Chocolate Ganache

It think I might be using this recipe a lot.  So easy, so yummy.  I used about 1/4 of this for the brownie recipe I just posted.  This is taken almost completely word for word from Jamie's website - I took out the witty parts because face it, I'm not witty, at least not when I blog.

12 ounces (2 Cups) semi sweet chocolate chips
12 ounces (1 1/2 Cups) heavy whipping cream
dash salt
1/4 t vanilla 
  
1. Put chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl and pour the whipping cream over the top of them. 
2. Stir for a bit and place your bowl in the microwave and heat it up for 30 seconds.
3. Stir the mixture together and place it back in the microwave for another 30 seconds. 
4. Stir the ingredients together again. The chocolate should be melting a bit by this point. Don't be alarmed if it looks a little bit creepy and chunky at this point. Smooth chocolate bliss is in your future.
5. Place the bowl back in the microwave again for 30 seconds then stir. By this point the ingredients should begin to combine nicely and beautifully. Whisk it together until it is nice and smooth.
6. Toss in a dash of salt a little splash of vanilla and stir to combine. 
7. At this point your Ganache will be very thin. It works well in this form as a dip. 
8. As the Ganache cools it will begin to thicken. If you are planning to use it as a glaze over cake, cupcakes or cheesecake you will want to let the Ganache cool so that it resembles the texture of thin pudding. Ganache at this "pudding" like texture is perfect for covering cakes or cheesecakes and letting a portion of the Ganache roll over the side of your dessert. Begin by covering the top of the dessert with a generous helping of Ganache. Then with a spoon, gently push some of the Ganache over the sides of the dessert. It should slowly creep down the sides and most often (if you push it over slowly) it will begin to set up as it drizzles down the sides. This makes for a beautiful presentation. 
9. Left over Ganache stores well in the refrigerator. It will set up and become fudge like. (That's nothing to complain about, now is it!) The Ganache can easily be returned to its glossy, glaze like state by heating it in the microwave for 30 seconds. 

Berries n' Cream Brownies

I was inspired by this recipe, but really I made it my own.  So simple so delicious!

Ingredients

• 1 box brownie mix (plus eggs, oil and water needed to make it).
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips (I used part semi-sweet part dark chocolate)
• whipped cream (either from a can or whip it up yourself with vanilla and a bit of sugar)
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• chocolate ganache (I used Jamie's recipe)

Directions

1. Prepare brownie batter according to package directions.  Mix in chocolate chips. 
2. Pour into greased 9x13 baking dish.
3. Bake according to package directions. (350 F 24-28 minutes). Let cool.  
4. Cut into squares - what ever size you want.
5. Assemble dessert with a serving of brownie, whipped cream, then strawberries and drizzle with the ganache - so yummy!!!

Teriyaki Chicken

Here's another great recipe from Jamie!  I  made this a while ago, and made it again tonight and thought I should post it.  So easy and so good!  I only used 3 chicken breasts for our family of 5.  I served it over rice, and doused it in the sauce. Click on the link for awesome photos!

Teriyaki Chicken 

Yield: 5-6 servings

Time: 40 minutes, give or take a bit.

5 chicken breasts cut into 2 inch pieces

2 C water

1/3 C soy sauce

1 1/2 t garlic powder

3/4 C brown sugar

1 1/2 t rice vinegar

1/2 t ginger

1 t sesame oil

1/4 C cold water + 4 T cornstarch

green onions (optional)

1. Place all ingredients but the 1/4 C water and cornstarch into a medium sized sauce pan.

2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink on the inside.

3. Take the chicken out of the liquid and set aside on a plate.

4. Mix the cold water and cornstarch in a small cup until smooth. Pour it into the sauce pan and stir to incorporate. Turn the heat up and bring to a boil. The sauce should thicken up nicely for you. 

5. Remove from the heat and add the chicken back into the sauce. Serve over rice and enjoy! You can sprinkle with green onions as a pretty option. 

Lemon Zucchini Drops

I was looking for a cookie with zucchini in it.  There were several, today I tried this one.  Really good, but Amy didn't like it.  I omitted the raisins, but I did use walnuts.  I wished I'd had a fresh lemon for the zest, but I just put a little lemon juice in the cookie dough.  They are cookies with a cake like consistency.

Lemon Zucchini Drops

• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup finely shredded zucchini
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

LEMON GLAZE:

• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 Tablespoons lemon juice

1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg, zucchini and lemon peel. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Stir in raisins and walnuts.
2. Drop by tablespoonfuls 3 in. apart onto lightly greased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
3. For glaze, combine sugar and enough lemon juice to achieve a thin spreading consistency. Spread or drizzle over cooled cookies.

Vegetarian Penne

Here's another Zucchini dish with pasta.  I thought this was really good.  I did happen to have some whipping cream, so it might work with just milk, but I haven't tried it yet.  I used more like 1/3 cup of cream.  I also used 1 cup of mushrooms instead of 1/2 cup.  I didn't have yellow summer squash, just lots of zucchini.

Vegetarian Penne 

Ingredients

• 2 cups uncooked penne or medium tube pasta
• 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 small yellow summer squash, sliced
• 1 small zucchini, sliced
• 1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute the onion, summer squash, zucchini, mushrooms and garlic in butter until tender.
2. In a bowl, whisk the flour, seasonings and cream until smooth; add to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until thickened. Drain pasta and add to vegetable mixture. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until heated through.

Angel's Pasta

Yet another awesome zucchini recipe! This time with pasta.  I didn't have any ripe tomatoes, so I used a 14 oz can of diced tomatoes.  Next time I will use fresh - mmm!  I also don't have any fresh basil :(.  I need to get some. 

Angel's Pasta

Ingredients

• 8 ounces angel hair pasta
• 1 tablespoon crushed garlic
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 zucchini, sliced
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3 tomatoes, chopped
• 12 leaves fresh basil
• 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
2. Meanwhile, heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Pour in oil and saute garlic until golden. Stir in zucchini, salt and pepper. Saute 2 minutes, then mix in tomato and cook a few minutes more. Chop basil and add to vegetables right before mixing with pasta.
3. Combine pasta and vegetables. Serve topped with mozzarella.

Blueberry Zucchini muffins

This was a zucchini bread recipe, but I turned it into muffins.  It makes a lot of muffins, so fill those cups up!  I added a crumb topping before baking them. 

Blueberry zucchini bread

Ingredients

• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups white sugar
• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 pint fresh blueberries

Crumb Topping

• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 Tablespoons butter, cubed
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (190degrees C). Lightly grease muffin tins.
2. In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar. Fold in the zucchini. Beat in the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Gently fold in the blueberries. Transfer to the prepared muffin tins. 
3. To Make Crumb Topping: Mix together sugar, flour, butter, and cinnamon. Mix with fork, and sprinkle over muffins before baking. 
   
4. Bake 20 minutes in the preheated oven.  Let cool 5 minutes in tins, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.

Zucchini Parmesan

This is not really like an eggplant Parmesan (it doesn't even call for Parmesan cheese), but it is really good.  I've always just made my own spaghetti sauce (but a jar would work nicely here).  I didn't slice mine really thin, maybe 1/4 inch.  And it was a pretty big zucchini (that's what happens when you leave for 5 days).  We sprinkled Parmesan on top for fun.

Zucchini Parmesan

Ingredients

• 2 large zucchini, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (16 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. In a large pot boil the zucchini until tender; drain. Meanwhile, in a medium frying pan heat the olive oil over medium heat and saute the onion and garlic until the onion is tender.
3. Combine the zucchini, onion and garlic in a 9x12 inch casserole dish, and mix well. Pour the spaghetti sauce over the mixture and stir well. Top with mozzarella cheese (use more or less depending on your preference).
4. Bake in preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until heated through and cheese is bubbly.

Zucchini Bread

With the dozens of zucchini (not exaggerating) we have harvested this year I have had to come up with a lot of zucchini recipes.  So get ready for a plethora of zucchini recipes  All of them have come from allrecipes.com - Love that site!  Links to original recipes are included.  I can't believe I haven't included this recipe before now.  I love it!  So easy, and tasty.  I follow it as is, although you could easily substitute whole wheat flour in there, or applesauce for the oil.  I usually omit the walnuts though. 

Mom's Zucchini Bread

 (I don't know whose mom created this recipe)

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 1/4 cups white sugar
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups grated zucchini
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

1. Grease and flour two 8 x 4 inch pans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. Sift flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon together in a bowl.
3. Beat eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar together in a large bowl. Add sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture, and beat well. Stir in zucchini and nuts until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pans.
4. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Remove bread from pan, and completely cool.