Orange Ricotta Cookies Recipe • A Festive Treat! | Club Foody

On Christmas’ Eve, it’s important to have a plate of cookies and a glass of milk near the tree for Santa 🎅! It’s a delicious way to show him gratitude… No, really joking aside! Christmas without any cookies is not the same. It’s a worldwide tradition!
 
The most well-known traditional cookies are Gingerbread, Sablé Breton, Biscotti, Alfajores, Thumbprint, Krumkake, Pfeffernüsse, Spitzbuden or Linzer, Rugelach, Sugar Cookies, and many, many more! One that I love 💖 baking for the Holidays is Orange Ricotta Cookies!
 
These are light, fluffy and so yummy! They’re easy to make and set the tone perfectly for the Holidays! The orange glaze gives a nice citrus 🍊 tone to those little guys! This recipe makes 36 cookies but I’m warning you, there’s never enough around!
 
The recipe is easy but it takes time to make them…
First, they’re chilled for 30 minutes which improves the flavor and also prevents the cookies from spreading too much. After they’re baked, it’s very important to allow them to cool to room temperature before icing, about 1.5 hours ⏰. When they’re glazed, they have to dry completely, giving another 3 hours of passive time. All that anticipation is sooo worth it!
 
I’ve been baking 👩‍🍳 these Orange Ricotta Cookies for years therefore I had time to experiment with different temperatures and baking times.
– I tried 350ºF with the rack positioned in the middle of the oven – the bottom of the cookies was way too dark even when rotating the sheets halfway through.
– I reduced the heat to 325ºF and they took much longer to bake, 20 minutes, still with a darker bottom.
 
What I find works the best is to position the rack on the top 3rd of the oven and bake for 15 minutes, rotating the sheets halfway through cooking. These delicate cookies are far enough from the heat source 🔥 therefore giving a beautiful end result!
 
They can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. They also freeze very well for up to 2 months 📆.
 
Incredibly light and tasty, these festive Orange Ricotta Cookies are perfect for the Holidays 🎄! With a delicious citrus glaze, these little guys are a nice change from other traditional cookies. Make sure to bake a couple batches as they disappear pretty fast…
Bon Appétit! 🍽
Here are several flavorful Holiday recipes for you to enjoy… 😀
– Gougères aka Cheese Puffs
– Scallops and Roasted Chestnut Soup
– Pork Stew with Meatballs ~ Ragoût de Boulettes & Pattes de Cochon
– Holiday Aperol Spritz
– Russian Deviled Eggs • Oeufs à la Russe
– Paella de Marisco
– Chocolate Rum Snowballs
– Homemade Holiday Eggnog
and for even more Christmas recipes 🎄🎅🎁, click on this link… Recipe Category • Holidays & Events

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/orange-ricotta-cookies/

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German Gingerbread Spice • Lebkuchengewürz - Tips & Tricks | Club Foody

 

I like making my own spice blends. There are a few reasons why. First, I can recycle my spices by making other blends. Second, I portion enough for what I need therefore it doesn’t lose any potency over time. Lastly, it’s cheaper 💰 to make them from scratch.
 
I have a bunch of spices in my drawer so to prevent them from expiring by losing their flavor and aroma, I mix 👩‍🍳 them to create other blends. It can be Herbes de Provence, Italian or Greek Seasoning, Montréal Steak Spice, Pumpkin Pie Spice, etc.
 
When my mother-in-law gave me one of her cookie recipes which was Pfeffernüsse, first, I had to make a spice blend. It was German Gingerbread Spice • Lebkuchengewürz! After making it, I was transported straight to the Holidays 🎄.
 
It’s interesting that simply from a smell 👃, it can take you to a place you’ve been, remind you of a person, an event or put you in a certain mood. This spice blend does it! It smells like Christmas! The beautiful fragrance of it is so Holiday-ish!
 
When shopping 🛒 for German Gingerbread Spice • Lebkuchengewürz either online or at specialty stores, the price is outrageous plus who knows how long it has been sitting on the shelves! You probably have all the spices on hand to make this quick blend recipe.
 
German Gingerbread Spice • Lebkuchengewürz is a great one to have on hand. Besides making Pfeffernüsse and Lebkuchen cookies with it, this can be used as an ingredient for Gingerbread Spice Cake or Stollen. Enhance your hot cocoa or sweet potato casserole 🍠 by sprinkling some on top!
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Recipe for German Gingerbread Spice • Lebkuchengewürz…
– 2 tbsp. ground cinnamon
– 2 tsp. ground cloves
– 1 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
– 3/4 tsp. allspice
– 1/2 tsp. ground coriander
– 1/2 tsp. ground cardamom
– 1/4 tsp. ground mace
– 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
 
In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients and whisk until nicely blended. Store in an airtight container, in a dark, cool place. It makes roughly 1/4 cup.
 
Check out these other great kitchen tips and tricks… 😀
– Seed a Pomegranate without the Mess
– Lining a Square Pan with Parchment Paper
– Za’atar Spice Blend
– Homemade Sanding Sugar aka Sand Sugar
– How to Roast Chestnuts in the Oven
– Homemade Self-Rising Flour
– Leftover Gravy Solution
– Vanilla Sugar – How to Make It
– How to Set a Table; Casual to Formal
and for more handy kitchen tips and tricks 💡, click on this link… Recipe Category • Tips & Tricks
 
Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel 📽 by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube

Korean Meatballs Recipe • Perfect for Parties! | Club Foody

 

December is a busy month when it comes to entertaining. There are dinner parties, soirées, charity events, cocktail parties 🍸, plus Christmas and New Year’s Eve! For these occasions, you need bouchées and hors d’oeuvres.
 
I have a few dozen recipes that are ideal to serve at any event 🥳. There’s Croquetas de Jamón (Ham Croquettes), Caprese Skewers, Sardine Cups, Stuffed Dates with Gorgonzola, Gougères, and many more including this new one… Korean Meatballs!
 
These tasty little guys are quick and easy to make. They can be prepared ahead which is perfect when hosting a party. Another plus about this recipe is you can increase the level of spiciness. Although great as little bouchées, these meatballs can be served over rice 🍚 as a meal…
 
This version is semi-mild which is probably more appropriate when entertaining a group. On the other hand, if you know everyone’s tolerance to heat 🔥, you can bring it up a few notches by increasing the amount of gochujang and sweet chili sauce.
 
Let’s talk about gochujang…
It’s a Korean condiment made from fermented red chili peppers. This thick, sticky paste is spicy with a slight sweetness to it. It’s often used in meat dishes, like these Korean Meatballs, in stews and soups. You can easily find it at any Asian supermarket or online 💻.
 
Another condiment that gives a punch is Sweet Chili Sauce. Its taste is sweet, spicy and sour… all at once! It’s a popular sauce used in Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. You can buy 🛒 it premade in most supermarkets but if you want to make it from scratch, here’s the link… Sweet Chili Sauce
 
As I mentioned above, most of the recipe can be made ahead of time. After the meatballs are baked, I transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any extra fat. Then I place them on a clean plate or container to allow them to cool before transferring to the fridge. When I’m ready to serve, I take them out an hour 🕐 before.
 
The sauce is very quick to make ⏳. After whisking all the ingredients, it simmers for 5 minutes. From there, the meatballs are transferred to the skillet then tossed around so they’re coated with the sauce. It takes just 2 to 4 minutes to warm them up before serving.
 
These Korean Meatballs are always a crowd pleaser 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦! Besides being quick to make, these flavorful little guys are a great hors d’oeuvre to serve at your next party. Don’t stress out with your menu by making these incredible bouchées!
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Check out these other delicious hors d’oeuvre, tapas & bouchée recipes… 😀
– Sausalito Smoked Salmon Dip
– Russian Deviled Eggs • Oeufs à la Russe
– Cognac Chicken Liver Pâté
– Crab Rangoon
– Brie en Croûte
– Duxelles Bruschetta
– Spanakopita
– Asian Cucumber Salmon Rolls
– Clams Casino
and for even more party recipes 🥳🎉, click on this link… Recipe Category • Hors d’Oeuvres/Antipasto, Canapés/Dips

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/korean-meatballs/

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Raincoast Crisps Copycat Recipe • Elegant Crackers! | Club Foody

 

These days, we have to be wise with our money. The prices keep going up 📈 while our income doesn’t. We try to save in various places or buy when there’s something on special. We juggle our budget just to make ends meet.
 
When it comes to food, David and I are savvy when grocery shopping 🛒. If the price is right, we buy otherwise, we pass. There are certain food items that we slowly stopped buying just because of their prices… inappropriately too high!
 
Right here, in Vancouver Canada 🍁, there’s a company that makes these incredible crackers! They’re so elegant, very tasty but expensive! Eventually, we stopped buying them not by choice but they were way too pricey for no reason.
 
One of my girlfriends made these little guys and gave me the recipe. Of course, I altered it by slightly changing the ingredients and also the cooking method so they can be just like the real thing. Since then, I’ve been making 👩‍🍳 my Raincoast Crisps Copycat!
 
These crackers are amazing… actually, they taste better than the commercial ones! The recipe is easy to make plus… oh definitely, there’s a big plus ➕… you get a lot more for your money! The ingredients are fresher and you can always alter them to your liking!
 
The recipe is pretty straightforward; mix all the dry ingredients, stir the two wet ones before blending the dry and wet together. The batter is evenly poured into 4 mini loaf pans lightly greased and transfer to the oven for 50 to 60 minutes ⏰… not too complicated.
 
What I changed is this…
I add molasses versus honey 🍯 because it gives that nice dark color which is the staple of the crackers. I use hazelnuts instead of sesame seeds because that’s what goes into the original recipe. Lastly, I modified the cooking method.
 
Just a quick note when stirring buttermilk and molasses together. Make sure there are no streaks of molasses or some stuck at the bottom or on the spoon 🥄 before adding it to the dry mixture. If desired, these two can be processed in a blender. To get a great tip when handling sticky ingredients, click here… Measuring Honey, Syrup or Molasses without Sticking
 
When mixing dry and wet at once, use a spatula to clean the sides and the bottom of the bowl. Be careful as there will be pockets of flour in the mixture and this is the last thing you want. The batter should be smooth and uniform 😉.
 
Let’s go back to the cooking method for these yummy Raincoast Crisps Copycat…
Halfway through cooking, I rotate the pans. The ones in the back are switched with the ones in the front. As you know, there’s always a hotter 🔥 spot in the oven so it’s recommended to do this step.
 
After they’re done and cooled completely, the loaves are individually wrapped in foil. From here, there’s two options. Either they’re frozen for 2 hours 🕑 and then sliced OR chilled overnight and the next day, they’re moved to the freezer for 2 hours (this is my preferred method).
 
Whichever way, they have to be thinly sliced. We’re looking for about 1/8th of an inch… that thin! I tried with a mandoline and it was a disaster – the meat slicer is no better. The only method that works is the ‘ol serrated knife 🔪… just take your time! You should have between 22 to 25 pieces per loaf pan.
 
The next step is what gives the crispiness to the crackers. After being laid in a single layer on large baking sheets lined with wire racks so the air 💫 can circulate, they’re transferred to a 250ºF preheated oven for one hour.
 
Halfway through baking ⏳, I like to take the sheets out, flip the crackers on the other side and when returning the sheets back to the oven, the one that was at the bottom rack goes to the top and the other one goes to the bottom.
 
When the crisps come out, let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. They’ll keep for up to 3 weeks if they last that long – in our house, they don’t last more than 3 days 😏. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
 
By using my method, you’ll be able to achieve the same results as the ones from the store… even better! This delightful Raincoast Crisps Copycat is a great recipe to have! You get more for your money 💰, they’re fresher plus tastier!
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Check out these other delicious bread recipes… 😀
– Tomato Rosemary Focaccia
– English Muffins
– Artisan Bread
– Crostini
– French Baguettes
– Indian Naan Bread
– Mediterranean Olive Bread
– Dinner Rolls
and for even more bread recipes 🍞🥨, click on this link… Recipe Category • Bread & More

For ingredient amounts, directions and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/raincoast-crisps-copycat/

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel 📽 by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube  

Creamy Mushroom Chicken Recipe • Quick & Tasty! | Club Foody

 

In my book, December is officially the craziest month of the year! We try to get everything done on time. There’s a lot of baking to do, an endless shopping list 📑 to look after, parties to attend, decorations to put up, clean and organize our house, etc.
 
With all the things we have to do before Christmas morning, it doesn’t give us much time to relax. The first thing that goes out the window is cooking. Most will do take-out 🥡, grab some processed food at the grocery store or simply go out for dinner.
 
Hey, I totally got it! On the other hand, I’m sure throughout that nonsense, there’s still 30 minutes ⏰ you can try to squeeze in to make a nice meal for you and your family without compromising on the flavor! Here’s one that I like making and it’s my Creamy Mushroom Chicken!
 
Incredibly satisfying, this simple and yet delicious dish is one of my go-to recipes! Either I feel lazy 😕 (yes, it happens once in a while) or when time is in short supply, this Creamy Mushroom Chicken is my savior! It’s a great weeknight meal to add to your folder…
 
I’m pretty fast when chopping 🔪 or prepping so I can have everything ready in less than 10 minutes. When it comes to cooking, it takes only 20 minutes… that’s pretty fast! Depending how I feel and what I have left in the fridge, I either serve the mixture over rice, pasta or mashed potatoes.
 
Like most recipes, you can adapt it to your liking. If there’s some spinach in the crisper, I add it to the mixture at the end. I use button mushrooms 🍄 but any other kinds are fine. Chicken can be replaced with pork. If you want, use ground beef instead – in that case, you’ll have to modify the directions.
 
This is just an ordinary recipe and it won’t win any prizes BUT it sure is a nice comfort food! While our schedule is upside down as we try getting ready for the Holidays 🎄, this Creamy Mushroom Chicken is an incredibly recipe to have on hand and perfect for those chaotic times.
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Check out these other amazing quick & easy recipes… 😀
– Hamburger Helper Copycat
– Scallops with Smoky Cream Corn Sauce
– Veal Milanese
– Shrimp & Grits
– Stuffed Baguettes
– Orzo with Chicken & Asiago
– Carne alla Pizzaiola
– Pork Loin Chops in Creamy Spinach Sauce
– Panko Breaded Fish Fillet
– Maple Mustard Pork Tenderloin
and for even more quick & easy recipes ⏳, click on this link… Recipe Category • Quick & Easy

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/creamy-mushroom-chicken/

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel 📽 by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube

Pasta e Fagioli (Pasta Fazool) Recipe • Italian Soup | Club Foody

 

When the temperature starts dropping, here’s what I need… soup! First, it’s so comforting plus it warms up the soul. Second, most of them are very nutritious and lastly, there are hundreds of varieties from around the world 🌎 to choose from.
 
Here, at Club Foody, there’s dozens of soups 🥘 that I’ve already posted and they just keep coming. From chilled that are perfect for hot summer days to nice soothing hot ones for the colder months of the year. They can be either an appetizer or a meal on their own.
 
A few years ago, David and I were on a road trip 🚙. We were hungry and wanted something to eat. We decided to stop at Olive Garden. I’ve never been of fan of this restaurant chain but it was right there on our way. I ordered Pasta e Fagioli also know as Pasta Fazool. It was okay but nothing fantastic.
 
As you know me after all these years, I love flavorful foods! If it’s blah 🥱, I don’t share it with you. When I come across something that is just okay, like this Pasta e Fagioli (Pasta Fazool), it gives me the challenge to make it taste better.
 
I start by rendering the bacon BUT as I mention in the video, my first choice is pancetta. Why I didn’t use it then? It’s because we have “savages” living in our area. I’ve never seen grocery store shelves be cleaned out as much as they are here. When you look at people’s shopping cart 🛒, most of them buy in volume. They don’t buy one or two of the same items but 6 or more.
 
After procrastinating to film this recipe as I couldn’t get any pancetta, I gave up and opted for bacon 🥓 instead. While rendering the fat, if the bacon or pancetta starts sticking at the bottom of the pot, add just a little bit of olive oil… it will help.
 
Mirepoix is added along with seasoning and chopped garlic 🧄 plus other delicious ingredients. When it’s time to add the pasta, I prefer using ditalini but any other small pasta will do. It can be acini di pepe, stelline or farfalline. Elbow macaroni can also be another option.
 
Here’s some quick trivia…
Did you know that Pasta e Fagioli was one of Dean Martin’s favorite dishes? He even mentions it in his classic song “That’s Amore”. Another iconic singer 🎤 that enjoyed it as well was Frank Sinatra. Without a doubt, if you’ve never tried it, this pasta & beans (fagioli in Italian is beans) soup has to be on your list…
 
A nice bowl of Pasta e Fagioli (Pasta Fazool) is exactly what we need when the mercury drops! Nutritious 💚, this easy one-pot dish is loaded with yumminess! I like to serve it with crusty bread and make a meal out of it… it’s so satisfying!
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Here are several more delicious soup recipes for you to enjoy… 😀
– Albóndigas • Mexican Meatball Soup
– Creamy Tomato Basil & Parmesan Soup
– Scallops and Roasted Chestnut Soup
– Cauliflower Cheese Soup
– Lasagna Soup
– Butternut Squash Soup
– Healthy Lentil Soup
– Hot & Sour Soup
– Avgolemono Chicken Soup
and for even more soup and chowder recipes 🥣, click on this link… Recipe Category • Soups & Chowders

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/pasta-e-fagioli-pasta-fazool/

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel 📽 by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube