Pan Fried Steak and Twice-Baked Potatoes

This meal could not be easier. We had some extra Omaha steaks laying around, and I wasn't that hungry, so I threw this together. I got a baked tater, DH got some cow, and we were all pretty happy.

Pan-Fried Steak
In a saute pan, add olive oil, 1 close minced garlic, rosemary and 1 tsp worcestshire sauce. When oil is hot, place steak in pan. Sprinkle with fresh ground black pepper and a dash of kosher salt. Cook about 3 minutes on that side, flip and repeat. Continue until cooked to desired temperature.





Twice-Baked Potatoes
Bake two potatoes at 425 degrees for an hour. Take out of oven, let cool for 10 minutes. Slice in half lengthwise and scoop out middles into a large bowl. Add milk, a dash of 1/2 and 1/2, 1 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp fat free sour cream, salt and pepper, and mix with an electric mixer. Fold in shredded cheddar cheese, chopped bacon and broccoli florets. Spoon back into potato skins, garnish with more cheese, and bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes or until the peaks of potato are browned. Sprinkle with chives before serving.

Sweet and Sour Turkey Meatballs.

These came out delicious! I used my basic Italian meatball recipe and put a different spin on it with a sweet fruity glaze. Yum.

1 lb ground turkey
1/3 cup chopped red onion
2 minced garlic cloves
seasoned bread crumbs, about 1 cup
1 egg
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
fresh basil, parsley and oregano
1/2 jar peach preserves
1/2 jar duck sauce
1/4 cup grand marnier

Saute garlic and onion in olive oil until glassy.

Combine with turkey, egg, herbs, cheese and bread crumbs until mixture can be shaped into small balls.


Line meatballs in baking dish and bake at 375 for 45 minutes.



In a saucepan, combine preserves, duck sauce and grand marnier. Simmer for about 15 minutes. In the meantime, put baked meatballs in a saute pan to reheat. Pour fruit glaze over meatballs and heat.

Empanadas

I am really trying to be good about using up things in the fridge, and it's actually kind of fun to have things we don't normally eat. We had some left over ground beef from burgers the other night, and some pie crusts from a baking experiment I had done. Voila: easy empanadas.




Preheat oven to 375. Line a cookie sheet with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.

Prepare ground beef with taco seasoning, according to package. I added about 1/3 cup of chopped red onion.


Cut prepared pie crusts into 12 rounds (6 from each crust - most packages have two). Spoon a heaping portion of meat onto each round.



Cover with a second round. Use the tines of a fork to seal around the edges and poke holes in the top to release steam.





Bake for 20 minutes and serve with black beans, salsa and sour cream. Enjoy!

Butterfly Cupcakes & Minis

This is an assortment of mini and regular sized cupcakes. All are mocha cake, made with the perfect blend of coffee and melted chocolate.



Inspired again by Hello, Cupcake, these butterflies' wings are made from dark and white chocolate and sprinkled with non-pareils. They are frosted with lovely yellow buttercream and a bit of chocolate. Customize with your choice of wing and frosting color ($2.25/cupcake)





Perfectly bite-size, mini cupcakes are delightful. Mocha cake with a swirl of creamy chocolate. Also try them with a chocolate-covered espresso bean on top. ($1.25/cupcake)





So simple. Mocha cupcake with smooth buttercream and non-pareil border ($1.50/cupcake)

Ginger Chicken Egg Rolls with Hot Curry Mustard

I've been having a wee craving for Chinese food and thought, what the heck, with the fryer, we can make our own egg rolls! I guesstimated the whole way, throwing together what sounded good, and it created a phenomenal dinner.



Ginger Chicken Egg Rolls
* 2 chicken breasts
* 1/2 bag cole slaw mix (shredded cabbage, carrots, etc)
* 1/3 cup water chestnuts, roughly chopped
* egg roll skins
* marinade (low sodium soy sauce, 1 tsp ginger, 1 tbsp dijon mustard, 1 clove chopped garlic, juice of 1/2 lime)

Marinate chicken for two plus hours and bake at 400 for 25 minutes. Cool for an hour and shred. Toss with cole slaw mix and water chestnuts.

Heat oil in deep fryer to 375. Spoon a portion of mix into an egg roll skin and roll tightly, sealing with water.





When oil is hot, carefully drop two egg rolls at a time into the basket. Rotate carefully with a metal spoon until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels and continue until all are cooked.



Hot Curry Mustard
* dijon mustard
* horseradish
* curry powder
Combine all ingredients to taste. Chill before serving.

Pug Cupcakes

Tell me how cute these guys are!!! I got the idea from Hello, Cupcake and decided to have some fun with it, in honor of my three precious puggies.

Rich chocolate cake with vanilla and chocolate frostings and all manner of candy accessories. I can also do all black pugs.

($2.25/cupcake)

Banana Pudding Cupcakes

I took my banana rum cake recipe and added a classic twist with a swirl of vanilla pudding buttercream and a nilla wafer. Delicious! ($1.75/cupcake)

Back in Business

Literally!


I know some of you have missed my creations, but I've been busy working on my new website, the Red Velvet Armadillo Bakeshop. Check it out and be sure to sign up for the email list - I will be sending out updates on new flavors, designs and even specials, so don't miss out!




Check out these sweet creations I made for a baby shower. It was a boy!





White cake swirled with two different colors of aqua and perfectly matched aqua buttercream with white non-pareils. Simple and sweet. ($1.60/cupcake). Available in any color you like.

For those who enjoy my cooking, I will still be posting photos and recipes of my meal creations, as well as photos of my cupcakes, so check back.