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--- recipes [2025.01.01 15:02] – [M's Egg Muffins] Steve Isenberg
+++ recipes [2025.09.07 16:05] (current) – [Optional Upgrades] Steve Isenberg
@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
   * What's the difference between single-acting and double-acting baking powder? What's in it and how does it work? See: https://www.budget101.com/recipes/4988-myo-double-acting-baking-powder/
     * Consider using aluminum-free baking powder as it tastes better than ones with aluminum.
-See also [[foodannoyances]]
+  * Types of paprika
+    * Sweet/regular; it's what's in most grocery stores
+    * Smoked Paprika (Pimentón); Spanish paprika with smoky flavor, comes in sweet(dulce), bittersweet(agridulce), and hot (picante) varieties
+    * Hot/spicy Paprika (made from hotter pepper varieties)
+    * Hungarian paprika: considered the “gold standard”; most prized is  ”különleges” (special quality)
+    * Note: Hungarian and Spanish are often superior in flavor and color; higher quality paprika will be more vibrant in color and flavor.
+See also [[foodannoyances]]
 ====Toll House Chocolate Chip Pie====
 //thanks to John Rudy for this//
@@ Line 494: / Line 500: @@
 |¼ tsp|salt|
 |⅓ Cup|maple syrup, honey, or agave, 75g|
-|2 Tbsp| Sugar, or omit this and increase honey to ½ Cup|
+|2 Tbsp| Sugar, or omit this and increase honey to ½ Cup or 113g|
 |¼ Cup|coconut or vegetable oil, 40g|
 |2 tsp|vanilla extract|
@@ Line 509: / Line 515: @@
   - Cool at least 10 minutes before trying to cut
-Nov 2022: Used 9x9 pan and baked for 15 minutes.  Used Vitamix to blend in step 2.
+Nov 2022: Used 9x9 pan and baked for 15 minutes.  Used Vitamix to blend in step 2.\\
+Apr 2025: 8x8 pan work nicely. Consider using vitamix just for oats as the wet mix is hard to get out of vitamix.
 ====Salmon Pate====
@@ Line 536: / Line 543: @@
 ====M's Egg Muffins====
-//Specialty egg muffins, from a 6-year-old aspiring cook RT//
+//Specialty egg muffins, from a 6-year-old aspiring cook MT//
 ===Ingredients===
   * eggs
@@ Line 623: / Line 630: @@
   - Cool
-====== Modified Pumpkin Brownie Recipe ======
+====== Modified Pumpkin Brownie Recipe with Almond Flour======
 **Ingredients:**
@@ Line 644: / Line 651: @@
 Baking for 25 minutes, result is cake-like.  Trying 22 minutes baking.
+==== Modifications for a Brownie-Like Texture ====
+To make the Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread and Muffin Mix yield a more brownie-like result, rather than a cake-like texture, adjust the ingredients as follows:
+  * **Reduce Eggs**: Use **1 egg instead of 2**. Eggs add structure and lift, so reducing them will make the final product denser.
+  * **Add Fat**: Increase the oil slightly. Use **½ cup + 2 tablespoons** of oil instead of the standard ½ cup. This will create a fudgier texture.
+  * **Add Milk or Cream**: Add **2–3 tablespoons of milk, cream, non-dairy milk, or Greek yogurt (preferably plain full fat)** to the batter for extra moisture.
+  * **Reduce Baking Time Slightly**: Bake at the same temperature, but check for doneness **5–10 minutes earlier** than the recipe suggests. A fudgy result will still be slightly moist in the center when done.
+  * **Optional: Add Chocolate Flavor**: Mix in **2 tablespoons of cocoa powder** to enhance the chocolatey flavor and complement the pumpkin.
+==== Chocolate Chip Additions ====
+  * Add **¾ to 1 cup of chocolate chips** (semi-sweet or dark chocolate work best). Fold them into the batter at the end to ensure even distribution.
+  * For extra decadence, sprinkle a handful of chocolate chips on top before baking.
+==== Additional Tips ====
+  * Swirl in **½ cup of cream cheese** or **nut butter** (like almond or peanut butter) for added richness.
+  * For more chewiness, add **1–2 tablespoons of corn syrup or honey** to the batter.
+These adjustments will give you a moist, dense, and brownie-like result that pairs beautifully with the pumpkin flavor and chocolate chips! Let me know how it turns out!
+----
+====== Pumpkin Chocolate Brownies ======
+Turn Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread and Muffin Mix into rich, chocolatey brownies with this easy variation. Perfect for fall or anytime you want a fudgy, pumpkin-flavored treat.
+20250907: The result was very cake like; it's good that I added a white frosting (4oz cream cheese, 2Tbsp butter both melted; 1C XXX sugar, 1/2tsp vanilla; frosting didn't solidify though),\\  Suggest altering recipe as shown below. (was: 2 eggs, 1/2 cup oil, bake 28-35 mins.)\\ This mod is untested.
+===== Ingredients =====
+  * 1 box **Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread & Muffin Mix**
+  * 1 large egg
+  * ½ cup + 2 teaspoons vegetable oil (or melted butter for richer flavor)
+  * ⅓ cup water (slightly less than the box calls for to keep brownies dense)
+    * optional: subtract 1 teaspoon water and replace with 1 teaspoon brewed espresso
+  * ⅓ – ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
+  * ½ cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips (optional, but recommended)
+  * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, adds depth)
+  * Pinch of espresso powder or instant coffee granules (optional, enhances chocolate flavor)
+===== Instructions =====
+  - **Preheat Oven**
+    * Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
+    * Grease or line an 8x8 or 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
+  - **Mix Wet Ingredients**
+    * In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, oil (or melted butter), water, and vanilla.
+  - **Add Cocoa Powder**
+    * Whisk cocoa powder into the wet mixture until smooth.
+    * If using espresso powder, add it here.
+  - **Add Pumpkin Bread Mix**
+    * Gently fold in the pumpkin mix until just combined.
+    * **Do not overmix**, as this can make brownies tough.
+  - **Add Chocolate Chips (Optional)**
+    * Stir in ½ cup chocolate chips for extra fudginess.
+  - **Bake**
+    * Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
+    * Bake for **18 - 25 minutes**, checking at 18 minutes.
+    * A toothpick should come out with **moist crumbs**, not completely clean.
+  - **Cool Completely**
+    * Let cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting to allow brownies to set.
+----
+====== Cream Cheese Swirl Variation ======
+Add a tangy cream cheese swirl to make these brownies extra decadent, like pumpkin cheesecake brownies.
+===== Cream Cheese Swirl Ingredients =====
+  * 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
+  * 2 tablespoons sugar
+  * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
+  * 1 egg yolk
+===== Instructions for Swirl =====
+  - **Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture**
+    * In a small bowl, beat together cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and egg yolk until smooth.
+  - **Assemble Brownies with Swirl**
+    * After pouring brownie batter into the pan, drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture evenly on top.
+    * Use a butter knife or skewer to **gently swirl** the cream cheese into the batter, creating a marbled effect.
+  - **Bake as Directed**
+    * Bake according to the main brownie recipe instructions (28 – 35 minutes).
+    * Toothpick should come out with **moist crumbs**, not completely clean.
+===== Tips for Best Results =====
+  * Swirl gently — over-mixing will blend the layers instead of leaving distinct marbled streaks.
+  * For a stronger cheesecake flavor, double the cream cheese swirl mixture and use half on top, half layered in the middle of the batter.
+  * Chill brownies in the refrigerator for 1 hour after cooling to make slicing easier.
+----
+====== Homemade Satay Sauce Recipe ======
+**Makes about 1 cup**
+I haven’t tried this recipe yet, but satay sauce is really good. Recipe from ChatGPT.
+=== Ingredients: ===
+  * **½ cup** creamy peanut butter (unsweetened, natural is best)
+  * **½ cup** coconut milk
+  * **1 tbsp** soy sauce
+  * **1 tbsp** brown sugar or palm sugar
+  * **1 tbsp** lime juice
+  * **1 tsp** red curry paste (or ½ tsp chili flakes for spice)
+  * **1 tsp** grated ginger
+  * **1 clove** garlic, minced
+  * **½ tsp** fish sauce (optional, adds depth)
+  * **¼ tsp** turmeric powder (for color and mild flavor)
+  * **¼ cup** water (adjust for consistency)
+=== Instructions: ===
+  - **Heat a small saucepan** over medium-low heat.
+  - Add **garlic and ginger**, cooking for **30 seconds** until fragrant.
+  - Stir in **peanut butter, coconut milk, soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, curry paste, fish sauce, and turmeric**.
+  - Cook, stirring, until the sauce **thickens** (about 3-5 minutes). If it gets too thick, add **a little water** until it reaches your desired consistency.
+  - Taste and adjust: add **more sugar** for sweetness, **more lime juice** for tanginess, or **chili flakes** for heat.
+  - Remove from heat and serve warm as a **dipping sauce** or drizzle over grilled meats, noodles, or rice.
+=== Storage: ===
+  * Store in an **airtight container** in the fridge for up to **1 week**.
+  * Reheat with **a splash of water** if it thickens too much.
+=====NYT BBQ Sauce=====
+(I have not tested this; it's copied (with my edits) from [[https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013116-homemade-bbq-sauce|NY Times]] dated 2/9/2024
+**Makes about 1½ cups**
+===Ingredients: ===
+  * **⅔ cup** ketchup
+  * **½ cup** cider vinegar
+  * **¼ cup** brown sugar
+  * **2 tsp** smoked Spanish paprika (Pimentón)
+  * **1 tsp** ground cumin
+  * **1 tsp** kosher salt
+  * **1 tsp** freshly cracked black pepper
+=== Instructions: ===
+Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan.  Bring to a simmer over medium heat.  Cook for 5 minutes.
+Maybe: substitute blackberry puree and jam instead of ketchup.\\
+Note: another NYT recipe uses 1 cup over 6 to 8 chicken legs (drumsticks and thighs) skin-on, bone-in or about 3½ - 4 pounds chicken
 ----
 ⅛ ¼ ⅜ ⅓ ½ ⅝ ⅔ ¾ ⅞ °F