Cooking with K

Hamburger Carrot Potato Casserole {Granny's Recipe}

2012-02-16T16:09:00.003-06:00

When I tell people we are having Hamburger Carrot Potato Casserole for dinner, they say "that sounds good, what's in it?" I answer them with, Hamburger, Carrots, and Potatoes --- simple ingredients. Mother made this all the time when I was growing up, and I don't think she really had a name for it. So when I started making it for my family, I started calling it Hamburger Carrot Potato Casserole. This is one of those one pot meals that the whole family just loves. Who can turn down meat and potatoes? And it is a great way to get your children to eat carrots, which I never had any trouble.

I usually make a salad and serve some sort of bread with it. This time, I served a delicious Jalapeno Cornbread Loaf, which we made some delicious sandwiches with later. I will be posting that recipe soon.

Going back to the name -- I don't know how the "casserole" became part of the name, it really is not like your normal casserole. It is more like a stew than anything. It has the most delicious juices off the meat, carrots, and potatoes that are cooked with onions and celery. Later down the road and a nudge from my DIL, I took it to a new level by adding Montreal Steak Seasoning. Now do you see what I am talking about ---- It is more like a stew than a casserole!

Hamburger Carrot Potato Casserole

1 1/2 lbs. lean hamburger (85/15 or 90/10)
1 onion chopped
1 cup celery chopped (leaves are good in it)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon coarse black pepper
1 1/2 lb. carrots, sliced 1/2 inch
6-8 potatoes, peeled and cut 1 inch cubed
1/2-3/4 cup water
1 tablespoon Montreal Steak Seasoning

In a large stock pot, add hamburger, onions, celery and salt and pepper; brown until vegetables are tender. Add carrots and cook while peeling potatoes. Add potatoes and Montreal Seasoning. Add water and cover and simmer until potatoes are fork tender.

Note; You can adjust the onions, celery, and salt and pepper according to taste.

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Linzer Pop Tarts {A Simple Jam Crostada}

2012-02-16T14:35:00.006-06:00

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Christmas and special occasions, these Linzer Pop Tarts are on our Brunch table. I had been making them long before my children were married as a pastry, somewhat like a cookie. Since we enjoyed them so much more warm out of the oven, I decided to start making them for our Christmas Brunch the first year or so, my children were married and have been making them ever since.

As it probably happens to other bloggers on Christmas morning, I never get to get any food pictures for my blog, because we eat them up so fast.

I actually made these at 5:30 in the morning a few weeks ago for my daughter to take to her Moms Group. As soon as the sun came up, I started taking pictures. It was so hard not eating some as soon as they came out of the oven. That is what is so good about this recipe....you can eat them any time for any occasion.

Linzer Pop Tarts

3 cups flour
1/2 sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup butter, cold and cubed
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup blackberry jam
1/3 cup apricot jam
1/3 cup strawberry jam

Preheat oven 400 degrees F. In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar and baking powder. Cut in butter till mixture resembles pea size crumbs. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs, milk and vanilla; add to dry ingredients and mix well. Turn dough out on a slightly floured surface; Pull dough together in a ball without working it to much. Reserve 1/3 of the dough and place in refrigerator. On slightly floured surface, roll remaining dough to 15 x 10" rectangle. Lift dough and place in a 14.5" x 10 rectangle baking pan. (You can slightly roll dough and place in a baking dish and pat dough to fit pan). Spread blackberry jam on a third of the dough; spread apricot jam on the next third of the dough; and spread strawberry jam on the last third of the dough. Roll remaining dough to 12 x 10 rectangle. Cut 1/2" wide strips. Carefully arrange strips into lattice top diagonally over jam dough. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until dough is golden brown.

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Decadent German Chocolate Pound Cake {Granny's Recipe}

2012-02-09T21:37:00.013-06:00

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When you see recipes for German Chocolate Pound Cakes, you usually see them made with a cake mix. They are delicious made with them, and I use them, but my favorite recipe is my Mother's. Her recipe is one that was popular in 70's and is made with Baker's German sweet chocolate. This recipe is unique in that you cover the warm cake in a tight cake-cover so that it will sweat until it is completely cool, producing a moist and velvety pound cake.

Happy Valentine's Day ~ This Decadent German Chocolate Pound Cake is sure to please your sweetheart on this most romantic and indulgence of days!

German Chocolate Pound Cake

2 cups sugar
1 cup shortening
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 teaspoons butter flavoring
1 cup buttermilk
3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 (4 ounce) package German sweet chocolate

Preheat oven 300 degrees F. In a medium microwave safe bowl, melt German chocolate in the microwave for 1-2 minutes at 30 SECOND intervals only until chocolate is melted; stir and set aside. Using the paddle attachment in the bowl of an electric mixer, cream sugar and shortening. Add eggs, vanilla, butter flavoring, and buttermilk. Whisk together flour, soda, and salt. Add to creamy mixture and mix well. Then add melted German Chocolate and blend together well. Pour batter in a 9 or 10-inch tube pan that has been well greased and dusted with flour. Bake for 1 1/2 hours or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove Cake from pan while still hot and place under a tight fitting cake-cover and leave covered until cold.

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Pizza Panzanella Salad {And Another Way To Use Pizza Dough}

2012-02-09T17:39:00.007-06:00

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Some people wait until Summer to enjoy Panzanella Salads which is the tradition in Southern Italy. My husband and I enjoy eating them all year around. In case you don't know about them, they are simply an Italian bread salad usually made with leftover stale bread. Just like the Southerns who make Cornbread Salad with leftover cornbread.

I have made Panzanella Salad with French bread, but the other day, I was making a pizza, and had another batch of pizza dough thawed out, and needed to make something with it. So I got the idea to cut it in strips, then in little croutons, and fry them in a little hot oil. As soon as I took them out of the hot oil, I laid them out on a paper towel and sprinkled them with salt and garlic powder...my....my...these were so good. We ate half of them before we could get our salad made.

As you can see, they were just a little big. So we cut them in half and some we quartered. These pizza croutons were the perfect bread for the salad to soak up all the wonderful juices from the tangy vinaigrette dressing and tomatoes. You will want to eat all of this Pizza Panzanella Salad up in one setting....it is not a leftover type salad. So make just enough that you can do that.

Pizza Panzanella Salad

1 cup fresh spinach
1 1/2 cup romaine lettuce, loosely chopped
1/2 cup red or orange bell pepper, diced in 1" cubes
1 seedless cucumber, sliced lengthwise and then in slices
1/2 red onion, julienne
3 roma tomatoes, quartered
4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
1 lb. pizza dough
1 1/2-2 cups canola oil
salt
garlic powder
your favorite greek or italian dressing

In a medium bowl, toss spinach romaine lettuce, bell pepper, cucumber, red onion, tomato, and feta cheese together; set aside.

Roll pizza dough on a slightly floured board. Cut strips 1" wide and then cut again 1" wide croutons. In medium skillet, heat 1" deep oil until hot. Drop croutons in oil; turn over and fry until golden brown. Remove from hot oil and drain on a sheet pan lined with paper towels. Immediately sprinkle with salt and garlic powder. Toss in prepared salad. Drizzle with your favorite greek or italian salad dressing and serve immediately.

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Apple Fritter Bites

2012-02-02T15:31:00.011-06:00

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This is the second Apple Fritter recipe I have posted. This recipe is more about how many it makes and the size of the fritter. It makes around a dozen or so and comes together really quick. Just the right amount to make for my husband and I....coffee and Apple Fritters go together, don't you think?

These were real good. Although, I think the next time I make them, I am going to double the apples. We like them real applety....Is that a real word...he he!

Apple Fritter Bites
Adapted from: Seemingly Greek

1 1/4 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 milk
1 egg
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cup chopped apple, (can use granny smith, gala, and rome apples) pea size
1 cup powered sugar
3 tablespoons milk or half and half
oil for frying

In a medium bowl, mix flour sugar baking powder, cinnamon, and salt; set aside. In a small bowl, stir together milk, egg, vanilla, and butter until egg is mixed well. Pour into dry ingredient and just stir until all ingredient are mixed; add apples and fold in gently. Heat oil around 365 degrees and drop in oil with a small cookie scooper being careful not to over crowd. Once in the grease turn fritters over and flatten a little and fry until golden brown. It takes about 35 seconds on each side on this size. Adjust cooking time on size of the fritter and the temperature of the oil.

In a small bowl, mix together powdered sugar and milk until smooth and creamy; set aside. When golden brown, remove the fritters from the hot oil and lay on a sheet pan lined with paper towels. When slightly cooled, dip in the glaze and place on a wire rack over a sheet pan to let the excess drip off. Eat warm. Enjoy!

Note: I had to flatten mine a little to get them done before they browned to much. I only heated enough oil that the fritters did not float to much.

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Easy and Quick BBQ Beef Pizza {And Game Day Foods}

2012-02-02T08:18:00.014-06:00

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Super Bowl Sunday is a day of indulgence not only for football fans, but for foodie fans as well. We like to keep our Super Bowl Party fun and easy with delicious appetizers and finger foods. This year's menu is not any different. Here are some Fun Super Bowl Game Day Foods that might make it on our table this year!

Homemade Spinach Artichoke Pizza

Texas Style Barbecue Hot Wings

Asian Hot Wings {Recipe coming}

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Colombian Pasteles {Recipe coming}
Spicy Chicken Tortilla Roll Ups {Recipe coming}
Jalapeno Popper Bites {Recipe coming}

South of the Border Bites

BBQ Ranch Stuffed Eggs

Ranch Sausage Stars

Ham and Cheese Sliders

Roast Beef Sliders with Caramelized Onions and Horseradish Mayo {Recipe Coming}

Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Peanut Clusters

Punch Bowl Cake

Easy S'mores {Recipe Coming}

The Best Cookie Dough Dip {Recipe Coming}

Now let me get to the recipe for the BBQ Beef Pizza. This is one of my husband's all time favorite pizza to get when we eat at CiCi Pizza. He is such a meat kinda guy and me--well, I am a vegetable kinda girl,. so to keep him happy at home, when I make homemade pizza, I decided to develop a recipe just for him. This one is a winner and he enjoys it often and I get to enjoy the vegetable ones!

BBQ Beef Pizza

1 basic recipe of homemade pizza dough for a 14"-16" pan (I used 1 lb. of pizza dough from Sam's deli)
1/4 cup cornmeal
1 1/2-2 cups Hickory Smoked Barbecue Beef Brisket, chop big chunks (bought at Sam's)
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
2-3 cups of cheddar cheese, hand grated

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Sprinkle cornmeal evenly on the pizza pan; set aside. If you are making homemade pizza dough, make it according to the directions. If using bought pizza dough, roll out dough on a floured counter to the size of your pan and lay it on top of the sprinkled cornmeal, bringing the dough up on the sides as much as possible. Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes. Remove from the oven and spread the barbeque meat over the dough up to about 1/2 on the sides. Scatter onion over the barbeque and sprinkle with cheddar cheese liberally. Bake in the oven 12-18 minutes or until crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly melted.

Notes: The barbecue, onion, and the cheese can be adjusted to your taste.

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Rich Tomato Basil Soup Copycat {la Madeleine' Is My Favorite}

2012-01-25T13:21:00.005-06:00

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Today it is raining like crazy here in Northeast Texas. We experienced a dangerous drought this Summer and early Fall, so we are not complaining. Today is a perfect day for soup and my Tomato Basil Soup is a quick and hearty tomato soup to warm you up.

My favorite place to eat Tomato Basil Soup is at a la Madeleine' Country French Cafe -- so much so that I had to find out how to make it. I found this copycat recipe that is the closest to la Madeleine's so far. Their Signature Tomato Basil Soupe is available at Sam's, and I must say I do buy it occasionally, but it is pretty pricy and doesn't go very far -- so this soup is a fill in until I make it to my favorite eating place.

Tomato Basil Soup Copycat
Slightly Adapted from: Houston Press Blog

4 cups tomatoes, peeled, cored, and chopped (or 4 cups canned whole tomatoes, crushed)
4 cups tomato juice (or mixture of tomato juice and vegetable juice)
12-14 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
1-1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup butter, sliced
1/4-1/2 teaspoon coarse black pepper
salt to taste

Combine tomatoes and tomato juice (or tomato and vegetable juice combination) in a saucepan. Simmer 30 minutes. Add basil leaves and puree in food processor until smooth and thick, not watery. Return to saucepan and add cream and butter, stirring constantly over low heat until creamy smooth and all ingredients are incorporated.

Note: I like using a food processor to puree, because you can better control how evenly it purees.

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Healthy Winter Berry Fruit Salad {Janna's Recipe}

2012-01-25T10:42:00.007-06:00

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My daughter, Janna makes this Healthy Winter Berry Fruit Salad each year for Thanksgiving and Christmas that her daddy simply enjoys every time she makes it. Because of her diabetes, she is always looking and developing recipes that are healthy and delicious at the same time. This fruit salad is delicious by itself, but you will want to drizzle the Agave Lime Dressing over it to capture all those wonderful juices from the fruit.

Janna has a real eye for delicious and healthy food and is always calling me and letting me know some of her ideas. She has this wonderful recipe for a Berry Granola Trifle that is a morning ritual for her breakfast that I will be sharing later!

Healthy Winter Berry Fruit Salad

2 fresh honey crisp apples, chopped in 3/4 inch cubes
1 1/2 cup fresh pineapple, chopped in 3/4 inch cubes
2-3 fresh red plums, pitted and sliced
2 clementine oranges, peeled and separated
1 1/2 cups blueberries
1 1/2 cups blackberries
! 1/2 cups strawberries, quartered
1 1/2 cups red raspberries
1/3 cup agave
Juice of 2 limes
2 cups whipped cream (optional)

In a small bowl, mix together agave and lime juice; set aside. In a large bowl, add the follow in the order listed.

apples,
pineapple
oranges
red plums
strawberries
blueberries
blackberries
raspberries

Slightly toss them being careful not to smash the berries. Just before serving drizzle with agave mixture. Serve with whipped cream if you like.

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Today Is National Pie Day {Here Are Some Of Cooking with K's Favorites}

2012-01-23T15:22:00.011-06:00

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Today is National Pie Day and I have linked some of Cooking with K's favorites with my personal favorite being Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Pie!

Nestle Toll House Pie

German Chocolate Pie

Chocolate Cream Pie

Coconut Meringue Pie

Sweet Potato Pie

Mince Cream Cheese Pie

Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake {Granny's Recipe}

2012-01-17T00:40:00.014-06:00

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Did you know that January is National Oatmeal Month? Another thing you might not know, is that more oatmeal is eaten in the month of January than any other month.

This Oatmeal Cake is a dense, yet moist cake with a broiled coconut topping that will remind you of baked oatmeal with icing on it.Yum!

The recipe of this Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake is one of my Mother's recipes that I found out was a favorite of my husband's when we got married. I don't know if you are like me when you have recipes that you make and make, and you see a new one, and it takes over the popularity, and then before you know it, the old one gets pushed back in the recipe box and is forgotten. Well, that is what happened to this recipe. I noticed this recipe the other day and had to make it. Oh how I have forgotten how good it is, and most of all, it reminds me of being in the kitchen with my Mother.

Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake

Cake

1 cup quick cook oats
1 1/2 cup hot water
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup oil (I used butter)
1/2 cup margarine (I used butter)
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a small bowl, pour hot water over oatmeal; set aside. In medium bowl, combine dry ingredients; set aside. In bowl of an electric mixer using the paddle attachment, cream butter until fluffy. Add sugar and beat until creamy. Add eggs one at a time mixing until well incorporated. Add the oatmeal and the dry ingredients and mix until all is incorporated. Pour in a lightly greased 9 x 12 baking pan. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and spoon icing over the top evenly. Return cake to the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until cake is done and lightly brown. Broil for 2-3 minutes before removing cake.

Icing

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup Evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup pecans, chopped
1 cup coconut

In a medium size saucepan, heat butter, brown sugar, and milk until boiling. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from the heat. Add vanilla, pecans and coconut stir well.

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A "Little" Tidbit

He will yet fill your mouth with laughing, and your lips with rejoicing.

(Job 8:21)

Ham and Cheese Sliders {An Ideal Party Food}

2012-01-16T22:25:00.009-06:00

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The Super Bowl is coming up and what better slider to serve at your Super Bowl Party than these Ham and Cheese Sliders. Here is how easy they are to make---assemble the sandwich, drizzle the sauce and heat them in the oven until the cheese is melted--how easy it that? Sometimes I make the sandwiches up in the morning and put them in the refrigerator. Just hold drizzling the sauce until ready to bake. The buttery mustard poppy seed sauce is what puts these sandwich sliders over the top. Yummy yummy!

You don't have to wait for a get together or party to make these. I made these with some leftover ham we had at Christmas for a quick supper. If I were you, I wouldn't wait for the Super Bowl to make yours. (giggles)

Ham And Cheese Sliders
Recipe Adapted from Annie's Eats

24 Dinner Rolls (Mini Hawaiian Rolls are recommended)
24 Slices of Ham
24 Slices of Swiss Cheese
Mayonnaise

Poppy Seed Sauce

1 1/2 tablespoons yellow mustard
1/2 cup butter, melted (1 stick)
1 tablespoon on finely minced onion (or 2 teaspoons dried minced onion)
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
Poppy seeds, for sprinkling

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Split the slider rolls and spread the insiders lightly with mayonnaise. Fold a slice of ham to fit on each slider bun, and top with slice of Swiss cheese. Replace the top bun to assemble the sandwiches. Place the sandwiches on a baking sheet.

To make the sauce, combine all ingredients except the poppy seeds in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Drizzle the sauce over the tops of the slider buns. Sprinkle with poppy seeds. Cover with foil and bake 10 minutes until cheese is melted. Remove the foil and bake 2 minutes longer. Serve warm.

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Hidden Valley Ranch Sausage Stars {The Perfect Appetizer}

2012-01-09T12:35:00.015-06:00

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Hidden Valley Ranch Sausage Stars were the main attraction at our New Years Eve Party. I have seen these in many magazines over the years and even cut the recipe out, but never made them. Well, I found out just how much these are amazingly quick and easy to make! You can count on these to be on our table for our Super Bowl Party.

To serve a few guest you can make them in a regular size muffin pans, or to serve them as an appetizer like I did, you can make them in mini muffin pans. They hold up well to take somewhere as well as easy to heat up just before you serve them.

Hidden Valley Ranch Sausage Stars

Recipe Source: With a Grateful Prayer and a Thankful Heart

2 cups (1 lb.) cooked crumbled sausage

1 1/2 cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese

1 1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese

1 cup prepared Hidden Valley Ranch Original Salad Dressing Mix

1 can (2.5 oz.) sliced ripe olives

1/2 cup chopped red pepper

1 package fresh or frozen won ton wrapper (or eggroll wrappers cut in 4ths)

oil

Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Blot sausage dry with paper towels and combine with cheeses, salad dressing, olives, and red pepper. Lightly grease a mini (or regular) muffin tin and press one wrapper in each cup. Brush with oil. Bake 5 minutes until golden. Remove from tins, place on baking sheet. Fill with sausage mixture. Bake 5 minutes until bubbly. Makes 4 to 5 dozen.

Note: Deer sausage works well in this recipe!

A "Little" Tidbit

He answered and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none;

and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

(Luke 3:11)

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Mud Hen Bars

2012-01-09T12:00:00.013-06:00

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I first got acquainted with these delicious Mud Hen Bars some time back on Your Homebased Mom blog. Since then I have been seeing them pop up a lot on other blogs so I had to give them a try New Years Eve.

This cookie bar starts with a cake like layer and then you sprinkle chocolate chips, chopped pecans, mini marshmallows, and then for the gooey goodness, you pour this wonderful mixture of a brown sugar meringue over the top of all of it and bake.

My favorite way to eat them is straight out of the oven while they are still gooey and yummy. The next day I just heat them in the microwave and give them about a minute to warm up and they are as yummy as the first day! Just thought you might like to know this little tidbit!

Mud Hen Bars
Adapted From: Mommy's Kitchen

1/2 cup butter, softened to room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 egg + 2 eggs, separated
11/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup nuts, chopped
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup marshmallows
1 cup brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, cream together sugar and butter until creamy. Add 1 egg and mix well. Add two egg yokes (saving the egg whites for later use) and mix well. In another bowl, add flour, salt, and baking powder; whisk together. Add flour mixture to creamy mixture and mix well. Spread evenly into a 9 x 13 pan. Evenly sprinkle marshmallows, nuts, and chocolate chips on top of the mixture.

Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold in the brown sugar and spread evenly over the layers. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until the meringue is golden brown and the cake is done. Cool in pan before cutting into bars.

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COUNTDOWN TO 2012: Desserts of 2011

2011-12-31T10:01:00.002-06:00

#1 Very Simplistic Bread Pudding

#2 Coffee Pie {Jennifer's Recipe}

#3 Easy Almond Strawberry Pie

#4 Lemon Buttermilk Pound Cake {Granny's Recipe}

#5 Nestle Toll House Pie

#6 Fresh Peach Cobbler with Homemade Double Crust

Well here is the finally of Countdown To 2012, and what a finally it is! It is all about desserts. I am such a dessert fan, that I had to list 6 top post on this one. So many great ones this year! I want to thank Sno White for hosting this countdown. Go over to Finding Joy In My Kitchen and catch all the wonder dessert recipes that have been linked up.

New Years Eve Party Food Ideas

2011-12-30T10:14:00.000-06:00

Here are a few of my favorite finger foods to enjoy at home or take to a party. These recipes are simple and easy to prepare and not to mention easy clean up. Stay safe and enjoy the your night. Wishing all my friends a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Red Pepper Flake Seasoned Crackers

Lite and Fresh Veggie Wraps

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

South Of The Border Bites {Homemade Mini Kolaches}

Texas Style Barbecue Hot Wings

BBQ Ranch Stuffed Eggs

Key Lime Magic Cookie Bars

Tiger Butter

Corey's Treats

Party Cheesecakes

Classic Chocolate Peanut Clusters

Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pink Breeze Punch

Happy New Year Everyone!

COUNTDOWN TO 2012: Main Dishes of 2011

2011-12-29T13:05:00.001-06:00

#1 Simple Sesame Noodles

#2 Creamy Beef Stroganoff {Granny's Recipe}

#3 My Favorite Fried Chicken {Babe's Copycat}

Today is the day for Main Dishes on Countdown to 2012. You can check out all the recipes that have been featured on Countdown 2011 including my top Breakfast, Bread, and Soup Recipes here, and pin some of those wonderful recipes! Sno White is the best and she wants you to keep joining in the fun over at Finding Joy In My Kitchen.

COUNTDOWN TO 2012: Best Soups and Stews of 2011

2011-12-28T11:07:00.001-06:00

#1 Minestrone Soup {Olive Garden Copycat}

#2 Texas Style Goulash {Favorite One Pot Meal}

#3 Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Hope you are enjoying the Countdown Recipes this week! It is not to late to join in -- Monday's was on my 3 Top Breakfast Recipes and Tuesday was all about Breads. Join in the fun over at Finding Joy In My Kitchen!

COUNTDOWN TO 2012: Best Bread Recipes of 2011

2011-12-27T10:32:00.003-06:00

#1 Crusty Italian Bread {C R A Z Y Easy To Make}

#2 Old Fashioned Hot Water Cornbread

#3 Bunny Buns {Fun Way To Serve Rolls For Easter}

Continuing on with the Countdown to 2012 Best Recipes, I am featuring my top 3 Bread Recipes of 2011. Hope you are enjoying all the recipes that being linked up over at Finding Joy In My Kitchen. You can link up your individual recipes and join in the fun too!

COUNTDOWN TO 2012: Best Breakfast Recipes 2011

2011-12-26T11:07:00.005-06:00

#1 Apple Walnut Zucchini Bread

#2 Hawaiian French Toast

#3 Very Blueberry Coffee Cake

Today I am starting a countdown to 2012 with some of my best recipes. I will be sharing 3 top recipes, and the first category will be Breakfast and Brunch Recipes. I will also be joining the fun all week with Finding Joy In My Kitchen. You can link up your individual recipes and join in the fun too!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-22T16:31:00.003-06:00

May you and your family have a

Very Merry Christmas
and a
Happiest Of New Year!

Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies

2011-12-12T16:15:00.007-06:00

These are the cutest little Christmas Tree Cookies. I found them over at Wives with Knives. I decided to make mine with my Basic Cookie Dough Recipe (I will be posting this recipe later). She has a great tutorial and inspiration on how to make them.

The recipe or you might say the concept is so friendly. Why buy the packaged refrigerator dough when you make your own. When company drops in or you need a quick treat to take somewhere, you have it covered. I cut out half of the dough for our Church Life Group last night and wrapped up the remainder of the dough to make later.

Click here for the recipe!

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Red Pepper Flake Seasoned Crackers {Jennifer's Recipe}

2011-12-12T15:55:00.006-06:00

These Red Pepper Flake Seasoned Crackers are a sure way to wow your guest at any gathering. I have been making these for years with oyster crackers, but in the last years my daughter began to make them with saltine crackers and her husband introduced the red pepper flakes. A perfect match to an already delicious cracker!

When I take them somewhere, I have people so intrigued with these crackers. They will take a bite and then ask, "how long do you bake them, and how much butter is in them?" You almost want to keep them a secret....giggles

Red Pepper Flake Seasoned Crackers

4 sleeves of saltine crackers (1 box of saltine crackers)
1 cup canola oil
1 oz. Hidden Valley's The original Ranch Salad Dressing and Seasoning Mix (the dry mix)
3 tablespoons red pepper flakes (optional)

Pour all 4 sleeves of the crackers into a large container (must have a tight fitting lid). Mix the canola oil, dressing mix, and pepper flakes together and drizzle over the crackers. Gently toss crackers with the oil mixture. Seal the bowl and turn upside down and let set 15 minutes. Turn the bowl over and gently toss crackers once again. Store in an air tight container.

Mince Cream Cheese Pie {aka Mincemeat Cheesecake Pie}

2011-12-06T17:04:00.012-06:00

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At Thanksgiving and Christmas, there are plenty of pies on the dessert table, but there is one that stands out to me, my Mincemeat Cheesecake Pie. The traditional Mincemeat Pie is made with a double crust and filled with a homemade mincemeat.

For years I made the more traditional one with a boxed mincemeat that had to be softened in water, somewhat how you would plump up raisins in a recipe.

In 1976, I came across this recipe for Mince Cream Cheese Pie in my Betty Crocker Cookbook and have been making it this way ever since for the Holidays. This summer, I made another adaptation to this recipe using apples, Apple Cheesecake Pie.

This cookbook is full of standout recipes I have made over the years. Don't you just treasure these kind of cookbooks!

Mince Cream Cheese Pie

Adapted from: Betty Crocker Cookbook, 1976 Edition

1 9-inch pie deep dish uncooked pie crust
1 jar (28 oz.) prepared mincemeat filling
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 eggs

Preheat oven 350 degrees F. In the bowl of an electric mixer, using the whisk attachment, beat together cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and eggs until creamy and smooth; set aside. Spoon mincemeat filling in the prepared pie crust, spreading evenly. Pour cream cheese mixture over the top of filling, spreading evenly.

Bake for 45-55 minutes or until the cheesecake is done. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight before serving.

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Linzer Christmas Cookies

2011-12-06T01:34:00.010-06:00

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Linzer Cookies are Austria's most famous dessert. Traditionally the cookies are made with almond flour, and the cookies are sandwiched together with a layer of jelly or jam. The top cookie is dusted with powered sugar and has a cutout so the jam, typically raspberry, is visible making them very decadent.

Linzer Christmas Cookies are an embellished version of the real thing. I make mine from my favorite sugar cookie recipe, sandwich them with seedless jam, and embellish them with drizzled white chocolate and sprinkles of coarse sugar, which makes them irresistible.

Linzer Christmas Cookies

1 recipe of your favorite sugar cookie recipe
1/2-3/4 cup seedless raspberry jam
4 oz. white chocolate, melted
2 oz. coarse sugar

Preheat oven according to sugar cookie recipe. Roll out sugar cookie dough 1/4 inch deep. Using desired cookie cutters, cut 1/2 of the recipe into desired shape and and bake. Cool on a rack until ready to assemble. Using the same cookie cutter, cutout the remainder of the dough. Using the same design, cut a center design out with a cookie cutter that is twice as small and bake. Cool on a cooling rack until ready to assemble.

To assemble, spread a small amount of jam in the center of the cookie and lay the cookie that has the center cutout on top of the jam. When all the cookies have been assembled, place all of them in three rows on wax paper and drizzle melted white chocolate over the cookies. Immediately sprinkle the coarse sugar; let set until the chocolate has hardened.

Note: I have made the cookies ahead of time and kept them in an air tight container and assembled them later.

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Inspirations and Thoughts #3

2011-12-04T01:33:00.001-06:00

Classic Christmas music from my younger days...hope you enjoy!

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