Sue's Chex Mix

 Sue Grunig brings this sturgeon fishing every time!!  It is one of our favorite snacks while playing games.  She shared the recipe so now I can have it whenever I want.  

Sue's Chex Mix

In a large bowl mix:

6 c. rice Chex

6 c. corn Chex

1/2 - 1 c. sliced almonds

1 c. ribbon coconut, unsweetened

Combine in saucepan:  

1 1/2 c. corn syrup

1 1/2 c. sugar

3/4 c. butter

Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes.  Pour over the Chex mixture.  Stir well.   

Sue often just uses 12 c. Rice Chex instead of part corn Chex.  

Caramel Puff Corn

 My friend Linda Murray makes this and shares it often.  Katie makes a version of it that is really gooey and delicious.  If you don't want to get your hands sticky this version is for you.  

Caramel Puff Corn

20 c. puff corn

1 1/2 c. brown sugar

1 c. butter

1/2 c. light corn syrup

1 t. salt

1 T. vanilla

1 t. baking soda

Preheat oven to 200.

Place puff corn in a large roasting pan.  

Combine brown sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt into a 3 qt. saucepan.  Cook of medium heat, stirring occasionally for 8 to 10 minutes or until it comes to a full boil.  Continue to cook stirring occasionally for 5 minutes.  

Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and baking soda.  

Carefully pour over the puff corn.  Stir well and bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Immediately pour out onto waxed paper.  Cool completely.  Break into bite-sized pieces.  Store in covered container.  

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.

2020 Instant Pot Cookbook Continued

I made these for a class I taught this weekend.  They were a hit!!  One cake mix makes 28.

Churro Bites - slightly revised from Six Sisters' Stuff recipe
7 oz. (1/2 box) white, vanilla or yellow cake mix, prepared according to package directions
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. nutmeg
1 c. water
2 T. brown sugar
1 t. cinnamon
Spray 2 silicone egg bite molds.
Prepare cake mix as directed on box, stir in cinnamon and nutmeg.
Fill molds 3/4 full with batter. Tap the molds on the counter to remove air bubbles.
Cover with foil, sealing the edges.
Add 1 cup water to the instant pot.  Place molds one on top of the other onto rack or trivet and place inside the Instant Pot.  Lock the lid & set to SEALING.  Press Manual or Pressure Cook and set for 12 minutes.
When time is up, Natural Release for 10 minutes, then release the remaining pressure.
Carefully remove the molds from the Instant Pot.  Cool for 2 to 3 minutes and dump out of molds onto cooling rack.
Mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small shallow bowl.
Immediately roll the Churro Bites in this mixture while still warm, so the sugar sticks to them.

https://www.sixsistersstuff.com/recipe/instant-pot-churro-bites/


Kris Winegar shared this recipe with me yesterday at the class I taught.  Brings good luck in the new year to eat this soup on New Years Day.  Adapted from:  Arlene Mobley - Flour On My Face
Black-eyed Peas Soup
1 T. butter
1 c. diced carrot
1 c. diced onion
1 T. diced garlic
1 t. pepper
2 bay leaves
3 c. diced ham or ham bone
1 lb. dried black-eyes peas, rinsed
6 c. chicken stock
Set instant pot to SAUTE and melt the butter, add the carrot and onion, cooking for 3 minutes.  Add the garlic and cook 1 minute more.  Add the pepper, bay leaves, ham, peas and stock.  Stir.  Place lid to SEALING and set cook time for 30 minutes.  Natural Release for 15 minutes and then release the remaining pressure.  Open carefully.  Serve with white rice, crusty bread or crackers.  Makes 8 servings.

Chicken and Dumplings  from Six Sisters' Stuff 
1 T. Olive Oil
1 T. Butter
1 small Onion, diced
1 cup Carrots, chopped
1 cup Celery, chopped
3 large cloves Garlic, pressed or minced (about 1 Tbsp)
1/2 t. Salt (more to taste)
1/2 t. Pepper
1/2 t. Poultry Seasoning
1/2 tsp Sage, dried
1/4 tsp Thyme dried
1 4" sprig Fresh Rosemary, 2 tsp leaves, stripped off and minced (or 1 tsp dried & crushed)
4 cups Chicken Broth, low sodium
1 large Potato, chopped
1 1/2 lbs. Chicken breasts, cut in slightly larger than bite sized pieces

To Finish

1 c. Frozen Peas (or mixed vegetables)
1/2 c. Heavy Cream
6 Jumbo Canned Buttermilk Refrigerator Biscuits (16 oz pkg contains 8) or a batch of Drop Biscuits
Cut each canned biscuit into 6 pieces. Do this to all 6 and set aside.

Prepare the Chicken and Sauce
Turn the pressure cooker on to the Sauté setting. When the pot is hot, add the olive oil and the butter. Then add the onion and and stir.
Add the carrot, celery, and garlic. Cook for a few minutes, scraping the bottom of the pot to get up any brown bits (deglaze).
Add the salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, sage, thyme, and rosemary. Cook for a few seconds to let the spices become fragrant.
Add the chicken broth. Put a glass lid on the pot and let the contents warm up to barely a simmer.
Add the potato and chicken and stir.
Pressure Cook for 10-15  minutes. When it is done, do a quick release and take off the lid.

Add the biscuit pieces to cover the top..
Press the cancel function.
Place the lid on the pot and lock in place. Turn to sealing position.
Press the Pressure Cook/Manual button   and cook for 10 minutes.  When the cooking cycle has finished, do a Quick Release.
Open the lid carefully, and gently stir in the frozen peas or mixed vegetables.
Stir in the heavy cream (if using) and put the glass lid on to let it sit and heat through or can turn to Saute for 2 or 3 minutes.   Serve.

Yogurt by Loralyn

Karla,
Here is how I make yogurt, I hope it works for you. It always turns out for me.

1. Clean out your pan with hot soapy water and the lid and use a different seal that I save for desserts and yogurt. This helps it not have a smell that contaminates the yogurt.
2. Pour a new gallon of whole milk directly into the pan. The further the expiration date is the longer the yogurt keeps in the fridge.
3. Press yogurt and then adjust until the screen says "boil". I turn the pressure gauge to closed (SEALING) to help heat it up.
4. When it beeps wash the instant read thermometer and then check the temp. It is really important to not contaminate it after it has boiled. If it reads at least 176 degrees then it is ready for the next step. I usually have to do this step 2-3 times to get the temp up. It is much easier than stirring it over the stove to keep it from scorching for a long time, like I did before.  (I only had to push the button once - but it took about 1 hour to get it to that temperature.)
5. When it reaches temp. I add 1/2 cup of agave light nectar (you can use sugar but this makes it less glycemic) and 1 TBSp. of vanilla. Stir. (I usually skip this step and flavor at the end before I put it in my jars.)
6. Then I put the pan directly in a sink with ice water about half way up the pan. Use the instant read thermometer to check it until it reaches 120 degrees exactly. Then take it out dry off the bottom. (Some suggest 110 to 115 degrees, so as not to kill the live cultures)
7. Add less than half a container of Tillamook 6 oz. french vanilla yogurt (1/2c.). More is not better if you add too much the finished product is runny. Stir it in until dissolved then put it back in the instant pot. Put lid on SEALING or VENTING it doesn't matter.  Press yogurt and then the arrows to add time. It does 8 hours automatically. I like it better when I do it for 11 hours. Then leave it.
8. When it is done I don't stir it. I skim liquid off with a ladle and then just scoop it into wide mouth quart jars, put the lid on and put it in the fridge. It sets up a little more when it chills. That is it!

My kids like to add jam to it when they eat it. We love making fruit parfaits with granola. It is a great fast breakfast and so much better for them than cold cereal. My kids don't all tolerate milk very well. But they can handle the yogurt much better. The yogurt keeps a while in the fridge.

Good luck!
Let me know if yours turn out!
Loralyn


Lauretta shared some of her tips with me....

She flavors her yogurt with Kool-aid, 2 packages + 2 c. sugar.  She adds this at the very end before putting it in jars.  You could skip step 5 of Loralyn's directions and flavor at the end.  I actually did both, and it turned out great.

Her favorite flavors are:
Black Cherry
Lemonade
Strawberry Lemonade
Lime
Orange
Pineapple

Sometimes she uses the tubes of filling from Smart Foodservice.

Golden Grahams S'mores

Diane Brinkerhoff shared this Betty Crocker recipe with us on the 4th of July.  It is very addicting and messy!!  But so worth it!

Golden Graham S'mores
8 c. Golden Grahams™ cereal
5 1/2 c. miniature marshmallows, divided
1 1/2 c. milk chocolate chips
5 T. butter or margarine
1/4 c. sugar
1 T. water
1 t. vanilla
Grease 13x9-inch pan with butter. Measure cereal into large bowl.
Reserve 1 cup of the marshmallows. In 3-quart saucepan, heat remaining 4 1/2 cups marshmallows, the chocolate chips, butter, sugar and water over low heat, stirring occasionally, until completely melted. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour marshmallow mixture over cereal in bowl; stir until evenly coated. Stir in remaining 1 cup marshmallows.
Press firmly in pan. Cool at least 1 hour until firm. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Store loosely covered at room temperature.

For the Microwave:
Grease 13x9-inch pan with butter. Measure cereal into large bowl. Reserve 1 cup of the marshmallows. In large microwavable bowl, microwave remaining 4 1/2 cups marshmallows, the chocolate chips, butter, sugar and water uncovered on High 2 minutes to 3 minutes 30 seconds, stirring after every minute, until melted and smooth when stirred. Stir in vanilla. Continue as directed in recipe.

Hints:
If you spray your bowl with cooking spray before using it, you'll have less mess to clean when you're done.
The sugar and water can be replaced with 1/4 cup corn syrup.
If you prefer your marshmallows more visible in the bars, just a wait a minute or two after mixing the warm chocolate and marshmallow mixture into the cereal to allow it to cool slightly before you stir in the final cup of marshmallows.

Little Smokies

Little Smokies

32 oz. little smokies

1 c.  BBQ sauce

2 T. brown sugar

1 T. mustard

1 t. garlic powder

Place little smokies in a crock pot.  Mix sauce ingredients together.  Pour over little smokies and stir. 

Cook on high for 1 to 2 hours or low for 2 to 3 hours.  

Sugared Walnuts

Sugared Nuts
1 c. walnuts or almonds or pecans
¼ c. sugar
1 T. butter

Heat all ingredients in a  medium non-stick skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.  When the sugar mixture starts melting, stir constantly until all sugar is melted and nuts are coated.
Transfer immediately onto parchment paper and separate the nuts right away so they don't all stick together.  Once the coating hardens (5-7 minutes), you can transfer them to a bowl and enjoy!

Savory Popcorn

As good as potato chips but healthier!!

Salt & Vinegar Popcorn

1/2 c. popcorn popped in 2 T. canola oil.

Sprinkle with:

1-2 t. sea salt 

1-2 T. powdered distilled vinegar

Dilly Garlic & Cheese Popcorn
1/2 c. unpopped popcorn, air popped
2 T. butter, melted
1/4 c. parmesan cheese
1 t. dried dill weed
1 t.  garlic salt
Pop popcorn and drizzle with butter.  Mix together the dry ingredients and sprinkle over popcorn. 

Healthy Popcorn

Healthy Popcorn = Advanced Master Food Safety Presentation Oct. 2017

Popcorn: The snack with even higher antioxidants levels than fruits and vegetables. 

Popcorn may be the perfect snack food. It is 100 percent unprocessed whole grain.  One serving of popcorn will provide more than 70 percent of the daily intake of whole grain. The average person only gets about half a serving of whole grains a day, and popcorn can fill that gap. The way YOU prepare and serve popcorn can quickly determine its healthful image.                                                        [October 2017 by Karla Kimball, AMFSA]

HEALTHY POPCORN

Place in a paper bag:

1 t. coconut oil

½ t. salt

½ c. popcorn kernels

Place in microwave 2 ½ to 3 minutes on High. 

Homemade Spray Butter

1 T. melted butter (must be butter, not margarine)

1 t. HOT water

Put in spray bottle and use immediately. 

Spritz your popcorn with butter and sprinkle with popcorn sprinkles.

Popcorn sprinkles…..jello, instant pudding mixes, garlic salt, ranch dressing mix, powdered cheese mix, cinnamon sugar, crushed peppermint or spearmint or butterscotch candies, etc.

Popcorn add ins……milk duds, M&Ms, chopped candy bars, crushed or mini oreos, peanuts, marshmallows, etc.

MORTON POPCORN SALT = SUPER FINE – MY FAVORITE SALT FOR MANY THINGS

HONEY BUTTER POPCORN

Place in bowl & microwave for 1 minute, stirring once.

2 T. butter

2 T. Honey

Pour over the bag of popcorn.  Shake well. Sprinkle with salt if desired.  Shake again.  Enjoy!!

HONEY CARAMEL POPCORN

1 c. unpopped popcorn kernels

½ c. butter or coconut oil

½ c. honey

½ c. brown sugar OR sucanat

1/8 T. salt

½ t. baking soda

1 t. vanilla

Pop the popcorn and place it in a large bowl.

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter, honey, brown sugar, and salt. Bring to boil and boil one minute.

Remove from the heat and stir in the baking soda and vanilla.  Pour over the popcorn and stir well with a wooden spoon.

Popcorn Cake

5 to 6 qts. Popped popcorn (1 c. un-popped)

10 oz. mini marshmallows (6 cups)

1 cube butter

1 tsp. butter extract

¼ t. salt

Candy corn, M&Ms, gum drops, etc

Place popcorn in large bowl and set aside.  Place in 8 c. glass measure, marshmallows, butter, extract and salt.  Microwave on high for 1 ½ minutes.  Stir & microwave for 1 to 2 more minutes until melted.  Pour over popcorn and stir well.  Stir in candy if desired.  Place in sprayed angel food cake pan.  Once set up remove from pan.  Cover with foil to help keep moist. 

** This can be decorated with decorator’s icing if desired. 

*** This can also be formed into popcorn balls and wrapped in waxed paper. 

 Crispy Popcorn Bars

3 qts. Popped popcorn

1/3 c. butter

4 c. mini marshmallows

1 t. vanilla

1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Place popped popcorn in large bowl.  Place butter & marshmallows in 8 cup glass measure and microwave for 1 ½ minutes.  Stir and microwave 1 more minute or until melted together.  Stir in vanilla.  Pour over the popcorn and stir well.  Press into a 9 x 13 baking dish.  Melt chocolate in microwave at 50% power for 1 minute, stir and repeat until melted.  Place melted chocolate in heavy duty ziplock bag, snip the corner and drizzle over the top.  Chill until set.  Cut & Serve. 

Holiday Popcorn Mix

2 bags microwave popcorn, popped OR pop 2 bags of Healthy Popcorn (see above)

about 3 c. Bugles (just dump some in)

about 2 c. pretzels (just dump some in) 

1 c. Reese's pieces candy

4 squares melted almond bark

Mix together in large metal bowl: popcorn, Bugles, and pretzels.  Melt almond bark in microwave at 50% power, stirring every 60 seconds until melted.  Drizzle over the popcorn mixture and stir well. Stir in the candy pieces.  That's it!! For Christmas I used Corn Chex Cereal instead of the Bugles and M&Ms instead of Reese's pieces.

RANCH POPCORN

¼ t. onion powder & garlic powder

½ t. dill weed

1/8 t. salt

¼ t. pepper

1 bag popped popcorn

Mix together spices & sprinkle into bag of popcorn.  Shake well and serve.

Popcorn Crisp

3 qts. Popped popcorn (1/2 c. un-popped)

½ c. brown sugar

½ c. butter

1 c. salted nuts (optional)

Place popcorn in 18x13x2 inch pan.  Cream together with hand mixer, brown sugar & butter.  Drop spoonsful over top of popcorn.  Sprinkle the nuts over the top if adding them.  Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring twice.  Popcorn should be lightly browned and crisp. 

Snacker’s Delight

2 qts. Popped popcorn

1 c. raisins or craisins

1 c. peanuts

1 c. coconut

1 c. sunflower seeds

1 c. M&Ms

Mix together and serve.

Meatloaf

1 ½ lbs. Hamburger

¼ c. onion, chopped

¼ c. milk

2 eggs

2 T. Worcestershire sauce

1 t. salt

1/8 t. pepper

3 c. finely ground, popped popcorn

Ketchup & parsley for garnish

Combine all ingredients (except the ketchup & parsley).  Place in ungreased glass loaf pan.  Microwave at 60% power for 10 minutes.  Cover the top with ketchup and sprinkle with dried parsley and return to microwave for 8 to 10 minutes more at 60% power.  Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes to finish cooking inside.  Do not overcook.

THESE LAST 4 MAY NOT BE THE HEALTHIEST BUT THEY ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITES!!!  SO I THOUGHT I’D SHARE THEM……

CARAMEL POPCORN

1 c. unpopped popcorn, popped

1 c. light corn syrup

1 c. butter

1 c. brown sugar

1 c. sugar

Cook in saucepan, stirring occasionally and boil for 1 minute.  Remove from heat.

Stir in:  1 t. vanilla

Pour over popped popcorn.  Stir and enjoy!

Sticky Popcorn

1 2/3 c. sugar

1 c. butter

2/3 c. Karo syrup

1 t. butter extract

½ t. vanilla

6 qts. Popcorn

Mix all together in saucepan.  Cook 10 minutes, stirring constantly.  DO NOT LET IT BOIL!  Pour over popcorn. 

  

CARMELLOW CORN.........AKA: KARL MALONE CORN

1/2 c. butter or margarine

1/2 c. brown sugar

3 c. miniature marshmallows

2 qt. popped popcorn

nuts, optional

In 2 qt. bowl, microwave butter & sugar 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in marshmallows. Cook 1 more min. Pour over popcorn (and nuts). Make into balls or serve in bowls.  FAST, EASY, and GOOD!!!

Jello Popcorn Balls

6 qts. Popped popcorn

1 c. karo syrup

1 c. sugar

3 oz. Jello (any flavor)

Place popcorn in large bowl and set aside.  Place in saucepan, karo, sugar & jello. Heat over medium heat just until it comes to a boil (don’t overcook). Pour over popcorn and stir well.  To form balls put WATER on hands (not butter).  Wrap each popcorn ball in waxed paper. 

** I like to microwave them for about 10 seconds and then eat them. 

Granola Bars

Granola Bars

1/2 c. honey

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. peanut butter

2 c. quick oats

2 c. Rice Krispy cereal

1/4 c. ground flax seed OR 1/4 c. steel cut oats (optional) 

1 T. wheat germ (optional)

1 c. chocolate chips or mixture of coconut, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, etc.  

Place in pan:  honey & brown sugar.

Cook over medium-high heat until sugar is dissolved, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter.

Mix together in large bowl: oats, cereal, flax seed & wheat germ.  Pour honey mixture over dry ingredients and stir until well mixed.  

Stir in chocolate chips and any other add ins.  

Press into a greased 9x13 pan.  

Cool until firm.

Cut into 24 4x1" bars.  Store in air tight container.  

In place of peanut butter you could use sunbutter, almond butter, cashew butter, etc.

Hint:  if you freeze the chocolate chips they won't melt when stirred into the warm mixture.  

Karla's 2016 Favorite Recipes!!

I can't believe 2016 is ending!!  The year has sped by so fast...  I usually wait to compile this until the New Year.  But decided I would make it my Christmas Gift this year!!  Hope you enjoy a taste of our favorites this year!!  

At Thanksgiving time I wanted a Thanksgiving Snack for munching, so I set out to create one.  I love my go to snack of microwave popcorn drizzled with melted almond bark so that became my basic recipe. I added bugles to look like cornucopias, I added pretzels for a color contrast and fall colored candies.   This is what I came up with....and everyone loved it.  I think it will be made very often...not just for Thanksgiving.  It is addicting & easy & everyone loves it!!!  My newest and this year's BEST!!! 

Thanksgiving/Holiday Popcorn Mix

2 bags microwave popcorn, popped 

about 3 c. Bugles (just dump some in)

about 2 c. pretzels (just dump some in)  

1 c. Reese's pieces candy

4 or 5 squares melted almond bark (I prefer 4)  

Mix together in large metal bowl: popcorn, Bugles, and pretzels .

Melt almond bark in microwave at 50% power, stirring every 60 seconds until melted.  Drizzle over the popcorn mixture and stir well. Stir in the candy.  That's it!!

I had planned to add candy corn too but I forgot.  Maybe next time?

For Christmas I used Corn Chex Cereal instead of the Bugles and M&Ms instead of Reese's pieces.  I took this to our Garden Club Party and every crumb was gone.  It would be great for any holiday and can be changed according to your likes....I am changing the name to Holiday Popcorn Mix.  

Chicken Tortellini Soup in a Crock Pot - I used my instant pot so I could brown the chicken before adding the other ingredients. 
1½ pounds boneless chicken breast (I used thighs, cubed and browned in a little oil, before adding other ingredients - or just add whole chicken pieces and remove and shred or cube after it has cooked)
2 c. carrots, peeled and diced
3 stalks celery, diced
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups chicken broth
1 c. water
2 T. chicken bouillon
1 t. Italian seasoning
1 T. dried parsley
1 t. season salt
1/4 t. pepper
2 c. cheese tortellini

Add all of the ingredients except for the tortellini to a crock pot or instant pot.
Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours.
Stir in the tortellini and cook for about 20 minutes, until they are cooked all the way through.
Note:  if you are in a hurry & want to cook this using the pressure cooker of the Instant pot - add everything except the tortellini and set on high for 10 minutes.  Meanwhile cook the tortellini on the stove top and add to soup at serving time. .  OR at the end add tortellini to the instant pot and cook at high pressure for 4 more minutes. 

Cucumber Tomato Salad
For the salad:
Approximately 3 cups peeled & sliced cucumbers
3 cups of Juliet & Sun Sugar tomatoes or whatever you have
1/3 c. chopped red onion
1/4 c. chopped fresh basil (I used sweet basil and lime basil)
For the dressing:
1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil
3/4 c. apple cider vinegar
1/2 T. red wine vinegar
1/2 t. dill weed
1 t. sugar
1/2 t. salt 
1/4 t. pepper

Place salad ingredients in large bowl and toss.
Mix dressing ingredients in small bowl; stir to combine well.  Drizzle with the dressing at serving time.

TOMATO BASIL BREAD
1/2 c. warm milk - microwave 30 seconds
1/2 c. pureed ripe tomatoes (blend in blender with the garlic & herbs)
2 T. fresh basil, minced
1 T. fresh chives, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 t. fresh oregano, minced
1 egg
2 T. oil
1/2 t. salt

1 T. sugar
3 c. slightly rounded, bread flour
1 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 into 2 artisan loaves and bake in oven at 375 for 20 minutes.  

In bowl, combine spread ingredients. Serve with bread. 

I also used this dough to make pizza crust.  It made enough for a cookie sheet and a half sized cookie sheet.  I sprayed the pans.  Patted out the dough and baked it at 375 for 10 minutes.  Then I used 16 oz. tomato sauce, Italian Seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, oregano, salt & pepper for my sauce.  Sprinkled with cheese and canadian bacon and basil or pizza seasoning.  Baked 15 more minutes.  It turned out great!!  And the tomato lovers garnished it with fresh sliced tomatoes.

** So I can make this all year round I puree my tomatoes and herbs together and freeze them in little jars.  

    

Caramel Coconut Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie Pie

1/2 c. butter

1 c. sugar

1 T. vanilla

1 1/2 c. flour

1/2 t. baking soda

1/4 t. salt

1 egg

10 caramels unwrapped or 1/2 c. caramel sauce (I used my 6 minute caramel sauce)

1 1/2 c. coconut

1/2 c. mini chocolate chips

caramel and/or chocolate sauce to drizzle for serving

On stove heat 10 or 12 inch cast iron skillet on medium low, add butter. When butter is completely melted stir in sugar. Stir in flour, baking soda, salt, vanilla, and egg. Stir to incorporate all ingredients and pat into a layer of dough covering the skillet. Drizzle caramel on top of dough, then add chocolate chips and coconut. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Don't bake until center is totally cooked, the pan will stay hot and it will continue to bake after removing from oven..

Serve warm with a drizzle of caramel and/or chocolate sauce. 

Fresh Raspberry Pie
5 to 6 c. fresh raspberries
2 T. fresh lemon juice
1/2 c. water
1 to 1 1/4 c. sugar
1/3 c. Instant Clear Jel
Mash 2 cups of the raspberries in a medium-sized bowl. Stir in the lemon juice and water.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar and Instant ClearJel, then sprinkle this over the raspberry mixture; stir to combine.
Fold the remaining berries into the mashed berry mixture.
Spoon the berry mixture into the pie shell formed in a 10 or 12"cast iron skillet and fold over the edges or add a top crust.  Brush with milk or cream and sprinkle with sugar. 

Yield: 1 pie, 8 to 10 servings.  With leftovers to drizzle over the ice cream. 

Great in a cast iron skillet.  Bake at 400 for 30 minutes on lowest oven rack.

 

Cast Iron Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie

2 c. flour

1 t. baking soda

1 t. salt

1 c. butter, softened

2 eggs

1/2 c. sugar

3/4 c. brown sugar

1 T. vanilla 

1 1/2 c. milk chocolate chips, divided

Mix together:  flour, baking soda, and salt and set aside.

Place in mixing bowl:  eggs, both sugars, vanilla, and butter beat well.

Add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients and mix well.

Add 1 c. chocolate chips and mix in.

Spread mixture evenly in a lightly sprayed cast iron skillet.

Spread the remaining 1/2 c. chocolate chips on the top of the mixture and gently push them in.

Bake at 375 for 17 to 19 minutes.

This recipe was lost for many years.  Grandma Janie Kimball had given this recipe to Caroline McConnel many years ago.  Right before our fire Sharon McConnel (Caroline's daughter) found it and sent it to me.  I knew I had saved it on my computer but my computer was ruined in the fire.  I asked Sharon again but she was unable to locate it.  This year going thru some photos I had saved on my portable hard disc I found it!!  Happy day!!  It has become one of our family favorites!!  It will be our Christmas Dessert this Year!!!  Hope you like it too!! Merry Christmas!!

Grandma Janie Kimball's Devil's Food Cake
Mix together:
1/2 c. soft shortening
1 1/4 c. sugar
Beat in thoroughly one at a time:
2 large eggs
Sift together:
1 3/4 c. cake flour **   (I used 1 1/2 c. flour and 1/4 c. corn starch)
1/2 t. salt
1 t. baking soda
Beat into sugar mixture alternately with:
1 c. sour or sweet milk (sour = buttermilk or sweet = raw milk - Grandma used sweet milk)
Blend in:
2 qs. chocolate (Grandma used 1/2 c. cocoa & fill to 1 cup line with boiling water). Makes a thin batter.  Pour into greased and floured 8 x 12 inch oblong pan.  Bake at 350 for 40 to 45 min. 

**  for 1 cup cake flour you can substitute with 2 T. corn starch & 3/4 c. all purpose flour sifted together. 

***google says qs = quantity sufficient, an old term

This is the frosting I used on it.....my newest chocolate favorite!!! 

CHOCOLATE FROSTING

2 c. (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 c. butter, cubed

1 c. (8 ounces) sour cream

4-1/2 to 6 c. confectioners' sugar

In a small saucepan, melt chips and butter over low heat (or in microwave). Transfer to mixer bowl; cool for 5 minutes. Stir in sour cream. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake.  
**Thin with water or milk to make a great glaze.  I keep this in the fridge, it is great on anything that needs a chocolate finish.

My Christmas Wish for you.......As you sit around the table eating and enjoying the precious gift of family I pray you will feel the love of our Savior and His richest blessing will be yours This Christmas Season. May your CHRISTMAS be MERRY and 2017 be the best year ever!!! Love to all ~ Karla 

Day 20 = Jesus Saw Potential in Others and So Can You
#LIGHTtheWorld

Thanksgiving/Holiday Popcorn Mix

I wanted a Thanksgiving Snack for munching, so I set out to create one.  I love my go to snack of microwave popcorn drizzled with melted almond bark so that became my basic recipe. I added bugles to look like cornucopias, I added pretzels for a color contrast and fall colored candies.    This is what I came up with....and everyone loved it.  I think it will be made very often...not just for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving / Holiday Popcorn Mix 

2 bags microwave popcorn, popped 

about 3 c. Bugles (just dump some in)

about 2 c. pretzels (just dump some in)  

1 c. Reese's pieces candy

4 or 5 squares melted almond bark (I prefer 4)  

 Mix together in large metal bowl: popcorn, Bugles, and pretzels .

Melt almond bark in microwave at 50% power, stirring every 60 seconds until melted.  Drizzle over the popcorn mixture and stir well. Stir in the candy pieces.  That's it!!

I had planned to add candy corn too but I forgot.  Maybe next time?

For Christmas I used Corn Chex Cereal instead of the Bugles and M&Ms instead of Reese's pieces.  I took this to our Garden Club Party and every crumb was gone.  It would be great for any holiday and can be changed according to your likes....I am changing the name to Holiday Popcorn Mix.

Healthy Cookies

No sugar!!!

Healthy Cookies
Place in mixer bowl:
2 or 3 bananas, beat until mashed
Add:
1/3 c. apple sauce
2 c. oats
1/4 c. almond milk or milk
1/4 c. raisins and/or chopped nuts
1 c. good chocolate chunks (optional)
1 t. vanilla
Beat well.  Drop onto sprayed cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 for 15 to 20 minutes.

I used 1/4 c. chopped dried cherries and 1/4 c. chopped raw almonds and left out the chocolate.

Microwave Popcorn

Microwave Popcorn
Mix together:
1 t. oil (Coconut oil works great....butter, or whatever you like)
1/2 c. popcorn kernels
1/2 t. salt
Place in paper bag, fold top twice.  Microwave on high for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes.

Veggie Chips

Well apparently the latest craze is veggie chips.  They are on the shelves of every grocery store these days. Since I have had an excess of zucchini and cucumbers lately I have been making my own dried veggie chips.  I think they are quite good!!

Zucchini Chips
Slice zucchini thinly and place on dryer trays.  Spray lightly with canola oil or olive oil.  Sprinkle with salt or garlic salt or whatever seasoning you prefer.  Dry until crisp.  (I am gonna sprinkle my next batch with powdered jello.)

Cucumber Chips
Slice cucumbers thinly and place on dryer trays.  Spritz with apple cider vinegar.  Sprinkle with salt and dill weed.  Dry until crisp.

Caramel Microwave Popcorn

Years ago I gave this recipe to my friend, Sherri Walton.  She made it for our Family Home Evening Treat tonight and I got the recipe back.....

Caramel Microwave Popcorn
Place 4 quarts of popped popcorn in a large paper grocery sack.
1 cube butter
1/4 c. karo
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 t. salt
Microwave on High for 2 minutes. Stir.  Microwave 2 more minutes.
Add: 1/4 t. vanilla & 1/4 t. baking soda
Stir. Pour over popcorn in paper sack.  Shake.  Microwave for 1 1/2 minutes.  Shake.  Microwave 1 1/2 minutes more.  Shake.  Microwave 30 seconds more.

Pumpkin Muffins

2 ingredient muffins for fall!!  Yummy!!!

Pumpkin Muffins
15 oz. CAN OF PUMPKIN 
1 BOX OF CAKE MIX (yellow or spice)
Stir together, if your batter is not mixing together, you can add up to 1 cup of water to the recipe (it depends on the brand of mix you are using).  Pour batter into muffin tins.  Bake at 350 for 20 to 25 min.  

Apple Raisin Muffins

Recipe from Paula Deen's Show: Paula's Home Cooking

Apple Raisin Muffins
1 cup water
2 cups sugar
2 cups grated apples
2 cups raisins
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup chopped walnuts
2 teaspoons baking soda
31/2 cups all-purpose flour

Combine the water, sugar, apples, raisins, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat and cool completely.

In a large bowl, stir the nuts and baking soda into the flour. Add the cooled mixture to the bowl, and stir until blended. Fill greased miniature muffin tins with batter to the top. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

Note: Extra muffins can be stored in a re-sealable freezer bag

Halloween Popcorn

Halloween Popcorn
2 bags microwave popcorn, popped  or 1/2 c. popcorn, popped in hot air popper
1 bag candy corn
16-ounce package white chocolate bark
Halloween sprinkles
wax paper

Place the popped popcorn and candy corn in a very large bowl (you need plenty of room to stir the popcorn). Melt the white chocolate bark in the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring each time, until melted. Drizzle over the popcorn and candy corn and stir to coat each piece of popcorn. Pour the mixture over wax paper and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle with Halloween sprinkles and allow to cool for at least 15-30 minutes. Break into pieces. Serves 6-8.