» Carbo LoadMy Site

The Best Cornbread

My girlfriend served this cornbread at a dinner party last week and I have dreamed about it ever since. It’s the Banderas copycat recipe but it’s even better, if you can believe it. Tonight I made it for the whole family and it rocked our worlds! 1 cup butter, melted 1 cup granulated sugar 4 eggs 1 (15 ounce) can creamed-style corn 1/2 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers, drained 1/2 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup yellow cornmeal 4 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt Heat oven to 300 degrees F. Lightly grease a 12-inch cast iron skillet In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time. Blend in creamed corn, chiles, Monterey jack and cheddar cheese. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt. Add flour mixture to corn mixture; stir just until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour, until a wooden pick inserted into center of the pan…

French Toast

Yum and YUM! I always have all kinds of nuts and coconut in my freezer. For this French toast, I combined toasted slivered almonds and coconut in my blender for 30 seconds or so. You don’t want a paste but you want it fine enough that it coats the bread. Prepare French toast as normal. Cut bread into strips and dip in egg mixture and then coconut almond mixture. Spray griddle well. You may have to sauté 3-4 sides of sticks or you can have your oven preheated to 400 and stick them in for 5 minutes at the end. I like sticking them in the oven so the family can all eat at one time. This worked well with uncut bread as well but my kids loved the sticks.

Grilled Dessert Pizza

Bribing my kids to NOT help in the kitchen. Grilled pizza dough -Pillsbury dough would work too- with butter instead of EVOO (stretch room temperature dough into desired shape and brush both sides with butter. Grill on high for 2-3 minutes then flip sides for 1 minute). You can also bake at 400 degrees for 8 minutes (one side). Layer with: Bananas Cinnamon sugar mixture Chocolate chips Powdered sugar Broil for 1 minute

Dessert Waffles

And then this happened! Thick and Fluffy Eggo Waffles (best ones out there) Banana Natural Peanut Butter Nutella Strawberries Powdered sugar

Easy Beignets

So delicious, so naughty, and way too easy!! These beignets are the perfect semi-homemade dessert and perfect for a special occasion! I made these for a fun New Orleans collaboration with @shabbyapple and love working with them!! 1 package flaky biscuits 1 C butter flavor shortening, for frying 8 tablespoons butter 1 C dark brown sugar, packed 3 Tb milk 1 tsp vanilla 1⁄4 C toasted walnuts, chopped Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add sugar and whisk until sugar melts and mixture begins to boil, about 5 minutes. Stir in milk, vanilla, and pecans until smooth. Set aside. Separate biscuits and cut into forths. In heavy bottomed skillet, melt the shortening over medium heat. Fry biscuit quarters in batches until golden on each side (this will take 30 seconds or so so watch and flip quickly. Dust generously with powdered sugar and serve with sauce. You can also reheat before serving if not eating right away.

Lemon and Pancetta Ziti Pasta

There is snow on the ground, and I feel the need to hibernate! This Lemon Pancetta Ziti pasta – is just what this weather calls for. I served it for my daughters first birthday and it was a big hit with the kids and adults. It’s comfort food with a touch of fresh spring flavor. 1 1/2 pounds ziti pasta 1 package diced pancetta (Trader Joes) 1-2 jars Alfredo sauce 2 lemons, juice and zest 1 C basil, julienned 3 Tb fresh thyme 1 C shredded Mozzarella 1 C shredded Parmesan 1 C Panko bread crumbs EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) S&P Boil pasta until al dente. Drain and put in casserole dish. Sauté pancetta until browned. Drain oil and set aside. In a sauce pan heat cream sauce. Add pancetta, basil, thyme, and zest of two lemons and S&P. Take off heat and add juice of 2 lemons. Top pasta with cream sauce. Combine bread crumbs, mozzarella, and Parmesan and add on top of pasta. Drizzle with EVOO. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until top is brown….

Pound Cake French Toast

En route to the Middle East today and thought I’d leave you with this parting recipe. Pass it along to your family for Mothers Day! Store bought pound cake, unsliced (I also used poppyseed so use your favorite). Egg milk cinnamon vanilla (use your normal egg mixture you use for French toast) Whipped cream Lemon Curd Fruit for topping Maple syrup Cut thick slices of pound cake and dip in egg mixture until soaked. Put on griddle for 2-3 minutes on each side or until cooked through. Add lemon curd to whipped cream (1-2 TB per 2 C of whipped cream). Smear plate with lemon curd, plate French toast and top with berries, whip cream, and maple syrup!

Frozen Dinner Roll Waffles

I dream up some crazy ideas! Any frozen dinner rolls should work. Let rise per package directions. Put risen rolls in waffle iron (it cooks very fast) top with whipped butter and honey or your favorite jam.

Creme Brûlée Doughnut

You guys! This should be called a Creme Brûlée doughnut! It’s crispy and sugary on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. Slice your favorite doughnut in half. Traeger or grill for 2-3 minutes on each side. Fill with homemade cinnamon whipped cream and strawberries! Cinnamon whipped cream- 1 quart of whipping cream 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon 2 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 C powdered sugar Blend in blender. (You don’t want the whipped cream too sweet because of the doughnut.)

PB & J Waffles

Oh my yum! Kodiak Power Cakes mix to package directions Add a heaping spoonful of Peanut Butter to the mix Once cooked add bananas, a little more peanut butter, and Raspberry syrup. Syrup- 1 part jam to 1 part maple syrup ETC. Make extra so you have some for tomorrow or to stick in the freezer.