Happy Birthday, Mr. President…

No Comments | Written on February 12, 2010 at 5:00 am , by Kristina Vanni

America’s 16^th president was born 201 years ago today.  We know so much about his life and accomplishments in office, but we know little about the foods he enjoyed.  The First Ladies Cookbook explains,  “Abraham Lincoln was a sparse eater, but his favorite light repast was apples.  The popular way to serve apples during the period corresponding with Lincoln’s life was apple pie, with a good coating of hot rum sauce.”

ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S APPLE PIE WITH HOT RUM SAUCE

Your favorite recipe for a 2-crust pie, or 1 package (2 crusts) refrigerated pie crusts

6 medium tart green apples, pared, cored, and sliced 1/4″ thick

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 cup granulated sugar

1 Tablespoon cornstarch

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 Tablespoons cold butter, cut into small pieces

Hot Rum Sauce (recipe follows)

1.  Heat oven to 425 degrees.  Line a 9-inch pie pan with one crust.  Place apples in a large mixing bowl; sprinkle in lemon juice and toss to coat.  In a small bowl, combine the sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.  Add sugar mixture to apples and toss gently to coat apples.  Spoon apple mixture into prepared pie pan.  Dot the top with the butter pieces.

2.  Cover pie with the top crust, fold over and under the crust in pan, and flute edges to seal.  Using the tip of a sharp knife, make small gashes over top of crust to allow steam to escape.

3.  Bake pie at 425 degrees for 15 minutes; reduce heat to 375 and bake another 40 minutes, or until crust is nicely browned.  If edges are browning too quickly, cover edges with foil.  Remove from oven and let pie cool on a wire rack.  Slice pie into wedges and serve with hot rum sauce.  Serves 8.

HOT RUM SAUCE

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1-1/2 Tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups milk, scalded

1 egg, slightly beaten

1/4 cup light rum

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix dry ingredients in a small saucepan.  Stir in scalded milk and bring rapidly to a boil; reduce heat.  Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and clear, about 3-5 minutes.  Stir a small amount of the hot sauce into beaten egg and mix thoroughly; immediately return to pan, stirring constantly.  Cook and stir over low heat 3-4 minutes, or until thickened. Stir in rum and vanilla until well blended.  Serve sauce warm over pie slices.

Valentine’s Day Kiss

3 Comments | Written on February 11, 2010 at 5:00 am , by Kristina Vanni

There is no better way to say “I Love You” than with a homemade treat.  These cookies are a festive take on a classic recipe.  Share some kisses today!

Cherry Chocolate Kisses

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

2 teaspoon maraschino cherry juice

1/2  teaspoon almond extract

few drops red food coloring

2 1/4 cup flour

1/2 cup maraschino cherries, drained and chopped

48 chocolate kisses, unwrapped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, combine butter, powdered sugar, cherry juice, almond extract and food coloring; blend well.   Stir in flour.  Add cherries and mix well.  Form dough into 1 inch balls.  Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.  Immediately top each cookie with a chocolate kiss.  Remove to a rack to cool.

Looking for more great Valentine’s Day recipe ideas?  Why don’t you sign up for the Better Recipes Newsletter!  This week’s email was filled with decadent chocolate dishes, romantic meal ideas and more.  Click here to sign up today!

Effortless Elegance

No Comments | Written on February 10, 2010 at 5:00 am , by Kristina Vanni

Looking to impress someone special this Valentine’s Day?  If you can roast a chicken, why not up the ante and roast a duck!  Some cooks seem to think a duck or goose is hard to prepare, when actually it is super easy.  This recipe is my version of the classic French dish “Duck a l’Orange.”

With such an easy recipe, you can spend your time focusing on presentation.  This is the time to impress!  Iron those nice table linens, use your best china and pop open a bottle of wine.  The evening will feel elegant and the meal decadent without the hefty price tag of a fancy French restaurant.  Bon Appetit!

DUCK WITH SWEET ORANGE SAUCE

ROAST DUCK:

1 duck, about 7-8 pounds

1 cup celery chunks

1 cup carrot chunks

1 quartered medium onion

Salt and pepper to taste

ORANGE SAUCE:

2/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

2/3 cup granulated sugar

2 Tablespoons cornstarch

2 Tablespoons grated orange rind

1-1/2 cups orange juice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur, or leave out the liqueur and make the orange juice total 2 cups.

Strips of orange peel for garnish (optional)

For Duck:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Stuff duck cavity with celery, carrots, and onion.  Sprinkle salt and pepper all over duck.  Place in roasting pan and roast for 20 minutes per pound.  Remove vegetables from cavity and place duck on a serving platter; let stand a few minutes before carving.  Serve with orange sauce and garnish with strips of orange peel, if desired.  Serves 6.

For Orange Sauce:

Combine sugars in a saucepan.  Add the cornstarch, orange rind, orange juice, salt, and liqueur.  Simmer until transparent and thickened, about 3-5 minutes.  Pass sauce to serve with duck.

Are you a fan of duck like I am?  Check out these other fabulous duck recipes from our community!

Whole Duck with Rich Grape and Muscat Wine Sauce

Seared Duck with Pomegranate Pumpkin Sauce

Panned Duck Breasts with Creole Mustard Sauce

Jelly Belly Factory

No Comments | Written on February 9, 2010 at 5:00 am , by Kristina Vanni

There is something about Jelly Belly jelly beans that just make you smile.  The vibrant rainbow of colors and the endless array of flavors, make these bite-sized treats such a delight.  I recently toured the Jelly Belly factory in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin and got a glimpse behind the scenes of my favorite candy!

We donned our oh-so-chic hats and boarded the train for our edible adventure.  We drove past jelly bean art, informational videos and floor to ceiling boxes of beans.

The jelly beans were most famously endorsed by Ronald Reagan, who kept a jar of them on his desk in the White House and on Air Force One, and credited the candy for helping him quit smoking.  In fact, the blueberry flavor debuted for his inauguration in order to create a red, white and blue gift jar.

Jelly Belly offers “recipes” like Mango Pineapple Salsa (eat a mango, crushed pineapple and chili mango bean all in the same bite) or Wild Blackberry Peach Cobbler (that’s a wild blackberry, peach and lemon combo).  I also discovered recipes on their website using the jelly beans in a new and unique way.  This Jelly Belly Festival Mix is a fun and easy kid-friendly treat!

Jelly Belly Festival Mix

1 Tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 cups prepared air-popped popcorn

1 cup bite-sized wheat squares cereal

1/2 cup dried cranberries

2 1/2 cups Jelly Belly jelly beans

1 cup pretzel sticks

Instructions:

1.  In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon.

2.  In a large bowl, combine popcorn, cereal and cranberries.

3.  Spray popcorn mixture lightly for 4 to 5 seconds with cooking spray; quickly toss with sugar mixture.

4.  Stir in Jelly Belly jelly beans and pretzels.  Store in a covered container.  Stir well before serving.

Holiday Variations:

To spice up any season or holiday, just change the color and flavor of Jelly Belly jelly beans.

Halloween:  Licorice, Orange Juice, Island Punch, Green Apple

Thanksgiving:  Raspberry, Caramel Apple, Red Apple, Top Banana

Christmas:  Cinnamon, Coconut, Green Apple

New Year’s Eve:  Chocolate Pudding, Coconut

Check out these other creative concoctions on Better Recipes using jelly beans!

Coconut Lime Lady Cake

Margarita Berry Cheesecake

Lemon Mint Chicken Saute (Look!  You can even use jelly beans in a main dish!)

Get Involved! Better Recipes Community and Social Media

2 Comments | Written on February 8, 2010 at 5:00 am , by Kristina Vanni

There are so many ways to get involved and be a part of the community of cooks here on Better Recipes.

1.  Join the conversations on our Forum:

Better Recipes Community Forums

This is a great place to ask cooking questions, share recipes and make friends with other foodies!  You will often see me posting here, and you can also communicate with the Community Manager or Board Host if you have any questions.

2.  Join the Better Recipes group on Mixing Bowl:

Better Recipes on Mixing Bowl

Mixing Bowl is our social media network, and we have a group just for Better Recipes fans!

3.  Watch videos on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/betterrecipes

Stop by the Better Recipes YouTube channel for tons of cooking videos.  Be sure to subscribe to the channel, add us as a friend and leave comments on your favorite recipes.

4.  Become a fan on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/betterrecipes

Facebook is another way to interact with other Better Recipes fans.

5.  Follow us on Twitter

http://twitter.com/BetterRecipes

Finally, everyone should follow Better Recipes on Twitter!  You never know when I might post a quick and easy recipe or video exclusively for our Twitter followers.  (Hint, hint…go check it out right now!)

Super Easy Super Bowl Snacks!

1 Comment | Written on February 5, 2010 at 9:54 am , by Kristina Vanni

Are you ready for some football?!  This Sunday the Indianapolis Colts will take on the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV.  If you are short on time, these Super Bowl snacks are super easy!

Love wings?  Love meatballs?  No time to make both?  This recipe has the spicy Buffalo kick, but by using fully cooked meatballs the recipe comes together in a snap.

Spicy Buffalo-Style Meatballs

1 (18 oz.) package frozen fully cooked beef meatballs

2-3 Tablespoons hot pepper sauce

2 Tablespoons butter, melted

1 Tablespoon honey

Prepared blue cheese dressing

Celery sticks

Cook meatballs according to package directions.  Meanwhile combine hot pepper sauce, butter and honey in a large bowl; mix well.  Add meatballs; stir to coat.  Serve with dressing and celery sticks, as desired.  Makes about 3 dozen.

This dip is great with veggies or chips, and by using a package of soup mix, you can whip it up in no time!

Vegetable Soup-er Bowl Dip

1 cup sour cream

1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, very well drained

1 envelope vegetable soup mix

1 8-ounce can water chestnuts, drained and sliced

3 Tablespoons chopped green onion

Combine all ingredients in small bowl and mix well; chill.   Serve as dip with potato chips or vegetables.

Makes about 2 cups

This is a fun way give a frozen pizza or even delivery a special touch.  Your guests will love it!

Football Pizza

Homemade, frozen or delivered pizza – plain cheese

Sliced Pepperoni

Mozzarella cheese

Arrange sliced pepperoni over a prepared plain cheese pizza in the shape of a football.  Cut mozzarella cheese to look like the seams of the football.  Warm in the oven until the cheese “seams” on the football just begin to melt.  Easy, yet impressive – Touchdown!

Note:  If pepperoni are curly, simply microwave for 30-45 seconds before arranging on the pizza.  Also, I have found that mozzarella string cheese works great to decorate the football!

Think you are a football expert?  Test your knowledge with the Better Recipes Game Day Trivia!

http://trivia.betterrecipes.com/game/GameDay

Welcome to The Daily Dish!

No Comments | Written on February 4, 2010 at 1:24 pm , by Kristina Vanni

Hi Better Recipes!  Welcome to the very first entry for my new blog, The Daily Dish with Kristina Vanni!  Every weekday I will be providing you recipes, videos and fun stories from the food world.
Before we get started, I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself to you and tell you about my background in the food world.  Take a look!

YouTube – Better Recipes Introduction Video

Be sure to come back tomorrow for an easy and crowd pleasing spread for your Super Bowl Party!