Monday Night Delight

White and Milk Chocolate Pecan Cookies

2010-12-31T16:15:00.000-05:00

2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 sticks butter
2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
2 tsp salt
2 eggs
2 cups chips (white and milk chocolate)
2 cups pecans

Blend flour, salt and baking soda in one bowl. Cream the butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla and eggs in another bowl. Add the flour mixture into the cream mixture. Add nuts and chips.

Bake in 350 degree oven for 10 minutes. One batch made about 4 dozen regular sized cookies.

Crock Pot Thai Chicken

2010-10-29T09:52:00.002-04:00

This is one of my favorite slow cooker recipes. It is very verstile; use any type of salsa, a little more gingerroot. I've gotten to the point where I don't do any measuring, the dish is very forgiving (but don't leave out the citrus, I've used lemon juice before, too).

Serve over steamed rice.

===========

8 chicken thighs (about 2 lbs.) skins removed
3/4 hot salsa, or to your taste
1/4 peanut butter
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon grated fresh gingerroot
1/4 cup chopped peanuts
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

1. Place chicken in 3 1/2 to 6-quart slow cooker. Mix remaining ingredients except peanuts and cilantro; pour over chicken.

2. Cover and cook on low hear setting 8 to 9 hours or until juice of chicken is no longer pink when centers of thickest pieces are cut. Remove chicken from cooker, using slotted spoon; place on serving platter.

3. Remove fat from sauce. Pour sauce over chicken. Sprinkle with peanuts and cilantro.

Bread Machine Bread

2010-10-15T14:42:00.003-04:00

Hey Ladies. Today Spencer asked for my bread recipes...so I thought I'd post them here as well since I've given them to many of you in the past. Obviously you can let them go in your bread machine on the white bread cycle or do like me and put them in the dough cycle and bake it in your oven.

This is the basic white bread recipe I base my bread off of:
White Bread
1 cup plus 2T water
2 T soft butter or margarine
3 c bread flour
1 T dry milk*
1 1/2 t salt
2 T sugar
3 t yeast

*Me and my white bread expert father have never noticed a difference in the bread with or without the dry milk.

Place all ingredients in bread machine in order listed. If using delay timer, make a well for the yeast in the dry ingredients so that it doesn't come in contact with the water until it begins to mix.

Julie's Bread (you'll see it's very close to above)
1 cup plus 2T water
2 T oil (olive, vegetable, corn, canola, whatever)
2 c bread flour (mine are slightly heaping cups)
1 c whole wheat flour
1 1/2 t salt
2 T brown sugar (I just dump 4 heaping teaspoons)
3 t yeast

Dinner Rolls (can use white bread or this for hamburger buns)
1 c water
1 egg
2 T soft margarine, butter or oil
3 1/4 c bread flour
1 t salt
1/4 cup sugar
3 t yeast

Makes 12-16 hamburger buns or 24 dinner rolls

Excellent Paella

2010-07-28T20:29:00.002-04:00

I could have eaten 3 servings of this it was so good! The only modification I made was using a different one of Tyler Florence's seasonings for the chicken (taken from another of his paella recipes):

Spice Mix for chicken:

1 tablespoon sweet paprika
2 teaspoons dried oregano
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Combine ingredients in a small bowl. Rub the spice mixture all over the chicken; marinate for 1 hour, covered

This recipe is definitely worth the prep time and would be great for family visiting if they like this kind of dish:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/barcelona-style-rice-recipe/index.html

Creme Brulee French Toast

2010-05-17T21:22:00.002-04:00

Since this was such a hit, I am posting to share the goodness!! Yum!! You will notice I did not serve it with the drunken strawberries, but do plan to try that in the future :)

* * * * Creme Brulee French Toast * * * *
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

1 loaf Challah or Brioche Bread, sliced into 1 1/2-inch thick slices
1/2 cup Butter, unsalted (1 stick)
1 cup Brown Sugar, packed
2 tablespoons Corn Syrup
5 large Eggs
3/4 cup Heavy Cream
3/4 cup Milk
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1/4 teaspoon Salt
2 teaspoons Grand Marnier or Cointreau
Powdered Sugar (optional)
* * * * Drunken Strawberries * * * *
1 quart Strawberries, hulled and sliced 1/4-inch thick (lengthwise)
1/4 cup Sugar
1/4 cup Grand Marnier or Cointreau

Preparation:

Butter a 9 by 13 baking dish.

In a small pot, melt the butter with the brown sugar and corn syrup. Stir together until the sugar is completely melted. Pour mixture into the baking dish.

Place the bread slices on top of the butter and sugar mixture in one even layer. Squeeze the edges slightly to make the bread fit.

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, milk, vanilla, salt, and 2 teaspoons of Grand Marnier. Pour this mixture over the bread. Tightly cover baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.

Let dish stand at room temperature for 20 minutes before placing in preheated oven at 350 degrees.

Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until french toast is golden and puffed.

Serve hot with drunken strawberries and powdered sugar sprinkled on top.

Drunken Strawberries

Combine sliced strawberries, sugar, and Grand Marnier in a small bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours up to 24 hours.

Bing Recipes

2010-01-21T21:41:00.003-05:00

OK Chefs. I just saw this today and thought you all might be interested. Have a look at this video which demonstrates the new Bing Recipes features!

Creamy Vegetable Chicken Casserole

2009-10-04T22:32:00.000-04:00

Creamy Vegetable Chicken Casserole

Ingredients:
-1 package ( 16 oz) frozen mixed veggies. I used the 1/2 mixed vegetables and 1/2 broccoli cut up.
-1 can of cream of mushroom soup
-1 (8 oz) garden vegetable cream cheese
-croutons
-shredded cheese
-cooked chicken breasts ( I used two)

Prepare vegetables according to directions. Drain and place in bowl.
Stir in soup, cream cheese, shredded chicken, and shredded cheese to taste.

transfer to a baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese, and top with croutons. The croutons were rather crunchy. For small kids I bet you can even use ritz crackers.

I altered the recipe a bit. You can leave the cheese and chicken out to make it vegetarian.

Bake uncovered at 375 for 25 minutes or until bubbly

Honey Peanut Butter Cookies

2009-10-04T19:40:00.002-04:00

Haven't tried these yet, but it looks like something that would be great to do with a kiddo!

1 c. peanut butter
1/2 c. honey (or more to taste)
1 egg
1 t. baking powder
1/4 t. baking soda
(optional) a scant T. of flour to bind (wheat or gluten-free)
(optional) sugar for rolling (granulated or other dry sweetener; I used date sugar)

1) Preheat oven to 350. Line a cookie sheet with baking parchment, or spray with cooking spray.
2) Cream everything together till well blended. Take teaspoons-full of dough and roll into balls. Roll each ball in sugar then place on the prepared baking sheet. (I made tiny cookies and filled the sheet quite full -- they don't spread while baking.)
3) Once the sheet is full, press each cookie flat with the tines of a fork.
4) Bake for about 10 minutes till firm. Let cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then cool completely on a rack.

Variation: PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY THUMBPRINT COOKIES
Instead of rolling each cookie in sugar, once on the baking sheet, create a small "well" in each cookie by pressing the dough ball down with your thumb. Fill each well with a tiny spoonful of fruit jam, and bake as directed above. I tried this with strawberry jam and it was delish. I think it would be even better with seedless blackberry jam.

Shepherd's Pie

2009-10-04T19:38:00.001-04:00

This was brought to us this week - so good!

Shepherd's Pie
1 pound of hamburger meat
2 cups (sometimes I put a little more) frozen mixed vegetables.
1 Family Size Au Gratin (Scalloped) Potatoes (Betty Crocker)
1 can Cream of Potato or Cream of Broccoli Soup
1 Package McCormick Brown Gravy Mix
Directions:
-Brown the meat and drain it
-Make the gravy (the directions are just the package and 1 cup of water).
-Thaw the vegetables in a colander with hot water
-Put the vegetables in the gravy and let them soak a bit, and then put the meat in and mix it together
-Make the Au Gratin potatoes stove top according to the directions (Betty Crocker has stove top directions on the side – the back is to bake them in the oven) and add a can of either Cream of Potato or Cream of Broccoli Soup.
-Put the vegetables, meat and gravy in the bottom of a dish and then top them with the Au Gratin Potatoes.
-Bake @ 325 for about 15 minutes.

Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies

2009-10-02T23:26:00.002-04:00

I made these cookies this evening and they were SO yummy! This is a recipe from the back of a craisins bag.

INGREDIENTS:

2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 6-ounce package Ocean Spray® Craisins® Original Dried Cranberries
2/3 cup white chocolate chunks or chips ( i did half white chocolate chips and 1/1 mini choc chips. I think I also added more than 2/3 c. Is more chocolate ever a problem?!)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375ºF.

Using an electric mixer, beat butter or margarine and sugar together in a medium mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing well. Combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Add to butter mixture in several additions, mixing well after each addition. Stir in dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.

Makes approximately 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

Sherry Garlic Shrimp

2009-09-28T21:42:00.003-04:00

This dish reminds me a lot of shrimp scampi, with a great kick from the garlic and sherry. I love it! This is another jewel from Darcy. This recipe serves about 4.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, shelled and deveined
1/2 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons dry sherry
2-3 large cloves of garlic, crushed (I mince them.)
1/2 teaspoon dried or fresh thyme, crumbled (I just use the regular dried thyme.)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon red pepper (be accurate here if you want your kids to eat this, not that I'd know...)
2 lemons, cut in eighths
4 parsley sprigs

1. Preheat over to 400 degrees.
2. Arrange shrimp in a single layer, slightly apart in a shallow baking dish.
3. Combine olive oil, sherry, garlic, thyme, salt, and red pepper.
4. Pour over shrimp.
5. Bake for 4 minutes, turn shrimp over and bake and additional 4-6 minutes. Shrimp will be ready when pink, firm, and barely opaque.

Serve with pan juices. Garnish with lemon wedges and parsley sprigs.

And sit back and get oohs and ahhs from your husband!

Sesame Chicken

2009-09-28T21:35:00.002-04:00

I'm posting this recipe as it's one I'm very fond of...and it is easy and delicious! Note that this recipe serves 2, but it is easily doubled and tripled. We love eating this over rice, but it's incredibly versitle. (Great leftover in a salad, according to the original recipe.) The source for this recipe is Darcy.

Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
1/8 cup sesame seeds
1/8 cup soy sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoons brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 large garlic clove, crushed (I just mince mine)
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger or 1 teaspoon fresh, grated

1. Cut chicken into 1" cubes.
2. Combine all the ingredients, marinate in the refrigerator for 1 to 4 hours.
3. Pour into a baking pan in a single layer.
4. Broil 10 minutes, turn the pieces over, broil and additional 5 minutes.

2009-09-14T16:42:00.002-04:00

Robyn's Lemony Goodness

2009-09-11T22:59:00.001-04:00

Robyn's Lemony Goodness

Crust
2 C. crushed graham crackers
1/2 stick butter, very soft

Mix crackers and butter, press into bottom of 9x13 pan.

Filling
2 cans sweetened condensed milk
1 C lemon juice
2 C heavy whipping cream
3/4 C powdered sugar

Mix condensed milk and lemon juice.
Whip cream and powdered sugar.
Combine both mixtures.
Pour into pan, freeze until ready to serve (at least 4 hours?)

Chocolate Caramel Crack(ers)

2009-08-16T21:43:00.000-04:00

Chocolate Caramel Crack(ers)
Adapted from David Lebovitz, who adapted it from Marcy Goldman who is the genius that first applied this to matzo

4 to 6 sheets matzo or approximately 40 Saltine crackers or crackers of your choice
1 cup (2 sticks or 8 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into a few large pieces
1 cup packed light brown sugar
A big pinch of sea salt
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups semi- or bittersweet chocolate chips (or chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate)
1 cup toasted chopped almonds, pecans, walnuts or a nut of your choice (optional)
Extra sea salt for sprinkling (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 11-by-17-inch baking sheet completely with foil, and then line the base of the foil with parchment paper, cut to fit.

Line the bottom of the baking sheet with matzo or crackers, covering all parts. [If using matzo, you'll need to break pieces to fit any extra spaces, which will be annoying because despite being perforated, it does not actually break in straight lines. I have some luck pressing a serrated knife straight down along a section between perforations, if that (hopefully) makes sense.]

In a medium heavy-duty saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar together, and stir it over medium heat until it begins to boil. Once it has begun boiling, let it bubble for three more minutes, stirring it well. It will thicken a bit as it cooks. Remove from the heat and add the salt and vanilla, and then quickly pour it over the matzo or crackers. You’ll want to spread it quickly, as it will begin to set as soon as it is poured.

Bake the caramel-covered crackers for 15 minutes, watching carefully as it will bubble and the corners might darken too quickly and/or burn. You can reduce the heat if you see this happening.

Remove from oven and immediately cover with chocolate chips. Let stand five minutes, and then spread them evenly across the caramel. An offset spatula works great here. If you’re using them, sprinkle the chocolate with toasted chopped nuts and/or sea salt. (The sea salt is great on matzo. On Saltines, it’s really not necessary.)

Once completely cool — I sometimes speed this process up in the fridge, impatient as should be expected in the face of caramel crack(ers) — break it into pieces and store it in a container. It should keep for a week but I’ve never seen it last that long.

Darcy's Tzatziki Sauce

2009-07-10T16:20:00.002-04:00

I'm getting ready to make this, so I thought I'd post it!

Tzatziki (Greek Yogurt and Cucumber Sauce)

Makes about 3 1/2 cups.

3 cups Greek Yogurt
juice of one lemon (about 3 T)
1 garlic clove, chopped
2 medium cucumbers, seeded and diced
about 1 T kosher salt for salting cucumbers
1 T finely chopped fresh dill (can substitute mint leaves for a slightly different version)
Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Peel cucumbers, then cut in half lengthwise and take a small spoon and scrape out seeds. Discard seeds. (If you use the small seedless or European cucumbers with few seeds, you can skip this step.) Dice cucumbers, then put in a colander, sprinkle on 1 T salt, and let stand for 30 minutes to draw out water. Drain well and wipe dry with paper towel.

In food processor with steel blade, add cucumbers, garlic, lemon juice, dill, and a few grinds of black pepper. Process until well blended, then stir this mixture into the yogurt. Taste before adding any extra salt, then salt if needed. Place in refrigerator for at least two hours before serving so flavors can blend. (This resting time is very important.)

This will keep for a few days or more in the refrigerator, but you will need to drain off any water and stir each time you use it.

Luscious Slush Punch

2009-07-10T11:30:00.001-04:00

Luscious Slush Punch

2 1/2 cups of white sugar

6 cups of water

2 (3ounce) packages of strawberry jello

1 (46 fl ounce) can of pineapple juice

2/3 Cup lemon juice

1qt orange juice

2 - 2 liter bottles of Sprite

1. In a large saucepan combine sugar, water and jello. Boil for 3 minutes. Stir in pineapple juice and orange juice.

2. Divide mixture in half and freeze in two separate containers.

3. When ready to serve place contents of one container and stir in one bottle of Sprite until slushy.

Enjoy!

Avocado Cream Cheese Roll

2009-06-15T15:25:00.002-04:00

I think that this was originally a Williams-Sonoma Recipe. It is tasty!

Avocado and Cream Cheese Roll

2 packages cream cheese (near room temperature)

4 Haas avocados

Onion flakes to taste

2 limes – for fresh juice

Chili powder to taste

Garlic powder to taste

2 cups crushed pork rinds, sesame seeds or chips

Mix juice from two limes, garlic powder, chili powder and onion flakes and let sit. This can also be done the night before.

Place the room temperature cream cheese between two sheets of parchment paper. Spread into a rectangle about 6 inches by 8 inches and ½ inch thick. Remove the top sheet of paper.

Cut and pit the avocados into a bowl. Mash until mostly smooth, but with a few chunks for texture. Add the lime juice mixture and mix well.

Spread the avocado mixture evenly over the cream cheese. Using the bottom sheet of parchment paper, roll up the cream cheese to form a log.

Cover the entire roll with sesame seeds, crushed pork rinds or chips. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before serving so the shape holds. The roll can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for a few hours and then set out for about 15 minutes before serving.

Serve with Tostitos or pita chips.

Darcy's Sherry Garlic Shrimp

2009-03-04T20:37:00.002-05:00

Here's a recipe that I love that involves shrimp. It's yummy over rice or pasta with a nice side of a green veggie. (I had to write this up for someone, so I thought I would add it here since the work is all done.)

1 1/2 lb. large shrimp, shelled and deveined
1/2 cup olive oil
3 Tbsp. dry sherry
2-3 large cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. thyme crumbled
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. red pepper
2 lemons, cut into wedges
4 parsley sprigs

Arrange shrimp in a single layer, slightly apart in a shallow baking dish.
Combine olive oil, sherry, garlic, thyme, salt, and red pepper. Pour over shrimp.
Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 4 minutes. Turn shrimp over and bake 4-6 minutes more. Shrimp will be ready when pink, firm, and barely opaque.
Serve with pan juices. Garnish with lemon wedges and parsley sprigs.*

*Sometimes we eat this without the lemon wedges and parsley sprigs, though it is nice to have those...

Peppermint Chocolate Cookies

2008-12-14T14:08:00.004-05:00

Okay y'all, don't make these for the cookie swap - I'm bringing them this year!
My sister found these in Rachael Ray's Everyday Dec/Jan issue.

Peppermint Chocolate Cookies
1 1/2 sticks (6 oz) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 pinch salt
Two 3.5 oz bars dark chocolate, finely chopped
1/2 tsp vegetable oil
2/3 cup finely crushed peppermint candy canes or candies

1. Using electric mixer, beat the butter until soft. With the mixer on low, gradually add the confectioners' sugar until creamy, then beat in the egg.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa and salt; add to the mixer about 1/3 at a time, beating at low speed until smooth.

2. Lay a 16-inch sheet of parchment paper on a work surface; turn out the dough onto the paper. Using your hands, shape the dough into a 12-inch long cylinder; wrap tightly in the parchment and roll into smooth, even log. Twist the ends to seal and refrigerate for 30 minutes; reshape the cylinder and refrigerate for 30 minutes more.

3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Unwrap the dough; using a sharp knife, slice into 1/3 inch thick rounds. Place about 1 inch apart on the cookie sheet; bake until firm, 18 to 20 minutes. Let cool completely.

4. In a bowl, combine 2/3 of the chopped chocolate with the oil; microwave 30 seconds, then stir until smooth. (If needed, heat for additional 10-second intervals.) Stir in the remaining chopped chocolate until smooth.

5. Using an offset spatula, spread a scant teaspoon of melted chocolate on top of each cookie. Sprinkle the peppermints on top and let stand until set, 2 to 3 hours.

Makes 28 cookies, 25 min. pre (plus chilling and cooling), bake 20 minutes.

In the mood for pumpkin- Pumpkin Crunch

2008-11-18T17:58:00.002-05:00

I am not overly fond of pumpkin pie, but when a girl at work made this recipe I was in food love. It is wonderful chilled or warm. Try it- you'll like it!

Pumpkin Crunch-

1 can (15 oz.) solid pack pumpkin
- 1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 3 eggs-
-4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 pkg. Yellow Cake Mix
- 1 cup margarine (melted)
- pecans (optional)
- cool whip
Grease bottom of 13"x9" pan. Preheat oven to 350.
Combine pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in large bowl.
Pour into pan.
Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over pumpkin mixture.
Top with pecans (optional).
Drizzle melted butterevenly over top.

Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool completely. Serve with cool whip. Refrigerate leftovers.

Brie and Brioche

2008-09-24T13:22:00.006-04:00

General Notes

You have to start this recipe the night before (though total prep time is really not much for the end result). I usually start the dough late the night before, then it rests in the refrigerator until the next afternoon/evening. This is a delicious and really impressive dish to bring to a party; not something to count calories by either!

I did this using my 7 cup Cuisinart food processor, and almost burnt out the motor (well, I may have totally burned out the motor, I haven’t checked yet). The dough rose up and overflowed into the turning mechanism and gooped it up. If you have a larger size food processor, you could try that. Or, it seems safe to try it in a stand mixer with a dough hook. The consistency of the dough is what is important. You will know the dough has been mixed enough when it is elastic and smooth (it will still be a little sticky since there are lots of eggs and butter in the recipe).

You can find Brie in the Publix fine cheese case (or, Fresh Market). Note: I have used both the 13 oz. and the 7 oz. size; if you could find 9 oz. it would be perfect.

When you open the Brie, cut off the white stuff on the outside (the mold cover?) using a serrated knife.

This recipe is from the book 100 Great Breads by Paul Hollywood (thanks, Darcy! I love this book!).

Brioche Dough

2 1/2 cups white bread flour

scant 1/4 cup superfine sugar

1/2 oz package yeast

1 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup milk

3 medium eggs

generous 1 1/2 sticks butter, softened

Put the flour, sugar, yeast, salt, milk, and the 3 eggs in a food processor and process, using the blade, for about 5 minutes to a smooth dough. If mixing by hand, this will take 8 minutes.

Add the butter to the dough and mix for an additional 5 minutes in the mixer or 10 minutes by hand. Put the dough into a bowl, then cover and let stand in the refrigerator overnight.

Brie and Brioche Packages

1 quantity Brioche dough (see recipe above)

flour for dusting

9 oz Brie cheese

1 egg beaten, for eggwash

From September

Roll out the brioche dough on a lightly floured counter to about 1/4 inch thick. Place the cheese in the middle of the dough and fold the sides of the dough neatly onto the middle.

Turn the package over and brush the top with some of the eggwash, then place in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet (with a Silpat or parchment paper). Brush the package with eggwash again, then, using the back of a knife, score a criss-cross pattern over the package. Place on the baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Chicken Stroganoff

2008-07-21T22:23:00.003-04:00

Here's the recipe from tonight's Monday Night!

2 lbs of chicken cut into pieces

1 large can of cream of chicken soup

1 pack of dry onion soup mix

1 tub of sour cream (not the small size)

1 package of egg noodles

Mix all ingredients (except noodles) in a crock pot and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4. Cook noodles as directed & enjoy!

Classic Potato Salad

2008-07-07T11:50:00.000-04:00

This potato salad is so good my sister made it twice this weekend. And we both agree it's better the second day, after the seasoning can really soak in. You'd have to do some pretty heavy convincing to get me to make any other potato salad recipe. This is the same one I've made for Monday night things before. Carey has made it too.

Classic Potato Salad

2 1/2 lbs. potatoes (type of your choice)
2 hard boiled eggs
1-2 stalks celery (to taste)
2 green onions (sweet onions are good too)
1/3 c. pickle relish

Peel potatoes. Dice into small cubes. (I think this makes the difference--I cut mine no bigger than 1/2 inch cubes.) Cook potatoes until soft. Chop celery, chop eggs, chop onion. Mix all these together, with relish. Set aside.

While potatoes are cooking (or cooling), mix together the following:
1 c. mayonnaise
2 T lemon juice
1 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1/2 t. dry mustard

Pour mayonnaise mixture over potatoes, celery, etc. just until combined. Don't over mix. Refrigerate. I took a picture of this I'll try to add later just for fun. Happy potato-ing!

If you give a Mom a Muffin...

2008-06-28T15:18:00.001-04:00

This was too perfect not to share here.

If You Give A Mom A Muffin
Original Author Unknown

If you give a mom a muffin,
She'll want a cup of coffee to go with it.
She'll pour herself some.
Her three-year-old will spill the coffee.
She'll wipe it up.
Wiping the floor, she'll find dirty socks.
She'll remember she has to do laundry.
When she puts the laundry in the washer,
She'll trip over boots and bump into the freezer.
Bumping into the freezer will remind her she has to plan for supper.
She will get out a pound of hamburger.
She'll look for her cookbook ("101 Things To Do With a Pound of Hamburger").
The cookbook is sitting under a pile of mail.
She will see the phone bill, which is due tomorrow.
She will look for her checkbook.
The check book is in her purse that is being dumped out by her two-year-old.
She'll smell something funny.
She'll change the two year old's diaper.
While she is changing the diaper, the phone will ring.
Her five-year-old will answer and hang up.
She'll remember she wants to phone a friend for coffee.
Thinking of coffee will remind her that she was going to have a cup.
And chances are...
If she has a cup of coffee,
Her kids will have eaten the muffin that went with it.

Props to Fishmama for sharing!

Brownies and Berries Dessert

2008-06-28T14:20:00.004-04:00

Someone sent me this recipe. I have not tried it yet but it sure looked yummy. I am sure that you can substitute the brownie for another but here's the basic idea.

Brownies and Berries Dessert Pizza

1box (1 lb 6.5 oz) Betty Crocker® Original Supreme brownie mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box
1package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup fresh raspberries
1/2 cup apple jelly

1. Heat oven to 350°F (or 325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease bottom only of 12-inch pizza pan with cooking spray or shortening.
2. In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, pouch of chocolate syrup, water, oil and eggs until well blended. Spread in pan.
3. Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out clean or almost clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
4. In small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread mixture evenly over brownie base. Arrange berries over cream cheese mixture. Stir jelly until smooth; brush over berries. Refrigerate about 1 hour or until chilled. Cut into wedges. Store covered in refrigerator.

Best Dessert Ever!

2008-06-27T23:54:00.003-04:00

Seriously y'all, I made this a few weeks ago and wanted to cry it was sooooo good. I modified the original recipe slightly, but Sandra and I both agreed it was for the betterment of the world we know. ; )

Brownie Pudding Cake (such an unsuspecting title...)

Ingredients: (with mods)
1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 c. granulated sugar, divided
1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder, divided (I used dutch-process)
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. milk
3 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla, divided
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate morsels (I used peanut butter chips)
1 3/4 boiling water
1 Tbsp. powdered sugar (optional)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, 3/4 c. of the granulated sugar, 1/4 c. of the cocoa powder, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Add milk, melted butter, and 1/2 tsp of vanilla; stir until smooth. Stir in chocolate (or peanut butter) chips. Spread evenly in ungreased 9 x 12 pan.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together remaining 3/4 c. granulated sugar and 1/4 c. cocoa; gradually stir in boiling water and remaining 1 tsp. vanilla. Carefully pour mixture evenly over batter in pan.

3. Bake 30-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired. Spoon into dessert dishes and serve with ice cream (vanilla was perfect!)

Hope it's as amazing for you as it was for us!

Zucchini-Pineapple Bread

2008-06-27T19:54:00.003-04:00

My friend Angie told me about this bread (from Cooking Light) and says this is her new favorite snack. Thought I'd share...

This recipe makes two loaves. Freeze the extra loaf, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and heavy-duty aluminum foil, for up to one month. Thaw at room temperature. Slices are good microwaved at HIGH for 10 to 15 seconds.

3 cups sifted all-purpose flour (about 13 1/2 ounces)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 large eggs
2 cups sugar
2 cups grated zucchini (about 1 1/2 medium zucchini)
2/3 cup canola oil
1/2 cup egg substitute
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 (8-ounce) cans crushed pineapple in juice, drained
Baking spray with flour

1. Preheat oven to 325°.

2. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine flour, salt, and next 3 ingredients (through ground cinnamon) in a large bowl, stirring well with a whisk.

3. Beat eggs with a mixer at medium speed until foamy. Add sugar, zucchini, oil, egg substitute, and vanilla, beating until well blended. Add zucchini mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Fold in pineapple. Spoon batter into 2 (9 x 5–inch) loaf pans coated with baking spray. Bake at 325° for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pans on a wire rack; remove from pans. Cool completely on wire rack.

Yield: 2 loaves, 14 servings per loaf (serving size: 1 slice)

CALORIES 167 (32% from fat); FAT 5.9g (sat 0.5g,mono 3.3g,poly 1.7g); IRON 0.9mg; CHOLESTEROL 15mg; CALCIUM 16mg; CARBOHYDRATE 26.5g; SODIUM 151mg; PROTEIN 2.4g; FIBER 0.7g

Fondue Goodness

2008-06-25T17:50:00.004-04:00

I made fondue twice in the last 4 days and thought of you all!!! Here are the recipes for fondue delight~

Garlic Cheese Fondue

Serves 4-6

1 pound Swiss cheese*, grated (Emmentaler works well)

½ pound Gruyere cheese*, grated

3 Tbsp all purpose flour

1 tsp ground nutmeg

½ tsp ground white pepper

1 ¼ cups (about) dry white wine

3 large garlic cloves, minced or pressed

Combine both grated cheeses, flour, nutmeg, and white pepper in a large bowl, toss to coat. Bring 1 cup of wine and garlic to simmer in a heavy, large saucepan over low heat. Add cheese mixture by handfuls, whisking until melted and smooth after each addition. Mix in more wine by tablespoonfuls to reach desired consistency. Transfer to fondue pot.

**Higher quality cheeses melt more smoothly than less expensive cheeses because oil separates more in the more everyday cheeses

Chocolate Fondue

Serves 4-6

1 cup premium cocoa powder (can use Dutch processed for a very dark choc.)

1 ¼ cups water

1 ½ cups granulated sugar

¼ cup corn syrup

½ cup plus 5 Tbsp heavy cream

5 ounces premium semi-sweet chocolate

Sift the cocoa into a mixing bowl and set aside. Place the water, sugar, and corn syrup into a pot and bring to a boil. Allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes until sugar solution has reduced by about 30%. Remove from heat and pour the cocoa powder into the solution and whisk until smooth. Return the chocolate mixture to the stove and continue cooking over medium heat. Add heavy cream, bring to a boil and allow to simmer for five minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in chopped chocolate. Pour into fondue pot and keep warm.

Grandma's Banana Bread

2008-06-22T14:42:00.001-04:00

Grandma’s Banana Bread

Ingredients:

5 TBS butter
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 large egg
2 egg whites
1tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ cup mashed very ripe bananas (about 3)
1 ¾ cup all purpose flour
1tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp baking powder
½ cup heavy cream
1/3 cup chopped walnuts

-Preheat oven to 350
-Spray bottom only of a 9x5x3loaf pan
-Beat butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer set at medium speed until light and fluffy.
-Add white and brown sugars and beat well.
-Add egg, egg whites and vanilla; beat until well blended.
-Add mashed banana and beat on high for 30 seconds.
-Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder in medium bowl.
-Add flour mixture to the batter, alternately with cream, ending with the flour mixture.
-Add walnuts to the batter and mix well.
-Pour batter evenly into loaf pan, and bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick pulls out clean.
-Cool bread in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely.

Strawberry –Amaretto Cake

2008-06-21T22:00:00.002-04:00

This cake is one of my favorites. I have found though that the frosting does much better if you chill it after you make it. It sticks to the cake better.

Strawberry –Amaretto Cake

Prep: 35 min. Total: 2 hours 25 minutes

1 cup slivered almonds
1 Package Betty Crocker Super Moist white cake mix
¾ cup water
½ cup amaretto liqueur
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 Egg whites
Amaretto Cream (see below)
1 cup thinly sliced fresh strawberries
6 large fresh strawberries cut in half

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottoms and sides of 2 round pans, 8X 11/2 or 9X1 ½ inches with shortening; lightly flour. Place almonds in the food processor or blender. Cover and process until almonds are finely ground.

2. Beat cake mix, almonds, water, liqueur, oil, and egg whites in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pans.

3. Bake 8 inch rounds 30-37 minutes, 9 inch rounds 25-30 minutes or until the toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Run sharp knife around the side of the pans to loosen the cakes; remove pans to wire rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

4. Place 1 layer on cake plate. Spread with ½ cup Amaretto Cream; arrange sliced strawberries evenly on top. Tope with second layer. Frost side and top of cake with remaining Amaretto Cream. Garnish with strawberry halves just before serving. Store loosely covered in the refrigerator. 12-16 servings

AMARETTO CREAM
1½ cups whipping cream (heavy)
¼ cup granulated or powdered sugar
¼ cup amaretto liqueur

Beat all ingredients in chilled large bowl with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form.

* If you are out of Amaretto (ha ha, right?) You can use 1tbs of almond extract plus enough water to equal ½ cup to use in the cake batter. For the Amaretto Cream substitute 1 tsp almond extract plus ¼ cup heavy whipping cream for the substitution.

Two good reasons to buy Buttermilk

2008-06-20T21:00:00.002-04:00

Here are my two current favorite reasons to buy buttermilk...

The Queen's Cornbread

1/2 c. yellow cornmeal
1/2 c. flour
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1 c. buttermilk
1 egg
oil, any kind

Put full T of oil in iron skillet (one seasoned with time, love, and bacon grease is best) and set in a 425° oven while mixing batter. Mix dry ingredients, add buttermilk and egg. Pour batter into hot skillet. Place in oven for 10 minutes. Remove, flip cornbread and let sit; to let other side brown, about 5-10 minutes. We serve hot with butter and honey.

Banana Bran Muffins

1 egg
1 c. buttermilk
1 1/4 c. flour
3/4 c. sugar
1 1/4 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1/4 c. oil
1/2 to 1 c. raisin bran
2 small bananas
extra raisins if you like (I like)

Beat eggs, blend with buttermilk. Add dry ingredients to mixture and mix with a spoon. Add oil. Stir in raisin bran, bananas, and extra raisins. Fill paper cups about 1/2 full and bake 15-18 minutes at 350°. *Mixed ingredients may be kept in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 6 weeks. I often double this recipe, freeze at least half the muffins, and pull them out for breakfast...just stick a frozen muffin in the microwave and warm it for a quick breakfast.

Cobbler!!

2008-06-20T20:11:00.004-04:00

Here is a great basic cobbler recipe that is delicious! I've made it several times recently with blueberries and multiple people told me it was the best cobbler they have ever had...so I thought I would share!

3 cups of fruit (peeled if needed and brushed with lemon for fruits that turn brown)
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 beaten egg
4 Tablespoons melted butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, sugar, and beaten egg in a bowl. Stir by hand until it forms coarse balls. Place fuit in a 9x9 pan. Spread flour mixture over top. Drizzle melted over top. Bake for 30 minutes. If you want the top more brown, put oven on broil for 2-3 min, or until browned to your desire.

If you like more of the topping part of the cobbler (like I do) increase the flour and sugar by about 1/2 cup each and add part of an additional egg.

Healthy Banana Bread

2008-06-20T08:53:00.003-04:00

This is from my sister in law, Katie, and it is very good and very healthy!!

High Fiber Banana Bread

1/2 c. butter
1/3 c. honey
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. mashed bananas

1/2 tsp vanilla
1 3/4 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 c. unprocessed miller's bran (couldn't find at Publix, had to go to a health food store like New Leaf)
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp veg. oil
3/4 c. chopped walnuts

Cream butter until fluffy. Continue creaming while adding honey in a fine stream. Add eggs, vanilla and bananas; mix well. Combine flour, bran, soda, baking powder and salt. Add flour mixture to banana mixture in 2 or 3 parts, beating well after each addition until smooth. Add in vegetable oil and mix well. Fold in walnuts.

Pour batter into oiled 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan or 2 smaller pans. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. Cool.

Yummy Salsa

2008-06-18T17:11:00.004-04:00

I wanted to make the first post a good one. So I decided to post what I am craving right now! Salsa. But not just any salsa. Carey's Yummy Salsa. Here is the recipe but add or take away what you will....

Carey’s Yummy Salsa

In a food processor pulse the following ingredients to desired chunkiness:

3-4 lbs of tomatoes (1/2 regular, ½ plum)
1 medium onion
¾ package of cilantro

-Place mixture in a large bowl and add:

1tsp ( or to taste) of course kosher salt
½ tsp pepper
1 Tbsp lemon or lime juice
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp canned salsa
3 cloves of pressed garlic

Mix together and let sit for 30 minutes for the flavors to blend. Refrigerate leftovers or eat it all.

We're Here!

2008-06-18T17:11:00.002-04:00

So here it is. Finally a place to put all of the yummy recipes we all covet so much. Leave a recipe, a picture, or a comment if you have made the recipe! Oh, and please label them so we can easily find them in moments of crisis. Well... what are you waiting for? Ready, set, post!!!

Welcome to the fun!

2008-06-18T10:56:00.002-04:00

Hello friends!
Danielle and I hope that this becomes a wonderful reference to share our favorite recipes!

Monday Night Delight

White and Milk Chocolate Pecan Cookies

Crock Pot Thai Chicken

Bread Machine Bread

Excellent Paella

Spice Mix for chicken:

Creme Brulee French Toast

* * * * Creme Brulee French Toast * * * *Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Bing Recipes

Creamy Vegetable Chicken Casserole

Honey Peanut Butter Cookies

Shepherd's Pie

Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Sherry Garlic Shrimp

Sesame Chicken

Robyn's Lemony Goodness

Chocolate Caramel Crack(ers)

Darcy's Tzatziki Sauce

Luscious Slush Punch

Avocado Cream Cheese Roll

Darcy's Sherry Garlic Shrimp

Peppermint Chocolate Cookies

In the mood for pumpkin- Pumpkin Crunch

Brie and Brioche

Chicken Stroganoff

Classic Potato Salad

If you give a Mom a Muffin...

Brownies and Berries Dessert

Best Dessert Ever!

Zucchini-Pineapple Bread

Fondue Goodness

Garlic Cheese Fondue

Serves 4-6

Chocolate Fondue

Serves 4-6

Grandma's Banana Bread

Strawberry –Amaretto Cake

Two good reasons to buy Buttermilk

Cobbler!!

Healthy Banana Bread

Yummy Salsa

We're Here!

Welcome to the fun!

* * * * Creme Brulee French Toast * * * *
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes