cornstarch Archives - Cooking Classy with a sprinkle of fancy Thu, 02 May 2024 02:00:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 44235149 Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp https://www.cookingclassy.com/strawberry-rhubarb-crisp/ https://www.cookingclassy.com/strawberry-rhubarb-crisp/#comments Wed, 01 May 2024 16:32:42 +0000 https://www.cookingclassy.com/?p=19739 Easy Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp - it features a crunchy oatmeal crisp topping paired with a vibrant, fresh and fruit strawberry rhubarb filling. This heavenly dessert creates an unforgettable combination of sweet and lightly tart, and it finishes beautifully with an indulgent scoop of rich vanilla ice cream.

Single serving of strawberry rhubarb crisp shown in a grey bowl with ice cream on top.

Easy Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp Recipe

Have you ever tasted the strawberry rhubarb flavor combination before? Once you do you'll instantly fall in love! It's reminiscent of a strawberry lemon combo but with more uniqueness and depth to it.

My favorite way to eat rhubarb is baked into a dessert, paired with fresh strawberries of course. There are so many things I want to try with this combination like a strawberry rhubarb compote for angel food cake, a strawberry rhubarb crumb cake, or combining the two together for a syrup to serve over buttermilk pancakes.

Someday I'll get there, but for now it's all about this truly delicious strawberry rhubarb crisp.

This strawberry rhubarb crisp is deliciously saucy with just the right amount of sweetness, and the contrast in textures is spot on. You get a tender and juicy fresh fruit filling blanketed with a crispy oat crumble highlighted with butter and sweet brown sugar notes.

This fruit crisp is a must try spring and summer dessert recipe! Just don't forget the ice cream, because it's the ultimate finishing touch for this.

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Banana Pudding https://www.cookingclassy.com/banana-pudding/ https://www.cookingclassy.com/banana-pudding/#comments Tue, 11 Apr 2023 03:18:23 +0000 https://www.cookingclassy.com/?p=67262 This is our idea of the best Homemade Banana Pudding recipe! A dreamy dessert that's made with a rich homemade vanilla pudding, and abundance of fresh bananas, and two layers vanilla wafer cookies that soak up some of the pudding as they soften to the perfect texture.

Banana pudding in glass square dish with scoop removed to show layers of the dessert.

Homemade Banana Pudding

This banana pudding recipe has it all. The pudding is made with half and half for richness, egg yolks and cornstarch for a sure thickening, just the right amount of sweetness, and to fancy it up we add a vanilla bean and fresh grated nutmeg for flavor.

Then it includes a generous amount of just ripened bananas, and of course those simple but ever so nostalgic store-bought vanilla wafers. And no baking required.

It's as good as it gets!

This is a year round dessert that's perfect for a holiday celebration, a welcome addition to a weekend dinner, or just because you want a treat yourself kind of indulgence today.

Serve it up laid back casserole style in a baking dish or make it more elegant and serve in individual tumblers or dessert cups.

Have family or friends help with this fun layered cooking project that once complete is amazingly refreshing and satisfying with each and every bite!

Glass cups of layered banana pudding.

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Chicken Florentine https://www.cookingclassy.com/chicken-florentine/ https://www.cookingclassy.com/chicken-florentine/#comments Thu, 30 Mar 2023 02:13:21 +0000 https://www.cookingclassy.com/?p=67065 This enticing smothered Chicken Florentine recipe is a French dish made with tender chicken breasts that are pan seared until beautifully golden brown then they are covered in a rich and creamy spinach pan sauce. It's easy and so satisfyingly delicious!

Four pieces of chicken Florentine shown on a white oval serving platter set on a burgundy cloth.

Who doesn't love a recipe that makes the mark to be tasty enough for the holidays with a hint of gourmet elegance, yet it's easy enough for a weekday? This chicken Florentine is just that!

It comes together quickly since it's pan fried on the stovetop but it's impressive enough to serve to guests.

You'll find that the sauce has layers of flavor thanks to the white wine, shallot, parmesan cheese, garlic and abundance of spinach. Plus there's plenty of sauce so you can have extra for dipping with fresh bread or pairing with pasta alongside the chicken.

A helpful tip and reminder whenever cooking chicken breasts, just cook them right to 165 degrees in the center so you end up with juicy, tender chicken breasts (if overcooked they become dry and chewy, I highly recommend using an instant read thermometer to test for doneness).

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Vegetable Stir Fry https://www.cookingclassy.com/vegetable-stir-fry/ https://www.cookingclassy.com/vegetable-stir-fry/#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2023 04:46:55 +0000 https://www.cookingclassy.com/?p=66584 Vegetable Stir Fry - A beautiful, colorful rainbow of fresh vegetables are sautéed together in a hot skillet or wok and seasoned with a abundantly flavorful sweet and savory stir fry sauce. It's nutritious and completely delicious!Vegetable stir fry in a white oval platter shown from above on a marble surface with a blue cloth.

Rainbow Vegetable Stir Fry Recipe

Our favorite takeout-style easy vegetable stir fry! Made with a lovely blend of colors and boasting with plenty of fresh flavor.

It makes a delicious vegetarian main dish (with a vegan option) that you can serve with brown rice or white rice, or it can double as a side to a healthy protein such as salmon, shrimp or chicken.

In it you'll find a tasty variety of vegetables and the stir fry sauce will leave you craving more!

It's easy to substitute here using other vegetables you may have on hand (see ideas below).

So clean out the fridge with all those veggies and make this delicious stir fry!

Vegetable stir fry with bell peppers, carrots, peas, broccoli, red onion, and mushrooms.

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White Hot Chocolate https://www.cookingclassy.com/white-hot-chocolate/ https://www.cookingclassy.com/white-hot-chocolate/#comments Thu, 08 Dec 2022 05:13:44 +0000 https://www.cookingclassy.com/?p=66246 Homemade White Hot Chocolate - This dreamy and decadent drink is rich and creamy, brimming with white chocolate and vanilla flavor, it has the perfect balance of sweetness, and it's a fancy drink for the holidays with it's bright and billowy presentation.

Love white chocolate vanilla bean treats? Also try my triple layer Vanilla Bean Cheesecake (with Mousse!). It's easily one of my all time favorite desserts!

Three servings of white hot chocolate in clear glass mugs.

The BEST White Hot Chocolate

I'd dare say this velvety drink is the BEST white hot chocolate! Far better than any mix you'll by, better than what you'll get at a local shop, and yes even better than Starbucks white hot chocolate.

It's company-worthy and loved by people of all ages. And you wouldn't believe how easy it is to make.

Plus it only requires 4 ingredients (along with a pinch of salt), and it's perfectly customizable (see some fun ideas below).

It's also an unexpected and welcome change from the classic chocolate flavored hot chocolate.

You can also double or triple the recipe for a bigger crowd, just use a pot instead of a saucepan.

What more could you want on a chilly winter day than this warm, inviting, vanilla bean flecked white hot chocolate?

Three cups of white hot chocolate topped with marshmallows and a peppermint candy cane hanging on each mug.

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Braised Chicken Thighs {with Vegetables} https://www.cookingclassy.com/braised-chicken-thighs/ https://www.cookingclassy.com/braised-chicken-thighs/#comments Sun, 24 Apr 2022 04:34:11 +0000 https://www.cookingclassy.com/?p=64002 Homestyle Braised Chicken Thighs with Vegetables - It's such a cozy dish made with tender potatoes, nutritious carrots, protein-rich chicken thighs and a simple pan gravy. It's a dinner everyone can agree on!

Braised chicken thighs with bones and skin in a braiser pot with carrots and potatoes.

What is Braised Chicken?

The method of braising chicken is first browning it in a braiser, saute pan or pot then it's submerged in some sort of liquid such as wine or broth. From there it's either simmered low and slow on the stove or oven baked until chicken is cooked through and tender.

Here I've used a few not so traditional changes, such as not fully submerging the chicken in liquid and baking the dish uncovered. Why do this? Because why make chicken thighs with skin if the skin is not going to be deliciously crispy?

It's perfect this way, trust me!

This is a simple, one pan, deliciously seasoned dinner that you'll want to make time and time again all year round!

Braised chicken and vegetables on a white oval platter on a marble surface..

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Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix https://www.cookingclassy.com/hot-chocolate-mix/ https://www.cookingclassy.com/hot-chocolate-mix/#comments Thu, 16 Dec 2021 04:12:20 +0000 https://www.cookingclassy.com/?p=63196 Our favorite Hot Chocolate Mix recipe! It's amazingly chocolatey and tastes a hundred times better than any store-bought mix, plus it's unbelievably easy to make!

Homemade hot chocolate mix in a glass canister with a buffalo check red and black ribbon. A Christmas tree is in the background.

The Best Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

There's nothing quite like a cup of hot cocoa on a blistery winter day! Whether it's after an evening of visiting holiday lights, spending the day skiing, sledding, or playing in the snow hot chocolate is always the answer and the tastiest way to warm up.

This cozy and warm drink is decadently chocolatey, lusciously creamy, and it's made with just 6 ingredients (once you include the milk to prepare it).

It incorporates chocolate in two forms - both bars and cocoa powder for a pure, real deal chocolate flavor!

Then it also has a secret ingredient of malted milk powder. Which is an ingredient commonly found in old fashioned milkshakes.

It's so tasty and the prefect upgrade to this hot cocoa mix recipe. It adds a hint of that unique malted flavor. You can usually find in the baking isle or dry beverages section at the grocery store (another option is to buy it online).

Once you try this homemade hot chocolate mix you'll likely be hooked and will have a hard time going back to any store-bought mix again. We are completely obsessed with it!

If only it could pass for a decent breakfast and we would be tempted to start every morning with it.

Hot chocolate mix shown prepared in a mug with milk and topped with marshmallows.

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Lemon Meltaway Cookies https://www.cookingclassy.com/lemon-meltaway-cookies/ https://www.cookingclassy.com/lemon-meltaway-cookies/#comments Tue, 30 Nov 2021 06:57:46 +0000 https://www.cookingclassy.com/?p=62940 Bright and tender Lemon Meltaway Cookies! It's a simple, buttery, fresh lemon flavored cookie that's topped with a sweet and vibrant glaze. After one taste they may just become a new favorite!

Plate of glazed lemon meltaway cookies.

Refreshing Lemon Meltaways

These are such a tempting treat and they are incredibly easy to make!

You can make them with a stand mixer or a hand mixer and you only need a handful of basic ingredients.

They are a fun size and a unique cookie that will leave you feeling those summery vibes year round. Almost like lemonade in cookie form.

If you love citrus these are the cookies for you!

Overhead photo of lemon meltaway cookies on a wooden serving plate.

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Chocolate Cream Pie https://www.cookingclassy.com/chocolate-cream-pie-recipe/ https://www.cookingclassy.com/chocolate-cream-pie-recipe/#comments Tue, 23 Nov 2021 21:13:40 +0000 https://www.cookingclassy.com/?p=62654 A rich and luscious Chocolate Cream Pie recipe! It's made with a tender, flaky blind baked pie crust, a thick and perfectly chocolatey custard pudding filling, then it's mounded high with billowy whipped cream and garnished with thin and curly chocolate shavings.

It's supremely delicious and destined to be a highlight of any dinner or celebration!

Close up photo of single slice chocolate cream pie that's made with a homemade pie crust, topped with whipped cream and finished with chocolate curls.

Upgraded Old Fashioned Chocolate Cream Pie

This is one of the dreamiest pies with its trio of layering, its silky smooth texture, and its abundant decadence of chocolate flavor. You’ll find it’s even a step up from the traditional old classic since chopped chocolate is included as well rather than just cocoa powder.

It tastes just like chocolate pudding but in pie form!

Sure during the holidays we all love our fruity pies but some sort of chocolate pie is always a welcome change and definitely deserves a place in the line up. Chocolate lovers will thank you.

It will be savored down to the last creamy topped crumb and may likely become a repeatedly requested tradition each holiday season!

There are a few steps to it, especially if you prepare the homemade pie crust but it's worth every bit of effort and overall it is a straightforward easy method to follow. A critical step is just that you ensure the filling is thickened well over the stovetop so you're pie will be firm enough to hold up when sliced.

If you find you are short on time to make this completely from scratch pie you could try my easy chocolate mousse pie instead (then save this recipe for when time allows). It's super fluffy and equally as tempting!Whole chocolate cream pie decorated with fluffy whipped cream and chocolate curls. One slice is cut from the pie to show the filling.

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Crock Pot Ham https://www.cookingclassy.com/crock-pot-ham/ https://www.cookingclassy.com/crock-pot-ham/#comments Thu, 18 Nov 2021 05:28:58 +0000 https://www.cookingclassy.com/?p=62812 Flavorful Crock Pot Ham! A spiral sliced, bone-in ham is coated with a sweet and lightly tangy glaze and slow cooked until just heated through and tender. It's perfect for holidays and weekends and it's so easy to make!

Serve it with twice baked potatoes and cornbread for a classic meat and potatoes dinner.

Sliced ham on a platter with fresh fruits and bay leaves.

Slow Cooker Spiral Sliced Ham

One of best ways to cook a (pre-cooked) ham in a crock pot is to cook it on low, covered with a simple glaze to upgrade it, just until it's heated through.

Here a savory smoked ham roast is generously coated with the perfect autumn inspired glaze. It includes apple juice concentrate, maple syrup, brown sugar and mustard. It lightly sweetens the ham and gives it a welcome extra layer of flavor.

At the end of cooking, you can choose the thickness preferred for the glaze. It will be very runny (more like a broth) so you can choose to thicken those juices from the crockpot with some cornstarch, or just keep it as is and spoon some over the sliced ham for added moisture and seasoning.

This is a recipe that is easy to modify to include other flavors you like or use up ingredients you may have on hand. Here are some ideas:

Possible Substitutes

  • Try it with pineapple juice concentrate in place of apple juice concentrate.
  • Switch out the spice. We went with ginger because I like it with this blend of ingredients but cloves or even cinnamon can be added.
  • You could even use fresh ginger here in place of dried (add a few teaspoons).
  • If you don't have real maple syrup try it with honey.
  • Dijon Mustard will work for spicy brown mustard. Add more mustard if you want more tangy flavor.

Crockpot Ham with an apple maple

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