Cranberry Baked Oatmeal

This is a warm crumbly oatmeal that's good 

 on a cold morning.  In South Florida that's 

anything below 60F!

 Flavored with brown sugar, cinnamon and
 fresh cranberries.

 Combine the dry ingredients.

 Melt the butter in the baking dish to grease the pan,

then pour into the wet ingredients.

 Whisk in the vanilla.

 Combine with the dry ingredients and stir
in the cranberries.

(This is half the recipe and used an 8" square pan.)

 Bake for 30 minutes. Small pan for 20.
Cut unto squares and serve.

 Top with warm cream if desired.

 Leftovers, can be reheated in the

microwave during the week.

Baked Cranberry Oatmeal

9X13 pan has 6-8 servings

3 C oatmeal

1 C brown sugar

2 t cinnamon

2 t baking powder

pinch salt

combine in a large bowl

in another bowl combine:

2 eggs

1 C milk

1 stick butter, melted

2 t vanilla

whisk together and combine with the

dry ingredients. Stir in

1 C fresh cranberries

Pour into the buttered 9X13 pan

and bake @350 for 30-40 minutes

Cut into large squares and serve with

warm cream if desired.

Enjoy!

Homemade Biscotti

Biscotti are a twice-baked Italian dipping cookie. 

They are wonderful with a latte or cappuccino. 

Perfect for dipping into your favorite coffee.

 The recipe is similar to mandelbrot or Mandlel Bread 

which dates back to early European cultures and 

is a popular Jewish treat. Mandel means almonds in

 German, so they traditionally have

 almonds and almond extract.

 Beat sugar and oil in an electric mixer 

until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes.

 Add the eggs one at a time, beating until well incorporated.

 Gradually add the flour. 

Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts.

 Add the toasted almonds. Toasting brings out

 the flavor. I used the toaster oven and bake 

 for 5 minutes at 350 until fragrant and golden. 

You can easily add your own touches.  

 I used 1/2C almonds and 1/2C

mini chocolate chips. 

Spray a large (12X18) sheet pan.

 Pour the batter evenly on the pan.

 Bake in a 350 oven.

 Until golden, about 20 minutes.

 Remove from oven and let cool for 7 minutes.

 Turn out onto a cutting board.

 Slice lengthwise down the middle, 

then cut across into 1/2-to 3/4-inch strips

 You can also cut lengthwise into thirds 

to make smaller pieces.

 At this point I store some in the freezer before

 the second baking. When I want to serve them I 

remove from the freezer and let sit at room 

temperature for about 5 minutes then bake on a 

cookie sheet at 350 until toasted, about 8 minutes.

 Return the cookies to the sheet pan and return to 

the 350 oven and bake for 6 minutes then flip. 

and bake the other side for another 6 minutes. 

 Serve for coffee.

Store extra cookies in a large jar.

Biscotti

Almond or Chocolate Chip

1 C sugar

1 C  vegetable oil 

4 eggs

1-1/2 C flour

2 t vanilla extract

1 t almond extract

1 C toasted almonds

(or 1 C mini chocolate chips or

half of each)

Beat sugar and oil with a mixer until dissolved.

Add eggs one at a time, beating until well mixed.

Gradually add the flour. Stir in the extracts.

Stir in the almonds or mini chips.

Spread onto a sprayed baking sheet (12X18)

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, until lightly golden. 

Remove from oven and let cool in pan for 7 minutes. 

Turn onto a cutting board and cut in half lengthwise, 

then cut across into 1/2" to 3/4" strips.

 Return cookies to the sheet pan and return to

oven to bake another 6 minutes, flip and bake 

the other side for another 6 minutes, until golden.

Enjoy! 

Links: Designs By Gollum

Marinated Shrimp

Instead of making the usual shrimp cocktail, try this!

It's a great appetizer.

Serve chilled.

 First, boil the shrimp using my easy no-fail recipe.

 Cover the shrimp with at least 2 inches of water. 

Add vinegar and Old Bay seasoning and salt. 

You can add more spices if you like.

 Place on high heat and stir occasionally. 

When 1 or 2 shrimp float to the top they are done. 

The water may not come to a boil.

 Immediately pour into a colander to drain
 and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking.

 Ingredients for the marinade.

 Mince the garlic. I used cilantro here, 

but you can also use fresh flat leaf parsley, or both.

 Combine the marinade/dressing ingredients in a jar.

 Shake to blend.

 To the shrimp add: sliced celery, chopped green
onions and chopped fresh cilantro or parsley.

 Pour the marinade over all and toss well. 

Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.

 Sprinkle with additional green onions and parsley. 

Set out with toothpicks at a party or serve in small

glass dishes as a dinner appetizer.

Or do what we did tonight and share with a 

glass of wine and good warm crusty bread.

Easy No-Fail Shrimp Boil

1 lb large or extra large shrimp

1 T Old bay seasoning

2 T cider vinegar

1 t salt

Add shrimp to pot and add water to cover

the shrimp by 2 inches. Add the Old Bay,

Salt and vinegar. Start cooking on high,

stirring until 1-2 shrimp float to the surface.

(water may not come to a boil)

Drain immediately in a colander and 

rinse with cold water to stop the cooking, 

Peel and chill.

This method works any amount of shrimp.

Marinade

1/2 t salt

1/2 t paprika

1/4 t sugar

1 T Dijon mustard

1-2 T horseradish

3 T tarragon or basil vinegar

1/3 C olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

Combine all ingredients in a jar and shake.

Enough for 1 lb of shrimp.

Marinated Shrimp

1 lb cooked shrimp

Green onions, chopped, about half a bunch

Celery, thinly sliced or minced, 2-3 stalks

Fresh Parsley or Cilantro, or both chopped 

to taste about 1/2 C

Place cooked shrimp in a bowl and add the

celery, green onions and parsley, as much as you 

like. Pour over the marinade and toss.

Cover and let marinade at least 4 hours or

overnight in the refrigerator.

Enjoy!

Favorite Pecan Pie

Pecan pie season is here!

There was a time when I thought I didn't like
 pecan pie. What was I thinking?

It's the perfect fall and winter pie.
 I make the first one in October.

Pumpkin Pie and Pecan Pie

I make one for Thanksgiving and

another for Christmas. Maybe I'll make one

in January to celebrate the New Year.

 I start with my homemade pie crust.

 Pour in the filling. I flip any pecans that need to
be turned top-side up.

 It can bake along with the pumpkin pie.

My guilty pleasure is having a small slice

with a good cup of coffee the next morning

 for breakfast. Even better!

Pecan Pie

3 eggs

2/3 C sugar

dash salt

1 C dark corn syrup

1/3 C butter, melted

1 t vanilla

1 heaping C pecan halves

1 9" unbaked pie shell
(adding 1 T of bourbon is good too)
~~~~~~~~

Beat eggs, sugar, salt, corn syrup, 

butter and vanilla. Add pecans.

Pour into pie shell. 

I flip the pecans right-side up

Bake @350 for 50-55 minutes or
 until knife inserted halfway between
center and edge comes out clean.
Cool. Good served with a scoop
 of vanilla ice cream.

Enjoy!

Links: A Stroll Thru Life,
Designs By Gollum