Carrot Cake

Ingredients

Unsalted butter, for the pan
12 ounces, approximately 2 1/2 cups, all-purpose flour, plus extra for pan
12 ounces grated carrots, medium grate, approximately 6 medium
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 ounces sugar, approximately 1 1/3 cups
2 ounces dark brown sugar, approximately 1/4 cup firmly packed
3 large eggs
6 ounces plain yogurt
6 ounces vegetable oil
Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter and flour a 9-inch round and 3-inch deep cake pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.

Put the carrots into a large mixing bowl and set aside.

Put the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and process for 5 seconds. Add this mixture to the carrots and toss until they are well-coated with the flour.

In the bowl of the food processor combine the sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and yogurt.

With the processor still running drizzle in the vegetable oil. Pour this mixture into the carrot mixture and stir until just combined. Pour into the prepared cake pan and bake on the middle rack of the oven for 45 minutes. Reduce the heat to 325 degrees F and bake for another 20 minutes or until the cake reaches 205 to 210 degrees F in the center.

Remove the pan from the oven and allow cake to cool 15 minutes in the pan. After 15 minutes, turn the cake out onto a rack and allow cake to cool completely. Frost with cream cheese frosting after cake has cooled completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 ounces cream cheese

2 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

9 ounces powdered sugar, sifted, approximately 2 cups

In the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese and butter on medium just until blended. Add the vanilla and beat until combined. With the speed on low, add the powdered sugar in 4 batches and beat until smooth between each addition.

Place the frosting in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes before using.

Yield: approximately 2 cups

Source

Ranch Deviled Eggs

Directions

Mash 6 hard-boiled egg yolks, 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard and 1/4 cup ranch dressing. Fill the egg whites with the yolk mixture. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce and top with chopped scallions.

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Baked Salmon Steaks

Ingredients

3 salmon steaks (about 1/2 lb each)
lemon juice
Ritz crackers, crumbled
garlic and onion powder
3 pats butter (1 tablespoon each)
salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced

Spray a shallow sided aluminum baking pan with olive oil spray. Place fish steaks on pan. Sprinkle evenly with garlic and onion powder and a pinch each of salt and pepper.

In a microwaveable dish, melt butter; toss crushed crackers in butter. Sprinkle the cracker mixture evenly over the top of the fish. Sprinkle with minced parsley.

Broil (on the top rack), without turning, until the edges of the fish are browned and the flesh is a whitish pink (no longer clear) and it starts to look flaky when touched with a fork. This will take about 10-15 minutes, depending on your oven (or grill) and the size of the fish steak.

Squeeze lemon juice over top before serving garnished with a sprig of fresh parsley and lemon wedges.

A grill may be used instead of a broiler. Heat grill to at least 400°F on a gas grill, or if using briquettes, coals should be white hot.

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Roasted Asparagus

Ingredients

1 pound asparagus, trimmed
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Snap or cut the dry stem ends off each asparagus and place on a heavy baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss. Roast until the asparagus is tender, about 15 minutes. Cool slightly and serve warm or at room temperature.

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies

Ingredients

1 12-oz. pkg. miniature semisweet chocolate pieces
2 Tbsp. milk
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 recipe Filling

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Set aside 1/4 cup chocolate pieces to sprinkle on cookies. In microwave-safe bowl combine 1 cup of the chocolate pieces and 2 tablespoons milk. Microwave on 50 percent power (medium) 1 minute or until melted; stir once. Set aside.

2. In bowl beat butter and peanut butter with electric mixer until combine. Add sugar, soda, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; beat to combine. Add eggs, 1/2 cup milk, vanilla, and melted chocolate; beat until combined. Beat in cocoa powder and flour until combined. Stir in remaining chocolate pieces. Drop by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Sprinkle with reserved chocolate. Bake 9 minutes or until tops are set. Cool on sheets 1 minute. Transfer to wire racks; cool completely. To assemble, spread flat sides of half the cookies with Filling; top with remaining cookies.

3. Filling: In bowl beat 1 cup softened butter, 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 cup marshmallow creme, and 2 cups powdered sugar with electric mixer until combined. If needed, beat in 2 tablespoons milk until spreading consistency. Makes 30 servings.

Source

Edamame Ginger Dip

Ingredients

8 ounces frozen shelled edamame
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon tahini
1 clove garlic
1/8 teaspoon salt
Hot pepper sauce to taste

Preparation

Cook edamame according to package directions.
Puree the cooked edamame, water, soy sauce, ginger, vinegar, tahini, garlic, salt and hot sauce in a food processor until smooth.
Chill for 1 hour before serving.

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