52 weeks... Week 4

Wow, this week went by like days.  But boy was it a good one!  I tried out TWO different recipes this week, and I can't wait to share.  One is for a Date Dessert, and the other is Biscuit Beignets with Praline Sauce.  I also have an update on our plants!! Looking good ;-).. Oh and don't forget about my adorable session with little Elliana!

Baby Elliana

First Up.. Baby Elliana.. Last Sunday (just before the blizzard hit) I made it over to photography baby Elliana.  She is an adorable 10 week old.  Full of personality and full of adorable cuteness!... You can find the full session HERE..

Next up... A date recipe just like grandma would make it!  

Gramma's Date Squares

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cups sifted pastry flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup butter, softened

Filling.... (I doubled it)

• 3/4 pound pitted dates, diced
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice  (I used vanilla)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, combine oats, pastry flour, salt, 1 cup brown sugar, and baking soda. Mix in the butter until crumbly. Press half of the mixture into the bottom of a 9 inch square baking pan.
3. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the dates, water, and 1/3 cup brown sugar. Bring to a boil, and cook until thickened. Stir in lemon juice (or vanilla), and remove from heat. Spread the filling over the base, and pat the remaining crumb mixture on top.
4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in preheated oven, or until top is lightly toasted. Cool before cutting into squares.

Add the oats, flour, baking soda, salt, and 1 cup brown sugar

Mix so it looks like this

Press to the bottom of a 9x9 pan

dice dates

In a saucepan place the dates, water, and 1/3 cup brown sugar. Bring to a boil, and cook until thickened.
Stir in lemon juice (or vanilla), and remove from heat

Spread over crust

Place the remainder of your crust mix on top

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 mins

mmm... :-)

My last recipe I made is from Amanda and Kevin's blog.  I love reading their blog and trying out all of their recipes... 

I made these delicious donut like desserts... they are great when they are warm!

Biscuit Beignets with Praline Sauce

Ingredients

1 tube flaky biscuits
1 cup butter-flavored shortening, for frying
8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

Melt butter in a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add sugar and whisk until sugar melts and mixture begins to boil, about 5 minutes. Stir in milk, vanilla, and pecans until smooth. Set aside.

Separate biscuits and cut into fourths. In heavy-bottomed skillet, melt the shortening over medium heat until it reaches 325 degrees F. Fry biscuit quarters in batches until golden on each side. Biscuits will cook very quickly. Dust generously with powdered sugar and serve immediately with praline sauce.

Melt butter in a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat.
Add sugar and whisk until sugar melts and mixture begins to boil, about 5 minutes.
Stir in milk, vanilla, and pecans until smooth. Set aside.

Separate biscuits and cut into fourths.

I used Pillsbury Flaky Layers

Add 1 cup of butter flavored shortening or oil into a heavy duty medium saucepan. 
Let it heat up until it reaches 325 degrees.  Be very careful, if the pan gets to hot, you may have to
remove for awhile.  It is a tricky process, trust me I know!

Once the oil is ready, place a few squares in to the plan and cook them until they are golden on each side.

They should look like this.

Powder the squares with powder sugar and drizzle the sauce on top

The best when they are served warm!

Plants

 Finally.. and update on how our plants are coming along.... I can't believe it!  I can't wait to put them into the ground!

The peppers!

The Tomatoes