Category Archives: Recipe

Croutons

19 Sunday Sep 2010

Posted by in croutons, homemade, Recipe, salad topping

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I love croutons on my salad. But, I never thought about buying them. One day, I just thought, I should make my own.
They are easy to make and don’t take long at all.
You probably have everything you need to make some croutons right now in your kitchen.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
You will need a baking sheet.

Ingredients:

2 slices bread, any kind you want
butter
garlic powder
Parmesan cheese
Parsley flakes

Or try your own combination of seasonings.

Butter both sides of both slices of bread.
Sprinkle well with the garlic powder, Parmesan cheese and parsley flakes.
Stack the bread and with a knife, cube the bread and spread the pieces out on a baking sheet.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and crunchy.
Stir the cubes every 5 minutes.
At 15 minutes, check for crunchiness.
If not quite done, check again in just a few minutes.
Do not let them over brown or they will not taste very good.

You will get approximately 1-1/4 cups of croutons.

To store- put in an air tight container or a baggie.

Taco Pizza

17 Friday Sep 2010

Posted by in chcicken taco pizza, ground beef taco pizza, homemade pizza, Recipe, taco pizza

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Who says you have to go out to eat to enjoy a taco pizza? You can make really great taco pizza at home. It’s hot and fresh and oh so yummy.

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
You will need a 11″x 15″ greased pan.

Ingredients:

Pizza crust dough either homemade or buy a mix or premade.
3/4 cup refried beans
1 cup pizza sauce
1/2 lb cooked and crumbled ground beef, seasoned like taco meat
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup cheddar cheese or cheddar/jack cheese, divided
2-1/2 to 3 cups chopped lettuce
1 medium ripe chopped tomato
handful of nacho cheese corn chips, crumbled

other optional toppings include:
chopped onion
sliced black olives

Pat the pizza crust dough into the pan.
Spread the refried beans over the crust.
Spread the pizza sauce over the beans.
Add the seasoned ground beef and the mozzarella cheese.
Sprinkle with about half the cheddar cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is all melty and starting to brown.
Remove from oven and cut into serving sizes but leave in pan.
Put the lettuce on the pizza.
Add the tomato, some more cheddar cheese, and the nacho cheese chips.
Add other toppings if you like.

Serve with taco sauce and maybe some sour cream.

If you’d like to try a chicken taco pizza, use 2 cups seasoned, cubed chicken breast instead of the ground beef.

Bacon Popper Mac and Cheese

08 Wednesday Sep 2010

Posted by in bacon, jalapeno, Mac and cheese, main dish recipe, pasta, Recipe

≈ 1 Comment


This recipe is my own creation. I combined my love of bacon cheddar poppers with my love of mac and cheese.
If you have never had bacon cheddar poppers, they are jalapeno peppers stuffed with cheddar cheese and wrapped with bacon.
They are so good.
My daughter and I were looking forward to having them, but the garden didn’t turn out too good. So, not enough hot peppers to make any.
I came up with this dish to give us the flavor.

You will need a 2 quart oven safe casserole dish.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ingredients:
2 cups uncooked macaroni
4-6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
6 Serrano or jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped
2 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon dried minced onion or 2 Tablespoons fresh onion
pinch dry mustard
1 cup milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 dry bread crumbs

Bring salted water to a boil in a large saucepan.
Cook the macaroni about 8 minutes.
Drain.
Meanwhile, cook and crumble the bacon and seed and chop the peppers.
After draining the macaroni, put the pan back on the stove.
Over low heat, melt the butter.
Add the flour, salt, pepper, dry mustard and onion.
Stir in and raise the heat to medium.
Cook, stirring constantly until the mixture begins to bubble.
Keep stirring and cooking for about a minute.
Take off heat and add the milk.
Put back on heat.
Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and bubbles.
Lower the heat to low.
Add 1 cup of the cheese and stir in until smooth and melted.
Repeat with the rest.
Transfer the macaroni, peppers, and most of the bacon to the casserole.
Pour the cheese sauce over the top and stir everything together.
Over the top, sprinkle the remaining bacon and bread crumbs.

Bake for 30 minutes or until the mac and cheese is all bubbly and hot.

Serves 4-6.

Fruit Coffee Cake

07 Tuesday Sep 2010

Posted by in apples, apricots, blueberries, coffee cake, dessert, peaches, pineapple, raspberries, Recipe

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You can use many different fruits for this coffee cake. I used blueberries because I grow them and we had plenty.

You will need an 8″ square pan.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups chopped, peeled apple, apricots, peaches or pineapple; you can also use 1-1/2 cups blueberries or raspberries
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons cornstarch

1-1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup butter
1 egg
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons butter

In a saucepan, combine the fruit and water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat.
Simmer for 5 minutes, unless you are using the raspberries. Do not simmer those-they fall apart.
Combine the 1/4 cup sugar and the cornstarch and stir into the fruit.
Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is thick and bubbly.
Cook and stir 2 more minutes.
Remove from heat.
In a bowl, combine the 1-1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, baking powder, and baking soda.
Cut in the butter til you have coarse crumbs.
Set aside.
In another bowl, beat the egg, buttermilk, and vanilla extract.
Add that mixture to the flour mixture and stir just until moistened.
Spread half the batter into baking pan.
Spread fruit mixture over that.
Drop remaining batter in mounds atop the fruit filling.
Mix together the remaining sugar and flour. Cut in the 2 Tablespoons butter til you have coarse crumbs.
Sprinkle that over the coffee cake.

Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden.

Serves 9.

Yellow Cupcakes

07 Tuesday Sep 2010

Posted by in cupcake recipe, dessert, Recipe, yellow cupcakes

≈ 1 Comment


I love cupcakes. Who says they are just for kids? They are just fun. These cupcakes can be frosted with white or chocolate frosting.
These are very easy to put together. And ever so yummy!

You will need liners and pans for 12 regular size cupcakes,6 extra large cupcakes, or 42 mini cupcakes.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ingredients:

1-1/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup cooking oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream

Stir the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a bowl and set aside.
In another bowl, beat the egg, yolk, and sugar til light colored and thickened. If using a mixer, this will take just a couple minutes.
Scrape down the bowl.
Mix in the oil and vanilla extract.
Add the sour cream and blend til no white streaks remain.
Add the flour mixture and beat until batter is smooth.
Divide the batter among the cupcake liners in whatever size you are using.

Bake for 18-23 minutes.
They are done when the tops spring back when lightly touched.
Turn out of the pans and let cool.

Eat or frost and eat. Enjoy!

Economy Beef Stroganoff

06 Monday Sep 2010

Posted by in beef broth, beef stroganoff, dinner, economy beef stroganoff, Recipe

≈ 1 Comment


Beef stroganoff is great comfort food. It is great on a cool day or any day actually.
You don’t need to buy expensive beef tenderloin for this meal. Use stew meat or even a roast instead.

Ingredients:

1-1/2 pounds beef roast or stew meat sliced into 1-1/2″x1/2 inch pieces

2 Tablespoons butter

1-1/2 cups beef broth

2 Tablespoons ketchup

1 teaspoon salt

1 small clove garlic, chopped or 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic

8 oz mushrooms, sliced

1 medium onion, chopped(1/2 cup)

3 Tablespoons flour

1 cup sour cream

16 oz noodles or 1 batch homemade noodles, cooked and drained

Melt the butter in a dutch oven over low heat.
Add the meat and cook and stir until browned.
Set aside 1/3 cup beef broth.
Pour the rest into the pan with the meat.
Add the ketchup, salt, and garlic.
Cover and simmer for an hour.
Stir in mushrooms and onion. Cook for 5 minutes until onion is tender.
Add the flour to the reserved broth and stir til smooth.
Stir into beef mixture and heat to boiling. Stir the whole time.
Boil and stir for 1 minute.
Stir in the sour cream.
Heat through.
Stir in the cooked noodles.

Serves 6-8.

If you want to use a tender cut of meat to save time, use beef tenderloin and simmer it with the broth, ketchup, garlic, and salt for only 10 minutes before finishing the dish.

Seafood Lasagna

03 Friday Sep 2010

Posted by in crab, dinner, lasagna, Recipe, seafood, seafood lasagna, shrimp

≈ 1 Comment


Seafood lasagna is a nice change from your traditional Italian lasagna.
It is made with tiny shrimp and crab meat. Use imitation crab meat if you like. It is yummy that way as well.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
You will need an ungreased 9″x13″ pan.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
2 cloves of crushed garlic
1/2 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon pepper
9 uncooked lasagna noodles
1 cup cottage cheese
1 (7-1/2 oz) can crab meat
1 (4-1/2 oz) can tiny shrimp, drained or 4 oz frozen salad shrimp, thawed
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the garlic.
Stir in the flour and salt.
Cook until bubbly, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and add the milk and chicken broth.
Put back on heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
Boil and stir for a minute.
Add the onion, mozzarella cheese, basil, and pepper.
Cook and stir over low heat until cheese is melted and mixture is smooth.
Take off the heat.
Spread 1-1/2 cups of the cheese sauce in the bottom of the baking pan.
Lay three noodles over the sauce.
Spread the cottage cheese over the noodles in the pan.
Add another 1-1/2 cups cheese sauce.
Add three more noodles.
Add the crab meat(or imitation crab meat) and the shrimp.
Add another 1-1/2 cups cheese sauce.
Layer with the last three noodles and the last of the cheese sauce.
Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the top.
Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes until the noodles are done.
Let stand for 15 minutes before cutting.

Serves 12.

Enjoy!

Definitely Not From The Store French Onion Dip

17 Tuesday Aug 2010

Posted by in Dip, French Onion Dip, onions, Recipe, soup mix, sour cream

≈ 1 Comment


I love French Onion Dip. I think just about everyone does.It seems that way, anyway.
Here is a yummy recipe for a French Onion Dip that is worlds away from the kind you buy at the store.
It is so good!
If you want to cut the fat use fat free mayonnaise and sour cream.

Ingredients:

2-1/2 cups sour cream

1 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup chopped onion- choose a mild such as yellow or even green onions.

a 1.4 oz. package dry French onion soup mix

1/2 teaspoon dried minced onion

Mix all the ingredients together.
Chill until serving.

You will get a nice bowl of dip that should see you through a bag of chips.

Blueberry Cobbler

14 Saturday Aug 2010

Posted by in Blueberry, blueberry cobbler, dessert, Recipe

≈ 1 Comment

I know, I know. Another blueberry recipe. Hey what can I say? They are in season and I grow them.
Blueberry cobbler is just simply wonderful. It is homey and delicious.

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
You will need a 2 quart baking dish.

Ingredients:

4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1/4 cup water
1/3-2/3 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon cornstarch

1 cup flour
2 Tablespoons sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup butter
1 egg
1/4 cup milk

Combine the 1/3-2/3 cup sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan. Add the water and blueberries.
Cook over medium heat until thickened and bubbly.
Turn heat to warm and keep filling hot while making the rest.
In a medium bowl, stir the flour, remaining sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon. Cut in the butter until mixture is crumbly.
Stir together the egg and milk.
Add to flour mixture and stir to moisten.
Pour filling into baking dish.
Drop mounds of dough on top of the filling.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the topping comes out clean.

Serves 6.

Blueberry Crisp

13 Friday Aug 2010

Posted by in Blueberry, blueberry crisp, dessert, Recipe

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Most times, when thinking of a crisp, apple or peach comes to mind. But, you can use about any fruit for a crisp.
So, for a change of pace why not try a blueberry crisp?

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
You will need a 2 quart baking dish.

Ingredients:

5 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
4 Tablespoons sugar
3 Tablespoons flour

1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, cinnamon, or ginger
1/4 cup butter

In a large bowl mix the 3 Tablespoons flour and 4 Tablespoons sugar. Add the blueberries and toss well to coat.
Pour into the baking dish.
In another bowl mix the remaining flour, brown sugar,rolled oats, and cinnamon.
Cut in the butter til the mixture is crumbly.
Sprinkle over the fruit.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. The topping should be golden.

Serves 6.