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Tag Archives: friends

SPRING MUSHROOMS

22 Monday May 2017

Posted by Ceri Wilkin in Eggs, Recipes

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friends, Morel, mushrooms, spring

Thoughtful and generous friends delivered a bounty of freshly harvested Morel Mushrooms. I was absolutely thrilled as I had not seen or tasted this elusive wild forest fungus, and was eager to experience the joy and reverence they inspire.

We gave the mushrooms a light dusting of flour and pan cooked them in butter, as our friends suggested, and still had enough to cover with cream and bake in the oven with our fresh yard eggs.

EGGS AND MORELS BAKED IN CREAM

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 small shallot, finely chopped

8 fresh morel mushrooms, diced

salt

1 cup cream

4 eggs

freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives

Heat oven to 375F. Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add shallot, cook, stirring constantly, until shallot has softened, about 2 minutes. Add mushrooms and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms have softened, about 5 minutes. Add cream, bring to a simmer. Immediately remove from heat and let mushroom mixture cool 5 minutes.

Butter four ramekins, place dishes in a rimmed baking sheet. Crack an egg into each baking dish and season with salt and pepper. Pour the mushroom-cream mixture into dishes, dividing evenly, and sprinkle with chives. Bake on baking sheet until the egg whites are just set, 9 to 12 minutes.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart

www.marthastewart.com/


 

NEW ZEALAND INSPIRED

15 Wednesday Mar 2017

Posted by Ceri Wilkin in New Zealand, Recipes

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crunchie bars, easy, egg whites, entertaining, family, friends, international week, lamb, mint, pavlova, presentation, walnuts

After giving a recent presentation about New Zealand to two middle school classes as part of International Week (during which I attempted to divert attention and gain favor with the miniature candy bars my Mum sent over to share)

I was inspired to share a little of my home country cuisine with friends we had invited for dinner.

HONEY LEMON RACK OF LAMB

1 rack of lamb

4 cloves garlic, halved

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint

1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts

Heat oven to 350F.

Cut 1-inch deep slits in lamb, insert garlic. Place lamb in shallow roasting pan, set aside.

In a small saucepan, combine honey, brown sugar, lemon juice, garlic powder and salt, cook over low heat until bubbly, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, stir in lemon zest, mint and walnuts. Spoon glaze over lamb, bake for 25 to 35 minutes or until internal temperature registers 135 degrees, baste occasionally. Remove from oven, let stand 5 to 10 minutes or until internal temperature is 145 degrees. Slice and serve.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from The Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette, April 2015

www.nwaonline.com/

PAVLOVA

4 egg whites, at room temperature

pinch of salt

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

1 teaspoon vinegar

1 tablespoon cornflour

3 tablespoons boiling water

Heat oven to 150C.

Beat all ingredients together in an electric mixer for 15 minutes until the mixture forms firm, glossy peaks.

Spoon the mixture onto greased baking paper in 8 small circles. Bake for 30 minutes, then turn the oven off and leave the pavlova inside for at least another hour. Do not open the oven during this time.

To serve, place onto plates and garnish with whipped cream and fresh fruit.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Good Food New Zealand Style, Chanel Publishers, 2001

www.newzealand.com/‎

 

SPARKLING CELEBRATORY COCKTAILS

03 Friday Mar 2017

Posted by Ceri Wilkin in Cocktails, Recipes

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aperol, blood orange, celebration, champagne, dinner party, easy, entertaining, friends, gin, ginger, guests, lemon, quick, sparkling wine

When hosting a dinner party I always like to greet our guests with a fun and delicious cocktail – to start the evening with a festive flair and set the mood.

These two libations are both topped with champagne – so our guests immediately feel sparkly and celebrated.

APEROL, BLOOD ORANGE AND MINT

aperol blood orange

Stir together 1/4 cup Aperol and 1/2 cup fresh blood orange juice. Pour into a glass, top with sparkling wine and garnish with mint.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Southern Living, February 2017

www.southernliving.com/

GINGER FRENCH 75

ginger french 75

1/4 cup sugar

1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced

1/2 cup gin

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

sparkling wine

In a saucepan, boil sugar, ginger and 1/4 cup water, stirring until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Strain.

In a shaker, vigorously shake ginger syrup, gin, lemon juice and ice until chilled. Strain into flutes, top with sparkling wine.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Rachael Ray, January/February, 2015

www.rachaelray.com/

VALENTINES DAY

09 Thursday Feb 2017

Posted by Ceri Wilkin in Appetizers, Dessert, Recipes, Salad

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cooking at home, easy, entertaining, friends, Uncategorized, valentines

From our first Valentines together, my husband and I have always cooked at home.
Initially it was simple, luscious pasta dishes, both of us inhabiting the kitchen, easily and joyfully cooking together. Then, as we moved out of our cocoon for two, and included friends in our celebration, the dinners became more complicated, transforming into more elaborate, four course meals, but still maintaining the fun and intensity from those evenings early in our relationship.

Here is part of a menu from a previous Valentines dinner party.

BAKED GRAPES

Heat oven to 400F.
Place a bunch of grapes on a baking pan, lined with foil. Splash with about a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, place in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
Serve with cheese, toasted walnuts and honey.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Better Homes and Gardens, January 2013
www.bhg.com/recipes/‎

BEET SALAD WITH BLUE CHEESE AND WALNUT VINAIGRETTE

SALAD
1 1/2 pounds beets, rinsed and scrubbed
1 tablespoon olive oil
salad greens
1/4 cup walnut halves, toasted
4 ounces crumbled blue cheese

VINAIGRETTE

4 tablespoons sherry vinegar
2 tablespoons finely diced shallots
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
4 tablespoons walnut oil

Heat oven to 350F.
Place beets on a large piece of aluminum foil, rub each beet with olive oil and fold foil to enclose beets. Place on a cookie sheet and roast until a knife pierces center of beet easily, about 1 hour.
Remove skins with a paring knife. Slice beets.
In a small bowl, whisk together sherry vinegar, shallots, salt and freshly ground pepper, slowly whisk in oil.
Place greens on 6 plates, top with beets, walnuts and blue cheese. Drizzle with vinaigrette.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, October 2007
www.arkansasonline.com/news/features/food/

CHOCOLATE RED WINE CAKE

2 cups flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 sticks butter, softened
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups red wine
confectioners sugar and whipped cream for dusting

Heat the oven to 350F.
Butter and flour a 12 cup bundt pan. In a bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter with the sugar at medium-high speed until fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time and beat until incorporated. Add the vanilla and beat for 2 minutes longer. Working in two batches, alternately fold in the dry ingredients and the wine, until just incorporated.
Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, and bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a rack, let cool completely. Dust the cake with confectioners sugar and serve with whipped cream if desired.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Food &Wine Magazine
www.foodandwine.com/…/chocolate-red-wine-cake

JOY BOMB

07 Tuesday Feb 2017

Posted by Ceri Wilkin in cakes and cupcakes, Recipes

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Tags

Afternoon Tea, egg whites, friends, joy bomb

We received a “joy bomb” over the weekend, and at first were completely perplexed by the experience. We couldnt quite make out the message in chalk, and didn’t know who had jumped out of the idling car to hastily draw on the path leading to our front door – but we were soon enlightened to this delightful happening by a passing neighbor who had the same encounter.

joy bomb

These gorgeous little cakes also provided an explosion of flavor and joy, continuing the message of happiness and delight.

PISTACHIO AND LIME FRIANDS

pistachio and lime friands

1 cup roasted pistachios

6 egg whites

6 ounces butter, melted

1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar

1/2 cup flour

2 teaspoons finely grated lime rind

1 tablespoon lime juice

Heat oven to 400F. Set paper cups onto cookie sheet.

Process nuts until ground finely.

Place egg whites in medium bowl, whisk lightly with fork until combined. Add butter, sifted icing sugar and flour, lime rind, lime juice and nuts. Stir until combined. Divide mixture among paper cups.

Bake friands about 25 minutes. Serve dusted with a little sifted confectioners sugar.

Enjoy!

 

 

 

CELEBRATION CAKES

06 Monday Feb 2017

Posted by Ceri Wilkin in cakes and cupcakes, Recipes

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celebration, chocolate, easy, family, friends, strawberry, vanilla

STRAWBERRY CAKES

strawberry cakes

12 ounces frozen sliced strawberries in syrup, thawed

1 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

4 eggs

2 3/4 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

paper baking cups

Heat oven to 350F.

Process strawberries and syrup in a blender until smooth and pureed.

Beat butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer in a large bowl until creamy. Add 1 1/2 cups strawberry puree, beat 1 minute. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition.

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, add to butter mixture, beating until blended. Stir in vanilla extract.

Place paper baking cups in muffin pans, spoon batter into cups, filling two-thirds full.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes, remove from pans to wire racks and cool completely.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

2 (16-ounce) packages powdered sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and salt, beating at low speed until blended. Beat at high speed 2 minutes, or until creamy.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Big Book Of Cupcakes, 2011

www.southernliving.com/food

CHOCOLATE SHEET CAKE

chocolate sheet cake

CAKE

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup water

1 cup unsalted butter

5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

ICING

5 tablespoons whole milk

5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup unsalted butter

3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Heat oven to 350F. Coat a 15-inch-by-10-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

Whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.

In a saucepan, combine water, butter and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking. Let cool slightly. Pour over flour mixture and stir well. Add buttermilk, eggs and vanilla, stirring well.

Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until a wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean.

To prepare icing, combine milk and cocoa powder in a saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, whisking, until thick. Remove from heat. Add butter and stir until melted. Whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla.

Let cake cool 5 minutes, then spread warm icing over top.

Enjoy!

SIX EGG POUND CAKE

6 egg pound cake

1 1/2 cups butter

6 eggs

3 cups flour

2 1/2 cups sugar

3 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3/4 cup milk

Grease and flour a Bundt pan. Do not preheat oven.

In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well each time. Add vanilla.

Add flour mixture alternately with milk. Beat until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan. (note: there was enough batter for two cakes)

Place cake into cold oven. Set temperature to 350F and bake for 60 to 90 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean.

Top with confectioners sugar or glaze.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from allrecipes

allrecipes.com/

 

SUPER BOWL 2017

05 Sunday Feb 2017

Posted by Ceri Wilkin in Cocktails

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celebration, easy, entertaining, fresh, friends, gin, juice, lime, Lulu, martini, quick, St Germain, Super Bowl

our sweet pup watching the Super Bowl (even though she's not supposed to be on the couch)

our sweet pup watching the Super Bowl (even though she’s not supposed to be on the couch)

 

Not only did the Patriots overcome the largest deficit in Super Bowl history, they played in the first overtime game in Super Bowl history, and their quarterback set a Super Bowl record for passing yards (CBS Sports).

DARLING CLEMENTINE

game night cocktail

game night cocktail

ice

1 ounce gin

3/4 ounce St. Germain liqueur

2 ounces freshly squeezed clementine juice

1 ounce fresh lime juice

Combine ice, gin, St.Germaine liqueur, clementine juice and lime juice in a cocktail shaker. Shake well.

Pour into a martini glass and garnish with a slice of clementine.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Do South Magazine

dosouthmagazine.com/

EASY LAYERED DESSERT BARS

04 Saturday Feb 2017

Posted by Ceri Wilkin in bars and cookies, Recipes

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Tags

best, caramel, chocolate, crowd, delicious, Dessert, easy, family, friends, kids, party, quick

CREAM CHEESE BROWNIES

cream cheese brownies

1 box German chocolate cake mix

1 cup melted butter, divided

3 eggs, divided

1 pound powdered sugar

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 cup chopped pecans

Heat oven to 325F.

Combine cake mix, 1/2 cup melted butter and 1 egg. Press into a greased 9-by-13-inch baking pan.

Combine the remaining 2 eggs and the remaining 1/2 cup melted butter with powdered sugar and cream cheese, blending well. Sprinkle over cake mixture. Sprinkle with pecans.

Bake for 55 minutes.

Enjoy!

PEANUT BUTTER BUTTERSCOTCH BARS

peanut butter butterscotch bar

2/3 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup light corn syrup

1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups quick cooking oats

FOR THE TOPPING

2 cups chocolate chips

1 1/2 cups butterscotch chips

2/3 cup crunchy peanut butter

3/4 cup chopped, roasted peanuts

Heat oven to 375F. Grease a 9-inch baking pan.

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, brown sugar and corn syrup together. Stir in 1/4 cup of the peanut butter and the vanilla. Mix well and stir in the oats. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes.

TO MAKE TOPPING

Melt the chocolate chips and butterscotch chips together. Stir in 2/3 cup of the peanut butter and the chopped nuts. Stir until well blended.

Spread the topping over the still warm bars. Let bars cool on a rack then refrigerate. Cut into bars once chilled.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from The Dining Guide, July 2016

www.nwaonline.com/dining/

CARAMEL SNICKERDOODLE BARS

caramel snickerdoodle bars

1 cup butter, softened

2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup sugar

3 teaspoons ground cinnamon

2 cans (13-ounces each) dulce de leche

12 ounces white baking chocolate, chopped

1/3 cup cream

1 tablespoon light corn syrup

Heat oven to 350F. Line a 13-by-9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually beat into creamed mixture. Spread onto bottom of prepared pan.

In a small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of mixture over batter. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until edges are light brown. Cool completely.

Spread dulce de leche over crust. In a small saucepan, combine white baking chocolate, cream and corn syrup, cook and stir over low heat until smooth. Cool slightly. Spread over dulce de leche. Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar. Refrigerate covered for at least an hour before cutting into bars.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Taste of Home

www.tasteofhome.com/

SOUTHERN 75

03 Friday Feb 2017

Posted by Ceri Wilkin in Cocktails, Recipes

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Tags

beer, bourbon, celebration, football, friends, lemon juice, Super Bowl

Judging by the frequency of the commercials that advertise it during televised sporting events, beer is an extremely popular beverage to have on hand when tuning in – whether straight from the can, bottle, glass, or mixed into a cocktail.

SOUTHERN 75

southern 75

6 ounces Pale Ale

2 ounces bourbon

3/4 ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice

1/2 ounce simple syrup

Pour the beer into a chilled glass. In a cocktail shaker, combine the bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice, and shake vigorously. Strain the bourbon mixture into the beer.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Garden and Gun, December/January 2014/2015

gardenandgun.com/tag/recipes-0

CHILI

02 Thursday Feb 2017

Posted by Ceri Wilkin in Recipes, Soups and Stews

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Tags

beans, beef, best, chicken, easy, entertaining, family, friends, Super Bowl

Satisfyingly delicious – these heartwarming Chilis are winners in the kitchen, no matter which team triumphs on the football field.

VEGETARIAN CHILI

vegetarian chili

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 onion, chopped

1 cup chopped carrots

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 1/2 cups chopped fresh mushrooms

1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

1 (15-ounce) can black beans

1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans

1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans

1 (15-ounce) can whole kernel corn

1 cup vegetable broth

1 tablespoon cumin

1 1/2 tablespoons dried oregano

1 1/2 tablespoons basil

1/2 tablespoon garlic powder

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook and stir the garlic, onion and carrots in the pot until tender. Mix in the green bell pepper and red bell pepper. Season with chili powder. Continue cooking for 5 minutes or until peppers are tender.

Mix the mushrooms into the pot. Stir in the tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, corn and vegetable broth. Season with cumin, oregano, basil and garlic powder. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from The Dining Guide, September 2016

www.nwaonline.com/dining/

CREAMY WHITE CHILI

creamy white chili

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 pound chicken, cut into cubes

1 onion, chopped

6 cloves garlic, minced

1 (15-ounce) can Great Northern Beans, rinsed and drained

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

2 (4-ounce) cans chopped green chiles

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup cream

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat, cook and stir chicken, onion and garlic into the hot oil until chicken is no longer pink in the center, 10 to 15 minutes.

Mix beans, chicken broth, green chiles, salt, cumin, oregano, black pepper and cayenne pepper into chicken mixture, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until flavors have blended, about 30 minutes.

Remove chili from heat, stir in sour cream and cream until incorporated.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Allrecipes, January 2017

allrecipes.com/

STOVETOP CHILI

stovetop chili

1 teaspoon olive oil

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 onion, finely diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

1 pound ground beef

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 cup corn kernels

1 zucchini, diced

1 can (28-ounces) crushed tomatoes

grated cheddar cheese

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Add garlic, onion and green bell pepper and cook until onion is translucent, about 3 minutes.

Increase heat to medium-high, add beef, and cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add cumin and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Add corn and zucchini and cook until zucchini is crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, bring to a simmer, and cook until mixture is heated through, about 3 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide mixture among bowls, top with cheese.

Enjoy!

 

 

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About Ceri

Hello, I’m Ceri.

Thank you for visiting Recipe Doodle!

I am a wife, mother and recipe follower. For years, I have tackled one new recipe a day. Some are fabulous, some most definitely are not!

I am originally from New Zealand (posts about NZ here), and I have spent my life surrounded by passionate foodies. My husband owns pizzerias...

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