Mikelles Meals

Red Velvet Cupcakes

2011-10-01T16:32:00.000-07:00

It has been my mission to find a a great red velvet cupcake recipe. You would think it would be easy because of their popularity but, indeed it wasn't. Most just were not moist enough for my liking until I found this recipe. Truly the best cupcakes and the frosting...well you get the point! I would rate this a 5 out of 5.

Ingredients:

1 stick unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
mix together in a mixer

In a separate bowl or cup combine:
1 cup buttermilk
2 tbsp. red food coloring (if you want a more intense red add a splash of bright pink if you have it)
1 tsp. vinegar
1 tsp. vanilla

And in other bowl combine:
2 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

Directions:
After you have the butter, sugar and egg mixture you will add the wet and dry ingredients in rotations. Add a little wet and mix, and a little dry until all combined. Just make sure you end with dry before baking . Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Let cool and frost.

Frosting:
Whip together

1 8oz. cream cheese room temp
1 1/2 sticks butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla (if imitation vanilla double it always)
3 1/2 cups of powdered sugar

Shrimp Dip

2011-10-01T16:12:00.000-07:00

This dip is delicious. My friends mother is a great cook and so I'm not shocked that this shrimp dip came from her collection of recipes. We had this at a BBQ and ate it with potato chips. Thanks Kathy!
I even had my mom who does NOT like shrimp try this, and she loved it. Just saying.

Ingredients:

1 8oz. Cream cheese room temp
3 tbsp. Miracle Whip ( i do half mayo, have miracle)
2 tbsp. lemon juice
3 tbsp. celery chopped fine
1 tbsp. onion chopped fine
1 can baby shrimp drained, crumbled (looks like a tuna can, shrimp size- tip of pinkie)

Directions:

With a hand mixer, mix the wet ingredients. Then fold in the veggies and shrimp, so hard i know. Serve with potato chips.

Sopapillas

2011-10-01T15:58:00.000-07:00

These little fried pastries are just....divine! They almost remind me of the flavor of my favorite treat in Disneyland the ultimate "churro" which could be the most missed luxury from living in So. California. No, but seriously, if you want something light and airy these sopas are the recipe to try. I love them with a little cinnamon and sugar and....a little butter, or even honey drizzled over the top. Either way, I can't just stop at one believe me, I've tried!

Ingredients:
4 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
4 tbsp. shortening
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups warm water

Directions:

Heat up about an inch of canola oil on med-med high heat about 375 degrees. Then in a large bowl or stand mixer add the flour, baking powder, salt, and shortening. Mix in water until smooth. Cover and let stand for 30 minutes. Roll out to 1/4 in. thick (if too thick will not puff up like a pillow in cooking). Cut into 3-inch squares. Fry until golden brown. (approx. 20 sec on each side) Serve hot with toppings of choice.

Smoky Chicken Flautas

2011-06-02T16:15:00.000-07:00

These were just delicious! They are packed with flavor but not spicy. If you want something easy, quick, and with a Mexican flare these are perfect. Definitely one of my personal favorites!

Ingredients:

4 oz. cream cheese (1/2 cup)
1/4 cup homemade chipotle ranch
2 tbsp. chipotle salsa cremosa (found at Walmart)
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. fajita seasoning
1 tbsp. chili powder
3 tbsp. cilantro or 1 tbsp. dried cilantro
2 tbsp. green onions chopped
2 cups grilled chicken cooked with fajita seasoning
1 pkg flour tortillas
1 cup cheddar and monteray jack cheese mix

Directions:

In a small bowl heat the cream cheese for 20 sec in the microwave. Add all ingredients and mix together fill each warmed tortilla with the cream cheese mixture, add the chicken and cheese separately to each one. Place on a foil lined sheet pan with the seam side down. Sprinkle with kosher salt and chili powder and bake at 425 degrees for 17 minutes.

Dipping sauce:

1/2 cup sour cream
3 tbsp. chipotle ranch
1 tbsp. chipotle salsa cremosa

Its also really good to serve with guacamole and use that to dip in. Delicious!

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

2011-04-29T00:14:00.000-07:00

This Jerk Sauce has all the flavors you could want in a jamaican sauce. Super tasty!
Ingredients:

2 green onions chopped
1 jalapeno seeded and minced
1 tbsp. ginger minced
2 tbsp. white wine vinegar
2 tbsp. worcestershire sauce
3 tsp. oil
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. thyme
1/2 tsp. salt
juice of 1 lime
4 chicken breasts

Directions: In a food processor blend all ingredients together and pour over chicken in a conatiner to marinade for 24 hrs. Cook chicken and baste with remaining sauce. Serve with rice and vegetables.

Mexican Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

2011-04-29T00:06:00.000-07:00

Chimichurri is a marinade type sauce that originated from Argentina and I used this to flavor the steak while cooking and saved some for the top afterward. So good:)

Ingredients:

1/2 bunch fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro finely chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tbsp. red or white wine vinegar
1 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. chili powder
12 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. coriander
1/4 tsp. cumin
Flank Steak or steak of choice

Directions:

In a bowl combine parsley, cilantro, oil, vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper. Add spices together then add it to the herb mixture. Prepare steak of choice and rub marinade all over the steak. After steak is cooked place a spoonful of sauce on top.

Strawberry Cream Cake Roll

2011-04-28T23:42:00.000-07:00

I loved this cake it was light and fluffy and a great alternative to a heavier strawberry dessert. It was delicious!

Ingredients:

3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt

Directions: In a bowl beat the eggs for 5 minutes until very thick and a lemon color. Gradually beat in sugar. On a low speed beat in water and vanilla. Then gradually add dry ingredients. Beat just until smooth don't over mix.

Pour into a pan with high edges and that is lined with parchment paper. Bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Remove from oven loosen edges and invert cake onto a towel that is sprinkled with powdered sugar (essential for cake not to stick while cooling). Roll up in the towel and let cool until room temp.

Strawberry Filling

1/2 cup whipping cream
2 tbsp. powdered sugar
1 cup strawberries, diced small

Directions: In a bowl use a mixer to beat the whipping cream and powdered sugar until stiff peaks. Unroll the cooled cake and remove parchment paper. Spread whip cream over the cake and sprinkle the strawberries on top. Roll up the cake once again and sprinkle with powdered sugar refrigerate and serve cold.

Sweet Baby Pulled Pork Sandwiches

2011-04-28T23:07:00.000-07:00

I have always loved pulled pork anything, and these sandwiches do not dissapoint!! The bbq sauce makes this, so don't switch for masterpiece or bullseye instead trust me. The bbq sauce can be purchased at most grocery stores.

Ingredients:

4 lb. Pork Roast or shoulder
2 bottles of Sweet Baby Rays Original barbeque sauce or the Honey barbeque

Directions:

In a large crockpot place the pork fill up with broth or water. Cook low for 8-10 hours. Drain liquid and shred pork. Place back in the crockpot and pour 1-1/2 bottle of bbq sauce over the pork. Combine and cook for 1 more hour. Serve on Utah hotel rolls or rolls of choice.

These will be the best pulled pork sandwiches you will ever have, and the easiest!

Rosemary Focaccia Bread

2011-03-01T18:37:00.000-08:00

I love this bread! I have made it so many times now, I can't get enough of it. It makes for the best sandwiches.

Ingredients:

1 cup warm water
1 pkg. instant dry yeast
1 tbsp. sugar
6 tbsp. melted butter
4-5 cups flour
2 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. chopped rosemary
1 cup milk
1 tsp. kosher salt

Directions:

In a bowl mix water, yeast and sugar. Let bubble about 5 minutes. Add butter and milk. Add rosemary 2 cups of the flour and salt. Mix well and add remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead well on a floured surface for 5 minutes. Butter a pan and spread out the dough but, not to the edges. It needs to be thick. Dimple the dough with fingers and spread melted butter on top, and then the kosher salt. Let rise for 20 minutes. Bake at 450 degrees for 20 min. Let cool and then cut to make sandwiches.

Homemade Mayo

2011-03-01T18:27:00.000-08:00

Super easy and you could easily make this a flavored mayo.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup liquid egg yolk (safer to use)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
2 pinches of sugar
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 tbsp. white wine vinegar
1 cup corn oil

Directions:

In a food processor whisk together egg and all the dry ingredients. Combine vinegar and lemon juice in a small bowl. Add half of it to the food processor, and then half the corn oil. Add remaining vinegar/lemon juice and pulse, and then remaining oil. It will be thick just like mayo.

Easy Marinara Sauce

2011-03-01T18:21:00.000-08:00

I have always wanted to make my own marinara and this one was so easy and tasty you could put it on any pasta. I may even try it as pizza sauce next.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. oil

1 small onion, chopped

1 tsp. minced garlic

1 can tomatoes

2 tbsp. tomato paste

2 tbsp. fresh basil

1 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 tsp. italian seasoning

1/8 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

Directions:

Cook onion in the oil and then add the garlic, cook about 5 minutes over med heat. Stir in the rest of the ingredients. Simmer over med heat for 20 minutes. Serve over pasta.

Gnocchi

2011-03-01T18:13:00.000-08:00

I had never made gnocchi ever and it way better than I thought it would be considering it's mostly just potato but, topped with marinara it is some good stuff.

Ingredients:

3 Russet potatoes peeled
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup flour
1/2 cup ricotta cheese

Directions:

Peel potatoes and cut into small pieces. Boil potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain water and mash the potatoes. Add salt, flour and ricotta. On a floured surface knead dough until it comes together. Divide dough into 6 equal pieces and roll into long ropes. Use the back of a fork to imprint the design all the way down the rope then cut into 3/4 inch thick pieces. Shake off excess flour and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

In a pot bring water to boil. Add 1/3 of the gnocchi to the boiling water and when they float to the surface they are done. About 30 seconds. Remove with slotted spoon and serve with homemade marinara sauce and Parmesan.

Homemade Peanut Butter

2011-03-01T17:52:00.000-08:00

It was so fun to make my own peanut butter. I had some of this on a piece of bread with homemade jam and it was delicious!

Ingredients:

8 oz. raw or roasted spanish peanuts, without the husk ( if you get the salted peanuts do not add any extra salt)
1/2 tsp. salt- if needed add at the end
2 tsp. honey
2 tsp. peanut oil

Directions:

Toast peanuts if raw for 5-6 minutes at 350 degrees and let cool. In a food processor add peanuts and mix until ground. Add the honey and oil while processing until creamy. Taste to see if salt is needed.

*If you want chunky peanut butter don't puree all the way in the processor.

Quick Rising Whole Wheat Bread

2011-03-01T17:36:00.000-08:00

This bread recipe was so much faster than others I have tried and it was just as fluffy and delicious. I will definitely be using this recipe over and over again.

Ingredients:

2 cups warm water
3 tbsp. oil
3 tbsp. honey
1 tbsp. yeast
1 cup flour
3 cups whole wheat flour/ can substitute 1 cup white flour for lighter bread
1/2 tbsp. salt

In a small bowl mix water, honey and yeast. Let bubble and sit for 5 minutes. In a stand up mixer or large bowl add the flour, salt and oil. Add in the yeast water and knead the dough for 5 minutes. Remove dough and knead on a floured surface for 5 more minutes. Shape the dough into loaves and put in bread tins. Let rise for 30min-1hr. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Buffalo Wings

2011-03-01T17:26:00.000-08:00

These wings are kinda sweet with a little kick. I am not a big fan of wing sauce but this recipe tasted yummy.

12-16 chicken wings

Tempura Batter Ingredients:

1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 egg
1/3 cup cold water or, club soda for a lighter batter

Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Add the egg and enough water or soda to make it a thick batter. Let sit for 5 minutes. Heat a skillet with an inch of oil on med heat. Drench each wing in the tempura batter and cook each side until brown on each side. Remove from oil and place on a sheet pan covered with aluminum foil.

Buffalo Wing Sauce Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 tbsp. light corn syrup
3 tbsp. Louisiana hot sauce
1/2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup water

Bring all ingredients to a simmer in a saucepan for 10 minutes. Stirring until sugar is dissolved. Pour over tempura fried wings and finish cooking in the oven at 350 degrees for 17-20 minutes. Serve with Ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Minestrone Soup

2011-03-01T17:09:00.000-08:00

Pic by Koko

This soup is soooo good. I had never had homemade minestrone and now I make it all the time.

Ingredients:

3 slices of bacon

2 tbsp. oil

1/2 yellow onion, chopped

1 1/2 tsp. garlic

1 cup canned diced tomatoes

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 carrot, chopped

1/2 cup green beans

1 tbsp. dry basil

1/2 can bean and bacon soup

1/2 can beef broth

1 cup water

1 cup small noodles

Directions:

Cut bacon into small pieces and fry in a pan until slighlty crispy. Add oil, onion and garlic. Stir constantly for about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, celery, carrot, green beans, and basil. Simmer for 20 minutes. Add the bean and bacon soup, broth, and water. Mix thouroughly. Then add the noodles and let simmer 8 more minutes. Serve with parmesan cheese sprinkled on top, and soda crackers.

Homemade Soda Crackers

2011-03-01T16:58:00.000-08:00

pic by kathryn

These were really easy and super delicious. These pair perfectly with the Homemade Minestrone soup.

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar
1 egg
2 tbsp. butter, melted
1/3 cup of water needed

Directions:

Mix the flour, salt and sugar in a bowl or food processor (food processor is best). In a small bowl mix together the egg and melted butter then add it to the flour until it comes together in the food processor. Add water if needed. It should be sticky but not too wet. Remove dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes. Let the dough rest for 30 minutes in a covered bowl. Turn a sheet pan over and lighly butter the bottom of the pan. Roll and stretch out the dough over the pan. Score the the dough into little squares and brush with melted butter over the entire dough. Sprinkle with salt and bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Let cool slightly and break into little squares.

Best Buttermilk Biscuits

2011-03-01T16:46:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. sugar
12 tbsp. butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1/4 cup grated cheese of choice

Directions:

Combine all dry ingredients into a bowl and cut in the butter cubes. It should have small pieces of butter in the dough, don't over mix. After that is combined add the buttermilk and cheese. Pat out dough onto a well floured surface so that the dough is 1 1/2 inches thick. Cut out dough with a round cutter. Bake at 450 degrees for 15-17min.

Zuppa Toscana Soup

2011-03-01T16:39:00.000-08:00

I already have a recipe for this but, I like this one better. It's really flavorful!

Ingredients:

1/2 lb. Italian Sausage

1-2 Russet potatoes

1/2 yellow onion, chopped

1 tsp. minced garlic

1 can chicken broth

2 cups water

1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper

2 slices of bacon, diced

1/2 cup whipping cream

1 cup fresh Kale

Directions:

In a pan sautee sausage and add crushed red pepper together until browned. Take out of pan and set aside. In the same pan cook bacon, onion, and garlic for about 10min. Add the chicken broth, water and chopped potatos. Let simmer until potato is tender. Add the cream, Kale, and sausage at the very end to heat through.

Cinnamon Rolls

2010-12-28T13:19:00.000-08:00

These cinnamon rolls were delicious!

Ingredients: (for dough) Use a stand up mixer with dough attachment
1 cup warm milk
1/4 cup warm water
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter, room temp.
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup sugar
5 cups flour
1 pkg. instant dry yeast

Knead for 10 minutes then cover and let rise for 1 hr. Roll out dough to a large rectangle. Then spread the following.....

Filling
1/2 cup softened butter (spread over dough evenly)
1 cup brown sugar (sprinkle over the top of dough and butter)
4 tsp. cinnamon (sprinkle on top)
1 cup walnuts, chopped (opt)

Roll the dough into a large log. Cut into 1 inch thick sections and place on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Frosting
2 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter
2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. milk

mix together until thick. When rolls are fresh out of oven spread frosting on top. It will melt and cover the cinnamon rolls.

"Moons Over My Hammy"

2010-05-27T14:16:00.000-07:00

So I have this cookbook with lots of restaurant recipes. I was flipping through it the other day and found a sandwich that I love. It's pretty basic but it tasted just like it.

Ingredients: (for 1 person)

2 eggs

1 tbsp. whipping cream

2-4 slices black forest ham

1 slice american cheese (kraft)

1 slice swiss cheese (kraft)

2 slices sourdough bread

Directions:

Grab two skillets. Whisk the eggs with whipping cream and pour into skillet add salt and cook on low med heat until soft and fluffy. In the other skillet add the deli ham and brown it on each side. In that same pan, place a buttered piece of toast face down and put the slice of swiss on top. After ham is done place on top of swiss cheese and bread. Add eggs and the American cheese. Place other piece of bread on top and flip to brown other side.

Turkey Bruschetta-My favorite Sandwich Ever!

2010-04-28T12:32:00.000-07:00

Let me tell you why this is so good. Trader Jo's has this amazing bruschetta. You might be thinking, "I Would never try this on a sandwich." Seriously, if you have access to a Trader Joe's, you have to try it. I am, unfortunately, not near one anymore so my supply is running low, but don't skip this step it makes the sandwich! My whole family is addicted to this sandwich. You might be next!

Ingredients:

2 slices bread, of choice (I've tried white, wheat , and sourdough. All very good)

1 tsp. Olive Oil

2 slices of deli Turkey

1 slice Provolone or Havarti cheese

1 leaf of lettuce

3 banana pepper rings

2 tbsp. Bruschetta

mayo (opt)

Directions:

Turn your oven on med Broil. Drizzle olive oil on both sides of each bread slice. Place in the oven until lightly browned and flip to other side. After all sides are toasted, add your cheese and turkey to one slice of bread and let the cheese melt. Remove the bread from the oven. In a small bowl heat up your bruschetta in the microwave for 20 sec. In the meantime, spread the other slice with mayo, add the lettuce, and banana peppers. Then add the bruschetta on top and make your sandwich. Enjoy!

Oh My Monkey Bread

2010-04-26T21:22:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

4 cans of biscuits

1 cup sugar
1 bowl with 1 cup sugar, 2 tbsp. cinnamon mixed
1 cube butter
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Directions:

Cut each biscuit into quarters. Then roll each quarter in the Cinnamon-Sugar mix. Drop into a well greased Bunt pan. (Layer in the pecans if you choose to use the pecans) In a saucepan, combine the butter and 1 cup of sugar until it's simmers. Pour over the biscuits in the bunt pan. Bake at 300° for 30 minutes or till golden brown.

Chicken Pesto Linguine

2010-04-21T23:58:00.000-07:00

This recipe is from our good friends and neighbors. Each weekend either they make dinner or our family does, and this is what she brought one day. I had never really had pesto like this before but it was so delicious! She has requests for this recipe all the time, that's how yummy it is.

Ingredients:

1 pkg. Wheat Linguine Pasta (you don't even taste the difference if you've never tried it)
4 chicken breasts, diced
1 can Artichoke hearts, drained (not marinated)
2 Roma tomatoes, diced (or grape tomatoes, halved)
1-2 tbsp. minced Garlic
1 jar "Classico" Pesto sauce

Directions:

In a pan cook your pasta noodles according to pkg. In a saute pan cook Chicken on med heat in some olive oil and the minced garlic. When chicken is just barely done add artichokes and tomatoes just to warm through, remove from heat. Drain pasta noodles and add the chicken-artichoke mixture. Mix pesto first and then add 6 tbsp. of Pesto sauce and toss together. Serve with green salad, and bread. You have to try this it's delicious!

Serves 6-8

Giada's Delish Pizza Crust

2010-04-15T10:08:00.000-07:00

This pizza was so good! It tasted as good as it looks. I saw this pizza dough recipe on the food network and just added some olive oil to it. This is my absolute favorite pizza dough now!

Ingredients:

1 pkg dry yeast
1 cup warm water
combine and add to:
1 1/2 tsp. salt
4 cups flour
1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions:

In a mixer with the kneading attachment combine all ingredients and knead for about 5 minutes until it doesn't stick or crumbles. (can also do by hand) After that form your dough in a ball and place in an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise for 3 hours. Then form the dough into a log and cut into 3 pieces. (I used one to make a pizza with that day and put the other 2 back in the fridge for 2 more days to age a little bit.) Once you have your dough, spread work area with flour and roll out until about 13 inches in diameter and 1/4 in. thick. Top your pizza and cook at 475 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

* For pizza sauce I love "Classico's" Tomato and Basil Sauce.