function junction, Author at Function Junction

Guacamole

Guacamole Course: Appetizer Cuisine: Mexican Prep Time: 20 minutes Resting Time: 1 hour Total Time: 20 minutes Servings: 10 servings Calories: 135 kcal Print Ingredients 4 avocados pitted, scooped and mashed 1 lime juiced 1/2 tsp fine sea salt 1/2 tsp fresh black pepper coarse-ground 2 tsp fresh jalapeno seeded and finely minced 1/2 cup red onion finely diced 3 tbsp fresh cilantro chopped 1 Roma tomato finely diced Dash Tabasco sauce or other favorite hot sauce optional Instructions In a medium bowl, mash together the avocados. Add lime juice, salt and pepper. Mix in jalapeno, onion, cilantro and tomatoes. Add hot sauce if using. Place in airtight bowl for 1 hour to allow flavors to meld or serve immediately with fresh tortilla chips. About 10 ¼ cup servings. Recipe Notes Recipe by Mary C. Merola - June 2010. Function Junction Culinary Studio Nutrition Facts Guacamole Amount Per Serving Calories 135 Calories from Fat 99 % Daily Value* Total Fat 11g 17% Saturated Fat 1g 5% Cholesterol 0mg 0% Sodium 122mg 5% Potassium 423mg 12% Total Carbohydrates 8g 3% Dietary Fiber 5g 20% Sugars 1g Protein 1g 2% Vitamin A 3.8% Vitamin [...]

Almond Biscotti

Almond Biscotti Course: Snack Cuisine: Italian Servings: 30 cookies Calories: 185 kcal Print Ingredients 1 1/4 cups whole almonds lightly toasted 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 2 eggs large, plus 1 large white beaten with pinch salt 1 cup sugar 4 tbsp butter, unsalted melted and cooled 1 1/2 tsp almond extract 1/2 tsp vanilla extract vegetable oil spray Chocolate Glaze 1/3 cup water 1/3 cup corn syrup 1 cup sugar 8 oz bittersweet chocolate Instructions (The almonds will continue to toast while the biscotti bake, so toast the nuts only until they are just fragrant.) Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease baking sheet and place silicone baking mat on it. Pulse 1 cup almonds in food processor until coarsely chopped; transfer to bowl and set aside. Process remaining 1/4 cup almonds in food processor until finely ground, about 45 seconds. Add flour, baking powder, and salt; process to combine. Transfer flour mixture to second bowl. Process 2 eggs in now [...]

Unexpected Beauty

As we rush along through our busy days packed with soccer practice, ballet lessons, meetings with the tax people and putting dinner on the table for our household, it is easy to overlook all the little blessings whirling around us, if we but stop and take note. Here in the heartland, after a long, cold winter pocked with potholes and too many snow days, we are ready for spring to burst forth. A colorful pot of flowers brought me great happiness over the weekend and caused me to look for other signs of beauty along the way. This Saturday at Function Junction we will show you how to create beauty in the top of your latte! Using a [...]

Jalapeno Poppers

Jalapeno Poppers Course: Appetizer Cuisine: Mexican Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 45 minutes Servings: 18 poppers Calories: 51 kcal Print Ingredients 18 Jalapeno peppers large straight 6 oz cream cheese softened at room temp for 30 minutes 2 oz sour cream ¼ cup Colby or cheddar cheese grated ¼ cup white center bread torn into small pieces 1/8 cup red peppers finely diced 1 tbsp sweet onion grated 2 tbsp cilantro finely chopped ¼ tsp oregano dried ¼ tsp black pepper fine 1/2 tsp sea salt 1/2 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp chili powder ¼ tsp garlic powder Instructions Preheat oven to 375 degrees Line a jelly roll or half sheet pan with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper Cut off the stem end of the peppers Using a jalapeno corer, remove all membrane, pith and seeds Mix half of the Colby cheese with remaining ingredients until well blended Stuff each pepper with the above mixture, leaving a bit of space at the top of the pepper Place filled pepper in a chili pepper rack and fill top of each pepper with the [...]

Luck o’ the Irish – St. Patricks Day

Are you a lucky person? What does it mean to have good luck? Is it really luck or is it karma, or something even more divine? Sometimes I cross my fingers for good luck or toss a pinch of salt over my shoulder. In this season where we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, shamrocks pop up as festive expressions of luck and rivers and fountains run temporarily green. At Function Junction we have our own ways of spreading luck and good cheer and we invite you to join in the fun! On Saturday, St. Patrick’s Day Eve, we will have sugar cookies just waiting for you to decorate them. To enhance your luck in [...]

Incredible Eggs

As I ponder what to write about eggs…the jingle from my childhood bounces around in my head, “The Incredible, Edible Egg”, which was an advertising slogan for the American Egg Board in the late 70’s. I remember when eating eggs was good for you, then I remember also how eating eggs raised your cholesterol and increased your risk for getting heart disease. Which is true?? It didn’t take me long to google health benefits of eggs, which explains, to my inquiring mind (another marketing blast from the 70’s) where eggs fall in the spectrum of overall health. My vote is …..yes, they are GOOD for you in moderation, as with most other things. My favorite [...]

Potato and Basil Frittata

Potato and Basil Frittata Course: Breakfast Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes Servings: 8 people Calories: 483 kcal Print Ingredients 1 stick unsalted butter divided 2 cups potatoes peeled and diced 8 eggs extra-large 15 ounces ricotta cheese 3/4 pound Gruyere cheese grated 1/2 tsp kosher salt 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground 3/4 cup fresh basil leaves chopped 1/3 cup flour 3/4 tsp baking powder Instructions Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a 10-inch ovenproof omelet or shallow frying pan over medium-low heat. Add the potatoes and fry them until cooked through, turning often, about 10 to 15 minutes. Melt the remaining 5 tablespoons of butter in a small dish in the microwave. Meanwhile, whisk the eggs, then stir in the ricotta, Gruyere, melted butter, salt, pepper, and basil. Combine the flour and baking powder and stir into the egg mixture. Pour the egg mixture over the potatoes and place the pan in [...]

Best Popcorn Poppers & Toppings for Movie Night

Some of my favorite childhood memories revolve around Sunday nights sharing a big ol’ bowl of popcorn with my Dad and brothers. Mom would always pop corn on the stove in the same beat up 2-quart saucepan that looked like it had survived a hail storm because of all the dimples hammered on the outside. I can still recall the sound of that pan scraping back and forth as she shook it over the burner. The smell would curl in tendrils throughout the house so no matter where you were or what you were doing, you knew it was time to gather when it reached your nose. Once popped, the corn was dumped into a [...]

Black Eyed Peas

Black Eyed Peas Course: Soup Cuisine: American Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes Total Time: 3 hours Servings: 12 Calories: 299 kcal Print Ingredients 1 lb dried black-eyed peas sorted 8 cups water 4 cups water 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp salt divided 3 cloves garlic large, halved 2 bay leaves place in cheesecloth and tie 2 carrots peeled and large diced 2 onions medium, large diced 2 ribs celery diced 1/2 cup bacon drippings or lard 2 smoked ham hocks or meaty ham bone 1/2 tsp black pepper finely ground Instructions Day before serving, place dry beans on counter and sort to remove any stones. In a large Dutch oven or stock pot, cover the black-eyed peas with 8 cups of water and one tablespoon of the salt. Let beans soak overnight. Drain beans and place back in stock pot with 4 cups fresh water. Set aside. In a separate pan, sauté the onions, carrots and celery on medium low in bacon grease for about 15 minutes [...]

Parmesan Buttermilk Cornbread

Parmesan Buttermilk Cornbread Course: Side Dish Cuisine: American Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 55 minutes Servings: 12 Calories: 154 kcal Print Ingredients 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup cornmeal stone ground 1/4 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated 1/2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 1 egg beaten 1 cup buttermilk 3/4 cup water 1/4 cup vegetable oil 2 tbsp yellow onion chopped Instructions Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Grease a 10 inch cast iron skillet and place in the oven while it preheats. Works best not to use a glass baking dish. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, cornmeal, cheese, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In another bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk, water, oil and chopped onion. Pour into the dry ingredients all at once and stir until thoroughly blended. Allow mixture to sit for 15-30 minutes. This allows the ingredients to activate. Pour the batter into the hot [...]

Author - function junction

Guacamole

Almond Biscotti

Unexpected Beauty

Jalapeno Poppers

Luck o’ the Irish – St. Patricks Day

Incredible Eggs

Potato and Basil Frittata

Best Popcorn Poppers & Toppings for Movie Night

Black Eyed Peas

Parmesan Buttermilk Cornbread

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