Cook and Bake With Amra

Ingredients: 4 tbsp all purpose flour 2 tbsp brown sugar  1/4 tsp baking powder 3 tbsp low fat milk 1/8 tsp vanilla 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil 2 tbsp chocolate chips DIRECTIONS: Combine all ingredients except chocolate chips into a microwave safe mug. This is a small cake so you can use an 8 oz mug and it should just reach the top when finished cooking.  Mix with a small, sturdy whisk until a smooth batter forms and no lumps remain. Stir in half of the chocolate chips. Sprinkle remaining half over surface.  Cook in microwave for about 1 minute. Let cool a few minutes before eating. This took like 5 minutes to put together. Enjoy!

I made my usual entrees which were: Turkey, Stuffing, Corn, Mac & Cheese , Mashed Potatoes, Baked Potatoes, Bread Rolls, and Cranberry Jelly. My sister in law helped me and made some dessert and the bread rolls! I tried to challenge myself with the desserts. I made all different cheesecakes but, minis so you didn't have to commit to a huge piece. I made Mini Cheesecake Cupcakes , Oreo Cheesecake Bites , Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownie Bites , Turkey Leg Treats , Chocolate Covered Pretzels that were used for a design made to look like a turkey, Cucumber Bites , and Caprese Salad on a stick. Clicking on each dessert name will take you to the page of the recipe. Here are some pictures of the decorations and food.                                                                            ...

Simple to make, simple to eat Ingredients you will need: 2 – Cucumbers 12 – cherry tomatoes 4 oz. – cream cheese softened 1 tbsp. – mayonnaise 3 tbsp. – light ranch 1 tbsp. – frozen or fresh dill ¼ tsp. – garlic salt Black pepper for garnish 1. Wash, peel and slice cucumber into half inch slices. 2. Remove little insides of the cucumbers using a 1/2 tsp measuring spoon 3. Combine softened cream cheese, mayo, and ranch. Mix it until smooth 4. Add dill and garlic salt and mix until combined. 5. Pat dry your cucumbers so the topping will stick easier. Place topping into a piping bag with a star attachment. Pipe into each cucumber.                                           6. Cut cherry tomatoes in half and insert into each cucumber topping. 7. Sprinkle with black pepper, serve, and enjoy. Refrigerate until ready to serve.           ...

I found this idea on pinterest as well. It is also an easy one to make.  The most challenging part in this is molding the rice krispie around the pretzel. Ingredients:  6 pretzel rods 1 bag white candy melts 1 bag mini marshmellows (set aside 24) 8 cups Cocoa Krispies cerel 1/4 cup butter Directions: 1.Break the pretzel rods in half and melt the candy according to package directions. (I usually do 15-30 second intervals in the microwave, stirring well each time.) 2.Dip the smooth end of the pretzel rod and then press two marshmallows onto the end. Repeat until 12 "bones" are dipped. Let sit for about 5 minutes.                                     3. Dip the pretzels again, covering 2/3 of the rod. Let sit.                                      4.In a saucepan, melt the butter an...

I found this idea on pinterest and it was really creative so I wanted to try it. It's really simple but, you have to do some chocolate melting and that might get messy. Ingredients:  1 cup melting chocolates 16 pretzel rods sprinkles I did 4 of these so I used way more of each but feel free to make as many as you would like. 1. Melt chocolate according to package. You can either melt the chocolate on a double boiler pan or just in the microwave. To heat up in the microwave do so in small spurts of 15 seconds. Take it out and stir completely then do once or twice more. Be careful. If you overheat it you will burn the chocolate and it will not be useful anymore. 2. Dip the pretzel rods in the chocolate. Use a spoon and pour the chocolates as high as desired. Lay on a parchment lined tray. Top with sprinkles. I used a tall glass and poured the chocolate in it for easy dipping, then over a deep bowl added the sprinkles all around. Feel free to have fun! The last step is ...

The hardest part about this recipe is the piping if you do not have experience with it. No need to worry, you can easily use a small teaspoon to fill the brownies correctly. Ingredients: 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 Tablespoon red food coloring 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar 2 large eggs, lightly whisked 3/4 cup all-purpose flour Cheesecake Filling: 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened 3 Tablespoons sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 large egg yolk Mini Muffin Pan MAKE THE BROWNIE BATTER: 1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease a mini muffin pan with cooking spray. 2. In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, food coloring and salt until combined and then stir in the white vinegar. 3. Add the eggs and stir until combined. Fold in the flour just until combined. Set brownie mixture aside. MAKE THE CHEESECAKE FILLING: 1. ...

Note: Prepare to make this everyday after you make it because they are addicting. I have never made cheesecake anything before this. It isn't like your traditional cheesecake where you would need the pan. Ingredients: 36 OREO Cookies, divided 1/4 cup butter or margarine, divided 4 pkg. (8 oz. each) of cream cheese, softened 1 cup sugar 1 cup sour cream 1 tsp. vanilla 4 eggs 1/2 pound (8 oz) chocolate candy coating  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. 2. Line a 13x9" baking pan with foil, with ends extending over sides. Finely crush 24 cookies (I placed them in a food processor and crushed them finely). Melt 1/4 cup butter; mix with crumbs. Press onto bottom of prepared pan. 3. Beat softened cream cheese and sugar with mixer until blended. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each just until blended. Chop remaining 12 Oreo cookies. Gently stir into batter; pour over crust. 4. Bake for about 45 minutes or until center is almost set. Let cool (I stu...

These are really easy to make and delicious!  Ingredients:  1 cup graham cracker crumbs 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 16 ounces cream cheese, softened ½ cup sour cream ¼ cup granulated sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract caramel sauce or strawberry sauce for topping ( I made the strawberry one) Mini Cheesecake Cupcakes 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. 2. Line a muffin pan with paper liners. (I recommend using the paper liners over foil) 3. Combine graham cracker, butter and sugar in a small bowl. Texture should be similar to wet sand. Divide crust evenly into the bottom of the lined muffin tin. 4. Bake for 5-6 minutes or until golden brown. 5. Take out of the oven and cool completely. 6. Meanwhile assemble the cheesecake filling. Beat cream cheese in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. 7. Add in sour cream, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Mix until combined. Make sure to scrap the sides of the bowl. 8. Pour cheesecake mix...

1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rolls 8  frozen fully cooked chicken breast strips 1/3 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 1. Heat oven to 375F. Spray large cookie sheet with cooking spray. Separate dough into 8 triangles. 2. Place 1 chicken breast strip on each triangle; top with sauce and about 1 teaspoon cheese. Roll up loosely as directed on can. Place on cookie sheet. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. 3. Bake 14 to 16 minutes or until golden brown. I added bbq sauce the first time I made these. They might taste better without the sauce. You can spice the chicken anyway you want. Really quick and easy meal.

1 tbsp canola oil 1 lb top sirloin steak cut into 1 inch pieces or stew meat 1 tsp. dried basil 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper 2 garlic cloves,  minced 1 jar picante sauce 2 cans (14 1/2 oz) beef broth 1 pkg frozen vegetables for stew 1 can (15 1/2 oz) great northern beans, rinsed and drained 1 cup fresh baby spinach For the soup I made, I ommitted the stew vegetables and used potatoes. I also didn't have picante sauce so i used ancho chili powder. I cooked the potatoes separately and added them in after the broth. Heat the oil over medium-high heat.  Add steak, basil, ancho chili powder, and salt and pepper.  Stir-fry until meat is no longer pink, 4-5 mins; drain. Add garlic; cook 1 minute more. Stir in vegetables and picante sauce. Add broth; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until vegetables are tender 15-20 mins. Stir in beans; cook until heated through, 4-5 mins. Add spinach, cook until wilted, 1-2 mins. Here is how mine came out: ...

Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless, chicken, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 2 tbsp vegetable oil 1 onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 tsp ground chipotle pepper 2 tbsp ground cumin 1 tsp oregano 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp fresh ground black pepper cayenne pepper to taste 1 red bell pepper, seeded, diced 1 green bell pepper, seeded, diced 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded, diced 1 can (10-ounce) diced tomato with green chilies 4 cups chicken broth 2 (15 ounce) great northern, or navy beans, drained Cook chicken and while you do that in a bowl combine onion, garlic, chipotle pepper, cumin, oregano, cinammon, salt and pepper. Add that to the chicken and cook. Add the chicken broth, the peppers, and can of diced tomato.  Cook for 30 minutes on medium low.  Drain the beans and add into pot. Cook on simmer for another 30 minutes. Take a potato masher and smash the beans. 

Enough for about 48 mini Philly cheese steaks: 12 ounce skirt steak salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 1/2 cup of pickled pepper and onion relish or 1/2 cup of sautéed onions and sweet peppers For the sauce: 2 generous tablespoons flour 2 generous tablespoons butter 1 cup cold milk pinch of nutmeg pinch of cayenne salt to taste 2 thick slices provolone cheese (about 2 to 3 ounces), torn up 48 slices of baguette sliced or grated provolone to top the cheese steaks Brown the meat on stove top with onions, salt and pepper. Cut your baguette and warm them up in the oven if you'd like.   For the sauce: Melt the butter in a pan, then add the flour and stir quickly.  Continue stirring it as you add the milk in. The mixture will begin to thicken.  Add nutmeg, cayenne, salt and cheese. Stir  until bubbly.  To assemble: Spread some of the sauce on each slice of bread.  Top with the meat, and finally add a few small slices of cheese on top.  ...

This recipe makes 8 jumbo rolls but I made mine smaller and this can make 15 more or less depending on how much filling you use. This recipe is also way more advanced then others I have posted so if you decide to make it, watch a video on how to roll them and read the instructions over once. There is a lot of prep work involved.  Makes 8 Rolls 1 lb ground lamb, beef or half/half of each 1 cup rice 1/4 cup butter 2 tbsp olive oil 1/2 onion, diced 4 cloves garlic, crushed 2 tsp salt 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp cayenne pinch dried oregano 1/4 cup packed Italian parsley 1 cup tomato puree 3 1/2 cups chicken broth 1/2 onion sliced 1 head cabbage salt and pepper to taste Directions: 1. Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat; heat oil in the melted butter. Cook and stir 1/2 diced onion until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook and stir for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 teaspoon black pepper, cumin, cinnam...

Ingredients: 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for the pans 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the pans 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon fine salt 2 cups granulated sugar 1/2 cup vegetable oil 5 large eggs, at room temperature 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract 1 cup milk 3 tablespoons rainbow sprinkles  ( I used 4 because why not)  Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottoms and sides of cake pans; dust with flour, then tap out the excess. (I sprayed my pans with non stick spray and put parchment paper for easy clean up) Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl; set aside. Beat the butter, granulated sugar and oil in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light in color and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in the eggs, 1 at a time, then beat in the vanilla until combined. Alternate folding the flour mixture and milk into the batter with a sp...

Ingredients: 4 Chicken Fillets breast fillets  Mozarella Cheese Sliced Cherry Tomatoes sliced in half Basil Leaves whole leaves 2 tsp Ground Basil Pepper to season 2 tsp Olive Oil Directions:  Preheat oven to 350F Place each chicken breast on a cutting board and make sliced cuts across each fillet. Make each cut about 3/4 through the fillet, do not cut all the way through. Maker about 6 - 8 cuts depending on size of the fillet. Within each cut on the chicken fillet, place a slice of mozarella, a basil leaf and cherry tomatoes Place the chicken fillets in a baking dish, and brush with olive oil and sprinkle with ground basil and pepper. Place baking dish in oven and cook for approx 25 minutes. Remove from oven and serve with salad or vegetables.

Ingredients: 3 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 3 equal pieces 1 head garlic, cloves smashed and peeled 1 tablespoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried rosemary 4 cups low-sodium beef broth Coarse salt and ground pepper Directions: In a 5-to-6-quart slow cooker, combine beef, garlic, oregano, rosemary, and broth. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook on high until beef is tender and can be pulled apart with a fork, 6 to 7 hours. You can add anything else in there in terms of spices, and vegetables.

I enjoyed cooking and baking for Thanksgiving. I enjoy cooking a lot of food and feeding everyone. I always cook for 2 most of the time and you can't make that much food. This is just all the pictures of food and decoration. The recipes for everything is in the blog.

I made these three desserts for my brothers engagement and wedding last year. Not professional but I got the idea from Pinterest so I wanted to try it!                    First one is an engagement ring, second is a wedding dress and third one is a suit.                                      Doing the black frosting was a pain but, it was worth it.