The 2 Spoons

A Beautiful Rum Cake

April 24, 2019 by Becky Spoon

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This rum cake melts in your mouth! It is buttery and so tender! It is loaded with rum, how could you not love it?

I used a Coconut Liqueur Rum; however, that is not necessary. You can use a dark rum, or even pick another flavor you like. Captain Morgan has some really nice flavored rums you may like to include in the recipe. https://us.captain.morgan.com

A Beautiful Rum Cake

This is my daughter-in-law’s recipe. After you have cooked the cake you stick holes with a toothpick all over the top, then pour the glaze over. Yum! that creates the most amazing, delicious cake.

I served this for a birthday cake for my nephew after a meal of my Shrimp Scampi with Risotto. It was the perfect dessert for that dish. Here’s the link for the shrimp dish if you’d like to have it. https://the2spoons.com/shrimp-scampi-with-fresh-herb-risotto/

A Beautiful Rum Cake

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Prep Time 30

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 30

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Ingredients

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1 18.25 oz yellow cake mix
1 3.4 oz package instant vanilla pudding mix
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup rum ( I used a coconut liquer rum)
1/2 cup butter, melted

For the Glaze

1/4 cup water
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup rum (I used a coconut liquer rum)

Instructions

For the cake

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10 inch Bundt pan. Sprinkle chopped nuts evenly over the bottom of the pan.
In a large bowl, combine cake mix and pudding mix. Mix in the eggs, 1/2 cup water, oil, and 1/2 cup rum. Blend well. Pour batter over chopped nuts in the pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Stick holes all over the top of the cake and pour the glaze over. Allow the cake to sit and cool in the pan, while it absorbs the glaze. When cool, place a plate on top of the cake and holding the plate tight against the cake pan, flip the cake upside down. Enjoy!

For the Glaze

To make the glaze: in a saucepan, combine butter, 1/4 cup water, and 1 cup sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat and continue to boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup rum.

Oh, so good! Simple Fried Zucchini

April 19, 2019 by Becky Spoon

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I love this Fried Zucchini. It is tossed in some beaten eggs, then breaded in panko and parmesan. What is there not to love? These are a perfect side dish, appetizer or just a snack dipping into your favorite dressing like your favorite ranch or blue cheese. Yes!

Oh, so good! Simple Fried Zucchini

Whether you serve this dish as a side dish or as an appetizer, I think the perfect dressing to use is a Ranch Dressing, and honestly, I think you can’t beat the Hidden Valley Ranch with the packages. I keep that dressing in my refrigerator for foods like this. There are some great recipes out there for homemade ranch dressing, but who needs to when all your seasonings are in a packet! https://www.hiddenvalley.com

I served these alongside my Eggplant Rollatini. I think this was the perfect side dish for that recipe. It would be great with my red sauced lasagna too! https://the2spoons.com/beef-and-italian-sausage-lasagna/

Here’s the recipe! Enjoy!

Fried Zucchini

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Prep Time 15

Total Time 15

Course Appetizer, easy side dish, vegetable, Side Dish, Vegetable

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

Olive oil for frying
1 3/4 cups freshly grated parmesan
1 1/2 cups panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
3/4 tsp salt
2 large eggs
3 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2 inch wide strips

Instructions

Pour enough oil into a large frying pan to reach a depth of 2 inches. Heat the oil over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F.
Stir 1 1/2 cups Parmesan, the panko, and salt in a medium bowl to blend. Whisk the eggs in another medium bowl to blend. Working in batches, dip the zucchini in the eggs to coat completely and allow the excess egg to drip back into the bowl. Coat the zucchini in the panko mixture, patting to adhere and coat completely. Place the zucchini strips on a baking sheet.
When the oil is hot, working in batches, fry the zucchini sticks until they are golden brown, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried zucchini to paper towels and drain.
Arrange the fried zucchini on a platter. Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan and serve.

Simply Delicious – Bucatini All’Amatriciana

April 15, 2019 by Becky Spoon

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Not only is Bucatini All’Amatriciana simple, but it is equally delicious. This is also one of my favorite kinds of pasta to use. The hole down the middle allows the sauce to fill them making such a difference.

What is All’Amartriciana? https://www.nonnabox.com/bucatini-amatriciana-sauce-recipe. ” A classic Roman recipe, a first dish representation and celebration of Italian cuisine based on bucatini, tomato, guanciale and pecorino cheese. The interpretations of the original recipe are varied but mainly involve different proportions between these four main ingredients. Pasta all’amatriciana is simple to make, delicious and easy enough that anyone can do it and guarantee excellent results.

Bucatini all’amatriciana is a starter dish regularly eaten in Roman households, like pasta carbonara, whose recipe has, over time, been tweaked and amended, normally in relation to the proportions and use of ingredients that go into the recipe. Starting from the thickness and shape of the strips of bacon, for example, or the different methods of frying them (without fat, with oil or lard) and how they are simmered (wine, vinegar, or neither). Another small but important variation relates to the choice of pasta, and the varying quantities of meat and pasta used in the recipe. Another point of contention is the amount of fried onion used in the preparation, if indeed there is any at all.”

Simply Delicious – Bucatini All’Amatriciana

I served this with some garlic bread and a nice salad. I don’t have a lot of salads on my blog yet…definately working on changing that, but as I’ve previously posted my Italian Salad would be a great side dish, or even a nice green vegetable, or just some fresh tomatoes with olive oil and salt and pepper. Here’s my salad link: https://the2spoons.com/italian-salad-with-lemon-olive-oil-vinaigrette/

Simply Delicious – Bucatini All’Amatriciana

Here’s the so very easy recipe!!

Bucatini All’Amatriciana

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 1 25

Total Time 1 45

Course Appetizer, dinner, Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Ingredients

extra virgin olive oil
8 oz guanciale, pancetta, or prosciutto (I used proscuitto)
2 large onions, cut in 1/2 inch dice
1/2-1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
kosher salt
2 28 oz cans San marzano tomatoes, crushed with your hands or passed through the food mill
1 lb bucatini
1/2 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano, plus more for garnish
1 tbsp minced chives or parsley for garnish

Instructions

Coat a large saucepan with olive oil. Add the guanciale and saute over low heat. Cook until it is brown and crispy and has rendered a lot of fat. Remove and reserve 1/3 of the guanciale for garnish. Bring the pan to a medium heat and add the onions and crushed red pepper. Season generously with salt, to taste. Cook the onions until they are translucent, starting to turn golden and are very aromatic. Add the tomatoes and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer the sauce for about 1 hour, tasting periodically. Adjust the salt, as needed.
Bring a large pot of well salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook for 1 minute less than the instructions on the package. Remove 3 or 4 ladlefuls of the sauce from the pot to a bowl, as an insurance policy. You can always add it back in but it’s harder to take out once the pasta is in the pan. You’re looking for the perfect ratio between pasta and sauce. Drain the pasta from the water and add to the pot of sauce. Stir to coat with the sauce. This is how you always finish pasta; you cook it in the sauce to perform the marriage of the pasta and the sauce. Add more sauce, if necessary. Add in the cheese and drizzle with olive oil to really bring the marriage together. Toss to coat and serve in shallow bowls garnished with cheese and the reserved guanciale. Sprinkle with chives to finish, if using.

Bucatini All'Amartriciana — Bucatini All’Amartriciana

Shrimp Scampi with Fresh Herb Risotto

April 13, 2019 by Becky Spoon

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This Shrimp Scampi with Fresh Herb Risotto is a beautiful and delicious dish. It accidentally came together, yet has become a favorite.

My nephew is in food service management with a local university and was bringing this herbaceous risotto for lunch with my mother and two sisters that he said they had served with shrimp scampi at a function. I told him I’d make the scampi and we could throw it together! Wow! What a success! The risotto was creamy and luscious, the shrimp was buttery and citrusy, a match made in heaven!

Use a good Arborio rice and have lot’s of chicken stock on hand for your risotto, oh, and fresh herbs! I used this brand Arborio rice: http://www.riceselect.com/products/arborio, but there are many other brands.

Shrimp Scampi with Fresh Herb Risotto

I served this dish with my prosciutto wrapped asparagus which was absolutely the perfect side dish. This risotto dish with the asparagus is a perfect spring lunch or dinner and both would be perfect at your Easter table! Break outside the box! Do something a little different! Here’s the link to my asparagus recipe:https://the2spoons.com/prosciutto-wrapped-asparagus-screams-spring/

I can’t wait for you to try this recipe!

Shrimp Scampi with Fresh Herb Risotto

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Course dinner, Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Ingredients

For the Risotto

7 cups chicken stock
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups finely chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, tarragon, chives, chervil, dill, basil, chives and arugula (4 cups leaves) Pick one or a combination
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2/3 cups finely chopped onion or leek
salt, preferably kosher salt, to taste
1 1/2 cups arborio rice
1/2 cup dry white wine, such as pinot gregio or sauvignon blanc
freshly ground pepper
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tbsp freshly squeeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan

For the Shrimp Scampi

2 lbs 16/20 or less count shelled and devined raw shrimp
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 for sauteeing and 2 for finishing the sauce
cajun seasoning for the shrimp
fresh ground peppoer
1 cup white wine
1 lemon zest and the juice
1/2 cup prmesan cheese
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes, optional

Instructions

For the Risotto

Put your stock or broth into a saucepan, and bring it to a simmer on the stove, with a ladle nearby or in the pot. Make sure that it is well seasoned. Combine the herbs and one of the minced garlic cloves in a bowl, and set aside.
Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a wide, heavy skillet or saucepan. Add the onion or leek and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and cook gently until it is just tender about three minutes. Do not brown.
Stir in the rice and the remaining three cloves of garlic, and stir just until the grains of rice become separate and begin to crackle. Add the wine and cook, stirring, until it is absorbed.
Begin adding the simmering stock, a couple of ladlefuls (about 1/2 cup) at a time. The stock should just cover the rice and should be bubbling, not too slowly but not too quickly. When the rice is just tender all the way through but still chewy, usually in 20 to 25 minutes, it is done. Taste now and correct seasoning.
Add another ladleful of stock to the rice. Stir in the herbs, pepper, lemon zest and juice, and Parmesan, and remove from the heat. The mixture should be creamy. If you put some on a plate and tilt the plate the mound of rice should flatten out. Serve right away.

For the Shrimp Scampi

Turn your oven on broil. Season the shrimp by sprinkling with a cajun seasoning like Slap Yo Mama or similar and set aside. Add the extra virgin olive oil and butter to a large skillet and heat to medium-high. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes to the pan and cook until the garlic is fragrant but not browned, being careful not to burn. Add the white wine and cook until the wine has reduced by half. Add the lemon zest and the juice of one lemon and the 2 tablespoons butter. Add your shrimp and cook on one side about a minute or until turns pink, then turn to the other side and cook an additional minute or until it turns pink. Check your broth for seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste. Pour your shrimp and the juices into an oven safe dish. Top with the parmesan cheese and place under the broiler for a minute or so until the parmesan starts to turn a light brown. This won’t take long and this is why you don’t want to overcook your shrimp while in the skillet, because it will cook additionally while browning your parmesan lightly. Remove from the oven and set aside.

Your combined dish

Place your risotto on a large platter. Place the shrimp over the risotto and pour the juices over the entire dish. Sprinkle fresh parsley or the fresh herb you used in your risotto and serve with lemon wedges.

Keyword shrimp scampi

Love this Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus

April 12, 2019 by Becky Spoon

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Even though asparagus screams spring, this Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus is the perfect side dish anytime of the year! April is the peak growing season for asparagus, even though we can get it at our supermarkets year round. I always wanted to grow it but it takes about 3 years before you get your first crop. If you decide you want to try growing it, here’s a link about growing this delicious and healthy vegetable: https://www.almanac.com/plants.
I can just imagine how delicious home grown asparagus would be!

Honestly, it takes just a few steps to make this dish and the prosciutto mixed with the olive oil and the juices from the asparagus make the most amazing sauce. After the asparagus bakes, I drizzle a little more olive oil and squeeze the juice of a lemon, resulting in the most delicious asparagus.

Love this Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus

This would be the perfect side dish for your holiday prime rib roast, Crown Roast of Pork or with the traditional Turkey and dressing.

You could serve the asparagus as an appetizer on a platter with a dipping sauce or just by itself. Perfect served cold and the perfect finger food as an appetizer. Asparagus is the perfect side dish to salmon or any fish dish. The poached salmon I made for this avocado toast would make a delicious lunch or dinner served alongside this asparagus. https://the2spoons.com/avocado-toast-with-poached-salmon/

Delicious Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus

I love to use the Prosciutto instead of bacon because it is paper thin and by the time it has crisped your asparagus isn’t overcooked, unlike bacon. I’ve used bacon before and it was not crisped when the asparagus was done. Prosciutto is usually in the deli section of imported meats. The word prosciutto, which translates to “ham” in Italian, is made only from the hind legs of pigs and is aged during a dry-curing process. There are typically two types of prosciutto: prosciutto cotto, which is cooked, and prosciutto crudo, which is uncooked, yet cured.

If you can’t find Prosciutto in your local store, use your Amazon Prime and order it online. Here’s what Amazon has and you can get great varieties as though you were in Italy or in New York City with an Italian Deli on every street! https://www.amazon.com/Authentic-Prosciutto-Parma-DOP-Beretta/dp/B0043ZYL6M/ref=sr_1_11?hvadid=77790489332333&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=proscuito&qid=1576287384&sr=8-11..

Authentic Prosciutto di Parma DOP by Beretta - Pre-Sliced (4 ounce)

Ok, here you go as promised! The easiest, most delicious asparagus!

Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus

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Prep Time 10

Total Time 15

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Ingredients

1 bunch asparagus
equal amount of prosciutto slices
extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper
1 lemon

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375. Take the first piece of asparagus and holding with both hands bend it and break off the bottom portion where it bends. Either do this individually or place that piece alongside your bunch and cut the bottom off all of them at the same time. Place a piece of the prosciutto on a flat service, and lay your asparagus slightly turned on the slice and wrap it with the prosciutto, pressing to adhere. Place the asparagus in a baking dish or a sheet pan in a single layer. Drizzle with the extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and place in the oven. Bake until the prosciutto has browned and become crispy, but not burnt. Remove from the oven and drizzle with a little more olive oil and squeeze the juice of one lemon all over your dish. Serve immediately, or at room temperature.

Classic, Simple Pineapple Upside Down Cake

April 11, 2019 by Becky Spoon

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Do you ever just have a craving for something and you just have to make it? Like I did with this Pineapple Upside Down Cake? Yum. Reminds me of the upside down cakes mom used to make! So simple to make too.

Classic, Simple Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Love the nostalgia this cakes brings….reminds me of the 1950s and 1960s. I made this in a cake pan, but you know the original cakes were made in iron skillets, or at least mom did. Here’s a little history of this cake, dating back to when the Dole Company invented a machine to make the rings to put in a can. http://www.kitchenproject.com/history/PineappleUpsideDownCake

This is the perfect dessert for any meal, but really special when you add it to an old southern favourite like Southern Fried Chicken: https://the2spoons.com/effortless-southern-creamed-corn/. This would be a great recipe for Easter Sunday too. Or, just that bedtime snack that I always seem to have to have!! Seems so springtime with the colors, agree?

Here’s the recipe! Enjoy!

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

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Cook Time 30

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Ingredients

Topping

1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
20 ounce can pineapple rings in juice, drained
candied red cherries or maraschino cheries
pecans or walnuts halved or diced; optional

Cake

3 tbsp butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/2 tsp salt
1 3/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp coconut flavor, optional
1 1/3 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1/2 cup milk

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9″ round cake pan.
To make the topping: Melt the butter, and mix with the brown sugar, cinnamon, and ginger. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan.
Space the pineapple rings atop the brown sugar mixture. Place a cherry in the center of each ring. If you’re using nuts, scatter them in any empty spaces.
To make the cake: Beat the butter and sugar until fairly smooth.
Beat in the egg, then the salt, baking powder, vanilla, and coconut flavor.
Add the flour alternately with the milk, mixing at medium speed and beginning and ending with the flour. Once the last of the flour is added, mix briefly, just until smooth.
Spoon the thick batter into the prepared pan, spreading it to the edges of the pan. It may not cover the pineapple entirely; that’s OK.
Bake the cake for 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove the cake from the oven, wait 3 minutes, then turn the pan over onto a serving plate. Wait 30 seconds, then lift the pan off. If anything sticks in the pan, just lift it out and place it back on the cake.
Serve warm or at room temperature.

Keyword Pineapple Upside Down Cake