My new favorite tasty beverage

The first time I tried Stirrings Simple Pomegranate Martini mix I got hooked. I don't drink this often, so when I decide to have a tasty hard alcoholic beverage, this is a top choice. It's tasty and smooth. Mix and match quantities to your liking.

Ingredients:

• Stirrings Simple Pomegranate Martini Mix (Available at most grocery stores and the liquor store)
• Grey Goose Vodka
• Ice
  

Beef with Broccoli

I created this recipe after deciding to find healthier ways to eat beef while incorporating a fresh vegetable. I avoided a traditional Chinese recipe that uses a lot of salt and unnecessary ingredients. I served this over brown rice. This is low in calories, low in fat and lower in sodium!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless round steak, cut into bite size pieces
• 4 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce (I use a low sodium brand)
  
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoon red chili paste
• 1 inch piece ginger, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium sized crowns of broccoli, cut into pieces
• 1 can water chestnuts
  

Directions:

1. Place cut pieces of beef in a gallon ziplock bag and add all ingredients except broccoli and water chestnuts. Squeeze all excess air out of the bag and squish the bag so the beef and marinade is well mixed. Let the beef marinade for at least 2 hours. The longer the better.
2. In a large pre-heated skillet add all the contents of the ziplock bag and saute until almost cooked. Add broccoli and chestnuts and cook until broccoli is tender, about 8 minutes. If the sauce is still slightly thin after everything is cooked, go ahead and thicken with cornstarch or flour. In order to thicken, you'll need to separate some of the broth into a small bowl, add cornstarch/flour until thoroughly mixed, then add this back into the skillet. The sauce will thicken once it boils again.
3. Serve hot over brown rice.
   

Regent Bakery & Cafe

Regent Bakery & Cafe
15159 NE 24th Street
Redmond, WA 98053
(425) 378-1498

My mom introduced me to this place a few years back, and I have to say, they probably have the best looking, the largest, best priced and most flavorful Hong Kong style pastries in Western Washington. Located in Redmond, WA near the Microsoft Campus, this place offers a large variety of baked goodies, drinks and smaller lunch/snack items (off a menu). I don't live near this place, but make an effort to stop by and pick up goodies before I head back to Spokane for visits with my family.

Baked Chicken Nuggets

I wanted to create a healthy baked chicken nugget to accompany the deep fried homemade fries Scott made, so here is what I created. These turned out really good!

Ingredients:

• 2 - Chicken breasts, cut into bite sized chunks
• Panko crumbs, about 1 1/2 cups
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon basil
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• Freshly ground pepper
• Flour to dredge chicken
• 1 egg
• PAM baking/cooking spray
  

Directions:

1. Combine all dry ingredients in medium bowl: panko crumbs, salt, thyme, basil, oregano, and pepper.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
   
3. In a small bowl, combine one beaten egg with about 2 tablespoons water.
   
4. Place chicken chunks and a handful of flour into a large ziplock bag, seal, and shake. Make sure each piece of chicken is thoroughly covered with flour.
5. Dip each piece of chicken in the egg wash, then dip into panko crumb mixture. Place each piece onto a cookie sheet. Once all have been dip and coated, spray the nuggets with PAM baking/cooking spray prior to baking.
6. Bake for 20 minutes.
   

Homemade French Fries

Crispy, golden brown, soft centered and double fried. French fries done by Scott. I usually avoid frying anything. :-)

Ingredients:

• Frying Oil (canola)
• Large russet potatoes, cut length wise
• Salt, for dusting

Directions:

1. Heat frying oil to 350 degrees.
2. Fry cut potatoes in oil until slightly golden. Remove from oil and lay flat on paper towels or drying rack covered with paper bags. Let the fries cool for a few minutes.
3. Once cooled, fry potatoes a second time until golden brown. This second fry will insure a crispy exterior and soft/cooked interior.
   

Creme Brulee

Recipe Courtesy of BHENGEN of Allrecipes.com

This recipe was good, but can definitely be better. It seemed that the custard didn't have much of a custard flavor. It was lacking in something, I'm just not sure what. I will be experimenting with this recipe to perfect it!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups heavy cream
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla (I added an additional 1/2 teaspoon)
• 3 eggs (I used 4)
• 4 tablespoons white sugar for topping

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) and line the bottom of a large baking pan with a damp kitchen cloth.
2. Bring a large pot of water to boil. While water is boiling, combine cream, 1/4 cup sugar and salt in saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally 4 to 5 minutes, until steam rises. In a medium bowl, beat egg yolks and vanilla until smooth. Pour hot cream into yolks, a little at a time, stirring constantly, until all cream is incorporated. Pour mixture into four 6 oz. ramekins.
3. Place ramekins on towel in baking dish, and place dish on oven rack. Pour boiling water into dish to halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Cover whole pan loosely with foil.
4. Bake 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until custard is just set. Chill ramekins in refrigerator 4 to 6 hours.
5. Before serving, sprinkle 1 tablespoon sugar over each custard. Use a kitchen torch or oven broiler to brown top, 2 to 3 minutes.

The BEST French Toast EVER

We had a craving for french toast, so we did what we do best and created a recipe! This is so good, you will not be disappointed!! For best results, let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes so all the flavors can incorporate. Best served with fresh fruit, butter, and syrup!

Ingredients:

• Texas toast bread
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 pinch salt
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup half and half (or milk of your choice)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• pinch of nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons white sugar

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt, eggs, half and half, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and nutmeg. Whisk until well blended and smooth and let sit for a few minutes.
2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium heat.
3. Soak bread slices in mixture until saturated. Cook bread on each side until golden brown. Serve hot.

Buttery Soft Pretzels

Recipe Courtesy of Christa Rose from Allrecipes.com

At the time I made these I only had whole wheat flour on hand so the recipe outcome definitely was not the same. If I make these again, I will definitely be using white flour.

Ingredients:

• 4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon white sugar (or honey)
• 1 1/4 cups warm water
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 4 cups hot water
• 1/4 cup kosher salt, for topping

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center; add the oil and yeast mixture. Mix and form into a dough. If the mixture is dry, add one or two tablespoons of water. Knead the dough until smooth, about 7 to 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
3. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). In a large bowl, dissolve baking soda in hot water.
4. When risen, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and twist into a pretzel shape. Once all of the dough is all shaped, dip each pretzel into the baking soda solution and place on a greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes, until browned.