A BUSHEL and A PECK

Tomato Bisque

2011-12-11T19:49:00.000-08:00

A classic. With a few fresh ingredients it becomes special. Great with grilled sandwiches or just add some homemade croutons. YUM!

1 onion, chopped
2 T. butter
4-5 fresh basil leaves, cut into strips
2 fresh garlic cloves, crushed
2 pkgs. cream cheese
1 1/4 c. milk
2 cans tomato soup
2 cans (16 oz) chopped tomatoes

Saute` onion in butter. Add garlic towards the end. (garlic can become bitter if it's saute`d too long) Add cream cheese and melt down. Slowly, add all other ingredients, mix well. Simmer for about 20 mins. Serve hot.

Balsamic Dressing

2011-12-07T19:07:00.000-08:00

This dressing caught my eye while reading in the magazine section at Barnes and Noble.
The walnut oil adds great depth and richness. I usually 3 -4 times it to get a good jars worth.

1 tsp. dijon mustard
3 T. balsamic vinegar
3 T. olive oil
2 T. walnut oil

Whisk together briskly. Stores in fridge for several weeks.

Brownie Pudding

2011-12-07T18:58:00.000-08:00

My husband says this should really be called "crack cocaine"! To die for!
I love to serve it hot with vanilla icecream.
A slight variation taken from an Ina Garten cookbook. She asked for a framboise liqueur which was optional and scraped vanilla seeds which I used vanilla extract in it's place.

2 sticks butter, melted and cooled
4 large eggs, at room temp.
2 c. sugar
3/4 c. flour
1/4 c. cocoa powder
1-2 tsp. vanilla

Preheat the oven to 325*. Butter a 2 quart (9x12x2 inch) baking dish.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle, beat eggs and sugar for 5-10 mins. Until very thick and light yellow. Meanwhile, sift the cocoa powder and flour together and set aside.
When the eggs and sugar mixture is done, lower speed and add vanilla and cocoa/powder mixture. Mix only till combined. With the mixer still on low, slowly pour in the cooled butter and mix again just until combined.
Pour brownie mixture into the prepared dish and place it in a larger baking pan. Add enough of the hottest tap water to the pan to come halfway up the side of the dish and bake for exactly 1 hour. The center will appear very under-baked; this dessert is between a brownie and a pudding.
Serve with vanilla icecream.

Homemade Croutons

2011-11-23T11:57:00.000-08:00

These are super simple and so good!

1 loaf french bread (cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes)
3/4 c. olive oil
herbs, seasonings to your liking
garlic salt & pepper to desire
1/2 c. fresh parmesan

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
In a large bowl combine seasonings, oil, salt, and pepper.
Dump the bread into mixture and mix well.
Pour the bread mixture on a cookie sheet and bake for 30 mins., or until golden.
Keeps in ziplocks for several days.

Apple Pie en Papillotte

2011-11-08T11:21:00.000-08:00

"pie in a bag"

Crust:
1 1/2 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c. oil
2 TB. cold milk

Filling:
4 c. peeled, thinly sliced apples
1/2 c. sugar
2 TB. flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. nutmeg

Topping:
1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. cold butter

Mix crust ingr. in a food processor. Press into a 9-inch pie plate; set aside
Combine filling and dump into pie shell.
Mix topping in food processor, and sprinkle on top of pie.
Place pie in a large paper bag. Seal with staples. Bake for 90 mins. @350*.
Serve warm with vanilla icecream.

Sweet Potato Pie

2011-11-08T11:12:00.000-08:00

This is like dessert! Perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.

3 c. sweet potatoes
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla

Cook potatoes in over or in microwave until tender. Then peel.
Smash.
Mix remaining ingredients together with potatoes till smooth.
Spread into a 9x9 pan.

Top with:
1c. brown sugar
1/2 c. flour
1c. pecans
1/2 stick butter

Mix topping ingredients with a fork until butter is incorporated. Cover potato mixture with topping.
Bake @ 400* for 30 mins or until top is golden.

Lion House Rolls

2010-12-21T08:48:00.000-08:00

These are the best "out of this world" rolls you will ever have!

2 TB. active dry yeast

1/4 c. warm water

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. shortening

3 eggs

1 c. warm water

1 1/2 tsp. salt

4-5 c. flour

Combine yeast and the 1/4 c. warm water in a small bowl and set aside to proof.

In a large bowl, cream sugar and shortening until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each addition. Add softened yeast, 1 cup warm water, salt, and enough flour to make a soft dough. Mix well. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rise 1 hour.

Punch down, let rise again for 40-45 mins. ( I have been known to skip this step )

Shape as desired and place on greased baking sheets. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, about 40 mins.

Bake at 350* for 15 mins.

Makes 3 dozen small rolls. I usually always double or triple the recipe.

Pumpkin Cookies

2010-11-11T16:54:00.000-08:00

These are to die for! I make them even during the off season. MMmm.....

Super moist. They are even good without the chocolate chips. (Thats how Liv likes them)

3 cups canned pumpkin

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons nutmeg

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons baking powder

3 cups sugar

1 teaspoon salt

5 cups flour

1 1/2 cup chocolate chips (milk or semi) we like semi.

In a large mixing bowl, combine all first 10 ingredients (down to flour). Add flour and mix.

Stir in chocolate chips. Drop onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 15 mins.

1 hour Cinnamon Rolls

2010-05-09T22:18:00.001-07:00

These are the best ever! I got this from my friend Amy Thatcher who promised me they would only take an hour. She was right. I did modify her salt from 1 tsp. to 3 tsp.

3 1/2 cup warm water
6 TB. yeast
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup oil
Mix briefly in Bosch, let sit for 15 mins.

Then add:

3 tsp. salt
3 eggs
10 1/2 cup flour or less, just enough so it's not sticky
just keep adding the flour one cup at a time until it pulls from the sides of the bowl.

Divide dough in half. Roll into 20x12 inch rectangles. Spread with softened butter. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Add nuts or raisins if desired.
Using a pizza cutter, cut down middle lengthwise then cut in strips the other way. Roll up the strips and place on cookie sheets (Ungreased) 2 inches apart.
Bake 425 degrees for 10 mins.
Top with icing while still warm. Makes 2 pans.

Icing:
1 stick butter, softened
1 bag powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
milk to consistency
Mix well.

Cowboy Cookies

2010-03-24T16:15:00.000-07:00

President Bush's favorite cookie

3 sticks butter
1 1/2 cup wht. sugar
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
3 eggs
1 T. Vanilla
3 cups flour
1 T. baking powder
1 T. soda
1 tsp. salt
1 T. cinnamon
3 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet)
3 cups oats
2 cups coconut
2 cups pecans

Bake 350 degrees for 12-14 mins.
We do a big cookie. If you do smaller then watch your time.
Makes 6-7 doz.

Walnut Bars

2010-03-23T19:23:00.000-07:00

Crust:
1 c. butter
1/2 c. corn starch
1/2 c. sugar
2 c . flour

Filling:

4 eggs, beaten
2 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
4 TB flour
2 tsp. vanilla
2 c. chopped walnuts
1 1/2 c. flaked coconut

Mix crust ingredients until play dough consistency. Spread into a 11x8 pan. Bake @ 325' for 15 mins. Combine filling ingredients and spread over crust, leaving a 1/2" border around edges. Bake @ 300' for 15 mins, then 5 mins. more at 350'. Cool bars completely, frost and cut. Keep in fridge until ready to serve.

Frosting:

1/2 c. butter
8 oz. cream cheese
1 box powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. lemon juice

Chocolate Bundt Cake with Fudge Frosting

2010-03-23T19:20:00.000-07:00

Always a birthday request

1 chocolate cake mix
3/4 cup water
1 small package instant chocolate pudding
3/4 cup oil
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

Mix by hand cake mix, water, pudding, oil, eggs and sour cream until smooth. Add chocolate chips. Bake in well greased bundt pan at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes.

Chocolate Frosting:

1 cup sugar
5 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup milk
6 oz. (1/2 pkg.) chocolate chips--approx. 1 cup

Bring to a boil, cook 1 minute. Remove from heat, add chocolate chips. Stir until melted and pour over cake.

Creamy Chocolate Icing

2010-02-24T14:04:00.000-08:00

Mom's chocolate icing was always a favorite.

1/2 cup shortening
1 egg
1/2 cup cocoa
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup milk
4 cups powdered sugar

Whip till creamy. Store in fridge.

Banana Cream Pie

2010-02-11T14:12:00.000-08:00

A simple pie done in the microwave.
I love the coconut extract!

5 TB. cornstarch
2 TB. Tapioca
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
2 1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Mix in a microwave safe bowl. Bring to a boil in the microwave. Stir constantly every minute or so. This will get frothy. Let it go for about 6-10 mins.

Meanwhile, mix in a large metal bowl :

4 egg yolks

Add the hot mixture from the microwave to the eggs very slowly while whisking quickly.
This will make your custard.
When cool add sliced bananas, 1 1/2 tsp. coconut extract, and 2 TB. of butter.

Pour custard into pie crusts.
Makes enough filling for 2 pies. Cool further in fridge for several hours.
Top with whipped cream.

Salmon Kyoto

2010-02-04T13:07:00.000-08:00

This is a wonderful marinade for chicken also.

1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup orange juice concentrate
2 T. oil
2 T. ketchup
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
fresh garlic
1-2 break offs of fresh ginger, minced

Combine and pour over salmon fillets. Marinate overnight or for several hours.

Sugar Cookies

2010-02-04T12:59:00.000-08:00

This is from my dear friend Jenny Jolley. I love the nutmeg addition.

2/3 cup butter, softened
2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
5 cups flour

Combine butter and sugar. Add eggs, vanilla and sour cream.
Mix all the dry ingredients together then add to previous mixture.
Chill for about 2-3 hours.
Roll out and cut.

Bake @ 375 for 6-8 mins. They will not brown.
Frost.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

2010-02-04T12:46:00.000-08:00

This is great to double. Cook up some brown rice and add some fortune cookies.

4 breasts chicken, cubed
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 eggs, beaten well
1 green pepper, seeded and sliced
1 red pepper, seeded and sliced

Sauce
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup vinegar
1 T. soy sauce
3-4 T. Ketchup

Sprinkle chicken w/garlic salt. Let stand 30 mins. or so.

Mix the flour and cornstarch together.
Dip chicken in eggs, then flour/cornstarch mixture, then place in a greased fry pan. Fry until golden. Place chicken in a 9x13 pan. Pour sauce over fried chicken and bake @ 350 for 45-1 hour. Turn once during cook time.

Meatballs

2010-02-04T12:37:00.000-08:00

A great appetizer or main dish

2 lbs ground chuck (the leaner the better)
1 cup dried bread crumbs
1/2 cup dehydrated onion
2 tsp. cornstarch
2 tsp. salt
2 dashes allspice
1 1/2 cup evaporated milk
2 eggs

SAUCE
2 bottles chili sauce
1 cup grape jelly

Form into walnut-sized meatballs and put close together in a 9x13 dish lined with foil. Very important.
Combine sauce ingredients and mix well. Pour over meatballs.
Bake @ 350 for 1 hour.
Makes 2 9x13.

Tuscan Vegetable Soup

2010-01-25T12:24:00.000-08:00

Scot says this one ranks in his top 3 favorite soups.
It is a modification of a my Mothers good friends' recipe.....from Francene.
SO very healthy and way delicious. It is perfect for the cruciferous vegetables that I mentioned in my post on "clean eating".
This makes a huge batch. Use the rest to freeze for lunches during the week.

2 (15-oz.) cans great northern bean, rinsed and drained
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 large carrots, sliced
4 stalks celery, sliced
1 zucchini, diced
1 bunch broccoli
1 bunch cauliflower
2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
fresh rosemary to taste
fresh thyme to taste (use dried if that is all you have)
kosher salt to taste
black pepper to taste
2 (32-oz) chicken stock or veg. stock (can use bouillon granules too)
2 (14-oz.) cans diced tomatoes
3/4 of a stick of butter
2-3 cups whole leaf spinach
fresh parmesan cheese

Mash 1 of the cans of northern beans. Set aside. Keep the other can aside too.

Put olive oil in pan with onions. Cook for 1 min. Add all other vegetables. Stir till soft (about 5 mins.) Then add seasonings, tomatoes, butter, and broth. Bring to a boil. Add mashed and unmashed beans, and spinach leaves.

Ladle into bowls and sprinkle fresh parmesan cheese on top.

Egg in the Hole

2010-01-21T21:58:00.000-08:00

This is one of the simplest things to make for breakfast.
And a huge hit by all

Cut a round circle in the middle of a piece of bread
put some butter in a fry pan and melt
place the bread in to soak up the butter
crack an egg in the hole
cook for a minute or two.....add salt and pepper
add some more butter to the pan
flip
add more salt and pepper
cook for another minute

Enjoy!