Saturday, March 23, 2024

Lime Blender Salad

 Janet sent me this recipe to make for our sibling reunion to celebrate Dad's 100th birthday next week.  

Lime Blender Salad
1 - 6 oz. Lime Jello
1/4 c. sugar
2 c. boiling water
8 oz. cream cheese
2 c. ice cubes
Pour Jello and sugar into blender, add boiling water and blend for 1-2 minutes.  Add cream cheese and blend until all flecks of cream cheese disappear.  Add ice cubes and blend until completely melted.  Pour into a bowl or individual serving dishes.  Chill for at least 1 hour.  

Strawberry Bundt Cake

 I have been working on this recipe for some time now.  I finally have it perfected and I love it.  Parker wanted pink cake for her birthday.  This one fit the bill.  She ate 3 pieces....I think she loves it too!!

Strawberry Bundt Cake
1 Strawberry Cake Mix
1 3.4 oz. vanilla instant Pudding
1/2 c . strawberry jam (homemade freezer jam)
4 eggs
1 c. water
1 c. oil 
Place all ingredients in the mixer bowl and beat for 2 minutes.  Pour into sprayed bundt pan.  
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes for regular sized cake or 35 minutes for smaller sized cakes or 25 minutes for minis.  Cool in pan for 15 minutes, run a knife around the edges and dump out onto cake stand or plate.  Drizzle with strawberry glaze.  

Strawberry Glaze
1 1/2 to 2 c. powdered sugar
3 T. strawberry jam
2 T.  milk (more as needed for desired consistency)
Stir together and drizzle over cake.  


March Madness Birthdays......Connor (Mar. 16), Brody (Mar. 20), Tanner (Mar. 20), Lacey (Mar. 22), Parker (Mar. 29) & Seth (Apr.3)


Thursday, February 8, 2024

Apple Surprise Muffins

 The Heart Tea 2024 is coming up on Saturday.  I got a little creative and made my own original muffin recipe.  I made 50 of these and 50 Double Chocolate Z Muffins.  

Apple Surprise Muffins     Makes 48 to 55 medium sized muffins 
1 Spice cake mix
1 1/3 c. flour
2 t. baking powder
2 t. cinnamon
1 1/3 c. water
4 eggs, beaten
1 qt. apple pie filling 
Topping:
1/4 c. flour
1/2 c. old fashioned oats
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/8 t. salt
1/4 c. butter, softened
1/4 c. sliced almonds    

Mix together ½ cake mix, water, flour and baking powder.  Beat in the eggs until well blended.  Drop a medium scoop of  batter into 48 lined muffin cups (I used 3 /12 inch paper liners for a medium sized muffin.  Drop a small scoop of pie mix on top of the batter. 

Place all topping ingredients in mini food processor.  Mix well.  Then sprinkle over the pie filling on the top of each muffin.  

Bake at 350 for 18 to 20 minutes for medium sized muffins.  
For regular sized muffins bake 22 to 25 minutes.  




Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Best of 2023

 Best of 2023---Before January 2024 ends!!!

Buttermilk Brownies

2 c. flour
2 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. shortening
1 c. water
1/4 c. cocoa
1/2 c. buttermilk or 1/2 c. milk with 2 t. vinegar or lemon juice (Let sit 5 minutes) 
2 eggs
1 t. baking soda
1 t. vanilla
In mixing bowl combine the flour and sugar and set aside.
Combine in a saucepan, butter, shortening, water and cocoa.  Stir and heat to boiling.  Pour over the dry flour and sugar mixture and stir.  Add the buttermilk, eggs, baking soda and vanilla.  Stir or beat well.  
Pour into a greased cookie sheet (18x11inches).  Bake at 400 for 15 to 18 minutes.  
Frost with Chocolate Frosting while slightly warm. 

Easy Chocolate Frosting
6 T. butter
1/2 c. chocolate chips
1/4 c. milk
2 c. powdered sugar
Combine butter, chocolate chips and milk in a bowl. Microwave for 40 to 60 seconds. Beat in powdered sugar.  Spread frosting over warm brownies. Let cool to set.

I used to have a great stroganoff recipe that hasn't resurfaced since our fire.  I wanted an Instant Pot version so I tried to remember what was in my old favorite recipe and came up with this.....

Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff

1/2 c. water
1 lb. hamburger
1 c. diced onion
2 t. granulated garlic or 2 minced garlic cloves
2 t. season salt
1/2 t. pepper
10.5 oz. cream of mushroom soup
4 to 6 c. beef broth or water
1 T. worchestershire sauce
1 T. beef bouillon
1 T. parsley flakes
6 to 8 c. egg noodles
1 1/2 to 2 c. sour cream 
Press Saute and add 1/2 c. water and hamburger and cooked until browned.  
Add onion, garlic and seasonings and saute a few minutes more.  
Add soup, broth, worchestershire sauce, bouillon, parsley and noodles.  Make sure all the noodles are covered with liquid, if they aren't add some more.  
Press cancel to turn off Saute and then press manual and set for 4 minutes.  Do a quick release.  Stir in the sour cream and serve.  If it is too liquidy, return to saute for a few minutes until it thickens up. 


I combined a few recipes and came up with this recipe at Brody's request.  
Oreo Pizza
Cookie layer
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1 1/4 c. flour
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 c. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Beat together butter, brown sugar and sugar.  
Beat in eggs and vanilla.
Beat in the dry ingredients.  
Stir in the chocolate chips.
Press onto a sprayed pizza pan.  Bake at 350 for 10 to 12  minutes.  Cool.
Cream Cheese Frosting 
1/4 c. butter, softened
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 to 2 c. powdered sugar
2 T. water 
1 t. vanilla
1/4 t. salt
12 to 15 Oreo Cookies, crushed
Beat together all the ingredients except the crushed cookies.  Add more water or powdered sugar as needed for desired consistency.  Spread over cooled cookie layer.  Sprinkle with crushed Oreo Cookies.  Add a few broken pieces of Oreo Cookies if desired for contrast.  

Cheddar Potato Chowder

 One of my favorite recipes I served at AP Camp and YW Zion's Camp.  The kids loved it!!  Only this is a family sized version.  

Cheddar Potato Chowder     (10 servings)
Place in a large stockpot and boil until tender: DO NOT DRAIN OFF THE LIQUID:
4 c. water
4 c. diced potatoes
2 c. diced carrots
1 c. diced celery
1/2 c. diced onion
2 t. salt
1 t. pepper
1 t. granulated garlic
In a medium sauce pan, heat until thickened:
1/2 c. flour
4 c. milk
Stir often and once thickened add:
4 c. grated cheddar cheese
2 c. diced ham (OPTIONAL) 
Pour over the vegetable mixture.  Season to taste with more salt, pepper, garlic and 1 T. parsley.  Stir and serve.  

Sunday, January 28, 2024

Pull Apart Pizza

 I adapted this recipe from a ready made dough recipe.

Pull Apart Pizza 
Pizza Dough in the bread machine
1 1/2 c. warm  water
3 T. oil
4 c. bread flour
1 1/3 t. sugar
1 1/3 t. salt
1 T. + 1 t. yeast
Optional but I like to add:
1 t. granulated garlic 
1/2 t. granulated onion
2 t. Italian Seasoning
Place ingredients in bread machine in the order listed.  Push the dough button.  This makes 2 pounds of dough.  Once dough is ready roll out to 1 inch thickness and cut dough into 1 inch cubes.  Set aside.

Mix together in a large mixing bowl.  
1/2 c. melted butter
1 t. granulated garlic
1 T. oregano
1 c. chopped Canadian bacon or pepperoni or both
1 1/2 c. Mozzarella cheese
Stir well and then add in the 1 inch dough pieces.  Stir and dump into 2 sprayed spring form pans.  Hollow out the center and place a ramekin upside down in the center.  Bake at 425 for 20 minutes.  Remove spring form pan.  Fill ramekin with either marinara sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.  Serve hot.  Enough dough to fill 2 spring form pans.  (well sprayed bundt pans work too)

If you don't want to make pull apart pizza this is my favorite pizza dough for pizza too.  This makes 2 large pizzas on my round baking stones.  Bake at 425 for 7 minutes.  Add sauce and topping and bake 10 to 12 minutes more.  

If you want a smaller amount of dough.
1 1/8 c. warm water
2 T. oil
3 c. bread flour
1 t. sugar
1 t. salt
1 T. yeast
Optional:
1 t. granulated garlic
1/2 t. granulated onion
1 t. Italian Seasoning
Makes 2 medium pizzas.  Pat out onto pans and bake at 425 for 7 minutes. 
Add Sauce and toppings of choice
Bake 10 to 12 minutes more.  


Friday, January 26, 2024

Kasey's Chili

 Kasey's version of Gramps's Chili.  

Kasey's Chili
Place in instant pot:
3 c. dried pinto beans
4 c. water
1 c. diced onion
Cook on high pressure for 60 minutes.  
Rinse beans well.  Add to the meat sauce.

While the beans cook.  Make the meat sauce.  
In a large stock pot, brown.
1 lb. Hamburger
Add:
12 oz. tomato puree
chili brick
2 qt. water (add more as needed)
4 t. beef bouillon
2 T. chili powder
1 T. cumin
1/2 t. cayenne pepper
2 T. garlic powder
Simmer, until beans are cooked and rinsed.  
Stir in the beans and then add:
1 T. salt (*don't add sooner as this stops the cooking of the beans)
2 t. pepper
1 T. Dan-O's Seasoning
1 cube butter
Stir and serve.  

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Apple Cider Syrup and Waffles

 I want to try this recipe that came with my mini waffle maker.  Putting it here for safe keeping.

Apple Cider Syrup
1/2 c. sugar
1 T. cornstarch
1 t. cinnamon
1 c. apple cider
1 t. lemon juice
2 T. butter
Stir together in a saucepan, sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon. 
Stir in the apple cider and lemon juice. 
Cook over medium heat until mixture boils, continue to cook until the syrup thickens.
Remove from heat and stir in the butter.  Best served warm!!  

Cinnamon Waffles
2 c. flour
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 T. cinnamon
4 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1 3/4 c. milk
1/2 c. oil
1 t. vanilla
2 egg whites
Whisk together in mixing bowl:  flour, sugars, cinnamon, baking powder and salt.
Add: milk, oil and vanilla and stir just until combined.
Beat egg whites until foamy in a large mixing bowl until soft peaks form (soft mounds rather than sharp peaks).  
Fold the egg whites into the batter.  
Pour batter into preheated waffle iron.  Cook 4 to 6 minutes.  
Serve with Apple Cider Syrup.

Belgian Waffles
1 1/2 t. yeast
1/4 c. warm milk
3 egg yolks
2 3/4 c. warm milk, divided 
3/4 c. butter, melted and lukewarm
1/2 c. sugar
1 1/2 t. salt
2 t. vanilla
4 c. flour
3 egg whites
In small bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/4 c. warm milk.  Let stand for 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, 1/4 c. warm milk and the melted butter. Stir in the yeast mixture, sugar, salt and vanilla.  Stir in the remaining 2 1/2 c. milk alternately with the flour, ending with the flour.  
Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form; fold into the batter.  Cover bowl with saran and let rise for 1 hour, until doubled.
Pour batter into preheated waffle iron.  Cook 4 to 6 minutes, until golden brown.  

Oatmeal Waffles
1 1/2 c. flour
1 c. quick cooking oats
1 T. baking powder
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. salt
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 1/2 c. milk
6 T. butter, melted
2 T. brown sugar
In large mixing bowl, stir together flour, oats, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.  Set aside.
In small mixing bowl, stir together eggs, milk, butter and brown sugar.  Add to flour mixture and stir.  
Pour into preheated waffle iron.  Cook for 4 to 6 minutes.  Best served with fresh fruit and yogurt.  

Chocolate Waffles
1 c. butter
4 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. cocoa
2 c. flour
1 t. vanilla
1 t. salt
1/2 c. water
In large bowl, beat together all ingredients.  Batter will be lumpy.  
Pour batter onto preheated waffle iron.  Cook 4 to 6 minutes.  Serve with sliced bananas and whipped cream.  

Pumpkin Waffles
2 1/2 c. flour
4 t. baking powder
2 t. cinnamon
1 t. ground allspice
1 t. ground ginger
1/2 t. salt
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 c. canned pumpkin
2 c. milk
4 eggs, separated
1/4 c. butter, melted
Combine in a mixing bowl: flour, baking powder, spices, salt and brown sugar.  
In another mixing bowl stir together the pumpkin, milk and egg yolks.  
Whip the egg whites in another bowl until soft peaks form.
Stir the flour mixture and 1/4 c. melted butter into the pumpkin mixture.
Use a whisk or rubber scraper to fold 1/3 of the egg whites into the batter.  Stir gently.  Fold in the remaining egg whites.  
Pour batter into preheated waffle iron.  Cook 4 to 6 minutes.  
Serve with Apple Cider Syrup.



Corn Dip

 Katie and Frona found this recipe that is delicious when made with frozen, "Kimball Corn".  

Mexican Street Corn Dip
2 T. chili powder
2 t. smoked paprika
1/2-2 t. cayenne pepper, to your taste
2 T. extra virgin olive oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 1/2  c. corn aka: "Kimball corn", divided (1/2 c. grilled, for topping)
2 cloves garlic, chopped
kosher salt and black pepper and chili flakes, to taste
6 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
1/3 c. sour cream
1/4 c. salted butter
1/3 c. olive oil mayo or plain Greek yogurt
2 T. fresh lime juice
3/4 c. crumbled cotija cheese
1/4 c. fresh cilantro, chopped
Mix the spices together and set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 5
minutes. Add 2 c. of the corn, garlic, 1 teaspoon of the spice mix, and season with salt and pepper.
Cook until the corn is softened, about 5 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low. Mix in the cream cheese until melted and creamy. Stir in the sour
cream. Cook until warmed throughout. If desired, thin the dip with milk.
In a separate skillet, melt the butter until golden. Mix in 3 teaspoons of the spice mix, plus a
pinch of chili flakes and salt. Cook another minute, then remove from the heat.
Mix the mayo and lime juice with a pinch of salt.
6. Spoon the dip into a wide serving bowl. Top with grilled corn and drizzle the mayo and
spicy butter over the corn. Sprinkle on the cheese and cilantro. Serve with lots of chips for dipping.  

Carrot Cookies

 Sylvia Carver Hollenback shared this recipe from her Mother's collection.  She made these often, youth from Emmett remember these from her piano recitals and various church activities.  

Carrot Cookies
1 c. shortening (or butter)
2 eggs
3/4 c. sugar 
1 c. mashed cooked carrots
2 c. sifted flour
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
3/4 c. coconut
Mix and drop onto cookie sheet.  Bake at 375 until lightly browned.  

Orange Butter Icing  (1/2 batch is probably enough for the above recipe)
1/3 c. butter or margarine
3 T. orange juice
1 1/2 T. grated orange peel
3 c. sifted powdered sugar
Beat well and spread on cookies.  

Christmas Crack

Harper, brought a plateful of this to our Secret Santa reveal activity day.  It is so good!  I asked her mom, Andrea Thayn for the recipe.

Christmas Crack
10 c. Rice Chex Cereal
9 c. Golden Grahams or S'more Cereal 
2 1/2 c. shredded coconut
1 c. sliced or slivered almonds
1 1/2 c. butter
2 c. sugar
2 c. light corn syrup 
Combine:  cereal, coconut and almonds in a large bowl and stir.
In a large sauce pan, cook butter, sugar and corn syrup to 234 degrees (soft ball stage).
Pour syrup over the cereal mixture and stir until well coated.  Pour onto 2 cookie sheets to cool.  Stir occasionally to prevent clumping.  
Store in an air tight container.


Saturday, November 11, 2023

Hamburger Casserole

Sue Grunig made this for us while fishing at CJ Strike.  

Hamburger Casserole
Brown in a Cast Iron Deep Skillet:
1 lb. hamburger
1 c. chopped onion
Add:
4 c. diced potatoes
1 c. diced peppers (optional)
Salt and pepper
Mix together and pour over the meat mixture:
1 c. milk
2 t. corn starch
Cover and cook for 15 minutes over medium heat.  Top with grated cheese and bake at 350 for 15 to 20 minutes.  

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Flower Preserve

 Flower Preserve
1 t. sugar
1 t. bleach
2 t. lemon or lime juice
1 qt. warm water

Brody's Queso

 Brody came over wanting to make Queso.  We adapted a few recipes and came up with our own using what we had available in the garden.

Brody's Queso
Saute in 2 T. butter:
1/2 c. chopped peppers (jalenpeno, anaheim, bell)
1/4 c. chopped onion
2 cloves, minced garlic
Saute 3 minutes and add:
dash of tumeric & cayenne pepper
1 t. of garlic salt & paprika
1/2 c diced tomatoes
1/2 c. cream cheese
1/2 c. milk
Bring to a boil and stir in:
2 c. grated cheese

Serve warm with chips.  


Pickled Banana Pepper Rings

From the Sew Easy to Preserve Canning Book. Also known as the pepperoncini peppers served at Subway.  

Pickled Yellow (Banana) Pepper Rings
about 3 pounds of yellow Banana Peppers
Sliced into rings using a mandolin
Place peppers in a pint jar and add the following to each jar:
1 t. celery seed
2 t. mustard seed (optional) I did not add
a clove of garlic (optional)
1/4 t. pickle crisp
Make brine and pour over the peppers leaving 1/2 inch headspace.  
10 c. vinegar
2 c. water
3 T. pickling salt
4 T. sugar
Wipe rims of jars and place lids on.  Process 10 minutes in boiling water bath.  
Makes about 10 pints.

Remember to make altitude adjustments.  

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Pie Filling......any fruit works

I found some frozen huckleberries that needed used, so I broke the big canning recipe down to a normal sized batch.  

Pie Filling
2 c. sugar
1 c. water
1/2 t. salt 
1/2 t. nutmeg
1/2 t. cinnamon
Cook the above ingredients in a saucepan until dissolved.  
Add:  8 to 10 c. fruit to mixture.
Mix together and stir into the mixture:  
1/2 c. regular clear jel
1/2 c. water
2 T. lemon juice
Cook stirring ocassionaly, until thickened. It is now ready to use or bottle.  If canning water bath 30 minutes for pints or quarts at 2300 feet above sea level (adjust according to your location).  This will make about 3 quarts of pie filling.


Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Tomatoes and Bread


August 2023 – Gardening Gems Meeting
Karla Kimball – Advanced Master Food Safety Advisor

Bruschetta Dip
 
4 -6 firm tomatoes
1 t. garlic salt
2 T. chopped basil
3 T. grated parmesan
¼ c. chopped red onion
2 T. chopped parsley or 2 t. dried parsley
1 T. olive oil
2 t. balsamic vinegar
 
Dice the tomatoes and toss with the other ingredients.  Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.  Serve on toasted bruschetta bread.


Toasted Bruschetta Bread
1 loaf small round bread (2-3 inches in diameter)
Olive oil
Kosher Salt
Slice the bread into ½ inch slices and place on a cookie sheet.
Brush olive oil on top of the slices and sprinkle with kosher salt.  
Bake at 350 for about 5 minutes, until the top is crispy.
Serve with Bruschetta Dip. 


Tomato Appetizer
Sliced tomato
Sliced fresh mozzarella cheese
Chopped basil
Chopped oregano
Salt & Pepper
Start with a tomato slice and top with the other ingredients in the order listed.  Serve.  


Creamy Tomato Sauce 
4 - 6 large tomatoes, cored
1 small onion, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 T. fresh basil, chopped
1 T. fresh oregano, chopped
1 t. salt
½ t. pepper
8 oz. cream cheese
¼ c. olive oil
 
Place tomatoes in a baking dish with core facing down and skin side up.  Add remaining ingredients and drizzle with the olive oil.  Bake at 400 for 35 to 40 minutes.  Remove from oven and blend with a hand blender or mash and stir with a fork.  
Serve over cooked pasta, rice, shredded chicken, grilled shrimp, steak, or whatever you like.  


Bread Machine Dough
 1 1/3 c. warm water
1 egg
2 T. potato flakes
2 T. dry powdered milk
2 T. coconut oil, or butter, or oil
4 c. flour
¼ c. sugar
1 t. salt 
1 T. yeast
 
Place ingredients into the bread maker pan in the order listed.  Place on dough setting.  When cycle is completed remove dough and shape as desired.  Let rise for 15 to 20 minutes.  Bake at 375 for 15 to 20 minutes.  
Great for making rolls, bread, cinnamon rolls, fruit rolls, etc.  

COOL RISE DOUGH
5 to 6 c. flour (added at various times)
2 T. yeast
½ c. sugar
2/3 c. dry powdered milk
1½ tsp. salt
½ c. oil
1½ c. hottest tap water
2 eggs
2 to 3 T. oil
Place in large mixing bowl in the order listed: 2 c. flour, yeast, sugar, powdered milk, & salt. In a 2 c. measuring cup pour in ½ c. oil and 1½c. of hottest tap water. Add all at once to the dry ingredients and beat until well blended and smooth. Add eggs and 1 c. flour. Mix well. Add2 c. flour and mix well. You may need to add more flour at this point,
¼ c. at a time until you have a soft smooth dough that is not overly sticky. Place in an oiled bowl and cover with a towel. Let rest for 20 to 30 minutes. Punch the dough down and form as desired.  
(You can shape the dough in any roll shape you choose, including; rolls, bread sticks, cinnamon rolls, bread, etc.)  Place on a greased cookie sheet. Makes 24 rolls.
Now you can either; cover the rolls with sprayed saran wrap and place them in the refrigerator to bake within the next 24 hours OR put them in the freezer to use in the next month OR let them rise for
about 20 minutes and bake immediately. 
Bake at 375° for 15 to 17minutes. If you put them in the refrigerator to bake later; when you take them out of the refrigerator, remove the saran wrap, let them sit while the oven preheats, and then bake as directed above. If they were in the freezer thaw and let rise (3 hours on the counter OR 8 hours in the refrigerator) and then bake. This recipe can be made into 3 loaves and frozen to be used as you would any frozen bread dough.

TOMATO BASIL BREAD
1/2 c. warm milk - microwave 30 seconds
1-2 ripe tomatoes, pureed (1/2 c.)  I use 3- 4th of July Tomatoes.....they are small and juicy
1 egg
2 T. oil
1/2 t. salt
1 T. sugar
2 T. fresh basil, minced
1 T. fresh chives, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 t. fresh oregano, minced
3 rounded c. bread flour
1 scant T. yeast
GARLIC CHIVE SPREAD
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 T. fresh chives, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
Place bread ingredients in bread machine pan in order listed.   Check dough after 5 minutes of mixing, add 1 to 2 T. water or flour if needed.  Bake in bread machine or remove dough, form as desired.  Bake in oven at 375 for 20 minutes.  
In bowl, combine spread ingredients. Serve with bread.

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Blueberry Zucchini Bread

 It is zucchini time!!!

Blueberry Zucchini Bread
Place in mixer bowl:
2 1/2 c. sugar
4 eggs
1 1/4 c. oil 
1 T. vanilla
3 1/2 c. flour
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. nutmeg
2 t. cinnamon
Beat until just blended, fold in:  
4 c. grated zucchini
4 c. fresh blueberries
1 1/2 c. chopped nuts, optional 
Pour dough into sprayed loaf pans.  
Makes 4 large loafs or 5 medium loafs.  Bake at 350 for 50 to 60 minutes for large loaf or 40 to 50 minutes for medium loaf.  


Cherry Cookies

 Trying to find ways to use all the cherries from our trees.   This is the first time ever that our cherry trees had a real harvest.  It has been a great harvest!!  





Cherry Cookies
2 c. all purpose flour 
1 pinch salt
1 t. baking powder
½ c. butter (softened)
1 c. sugar
1 large egg
1 t. vanilla
1 t. almond extract
1 c. pitted quartered or halved cherries
 
In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder.
In the mixing bowl beat butter and sugar until creamy approximately 2 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat to combine. Add the flour mixture in 2 parts, beating on low to almost combine, then add the quartered or halved cherries and beat on low to combine, don't over beat.
Cover the bowl and chill 1 hour in the fridge.
Pre-heat oven to 350. Spray a cookie sheet.  Using a medium sized cookie scoop drop cookies onto cookie sheet, approximately 1 inch apart and bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly golden. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate if desired before serving. Enjoy!

NOTES
Store the baked cookies in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days.
They will keep for 1 to 2 months in the freezer.
You can use thawed and drained frozen pitted cherries or the same amount of maraschino cherries, but they will be a lot sweeter so cut back the sugar.

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Kara's Texas Sheet Cake

Kara asked me to make this for her birthday.  This recipe came from Justin's Grandpa, Willie Joe  Thompson.  It is an old recipe and a Hugo family favorite.  Then I realized.....it is the same recipe I got from my roommate at college...and Connie got the same recipe from her sister when she lived in Georgia......the best Texas Sheet Cake recipe ever.  

Kara's Texas Sheet Cake  (the Thompson family calls it, Willie Joe's Chocolate Cake)  
Sift together and set aside.
2 c. sugar
2 c. flour
1 t. baking soda
Bring to boil in saucepan and then add to dry ingredients.
1 c. water
1 cube margarine
1/2 c. cooking oil
4 T. cocoa
Mix and add to Chocolate batter.
1/2 c. buttermilk
2 eggs slightly beaten
1 t. vanilla
Pour into greased and floured oblong pan.  (I used a sprayed cookie sheet)
Bake 20 minutes at 400 degree oven.
When cake is about done mix icing.
Melt and bring to boil in saucepan. 
1 cube margarine
4 T. cocoa
6 T. milk
Add to 1 box of powdered sugar (about 4 1/2 c.)
Add..
1 t. vanilla
1/4 c. chopped nuts (if desired)
Mix well and pour over cake.  Cool cake 5 minutes before icing.  

Karla's Pasta Salad

Karla's Pasta Salad
Small Batch (4 servings)

1 c. macaroni pasta
Cover with water and sprinkle in some granulated garlic.  
Cook in the instant pot for 4 minutes on high with quick release.  Drain and rinse.  Set aside.
Dressing:
Stir together
1/3 c. mayonnaise
1 T. white vinegar
1 t. sugar
1 t. . mustard
1/4 t. granulated garlic
1/4 t. salt
1/8 t. pepper
Vegetables:
1-2 T. snipped chives
1/4 c. diced celery
1/4 c. diced carrots
1/2 c. diced cucumber
Stir together the pasta, dressing and vegetables.  Chill for 2 hours before serving.

Big Batch (12 servings)
3 c. macaroni
Cover with water and sprinkle in some granulated garlic.  
Cook in the instant pot for 4 minutes on high with quick release.  Drain and rinse.  
Dressing:
Stir together.
1 c. mayonnaise
1/4 c. white vinegar
1 T. sugar
1 T. mustard
3/4 t. granulated garlic
3/4 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
Vegetables:
4-6 T. snipped chives
3/4 c. diced celery
3/4 c. diced carrots
1 1/2 c. diced cucumber
Stir together the pasta, dressing and vegetables.  Chill for 2 hours before serving.  





Thursday, May 11, 2023

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bites

Yummy and gluten free!! Fast and easy....stir and drop....no baking!!

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bites
1 c. creamy peanut butter
1/2 c. honey
4 c. quick oats
1/2 t. salt
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 to 1 c. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Mix together in a large bowl;  peanut butter, honey, oats, salt and cinnamon.  Stir in the chocolate chips.  Form into balls with a cookie scoop and drop onto waxed paper.  Serve.  

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Ravioli Lasagna

 A recipe I adapted from the bag of Costco Ravioli.  It lacked flavor and cottage cheese.  You can't have lasagna without cottage cheese.  Cut in half for a regular meal.  This is enough for our sturgeon fishing crew.  


Ravioli Lasagna

28 oz. Ravioli

2 – 3 T. oil

1 - Parmesan and herb packet or dry Bread crumbs and Parmesan mixture

1 lb. Italian Sausage

1 c. chopped onion

60 oz. Spaghetti Sauce

2 t. garlic powder

2 t. onion powder 

2 t. Italian Seasoning

2 t. dried basil

4 c. cottage cheese

4 c. mozzarella cheese

¼ c. Parmesan cheese 

Cook Ravioli by bringing 5 qt. water to a boil.  Add Ravioli and boil gently for 6 to 8 minutes.  Drain.  Toss with oil and herb packet and set aside.  

Brown sausage and onion.  Add spaghetti sauce, and seasonings.  Simmer. Cover the bottom of 12 inch dutch oven with a thin layer of sauce.  

Layer ½ of the ravioli, more sauce, ½ of the mozzarella cheese.  Repeat layers.  

Bake for 45 minutes at 350.  If using briquettes, 10 on the bottom and 18 to 20 on top.  Let rest for 5 to 10 minutes and serve.  

Sides:  French bread, green beans and salad.  


Mug Recipes....

 Did a little Young Men's Activity tonight.  Teaching how to cook on a mission, college or just an everyday snack.  Meals in a Mug.  A great resource for this is Gemma's Bigger Bolder Baking.  She has hundreds of similar recipes 


Mac Cheese in a MUG

 Place in Mug:  (a tall mug is best for this one) 

1/3 c. macaroni

¾ c. water

Microwave for 3 minutes 30 seconds.

Stir.  Cook up to 3 more minutes, until the pasta if fully cooked.

Drain.

 Add:

¼ c. milk

½ t. cornstarch

A couple shakes of Garlic salt

A couple shakes of Ground mustard

1/3 c. grated cheese

Microwave 1 minute.  Stir.  Add Salt & Pepper as needed. Enjoy!

 

  

Chocolate Mug Cake

 Place in Mug:

2 ½ T. flour

2 ½ T. sugar

1 T. cocoa

¼ t. baking powder

Pinch of salt

Stir.

 Add:

2 T. milk

1 t. oil

1 small egg

2 T. chocolate chips

Stir.  Microwave for 1 minute.  Add more time if needed but don’t overcook or your cake will be tough.

 

 Mug Pizza

 Place in mug:

¼ c. flour

1/8 t. baking powder

1/16 t. baking soda

1/8 t. salt

Stir.

 Add:

3 T. milk

1 T. oil

Stir.

 Layer on top of batter:

1 – 2 T. pizza sauce

Pepperoni slices

1 – 2 T. mozzarella cheese

½ t. Italian or Pizza Seasoning

Microwave 1 minute 20 seconds. 

 

 

Chocolate Pudding in a Mug

 Place in mug: (you need a tall mug for this one)

3 T. chocolate ships

1 t. cornstarch

Stir.

 Add:

1/8 t. salt

1 t. vanilla

½ c. milk

Stir well.  Microwave for 1 minute. 

Stir.  Microwave for 30 seconds.  Stir.  If not thick enough continue to microwave for short intervals.  It will boil over so watch closely. 

Stir and serve.  It is best warm!!!

 

 


Lacey Making Teddy Bear Cookies