Laken's profile page
Recipes
Mango Margarita
By Laken
Spread the chile powder in a dish
- 1 cup ice
- 1 lime wedge
- 3 ounces silver tequila
- 1 small mango—peeled, pitted and coarsely chopped (3 ounces)
- 1 1/2 ounces fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon chile powder, such as Tajin (see Note)
- 2 ounces orange liqueur
- 1 1/2 ounces agave nectar
- 3 ounces grapefruit soda
Spicy-and-Garlicky Brussels Sprouts
By Laken
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil
- 3 pounds brussels sprouts, halved
- 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 4 large garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- Salt
Raspberry Whoopie Pies
By Laken
Preheat oven 325°F. Lightly spray Whoopie Pie Pan with nonstick cooking spray
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups cake flour, sifted
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup milk
- Whoopie Pie Filling
- 1/3 cup seedless raspberry jam
Sweet Potato Pancakes
By Laken
In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, sugar, baking soda, and baking powder
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 5 1/2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 3 cups buttermilk
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 large sweet potato, roasted and cooled
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
White Texas Sheet Cake
By Laken
Directions In a large saucepan, bring 1 cup butter or margarine and water to a boil
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 cup milk
- 4 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Pretzel-Crusted Crab Cakes
By Laken
In a bowl, whisk the mayonnaise with the egg, mustard, Old Bay, paprika and scallions
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 3 scallions, green parts only, thinly sliced
- 1 pound lump crabmeat, picked over for shell
- 3/4 cup finely ground hard pretzels (from 1/2 pound pretzels)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Amaretto
By Laken
Combine water, white sugar and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 cups vodka
- 2 tablespoons almond extract
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Grilled Honeydew Wedges with Lime Sugar
By Laken
Light a grill. In a small bowl, combine the lime zest with the sugar
- Finely grated zest of 3 limes
- 1/3 cup sugar
- One 4-pound honeydew melon, halved, seeded and cut into 2-inch wedges
- Lime wedges, for serving
Strawberry Amaretto White Chocolate Cupcakes
By Laken
Strawberry Cupcakes Preheat oven to 350F
- Cupcakes
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla paste or pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons sifted cake flour
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 cup whole milk, at room temperature
- 5-6 oz frozen strawberries, defrosted or fresh strawberries
- 1/4 cup Amaretto
- White Chocolate Whipped Cream
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 oz white chocolate
Smoky Shrimp and Grits
By Laken
In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups of water to a boil
- 3/4 cup quick-cooking grits
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded (3/4 cup)
- 1 1/2 cups baby spinach, coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup snipped chives
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 2 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 pound shelled and deveined medium shrimp
- 1/2 teaspoon hot paprika
- 1/4 cup dry white wine