Speedy Donuts

Today's the day!!!!   I make 4 or 5 batches of these every year for Halloween!!! Zeb holds the record
for eating the most!!! He & Adam are usually my first Trick or Treaters. When Lacey was 1 she called these "Cookie Dough" and they are her all time favorite treat.  I got this recipe from Margaret Vickery years ago.  Hope you enjoy it too!!   HaPpY HallOweeN!!!!
This picture was right side up once.....



SPEEDY DONUTS
1/2 c. warm water, but not too warm
2 T. dry yeast
pinch of sugar
1 c. scalded, milk
1/2 c. shortening
2 eggs
1/4 c. sugar
2 t. salt
4 1/2 c. flour
oil for frying, at least 1" deep
Glaze
3 T. water
2 c. powdered sugar
1/2 to 1 t. vanilla
In 1 cup measure place warm water, yeast and a few grains of sugar. Set aside and allow the yeast to work. Scald the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until the milk starts to bubble around the outer edge next to the pan and a skin starts to form (do not boil). Then remove from heat and add the shortening. Stir until melted. Set aside.  Place in mixing bowl: eggs, sugar, salt, & flour. Pour yeast mixture over and mix slightly. Then add the scalded milk mixture. Beat well until dough is smooth and elastic. (Add more flour only if very sticky) Let dough rise about 30 minutes. Roll out dough about 1/2" to 3/4" thick and cut with doughnut cutter and place on cookie sheet. Allow to rise again (can place in warm oven to speed this up - heat to 200° and then turn oven OFF). Preheat oil in electric frying pan to 375°. Fry doughnuts until golden brown on each side. Place on paper towels on cooling rack to cool. Make glaze by mixing together water, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Add more water or powdered sugar to reach desired consistency - not too thin - not too thick. While still slightly warm glaze the doughnuts on both sides. (I usually use a pastry brush for this) Return to cooling rack until glaze is set. Serve.
These are best when fresh!! Leftovers can be reheated the next day in the microwave for about 10 seconds. Makes about 2 dozen.

Pay Day Bars

An easy No-Bake recipe that tastes just like the PayDay Candy Bar....and I converted it to a microwave recipe.  :)    EaSy....FasT.....and GooD!!!

Pay Day Bars
3 c. salted peanuts, divided (with no skins)
2 1/2 T. butter
2 c. peanut butter chips
14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk  (I think I need to use less - they didn't set up too well and they were a little too sweet - but much better the second day - will do a bit more experimenting)
2 c. miniature marshmallows
kosher or sea salt, optional
Place 1 1/2 c. peanuts on an ungreased 12x9 pan.
Melt butter and peanut butter chips in microwave (until melted) on high for 1 minute, stirring once.  Stir in condensed milk and marshmallows. Microwave 2 minutes, stirring once.  Pour over peanuts in the pan.  Sprinkle remaining peanuts over the top.  If desired sprinkle lightly with salt.  Cover and refrigerate until set up.  Cut into bars and serve.

Sun Dried Tomato Pasta

Sun Dried Tomato Pasta
2 c. (8 oz.) dry penne pasta
1/3 c.sun-dried tomatoes, chopped 
1 can (12 fl. oz.) Evaporated Milk
2 cups grated cheese
1 t. dried basil or 1 T. fresh
1/2 t. garlic powder
1/4 t. ground black pepper
Cook pasta according to package directions, adding sun-dried tomatoes to boiling pasta water for last two minutes of cooking time; drain. 
Combine evaporated milk, cheese, basil, garlic powder and pepper in medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted. Remove from heat and pour over the cooked pasta.  Stir and serve.

Friendship Tea

A couple weeks ago I went to Boise to teach a class and  I had prepared a handout of lots of recipes.  I took a jar of my Friendship Tea along and of course someone wanted the recipe for that and I had not included it in my handout.  Since I did include my blog address I told them they could find it here.  I realized yesterday that it wasn't on here yet.  So here it is:

Friendship Tea
2 c. powdered Tang mix
1/4 c. powdered lemonade mix OR 1 packet of  Koolaid sugar free lemonade
1 c. sugar
1/2 t. cloves, nutmeg. & ginger
1 t. cinnamon
Mix all ingredients together.  Store in air tight container.
To serve; add 2 T. mix to 1 cup hot water.  Microwave 20 to 30 seconds.  Stir and serve.

I didn't have a name for this recipe, but I took a bottle of it to a friend when she was sick.  She said, "What is it?  Friendship Tea?"  So that became it's name.  I often take this to someone who is sick or recovering from surgery.  It is great for sore throats too!  Last weekend Tanner was spending the night and at bedtime he said, "Grandma I have a sore throat".  I asked him if he would like some Friendship Tea?  He agreed with a little bit of hesitation as he has never had it before.  He drank it all down and he was cured!!
It is also great for tea parties or anytime you want something warm inside!!  I keep this on hand at all times!  and I even supply it for my children's families.....maybe they will discover this recipe too someday????

Fresh Apple Salsa

Saving this one here for next year's salsa contest.....for something a little different
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe-Tools/Print/Recipe.aspx?recipeID=88335&origin=detail&servings=6&metric=false

Fresh Apple Salsa
2 apples, diced
4 T. lime juice
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced
1 anaheim pepper, sedded and diced
1/2 onion, finely chopped
2 T. cilantro, chopped
1/2 c. chopped walnuts, lightly toasted
2 T. fresh ginger, peeled & diced
1/4 t. salt
Stir together apples and lime juice.  Add remaining ingredients and stir well.
I think this should be served with fried tortillas sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.

Cheesy Potato Soup in a crock pot

another crock pot favorite...
Cheesy Potato Soup
4 slices bacon
1 1/2 c. chopped onion
5 c. diced potatoes
1/2 c. celery, diced
4 c. chicken broth
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1/2 c. half & half
2 c. cheddar cheese, grated
In 12-inch skillet, cook bacon over medium heat, turning occasionally, until browned and crispy. Remove from skillet, reserving fat in skillet. Drain bacon on paper towel, then refrigerate. In same skillet, cook onion in bacon fat over medium heat 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender.
Spray 3 1/2- to 4-quart crock pot with cooking spray. Mix together in crock pot; onion, potatoes, celery, broth, salt and pepper.
Cover; cook on Low heat setting 6 to 7 hours.
In small bowl, beat flour and half-and-half with wire whisk until well blended; stir into soup. Increase heat setting to High. Cover; cook about 30 minutes longer or until thickened. Stir in cheese until well melted. Crumble bacon; sprinkle over soup.
Makes 6 servings (1 2/3 cups each)

Baked Potato Soup

This one looks yummy.....

Baked Potato Soup
4 baked potatoes
4 slices of bacon
6 c. milk
1/2 c. flour
4 green onions, sliced
1 1/4 c. Cheddar Cheese, grated
3/4 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
8 oz sour cream
Bake potatoes.  Cool slightly.
In same Dutch oven, combine milk and flour; blend well. Cook over medium heat about 15 minutes or until bubbly and thickened, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.Meanwhile, cook diced bacon in Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp. Remove from Dutch oven; drain on paper towels. Set aside.
Cut cooked potatoes in half. Scoop out cooked potato from skins; place in medium bowl. Discard skins. Mash potatoes well.
Add potatoes, bacon, 2 tablespoons of the onions, 1 cup of the cheese, salt and pepper to milk mixture. Cook and stir until cheese is melted. Add sour cream; cook and stir until soup is thoroughly heated.
To serve, spoon soup into individual bowls. Sprinkle each with remaining onions and cheese.
Makes 7 (1 1/2-cup) servings

Crock Pot Banana Bread

http://ldsliving.com/story/68979-easy-slow-cooker-recipes

Brown Sugar Banana Bread - in the crock pot

Makes 1 loaf (8 servings)

· 1¾ cups flour

· 1 teaspoon baking powder

· ½ teaspoon baking soda

· ¼ teaspoon salt

· ¼ cup butter, softened

· ¼ cup sugar

· ½ cup brown sugar

· 1 egg

· cup skim milk

· 3 medium ripe bananas, mashed

· 1 teaspoon vanilla

1. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, beat butter with sugar and brown sugar until creamed. Blend in egg, milk, bananas, and vanilla. 

3. Add dry mixture to wet mixture; beat for 30 seconds.

4. Pour batter into greased bread pan that fits inside slow-cooker.

5. Place a wire rack or balls of crumpled foil in bottom of large slow-cooker. Place pan in slow-cooker.

6. Place a thick paper towel across the top of the slow-cooker and place the lid on top of the paper towel to seal the slow-cooker.

7. Cook on HIGH for 2–3 hours or until toothpick inserted near center of bread comes out clean.

8. Remove bread pan from slow-cooker, let cool, and serve.

Jake's Zucchini Chocolate Cake

Karalee also sent me a copy of Jake's Zucchini Cake recipe, since I didn't have it.  He gave this to her a couple of years ago when she came over to pick some corn from our garden.  She said she uses this recipe all the time.  She served it last week at a Relief Society Luncheon and everyone loved it.

Jakes’s Zucchini Chocolate Cake

From Jake Kimball 12 years old (His winning 4-H entry at the fair)

Beat:

 ¾ c. butter

1 ¾ c. sugar

Add:

¾ c. oil

2 eggs

1 t. vanilla

2 c. grated zucchini

*Set aside zucchini mixture and…

Mix together in a large mixing bowl:

2 ½  c. flour

1 t. soda

5 T. cocoa

½ t. Baking Powder

½ t. cloves

½ t. cinnamon

½ t. salt

Combine:

Zucchini mixture with dry ingredients and add

½ c. Buttermilk

Grease bottom of 9x13 pan and dust lightly with flour.

Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes.

Frosting Idea #1

In a saucepan bring to a boil:

¼ c. butter

2 T. powdered cocoa

3 T. milk

Remove pan from heat and add:

1 ½ c. powdered sugar (approximate)

1 t. vanilla

Beat until smooth.  Add powdered sugar until desired consistency is obtained, if it is too stiff add a very little (2 teaspoons at a time) milk to thin. Frost cake while warm.

Frosting Idea #2

Before baking sprinkle with coconut and chocolate chips.  Remove from oven and serve with warm caramel ice cream topping drizzled on each piece as you serve it.

Buttery Maple Syrup

Last week I at a Whiteley Lunch Karalee shared this recipe with me.  She said it was their favorite recipe from their family reunion this summer.  So easy and so good!!  and you don't need to butter your pancakes or french toast with this.  She told us how they got up there and discovered that they didn't bring any forks.  So for their french toast they cut it into strips and served the syrup in a little container and everyone dipped their strips and ate them and everyone thought it was the coolest thing ever.  Good times!!

Buttery Maple Syrup

From the kitchen of Karalee Dobbs

1 cup butter (2 cubes)

1 cup buttermilk

2 cups sugar

Bring these ingredients to a boil in a DEEP saucepan for 2 minutes.

Remove and add:

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. maple extract

Stir until combined.

Serves 15-20

*  When the soda is added the mixture will foam and expand.  BE SURE TO USE A DEEP ENOUGH POT.    This syrup can be doubled, no problem, but you must increase the size of the pot.  Bubbling over the top of the pot makes a very sticky mess. J

**  This syrup is better served on a heartier pancake….whole wheat, oatmeal, or other grains, as the syrup is so rich.

I made this from a pinterest post I found.....was the same recipe but without the maple extract.  It was yummy too!   

Fresh Apple Salsa

thinking....since I have a ton of peppers maybe I should try this???
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/fresh-apple-salsa/

Fresh Apple Salsa
2 tart apples, cored and cubed
4 tablespoons lime juice
1 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and sliced
1 fresh Anaheim chile, seeded and sliced
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, lightly toasted
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon salt 
In a large bowl, stir together apples and lime juice. Stir in jalapeno and Anaheim chile slices. Stir in onion, cilantro, walnuts, ginger, and salt. Mix thoroughly.