SANDRAS STAPLE HOMEMADE CHEDDAR CHEESE SAUCE

A simple method to make a
full-bodied cheddar cheese sauce for
an addition to steamed broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus,
and many other side dish or appetizer options...

Yields: (Appx. ¾ cup)
Prep: 5 mins. |
Cook 8 to 10 mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS:

1-1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1-1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese; grated
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric - optional (Beautifully enhances the ‘yellow’ color without changing flavor; adding a healthy note)

METHOD:

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and seasonings and let the ‘flour flavor’ cook out for a couple of minutes (do not let mixture brown though); gradually add the milk while whisking constantly, until well blended. Turn off heat, and add cheese and turmeric, whisking until smooth.

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SANDRAS GRILLED LOBSTER TAILS with CITRUS BUTTER FILLET MIGNON and ASPARAGUS

Our tradition is to serve this decadent 
meal on Valentines Day ~
(It would also be most suitable 
for any other special occasion)...

Servings (2)
Grill: Lobster tails-15 Mins. |
Steaks-8 Mins.

Posted: by Sandra

--Prep: Begin aerating a quality Pinot Noir, and set out steaks and lobster tails for 30 minutes prior to grilling to reach room temp.

INGREDIENTS:

· 2 lobster tails, butterflied (6 to 8 ounces each)—thaw, if frozen

***Sauce:
· 2 tablespoons butter , melted
· 1 teaspoons lemon juice
· 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
· pinch of kosher salt
· dash ground ginger
· dash paprika
· dash of hot sauce
· lemon wedges

· 2 fillet mignon steaks, (pat dry with paper towel before grilling)

***Seasonings:
· grilling seasoning (your favorite brand)
· worcestershire sauce
· olive oil

---Prepared steamed asparagus

METHOD

Preheat grill to medium-high heat, or preheat oven to broil, but cook 8 to 10 inches from heat.

Combine melted butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, ginger, paprika, and hot sauce.

Brush the both sides of steaks with olive oil, liberally rub with grill seasoning, and sprinkle with worcestershire sauce.

Place a metal skewer through the length of each lobster (keeps them from curling while grilling), and brush with butter sauce; place on grill shell side up, and close lid.  After 7 minutes brush with butter sauce again. At this time, add the steaks to the grill and, cover, and cook on the first side for 4 minutes. Turn over with tongs, and continue cooking, covered, for 4 more minutes, or until done to your desired tenderness.

Remove both steaks and lobster tails, and cover loosely with foil and let stand for 5 minutes for juices to redistribute. Serve your grilled steak and lobster with lemon wedges, steamed asparagus, and glasses filled with Pinot Noir.

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TIP: Watch to make sure the lobster does not burn. Meat should be opaque and flake easily.

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SANDRAS DELICATE HOMEMADE CREAM CHEESE PIE CRUST

This provides for a very delicate
pie crust that youre sure to love...

Yields: (2 pie crusts)

Prep: 15 mins. |
Refrigerate: about 1.5 hrs.

Posted:by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

***Two-crust pie

12 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1-1/2 (3 oz.) small pkgs. of ‘cold’ cream cheese

2 tablespoons ice water

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

METHOD

Place a medium-mixing bowl in the freezer to chill.

Cut the butter into small (about 3/4-inch) cubes. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes.

Place the flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl and whisk to combine.  Add the cream cheese and rub the mixture between your fingers to blend the cream cheese into the flour until it resembles coarse meal.  Spoon the mixture, together with the cold butter, into a large ziploc bag, and press out air from the bag, and then close it.  Use a rolling pin to flatten the dough inside the bag.  Place the bag in the freezer for at least 10 minutes, just until the butter is very firm.

Transfer the dough to the chilled bowl, scraping the sides of the bag.  Set the bag aside.

Sprinkle the dough with the water and vinegar, tossing lightly with a rubber spatula. Divide the dough in half, and place in two separate large ziploc bags.  Holding both ends of the bag opening with your fingers, knead the mixture by alternately pressing it, from the outside of the bag, with the knuckles and heels of your hands until the mixture holds together in one piece and feels slightly stretchy when pulled.  Repeat with other bag of dough.

Close each bag, and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes, preferably overnight. Roll out as you would for a standard pie crust.

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SANDRAS PUMPKIN PIE SPICE BLEND

A perfect blend of spices
that youll find I refer to in many
of the recipes posted on this site...

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons ground cinnamon

1-1/2 tablespoons ground ginger

1-1/2 teaspoons ground cloves

1-1/2 teaspoons ground allspice

1-1/2 teaspoons freshly grated nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon of ground cardamom

METHOD

Mix all ingredients in a small bowl until well combined.

Store in a “labeled” airtight container in your pantry.

You are able to add this to many baking recipes, such as homemade fruit and berry pies, cookies, cakes, and many
other dishes (I feel that this blend is much improved over
the store-bought brands).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TIP: When using dry spices place in palm first and rub with finger to activate oils before adding to recipes.

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SANDRAS FRESH RASPBERRY SAUCE or PUREE For Desserts or Savory Dishes

A wonderful sauce
or puree
to incorporate into
sweet desserts
or savory dishes...

Prep. 3 Mins.
Cook: 5 to 10 Mins.
Puree/Strain: 5 Mins.



INGREDIENTS

1 pint fresh raspberries, or frozen
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons orange juice
pinch of kosher salt
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup cold water


METHOD

Combine raspberries, brown sugar, orange juice, 

and kosher salt in a cold saucepan. 

Whisk the cornstarch in a small bowl with the cold water until smooth, and add the slurry to the saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until reduced and your desired consistency is reached, noting that the sauce will thicken further as it cools. 

Puree sauce in

blender 

or with a 

handheld immersion 

blender.

Strain puree through a fine sieve, 

using a spoon to push all it through, while retaining seeds. 

Serve warm or cold.

Any leftover puree will keep in the 

refrigerator for up to two weeks. – Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tip: This puree is excellent to incorporate into many dessert recipes, such as parfaits, trifles, smoothies, drizzle over ice cream, bars, cookies, between cake layers, as a syrup for pancakes and waffles, under/over crepes, and so much more, including as a condiment with pork, ham, and so on.

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SANDRAS MARVELOUS MOOSEY MINI MEATBALL OPEN FACED SUBS

A wonderful and very comforting meal
served with local Alaskan Summer beer.
This marinara sauce will end up being your
favorite of all time,
Im sure...

Yields: (8, 6" long sub halves)
Prep: 15 Mins. 

Bake: 15 Mins. (Meatballs)
Bake: 5 to 7 Mins. (French Bread halves)
Simmer: 30 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

1" Mini-Meatballs:
--(Yields: 48 mini-meatballs)
1 lb. extra-lean burger (I used moose) 

1 large egg, slightly beaten

2 tablespoons milk

1/2 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs), or regular
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 garlic clove, minced

3 tablespoons red onion, finely minced

½ teaspoon ground mustard

½ teaspoon celery seeds

kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Be sure to have
Alaskan Summer Beer
on hand...

Marinara Sauce:
--(Yields: 5 cups)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
Pinch of red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning herbs
2 teaspoons onion granules
1 (14 oz. can) Italian stewed tomatoes, with juices, broken into small pieces
2 (14 oz. cans) tomato sauce
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons aged balsamic vinegar

Subs:
1 (2 long) bakery-prepared french loaf
2 cups shredded mozzarella
2 cups shredded romaine

METHOD

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with tin foil, spray with oil, and set aside.

In a medium bowl, mix together burger, beaten egg, milk, panko, parmesan cheese, minced garlic, minced onion, ground mustard, celery seeds, kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper. Roll into 1” balls (I do so using a small scoop to ensure meatballs are of uniform size).

Par-bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, turning once half way through.

Meanwhile, in a heavy-bottom large saucepan heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, saute for 30 seconds.  Add the Italian seasoning, and onion granules.  Pour in tomatoes with juices, tomato sauce, honey, and kosher salt; bring sauce to a boil. Reduce heat to low, then stir in  balsamic vinegar.

Add the par-baked meatballs, and gently fold to coat with sauce. Simmer, uncovered, on low for 30 minutes, while occasionally folding to continue to coat meatballs with sauce.

In the meantime, slice the french loaf in half lengthwise, and remove a bit of bread in the middle to form a slight well, then cut each half into quarters crosswise (ending up with 8 halves). Place on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake for 5 to 7 minutes until slightly crispy and golden.  

Spread a layer of shredded romaine among each loaf half, generously top with mini-meatballs and sauce, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella. 

Serve with plenty of napkins. ~ Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tip:  The mini-meatballs and marinara sauce would also be fabulous if you wish to serve it over prepared spaghetti noodles.

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