Christmas 2010

Rachael Ray's Official Website :: Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Brussels Sprouts and Sage Butter

As you know, this recipe is amazing; however, I made some changes as follows:

I used 1 lb of black kale instead of brussel sprouts
I added several pinches of cumin to the butter mixture; if you don't use the sage, increase the cumin!
Sometimes I added sauteed Portebello Mushrooms to the mix.

Freshly grated cheese is absolutely key!!!!!


Toffee Bars

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1/2 cup softened butter
3/4 packed brown sugar
1 t. vanilla
1 cup flour
1/2 t salt
3/4 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 c chopped nuts
1/2 c chocolate covered toffee chips

1. Beat butter with electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.
2. Add egg, sugar, and vanilla.
3. Beat until combined and then beat in flour and salt.
4. Spread dough evenly into an ungreased 13x9x2 pan.
5. Bake about 15 min or until top is dry and edges are starting to brown.
6. Immediately sprinkle with chocolate pieces. Let stand two minutes and then spread chocolate over dough. Sprinkle with nuts and toffee pieces.
7. Cool in pan, on wire rack. Cut into bars.

Freeze up to three months.



Gooey Mixed Nut Bars

1pkg cake mix
1/2 c butter
4 eggs
1 c packed brown sugar
1/2 c light corn syrup
1/3 c melted butter
1 t vanilla
1/2 t cinnamon
2 c chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1. Line a 13x9x2 pan with foil extending over the sides. Grease foil and set aside.
2. Place cake mix in bowl and cut in butter.
3. Press evenly into greased pan.
4. Bake 15-20 min until set and slightly browned.
5. Whisk together eggs, sugar, corn syrup, butter, vanilla and cinnamon. Stir in nuts.
6. Pour mixture over hot crust. Bake about 30 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly around edges.
7. Cool in pan on wire rack. When cool, lift out of pan using foil edges. Cut into bars.

Freeze up to 3 months.



Vanilla Bean Buttercream Frosting

1 cup softened butter
3 c 10x sugar
4 t or more vanilla bean paste

mix all together with electric mixer until desired consistency is reached...you can add more sugar if you would like it stiffer or a teaspoon or two of milk if you would like it creamier.