Posted by Billie-Jean | Jan 23rd, 2010

Lemon Tarts

Lemon Tarts Tart Crust (print recipe)-yields 24 mini tarts, 12 regular sized tarts (muffin tin), or one pie. 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons sugar Kosher salt 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) cold unsalted butter, diced 2 tablespoons cold vegetable shortening (recommended: Crisco) 1/4 cup ice water Combine the flour, 3 tablespoons of the sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl and place in the freezer for 30...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Jan 21st, 2010

Classic Beef Stew

Beef Stew (print) 1 (3-pound) boneless beef chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes salt and pepper 3 TBS vegetable oil 2 onions, minced 1 TBS tomato paste 2 garlic cloves, minced 3 TBS all-purpose flour 1 cup dry red wine 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1 TBS minced fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried 2 bay leaves 1 1/2 lbs red potatoes (5 medium), scrubbed and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks 4 carrots,...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Jan 15th, 2010

Acme Cafe opening soon…

Driving up to Peggy and Alan’s house is like going back in time.  A long narrow street lined with perfectly symmetrical trees.  Cute square houses that date back to wartime years.  Their house is simple but rich with nostalgia, maybe it’s the beautiful vegetable garden that replaces much of their lawn in the back, or the vintage looking kitchen with black check floors and lemon colored cupboards.  I have...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Jan 12th, 2010

Sticky Lemon Chicken

This is a recipe that is so good and so easy.  My kids love it.  Serve it with some mashed potatoes…and enjoy! Ingredients: (print recipe) 1 large chicken jointed into 8-10 pieces or chicken thighs or pieces or… Sea salt and black pepper 3-4 tbsp olive oil 2 cloves of garlic, halved horizontally Few thyme sprigs Splash of sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar 2 tbsp dark soy sauce 3 tbsp honey 1 lemon,...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Jan 7th, 2010

“Moistest” Apple Cake Ever

The are no words to describe the taste of this warm apple cake fresh out of the oven.  The whole house smells like apples, cinnamon, perfect for a cold night like tonight. This is the moistest (not a real word) most delicious apple cake ever. . . . . . . I have used mine for 15 years. Ingredients: 1 3/4 cups sugar (DIVIDED 1 1/2 and 1/4 cups) 1/2 cup unsalted butter, soft 1 tsp vanilla 6 oz block cream cheese (low...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Jan 6th, 2010

Pan Fried Tofu with Vermicelli Noodles

Ingredients 1 package of extra-firm tofu 1 medium-sized head of Napa cabbage 2 packages of vermicelli-they usually come in bundles, use 2 or 3 of them cooking oil sesame oil Soy sauce salt and pepper Red Chili flakes (optional), Hoisin sauce (optional). Put vermicelli in a bowl of cold water to soak. Cut tofu into small, flat blocks, about 1/2 inch thick and lightly pan-fry with sesame oil. Set aside.  To pan...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Dec 12th, 2009

Festive Sugar Cookies and Icing

This recipe is so simple but don’t be fooled into thinking that this somehow diminishes the flavor.  With the subtle lemon or orange zest flavor it tastes heavenly and it is very easy to work with Sugar Cookies Ingredients: 2/3  cup of butter ¾ cup of white sugar ¼ tsp orange or lemon zest ½ tsp vanilla 4 tsp milk 2 cups of flour 1 ½ tsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt Directions: Cream together the butter,...

Posted by Billie-Jean | Oct 19th, 2009

Memphis Blues Shrimp

I watched a video of a chef from Memphis Blues making this rub.  It is delish!  What is great about this recipe is that you make a big batch of it and then you can use it on other dishes.  It goes well with fish, chicken beef or pork.  I have never put it on veggies but I am sure that could be tasty too.  Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Ingredients: (print recipe) 1-cup sugar ¼ cup dried...