary salmon croquettes... no, no, nooooo... Cheddar Bay-Styled Salmon Croquettes.
It came to me, just when I reach into the cabinet to get the salmon and remember the biscuit mix. Why not replace the flour in a ordinary croquette recipe with the biscuit mixture and add cheese? Me, being the ever-loving experimentalist that I am :) had to give this a try. Here's what I did...
Cheddar Bay-Styled Salmon Croquettes
1(14 3/4 oz.) can salmon, bones removed; drained & reserved 2 tablespoons liquid
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup onion, chopped
1/3 - 1/2 cup* Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix (I found this at Sam's Club)
1/2 teaspoon herb pack (it comes in the box with the mix)
1/3 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (I used finely grated Mexican Blend) (it was what I had)
Lemon Pepper & Salt, to taste
2 teaspoons baking powder
Panko Japanese Style Bread Crumbs (for coating)
Oil for frying
Heat about 1 inch of oil in a large, heavy skillet to oil to 350°F.
Combine salmon, egg, onion, biscuit mixture, cheese, and seasonings in a medium bowl; set aside.
In a small bowl, mix reserved salmon liquid and baking powder. (Mixture will be bubbly, foamy, and white.) Stir into salmon mixture. (Don't over-mix)
Shape into balls (*add more biscuit mix only if needed; you want just enough for it to hold it shape). Place crumb coating in a shallow pan or zip-lock bag. Roll balls in crumb coating, flatten slightly. Carefully lower croquettes into hot oil. (Do not over crowd).
Fry in batches for 3 -5 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain patties on paper towels. Serve with tartar sauce, mustard/ketchup and/or hot sauce, if desired.
What I Think:
I absolutely LOVE the croquettes; full of flavor: tender flakes of fish embedded in an onions, herbs, and cheese dough wrapped in nice crunchy crumb coating. If you haven't try Panko bread crumbs yet, you must give it a try. I can't wait to make this again, so it will be REPEATED as often as possible.
(A little side note, I first discovered the bread crumbs from Jane's blog, where I actually won a box, and been loving it every since. Jane has a super great blog, but don't take my word for it, stop by and see for yourself.)
Need a great snack for a party or entertaining? Try the salmon croquettes... Cheddar Bay-Styled, of course :)
ENJOY! Come again...
Linked to:
The Mandatory Mooch Tasty Thursday
Show Case Your Talent @What's Cooking Love
Creative Juice Thursday @ Momnivore's Dilemma
Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage
The Better Baker Weekend Potluck
Miss Information: I Freakin' Did It Friday
Katherine Martinelli: Salmon Blog Hop
Place on the prepared baking sheet. Using the tines of a fork, prick crackers well. 
