Lemon Brownies

This is a good treat for someone that 

doesn't like chocolate.

( I can't believe I just typed that sentence )

In a large bowl combine the sugar, flour

and salt. Add the softened butter.

tip:You can soften a stick if butter in the 

microwave for 25 seconds on 30% power

 Whisk the eggs in another bowl and add the lemon juice,

and zest.

Combine the two and beat until smooth.

I always use the butter wrapper to grease the pan.

Pour in the batter.

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

Mix the powdered sugar, lemon juice and zest.

 Spread on the cooled lemon brownies.

It will make a nice thin glaze.

Cut into squares.

These have a light yet dense texture, 

similar to brownies. I'll give them their own

new name......Lemonies!

Enjoy!

Lemon Brownies

3/4 C flour

3/4 C sugar

1/4 t salt

1 stick butter, soft

2 eggs

juice from 1/2 lemon (about 1T)

zest from 1/2 lemon (about 1t)

Combine the flour, sugar and salt

 in a large bowl.

 Mix in the softened butter.

In another bowl whisk the eggs with 

the lemon juice and zest.

Add to the larger bowl and mix well.

 Pour into prepared 8X8 brownie pan.

 Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

You can double the recipe and bake in a

 9X13 pan for 30 minutes.

Remove and let cool, then glaze.

Glaze

1/2C powdered sugar

1 T lemon juice

additional lemon zest

stir together

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

note: 1 stick of butter is = to 1/2 C or 1/4 pound.
I use unsalted butter.

Check out my Lemon Lover's Bundt Cake too.

Links: Savvy Southern Style, Designs By Gollum,
EKats Kitchen

Joe's Grilled Tomatoes

I hope you saved 1/2 C of the garlic creamed spinach from the previous post.

This is a fast easy side that goes great
with grilled steak. It's also a good lunch
or a great afternoon snack.  

 Combine the leftover 1/2 C creamed spinach with
2 T melted butter and 2 T bread crumbs.

 Divide the mixture on top of four 1/2" thick slices of beefsteak tomatoes.

 Cover the top with 3 slices of American cheese.

 Real cheese works best (not cheese product)

Broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese is bubbly

 and slightly browned.

Grilled Tomatoes

1 beefsteak tomato

1/2 C garlic creamed spinach

2 T melted butter

2 T seasoned breadcrumbs

3 thick slices American cheese

Slice the tomato into 1/2" slices.

Combine spinach, butter, and breadcrumbs.

Divide on top of the tomato.

Dice the cheese and add to top.

Broil 2-3  minutes

(watch carefully)

Links: Designs By Gollum

Joe's Garlic Creamed Spinach

Joe's Stone Crab Restaurant on South Beach

 is world famous. They have been a Florida 

landmark for almost 100 years.

 Everybody goes for the amazing stone crab, 

but their sides dishes and key lime pies 

are also very popular.

Here's the recipe for the garlic creamed spinach, 

one of the house specialities.

 Have the ingredients ready because it doesn't take long to prepare.

 Saute the garlic in the hot butter.

 Add the flour and whisk to cook for one minute.

 Add the half and half and cook until thickened.

 Stir in the spinach and seasonings.

 Let simmer for about 10 minutes. 

You can cover it and keep it warm for longer.

Garlic Creamed Spinach

2 boxes frozen chopped spinach,  thawed

3 T butter

1 T minced garlic

1 T flour

3/4 C half and half

3/4 t salt

1/2 t nutmeg

1/4 t pepper

Squeeze all the water out of the spinach and set aside.

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan and cook the 

chopped garlic about 1 minute until fragrant.

Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.

Gradually whisk in the half and half and cook until thickened.

Stir in the spinach and seasonings. 

Cook on low for about 10 minutes. 

Save any leftover spinach for Joe's Broiled Tomatoes.

I'll post that next.    

Enjoy!

Links: Stone Gable

Sunshine Muffins

These orange muffins start with a whole fresh orange, peel and all.

They are quickly made in a food processor.

If you don't have a food processor you can puree

the orange and juice in a blender.

Cut the orange into 8 pieces and drop in the bowl

with 1/2 C orange juice.

Puree about 1 minute.

Add egg and melted butter. Blend until smooth.

Add the dry ingredients;

 flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda.

Pulse a few times just until blended.

Pour into sprayed muffin tin.

Bake for 15-20 minutes at 400. 

Let sit for 5 minutes before removing.

Enjoy warm. 

 Butter and raspberry jam would be good too.

Or let the muffins cool and glaze.

You can freeze leftovers.

Sunshine Muffins

1 orange

1/2 C orange juice

1 egg

1 stick butter or margarine, melted

1-3/4 C flour

1 C sugar

1 t baking powder

1 t baking soda

Cut the orange into 8 pieces and 

drop into a food processor.

Add orange juice and puree. 

Add the melted butter and egg.

Blend until smooth.

Add the dry ingredients and pulse 2-3 

times just until blended.

 Scoop into sprayed muffin tins.

Bake for 15-20 minutes at 400.

Let sit for 5 minutes before removing.

optional glaze

1 C powdered sugar

1-2 T orange juice

combine and spread about one tablespoon 

onto the top of each cooled muffin.

Enjoy!

Links: Stone Gable, Designs By Gollum,
Jam Hands, The Lady Behind The Curtain

Cranberry Glazed Chicken

Dinner couldn't be any easier than

cranberry glazed chicken. 

Serve with white or wild rice and a green vegetable.

Saute the chopped onion in a little oil. 

Add the cranberry sauce, ketchup, mustard,

 and brown sugar. Heat, stirring until well combined

 and the cranberry sauce melts.

I always use the larger 14-oz can of whole berry sauce

and store the rest in a glass jar in the refrigerator. 

Use 3-4 boneless breasts, cut into serving size

 pieces if very large. 

Put into a sprayed shallow casserole.

 Salt and pepper the chicken and pour the sauce over.

Bake at 350 uncovered for 35-45 minutes until glazed.

You can also use cut-up chicken pieces. 

Bake those a little longer, 45-50 minutes.

Cranberry Glazed Chicken

3-4 boneless chicken breasts or

1 whole chicken cut-up

1 T oil

1/4 C diced onion

8 oz can whole berry cranberry sauce

1/4 C brown sugar

1/2 C ketchup

1 T dijon mustard

In a small saucepan saute the onion in oil until tender. 

 Add the cranberry sauce, ketchup, mustard, and

 brown sugar.  Stir over low heat until 

the cranberry sauce is melted and well combined. 

Season the chicken with salt and pepper.

 Place in a sprayed shallow casserole.

 Pour the sauce over the chicken. 

Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes until glazed.

Serve over wild or white rice and add a fresh

green vegetable.

Enjoy!

Links: Savvy Southern Style, Coastal Charm,
Designs By Gollum, Funky Junk, Stone Gable