Caprese Grilled Cheese

Caprese Grilled Cheese

Anything that contains the word "Caprese" in the recipe title, I'm in. I love Caprese entrees and appetizers and I love a hot off the griddle grilled cheese. When the two are combined together you get an intensely delicious sandwich that you won't easily forget. Obviously you don't have to use fresh bread as I listed in the recipe, but I figure if you are going to fill a sandwich with fresh mozzarella, fresh tomatoes and fresh basil then you may as well keep a good thing going. Looking for a delightfully simple and quick lunch or dinner idea? Look no further because it doesn't get much easier than grilled cheese and this is grilled cheese done right. Enjoy!

 Caprese Grilled Cheese
Yields 1 serving

Ingredients:
2 slices fresh bread (I recommend sourdough or rustic white bread)
3 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced into rounds or grated*
4 - 6 Roma tomato slices
1 Tbsp chopped, fresh basil ribbons
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil or 1 Tbsp butter
1/2 clove of garlic, for rubbing bread 

Directions:
Layer Mozzarella rounds in an even layer over one slice of bread followed by an even layer of sliced tomatoes. Sprinkle basil ribbons over top and season with ground black pepper to taste, then cover with remaining slice of bread. Drizzle 1 tsp olive oil in a non-stick skillet, heat over medium-low heat and tilt back and forth to evenly coat (heat the oil long enough for it to glide easily across the pan but don't heat it to smoking point before adding sandwich or it the bread will toast before the cheese has a chance to melt. If using butter, spread 1/2 tbsp butter on both top and bottom of sandwich and heat skillet over medium heat), add sandwich, cover with lid and cook until sandwich is golden brown on bottom, about 2 minutes. Then lift sandwich out of skillet and drizzle remaining 1 tsp olive oil into skillet, tilt pan back and forth to evenly coat. Carefully flip sandwich to opposite side then return to skillet, cover with lid and continue to cook until bottom side is golden brown and cheese is melted through. Remove from skillet and lightly brush garlic clove along toasted sides of bread. Serve immediately.

*When I don't have fresh mozzarella on hand I will sometimes use low-moisture part-skim Mozzarella which is also delicious.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Is there anything like a delicious, made from scratch Thanksgiving meal? Many people settle for the stuff that comes out of a can or a box, and that's just it, it's settling. If you find yourself to be one of those people that is settling, I would highly recommend this year you give the homemade alternative to the pre-packaged and processed Thanksgiving foods a try. The two are a night and day difference. Like this for instance, one comes in the shape of a can while it's homemade opponent has a spoonable texture and begins with fresh fruit. Not to mention this is unbelievable easy to prepare. 

Cranberry sauce and turkey were made to be together. It's another Thanksgiving must. Here's a few random ideas if you happen to have any left over cranberry sauce after the holiday:

• spread over toast or pancakes
• serve warm over chocolate or vanilla ice cream
• spread in a turkey sandwich 
• make into a dressing or vinaigrette
• spread over a cream cheese layered bagel
• add to a fruit smoothie
• use it as a dip for chicken nuggets/sticks
• serve with roasted chicken or pork chops
• make a tangy and tart barbecue sauce with it
• spread over cheesecake
• add it to a chicken or turkey salad
• layer cheese slices or cream cheese over crackers and spread with cranberry sauce
• mix in breakfast oatmeal and top with whipped cream

Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients:

1 (12 oz) bag cranberries, rinsed

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light-brown sugar

1 tsp orange zest

Directions:

In a medium sauce-pan set over medium-high heat, whisk together water, orange juice, granulated sugar, light-brown sugar and orange zest. Bring mixture to a boil then carefully pour in cranberries and reduce heat to a simmer. Allow mixture to simmer about 10 - 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries have popped (they skin on the cranberries will burst and it will release the juices and pulp, in other words they'll pop open). Allow mixture to cool about 20 - 30 minutes. Store in refrigerator in an airtight container. 

Recipe Source: Cooking Classy

A Simple Spaghetti Sauce

A Simple Spaghetti Sauce

Spaghetti with meat sauce is one of my favorite Italian Classics. I grew up on it. I decided to post a second version in case you don't have 5 - 8 hours to tend my other recipe as it simmers. I myself don't always have that much time to wait, so when I don't I often use a jar of marinara sauce and just doctor it up a bit. A jar of spaghetti sauce can definitely come in handy when needed, but to me they just lack flavor. All it takes is a few fresh ingredients along with some dried herbs and you've got a spaghetti sauce worthy of an Italian restaurant. I love a simple weeknight meal that pleases everyone and this simple sauce is sure to do just that. Enjoy!

Simple Spaghetti Sauce

Yields about 4 - 6 servings

Ingredients:

1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce*

3/4 lb lean ground beef

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 - 2 cloves garlic, minced (I love garlic so I use 2)

1 Tbsp chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish

1 tsp dried parsley

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1/2 tsp dried rosemary, crushed

salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

shredded Parmesan, Romano or Mizithra cheese, for serving (optional)

Directions:

Heat 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble beef into hot oil and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up beef as you stir, until browned. Drain fat from beef (I like to process the drained, browned beef in a food processor for about 5 seconds so it's finely ground but it's not necessary). Return browned beef to skillet, add marinara sauce, remaining 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, chopped basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary then season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring mixture just to a gentle bubble, then reduce heat to a simmer, cover saucepan and allow to cook 20 - 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve warm, tossed into or spread over pasta, then garnish with shredded cheese and fresh basil ribbons. 

*I recommend Classico or Barilla. I think many of the others have too much sugar or corn syrup in them and they taste as such. 

Recipe Source: Cooking Classy

Glazed Doughnut Muffins

Glazed Doughnut Muffins

Mmmmm doughnuts. Who doesn't love them? I love that this version comes in muffin form and tastes just like cake doughnuts without being fried! Therefore they are easier, healthier, with less frying mess to clean up and they taste just as good as the real thing. I saw this recipe over on Fine Cooking and knew I had to try it. After reading through the reviews I made a few adaptations of my own to add flavor, increase muffin height, slightly change texture and opted to go for a doughnut glaze rather than a buttered cinnamon sugar coating. 
Now the only problem I have is that I want to eat them for breakfast, brunch, lunch, linner and dinner. I'm excited to try other variations of this muffin in the future (like orange cranberry, lemon poppy seed, dulce de leche, blueberry or jam filled, chocolate or pumpkin). Endless and delightfully delicious possibilities. Enjoy!

Glazed Doughnut Muffins
Yields 1 dozen

Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp buttermilk
10 Tbsp butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract

Glaze:
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3 Tbsp milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg, set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk together milk and buttermilk, set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, using and electric hand mixer on medium speed, blend together butter and sugar until well combine, about 30 seconds. Mix in eggs one at a time mixing after each addiction. Blend in vanilla. Using a wooden spoon to mix, add flour mixture in three separate batches, alternating with two additions of the milk mixture, mixing just until combine after each addition (batter will be thick). Divide batter among 12 paper lined muffin cups (in a non-stick muffin tin) filling each one nearly full (about 1/3 cup batter per each). Bake in preheated oven 15 - 20 minutes until toothpick inserted into center of cupcake comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool for about 10 minutes. 
During the last few minutes of cooling prepare glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, milk and vanilla in a small bowl. Dip each muffin in glaze, while twirling and rotating to evenly coat tops (and allowing it a few seconds to get a good layer of coating on), then lift and allow excess glaze to run off. Enjoy warm or allow cupcakes to rest at room temperature about 5- 10 minutes until glaze has set. Store in an airtight container.

*recipe updated 10/25/12, I made these a second time around today and omitted the lemon juice and used real buttermilk instead. If you don't have buttermilk, simply add just over a tsp of lemon juice to 1 cup + 2 Tbsp milk.

Recipe Source: adapted lightly from Fine Cooking

Pasta with Browned Butter and Mizithra (Must Try 15 Minute Meal!)

Pasta with Browned Butter and Mizithra (Must Try 15 Minute Meal!)

Who doesn't love a quick and simple meal that wows? This Pasta with Browned Butter and Mizithra cheese can be made in 15 minutes, yes 15 minutes, and its a recipe you are going to want to keep for life. 

In my opinion one of the best entrees you can get at the Old Spaghetti Factory is their Spaghetti with Mizithra and Browned Butter. It is simply amazing! But, why go there and spend $11 for one when you can feed a family of 4 the same meal for less than that at home? It's funny to me posting such a simple recipe because it's so simple you don't need a recipe for it, this is more sharing the idea if you haven't yet tried it. 

Another great thing about this meal is that it pleases everyone, from the gourmet sleuth to your pickiest eater. No one can deny the delicious flavors of this pasta. And "Mizithra," isn't it just fun to say?

You can serve this garnished with chopped fresh parsley like they do at The Old Spaghetti Factory but I really don't think it needs it, it's more for looks. I would also say no salt is needed because the Mizithra brings enough salt to the dish. You could add in more fillers like roasted garlic, sauteed bread crumbs, fresh lemon juice/zest or fresh basil but really this meal is perfect with it's three simple ingredients. You can find Mizithra cheese in the specialty cheese section of most grocery stores (which is usually near the produce section) or at Greek specialty stores. This is comfort food at it's simplest and best. Some days you just need some delicious carbs. Enjoy!

Pasta with Browned Butter and Mizithra

Yields about 3 - 4 servings, recipe can easily be doubled

Ingredients:

8 oz. spaghetti or fettuccine pasta 

1/2 cup salted butter, sliced into pieces

3 oz finely grated Mizithra cheese, or to taste

Directions:

Cook pasta according to directions listed on package (I'd recommend beginning with very hot tap water to boil the pasta as this will cut the time you have to wait for the water to boil). Meanwhile, place butter in a light-colored, small saucepan over medium heat. Cook butter, swirling pan occasionally, until it has browned (begin with sliced butter to ensure even melting. Here are the stages of to browning butter: the butter will first melt, it will become lemony yellow and after a minute or two it will begin to splatter a bit - I swirl the pan most during this stage to reduce splattering, then it will foam and begin to smell nutty, then little brown specks will begin to appear in the center of the golden foamy bubbles - this is when you remove it from heat, I wait just a few seconds for a generous amount of specs maybe a 2-inch circle before removing from heat. Color wise it should go from a yellow, to golden tan, to an orange-y toasty golden brown). 

Drain cooked pasta well (DO NOT rinse the pasta with water or the butter won't stick). Plate pasta, pour browned butter over pasta (sediments on bottom and all), sprinkle with Mizithra cheese and toss if desired to evenly coat. Serve immediately, you can also serve it with fresh cracked black pepper and chopped fresh parsley if desired (I don't think any salt is needed because the Mizithra is a pretty salty cheese).

Recipe Source: Cooking Classy, inspired by The Old Spaghetti Factory

Pumpkin Pie Dip (A 5 Minute Recipe)

Pumpkin Pie Dip (A 5 Minute Recipe)

Some of you may be thinking, what is with this girl? Does she only eat pumpkin? I know I've posted a lot of pumpkin recipes lately, but it's just that time of year =). Also the other reason, I always buy the huge can of pumpkin puree because I can get it for the price of what the small can costs. So why would I buy the small can? It just wouldn't make sense. I hate wasting though, so I buy the large can and then I can get two, sometimes even three different pumpkin recipes out of it (unless of course I'm making pumpkin pie). 

I saw this Pumpkin Pie Dip floating around Pinterest so I thought, ooh yes I must try that! I liked that this recipe didn't use cool whip as some of the pumpkin pie dips do. I changed a few things from the original recipe. I thought it needed a little more pumpkin flavor so I added an additional 1/4 cup pumpkin puree (to the 1 cup listed).  I omitted the pumpkin pie spice and rather just increased the cinnamon, added nutmeg and cloves then left the ginger as listed, then I added a little caramel sauce of course. I love pumpkin and caramel. I love anything with caramel. 

This simple 5 minute dip is has just the right amount of sweet and spice, it's fluffy, creamy and yes even dreamy. Basically it's pure goodness. It tastes so much like pumpkin pie (different texture obviously, but same amazing flavor). So when you want a quick dessert with all the flavors of pumpkin pie that everyone will love, then this is definitely what you'll want to make. You'll quickly lose track of just how much you've actually eaten. Enjoy and Happy Fall!

Pumpkin Pie Dip

Yields about 4 cups

Ingredients:

8 oz cream cheese, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

1 1/4 cups canned pumpkin

1/2 cup sour cream

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp ginger

1/4 tsp cloves (optional)

1/4 - 1/2 cup caramel sauce, store bought or homemade (optional, but highly recommended)

graham crackers, chocolate crackers or gingersnap cookies for servings

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer on low speed, blend together cream cheese and powdered sugar until combine, then increase mixer to medium and beat for 1 minute until smooth and fluffy. Add in pumpkin, sour cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves and mix until well blended and fluffy, about 1 - 2 minutes. Drizzle with optional caramel sauce (and marble if desired), serve with crackers. Store in refrigerator in an airtight container.

Tip: for cleaner edges on your graham crackers, simply cut them along indentations with a sharp knife rather than breaking them into individual pieces.

Recipe Source: adapted from Taste of Home

Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Potatoes (A One Pot Hassle Free Meal)

Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Potatoes (A One Pot Hassle Free Meal)

There's nothing like a fall apart tender roast that's cooked low and slow along with some fresh veggies and a seasonings to highlight all of it's delicious flavors. This meal is one of the easiest meals you'll ever make. Yes there are countless ways to prepare a pot roast. You can be professional and brown the roast in some olive oil prior to slow cooking, as well as sauteing some sliced onions and freshly minced garlic. To me though, a slow cook meal is a hassle free meal. One that you can toss in and go. A busy day one pot meal. So, I created this recipe to be just that, no browning or sauteing required. The hardest part of this meal is dicing the potatoes, yes that's just how easy it is. Anyone can make this and everyone will utterly and completely enjoy it! Flavorful, unbelievably simple and amazingly delicious.
If you want you can throw it all in from the beginning (roast first then veggies on top), I just prefer that my veggies don't turn to mush. That's why I prepared it as listed but just do what works for you. Also, if you'd like you can also use red potatoes in place of the Russet potatoes. Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Yields about 4 servings

Ingredients:
2 1/2 lbs chuck roast
1 1/4 cups beef broth
1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 3/4 tsp dried Italian seasoning
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4 medium Russet potatoes, scrubbed and rinsed then diced into chunks about 3/4" - 1"
12 oz. baby carrots

Directions:
Place chuck roast in a slow cooker. Pour beef broth over roast, and drizzle with Worcestershire sauce. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder then season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook on LOW heat 7 hours. 
Remove roast to a large plate or cutting board, reserving broth in slow cooker (it should be fall apart tender so it will likely break apart when you lift it out). Add diced potatoes and baby carrots to slow cooker in broth (the broth should cover the veggies), return roast to slow cooker placing on top of vegetables. Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 - 1 1/2 hours, or until vegetables are tender when pierced with a fork. Plate and ladle with broth in slow cooker.

Recipe Source: Cooking Classy

Campfire Tarts and My First Giveaway!

Campfire Tarts and My First Giveaway!

I will just say it people, these Tarts On Fire sticks are the must have cookware of the year! They are the best thing since S'mores. Actually, I never thought I'd say this but S'mores are now a thing of the past, these are going to be my number one dessert choice at campfire cookouts. These Tarts On Fire sticks are a product that is well worth the money, and they are made of stainless steel so these things are built to last.
This is one of those genius inventions that's like, man why didn't I think of that =)? Nic (creator of Tarts On Fire) you have created something phenomenal! Every single person that tried these agreed that not only were they the new "it" thing but the end result of what they can cook is undeniably delicious (and I want to add, normally I'm all about made from scratch. I did not make one thing from scratch with these. I used store bought refrigerated biscuits, canned pie filling and canned whipped cream and these campfire cups left me speechless - for a moment, and then I couldn't stop talking about how awesome and delicious they were =). 
You get a perfectly toasted biscuit tart that's amazingly tender and fully cooked through (I questioned whether they might be soggy inside but they had no sogginess whatsoever), then you fill it with you favorite fruit pie filling and finish it off with sweetened whipped cream. Yes, they're melt-in-your-mouth fantastic! Their deliciousness also got me thinking of everything you could fill them with. You could do the traditional fruit pie filling or pudding, or you could change it up and fill them with sweetened fresh fruit (which I did with one), a cream pie filling, ice cream - with all the toppings of course, pastry cream, or make them S'mores tarts and fill them with toasted marshmallows and chocolate sauce. You could make a savory option and fill them with soup, chili, chicken pot pie filling, cheesy scrambled eggs, or you could make taco bowls and fill them with taco filling. Really the possibilities of what you can create with these are endless.
I wouldn't go on and on raving about a product I didn't absolutely love but I'm telling you I LOVE these Tarts On Fire sticks. And everyone is going to love me when I bring them to the campfire cookouts =). Adults and kids alike had so much fun preparing and enjoying the campfire tarts. I mean really, when was the last time your campfire cookware consisted of something other than a roasting stick, a pot or of roll of aluminum foil? These are new, they're fun, they're easy, and yes like I mentioned before I think these will be the new "it" cookware product. I hope they can keep up with the demand. These are not yet in stores so I'd recommend buying them before you have to pay the marked up store fees. 
As the holidays come near I'm always drawing blanks for an exciting gift to give to a friend or loved one. Well, not this year. These would make the perfect birthday or Christmas gift for men or women alike. 
Take these camping or out to the backyard fire pit and I can basically guarantee they will be a total hit, and like me you will instantly become a huge fan. Entertain in style with these new Tarts on Fire Sticks!

 ...they are like a piece of art.

Tarts On Fire is giving away FOUR Tarts On Fire Sticks to one lucky Cooking Classy reader!

Thanks to Tarts on Fire you don't have to be sad if you aren't the lucky winner of the giveaway because they are kindly giving all Cooking Classy readers a special discount!...

Buy 3 get 1 FREE!
Just head to www.tartsonfire.com and enter: { CKGCLSY12 } at checkout.

How to Enter the GIVEAWAY!!  Giveaway Closed
The winner chosen by Random.org is #63 Lisa, Congatulations!
{mandatory entry} Leave a comment below telling me what kind of filling you would put in these Campfire Cups.

Earn extra entries by completing the tasks listed below and leaving a separate comment below letting me know you did so for each...

1. Pin this post to Pinterest
2. Like Tarts On Fire on Facebook
3. Follow Tarts On Fire on Twitter
4. Share this giveaway on Facebook
5. Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter

Details: This giveaway is open to everyone! Contest ends September 15, 2012 at 11:59 PST. A winner will be chosen at random by using random.org and the winner will be announced in this post. The winner will be notified via e-mail, so be sure to list a valid e-mail address when entering. If the winner does not respond withing 48 hours a new winner will be chosen. Good luck! 

disclaimer: Although Tarts On Fire graciously gave me a set of Tarts on Fire Sticks to try out and keep, I was not financially compensated for my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

All you need are 3 ingredients, and of course the Tarts On Fire sticks...

 1.Wrap

2. Toast

 3. Fill and garnish

 4. Enjoy and share!

Campfire Tarts
Yields 10 cups

1 package refrigerated, small biscuits (I used Pillsburry Jr. Grands)
2 (21 oz) cans pie filling such as apple, blueberry, raspberry, cherry
canned whipped cream

Special equipment: Tarts On Fire Sticks

Directions:
Evenly wrap and mold 1 biscuit dough around the outside of the stainless steel cup of each Tarts On Fire Stick (no greasing necessary). Roast over an open flame, rotating frequently until golden brown (don't hold them over a smokey area or directly in the fire), about 1 - 2 minutes. Remove toasted biscuit from stainless steel cup (it should easily glide right off), fill with your favorite pie filling and top with whipped cream. Easy as that! Now devour =).