Wednesday, January 31, 2007

BUFFALO CHICKEN NACHOS

Found this one surfing the web & thought oh yeah, Super Bowl Sunday here we come!

BUFFALO CHICKEN NACHOS
http://franksredhot.com/recipe/franks/buffalowings/bcnachos.html
Servings: 4 servings Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Owner/Copyright:RBI/©2007

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups diced cooked chicken or turkey
1/2 cup Frank's® REDHOT® Buffalo Wing Sauce
1 (10 ounce) bag tortilla chips
2 cups shredded Cheddar or Jack cheese
Blue cheese or ranch salad dressing
Sour cream


DIRECTIONS:
1. Toss chicken with Buffalo Wing Sauce.
2. Layer chicken mixture with chips and cheese in baking dish or on pizza pan.
3. Bake at 350°F for 5 minutes until hot and cheese melts. Garnish as desired. Serve with blue cheese dressing, sour cream and additional Buffalo Wing Sauce.

Tip: You may substitute 1/3 cup FRANK'S® REDHOT® Cayenne Pepper Sauce mixed with 3 Tbsp. melted butter. Variations: Add 1/2 cup of the following to nachos along with chicken: chopped bell peppers, sliced green onion, sliced black peppers or diced jalapeno peppers. For a change of pace, substitute 2 cups diced shrimp.

Sweet Potato Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing

I haven't tried this one yet, but what more can you ask for than a warm bacon dressing...

Sweet Potato Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing
Bobby Flay

6 slices bacon, medium dice
1 red onion, finely sliced
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3/4 cup white wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
4 sweet potatoes, peeled, cooked and cut into 1-inch dice, kept warm
Salt and freshly ground pepper
4 green onions, finely sliced
1/4 cup chopped parsley

Heat pan over high heat. Add bacon and cook until just crisp. Remove bacon to a towel-lined plate. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat. Add onions and garlic and cook until soft. Remove pan from heat, add vinegar, olive oil, sugar and reserved bacon. Place the potatoes in a large bowl, pour the dressing over and season with salt and pepper. Fold in the green onions and parsley. Serve
at room temperature.

Monday, January 29, 2007

Cheesy Enchiladas

I made these a few weeks ago (I made them non-veg with some leftover sliced turkey breast), I used regular onions that I had sauteed. I also used the oven method not the microwave.

Cheesy Enchiladas
Prep Time: 15 minutes. Total Time: 45 minutes.
Serves: 6
To get dinner on the table more quickly try using your microwave.
Assemble enchiladas as directed in microwave-safe dish. Microwave on HIGH 12 to 14 minutes or until thoroughly heated, turning dish after 6 minutes.

Ingredients
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Fat Free Cream Cheese, softened
1 pkg. (8 oz.) KRAFT FREE Shredded Non-Fat Cheddar Cheese, divided
1/4 cup sliced green onions
6 flour tortillas (6 inch)
1 cup TACO BELL HOME ORIGINALS Thick 'N Chunky Salsa

Preparation

1. BEAT cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add 1 cup of the cheddar cheese and onions; mix until blended.
2. SPREAD 1/4 cup cheese mixture down center of each tortilla; roll up. Place, seam-side down, in 11x7-inch baking dish. Pour salsa over tortillas. Sprinkle with remaining cheddar cheese; cover.
3. BAKE at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Cottage Cheese Pancakes

This is a recipe I got from My Grandma. The kids love it & I get to be sneaky adding protien to something traditionally carb ladden!!!

Cottage Cheese Pancakes

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups cottage cheese (large curd)
6 eggs
1 cup flour
8 Tbsp melted butter

Whip cottage cheese in KitchenAid or similar mixer. Add the flour and eggs and start the mixer again. With mixer on, add melted butter. This should be a thick batter.

Test a small amount of batter on grill. Add a small amount of flour if it needs thickening.

Cook pancakes until golden, then flip and cook for an additional minute. Do not overcook. These pancakes are moist and should spring back to the touch.

Carnival of the Recipes

Carnival of the Recipes is up at Right Wing Nation

Check it out! This was the comfort food version. Great time of year for comfort food!!!

I think I heard next week is gonna be Mexican, yum!

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Kona Crockpot Chicken

Not sure how long I've had this recipe, but it is yummy!!! I think last time I made it I also added a dash of sesame oil, just because I have it.


Kona Crockpot Chicken
3 pounds chicken parts
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup green onion, chopped
1/2 cup honey

Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper and place in crockpot.
Combine water, soy sauce, and chopped onion and pour over
chicken. Cover and cook on low 3-4 hours or until chicken is
tender. Remove chicken from pot. Arrange on broiler pan and brush
honey on chicken. Broil until golden brown, brushing with honey
several times.

Friday, January 26, 2007

Paczki

Given that it is "that" time of year (almost Mardi Gras)... Our local grocery stores started carrying these this week. I haven't made them myself yet, but I think this is going to be our weekend activity. I'm not sure where I got the recipe from but there is a cookbook source at the end.

Found a webpage to explain, if ya don't know what a paczki is! All about Polish Paczki

Paczki
4 (1/4 ounce) packages active dry yeast (4 tablespoons)
1/3 cup warm water (110 degrees F.)
2 tablespoons plus 1 cup granulated sugar
6 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups milk, warmed
12 egg yolks
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter, melted, cooled
1/2 cup margarine, melted, cooled
2 tablespoons Polish spirits or rum
About 3/4 cup thick cherry jam or other favorite jam
Vegetable oil
Powdered sugar

Grease 3 baking sheets. in a medium bowl dissolve yeast in water. Stir in 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1/4 cup flour. Blend in milk until smooth. Let stand until foamy, 5 to 10 minutes.

In a large bowl beat egg yolks, 1 cup granulated sugar, salt and vanilla until pale and creamy. Add yeast mixture, melted butter and margarine, 3 cups flour and spirits (strong vodka will work too) or rum. Work mixture into a soft dough, adding flour as needed. Turn out dough on a
lightly floured surface. Clean and grease bowl.

Knead dough 8 to 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic, working in additional flour as needed. Place dough in greased bowl, turning to coat all sides. Cover and let rise in a warm plac e, free from drafts, until doubled in bulk, about 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

On flat surface, roll out about 1 cup raised dough until 1/4 inch thick. Keep remaining dough covered to prevent drying. Using a 2 1/2-inch round cutter, cut out dough. Place 1/2 teaspo on jam on 1 dough round. Lightly place another dough round directly on top of the first, covering
the jam. Using your fingers, crimp dough edges together tightly to prevent halves from separating during frying.

Place filled doughnut on a flat working su rface. Using a 2 1/4-inch round cutter, press over doughnut so crimped rough edge gets trimmed smooth and round. Place filled doughnut on a lightly greased baking sheet.

Repeat process with remaining dough and jam until all baking sheets are filled, bei ng careful to leave enough room between each doughnut for spreading when dough rises.

Cover each baking sheet of doughnuts with a clean cloth. Let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.

Pour oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to a depth of about 5 inches. Heat to 360 degrees F or until a 1-inch bread cube turns golden brown in 60 seconds. (check the temperature of oil with a slice of potato).

Add doughnut without crowding, (so they have room to swim in the oil), raised or top-side down, so bottom will round out during cooking. Fry 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown. Turn and fry other side about 3 minutes or until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels. Dust
paczki with powdered sugar. Makes 50 to 60 doughuts.

Tip: can add raw potato slices to help cool down the oil when it gets too hot!

Recipe from: "Polish Cooking," by Marianna Olszewska, (The Berkley Publishing Group, 1991).

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

I made this for Christmas Eve (my birthday cake) I don't use the walnuts or a specific cake mix, I do use whole cherries, it was icky enough pulling the stems off!


Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Topping
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 can (20 ounces) pineapple slices, in natural juice
Maraschino cherries, halved and drained
Walnut halves
Cake
1 package Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Yellow Cake Mix
1 package (4-serving size) vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix
4 eggs
1 cup water or drained pineapple juice
1/2 cup oil

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. For topping, melt butter in 13x9x2 inch pan in oven. Remove from oven. Stir in brown sugar. Spread to cover bottom of pan. Arrange pineapple slices, maraschino cherries (place upside down in center of pineapple slices) and walnut halves in pan. Set aside.

3. For cake, combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water and oil in large mixing bowl. Beat at medium speed with electric mixer for 2 minutes. Pour batter evenly over fruit in pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Invert onto serving plate.

Apple Slab cake

I got this from a yahoo recipe group years ago. I think I have only made it once, but it was yummy, more like a really big flat pie than a cake though. I don't think I used the number of apples (just because I am lazy & don't have an apple peeler yet!) It WAS worth the effort.

JUDY'S APPLE SLAB CAKE (R-USA)
Recipe by Joan E. Bergner, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
3 cups flour
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 cups sugar -- (up to 2)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup solid vegetable shortening
2 egg yolks
8 tablespoons water
6 teaspoons warm water
14 medium tart apples, pared and sliced (up to 16)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon butter
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 cups powdered sugar
To make crust:
Combine 3 cups flour, salt, 3 tablespoons sugar and baking powder in bowl. Cut in shortening using pastry blender or two knives. In separate bowl, mix egg yolks and 8 tablespoons water. Add to flour mixture. Mix well until dough forms a ball. Separate into 2 balls. Roll one ball to cover width and length of jellyroll pan. Press onto bottom and up sides of lightly greased pan.
To make apple filling: Arrange apple slices over crust. Combine remaining 2 tablespoons flour, remaining 1 1/2 to 2 cups sugar and the cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture over apples. Dot with 2 tablespoons butter and sprinkle with lemon juice. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Roll out second ball of dough to make top crust. Place over fruit and pinch edges to seal. Bake 1 hour or until crust is light golden brown. When pie is done, remove from oven and cool completely on wire rack. Make glaze by blending powdered sugar with remaining 1 teaspoon butter. Slowly add remaining 6 teaspoons warm water and mix until smooth. Top cooled pie with glaze. Makes 15 to 20 servings.


Joan E. Bergner, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, sent this recipe for apple cake as requested by Dorothy Mankiewicz, Milwaukee. She wrote: "Enclosed is an old family recipe for Apple Slab Cake of my grandmother's, given to me by my aunt. Dorothy Mankiewicz said her mother's cake was filled with applesauce and that might have been so, but the apples in my recipe cook down to an applesauce consistency, so I think this one is comparable to hers. "This is a large cake and takes some time to prepare, but well worth the time and effort. It is enjoyed in our family by three generations." Although this dessert is called a cake, the consistency is more similar to that of a pie.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Homemade "Cracker Jacks"

These are one of my biggest weaknesses, therefore I don't make them often!

HOMEMADE CRACKER JACKS

Have ready 5 quarts of popcorn and 1 cup of peanuts in a very large baking pan. For convenience I use the insert for my electric roasting pan, it is large, deep & fits in my oven.

SYRUP:

2 c. brown sugar
1 c. butter, 2 sticks
1/2 c. dark corn syrup
1 tsp. salt

Boil 5 minutes, stir in 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, mixture will foam.
Pour syrup over popcorn mix and bake in 250 degree oven for 1 hour every 15
minutes cool and store in covered contained.

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Blog Thing Fun -

Your Birthdate: December 24
You understand people well and are a natural born therapist.A peacemaker, people always seem to get along when you are around.You tend to be a father or mother figure to friends, even to those older than you.You enjoy your role, and you find that you are close to many people.
Your strength: Your devotion
Your weakness: Reliance on others for happiness
Your power color: Lilac
Your power symbol: Heart
Your power month: June

Blackend Walleye

I am not sure where I got the recipe, but I have a collection, since my brother in an avid fisher & we always find ourselves overstocked with fish!

Blackened Walleye

Be careful with the cayenne or you will have a super spicy piece of fish.

Fire up your grill.

Dip thawed fillets in melted butter (add a little lemon juice) or if you want your fish to be fat free substitute white wine.

Place the fillets on the grill and season them with cayenne pepper, black pepper, garlic powder, and salt.

Put the lid back on your grill.

After 5 minutes (approx. for a fillet from a 2-3 lb. walleye) remove the lid and loosen the fillets from the grill surface, DO NOT FLIP OR TURN THE FILLETS.

Baste the fillets with butter or wine and re-season if necessary. Put the lid back on the grill.

Wait another 5 minutes and your fillets should be ready. They are ready when the thickest part of the fillet is white and will flake off.

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Wild Mushroom Lasagne

Wild Mushroom Lasagne

I can't believe I found this recipe!!! Dh made this back in 1999 when we got our issue of Gourmet magazine. Of course back then we couldn't find dried porchini mushrooms, I think we used a chopped portobello. We also didn't have sherry, so we used red wine.

Bacon and Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

I haven't tried this one yet, but it sounds delish. Can't go wrong with pork fat right???

BACON AND CREAM CHEESE STUFFED MUSHROOMS

Ingredients:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
4-6 strips of bacon, fried and crumbled; reserve fat
1 small onion, finely chopped
20-25 large mushrooms, stems removed
about 8 mushroom stems, finely chopped

Saute onion and mushroom stems in bacon fat until tender. Drain off excess fat. Mix crumbled bacon, onion and stems with softened cream cheese until the mixture is workable.Stuff each mushroom and bake at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes. Finish under the broiler just until tops are golden.

Lobster Fondue

Red Lobster's® Lobster Fondue
Serves : 8 Prep. Time : 0:15
16 oz. Velvita® - cubed, low fat okay
1/2 cup milk - low fat okay
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. paprika
1 lobster tail - broiled or 1/4 Lb. crawfish tail meat - broiled
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
2 Tbsp. fresh parsley - minced

Combine all ingredients except red pepper and parsley in a saucepan. Heat on medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until cheese has melted. When ready to serve, garnish with red bell pepper and parsley.

NOTES : Dip torn pieces of French or Italian bread in fondue.

I served this in a small bread bowl & kept the extras in a crockpot. I also used the "Fake" lobster for this, it was good, but I'm sure the real stuff is better.

Strawberry Grand Marnier Cheesecake Dip

I think this is going on my Valentine's Day Menu! Adults only...

Strawberry Grand Marnier Cheesecake Dip
1/2 c Strawberries; Crushed
1/4 c Walnuts; Finely Chopped
1/4 c Dark Brown Sugar
1/3 c Grand Marnier Liqueur
1 c Cream Cheese; Softened
1 c Sour Cream

Reserve 1 tablespoon each of the strawberries and walnuts for the garnish.
In a small bowl, mix the strawberries, brown sugar and liqueur. Set aside. Blend the cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Add the strawberry mixture, blending well. Fold in the walnuts. Mound the reserved strawberries in the center and ring with the reserved walnuts. Cover and chill. Makes about 3 1/2 cups of dip. SUGGESTED DIPPERS: Chocolate Wafers Or Crackers, Graham Crackers, Chocolate Chunks, Ladyfingers, Bananas

Buttery Rolls - Bread Machine

I am in the mood to use the bread machine, too bad it's broken. It only took me 3 years to wear it out, it was a Chritsmas gift, so not the top of the line.

I love this recipe for rolls. I have made it several times. I may give the machine a try & see if it will work with this dough (it really doesn't like the potato bread mix I usually make: found at The Frugal Momma)

Buttery Rolls
Recipe Source: Quick Cooing, Debbie Leonard, OR
Yield: 24 rolls
1 C warm water (80 degrees)
1/2 C butter (Margarine) softened
1/4 C sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 Tsp salt
4 C bread flour
2 1/4 Tsp Active Dry Yeast

Place ingredients in bread machine pan in order given by manufacturer. Select dough setting.Check dough 5 minutes after mixing; add 1-2 Tbs water or flour if needed. When cycle is completed, turn dough out on lightly floured surface. Divide into 24 portions; shape into balls. Place on a greased 13x9x2 baking pan. Cover & let rise in a warm place for 15 minutes. Bake at 375 for 13-16 minutes or until golden.

*It is not recommended to use the delay feature with this recipe, because of the eggs.

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Crockpot Apple Pie

Crock pot Apple Pie
8 apples -- tart, peeled and sliced
1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 cup skim milk
2 tablespoons margarine/butter
3/4 cup sugar substitute (or 1 1/2 cups sugar)
1/2 cup egg substitute
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cup Reduced Fat biscuit baking mix, divided
1/3 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons cold butter

Toss apples in large bowl with cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. Place in lightly greased crock pot. Combine milk, softened butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and 1/2 c biscuit mix. Spoon over apples. Combine the 1 cup biscuit mix and brown sugar. Cut the cold butter into mixture until crumbly. Sprinkle this mixture over top of apple mixture. Cover and cook on low 6-7 hours or until apples are soft.

Friday, January 19, 2007

Carnival of the Recipes #125 is up

New Hampshire State of Mind is host to the 125th Carnival of the recipes.

Diabetic Recipes is hosting #126, diabetic recipes will be featured.

My Rice Crisp Treats

These are our favorite snack. Sometimes I will add a couple tablespoons of peanut butter.

My Rice Crisp Treats

1/4 c butter
1 bag of mini marshmallows
about 5 cups of crisp rice cereal
1 cup of semi sweet chocolate chips

Grease a 9x13 pan (I use a small jelly roll pan). Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, add marshmallows & stir until melted. Remove from heat and add the cereal & chocolate chips, fold together. Grease your hand & press the mixture into the pan. Let sit for an hour or so until everything is set

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Pillsbury Bake off

http://food.yahoo.com/pillsbury-bakeoff

Have a good recipe that uses a Pillsbury product? Always wanted to give contest cooking a try? Think you could be the next Iron Chef? Could you use an extra $1,000,000??

Why not check out the 43rd Pillsbury Bake-off. Entries are due 4/22/07!

Ready. Set. Bake!

Chocolate Pecan Pie

Chocolate Pecan Pie


Ingredients:

1 cup light corn syrup
3 eggs
1/3 cup of butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar
1 dash vanilla
1 dash salt
2 cups pecans, broken
1 pie shell., uncooked
5 ounces of milk chocolate

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the corn syrup, eggs and melted butter and whisk
briskly. Add the brown sugar and mix well. Add the vanilla, salt and
pecans. Incorporate.

Pour the mixture into the pie shell and drop in the
chocolate pieces. Wrap the edge of the pie with foil to help keep the
crust from over browning and drying out. Place the pie on a
small sheet pan and put it into the hot oven for about one
hour, until the center is set and the pie is golden brown.

Best served at room temperature or warmed slightly in the
microwave oven with vanilla ice cream on the side

Monday, January 15, 2007

Dandy Cake

I got an email today form Hershey's, this recipe sounded so good I printed it out (that is a rare thing!)Dandy Cake - Hershey's

I am going to try it tonight, I should have all ingredients on hand, as they are basic pantry supplies...

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Blogging Chicks!




Click here to join


I just joined Blogging Chicks!!!

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Quick Applesauce Crisp

Quick Applesauce Crisp
Servings: 4

2 cups applesauce
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup raisins
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup Bisquick baking mix
1/3 cup sugar
3 tablespoons firm margarine
1/4 cup chopped nuts

Oven to 375 degrees. Mix applesauce, brown sugar, raisins and cinnamon
in ungreased round pan, 9x1 1/2". Heat in oven for 15 min. Mix baking
mix, sugar and margarine until crumbly; stir in nuts. Sprinkle evenly
over applesauce mixture. Bake until golden brown, about 25 min.

Thursday, January 11, 2007

My Kraft Food & Family came today!!!

WoooHooo!

I have looked forward to its arrival every season for a few years now. I just like how they tend to keep things real & simple. I may like to eat brie & fruit with escargot but it isn't exactly on the regular menu around here!!! So simple meals with real food, that usually the kids don't look at it & go "No, this is yucky for me" (DD3) or "Do I have to eat THIS?" DS7.

SO I'm sure I'll post at least one good recipe out of this one.

If you can't wait for me go to http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/FoodandFamily & check it out for yourself. BTW, the subscription is FREE!!!

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

No Bake Oatmeal cookies




It has been a while since I've made these, but I think I will today. It is a good day for it, cold outside, the mood is right, I have all the ingredients & the kitchen is too clean...

No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

1 3/4 c. sugar
4 Tbsp. cocoa powder
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. butter or margarine
1/2 c. peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
3 c. uncooked rolled oats
1 tsp. vanilla

Put 2 cups of sugar in a boiler; add 2 tablespoons of
cocoa. Stir. Add 1/2 cup of milk. Add 1/2 cup of butter or margarine.
Stir. Put the boiler on the stove. Turn heat to low; cook until it
starts to boil. Stir as it cooks. Boil about 2 minutes; remove from
stove. Add 1/3 cup of peant butter; add 2 cups of rolled oats.
Stir until well mixed. Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla; let cool. Drop on
plate by spoon and refrigerate.

Makes 3 to 4 dozen cookies.

Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Carnival of the recipes #124

Carnival of the recipes #124 is up over at Elementary Chef

Oven French Toast/Caramel

I am using one of my smaller jellyroll pans (bigger than a 9x13)

Oven French Toast/Caramel
1 loaf French bread -- sliced thick
1/2 c. oleo or butter
2/3 c. brown sugar
cinnamon
3 eggs
1 c. milk
1/4 tsp. salt

Melt oleo in 9 x 13-inch pan. Sprinkle brown sugar over oleo, then sprinkle with cinnamon. Beat eggs in bowl; add milk and salt. Dip bread in egg mixture; place on top of sugar and oleo mixture in pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. No need to turn while baking. Serve on platter with caramel side up.

Hamburger Pie

Made this last night with some minor changes, I have made the recipe as is with great results as well. Last night I forgot the ketchup, so oops, didn't have cream of celery soup (so I used cream corn & frozen peas) I also didn't use biscuits beacuse I had bought rolls from the day old rack at the grocery store...so I guess I shoud create that recipe, cuz it's nothing like this one at all!!!

Hamburger Pie
Ingredients:
2 pounds lean ground chuck
1 yellow onion, peeled and diced
1 package cream cheese, softened
2 (15 ounce) cans mixed vegetables
1 (10.75 ounce) can cream of celery soup
1/2 cup ketchup
1 c shredded cheddar
1 (8 count) can refrigerated biscuit dough

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Crumble ground chuck into a large skillet and saute over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add onion, and saute until meat is no longer pink and onion is beginning to brown. Drain grease. In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese, cream of celery soup, vegetables, ketchup, and 3/4 c of cheddar. Add hamburger and stir until ingredients are thoroughly combined. Spread mixture evenly into a large casserole dish. Place biscuit dough on top, allowing room for biscuits to spread without touching. Sprinkle with rest of cheese. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, until biscuits are browned and fluffy. Makes 8 servings

Sunday, January 7, 2007

Sweet Corn Bread

This is a tried & true recipe for us. We have made it a bunch (in fact the first time I made it as a side dish to the honey-cumin pork loin with carmelized onions I have already posted). This was one of the few things I liked to eat at Chi-Chi's, the other was the seafood enchiladas, yum. I usually don't have heavy cream on hand, so I rarely use it, I have used milk or evaporated milk, with little difference.

Chi Chi's Sweet Corn Cake

Makes 8-10 servings.
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup masa harina (found in organic food section)
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups frozen corn, thawed
1/4 cup cornmeal
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

To make cake: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In mixing bowl, blend butter until creamy. Add masa harina and water. Beat until well combined. Put defrosted corn into blender or food processor. Chop coarsely on low speed, using short pulses. (Note: Leave several whole kernels of corn in processing.) Mix chopped corn into butter and masa harina mixture. Add
cornmeal. Combine. In separate bowl, combine sugar, cream, salt and baking powder. Stir to combine. Pour sugar mixture into corn mixture. Stir together by hand. To bake cake: Pour batter into ungreased 8-by-8-inch baking pan. Smooth surface with spatula. Cover pan with aluminum foil. Place pan into 13-by-9-inch pan filled one-third full with hot water. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until corn cake is cooked through. Remove from oven. Remove small pan from larger pan. Let sit for at least 10 minutes. To serve, scoop out each portion with ice cream scoop or rounded spoon.

Saturday, January 6, 2007

Profile Directory

Daniel Thompson has set up a profile directory so if you are a blogger like me, pop on over & comment that you'd like yours added! I found it through the Bestest Blog of All Time. Thanks!

Friday, January 5, 2007

Dump Cake

I made this using some leftover blueberry ice cream sundae topping (we have an ice cream shop, shouldn't keep it till next year, oh darn we had to eat it!) The topping had a nice spicy element (like cinnamon-y) so it made this delicious!!! I used yellow cake mix, butter & chopped pecans. I will make this again. Even if I have to go buy the pie filling :-)

DUMP CAKE

1 (20 oz) can cherry, strawberry or blueberry pie filling
1 (16 oz) can crushed pineapple, *UN DRAINED* in juice not syrup
1 box of white or yellow cake mix*
1 cup margarine/butter
1/2 cup nuts *

Spread pie filling over the bottom of an greased baking dish, approximately 9 x 13 inches. Then, spread a can of crushed undrained pineapple over the pie filling. Pour on dry cake mix & break
up large lumps. Scatter nuts over top. Melt butter & pour over cake mix, be sure to cover all the dry mix and nuts. DO NOT mix this all together, just layer it! Bake for 30-45 minutes, until golden brown, at 350 degrees.

Serve warm, works great with vanilla ice cream.

Tuesday, January 2, 2007

Carnival of the recipes Dec 2006

Check out the last Carnival of 2006, there were some yummy posts there!!!

Carnival of the Recipes Say Goodbye to 2006

I can't wait for a reason to try the pretzel stuffing over at STuff You Oughta Know: Holiday Cookin'

Not sure I'll be trying the venison confit, but it sounds delish! Techno Gypsy

Nifty Kitchen Gadgets

Nifty things on the web that belong or are already in my kitchen!!

Thrifty Mommy Has a review of the William Bounds Sili Gourmet Sling. This looks like a must have for those of us who have to cook mosterous birds & hams this time of year... (last Turkey I cooked was 22 pounds, wonder how this would hold up???)


Cuisipro Accutec Grater/Zester is one that I am itching to get. I just found a source for whole nutmeg, now I need a grater for it....

I am not sure how I manage to get buy with out the KitchenAid Box Grater I have a grater, but it is only a flat one, ouch! Bonus, this has a storage container for the stuff you grate!

I have one of these KitchenAid Rotary Grater. I know I can't live with out it. I have used it for cheese, nuts, chocolate...

OXO Good Grips 26981 Potato Ricer is on my wishlist. While I like lumpy mashed potatoes, not everyone cares for them. This item makes them smooth & yummy!

I have this Mandolin Kitchen Slicer but I want this MIU France Stainless Steel Professional Mandoline Slicer The plastic of the sunbeam just makes it harder to work with, don't ask me why, I just don't like it. The blades are harder to figure out, I kept putting them in upside down. Which really messes up the uniformity. And forget a waffle fry with it, I think I shredded a pound before I gave up...

Garlic-Cheese Biscuits

I love these biscuits! I make my own baking mix (bisquick) so I have it on hand.

Red Lobster Like Garlic-Cheese Biscuits

Ingredients:
1 cup + 2 tbsp. Bisquick mix
2/3 cup milk
2/3 cup shredded sharp cheese
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp. dry parsley flakes

How to Prepare: Mix Bisquick dough according to directions, add rest of ingredients. Drop by medium sized ice cream scoop onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 13-15 min. Makes 5 or 6 biscuits.

Cheddar Fondue

I haven't made this yet, I have made a similar dip that was all crockpot. This sounds fantastic & I can't wait to give it a try!

Cheddar Fondue
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt -- optional
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 cups skim milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
bread cubes, ham cubes, bite-size sausage, broccoli, mushrooms

In a saucepan, melt butter; stir in flour, salt if desired, pepper, mustard andWorcestershire sauce until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat. Add the cheese; cook andstir until melted. Transfer to a fondue pot or slow cooker; keep warm. Serve with bread, ham, sausage and/or broccoli.

Baked Egg Rolls



BAKED EGG ROLLS
1 bag coleslaw mix (produce section, bags)
1/2 cup chopped water chestnuts
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 garlic clove, minced
2 cups finely diced cooked chicken (sausage, mushrooms for vegetarian)
4 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon brown sugar
Pinch cayenne pepper
16 egg roll wrappers

Coat a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray; add the first six ingredients. Cook and stir over medium heat until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Add chicken; heat through. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch, water, soy sauce, oil, brown sugar and cayenne until smooth; stir into chicken mixture. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes; remove from the heat. Spoon 1/4 cup of chicken mixture on the bottom third of one egg roll wrapper; fold sides toward center and roll tightly. Place seam side down on a baking sheet coated with nonstick cooking spray. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling. Spray tops of egg rolls with nonstick cooking spray. Bake at 425 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Yield: 8 servings.


* Fill egg roll wrappers one at a time, keeping the others covered until ready to use.

Crab Rangoon

This is quickly becoming my signature appetizer! I serve these with duck sauce for dipping.

Crab Rangoon

2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup chopped, imitation crabmeat
2 to 3 green onions, chopped
1 tsp sesame oil
1 teaspoon sugar
1 package wonton wrappers
Oil for frying

Combine the cream cheese, crabmeat, green onions and sugar. Mix well.
Put about 2 teaspoons of filling in the center of each wonton wrapper. Bring up all four corners, twist and pinch to seal.

Deep fry in hot oil until golden brown. Remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Cashew Chicken

I made this a couple months ago. I had chicken halves, precooked & cubed. I used powdered ginger & left out the bamboo shoots & peas. I substituted frozen broccoli. It was easy & tasted great. This is one of my favorite takeout dishes, I found this to be a suitable replacement (& cheaper!)

Cashew Chicken
6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1"strips
4-5 mushrooms, sliced
3 green onions, sliced into 1/2" pieces
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tsp grated ginger root
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 (8 oz) can sliced bamboo shoots, drained
1/2 cup cashews, toasted
1/2 cup Chinese pea pods
2 tbs cornstarch
3 tbs water
Cooked rice

Place chicken and mushrooms in a slow cooker. Add green onions, soy sauce, ginger, broth, salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low about 4 hours. Add bamboo shoots, cashews and pea pods. Turn control to HIGH. In a small bowl, dissolve cornstarch in water. Stir into chicken mixture in cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH 20-30 minutes or until thickened, stirring at least once. Serve over cooked rice.

Monday, January 1, 2007

Happy New Year!

Hope everyone had a festive evening! I wish I could say I did, but at least the kiddos were at a sleepover with the Granny!!!

I'll post some recipes tomorrow! I've been reading magazines & food emails all day.