Benne Seed Pita Toasts Food

BENNE WAFERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Place the benne (sesame) seeds on an ungreased baking sheet and toast for 10 to 12 minutes, until light brown. Watch closes so that they don 't burn.
• In a large bowl mix the brown sugar, melted butter or margarine, egg, vanilla extract, flour, salt, baking powder and toasted sesame seeds together until combined.
• Drop dough by 1/2 teaspoonfuls 1 1/2 inches apart onto a lightly greased baking sheet.
• Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 4 to 6 minutes, until light brown. Let cookies cool for about 2 minutes before removing from baking sheets to a wire rack to cool completely. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container.

GARLIC-HERB PITA TOASTS

Steps:

• Cooks Tip: For the best results, use a baking sheet that is not too dark for this recipe; otherwise, watch the pita bread carefully as it burns easily.
• Preheat oven to 500°F.
• Separate each pita quarter into 2 pieces.
• Arrange in a single layer, rough side up, on an ungreased baking sheet.
• Brush evenly with the oil.
• In a small bowl, combine the parsley, chives, and garlic.
• Using your fingers, distribute the herb mixture evenly over the pita quarters.
• Sprinkle evenly with coarse salt.
• Bake on the top rack of the oven for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the pita quarters are nicely toasted.

BENNE SEED PITA TOASTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Whisk together cornstarch and 2 tablespoons melted butter in a small bowl until smooth, then whisk in salt, the remaining 4 tablespoons melted butter and the sesame seeds.
• Brush the rough sides of the pita halves with butter mixture, stirring the mixture well before brushing each subsequent half. Cut each pita half into 8 wedges and arrange, seeded sides up, in 1 layer on 2 baking sheets. Bake in the upper and lower thirds of the oven, switching positon of the baking sheets half way through, baking until golden, 10-12 minutes total. Cool toasts on a rack.

BENNE SEED PITA TOASTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Whisk together cornstarch and 2 tablespoons butter in a small bowl until smooth, then whisk in salt, remaining 4 tablespoons butter, and sesame seeds.
• Brush rough sides of pita halves with butter mixture, stirring mixture well before brushing each half. Cut each pita half into 8 wedges and arrange, seeded sides up, in 1 layer on 2 baking sheets. Bake in upper and lower thirds of oven, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until golden, 10 to 12 minutes total. Cool toasts on a rack.

SPINACH DIP WITH PITA TOASTS

Steps:

• For the dip: Drain spinach and press out as much water as possible.
• Combine the spinach, jalapenos, onions, tomatoes, cream cheese, Monterey Jack cheese and half and half in a medium bowl and mix well.
• Spoon into a buttered baking dish and bake at 400º for 20 to 25 minutes.
• Serve with pita toasts.
• For pita toasts:.
• Combine the butter, lemon pepper and cumin in a shallow dish and mix well.
• Slit each pita bread round in half so you have 2 rounds.
• Cut each round into triangles (using a pizza cutter makes this very easy).
• Dip each piece into butter mixture and place on a cookie and put under the broiler until crisp.

YUMMY SCRUMMY BRAISED BEEF WITH RED WINE AND CRANBERRY

Steps:

• Cut the steak into bite size pieces and tip into a large food bag with the flour and some salt and pepper.
• Give the bag a good shake, making sure the beef is well coated.
• Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large pan.
• Add the beef and fry until evenly browned.
• Remove to a plate.
• You can do this in two batches if you prefer.
• Heat 1 tbsp of oil in the pan and add the onions.
• Fry for 5 minutes until they're slightly brown.
• Return the beef to the pan and add the wine and stock.
• Bring to the boil, stirring well to scrape up the juices.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• NOTE: I only add pepper at this stage because my stock is pretty salty.
• Reduce the heat, cover tightly with a lid and cook at a gentle simmer for one and a half hours until the beef is tender.
• Stir in the cranberry sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
• Simmer it for a few minutes and serve with a huge dollop of creamy mashed potatoes.
• Happy Cooking!

PITA SCOOPS

Steps:

• Place pita wedges into a large bowl and drizzle with oil and toss until coated.
• Combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl and pour half of mixture over pita wedges. Toss and then top with the remaining mixture and toss again.
• Arrange in a single layer on a greased baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10 - 15 degrees until golden. Cool completely and package in air tight containers.