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.