PEAR BREAD

I can't remember who gave me this recipe but I've had it in my collection for years and have never made it.  I haven't blogged since Valentines Day so I decided to give it a try.  It has an interesting combination of ingredients, especially the mango nectar, which by the way smells amazing while the bread is baking. This bread came out great,  super moist and flavorful.    Chunks of pear and the taste of mango nectar in every bite!  Thank you to who ever gave me this recipe.  It's a keeper.

Ingredients:
1/4 Cup Butter, Melted
2 Tsp. Baking Powder
1 Cup Mango Nectar
2 Large Eggs
2-1/2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/2 Cup Sugar

16 Ounce Cans Pears, Drained and Chopped

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.  In a large bowl, mix together the melted butter, mango nectar and sugar.  Beat with an electric mixer until the sugar dissolves.  While beating, add the eggs one at a time.  Add the flour mixture and thoroughly blend with a wooden spoon.  Stir in the chopped pears.  Pour into a greased and floured loaf dish.  Bake 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Makes One Loaf

Print Here 

Happy Valentines Day

Don't Forget The Pups, We Love Them Too!

Nothing says " I Love You" more than a bag of  homemade goodies, made with love of course. Another snowy day in New England, perfect baking weather, not that I consider myself a baker.  I would much rather make a tray of lasagna than a batch of cookies.  I consider myself more of a cookie tester than a baker.  My mom, my two sister's and my daughter... now they're bakers. 
For the cookies I used Jam Fig and Peach Mango for fillings.

 I'm a huge Ina Garten fan, so I used her recipe for Shortbread recipe.  Her recipe is by far the best.
Ina Garten's Shortbread Recipe


I also used Ina's recipe for  the White Chocolate Bark which is basically melted white chocolate sprinkled with anything you want on it before it sets.
Ina Garten's White Chocolate Bark
I covered my bark with shelled pistachios and dried cranberries.
The leftover cookie cut outs were dipped in melted Ghiradelli Chocolate and sprinkled with toasted, chopped pecans.  I also stuffed some with melted chocolate.  

February 13th, 2014
 I should probably take down my Christmas lights, ya think???

I

Sister Carole's Fish Chowder

 

This is my sister Carole's delicious recipe for Fish Chowder.  It cooks up pretty quick and is loaded with chopped clams, diced potatoes and flaky haddock.   What a great meal for any night of the week.  Thanks Carole!  Remember to do as she says in the directions below:
"Pour yourself some white wine and sip throughout the cooking process."


1 small onion chopped
2 potatoes, diced
2 TBS of butter
Chicken Broth
1 can of good quality chopped clams in juice
1 lb of haddock...
Sour cream
1 1/2 cup of milk
1/2 cup of light cream
S&P
Thyme
( I had left over bacon so I threw that in and some chopped celery.  Other than that, I followed it to a teeee).

Directions:
Pour yourself some white wine and sip throughout the cooking process.
Brown the onion in butter.
Add enough chicken broth to cover the potatoes and bring to a boil.
Add the clams with the juice. Layer the haddock on top of the potatoes.
Simmer for about 10 min. until potatoes are tender and haddock flakes.
Add the milk. I put in some light cream for added richness.
Toss in a dollop of sour cream on top. Finish with some S&P to taste and a pinch of Thyme.
Serve with hot rolls and oyster crackers.

Print Here

101 Household Tips For Every Room

My dad sent me this link today.  I've actually cut cherry tomatoes using the above method, it's a great time saver! Some of these ideas make me want to smack myself in the head and say " why didn't I think of that?"
 Click on the link below.  You won't believe how clever some people are!!

101 Household Tips For Every Room