milk

Rum-spiked Horchata, grainy refreshment

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The Horchata is a traditional beverage made from ground almonds, sesame seeds, rice, barley, or tigernuts. The name is traditionally from the Spanish region of Catalonia and the drink is served cold in the summer as a natural form of refreshment.

To make the Rum-spiked Horchata, you will need 1 cup uncooked long grain rice, 2 quarts warm water, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 1/4 cups milk, 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract , 1/4 cup rum, or to taste, and 16 cubes ice.

To prepare, mix the the rice and warm water together in a bowl and let it stand for 1/2 hour. Save the water and drain and put the rice in the bowl of a food processor. Next add the cinnamon and process until it forms a paste. Return the rice to the water and let stand it stand for at least 2 hours. Stir the mixture occasionally as the water turns milky white. Strain the rice through a fine sieve into a bowl or pitcher and stir in the milk, condensed milk, vanilla, and rum until it is evenly blended. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.

When ready to serve divide the ice cubes between four glasses, and pour the chilled horchata.

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Creamy Hot Cocoa, Yummy Warm

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This is the season when it gets very cold and at this time of the year there is nothing better to warm up your insides like a hot drink.

Try the Creamy Hot Cocoa on a chilly night to heat things up!

To make the creamy hot cocoa you will need 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, ¾ cup white sugar, 1 pinch salt, 1/3 cup boiling hot water, 3 ½ cups milk, ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract, and ½ cup half-and-half cream.

To prepare, first combine the cocoa, sugar, and a pinch of salt, in a saucepan. Blend in the boiling water and bring this mixture to a boil continuing to stir as it boils. Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes and make sure that it doesn’t scorch.

Add the 3 ½ cups of milk and heat until it is very hot but do not boil.

Remove the mixture from the heat and add the vanilla extract. Divide into several mugs and add the cream to each mug of cocoa to allow to cool to drinking temperature.

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Meatloaf, so easy

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meat_loaf
There are many ways to prepare ground beef which can make it tasty, interesting, different and enjoyable. Be it Shepherd’s pie or meatballs, beef is very versatile. One way to enjoy it is in meatloaf (read here other news).

This recipe requires 11/2 pounds ground beef, 1 egg,1 onion, chopped,1 cup milk,1 cup dried bread crumbs,salt and pepper to taste,2 tablespoons brown sugar,2 tablespoons prepared mustard, and 1/3 cup ketchup.

To prepare first preheat an oven to 350 degrees F. Then in a large bowl, combine the beef, egg, onion, milk and bread. Cracker crumbs can be used in place of bread crumbs.

Next season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste and place in a lightly greased 5×9 inch loaf pan. You can also re into a loaf and place in a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish.

Next, in a separate small bowl, combine the brown sugar, mustard and ketchup and mix well before pour over the meatloaf. Bake the meatloaf at 350 degrees F for 1 hour.

Meatloaf can be served with a fresh salad of lettuce, tomatoes, and shredded carrots with vinaigrette. You can also add cucumbers and olives to a salad for a little extra oomph!

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Dutch doughnuts, sweet treat

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dutch_doughnuts
Doughnuts are a treat and can be something of a guilty pleasure but enjoyable nonetheless. The Dutch doughnuts add a little extra twist to the classic doughnut.

To prepare you will need 1 cake compressed fresh yeast, 1 cup lukewarm milk, 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 egg, 3/4 cup dried currants, 3/4 cup raisins,1 Granny Smith apple – peeled, cored and finely chopped,1 quart vegetable oil for deep-frying, and 1 cup confectioners’ sugar for dusting.

First break up the yeast and stir into some warm milk. Allow to stand for a few minutes to dissolve. Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl and add the yeast mixture and egg and mix into a smooth batter. Add the currants, raisins, and apple, cover the bowl and leave in a warm place to rise until double in size.

Heat oil in a deep-fryer and use 2 metal spoons to shape scoops of dough into balls. Drop carefully into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown.

The doughnuts should be soft but greasy. Drain finished doughnuts on paper towels and dust with confectioners’ sugar. Serve on a dish.

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Chicken pot pie, one pot delight

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A pot pie is baked savoury dish encased in a flaky pastry and baked in a pie tin to ensure it maintains its shape. There are several varieties including an Australian meat pie and various British regional types. In America, the pot pie can be filled with various types of meat including beef, chicken, or turkey as well as vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and green peas.

The chicken pot pie may be the most popular and is simple to make. The ingredients are 1 poundskinless, boneless chicken breast, cubed, 1 cupsliced carrots, 1 cupgreen peas,1/2 cupsliced celery,1/3 cupbutter,1/3 cuponion chopped, 1/3 cupall-purpose flour,1/2 teaspoonsalt,1/4 teaspoonblack pepper,1 3/4 cupschicken broth, and 2/3 cupmilk.

First preheat an oven to 425 degrees F. Then in a saucepan combine the carrots, chicken, peas, and celery, add water and cook for 15 minute then drain.

In a separate pan over a medium flame cook onions and butter add flour, salt, and pepper. Slowly add the broth and milk and cook until thick. Put the mixture in a pie crust then cover with the liquid, add the top pie crust and make a few slits in the top. Bake for between 30 and 35 minutes or until pastry is golden brown.

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Crepe suzette, desert with a twist

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Nothing says “France” quite like a crepe. The wafer thin pancake is a staple of French cuisine as a desert that can be enjoyed at home or away.

The crepe Suzette adds a little more romance to the classic crepe with its sauce of beurre Suzette made from caramelised sugar and butter, tangerine or orange juice, zest, and Grand Marnier or orange Curaçao liqueur served flambé.

The crepe can be made from scratch or store bought but for a more authentic flavour homemade is best. All that is needed are 2 large eggs, 3/4 cup milk, 1/2 cup water, 1 cup flour, 3 tablespoons melted butter, 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons of liqueur, and butter to coat the pan.

Blend eggs, flour, milk, until it will pour smoothly from a mixing bowl. Put batter in the fridge. Heat a frying pan with sweet butter and pour in batter to cover the bottom of the pan. Tip the pan from side to side to allow the batter to spread thinly. After a minute, turn the pancake upside down, then turn it again, until brown. Fold crepes in a triangular shape and store.

To make the Sauce Suzette, melt 1/4 butter in a saucepan, after it has boiled, add combination of liqueurs and orange and lemon zest.

Pour sauce over crepes, add brandy and light. When crepe is cool it is ready to serve. 

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Arroz con leche, a milky rice treat

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arroz_con_leche
Arroz con leche, or literally rice with milk, is a desert that is enjoyed in parts of South America, especially Peru, as well as Europe.

It is an exotic yet simple desert that can is easy to make. The arroz con leche can be sweetened and flavoured to taste and it is an easy desert that can be served when entertaining either for a small dinner party or just to offer a little taste of something different for your own family. This desert is also quite filling and is best eaten with a meal that does not already include rice.

All you need are two cups of uncooked white rice, three pints of cow’s milk, condensed milk, powdered cinnamon, brown sugar, a saucepan, four cinnamon sticks, and four small desert bowls or desert glasses.

Soak the uncooked rice in milk for a few hours. This can be done overnight as desired. Once soaked, in a saucepan over a low flame, boil rice in the remaining milk until nice and tender. Once rice is tender leave to cool

Stir in condensed milk and sugar to sweeten to taste. Add powdered cinnamon and place small amounts of mixture into glasses. Chill in a cool refrigerator until ready.

Cinnamon sticks can be added to the desert bowls before serving.

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Yummy Cheese Fritters

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cheese_fritters
Cheese fritters are a great meal that can be enjoyed if you prefer to have something filling or a snack sans meat or fish. The best thing is that fritters can be made with any left-over bits of cheese whether it is cheddar, feta, gruyere, pepper jack or mozzarella.

They can also be served with marmalade or chutney to give them a little extra zest. First in a bowl sift flour, salt, and cayenne or black pepper, chopped onions, chopped scallions, and thyme. Make a hole in the centre of the blended flour and add two eggs. Whisk batter combining the eggs with two tablespoons of olive oil and two tablespoons of milk. Next grate in the cheese and stir all together.

Let the mixture sit for a few minutes while you heat a saucepan with oil. Once the oil is hot use a large spoon to scoop up batter and drop medium size dollops in the pot. Fry until golden brown. Once cooked, remove the fritters and place in a sieve or silicone paper to drain off extra oil. The marmalade can be bought or you can make you own using sugar, cider vinegar, sweet peppers, oil, and garlic. Over a medium heat carmelise sugar and onions, sweet peppers, and garlic. Turn down flame until sauce is thick. Do not allow the mixture to burn. Turn off stove and allow marmalade to cool.

Serve and enjoy!

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Make the best Pancakes in the World

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pancakes
Whether you call them flap jacks, griddle cakes or by their more traditional name, pancakes are a simple light, fluffy, and tasty meal. Most popular at breakfast time, they can be enjoyed any time of day.

They can be served with maple syrup as well as with a variety of other toppings such as butter, sugar, bananas, strawberries, or blueberries and whipped cream.

The best thing about pancakes is that they are easy to make!

All you need are 1 egg, 3/4 cup milk, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 2 tablespoons white sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, and ¼ cup buttermilk, a pinch of salt, 1 cup flour, blueberries, and cooking spray.

Combine the baking powder, white sugar, flour, and salt in a bowl. Whisk the egg and add milk, and butter milk.

Pour the flour mixture into the egg mixture and whisk until the lumps are gone.

Heat a large skillet over a medium heat and coat skillet with cooking spray. Scoop ¼ cup of mixture into skillet and cook until bubbles appear. Flip pancakes with a spatula and cook until golden brown on either side.

Place pancake on a warm plate and top with blueberries and butter. Serve and enjoy! Pancakes can be enjoyed with cup of tea or coffee and orange juice.

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A complete English breakfast, a meal that will keep you full

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english_breakfast
Breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day but for many persons it is often nothing more than a slice of toast, orange juice, or cereal and milk. The traditional English breakfast is a deviation from that.

The meal is extremely popular in the United Kingdom and Ireland appeals to middle and upper classes and is designed to keep you full.

The breakfast is considered a staple of English cuisine and is served in hotels, airports, and restaurants during the week or weekends at bed and breakfasts and is also often served in pubs as an all-day breakfast.

Breakfast suggests early morning but the meal is also popular at other times of the day.

The breakfast consists of grilled sausages, bacon, tomatoes, eggs which can be done in a variety of ways including poached, scrambled or fried, baked beans, bread, and hash browns. Some recipes include black pudding.

Start by grilling or frying the sausages. While the sausages are being prepared put the bacon and tomatoes on the grill cooking at medium heat. The tomatoes should be cut lengthways and sprinkled with salt.

Cook mushrooms in a separate pan in chicken stock for 10-15 minutes. Leave the eggs until last. Leave the other items in a warm oven in the meantime.

Arrange everything on a plate. Serve and eat. The breakfast can be taken with a cup of tea or coffee.

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