Patel's Butter Chicken

Went to Jungle Jim's a few weeks ago and found some make at home Indian food. Basically, it comes with all the spices and it just needs meat and rice for the meal. I made Patel's Butter Chicken. I had recently gone out for Indian food and this was the closest I could find to what I had when we went out.

Start by sautéing boneless chicken breasts or tenderloins in butter. I added a little black pepper too...

Next, add 2 cups water and the spice packet. Then cover and simmer for 20 minutes on medium heat.

Mix halfway through and continue to heat until sauce is desired thickness. Then add a half cup cream or milk.

Serve over rice or with pita bread or naan. It was delicious!

Cooking tips!

Use half the water or add some flour for a thicker sauce. Add more milk to cut some of the spice.

Hungarian mushroom soup

January is definitely soup season. There is something about soup that gives off a cozy feeling. Although this soup doesn't have any meat, it is still delicious and the spice layers give it an exotic taste.  This recipe is quick and easy and goes fantastically with a nice glass of

Cabernet Sauvingnon (my favorite).  Candles only added to the mood to give this meal a perfect touch!

4 Tbs butter 

1 chopped onion 

1 lb assorted sliced mushrooms 

1 Tbs soy sauce 

1 Tbs paprika 

2 cups chicken broth

salt and pepper to taste 

2 teaspoons lemon juice 

chopped parsley to taste  

1/2 cup sour cream (optional)

Melt the butter in large skillet and cook onions and mushrooms for 5-7 minutes or until tender. Stir in dill, paprika, soy sauce and chicken broth and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in salt, pepper, lemon juice and sour cream (if desired). Heat for 5 more minutes and serve immediately. 

Cooking tip

Serve with some fresh baked bread.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/17897/hungarian-mushroom-soup/

Cream cheese brownies

I have been experimenting now with cooking for at least five years and baking since I was a child. However, one thing that I have never made is brownies from scratch. I recently decided to give it a try. Even though I did not follow the recipe exactly (I almost never do), they still turned out deliciously.

I also got a double boiler for Christmas and wanted to try it out. I started by putting 4 oz of German Chocolate with 3 Tbs butter and melting it all together until smooth; stirring frequently but not constantly....

Next, set the chocolate aside to cool and combine 1 package cream cheese and 1 cup sugar in a large bowl. Add 3 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 cup flour, a pinch of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder.  Fold in chocolate and transfer to a 9x13 inch pan.

Bake at 350 degrees Farenheight for 25 minutes. The result is a chewy and delicious chocolate brownie that will beat any mix you find. The original recipe is below and, as you can see, I forgot to swirl the cream cheese on top. Mixing it all together worked just fine for me. 

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/10739/cream-cheese-brownies-iii/

Slow cooker kielbasa and beer

Always looking for quick and easy recipes for the slow cooker. This one seemed perfect. I used Guinness as the beer and made some brown rice to go with it. Yum!

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/21380/slow-cooker-kielbasa-and-beer/

First Meeting

The first session of Cooks & Books was a success!  Of the eleven who signed up, eight were able to attend and the library provided bottled water, tea & coffee. There were also some catered baked goods from a local bakery.

The meeting was informal and focused on us getting to know each other and getting an idea of what is on the horizon for cookbook club.  All the members seemed excited to be there and enthusiastic about what is to come. Next month’s theme is comfort food, so we will have to wait and see how that goes. More to come later!

Welcome Meeting

Last June, I came to my manager with an idea: a cookbook club at the library. Well, after 6 months of looking and planning and figuring out all of the nit picky details, tonight Cooks & Books: a cookbook club will meet for the first time at the library where I work.

Ever since becoming an adult, I have enjoyed cooking. It is therapeutic to me, it allows for creativity, and I am usually successful in what I create.  Cookbooks are a major interest of people who visit the library. There are cookbooks on practically everything and the library has quite the variety.

Cooks & Books will have a different theme each month. One month might be comfort food while the next spring salads. I will pull cookbooks from the library for each themed month (pull books for February in January, books for March in February and so on).  We can review the recipes and then the next month, everyone will come with a recipe to share and discuss according to the theme. Tonight I want to be an introduction meeting to get to know everyone and we are going to do a brainstorming activity for future cookbook club themes.

I had eleven people sign up so I hope that they all brave the weather to come. Lastly, I intend on taking pictures of all the delectable goodies everyone brings each month and posting the recipes too!

Beer and Sausage Stew

Last week I made a delicious and cheap stew that is perfect for those super cold nights. It is called

Beer & Sausage Stew and the recipe is as follows...

Ingredients

2 lb red potatoes, chopped

1 cup celery, chopped

1 onion,chopped

Italian sausage (sliced)

1 tsp black pepper

4 cups chicken broth

12 oz beer of choice (I use Yuengling)

Directions

Set a slow cooker to low and then add the first 5 ingredients. Gently pour in the chicken broth and beer and let cook on low for at least 8 hours.

Cooking tips!

Experiment with adding a bay leaf, white pepper, oregano or parsley for a slightly different twist.  For a creamier stew, add 4 oz of cream cheese during the last 30 minutes before serving.

Finally, this stew reheats very well and makes some stellar leftovers!