Fat Girl Eats

Chicken Enchilada Soup

2011-09-15T08:12:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:

6 to 8 cups of grandma's Mexican chicken broth

1 diced small red onion
1/2 a diced yellow pepper
1/2 a diced green pepper
1 small can crushed tomato
4 cups shredded chicken
1 small can drained and rinsed black beans
1 cup frozen corn
6 ounces cream cheese
Cayenne pepper & garlic powder
3 cups corn tortillas cut into strips
Olive oil
Salt & pepper
Cheese, green onion and sour cream to garnish

Directions:

After your broth has simmered awhile in a sauté pan cook your vegetables in olive oil until they are tender then add to broth with the chicken and black beans. Stir in cream cheese and tomatoes and let simmer 30 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.

On a cookie sheet coat tortillas in a little olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder and cayenne. Broil until crunchy (like a chip).

Serve soup in a bowl topped with tortilla shreds, shredded cheese, green onion and sour cream.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

caldo de pollo de la abuela

2011-09-15T08:02:00.001-07:00

So I had a dream two nights ago that my friend Lynn's grandma was teaching me to make chicken broth soup. Mind you, the woman never taught me to make anything or spoke English in my presence but I'm not going to split hairs.

The grandma soup had whole chicken legs, potatoes cut in quarters lengthwise, halved carrots and big pieces of onion but the kicker was this broth.

The broth was filled with spices and flavor and while I didn't recreate the whole soup last night I did make the broth as a base for another soup using different pieces of chicken. Also, in her recipe she mixed dried chiles with oil and ran them through the food processor with tomato sauce but I just used a little enchilada sauce.

So here is my version of the broth.

Ingredients:
1 lb chicken breast
1 lb chicken thighs
1 yellow onion
3 carrots
2 celery stocks
2 bay leaves
1 adobo chile in sauce
1 small can red enchilada sauce
2 tablespoons each of cumin, chili powder and cayenne
1 tablespoon thyme
1 can diced tomatoes w/ chiles and onions (I used Rotel)
2 cups roasted tomatoes
3 crushed garlic cloves
Water
Salt & Pepper

Directions:

Place chicken and veggies in a sauce pan. Cover 2 inches higher than items in pot with water. Add garlic and bay leaves and thyme. Bring to a boil and simmer until chicken starts to fall apart a little. Remove chicken.

Take the tomatoes and blacken them on the BBQ, then dice them up to add to broth with everything else.

Place the broth and all remaining ingredients on low heat and simmer 1 to 2 hours.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Mini Enchiladas (mild)

2011-08-29T17:26:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:

3 cups shredded chicken
1/2 diced white onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon butter
3 cups shredded cheese
Large can of mild enchilada sauce
Small corn tortillas

Directions:

Heat enchilada sauce in a sauce pan. Heat tortillas for 1.5 minutes in the microwave. Cook onions in butter until translucent and then add garlic, chicken and half the cheese.

I used a mix of cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack.

Dip each tortilla in sauce then fill with a few tablespoons of chicken mixture, roll and place in pan open side down.

Continue until all chicken mixture is used. I used the smallest corn tortilla I could find and filled a jelly roll pan. Drizzle top with remainder of sauce and top with cheese. Bake 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Provolone & Ham Scramble

2011-07-30T09:03:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:

1 slice if ham, diced
2 mushrooms thinly slices
1 green onion, chopped
1 slice of provolone
3 eggs
1 tbsp milk
1 tbsp butter
Salt & Pepper

Directions:

Melt 1/2 of the butter in a pan and sauté the mushrooms and ham until for tender. Mix eggs and milk. Add more butter then pour in egg mix. Season to taste. Scramble until eggs are a soft scramble. Add green onion and cheese. Cover and remove from
heat for 1 minute. Scramble together and serve.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Layla & Ani's Fresh Beat Smoothie

2011-07-02T11:58:00.001-07:00

Layla is obsessed with the Fresh Beat Band on Nick Jr. She wanted to make a Peachy Keen Smoothie so here is what we did...

Ingredients:

1 cup sliced peaches
1 banana
1 cup frozen apple juice concentrate
1 strawberry yogurt
Ice
A little apple/grape juice if too thick

Blended in the blender...

Ani totally approves of today's lunch, too.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Santa Maria Rub

2011-07-01T07:43:00.001-07:00

Seasoned Salt Mixture:
6 tablespoons salt
4 tablespoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons white pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika

Mix together all ingredients in a small bowl.

Sauce for Basting:
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup garlic-infused vegetable oil

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Jeromy's Grilled Veggies w/ Thyme

2011-07-01T07:32:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:

3 yellow squash, chopped
3 zucchini, chopped
1 red onion, chopped
2 beef steak tomatoes, chopped
3 cloves of minced garlic
1 package button mushrooms, cut in half
3 tablespoons of thyme
Salt & Pepper
Olive oil
1 cup of chicken stock
Foil pan
*optional shredded Romano cheese for topping

Directions:

Chop veggies into bite size pieces. Mix veggies w a light coat of olive oil. Season w/ thyme, salt, pepper and garlic. Pour stock into foil pan, add veggies on top, top with foil and place on grill until veggies are tender.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Penny's Macaroni Salad for Cousin Pat

2011-07-01T07:25:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1 bag of macaroni salad noodles, cooked
Best Foods Mayo
French's Mustard
Del Monte Pickle Relish
1 Red Onion, diced
1 can small black olives, drained and chopped
6 hard boiled eggs, chopped

Honestly there is no recipe for this recipe, Penny eyeballed it. I just mix everything together and stir in wet ingredients until it's the consistency you like then season with salt, pepper, and garlic salt.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Monkey Muffins

2011-01-02T12:57:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 bananas, mashed
3 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 1/3 cup milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 12 count muffin pan. Cream together butter, brown sugar & egg. Fold in banana. Combine dry ingredients in a seperate bowl. Mix into creamed banana base. Add milk and mix until thoroughly combined. Put equal portion in each muffin cup. Bake 15 to 20 minutes until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Red Pepper & White Wine Angel Hair w/ Spicy Italian Sausage

2010-09-22T12:09:00.000-07:00

(alternate title: how to give yourself heartburn in 30 minutes or less)

Ingredients:

3 roma tomatoes

1/2 yellow onion

3 cloves garlic

3 tablespoons of red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon sweet oregano

1 lb spicy italian sausage (I used NY style)

1 cup white wine

4 tablespoon heavy cream

1 lb cooked angel hair pasta

Olive oil & Salt/Pepper to taste

Directions:

Drizzle tomatoes with olive oil and place under a broiler on a baking sheet until they are slighlty charred. Chop the tomatoes. Drizzle olive oil into a skillet, brown italian sausage, about halfway through cooking it, add in the garlic and onions. Cook until browned. Add red pepper, white wine, oregano, salt and pepper and simmer until the wine cooks off (5 to 7 minutes usually) add the cream. Stir into warm angel hair pasta and add the tomatoes.

I topped ours with a little parm cheese... yummy!

Tamale Loaf

2010-09-22T12:01:00.001-07:00

This recipe should not be confused with Darlene's Tamale Casserole (Darlene's is yummier and harder to make but this is still good).- Thanks, Allie

Ingredients:

1 can Rotel diced tomatoes, with onions and chiles
1/4 diced olives (a tiny can)
1 clove minced garlic
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup of chicken stock
1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 cup of frozen corn
1 package jiffy corn bread mix, with preparations required to make it
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese.

Directions:

Brown beef in a skillet with garlic. Add Rotel, olives, beans, and stock. Simmer 10 minutes. Add frozen corn. Turn off heat and set aside. Mix Jiffy as directed.

Poor beef mixture into an 8x 8 pan. Top with cornbread mix. Bake 350 degrees until corn bread is thoroughly cooked (about 30 minutes) top with cheese and place back into oven 2 minutes to melt.

Serve warm w/ a dallop of sour cream if desired.

Chicken & Black Bean Tortilla Soup

2010-09-11T21:06:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

3 cups cooked chicken, chopped

1/2 yellow onion diced

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 jalepeno, seeded and diced

2 cans of black beans, drained and rinsed *

1 cup of frozen corn

2 cans of diced organic tomatoes, no salt *

1 pint of chicken stock, no salt *

1 tsp olive oil

1/4 cup (or 1 package) of taco seasoning

8 flour tortillas (or whole wheat but not corn)

shredded cheese & diced avocado for garnish

Directions:

Heat olive oil in the bottom of a stock pot, add onions and garlic and cook until translucent. Add chicken and diced pepper (if you have little kids use less jalepenos). Stir in stock and bring to a boil. Add beans, tomatoes, and taco seasoning. Simmer 15 - 20 minutes. While the soup is simmering, take tortillas and lay them on a cookie sheet. Place the sheet in the oven on broil. After 2 minutes flip the tortillas so they brown on both sides. Once they are done chop them into small squares. Add frozen corn to soup and stir until cooked through. Add in tortillas. Serve with cheese and avocado as garnish.

* I used Full Circle organic canned produce.

** I used a pre-diced jalepeno in a can. I also only made half a batch of this because I am the only one at my house that eats soup.

Cream Cheese & Chicken Enchiladas

2010-08-12T10:12:00.000-07:00

Oh so many recipes for Enchiladas... so many... here is the latest one.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablesspoon olive oil

1/2 white onion, diced

1 clove of garlic, minced

1 rotisserie chicken, removed from bone and shredded

1 teaspoon each, cumin, pepper, salt, and chili powder

1 can of red enchilada sauce

1 8 oz package of cream cheese

1 can of diced green chilies

1/4 cup milk

2 cups shredded cheese (I used monterey jack because that's what I had)

6 flour tortillas

Directions:

Put butter and oil in a skillet and cook onion and garlic until tender. Add cream cheese and milk and cook until it is saucey. Mix in seasoning and set aside. Once cool- add chilies and chicken and stir.

Fill each tortilla with creamy chicken mixture. Roll into a tube and place in a 9 x 13 pan. Pour enchilada sauce over enchiladas and top with shredded cheese.

Bake 350 degrees until sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted. (30 minutes?)

Chicken & Brocolli Casserole

2010-08-12T10:07:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

2 cups shredded chicken
1 head of brocolli cut into bit sized pieces
1 lb of spaghetti
1 can chicken broth (2 cups)
1 shallot, diced
1 clove of garlic, minced
2 cups cream
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
salt & pepper
2 cups monterey jack cheese, shredded

Directions:

Boil spaghetti as directed by package, for the last 3 minutes add your brocolli and blanch it. Drain. and set aside.

In a pan melt butter and saute shallot and garlic until translucent. Mix in flour to create a light brown paste. Mix in cream and thin out with chicken broth until saucy in consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Mix brocolli, chicken, pasta and sauce in a bowl and pour into a 9 x 13 pan. top with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until cheese is melted.

Un-Defined Chocolate Dessert

2010-07-04T23:04:00.000-07:00

I made this tonight for the 4th of July BBQ. On my facebook status I called it a mudpie cheesecake "thingie"...um yeah... it needs a name...help a girl out with that would ya?

Ingredients:

12 oreo cookies

2 Tbs melted butter

8 ounces cream cheese

1/4 sugar

2 tubs of cool whip

chocolate fudge pudding mix

2 1/2 cups milk

Directions:

Crush oreos (I put mine in a ziploc freezer bag and smushed them by hand) and mix with melted butter, press into the bottom of a pan (in hindsight....use a 9 x 13 I used something smaller and it was a mighty tall dessert).

Mix cream cheese, sugar and 1 tub of cool whip with a mixer until well blended. Spread over oreo crust.

Mix pudding and milk together. Spread over cream cheese filling.

Top with whip cream (honestly the topping was unnecessary but extra darn tasty).

Vegetable Skewers

2010-06-28T17:35:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

2 Bell Peppers, diced

Red Onion, diced

2 Summer Squash, cut into rounds

1 head of garlic seperated and peeled into individual cloves

1 package of button mushrooms (if they are large cut them in half)

1 package of cherry tomatoes

Balsamic Vinegar

Olive Oil

Rock salt & Freshly Ground Pepper

Dried Oregano

Directions:

Place chopped vegetables in a bowl (except the summer squash and tomatoes). Coat with equal parts oil and vinegar. Season to taste (it's vegetables so I usually grab a bell pepper and try the mix to make sure I like the flavor). Let sit at room temperature 1 hour. Add tomatoes and summer squash, mix. Cover and let sit 30 minutes (or more).

If you use wood skewers soak them in water as directed on the package. If using metal skewers (or after they have soaked) you can go ahead and skewer your vegetables until you are ready to use them. I usually put them in a dish and pour the marinade back over them if it's going to be awhile.

Grill over low heat 5 minutes (or until vegetables are tender).

BBQ Pork Ribs

2010-06-28T17:29:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

2 racks of pork loin ribs

Grill Mates Montreal Seasoning

2 cups of your favorite BBQ sauce

Directions:

Place ribs fat side up on foil. Season liberally with Montreal seasoning. BBQ over low heat on the top rack of your BBQ for 1 hour. Open foil and brush 1 cup of BBQ sauce over each rack of ribs. BBQ medium heat for 30 minutes or until glaze is tight enough to serve on the meat. Remove from heat and let stand 5 to 10 minutes before cutting.

Macaroni Salad

2010-06-28T17:25:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1 package of salad macaroni, cooked and drained

6 hard boiled eggs, peeled and minced

1/2 of a can of petite olives, minced

1 red onion, small diced

4 tablespoons of Del Monte Pickle Relish

3/4 cup Best Foods mayo

6 tablespoons of yellow mustard

1 tablespoon garlic powder

salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

Mix ingredients together and chill before serving.

Wicked Quick Beans

2010-06-26T23:11:00.000-07:00

My grandmother made awesome Okie beans. That recipe, which I cherish, I will probably never post here. This though is a bastard version using some "similar" ingredients which will make you a pot of yummy beans in less than an hour. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1/2 lb ground beef

1 stick of linguica, sliced

1/2 white onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 can of Rotell tomatoes with chiles

1/2 c of Del Monte Ketchup

4 cups of chicken broth

2 cans of pinto beans, drained

1 Tbl oregano

salt & pepper to taste

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp chili powder

Directions:

Brown ground beef, linguica and onions in a soup pan. Drain oil. Add garlic and pinto beans, stir 3 to 4 minutes. Combine with all other ingredients and season to taste. Simmer 30 minutes.

Poke Cake

2010-06-26T23:05:00.000-07:00

So I heard about this key lime poke cake from Betty Crocker and I was like "oh that sounds yummy, I had something like that when I was little with chocolate" so I went to my trusty google and I googled "poke cake" and sweet jesus the recipes they came from every direction. So I stepped back and took out my handy iPhone with the Betty Crocker application and looked up chocolate poke cake and there it was... only I changed it... so this is the recipe I actually used.

Ingredients:

1 butter cake mix with the ingredients to make it as directed

1 package chocolate fudge instant pudding & 2 cups of milk

whipped cream

Directions:

Cook and cool the cake as directed. Take a wooden spoon and poke holes every 1/2 inch in the cake. Mix pudding with milk and let it firm up a little. Spread pudding over the cake letting it fill in the holes. Cool until pudding is firm. Top with whipped cream.

Refrigerate until served.

Wicked Deviled Eggs

2010-06-16T09:01:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:

18 eggs

Best Foods Mayo

Yellow Mustard

Del Monte Pickle Relish

Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Paprika

Directions:

Place eggs in water and bring to a boil. Boil 10 minutes. Turn off heat and let set 10 minutes. Place under very cold water and then peel (the change from hot to cold will help the eggs to peel more easily). Cut in half and place all the yolks in a bowl. Throw away 6 eggs worth of egg white (or eat them- whatever).

Mash yolks with a fork. Add 3 tablespoons of relish. Add 3-4 tablespoons of mustard. Add mayo until the texture is creamy and smooth like a deviled egg should be (it's usually around 1/4 cup). Season to taste with seasons listed (and any you want to add)

In the picture (taken with iPhone-sorry) I used a spoon to spoon the mixture into my egg whites. Usually if it's for a BBQ or event I pipe it in using a piping bag. Your choice. Enjoy!

Patio S'Mores

2010-06-16T08:49:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
** I seldom put brands with things but really these make the best S'mores**
Hershey's chocolate bars (1/2 a bar per S'more)
Honey Maid Graham Crackers (1 full cracker broken in half per S'more)
Jet Puff Jumbo Marshmallows (2 per S'more)

Directions:
I don't have a big yard right now so I don't feel comfortable firing up the fire pit. I am also not camping at the moment. But, sometimes a girl just needs S'mores. So these can be done with a BBQ after the food is done. If using charcoal it's a little harder. If you have a gas grill go ahead and fire it up all the way. Place 2 marshmallows on the end of the skewer and hold it over the heat (turning it until it's all soft and gooey and golden brown on the outside). DO NOT SET IT DOWN and WATCH FOR FLAIR UPS.

Place half a graham cracker on the bottom. Then half a chocolate bar. Top with your marshmallows. Then another half a graham cracker. (I usually set the marshmallow on the chocolate and use the top half of the cracker to hold it down while I pull out my skewer).

Eat them warm and without a plate. It's only right. It is a S'more after all!

Sweet Tea

2010-06-16T08:46:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:

10 cups of water

3/4 cup of sugar

8 tea bags

Directions:

Bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Add tea bags and boil 1 minute. Then remove from heat. Let stand 15 minutes. Add sugar to warm water and stir until disolved. Place concentrate in pitcher and add 7 cups cold water.

(the picture above is a double batch)

Locavore Love

2010-06-01T14:24:00.001-07:00

I have become increasingly interested in trying to eat as locally as possible. For produce that's been easy because I am in the Central Valley of California and there is wonderful produce all year long. For other things it might be a little harder.

I added a new blog tag. It's called LocavoreLove and if you click on it you can see recipes made with local ingredients. When possible I'll provide a link to where I got them from.

Enjoy!

BBQ Chicken Pizza

2010-05-24T18:07:00.001-07:00

Decided to try out the Pioneer Woman's version of CPK's BBQ Chicken Pizza but I used store bought crust and MORE CHEESE...it was yummy...you should try it

Kielbasa & Roasted Vegetables

2010-05-24T17:58:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when you can't find a recipe your family will eat and you are tired of the recipe you normally use....you play with ingredients...this one was rather yummy.

Ingredients:

1 Polish Kielbasa (cut into 2 inch pieces)

1 Red Onion (chopped into large pieces)

6-8 Red Potatoes (quartered)

1 Clove of Garlic (peeled)

3 Tomatoes (quartered)

1 Package Button Mushrooms (halved)

Olive Oil

Salt & Pepper

Thyme

Basil

Oregano

Red Pepper Flakes

Directions:

Mix chopped ingredients with a light coat of olive oil then season to taste. Pour into a 9x 13 baking dish and cook at 400 degrees for 1 hour (or until potatoes are fork tender).

Holy Hummus Batman

2010-05-22T21:41:00.000-07:00

Puree in a blender or food processor the following

2 cans of chickpeas
4 cloves roasted garlic
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary minced
1 tablespoon parsley minced
1/3 cup of tahini
6 tablespoons of lime juice
sea salt
warm water (to thin to the desired consistancy)

Homemade Pita Chips

2010-05-22T21:29:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

Pita Bread

Olive Oil

Cayenne Pepper

Dried Garlic

Parsley

Sea Salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut pita bread into triangles (or desired shapes). Brush lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle with seasonings (adjust to your tastes) and bake 10 minutes or until golden brown.

Ellie & Charlie's Nature Garden

2010-05-11T09:59:00.000-07:00

One of the vendors at the Turlock Farmer's Market last week was Ellie & Charlie's Nature Garden an Organic grower out of Patterson. They had these lovely lettuce bags all prepped. I may never buy bagged salad again. This stuff is AMAZING. It's keeping lovely in the fridge too.

I made taco salads and a chef salad this week both were wonderful.

Angela's Sweets Yummy Review

2010-05-09T10:20:00.000-07:00

This week at the Turlock Farmer's Market I got a great chance to be a locavore and try out some new local places I haven't been to.

We got cookies and brownies from Angela's Sweets which just opened on Broadway. The bakery was adorable and my daughter loved her cookies. I finally tried a brownie. Oh my god YUMMY!!

I highly recommend checking them out.

They have a website which can be found HERE or you can go to their bakery or you can join us for the next Farmer's Market and check out their booth.

Quickie Shells with Cheese

2010-05-02T13:32:00.000-07:00

Ok so I totally made this up about 2 nights ago. I was going to make macaroni and cheese but I didn't have all the ingredients and I didn't want to make a 9 x 13 pan because we'd never finish it...so this is the recipe I made instead.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons melted butter

2 tablespoons flour

1 can chicken broth

1 can whole milk

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 package shell pasta (cooked)

salt & pepper to taste

Combine butter and flour (season to taste) and brown slightly in a pan. Add broth and milk, stir until mixed together and warm. Add cheese and melt. Pour over pasta and put into a pyrex pan. Bake 350 degrees 10-12 minutes. (I topped mine with a little shredded colby to make it pretty)

Yummy!

Pot Roast

2010-02-17T16:22:00.000-08:00

Chuck Roast
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper
Rosemary

Bake at 325 degrees for 2 hours...or until fork tender...

yeah... it was good... simple good.

Spanish Tuna Melt

2010-01-17T14:54:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:

1 can tuna in water

3 to 4 tablespoons of Mayo

1/2 a roma tomato, diced

1 jalepeno (diced)

3 tablespoons red onion diced

salt & pepper

4 slices of sourdough bread

butter

garlic powder

4 slices of cheese for topping each toast

Directions:

Spread 1 side of each slice of bread and sprinkle with garlic powder, place buttered side down on a cookie sheet (I lined mine with foil)

Mix all other ingredients together in a bowl and salt/pepper to taste. Spread a thin layer on each slice of bread. If it isn't thin the bread will burn and the cheese will melt before the tuna melt gets warm.

Top each toast with a slice of cheese. Today I used American but usually if I have it I prefer cheddar or provolone.

Broil until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

You have you're choice of eating this a toast (slider) or putting two together to make a sandwich (which is what I did in the picture)

Enjoy!

Sugar Cookies with Frosting

2009-12-06T11:11:00.000-08:00

I wanted to make Layla sugar cookies like my Grandma Darlene and Aunt Lois used to make. But, no one seems to be able to find/remember that recipe...so... off to the internet I went. I knew the frosting only had 4 ingredients so I went looking for it first. I found this frosting listed several places in the exact same quantities...so we tried that. The sugar cookie recipe is the one I found with the least amount of ingredients, for no other reason then cookies should be simple and pure and light and not filled with random stuff and random steps. It was also listed in several places so I figure it's gotta be good.

Take 1/2 c butter (1 stick), 1 c sugar and 2 eggs and cream them together in your mixer (or by hand). Sift together 2 c flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda...then slowly add it to your mixer until well combined with wet ingredients. Add 1/2 tsp vanilla and 2 TBSP milk. Chill 30 minutes. Roll out on a well powdered surface until 1/4 inch thick. (It took a lot of flour the dough was still very sticky)

Cut with cookie cutters, cook 8 to 10 minutes @ 375 degrees. Let cool on rack.

Frosting: Combine 1/4 c butter, 2 c powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 TBSP milk. Divide in half, if desired, and add food coloring (4 drops) to each half to make 2 colors. I made one color so I did 8 drops into the mixer of green.

Frost cooled cookies and top with sprinkles.

Also, honestly, this was a little thick so next time I will probably pipe it instead of spreading it, but it still tastes yummy.

Allie's Turkey Recipe

2009-11-29T13:35:00.000-08:00

1 thawed 14 lb turkey

1/4 cup salted butter

2 tablespoons each of cayenne, salt, pepper, garlic and thyme

2 stalks celery, cut in half

1/2 onion, chopped in half

1 carrot cut into sticks

2 cloves of garlic

2 cups broth (chicken or veggie are both ok)

Pour broth into the bottom of a roasting pan and place your rack into the pan. Place turkey on the rack. Rub entire turkey inside and outside with butter. Sprinkle with seasonings. Stuff veggies into cavity. Cover with foil loosely.

Bake at 350 degrees 3 to 4 hours or until correct internal temperature.

Collins Family Sweet Potatoes

2009-11-04T09:07:00.000-08:00

2 large sweet potatoes
1/4 cup of butter in small pieces
2 tbsp cinnamon
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp salt
mini marshmallows

Peel sweet potatoes and cut into 1 inch slices, layer them in the bottom of a baking dish. Put a small piece of butter on the top of each slice and salt them lightly. Cover with foil and bake 350 degrees until fork tender. Crumble brown sugar and sprinkle cinnamon on top. Bake uncovered until brown sugar has carmelized (5 minutes?) then top with marshmellows. Turn oven heat up to 400 degrees and place pan in the oven (watch it carefully) in less than 5 minutes the marshmallows will start to brown on top and melt on bottom. When that happens it's time to eat.

Cheap, Cheater Baked Potato Soup

2009-11-03T09:03:00.000-08:00

4 lg potatoes- baked and cubed (honestly I bake mine in the microwave)

3 cups of milk

2 Tbsp Butter

2 Tbsp Flour

Salt and Pepper

1/2 lb of cooked bacon (crumbled)

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 bunch of green onions chopped

Melt the butter in the pan, mix in the flour and cook until slightly brown, add milk and mix thoroughly. Bring milk to a slow boil and add potatoes, cheese, and sour cream. Season to taste. Mix in green onions and bacon and serve.

Baked Potato Casserole

2009-11-03T08:56:00.000-08:00

2 cups hidden valley ranch dressing (the kind your make yourself with sour cream)
5 lbs of potatoes baked & cubed
1 cup chedder cheese (grated)
1 cup muenster cheese (or sometimes cheddar) (grated)
Crumbled bacon (I usually do a whole pound)
1 bunch of green onions (chopped)

I mix everything together but the muenster, which I sprinkle on top and then I bake it in the oven until it’s warmed all the way through.

Ribs

2009-07-27T21:42:00.000-07:00

1 rack of ribs

2 cups BBQ Sauce

Olive Oil

Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder to taste.

Directions:

Put a small amount of oil on your hands. Rub down both sides of the ribs. Season liberally with seasoning. Wrap tightly in foil. Bake 300 degrees 2 hours (meat side up).

Open foil, test for tenderness (meat should fall off bones) if needed leave up to 3 hours until meat is tender. With foil open, pour on sauce (homemade or jar).

Bake 325 degrees 45 minutes.

I Heart Mushrooms

2009-07-22T09:36:00.000-07:00

Yes I really did have a mushroom shaped like a heart in the last batch I picked up at the store.

Allie's Sauted Mushrooms

2 Lg Packages of Mushrooms

1 Stick of Butter, salted

3 cloves of garlic (crushed)

1/4 c chopped parsley

2 Tbl black pepper

2 Tbl Worchester Sauce

Directions- Melt butter in pan, add mushrooms and saute until tender, add garlic, seasonings, worchester sauce and stir 3 to 4 minutes. Top with parsley.

I recommend as a topping for BBQ steaks.

Lazy Upside Down Cake

2009-07-04T10:23:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1 yellow cake mix, prepared as directed

1 can of pineapple rings

1 c of brown sugar

1 cube of butter (1/2 cup)

Directions: Mix cake mix as directed on box. Set aside. Take a glass 9 x 13 pan and melt 1 stick of butter in the bottom in the microwave, sprinkle with 1 c of brown sugar (evenly) and place 1 layer of pineapple across the bottom of the pan (I cut some in half so I could cover the whole pan). Gently pour cake mix over the top. Cook as directed on cake mix or until a knife inserted will pull out cleanly.

Let cool 5 minutes (no more, no less). Run a knife around the edge of the pan to make sure it's free. Set a serving platter upside down on the pan. USING POTHOLDERS... gently flip the pan and platter over so the upside down pan is sitting on the platter.

Leave it alone.

Yes ... you... leave it alone. Gravity will make the cake fall gently & the syrup will follow it.

Remove the pan after about 10 minutes. It should look like the picture above.

Italian Chicken Thighs & Farfalle

2009-06-10T05:53:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1 can diced tomatoes, juices removed

1/2 red onion cut sliced

1 green bell pepper sliced into sticks

1 cup sliced mushrooms (I used buttons)

1/2 cup parm. cheese

1/2 lb cooked farfalle

olive oil, salt & pepper

1 clove diced garlic

fresh basil, to taste

Directions: Place olive oil on the bottom of a skillet and season chicken with salt and pepper. Place in hot oil and brown until cooked thoroughly. Add peppers, onions, garlic and mushrooms, and saute 5 minutes. Drain excess oil. Add can of diced tomatoes and basil. Simmer 10-12 minutes. Toss in cooked (warm) farfalle and cheese.

Serve warm.

Yummy!

As Promised

2009-06-08T17:44:00.000-07:00

Here is the picture of the Honey Mustard Marinade in it's glorious overcooked form... check out the glaze on that pan, it's wicked.

Fridge Door Tagged

2009-05-30T18:39:00.000-07:00

I got tagged for the FRIDGE DOOR Photo blog stream, here is how it works...you take a picture of your fridge door and you talk about what's on it.

Then you tag 2 people to do the same...so... I tag Stacey (who just got her own place so has her own fridge now) and Courtney (who also recently got her own place and has her own fridge now).

So the outside of my fridge is a mess. That's because I have a toddler and thusly own a complete set of alphabet and math number magnets only half of which still live on the fridge. The other half I fear are probably lost forever.

Starting at the top and working our way down, above the fridge we have canisters of dry goods, a bucket of coupons and assorted recipe clippings, and a framed picture of the nephews (Aiden & Collin)...who I no longer have fridge magnets for because Layla broke some of them. Also up there is a container of straws, an M&M Easter Bunny left over from Layla's basket and a meat mallet that we use to crush ice.

On the freezer (left to right & top to bottom), a family picture from last year of Jon, Layla and I at a BBQ on the grass, a picture of my god-son Pheonix, a picture of my neice Faith in the snow in Washington, a picture of Cousin Taryn and baby Collin last year at Layla's birthday with a heart magnet, a free zazzle magnet and the word love made from magnetic alphabet letters, (row 2) a picture of my friend Bobbie's 3 kids that she gave me a long time ago (Catie, Kyle and Steven), a picture of the kids on Jon's side of the family (Layla, Faith, Aiden, Collin & Nevaeh)...the numbers underneath our actually their birth order... a picture of Layla on 4th of July with a firecracker headband that I just LOVE, a picture of Cousin Jeromy holding Layla when she was itty bitty and a picture that we just got of Cousin Aiden on his 3rd birthday (held with an A & 3 because I'm funny like that) and an invitation to Kylie's baby shower (Taryn's baby on the way). The week pad we never use unless it's to write myself random notes.

And that's about it... your turn...

Rassberry White Chocolate Muffins

2009-04-26T11:15:00.000-07:00

Muffins Ingredients:

1 cup milk
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh or frozen (do not thaw) raspberries
1/2 cup white baking chips*

Topping Ingredients:

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4cup sugar

Heat oven to 400°F. Combine milk, butter and egg in large bowl. Stir in all remaining muffin ingredients except raspberries and white baking chips just until flour is moistened. Gently stir in raspberries and white baking chips.Spoon into foil or paper-lined 12-cup muffin pan. Bake for 24 to 28 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly; remove from pan.Dip top of each muffin in melted butter, then in sugar.*Substitute 3 ounces coarsely chopped white chocolate baking bar.

RazzLime's

2009-04-26T11:11:00.000-07:00

2 cups raspberries
3 1/2 cups water
3/4 cup sugar, or to taste
1 cup fresh lime juice

In a blender or food processor purée 1 cup of the raspberries with 1 cup of the water and force the purée through a fine sieve set over a pitcher, pressing hard on the solids. Add the remaining 1 cup raspberries, the remaining 2 1/2 cups water, the sugar, and the lime juice and stir the mixture until the sugar is dissolved.

Overnight Blueberry French Toast

2009-04-26T11:10:00.000-07:00

**I can not for the life of me remember where I got this recipe from but it's super yummy!**

12 slices day-old bread, cut into 1 inch cubes
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 cup fresh blueberries
12 eggs, beaten
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup maple syrup

1 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup water
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 tablespoon butter

Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange half the bread cubes in the dish, and top with cream cheese cubes. Sprinkle 1 cup blueberries over the cream cheese, and top with remaining bread cubes.

In a large bowl, mix the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and syrup. Pour over the bread cubes. Cover, and refrigerate overnight.

Remove the bread cube mixture from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before baking. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Cover, and bake 30 minutes. Uncover, and continue baking 25 to 30 minutes, until center is firm and surface is lightly browned.

In a medium saucepan, mix the sugar, cornstarch, and water. Bring to a boil. Stirring constantly, cook 3 to 4 minutes. Mix in the remaining 1 cup blueberries. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes, until the blueberries burst. Stir in the butter, and pour over the baked French toast

Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding Like Gerty Made!

2009-04-13T20:03:00.000-07:00

3/4 cup sugar, divided
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
Dash salt
3 eggs, separated
2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon
vanilla extract
45 NILLA Wafers, divided
5 ripe bananas, sliced (about 3 1/2 cups), divided
Additional NILLA Wafers and banana slices, for garnish

Mix 1/2 cup sugar, flour and salt in top of double boiler. Blend in 3 egg yolks and milk. Cook, uncovered, over boiling water, stirring constantly for 10 to 12 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.

Reserve 10 wafers for garnish. Spread small amount of custard on bottom of 1 1/2-quart casserole; cover with a layer of wafers and a layer of sliced bananas. Pour about 1/3 of custard over bananas. Continue to layer wafers, bananas and custard to make a total of 3 layers of each, ending with custard.

Beat egg whites until soft peaks form; gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar and beat until stiff but not dry. Spoon on top of pudding, spreading evenly to cover entire surface and sealing well to edges.

Bake at 350°F in top half of oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until browned. Cool slightly or refrigerate. Garnish with additional wafers and banana slices just before serving.

Easter Honey Chicken

2009-04-04T06:08:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

2 lbs chicken halves w/ skins
1 c honey
1/2 butter
1/4 c lemon (or lime) juice
1 tsp salt
3 Tbsp thyme

Preheat oven to 325. Salt chicken and arrange in a single layer in the baking dish. Mix all other ingredients in a sauce pan and simmer 5 minutes. Baste chicken with mixture and place in the oven. Baste every 20 minutes. Cooking time...1 to 1 1/2 hours (depending on the size of the chicken), cook until the liquids run clear.

This recipe can also be done on the BBQ but honey is sugary and blackens easily so I recommend basting less frequently on the grill.

Allie's Butter Lettuce Salad

2009-03-31T18:05:00.000-07:00

INGREDIENTS
2 cups cranberries/blueberries halved
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons sugar
5 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground pepper
3 heads butter head lettuce of your choice
3/4 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup crumbled Roquefort cheese

PREPARATION
1. Make the vinaigrette: Place the cranberries & blueberries, 1/4 cup water, lemon juice, and sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stir to combine, and cook until berries soften - about 10 minutes. Run the berries and any liquid through a food mill, strain the mixture, discard the solids, and return the liquid to the saucepan. Cook over low heat until reduced to 1/3 cup - about 20 minutes. Cool completely. Whisk the reduced cherry liquid, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl and set aside.
2. Assemble the salad: Toss the lettuce, dried cherries, and Roquefort cheese together in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing and serve immediately.

Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry

2009-03-31T17:57:00.000-07:00

So I went looking for a new asparagus stir fry recipe to try out on Friday while Jon works late and I found this one HERE. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Someone else's yummy recipe...click link above for actually author please.

About 1 lb boneless chicken breast, sliced thinly against grain
About 10 asparagus stalks, sliced on a bias, with the tough ends snapped off where it naturally breaks
About half an onion, sliced, or 1-2 scallions, sliced on a bias
1-2 tbspn rice cooking wine (optional)
2 cloves garlic, minced
Soy sauce
Corn starch
Oil
Salt and pepper

Marinate sliced chicken with about 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon corn starch, salt, and 1 clove of minced garlic for 20-30 minutes. Heat a wok or large pan with oil and stir fry until slightly browned. Add a tablespoon or so of rice wine if using while cooking. Remove from pan. Heat more oil and the rest of the garlic. Stir fry asparagus and onions until just tender, adding salt and a little pepper to taste. Return the chicken to pan. Taste for seasoning, adding more soy sauce if necessary. (If using scallion instead of onion I would add them here.) Mix about one tablespoon with 1/2 cup cold water with a splash of soy sauce, and optional teaspoon of sugar. Make sure your stir-fry is hot and slowly pour cornstarch mixture into the pan, stirring. Stir until the sauce is thickened and bubbly, and serve dish over steamed rice

Margarita Chicken

2009-03-24T20:16:00.000-07:00

1 lb. skinless chicken breasts

1/2 c. lime juice (fresh)

1/3 c. golden tequila

1/4 c. olive oil

2 tbsp. Cointreau

2 garlic cloves, minced

Fresh ground pepper

In large bowl combine liquids and garlic. Add chicken breasts and cover. marinate for up to 2 hours at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator. Grill chicken breasts over hot coals and serve with rice or in tortillas with cheese, salsa and sour cream. (Or slice and place over Cilantro Pesto and Angel Hair Pasta-- see previous recipe)

Cilantro Pesto

2009-03-24T20:14:00.000-07:00

1 bunch cilantro
3 cloves garlic
1/2 c. olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 c. pine nuts (or walnuts)

Wash cilantro, dry. Mix ingredients in food processor until smooth. Chill and serve with fish or pasta as sauce or as a vegetable dip.

Allie's Whipped Cream

2009-02-28T07:02:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:

1 pint cream
1/3 cups sugar
1/2 pinch salt
1 drop vanilla extract

Directions:

Pour the 1/2 pint of Heavy cream into a small bowl
Then add 1 drop of vanilla extract
Add in about a 1/3 cup of sugar and a tiny pinch of salt. Adding more sugar will help thicken the mixture, but don't add too much. 3/4 a cup to a cup is too much.
Using a wire whisk or beater, whip the mixture together until you get stiff peaks
Let sit in fridge to cool, then enjoy !

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

2009-02-28T06:58:00.000-08:00

INGREDIENTS

16 ounces milk chocolate chips
2 tablespoons butter

1 pound fresh strawberries with leaves

DIRECTIONS

Insert toothpicks into the tops of the strawberries.

In a double boiler, melt the chocolate and shortening, stirring occasionally until smooth. Holding them by the toothpicks, dip the strawberries into the chocolate mixture.

Turn the strawberries upside down and insert the toothpick into styrofoam for the chocolate to cool. (Or just lay them on wax paper but then one side of the chocolate will be flat.)

What Fruits and Veggies are in Season?

2009-02-14T21:44:00.000-08:00

I commonly hear people talking about what fruits and veggies are in season. From best I can tell most people don't know what's in season when. In our local area, seasons look a lot like this...

Spring
Asparagus
Blackberries
Green Onions
Leeks
Lettuces
New Potatoes
Peas
Red Radishes
Rhubarb
Spinach
Strawberries
Watercress

Summer
Apricots
Blueberries
Cherries
Eggplant
Fresh Herbs
Green Beans
Hot Peppers
Melons
Okra
Peaches
Plums
Sweet Corn
Sweet Peppers
Tomatoes
Zucchini

Fall
Apples
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cauliflower
Collards
Grapes
Kale
Pears
Persimmons
Pumpkins
Winter Squash
Yams

Winter
Beets
Cabbage
Carrots
Citrus
Daikon Radishes
Onions
Rutabagas
Turnips
Winter Squash

I'm sure I forgot somethings on my list but this should at least be a little helpful for people who aren't sure what to be looking for at the local market or co-op.

Southern Mac and Cheese

2009-02-13T09:58:00.000-08:00

Ingredients

4 cups cooked elbow macaroni noodles, drained
2 cups grated medium cheddar cheese
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup sour cream
4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Once you have the macaroni cooked and drained, place in a large bowl and while still hot and add the cheddar. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and add to the macaroni mixture. Pour macaroni mixture into a casserole dish and bake for 30 to 45 minutes. Top with additional cheese if desired.

Ethel's Easter Bread

2009-02-12T09:52:00.000-08:00

3 eggs
1/2 c. sugar
3/8 c. salad oil (1/4 c. plus 1/8 c.)
1/4 tsp. yellow food coloring
1 tsp. anise flavoring
3/4 c. scalded milk
3/4 c. warm water
1/2 tbsp. yeast
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. currants
About 4 3/4 c. flour

Instructions
Dissolve yeast in warm water. Proceed in usual manner, using enough flour to make a soft dough. Work down 4 times. Put in pans and let rise to 3/4 size. (I use 3 1-pound coffee cans, plus another smaller can.) Bake in 350 degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Frost tops with thin powdered sugar frosting. Then sprinkle with multi-colored candies. NOTE: May be toasted

Darlene's Corned Beef Tacos

2009-02-10T09:48:00.000-08:00

1 can of corned beef
12 corn taco shells
3 cups shredded cabbage
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
diced red onion
diced tomato
El Paso HOT Taco Sauce

Mix taco sauce and meat in a sauce pan and simmer. Heat up taco shells. Layer meat, cheese and then cabbage into a taco shell. Top with onion or tomato to your liking. Serve.

50's Tallerini Recipe

2009-02-09T09:44:00.000-08:00

Ingredients :
1 pound ground round steak
1 can(10-1/2 ounces) tomato soup
1 can (10-1/2 ounces) water
1 can (14 ounces) cream style corn
1 can (8 ounces) ripe olives
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 large onion, chopped
1 package (6 ounces) egg noodles, cooked
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese

Directions: 1-Brown meat and onions. Combine all the ingredients, except cheese, and pour into a 9x13-inch baking pan. 2-Bake in a 425 degree oven for 45 minutes. 3-Just before it is done, sprinkle top with grated cheese and brown.

Cowboy Cookies

2009-02-08T09:42:00.000-08:00

1 c. brown sugar
2 sticks butter
1 c. sugar
2 c. oatmeal
2 c. flour
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
12 oz butterscotch or chocolate chips (or a mix of both)
1 c. nuts

Mix ingredients in the standard way for making cookies... you know the drill.

Bake 350 degrees. 10-12 minutes each batch.

I Heart Spinach Pockets

2009-01-31T09:08:00.000-08:00

Spinach Souffle in Phillo

2 (20 oz.) bags of chopped frozen spinach

2 med. onions, chopped

1 lb. Muenster cheese, grated

2 eggs

2 sticks butter, melted

2 tbsp. oil

1 lb. box phillo

Salt

sesame seeds

Defrost spinach and drain. Saute onion in oil, when wilted add spinach and cook for 2 minutes. Leave spinach bright green. Drain liquid from mixture. Add eggs, cheese and dash of salt to spinach and onion mixture. Set aside. Brush a sheet of phillo with melted butter and place it in a flat 3 quart baking dish. Repeat procedure until 1/2 of phillo has been used. Spread with spinach mixture and top with buttered sheets of remaining phillo. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and refrigerate for 5 minutes. Cut into squares about 2 inches. Bake at 350 degrees uncovered until top is golden.

BeStillMyHeart Red Potatoes

2009-01-29T09:05:00.000-08:00

3 lbs. sm. red skinned new potatoes

3/4 c. unsalted butter

1/2 c. lemon juice

1 1/2 tsp. lemon zest, grated

2 tsp. rosemarySalt and pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Quarter potatoes and arrange in baking dish in single layer. Salt and pepper potatoes. Combine butter, lemon juice and lemon zest in a saucepan and heat until butter is melted.

Pour mixture over potatoes. Sprinkle rosemary over potatoes. Bake until lightly browned for 30 to 45 minutes.

Valentine's Pork Loin Packets

2009-01-27T08:57:00.000-08:00

6 eye of pork loin (pictured above)

6 slices onion

6 slices tomatoes

6 slices Swiss cheese

1 lb. bacon

Garlic

salt and pepper to taste

Crisscross bacon. Place pork on top. Put garlic salt on pork to taste. Layer onion, tomato, Swiss cheese. Put bacon over top, place toothpick in to hold. Place in oven at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Use broiler pan.

Valentine Asparagus Bundles

2009-01-25T09:03:00.000-08:00

1 bar garlic herb cheese (cream cheese or goat cheese)

1/2 pound Proscuitto (thinly sliced)

1 lb asparagus

Parmesan cheese

cooking spray (Pam)

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Simmer asparagus for about 8-10 minutes depending on size; drain and let cool.
Lay out slice of Proscuitto and place about 3-4 asparagus in center; top asparagus with a tablespoon of cream cheese. Wrap Proscuitto around asparagus and cream cheese.
Repeat for desired quantity of servings. Place on greased cookie sheet. Spray tops of bundles with cooking spray. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and bake for approximately 12-15 minutes.

Berry Dessert Pizza

2009-01-25T08:52:00.000-08:00

1 tube prepared cookie dough (Pillsbury sugar cookie, chocolate or chocolate chip)

8 oz. pkg. cream cheese

An equal amount of marshmallow fluff

Fresh Berries (Strawberries, Blueberries and Rassberries) cut up the larger ones.

Roasted Almonds

Chocolate Sauce

Spread cookie dough in oval on cookie sheet and bake. Let cool. While cooling, mix softened cream cheese and marshmallow fluff together and spread on cookie dough when dough is cool. Arrange fruit & nuts over top. Sprinkle with chocolate sauce and chill. Serve in wedges.

Lasagna Roll Ups

2009-01-02T09:01:00.000-08:00

1 lb. sweet Italian sausage or hamburger

1/2 c. chopped onion

1 crushed garlic clove

1 1/3 c. (2-6 oz. cans) tomato paste

1 2/3 c. water

1 tsp. oregano leaves

1/2 tsp. basil

2/3 c. (10 oz.) cooked, thoroughly drained, frozen chopped spinach

2 c. Ricotta cheese

1 c. grated Parmesan cheese

1 1/2 c. Mozzarella cheese

1 slightly beaten egg

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

8 cooked lasagna noodles

Brown meat with onions and garlic. Add tomato paste, water, oregano and basil. Simmer 20 minutes. Combine spinach, Ricotta, Parmesan, 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, egg, salt, pepper, milk. Spread about 1/2 cup mixture on a half noodle. Roll up. Place seams side down in 12x7x2 inch baking dish. Pour sauce over rolls. Top with remaining 1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350 degrees 30 to 40 minutes.

Wicked Chicken in White Wine Sauce

2008-12-28T19:43:00.000-08:00

I learned the basics for this recipe in like the 5th grade and I perfected it right after High School. I don't make it often because I don't keep white wine around the house but I should... it's super easy. Susan and Mark had it hear about a week ago and asked if the recipe was on my blog... so here it is "just for Susan"

Ingredients:

1 lb chicken breast strips or tenders

1 package buttom mushrooms sliced

2 cloves minced garlic

1/4 c + 3 T flour

2 T pepper

1 t salt

4 T butter

2 c white wine

1/4 c heavy cream

Directions:

Combine 1/4 c flour, salt and pepper in a ziploc bag, toss in the chicken (seal it) and shake it. Put 1 T of butter in skillet and cook mushrooms until soft, remove and set aside. Add 2 T butter and garlic. Brown chicken (dust off excess flour) in butter and set aside. When all the chicken is cooked add the last of the butter and the 3 T flour and brown. Stir in wine and let simmer 5-10 minutes, then stir in the heavy cream. Once mixture starts to bubble add back in the mushrooms and chicken and let it cook for about 3-5 minutes. Serve over cooked rice or pasta.

Gerty's Divinity Recipe

2008-12-14T08:17:00.000-08:00

(this picture was taken from the internet, thanks)

4 cups sugar
1 cup Karo (white)
3/4 cup cold water
3 egg whites
1 teaspoon pure vanilla
2 cups chopped pecans

Directions:

In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stir together the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir only until sugar has dissolved. Do not stir after this point. Cook syrup mixture bringing it to a hard ball stage.

While the syrup is cooking, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Once the sugar mixture reaches 250 degrees F, carefully pour a slow steady stream of syrup into the stiffly beaten egg whites, beating constantly at high speed. Add the vanilla and continue to beat until mixture holds its shape, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in pecans.

Using 2 spoons, drop the divinity onto waxed paper. Cool the candies on racks completely.

Penny's Popcorn Cake

2008-12-12T10:20:00.000-08:00

INGREDIENTS
4 quarts popped popcorn
1 pound candy-coated chocolate pieces
1 cup peanuts
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup butter
1 pound marshmallows (or half marshmallows and half caramels)

DIRECTIONS

Mix popcorn, M&Ms, and peanuts in large bowl.

Heat oil, butter, and marshmallows in pan until melted. Pour over popcorn and blend together with heavy spoon or hands.

Spray Bundt cake pan with vegetable spray. Press mixture lightly into pan and refrigerate until cool.

To remove cake from pan, put pan in warm water, then turn upside down until cake comes out.

Grandma Cindy's Penuche

2008-12-10T07:13:00.000-08:00

1 lb. (2 1/4 c.) firmly packed light brown sugar

3/4 c. milk

1/8 tsp. salt

2 1/2 tbsp. butter

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 c. chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Combine sugar, milk and salt in thick saucepan. Place over moderate heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.

Cook without stirring until candy reaches 238 degrees. Or soft ball stage. Remove from heat.

Add butter or stick butter without stirring. Cool to 110 degrees lukewarm.

Add extract and nuts, stir continuously until thick and creamy. Turn into buttered

pan at once when firm cut into squares.

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls

2008-12-08T08:10:00.000-08:00

2 c. peanut butter

1 lb. powdered sugar

1 stick butter

3 c. Rise Krispies

Mix well. Make into small balls. Chill thoroughly.

In top of double boiler melt:

1 (6 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips

1/8 cake paraffin

Dip balls in chocolate and chill.

Fudge with Pecans

2008-12-06T10:04:00.000-08:00

4 c. sugar

1 stick (1/2 c.) unsalted butter, cut into bits

12 oz. can (1 1/2 c.) evaporated milk or sweetened condensed milk

1 lb. bar Hershey's milk chocolate, broken into pieces

2 c. (12 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips

2 c. marshmallow creme

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. salt

pecans

In a large heavy kettle, combine the sugar, butter and the milk and cook the mixture over moderate heat, stirring, until it comes to a full boil. Boil for 5 minutes. Remove the kettle from the heat, stir in quickly the milk chocolate, the chocolate chips, marshmallow cream, vanilla and the salt, and stir the mixture until it is combined thoroughly. Fold in pecans.

Pour the mixture into a greased pan. Refrigerate until firm and then cut into pieces.

Makes about 5 pounds soft, creamy fudge.

The Best Damn ChocoPots

2008-11-14T09:55:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:

1/2 pint heavy cream
7 ounces semisweet organic chocolate
2 large brown egg yolks
3 tablespoons brandy (or peppermint schnapps is ok too)
4 teaspoons butter

Directions:

In a thick-bottomed pot, heat the cream until near boiling. Remove and set aside for 1 minute before adding chocolate. Stir in until melted and smooth. Once melted, stir in egg yolks and brandy. Cool slightly, add butter and stir until smooth and shiny. Pour into individual serving pots.

Basic Hippy Nut Granola

2008-11-12T09:50:00.000-08:00

Ingredients (I prefer organic):

3 c rolled oats
1 c slivered almonds
1 c pecan halves or cashews (high fat nuts)
3/4 c shredded coconut
1/4 c plus 2 T dark brown sugar
1/4 c plus 2 T maple syrup
1/4 c vegetable oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 c raisins or dried cranberries

Directions:

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut, and brown sugar.
In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, oil, and salt. Combine both mixtures and pour onto 2 sheet pans. Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to achieve an even color.
Remove from oven and transfer into a large bowl. Add raisins/dried cranberries and mix until evenly distributed.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

2008-11-11T01:45:00.000-08:00

WHOOPIE INGREDIENTS

2 egg yolks
2 c. brown sugar
1 c. vegetable oil
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. cooked pumpkin
3 c. flour

WHOOPIE DIRECTIONS:

Beat egg yolks, brown sugar and oil together until smooth. Add pumpkin and dry ingredients. Mix well. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Cool. Fill with filling.

FILLING:
2 tsp. vanilla
4 tbsp. flour
2 egg whites, unbeaten
2 tbsp. milk
1 1/2 c. butter or shortening
1 box confectioners' sugar (1 lb.)

Mix together & chill until needed.

Old Deviled Eggs

2008-11-09T06:28:00.000-08:00

1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 tsp dill pickle relish
2 tbs finely grated onion (I run mine through the microplane)
1 tbsp whole mustard
1/2 tsp vinegar
dash of cayenne
6 hard boiled eggs

Slice hard boiled eggs in half. Remove yolk and mash in a bowl and add remaining spices.
Spoon egg yolk mixture into egg whites. Chill for an hour or overnight and serve.

Holiday Spinach Salad

2008-11-07T06:23:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:

1 bag of pre-washed spinach
1 c chopped apples
1/2 c chopped red onions
1/2 c chopped pecans
1/4 c craisins (dried cranberries)
4 sticks of bacon crumbled (reserve grease)
1/4 c crumbled blue cheese
6 T olive oil
1 T dijon mustard
1 T brown sugar

Salad Dressing Prep:

In a heat safe bowl combine 2 T bacon grease with brown sugar. Stir until sugar desolves and add dijon mustard. Slowly whisk in olive oil until frothy dressing is ready. Reserve to toss with salad.

Salad Directions:

Poor salad dressing in the bottom of a large wooden bowl. Add apples, pecans and onions. Top with spinach, blue cheese crumbles, craisins, and bacon. Toss before serving (by leaving the dressing on the bottom the salad will not wilt before serving)

Stuffed & Drunk Turkey Breasts

2008-11-05T06:19:00.000-08:00

This recipe was very popular during my catering days. It is grate sliced on top of a spinach salad like the one I will be posting on Friday.

Ingredients:

1 (4-5 lb.) pkg. turkey breast half
1 (6 oz.) Stove Top stuffing mix for turkey, prepared using ale instead of water
1 med. apple, chopped
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1/4 c. chopped onions
1 ale (for stuffing prep)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Rinse turkey; pat dry. With knife, loosen lining under skin leaving all but one edge attached. Toss stuffing with remaining ingredients in large bowl. Spoon into pocket under loosened skin. Secure opening with toothpicks. Place, skin side up, in shallow roasting pan. Roast 1 1/2 hours. Baste with pan drippings; cover loosely with foil. Roast an additional 45-60 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

2008-11-03T06:13:00.000-08:00

This recipe is great for the Holidays because it's a little fancier than a normal mashed potato. PLUS it's too fattening to eat often...so the Holidays seem like a nice time to splurge.

Ingredients:

1 lb of red potatoes
1 stick of butter (1/4 c)
1 stick of cream cheese (8 ounces)
1/2 c heavy cream
1 T salt
2 T white pepper
1 HEAD of Garlic
2-3 T olive oil

Directions:

Cut the top off a head of garlic. Place it in foil and coat with Olive Oil. Wrap into a foil baseball and place in a 375 degree oven for 15-20 minutes. You'll smell it when it's done. Squeeze the warm, light brown garlic out of the skins on to a dish and mash them with a fork then reserve it until later.

Boil pototoes (cut larger ones in half or chunks) until fork tender. Drain and mash. Add butter and cream cheese and stir. Add garlic and seasonings. Stir in cream slowly until your potatoes are the consistancy you like them.

Chicken & Cilantro (Cheater Soup)

2008-11-01T13:49:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1 Roasted Chicken, shredded
1 Bunch of Cilantro (1/2 coup)
6 c Chicken Stock
1/2 Yellow Onion cut into thin slices
1 c Bean Sprouts
2 c Egg Noodles
3 Green Onions, chopped
Lime Juice
1 clove garlic, minced

Directions:

Bring chicken stock up to a simmer in a pot. Add yellow onion, garlic, and shredded chicken meat. Simmer 10-12 minutes. Stir in egg noodles, lime juice and simmer until noodles are soft. Add bean sprouts and green onions. Serve while green onions and sprouts are still crisp

Pumpkin Roll Cake

2008-10-31T00:41:00.000-07:00

PUMPKIN ROLL FILLING

Ingredients:

1 (8 oz.) cream cheese
1 c. powdered sugar
4 tbsp. butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Let cheese and butter soften while cake cools. Beat in sugar and vanilla. Refrigerate until needed to spread on cooled cake.

PUMPKIN ROLL CAKE

Ingredients:

3 eggs
1 c. canned pumpkin
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. lemon juice
3/4 c. flour (sift once before measuring)
1/2 tsp. salt (optional)
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. baking powder
1 c. nuts, chopped

Beat eggs, pumpkin, sugar and lemon juice until sugar dissolves. Sift in dry ingredients. Pour into greased and floured sheet cake pan (10 x 15 x 1/2 inch). Sprinkle with nuts. Bake at 370 degrees for exactly 15 minutes. Loosen edges with knife and turn out immediately onto cloth that has been dusted with powdered sugar (place cloth sugar-side down over cake in pan, hold tightly over pan and flip over). Roll as for jellyroll using cloth to ease hot cake into curl (nuts will be on outside of roll). Roll cloth and cake together, then place on rack to cool. When cool, unwrap and unroll cake, spread with filling, and re-roll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours. Slice thinly after filling is set.

Maple Chicken

2008-10-30T00:35:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

4 single chicken breasts (or cut-up broiler, fryer)
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
Salt and ground black pepper
2 tbsp. butter
1/2 c. maple syrup
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. dried sage
1 onion, peeled and sliced

Directions:

Rinse chicken and pat dry. Dredge in flour seasoned with salt and pepper to taste. In a heavy, flameproof casserole, heat butter until bubbling and brown chicken pieces quickly on both sides over medium high heat. Pour maple syrup over chicken. Sprinkle with thyme, and sage. Arrange onion slices atop chicken. Pour 1/2 cup water into the bottom of casserole. Bake uncovered, in 350-degree oven for 50 to 60 minutes or until tender, basting chicken occasionally with pan juices

Mustard & Garlic Loins

2008-10-29T00:37:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp. chopped onion
1 1/2 lb. pork tenderloin
Salt and pepper
1 tbsp. flour
1 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. olive oil
3/4 c. chicken stock
1 tbsp. coarse grained Dijon mustard
2 tbsp. honey

Directions:

Slice pork diagonally and flatten slightly. Sprinkle meat with salt and pepper and coat lightly with flour. Heat butter and oil over medium high heat. Add pork and cook until browned on each side.

Remove pork and keep warm. Add garlic and onion to pan and cook for 1 minute. Stir in remaining ingredients and heat to boiling. Boil rapidly to reduce by one half. Return meat to pan, turning to coat with sauce.

Baked Acorn Squash

2008-10-28T00:31:00.000-07:00

Ingredients
1 Acorn squash
1 Tbsp Butter
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
2 teaspoons Maple Syrup
Dash of Salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400°F. Using a strong chef's knifecut the acorn squash in half, lengthwise, from stem to end. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy stuff in the center of each half. Place each half in a baking pan, cut side up. Add about a 1/4 inch of water to the bottom of the baking pan. Coat the inside of each half with 1/2 a Tbsp of butter. Add a dash of salt if you are using unsalted butter and some brown sugar to the cavity of each half. Dribble on a teaspoon of maple syrup to each half. Bake in the oven for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, until the squash is very soft and the tops are browned.

Vampire Hunter Soup

2008-10-27T12:44:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

4 roma tomatoes (sliced)
1 package cherry tomatoes
1 yellow onion (sliced)
2 cloves garlic
fresh basil (to taste)
Olive Oil (2 T or so)
Salt and Pepper
Crushed Red Pepper
1/2 c heavy cream
4 c chicken broth

Directions:

Place tomatoes, onion and garlic on a baking sheet and coat with olive oil and salt/pepper. Broil until roasted tomatoes are tender. Combine all other ingredients in a stock pot and bring to a simmer. Blend with a hand blender.

I serve with grilled cheese sandwiches which I cut with a cookie cutter into bats or tombstones.

Baked Potato Soup

2008-10-26T10:48:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup flour
7 cups milk
4 large baking potatoes, baked, cooled, peeled and cubed, about 4 cups
4 green onions, thinly sliced
10 to 12 strips bacon, cooked, drained, and crumbled
1 1/4 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

In a large potover low heat, melt butter. Stir in flour; stir until smooth and bubbly. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly, until sauce has thickened. Add potatoes and onions. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until soup begins to bubble. Reduce heat; simmer gently for 10 minutes. Add remaining ingredients; stir until cheese is melted.

Garnish with sour cream or cheese and green onions or bacon if serving formally.

Penny's Cranberry Relish

2008-10-26T00:24:00.000-07:00

My Aunt Penny gave me this recipe when I first moved out from living with my parents. Her only request? Make it only at the holidays...that's what keeps it special. So I'll ask that you do do the same.

Ingredients:

1 jar rasberry preserves
1 bag whole cranberries
1-2 T freshly grated ginger
1/4 c apple or orange juice
1 T orange or lime rind
2 apples (diced)

Directions: Place cranberries and apples in the food processor. Blend until the consistancy of pickle relish. Stir in ginger, rinds and rasberry preserves. Add apple juice until the consistancy that you like. Store in an air-tight container in the fridge *up to 6 days* or freezer.

Originally this recipe it called for OJ and orange rind...but I'm allergic so I adapted it

If your cranberries are very bitter...you might need to add a tablespoon or two of sugar.

I make this recipe at least two days before I want it. It gets better with time...plus it saves on the amount of things you do on an actual holiday!

DANGER 1 MONTH Warning!

2008-10-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

Today marks almost 1 month until Thanksgiving. Do you know what that means? It's time to start sharing my favorite holiday recipes for Turkey Day here at FatGirlEats...that way we can get lots of holiday foods out of the way to make room for the important foods in my life known as Christmas foods.

But Thanksgiving... we'll still be doing it justice...don't you worry.

Things to look forward to this month?

Cajun Turkey
Allie's Famous Sausage & Apple Sourdough Stuffing (it's not like Grandma used to make)
Giblet Gravy (it is like Grandma used to make)
Allie's Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Aunt Penny's Old Fashioned Cranberry Relish
Green Bean Casserole... all the yum... none of the cans
Deviled Eggs with a Twist
Darlene's Damn Good Yeast Rolls
Gerty's Sweet Potatoes
Coconut Cream Pie
Brandy Pecan Pie

But, it gets better... I'm taking requests. If you need a Thanksgiving recipe and you think I might have it... please leave a request in the comments.

Cheater AppleCakes (Apple Pancakes)

2008-10-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1 egg
1/4 c milk
1/4 c applesauce- CHUNKY
1 c Bisquick
dash of cinnamon

Directions: Mix ingredients together. Add a dollop of butter to a frying pan and let it melt. Pour pancake batter on top. Wait until bubbles appear and then flip the pancake. Cook until done.

This recipe is rather small it makes about 4 pancakes (enough for Baby and Me). I recommend upgrading the quantities if you are making this for more than 1 adult and 1 baby.

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

2008-10-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

Ironically, one of my favorite websites for food just did a similar recipe...but I had already scheduled this one to post... so sorry if you read us both LOL.

Ingredients:

4 c thinly sliced red potatoes (partially boiled)

Basic Cheese Sauce (see last post)

1/4 c shredded cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

Minced Garlic to taste

Directions:

Stir minced garlic into basic cheese sauce. Layer potatoes in a 9 x 13 casserole dish. Season potatoes with salt and pepper. Cover with basic cheese sauce. Bake 375 degrees until potatoes are fork tender. Sprinkle top with cheese and put under the broiler until cheese is golden brown.

Basic Cheese Sauce

2008-10-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1/4 c flour

1/4 c butter

2 c milk/chicken stock

2 c cheese (I used cheddar)

salt/pepper/garlic to taste

Directions:

Melt butter in a sauce pan over medium heat. Stir in flour and brown until lightly brown and well blended. Slowly add half of the COLD milk or stock stirring, then add cheese and stir until melted. Thin out the remainder of the sauce to your desired thickness using remaining liquids.

This can be used to make awesome scalloped potatoes which will be posted tomorrow!

Potato & Leek Soup

2008-10-17T08:13:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
4 slices bacon
2 large leeks, white part only, cleaned, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, diced
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 tablespoons flour
3 cups chicken broth
2 cups diced potatoes
2 cups half-and-half or whole milk
1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
salt and pepper, to taste
fresh chopped parsley or thinly sliced green onion tops

Directions:
Cook bacon in a large saucepan over medium heat until almost crisp; remove to paper towels and crumble. Set aside. Pour off all but 1 teaspoon of the drippings off. Add leeks and diced onion along with butter and oil. Cook the mixture, stirring, until leeks are tender, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the onion mixture and blend in. Stir in chicken broth and potatoes. Cook stirring, until thickened. Cover and simmer over low heat until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in half-and-half or cream and heat through. Add the chopped parsley and salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with the crumbled bacon and fresh chopped parsley or thinly sliced green onion tops.

Veggie Goulash

2008-10-15T08:10:00.000-07:00

INGREDIENTS :

1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 small green bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon paprika
1 (14.5 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, chopped, juice reserved
1/2 cup red wine
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon tomato puree
1 teaspoon sugar
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and saute the onion 5 minutes, until tender. Mix in the green pepper and saute 5 minute, until the pepper is tender. Mix in the garlic and paprika. Stir the tomatoes with their juice into the skillet. Mix in the wine, oregano, and tomato puree. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer 25 minutes, until thickened. Just before serving, stir in the sugar, and season with salt and pepper.

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

2008-10-13T08:06:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
2 sweet potatoes
sea salt
2 ounces cream cheese (cubed)
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 dash cinnamon
fresh ground pepper, to taste

Directions:
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line baking pan or cookie sheet with foil. Spray foil with cooking spray. Cut potatoes in half. Sprinkle with sea salt and place cut side down on prepared pan. Bake 30 minutes or until potato is tender. Holding potato in a cooking mitten, scoop out center in put into bowl, leaving a 1/4 inch thick shell. Add cheese, cream, sugar, cinnamon and pepper. Mash with a potato masher until will blended. Sprinkle inside of shells very lightly with sea salt, if desired. Spoon potato mixture evenly between 4 shells. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until potatoes are heated throughout.

Why no Pics?

2008-10-11T20:05:00.002-07:00

I've been a little too busy to cook lately but I want to get recipes up for everyone so I'll go back and add pictures later I promise!!

Butternut Squash Soup

2008-10-11T20:05:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:
1 butternut squash, peeled
Nutmeg
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Salt and pepper
1 onion, chopped
6 cups chicken stock

Directions:
Cut squash into 1-inch chunks. In large pot melt butter. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add squash and stock. Bring to a simmer and cook until squash is tender. Remove squash chunks with slotted spoon and place in a blender and puree. Return blended squash to pot. Stir and season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Serve.

Allie's Pumpkin Cheesecake

2008-10-04T13:27:00.000-07:00

My friend Lynn requested a pumpkin cheese cake recipe to use the ricotta in the recipe I posted earlier this week...so here it is...

Ingredients:

30 oz nonfat ricotta cheese
1 lb canned pumpkin
5 eggs; or 3 eggs & 4 whites
5/8 cup flour
1 1/4 cups dark brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup sugar
1 large pinch cinnamon
1 large pinch allspice
1 large pinch cloves
1 large pinch nutmeg
graham cracker crumbs for optional topping
graham cracker crust of your choice for the bottom

Directions:

Set oven at 400 degrees. Mix all ingredients with beaters. Bake in lightly greased springform pan (dusted with graham cracker crumbs, optional) for 1 hour and 10 minutes, until knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool on a rack, then chill for at least 3 hours.

Due to the requestful nature of this recipe, I didn't have time to make it. So here it is but without a picture.

Making Your Own Ricotta

2008-09-30T08:33:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1 gallon whole milk or skim (1 gal. whole milk = about 1lb cheese)
white vinegar or fresh lemon juice

Tools:

a large colander lined with fine cheesecloth
a large pot

Directions:

Put the milk in a large, non-reactive sauce pan and heat slowly to 200 degrees, stirring to prevent it scorching on the bottom. When the milk is hot enough, add about 1/4 cup of vinegar or lemon juice (I always use vinegar because I'm allergic to lemon).

If the milk is really at 200 degrees, it will instantly curdle, if this does not happen, keep heating. It is not necessary to continue heating once the reaction occurs, however, you will want to let it sit for a few minutes, with an occasional stir.

Place your lined colander in the sink, drain open please, and carefully pour the entire contents (DO NOT skim anything off) of the pot into it.

Assuming that all goes well, allow the ricotta to drain and cool until you can handle the cheesecloth comfortably. Gather the ends of the cloth up and tie into a bag which must be suspended over the sink until it stops dripping. (I hang it from the faucet, it usually takes an hour)

You can add a bit of salt if you like. Of, if the cheese is to be used in a desert, add a little cream and mix in well to make a richer product.

If you are not going to use the cheese immediately, pack into a container and either refrigerate or freeze.

Brocolli Beef Stir Fry

2008-09-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1 tbsp. cornstarch

2 tbsp. soy sauce

1 lb. beef stir fry

5 tbsp. oil

1/4 c. onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 tsp. red pepper, crushed, dried

1/2 c. sliced mushrooms

1/2 c. carrot strips

2 c. broccoli flowerets

1/2 c. beef broth

Directions:

In bowl stir first 2 ingredients. Add beef to coat. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Drain, reserve marinade.

In large skillet or wok, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium high heat. Add onion, garlic and red pepper. Stir fry 2 minutes. Remove with slotted spoon to large bowl. Add mushrooms to skillet. Stir fry 1 minute. Remove to bowl. Add 2 tablespoons oil. Add carrots and broccoli. Stir fry 2 minutes or until tender crisp. Remove to bowl. Add 1 tablespoon oil. Add beef. Stir fry 3 minutes or until lightly browned. Add broth and reserved marinade. Stir constantly bring to boil over medium heat and boil 1 minute. Add vegetables. Cook 2-3 minutes until heated. Serve over rice.