Cooking Exceptionally With Gin Lee

Country-style cake donut cookies Today was another baking day for me and I made cake donut cookies. In case you're wondering, these cookies taste essentially like an old-fashioned glazed cake donut. I made the cookies today in two different shapes: flowers and rectangles. When cutting the shapes for them, I do not measure the rectangular pieces and I do not cut the dough off at the ends of them. They're meant to look handmade and rustic. Tip: For my recipe, I use cake flour. If you don't have cake flour, you can make homemade cake flour by removing two tablespoons of all-purpose flour and adding two tablespoons of cornstarch in its place. Do this method, per cup of cake flour needed. Ingredients: 3-½ cups of cake flour 1 cup of granulated white Splenda, or white granulated sugar 1 teaspoon of yeast ¾ cups of milk 1 egg 1 teaspoon of salt 2 tablespoons of butter, softened 1 tablespoon of powdered cinnamon 1 tablespoon of canola oil, plus a little extra to grease your pans In...

  Chicken Spaghetti Recipe for a Creamy Weeknight Dinner Tender chicken, twirls of spaghetti, and a creamy cheddar sauce make this chicken spaghetti recipe a cozy dinner that’s easy to share. It’s mixed on the stovetop, then baked until hot and bubbling, so the top gets a light layer of melted cheese. The sauce gets its creamy texture from condensed soup, sour cream, broth, and cheddar. Use cooked chicken to save time, or cook chicken ahead and shred it when you’re ready. You’ll also find simple swaps, make-ahead tips, and ways to reheat leftovers without drying them out. Why This Chicken Spaghetti Recipe Belongs in Your Dinner Rotation This version brings familiar ingredients together in a casserole that’s easy to adapt to your taste. The stovetop sauce comes together while the pasta cooks, and a short bake warms the filling through. A creamy, cheesy sauce coats every strand Cheddar adds a savory, tangy taste, while sour cream gives the sauce a smooth finish. Condensed cream of ch...

Mini Mexican pizza on NAAN original flatbread These little mini Mexican pizzas are actually really filling, so don't let their size fool you!  I used mini flatbread for my recipe today, because it makes perfect mini pizzas. The flatbread is soft, but yet thick enough that the pizzas don't fall apart. You can fold them in half, and pick them up to eat, or slice them with a pizza cutter so that they're not quite as messy. You'll find that whichever way you choose to eat them, they're delicious. Ingredients: 1 package of Stonefire mini NAAN original flatbread ½ pound of ground beef 1 teaspoon of cumin 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper 1 small white onion 1 can of refried beans 1 cup of white American garlic cheese or Mexican cheese 1 teaspoon of canola oil Instructions: In a skillet, add the cooking oil, allowing it to get hot on medium heat. Then add the diced onion. Cook until the onion is translucent. Now, add the ground beef and seasonings t...

  Peanut Butter Balls for Pups: A No-Bake Treat Ready in 30 Minutes A homemade dog treat doesn’t need an oven or a long ingredient list. These peanut butter balls for pups mix up in about 10 minutes, then chill until firm. You’ll need oat flour, plain pumpkin purée, and peanut butter, plus a careful look at the peanut butter label. Serve them as occasional snacks, with the size and amount suited to your dog. Make Peanut Butter Balls for Pups with Three Simple Ingredients Gather the ingredients You’ll need just three ingredients for this no-bake dog treat: 1 cup oat flour ½ cup plain pumpkin purée ¼ cup xylitol-free peanut butter Choose plain pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling. The filling may contain added sugar or spices, so check the can before you scoop. To make homemade oat flour, add 1 cup of oats to a blender or food processor. Hit the pulse button a few times until it's the consistency of flour. I like to leave a few oat pieces unprocessed just to add texture to the trea...

  Baked Penne Pasta with Sliced Smoked Sausage for an Easy, Hearty Dinner A bubbling pan of baked penne pasta with sliced smoked sausage brings tender pasta, rich tomato sauce, and golden cheese to the table in one dish. Brown the sausage first, keep the sauce generous, and cook the penne a little shy of tender. Those small steps help the casserole stay moist and full of flavor. Use jarred sauce for a quick dinner, then add vegetables or spice to make it your own. Why Baked Penne Pasta with Sliced Smoked Sausage Satisfies Smoky sausage, hearty sauce, and melted cheese Penne’s ridged tubes catch sauce, while its centers hold little pockets of it. Smoky sausage adds a savory note that pairs well with tomato sauce, and mozzarella melts into a soft, stretchy topping. A sprinkle of Parmesan brings a sharper, salty finish. This sausage penne bake is filling enough to serve as a main dish. Add a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables to balance the rich sauce and cheese. Garlic bread wor...

Omelet Breakfast Pizza Skip making a pizza crust. Instead, use only eggs! Are you tired of having the same old boring thing for breakfast? Why not prepare an omelet breakfast pizza? Today, I prepared a pepperoni and cheese omelet pizza with red banana peppers. This recipe took me maybe eight to ten minutes to prepare and part of that time was just on prepping.  Ingredients: 5-6 large eggs, whisked 1 small package of pepperoni ½ cup of cheese (I used Velveeta cheese because it melts quicker) Sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper, seasoning salt, and smoked paprika 1 red banana pepper, diced Add-ins: Cooked ground sausage, cooked Italian sausage, diced onion, etc.. Instructions: First, gather up all the ingredients and dice the red banana pepper because this recipe is fairly fast once you get started cooking the egg layer.   Spray a large non-stick skillet with cooking spray really well, or use a couple of tablespoons of cooking oil. Place the non-stick skillet over mediu...

  Baked Homemade Mac & Cheese with a Creamy Center and Golden Top A pan of baked homemade mac and cheese brings together tender pasta, smooth cheddar sauce, and a crisp, golden top. The key is to pull the macaroni from the water a little early, so it stays tender after baking. This recipe uses a simple stovetop cheese sauce and a short oven bake. Warm milk, freshly grated cheese, and a watchful eye keep the sauce creamy instead of grainy or dry. Make it for a weeknight dinner, a family meal, or a comforting side dish. You’ll also find easy cheese swaps, topping ideas, and make-ahead tips below. Build Big Cheese Flavor With Simple Ingredients The classic combination of pasta, cheddar, and a creamy milk sauce gives this casserole its familiar taste. Each ingredient has a job, but you can adjust the seasonings and cheese to suit your table. Choose Pasta That Holds the Sauce Elbow macaroni is the classic choice, while small shells, cavatappi, or ridged shapes also catch plenty of s...

Hashbrown Breakfast Pizza Ingredients: 2 potatoes, peeled and grated 12 pepperoni slices 4 eggs 1/4 cup of grated American cheese 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning salt 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder 2 tablespoons of canola oil for the skillet Instructions: Peel and rinse 2 large potatoes (I used Russet potatoes). Then grate them. Place the grated potatoes in a bowl of cold ice water for ten minutes to soak. Add 2 tablespoons of canola oil for the skillet and allow it to get hot over medium-high heat. Drain the water off the potatoes. Then pat them dry with a clean paper towel. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning salt, 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder over the grated potatoes. Flip the potato pieces with your hands so that the spices are mixed well. Then transfer the seasoned potatoes to the skillet. Allow the bottom of the hashbrown to brown even...