Cooking | A Daisy Garden

Archive for the ‘Cooking’ Category

Roast Chicken

Posted in Cooking, Uncategorized, tagged Cooking, Food on March 12, 2015| 13 Comments »

There area many ways to roast chicken.

This is one way…

First, I wash and cut potatoes, carrots, and onions
and place them in a foil-lined pan.

Then I split the chicken in half, down the breast side.
This is important if you want that tasty, crispy skin.
I place it right on top of the potatoes/onions/carrots.
I season the chicken with lemon, salt, pepper, cumin, garlic & onion powder, and oregano.

Then I put it in a 350 degree oven for about one hour and 15 min.
Times vary, depending on your oven,
but the key is to leave it long enough for the skin to get extra crispy.
If you take it out too soon, you will be very disappointed.
So will your family.
So will I.

The onions and potatoes will get a wonderful toasty exterior
that you won’t want to miss.

Yes, sir!
The juices in the pan are fantastic poured over rice.

The wings are delicious because they’ll be crunchy and delicious.

This is a simple meal that I make when I’m doing something
and can’t be standing over the stove for a length of time.

You just put it in the oven
and forget about it until the timer goes off.

As you can see, I like to serve it with black beans and rice.

Give it a try.
You’ll be glad you did.
So will your family.
So will I.

Happy cooking,

Daisy

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Pan Con Picadillo (Cuban Beef Sandwich)

Posted in Cooking, tagged Cooking, Food on March 5, 2015| 10 Comments »

Growing up, I must’ve had this sandwich more times than I can remember.

I’ve made it for my kids countless times, and it’s one of their favorite meal choices whenever they come home to visit, or when I am visiting them.

It’s easy, quick, and very delicious!
It feels more like a comforting meal than
just a “sandwich”.

Here’s how I make it:
First, I brown some ground beef
with Sofrito. For that recipe, just click here.

I also add 2 bay leaves.

Once the ground beef begins to brown,

I add a small can of tomato sauce or tomato paste.

Once it’s cooked, I add a small jar of stuffed green olives.
This is my kids’ favorite part, I think.

While the beef is cooking, I prepare the sandwiches.
It’s almost impossible to find cuban bread where I live.
But if you can find it… Wow. It’ll make this so much better.
I use the softest french bread I can find.
Stay away from anything too dense.

First I spread mayo on one side, and put some
sliced roma tomatoes sprinkled with salt
on the other side.

After the meat is cooked, I cover it
and let it sit for about 5 minutes.

Then I load up the bread with a mound of picadillo.

Oh yes, this would definitely be on my list
of “Comfort Food”.
It’s so delicious.

If you try it,
you won’t be disappointed.

Happy cooking,

Daisy

Pan Con Picadillo

1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
1/4 c sofrito
Salt to taste (about 1 tsp)
2 bay leaves
1 small can of tomato sauce OR tomato paste
(I use the roasted garlic flavored)
1 tsp sugar
1 small jar of red pepper-stuffed green olives, DRAINED
For the sandwich: mayo, tomatoes, cuban bread or the closest thing to it

In a large skillet, brown ground beef with sofrito, salt, and bay leaves.
Add tomato sauce/paste when beef is halfway done. Cover and simmer
for about 5-7 mins on medium. Add sugar, olives, and stir to make sure
everything is combined. Cover and cook for 2-3 mins.
Enjoy on a sandwich, or…
it’s also delicious with white rice and black beans!

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Apple Pie

Posted in Baking, Cooking, Photography, tagged Baking, Cooking, Food, photography on January 22, 2015| 17 Comments »

Apples were on sale again…

I just had to make a pie.

The filling is just apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and butter.

It turns into the most delicious sweet and tender filling.

The crust gave me a little trouble this time…

But since I wasn’t going for perfect….

I was ok with it.

The smell of apple pie baking in the oven. . .

You just can’t hardly wait for the pie to be done . . .

. . . So you can take it out and have a piece.

Enjoy the apples while they’re in season!

Daisy

Apple Pie

6-7 apples peeled, cored, and sliced
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
6 Tb butter

Pie Crust (you can either make your own or use frozen)

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Progress?

Posted in Cooking, Renovation projects, tagged kitchen, renovation projects on November 6, 2014| 18 Comments »

I went to the hardware store to get something we needed for the house. When I returned I found that my husband had been busy…

I walked in… and was pretty much speechless…he was smiling so big, happy because he knew I (eventually) wanted to work on the kitchen…
I hugged him, thanked him, and then we both sat down and said, “Now what?!”

And so, the fun begins. I’ll show you (soon) some pictures of what we’ve been up to and how things are coming.

Eagerly counting the days until the kitchen is once again in working order,

Daisy

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Cornbread

Posted in Baking, Cooking, tagged Baking, Cooking on November 4, 2014| 21 Comments »

I have been missing out all these years…

A cast iron skillet makes cornbread (among other things) so much better!

I know, I know, …where have I been?!
Everybody, EVERYBODY has a cast iron skillet.
Except me.

But now, (thanks to my daughter, who helped me see the benefits) I will be getting one.
Very soon.
Maybe even before I unpack all those boxes from our move? . . .

Happy cooking,
Daisy

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Apple Sauce

Posted in Cooking, tagged Cooking, Food, Food Gifts, photography on September 22, 2014| 33 Comments »

I love apple season.

I buy the bags of apples marked .99 lb

I stick my nose in the bag and smell that
wonderful scent of apples…

I must look funny, but I don’t care.

I feel inspired to bake…
apple pie, turnovers, bread, and . . .

Apple Sauce.

This is my first year making apple sauce.
My friend just happened to mention that she
was making apple sauce, and because she’s such a wonderful cook,
I asked her how she made it.

I always thought it would be a complicated process,
too difficult for someone like me who usually does
the quick & easy recipes.

But I couldn’t believe how easy and simple
the entire process was.

I just washed, cored, and cut the apples into big chunks.
Yes, that’s right… you don’t have to peel them!!!
That alone is what inspired me to try this recipe.

I combined a half cup of brown sugar,
a sprinkling of ground cinnamon (about 1 tsp)
and tossed the apples with this mixture
along with 10 Red Hot candies.

I then added 2 cinnamon sticks,
one tablespoon of vanilla,
and 2-3 star anise
to the big pot (with the one inch of water).

Just before the water began to boil,
I poured in the apples,
and covered the pot.

I waited til the water boiled,
then I turned the temperature down to a very low simmer
and left it on the burner for about 2 hours,
stirring once in a while.

The whole house smelled of cinnamon and apples!

When the apples were of apple sauce consistency
…you might like yours more chunky or less chunky…
I turned the stove off and let them sit until
they weren’t hot any more… just warm.

I had never had warm applesauce…
but I just couldn’t wait to try it!

… so … I did

and it was delicious!!

I was surprised how good it tasted.
I guess I really didn’t expect it to be better
than the store-boought.
But it was!!

This weekend I went back and bought another 2 bags of apples.

Guess what I’m doing today? 🙂

I froze most of the apple sauce I made
so it will stay fresh longer,
and I plan on making some to put in pretty jars
to give away.

Fun to make, good to eat, and great gift idea!

If you like apples,
now is a good time to take advantage of the sales!

Have a blessed week!

Daisy

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Bargain Cookbooks

Posted in Baking, Cooking, Travel, tagged Antiques, Baking, Cooking, Food, Thrift stores, Travel on August 23, 2014| 15 Comments »

Whenever I’m on the road, away from home,
I try to find time to go to local Historic Downtowns…
I love going in and out of little shops,
(although I mostly do window shopping).

My favorite has to be the little antique stores…
I especially enjoy when I get to go with my daughter
because we both love history and we ooh & ahh
over the old stuff, wondering who it belonged to
and what their story was.

One of the things I’ve enjoyed getting are Cookbooks…

I never pay more than $3 for one…

I found these for .10 each at a Library Book Sale.

I’ve been looking for this one for a long time!
Couldn’t believe it was only $2.50.

I took the book jacket off and I like the hardback cover so much more!

I was so excited when I found this one…
I’d been looking for a Rachael Ray cookbook for ages.

These magazine-style ones are usually between .25-$1.00.
I got this one because it had lots of cheesecake recipes…

(My husband loves cheesecake, and I love him, so…)

Next time you’re driving through a small town,
check out the historic downtown…
you might find something that you can take home 🙂

Happy Hunting!

Have a blessed weekend!

Daisy

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Apple Cake

Posted in Baking, Cooking, Photography, tagged Baking, Cake, Cooking, Frosting, photography on June 12, 2014| 17 Comments »

Today is a rare day…

I’m home.
I’m alone.
I had time to bake a cake.

I’ve had this recipe for many, many years…

(It says Washington Apple Cake, but you can use any kind of tart apples)

I just love the smell of apples & cinnamon through the house
when this cake is in the oven.

Apples and cinnamon… yum

Simple ingredients:

Core, peel, and slice the apples.

I can’t help but love how these apples look.
(I guess I’m always looking through the lens of a camera) . . .

Place the sliced apples on bottom of pan. You don’t have to make them all lay
a certain way because you won’t be flipping this cake over (like you do with
Pineapple Upside Down cake).

Mix the eggs with the sugar & oil, then add the dry ingredients and mix well.

Spread this mixture (it will be thick) over the apple slices:

Put in oven at 350 for around 50 min or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

The moist bottom with apples and cinnamon-y goodness is another one
of those best parts of this cake.

But the top crust is still my favorite part!

Have some.
With Whip Cream.
Or better yet…
With a nice scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Enjoy!

Daisy

Here’s the recipe:

A P P L E C A K E

Ingredients:

3 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
2 cup flour
2 tsp cinnamon (less if you don’t like cinnamon)
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (I did NOT put in nuts since I don’t eat them – they are a migraine trigger)
4 cup thinly sliced tart apples

Beat eggs with a mixer until thick and light.
Combine sugar and oil; pour into eggs with mixer on medium.
Stir together flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; add to egg mixture with vanilla.
Beat to mix.
If adding nuts, stir them in now.

Spread apples in buttered 13×9 pan.
Pour batter over apples, spreading to cover.
Bake at 350 for 45-50 min. (time will vary depending on your oven).

OPTIONAL: You can spread or drizzle this icing over the Apple Cake:
Cream Cheese Frosting:
Soften 2 cream cheese squares (3 oz each). Beat until fluffy.
Beat in 1/4 cup melted butter.
Beat in 2 cup of 10x sugar and 1 tsp lemon juice.

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Corn Casserole

Posted in Baking, Cooking, tagged Baking, Cooking, Food on April 15, 2014| 20 Comments »

This is a good, old-fashioned recipe…

My family loves it, and I wanted to share it with you.

If you don’t already have a good corn casserole recipe, try this one… You won’t be disappointed.

Here are the simple ingredients.

You can add a small can of jalapenos or green chilies if you want some heat in it.
Some recipes also call for grated cheddar cheese (I tried it, but even though I love cheese, I prefer this recipe).

Ingredients:

1 c sour cream
1 14 oz can corn, drained
1 14 oz can creamed corn
1/2 c butter, melted
1 egg, beaten
1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.
Mix first 7 ingredients.
Pour into buttered 9″ square pan
(I use a slightly larger rectangle ceramic country dish)
Bake 1 hour.
Serve with heated maple syrup, if desired.
Enjoy! 🙂
Daisy

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Cornish Hens

Posted in Cooking, tagged Cooking on March 3, 2014| 9 Comments »

When you’re craving a nice
home-cooked meal but don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen…
May I suggest…

I had never made Cornish Hens before.

There were two in the package and they were much smaller than a chicken.

I was busy cleaning and didn’t have a lot of time to spend making dinner at the stove. I wanted something I could just put in the oven and forget about for an hour or so.

I cut some potatoes, onions, sweet peppers, and carrots, and placed them on a baking sheet along with the hens.

I made a rub/dressing with garlic, onion powder, paprika, salt, thyme, olive oil, red wine vinegar, splash of hot sauce, and rubbed everything with it.