Friday Foodday

Happy Friday! Here are my favorite recipes this week.

Cosmo Jello Shots
c/o The Kitchn

Ingredients
1/2 cup water
3/4 cranberry juice
1/4 cup lime juice
2 packets powdered gelatin
1/2 cup vodka
1/2 cup cointreau

Directions

Prepare the mold according to the directions above. Whisk together 1/2 cup water, 3/4 cup cranberry juice, and 1/4 cup lime juice in a small saucepan. Sprinkle the 2 packets of powdered gelatin over top and let sit for 5 minutes or until the gelatin is softened and the surface of the liquid is wrinkled. Warm over medium heat, stirring until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Remove from the heat and whisk in 1/2 cup vodka and 1/4 cup Cointreau. Garnish with lime zest before serving.


Asian Pork Meatballs with Sesame Noodles
c/o A Taste of Home Cooking

Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
1 1/4 pounds lean ground pork
1/4 cup Panko
1 egg, lightly beaten
4 scallions, minced
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
salt and pepper
1/3 cup Hoisin sauce

For the Noodles
1 package (16 ounce) stir-fry rice noodles (I used 13.25oz spaghetti)
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1/4 cup Hoisin sauce
4 scallions, minced (plus more for garnish)
Sesame seeds, optional

Directions
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with nonstick spray.

In a large bowl, combine the pork, Panko, egg, scallions, soy sauce, sesame oil, ground ginger, and a few grinds of salt and pepper, until just combined. Using a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop, form 35 meatballs. Brush each one with a little Hoisin sauce. Arrange in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes.

In the meantime, bring a large pot of water to boil and cook the noodles according to package directions. Drain, rinsing the noodles under cool water, then drain again. Set aside. 

While the pasta and meatballs are cooking, whisk the sauce ingredients together in a bowl. Return the noodles to the pot and pour the sauce mixture over the top. Toss to coat. Serve a pile of noodles topped with some of the meatballs. Garnish with scallions and toasted sesame seeds.

Thin Mint Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches
c/o Country Cleaver

Ingredients
½ cup Butter, melted + More for Pan
1 cup Sugar

• 2 Eggs
• ½ tsp Salt
• ½ cup Flour
• ½ cup Cocoa Powder
• ½ gallon Thin Mint Ice Cream - or Mint Cookie's and Cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 10x15 inch jelly roll pan with butter. Line with parchment paper (NOT wax paper) and leave 2 inches of parchment paper hanging over the short edges of the pan. Butter the parchment paper as well.
In a large bowl whisk together melted ½ cup of melted butter and sugar. Whisk in eggs and salt. Whisk in flour and cocoa until just smooth. Spread into a thin layer all over to the edges of the pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the brownies begin to pull away from the sides of the pan.

Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Using the overhanging paper, gently remove the brownies from the pan and allow to cool completely on a wire rack. When completely cool, cut the brownies length wise into two long pieces. Place one half of the brownie back into the pan and spread the softened ice cream and spread until smooth and even. Top with other half of the brownie.

Cover tightly with plastic wrap and freeze for about two hours, until set. Cut into 6-8 sandwiches. Wrap each sandwich with parchment paper for storage and place in an air tight container until devoured.