Tangy Cucumber Salad

We have too many cucumbers in the garden right now.   Here is a new favorite that is tasty and healthy too.  

Tangy Cucumber Salad

4 c. sliced cucumbers

2 - 3 T. finely chopped fresh chives

1/4 c. vinegar

1 1/2 T. oil (olive or avocado is best) 

2 T. sugar or stevia 

1/4 t. salt

1/4 t. pepper

Place cucumbers and chives in a serving bowl.  Set aside.

Whisk together the vinegar, oil, sugar, salt and pepper.  Pour over the cucumbers.  

Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes or overnight.  

Salted Caramel No Bake Cookies

My newest favorite.  These are the ticket for fast and delicious!!

Salted Caramel No Bake Cookies

2 c. sugar

3/4 c. butter

2/3 c. evaporated milk

1/4 t. salt

1 t. vanilla

4 c. quick oats

3.4 oz. instant butterscotch pudding

1/2 c. toffee chips

course Kosher salt (for sprinkling)

Place in saucepan:  sugar, butter, evaporated milk and salt.  Cook over medium heat stirring frequently.  Bring to a full boil and boil for 45 seconds. Stir in the vanilla.   

Remove from heat and stir in the pudding mix until dissolved.  Add the oats and stir well.  Cool for about 3-5 minutes.

Stir in the toffee chips.  Scoop into cookie balls and drop on to waxed paper.  Sprinkle lightly with Kosher salt.  Cool until set up.  

If you want you could also sprinkle with semi sweet chips before you sprinkle the salt.  I think they are best without!!  

Dutch Oven Hamburger Stroganoff

 A favorite for camping.  Makes a great one dish meal anytime.  I have been modifying this for years.  I have finally come up with a version Steve likes!!

Dutch Oven Hamburger Stroganoff

1 1/2 lbs. hamburger + 1/4 c. water

1-2 t. Lawry's season salt 

1 c. diced onion

3 cloves garlic

1 T. dried parsley

1/4 c. flour

4 c. egg noodles, uncooked

3 T. beef bouillon mix

3 c. water

1 c. sour cream or greek yogurt (more if needed)

2 c. grated cheese

Heat about 30 briquettes.  

Brown hamburger in 10" or 12" dutch oven with 1/4 c. water.  Once it starts to brown add the onion, garlic, season salt and parsley. Once the meat is all browned stir in the flour. Spread the egg noodles over the meat mixture. 

Mix together the bouillon mix and water.  Pour it over the egg noodles.  Put the lid on the dutch oven and place 16 hot briquettes on top of the lid and 8 briquettes around the bottom.  Cook for 30 minutes turning at least once (turn the whole dutch oven 1/4 turn clockwise and then turn the lid 1/4 turn counter clockwise).  After 30 mintues remove the lid and stir.  If the noodles are mostly done, then stir in the sour cream and sprinkle the grated cheese over the top.  Cook 10 more minutes.  Remove from coals and serve.  

If you need to serve more.  Add more noodles and water, until the noodles are mostly covered.  

If you don't want to cook it using briquettes you can put this in the oven at 350.  

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup

 We like soup in the winter.  I needed something new.  This is what I came up with.

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup

1 T. oil

1 c. chopped onion

2 c. carrots, cut in thick circles 

2 c. diced celery

3 cloves garlic or 1 1/2 t. granulated garlic

1 1/2 t. Italian seasoning

1 T. parsley 

1 1/2 T. chicken bouillon

5 to 6 c. water

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken

3/4 c. white or brown rice, uncooked

Set instant pot to Saute and add:  oil, onion carrots, celery, and garlic. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes.

Add the remaining ingredients, except for the chicken and rice.  Stir well. 

Add the chicken and rice.  

Cook on High for 12 minutes.

Natural release for 10 minutes.  Then quick release.

Remove the chicken and dice or shred and add it back to the soup.  

Hard Candy

Back in the old days,Lori Stiles and I would get together and make candy.  This recipe was from a Charlie Brown cookbook and it was called "Lucy's Lemon Lollipops".  Below is a picture of how we made them before the days of sucker molds.  The twins asked me if I could make some hard candy for Christmas this year.  So, I did some experimenting to come up with a microwave version so I didn't have to stand at the stove stirring for 20 to 30 minutes.  Here it is.....

Hard Candy

Mix together in a microwaveable 8 c. measuring bowl:

1/2 c. corn syrup

1 c. sugar 

Cover with plastic wrap microwave for 3 minutes on High.  Remove plastic wrap carefully.  

Stir quickly and cover with a new sheet of plastic wrap and microwave for 2 more minutes.  

Carefully remove the plastic wrap and stir in:

1/2 to 1 t. flavoring (lemon, orange, root beer extract)  If using flavored oil it only takes a small amount.

Pour into sprayed molds or onto a sprayed cookie sheet.  

Let cool and about 20 minutes and then remove from molds or break into pieces.  

Hints:

Have all your supplies ready before your start.

A sprayed wooden spoon works best for stirring.

I like to shake the candy pieces in a baggie with 1 to 2 T. powdered sugar. Shake off excess.  This keeps it from sticking together.  

Microwave cooking times may vary due to the wattage of your microwave (mine is 1000 watts).  

Taco Pasta Salad

Well it is garden club time again and so I needed to come up with a new recipe using tomatoes.  I tried this out last week and Steve says it is a keeper.  We even liked the leftovers, cold straight out of the refrigerator.  Great on these hot summer days.  

Taco Pasta Salad

16 oz. cooked pasta (I used Penne, and cooked it for 2 minutes, 5 minutes NR in the instant pot)

1 lb. hamburger

1/3 c. water

2 T. taco seasoning

1 c. diced tomatoes

1/2 c. diced red onion (or green onions)

1/2 head lettuce, chopped  **

15 oz. corn, drained

15 oz. black beans, drained and rinsed)

1 1/2 c. crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos

16 oz. French Dressing 

Cook pasta and rinse with cold water.  Set aside.

Brown hamburger and then add water and taco seasoning and simmer for a few minutes. Set aside to cool.

Chop the tomatoes, onions and lettuce into a large mixing bowl.  Stir in the cooled pasta and hamburger.  Add the corn and black beans, doritos and french dressing.  Serve immediately or chill until serving time.  

Top with fresh cilantro at serving time.  

** With time I decided to leave the lettuce out entirely.  It goes mushy when leftover and this recipe makes a big salad and we like it leftover.  

Blackberry Ice Cream

 This is my version of Blackberry Ice Cream.  There are so many blackberries out there and I needed another use for them!!  

Blackberry Ice Cream
10 to 12 c. blackberries (pureed and strained = 4 c. puree)

1 to 1 1/2 c. sugar (depending on how sweet your berries are)

1 T. lemon juice

1 T. vanilla

1/4 to 1/2 t. cinnamon

5 to 6 c. cream (only fill to fill line)

Place all ingredients in 1 gallon ice cream maker. Chill for 2 hours if possible.  Freeze according to ice cream maker directions.  Transfer ice cream to a sealed container and chill for 4 hours before serving. 

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)

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

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

Abbi's Italian Sodas

Abbi works in the soda shop at church and this is her secret recipe.  Now, it is not so secret.  But they are a big hit!!  We recently had these for a tea party and for Thanksgiving Dinner!!!  

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.  Add a straw.  

Peanut Butter Pie

 A fast and easy dessert for my Reese's lovers!!!

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

I had a big bag of S'mores Cereal that I needed to use up.  So decided to use that instead of rice Krispies....and S'mores Bars were born.

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.    

Easy Scalloped Potatoes and Roasted Vegetables

 Last night was our Relief Society 180th Birthday Celebration.  Andrea Thayn and committee put on a great dinner celebration complete with a little BEEATTITUDES Program!!!  I volunteered to help.  This is what Andrea requested.  The menu also consisted of Traegered Pork loin and Texas Roadhouse Rolls and honey butter, and bundt cake and candy, served by the young men.  A great evening!!!  

Easy Scalloped Potatoes

12 to 15 potatoes, thinly sliced (I don't peel them)

3 cups grated cheese

salt and pepper

garlic powder

onion powder

3 c. heavy cream

Spray a 9x13 baking dish and add a layer of 1/3 of the potatoes, sprinkle with 1/3 of the cheese and sprinkle with all the seasonings.  Repeat for 3 layers.  Pour the cream over the top.  Cover with foil and bake at 400 for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until potatoes are tender.  Remove foil the last 20 minutes to allow to brown on the top.  

Roasted Vegetables

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch chunks

6 to 8 c. broccoli 

olive oil

salt and pepper

garlic powder

onion powder

Drizzle vegetables with olive oil and sprinkle with seasonings.  Place on a baking sheet and bake at 400 for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring mid way thru. Pull out while still al dente.   I cooked them separately because I felt the broccoli would cook faster than the sweet potatoes and I had too much for 1 baking sheet. HINT:  Don't overfill your baking sheet as you want these spread out to roast and crisp up a little.  

 

Karla's Teddy Bear Cookies

 

Mosiah 18:8-10

The 3 Bears of Baptism

I will:  Bear the Name of Jesus Christ

I will:  Bear One Another’s Burdens

I will:  Bear my Testimony

I started making these when Lacey was little.  It was one of our favorite things to make together.  We even made them for her birthday when she was in high school to take to her friends.  All the grandkids love to make and eat them and sometimes we make them into owls instead of teddy bears.  

I make them often for baptisms as a reminder to the kids of...  "The 3 Bears of Baptism".  

Karla's Teddy Bear Cookies

3/4 c. shortening

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. brown sugar

1 egg

1 t. vanilla

2 c. flour

1 t. salt

1/2 t. baking soda

Cream together shortening and sugars.  Beat in egg and vanilla.  Add dry ingredients and mix well.  

Form in to Teddy Bears.  Make a 1 inch ball and a 1 1/2  inch ball and roll them in sugar.  Place the 1 1/2 inch ball on a sprayed cookie sheet and flatten with the bottom of  a glass.  Break the 1inch ball into 2 ears and place on the top portion of the 1/1/2 inch ball.  

Bake at 375 for 8 to 10 minutes.  DO NOT OVER BAKE!

Remove from oven and add M&M eyes and a chocolate chip nose.  

This makes 18 big cookies.  They spread out quite a bit so only put 8 or 9 on a cookie sheet.  

You can make them smaller too!  Make a 1/2 inch ball and a 1 inch ball and use mini M&Ms for eyes and a mini chocolate chip for the eyes.   

To make them into owls......make a 1/1/2 ball, flatten and make 2 pointed ears by pinching the dough.  Place a candy corn for the beak and chocolate chip for the eyes on a circle of white frosting.