Today's Recipe: Pretzel Shortbread Bars

     These delicious cookies/bars are easy and quick to make and make great gifts!  The recipe and picture come to us thanks to the geniuses at Martha Stewart's kitchens (www.marthastewart.com).




Pretzel Shortbread Bars:

Ingredients:

• Vegetable oil cooking spray
• 3 1/4 cups salted miniature twist pretzels
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 large egg yolk

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Coat a 4 14-by-13 1/2-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom with cooking spray. Line bottom with parchment.
2. Pulse 1 3/4 cups pretzels in a food processor until powdery. Transfer 1/2 cup to a bowl; discard any remaining pretzel powder. Stir in flour and baking powder. Transfer remaining 1 1/2 cups pretzels to food processor, and pulse a few times until coarsely chopped.
3. Beat butter and sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce speed to low, and beat in egg yolk, then pretzel-flour mixture, until combined. Mix in 1/2 cup chopped pretzels.
4. Press dough evenly into pan. Top dough with 1/4 cup chopped pretzels, pressing slightly; discard any remaining pretzels.
5. Bake shortbread until pale brown and firm in the center, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack, and let shortbread cool for 1 hour. Remove shortbread from pan, and cut into 1/2-inch-wide rectangles using a serrated knife.
   
   
   Tip:
   Try baking these in greased muffin tins for perfectly round bites! Also, try adding your favorite dried fruit to the mix for an added sweet and gooey kick.

Today's recipe: Asian Banh Mi Bi Sandwiches

  This recipe comes from The Hard Rock Cafe in Hollywood, FL. This delicious pulled pork sandwich cannot be found on their regular menu. It is a delicious creation that is reserved for special events. The best part of all? Every part of this recipe can be used separately as well. Make some Noise in the kitchen! Enjoy!

ASIAN BANH MI BI SANDWICHES

Photo by: Alicia Mazzara

http://mobile.dcist.com/2009/04/first_look_pho_14.php?gallery0Pic=1

Ingredients:

Sub Rolls (pick your favorite!)                                  
5 oz unsauced Pulled Pork Meat 

2 oz Asian BBQ sauce*                                                       
1/4 cup Cucumber Salad*

1/4 cup Marinated Carrots*                                               
2 tbsp Sriracha Mayonnaise

1tbsp chopped Cilantro                                                                             
1 tbsp Basil

For Asian BBQ Sauce:

2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil                                                      
2 tbsp grated Ginger

3/4 cup Hoisin Sauce                                                                      
1/4 cup Soy Sauce

1 tsp Salt                                                                                         
1 tbsp Sesame Oil

3/4 cup pureed Yellow Onions                                                              
1 cup Ketchup

1/4 cup Rice Vinegar                                                             
1/2 tsp Asian Five Spice

     Puree onions and reserve. Place the oils in a sauce pan over medium heat. Heat until they lightly smoke. Add onion and ginger and saute for 3 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and stir with a wire whip. Bring to a slow simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and serve.


For Cucumber Salad:
2 cups Cucumber Slices                                              
1/2 cup julienned Red Peppers
1/2 cup Onions                                      
1/2 tsp chopped Jalapeno Pepper (optional)
2 tbsp chopped Cilantro                                
1/4 cup Sesame Dressing (store bought)
     Cut cucumber into half moons and place in a mixing bowl. Add red pepper strips, onion, jalapenos, and cilantro into mixing bowl. Add sesame dressing and toss.


For Marinated Carrots:
2 cups Matchstick Carrots                                                      
1tbsp chopped Cilantro
1/4 cup Sweet and Sour Sauce (store bought)
     Place ingredients into a bowl and mix until carrots are well coated.


To Assemble Sandwiches:
     Spread the pulled pork meat on the sub rolls. Ladle the BBQ sauce over the pulled pork. Top with cucumber salad and marinated carrots. Drizzle the mayo and sprinkle with cilantro and basil.


     If you want to make your sandwiches a little healthier, try substituting shredded chicken breast or flounder for the pork and omit the mayo. It's a delicious vegetarian treat too, just eliminate all meat!

Sunday is Food Day!

Alright! Every Sunday I will post the recipe of the week. Some will be my own, some will be some tried and true favorites (sources will be provided of course!). Share your recipes with me!


Make some Noise in the kitchen!


With love,