New cake Aspen Log (Торт Березовое Полено)

I went to Russia a couple of weeks ago. I really enjoyed my trip and enjoyed Russian food too. I brought back a couple of recipes that I would like to try. Here is one of them: Aspen Log Cake.    
There are three parts for the cake: batter, filling and cream for the topping.
For batter you will need 6 eggs, 1 cup if sugar, 1 cup of floor, 1/2 tbsp  of salt, 1 1/2 tbsp of baking powder and 2 tbsp of vanilla. Place all the ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix them together with the kitchen mixer into runny batter. (About 2 minutes)
Prepare baking sheet (light is better than dark). Take a parchment paper of the size of the baking sheet. Fold it according the size of the sheet and generously spray it with baking spray (or cover with the oil by hand). Pour ready batter into the prepared baking sheet, spread it over the parchment paper evenly. Bake 13-15 minutes at 365 F temperature until slight golden brown top.
Filling: 1 cup of fresh raspberries mixed with 1/2 cup of sugar, break the berries with the fork, mash it into runny berry sauce.
As soon as you take the cake out of the oven, spread berry sauce evenly over the cake and roll it up into a roll while it is hot! It is important - do it immediately while it is hot, otherwise it won't roll up.
Let the roll to cool down completely.
 Prepare the cream for the topping: 1 cup of sour cream mix with 1/2 cup of sugar.
When cake is cool down, spread cream evenly on the top of the roll making it looking like a log. Scrape a chocolate bar or candy with the knife and decorate the top of the cake with the pieces of the chocolate so it will look like an aspen log.
Cool it down in the fridge overnight. It will taste better! Sorry, I couldn't add any pictures today, check out the FB page to see the cake picture.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151323285925821&set=a.71025005820.106143.526275820&type=1&theater

Homemade Crourons

One of my friends mentioned about new obsession with Homemade Croutons. I decided to fund a recipe and try it! Boy, was it good! And easy too. So, here is recipe that beats any Italian zesty croutons from the box.

Ingredients: Day old French bread, Olive Oil, Salt and freshly ground black pepper, 1/4 teaspoons of red pepper flakes

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut bread into cubes and place in large bowl. Drizzle cubes with olive oil, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Mix well. Spread seasoned bread onto sheet pan.

 

 Bake for about 15 minutes. Let them cool down completely. Store in zip-lock bag for your soup and salads. Yumm!!!

Good Eats Meatloaf

I'm not a big fan of meatloaf. But I need to learn how to cook it because my American husband likes it and for the leftovers sake if it great family meal! So, here we go: Good Eats Meatloaf, American, not Russian way!

Ingredients

• 6 ounces garlic-flavored croutons
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 onion, roughly chopped
• 1 carrot, peeled and broken
• 3 whole cloves garlic
• 1/2 red bell pepper
• 18 ounces ground chuck
• 18 ounces ground sirloin
• 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 egg 

Directions

Heat oven to 325 degrees F.

In a food processor bowl, combine croutons, black pepper, cayenne pepper, chili powder, and thyme. Pulse until the mixture is of a fine texture.
Place this mixture into a large bowl. Combine the onion, carrot, garlic, and red pepper in the food processor bowl. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped, but not pureed. Combine the vegetable mixture, ground sirloin, and ground chuck with the bread crumb mixture. Season the meat mixture with the kosher salt. Add the egg and combine thoroughly, but avoid squeezing the meat.



Pack this mixture into a 10-inch loaf pan to mold the shape of the meatloaf.

 Onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, turn the meatloaf out of the pan onto the center of the tray. Insert a temperature probe at a 45 degree angle into the top of the meatloaf. Avoid touching the bottom of the tray with the probe. Set the probe for 155 degrees.

For the glaze:

• 1/2 cup Ketchup
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Dash Worcestershire sauce
• Dash hot pepper sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey

Combine the Ketchup, cumin, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce and honey. Brush the glaze onto the meatloaf after it has been cooking for about 10 minutes.

Another few minutes to cool down and , Honey, dinner is ready! 

 

Chicken Salad Sandwich

Ingredients

• 4 split (2 whole) chicken breasts, bone-in, skin on
• Good olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 cup good mayonnaise, plus more for the bread
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon leaves
• 1 cup small-diced celery (2 stalks)
• 8 to 10 slices health or seven-grain bread
• 1 package green salad mix or lettuce leaves

Directions

Baking chicken is a little bit a messy business, but it is totally worth it. Your salad meat will be moist and delicious! So, roll your sleeves and get ready for a little work.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the chicken breasts, skin side up, on a sheet pan and rub them with olive oil. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Set aside to cool.
When the chicken is cool, remove and discard the skin and bones and cut the chicken into 3/4-inch dice. Place the chicken in a bowl and add the mayonnaise, tarragon, celery, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper and toss well.

To assemble, spread a little mayonnaise on half the bread slices, top with the chicken salad and green mix or lettuce leaves of your choice, and cover with the remaining slices of bread. Cut in half and serve.

Believe me, it is sooooo good that your guests will be asking for recipe! :)