easy mochi

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 cup sweetened red bean paste
• 1 cup sweet rice flour (mochiko)
• 1 teaspoon green tea powder (matcha)
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup cornstarch, for rolling out the dough

Recipe

Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 5 mins Ready Time: 3 hrs 35 mins


• wrap red bean paste in aluminum foil and place in the freezer for at least 3 hours. mix sweet rice flour and green tea powder thoroughly in a microwave-safe glass or ceramic bowl. stir in water, then sugar. mix until smooth. cover bowl with plastic wrap.
• cook the rice flour mixture in the microwave for 3 minutes and 30 seconds. meanwhile, remove red bean paste from the freezer and divide paste into 8 equal balls. set aside. stir rice flour mixture and heat for another 15 to 30 seconds.
• dust work surface with cornstarch. while the mochi is still hot from the microwave, begin rolling balls the size of about 2 tablespoons. flatten the mochi ball and place 1 frozen red bean paste ball in the center. pinch the mochi over the red bean paste until the paste is completely covered. sprinkle with additional cornstarch and place mochi seam side down in a paper muffin liner to prevent sticking. repeat until all the mochi and red bean paste is used.

spicy mixed nuts

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 1 egg white
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• 2/3 cup walnut halves
• 2/3 cup pecan halves
• 2/3 cup whole almonds
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Recipe

• beat egg white and water until frothy. stir nuts into mixture to coat, then drain slightly in a colander, 3-4 minutes. mix sugar and spices in a plastic bag. add nuts and shake to coat. spread wet nut mixture in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate; microwave on high for 1 1/2 minutes, or until mixture is bubbly. stir.
• microwave another 1 1/2 minutes. remove; stir to separate. cool. store in a sealed container.

peanut butter bars i

Ingredients

• Servings: 1
• 1 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 4 tablespoons peanut butter

Recipe

Preparation Time: 25 mins Ready Time: 1 hr 25 mins


• in a medium bowl, mix together the butter or margarine, graham cracker crumbs, confectioners' sugar, and 1 cup peanut butter until well blended. press evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan.
• in a metal bowl over simmering water, or in the microwave, melt the chocolate chips with the peanut butter, stirring occasionally until smooth. spread over the prepared crust. refrigerate for at least one hour before cutting into squares.

mushroom gizzards

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 2 pounds chicken gizzards
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can water

Recipe

Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Ready Time: 40 mins


• clean and rinse gizzards, being sure to trim off any green material. place cleaned gizzards in a large bowl. mix flour, paprika, salt and pepper together in a small bowl; pour mixture gizzards and toss well to coat.
• heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. brown coated gizzards in oil; drain and place in a microwave safe dish.
• in a medium bowl mix together the soup and a soup can of water; pour mixture over gizzards, cover and cook in microwave on high for 15 minutes.
• stir, replace cover and cook for another 10 minutes. check for tenderness; if still too firm, cook in microwave for another 5 minutes. let sit and set for 5 minutes after cooking, before serving.

pan cream puff

Ingredients

• Servings: 1
• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 eggs
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
• 3 cups milk
• 2 (3 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 (16 ounce) package frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1/4 cup chocolate syrup
• 1 cup sliced almonds

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 25 mins Ready Time: 1 hr 45 mins


• preheat oven to 400 degrees f (200 degrees c). grease and flour a 9x13-inch pan.
• in a saucepan or in the microwave, bring water and margarine to a boil. mix in the flour, then beat in the eggs, one at a time. spread mixture in the prepared pan; bake in preheated oven until puffed and golden, about 25 minutes. press down any large with a wooden spoon. cool cream puff before filling.
• for the filling: beat the cream cheese until fluffy. stir in the milk and pudding mix. beat until mixture is thick, then spread over cream puff. top with whipped topping, drizzle with chocolate syrup and sprinkle with almonds. refrigerate 24 hours before serving.

mexican steak torta

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 pound sirloin steak
• 1 tablespoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ground cayenne pepper to taste
• 4 kaiser rolls, split
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup refried beans
• 1 large avocado, thinly sliced
• 1 large tomato, sliced
• 2 cups shredded lettuce
• crumbled cotija cheese (optional)

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Ready Time: 35 mins


• preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil the grate. season steak with garlic salt, black pepper, cumin, and cayenne pepper.
• grill steak on the preheated grill until medium-rare, about 5 minutes per side. remove from heat to a cutting board and cover with foil.
• set a large skillet over medium-high heat. spread both halves of each roll with mayonnaise. brown the rolls, mayonnaise-side down until golden, about 3 minutes. warm the refried bean in a bowl in the microwave, about 1 minute on high, and slice the sirloin steak into thin strips.
• spread a thin layer of beans on the bottom half of each roll, layer with steak, avocado, tomato, and lettuce. top with cheese, if desired, and close the sandwich with the top of the roll.

charleston breakfast casserole

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 12 slices bacon
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 3 cups croutons
• 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
• 6 eggs
• 1 3/4 cups milk
• 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
• 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
• salt and pepper to taste

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 50 mins Ready Time: 1 hr 20 mins


• place bacon in a large, deep skillet. cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. drain, crumble and set aside.
• preheat oven to 325 degrees f (165 degrees c).
• melt butter in the microwave, or in a small pan on the stove over low heat. spray a 9x12 inch baking dish with vegetable spray. place croutons in the bottom of the dish, and drizzle with melted butter. sprinkle with grated cheddar cheese.
• crack the eggs into a bowl, whisking to break up the yolks. add milk, peppers, mustard, salt, and pepper, and beat until well-combined. pour over the croutons and cheese, and sprinkle with crumbled bacon.
• bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. remove from oven and allow to stand 10 minutes before serving.

Five Minute Lemon-poppy Seed Cake

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 3 tablespoons buttermilk
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 1 teaspoon lemon extract
• 1 egg

Recipe

Preparation Time: 2 mins Cook Time: 3 mins Ready Time: 5 mins


• whisk flour, sugar, buttermilk, vegetable oil, baking soda, poppy seeds, and lemon extract together in a bowl until smooth. beat in the egg. pour batter into a large microwave-safe glass or ceramic mug or cereal bowl.
• heat in the microwave on high until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 3 minutes.