El Torito Deep-Fried Ice Cream

This recipe was from the LA Times. I tried it there and I made this recipe. It was so good. (Note: You have to allow in total 6-8 hours of freezer time). 20 ounces chocolate chip ice cream (I used vanilla.) 2 cups crushed, corn flake cereal 1 1/2 Tablespoons sugar 3 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 eggs 1 teaspoon water Oil for frying Whipped cream (optional) maraschino cherry for the top Form ice cream into 4 balls. Place in a baking pan and freeze solid for 2 hours or longer. Mix cereal, sugar, and cinnamon. Divide equally between 2 pie plates or shallow containers. Beat eggs with 1 teaspoon water. Roll each ice cream ball in cereal mixture and press coating into ice cream. Dip coated ball in egg wash, then roll in a second container of cereal mixture. Again press coating onto ice cream. Freeze coated ice cream balls solid, 4-6 hours. Heat oil in large deep fryer or wok. Deep fry frozen coated ice cream balls 30-45 seconds. Place fried ice cream in a large stemmed glass. Top with whipped cream and cherry.

Cream Puffs

This is a great recipe. It is very easy to make.

Dough

1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter (or 1 stick)
1 cup boiling water
4 eggs, unbeaten

Measure the flour and set aside. In a small pot, bring water to a boil, add butter and let come to a boil again. Reduce heat and add flour all at once, stirring rapidly. Cook and stir until mixture thickens and leaves the sides of the pan (about 2 minutes). Remove from heat, add eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly after each. Then beat until the mixture looks satiny.

Cream Puff:

Use a pastry bag with 3/8" opening (for small cream puffs). Push out mixture unto an ungreased baking sheet, shaping into 1" mounds. Wet your finger and push down the crest on the top of each. Bake 425 until golden brown (about 15-20 minutes). Cool. Cut off the tops and add whipped cream or substitute and top with a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

Gourmet Burgers

We have been experimenting with different burgers. So far we found the burgers need to be at least 15% fat but higher than that works even better.

I like to use Lawry's seasoned salt to the meat.

I cooked the burgers 8 minutes on one side and about 4 minutes on the other and then add the cheese and cook for about 3 more minutes over medium heat or about 350F.

Mushroom and Swiss burger. I fried about 8 mushrooms, sliced in olive oil with a little butter and some salt until well cooked. Makes a great topping.

Chipotle burger-I actually used other peppers as well. I first made the mayo spread. Start with a couple of tablespoons of mayonnaise and add a few drops of Franks' hot sauce, add some chipotle pepper, ground. To the burger, I added 1-2 teaspoons of cumin and ancho pepper, and a dash of hot sauce. Cook burgers as usual, add some cheddar cheese then spread on the mayo right before serving. Would also be good with some pickled jalapeno peppers.

Bacon and red peppers (sweet bell pepper). I sliced the pepper and covered them with olive oil. While the burgers are cooking, I cooked the bacon and peppers right along with them. The peppers will cook fast so you should watch them carefully.

Guacamole burger-I really enjoyed that burger, I bet you could add some tortilla chips in there to for some crunch or some bacon and tortillas.

Crespelle (similar to manicotti)

Be sure to leave enough time to chill them and you have a true non-stick pan!

Crepes

1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
3 large eggs
1 Tablespoon butter, melted, cooled slightly
salt
Non stick vegetable spray

Whisk. 1st six ingredients. Chill for 2 hours. Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Spray pan with oil. Pour 2 Tablespoons crepe mixture into pan. Cook 45 seconds. Turn over and cook 15 seconds. Slip onto a plate and cover with waxed paper.

Filling:
2 eggs
8 oz. package ricotta
1/2 cup parmesan
1/2 cup mozzarella
salt and pepper
You can add some spinach, cooked and well drained or some fresh oregano or basil or parsley.

In a buttered baking dish, pour some of your favorite marinara to cover the bottom of the pan. Next, place a couple of Tablespoons of the filling inside the crespelle and place in the pan, folded side down. Top with more marinara and some more mozzarella. Bake at 375 for about 30 minutes.