♥ White Chocolate Key Lime Pie

White Chocolate Key Lime Pie

1 cup whipping cream
1 bag white chocolate morsels
1 tablespoon sour cream1/3 cup key lime juice
Zest of one lime
one pre-packaged graham cracker crust
sliced limes and canned whipped cream for garnish

On the stove, heat whipping cream and morsels on medium heat, stirring continuously until melted, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add sour cream, key lime juice and lime zest. Stir well until smooth. Pour mixture into pie crust, cover and refrigerate for 6 hours or overnight. Garnish with dollops of whipped cream and lime slices.

♥ Pecan Upside-Down Cake

Pecan Upside-Down Cake

½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
½ teaspoon vanilla extract...
1½ cups cake flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons buttermilk
1 cup chopped pecans
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
¼ cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup pecan halves
1 recipe Brown-Sugar Brandy Sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Sift twice. Add fl our mixture to butter mixture, alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with fl our mixture. Fold in chopped pecans. In a medium bowl, combine melted butter and brown sugar, mixing well. Add cream, stirring until smooth.

Pour brown-sugar mixture into bottom of a 9-inch cake pan. Arrange 1 cup pecan halves in brown-sugar mixture. Spoon prepared batter over pecan halves. Bake until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of cake pan to loosen cake edges. Immediately turn cake onto a serving dish. Serve with Brown-Sugar Brandy Sauce if desired.

Brown-Sugar Brandy Sauce

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
¼ cup brandy
¼ cup heavy whipping cream

In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add brown sugar, whisking to combine. Add brandy, whisking to combine. Add cream, whisking until smooth. Cook, whisking frequently, until sauce is heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. Sauces can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave before serving.http://www.tasteofthesouthmagazine.com/content.aspx?id=21176

♥ Chicken 'N Dumplin' Soup

I love this soup! It's not my traditional chicken and dumplings that I made for dinner but close. This is a soup that is full of good things that comfort the soul on a cold winter day. I made this over the weekend and who's waiting for winter?

I am having it now as I type this up for you! 

Chicken 'N Dumplin' Soup

Soup

4 cups chicken stock or broth
4 carrots, diced small
1 stalks celery, diced small
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon oregano
2 cups chopped chicken breast (I use a rotisserie chicken)
1/2 cup heavy cream

For the soup: In a large pot or Dutch oven, over medium high heat, mix the chicken broth, carrots, celery, garlic, basil, oregano, and celery salt. Add the diced chicken and the cream and lower the heat to medium and simmer for at least 30-40 minutes until soup is thick and creamy. In the meantime, make your dumplings.

Dumplings:

2 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons butter, melted
3/4 to 1 cup milk

For the dumplings: For dumplings, combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Stir in egg, butter and enough milk to make a moist stiff batter. Set aside and when soup has finished cooking, drop dumplings teaspoonful's into soup. Cover and cook without lifting the lid for 18-20 minutes until dumplings are tender.

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♥ She's Strong

She's strong because she knows what it's like to be weak. She keeps her guard up because she knows what it's like to cry herself to sleep at night

♥ Fried Potato Pancakes

I love making these little potato pancakes as a side dish instead of french fries or baked potatoes. They are so easy to make and so crisp and delicious.

Fried Potato Pancakes

2 large russet potatoes (or a bag of refrigerated hash browns...)
½ large onion
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoons all-purpose flour
salt + pepper to taste
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
2 tablespoons of butter

If you are using whole potatoes, peel, rinse and then grate them or shred them over a large bowl. Then place them in a bowl of cold water and let them soak for a few minutes. Drain potatoes using a colander and then squeeze out as much water as you can by pressing them against the colander walls with paper towels. If you are using a bag of hash brown potatoes, you can skip the soak and just press squeeze the moisture out as much as possible.

In another bowl, grate onion on the smallest holes of the grater. Then mix in the potatoes, egg and salt and pepper and flour and mix well so that everything is blended together.

Heat oil and butter together in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Spoon potato mixture into oil and then flatten slightly with a spoon. I make mine small for a side dish but you can make them as large as you'd like. Fry until golden brown about 3 minutes, then flip over fry the other side. Remove potatoes from skillet and drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with fresh chopped chives and serve with a dollop of sour cream.

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♥ Buttermilk Fried Chicken Strips

I can remember whenever my Mom planned to fry chicken, she would always soak it first in buttermilk. It is truly amazing how that buttermilk breaks down the chicken and makes it so moist and tender. Don't worry, you don't taste the buttermilk. But you get the best fried chicken ever!  

 
Buttermilk Fried Chicken Strips

6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1 egg beaten
1 cup of butter milk
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
pinch of cayenne pepper (more if you want some kick)
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups of oil

Mix the egg, buttermilk and garlic powder, and cayenne and set aside. Place chicken in a large bowl or a large Ziploc bag. Pour buttermilk mixture over chicken and seal tightly. Keep in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours.

In a shallow dish used for dredging, mix the flour, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and baking powder. Remove chicken from refrigerator and shake off buttermilk mixture. Dredge chicken in flour and prepare to fry.

Heat oil in a large, deep and heavy skillet. I use cast iron for perfect even frying. When oil is hot and shimmering, carefully place coated chicken in hot oil and fry until golden brown and juices run clear. Drain on paper towels and serve with your favorite sauce. I serve mine with Sweet Baby Ray's Hickory and Brown Sugar Sauce.

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♥ Chocolate Eclairs with Vanilla Custard Filling

Why pay so much for pastries when you can make them at home yourself? An eclair like this one would be so expensive at a bakery or super market. These are really easy to make and of course out of this world delicious! Try them. By the way, you might want to click on this photo for drool mode...but first grab a napkin. 

Chocolate Eclairs with Vanilla Custard Filling

1 Cup of whole milk
1 Cup of heavy cream
1/3 Cup sugar
1 tablespoon of corn starch
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
4 egg yolks
1/2 Cup of butter
1 Cup of water
1 Cup of all purpose flour
4 large eggs
1 1/2 Cup of semi sweet chocolate chips

Custard:

Combine both the whole milk and the heavy cream in a saucepan and place over low heat for about 5 minutes. Do not allow it to boil or overcook. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a heatproof medium bowl, whisk egg yolks with a tablespoon of cornstarch and the sugar until well blended. Next whisk just a little of the warm milk with the egg mixture to temper the eggs. Then whisk in 1/2 cup and whisk constantly while doing so. Slowly pour the rest of the milk mixture over egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Add the mixture to your saucepan and over low heat, cook stirring constantly until sauce thickens and coast the back of a metal spoon. Watch your custard carefully so that it doesn't boil or overcook. Cover custard and set aside in the refrigerator to cool.

Puffed Pastry:

Next, make the pastries. Start by putting the cup of water and the 1/2 cup of butter in a medium saucepan and heat up until the butter is completely melted. Add the flour in and mix thoroughly until it becomes a round ball. Next add the dough to a big bowl and with a hand mixer on medium speed, add in the 4 eggs, one at a time until well blended with the dough.

Next, put dough in a piping bag or in a Ziploc bag with the corner snipped out. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper land pipe your eclairs to whatever size you want. I usually make mine about an inch wide and maybe 4 inches long. Bake in a 400 degree F preheated oven for about 20 to 25 minutes or until golden. Take out of oven and let them cool completely.

In the meantime, melt your chocolate in a small saucepan on low heat, mixing constantly. Pour your melted chocolate in a wide bowl for dipping your eclairs.

With a sharp knife, slice the top of your eclair from end to end, deep enough to be able to stuff it with a lot of custard but not all the way through. Put your custard in a piping bag and pipe your eclairs. Then you are ready to pick them up and dip the tops in chocolate. Place back on your parchment paper and allow them to set before serving. Oh Yum!

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♥ Panko Crusted Haddock

I love fried fish coated in light and crispy panko bread crumbs. I usually go with flounder or haddock because I like a mild white fish that is tender and flaky. 

It is important to make sure you buy fresh fish that has no smell whatsoever when you open the package. I get all my seafood at Costco because I know it is fresh, the skin and bones have been removed, and because the cost ends up being less than any place else. This haddock is just delicious and so easy to make.

Panko Crusted Haddock

4 fresh haddock fillets (or you can use cod, flounder or any other firm white fish)
1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
1 cup of heavy cream
1 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon of Old Bay Seasoning
salt and pepper to taste

Soak fillets in heavy cream for about 10 minutes. Mix panko with Old Bay and salt and pepper and set aside. Melt the oil and butter in large heavy skillet over medium high heat until hot and shimmering. Dredge fish fillets in panko mixture and pat down to get as much panko on as possible. Panko will stick nicely because you added the thick cream. Turn down heat to medium heat and fry until golden brown, about 3-5 minutes. It is easier to fry one or two fillets at a time so that you leave yourself enough room to turn them easily. Once fish is golden brown and crispy on the first side, use a wide spatula to flip to other side and do the same thing. At this point, fish is very flaky and tender and can break apart if you are not careful when turning. Allow fish to continue frying until it flakes easily and nice and golden brown. Remove from heat and serve.

Note: you can also bake this fish at 400 degrees for about 8-10 minutes but I prefer pan fried personally.

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♥ Panko Crusted Salmon in Lemon Cream Sauce

This is by far one of my personal favorites of all the recipes I share here at Welcome Home. I love the tender moist salmon with it's light and crispy panko coating. The sticky rice is perfect mixed with the rich lemon cream sauce. It's just awesome.

Panko Crusted Salmon in Lemon Cream Sauce

4 fresh salmon fillets (I buy Sockeye salmon at Costco)
2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
1 cup half and half or cream
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. If you have salmon fillets that still has the skin you will need to remove it or ask to have it removed at your seafood counter before purchasing. Place cream or half and half in a bowl and add the fillets to soak or marinade. Set aside for about 10 minutes.

In a large oven proof skillet, melt butter and olive oil over medium high heat. In a separate shallow bowl or pan, add your Panko and dredge the salmon fillets making sure to completely coat both sides well. I usually pack it on with my hands. Lay the fillets in the skillet and turn down your heat to medium so that you can brown your fillets on each side. Make sure you keep checking them as Panko can burn quickly....I usually cook mine for only about 2 minutes per side. You only want a light crispy golden crust on each side. Once you have browned the salmon to your liking, set skillet in the oven for no longer than 10 minutes until salmon is light and flaky in the middle.

Sticky Rice

2 cups long-grain white rice
3 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt

Place rice in fine-mesh strainer set over bowl. Rinse under running water, swishing with hands until water runs clear. Drain thoroughly. Bring rinsed rice, water, and salt to boil in saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook, uncovered, until water level drops below surface of rice and small holes form, about 5 minutes. Do not stir the rice as it cooks. Next, reduce your heat to low, cover your pot, and cook until rice is tender and water is fully absorbed, about 15 minutes. NOTE: You can buy frozen sticky rice already prepared and you can just pop it in the microwave for perfect sticky rice. It's called InnovaAsian Frozen Sticky Rice and you can find it at Wegmans.

Lemon Cream Sauce

1 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons fresh lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon of lemon pepper
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon minced parsley
½ teaspoon kosher salt

Place the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat- reduce by half. Add the remaining ingredients, and taste for seasoning. Pour sauce around sticky rice on dish for dipping with each bite!

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♥ Seared Sea Scallops with Lemon Cream Sauce

Sea scallops can be one of those delicacies that can either turn out perfect or into a complete disaster. If you sear them at just the right temperature for just the right amount of time, you will get a sweet and delicate dish to remember. This was my dinner tonight and they were perfect. Just the right amount of sear on the outside and so buttery, sweet, and tender on the inside.

Seared Sea Scallops with Lemon Cream Sauce

1 dozen fresh, large sea scallops
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Place a skillet on the stove over medium high heat. Add the 3 tablespoons of butter and one teaspoon of olive oil in the middle of the melted butter. Roll butter and oil around pan to coat.

Place the large sea scallops on a clean plate and pat as dry as you can with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Place the scallops, one at a time into the hot skillet. Sauté the scallops for a 2 minutes on each side until they become golden brown- make sure not to overcook them. They are opaque when cooked. Cook the remaining scallops, set aside.

For the Sauce

1 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons fresh lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon of lemon pepper
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon minced parsley
½ teaspoon kosher salt

Place the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat- reduce by half. Add the remaining ingredients, and taste for seasoning. Arrange the cooked scallops on a plate with the lemon sauce. Garnish with fresh lemon slices and chopped parsley.

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