Category: ‘Not Your Grandmothers’

Crunchy, Nutty Apple Crisp with a Sprinkling of Bacon

Sprinkling on bits of crispy bacon during the last few minutes of baking is, of course, optional. But it sure is a fun option!  

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I always have such good intentions.  I always buy lots of fruit and I always throw away some of that fruit.  This time I put those soft apples to good use and baked one of my favorite old-fashioned desserts – Apple Crisp.  Sprinkling on bits of crispy bacon towards the end of the baking time gives this dessert an new twist.

You know, I actually prefer eating apple crisp at room temperature, but that didn’t keep me from giving myself a big serving while it was still hot.

Except for coring, peeling and cutting the apples, this dessert takes very little time to prepare.

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8 – 9 inch square cake pan        Bake at 350F for 30 – 35 minutes

Add chopped, cooked bacon 5 minutes before apple crisp is ready to come out of the oven.

Ingredients

    Apple Filling

  • 7 cups peeled, sliced apples
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
  • 3 pinches nutmeg
  • 1 Tbs. flour     ++ Flour helps thicken the apple juices
  • 1/4 tsp. salt

    Topping

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar   ++  Just leveled, not ‘packed’    
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 Tbs COLD butter, cut into small pieces
  • 2 pinches salt
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
  • 2 – 3 Tbs. roughly chopped cooked bacon  To be added during last few minutes of baking.

++  As the old expression goes, “Live and Learn’.  I learned that finely chopping the cooked bacon was NOT the way to go, so I recommend doing a rough chop.  Also, it’s better if the bacon is slightly crispy… not super crispy.  

Method

In a large bowl mix 7 cups peeled, sliced apples, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon, 3 pinches nutmeg, 1 Tbs. flour and 1/4 tsp. salt.  Pour into a square baking pan.

Place 1/2 cup brown sugar, 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 4 Tbs cold butter (cut into small pieces) and 2 pinches salt in a medium bowl.  Using a pastry cutter, or two knives, mix ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs.  Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans.  (Do NOT add the bacon!)

Sprinkle crumb mixture evenly over the sliced apples.  Bake at 350F for 30 – 35 minutes.  The apple filling should be bubbling and the topping should be browned.

++ If adding 2 – 3 Tbs. chopped cooked bacon – sprinkle it on 5 minutes before apples crisp is fully cooked.    Enjoy!

6-crunchy-nutty-apple-crisp-with-a-sprinkling-of-bacon-my-yellow-farmhouse

 

My Yellow Farmhouse - Cooking with Love!8 Comments

‘Not Your Grandmother’s’ Turkey (or Chicken) Tetrazzini – Prepared with Tortellini Instead of Spaghetti

One of the great things about this recipe is you do NOT have to bake it – just pop it under the broiler to melt the cheese and brown the almonds!  

Or –  you can make it ahead & reheat it in the oven! 

Not too long ago I made a scrumptious lasagna using ravioli – and was very happy with the the results. So I thought, “How about preparing my usual Turkey (Chicken) Tetrazzini with tortellini”?

My son M. and I prepared this dish the day after Thanksgiving, which I spent in Philadelphia. (I always ask his mother-in-law for the turkey carcass AND the glorious turkey drippings.)  My daughter-in-law picked up cheese-filled tortellini, but, of course, you can use any type of tortellini you like.

I think you’ll enjoy this new twist on an old favorite.  I know we did.

++ I have this recipe in a cookbook I made for my twin sons and their wives.. and that made posting this recipe a bit quicker because I could just ‘cut and paste’ the ingredients and instructions!!   : o )

Mushroom Ravioli Lasagna

Follow this link for “Mushroom Ravioli Lasagna with a Light Basil & Bell Pepper Tomato Sauce”

Ingredients and Method

++  Set oven at broil – if serving this right away – broil until shredded Parmesan is melted and and almonds are slightly browned. ++  Place oven rack so that casserole is about five inches below broiler. ++ PREHEAT BROILER !! 

++  OR –  put casserole in the oven at 350F until the filling is bubbling – about a half hour.

++  OR – refrigerate casserole for a day or two, allow casserole to come to room temp, then bake at 350F until filling is bubbling – may take a bit more than a half hour.

++  Casserole is baked UNCOVERED.

Ingredients

  • 3 (9 oz.) packages refrigerated tortellini – cooked per package direction
  • PREFER TO USE PASTA –  1 (16 oz.) package spaghetti or fettuccine, cooked & use HALF the sauce recipe.
  • 2 cans chicken-mushroom soup, undiluted  ++ OR cream of chicken soup OR mushroom soup 
  • 2 cups  turkey or chicken stock    ++  Or 2 cups boiling water and 2 bullion cubes
  • 2 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
  • 2 cups cooked chicken or turkey, cut into small pieces
  • 1/4 – 1/3 cup slivered almonds
  • 1/2 – 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese  ++ My daughter in-law, who did the shopping, bought a bag of refrigerated, shredded Parmesan cheese. I usually recommend freshly grated cheese but the refrigerated cheese was very good.   ; o )
  • sprinkle of paprika, for color

In medium saucepan combine 2 cans chicken-mushroom soup, 2 cups chicken/turkey stock (or 2 cups boiling water and 2 bullion cubes), 2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce, 1 1/2 tsp.salt and  1/2 tsp.pepper.  Cook, stirring, over medium heat until mixture comes almost to a boil. Add 2 cups cooked turkey (or chicken) cut into small pieces. Remove pan from heat.  Add cooked tortellini and mix well.

Pour mixture into a 10” x 13” casserole or pan.  Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese, then slivered almonds and a bit of paprika, just for color.

TO SERVE IMMEDIATELY – Place casserole under broiler for about 4 minutes or until Tetrazzini is browned and bubbly.  ++  Be sure to watch it.  One second you have a lovely, bubbling casserole with toasted almonds… but within a few seconds you can have a disaster.

TO SERVE LATER – OR TO COOK CASSEROLE IN THE OVEN – see directions above.   Enjoy! 

 

My Yellow Farmhouse - Cooking with Love!10 Comments

A New Spin on an Old Favorite – Mushroom Ravioli Lasagna with a Light Basil & Bell Pepper Tomato Sauce

Mushroom Ravioli Lasagna - My Yellow Farmhouse

My son Dan recently dropped by and I told him I’d made a new dish called Mushroom Ravioli Lasagna.  He wanted to try it for himself… and the first words out of his mouth were, “Why did you make so much”?  Hey, I prefer to make A LOT.  It’s just as easy to make a lot as it is too make a little.  And everyone loves leftovers, especially if you have children who seem to eat 18 hours a day.  I guess I’m still thinking like the woman who used to feed twin sons…. plus all their friends.  And now I just feed the neighbors!   ; 0 )

Mushroom Ravioli Lasagna with a Light Basil & Bell Pepper Tomato Sauce is easier, at least to me, than preparing a regular lasagna with lasagna noodles.  And the mushroom ravioli gives this Italian staple a whole new spin.  The tomato sauce has a fresh, light taste and is a cinch to prepare. I used several types of bell pepper, a bit of red onion, two cans of VERY good quality crushed tomatoes, one can of tomato sauce, some roughly chopped basil – plus salt and pepper.  Then I let the sauce simmer for about an hour, which thickened it up perfectly and allowed the flavors to meld.

While the sauce was simmering I mixed the ricotta, parmesan, eggs and fresh Italian parsley, and cooked the mushroom ravioli al dente.  All that was left to do was make the layers, which I thought was a lot of fun.  (Maybe I need to get out more, huh?)

 

A few of my sister-in-laws (I have six) visited Saturday night, when I prepared this lasagna. The wine was flowing and we had a lot of fun.  Due to my broken ankle, one of them had to drain the ravioli and place the lasagna in the oven… And take it out, of course.

I hope you like this Mushroom Ravioli Lasagna with a Light Basil & Bell Pepper Tomato Sauce as much as we did.  Enjoy!

Follow this link to -‘Not Your Grandmother’s’ Turkey (or Chicken) Tetrazzini – Prepared with Tortellini Instead of Spaghetti !

larger-photo-chicken-tetrazzini-with-a-twist-tortellini-instead-of-spaghetti

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Oven at 425 degrees F  for 45 minutes           13″ x 10″ deep casserole dish

Do NOT Cover Lasagna with Foil !    

Allow lasagna to stand for 10 minutes after removing it from the oven.

     INGREDIENTS

Sauce

  • 1 Tbs. olive oil
  • ½ cup each; chopped red pepper, chopped green pepper, chopped orange pepper ++ Or any combination – to equal  1 1/2 cups.
  • ¾ cup chopped red onion
  • 2 cans (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes ++  I used Sclafani brand for the first time & was very impressed with the quality.
  • 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce  ++  I used Hunts – Basil, Garlic & Oregano
  • 2 Tbs. roughly chopped fresh basil
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • ground fresh pepper – to taste

Filling

  • 4 cups (32 ounces) ricotta cheese
  • 1 (16 oz.) package shredded Mozzarella  ++ DIVIDED  Mix 2 1/2 cups into the ricotta mixture – the rest will be sprinkled top. 
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan (or Romano) cheese
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 Tbs. chopped fresh flat leaf parsley (a.k.a. Italian parsley)
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 – 3/4 tsp. black pepper

Ravioli

  • 3 packages (9 0z.) fresh mushroom-stuffed ravioli, cooked according to package directions    ++ I used Buitoni Riserva Pasta Agnolotti Wild Mushroom, located in the refrigerator aisle of your grocery store.
  • 1 tsp. salt and 1 Tbs. olive oil in water
  • 2 Tbs. olive oil… to mix with cooked ravioli.  Helps it not to stick. (I forgot to do this…)

     METHOD

Add 1 Tbs. olive oil to a large stock pot or Dutch Oven.  Add ½ cup each; chopped red pepper, chopped green pepper, chopped orange pepper ++ Any combination – to equal  11/2 cups and ¾ cup chopped red onion.  Cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat until peppers and onion begin to soften. (They’ll cook more in the oven.)

Add 2 cans (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes, 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce, 2 Tbs. roughly chopped fresh basil, 1 tsp tsp. salt and ground fresh pepper, to taste.  Simmer sauce, stirring occasionally, for one hour. Do NOT cover pan.  Sauce will reduce by about 1/3.

I highly  recommend using a splatter guard!

splatter guard

While sauce is simmering, prepare ricotta/mozzarella mixture.  In a medium bowl mix 4 cups (32 ounces) ricotta cheese, 2 1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 eggs, 1 Tbs. chopped fresh flat leaf parsley (a.k.a. Italian parsley), 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 – 3/4 tsp. black pepper.  Set aside.

Ravioli

Cook al dente, according to package directions.  Drain well and mix with 2 Tbs. olive oil so the ravioli won’t stick together.  Set aside.

Putting It All Together    ++  See photos below !

In a large casserole – or 13″ x 10″ pan – spread about 1  cups tomato sauce.  Layer about 14 mushroom ravioli on top, depending upon the size of the ravioli.  Spread HALF the ricotta/mozzarella mixture on top of ravioli.  Cover with more tomato sauce. Add your second layer of ravioli, other half of ricotta/mozzarella mixture and your final layer of ravioli.  Spread remaining tomato sauce on top.

At this time you can sprinkle on the remaining shredded mozzarella BUT I suggest you wait until the lasagna has been cooking for about 25 minutes, then sprinkle on the shredded mozzarella because this helps the mozzarella to not overcook and turn brown.  Enjoy!

Mushroom Ravioli Lasagna - My Yellow Farmhouse

My Yellow Farmhouse - Cooking with Love!18 Comments

‘Not Your Grandmother’s Potato Salad’ – Roasted New Potatoes with Creamy Parsley Dressing and Avocados

UPDATE – A Reddit follower said she swapped out the black olives for (drained) marinated artichoke hearts.  I LOVE that idea!!  

Our summer family tradition of ‘Swim & Feast’ continued last night and my contribution was Roasted New Potatoes with Creamy Parsley Dressing. This salad is fully-loaded with crunchy shredded carrots and celery, avocado, sliced black olives and hard-boiled eggs.  Most of us returned for second helpings – even the children!

The stars of this dish are the new potatoes which are roasted in the oven with red onion wedges and minced garlic. With the addition of chicken, salmon or ham etc. you’ve got yourself a great meal!

++ You don’t have to peel new potatoes – how’s that for easy?

++ This salad can be made the day before –  and it can also be served warm.

INGREDIENTS & METHOD 

Preheat oven to 425F      Total time for baking potatoes  35 – 40 minutes

  • 3 lbs. new potatoes  (I used White Delights which have a firm texture.)
  • 1 cup red onion, sliced thick
  • 3 large cloves of garlic, minced   (About 1 Tbs.)
  • 3 Tbs. olive oil
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery (One stalk.)
  • 1 can (3.8 oz.) DRAINED sliced black olives
  • 6 hard boiled eggs, cut into large slices  (3 of the eggs are mixed into the salad – the other 3 are placed on top of the salad.)
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 3 Tbs. chicken stock  (I used “College Inn – Bold Stock)  ++ You can freeze the leftover stock or use it when making scrambled eggs instead of milk or in gravy etc. etc.
  • 1/2 tsp. salt – or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • 3 Tbs. minced fresh parsley
  • One chopped avocado – placed on top of salad right before serving. (Why? Because avocados become brown when exposed to air.)

Rinse 3 lbs. new potatoes – no need to peel.  Cut into 1 1/2′  pieces.  Place chopped potatoes, 1 cup sliced red onion & 1 Tbs. minced garlic in a medium size bowl. Add 3 Tbs. olive oil – mix everything together. Place onto a greased 15″ x 10″ cookie sheet, spreading out potatoes etc. to form one layer.  Roast potatoes at 425 for 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes, stir potatoes and roast for 15 – 20 minutes more – or until you can pierce potatoes easily with a knife. (You don’t want to overcook them either or they won’t hold their shape in the salad.)

Place the cooked potatoes back into the medium sized bowl and add 1/2 cup shredded carrots, 1 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley, 1/2 cup chopped celery, 1 can (3.8 oz.) DRAINED sliced black olives and 3 sliced hard cooked eggs.

In a small bowl mix 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 3 Tbs. chicken stock, 1/2 tsp. salt – or to taste, 1/4 tsp. pepper and 3 Tbs. minced fresh parsley.  Pour sauce into bowl containing potatoes and mix well. Top salad with the remaining 3 (sliced) hard cooked eggs & sprinkle on a bit of minced fresh parsley.

** Just Before Serving – add 1 chopped avocado to top of salad.

You can serve salad warm. OR – you can let it sit in the fridge overnight, which gives the flavors time to blend. Enjoy!

My Yellow Farmhouse - Cooking with Love!27 Comments

Not Your Grandmother’s Banana Bread with M&Ms, Nuts & a Smidge of Peanut Butter

Pretty much everyone loves Banana Bread, especially when its just out of the oven and slathered with butter.  My ‘Not Your Grandmother’s’ Banana Bread’ gives you the extra kick of melted chocolate and nuts, not to mention just a hint of peanut butter flavor.

++  Here’s a great link with all the info. you’d ever need to know about pan sizes!  http://www.joyofbaking.com/PanSizes.html

Ingredients & Directions               Oven at 350F             Bake for 50 – 55 minutes

++ Use a 9 x 5 x 3 loaf pan, if possible !!   If using a smaller pan, you may have to increase cooking time & the banana bread might be a bit crumbly… but still delicious!!

  • 2 medium – VERY RIPE – bananas…. enough to equal 1 cup
  • 1 Tbs. lemon juice   ++ If you don’t have any lemon juice.. that’s fine.
  • 1/4 cup buttered, SOFTENED  ++Put in microwave for a few seconds.
  • 1/4 cup chunk-style peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup sugar    If you don’t have brown sugar, use a total of 1/2 cup regular sugar.
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar    ++ DON’T pack down the brown sugar. 
  • 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1 3/4 cup flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp. baking POWDER
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 cup M&Ms
  • 1/4 chopped peanuts OR chopped walnuts

Put bananas in a small bowl and mash with a fork until smooth. Measure out 1 cup and place mashed banana in a large bowl. Add 1 Tbs. lemon juice, 1/4 cup softened butter, 1/4 cup chunk-style peanut butter, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar (NOT packed), 1 large egg, 1/3 cup milk, 1 3/4 cups flour, 1 1/2 tsp. baking POWDER, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. vanilla.

Mix with electric mixer until ‘just combined’.  Stir in 1 cup M&Ms and 1/4 cup chopped peanuts OR walnuts.

Banana-Peanut Butter Bread with M and Ms and Nuts - My Yellow Farmhouse.com

Pour into greased loaf pan (I suggest a 9 x 5 x 3).   ++ I like to sprinkle the top with 2 tsp. of sugar, which gives the banana bread a nice look.

Banana Peanut Butter Bread with M and Ms and Nuts - My Yellow Farmhouse.com

Bake for 50 – 55 minutes until a knife (or toothpick) comes out clean when stuck into the center of the loaf.  Cool banana bread (still in the pan) on a rack for about 10 minutes, then turn it out onto the rack to cool further.  (I bet the bread won’t last more than two minutes before someone cuts into it.)  Enjoy!

'Not Your Grandmother's' Banana Bread with M&Ms and Nuts - My Yellow Farmhouse.com

My Yellow Farmhouse - Cooking with Love!17 Comments

‘Not Your Grandmother’s’ Bread Pudding

Although I used Panettone to make my bread pudding, any type of dense bread can be used.

Panetonni -cortinasitalianfood.comLast night I remembered I had some chocolate chip Panettone (bread) leftover from Christmas. Before you become alarmed, Panettone remains fresh for quite a while, especially when refrigerated.  ++ Photo courtesy of Cortina’s Italian Food.com

Lately I’ve been in the mood for some good, old-fashioned bread pudding and I thought, “Hmm, how about making a totally new version using Panettone, with the addition of cream cheese for extra richness?”  Happily, my idea resulted in a creamy, rich dessert that’s easy to make.  (My ‘taste testers’ gave this recipe a big thumbs up!)

++ Recipe can be easily doubled – use a 1 1/2 quart baking dish or casserole and up baking time to 55 – 60+ minutes.      See tip below for testing if bread pudding is fully cooked.

           Ingredients          Oven at 350F         Makes 10 pieces 

  • 3 cups dense bread – such as Panettone – cut into 2′ squares      ++ cups should be a bit over-full
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup condensed milk
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 pinches nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp. vanilla
  • 1/2 package cream cheese
  • ++  Optional —- IF NOT USING PANETONNE add about 1/8 cup chocolate chips & a few gratings of orange peel.

Not Your Grandmother's Bread Pudding - myellowfarmhouse.com

Cut bread into thick slices – cut slices into 2′ squares.   ++ You don’t have to be fussy about how you cut up the bread.   Place cubed bread into a greased loaf pan.

In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 eggs, 1/2 cup condensed milk, 1/2 cup water, 2 pinches nutmeg & 1/4 tsp. vanilla.  Pour over bread squares.

Cut – or pull off – small pieces of cream cheese and drop on top of the bread/milk mixture.  Mix everything together and allow to sit for a few minutes so bread can absorb liquid.   Place loaf pan in large pan or large casserole containing 1′ of hot water.

USE -Not Your Grandmother's Bread Pudding - myyellowfarmhouse.com

Bake at 350F  for 45 minutes – or until a knife inserted 1/2′ into pudding comes out clean.  Bread pudding should be puffed and dry-looking on the top.

Not Your Grandmother's Bread Pudding - myyellowfarmhouse.com

‘Not Your Grandmother’s’ Bread Pudding is delicious eaten warm or cold.  And it’s so rich there’s actually no need for special toppings but it sure is good with fudge sauce!!

Not Your Mother's Bread Pudding - myyellowfarmhouse.com

My Yellow Farmhouse - Cooking with Love!16 Comments