Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Lemon-Chocolate Pinwheels

After a LONG absence in posting if not in spirit, this is K with a cookie recipe. Be forewarned, these were a bit of a pain to make. The result, however, was a delicious combination of flavors in a shortbread-like treat.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/3 cup sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3 cups flour
1 fresh lemon
1 oz. semi-sweet baking chocolate, melted and cooled
1 Tbsp. cocoa

In large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and beat well. Gradually add flour and mix thoroughly. Dough will be crumbly. In medium bowl, mix melted chocolate and cocoa. Mix in half of plain dough. Grate zest of lemon (the yellow part of the skin) and add to other half of plain dough; add a couple squirts of the lemon's juice (to taste). On 2 large sheets of wax paper, roll out doughs to large thin rectangles. Carefully place lemon dough on top of chocolate dough (may have to reassemble a little; dough is crumbly). Start rolling doughs from long side, using wax paper as a guide and pressing together every little while. When dough is formed into log, use sharp knife to cut 1/4-in. slices. Place (and patch as necessary) on large baking sheets that have been greased and floured OR lined with baking parchment. Bake @350° F. for about 12 minutes. Cool slightly before removing from sheets.

--K

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Oven-roasted Chicken and Vegetables

1 large potato
carrots
celery
frozen chopped broccoli
1 small boneless, skinless chicken breast
rosemary
black pepper
garlic powder
onion flakes
olive oil

Cut a large piece of aluminum foil.  Wash, peel if desired, and chop potato.  Peel and chop carrots, and chop celery.  Sprinkle with pepper, rosemary, garlic, and onion flakes.  Place frozen chicken breast on top.  Drizzle with olive oil.  Fold up foil to enclose.

Bake at 400° F for approximately 1 hour.  (Test chicken with meat thermometer to make certain it reaches 165° F internally.)

Serve over cooked brown rice, and top with shredded cheese.

This serves 2-3 small-appetite people, and probably 1 teen-aged boy.