Blackberry Ice Cream

We decided to recently try out our new Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker. In an effort to cut down on our costs we tried to use stuff we had on hand... which was blackberries and whole milk. All we needed to purchase was heavy cream.

We did the recipe by what we thought would be best, and found we put a bit too much vanilla. Other than that the ice cream was rich, creamy, and full of flavor.

Ingredients:

- 1.5 cups blackberries
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

What you'll do:

1. Puree blackberries.
2. Whisk milk, sugar, and salt until sugar is dissolved.
3. Stir in heavy cream and vanilla.
4. Stir in puree.
5. Refrigerate 1-2 hours, covered.
6. Turn on ice cream maker and pour mixture into frozen freezer bowl
7. Let mix 20 minutes, until thickened.

When it's first done the texture will be a bit softer and creamy. You can store it in the freezer in a plastic container and it'll hit the consistency of regular ice cream.

Remember. Do NOT store ice cream in the freezer bowl, as it may damage the bowl.

Candy Review: Pretzel M&M's

Candy Review: Pretzel M&M's, originally uploaded by predictablyhungry.

As some of you may know, I'm always on the look out to try new things. Especially new versions of junk food (cereals, chips, candies, etc.)

While at the drugstore the other day I ran across this impulse buy item (yes, it was near the register) for 89 cents.

I'm not a huge fan of pretzels or chocolate, but anything sweet and salty I am. So I impulsively grabbed the bag and threw it on the countertop as the lady rang me up.

Once I got home, I tore open the bag and began devouring the candy. Yes, devouring. They're good! Not as salty as I'd like, but I definitely prefer them over the other M&M's.

They're about the size of peanut M&M's except they're more round than oval shaped. They look rather deformed (bumpy, not smooth like other M&M products), but I suppose that's because pretzel balls aren't entirely smooth.

They have the traditional candy coated shell, with a thin layer of milk chocolate underneath that covers the pretzel ball.

They taste more like the sweetness of the chocolate than the expected saltiness of the pretzel. The inside texture is reminiscent of malt balls.

Before I finished the bag I made sure to bite the last one in half and photograph it (for your viewing pleasure).

Are they "rush out and buy them" good? No, I don't think so. But if given the choice of the millions of M&M's sold I'd buy these or the coconut ones.

Cinnabon Cinnamon Crunch Cereal

Cinnabon Cinnamon Crunch Cereal, originally uploaded by danajohnhill.

I stumbled upon this at grocery outlet and was intrigued.

I LOVE cinnamon.

I LOVE cinnabon.

I LOVE cereal.

So I have to LOVE this stuff, right? Went ahead and bought a box for about $2.00 (I wouldn't buy an unknown cereal at regular price).

And as soon as I got in the car, I popped the box open. Crunches later I was undecided. It's okay dry. Slightly sweet, but kinda tough on the teeth.

So I get home, and you know, threw some in a bowl with milk. Not bad, not bad at all. Reminds me a lot of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, but the only difference (besides shape) is that they don't get soggy nearly as quickly.

I'll finish the box, but not sure if I'll buy another (definitely not at full price).

Kitchen Sink Cookies

Kitchen Sink Cookies, originally uploaded by predictablyhungry.

I recently stumbled upon a recipe called "Killer Cookies," and gave it a try. They were absolutely amazing, but I felt that I could make some changes and tailor them more to my tastes.

I prefer to call them "Kitchen Sink Cookies" as everything in my entire kitchen is thrown into them.

What you'll need:

- 1.5 cups all purpose flour

-1 teaspoon baking soda

- 1 teaspoon baking powder

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 1 cup vegetable shortening (solid)

- 1 cup granulated sugar

- 1 cup light brown sugar

- 2 eggs

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

- 2 cups old fashioned oats

- 2 cups rice krispies

- 1 cup sweetened flake coconut

- 3 ounces chocolate chips

- 3 ounces white chocolate chips

What you'll need:

1. Preheat oven 350 degrees and place parchment paper on cookie sheets!

2. In small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk and set aside.

3. In large bowl, beat shortening, both sugars on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in vanilla.


4. On low speed, gradually add flour/sugar mixture and beat until just combined. Stir in oats, rice krispies, coconut, and chocolate chips.

5. Form balls with 2 tablespoons of dough and place 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.


6. Cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.

Baked Spaghetti

Baked Spaghetti, originally uploaded by predictablyhungry.

I've been wanting to make a good pot of spaghetti, but seeing as I've never really gone out of my way to make it I decided to look up some recipes.

I use a recipe I found online as my basis, but changed the ingredients to fit my liking better. So here goes:

What you'll need:

- 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes

- 1 15 oz. can tomato sauce

- 1 cup water

- 1/2 cup diced onion

- 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper

- 2 cloves garlic, chopped

- 1/4 cup chopped fresh italian parsley leaves

- 1 1/2 teaspoons of seasoning (1/2 cup salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder)

- 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoning salt

- 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar

- 1 pound ground beef

- 1/2 pound italian sausage (I used hot)

- 10 ounces uncooked spaghetti

- 1 cup grated cheddar

- 1 cup grated Monterey Jack

- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (if desired)

- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (if desired)

- Fresh basil (for garnish; if desired)

- Freshly grated parmesan cheese (for garnish; if desired)

What you'll do:

1. In a large pot: mix the tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, onions, peppers, garlic, parsley, seasonings, and sugar.


2. Bring to a boil over high heat, and then reduce the heat and let simmer, covered, for 1 hour.


3. Crumble the ground beef and italian sausage in a large skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until fully cooked, with no pink color remaining.


4. Drain the fat from the meat, and then add the meat to the pot. Simmer for 20 more minutes.


5. Preheat the oven at 350 degrees.


6. Cook the pasta according to the package directions.


7. Cover the bottom of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan with sauce.


8. Add a layer of pasta and then 1/2 of each cheese (cheddar and monterey); repeat the layers, ending with the sauce.


9. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.


10. Take casserole out and top with the remaining cheese.


11. Return it to the oven, and continue to cook until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 5 more minutes.


12. Cut into squares before serving.


13. Garnish with freshly cut basil and parmesan cheese.

Bistec Burrito

Bistec Burrito, originally uploaded by predictablyhungry.

Since having left my hometown I often find myself craving delicious Mexican food, which seems oddly difficult to find in this area. So sometimes I've just gotta try my best.

My mother makes amazing burritos, and everything put in them is made by her, from scratch (except the tortillas, which she buys at a tortilleria).

So this past weekend I went on a quest to make a similar burrito with my limited cooking skills and funds.

First I found me a Mexican mercado, the kind that I used to go to as a kid. Yelp and craigslist food forum both helped with this task. In case you're near, Mi Pueblo in East Oakland is a good start.

Unfortunately they only had fresh handmade corn tortillas, and I was looking for flour. So I purchased Tia Rosa flour tortillas. Another decent brand would be Guerrero.

I was also looking to buy delicious refried beans since I don't know how to make them yet, and canned just won't do. You want the good ones made with manteca or something similar. Stay away from canned or those made with oil (unless vegetarian) they're just not that good.

But yes, find yourself a decent mercado and you'll get all your needs for cheap. If not, a regular market has everything else.

What you'll need:
- Burrito size flour tortillas

- Bistec marinated with onions, garlic, cayenne, and cilantro (or any other meat will do). About 1 lb for 2 large burritos.

- Refried beans

- Guacamole

- 1 small can enchilada sauce

- 1 cup shredded cheese

What you'll do:
1. Cook the meat in a skillet over medium heat.

2. While the meat is cooking, make the guacamole by crushing diced avocado with a tablespoon of lime juice, 1/2 clove minced garlic, 1 tablespoon minced onion, cilantro, pinch of garlic salt, diced jalapeno (if desired) and regular salt to taste.

3. Take your refried beans and add hot sauce, if desired. Heat them up.

4. Warm up the tortilla on the stove or in the microwave (with a damp paper towel so it doesn't get hard).

5. Once the tortilla is warm, place on a plate and spread a layer of beans, top with meat, guacamole, and cheese.

6. Roll into a burrito. Place burrito on foil lined baking sheet, top with enchilada sauce, and cheese.

7. Place burrito in the oven (heated at 375 degrees) and let it heat up for about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

8. Garnish with guacamole, sour cream, or whatever other fixings you like.

By going to a mercado with an in house carniceria and deli I was able to make 2 burritos at under $6 each, with leftovers available.

Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri Pie

Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri Pie, originally uploaded by predictablyhungry.

This is a great dessert for potlucks. Though, I prefer to whip it up and keep one in the freezer. It's one of those delicious desserts that you don't have to eat entirely within a few days (though it'll be hard not to!).

What you'll need:


Crust:


- 1 and 1/4 cups crushed pretzels

- 1/4 cup granulated white sugar

- 1/2 cup Butter or margarine; melted

Filling:

- 1 can Sweetened condensed milk; 14 oz.

- 1/4 cup Lime juice

- 2 tb Dark rum

- 2 tb Orange liqueur

- 1 package Strawberries in syrup; 10 oz.

- 1 cup Whipping cream; whipped

What to do:
1. Make the crust first. Start by putting crushed pretzels in a medium bowl.

2. Add sugar and melted butter. And stir until well coated (it'll surprisingly smell delicious!)

3. Press firmly into bottom of 8" (springform) pan (if you want to pop it out to display nicely. If not, a regular pan will do).
4. Chill while you make the filling.

5. Now time for the filling. Combine condensed milk, lime juice, rum and orange liqueur.

6. Beat until smooth.

7. Add strawberries, beat at low speed until well-blended.

8. Fold in whipping cream.

9. Pour over crust, freeze 4 - 6 hours or until firm.
10. For easier cutting, let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before serving.

I know the pretzels and sugar sound odd, but they make a delicious crust. I never even used to like pretzels! The rum can be substituted with tequila for a margarita flavor. To make it virgin (non-alcohol) you can substitute orange juice.