Recipes for the Culinary Challenged

Pumpkin Muffins

2011-10-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

These muffins are SO GOOD.....and so easy to make!! I couldn't believe it when my friend told me the recipe, but it's true!!

Ingredients

1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 12 cup muffin pan or line with paper liners.
In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves until smooth. Spoon equal amounts of batter into the prepared muffin cups.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted in the center of one comes out clean.

Hummus

2011-10-05T08:14:00.000-07:00

One of my favorites! Shannon emailed me this recipe from a friend of hers.

-I normally use a large 29 oz can of chick peas for a batch. I believe that is roughly equivalent to 2 regular cans. I have also used black beans instead of chick peas with fantastic results.
-It is important to drain and rinse the chick peas, because the liquid can tend to be bitter. Some brands of chick peas taste better than others. I use La Preferida.
-Obviously, the chick peas need to be blended to make hummus. I use our blender, because it holds more than our wimpy food processor. The challenge is getting the right amount of liquid so that the hummus can blend but also maintain a nice consistency. I use a spatula to help the blender along.
-Many hummus recipes call for lemon, which helps counter the natural bitterness of the chick peas. (you can also use tahini - my note)Garlic, either fresh, roasted, or powered is another ingredient commonly used. Water or oil can be used to the liquid in hummus.
-There are many other ingredients that can be added, such as roasted red peppers, green olives, hot pepper, vinegar, paprika, parsley, basil, turmeric, just to name a few.

-With that in mind, this is my most common recipe:

1 big can of chick peas
1 lemon juiced
1 lime juiced
1/4 cup olive oil
4 cloves of garlic minced and sauteed in oil until brown
1 Tablespoon of red wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon of minced parsley
1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to taste
water if needed for blending

A less volatile and simpler recipe would be:

1 big can of chick peas
1 Tablespoon of lemon juice
1/4 cup of olive oil
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 teaspoon of dried parsley and/or basil
1/2 teaspoon of paprika
salt and pepper to taste
water if needed for blending

I found this recipe online - using Tahini

· 1 16 oz can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans

· 1/4 cup liquid from can of chickpeas

· 3-5 tablespoons lemon juice (depending on taste)

· 1 1/2 tablespoons tahini

· 2 cloves garlic, crushed

· 1/2 teaspoon salt

· 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cheesey Chicken Lasagna

2011-09-10T19:21:00.000-07:00

2 cans (12 oz) evaporated milk (not fat-free)
1 (1 oz) pkg. dry Ranch dressing mix
3 C. cubed, cooked, chicken
1/8 tsp pepper
1 (16oz) lasagna noodles, cooked (I recommend reducing it to 8 oz to 12 oz)
1 1/2 to 2 C cheddar cheese, grated
1 1/2 to 2 C mozzarella cheese, grated

Cook the chicken and noodles first at the same time. Once noodles are done–rinse in cold water and set aside (it keeps them from sticking together). Combine evaporated milk (don’t use fat-free version) and Ranch dressing in a 3 quart heavy saucepan. Heat over low heat, stirring frequently until dry ingredients are dissolved. Stir in chicken and pepper. Simmer, uncovered, 25 minutes (don’t do any less), stirring frequently. Layer half of lasagna noodles, poultry sauce, and cheese in well-buttered 9×13 pan. Repeat layers again. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Grape Salad

2011-09-10T19:20:00.000-07:00

8 oz. Cream Cheese
8 oz. Sour Cream
2 lbs. Grapes, seedless

Top with mixture of 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup chopped pecans.

Fig Jam

2011-08-09T13:48:00.000-07:00

5 Cups ripe figs (I cut them into quarters; there is no need to peel - just take off the stems)
1 Cup Water
1/4 Cup Lemon Juice
1 Packet SurJel
7 Cups Sugar
4 8-oz jars

Mix 1/4 cup sugar with SurJel. Cook figs, water, lemon juice, and SurJel mixture until it comes to a full rolling boil. Boil for 3 minutes. Add remaining 6 3/4 cups sugar and cook until it comes to a full rolling boil again. Boil for one minute. Spoon into steralized jars* - makes about 5 1/2 8 oz jars.

*I steralize my jars by washing them in hot, soapy water, rinsing them and then putting them in the oven at 275 for about 15 minutes. It's a lot easier than boiling.

Credit to whom credit is due: I got the recipe from this blog.

Snickerdoodles

2011-07-30T06:23:00.001-07:00

1/2 cp butter or margarine, softened

1/2 cup shortening

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour*

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 teaspoon soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

Heat of to 400 degrees. Mix thoroughly butter, shortening, 1 1/2 cups sugar and the eggs. Blend in flour, cream of tartar, soda, and salt. Shape dough by rounded teaspoonfuls into balls.

Mix 5 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon; roll ball in mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Immediately remove from baking sheet.

*If using self-rising flour, omit cream of tartar, soda, and salt.

Source: Betty Crocker Cookbook, 1974

Mountain Dew Salad

2011-07-30T06:22:00.001-07:00

1 6 ounce lemon jello

1 cup boiling water

1 12 oz. can cold Mountain Dew

1 15 ounce pineapple chunks - drained and juice is reserved

1 small package lemon pudding (cooked type)

1 cup cool whip

1 cup marshmallows

Dissolve jello in boiling water. Then add Mountain Dew and juice drained from pineapple. Chill until it begins to thicken. Cook pudding according to package instructions and cool.

Mix jell, pudding, and cool whip beating together. Add pineapple chunks. (I usually cut them into smaller pieces) and marshmallows. Pour into a large bowl and chill.

Source: Hazel Saunders

Buffalo Chip Cookies

2011-07-30T06:21:00.001-07:00

1 cup oleo or butter

1 cup shortening

1 box dark brown sugar

4 eggs

2 cups sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

4 cups plain flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 cups oatmeal

1 6 ounce package of chocolate chips

1 cups copped pecans or walnuts

2 cups Rice Krispies cereal

1 cup coconut (optional)

In a very large bowl, cream butter and shortening. Add brown sugar, eggs, white sugar, and vanilla. Sift and add flour, baking powder and baking soda. Add oatmeal, then stir in the chocolate chips, nuts, Rise Krispies, and coconut. Use a large measuring spoon (approx. 1/4 cup) for batter per cookie. Put on an ungreased cookie sheet (9 cookies to 1 sheet). Bake for about 12 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool 3 minutes before removing from baking sheet.

Preacher Cookies

2011-07-30T06:19:00.000-07:00

2 cups sugar

1 stick margarine

1/4 cup cocoa

1/2 cup milk

Mix, bring to boil 2 minutes, remove from heart

Stir in:

2 1/2 cups oats

1 cup pecans or 1/2 cup peanut butter

Pinch salt

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. Cool.

Pink Punch

2011-07-30T06:18:00.000-07:00

1 can pineapple juice

1 quart raspberry sherbet

2 liter ginger ale

1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream

Source: Sam Oleson

Mandarine Pasta Salad

2011-07-30T06:11:00.000-07:00

Dressing:

1 teaspoon finely chopped, peeled, fresh gingerroot

1 garlic clove, pressed

1/3 cup rice vinegar or white wine vinegar

1/4 cup orange juice

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1 envelope onion soup mix

2 teaspoons sugar

Salad

8 ounces uncooked bow tie pasta

1/2 cucumber, scored, seeded, sliced

1/2 cup diced red bell pepper

1/2 cup coarsely chopped red onion

1 package (6 ounces) fresh baby spinach leaves

1 can (11 ounces) mandarin orange segments, drained

2 cups diced, cooked chicken

1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted

For dressing, finely chop gingerroot. In small bowl whisk gingerroot, pressed garlic, vinegar, orange juice, vegetable oil, sesame oil, soup mix and sugar. Cover; refrigerate until ready to use.
For salad, cook pasta according to package directions, drain, and rinse under cold running water. Place in large bowl.
Meanwhile, score, seed, and slice cucumber. Cut slices in half. Dice bell pepper. Coarsely chopped onion. Add cucumber, bell pepper, onion, spinach, mardarin oranges, chicken, and almonds to pasta. Pour dressing over salad and toss. Serve immediately.

12 servings

Source: The Pampered Chef

Lemon Chicken Stir-Fry

2011-07-30T06:10:00.000-07:00

8 ounces uncooked bow tie pasta

1 small yellow squash, cut in half lengthwise and sliced

2 large carrots, peeled and sliced (1 cup)

1 small red bell pepper, cut into 1/4 inch strips

1/2 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1 inch lengths (about 1 1/2 cups)

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut itno 1 inch strips

2 teaspoons vegetable oil, divided

3/4 cup water

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 envelop Lipton Recipe Secrets Savory Herb with Garlic Soup Mix

1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, keep warm. Meanwhile, slice yellow squash in half lengthwise; cut squash and carrots int 1/4 inch thick slices. Cut bell pepper into 1/4 inch strips, asparagus into 1 inch lengths and chicken into 1 inch strips.
Heat 1 teaspoon of the oil in Stir-Fry skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add chicken; stir-fry 5-6 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Remove chicken from skillet and transfer to casserole with cooked pasta; cover and keep warm. Heat remaining oil in same skillet. Add carrots and bell pepper; stir-fry 2-3 minutes. Add asparagus and squash; stir-fry 1-2 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender.
Whisk water, lemon juice and soup min in small bowl; add sauce mixture to vegetables. Reduce heat to low; simmer, covered, 5 minutes or until sauce is thickened. Add pasta and chicken to skillet; toss to coat. Grate Parmesan cheese over pasta . Serve immediately.

6 servings

Source: The Pampered Chef

Watermelon Rind Pickles

2011-07-25T21:03:00.000-07:00

Sweet Pickled Watermelon Rind

Adapted from The Joy of Cooking Standard Edition (1973)

Makes about 5 quarts

Rind of 1 large watermelon, about 5 quarts
7 cups sugar
2 cups apple cider vinegar
1/4 tsp cloves
1 tsp cinnamon

Cut the watermelon rind in strips before peeling. Remove the green skin and pink flesh (or at least most of it). Dice into one-inch cubes.

In a large pot of boiling water, parblanch the rind for about five minutes, or until it can be pierced with a fork. Do not overcook. Drain and set aside in a large bowl.

Bring the sugar, vinegar, cloves and cinnamon just to a boil. Pour the syrup over the rind, making sure the rind is covered. Let stand overnight.

Strain out the syrup into a large pot and reboil. Pour the syrup over the rind. Let stand overnight as before.

On the third day, sterilize several glass jars and lids by boiling them for 15 minutes. Arrange the jars sideways, allowing the water to flow in. Using tongs, remove the jars and lids. Allow to air dry on clean paper or cloth towels.

Pack the rind into the jars. Boil the syrup again and pour over the rind till overflowing. Seal and store.

Enjoy!!!

Rhubarb Crisp

2011-07-21T18:21:00.001-07:00

Rhubarb Crisp

Mix until crumbly:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup melted butter
3/4 cup oatmeal
1 cup brown sugar

Sauce - cook until clear:
1 cup sugar
2T cornstarch
1 cup water
1 t vanilla

Press half of crumbly mixture into 9" pan. Cover with 4 cups diced rhubarb. Pour on sauce. Put other half of crumbly mixture on.

Bake 30-40 minutes at 375.

Meanie Greenies

2011-07-21T18:18:00.001-07:00

1/2 Cup Margarine

3/4 Cup Brown Sugar

2 Eggs

1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla

1 1/2 Cups Flour

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

1 Cup Rolled Oats

1 Cup Grated Zucchini

1/2 Cup Raisins

Shortening or non-stick spray coating

Directions:

In medium bowl cream together flour, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla
In a small bowl, stir together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to margarine mixture, mix with mixer.
Stir in oats, zucchini, and raisins. Drop by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets.
Bake at 350 degrees 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven. Remove cookies from cookies sheet and place on cooling rack.

Makes approximately 2 1/2 dozen cookies. One serving equals one cookie that provides 94 calories, 2 grams protein (7% of calories), 14 grams carbohydrates (59% of calories), 4 grams fat (34% of calories).

Source: Nutra-Ed's Funtastic Recipes via Ann Schnichels

Zucchini Bread

2011-07-21T18:17:00.001-07:00

4 Eggs Beaten

1 1/2 Cup Oil

3 Cups Sugar

3 Cups Grated Zucchini

3 Teaspoons Vanilla

1 1/2 Teaspoons Vanilla

1 1/2 Teaspoons Cinnamon

1 Cup Nuts

4 1/2 Cups Flour

1 1/2 Teaspoons soda

1 Teaspoon Baking Powder

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease muffin tin or loaf pan. Cream egg, oil, sugar, zucchini, vanilla. Sift dry ingredients well. Add to creamed mixture and mix well. Add nuts. Bake at 350 degrees until springs back. Bake loaves about 1 hour. Make 2 loaves for bake in muffin tins for about 18-20 minutes. Makes about 3 dozen muffins.

Source: Ann Schnichels

Salsa

2011-07-18T16:35:00.000-07:00

4 quarts tomatoes
4 medium green peppers
4 medium onions
8 fresh jalapenos
4-8 cloves garlic
1 1/2 cups vinegar
4 t. salt
4 t. sugar
1/2 t. oregano
1/2 t cayene pepper
1/2 t. ground cummin

Chop, simmer 7-9 hours

You can peel the tomatoes or leave them unpeeeled. I peeled mine.

Zucchini Jam

2011-07-17T12:13:00.000-07:00

1 Can Crushed Pineapple
6 Cups Ground Zucchini (peel and seeds removed)
6 Cups or less Sugar
1/2 Cup Real Lemon Juice (Bottled)

Boil for 20 minutes. Add 2 boxes apricot (or any flavor) Jello. Bring to a boil and seal in jars.

Jalapeno Pepper Jelly

2011-07-17T07:08:00.001-07:00

1 ½ Cups Green Bell Pepper, chopped fine

1 ½ cups 5% white vinegar

6 ½ cups Sugar

*6 to 8 Jalapeno Peppers, minced ( I used 4 to 6 depending on size.)

½ Cup Red Bell Peppers, chopped fine

(Can substitute green bell peppers – red is for color)

1 Pouch Certo (Use only liquid Certo – Sure Jell will NOT work)

In heavy saucepan mix together all ingredients EXCEPT Certo. Bring to a rolling boil and boil 3 minutes, stirring constantly.

Add Certo, bring back to rolling boil and boil 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Immediately pour into clean jars and seal with lids that have been placed in very hot water and are hot, so will seal better.

Some add a bit of green food coloring for color.

*I have NEVER used 8 Jalapeno Peppers – would be too much hot for us. Usually use 4 large ones with seeds, up to 6 small ones.

Photo Card

2011-07-11T19:52:00.001-07:00

Swiss Dots Lilac Baby Announcements

Create photo birth announcements by Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Coffee Kuchen

2011-02-13T04:51:00.000-08:00

Coffee Kuchen

3c. sifted all-purpose flour

3 t. baking powder

¼ t. salt

1 ¼ teaspoons cinnamon

1 c. sugar

1 c. light brown sugar, firmly packed

3 T. instant coffee

½ c. butter or margarine

½ c. shortening

1 c. milk

1/8 t. baking soda

2 eggs, slightly beaten

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease and flour a 9” tube pan (a 9x13 pan is all right). Into a large bowl, sift flour with baking powder, salt, cinnamon, sugars and coffee. Using pastry blender or 2 knives, but butter and shortening into flour mixture until it resembles small peas. Set aside 1 c. for topping. Combine milk with baking soda and eggs; mix well. With wooden spoon, stir all at once into flour-fat mixture just until combined. Turn into prepared tube pan. Sprinkle evenly with reserved flour-fat mixture. Bake 55-60 min. or until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool, in pan, on wire rack for 10 min. Remove from pan; serve warm.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

2010-12-22T18:30:00.000-08:00

Strawberry Salad with Pretzel Salad

First layer:

2 Cups crushed pretzels (not too fine)

3 Tablespoons sugar

1 stick margarine

Mix together and put in 9x13 pan. Bake 8 minutes at 400. Cool.

Second layer:

1- 8 oz. Package cream cheese

1 cup milk

2 tablespoons milk

1 small can crushed pineapple (not drained)

1- 8 oz. Carton Cool Whip

Mix these ingredients together & put in pan on top of pretzel layer.

Third layer:

1 large box jello (strawberry)

2 cups boiling water2-10 oz. Boxes frozen strawberries undrained

Mix together and let jell slightly before pouring on salad

Can be salad or dessert.

Ham and Cheese Omlette Roll

2010-12-22T17:06:00.000-08:00

4 oz. Cream cheese
3/4 cup Milk
2 t Flour
1/4 t Salt
12 Eggs
8 oz. Ham, chopped
1 1/2 cups Cheddar chesse, chredded
1/4 cup Green onion with tops thinly sliced
2 t Dijon Mustard

Note: Sometimes, I like to add some chopped fresh mushrooms to this as well.

Preparation

Preheat Oven 375. In bowl combine cream cheese and milk, whisk. Add flour and salt, whisk. In another bowl, whisk eggs add cream cheese mixture. Put parchment paper in bottom of 13 x 9 pan. Bake 30-33 minutes until omelet is puffy.

Meanwhile, chop ham. Shred cheese. Slice green onions.

Remove Omelet from oven. Spread with mustard. Sprinkle with half of cheese, top with onions and ham. Roll omelet in jelly roll fashion, removing parchement paper as you go. Sprinle with remaining cheese.. Let stand 5 minutes and slice

The Best Brownies Ever!!

2010-08-28T19:11:00.000-07:00

1/2 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3 tablespoons butter, softened
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan.
In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.
To Make Frosting: Combine 3 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 cup confectioners' sugar. Frost brownies while they are still warm.

Banana Breat

2010-04-13T17:29:00.000-07:00

1 Cup Butter

2 Cups Sugar

4 Eggs

6 Bananas, mashed

4 Cups Flour

1 Tsp. Vanilla

Cream butter, sugar and vanilla. Add Eggs and mix. Add Bananas and mix. Add flour and mix....again ;) Bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes, or until a knife inserted comes out clean. You can also add chocolate chips and/or pecans. I like to bake them in muffin papers.

Yield: 2 Loaves

Ranch Oyster Crackers

2009-11-20T13:58:00.001-08:00

Ranch Oyster Crackers

12-16 oz. Plain oyster crackers
1 pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix (buttermilk recipe)
¼ tsp. Lemon pepper
½ to 1 tsp. dill weed
¼ tsp. garlic powder
¾ to 1 cup salad oil

Combine Ranch dressing mix and oil. Add dill weed, garlic powder and lemon pepper. Mix well. Pour over crackers. Stir to coat. Place in warm oven for 15 to 20 minutes. (Stir once in a while in oven).

Serve.
This works well with pretzels also.

Mom's Best Bite-size Meatballs

2009-11-18T20:41:00.000-08:00

2 lbs. lean ground beef
2 pkg. (6 oz.) Stuffing mix for chicken
1 cup water
2 eggs
1 bottle (16 oz.) Kraft Original Barbecue Sauce
1 can (16 oz.) whole berry cranberry sauce

Heat oven to 400
Line 2 (15x10x1-inch) pans with foil, spray with cooking spray. Mix meat, stuffing mix, water and eggs until blended. Shape into 50 (1 1/2 inch) meatballs; place on prepared pans.
Bake 16 min. or until done. Meanwhile, bring barbecue sauce and cranberry sauce to boil in large saucepan on medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Add meatballs to sauce; stir to evenly coat.
Prep 20 min. Total 36 min. Makes 25 servings, 2 meatballs each

For main dish we made the meatballs larger and cooked for 20 min.

Saucy Mexican Chicken

2009-11-18T20:34:00.000-08:00

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken halves (4 small breasts)
1 jar chunky salsa
1 can (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Cook chicken in nonstick skillet on medium-high heat 4 min. on each side or until browned on both sides. Add salsa and beans. Bring to boil; cover. Simmer on medium-high heat 5 min. or until chicken is done. Top with cheese. Remove from heat. Let stand covered 5 min. or until cheese is melted.

Sausage & Cheese-stuffed Mushrooms

2009-11-18T20:29:00.000-08:00

24 fresh mushrooms (1 lb.)
1/2 Italian dressing
1/2 cup cooked crumbled Italian sausage
1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese

Heat broiler. Remove and discard stems from mushrooms. Brush mushroom caps with dressing; place, top sides down on rack of broiler pan. Broil 5 min. Press sausage into mushroom caps, adding about 1 t sausage to each cap. Sprinkle with cheese. Broil 3 to 5 min. or until cheese is melted. Serve hot.
Prep: 15 min. total 25 min. Makes 12 servings 2 mushrooms each

Snowball Cake

2009-11-18T20:21:00.000-08:00

1 pkg. (2 layer size) devil's food cake mix
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese softened
1 egg
2 T. granulated sugar
1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) vanilla flavor instant pudding
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup cold milk
2 cups thawed Cool Whip whipped topping
1 cup flake coconut

Heat oven to 350. Prepare cake batter, in 2 1/2 qt., ovenproof bowl as directed on package; scrape side of bowl (to keep from sticking during baking). Beat cream cheese, egg and granulated sugar until well blended; spoon into center of batter in bowl. Bake 1 hr. 5 min. or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in bowl 10- min. Loosen cake from bowl with knife; using potholders if necessary, invert onto wire rack. Remove from bowl with knife; using potholders if necessary, invert onto wire rack. Remove from bowl. Cool cake completely. Meanwhile beat dry pudding mix, powdered sugar and milk in medium bowl with whisk 2 min. Stir in cool whip. Refrigerate until ready to use. Place cake on plate, frost with pudding mixture. Cover with coconut. Keep refrigerated.
Prep 15 min. total 2 hrs. 20 min. Makes 16 servings

Lolita MacAfee's Prize winning Pumpking Custard Crunch

2009-10-16T08:56:00.000-07:00

olita McAfee's First-Prize-Winning Pumpkin Custard Crunch
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Today at 12:00am
Here it is! It is more of a pudding than a custard, but this is what I want to call it!

Let me know if you make it and what you think of my creation.

1 12 oz. can evaporated milk
1/2 c. half and half
1/4 c. corn starch
1/4 t. salt
1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 15 oz. can pumpkin
2 egg yolks, slightly beaten
2 t. pumpkin spice (I use Trader Joe's!) : )
2 t. vanilla

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a large saucepan combine cornstarch and salt. Gradually add evaporated milk and half and half. Add sweetened condensed milk, pumpkin and egg yolks. Stir in pumpkin pie spice. Stirring constantly bring to a boil over medium heat and boil one minute. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Pour into a buttered 2 qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with crumb topping. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Serve warm or chilled. Enjoy!

Crumb Crunch Topping
1 cup flour
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. butter, softened
Mix all ingredients well with a pastry blender.

Kooky Cookies

2009-09-28T09:52:00.000-07:00

Kooky Cookies

1 box yellow cake mix (not butter recipe)
2 eggs
½ c. oil or margarine melted
2 T. water
½ c. chocolate chips

Mix all ingredients and spoon onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees until brown on bottom.

Oklahoma Slaw

2009-09-13T13:29:00.000-07:00

Chop 1 medium head of cabbage
2-3 bunches green onions (depending on taste)
Add: 2 oz. pkg. slivered almonds
4 oz. pkg. sunflower seeds

Take 2 pkg. chicken flavored Ramen noodles. Chop dry noodles into small pieces and add to vegetables.

Dressing:
2 ramen seasoning packets
6 tablespoons sugar
1 cup oil
3 tablespoons vinegar
1/4 c. water

or

for lower fat dressing:
2 ramen seasong packets
9 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup oil
6 tablespoons vinegar
2/3 c. water

I wait until just before serving to add the ramen so it will be crunchy. I also like the lower fat dressing better.

I got this recipe from a good friend, Debbie Proctor, when my kids were young. It's a great dish for larger groups or church dinners.

Italian Cream Cake

2009-09-04T11:03:00.000-07:00

Italian Cream Cake

1 stick oleo
½ c. oil
2 c. sugar
2 c. plain flour
1 c. buttermilk
1 t. soda
1 5. Vanilla
1 c. coconut
1 c. nuts
5 eggs

Cream oleo, oil and sugar until smooth. Add egg yolks and beat well. Add flour and soda to creamed mixture, add buttermilk and vanilla, coconuts and nuts. Fold in stiffly beaten egg white. Bake in 3 layers at 300 degrees until done.

Frosting

Cream cheese frosting with nuts and coconut

8 oz. Cream cheese
1 box powdered sugar
vanilla
few drops of milk if too thick

Banana Bread

2009-03-25T19:16:00.000-07:00

1 c. butter
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
6 bananas, mashed
4 c. flour
2 tsp. soda (sifted in flour)
2 c. nuts
2 c. raisins
1 tbsp. vanilla

Cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs 1 at a time. Then add bananas, sifted flour and soda; mix well
Add nut, raisins and vanilla. Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake at 350 for 30-40 minutrs. This makes 2 loaf pans of banana bread.

Caribbean Pork Roast

2009-03-13T20:06:00.000-07:00

1 can (8 oz. sliced pineapple, undrained
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
3 garlic cloves, pressed
1 boneless rolled pork loin roast (about 3 pounds)
1 1/2 pounds peeled sweet potatoes (2-3 medium)
2 medium red onions
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Drain pineapple, reserving 1/2 cup juice for marinade. Combine reserved juice, brown sugar, cumin, cinnamon, thyme and red pepper. Add garlic cloves, pressed

Place roast and juice mixture in resealable plastic food storage bad. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight to marinate.

Preheat oven to 35. Cut sweet potatoes into 2-inch slices; cut slices into quarters. Cut each onion in 8 wedges and pineapple rings into quaters.

Remove roast from amrinade and place in 9/13 pan. discard marinade. Place vegetables and pinapple aournd roast. Sprinkle roast, vegetables and pinapple with salt and black pepper. Cover, bake 1 hour.

Remove cover and continue baking 15-30 minutes longer or until 155 degrees for medium. Let stand 10 minutes before carving.

Hi, Melinda!

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

2009-03-13T20:05:00.000-07:00

Strawberry Salad with Pretzel Salad

First layer:

2 Cups crushed pretzels (not too fine)
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 stick margarine

Mix together and put in 9x13 pan. Bake 8 minutes at 400. Cool.

Second layer:

1- 8 oz. Package cream cheese
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons milk
1 small can crushed pineapple (not drained)
1- 8 oz. Carton Cool Whip

Mix these ingredients together & put in pan on top of pretzel layer.

Third layer:

1 large box jello (strawberry)
2 cups boiling water2-10 oz. Boxes frozen strawberries undrained

Mix together and let jell slightly before pouring on salad

Can be salad or dessert.

Red Velvet Cake

2009-02-28T19:54:00.000-08:00

Red Velvet Cake

1 cup butter, softened
3 cups white sugar
6 eggs
1 ounce red food coloring
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
12 ounces white chocolate
1 cup butter, softened

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour three 8 inch pans.
In a large bowl, cream 1 cup butter with sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix food coloring with cocoa and add to mixture.
Add flour alternately with buttermilk. Add vanilla and salt.
Mix baking soda with vinegar, and gently stir into mixture. Be careful not to over mix.
Divide batter into three prepared 8 inch round pans. Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 25 minutes. Allow to cool.
To make the White Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing: Melt the white chocolate and allow to cool to lukewarm. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in melted white chocolate and softened butter. Beat until it is the consistency of whipped cream, then use to fill and frost the cake.

Banana Bread

2009-01-24T09:48:00.000-08:00

Banana Bread

1 Cup Butter
2 Cups Sugar
4 Eggs
6 Mashed Bananas
4 Cups Self- Rising Flour
2 Cups Nuts
1 Tbsp. Vanilla
2 Tsp. Baking Soda, sifted into flour

Cream sugar and butter. And eggs and vanilla. Add Bananas. Stir in flour and nuts. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes. Makes two loaves

Appetizer Meatballs

2009-01-17T17:14:00.000-08:00

Tiffany introduced me to this recipe. Their family makes it at Christmas every year. The meatballs are in the oven right now, and they smell PHENOMINAL!!!

Appetizer Meatballs

2 Lbs. Ground Beef
1 Lb. Bulk Pork Sausage
1 Can Evaporated Milk
2 Cups Milk
2 Cups Oats
1/2 tsp. Pepper
2 tsp. Chili Powder
1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
2-3 tsp. Salt
2 Eggs
1/2 Cup Finely Chopped Onion

Sauce:
4 Cups (one bottle) Ketchup
3 Cups Brown Sugar
2 tsp. Liquid Smoke
1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
1/2 Chopped Onion

Combine first 10 ingredients and shape into 1 inch balls. Place in single layer in a baking pan (or two....it makes about 100 meatballs!!) Combine the sauce ingredients and pour over meatballs. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

Angel Food Cake from Scratch

2009-01-17T06:32:00.000-08:00

Angel Food from Scratch

Is a Labor of Love

Sift 3 times—

1 cup cake flour 1 ½ cups powdered sugar

1 ½ cups egg whites – room temperature

¼ teaspoon salt

1 ½ teaspoons cream of tarter

1 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring

1 teaspoon almond flavoring

With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites on high speed till frothy. Add salt and cream of tartar. Continue beating till holds a point. Add gradually, 1 cup granulated sugar and flavoring. Remove from beater.

Fold in very gently the flour and powdered sugar mixture. I use a rubber scraper. Pour in tube pan or angel food loaf pan. Bake 375 degrees for 40 minutes.

Be sure all pieces used have been washed (soda is good) so no grease is around. I don’t use the pan that I use for Angel Food Cake for anything else.

The 1 ½ cups of egg whites whites is usually 1 dozen eggs. I surely hope you have a good cake. – Leona Glesler

Coffee Kuchen

2009-01-06T09:15:00.000-08:00

Coffee Kuchen
3c. sifted all-purpose flour
3 t. baking powder
¼ t. salt
1 ¼ teaspoons cinnamon
1 c. sugar
1 c. light brown sugar, firmly packed
3 T. instant coffee
½ c. butter or margarine
½ c. shortening
1 c. milk
1/8 t. baking soda
2 eggs, slightly beaten
Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease and flour a 9” tube pan (a 9x13 pan is all right). Into a large bowl, sift flour with baking powder, salt, cinnamon, sugars and coffee. Using pastry blender or 2 knives, but butter and shortening into flour mixture until it resembles small peas. Set aside 1 c. for topping. Combine milk with baking soda and eggs; mix well. With wooden spoon, stir all at once into flour-fat mixture just until combined. Turn into prepared tube pan. Sprinkle evenly with reserved flour-fat mixture. Bake 55-60 min. or until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool, in pan, on wire rack for 10 min. Remove from pan; serve warm.

Chicken Ceaser Casserole

2008-12-28T17:24:00.000-08:00

I made this up today for lunch. I didn't have the stuff to make any particular meal, so I just threw some stuff together. It turned out really tasty!!

Ceaser Chicken Casserole

2-3 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
2 heads broccoli
3 cloves garlic, pressed or diced
1/2 cup Ceasar salad dressing
8 oz noodles, cooked
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
Sauteed mushrooms, if desired
Shredded cheese

Cook chicken and garlic. Add cream of mushroom soup, Ceasar dressing and milk. Simmer until thickened. Steam broccoli until bright green. Cook noodles.

Layer ingredients in 9x13 pan -- Noodles, broccoli, chicken. Top with shredded cheese....as much as you want. Bake at 350 until cheese is melty. Yummies!!

Mississippi Mud Cake

2008-12-24T15:45:00.001-08:00

Mississippi Mud Cake

1 Cup Cooking Oil
1/3 Cup Cocoa
4 Eggs
1 ¾ Cups Sugar
1 ½ Cups Self-rising Flour
2 tsp Vanilla
2 Cups Chopped Nuts

Mix ingredients together and bake in an oblong cake pan at 300 degrees for 30-45 minutes. Cover with small marshmallows when removed from hot oven.

Icing:

1 ½ Sticks Oleo
1 Tbsp. Vanilla
1 Lb Powdered Sugar
1/3 Cup Cocoa
½ Cup Evaporated Milk
½ Cup Chopped Nuts

Mix all ingredients well. DO NOT COOK. Pour over cake while still warm

Sausage and Apple Stuffing

2008-12-18T11:03:00.000-08:00

Another recipe I found looking for something for Christmas dinner. This one sounds better. I think.

Sausage and Apple Stuffing

8 cups cubed white bread (about 16 slices)
1 pound pork sausage
1 large onion, diced
2 large apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
Preparation:Spread bread cubes on large cookie sheets; place in a 250° oven for 10 minutes, until dry. Remove from oven and set aside.
Brown sausage in a skillet; breaking up larger pieces. Cook until no longer pink, fully cooked. With a slotted spoon, remove sausage to a large bowl and combine with bread cubes.
Pour off all but 1 to 2 tablespoons of drippings from skillet. Add onions; sauté until tender. Stir in water and apples; heat to boiling. Pour over bread and sausage mixture; add salt; toss lightly until evenly moist.Makes enough to stuff a 10 to 12-pound turkey

Apple Pecan Stuffing

2008-12-18T10:33:00.000-08:00

I am in charge of bringing stuffing for Christmas dinner. I've never made it before, so I was looking online for recipies. This sounds yummy!!

Apple Pecan Stuffing

1/4 cup melted butter
1 small onion, chopped, about 1/4 cup
1/2 cup chopped celery
8 slices soft white bread, torn into small pieces
1 large apple, peeled, cored and chopped
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup chicken or turkey stock
1 egg
3/4 teaspoon dried sage leaves, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Preparation:Sauté chopped onion and celery in the butter. In a large bowl combine the onion mixture with the bread, apple and pecans. Beat together the chicken stock, egg, sage, salt and pepper; add to the bread mixture, mixing in gently. Place the mixture in a greased 2-quart casserole; cover with lid or foil and bake at 325° for 25 to 30 minutes. Uncover the last 5 minutes of baking time.

Holiday Party Mix

2008-12-13T18:27:00.000-08:00

9 cups oven-toasted corn cereral squares
4 cups popped popcorn
1 1/2 cups dry-roasted peanuts
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 3/4 cups (10-oz. pkg.) Nestle Toll House Holiday Shapes and Morsels**
1 pkg. (7.5 oz.) Nestle Flipz White Fudge-covered Pretzels

Prehat oven to 250 degrees F. Grease large roasting pan.
Mix cereal, popped popcorn and peanuts in large bowl. Pour into prepared pan.
Combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil without stirring for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract and baking soda. Pour evenly over cereal mixture, sitr to coat evenly.
Bake for 45 minutes stirring every 15 minutes. Cool completely in pan, stirring frequently to break apart mixture. Shir in Shape & Morsels and Flipz. Store in airtight container.

Makes about 5 quarts.

**If you can't find these use semi-sweet chocolate chips and white chocolate chips. At Christmas you can usually find some holiday shaped chips or colored white chocolate chips.

Ranch Oyster Crackers or Pretzels

2008-12-13T18:22:00.000-08:00

12 to 16 oz. plain oyster crackers

1 pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix (buttermilk recipe)

¼ tsp. lemon pepper

½ to 1 tsp. dill weed

¼ tsp. garlic powder

¾ to 1 cup salad oil

Combine Ranch dressing mix and oil. Add dill weed, garlic powder and lemon pepper. Mix well. Pour over crackers. Stir to coat. Place in warm oven for 15 to 20 minutes. (Stir once in a while in over). Serve.

Also works well with pretzels.

Fruit Slushy Punch

2008-12-06T16:26:00.001-08:00

Oh-so-yummy!!! This is my favorite-est punch!!!

Fruit Slushy Punch

4 Bananas
1 Can Frozen Orange Juice
1 Can Frozen Lemonade
1 Can Pineapple Juice
1 Pkg. Tropical Punch Kool-Aid (or Strawberry or Cherry...anything red)
1 Cup Sugar
3 1/2 Cups Water
1 Liter Ginger Ale or Sprite, Chilled

Partially thaw frozen juice. Blend bananas and 1 -2 cups of water. I usually add the Kool-Aid, too, because it's easier to mix up. Mix all ingredients together. Freeze about 24 hours (the bigger your container, the longer it takes to freeze....). About 15-20 minutes before serving, mix punch and Ginger Ale with a 1:1 ratio. Use a big spoon or something to mush the frozen stuff up. It should be really slushy and really yummy!!!

Hot Chocolate Mix

2008-12-05T18:38:00.000-08:00

2 lb. box Nestle Quik
1 lb. box confectioner's sugar
11 oz. jar Coffee-mate
8 qt. box powdered milk (10 2/3 c.)
Mix all together and sift. Store in airtight container. Fill cup half full of mixture and add boiling water. Stir and enjoy.

PANERA BREAD FRENCH ONION SOUP

2008-11-25T08:59:00.000-08:00

PANERA BREAD FRENCH ONION SOUP

1/4 c unsalted butter
1 Tbls ketchup
8 c sliced white onions (4-5 med onions)
1 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
2- 14oz cans beef broth (books saids use swanson)
1 1/2 tsp salt
3/4 c chicken broth (swanson again)
1/4 tsp dried thyme
3 Tbls all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 c water
couple drops tabasco pepper sauce
GARNISH croutons
shaved asiago cheese
butter

1) Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. When butter is melted add sliced onions and saute for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring often, until onions turn brown.
2) Add remaining ingredients (but NOT the garnish) to the pan and stir to combine. Heat soup until it's boiling, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
3) Make croutons for the top of the soup by slicing foccacia bread (or any bread you may have) into 3/4-inch thick slices. Butter both sides, slice into bite-size cubes. Bake the bread in a 425 degree oven for 15 minutes or until crispy. Shave some asiago cheese.
4) Serve the soup super hot with a handful of croutons floating on top followed by a couple tablespoons of the shaved asiago cheese.
Yield: 8 Cups

Chicken Rosemary

2008-11-25T08:53:00.000-08:00

This is my friend Tiffany's favorite dish. And I realylove it to....SUPER YUMMY!! I think the cooking Sherry is what realy makes the flavor so yummy. Oh.....you can find cooking sherry next to the Red Wine Vinegar in the baking/condiments isle.

Chicken Rosemary (Serves four)
4 Chicken breasts
enough olive oil to cook the chicken
1 small onion chopped1 cup celery chopped
1/3 cup cooking Sherry
1 clove garlic
1 tsp. rosemary
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper

Brown chicken until throughly cooked in a large skillet. Add veggies, spices and cooking sherry. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 35-40 min. Serve over rice.

Ho Ho Cake

2008-11-25T08:49:00.000-08:00

Ho Ho Cake
.....shhh it's a secret..love Marilyn

1 Chocolate cake mix (dark or devils food)
1 Large vanilla instant pudding mix
4 eggs
1 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
8 oz. Philadelphia cream cheese
8 oz. Cool Whip
2 cups of confectioners sugar

1. Mix all ingredients and blend with electric mixer until smooth.
2. Immediately pour equal portions into 4 round prepared cake pans ( to prepare cake pans, I place a circle of parchment or waxed paper on the bottom of the pans and then grease pans. The batter will be thick. I usually tap mine a few times on the bottom to settle any bubbles.
3. Bake in 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.
4. Let cake cool in pans for 5 minutes then remove.
5. For filling, mix with electric mixer until smooth
8 oz. Philadelphia cream cheese
8 oz. Cool Whip
2 cups of confectioners sugar
6. After cake cools put one layer on a plate.( I usually put waxed paper just under the edges of the cake to keep the filing and icing from messing up the plate.) Put one-third of the filling on this layer and smooth over it. Repeat with the other layers ending with the fourth cake layer on the top.
7. Frost with your favorite chocolate frosting. You can put a cherry in the middle of frosted cake for decoration.

Chicken Casserole

2008-11-02T20:21:00.001-08:00

So my friend Jeremy made this for lunch today. It is SUPER yummy!!

Chicken Casserole

2 lbs. cooked chicken
2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup
2 Boxes Stuffing Mix (prepare as on directions)
1 Bag Frozen Broccoli (Steamed until tender-crisp)
Velveeta Cheese

Mix chicken and soup and pour on the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Add broccoli. Layer slices of Velveeta cheese. Top with prepared stuffing. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. Let sit 5-10 minutes.

Yummy!!!

Main Dish

2008-10-19T04:29:00.000-07:00

Sweet and Sour Meatballs
(from Fix It and Forget It cookbook)

Meatballs:
2 lbs. ground beef
1 1/4 cups bread crumbs
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
2-3 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 egg
1/2 tsp. galric salt
1/4 cup finely chopped onions

Sauce:
1 can pineapple chunks, juice reserved
3 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 cvup cold water
1-1 1/4 cups ketchup
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/r tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. galric salt
1/2 cup chopped green peppers.

1. Combine all meatball ingredients. Shape into 60-80 meatballs. Brown in skillet, roling so all sides are browned. Place meatballs in slow cooker.
2. Pour juice from pineapples into skillet. Stir into drippings.
3. Combine cornstarch and cold water. Add to skillet and stir until thickened.
4. Stir in ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. Season wit salt, pepper, and garlic salt. Add grteen peppers and pineapples. Pour over meatballs.
5. Cover. Cook on Low 6 hours.

Posted by Jody

Cheesecake Brownies

2008-08-28T19:59:00.000-07:00

So I had a whim to make cheesekcake brownies. This is the recipe that I came up with....partly fron a website, and partly online. Oh-so-yummy!!!

1 Cup Butter, Melted
1 Cup Sugar
2 Eggs
2/3 Cup Baking Cocoa
1 Cup Self-Rising Flour

8 oz. Cream Cheese
1 Can Sweetened, Condensed Milk
1 Egg

Mix butter, sugar and eggs with spatula (do not use a mixer....you want it to be just blended in so your brownies don't have air pockets). Add Cocoa, stir again. Add Flour, stir again. Spread on the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan. Blend cream cheese, milk and egg.....it's ok to use a blender for this. Pour on top of brownie mix. Bake at 325 for about 45 minutes, or until golden brown on top. If it is a little gooey when you test with a knife, that's ok.

Yummy!!

Carrot Cake

2008-07-03T19:57:00.000-07:00

I made this for Ben and Tiffany's one year anniversary. I think it turned out pretty good, especially considering I've never made carrot cake before. It was pretty simple, though. So here you have it:

Carrot Cake
4 eggs
1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 cups grated carrots (that's about one small bag of baby carrots, minus a few here and there that I ate. Also, I chopped them up in the food chopper instead of grating them)
1 cup chopped pecans

Icing:
1/2 cup butter, softened
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.
In a large bowl, beat together eggs, oil, white sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir in carrots. Fold in pecans. Pour into prepared pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
To Make Frosting: In a medium bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Stir in chopped pecans. Frost the cooled cake.

Ice Cream

2008-07-03T15:37:00.001-07:00

Ice Cream

1/2 gal. whole milk
1 cup sugar
2-3 eggs, beaten
vanilla
1 pt. whipping cream

Combine milk an sugar. Bring to a boil and slowly add the eggs (slowly so they don't cook and leave clumps of egg in the custard). Add vanilla and whipping cream.
Follow the directions with the ice cream maker for freezing. Yummy!!!
Fresh fruit or other flavorings can be added before freezing.

Fruit Cobbler

2008-06-30T19:20:00.000-07:00

So I made Blackberry Cobbler last night for dessert after dinner. It was sooo yummy and sooo tasty!! So here's the recipe.

1 Cup Flour
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Milk
1 Stick Butter (melted)
2 Cups Fruit (any kind)

Mix flour, sugar, milk and butter together. Pour over fruit and bake in square pan at 350 for 45 mintutes or until nice and brown.

Suggestions:
Blueberries
Peaches (canned, with juice)
Blackberries

Banana Nut Cake

2008-03-23T16:41:00.000-07:00

This was my great grandmother's recipe, and it is just about the yummiest cake in the whole wide world. I really REALLY love this one!!!

Banana Nut Cake
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
2 cups flour
4 tbsp. buttermilk
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp vanilla
3 mashed bananas
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Mash bananas and set aside. Blend sugar and butter. Add eggs, buttermilk and soda. Blend. Add bananas and blend. Add flour and blend again. Pour into 3 round pans (8 or 9 inch) and bake at 350 for about 20 minutes or until done. Let cool

Icing:
1/2 cup butter
1 box powdered sugar
2 mashed bananas
1 cup chopped pecans

Mash bananas. Add butter, suger and pecans. Ice the cake -- the icing just goes between the layers. You don't have to smear it on the edges if you don't want to. Garnish with addtional whole pecans, if desired.

Yummy!!!

Cheesy Corn

2008-03-23T16:37:00.000-07:00

Here is another dish we had today for Easter Dinner. It is such a yummy way to cook corn!! AND, ya gotta love that crock pot!!

Cheesy Corn
3 pkgs frozen corn
8 oz cream cheese
6 slices American cheese
1/4 cup butter
6 tsp sugar
4 tsp milk
4 tsp water

Place corn in crock pot. Cube cream cheese and American cheese; stir in. Add butter, sugar, milk and water. Stir. Cook on Low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.

Snowy Mashed Potatoe Casserole

2008-03-23T16:35:00.000-07:00

I got this recipe from my neighbor, Tiffany. She made it for Easter Dinner today, and it is REALLY yummy!!

Snowy Mashed Potato Casserole

4 lbs potatoes (12 medium)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 c sour cream
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 /4 c chopped chives or 1/2 minced onion
1/2 tsp paprika
1 tsp butter or margarine

Cook potatoes in boiling salted water for 15 min or until tender. Drain. Mash potatoes with electric mixer. Add cream cheese, sour cream, salt. pepper, and garlic. Beat at high speed until smooth and light. Stir in onion. Spoon into lightly greased 10 cup baking dish. Sprinkle w/ paprika and dot with butter. Bake at 350 for 30 min or until lightly golden and heated through.

Jello Cake

2008-03-19T19:03:00.001-07:00

Someone asked me if I know how to make Jello Cake....and YESS!!! I love, love LOVE that stuff!!! So, here it is

Jello Cake

1 Cake Mix (any flavor except maybe chocolate)
Ingredients for cake mix (see box)
1 large or 2 small packages of Jello (any flavor)
1 16-oz tub of Cool Whip

Bake cake according to directions on box. Let cool slightly, but can still be warm to finish the cake. Mix Jello according to instructions on box. Using a spoon, stir the cake in a few places. You don't have to scoop the cake out, just kind of cut through it a little bit. The idea is to help the Jello absorb into the cake better. I usually to 10 or 12. Pour the hot Jello over the cake. Chill until Jello is set, or overnight. Top with Cool Whip when you are ready to serve.

Mmmm....yummy!!

Here are some Jello/Cake flavor combinations:

Vanilla Cake, Orange Jello - top with Mandarin Oranges
Vanilla Cake, Strawberry Jello - Top with fresh strawberries and/or blueberries
Coconut Cake, Raspberry Jello - Bake some coconut into the cake....this is my Mom's favorite. She calls it Zinger cake, because it tastes just like those Zinger snack cakes you can buy

Pretty much, any cake mix will work for this, except maybe chocolate or yellow.

Happy Cooking!!

Quiche

2008-03-03T16:26:00.000-08:00

This Quiche is super SUPER yummy!!

Quiche

1 T Dried onion
1 cup Shredded cheese (combine mozzarella, cheddar, swiss, or your favorite)
1 T Flour
1/4 tsp Salt
1/8 tsp Pepper
1 Unbaked pastry shell (9 inch)
3 Eggs
½ cup Half ‘n half

Combine all ingredients. Pour into pastry shell. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes

Variations:
Chicken and cheese
Add 1 chicken, cooked and chopped
A touch of Thyme and Basil
½ tsp McCormick’s Garlic and Herbs Spice
Spinach and chicken
Add 1 chicken, cooked and chopped
Spinach
Use mainly swiss cheese
Enjoy! May God continue to lead you.

Spaghetti Lover's Soup

2008-02-29T12:38:00.000-08:00

I got this recipe from my friend Jean (naturecoastcrafter on SCS)......

Hey Mel: I borrowed your recipe for Chicken Alfredo Soup, so I'm sending a payback. I found this soup in a magazine and we had it this week. It was so good, my husband was even eating it cold from the refrigerator instead of his nightly ice cream. Remember school lunch spaghetti, this was a nostalgia trip back there!

Spaghetti Lover's Soup
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 small green sweet pepper, chopped
1/2 cup chopped celery (1 stalk)
1 medium carrot, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 1/2 cups water
2 14-1/2 ounce cans diced tomatores
1 13-to 15-ounce jar spaghetti sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, crushed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Dash crushed red pepper
2 ounces dried spaghetti broken into 2-inch pieces

In large saucepan or dutch overn, cook meat, onion, sweet pepper, celery, carrot, and garlic over medium heat until vegetables are tender and meat is no longer pink. Drain off excess fat. Add water, undrained tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, and black and red pepper. Bring to boiling. Add broken spaghetti. Return to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 12 to 15 minutes or until spaghetti is tender. Serve immediately.

Yield: 6 Servings

New York Style Cheesecake

2008-02-23T18:55:00.001-08:00

New York Style Cheesecake

Crust
1 Cup All-Purpose Flour
¼ Cup Sugar
1 Tsp grated lemon rinds
¼ Cup Butter
1 Egg Yolk
½ Tsp Vanilla

Cream Cheese Filling
5 (8oz) pkg. Cream Cheese
1 ¾ Cups Sugar
3 T flour
2 Tsp grated lemon rinds
2 Tsp Vanilla
5 Eggs
2 Egg Yolks
¼ Cup Whipping Cream
Stir together flour, sugar, and peel. blend in butter, egg yolk and vanilla with fork till dough holds together. Press 1 cup of mixture onto bottom of 9x13 inch spring form pan. Bake at 400o for 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool then press remaining dough up sides of pan. In mixer beat together cream cheese, flour, peel and vanilla on med high speed till light and fluffy. Add eggs and yolks and beat well after each egg. Blend in cream. Pour into ready spring form pan. Bake 10 minutes at 500o. reduce heat to 250o and bake for 50 to 60 minutes till a knife inserted in center comes out clean when cooled top with sour cream mixed with sugar.

Mississippi Mud Cake

2008-02-23T18:52:00.000-08:00

Mmmmmmm......this one ALWAYS wins awards!!

Mississippi Mud Cake

1 Cup Cooking Oil
1/3 Cup Cocoa
4 Eggs
1 ¾ Cups Sugar
1 ½ Cups Self-rising Flour
2 tsp Vanilla
2 Cups Chopped Nuts

Mix ingredients together and
bake in an oblong cake pan at
300 degrees for 30-45 minutes.
Cover with small marshmallows
when removed from hot oven.

Fast and Simple Cheesecake

2008-02-23T18:49:00.000-08:00

Fast and Simple Cheesecake

8 oz cream cheese
1 can cherry pie filling
1 box cheesecake mix with crust

Make cheesecake according to directions on the box. Add cream cheese. Using a Tupperware Jello mold, layer as follows: Pie filling, cheesecake, crust. Chill 2-3 hours or overnight. Remove cheesecake from mold just before serving.

Cranberry Pecan Cheesecake Treats

2008-02-23T18:48:00.000-08:00

Cranberry Pecan Cheesecake Treats

4 8-oz packages cream cheese
4 eggs
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups chopped cranberries
1 ½ cups chopped pecans
1 box vanilla wafers
1 pkg white chocolate chips

Blend chream cheese until smooth.
Add eggs; mix well. Add sweetened
condensed milk; blend well. Stir in
cranberries and nuts. Place one vanilla
wafer in the bottom of each cupcake paper.
Add cheesecake batter until about 2/3 full.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until set in
the middle. Cool completely. Melt
chocolate chips and drizzle over the top.
Yield: about 2/12 to 3 dozen

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

2008-02-21T18:52:00.000-08:00

OK....here is another soup recipe that I really enjoy. When we make this at my parent's house, we often make it with the Chicken Alfredo Soup....to give some variety. When I have people over for soup, I like to make two kinds. That way if someone doesn't like one kind, they will probably like the other one.

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

8 oz wild rice, uncooked (1 1/3 cup)
1 ½ Lbs Fryer Chicken, cut up
7 Cups water
12 oz mushrooms, sliced
2 tbsp cooking oil
1 cup onions, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
4 cups milk
¾ tsp white pepper
½ cup butter
¾ cup flour
2 tbsp instant chicken bouillon granules

Cook wild rice according to pkg. directions for 30 minutes; drain off liquid and rinse thoroughly. Set partially cooked rice aside. In a large saucepan, Combine the chicken and water. Bring to boiling, reduce heat, and simmer for 40 minutes or until the chicken is tender. Remove chicken from broth and let stand until cook enough to handle. Skim fat from broth. Strain and reserve broth. Cut into bite-size pieces. In the same saucepan, cook celery and onion in hot oil for 4-5 minutes; add mushrooms and cover and cook for 5 to 10 minutes or until everything is tender, stirring now and then remove from heat. Return broth to the saucepan. Add the partially cooked wild rice to the chicken broth mixture. Stir in the bouillon granules and white pepper. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. In a large separate saucepan, melt the butter. Stir in flour until it all clings together and is smooth. Add the milk all at once and stir and cook until it's bubbly and thick. Add some hot broth mixture to the white sauce mixture and stir until smooth; return all to the broth mixture. Stir in the chicken pieces and heat through.

Chicken Vegetable Alfredo Soup

2008-02-21T18:49:00.000-08:00

Ok -- here is a really yummy soup recipe. I've been thinking about making it for a while....yum!!
When we make this at my parent's house, we often make it with the Chicken and Wild Rice Soup....to give some variety. When I have people over for soup, I like to make two kinds. That way if someone doesn't like one kind, they will probably like the other one. If anyone was wondering, this is a Pampered Chef recipe.

Chicken Vegetable Alfredo Soup

1 Cup Chopped Broccoli
½ Cup Chopped Carrots
½ Cup Chopped Onions
½ Red Bell Pepper, Diced
1 Garlic Clove, Minced
14 ½ Oz Chicken Broth
2 Cups Cooked Chicken, diced
16 oz Alfredo Sauce

Place broccoli, carrots, onion, bell peppers, and garlic in sauce pan. Add broth.; bring to a boil.
Cover, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes or until veggies are crisp-tender. Add chicken and alfredo sauce to broth; simmer 5 minutes, or until heated through. Delicious served in bread bowls.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Delight

2008-02-02T06:15:00.000-08:00

Well....I'm having my first dinner party tonight at the new apartment, so I decided to make some of my favorite foods -- BBQ Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Salad, and this really YUMMY and very rich chocolate cake that I absolutely LOVE!! We don't get to make it at home very often, because Joshua is allergic to peanuts.

So, without further ado -- here it is....
(DA DUM DA DAAAAAAAAA)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Delight
1 Chocolate Cake mix
1 Egg
1 fourth Cup Milk
1 half Cup Butter, Softened
1 Cup Sugar
8 Oz Cream Cheese, Softened
1 Cup creamy peanut
16 Oz Cool Whip, divided
butter
1 Tsp Vanilla
2 Cups Chocolate Chips Nuts (optional)
14 Oz Sweetened Condensed Milk

Mix cake mix, egg, milk, and butter. Bake in a 9x13 greased pan at 350 approximately 25 minutes, or until almost set. Let cool. Mix cream cheese, sugar, sweetened condensed milk, peanut butter, and vanilla until creamy. Fold in half of the cool whip. Spread on top of cake mixture. Spread remaining cool whip on top. Melt chocolate chips with 1 tbsp butter and a dash of vanilla. Drizzle on top. Note: Can add nuts to first and second layers if desired.

Soutwest Salsa

2008-01-17T19:11:00.001-08:00

My friend Connie (SCS - cmc2stamp) sent me this FABULOUS salsa recipe. I can't wait to try it!

Thanks, Connie!

Connie's Salsa
1 habanero pepper
1 bunch of cilantro
1 medium white onion
12 Roma tomatoes
1-2 minced garlic cloves (optional)
24 oz tomato sauce
Juice from 2 limes
1 package of taco seasoning

Mince habanero with cilantro in food processor (if you do not have a food processor and want to make a chunkier salsa then put the habanero in a blender with some of the tomato sauce and blend until the pepper is VERY well minced). Add onion and tomatoes to the food processor and pulse until well chopped. Move contents of food processor to a large bowl. Add minced garlic cloves, tomato sauce, lime juice and seasoning packet. Mix well. Enjoy!!

Skor Bar Cake

2008-01-10T19:42:00.001-08:00

Ok....I have to say this is one of the most yummy desserts EVER in the whole wide world -- seriously. It's a cake, but more like a torte. AND....it's way better left over the second day.

Skor Bar Cake

1 chocolate cake mix
1 pint of whip cream (not whipped)
1/2 cup of granulated sugar
1/4 cup of cocoa
4 Skor bars (chocolate covered toffee bars)

Make cake mix according to directions. Put in 2 layer pans (circle or square) and bake until done. Cool. (When I bake in layer pans to make sure the cake comes out I put wax paper in the bottom. Trace around the outside of the pan on wax paper and then cut out and put in bottom of pan. Cakes come out perfect every time!)

In mixing bowl put whip cream, sugar and cocoa. DO NOT WHIP!!! You can stir it together a bit if you want, but don't mix it yet!! Stick it in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. (Or whenever you remember it's there....whatever!) Take out and whip.Crush all 4 Skor bars. Take 3 of the crushed Skor bars and mix them into the chocolate whip cream.

Cut each cake layer in half horizontally, so now you have 4 layers of cake. Put one layer on a plate and smear chocolate whip cream over it. Don't put it on the sides--it's more of a torte. Put on another cake layer. Smear with whip cream. Repeat until all layers are on cake and have whip cream on them.

Sprinkle last crushed Skor bar over top of cake for decoration.

BLT Dip

2008-01-10T19:30:00.000-08:00

Here is another family favorite......

BLT Dip
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese , softened
1/2 cup ranch salad dressing
1 medium tomato (about 3/4 cup)
6 slices bacon, crisply cooked, drained and chopped
1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
2 tablespoons onions, finely chopped
1 teaspoon sugar

Place cream cheese in a bowl. Gradually stir in dressing; mix well. Remove seeds from tomato; dice tomato. Reserve 1 tablespoon for garnish. Chop bacon, celery and onion. Add tomato, bacon, celery, onion, and sugar to cream cheese mixture; mix well. Cover; refrigerate at least 3 hours to allow flavors to blend.

Serve with toasted bread, such as a mini loaf of French Bread

Mississippi Sin

2008-01-10T19:25:00.000-08:00

So I have a recipe for this absolutely DEVINE ham dip -- here it is. This is one of my faves!!

Mississippi Sin

1 Lb Chopped Ham
8 oz Sour Cream
2 Cups Shredded Cheese
1 Sm. Can Chopped Chile Peppers
1 Loaf French Style Bread, hollowed out.

Mix all ingredients together. Place in Bread Bowl. Bake at350 degrees for 30 minutes or until filling is hot.

Serve with corn chips. I usually use Frito's Scoops

The bread is delicious heated up the next day.....just pop it in the oven until it's nice and crispy.

Fruit Salsa

2008-01-10T19:21:00.000-08:00

Fruit Salsa

2 Granny Smith Apples
1 Cup Strawberries
1 Kiwi
1 Tbsp Apple Jelly
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
2 Tbsp Orange Juice
1 pkg flour tortillas
Cinnamon
Sugar

Chop fruit up small, like salsa and combine the first six ingredients. Chill.....the salsa, not nececerily yourself -- HA!

Dampen tortillas with water and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Cut into wedges and bake at 475 degrees for 5 minutes. Use for dipping into the salsa.

Yummy!!

Chicken Ring

2008-01-10T16:16:00.000-08:00

Ok...here is a recipe for one of our family's FAVORITE recipes. I even took pictures, so you would know how to make the actual ring.

This one's for you, Krystina!

Chicken Ring
1 - 1 1/2 Lbs. Boneless Chicken Breast
1/3 Cup Mayo (or Miracle Whip)
1 Tsp. Dijon Mustard
1 Cup Swiss Cheese, Shredded
2 Tsp. Parsley Flakes
1 Garlic Clove, pressed or minced
1 Tomatoe, halved and sliced
2 Packages Crescent rolls

Preheat oven to 350 degress.

Cook chicken (duh!...but I do have a keen grasp on the obvious) and chop into eentsy teentsy pieces using a food chopper (love that tool!!), food processor, or by other means that hopefully inovlve sharp instruments. Be sure not to chop your fingers off. Stir in all ingredients EXCEPT FOR the crescent rolls and 1/4 cup of the Swiss Cheese.

Unroll the Crescent Rolls (again with the obvious....I know....) and arrange on a Pizza Stone or cookie sheet or something that can go into the oven. There are several different ways to do this. The easiest is to line up the wide end of the roll with the points facing outward. The rolls should overlap slightly and form a ring...hence the recipe name Chicken RING :o) It should look like this:

Press the wide part of the tringles together so they kind of seal a little bit. Then, for the filling -- just fill 'er up. Kind of scoop the chicken mixture around the edge of the ring and place the tomato slices on top....like this:

Then, fold the tips of the triangle over and tuck under the other edge of the ring. Next, brush on the egg whites (Mom doesn't know why I took this pic....but I think it's fun).....

.....and sprinkle with the reserved Swiss Cheese. It will look like this:

Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until golden brown. Serve immediately. YUM!!

Irish Breakfast

2007-09-03T19:06:00.001-07:00

Irish Breakfast

3-4 Medium Potatoes
6 Eggs
½ Cup Milk
½ Lb Bacon, cooked and
crumbled
Butter
½ Onion
Salt and Pepper to taste

Sautee onion in butter. Peel
And cube potatoes. Salt and
Pepper to taste. Add to
Onion, cook until browned
And soft. Scramble eggs and
With milk. Add to potatoes,
Stirring often. Add bacon.
Remove from heat when eggsAre done.

Pumpkin Cobbler

2007-09-03T18:58:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin Cobbler

Crust:
1 Box Yellow Cake mix (reserve 1 Cup for topping)
½ Cup Butter or margarine
1 Egg
Filling:
1 (30 oz) Can Pumpkin
3 Eggs
2/3 Cup Canned Milk
1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Tsp Cinnamon
1 Tsp Ginger
½ Tsp Cloves
1 Cup Brown Sugar
Topping:1 Cup Reserved Cake mix
½ Cup Granulated Sugar
¼ Cup Butter or Margarine

Mix with spoon cake mix, butter, and one egg. Press into an ungreased 9x13” pan. Mix pumpkin, 3 eggs, spices, brown sugar together; pour over dough. Mix together topping ingredients until crumbly. Sprinkle over pumpkin layer. Bake at 350 degrees 45 to 50 minutes. Serve with whipped cream and caramel topping.

**** Ok...I know this one is a little more complicated, but not TOO much, and I also know this is one of Mark's favorite desserts...or breakfasts...whatever :o)

Monkey Bread

2007-09-03T18:57:00.001-07:00

Monkey Bread

3 cans biscuits cut into quarters
1 T Cinnamon
3 T Sugar
1Stick Butter
1 Cup Brown Sugar

roll biscuits in mixture. Put in bundt
cake pan. Melt margarine brown
sugar. Pour over biscuits. bake at
350 for 25-30 min.

Hershey Bar Pie

2007-09-03T18:55:00.000-07:00

Hershey Bar Pie

1 8-oz Tub Cool Whip
6 Hershey’s w/Almonds Bars
2 Tsp Water
1 Graham Cracker Pie Crust

Break Hershey bars into thirds,
place in microwave-safe bowl.
Add water. Microwave on low for
approximately two minutes, stirring
twice, or until chocolate is melted.
Fold in Cool Whip. Place mixture in
graham cracker crust. Freeze 4-6
hours, or overnight. Thaw app. 10
minutes before serving. Garnish
as desired.

Easy Breezy Peanut Butter Cookies

2007-09-03T18:54:00.001-07:00

Easy Breezy Peanut Butter Cookies

1 Cup Peanut Butter
1 Egg
1 Cup Sugar

Combine all ingredients. Drop by
Spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet. Bake
at 350About 10 minutes, or until set.
Remove from cookie sheet and cool.
Variation: Add a Hershey’s Kiss to
The center of each cookie just after
Removing from the oven.

Pancakes

2007-09-03T18:49:00.000-07:00

Pancakes

1 cup self-rising flour
3 glugs cooking oil
2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg
1 cup milk (or a little more to desired consistency)

Mix ingredients together. The batter will be lumpy. Heat the skillet or griddle until a drop of water sizzles on it. Pour batter on griddle. Wait for the bubbles in the batter pop but do not fill in, then flip. Pancake is done when brown on the flip side

Submitted by Jody McMillen

Pot Pies Equal Pot Bellies

2007-09-03T18:36:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my new blog! Mark, this one was inspired by you. I am going to post several quick, easy recipes every week. They will be meals or main courses that can be made quickly, easily, and inexpensively. I will try to categorize them between Breakfast, Lunch, Supper, Dessert, and so on.

Special thanks to Judy for suggesting the title. It's pretty clever, huh?