Blog | the-ranting-cook

Aug 22, 2020
3 min

Cherry Pecan Apple Crisp

My Gramma was awesome. She was sweet, a great cook and managed to outlive two husbands – all while running a working farm complete with cattle, pigs, chickens, crops and a massive garden. Thanks to weekends at the farm, I learned the value of hard work, how to sling hay bales and how to sneak eggs out from underneath cranky chickens. She always had something good baking in the stove and a well thought out tidbit of advice when I needed it (never leave the house without lip gl

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Terri Windover

Aug 20, 2020
1 min

Cowboy Caviar

INGREDIENTS: FOR THE DRESSING: 1/3 c. extra-virgin olive oil 1/3 c. lime juice 3 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro 1 tbsp. hot sauce 1/2 tsp. cumin 1 tsp. kosher salt FOR THE SALAD: 1 c. black beans 1 small red onion, finely chopped 1 c. corn 1 c. cherry tomatoes, quartered 1 c. black eyed peas 2 orange bell peppers, chopped 1 avocado, chopped Corn chips, for serving DIRECTIONS: 1. In a small bowl, make dressing: Whisk together olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, hot sauce, cumin,

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Terri Windover

Aug 17, 2020
1 min

Avocado Bacon Baguette with Honey

It’s Sunday. This is the perfect hangover food. This Avocado Bavon Baguette with Honey will save your soul. Trust me. I know this to be true today :/ INGREDIENTS: 4 slices French baguette, sliced on the diagonal and lightly toasted 1 medium, ripe avocado 1 slice bacon, cooked and crumbled honey DIRECTIONS: Cook bacon and remove excess grease with paper towel. Mash the avocado in a small bowl. Spread the mashed avocado on the toasts. Sprinkle with bacon and drizzle with honey.

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Terri Windover

Aug 13, 2020
1 min

Homemade Old Bay Seasoning

Old Bay Seasoning is like my own personal Snuffleupugus. I can NEVER find it. So now I'll never have to :) Yield: 1/2 cup 2 tablespoons bay leaf powder 2 tablespoons celery salt (or 1 tbls. ground celery seed and 1 tbls. salt) 1 tablespoon dry mustard 2 teaspoons ground black pepper 2 teaspoons ground ginger 2 teaspoons sweet paprika (smoked paprika is even better if you can find it!) 1 teaspoon white pepper 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon ground cloves 1 teaspoon ground

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Mocha Caramel Crunch Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Terri Windover

Aug 10, 2020
2 min

Mocha Caramel Crunch Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

One little thing about these bars…they are messy, but in the best way possible. The cookie base is meant to be baked so that the center of the bars is slightly underdone. The caramel is meant to be the perfect state of not too runny, but definitely not solid either. These two components create one seriously mess bar, BUT trust me, it’s worth every sticky caramel smear. makes 18-20 bars Ingredients: Cookie Base: 2 sticks unsalted butter 2/3 cup light brown sugar 1/2 cup granu

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Terri Windover

Aug 7, 2020
2 min

Crispy Thai Chicken Wraps

About those wraps you see down there. Those beautiful mouth-watering wraps. They are good. Crispy, peanuty and slightly spicy. You'll eat more than one so loosen your belt. Ingredients: 1 pound chicken breasts, about 3 breasts 1 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoons sesame oil 1/2 cup chunky peanut butter room temp 1/2 cup coconut milk 1 tablespoon brown sugar 4 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon hot chili sesame oil 2 tablespoon rice wine vinegar or white vinegar 1/2 teaspoon

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Terri Windover

Aug 4, 2020
2 min

More Homemade Syrups

They don’t call them simple syrups for nothing; these are so simple to make and they payoff is delicious. Not only will you have an easy way to add excitement to club soda (finally, a non-boring drink to serve guests who aren’t imbibing, which is so right now), you’ll also be one step closer to making an impressive cocktail. They will keep two weeks in the refrigerator. Make them in advance so you have them on hand for guests or to treat yourself. Ingredients: Orange Vanill

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Perfect temperatures are the key to better baking

Terri Windover

Aug 2, 2020
3 min

Perfect temperatures are the key to better baking

The temperature of your ingredients in baking affects texture, shape and taste. Understanding which basic baking ingredients should be at which temperature – and why – can change you from a nervous baker to a confident one who whips up cookies on a whim. Read on…you may want to preheat your oven before you start. Baking ingredient temperature cheat sheet Butter: Room temperature for cakes and cookies. Butter should be at room temperature for most cake and cookie recipes so i

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Terri Windover

Jul 31, 2020
3 min

Homemade Limoncello

I call this sunshine in a bottle. Sweet, boozy sunshine. If you’ve never had a sip of the Italian lemon liqueur known as limoncello, you’re in for a treat. Homemade limoncello completely blows away the store-bought stuff, and it’s super simple to make. While many commercial imports tend to be too sweet, homemade limoncello can be made as strong or as mild as you wish. Let it sit a while to age into a bright, smooth sipper, and your concoction could rival some of the finest in

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Terri Windover

Jul 31, 2020
1 min

Limoncello Crusher

This drink is even better if you make it with my homemade Limoncello! It tastes like summer. Ingredients: 2 oz Limoncello 2 oz Triple Sec 2 oz Sweet & Sour Mix 2 oz Lemon Lime Soda Instructions: Build in a glass with ice.... #limoncello #TripleSec #drink #summerdrinks #TerriWindover #DefineFit #TheRantingCook

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Terri Windover

Jul 30, 2020
1 min

Pink Margarita

Um what? You love me? Wait until after you drink it, you'll be willing me your first born lol. INGREDIENTS: Lemon wedge, for rimming glasses Coarse salt, for rimming glasses 2 c. ice 2 c. Pink lemonade 1/4 c. fresh lemon juice 1/4 c. triple sec 1 c. tequila 4 Lemon Slices, for garnish DIRECTIONS: 1. Rub a lemon wedge around the rim of four glasses, then dip rims into salt. 2. To each glass, add ice, pink lemonade, lemon juice, triple sec, and tequila. Stir to combine. (if you

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RHUBARB, RASPBERRY & DARK CHOCOLATE BREAD PUDDING CAKE

Terri Windover

Jul 29, 2020
2 min

RHUBARB, RASPBERRY & DARK CHOCOLATE BREAD PUDDING CAKE

Layers of roasted rhubarb, tart raspberries, dark chocolate chunks and almond meal. It’s all soaked in a rich, eggy custard, and then baked until slightly puffy, springy and golden. INGREDIENTS: 4-5 stems rhubarb finely granted zest of ½ orange 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 large brioche loaf- I used 1.5 loaves from this recipe and it was about 900g total 6 eggs 1 cup cream 2 cups whole milk ¾ cups Rogers Berry sugar + 4 tablespoons, divided 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 180g dark chocol

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Terri Windover

Jul 26, 2020
1 min

Grilled Cream Corn

Forget that canned stuff. This version packs a punch with charred, fresh corn and jalapeño. Serves: 6 INGREDIENTS: 6 ears corn, shucked 2 tbsp. butter 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour 1 c. milk 2 tbsp. cream cheese, softened 1/4 c. Shredded Monterey Jack 1 jalapeño, minced (optional) kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 2 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro DIRECTIONS: Preheat grill or grill pan to high. Grill corn until kernels are charred and slightly softened, 10 minutes. Once cooled

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Terri Windover

Jul 25, 2020
1 min

Margarita Pie

It's a margarita! It's a pie! It's a margarita pie! Seriously, this is genius! Before you ask, no you cannot come over for a piece as it's all gone :) INGREDIENTS: FOR THE CRUST 2 1/2 c. pretzels 4 graham crackers 6 tbsp. melted butter 1/4 c. granulated sugar FOR THE FILLING 1 can sweetened condensed milk 1/4 c. tequila 1/4 c. lime juice 2 tbsp. triple sec pinch of salt 8 oz. Cool Whip, defrosted Zest of 1 lime (plus more for garnish) Small lime wedges for garnish DIRECTIONS:

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Terri Windover

Jul 24, 2020
3 min

SWEET RICOTTA ITALIAN PEACH COOKIES

These show stopper cookies capture the attention of anyone that sees them. They were my favourite treat at the Italian bakery when I was a child. The lemony cookie filled with zesty orange ricotta beg for sun and summer guests. Mixing up the cookies is effortless, though you’ll need to pick up a small craft brush for the finishing touches. Yield: 25 cookies. RICOTTA FILLING INGREDIENTS: 500g(2 cups + 2 tablespoon) ricotta cheese 110g(1/2 cup) white granulated sugar 1 teaspoon

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Terri Windover

Jul 21, 2020
1 min

STRAWBERRY AVOCADO CAPRESE SALAD

Serves: serves 4 Ingredients: ¼ cup balsamic vinegar 1 cup sliced strawberries 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes 1 cup halved mini mozzarella balls 1 ripe avocado, pitted and diced ⅓ cup pecans, toasted ⅓ cup loosely packed basil, torn Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Instructions: In a small saucepan, bring the balsamic vinegar to a high simmer over medium heat. Stir, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the vinegar has thicke

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Terri Windover

Jul 19, 2020
2 min

Mushroom Tartines

Would this be a good place to admit that I only kind of enjoy sandwiches? I know, what the hell Terri?!? What I mean is, it’s the proportions: too much bread, too little filling. If you've ever been to New York and had a sandwich from one of those Jewish delis that are taller than your glass of beer, you know that less bread, more filling is a good thing, if only you didn’t want to have to unhinge your jaw just to take a bite. My solution is to serve them open-faced and piled

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Terri Windover

Jul 18, 2020
1 min

Artichoke and Truffle Dip

Easy peasy and delicious. Just a handful of ingredients and your friends will be amazed. Ingredients: 1 can (14 oz.) artichoke hearts 8 oz, whipped cream cheese, at room temperature 1 large shallot, finely chopped 1/4 Tablespoon salt 3 Tablepoons Truffle Oil 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese Instructions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sauté shallots in 1 Tablespoon Truffle olive oil until soft. Transfer to a mixing bowl. Add cream cheese, artichoke hearts, the remaining 2 Table

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Terri Windover

Jul 16, 2020
2 min

Sparkling Dragon Fruit Margarita

INGREDIENTS: 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) silver tequila 3/4 ounce (1 1/2 tablespoons) triple sec 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) freshly-squeezed lime juice 3/4 teaspoon red dragon fruit purée (see note) 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) simple syrup (see note) 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) club soda lime slice, for garnish INSTRUCTIONS: Combine all ingredients except club soda in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds, then strain into a martini glass,

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The Ranting Cook

Cherry Pecan Apple Crisp

Cowboy Caviar

Avocado Bacon Baguette with Honey

Homemade Old Bay Seasoning

Mocha Caramel Crunch Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Crispy Thai Chicken Wraps

More Homemade Syrups

Perfect temperatures are the key to better baking

Homemade Limoncello

Limoncello Crusher

Pink Margarita

RHUBARB, RASPBERRY & DARK CHOCOLATE BREAD PUDDING CAKE

Grilled Cream Corn

Margarita Pie

SWEET RICOTTA ITALIAN PEACH COOKIES

Blueberry Daiquiri

STRAWBERRY AVOCADO CAPRESE SALAD

Mushroom Tartines

Artichoke and Truffle Dip

Sparkling Dragon Fruit Margarita