New Spin on Mashed Potatoes

Want to try and spice up those old plain mashed potatoes?

Try this:

Cook your potatoes just like normal but leave the skin on, add butter, milk, S&P and mix... Simple..RIGHT? Mash them up well, I used a hand beater.

Now add a few caramelized onions and garlic powder....I cooked my onions in a little truffle oil to give them a little earthier flavor!

These potatoes were AWESOME!

What do you do differently to your side potatoes!

Want some Truffles?

Truffle Shortcut

So I make these extremely easy truffles that everyone love....

So here is the video on how to make them!

ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXAI8S-4eAE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

French Toast

I was shopping at the place where I work and they had some Pannettone marked down 60% due to it being a seasonal item.

I immediately thought about using it for French toast, the Pannettone that I bought had dark chocolate chips and raisins in it.

Here is what I did:

Ingredients:

Pannettone Slices
1 egg
3 tbsp milk (i used vanilla soy)
1 tsp sugar
butter

in a bowl combine all of the the ingredients except for the bread and butter, in a frying pan add some butter, let the pannettone sit in the custard a few minutes, transfer the soaked slices to the melted butter in the pan, cook on med-low heat, we are just trying to set the custard inside of the bread. Once both sides of the pannettone are slightly brown, transfer to a plate and top with a small pat of butter,

TIP
Serve with maple syrup, honey, or with powdered sugar!

Basic Cookie Recipe

I use this basic sugar cookie recipe as the base for many different cookies.

Ingredients:

1 egg
2 cups flour
Tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup softened butter

Directions:

Very easy! Mix everything together, let set in fridge for at least one hour before rolling out to 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch and bake @350 10-12 minutes.

Tips
I have added toasted sesame seeds to this dough, I usually just ice with royal icing and let firm up. This is one of the only firm cookies that I like. You could add coconut, or nuts, etc. I am working on 3 variations of this recipe so check back soon! My co-workers should be happy!

Braised Ox Tails

It is snowing today and I really wanted a warm feel good meal.

So I made Braised Ox Tail Stew...

What you will need:

2 pounds Ox Tails
1 cup pmoegranate wine
3 cups beef broth
4 cups water
1 pound potatoes chopped
3 large carrots chopped
1 cup onion chopped
1 tablespoon balsimic vinegar
2 tablespoons parsley
seasonings (I used garlic powder, onion powder, and red chili flakes)
S&P to taste
1/4 cup flour
2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

coat your ox tails in flour, brown them in the olive oil, add the wine and stock to a large heavy pan, add the browned ox tails. Let simmer for 1 hour, then add the water and all of the chopped veggies, seasonings, and vinegar. simmer 3-5 hours until the ox tail meat falls off the bone. enjoy!

Turkey Day is almost here...

Thanksgiving is almost here so I know everyone is somewhat interested in new recipes and techniques. Below is a link to a few videos that span, stuffing, roasting a turkey, and brining a turkey.

www.youtube.com/user/teejaytoday75