Pastel de Tres Leches

tres leches cake

I love Tres Leches! Just thinking about it is stirring up some cravings. I suppose I’ll need to whip one up for Cinco de Mayo! This is an awesome and authentic recipe that I found on Pati’s Mexican Table (Thank you!). There are many variations, but a vanilla sponge cake, completely soaked in a sweet (but not too sweet) milky sauce, topped with fresh whipped cream is my favorite. I usually serve it with fresh strawberries. It is also good with just whipped cream, or you can add a different fruit or crushed Heath bar.

Pastel de Tres Leches

Yield: 10-12 servings

Ingredients

    For the Cake:
  • 9 eggs, separated
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • For the Sauce:
  • 1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 12oz can evaporated milk
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • For the Topping:
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar

Instructions

Preheat oven to 360 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 inch pan and line the bottom with a piece of parchment paper, cut to fit.

Pour the egg whites into the bowl of your mixer and beat on medium-high speed for 4 to 5 minutes, or until they hold soft peaks. Slowly stir in the sugar and continue beating until they hold hard or stiff peaks. Turn off the mixer and with a spatula, move the egg white mixture onto a large mixing bowl.

Rinse the bowl of the mixer and its whisk. Now pour the egg yolks into the bowl of the mixer and beat on medium-high speed for about 5 to 6 minutes, or until the egg yolks become creamy, puffy and their color has toned down to an almost cream color rather than a loud yellow. Stir in the vanilla and continue beating for another minute.

Pour the egg yolk mixture onto the egg white mixture and with a spatula, in evolving motions, combine them into a homogeneous single batter. Do so gently trying not to lose much volume from the mixture. When combined, fold in the flour, scraping the bowl with the spatula so that all the flour is well mixed.

Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. It can be a bit moist, but not wet. The top of the cake should be tanned and feel fluffy if you touch it. Remove from oven and let cool.

Once cool, turn the cake onto a platter. Remove the parchment paper, cover the top with an upside down platter and invert again. The platter should be large enough to hold the cake and the vanilla sauce you are about to prepare. Using a fork, poke holes all over the cake, especially around the edges.

In a mixing bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, milk, and vanilla extract. Slowly pour all of the vanilla sauce over the cake, especially on the edges. The cake will absorb it all.

In the bowl of your mixer, whip up the heavy cream with the confectioners’ sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture holds stiff peaks, about 1 to 2 minutes. Spread the whipped cream all over the cake. For best results, cover and refrigerate for about an hour before serving.

Notes

To avoid spilling yolk into the whites, I separate the eggs over an isolated bowl.

http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/2013/04/pastel-de-tres-leches.html

Egg Yolk Separator

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Restaurant Style Salsa

WU0310H_restaurant-style-salsa-recipe

I love to go to mexican restaurants just for the chips and salsa! I’m excited to try this awesome recipe by The Pioneer Woman and recreate that yummy restaurant taste at home!

Restaurant-Style Salsa

Ingredients

  • Two 10-ounce cans diced tomatoes and green chiles, such as Rotel
  • One 28-ounce can whole tomatoes with juice
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves (or more to taste!)
  • 1/4 cup chopped onion
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 whole jalapeno, quartered and sliced thin, with seeds and membrane
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 whole lime, juiced

Instructions

Combine the diced tomatoes, whole tomatoes, cilantro, onions, garlic, jalapeno, cumin, salt, sugar and lime juice in a blender or food processor. (This is a very large batch. I recommend using a 12-cup food processor, or you can process the ingredients in batches and then mix everything together in a large mixing bowl.)

Pulse until you get the salsa to the consistency you'd like. I do about 10 to 15 pulses. Test seasonings with a tortilla chip and adjust as needed.

Refrigerate the salsa for at least an hour before serving.

http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/2013/04/restaurant-style-salsa.html

Thanks Food Network/The Pioneer Woman!

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Freezer Meal Recipes: Scrambled Egg Muffins with Sausage

Breakfast or dinner! Scrambled Egg Muffins with Sausage Recipe

scrambled egg muffin with ketchup

Super easy and quick, these egg muffins were a hit with my family. Especially yummy served with ketchup or salsa. I forgot to move my oven rack from the middle position with this batch, so my muffins peaked a little more than they should have. Oops. Still good though!

egg muffins

Freezer Meal Recipes: Scrambled Egg Muffins with Sausage

Yield: 12 Muffins

Ingredients

Instructions

Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 450. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin (baking spray with flour is recommended).

Microwave sausage in uncovered bowl until fat begins to render, about 1 minute. Drain the fat. In a separate bowl, whisk crackers, eggs, half and half together until combined. Stir in cheese, scallions, and drained sausage.

Slowly pour egg mixture into prepared muffin tin. Bake until the tops are set and lightly golden, 8-10 minutes, rotating halfway through. Let cool slightly, then loosen and remove the muffins from tin. Serve plain, with ketchup, or salsa.

Variations: Scrambled Egg Muffins

...with Sun-dried Tomatoes, Boursin, and Basil

Sub 3 Tbsp chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, patted dry, for sausage; do not microwave tomatos. Substitute Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs cheese (5.2 oz), crumbled, for cheddar, and 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil for scallions.

...with Kielbasa, Pepper Jack, and Scallions

Sub 4 oz kielbasa sausage, cut into 1/3-inch pieces, for breakfast sausage; microwave as directed. Sub 1 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese for cheddar.

Preparing For the Freezer:

Let the muffins cool. Put them in a resealable freezer bag, remove as much air as possible, and freeze!

Prepare after Freezing:

Place 1 - 4 on a plate and microwave on medium-high (70%) power for 1 1/2 - 4 minutes (depending on how many) or until hot. For larger amounts, preheat oven to 325. Place muffins on baking sheet and reheat in the oven for about 15 - 20 minutes, until heated through. Keep an eye on them so they don't overcook.

http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/2013/04/freezer-meal-recipes-scrambled-egg-muffins-with-sausage.html

Recipe slightly adapted from America’s Test Kitchen Quick Family Cookbook.

egg muffin batter

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Freezer Meal: Breakfast Grilled Cheese

Breakfast Grilled Cheese Recipe

This recipe could be used as a freezer meal if you use Eggos or if you make your own waffles and freeze them.  It is really easy, yummy and quick!

Breakfast Grilled Cheese

Use your frozen waffles to make this recipe!

Breakfast Grilled Cheese

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup whipped cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup small-curd cottage cheese
  • 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, plus more for topping
  • 4 frozen waffles (untoasted)
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons jam (any flavor)
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, plus more if needed
  • Ground cinnamon, for topping

Instructions

Mix the cream cheese, cottage cheese and confectioners' sugar in a medium bowl. Spread 2 waffles with the jam, then top with the cream cheese mixture; cover with the remaining 2 waffles.

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sandwiches and cook until golden and crisp, about 3 minutes per side, adding more butter to the pan if needed. (Adjust the heat if the waffles are browning too quickly.)

Let the sandwiches rest 1 minute before serving. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar and cinnamon.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/breakfast-grilled-cheese-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback

http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/2013/04/freezer-meal-breakfast-grilled-cheese.html

Recipe Credit: Food Network!

waffle maker

 West Bend Rotary Waffle Maker

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Freezer Meal Recipes: Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

Freezing Homemade Biscuits and Gravy

biscuits and sausage gravy

Homemade biscuits and gravy is really quite easy to make. I put off  learning how to make it for way too long! I wish I would have realized how easy it is to make!

Freezer Meal Recipes: Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

Ingredients

  • Biscuits from a can or homemade biscuits
  • Gravy:
  • 1 lb Sausage
  • 1/4 cup Flour
  • 2 cups Milk
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Bake the biscuits from the homemade biscuits recipe or from the can.

2. Brown sausage in a pan. In this photo I used sausage links because that is what I had on hand. It turned out great, but traditionally I have used ground sausage.

3. When sausage is fully cooked add flour. Stir until well mixed.

4. Slowly add milk. Stir on medium heat until sauces is thick.

5. Add salt and pepper to taste.

6. Serve over warm biscuits.

Preparing For the Freezer:

If you do this as a freezer recipe you can freeze your biscuits. If they are in the tube do not freeze them in the tube. Remove them from the tube unbaked and freeze them in a freezer bag. Homemade biscuits can be frozen in a freezer bag after you bake them.

Gravy can be frozen after prepared, but it tastes a little better to make it the day you are serving it. To speed things up you can freeze the ground cooked sausage and make the gravy on the day you are serving this meal.

Prepare after Freezing:

Let your biscuits thaw. Bake tube biscuits according to tube instructions. Warm homemade biscuits in the oven for 5-10 minutes at 350 degrees.

If you froze gravy. let it thaw and then warm it on the stove. If you only froze sausage put it in a pan over medium heat, warm it up and then make gravy. Or cook sausage and make gravy the day of serving.

http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/2013/04/freezer-meal-recipes-biscuits-and-sausage-gravy.html

sausage gravy

Mixing sausage and flour. I normally make this with ground sausage, but this day I only had links so I made it with the links instead and it turned out great!

sausage gravy recipe

Stir your sauce until thick. For a richer sauce use half and half or heavy cream instead of your milk or do 1 cup of each.

I LOVE my heat resistant non-stick nylon utensils:

non stick heat resistent utinsels

This is a fabulous set! I love the utensil pictured in my gravy above. It is one of my favorite and I can not find it anymore. BUT the pink handled and green handled utensils in this set above would really do the trick if I have to replace the one I love! I LOVE these colors too! So fun.  Oh and the elevated handles keep my counter from getting messy when I set the utensil down.

Joseph Joseph 6-Piece Heat-Resistant Utensil Set

  • 6-piece utensil set includes a spaghetti server, slotted spoon, ladle, slotted turner, solid spoon, and flexible turner
  • Heat-resistant up to 480 degrees F; ideal for use with nonstick cookware and bakeware
  • Weighted handles elevate heads above surfaces to improve hygiene and eliminate messes
  • Soft grips in assorted colors offer comfortable and stylish use; gift-boxed; dishwasher-safe

5 in 1 non stick heat resistent utinsel

Now this utensil I think I might have to have now! It looks like it will function much like my favorite, and it has FIVE different cool functions! Check it out!

Joseph Joseph Uni-tool, 5-In-1 Utensil, Grey

  • 5-in-1 kitchen utensil
  • Slotted spoon, a turner, a solid spoon, a spatula and a cutting tool
  • Made from tough nylon
  • Heat resistant up to 240 degrees C / 480 degrees F
  • Dishwasher safe

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Freezer Meal Recipes: Breakfast Burritos

A healthy choice for an on the go breakfast!

Breakfast Burritos

These burritos are great for mornings on the go! I often warm them up for my husband as he’s getting ready for work. You could also send them off with your kids before school. Customize them however you like, there are all kinds of options!

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Breakfast Burritos Fill Burritos

Breakfast Burritos Freeze

 

Freezer Meal Recipe: Breakfast Burritos

Yield: 12-18 burritos

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground pork sausage
  • 1 lb. frozen cubed Ore Ida potatoes
  • 12 eggs, beaten
  • 2 T. milk
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
  • 2 T. butter
  • 2 10 oz. cans green chili sauce
  • 12-16 burrito sized flour tortillas (I used regular size whole wheat tortillas this time and was able to make about 10 burritos.)
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese, grated

Instructions

To prep the burrito ingredients:

In a large skillet, brown the sausage. Remove from heat and drain excess fat. Set aside. Brown potatoes in oven by placing them on a baking sheet and broiling according to package instructions until crisp. Meanwhile, mix eggs, milk, salt and pepper together in a medium mixing bowl. Over medium heat, melt the butter in separate large skillet. Add egg mixture to skillet and scramble the eggs, removing from heat once the eggs are cooked but still moist. Warm green chili sauce over medium heat in saucepan until warmed through.

To assemble the burritos and prep to freeze:

Warm the flour tortillas on skillet or in the microwave until soft and flexible. Fill tortillas with 1/3 cup scrambled eggs, 2-3 T. sausage, and 1/3 cup potatoes. Top with cheddar cheese and green chili sauce according to taste. Fold tortillas snuggly into burritos. Wrap each burrito in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze.

On serving day:

Remove burrito from freezer and remove plastic wrap. Wrap in a paper towl and place in microwave on defrost for 3 minutes, then on high for 1 minute. Let cool and enjoy with sour cream or salsa!

http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/2013/04/freezer-meal-recipes-breakfast-burritos.html

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Don't Panic - Dinner's in the Freezer Great-Tasting Meals You Can Make Ahead

Don’t Panic – Dinner’s in the Freezer: Great-Tasting Meals You Can Make Ahead {Paperback}

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Freezer Meal Recipes: Green Monster Smoothie Recipe

Perfect Green Smoothie for the Non-Veggie-Lovers!

I’ve tried a few other green smoothies and they actually tasted better than I expected, but they still didn’t taste great. If you know me, you know I’m not a big fan of salad, so drinking something that kinda tastes like salad just isn’t something I can stick with. I still liked the idea of a shake for breakfast that included a veggie though, so I tried a few more.

green monster smoothie

This recipe is the best one I’ve tried so far. You can barely taste the spinach at all! It almost just tastes like a vanilla shake, with a touch of banana and slight peanut butter flavor. I’m not really a peanut butter fan either, but this works for me! Also, it easily keeps me full until lunch. No morning snack needed. Score!

When I find a good sale (under $0.45/lb) or red-banded bananas, I definitely buy more than one bunch! Then peel, slice, and freeze them. I also buy a big bag of spinach at Costco and if it starts getting old, I portion it and freeze it too. I also tried portioning and freezing all of the ingredients, except the milk, to try to simplify the morning process and that worked well too. It is nice to have most items portioned out and ready to go in advance! But all of that frozen stuff was a bit of a struggle for my poor blender.

frozen green smoothie

So, I usually just stick with freezing the spinach and banana. I freeze them in one-serving portions, so I can just dump it in the blender. Also, the ingredients usually slide out of the bag pretty cleanly so the bags are easy to rinse and reuse.

spinach for smoothie

Freezer Meal Recipes: Green Monster Smoothie Recipe

1 Large Serving

Ingredients

  • 1 frozen sliced banana
  • 1 Tablespoon peanut butter or almond butter
  • 1/2 cup vanilla Chobani Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze (or any other kind of milk)
  • about 4 cups baby spinach (more or less is up to you)

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Start at a low setting, then increase speed until blended smooth. Drink up and enjoy!

Notes

It is best to use bananas with brown flecks on peel. You'll want to peel and slice your bananas before freezing them. If not using frozen banana, add ice. Chobani Greek yogurt tends to have a bit less sugar than some other brands.

Try using different greens, adding 1 cup berries or fruit, protein powder, flax, chia, or whatever your heart desires!

http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/2013/04/freezer-meal-recipes-green-monster-smoothie-recipe.html

I first found this recipe on Pinterest from Iowa Girl Eats. Thank you!

Here are a few more healthy smoothie recipes:

Please share your favorite combos, add-ins, and green smoothies in the comments!

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How to Cut and Freeze Mango

Mango Freezes Easily

I love mango! When I buy a big box of mangos my family can not eat all of them before they start to get old. So it works really well to freeze them. Then I can use my frozen mango to make smoothie recipes. When I was in the Philippines I learned how to properly cut a mango. It can be a little tricky because of the large seed in the center of the mango, so there really is a best way to cut a mango.

How to Cut Mango

how to cut fresh mangohow to cut mango

Mango cutting tools:

If you love kitchen tools like I do here are some cool kitchen tools for cutting mangos.   mango slicermango cutter   OXO Good Grips Mango Splitter $13.99 Amco 2 in 1 Mango Tool $11.84 how to freeze mango

How to Freeze Mango

Freezing mango is very simple.

  • Cut it out and arrange it on a baking sheet or a 13×9 pan depending on which pan fits in your freezer.
  • Cover the top and bottom of the pan with plastic wrap.
  • Let fruit freeze for 24 hours.
  • Then transfer mango from the pan to a freezer bag and return to the freezer for long term freezing.

Here are some more tutorials on freezing fruits and vegetables:

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How to Freeze Asparagus

How to Freeze Asparagus

I LOVE asparagus.  I would eat it every day, all year round if I could.  There’s nothing like it!  And now is the time of year to STOCK UP!  I scored 28 lbs of this lovely veggie for $27!  Can’t beat that.  Well, until I figured out just how much Asparagus that was!  No way will my family be able to eat that before it goes bad without turning green!  So, into the freezer it goes, which means awesome fresh(er) asparagus all summer, fall and winter, and no $4.99 a lb!

How to Freeze Asparagus

Ingredients

  • Asparagus
  • Ice
  • Ziplock Bags

Instructions

Start water to boil, in stockpot, place steamer basket in bottom of pot

Prep asparagus by cleaning thoroughly, and cut off ends, and sort by size (small (the thickness of a pencil or smaller), medium sized, and large (bigger than half an inch). We were doing 16 lbs, so this wasn't a small task. By the time we were done, the water was boiling nicely)

Place 1-2 lbs of asparagus in boiling water to blanch. Blanching time starts as soon as the pot begins to boil. Small asparagus blanches for 2 minutes, medium for 3, and large for 4.

When the time is up, remove from boiling water quickly and submerge in an ice water bath for the same time you blanched. Having the steamer basket in the bottom makes this easy. I just used tongs and grabbed it out.

Drain and pat dry

Place in resealable bag to freeze (about 4 lbs per gallon-sized bag)

Lay flat in freezer

Frozen asparagus will keep for 10-12 months

http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/2013/04/how-to-freeze-asparagus.html

Freezer LablesI love these little Freezer Labels!  Write on the label instead of the bag, and you don’t have to hunt for a sharpie!

Use Frozen Asparagus to make

How to Freeze Series

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Surprise Cupcakes Recipe

My mom has been making surprise cupcakes for as long as I can remember!  It was one of our favorite Monday Family Night treats!  Give this delightful recipe a try… I’m sure you’ll love it!

Suprise Cupcakes

It’s an easy recipe to throw together.  Use your own scratch chocolate cake recipe, or use cake mix from a box (here’s a great way to make a better cake from a box).

Surprise Cupcakes

Ingredients

  • 8 oz block of cream cheese, softened
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • Your own cake mix

Instructions

Prepare your own cake mix as instructed, set aside.

Beat the cream cheese, egg, vanilla, and sugar. When well blended, add chocolate chips and stir with a spoon.

Spoon one or two spoonfuls of cake mix into cupcake liners.

Then get a large spoonful of the cream cheese mixture and layer over the cake mix.

Add remaining cake mix on the cupcakes.

Bake as usual and enjoy the delight as someone bites into your cupcake! YUM!

http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/2013/04/surprise-cupcakes-recipe.html

My sister also loves to do this with her cakes.  It adds a little omph to a regular chocolate cake!

You may also like:

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