Crab Cakes With Lemon Dill Sauce

This year on Fridays during Lent I have bee making Crab Cakes. I am kind of obsessed with making the perfect Crab Cake. I didn't post last week's Crab Cake recipe - because it was a rush to get dinner on the table.

I have already started researching my Crab Cake recipe for next Friday!

This Friday I used Paul Dean's recipe - I love her recipes, wonderful attitude and personality. Plus her recipe received five stars. It was a really easy recipe. I had everything I needed except the crabmeat. Last week I bought my crabmeat at Sprouts and this week I bought fresh crabmeat at Trader Joe's.

Ingredients:

1 lb. of fresh crabmeat

1/3 cup crushed Ritz crackers

3 green onions,  finely chopped (both green and white)

1/4 cup mayonaise

1 egg

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 lemon, juiced

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon salt

dash of cayenne pepper

flour for dusting

1/2 cup peanut oil

Directions:

In a large bowl mix in all the ingredients except for the flour and peanut oil.

Shape the crab mixture into patties - dust each side the of the Crab Cake in the flour. I made 10 good sized patties with this recipe.

Heat the peanut oil and fry the Crab Cakes in batches. I did three at a time. I fried them about three to four minutes on each side.  Place them on a paper towel lined plate to absorb the oil. Serve warm. The Food Network website recommended serving Crab Cakes with a Chardonnay.

I have been making Paula Dean's Lemon Dill Sauce to serve with these Crab Cakes - I also use it on salads and potatoes. It is fantastic.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup buttermilk

2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill leaves

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves

1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 clove finely minced garlic

Directions:

Mix all of the ingredients in a small bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour - the flavors will blend and the sauce will thicken. Paula actually uses 1 cup of mayo. But once I was super low on mayo so I used sour cream and my husband loved it - so that is how I make it now! With 1/2 cup of each sour cream and mayonnaise.

I often serve my Crab Cakes onto of a salad.

How to get your kids to eat this? Tell them it is a Sponge Bob Crabby Patty!

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

Yes, the day after I made homemade Cheese-its I decided to make homemade Cinnamon Rolls.  And I am still making bags for my 40 bags in 40 days project. So really I am quite busy! These Cinnamon Rolls took a long time to make. You won't wake up on Saturday morning at 8 a.m. and serve these by 8:45 a.m. No, you would serve them around 11 or 11:30! So if you want to make them for a special occasion - wake up at 6 a.m. and start this recipe. I found this recipe on the Savory Sweet Life blog and I felt that she wrote her directions in an easy to follow manner. I will also include some of my own tips!

The day before you make these set your butter out to soften. Before you start the recipe set your egg out so that it will be room temperature and get your cream cheese out of the fridge so that it will be room temperature before you make the icing.

Before I start a recipe - I read it through a couple of times and get out all of the ingredients. Then as I use each ingredient I put it back in the pantry or refrigerator.

I researched Homemade Cinnamon Rolls on Pinterest and Google. They were all very similar. I might try another recipe in the future you know like when I have 3 1/2 hours to kill and a refrigerator full of butter.

Ingredients:

Dough

1 cup of warm milk (microwave for 30-45 seconds)

1 egg room temperature, slightly beaten

1/4 cup butter, melted

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 1/2 cups of flour (plus more for dusting)

2 1/4 teaspoons instant dry yeast 

Filing

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

3 tablespoons cinnamon

Icing

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1/4 cup cream cheese softened

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 200 degrees. In the bowl of your stand mixer add milk, egg, melted butter, oil, sugar and salt. Add flour on top of the liquid mixture.Sprinkle the yeast on top. Using the dough hook kneed the mixture for 3-4 minutes until the mixture forms a dough ball.  Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a clean dishtowel. Turn the oven off and put the bowl into the oven - keep the oven door cracked open Tip - I use the butter wrappers to grease the bowl. The bowl should stay in the oven for 1 hour until the dough has doubled in size.

In a small bowl combine the sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Sprinkle your rolling surface with a little flour and roll out the dough to a 10 x 14 inch rectangle.  Using a pastry brush the dough with the melted butter and sprinkle the sugar/cinnamon mixture over the melted butter.

Beginning with the long side start rolling the dough into one long cylinder. Using a serrated knife cut the cylinder into 12 equal pieces and place into a greased 9 x 13 pan. Cover with a damp bowl and allow to rise for 30 minutes.

Bake Cinnamon Rolls for 20 minutes until they are golden brown.

While the Cinnamon Rolls are baking combine the frosting ingredients - butter, cream cheese and powdered sugar.  I used an immersion blender. Wait a few minutes for the Cinnamon Rolls to cool and then generously spread them with the frosting.

Yum - you can really taste the difference when you make Cinnamon Rolls from scratch.

Homemade Cheese-Its

My kids love Cheese-its and Goldfish. I thought I would try to make some homemade Cheese-its. I probably read ten different recipes before I settled on this recipe from Better Homes and Gardens.

Ingredients:

8 ounces of extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 stick unsalted butter (4 tablespoons) room temperature

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 cup all purpose flour

2 tablespoons ice water

Directions:

Fit your stand mixer with the paddle attachment and mix the cheese, better and salt. Add the flour and continue to mix on low. Once the dough is pebbly add the water. Continue to mix on low until dough forms - this takes about 4 or 5 minutes.

Pat the dough into a disk and wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Divide the dough into two pieces and roll each piece into a very thin rectangle. Using a fluted pastry cutter cut the dough into 1 inch squares.

I bought the fluted square cookie cutters at Sur la Table. It was $20 for the set.

Transfer the the little squares onto the parchment lined baking sheets.

Before baking the Cheese-Its use the blunt side of a bamboo skewer to punch a small hole in the center of each cracker. Bake for 13-15 minutes until the cracker is puffed and slightly browned on the edges. Place the crackers on racks to cool.

I think these look so cute. They would be wonderful on top of a salad or some soup. They were so easy to make and just a few easy ingredients.

They would also make adorable appetizers lined up on a tray topped with a very small dollop of hummus and a fresh sprig of rosemary.

Guess what? I get to cross this recipe off my Recipe Bucket List!

Forty Bags in Forty Days

I got the idea idea from White House Black Shutters website. She suggests getting rid of 40 bags of clutter and stuff that you don't need over the 40 days of Lent.  Tomorrow (Ash Wednesday) I am going to start this project. Since my son has been home sick for two days and will most likely be staying home from school tomorrow I need a project.  I made homemade conversation hearts but have been unable to run to Michael's to get some edible markers to write on the hearts.

Do you watch any decorating shows on HGTV? On Love It or List It the family always has a ton of crap. The state of these homes sometimes makes me really anxious.

Tomorrow I will post some pictures of my bags!

P.S. My son went to school on Wednesday - he said he was feeling much better. But I think he wanted to play video games. I always say if you are too sick to go to school you are too sick to play video games.

But regardless I made three huge bags of clothes, baskets, craft supplies and put them in the garage. Before I could take a photo my husband took them to Goodwill.

Here is a list of my bags:

1. Bag of clothing (for Goodwill)

2. Bag of craft supplies (for Goodwill)

3. Bag of kitchen items (for Goodwill)

4. Bag of food (for Food Pantry)

5. Bag of cans and bottles (for Recycling Center)

6. Bag of cans and bottles (for Recycling Center)

7. Bag of food (for Food Pantry)

8. Bag of linens (for Goodwill)

9. Bag of kitchen items (for Goodwill)

10. Bag of misc. (craft supplies, kitchen misc and clothes) (for Goodwill)

11. Bag of stuffed animals (Goodwill)

12. Bag of food items (for Food Pantry)

13. Box of paper items - mostly magazines, catalogs, junk mail (for recycling center)

14. Bag of bedding/linens (For Goodwill)

15. Bag of Toys (for Goodwill)

16. Bag of Food (for Food Pantry)

17. Misc, Household items (for Goodwill)

18. Bag of soda cans and water bottles (for Recycling Center)

20. Bag of soda cans and water bottles (for Recycling Center)

21. Bag of old magazine and catalogs  (Church Recycling Project0

22. Bag of old magazines and catalogs (Church Recycling Project)

23. Bag of kitchen items (for Goodwill)

24. Bag of clothing (for Goodwill)

25. Bag of papers/misc. paperwork (Church Recycling Project)

26. Craft supplies (for Goodwill)

27. Kitchen misc. (for Goodwill)

28. Bag of papers (for Church Recycling Project)

29. Bag of food (for Food Pantry at Church)

30. Bag of magazines and catalogs (for Church Recycling Program)

31 Bag of cans and bottles (for Church Recycling)

I feel like a big loser! I only got to 31 bags before Easter! But today I cleaned out my pantry and made a food bag for the church food pantry. So I think I will keep going to 40 - even if it takes me a few more week.

31. Bag of food (for Food Pantry)

32. Bag of clothes (for St. Vincent de Paul)

33. Bag of clothes (for St. Vincent de Paul)

34. Bag of food (for Food Pantry)

35. Bag of cans and plastic bottles (for Recycling Center)

36. Bag of cans and plastic bottle (for Recycling  Center)

37. Bag of clothes (For Neighborhood Garage Sale)

38. Bag of toys (For Neighborhood Garage Sale)

39. Bag of books (For Neighborhood Garage Sale)

40. Back of DVD's (For Neighborhood Garage Sale)

I did it! Forty Bags!

Recipe Bucket List

I love lists. Or more accurately I like crossing items off my lists.I think everyone likes to cross items off lists. It gives you a feeling of accomplishment. I am hoping that I complete a lot of these recipes this year. Many of the items I could buy - I just want to see if I could recreate a recipe (in order to feel superior and pretentious) just kidding. No, not really. I got this idea from theBrown Eyed Baker and Recipe Girl they both posted recipe bucket lists. I will still be posting my seasonal bucket lists which still also include crafts, cleaning and social events Maybe I should also make a craft bucket list also!


BREAKFAST

Jelly Donuts

Poptarts

Cinnamon Rolls (Done 2/20/13)

Apple Fritters

Granola Bars


DESSERTS

Lemon Meringe Pie

Butterscotch Pudding

Churros (Done 5/2/13)

Sombrero Cookies (Done 4/20/13)

Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Cupcakes

Shamrock Shake  (Done 3/9/13)

Teddy Bear Cookies (Done 3/20/13)

Lemon Bars (Done 4/3/13)

Rice Pudding

Watermelon Cupcakes

Cookie Candy Canes

Gingersnaps (Done)

Checkerboard Cookies


SOUP

French Onion (Done 5/26/13)

Butternut Squash (Done 2-9-13)

Alphabet


SIDE DISHES

Onion Rings

French fries

Bread and Butter Pickles

Crab Cakes (Done 2/24/13)


DINNER

Coconut Shrimp (Done 6/25/13)

Calazone

Spring Rolls


FUN STUFF

Candy Corn

Goldfish

Marshmallows

Conversation Hearts

Lollipops

Candy Buttons

Crackers (Done 2-19-13)

Candied Pacans


So this is my Recipe Bucket list. The dinner section is a little sparse because it is hard for me to blog dinner items and I tend to make the ten recipes that my family loves.  But I feel that I made up for the sparse Dinner section with the Dessert section!

I would love it if you left me some comments with recipes that you have on your bucket list.

Butternut Squash Soup

Lately I have been making a lot of homemade soup. This is my Butternut Squash soup that I made for dinner last night.

It is full of fresh veggies and has a mild flavor that your whole family will be able to enjoy. Perhaps you are trying to eat more vegetables? Or eat clean? This is the perfect recipe!

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons of olive oil

1 medium butternut squash

1 small onion, chopped

1 stalk of celery, chopped

1 carrot, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

3 cups low sodium chicken broth

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives

1/2 cup low fat sour cream

1/2 cup extra large croutons

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Wash your butternut squash. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and strings. Using one tablespoon of the olive oil - gently brush the cut side of the squash and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes.

After 45 minutes remove the butternut squash from the oven - let cool for a few minutes.

In a large heavy pot over medium heat add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, onion, celery and carrot. Sauté these vegetables until tender for about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for 2 more minutes.

Scoop the butternut squash flesh into the pot and add the 3 cups of chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes.

Remove the pot from the heat and using your immersion blender puree the soup until it is very smooth.  If you don't have an immersion blender - you could use your regular blender.

Serve in bowls and garnish with a dollop of sour cream, a tablespoon of chives and a few extra large croutons. I always serve soup with a green salad.

I have also had this soup in restaurants  garnished with pumpkin seeds and at parties they often serve this soup in a shot glass.

I wish I had a better picture of the finished soup - but it is so hard to make, take a photo and feed to a hungry family.

My husband thinks I should have garnished the soup with bacon!

Rice Crispy Treat Heart Lollipops

Today I made some sweet little Rice Crispy treat lollipops. I was looking in my Valentine craft box for a mini heart cookie cutter because in a few days I want to make homemade conversation hearts. And I found one and decided to use it to make some sweet little lollipops.

To make these lollipops your will need:

Rice Crispy treats - homemade or store bought

Lollipop sticks

Parchment paper

Pink chocolate tabs

Mini heart cookie cutter

Large heart sprinkle

Little plastic bags

Coordinating ribbon

Using your mini heart cookie cutter - cut out a bunch of little hearts. Place the little hearts on parchment paper and melt one cup of the pink chocolate tabs. Put the end of the lollipop stick in the melted chocolate and wiggle it into the bottom of the heart.

Using a small appetizer knife I spread the top of each heart with the melted pink chocolate and topped it with a large heart sprinkle. Let dry.

Now you can package the sweet little lollipops into plastic bags and tie them with a coordinating ribbon.

These would be a great classroom or sports team treat. I make little Valentine treat bags and pass them out to my neighbors.

This week I am going to try to make homemade conversation hearts - hopefully they will turn out perfect and be blog worthy.

Valentine Treats For The College Girls

I always send my daughter little treats every holiday to pass out to her friends. So here are the little Valentine treats that I am sending her!

I found some Valentine sox at Target in the dollar section.

They also had little boxes of Mrs. Fields chocolates in the dollar section.

Then I wrapped the socks around the mini candy boxes and tied it with a pink ribbon.

Then I put the socks and candy into a heart cellophane bag that I found in my Valentine craft box.

I tied each bag with red ribbon and added a little homemade ring to the ribbon.

I think that Noelle will have a lot of fun passing these out to her friends!

Fried Lobster Ravioli

Tonight I made some Fried Lobster Ravioli for dinner with a salad. It was super easy and made a unique presentation. Lately I have been obsessed Lobster recipes.

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons milk

1 egg

1 cup breadcrumbs

1 package of fresh lobster ravioli

3 cups of  canola oil

3 tablespoons parmesan cheese

1 1/2 cups marinara sauce

Directions:

In a small saucepan heat the marinara sauce.

In a large saucepan heat the canola oil until it is approximately 350 degrees. In a shallow bowl whisk the milk and egg together. And add the bread crumbs to another shallow bowl.

Put a ravioli in the egg mixture and then in the bred crumbs and then fry one or two at a time - 30 seconds to a minute on each side.

Place the fried ravioli on a paper towel covered plate and sprinkle with parmesan cheese

Serve immediately with a small bowl of the hot marinara sauce for dipping.

Tip: They have fresh packages of Lobster Ravioli at Trader Joe's and Fresh and Easy. This recipe would make a great appetizer for a party or dinner for two.

Heart Lollipops Made with Candy Canes

These are so easy to make! Just remember to buy mini candy canes on sale after Christmas.

For this project you will need:

Box of mini candy canes

Parchment paper

Lollipop sticks

Small plastic bags

Coordinating ribbon

Preheat oven to 300 degrees and line your cookie sheets with parchment paper. Unwrap your candy canes and lay them in a heart shape on your parchment paper lined cookie sheets.

Bake for approximately 3 minutes. Then pinch the lollipop stick in the bottom of the heart. Be careful it is hot and very sticky.

Let the lollipops dry on the parchment paper for 3 or 4 minutes. Then peel them off the parchment paper and put them in the small plastic bags and tie with white, pink or red ribbon.

So easy! And fun! And romantic!

Homemade Lip Gloss - 2 Ingredients

For this project you will need:

Petroleum jelly

Cocoa

Small containers

Little doo-dads

Labels or stickers

Paper cups and plastic spoons

I bought my small containers at JoAnne's Fabrics in the bead section. They were intended for bead storage. But you could probably buy small containers at any craft store.

Sorry about the horrible picture! I got a new camera for Christmas and I am still learning how to use it!

Buy a new tub of Petroleum Jelly. Now there is no recipe because I don't know how big your containers are and how many lip glosses you want to make!

I use a paper cup and spoon because this is very messy. So I put a glob of Petroleum Jelly in a paper cup and put it in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes. Until it is very melted. Be careful when you remove the cup from the microwave - it is hot. Stir in a few teaspoons of  cocoa.

Using the plastic spoon start filling the little containers.  This is really messy. After this project my hands wee really soft. Gently wipe the sides of the container with a napkin or paper towel and put the lid on the container.

Now you can decorate the top of the containers. I happened to have the little lips - they were in the Valentine package that I bought at Hobby Lobby. I used the hearts that came in the package on my m&m hearts.

I made these for Valentine's Day. However, you could make them for any holiday, team treat or birthday party favor.

Wasn't this an easy project? And perfect for this time of the year our lips are so dry and chapped.