Three-Layered Lasagna

Posted on April 7, 2014 by emmasantoyo22

Three-Layered Lasagna by Christina Santoyo

Videography and Production by Emma Santoyo

Christina Santoyo, a junior English Communication Arts major, cooks a lasagna from a recipe given to her by her mother. Santoyo claims she has never had a lasagna as good as the one her mother makes.

Christina Santoyo prepares a lasagna from a recipe passed down from her mother. She discusses her love for cooking and sharing her food with loved ones.

 

Ingredients

• 1 box of Oven baked lasagna Pasta

• 4 links of Italin Sausage

• 16 oz ricotta cheese

• 36 oz Marinara sauce

• 16 oz shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1 egg

• 2 TBSP of herbes de Provence

Directions

First began to cook the italin sausage links in a small pan (drain oil), and be sure to cut the meat into smaller pieces while cooking. Next mix the ricotta cheese, egg, and herb de provence in a small dish. Once the meat is done you can begin layering the lasagna, start with sauce on the bottom of 9×11 baking pan, then add a layer of already oven baked noodles, add a layer of the ricotta mixture, then add a layer of meat, add more sauce, sprinkle mozzarella cheese, and repeat this layering two more times. Place in oven and bake for 45-60 minutes until the top layer of mozzarella is golden brown.

 

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Chocolate Chip Treasure Cookies

Posted on April 7, 2014 by bpardo1

Chocolate Chip Treasure Cookies by Breanne Pardo
Videography and Production by Bianca Pardo

Breanne Pardo, a junior English-Communications Arts major at St. Mary’s University,enjoys baking Chocolate Chip Treasure Cookies. She loves all the different flavors within the cookie. Pardo demonstrates how to make this flavorful cookie.

Ingredients

•1.5 cups finely crushed graham cracker crumbs

•1.5 cups of all-purpose flour
•2 teaspoons of Clabber Girl baking powder
•1 14 ounce can of Eagle Brand Sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
•.5 margarine, softened
•1 3.5 ounce can flaked coconut (1.5 cups)
•1 12 ounce package semi-sweet chocolate chips
•1 cup chopped Diamond walnuts

Directions

Heat the oven to 375 degrease. In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, flower, and baking powder. In a mixer bowl, beat the sweetened condensed milk and margarine until it is smooth.

Then add the crumb mixture and mix well. Stir the coconut, chips, and walnuts. Drop the tablespoons of cookie dough onto lightly greased cookie sheets.

Next, bake the cookies 9 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool the cookies 2 to 3 minutes and remove from the cookie sheets. Store the cookies loosely covered at room temperature.

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Rosemary Chicken

Posted on April 7, 2014 by stonecoldlissa

Rosemary Chicken by Vanessa Benavides
Videography and Production by Analissa Cantu

 

St. Mary’s University alumna Vanessa Benavides, Spring 2013, shows us how to cook a simple, yet elegant dinner of Rosemary Chicken. She also tells us why Rosemary Chicken is a convenient dish that can impress anyone, and why she loves to cook so much.

 

Rosemary Chicken – Serves 2 – 3 

  • 1 lb. of Chicken Breast
  • 5 Small Red Potatoes
  • 1 tsp. of Salt
  • 1 tsp. of Minced Garlic
  • 1 tsp. of Rubbed Sage
  • 1/4 tsp. of Coarse Ground Black Pepper
  • 2 tbsp. of Olive Oil

Directions:

First, defrost the chicken breast in a sink and wash all red potatoes. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Mix all of the powders together in a large bowl, then mix in the olive oil in the bowl. Then, slice the red potatoes in either chunks or slices, whichever you prefer.

Set the potatoes aside, and dip the defrosted chicken breasts in the bowl of spices and olive oil, make sure they are covered with all of the spices, then place them in a lined pan. After all of the chicken breasts are placed in pan, dip the potatoes in the bowl of spices and olive oil and place them around the chicken in the lined pan. With the oven preheated at 425 degrees, let the chicken and potatoes cook for 20 – 25 minutes.

While they are cooking, occasionally turn the potatoes around so that they do not burn. Then, voila! Take the chicken and potatoes out, let them cool, and serve. Make sure to check the chicken to see if it is cooked fully. If it looks like there is some red when you cut the chicken, make sure it’s not the spices bleeding into the chicken.

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Vegan Four-Alarm Chili

Posted on April 7, 2014 by marissamarieblog

Vegan Four-Alarm Chili by Alexandria Rodriguez
Videography and Production by Marissa Rodriguez

Alexandria Rodriguez, a junior business marketing major at St. Mary’s University, is a vegetarian who knows how to make delicious and appetizing meals. She has a deep appreciation for every ingredient that goes into making a dish. Rodriguez proves that vegan dishes are not bland because her favorite dish, vegan four-alarm chili, is packed with flavors and spices that would make any meat-eater question their carnivorous ways!

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2 canned tomatoes
  • 4 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder
  • 1 tablespoon cumin powder
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup water
  • 3 canned beans (garbanzo, pinto and black-eye peas)

Directions

In a large pot,  sauté the garlic in olive oil for about 3 to 5 minutes.
Add the tomatoes, chili powder, cayenne powder, cumin powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and water.

Bring to a slow simmer, and allow to cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the beans and simmer for at least another 30 minutes.

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Chef bakes delicious strawberry cheesecake pie

Posted on February 1, 2014 by Alexander Eakins

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Marie Antoinette’s famous dictum, “let them eat cake,” no longer defines the fine line between the rich and the poor. Today, a rich cake makes an affordable special occasion of any meal for any person of any class.

Senior computer science major and at-home chef Justin Patterson might not have learned to bake delicious cakes if costs barred him from doing so. His go-to recipe is a hearty cheesecake with a touch of passion.

Patterson comes from a rich tradition of home-cooked, southern meals. He describes the fact that, even though his family did not have a vast disposable income, he always had a warm meal waiting for him at the table.

“Growing up, my family didn’t have all the money in the world. But the important things were there, especially food,” Patterson says.

Patterson holds an associates degree in biology from Del Mar College in Corpus Christi. He was inspired to be a surgeon for two reasons: the pay and the calming feeling he gets from working with his hands, even on an operating table. When he transferred to St. Mary’s, however, he changed his major to computer science because his teachers encouraged him and he was unhappy with the biology program.

“I love the teachers at St. Mary’s,” Patterson says. “I just feel like the business program is too privileged and other programs suffer from that.”

Working with his hands is what interests Patterson in cooking. His signature dish is a recipe for ragu spaghetti that takes four hours to cook. But, when he’s feeling passionate or adventurous, he enjoys baking. One such occasion prompted him to try out a recipe for a strawberry-topped cheesecake.

“I’ve baked cheesecake before, but I’ve only used blueberries as a topping,” Patterson says. “This recipe was designed for my girlfriend. Cooking it was a timely decision … I wanted to make her birthday special and a store-bought cake just wouldn’t do that. She loves cheesecake and strawberries, so I put two and two together and decided strawberry cheesecake would be the perfect birthday cake solution!”

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Chocolate Chip Muffins

Posted on October 31, 2013 by Alex

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Chocolate Chip Muffins by Megan Salib
Story and Photos by Alex Diaz

A fresh baked muffin hits just the right spot when walking to class in the morning or even as a late night study snack.

Students who live on campus know what it’s like to be deprived of home cooked meals.

However, with the new kitchenettes in the outback, Megan Salib, a junior psychology major, brings a little bit of home by being able to bake some of her favorite muffins.

Salib, from Corpus Christi, Texas, enjoys food that offers versatile ways of being prepared.

“I like all kinds of food. I like to always try different things and my favorite would be vegetables because there are so many different ways to make them and they still taste good!” she says.

As a full-time student and active member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Marianist Leadership Program, Catholic Student Group, The Bridge and Delta Zeta, Salib turns to baking as dedicated time for herself.

“Baking has been a way for me to express my creative side,” Salib says. “I am continually experimenting with new foods and recipes.”

Salib loves the strong sense of community that is offered at St. Mary’s and it gives her joy when she can share her treats with classmates, friends and sisters.

“I have gotten a lot of compliments from friends for my brownie cheesecake,” Salib says.

After graduating from St. Mary’s, Salib plans to commit to a year of service before applying to graduate school for social work.

“I want to help children find a safe environment they can grow up in,” Salib explains. “I want to eventually work with adoption agencies.”

This Chocolate Chip Muffin recipe allows for creative freedom, one of the main reasons why it is at the Salib household.

“I chose this recipe because it was something my family used to make for breakfast before I went to school. It’s easy and you can always change it and add different things to it like fruit or nuts,” Salib explains.

Baking does not always have to be a step by step activity.

“Make it your own,” Salib says. “By changing ingredients in a recipe, a new dish is created every time.”

Ingredients

  • 1 c whole wheat flour
  • 1 c sugar
  • 1 T vanilla
  • 1/2 c applesauce
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 egg whites
  • 3/4 c chocolate chips
  • 2 T brown sugar
  • 1 packet vanilla pudding mix

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a bowl, mix together the applesauce and egg whites. Slowly add in dry ingredients until an even consistency is created.  Line the muffin pan with liners and fill the cups 3/4 full. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes. Let muffins cool before removing them from the pan. Recipe makes about 8 servings.

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Turon: Banana Lumpia

Posted on September 15, 2013 by ncanedo

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Turon: Banana Lumpia by Kirsten Acosta
Story and photos by Nick Canedo

While appetizers and the main course is savory, what people remember most about a three-course meal is the last thing to hit their tongue—the dessert! For St. Mary’s senior biology major Kirsten Acosta, there is not dessert better than one that comes from her Filipino roots.

While cooking is a hobby, Acosta’s true passion is dentistry.

“I’ve always been fascinated with teeth. When choosing a college, I didn’t want to leave my San Antonio, since it’s always been my home. When I found out St. Mary’s could put me on the track to dental school, I knew this place would be a good fit,” Acosta says.

Living at home while attending college, Acosta enjoys the home cooked dinner she gets after a long day at school.

“While I love the Mexican food that San Antonio has to offer, my favorite will always be Filipino because it’s my heritage.”

Acosta’s family has a tradition of the entire household contributing to dinner once they become teenagers. When she first started helping her family, she had a tough time meeting her parent’s cooking standards.

“At first, both my mother and father would yell at me that something wasn’t right. I was discouraged at first, but I wanted to be like the rest of my family and cook traditional Filipino dishes,” she says.

The first dish Acosta made by herself for her family was turon, a popular Filipino desert.

“My mom said it was the easiest thing to make, so she trusted me to do it.”

Also known as banana lumpia, turon is a popular street food among Filipinos.

“We used to eat it by itself, but it was my idea to eat it with ice cream. Now, turon and vanilla ice cream is pretty much the tradition for deserts in my household,” Acosta says.

Ingredients

For 10 turons:

  • Five bananans
  • Bowl full of water
  • ½ c of golden brown sugar
  • ½ c of white sugar
  • 10 spring roll wrappings
  • Paper towel
  • Plate

Directions
Create quarter long bananas by cutting them in half, then cutting them lengthwise. Dip each one in water, then mix a little golden brown sugar and white sugar together and sprinkle over top wet bananas. Wrap two quarter long bananas in each spring roll wrapping, then tap some water on spring roll and sprinkle sugar mixture over top (this will create “clean” but sugary tops).  Deep-fry the wrappings until golden and transfer to paper towel on a plate to absorb oil.

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The Best New York Style Cheesecake

Posted on July 15, 2013 by koko0202

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The Best New York Style Cheesecake by Anissa Bravo
Story and Photos by Stela Khury

When Anissa Bravo, Junior English major, tried to decide what sort of food she would both feel comfortable preparing and enjoy eating, she sensed a pattern. Bravo noticed that she kept seeking out dishes that she could share easily. Her dream job as a teacher showed through her desire to unite over an often overlooked task. Bravo felt an evening off to order pizza was a fun idea, but actually taking up the task of preparing a meal was even more rewarding, if not therapeutic.

“I genuinely love all types of food! I do enjoy Mexican food because that is definitely comfort food for me; I also love Asian and Italian cuisine,” Bravo says. “But anything sweet is definitely a favorite for me.”

Bravo decided she wanted to bake a comforting dessert for her closest group of friends. She says St. Mary’s has a “homey vibe” that welcomes simple pleasures, thus she picked the simplest and most delicious dessert of all: cheesecake.  Bravo felt that after a rough start to the semester, a Friday night watching the Lord of the Rings while munching on a slice of freshly baked cheesecake was just what she and her friends needed.

“I chose the New York cheesecake with a blueberry topping because it is very delicious and also fun to make,” Bravo says. “There really isn’t any other special significance besides that I adore cheesecake… and blueberries. So, as a combination, they’re pretty spectacular.”

Bravo says that cheesecake is a fairly easy recipe to make, because it basically involves “mixing ingredients and pouring them on a pan.” The only downside of cheesecake over a plain cake is that the cheesecake needs time to cool. The New York style of cheesecake, according to Bravo, is one of the easiest if one needs to “get eating fast.” Bravo’s secret hint is to let the cheesecake cool for 30 minutes on top of the oven and then an hour in the freezer, which should allow for a firm, delicious cheesecake in half the time.

Bravo also advises aspiring chefs to remember to add a fruit topping.

“Plain cheesecake is delicious, but nothing beats a tasty kick of sweet berries,” Bravo says. “Also, the way it looks at the end is so beautiful that it makes [this cheesecake] a rewarding dessert to bake.”

Ingredients

Crust:

  • 2c finely ground graham crackers (about 30 squares)
  • 1 stick unsalted butter, melted

Filling:

  • ·2 (8-oz) blocks of cream cheese
  • ·3 eggs
  • ·1c sugar
  • ·1 pint sour cream
  • ·1 tsp vanilla extract

Fruit topping:

  • ·1 pint blueberries, raspberries or cherries
  • ·2T sugar

In a saucepan add all the ingredients and simmer over medium heat for five minutes, or until the fruit begins to release juice and the sugar to become firm. The ideal point is when, by mixing the contents of the pan, the sauce is only thick enough for the bottom of the saucepan to be perfectly visible for a moment.

Servings: 8-12

Directions

Prepare the oven by preheating it to 325°F.

In a bowl, combine the ingredients for the crust with a fork until evenly moistened. Coat the bottom and sides of pan with either cooking spray or regular cooking oil.

Pour the mixture into the pan and press the crumbs down onto the bottom of the pan and an inch up on the sides to form the base of the cheesecake.

Next, with aid of a mixer, beat the cream cheese with the vanilla extract for one minute until smooth.

On a separate bowl, add sour cream and fold in one egg at a time. Continue to beat slowly until combined. Gradually add sugar and beat these components until creamy (one or two minutes.)

Combine the cream cheese and sour cream mixtures and beat until smooth and even.

Pour the filling into the crust-lined pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

Cover the cheesecake pan with aluminum foil and place it in the oven. Bake for 45 minutes.

Let the cheesecake, still slightly jiggly, to cool in the pan for 30 minutes.

Chill in the refrigerator for at least four hours.

Finally, unmold and transfer to a cake plate.

Using a spatula spread a layer of the fruit topping of choice over the surface.

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Chicken Salad

Posted on April 10, 2013 by snavarro1

Chicken Salad by Nicole Mitchell
Videography and Production by Steven Navarro

Nicole Mitchell, a senior sociology major, gives some pointers on how to make a savory chicken salad. She also tells how she first became interested in cooking at a young age.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups diced, cooked chicken
  • 1 stalk celery, cut into 1/4-inch dice
  • 1 carrot stick, cut into 1/4-inch dice
  • 1/4cup walnuts, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup grapes, cut in half
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 tablespoon of mustard
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

In a mixing bowl, toss together the chicken, celery, carrots, walnuts and grapes. Set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper to taste. Add to the chicken and mix gently until combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Chicken Salad

Chicken Salad

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Enchiladas

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Alex

Family Favorite Enchiladas by Janet Frias
Videography and Production by Alex Diaz

Janet Frias, a junior English-communication arts major, shares a taste of home by preparing a family favorite recipe for enchiladas. While she was growing up, her family always served this dish for special occasions.

Ingredients

  • Corn Tortillas
  • 1 Block of Monterey Jack Cheese
  • 1 Can of Wolf Chili
  • Olive Oil

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Set the stove to medium, to heat up oil. In a bowl, grate the monterey jack cheese, save for later. Pour the chili in a separate bowl, also set aside for later. In the hot oil, dip each tortillas for about 5 seconds. Set these aside on a plate. Line the pan with foil. In each tortilla place chili, then top with cheese. Roll up the tortillas that have the mixture and place them in the pan. Once they are all laying in the pan, add more chili over the tortillas. Continue to add cheese over the chili to your taste. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes. Recipe makes about 6 servings.

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