Valentine's Treat: Red Velvet Cake

This 'love-themed' cake gets some Valentine's flair.

Looking for something special to whip up for your sweetie or with your kids?  I saw this recipe for cupcakes and adjusted it to create a cake with a Valentine’s flair.  This is beautiful to look at and tastes fantastic -- at least that would be the vote from the dinner table tonight.   Ingredients:   For the Cream Cheese Frosting: Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two (8-inch) cake pans with parchment paper or prepare cupcake tins with paper cups. In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix …

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Love Bites

Minty Dog Treats

Mint helps with fresh breath and is excellent for your pet's digestion.

Minty Treats Just like this week's pet of the week, this recipe is worth more than meets the eye.  It's not just a yummy treat, but it also helps freshen doggie breath. And if that's not enough, mint is a natural aid in digestion, so your dog will feel good after eating this, too! Ingredients Instructions

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'Fake' Salisbury Steaks

This old-fashioned meal, served in Golden Valley homes and restaurants for years, is updated and healthier for today’s busy cooks.

This  is a meal that my friends and family really enjoy and doesn't need anything special for the meat portion—hence the "fake" designation.  The upside: There's nothing "fake" about the flavors, and it's easy to make. Ingredients Preparation 1. Combine first 7 ingredients. Divide meat mixture into 6 equal portions and shape into a patty that is approximately a 1/2-inch-thick.   2. Heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Carefully add the patties; cook 6 minutes or until browned, turning after 3 minutes. Remove patties from pan; keep warm by tenting with aluminum foil. 3. Stir in water and remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil; add patties. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Uncover and cook …

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Cooking with Kathleen

Cranberry Apple Stuffed Pork Roast

This beautiful recipe reminds me of some of the great comfort meals we've enjoyed in Golden Valley with our family and friends.

My husband and I were watching America’s Test Kitchen, and saw this beautiful recipe which reminded me of some of the great comfort meals we've enjoyed in Golden Valley with our family and friends. I changed up the recipe just a bit to reflect my Midwestern palate.  I had my butcher double butterfly the roast for me.  That's when he gave me some great advice to make this comforting recipe easy, but sophisticated. Cranberry Apple Stuffed Pork Roast Ingredients Filling (Chutney) Pork Roast Instructions 1.      Put all the filling ingredients into a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cover; reduce heat to low, and cook until apples are very soft, which should be about 20 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, …

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Frosty Paws Dog Treats

My dogs love these in the summer and in this bitterly cold weather, too!

Our dogs think these treats are something special.   You might not be in the mood for ice cream, but our dogs love Frosty Paws Dog Treats this time of year.  These are a lot like ice cream, but they're healthier, and your dog will love them just like ours do. For years I bought them at the grocery store, but then I figured I could craft something similar at home.   Now you can give it a try, too. Ingredients   Instructions 1.      Mix ingredients in your food processor or blender. Once combined pour into ice cube trays, paper cups, or a Kong toy to freeze and serve. You can also spread the mixture about 1-inch thick on a jelly roll pan lined with a parchment or waxed paper and place in the freezer for about five minutes. Remove the sheet …

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Cooking with Kathleen

Quick and Easy Ribs (Make 'Em or Buy 'Em)

With all of this cold, snowy weather, warm up with this perfect recipe for ribs. Don't worry, you can cheat and pick them up at the store, too!

I was walking through Byerly’s in Golden Valley and smelled some wonderful pork loin ribs wafting through the store.  My husband was hoping for beef for dinner, so I opted for a quick beef short rib fix for him. You can try this recipe or run over to Byerly’s and pick up their pork ribs and heat them up at home. -Kathleen Ingredients Directions

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Cooking with Kathleen

Meatloaf

A tasty comfort food made for Minnesota winters.

 This is an easy dish and baking it in a meatloaf pan helps drain the fat away so a traditional favorite is healthier. Ingredients Instructions 1.      Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. 2.      Mix together all ingredients -- except barbecue sauce -- using your hands. 3.      Transfer mixture to a meatloaf pan that has been sprayed with non-stick vegetable spray. If you don’t have a meatloaf pan you can use a regular loaf pan. 4.      Spread barbeque sauce over the top of the meatloaf and bake for 1-hour.    

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Cooking with Kathleen

Potatoes

Potatoes are an excellent staple for most households and are a good source of Vitamin C.

When I was making mashed potatoes I came across some that had gone green in the bag and thought it might be helpful for you to know a little about buying and storing potatoes.  Potatoes are grown commercially in 48 states and, with the exception of new potatoes, are available year round. Potatoes have lots of uses and they are a great winter food appearing as mashed potatoes, garlic roasted, in stew and as homemade wedges and fries. There are many varieties and as with most things, some are more suited to certain tasks than others. Buying 1.       Choose potatoes that are firm, smooth and well-shaped. They should be free of cracks, blemishes and wrinkles. If the skin is green-tinted or they are sprouting eyes (buds) avoid them. 2.       …

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Cooking with Kathleen

Homemade Non-Stick Cooking Spray

This simple recipe can save you money on buying commercial non-stick sprays or if you run out of non-stick cooking spray you can make your own!

This is a great alternative to store brands and is easy to make when you need some non-stick spray for your pots and pans. Ingredients 1 part Olive oil 6 parts water 1 clean food grade bottle with a mister (think small spray bottle) Instructions Combine ingredients in a small mister. Shake well and spray pans before cooking. Use this like you would PAM and similar sprays.

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Cooking with Kathleen

Cracker Jack Cookies

This a an easy and tasty drop cookie that my sister found in an old cookbook at our parent's house.

These cookies are quite tasty and easy to make. They are called Cracker Jack, but not in the style of the boxed treat, but in the sense that Cracker Jack meant "Great!" in the 1930's. Cracker Jack Cookies INGREDIENTS:   INSTRUCTIONS: 1.    Cream together sugar and butter. 2.    Add eggs and vanilla. Mix well. 3.    Measure flour; sift in soda and baking powder. Beat into creamed mixture. Let stand few minutes. 4.    Add coconut, oatmeal and Rice Krispies in that order. 5.     Drop on pan. Bake about 10 minutes, 350-degrees.  The ingredients are available at Byerly's.