Cooking with Abi

04/05/2022

10/27/2019

Baked Garlic & Parmesan Chicken Wings

Pre heat oven to 400 and line your baking dish with parchment paper generously spray with cooking spray. This is key otherwise your wings will stick to your pan.

2 lbs. chicken wings
4 cloves of minced garlic
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 package dry ranch dressing
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for garnish)
2 Tbsp corn starch
Minced Parsley for garnish

In a large bowl mix together the garlic, pepper, salt, olive oil, lemon juice, and powdered ranch dressing. Add wings and toss to coat. Sprinkle with corn starch and mix well. Add Parmesan and evenly coat.
Spread onto parchment paper baking pan and place in even layer. Sprinkle with more Parmesan if desired. (Yes please) Bake for 20 mins and then remove from oven to flip the wings to cook on other side. Bake an additional 15-20 minutes.
Remove from oven. Turn oven to Broil high. Broil wings for 4-6 until crispy.
Sprinkle with parsley and additional cheese and enjoy!

05/23/2019

Here is my secret to perfect pork chops:
1) I like using bone in pork chops but you can use either. First thing you do is pour some lemon juice on both sides and let the excess drip off.
2) Dredge in a mixture of 1 cup Panko bread crumbs with Italian Seasoning and 1/4 Parmesan cheese. Make sure both sides are coated.
3) Cook in a pan on medium heat with olive oil and 2 Tbsp butter. Make sure their is enough oil to completely cover the bottom of the pan. Cook on both sides turning when golden brown. Put them on an oven proof dish and bake in a 350 oven for 10 minutes.
Enjoy!!!

05/05/2019

Mix One part Tequila and two parts Watermelon Pucker in a shaker with ice add a few drops of hot sauce. Rub rim of glass with lime and dip in Tajin coating rim. Pour shot into glass and enjoy. Mexican Candy Shot! Happy Cinco de Mayo!

04/23/2019

These Blue Cheese Toasts are the perfect accompaniment to Ham and Navy Bean Soup. Slice some French bread and bake at 350 for 5 minutes. Mix 1/2 cup softened butter with 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles. Remove bread from and let cool slightly. Spread blue cheese mixture evenly on each piece of bread and then broil on high until golden brown.

04/15/2019

GOT inspired dinner with Cheddar Ale Soup, Roasted Honey Garlic Chicken, Parmesan Potatoes, Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas, Herbed Biscuits, Blackberry Galettes, and to finish it off, GOT Three Eyed Raven Dark Ale! No silverware required.

04/08/2019

Bacon wrapped Mini Peppers stuffed with Pepper-jack Cheese. Bake at 375 until crispy.

12/11/2018

Need a last minute gift idea? How about Chef Abi's Satay Blend?

The last day for Bobby to take your shipment for guaranteed Christmas delivery is December 12! Order from our website in the comfort of your home and check all those last minute gifts off your list!

10/29/2018

Sooo...I created a new cocktail yesterday. I started with Blueberry and Wildflower Cocktail Caviar. I then mixed equal amounts of Blackberry Lemonade and Elderflower Lemonade in a shaker with ice and poured over my caviar (not pictured). I highly recommend. These were delicious and fun to eat! Not to mention....soaked in vodka. I purchased all ingredients from Total Wine in Temecula at the mall.

07/05/2018

I made this AMAZING dessert yesterday while celebrating the 4th of July. Inspired by the flavors of summer campfires I went searching for a recipe S'mores pie. I adapted this recipe and made it for a 9x13 pan because everyone always wants 'some more'.
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter, softened
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups flour
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 tsp. baking powder
2 containers of marshmallow crème
7 whole Hershey bars (separated)
2 cups mini marshmallows
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9x13 pan with Pam for baking.

In a mixing bowl, mix the butter and sugar until well blended. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until combined. Add flour, graham crumbs and baking powder. Mix until dough forms. Separate into two equal parts.
Spread half of the dough mixture into the bottom of your pan going up the sides a little. Spread marshmallow creme evenly over crust. Place separated Hershey bars over the crème and then sprinkle with mini marshmallows. Spread remaining dough over the top. You will have some of the marshmallows poke through which is perfect as these will bubble up. Sprinkle the top with chocolate chips and bake in oven for 20-22 minutes or until top is golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool completely before cutting.

12/13/2017

This is my new favorite bread. I have made it twice this week. It is Artichoke bread, It is so easy to make, Start with your favorite artichoke dip. It can be plain artichoke dip or with spinach or jalapenos etc. Add to that a small can of diced green chilies and a can of finely chopped artichoke hearts, This can all be blended in the food processor but be sure to leave some chunks of deliciousness. Cut a loaf of French bread in half and spread a generous amount on both sides of bread. Sprinkle with shredded monterey jack cheese. Bake in a 350 oven for 10 minutes then switch oven to broil on high. Remove from oven when the top gets a nice bubbly brown. Slice and enjoy. This is good hot or at room temperature.

10/18/2017

These are the perfect football appetizer. Cut a hole in a roll and brush with garlic butter. Bake at 350 for 5-7 minutes or until golden. Cook meatballs in marinara sauce until heated through. Place one meatball in each roll and top with extra sauce and mozzarella cheese. Return to oven for 7-10 minutes or until cheese melts. Enjoy!

04/25/2017

Summer Black and Blue Salad with sliced blackened flank steak, blue cheese and my new favorite vinaigrette with apple cider vinegar, garlic, Dijon and paprika with olive oil and salt and pepper.

01/12/2017

12/09/2016

Here you go again.....

I get lots of requests for this recipe. It is delicious and very easy.

Perfect Sugar Cookies
1 1/2 cups of sugar
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
4 cups flour

Blend baking soda and sour cream. Set aside. Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla. Add sour cream mixture and flour. Blend well. Wrap cookie dough and chill for 1 to 2 hours or up to two days. Roll out on the well floured work surface. Bake at 350° for 8 to 10 minutes. Let cookies cool and then frost with favorite frosting.

Bailey's Irish cream butter cream frosting

2 lb. bag of powdered sugar
1 lb. butter, softened
1 Tbsp. Vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 cup Irish Cream

Cream together butter vanilla and salt. Add powdered sugar and Irish cream alternately, blending well after each addition. If frosting is too thick add more Irish cream by the table spoon until you reach desired consistency. Add desired food coloring at this point. Enjoy.

11/24/2016

Here is my new holiday drink: German Chocolate Cake Martini!

For one beverage:
In a martini shaker with ice add the following ingredients:

1 oz Coconut Vodka
1 oz Frangelico (hazelnut liquor)
4 oz milk
2 tsp Nutella

Shake or stir until well combined. Strain into a martini glass. Optional garnishes: chocolate drizzle in the glass and a chocolate rim dipped in coconut. Enjoy!

09/08/2016

I love fresh mozzarella with tomatoes and basil. This time I mixed it up a bit and made a vinaigrette with a Fig Balsamic Vinegar. I also wanted to show you how to chiffonade basil. You first stack them one on top of the other. The you roll the up basil leaves and slice them thin. Enjoy!

08/31/2016

My dear friend Nic Hower is an AMAZING knife sharpener and he comes to you! Are you looking for a reason a girls night in? Call Nic, invite the girls over for wine and appetizers, have them bring some of their knives and Nic will sharpen them in the driveway while you connect with your friends. 951-595-5289

05/22/2016

Tiny little Cheeseburger skewers made with baked meatballs. Super easy and fun for the kids to make this summer.

04/27/2016

Deconstructed Egg Rolls are so much fun to eat and so easy to make. Take your favorite veggies and cut them into julienne strips. Sauté very minimally with olive oil. Remove from heat while still crisp. Flavor with Asian dressing, minced ginger and sesame oil. Chill. Meanwhile cut wonton wrappers diagonally and fry until golden. Enjoy!

04/13/2016

Exciting news and a dream come true for me! OldTown Spice and Tea Merchant has decided to carry my special Satay blend that I have fine tuned over the last 20 years! Made from the finest ingredients from their spice shop, this blend of 20 spices will help you be the star of your next party! At a very reasonable price of $3.69 you can also get a recipe card with your purchase that will give you tips for use. Please go in today to purchase your very own 'Chef Abi's Satay Blend.'

03/30/2016

I made this Saltine Cracker Toffee for Easter and it was super easy and delicious.

Recipe:
1 1/2 sleeves of saltines
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
12 oz bag chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup Heath Bar topping

Place saltine crackers on a greased foil lined baking sheet that has a rimmed edge.
Place butter and sugar in a sauce pan over moderate heat. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes at a low boil stirring constantly. Remove from heat and pour over saltines spreading evenly. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and place in a 350 degree oven for 5 minutes. Remove pan and spread and smooth chocolate over the saltines. Sprinkle Heath pieces and nuts over chocolate. Place pan in fridge or freezer until chocolate is set. Break up into bite size pieces and enjoy.

03/25/2016

My youngest decided we needed to have meatless Thursday. He thought we would be eating bean and cheese burritos with macaroni and cheese. When he saw me making veggie enchiladas he promptly asked for less vegetables in his. Yeah right kid.....anyway, a little trick to easy enchiladas is getting cheese sticks which are the perfect size for the tortillas. Here I used Colby sticks with zucchini, yellow squash, corn and red bell pepper.

03/02/2016

I am teaching another cooking class at Old Town Spice and Tea Merchant on Monday, March 14. The menu is Chicken Sate with a Peanut Sauce, Sweet Potato and Beef Skewers with a Chimichurri Sauce and Chocolate Covered Brownie Cherry Bombs. Call the Spice store for reservations 951-587-2223