roasted

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter K

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Foodstuff Redefined: Kabob Brownie Bites! This recipe seems like a no-brainer. It’s that simple. Strawberries + Marshmallow + Brownie Bites = Dessert Kabobs! Talk about a foodie’s favorite. This no-fuss festive platter will make a melody in your heart. If you like continuous joy, and a dessert that will draw raves, treat everyone to this explosion of sweetness. (As a time-saver, you may substitute package brownie bites instead of homemade.)
KABOB BROWNIE BITES
Ingredients:

1 Fudge Brownie Mix

1 pound fresh strawberries 

8 ounces large marshmallows 

1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Skewers
Instructions;

Using a mini-muffin tin, prepare Fudge Brownie mix according to package directions. Bake. Cool on a wire rack. Clean and dry strawberries. Cut them in half to have a flat end. Beginning with a strawberry cap, skewer it so the greens are on the top. Add a marshmallow, one brownie, and the other half of the strawberry so the point is on the bottom of the kabob. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet. For toasted marshmallows, use a kitchen torch. One at a time, carefully “roast the marshmallow” over a low flame. Do not burn. Return kabob to baking sheet. Repeat until all are toasted. Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds on High. Stir and repeat until chocolate is completely melted. Transfer melted chocolate to a squeeze bottle or ziplock bag with the corner snipped off. Drizzle chocolate over the kabobs. Refrigerate until chocolate ready to serve. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter H

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Sunshine Eats: Hasselback Honey-Roasted Carrots! Get cooking with a vegetable side dish that will bring on the cheers. It not only has eye appeal when served, it is bursting of natural flavor combined with exotic spices. This is everyday cooking. Who wants to give it a try? These beautifully sliced carrots are incredibly simple to make. 
HASSELBACK HONEY-ROASTED CARROTS
Ingredients:

1 pound fresh carrots, peeled and tops trimmed

1/4 cup natural honey

1-2 tablespoons olive oil 

1 teaspoon seasoned salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon paprika 

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon thyme

Fresh Chives for garnish

Pomegranate arils for garnish
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400°. Beginning at one end of the carrot, slice in vertical strips, being careful to stop before slicing through the bottom. Repeat with remaining carrots. Transfer carrots to a shallow dish. Combine natural honey, olive oil, seasoned salt, black pepper, ground ginger, paprika, ground cumin, and thyme. Stir well. Brush glaze onto the carrots, turning to coat. Place carrots on a nonstick baking pan in a single layer without touching. Bake 40-45 minutes. Garnish with fresh chives and pomegranate arils. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter T

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Turnips and Roasted Sweet Potatoes! Here’s a little twist on adding turnips to your menu. When seasoned and mixed with other root vegetables, like sweet potatoes, the somewhat bland flavor of the turnip becomes robust and savory. You’ll find yourself serving them more often. 
TURNIPS & ROASTED SWEET POTATOES 
Ingredients:

3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges 

4 medium turnips, peeled and cut into chunks

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt

1/4 teaspoon white pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions: 

Preheat oven to 425°. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well until vegetables are evenly coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for one hour. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray. Spread vegetables into single layer. Avoid contact. Bake about 40 minutes or until tender and slightly browned. 
Serving suggestion: For a creamy dip, mix Greek yogurt with fresh onion chives. It will seem like a mild onion dip, but with a much lighter flavor. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter W

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Food for Sharing: Whole Roasted Chicken! Go nontraditional this Thanksgiving. Scale things back a bit for an intimate dinner for two. By choosing a free-range whole chicken for roasting, you still afford classic results in each juicy bite. Prepare this succulent bird in half the time. Then go crazy with your favorite sides. 
WHOLE ROASTED CHICKEN
Ingredients:

3-pound chicken, whole 

3 fresh rosemary sprigs

3 tablespoon butter, sliced

1 tablespoon Herbs de Provence 

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon celery seed

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper 

5 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Place chicken in a shallow roasting pan. Season cavity with sliced butter. Insert rosemary sprigs. Generously sprinkle outside of bird with Herbs de Provence, onion powder, celery seed, sea salt, and black pepper. Brush skin with melted butter. Bake uncovered 1 1/2 hours. Skin will be golden and internal temperature should read 180°. Juices should run clear. Remove from heat. Baste with drippings. Cover. Let rest 20 minutes to allow juices to absorb before serving. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter R

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Be Our Guest: Roasted Corn Salad! Nothing tastes better than fresh corn. Shuck it off the cob to make a spectacular side dish that goes well with quesadillas, tacos, and grilled meats. This make-ahead roasted corn salad is another picnic basket favorite that travels well and satisfies a crowd. Simply modify the portions to match the event. It’s fresh, it’s spicy, and it’ll keep ’em coming back for more. 
ROASTED CORN SALAD
Ingredients:

3 ounces cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon water

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon white pepper

3 ears bicolor corn, shucked off cob

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 cup black beans, drained

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon cumin powder

1/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning 

1 jalapeño pepper, chopped

1 ripe tomato, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

1/2 red onion, chopped

1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions:

Combine the cider vinegar, water, olive oil, sugar, sea salt, and white pepper in a saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Set aside to cool at room temperature. In an iron skillet over medium-high heat, add vegetable oil. Drop the corn kernels into the skillet; stir to coat. Every few minutes, turn corn with a spatula. As the kernels begin to char, continue turning until corn is tender, about 6-7 minutes. It may be necessary to reduce heat. Place black beans in a large covered bowl. Transfer roasted corn to same bowl. Sprinkle with garlic powder, cumin powder, and Cajun seasoning. Add chopped jalapeño pepper, tomato, green pepper, celery, red onion, and cooled marinade. Mix thoroughly. Refrigerate overnight. Before serving, garnish with fresh cilantro. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter Y

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? A Burst of Flavor: Yam Sticks! Here is a nice alternative when craving French fries. Substitute the Idaho potatoes for yams and bake them instead of frying. You’ll feel better about making a healthy choice while mixing up the menu a bit. Give your taste buds a real surprise as you go from hum-drum to WOW!
YAM STICKS
Ingredients:

6 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into sticks

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt

1/4 teaspoon white pepper

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425°. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well until yam sticks are evenly coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for one hour. Meanwhile, place a baking sheet in the oven so it is already hot before adding the yams. Being careful when removing it from the oven, lightly spray the baking sheet with non-stick oil. Spread yam sticks into single layer. They crisp up better when they’re not touching. Bake about 40 minutes or until tender and slightly browned. Turn halfway through baking, using kitchen tongs. Serve immediately.