butter

Jambon-Buerre French Baguettes

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Test Kitchen Favorites: Jambon-Buerre French Baguettes! You can practically hear the music playing “Là Vie en Rose” in the memory-banks of your mind as you prepare this authentic version of a classic French picnic lunch. Discovering a French bakery stateside that bakes French baguettes is a gift beyond measure. I walked out with a market bag of assorted European bakery breads anticipating the delicacies that would soon follow. Such a delight! In hindsight, I teasingly referred to these scrumptious sandwiches as a common “Happy Meal” when purchased at the local patisserie. How spoiled am I? 

JAMBON-BUERRE FRENCH BAGUETTES 

Ingredients: 

1 traditional French baguette

2 -3 tablespoons French sea salt butter

1 tablespoon mayonnaise 

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons caramelized onion jam

6-8 slices Emmental cheese 

6-8 slices prosciutto or jambon

Sweet gherkins, sliced in half horizontally 

Instructions: 

Cut the French baguette in half horizontally and separate. Butter cut sides with sea salt french butter. Spread mayonnaise and Dijon mustard on the top half. Spread caramelized onion jam on the bottom half. Cut slices of Emmental cheese on an angle and lay on the bottom portion of the baguette. Peel off the prosciutto, or jambon, and layer on top of the cheese. Arrange the halved gherkins over all. Place the top half onto the bottom half of the sandwich. Wrap with parchment paper and tie into place. These sandwiches can be eaten right away, or packed for a picnic. 

Icewine Cream Cheese Frosting

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Test Kitchen Favorites: Icewine Cream Cheese Frosting! I have fond memories of a trip to Canada where my hotel stay included a decadent piece of Icewine chocolate every single night. I had never heard of such a thing. I soon learned that Icewine is a dessert wine made from grapes that have frozen on the vine before they are picked. The water in the grapes freeze, while the sugars don’t. When the juice is pressed from the frozen grapes, and then fermented slowly, they produce a naturally sweet concentration of flavor that tastes like frozen honey. Interesting, isn’t it? As you can imagine, dark chocolate, soft cheeses, and fresh fruits make Icewine a popular companion as a decadent dessert. A little cordial goes a long way in satisfaction. 

ICEWINE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING 

Ingredients: 

8-ounces cream cheese, room temperature 

1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 

3 tablespoons Icewine Gewürztraminer wine

1 cup powdered sugar, sifted

Instructions: 

In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, unsalted butter, and Icewine on medium-high speed until light and smooth. Reduce speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar. Beat until fluffy. Drizzle frosting over slices of pound cake, angel food cake, or lady fingers. Garnish with diced strawberries. Serve. 

Hasselback Rainbow Carrots

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Test Kitchen Favorites: Hasselback Rainbow Carrots! If you haven’t tried rainbow carrots yet, you’re missing out. The antioxidants are reason enough to give them a whirl. Personally, I like the natural sweetness they provide. It’s the vibrant colors in these rainbow beauties that piqued my interest from the onset. It’s the bundles of purple, yellow, red, and orange that draw attention on the dinner plate. I like adding a drizzle of acacia honey. It’s kinda like icing on a cake. 

HASSELBACK RAINBOW CARROTS 

Ingredients: 

1 pound organic rainbow carrots

4 tablespoons butter, unsalted

1/2 tablespoon rosemary leaves

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 tablespoon acacia honey

Instructions: 

Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9”x9” glass dish with nonstick oil. Set aside. Thoroughly clean rainbow carrots. One at a time, place a carrot on a soup spoon. Using a knife, carefully cut each carrot into slits without cutting all the way through. The spoon should stop the knife from cutting deeper. Repeat until all the carrots have hasselback cuts. Blanch the carrots in a pot of boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain completely and allow the carrots to dry. Lay the carrots in a single layer in the prepared casserole dish, cut side up. Melt the butter. Using a pastry brush, cover each carrot with butter, paying attention to drip the butter into the slits of the carrots. Sprinkle with rosemary leaves, sea salt, and black pepper. Roast in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, then baste again with remaining butter. Brush acacia honey over the surface. Bake 10 minutes longer until cooked. Serve immediately. 

Espresso Dusted Compound Butter

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Test Kitchen Favorites: Espresso Dusted Compound Butter! Elevate your morning breakfast or evening bread basket with a gourmet twist to regular butter. This espresso recipe goes one step beyond whipped butter by adding another layer of deliciousness with enriched flavors. It requires minimal effort on your part. Butter, as you may recall, does offer nutrients that provide healthy fatty acids. This doesn’t make butter a health food, though. The key is moderation. If you’re looking for treat from time to time, compound butters are ideal. And this little number gives you a boost of caffeine. 

ESPRESSO DUSTED COMPOUND BUTTER

Ingredients For the Compound Butter: 

1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 

2 teaspoons instant espresso powder

1/2 tablespoon hot water

5 tablespoons powdered sugar

1/3 teaspoon sea salt 

Ingredients For the Dusting:

1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder

1 tablespoon regular sugar 

Instructions: 

Place the butter in a mixing bowl. Set aside. In a small bowl, combine the instant espresso powder with the hot water. Stir until completely dissolved. Allow the mixture to cool. Add the cooled espresso mixture to the softened butter. Sprinkle in the powdered sugar and sea salt. Using a hand whisk, beat the ingredients together until the butter is smooth, creamy, and well combined. Tear off a sheet of parchment paper. Form the butter mixture into a log; seal by twisting the ends; refrigerate until firm. For the outer dusting, tear off another sheet of parchment paper. Combine the instant espresso powder with the regular sugar. Mix well. Once the compound butter is firm, roll the entire log in it to coat all sides. Transfer the espresso dusted compound butter to a small dish. Serve on toasted bread, rolls, or bagels. 

Yummy Salted Caramel Cookie Dough Bars

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? The Joy of Eating: Yummy Sea Salt Caramel Cookie Dough Bars! “Honestly, you had me at Salted Caramel”, someone exclaimed to me recently. If you crave chocolate or adore peanut butter, this dessert will grab your attention. Although its golden caramel layer is dotted with mounds of cookie dough infused with white and dark chocolate, underneath lies a layer of peanut butter, oats, and toffee bits. Oh my! You may need a scoop of natural ice cream on top just to cut the sweetness. Trust me when I say, “A little goes a long way!”

YUMMY SALTED CARAMEL COOKIE DOUGH BARS

Ingredients for Cookie Dough:

3/4 cup butter, unsalted

2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup peanut butter, creamy

2 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla

2 cups flour

1 cup instant oats

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon sea salt

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup white chocolate chips

1 cup toffee bits

Ingredients for Caramel Topping:

11 ounce bag of caramels

14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk

1/4 cup butter

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9″x13″ pan with nonstick oil and line with parchment paper. Using a food processor, cream butter and sugar together. Add peanut butter and blend well. While running, add one egg at a time, thoroughly mixing in each egg. Add vanilla. In a small bowl, combine flour, oats, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add flour mixture to sugar mixture. Fold in chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and toffee bits. Spread 2/3 of the dough on the bottom of the pan. Meanwhile, unwrap caramels and place in a saucepan with butter and sweetened condensed milk. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until caramels are fully melted. The mixture will be smooth. Slowly pour caramel sauce evenly over dough. Flatten the remaining 1/3 dough like a pancake, cut into squares, roll into balls, and drop randomly over caramel sauce. Bake for 30-40 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle coarse sea salt over all. Cool completely before cutting into bars. 

PB&J Cupcakes

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? The Joy of Eating: PB&J Cupcakes! Mention peanut butter and watch how childhood memories instill sentimental feelings of joy and laughter. Add a dollop of jelly and suddenly the yearning is real. Here is a way to turn the classic sandwich into a yummy dessert that will find you clapping your hands with glee. The fluffy peanut butter frosting will leave you craving “just one more cupcake”! Yes, please. 

PB&J CUPCAKES 

Ingredients for Cupcakes:

1/2 cup raspberry jam

1 1/4 cup flour

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/3 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Line a muffin tin with 12 cupcake papers. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer 1-2 minutes until fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract and continue beating. Stir in the flour mixture until no lumps remain. Pour a little in the bottom of the cupcake liners. Form a small well. Put a scant teaspoon of jelly in each well. Add more batter on top to cover. Do not fill cups past 2/3 full. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. 

Ingredients for Icing:

1/2 cup peanut butter, creamy

1/2 cup butter, softened 

3 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup milk

Fresh Raspberries for garnish

Instructions:

Cream the peanut butter and butter until smooth in a mixing bowl. Gradually add the powdered sugar alternating with the milk. Blend in the vanilla extract until smooth. Frost the cooled cupcakes and top with a fresh raspberry.

Lively Calypso Mac ‘n Cheese

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? The Joy of Eating: Lively Calypso Mac ‘n Cheese! When I needed a quick side dish to serve with the Xtreme Sloppy Joes, I turned to my pantry for a flavorful inspiration from Pappardelle’s*. The multicolored shapes alone are conversation starters. Picture this: Lime gnocchi shells, mango-peach sea shells, and red southwestern chile lumache. The natural flavors explode when cooked and mixed with cheese, butter, and milk. It’s macaroni and cheese with a Caribbean twist. Well done!

LIVELY CALYPSO MAC ‘N CHEESE

Ingredients:

8 ounces Pappardelle’s Calypso Blend pasta

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 cup butter

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 cup milk

Crushed croutons for garnish

Instructions:

Bring a 2-quart pan of salted water to a rolling boil on high heat. Add 8 ounces of Pappardelle’s Calypso Blend pasta. Stir for the first 15 seconds. As the water returns to a slow simmer, reduce heat to medium and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. Drain pasta. Melt butter in pan on low heat. Add cheddar cheese and milk. Stir to blend until cheese is melted. Return pasta to pan and stir to coat evenly. Do not burn. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with crushed croutons. 

*I receive no recompense for promoting this product.

Key Lime Pie in a Flash

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? The Joy of Eating: Key Lime Pie in a Flash! I’m Busy! When the hours fly by in a flurry of activity, it’s nice to know shortcuts don’t imply sacrificing flavor. After all, pre-packaged dessert mixes and sweet treats have gone the distance with culinary masters. Tried and true components can become the foundation for producing inspiring results, like today’s version of Key Lime Pie. By using fewer ingredients, preparation can be done in a flash! 

KEY LIME PIE IN A FLASH

Ingredients:

1 box Jell-o No Bake Real Cheesecake Dessert

2 tablespoons sugar

5 tablespoons butter, melted

1 1/2 cups cold milk

1 tablespoon lime extract

1 drop green food coloring

1 lime, sliced

1 tablespoon toasted coconut

Instructions:

To make the crust, combine butter, sugar, and crust mix. Reserve one teaspoon of crumb mixture for garnish. Press remaining crumbs into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Refrigerate until ready to fill. Next, pour milk into a medium bowl. Add filling mix and blend with a hand mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Scrape sides and beat on medium speed 3 minutes until filling turns thick. Slowly add 1 tablespoon of pure lime extract. Mix 30 seconds longer. Add 1 drop of green food coloring and mix another 30 seconds. Pour into the chilled crust. Refrigerate one hour. Garnish with fresh lime slices, reserve crumb mixture, and toasted coconut. 

Incredible Ham Potato Casserole

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? The Joy of Eating: Incredible Ham Potato Casserole! As the days grow shorter and the night chill sets in, gather around the table for this hearty harvest meal. It can be made ahead and popped in the oven at a moment’s notice. When it comes out with the cheese bubbly and the topping crisp, serve it in the same vessel to keep it hot. By adding smoky Virginia ham chunks and chopped vegetables, this main dish is easy-to-follow and goes a long way. The crunchy topping gives it a nice finish. Plus, leftovers are a bonus!

INCREDIBLE HAM POTATO CASSEROLE

Ingredients:

3 cups ham chunks

1 green pepper, chopped

1 sweet onion, chopped

1 tablespoon pimento, diced

30-32 ounces frozen southern-style hash brown potatoes, thawed 

2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

1 cup cream of chicken soup, condensed

16 ounces sour cream

1/2 cup butter, melted

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Combine all ingredients. Mix well and pour into a greased 9″x13″ casserole dish. Add topping. 

Topping Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, melted

2 cups corn flakes

Instructions:

Gently mix corn flakes with butter and spread over top of casserole. Bake in oven for one hour. Serve family-style.