Homemade Starbucks

I usually don't see the rational in paying more than $3 for 10oz of coffee, but Rob babysat Caleb for me on Tuesday morning while I went to Publix and I wanted to suprise him with a Mocha - his favorite. While I was waiting in line I was tempted by the rows of fancy danishes and coffee cake. One option was Chocolate Cinnamon Bread - and it was calling my name! But I resisted and was rewarded, because at the pick up end of the counter, there were little recipe cards for Chocolate Cinnamon Bread. Caleb and I made it today and WOW! It's really not bread - more like a chocolate pound cake with a hint of cinnamon. Here's how to make it at home:

Chocolate Batter:
1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter, at room temp.
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 large eggs, at room temp.
1 cup AP flour
1/2 cup + 2 tbsp cocoa
1/2 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 tbsp water
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Cocoa-Spice Sugar Crust
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp coca
pinch ground ginger & cloves

Preheat oven to 350. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs one at a time - wait til each egg is no longer visible before adding the next. Combine flour, cocoa, cinnamon, salt, baking soda & baking powder - add to creamed mixture a couple of spoonfuls at a time until well mixed. Combine liquid ingredients, pour in and mix well. Pour batter into a loaf pan lined with parchment. Combine crust ingredients and sprinkle liberally over the batter. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick or skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool, remove from pan, serve slices with coffee - Starbucks, 7-11, I don't think it matters at this point. ;)

August 22 - September 4, 2007

22 W – Spaghetti, Salad, Garlic Bread
23 R - Teriyaki Chicken Breast, Broccoli, Rice
24 F - Grilled Pork Chops, Mac & Cheese, Broccoli
25 S - Rob’s Random Choice
26 U – Hot Wings, Sweet Potato Fries
27 M - Sirloin Stir Fry, Rice
28 T - Baked Chicken Breast Supreme, Sweet Potato, Broccoli
29 W - Spaghetti, Salad, Garlic Bread
30 R – Meatloaf, Salad, Biscuits
31 F – Curried Chicken Pot Pie, Salad
1 S – Chili, Corn Bread
2 U – Chili dogs, Green Peas, Carrots
3 M – Grilled Stuffed Pork Chops, Sweet Potato,
4 T -Hearty Chicken and Beans, Rice, Salad

For the record, grilled pork chops stuffed with cornbread stuffing is just about my favorite way to eat pork. I usually do not follow a recipe, I just put whatever sounds yummy (diced bell pepper, craisins, whatever), add enough chicken stock to make it perfectly moist and stuff the chops. This link does not describe the way Alton Brown demostrated how to make the stuffing pockets on Good Eats. Basically, using a boning knife, you make a small slit (1 - 1 1/2 inch) in the middle of the chop (Must be a bone in chop) and slowly sweep the tip up until you are near the edge (without cutting through), reverse the knife and repeat on the bottom - the result is a nice big pocket with a tiny little hole. You can insert the stuffing by putting it into a plastic icing tool and squirting it through the hole (Brown uses a turkey baster witht he tip cut off). I highly recommend brining the chops in advance as the link describes.

On the 23rd I plan to make this whole meal in a foil packet, you can read more about making foil packets here - scroll down to November 6.

August 8-21, 2007

8 W - Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Salad
9 R - Grilled Chicken, Mac & Cheese, Broccoli
10 F - Catfish, French Fried, Cole Slaw, Hush Puppies
11 S - Sweet BBQ Pork Chops, Cole Slaw, Baked Sweet Potato
12 U - Baked Chicken, Peas, Carrots
13 M - Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Peas
14 T - Beef Pitas with Yogurt Sauce, Greek Isles Pasta Salad
15 W - SW Chicken Pitas, Mexican Rice
16 R - Rob's Random Choice
17 F - Tangy Breaded Pork Chops, Salad, Bread
18 S - Thai Style Pork, Rice
19 U - Roasted Pork Loin, Potatoes, Peas
20 M - L.O. Pork Loin
21 T - Mexican Casserole, Refried Beans, Salad

Despite it's obviously ethnic name, I'm not sure if Mexican Casserole is a regional dish or not. I do know that I haven't run into it here in Miami. It's a dish that can vary a lot from person to person, and the recipe I will use is from a fundraising cookbook - however the link is quite similar. The ingredient you always find in this dish is Nacho Cheese Doritos.

All of the other links for main dishes are subscriber only on Taste of Home. If you would like the access the recipe and do not have a password, let me know and I can get the recipe for you.