Barb's Kitchen

Chickpea Quinoa Curry

2011-03-16T20:44:00.000-07:00

Chickpea Quinoa Curry

1/2 onion (diced)
2 cloves garlic
1 can chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
1 can diced tomatoes (drained)
1 1/3 cup cooked quinoa
2 1/2 tsp curry powder
chili flakes to taste

1. On medium heat cook the onions and garlic until the onion starts to become clear.

2. Add the tomatoes and chickpeas and cook for a couple of minutes.

3. Add the quinoa, curry and chili and heat until warm.

Quinoa Vegetable Soup

2011-03-15T18:21:00.000-07:00

Quinoa Vegetable Soup

4 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
1 cup water
1/2 onion (diced)
1/2 cup quinoa
1/2 tsp oregano
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 bay leaf
1 heaping cup cauliflower
2 medium red potatoes (diced)
2 stalks celery (chopped)
2 cup kidney beans
2 cup black beans
2 cup spinach (chopped)
2 cup chopped pre-cooked meat (pork, chicken, turkey, sausage, or no meat at all)
salt and pepper to taste

1. Combine the broth, water, quinoa, onion, oregano, garlic and bay leaf in a pot and bring to a boil.

2. Add the celery, cauliflower and potatoes to the pot. Cover and bring down to a simmer for 15 minutes.

3. Add the beans, spinach, meat, salt and pepper to the pot and serve once these ingredients have cooked.

-thanks to Katherine for the base recipe for this!!!-

Salsa

2011-03-13T15:05:00.000-07:00

Salsa

8 tomatoes
1/2 onion
2 jalapenos
2 cloves of garlic
juice of 1/2 lime
salt
pepper

1. Cut the tomatoes around the middle (not top to bottom) and remove all of the seeds.

2. Chop the tomatoes until the are as coarse or as fine as you would like your salsa.

3. Finely chop the garlic, onion and jalapenos.

4. Mix everything together. Add the lime juice and salt and pepper to taste.

Citrus Cheesecake

2011-01-31T23:56:00.000-08:00

Citrus Cheesecake

375g cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp flour
1 tsp grated orange zest
1 1/2 tsp grated lemon zest
2 eggs
85 mL whipping cream

Crust
1/2 cup self-raising flour
1 cup regular flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp lemon zest
2/3 cup butter
1 egg

1. For the crust mix together the flours, sugar, butter and zest in the food processor for 30 seconds.

2. Add the egg and process until the dough comes together. Wrap the ball of dough and chill for 20 minutes in the fridge.

3. Once the dough has chilled roll it out between two sheets of parchment paper until it is big enough to cover the bottom of your spring form pan and up the sides. Trim the edges and cover the dough with parchment paper and weigh down the dough with a couple cups of rice. Bake for 10 minutes at 415 with the rice on top, smooth down the dough with the back of a spoon and then bake for another 5 minutes without anything on top. Let cool.

4. For the filling beat the cream cheese, sugar, flour, and zest until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time then the cream.

5. Pour the filling over the crust and bake for 50-60 minutes. Let cool, then store in the fridge. Top with whipping cream and candied zest if you like!

Challah

2011-01-28T23:29:00.000-08:00

Challah

4 cup flour
4 1/2 tsp quick dry yeast
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup warm water
2 tsp salt
1/2 cup oil
3 eggs

30-35 minutes @ 375

1. Mix the yeast with 2 tsp of the sugar and 1/2 cup of warm water and let activate for about 30 minutes.

2. Once the yeast has activated mix it with 2 cups of the flour, the rest of the sugar, the salt, the rest of the water, 2 eggs and the oil.

3. Gradually knead in the rest of the flour 1/2 cup at a time. Knead it for about 8 minutes and then let the dough ride in a oiled bowl (covered with a damp cloth) for 30-45 minutes until it has doubled in size.

4. Punch down the dough and knead it for a bit more. Shape the dough into a braid and let it double in size on a lined baking sheet covered in plastic wrap (20-30 minutes).

5. Mix together the last egg and 1 tbsp of water and brush over the dough. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.

-thanks to Britt for the recipe-

Mexican Lasagna

2011-01-25T16:34:00.000-08:00

Mexican Lasagna

1 bag (~290g) baby spinach
1/4 onion
2 jalapenos (without seeds)
12 small tortillas (number depends on the size of your pan)
2 cans pinto beans (400mL, rinsed and drained)
2 cup salsa
2 1/2 cup grated monterey jack cheese
salt & pepper

40 minutes @ 425

1. Finely chop the jalapenos and onion and mix with the medium/finely chopped spinach. Add salt and pepper to taste.

2. Lay down half of the tortillas on the bottom of your pan so that it is completely covered.

3. Layer half of the beans on top of the tortillas and then half of the salsa on top of the beans.

4. Spread half of the spinach over the bean/salsa mixture and then cover with half of the grated cheese.

5. Repeat the layers and cover the pan with aluminum foil. Bake at 425 for 25 minutes covered with foil and then 15 with the foil off.

Peanut Butter and Jam Cupcakes

2011-01-23T16:49:00.000-08:00

Peanut Butter and Jam Cupcakes

4 tbsp butter
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 2/3 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup (just over) milk
jam

Peanut Butter Frosting
1/2 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter
3 tbsp milk
2 cup icing sugar

1. Cream the butter, peanut butter and brown sugar together for a couple of minutes.

2. Mix in the eggs and vanilla.

3. Fold in the dry ingredients (flour and baking powder) alternately with the milk.

4. Half fill the muffin tins with batter and put 1/2 tsp of jam in the centre. Fill the rest of the cup with batter so that the jam isn't showing.

5. Bake for 25 minutes at 350. Should make 12 cupcakes.

6. For the frosting you need to whip together the peanut butter and butter then alternate adding in the milk and the icing sugar.

7. Top the cupcakes with the frosting and devour.

-cupcake recipe from 1001 Cupcakes, frosting recipe from Cupcake Tuesday-
-thanks to Stacy for the homemade raspberry jam-
-thanks to Meghan for the idea for the peanut butter frosting, check out her blog: http://cupcakecrusade.tumblr.com/page/1 -

Key Lime Tarts

2011-01-16T20:17:00.000-08:00

Key Lime Tarts

1/2 cup key lime juice
1 can (300mL) sweetened condensed milk
5 egg yolks
tart shells

10 minutes @ 350

1. Juice key limes until you have 1/2 cup of juice. Separate the eggs and keep the yolks.

2. Mix together the egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk and the lime juice.

3. Partially bake the tart shells at 350 for 10 minutes. Once the shells have cooled a bit fill them with the lime mixture. Makes over 12 tarts.

4. Bake the tarts for 10 minutes and let cool before topping with some whipping cream.

Apple Pecan Cake

2011-01-10T17:10:00.000-08:00

Apple Pecan Cake

1 1/2 cup oil
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 eggs
3 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup pecans
3 1/2 cup granny smith apples (peeled and diced coarsely)

1 hour 45 minutes @ 325

Caramel Sauce
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 tsp vanilla

1. Mix together the oil and sugars.

2. Add in the eggs one at a time.

3. Add the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.

4. Fold in the vanilla, nuts and apples.

5. Fill an angel food pan with the mixture and bake for an hour and 45 minutes at 325.

6. For the caramel sauce you need to cook all of the ingredients in a pan until warm and dissolved. Serve over the cake.

-thanks to Karen for the recipe-

Boston Cream Cupcakes

2011-01-03T14:53:00.000-08:00

Boston Cream Cupcakes

1/2 cup butter/margarine
2/3 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup milk
1 pack vanilla pudding mix

18 minutes @ 350

Chocolate Glaze
1 cup chocolate
1/6 cup sugar
1/6 cup water
2 tbsp butter

1. Cream the butter and the sugar together for a couple of minutes.

2. Add in the eggs and vanilla.

3. Alternately add in the dry ingredients and the milk.

4. Evenly fill 12 muffin tins and bake for 18 minutes at 350.

5. Once the cupcakes have cooled cut a well into them and fill them with the made vanilla pudding.

6. In a saucepan heat the chocolate, sugar and water on low heat until melted. Take off the heat and stir in the butter. Friends are best for this job :)

7. Coat the top of the cupcake with the chocolate glaze.

Black Forest Cupcakes

2011-01-01T22:36:00.000-08:00

Black Forest Cupcakes

1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup cherry pie filling
2 eggs
3/4 cup flour
3/4 tsp baking powder

whipping cream
cherry pie filling

20 minutes at 350

1. Melt the chocolate and the butter together and let cool a bit.

2. Put just over 3/4 cup of cherry pie filling into a blender/food processor and mix until smooth with just a few chunks. Mix in the eggs, sugar and blended pie filling in with the chocolate mixture.

3. Add the flour and baking powder.

4. Put batter evenly into 9 muffin tins and bake for 20 minutes at 350.

5. Once the cupcakes have cooled cut a small well into each of them and fill it with the liquid from the pie filling.

6. Cover with whipping cream and add chocolate shavings and a cherry on top.

Chocolate Toffee Cookies

2010-12-20T16:41:00.000-08:00

Chocolate Toffee Cookies

1 cup butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/3 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup toffee bits
1/2 cup chocolate

10-12 minutes @ 350

1. Mix the butter and brown sugar together for about 3 minutes.

2. Add in the vanilla and the egg.

3. Mix in the flour, baking powder and salt.

4. Stir the toffee bits into the dough.

5. Split the dough into two and roll into logs about 9" long. Flatten the logs a bit and put in the fridge to cool for about an hour.

6. Cut the logs into slices just under 1/4". Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350. (makes about 60 cookies)

7. Once the cookies have cooled drizzle them melted chocolate.

-thanks to Karen for the recipe-

Shortbread Cookies

2010-12-08T21:48:00.000-08:00

Shortbread Cookies

3/4 cup butter
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup icing sugar
1 cup flour

15-20 minutes @ 300

1. Beat softened butter until fluffy (a couple of minutes).

2. Sift the flour, cornstarch and icing sugar together. Add to the butter and mix.

3. Roll the dough into 1-1 1/2" diameter balls. Chill for 30-60 minutes.

4. Press the balls down with a floured fork and bake on sheet for 15-20 minutes at 300.

-recipe from Canada Cornstarch-

Ginger Cookies

2010-11-27T18:29:00.000-08:00

Ginger Cookies

1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup oil
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
2 cup flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp ground cloves
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/4 cup sugar

10 minutes @ 375

1. Mix brown sugar, oil, molasses and egg together.

2. Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and cloves.

3. Roll dough into balls about 1.5" in diameter. Dip the top half in sugar and space on baking sheet.

4. Bake for 10 minutes at 375.

Eggnog Cookies

2010-11-24T21:59:00.000-08:00

Eggnog Cookies

2/3 cup butter/margarine
1/3 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
2 tbsp spiced rum
2 cup flour
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Eggnog Glaze
1 1/2 cup icing sugar
1/4 cup spiced rum
2 tsp water
1/4 tsp nutmeg

1. Mix together the butter and sugar.

2. Add in the egg yolks and spiced rum.

3. Add the flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, baking powder and salt.

4. Separate the dough in quarters. Knead the dough a bit until it's soft and form it into a log. Divide each log into 6 pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and form to a spiral.

5. Bake for 25 minutes at 300. Makes 24 cookies
6. Mix together the icing sugar, rum, water and nutmeg. Heat in a double boiler until the glaze is runny and warm.

7. Dip the still warm cookies one at a time into the warm glaze with a fork.

-recipe from Canadian Living-

Vanilla Cupcakes

2010-11-13T21:46:00.000-08:00

Vanilla Cupcakes

1/2 cup butter/margarine
2/3 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup milk

18 minutes @ 350

Fluffy Vanilla Icing
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1/3 cup water
2 egg whites
1 tsp vanilla

1. Cream the butter and sugar together.

2. Mix in the eggs and vanilla.

3. Mix together the flour, baking powder and salt. Alternate adding this dry mix and the milk to the butter mixture.

4. Fill a muffin tin evenly with the batter and bake for 18 minutes at 350.

5. Heat the water, sugar and cream of tartar in a pan at med-high heat until the sugar has dissolved and the liquid is bubbling.

6. Whip the egg whites and vanilla until you have soft peaks and gradually add the sugar liquid until you get stiff peaks. (this takes a while and if I didn't have an electric mixer I think my arm would have died)

7. Top the cupcakes with the icing once they have cooled and add sprinkles (because they're awesome)

Beer Buns

2010-11-02T20:58:00.000-07:00

Beer Buns

3 cups flour
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
3 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup butter/margarine
1 1/2 cup beer (some local is nice)

15-20 minutes @ 400

1. Mix together the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder.

2. Add the butter to the dough and cut it into the dry mixture until it is in fine pieces.

3. Gradually pour the beer into the mix while stirring. I used Kelowna Pilsner.

4. Knead the dough a bit on a floured surface until it is nice and smooth. You can add extra flour when kneading it if it is really sticky.

5. Separate the dough into 6 pieces and roll them into little balls. Place the balls on a baking tray and make cross cuts on top.

6. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 400. If you like you can brush some melted butter on top once the buns are baked and then stick them in the oven for another 2 minutes.

Brownies

2010-10-28T20:36:00.000-07:00

Brownies

1 1/3 cup butter/margarine
2 cup sugar
4 eggs
1/4 cup corn syrup
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup flour
3/4 cup + 2 tbsp cocoa
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

35-40 minutes @ 350

Chocolate Frosting
2 tbsp butter
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate
2 tbsp warm water
2 tsp vanilla
2 cup icing sugar

1. Mix together the butter and the sugar.

2. Mix in the eggs, corn syrup and vanilla.

3. Sift together the flour, cocoa, salt and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.

4. Stir in the walnuts.

5. Spread in a pan and bake for 35-40 minutes at 350.

6. For frosting, melt the butter and the chocolate in double broiler. Once melted add in water and vanilla.

7. Take off the heat and whisk in the icing sugar.

8. Once the brownie has cooled, top it with the frosting.

-thank you Julie for the recipe-

Apple Chips

2010-10-27T16:14:00.000-07:00

Apple Chips

3 apples
1/4 cup (slightly less) sugar
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon (or as much as you like)
3 cup water
1 tbsp lime or lemon juice

2 hours @ 225

1. Cut up apples in 1/8" slices. Put the cut slices into the bowl of water and lime juice if you want to keep them from getting brown while you cut the rest of the slices.

2. Dry off the soaked slices before seasoning them.

3. Mix the sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle the mixture onto both sides of the apple slices.

4. Place a cooling rack on a baking sheet and lay the apple slices on top of the cooling rack. (you can also use parchment paper on the baking sheet instead of a cooling rack)
5. Bake for about 2 hours at 225, or until the slices have gotten pretty crispy. They will harden a bit more once they have cooled. Try not to eat them all at once.

Pumpkin Cupcakes

2010-10-24T20:14:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin Cupcakes

1 can pumpkin puree (~398mL)
4 eggs
1 cup oil
1 3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
2 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

25 minutes @350

1. Mix together eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin.

2. Add in cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves.

3. Gradually add in the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

4. Spoon into muffin tin. Should make about 18 cupcakes. Bake for 25 minutes at 350.

5. Add icing if you like, but they are really good on their own.

Soda Bread

2010-10-22T23:33:00.000-07:00

Soda Bread

4 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup butter/margarine
2 eggs
1 3/4 cup buttermilk

50-60 minutes @ 350

1. Mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

2. Cut the butter into the dry mixture until the butter is in fine pieces.

3. Make a well in the middle of the dry mixture. Mix the buttermilk and eggs together and then add them to the center of the well.

4. Mix with a fork until it comes together to make a soft dough.

5. Make the dough into a ball and knead about 10 times.
6. Put the dough on a lightly greased pan. Make the dough about 8" across and cut a large X into the top of the dough.

7. Bake for 50-60 minutes at 350.

Pretzels

2010-10-18T21:31:00.000-07:00

Pretzels

2 1/4 tsp dry active yeast
2 tsp sugar
1 cup warm water
2 3/4 cup flour
2 tbsp oil
1 1/2 tsp salt

6 tbsp baking soda
6 cups water
coarse salt

12 minutes @ 425

1. Activate yeast in the warm water with 1 tsp of sugar. Let the yeast sit for about 15 minutes to activate.

2. Make a well in the flour and add the rest of the sugar, the regular salt, the oil and the yeast to the centre of the well.

3. Stir the mixture around until it the dough comes together. If it seems a bit dry add a bit more water, a tsp at a time.

4. Knead the dough for about five minutes and then place it in an oiled bowl, making sure to roll the dough ball around to coat all sides.

5. Cover the bowl with a damp towel and let sit for about an hour until it has about doubled in size.

6. When the dough has finished rising, punch and knead it a bit more. Then separate it evenly into 12 ball of dough.

7. Take each ball and roll it out with your hands to around a foot and a half in length (with the middle slightly thicker than the ends). Twist it into pretzel shape.

8. Boil the baking soda and water mixture and drop each pretzel into it for 10 seconds in each side. Take the pretzel out and let dry a bit and add a bit of coarse salt on top.

9. Bake for 12 minutes at 425.

10. Enjoy with a beer :)

Focaccia

2010-10-17T22:48:00.000-07:00

Focaccia

2 1/4 tsp dry active yeast
1 tsp sugar
1/4 cup warm water
2 cups flour
1 tsp salt

olive oil
salt
pepper
onion powder
rosemary (about 2 1/2 tbsp)
garlic (4-5 cloves)

20 minutes @ 425

1. Add yeast sugar and water together in small bowl. Wait about 10 minutes for the yeast to activate.

2. Once yeast is activated put it in a large bowl with the flour and salt. Mix around, gradually adding a little bit more water at a time until the dough is coming together. Knead the dough for 2 minutes on a lightly floured surface.

3. Coat a large bowl with olive oil and put the dough in the bowl. Cover the bowl with a damp towel and let sit for 45 minutes.

4. When the dough has finished rising, punch and knead it on the counter a bit more.
5. Spread out the dough on a slightly oiled pan. Make dimples in it with your fingers.

6. Coat lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with onion powder, salt, pepper, finely chopped garlic and coarsely chopped rosemary.

7. Bake for 20 minutes at 425.

Turtle Sugar Cookies

2010-10-16T22:46:00.000-07:00

Turtle Sugar Cookies

1 cup butter/margarine
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp baking powder
3 cups flour

1 heaping cup of caramels
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup pecans

7-9 minutes at 375

1. Blend together butter, sugar, egg and vanilla.

2. Mix in flour and baking powder.

3. Roll out to 1/4" thickness and cut into shapes.

4. Space out on cookie sheet and bake for about 7.5 minutes at 375.

5. Melt caramels and drizzle on cookies. Stick pecans on the still soft caramel and then drizzle melted chocolate on top.

Granny C's Banana Muffins

2010-10-13T19:03:00.000-07:00

Banana Muffins

2 very ripe bananas
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup oil
1 cup brown sugar
4 tbsp of milk + 1 tsp lemon juice (or 4 tbsp buttermilk)
2 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup nuts/chocolate chips (optional)

20 minutes @ 400

1. Mix bananas and baking soda together.

2. Add oil, brown sugar and milk.

3. Mix in flour, baking powder and cinnamon just until blended.

4. Evenly spoon into muffin tin. (should fill 12)

5. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes.