Simply Done, Well Done

by Aaron McCargo Jr.

Overview

Make filling, flavorful family meals with the first cookbook from the star of Food Network’s Big Daddy’s House!

Winner of The Next Food Network Star Aaron McCargo shares his passion for big, bold flavors and fun family cooking with these simple, flavorful, down to earth recipes. Leaving out the fussy cooking techniques and hard-to-find ingredients, McCargo shows you how to create bold flavors and satisfying dishes like Spicy Beef Quesadillas, Jerk Chicken with Smoked Gouda Sandwiches, or Salisbury Steak Bundles. And if, somehow, friends and family have room left for dessert, they’ll love his Candybar Cookies and Tiramisu Cupcakes.

Included are 120 recipes covering soups, salads, appetizers, side dishes, main courses, sandwiches, sauces, and desserts, with full-color photos throughout. When it’s time to cook for the family, Simply Done, Well Done will make sure that delicious is definitely on the menu.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780544188129
Publisher:	Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication date:	05/12/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	263
File size:	8 MB

About the Author

Aaron McCargo, Jr., was the winner of season four of The Next Food Network Star and currently stars in Big Daddy's House on Food Network. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and children.

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS & THANK YOUS.

INTRODUCTION.

APPETIZERS WITH GUSTO.

SMOOTH & HEARTY SOUPS.

SIDE SALADS & BIGGER SALADS.

SANDWICHES THAT BURST WITH FLAVOR.

MY MAIN COURSES.

MY FAVORITE SIDE DISHES.

DRESSINGS, MAYONNAISES,

SPICE BLENDS, SAUCES, & CONDIMENTS.

INDULGENT DESSERTS & SWEET TREATS.

INDEX.

Recipe

Tiramisu Cupcakes

When you stir mascarpone into the batter, what might be an ordinary cupcake instantly evolves into a decadent one. Rich, triple-cream mascarpone cheese is a luxury well worth indulging in every now and then. It's the telling ingredient in tiramisu, one of my favorite desserts, and so I decided to use it in a cupcake for portable tiramisu. Carry a batch of these along and you'll be welcome anywhere you go!

Makes 24 cupcakes

Cupcake Filling:
1 cup mascarpone cheese
3 tablespoons coffee liqueur, such as Tia Maria or Kahlúa
1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
One 8-ounce container Cool Whip

Cupcakes:
One 18.25-ounce box white cake mix
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
3/4 cup hot brewed coffee
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Frosting:
One 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
White chocolate liqueur, such as Godiva
2 cups confectioners' sugar
Dark chocolate shavings, for garnish

To make the cupcake filling: In a large bowl and using a handheld mixer set on medium speed, beat together the mascarpone, coffee liqueur, and condensed milk until smooth and blended. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the Cool Whip. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 6 hours.

To Make the Cupcakes: Meanwhile, bake cupcakes according to the cake mix package directions. Let cool on a wire cooling rack. In a medium bowl, stir the confectioners' sugar into the hot coffee until the sugar dissolves. Stir in the vanilla.

To make the frosting: In a large bowl and using a handheld mixer set on medium speed, beat the cream cheese and butter for 2 to 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla and chocolate liqueur. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the confectioners' sugar to the frosting until it reaches a spreadable consistency.

To fill and frost the cupcakes: Using a fork, pierce the cupcakes several times and brush each one liberally with the sweetened coffee. Spoon the mascarpone mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a plain tip and inject small amounts directly into the center of each cupcake. The best way to do this is to insert the pastry bag tip into the top of the cupcakes. Using a spatula, frost the cupcakes liberally with the frosting and garnish with chocolate shavings.