Alfajores de Maizena

So my husband went to Argentina on his mission & LOVES alfajores. I got the recipe for them from a lady in my ward who is an Argentine and made them for him for Valentine's Day (pictured left). They are a little cookie-like dessert & surprisingly really good! And they look really cool too. Not to mention they are incredibly easy to make. Spreading the dolce de leche takes some time, but it's definitely not grueling work. I think it's fun to make something that is different so you should all try them! :)

Alfajores de Maizena

1 1/4 c. flour

2 c. corn starch

1 c. powdered sugar

1/2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. baking powder

3 egg yolks

1 tsp vanilla

1 c. margarine, less 3 T. (so 13 T. of margarine altogether)

Coconut flakes

Dolce de Leche (like caramel but BETTER. You can buy it at Walmart in the Hispanic/Latin aisle. It's in a can similar to that of a sweetened condensed milk can. You'll need the whole can.)

Mix all dry ingredients EXCEPT powdered sugar together (flour, corn starch, baking soda, baking powder).

In another bowl, mix margarine & powdered sugar. Add yolks one at a time and mix well. Add vanilla.

Add dry ingredients little by little until you get a dough (mix this by HAND). The dough will be about the consistancy of sugar cookie dough.

Spread cornstarch (NOT flour) on countertop and place the dough on it. Sprinkle a little more cornstarch on top of the dough. Roll out like you would for sugar cookies. Cut into little circles about the size of a silver dollar or so. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes on an ungreased cookie sheet. Let cool. Spread dolce de leche on one cookie & press it together with another cookie. (Like a sandwich or an oreo) Roll edges in coconut. Enjoy!

Quick & Easy Homemade Bruschetta

I made pasta for dinner last night and I remembered I used to make this really easy homemade bruschetta bread. It tastes really good (Jeff was a big fan) and it's super easy to make. It's also a nice way to "spice up" a simple meal like spaghetti.

Ingredients

Sliced bread (I like using 100% whole wheat best)
Spaghetti Sauce
Mozzarella Cheese
Tomatoe (slices)
Italian Seasoning

1. Turn on your oven to broil
2. Take a slice of bread and spread thinly with spaghetti sauce
3. Sprinkle with Mozzarella cheese (or add slice of cheese)
4. Add thin slice of tomato
5. Top with Italian Seasoning
6. Broil until cheese melts and sides start to get a little dark
7. Enjoy!!

Roasted Asparagus and Grape Tomato Soup

I never post on here, but I am thinking it is now time. This recipe is SO good. I can't say that I am a super healthy eater or a major fan of most soups, but this is really really good.


Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs Asparagus, cut in 2 inch slices, plus 12 Asparagus tips
2 medium onions, peeled and cut into quarters
40 grape tomatoes
2 Tb olive oil
4 c chicken broth
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 c half & half
6 fresh dill sprigs


1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees
2. Place sliced asparaus, fanned-out onion wedges and grape tomatoes in an even layer in a large shallow roasting pan. Drizzle with olive oil. Roast, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and slightly charred. Remove the tomatoes, chop and set aside.
3. Place half of the other roasted vegetables in a food processor (or we use a blender). Add 1 cup of broth and process until smooth. Strain if desired. Transfer to a large saucepan. Repeat with remaining vegetables. Add as much of the remaining broth to the pan as needed for good consistency, plus salt and pepper.
4. Heat until soup is hot; add half-and-half and heat for another 2 minutes. Ladle into bowls and top each with a spoonful of roasted chopped tomatoes, 2 fresh aspargus tips and a sprig of dill.

Makes 6 servings.

Baked Ravioli

I got this one from my sister who got it from Martha Stewart. It is easy & one of my favorite dishes to make AND eat! Plus, the sauce is like a homemade marinara sauce & would be good with any Italian or pasta dish you like; chicken parmesan, spaghetti & meatballs, etc... I love it!


2 Tblsp. Olive Oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 tsp. dried thyme, or oregano
1 can (28 oz) whole tomatoes
2 lbs. store-bought cheese ravioli (I like the small round ones instead of the big square ones)
1/2 c. grated parmesan
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 1/2 c. shredded mozzarella
course salt & ground pepper, to taste


Preheat oven to 425*. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion & garlic, & season w/ salt & pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened (about 5 minutes). Add thyme & tomatoes. Bring to boil, reduce heat, & simmer, breaking tomatoes with a spoon, until sauce is thickened & reduced to about 5 1/2 cups. (20-25 minutes)

Meanwhite, cook ravioli in large pot of boiling water (salted) just until they float to the top. Drain pasta; return to pot.

Toss sauce with pasta. Pour pasta into a large gratin dish or 9x13 baking dish, & sprinkle with cheeses. Bake until golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.


NOTE: I actually leave the thyme/oregano out. I don't always love those tastes very strong, and I think it tastes awesome without it. Also, if you want to add meat to this dish you can. I tried the other day adding 1 pound of ground sausage and it was really good! I cooked the sausage on the stove, tossed it with the ravioli & sauce & stuck it all in the oven. So you can have it vegetarian or add whatever kind of meat you'd prefer -the perfect meal! :) Enjoy!