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!!!

 

 


Saturday, April 22, 2023

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Chicken Salad Sandwiches for a Crowd         Makes 14 – 1 cup servings.   
2 lb. 14 oz. pkg. rotisserie chicken
2 c. chopped celery
2 c. grapes, halved or quartered (about 1 lb.)
1 c. sliced almonds
¼ c. chopped chives
Dressing:
3 c. mayo or miracle whip and/or part sour cream or greek yogurt
¼ c. lemon juice
1 t. garlic salt
1 t. onion Salt
¼ t. pepper
Serve on 14 Croissant or a bed of lettuce.  

5 Gallon Recipe = Makes 80 - 1 cup servings

6 – 2lb.14 oz. pkgs. rotisserie chicken
3 bundles of celery = 12 c. diced celery
12 c. halved or quartered grapes (about 7 lbs.)
6 c. sliced almonds
1 c. chopped chives
Dressing:
5 – 30 oz. jars of miracle whip
1 ½ c. lemon juice
2 T. garlic salt
2 T. onion salt
1 T. pepper 

Stake RS Activity Menu = Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Chips, Apple or Orange, 2 cookies & water or lemonade  Made 2 - 5 gallon recipes for 150 servings total .  Served on 14 dozen croissants and 6 heads of romaine lettuce.

Sunday, April 16, 2023

Beef and Cheese Tortellini Bake

Beef and Cheese Tortellini Bake - for 6 servings
1 lb ground beef
½ c. onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 t. salt, to taste
1/2 t. pepper, to taste
1 t. dried oregano
1 t. dried thyme
2 t. dried parsley
28 oz. crushed tomato, 1 can
¼ c. fresh basil, chopped or 2 T. dried basil 
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
1 ¼ lb. cheese tortellini, cooked and drained
Brown the beef over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until cooked through. Season with salt and pepper and dried herbs.  .
Mix in crushed tomatoes. Bring to a boil and cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
Remove from heat.
Spoon a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a casserole dish or Dutch oven. Layer as follows: tortellini, cheese, basil, sauce, tortellini, cheese, basil, sauce, and cheese.
Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbling.
Rest for 5 to 10 minutes and serve.

Thursday, April 6, 2023

Oreo Pizza

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.  


Friday, February 24, 2023

11 herbs and spices

11 Herbs and Spices 
2/3 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/3 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried mustard
4 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons garlic salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
3 teaspoons white pepper
mix together with 2 cups of flour 
A great rub/dredge for chicken, cubed steak, etc.   
Dip meat in cold water for 7 seconds, allow to dry for 7 seconds and then then dredge 7 times!  Fry until meat is cooked through.  

Thursday, February 16, 2023

Overnight Breakfast Casserole

 Overnight Breakfast Casserole
1 lb. sausage
1/2 t. salt
6 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 c. half and half
6 slices white bread, toasted and cut into cubes
2 c. cheddar cheese, grated

Grease a 9x13 baking dish, set aside.
Cook sausage until browned.
In a bowl mix together the salt, eggs and half and half.  Add the sausage, bread cubes and cheese.  Stir to coat well.  Pour mixture into the baking dish.  Cover with foil and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight. 
Bake covered with foil at 350 for 50 to 60 minutes.  Uncover and bake for 15 minutes more or until set.   

Buttermilk Brownies & Frosting

 When you need a big pan full of brownies....

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.

Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff

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.  

The Best of 2022!!!

I am rather slow this year.....
Best of 2022!!!  This year’s favorite finds!!!  I used these over and over all year long!!!  I guess this proves I have a sweet tooth!!!  
 
Abbi's Italian Sodas
Make in a 12 oz. cup. 
4 ice cubes
5 pumps of flavor
Soda to fill the cup
splash of cream
Place lid on with a straw.
For extra fancy......add whipped cream and a maraschino cherry on top.
 
Peanut Butter Pie
1 graham cracker or oreo pie crust (9 or 10 inch)
1/4 c. chocolate topping
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 c. creamy peanut butter
1/4 c. milk
8 oz. whipped topping
3-4 Reese's peanut butter cups, chopped
 
Spread chocolate topping over the bottom of the pie crust and refrigerate.
In mixer bowl, beat together; cream cheese and powdered sugar. 
Add, peanut butter and milk and beat well.
Fold in the whipped topping.
Pour into crust and spread evenly.  Top with chopped Reese's.  Chill for at least 1 hour. 
 
S'mores Bars
6 T. butter, melted
21 oz. bag of marshmallows  (7 cups mini)
7 to 8 c. S'mores Cereal (start with 7, use more if needed)
2 Hershey's chocolate bars, broken into pieces
 
Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. 
Melt butter in a large glass bowl in the microwave (about 30 seconds).  Stir in marshmallows and microwave for 1 minute.  Continue to stir and microwave for 1 minute intervals until melted.   Stir in cereal and spread into sprayed baking dish.  Top with the broken candy bar pieces

Sunday, January 8, 2023

Pie Making Activity Day

My Activity Day girls wanted to make pies.  Since they are ages 7 to 11 we needed to do something simple that they could be proud to take home and serve. 

No Bake Peanut Butter Pie
9 inch graham cracker pie crust 
1/4 c. chocolate topping
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 c. creamy peanut butter
1/4 c. milk
8 oz. whipped topping
3-4 Reese's peanut butter cups, chopped 
Spread chocolate topping over the bottom of the pie crust and refrigerate.
In mixer bowl, beat together; cream cheese and powdered sugar.  
Add, peanut butter and milk and beat well.
Fold in the whipped topping.
Pour into crust and spread evenly.  Top with chopped Reese's.  Chill for at least 1 hour.  These can be frozen for later too.  

Note:  I made 16 batches at once in my big mixer.  16 batches made 21 pies

No Bake Cheesecake Pie
8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 c. sugar
1 t. vanilla 
8 oz. Cool Whip
9 inch graham cracker crust 
Fresh fruit or pie filling for topping, optional
Beat together; sugar and cream cheese, in a large bowl.  Add vanilla and mix again.
Fold in the Cool Whip and pour into prepared crust.  
Cover with waxed paper and chill in the refrigerator for two hours.  At serving time top with fruit or pie filling.  

Impossible Pie                   * The easiest pie you will ever bake! It magically forms its own crust.
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. flour
1 c. sugar
2 t. vanilla extract
4 eggs
2 c. milk
1 c. shredded coconut
Preheat oven to 350.
Add all ingredients to a large bowl and beat together until combined.  A blender will work too!
Pour into a 9-inch greased pie pan. Bake for 1 hour or until center is firm and pie is golden.
Cool on a cooling rack and then refrigerate for a few hours.  Serve with whipped cream or ice cream and a sprinkle of toasted coconut.  


Overnight Creme Brulee French Toast

Overnight Creme Brulee French Toast 
1/2 c. butter
1 c. brown sugar
2 T. corn syrup
12 slices of thick day old bread (Jimmy Johns wheat bread is great)
4 eggs
1 c. cream or milk (but cream is best for creme brulee)
1/4 t. salt
1 t. vanilla
cinnamon

Combine butter, brown sugar and corn syrup in saucepan over medium heat.  Stir occasionally, until sugar is dissolved.  Remove from heat and pour into a sprayed cookie sheet, covering entire pan.  

Place the bread on top of the caramel filling the entire pan.  

Mix together the eggs, cream, salt, vanilla and a few shakes of cinnamon.  Pour over the bread and sprinkle with more cinnamon, cover, and refrigerate about 8 hours.  

Bake uncovered at 350 for 30 minutes.  Remove from oven and dump onto a platter or pan.  Serve with whipped cream.  
 

Monday, January 2, 2023

Jimmy Johns Bread/Any old bread - Uses for

Since the twins started working at Jimmy Johns Sandwich shop they bring me leftover bread from time to time.  So I have found a few uses for it.  

1)  It is great for toast!!!  

2)  I butter it and sprinkle it with grated cheese and put it in the air fryer to melt, for an open faced grilled cheese sandwich.  

3) I slice it the long way and cover it with chili and cheese and toast it in the air fryer until the cheese melts. 

4) Make mini pizzas and toast in the air fryer.

5) Give it to all your friends and neighbors

6) make bread cubes for stuffing

7) make croutons

8) French Toast (see Overnight Creme Brulee French Toast Recipe)

 Croutons
10 to 12 cups of cubed bread
1/2 c. butter, melted
1 T. ranch seasoning mix
1 t. granulated garlic

Place cubed bread in a large bowl.  Melt butter and add seasonings, pour over the bread cubes and stir well.  Spread on 2 sprayed cookie sheets.  Sprinkle with additional ranch seasoning, if desired.  Place in oven at 350 for 15 to 20 minutes.  Store in ziplock bag  or glass jar.  For long term storage place in the freezer.  

Lacey Making Teddy Bear Cookies