Elias' Birthday Cupcakes

I've made these cupcakes for Elias' birthday the last two years in a row.  As I rarely repeat birthday creations, that's saying something.  They are that good.  The pumpkin cupcake is moist and delicious and so appropriate as we enter fall.  The frosting is creamy and sweet (but not too sweet) and wonderfully spiced.  They are an awesome combination.  Try them out. You won't regret it.

Browned Butter Pumpkin Cupcakes
barely adapted from Baked Perfection

3/4 cup unsalted butter
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp cloves
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 cup packed brown sugar (dark if you have it)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line muffin tins with paper liners. In a saucepan, melt your butter over medium heat. Continue cooking, swirling the pan, until the butter turns golden brown and has a delicious, nutty aroma.  Pour the browned butter into a bowl immediately (to prevent it from over browning) and let cool a bit.  Revel for a minute in the delicious smell. 
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and spices.  In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, sugars, eggs and browned butter.  Add flour mixture to the wet and whisk until just combined.
Fill muffin tins until 3/4-full.  Bake until cake tester comes out clean, about 20 minutes.  Transfer tin to wire racks and cool completely.
Makes 15 cupcakes.

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
not at all adapted from Baked Perfection

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract

Beat butter and cream cheese with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low.  Add sugar, 1 cup at a time and then add cinnamon and vanilla.  Mix until smooth.

Honey Barbeque Meatloaf

I made meatloaf. That may not sound too exciting or revolutionary but with a kid who's allergic to eggs, that's not normally an option. I found this egg-less meatloaf recipe and decided to give it a try.  I was thinking it would taste much like our family favorite of barbeque meatballs.  It definitely has a different flavor.  It reminds me a lot of the honey barbeque chicken that they use to have at KFC when I was a kid.  Do they still have that?

Anyway, the kids (and Tyler) thought it was a little too spicy so I might cut down the spice next time I try it.  I will definitely try it again though.

Honey Barbeque Meatloaf
from Six Sisters Stuff

1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
2 Tbsp + 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp spicy brown mustard
3/4 cup barbeque sauce, divided
2 Tbsp honey, divided
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper

1. Mix together beef, bread crumbs, 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce, mustard, 1/2 cup barbeque sauce, 1 Tbsp honey, salt and pepper. (Use your hands; it's good for you!)
2. Form into a loaf and place in a greased loaf pan.
3. Mix together remaining barbeque sauce, honey and Worcestershire sauce. Spread half of this over the meat mixture.  
4. Bake in a 350F oven for 45 minutes.  Slice and drizzle with remaining sauce mixture.  Enjoy!

Serves 4-5 people.

Apple Cinnamon Donuts

We made donuts a couple of weeks ago.

This guy had never gotten to taste a donut before.  He was pretty excited to help out.

I made some very minor adaptations to Food Allergy Mama's recipe to account for the fact that Asher can now have baked dairy.  Here's the recipe as I made it:
Apple Cinnamon Donuts
adapted from The Food Allergy Mama's Baking Book

oil for frying
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp unsweetened applesauce (3/8 cup)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp granulated sugar (3/8 cup)
1 1/2 Tbsp butter, melted
2 1/4 all-purpose flour
1 3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

1. In a large pot, heat 2 to 3 inches of oil until a candy thermometer inserted reaches 375F.
2. Meanwhile, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the applesauce, vanilla, and the 3/8 cup sugar.  Add butter and mix well. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt with a wire whisk.  Add the flour mixture and the milk alternately to the applesauce-butter mixture. If needed, add more flour until the dough is smooth and not overly sticky.
3. Transfer the dough to lightly floured surface. Knead for about a minute and roll out to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Dip a doughnut cutter into flour and cut dough. Remove trimmings, reroll and repeat the process as needed.
4. Drop a couple donuts into the hot oil.  Fry donuts until they rise to the surface, about 2 minutes, and turn over to fry other side. Once donuts are golden on both sides, lift out with metal tongs and drain on paper towels.
5. Mix the rest of the sugar and cinnamon and put in a bag. Place warm donuts, one at a time, in bag and shake to coat. Enjoy!

Makes 6 donuts and 6 donut holes.

These are seriously delicious and they make your house smell awesome!  I think this will be a fall tradition in our house. 

Korean Beef

Originally this recipe was supposed to be a slow cooker recipe.  It would certainly work well as that but when I made it, it was 5:00 and I needed to get dinner on the table fast.  I know it sounds a little weird to use ground beef in an Asian recipe but I promise that it works.

Korean Beef
minorly adapted from 365 Days of Slow Cooking

1 lb lean ground beef 
1/4 cup brown sugar  
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 Tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp garlic powder  (or 4 garlic cloves, minced)
1/4 tsp ground red pepper  
1 tsp minced ginger  
1 Tbsp tomato paste
Sliced green onion, for garnish

1. Brown beef.  
2. In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic powder, red pepper, ginger and tomato paste. Pour over cooked beef and bring to a simmer.
3. Simmer meat and sauce, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes or until sauce has cooked down.
4. Serve over hot rice.  Garnish with green onions if you feel like being fancy.

Serves 4.

If you are interested in trying the slow cooker version, check it out here. 

Beef Teriyaki

Here's a new recipe that we tried and all really liked.  Yay!

Beef Teriyaki
from America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook

1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 sugar
2 Tbsp mirin, sherry, or white wine
2 tsp grated ginger
1 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp cornstarch
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
2 lbs top blade steak, trimmed and sliced 1/4 inch thick
2 Tbsp oil
2 tsp sesame seeds, toasted

1. Whisk the soy sauce, sugar, wine, ginger, garlic, cornstarch, and red pepper flakes together and set aside. 
2. Pat the meat dry with paper towels, then season with pepper.  Heat 1 Tbsp of the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking  Brown the meat in batches, about 5 minutes a batch, and transfer to a clean bowl. Repeat with remaining oil and meat. 
3. Briefly re-whisk the soy sauce mixture to recombine, then add to the skillet. Simmer, scraping up any browned bits, until thickened, about 2 minutes.
4. Return the meat with any accumulated juice to the skillet and toss to warm through.  Transfer the meat and sauce to a serving platter and sprinkle with the sesame seeds.

Tacos!!

My kids like to complain about food.  I know that's not unique.  A lot of kids are picky eaters.  Unfortunately I have a group of them.  Luckily, my oldest is starting to come around and try some new things.  The middle two, though, will complain about the dinner presented virtually every night.  One doesn't like to eat meat.  The other is afraid of anything that might include a vegetable...or maybe an interesting sauce.  Many nights both of them will refuse to even try their dinners.  It's immensely frustrating, especially to someone who likes to express love through making food.  Why won't they accept my love?!!  In all seriousness, there is usually a battle at dinnertime...unless I make tacos.  For reasons unbeknownst to me, tacos is the one meal that all will happily eat.  Therefore, we have tacos quite a bit, at least a couple times a month.  We make them simply, without all the fancy toppings.  Mostly it's because that would be too much for me to plan and have on hand so frequently.  Also, I'm afraid if I try to put a vegetable or sauce on them, I'll spook the kids and break the magical spell.  If you're going to have some very simple tacos, you're are going to need some really good meat.  Here's a recipe for some really good meat.

Tacos
barely adapted from The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook

1 Tbsp oil
1 onion, minced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp oregano
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp salt
1 pound meat (lean beef, pork, or turkey all work great)
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 tsp cider vinegar
1 tsp brown sugar

1. Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.  Add onions and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.  Add garlic, spices and salt.  Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
2. Add meat, breaking up with a spoon, and cook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.  Stir in tomato sauce, broth, vinegar, and brown sugar and simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes.  
3. Serve with warmed (or homemade if you're feeling really fancy) taco shells and all the toppings your heart desires.

Pork Fried Rice

Pork Shoulder is on sale at our local grocery store so we've been having a lot of pork lately.  I stick the pork shoulder in the crockpot in the morning and we have some delicious pulled pork for sandwiches by dinnertime.  Mmmm.  A four-pound pork shoulder will get you quite a pit of pulled pork so I've been trying to find other things do with all that meat.  This is a great alternative to change things up.

Pork Fried Rice
minorly adapted from EveryDay with Rachael Ray (the September 2011 edition)

1/4 cup frying oil
4 green onions (white and green parts separated)
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 Tbsp garlic, minced
1 Tbsp ginger, minced
1 1/2 cups pulled pork
1 recipe rice pilaf (recipe follows)
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil

1. In an extra-large skillet, heat 2 Tbsp oil until very hot.  Add green onion whites and stir-fry 30 seconds.  Add eggs and scramble until set, 45 seconds; transfer to a bowl.
2. Add remaining 2 Tbsp oil, garlic and ginger and stir-fry 1 minute.  Add pork and stir-fry 45 seconds to heat through.  Stir in rice pilaf and soy sauce and stir-fry 2 minutes.  Return eggs to pan with sesame oil and toss well.  Top with green onion greens.

Rice Pilaf
1 Tbsp olive oil 
1 onion
1 cup rice
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup water
1-2 bay leaves
2/3 tsp salt
1/3 tsp pepper
5-6 oz frozen peas or corn

1.  Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large saucepot.  Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and translucent, 8 to 10 minutes.
2. Add the rice and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.  Add water, broth, bay leaves, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Stir, cover, lower the heat and simmer until rice is cooked, approximately 20 minutes. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.  Sprinkle frozen vegetables over top of rice and cover for 5 minutes.  Uncover, stir, and let cool completely.

This recipe is really flexible so feel free to make your own adjustments.  It works great with leftover chicken or with other vegetables.  Since Asher is still avoiding eggs, I have to cook my eggs in a separate pan and then take his out before stirring the eggs back into the mix.  Luckily, that's the only alteration I have to make.  Yum!

Waffles (x2)

When we make waffles in our house, I make two batches: one batch for Asher and the kids and one for Tyler and myself.  Asher's are egg-free, whole wheat and generally pretty healthy.  Tyler's and mine are...not.  But boy are they good.

Whole-Wheat (Asher) Waffles
from The Food Allergy Mama's Baking Book

2 Tbsp water
1 3/4 cups soy or rice milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 cups whole-wheat flour
4 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees and heat waffle iron per manufacturer's instructions.
2. In a large bowl, mix together water, soy milk, and oil with a wire whisk until combined.  In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, brown sugar, and salt with a wire whisk, and add to the water mixture.  Stir until just combined.  Do not overmix: a few lumps are fine.
3. Spray inside of the waffle iron with dairy-free cooking spray.  Pour enough batter to spread to the edges.  Close and bake according to manufacturer's instructions.  Transfer the waffles to the warmed oven and repeat with remaining batter.

Makes 16 waffles (or two four-sectioned waffles with our waffle iron)

Waffles
loosely based on my Mom's recipe

1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp baking powder
2 beaten egg yolks
1 1/4 cups milk
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled slightly
2 egg whites
2 Tbsp granulated sugar

1. Mix flour, salt and baking powder in a large bowl and set aside.  Mix egg yolks, milk and melted butter in a medium bowl (Unless your milk and butter are both at room temperature, the butter will start to solidify again. You will probably get some chunks from the butter but these do not have a detrimental affect the quality of your waffles).  Add the liquid ingredients to the dry and mix well. 
2. Beat egg whites until just frothy and add the sugar.  Continue beating until smooth and glossy (it will look a lot like marshmallow cream).  Gently stir egg whites into batter.  
3. Pour approximately 1 cup of batter into waffle iron and bake according to manufacturer's instructions.

Makes 2-2 1/2 large, four-sectioned waffles (with our waffle iron)

Honey Chicken

This is a recipe that we use quite a bit.  It's especially nice when it's really hot.  It's a slow cooker recipe so you don't have to heat up your entire kitchen to enjoy this delicious meal. Yay!

Honey Sesame Chicken
barely adapted from here

3 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs 
1 onion
3/4 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp ketchup
1 Tbsp canola oil
1 Tbsp sesame oil
1 Tbsp minced ginger root
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
4 tsp cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
6 cups hot cooked rice

1. Lightly season thighs with salt and pepper and put in crockpot.
2. Mince onion, garlic, and ginger in a food processor.  Whisk together with honey, soy sauce, ketchup, canola and sesame oils, and red pepper flakes.  Pour over thighs. Cover crockpot and cook on low heat for 4 hours.
3. Remove thighs and tent with foil.
4. Stir cornstarch and water together until dissolved.  Whisk mixture into sauce in crockpot and cook on high heat for 15 minutes.
5. Chop chicken into bite-sized pieces and return to thickened sauce to coat.
6. Serve over hot rice.

This is a fairly flexible recipe.  I used gluten-free soy sauce when Asher was avoiding wheat.  I've also adjusted the red pepper to meet our spice preferences (originally it was closer to 3/4 tsp).  You can swap the thighs for breasts (although it will be a little drier if you do).  You can also garnish this with roasted sesame seeds and/or sliced scallions if you're looking to impress.  Enjoy!!

Asher Pancakes

I made some very good pancakes tonight and thought I'd share them.  They are Asher-friendly but are so good that I would highly recommend them to anyone, regardless of whether you have to be food-allergy conscious or not.  They are pretty healthy so to counter that (because they seemed almost too good for us) I added some blueberries or dairy-free chocolate chips to half of the batch.  Both were excellent combinations with this batter.  Enjoy!

Oatmeal Pancakes
from The Food Allergy Mama's Baking Book by Kelly Rudnicki

1 cup quick-cooking oatmeal
1 cup whole-wheat flour
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
2 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups soy milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Preheat griddle on medium heat and oven to 200F.

In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt with a wire whisk.  In a large liquid measuring cup, combine water, soy milk, and oil.  Pour the water mixture into the dry ingredients and mix with a whisk until just combined.  Do not overmix, a few lumps are fine.

Spray the griddle with dairy-free cooking spray. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto the heated griddle, and cook until small bubbles start to form on top.  Flip and cook the other side until lightly browned.  Transfer to a wire rack in the warmed oven and repeat.