Cook and Bake With Amra

Ingredients: 1 box (1 lb 2.4 oz) Betty Crocker™ Original Supreme Premium brownie mix Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box  Filling: 3 cups flaked coconut 1 cup slivered almonds, toasted 1/4 tsp almond extract 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated) Drizzle: 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1/2 tsp vegetable oil Directions: 1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. Make brownie batter as directed on brownie mix box for cakelike brownies. Spread batter in pan. Bake 26 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out almost clean. 2. Meanwhile, in large bowl, mix filling ingredients. Remove brownies from oven. Carefully spoon and spread filling evenly over brownies. Bake 15 minutes longer (filling will not brown). Cool completely, about 1 hour. 3. In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and 1/2 teaspoon oil o...

Ingredients: 4 Packages (10 ounces each) frozen raspberries, thawed and undrained 1 Can (6 ounces) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed 1 Bottle  (2 liters) ginger ale, chilled Directions: 1. In 4-quart Dutch oven, cook raspberries over medium heat 10 minutes, stirring frequently; cool slightly. Push through strainer with large spoon to remove seeds. Refrigerate raspberry juice at least 2 hours. 2. In punch bowl or large pitcher, mix raspberry juice and lemonade concentrate. Stir in ginger ale. Serve immediately over ice.                                                               Mine: Shown on the left

Really simple and delicious chili Ingredients: 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 medium yellow onions, medium dice 1 medium red bell pepper, medium dice 6 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped 1/4 cup chili powder 1 tablespoon ground cumin 2 pounds lean ground beef 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more as needed 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes 1 (14-ounce) can tomato sauce 2 (15-ounce) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed Directions:  1. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onions and bell pepper, season with salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes. 2. Add the garlic, chili powder, and cumin, stir to coat the vegetables, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the ground beef and measured salt and cook, breaking the meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until the beef is no longer pink, about 7 minutes. 3. Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker, add the diced tomatoes and their jui...

Ingredients: 500gr Mascarpone cheese (approx. 1 lb.) 6 pasteurized eggs 2 packages savoiardi lady fingers 3 Tablespoons sugar 2 shots Cognac or Brandy (2 oz)* 6 cups coffee, espresso sized cups (about 8 oz) 4 Tablespoons powdered unsweetened cocoa. * I substituted the alcohol with vanilla extract Directions: Bring all ingredients to room temperature. Make the espresso and poor it into shallow flat-bottomed bowl. Add one shot of cognac, one teaspoon cocoa, and allow to cool to room temperature.Separate egg yolks and whites. In the first mixing bowl, beat egg yolks and sugar until creamy white. Add mascarpone and 1 shot of cognac and mix until blended. Leave this mixture in the bowl.In the second mixing bowl, beat eggs whites until fluffy. If you use pasteurized eggs, this may take a while.Fold beaten egg whites into mascarpone mixture. Mix only enough to blend. Over mixing will deflate the egg whites.Quickly dip a savoiardi in the espresso bowl. To get the right amou...

These biscuits are really simple to make and don't take up too much time for a quick side dish. Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons shortening 3 tablespoons butter, cold 1 cup buttermilk 1 1/4 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese Directions:  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, garlic powder and salt. Cut in shortening and butter until coarse crumbs are formed. Lightly mix in grated cheese. Mix in buttermilk just until moist (dry spots here and there are ok – the biscuits will be tough if they are over mixed). 2. Drop the biscuits onto a greased or lined baking sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until browned and golden. 3. While the biscuits are baking, in a small bowl combine three tablespoons melted butter, 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley flakes, 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder and a pinch of salt. Right when the biscuits come out of the oven, brush the ...

Ingredients:  1 3/4 cups whole milk, at room temperature 1/3 cup sugar 1 1/4 -ounce packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons) 2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks softened, 1 stick melted) 6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons fine salt 1 large egg, lightly beaten Vegetable oil, for brushing Flaky sea salt, for topping Directions: 1. Heat 1/2 cup milk until lukewarm (105 degrees F to 110 degrees F). Pour into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, sprinkle in the sugar and yeast and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add the softened butter, about half each of the flour and remaining milk, and the fine salt; mix on medium speed until incorporated, about 1 minute. Add the egg and mix until incorporated, then add the remaining flour and milk; knead on medium-high speed until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the bowl, about 5 minutes (it will still be sticky). 2. Lightly brush a large bowl with vegetable oil and add the dou...