Recipes of 2010

2010 has been a big year for me; I started culinary school and moved from an apartment into a house. I also celebrated the one year anniversary of this blog. I'm looking forward to all the knowledge I'll gain in school next year but I'm especially excited to share that knowledge with all my readers. I'm also very excited to announce that 2011 will bring a new feature to Handle the Heat: video blogging. Well, that's granted that I'll be able to figure video shooting and editing out. Eek.

I'm planning on dedicating much more time to testing and posting recipes and writing articles in 2011 and I hope you all love next year's recipes as much as you loved these ten. According to Google Analytics, these were the most popular recipe posts of 2010.

Your favorites:

1. Cookies & Cream Cheesecake Cupcakes

2. One Ingredient Ice Cream

3. Mexican Pulled Chicken

4. Mongolian Beef

5. Nutella Cupcakes

6. Pumpkin Garlic Knots

7. White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

8. Honey-Brushed Chicken Thighs

9. Lightened Loaded Potato Soup

10. Salted Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Bars

Just to add a few of my personal favorites:

Tomato & Goat Cheese Tarts

Whole Grain Brownies

Bison Burgers (or the best burgers ever)

Mocha Whoopie Pies

Chili-Rubbed Steak Tacos

Almond Butter Snickerdoodles

Maple-Roasted Chicken & Sweet Potatoes

Baked Chocolate Donuts

Which recipes were your favorite? I'd also really love to know what kind of recipes you'd like to see in 2011! I hope everyone has a lovely new year full of health, happiness, and good food.

Quick Gift Idea: Hot Chocolate Mix

 

There isn't a more thoughtful or lovely gift than one that's homemade. Especially when it happens to be so much better than the store-bought version. Take this recipe for homemade hot chocolate mix for example. Unlike its gray hued, sickly sweet, and mostly tasteless store-bought counterpart, this recipe produces a rich, deeply chocolate, and wonderfully spiced cup of cocoa. 

Hot Chocolate Mix

Yield: 2 1/4 cups

From Country Living

• 3/4 cup quality unsweetened cocoa, such as Valrhona
• 6 ounces quality semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoons ground clove

Place all ingredients in a food processor fitted with a metal blade and process just until mixture is powdery -- about 30 seconds. Be careful not to overprocess. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months. To make hot chocolate, combine 1 cup of milk and 2 tablespoons of this mix in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until chocolate is incorporated and mixture is warmed through. Serve immediately.

Quick Gift Idea - All Purpose Spice Rub

Need a quick, thoughtful, and homemade gift for Christmas (or any other occasion)? This spice rub is a perfect stocking stuffer or gift for your kids' teachers or a guy in your life (brother, dad, uncle, etc). The rub takes less than 5 minutes to make and you can really dress it up in cute packaging. I used a flat-sided glass spice jar from Sur la Table, made my own label on sticker paper (ignore my not-so-pretty handwriting), and tied a festive ribbon around the top for a finishing touch. A reader pointed out that the same jars are also available at Ikea for less moolah.

All-Purpose Spice Rub

From Everyday Food July/August 2006

Yield - 1 1/4 cups, or 5-10 pounds meat, poultry, seafood

• 1/3 cup coarse salt
• 1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1/4 cup paprika
• 2 tablespoons ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons dried thyme leaves
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (optional)

1. In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients, using your hands to break up the sugar. Store in an airtight container, away from heat and light, up to 6 months.

Cocoa Brownies

Brownies have always been one of my all time favorite desserts. I especially love chocolate-y, gooey, and chewy brownies with a lovely crinkly crust. But I hate brownies that are overly sweet, cakey, or artificial tasting. I've tested quite a few brownie recipes and for a while the Baked brownie was my favorite. But that recipe requires a little work and a lot of chocolate. Actually, most homemade brownie recipes require either expensive chocolate, or that your butter be a room temperature (who wants to wait for that?) or require you to use multiple bowls and tools before you've got your batter in the pan. Not these cocoa brownies. No expensive blocks of chocolate, just cocoa. And only one bowl. These brownies are so easy and cheap to bake which makes them a wonderful holiday gift.

Recipe Rundown
Taste: Intensely chocolate and not too sweet.
Texture: Rich, chewy, and gooey. Does it get any better?

Ease: One of the easiest scratch-baked brownie recipes I've ever made.
Appearance: Brownies always look delicious, especially when they have that crinkly crust like these ones.
Pros: Convenient, cheap, delectable.
Cons: None.
Would I make this again? Maybe tonight!

Cocoa Brownies
From Bittersweet by Alice Medrich - seen on Honey & Jam
Yield -  16 or 25 brownie squares

• 
10 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 1/4 cups sugar

• 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or Dutch-process)

• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 2 large eggs, cold

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1. Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 325°F. Line the bottom and sides of an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or foil, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides.
2. Combine the butter, sugar, cocoa, and salt in a medium heatproof bowl and microwave for 1:30 minutes. Remove and stir until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth. Set aside briefly until the mixture is only warm, not hot. It looks fairly gritty at this point, but don’t fret — it smoothes out once the eggs and flour are added.
3. Stir in the vanilla with a wooden spoon. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring vigorously after each one. When the batter looks thick, shiny, and well blended, add the flour and stir until you cannot see it any longer, then beat vigorously for 40 strokes with the wooden spoon or a rubber spatula. Stir in the nuts, if using. Spread evenly in the lined pan.
4. Bake until a toothpick plunged into the center emerges slightly moist with batter, 25 to 30 minutes. 5. Let cool completely on a rack. Lift up the ends of the parchment or foil liner, and transfer the brownies to a cutting board. Cut into 16 or 25 squares.

Quirky Canisters

I have something to admit. I'm slightly obsessed with kitchen organization, especially organized pantries. My dream is to one day have a pantry similar to the likes of Ina Garten but for now I like to keep all my food items organized with canisters. I usually prefer glass canisters because you can see exactly what is inside and how much, but glass can be boring. Recently I've seen some really adorable canisters online and in-stores.

 

Happy Chic - Calories & Candy Canisters by Jonathan Addler

$39.95 for 2 - HSN

"Woof" Treat Jar

$19.95 - Crate & Barrel

 "The Kind Kitchen Canister"

$16.99 - ModCloth

Numerical Stoneware Canisters

$14.99 - Target

Handpainted Ceramic Jars

$10-20 - Pier1

My Favorite Glass Canisters

Heritage Hill Jars

$13.49/ea - Target

I love these for flour and sugar on the kitchen counter.

Stackable Square Glass Containers

$5.99-9.99 - The Container Store

These are great for pantry storage since they stack and don't take up excess space.

Spice up your glass canisters with some useful and quirky labels:

Chalkboard Vinyl Tags

$8 for 12 - Etsy

$8 for 12 - Etsy

Adorable Vinyl Canister Labels

$13 for 5 - Etsy

Canister Label Stickers

$6 for 3 - Etsy

P.S. - don't forget to enter my giveaway for a free online cooking course!

Cheesy Pasta Bake

Less than 10 days till Christmas! It seems as we approach the holidays so many people (myself included) become obsessed with holiday treats. I mean, who doesn't love cookies and fudge and 'smores and hot chocolate? But we can't neglect savory food since we do need it (at least) twice a day. This cheesy baked pasta is both nourishing and comforting and quick enough for a busy weeknight. 

Psst.. don't forget to enter my latest Holiday Giveaway for a free online cooking course!

Recipe Rundown
Taste: Fresh, rich, and comforting.
Texture: Al dente pasta suspended in melted cheese... one of my favorite textures on the planet. Especially when the cheese on top has browned slightly.

Ease: Just a few more steps than simply pairing pasta with brown beef and sauce.
Appearance: What could look more delicious than ooey, goeey cheese?
Pros: A healthy, affordable, and simple weeknight meal.
Cons: None. Just cheesy goodness.
Would I make this again? This is likely to become a weeknight staple. Especially since I can substitute whatever veggies (mushrooms would be particularly good) and protein I have on hand.


Cheesy Pasta Bake
Serves 4-6
Adapted from Back to Her Roots

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 pound chicken sausage, casings removed
• 12 ounces whole wheat penne, or other small pasta shape
• 1 cup tomato sauce (homemade or jarred)
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1 cup shredded mozzerella 
• 1/4 cup shredded parmesan
• 1/4 cup basil, sliced into thin ribbons

1. Preheat oven to 375. Bring a large pot of water to a boil on stove and cook penne for about 7 minutes, or until slightly cooked but still firm. The pasta will finish cooking in the oven.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil to medium-high heat in a large skillet. Saute pepper and onions until they soften, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds. 
3. Add chicken sausage and saute until cooked through, breaking up into small pieces. Turn off the heat and add the cooked and drained pasta and tomato sauce to the skillet. Toss to combine. Mix in the spinach until it is warmed through and slightly wilted.
4. Pour half of the mixture into a baking dish (about 8x8) and sprinkle with half of the mozzerella. Pour remaining pasta mixture into baking dish and sprinkle with remaining mozzerella, parmesan, and basil. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese has melted.

Holiday Giveaway Special - Virtual Cooking Course

Hey guys! I'm excited to announce the next Holiday Giveaway, installment 3 in the series (parts 1 & 2). A few weeks ago I was contacted by the nice folks over at Sympoz, a website dedicated to providing instructional videos on a variety of relevant topics to learn at your convenience. They offered me a demonstration of their cooking course to test out and then host a giveaway of the course for a few lucky readers to win. I'll admit at first I was a bit skeptical, but then I realized that unlike websites such as YouTube or cooking shows on the Food Network, the videos on Sympoz are interactive - you get to ask your instructor and fellow classmates questions regarding the material. It's similar to some online college courses I've taken, but without the stress of projects, tests, and grades (and not nearly as expensive).

Screen capture from lesson

So now you can understand my excitement when Sympoz offered to give three Handle the Heat readers the cooking course for free! The course includes several videos that will teach you the fundamentals of cooking. The course also makes a great (and easy) holiday gift for anyone who wants to learn to cook or expand their knowledge in the kitchen.

*While Sympoz did offer me a demo of their cooking course, all opinions expressed on this post are entirely my own. 

How to Enter: Giveaway is Closed

• Leave a comment on this post telling me what you'd like to learn how to do in the kitchen.
• Be sure your comment includes your name and email

Extra Entries: be sure that each extra entry you leave also includes your name and email! (If you already follow me on twitter or subscribe to my RSS, simply leave additional comments saying you're a follower).

• Follow me on twitter @handleheat. Leave an additional comment saying you're a follower.
• Mention @handleheat with this link (http://bit.ly/eVW9mi) to the giveaway on twitter. Leave an additional comment saying you tweeted.
• Subscribe to my RSS Feed. Leave an additional comment saying you're a subscriber. 

{All entries must be completed by Tuesday, December 21st 11:59pm Mountain Standard Time.}

Fine print: No purchase necessary. Cooking course provided by Sympoz. 3 winners will be selected by Handle the Heat at random using random.org. All entries must be received by the deadline and meet the listed requirements. Dishonest entries will be removed from consideration. Winner will be notified via email and announced on Handle the Heat. If any winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.

Holiday Giveaway Special - $45 Gift Card WINNER

Congratulations to Liz of The Not So Skinny Kitchen who has won the $45 CSN stores gift card giveaway! Liz wants a shredder attachment for her Kitchenaid mixer and a new purse for the holidays (maybe now you can get your purse at Luxe or attachment at cookware.com!) Thank you to everyone who participated and told me what you want for the holidays, it was fascinating reading all your comments! Stay tuned for the next Holiday Giveaway.

Recipe Makeover: Banana Espresso Chocolate Chip Muffins

While this time of the year is usually filled with indulgence, I'm a firm believer that something can taste fantastic without actually being indulgent. Like these muffins. I've made the original recipe a handful of times as written until I was inspired by my nutrition professor to give this recipe a healthy makeover. I swapped out the butter for applesauce, most of the white flour for whole wheat, and reduced the sugar. And guess what? They still tasted amazing. No one noticed my sneaky ingredient swaps which, in my book, is a success.

If you perused my original post for this recipe back in spring of 2009 you will have noticed that I was in the process of moving out of my mom's house and into a town house with my boyfriend and some roommates. My boyfriend and I lived there until winter 2009 when we moved about twenty minutes away into our own loft-style one bedroom apartment, with no roommates (!). I can't tell you how excited I was to have an entire kitchen all to myself. No siblings, parents, or roommates. Not to mention how fun it was taking every free second at work to purchase new goodies for our place.

Looking back on that post it seems fitting that I was detailing the progress of our move because, coincidentally enough, we're moving (again) this weekend. This time into a house. A HOUSE. My boyfriend has been lucky enough to take advantage of the low house prices here in Phoenix so we're packing everything up and moving out of the apartment. No more stairs (the house is a one story), no more rent (having a mortgage makes you seem so grown up), and no more tiny kitchen. I can't wait to share with you guys the kitchen in this house. It's glorious. Magnificent. Dreamy. There's SO MUCH COUNTER SPACE. And not to mention a window.

I don't know how much cooking and blogging I'll be able to do over the next few days but I can tell you as soon as we're unpacked I'll be cooking up a storm in the new kitchen. If you'd like to follow our moving progress, follow me on twitter, where I'll be posting updates. Also, don't forget to enter my latest Holiday Special Giveaway for a $45 giftcard to any CSN store.

Recipe Rundown
Taste: The combination of banana, chocolate, and coffee is perfect for an special breakfast or tasty snack.
Texture: The muffin itself is soft but my most favorite part is the ooey gooey chocolate chips. To get that scrumptious texture you can either eat the muffins a few minutes after they've come out of the oven or microwave the muffin for no more than 15 seconds.  

Ease: My adaption made it easier to make. I narrowed the dishes down to one bowl, spatula, spoon, and muffin tin. Also, no need to melt any butter because there isn't any!
Appearance: I think anything studded with gooey chocolate chips looks mouthwatering.
Pros: Easier, healthier, and just as delicious as the original recipe.
Cons: None, really. Maybe the fact that you have to wait for your bananas to over-ripen on the counter before you get to make these muffins :)
Would I make this again? Absolutely.

Healthier Banana Espresso Chocolate Chip Muffins
Adapted from Baked
Yield: A dozen

• 1 1/2 cups mashed, very ripe bananas (about 4 medium bananas)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup plain applesauce
• 1/4 cup milk (1% or 2%)
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour or whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (heaping) semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In a medium bowl, stir together the mashed bananas, sugars, applesauce, milk, and egg.

3. Add the flours, instant espresso powder, baking soda, and salt to banana mixture. Stir until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.

4. Using a spring-loaded ice cream scoop or a spoon, fill each muffin cup about three-quarters full. Bake in the center of the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.

5. Move the muffin pan to a cooling rack, and let cool for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the muffins from the pan and let them finish cooling on the cooling rack. Muffins can be stores in an airtight container for up to 2 days. I like to microwave mine for 15 seconds before eating so the chocolate is melty.

Holiday Giveaway Special - $45 Gift Card

Happy Humpday! Earlier today I announced the winner of my first Holiday Giveaway Special and I'd like to present to you my second giveaway! A $45 gift card to any of CSN's 200 online stores where you can find everything from stylish furniture, leather messenger bags, or great cookware. 

There are plenty of great gift options (for others, or even yourself. I won't tell.) on cookware.com, my favorite CSN store. Le Creuset, All-Clad, Wusthof, Nespresso, Kitchenaid are some of the fabulous brands the lucky winner will get to spend his or her gift card on. I could go crazy shopping online here. Some of things I wouldn't mind receiving this Christmas:

Gorgeous Le Creuset Grill Pan in Cassis

 Lovely Emile Henry Pie Dish in Sky

All-Clad Stainless 10" Fry Pan with Domed Lid

How to Enter:This Giveaway is Closed

• Leave a comment on this post telling me what's on your wishlist this holiday season.
• Be sure your comment includes your name and email

Extra Entries: be sure that each extra entry you leave also includes your name and email! (If you already follow me on twitter or subscribe to my RSS, simply leave additional comments saying you're a follower).

• Follow me on twitter @handleheat. Leave an additional comment saying you're a follower.
• Mention @handleheat with this link (http://bit.ly/ecUm1A) to the giveaway on twitter. Leave an additional comment saying you tweeted.
• Subscribe to my RSS Feed. Leave an additional comment saying you're a subscriber. 

{All entries must be completed by Tuesday, December 14th 11:59pm Mountain Standard Time}

Fine print: U.S. and Canada residents only. No purchase necessary. Gift card provided by CSN stores. Winner will be selected by Handle the Heat at random using random.org. All entries must be received by the deadline and meet the listed requirements. Dishonest entries will be removed from consideration. Winner will be notified via email and announced on Handle the Heat. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.

Doughnut Pan Giveaway Winner

Last week's giveaway of a Wilton Doughnut pan has ended (stayed tuned for a new Holiday Special giveaway starting later today). Random.org chose comment number 146 which was left by Amy whose favorite thing to eat during this time of the year is cookies. I have to say I agree Amy! Congratulations, I hope you'll love your doughnut pan as much as I love mine. 

Don't forget to stay tuned for the next giveaway later today!

Italian Sausage Soup with Tortellini

 

On my latest giveaway I asked you all to publish a comment describing what your favorite food to eat during this time of the year is. I've had a lot of fun reading all your comments and seeing what kind of family traditions everyone has. There seems to be a consensus though. Mostly everyone who described something savory mentioned a heart-warming soup, stew, or roast, and I must say I agree. Something warm, fulfilling, and just all around comforting is my favorite thing to have while it's chilly outside (as far as savory foods go). I mean, someone created an entire collection of inspirational books entitled Soup for the Soul. So here is a soup recipe to warm both your kitchen and soul and to hopefully inspire all those little taste buds in your family.

Recipe Rundown
Taste: Rich and savory with a slight hint of fennel seed from the sausage and a lovely cheesy bite from the tortellini.

Texture: A variety of soft vegetable textures with chunks of browned sausage and chewy bites of pasta. 

Ease: Easy to make. It does take some time on the stove top but can be left pretty much unattended.
Appearance: I love the variety of ingredients floating in the rich broth. A sprinkling of parsley adds another pop of color.
Pros: Perfect warming one-pot meal for those chilly December days. This dish keeps well in the fridge if you only add as much tortellini as you plan on eating that day. I added enough tortellini for 2 people, let it cook through, then served 2 bowls. I placed the rest of the soup in the fridge and had it the next day for lunch, warming it up on the stove in a saucepan with enough tortellini for myself.
Cons: None. This dish could easily be made lighter with chicken or turkey sausage too.
Would I make this again? I have some in the freezer!

Italian Sausage Soup with Tortellini
From All Recipes
Serves 8

• 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 5 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 1/2 cup water (or additional beef broth)
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 4 large tomatoes - peeled, seeded and chopped (use a super sharp peeler or this method to peel the tomatoes)
• 1 cup thinly sliced carrots
• 1/2 tablespoon packed fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 1/2 cups sliced zucchini
• 8 ounces fresh tortellini pasta
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1. In a 5 quart Dutch oven, brown sausage. Remove sausage and drain, reserving 1 tablespoon of the drippings.
2. Saute onions and garlic in drippings. Stir in beef broth, water, wine, tomatoes, carrots, basil, oregano, tomato sauce, and sausage. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
3. Skim fat from the soup. Stir in zucchini and parsley. Simmer covered for 30 minutes. Add tortellini during the last 10 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese on top of each serving.

Holiday Giveaway Special - Doughnut Pan!

It's officially December and I couldn't be more excited for endless sips of hot cocoa, Christmas playlists, and mouth-watering food. To celebrate this beautiful time of year and to thank each and every person who has taken the time out of their day to read my blog, I'm hosting a Holiday Giveaway Special. Every Wednesday this month I'll be giving away something new for a few lucky readers to win.

A few weeks ago I posted a recipe for Baked Pumpkin Doughnuts using one of my favorite new kitchen tools, a doughnut pan. Lots of the comments on that post mentioned the doughnut pan and how it was on your wishlist. Then yesterday I posted a recipe for Baked Chocolate Doughnuts so I think it's only fair for me to give you guys a chance to win some doughnut pans for yourself. The pans make a great holiday gift to anyone who likes to bake. Also, homemade doughnuts happen to be a great gift as well. So, without further adieu...

{Wilton Doughnut Pan Giveaway} Giveaway Is Closed

How to Enter:

• Leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite thing to eat is during this time of the year.
• Be sure your comment includes your name and email

Extra Entries: be sure that each extra entry you leave also includes your name and email! (If you already follow me on twitter or subscribe to my RSS, simply leave additional comments saying you're a follower).

• Follow me on twitter @handleheat. Leave an additional comment saying you're a follower.
• Mention @handleheat with this link (http://bit.ly/egLIJj) to the giveaway on twitter. Leave an additional comment saying you tweeted.
• Subscribe to my RSS Feed. Leave an additional comment saying you're a subscriber. 

{All entries must be completed by Tuesday, December 7th 11:59pm Mountain Standard Time}

Fine print: U.S. and Canada residents only. No purchase necessary. Winner will be selected by Handle the Heat at random using random.org. All entries must be received by the deadline and meet the listed requirements. Dishonest entries will be removed from consideration. Winner will be notified via email and announced on Handle the Heat. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.