Red Velvet Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze

Prep Time: 10 mins 

Cook Time: 8 mins

Total Time: 18 mins

Serves: 2-3 people

 
 

Ingredients

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 tablespoon butter, melted
• Red food coloring to color

Cream Cheese Glaze
• 2 oz cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and cocoa powder.
2. Add in egg, buttermilk, butter, vanilla extract and red food coloring.
3. Stir gently until combined (do not stir until it is completely smooth).
4. Let the batter sit for 10-15 minutes.
5. Preheat griddle or pan greased with butter.
6. When hot, add 1/4 cup of pancake batter to the griddle/pan.
7. Flip with the first few bubbles start to break on the surface of the pancake.
8. When the other side is soft and pillowy to the touch, it’s done.

 
       Glaze

1. In a medium size bowl, add the cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk and vanilla extract; blend until smooth and silky.

Recipe: Alfajores de Maicena - Cornstarch Shortbread Cookies filled with Dulce de Leche

Prep Time: 1 hrs

Cook Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 1 hrs, 15 mins

Serves: 1 - 2 dozen, depending on the size of your cookie

 

 

Ingredients

• 2 sticks of butter at room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1-2 cups dulce de leche

 

 

Directions

1. In a mixer, cream together the butter and the sugar.
2. One at a time, add in the eggs and vanilla; beating over medium speed until incorporated.
3. In a large mixing bowl sift the flour, cornstarch and baking powder together.
4. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and continue mixing until it forms a dough.  
5. Remove the dough from the mixer and form into a balls. Wrap the ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least half an hour. 
6. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
7. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll it out onto a floured surface. Roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness, then cut with a the cookie cutterof your choice. Repeat this step until you have used all the dough.
8. Place the cookies on a parchment-paper lined cookie sheet, and bake for 15 minutes, just until the edges start to brown.
9. Let the cookies cool completely, and then place a generous dollop of dulce de leche on one cookie, topping with another cookie to make a sandwich. Press gently together.

Notes

• Variations: You can dip the cookies in chocolate, covered in powdered sugar or roll in coconut. You can also make your cookies thicker or use more dulce de leche in the middle.

Chips & Salsa

SNACK ATTACK!!!

Recipe: Brioche Burger Buns

Prep Time: 3 hrs

Cook Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 3 hrs, 15 mins

Serves: 8 burger buns

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water
• 3 tablespoons warm milk
• One package (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
• 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• Sesame seeds (optional)

Directions

1. In a small container or bowl, combine one cup warm water, the milk, yeast and sugar. Let stand until foamy, about five minutes.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk flours with salt. Add butter and rub into flour between your fingers, making crumbs.
3. Make a hole in the middle of the flour and pour the yeast mixture and one beaten egg into it. Mix well.
4. If needed, begin adding more flour, one tablespoon at a time. You want the dough to remain slightly tacky.
5. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until it is pliable.
6. Grease the inside of a deep bowl and put the kneaded dough into it, turning it over so the dough is coated in the grease.
7. Cover and let rise until doubled in a warm spot for 1 hour.
8. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
9. Using dough scraper, divide dough into 8 equal parts. Gently roll each into a ball and arrange two to three inches apart on baking sheet. Cover loosely with a piece of plastic wrap lightly coated in nonstick spray and let buns rise in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours.
10. Preheat oven to 400 degrees with rack in center. Set a large shallow pan of water on oven floor.
11. Beat remaining egg with 1 tablespoon water and brush some on top of buns. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, if using.
12. Bake, turning sheet halfway through baking, until tops are golden brown, about 15 minutes.
13. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.

 My buns had spread too much.

Notes

• Variations: Besides seasame seeds, you can also use poppyseeds or grains to the buns.

Recipe: Homemade Bread

Prep Time: 3 hrs

Cook Time: 45 mins

Total Time: 3 hrs, 45 mins

Serves: 1 loaf

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup warm water
• 1 package active dry yeast or 2 1/4 tsp dry active yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, approximately 

Directions

1. Pour warm (not hot) water into a small bowl, add yeast and stir until dissolved. Let sit for 5 minutes.
2. Next, add salt, sugar, melted butter and milk to yeast water. Stir well and let it sit for 5 more minutes.
3. In a large mixing bowl put 2 cups of flour. Make a hole in the middle of the flour and pour the yeast mixture into it. Mix well.
4. If needed, begin adding more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough is no longer sticky.
5. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until it is pliable.
6. Grease the inside of a deep bowl and put the kneaded dough into it, turning it over so the dough is coated in the grease.
7. Cover and let rise in warm spot for 1 hour.
8. Punch down dough. Turn out onto floured board and knead.
9. Preheat oven at 375 degrees F.
10. Form the dough into a loaf and put in greased loaf pan. Cover and allow it to rise for about 30 minutes.
11. Put in oven and bake for about 45 minutes or until golden brown.
12. After cooking turn the loaf out onto a cooling rack and allow to cool before cutting.
13. You may brush top of loaf with melted butter for a soft tender crust.

 

Notes

• Hearth Crust: Before baking, sprinkle tops of loaves with grains or dust with flour. 
• Variations: You can form the dough into rolls, breadsticks, etc instead of a loaf.

What I'm Eating Now: Fried Chicken & Watermelon

Fried chicken doesn't just go with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or even waffles, it's great with everything!!!

What I'm Eating Now: Saltfish & Tostones

 

 #yum #caribbean #goodness