Cook and Bake With Amra

Ingredients 2 tbsp butter 1/4 tsp garlic powder 1/4 tsp white pepper 1/4 tsp paprika 1/4 tsp mustard powder Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 c heavy cream, room temperature 8 oz Colby Jack cheese, shredded 4 oz sharp Cheddar, shredded 1 lb baby shell pasta Directions In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the garlic, white pepper, paprika, mustard powder. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Cook for a few minutes to let the flavors bloom, and then slowly stir in the heavy cream.  Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and cook until slightly thickened, about 8 minutes. Add the cheeses and stir until melted, then remove from heat. Stir in the pasta and toss until thoroughly combined. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.                                              Here is how mine turned out:  ...

Ingredients Cake: 1 cup vegetable oil, plus more for greasing the pans 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for dusting the pans 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon fine salt 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, roughly chopped 2 cups granulated sugar 3 large eggs, at room temperature 1 cup milk Filling: 1 1/2 cups pecans 1 cup milk 3 large egg yolks 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/4 cup corn syrup 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon fine salt 1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut Directions 1. Special equipment: a pastry bag fitted with a star tip For the cake:   1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat two 9-inch round cake pans with oil and dust with flour. Whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a small bowl; set aside. 2. Microwave the chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl on high power for 45 seconds; remove and stir. Microwave again at high power in 30-second...

Ingredients Egg Rolls: 1 lb ground beef ½ medium yellow onion, minced 1 Tbsp vegetable oil for cooking Salt and fresh cracked black pepper 5 slices American cheese ½ cup diced pickles 13-14 egg roll wrappers 1 egg white Oil for frying Sauce: ¼ cup mayo 1 Tbsp tomato paste 1 garlic clove, pressed 1 tsp paprika Salt and fresh cracked black pepper Instructions 1. Preheat a medium cooking pan over medium heat. Add a tablespoon of oil and minced onion. Saute until onion is translucent. 2. Add ground beef to the pan and break it up as much as possible. Season with some salt and pepper, cover and cook until meat starts to brown. Stir well and make sure to keep breaking up all the meat clumps as it cooks. Drain off all the juices and place cooked meat into a mixing bowl. 3. Break up cheese and add it to the bowl. Mix until all the cheese is melted and evenly incorporated. 4. Stir in pickles. 5. Heat up oil to about 350 degrees as you roll the egg rolls. Gently whisk egg while and set it cl...

Ingredients 8 (10-inch) flat wooden skewers 3 firm white bread slices, torn into small pieces 1 1/2 pounds ground beef 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper Vegetable cooking spray 8 pita rounds, warmed Salad Ingredients 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano 1 1/2 pounds cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and sliced 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves 2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese Yogurt Tahini Sauce Ingredients 3/4 cup Greek yogurt 1 garlic clove, minced 2 tablespoons tahini 1 tablespoo...

Ingredients:  1 1/4 Cup butter, softened 2 1/4 Cup powdered sugar 1 Tsp baking powder  1/2 Tsp salt 1 Tsp peppermint extract  1 Tsp vanilla 1 Egg 2 1/2 Cups all-purpose flour  1/2 Cup finely crushed striped round peppermint candies (about 18) 48 Red maraschino cherries with stems Directions:   1. Preheat oven to 350F. In large mixing bowl beat butter for 30 seconds on high.  Gradually beat in 1 1/2 cups of the powdered sugar, the baking powder, and salt. Beat in peppermint extract, vanilla, and egg. Beat in as much of the flour as you can; stir in remaining flour and candies.  2. Place remaining 3/4 cup powdered sugar in a shallow dish. Shape dough in 1 inch balls; roll in powdered sugar.  Press each ball into the bottom and sides of a 1 3/4-inch muffin cup.  3. Place cherry, stem side up, in each cup.  Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until pastry is browned. Sprinkle with coarse sugar. Cool 5 minutes in pan and tra...

Ingredients:  1 3/4 Cup ( 3 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened 2 3/4 Cups granulated sugar 8 Eggs 1 Tsp Orange extract 2 Tsp grated orange rind 3 Cups all-purpose flour 1 Tbsp baking powder 1 Tsp salt 3/4 Cup fresh orange juice Drizzle:  3/4 Cup confectioners sugar 1 Tbsp orange  juice plus 1 Tsp water Directions: 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Butter and flour 10- inch tube pan.  Tap out excess flour. 2.  Beat butter in bowl until creamy.  Gradually beat in sugar until fluffy, scarping down bowl.  Add eggs, one at a time. Beat in extract and rind. 3. Combine flour, baking powder and salt in small bowl.  Gradually beat into butter mixture on medium speed, alternating with orange juice. Beat 2 minutes, scarping down bowl occasionally, until thick and creamy.  Pour into prepared pan. 4. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Lower heat to 300 degrees. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  Cool for...

Ingredients:  1 Cup Pineapple juice 1/2 Cup fresh pineapple, large dice 1 Cup low-sodium soy sauce 1/2 Cup granulated sugar 1 Tbsp minced garlic 1 Tbsp minced ginger 1 to 1 1/2 lbs skirt steak Directions:  Place first 6 ingredients into a bowl and mix well. Place skirt steaks into marinade and marinate for 1 to 2 hours Preheat a grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grill grates Remove steaks from marinade, pat dry and grill to your liking, along with the pineapple chunks. Makes 4 servings.

Ingredients:  3 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 2 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp baking soda 3/4 tsp salt 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar 3 large eggs 1 Tbsp milk or buttermilk 1 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla 2 tsp lemon juice 5 tsp red food coloring 1 cup white chocolate chips 1 cup powdered sugar Directions: In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt for 30 seconds, set aside.  In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy.  Mix in eggs 1 at a time, blending until combined after each addition. Mix in milk, vanilla bean paste, lemon juice and red food coloring.  With mixer set on low speed, slowly add in dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Stir in white chocolate chips.  Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill 2 hours or until firm enough to shape into balls. Pr...

Ingredients:  1 cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons light corn syrup or golden syrup 1/4 cup water 2 tablespoons butter 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 cup broken-up chunks of thin salted pretzels 3/4 cup roasted salted peanuts 3/4 to 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips Directions:  1. Either grease a large cookie sheet or line it with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat. Get all of your other ingredients ready; you’re going to need to add them quickly in a few minutes, and you won’t have time to hunt and measure.  2. Combine sugar, corn or golden syrup and water in a medium saucepan, stirring just until sugar is wet. Attach a candy thermometer and heat over medium-high heat, without stirring, until mixture reaches between 300 and 305 degrees F. If you don’t have a candy thermometer, you’re looking for a small amount of the mixture dropped into cold water to separate into hard, brittle threads. This takes exactly 9 minutes on my stove. 3. Remove from heat and quickly sti...

Ingredients: BISCOTTI 2 cups + 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour (plus more for your hands) 1 Tablespoon unsweetened natural or dutch processed cocoa 1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed 3 large eggs 2 Tablespoons instant coffee dissolved in 2 Tablespoons warm water 1 Tablespoon canola or vegetable oil 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup mini chocolate chips egg wash: 1 large egg beaten with 1 Tablespoon milk TOPPING 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside. 2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt together. Using a pastry cutter or 2 knives, cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbly. Set aside.  3. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, instant coffee...

Decorating Batter Ingredients: 1 C. Flour 3/4 C. Powdered sugar 7 tblsp. butter 3 Eggs 1 Red Food Coloring 1 Blue Food Coloring 1 Black Food Coloring Roll Cake Ingredients: 4 Eggs 1 tsp. Cream of tartar 1/2 C. Sugar 4 tblsp. Butter or Margarine 3/4 C. Flour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKPBLzsXJZk This is how mine came out: If you would like to try it click the link above and don't forget to sub to her! She has great recipes

Ingredients: 1/4 cup olive oil 4 garlic cloves 1 tblsp paprika 1 tsp. ground cumin 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper 1/2 cup plain yogurt 4 chicken breast halves 1 15oz. can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed 1 12oz container cherry tomatoes 1 cup chopped parsley Directions: Pre-Heat oven to 450F.  Mix 1st 5 ingredients in a medium bowl.  Pour 1 tsp. spiced mixture into small bowl.  Whisk in yogurt and set aside for sauce. Place chicken on large rimmed baking sheet.  Rub 2 tbsp. spiced oil mixture over chicken.  Add beans, tomatoes, and 1/2 cup cilantro to remaining mixture.  Toss to coat.  Pour mixture around chicken. Sprinkle everything with salt and pepper. Roast until chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes.  Sprinkle with 1/2 cup cilantro. Transfer chicken to plates.  Spoon bean mixture over. Serve with yogurt sauce. Makes 4 servings                         ...

These chewy bars are seriously addicting. They're really easy to make but good luck trying to stop yourself from eating the whole batch by yourself. Ingredients: 2 Cups graham cracker crumbs 1 stick butter, melted 1 can 14oz. sweetened condensed milk 1/2 cup butterscotch chips 1/2 semi sweet chocolate chips 1 cup coconut flakes 3/4 cup chopped nuts Directions: 1. Mix graham crackers and butter. Spread into greased 11X7 baking pan.  Pour condensed milk over the crumbs, spread to edges.  Top with chips, coconut, and nuts. Press firmly into milk. 2. Bake 20-25 minutes at 350 3. Cool in pan. Cut into bars and enjoy!                                                   Here's how mine came out:

For the Cupcakes: 1½ cups all-purpose flour 1½ cups cake flour 1 tablespoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature 1¾ cups granulated sugar 4 eggs, at room temperature 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1¼ cups whole milk For the Seven-Minute Frosting: 1½ cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided 2/3 cup water 2 tablespoons light corn syrup 6 egg whites, at room temperature For the Garnish: 2 tablespoons granulated sugar ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Sift together both flours, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. 2. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla. Reduce the speed to low. Add the flour mixture in three batches, alternating with ...

This was my first time making wings of any kind so I wanted to make sure they came out good and that the sauce would stick to the wings. GOOD LUCK! Ingredients:  24 Wings BBQ sauce of your choice 1 cup Flour  2 Eggs 1 tblsp water Salt & Pepper 2 tblsp Corn Starch Vegetable Oil or frying oil of your choice Cooking spray Directions: Wash and dry your wings and prepare to cut. When you buy chicken wings from a meat counter, they will consist of three segments: the drum, the flat, double-boned "wing" part, and the tip. Begin by removing the smallest of the three segments, the wing tip. Look for the knuckle; ideally, that's the best spot to disengage the tip from the rest of the wing. Next, remove the drumstick-shaped segment (called the drummette) from the midsection of the wing. You will get 3 parts of the wing as shown below: In one bowl add a cup of flour, corn starch, salt, and pepper and set aside. In another add 2 eggs with a...

Ingredients:  16 pieces String Cheese, Removed From Wrappers ½ cups All-purpose Flour 2 whole Eggs 3 Tablespoons Milk 1 Tablespoon Dried Parsley Flakes Canola Oil, For Frying Marinara Sauce, For Dipping 2 cups Panko Bread Crumbs Directions: 1. Slice string cheese pieces in half, for a total of 32 pieces. 2. Place flour in a small bowl. 3. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and milk. 4. In another separate bowl, combine panko bread crumbs with parsley flakes. TO ASSEMBLE: One by one, roll mozzarella sticks in flour, then dunk in egg/milk mixture, then place in panko crumbs. Use your hand to sweep crumbs all over the mozzarella stick. Gently remove and place on a tray or cookie sheet. Repeat until all mozzarella sticks are coated. Place tray in freezer for 20 to 30 minutes to flash freeze. TO COOK: Heat 1 1/2 inches canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When hot, add mozzarella sticks 8 at a time. Watch closely and turn over to evenly brown, cooking less than 2 minutes. ...

Ingredients: 2 Tablespoons Butter 2-1/2 pounds Ground Beef 1/2 whole Large Onion, Diced 1 whole Large Green Bell Pepper, Diced 5 cloves Garlic, Minced 1-1/2 cup Ketchup 1 cup Water 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar 2 teaspoons Chili Powder (more To Taste) 1 teaspoon Dry Mustard 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (more To Taste) Worcestershire Sauce, To Taste 2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste (optional) Tabasco Sauce (optional; To Taste) Salt To Taste Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste Kaiser Rolls Butter Directions: 1.Add butter to a large skillet or dutch oven over medium high heat. Add ground beef and cook until brown. Drain most of the fat and discard. 2. Add onions, green pepper, and garlic. Cook for a few minutes, or until vegetables begin to get soft. 3, Add ketchup, brown sugar, chili pepper, dry mustard, and water. Stir to combine and simmer for 15 minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste. Also add tomato paste, Worcestershire, and Tabasco if desired. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed...

This recipe was so cool to make. I did not put the olives because we are not fans of them Ingredients: 3 tubes Pillsbury refrigerated crusty French loaf 1 egg mixed with a splash of water 1 pound ground beef 2/3 cup water 1 package Old El Paso taco seasoning mix 1 (16 ounce) can Old El Paso refried beans 1 (4.5) ounce can Old El Paso chopped green chiles 1 cup diced tomatoes 1/2 cup chopped black olives 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 4 ounces Monterey Jack Cheese 1/3 cup sour cream Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 2. Unroll one tube of bread dough onto a non-stick tin foil lined or parchment paper lined baking sheet. 3. Set another roll of bread, on top of the unrolled dough, forming one side of a football. 4. Set the other roll of dough opposite the first. Press the seems together. 5. Brush egg wash over the football shaped bread bowl. 6. Trim around the edge of the football removing the extra dough. 7. Use that extra dough to make the stripe...

Ingredients:  1 (8-ounce) block reduced-fat cream cheese, roughly cut into 1-inch cubes 4 ounces crumbled blue cheese 3 cups diced or shredded cooked chicken 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese 1 cup hot sauce (or less if you don't like it as spicy) 1 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream 1/2 cup thinly-sliced green onions (about 3 green onions) 1 Tablespoon ranch seasoning (optional toppings: extra crumbled blue cheese, thinly-sliced green onions, chopped celery, and/or a drizzle of hot sauce) Directions: 1. Spray the inside of the bowl of your slow cooker with cooking spray. 2. Add all ingredients to the bowl of the slow cooker, and stir until combined. (You can also stir the ingredients together in a separate bowl, and then transfer that to the bowl of the slow cooker afterwards.) 3. Cook on high for 1.5 - 2 hours, or until the cheeses are all melted. (Alternately, you can also cook this on low for 3-4 hours, or until the cheeses are all melted.) Give the dip a good f...