Got Any Ideas?

Got Any Ideas?

If you want to suggest a recipe for me to try, just email me at cookingginger@hotmail.com and I'll give it a whirl!
ps: put the subject title as Cooking Ginger and then the title of your recipe. I have been getting a lot of spam and it would be nice to know what ISN'T spam :)

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Mug Cake

I had a sweet tooth and wanted make something small for myself and this is what I found.

The Recipe:
1 egg
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1 tablespoon softened butter
3-4 tablespoons mini chocolate chips

1. Add all ingredients into your mug and mix together with a spoon

2. Microwave your cake for 1 1/2-2 minutes, or just until the top center of the cake has set

3. Serve with a dollop of ice cream and enjoy!

My Experience:
Just what I wanted. A simple, single portion sugar dose. I was skeptical at first but it turned out really good. I didn't have any ice cream so I just ate the cake and it was a little dry. Nothing a glass of milk can't fix.

The best part of this recipe, it was ready in just a few minutes!

Oh and just make sure you use a decent sized mug... don't want you to run out of room for the chocolate chips!

Here is the website I used because there are 9 other mug cake recipes to try if you like! http://blogs.babble.com/family-kitchen/2011/11/10/10-tasty-mug-cakes-that-you-can-make-in-just-minutes/?pid=6019#slideshow

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Crockpot Barbecue Chicken

Simple and in a slow cooker. I love it! Such a juicy and tender chicken to enjoy.

The Recipe:
4-6 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 bottle BBQ sauce
1/4 c vinegar
1 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/4 c brown sugar
1/2 - 1 tsp. garlic powder

1. Mix BBQ sauce with all ingredients listed under it

2. Place chicken in crockpot

3. Pour sauce over it and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours

My Experience:
I actually used bone-in chicken breasts and the chicken just fell off the bone almost like a pulled chicken. So moist and succulent.

I used Diana's chicken and rib bbq sauce and it was really really yummy. Try serving the chicken with a little dish of extra sauce for dipping. I also served with roasted red potatoes (with onions and garlic) and green beans.

It was so good and I can't wait for leftovers tomorrow!

Monday, March 19, 2012

Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict

Where did I find this recipe? Best Recipes Ever of course. Man I love that show!

The Recipe:
1 tsp vinegar
8 eggs
4 English muffins or wedges focaccia or croissants
8 oz smoked salmon

Hollandaise Sauce:
4 egg yolks
1/3 cup butter, melted
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt
1 pinch cayenne pepper
2 tbsp chopped fresh dill

1. Pour enough boiling water into skillet to come 3 inches up side; return to boil. Add vinegar; reduce heat to gentle simmer.

2. Break each egg into small dish; gently slip into simmering water.

3. Cook until desired doneness, about 5 minutes for soft yolks and firm whites.

4. Remove with slotted spoon and drain well, patting bottom of spoon with towel to dry egg.

5. Meanwhile, cut English muffins horizontally in half and toast; place 2 halves, cut side up, on each plate.

6. Top each with smoked salmon, poached egg and 2 tbsp Hollandaise Sauce.

Hollandaise Sauce:
1. In heatproof bowl over saucepan of simmering water, whisk egg yolks until thick enough to coat back of spoon, about 4 minutes.

2. Remove from heat.

3. Whisk in butter, 2 tbsp at a time, until thickened; whisk in lemon juice, salt, cayenne and dill.

4. Keep warm over hot water.

My Experience:
I don't like making sauces. Next time I will just buy a package of Hollandaise sauce because I didn't find it was worth the effort. Especially since I didn't use fresh dill and put WAY too much in so I had to add more egg yolks. Now I have 6 egg whites in my fridge to use. But if you are good at making sauces, go right ahead. It just isn't for me.

Other than that incident, this was really yummy. It was also my first time making poached eggs. I sort of over-cooked them though. So if you want the yolk runny, I would say cook less than the 5 minutes because it was too long for me.

Sam said he really liked it on the croissant and of course he loved the smoked salmon.

I might try this again, but with store bought sauce and cook the egg for less time.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Rosemary Beef Burgers with Jalapeño Mayonnaise

Saw this recipe on my favorite show EVER (Best Recipes Ever that is!) and I just had to make it. Especially for my boyfriend who loves everything spicy (I toned it down a little for me).

The Recipe:
1 egg
1/4 cup sodium-reduced beef broth
1 small onion, grated
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
2 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 lb lean ground beef
4 kaiser rolls or hamburger buns

Jalapeño Mayonnaise:
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tbsp minced jalapeño pepper
1 clove garlic, minced

1. In bowl, beat egg with beef broth.

2. Stir in onion, bread crumbs, rosemary, salt and pepper; mix in beef.

3. Shape into four 1/2-inch thick patties.

4. Place on greased grill over medium-high heat; close lid and cook, turning once, until digital thermometer inserted sideways into centre registers 160°F, about 10 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, in small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, parsley, jalapeño pepper and garlic.

6. Cut rolls in half; toast, cut sides down, on grill until golden, 1 to 2 minutes.

7. Spread jalapeño mayonnaise on cut sides.

8. Place burgers on bottoms; sandwich with tops.



My Experience:
So I made these burgers as mini burgers like they did on the show because it makes them more fun!

I used crushed saltine crackers instead of bread crumbs because, well, I had some and mom used to always make burgers that way. However, the addition of the beef broth made the burgers nice and juicy which was a lovely surprise.

Since I don't really like lots of spicy, I didn't put any jalapeño peppers in my mayonnaise (but I did in my boyfriend's).

I topped our burgers with jalapeño monterey jack cheese (could you any cheese you like), sliced tomato, lettuce and bacon (like I always say, everything is better with bacon). However, you can top the burgers with whatever you like best!

Sam said it was great and spicy. This is definitely a meal I will be making again!

Nutritional Info (approx per serving)
cal 534
pro 30g
total fat 27g
sat. fat 9g
carb 41g
fibre 2g
chol 130mg
sodium 897mg
%RDI: 419mg
calcium -
iron 10%
vit A 32%
vit C 4%
folate 8%

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pork Loin

Tried this new slow cooker recipe and we loved it! Need a sweet tooth to enjoy it though.

The Recipe:
1 boneless pork loin roast, 4 to 6 pounds
1 clove garlic, halved
salt and pepper
1 1/3 cups brown sugar, divided
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1. Wash pork roast, trim excess fat, pat dry, and rub with garlic halves

2. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then prick the roast all over with a fork or skewer

3. In a cup or bowl, combine 1 cup of the brown sugar, the mustard, and vinegar. Rub all over the roast.

4. Cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 9 hours. Pour off the excess juices. (SAVE THE JUICES for a gravy!)

5. Combine the remaining 1/3 cup brown sugar with cinnamon; Spread the mixture over the top of the roast.

6. Cover and continue cooking on LOW for 1 hour longer.

My Experience:
So so so so so yummy! Don't be fooled by the lack of liquids in the recipe... the juices from pork do the job (just don't cut off too much of the fat, I actually didn't cut any off of mine). After about 5 hours I just turned the roast over so that the top layer could soak for a bit. Mine was nice and moist.

I couldn't get my bottle of balsamic vinegar to open so in my hurry this morning I just used regular vinegar and it was still good.

I saved the juices and made a very yummy gravy out of it. Sliced up the roast and served it with rice (with a bit of gravy mixed in) and a side of steamed vegetables.