Monday, April 11, 2011

Peruvian Tilapia Ceviche


Shortbread Cookies



Level: Beginner
Ingredients:
-1 cup butter (2 sticks)
-1/2 cup sugar
-1 tsp vanilla
-2 cups flour

Directions:
1. Preheat oven at 350*. Mix butter and sugar until fluffy.
2. Add vanilla and flour slowly.
3. You can add mix-ins to your dough, including almond extract and nuts. You can also dip the cookies in melted chocolate. It is also a good dough to make them in to shapes if you have a cutter or a cookie press. I made into small balls, pressed finger in the middle, and filled dent with a little bit of homemade jam. Delicious!
4. Bake at 350* for 8-10 minutes until golden around the edges.

***These cookies are very soft, best eaten sooner rather than later because it not they will fall apart. I kind of like them old, but I know I'm kind of weird with those things, so I don't recommend it for everyone.***



Sunday, April 10, 2011

Super Easy Black Bean Cakes

Level: Beginner
Ingredients:
-2 green onions
-3 garlic cloves (minced)
-2 tsp cumin
-1 tsp cayenne pepper
-1 tsp paprika
-1 can black beans
-1 egg
-1/2 cup bread crumbs
-Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1. In a sauce pan drizzle olive oil and cook the green onions, garlic, and spices in medium-high heat. Until fragrant, about 1 min.
2. In a bowl max the black beans that have been drained and washed. Make a puree and add the spices and onions. Finally, add egg and mix well, following with the bread crumbs.
3. Make mixture into patties. On a cooking pan drizzle olive oil and place patties, (drizzle a little olive oil on top of patties as well). Cook on broil for 8-10 minutes and then flip and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
4. Drizzle with sour cream and lemon, salsa on top, or any other topping desired. Makes about 8 little patties.

***This recipe took me literally no time to make. It was very easy and most of the stuff I had at hand. I am sure that you can substitute the green onions for a bit of regular onion. I will freeze half the patties uncooked until they are ready to eat. Great for snack. Served here with fried canned corn.***

Original inspirational recipe: http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/spicy-black-bean-cakes/Detail.aspx

Torta Loca (Crazy Cake)

Level: Beginner
Ingredients:
-3 cups flour
-6 tbs cocoa
-2 tsp baking soda
-2 cups sugar
-1 tsp salt

-2/3 cup of vegetable oil
-2 tbs white vinegar
-2 tsp vanilla extract
-2 cups of water

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350*.
2. Mix all dry ingredients. Then add all wet ingredients. Mix well.
3. Pour mixture in a 9x9 pan that has been greased and covered in flour. Bake for 35 minutes.

***This recipe is a classic in my house when we were growing up. Very easy to make and as I was noticing, it is also vegan. Next time I will try and pour the cake into cupcakes and see how it turns out. You can also top with icing. Enjoy!***