Category Archives: Recipe

Baked Beans

10 Tuesday Aug 2010

Posted by in baked beans, beans and weinies, dry beans, Recipe, side dish

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Yes, you can just get a can of baked beans from the store. But there is nothing like making your own old-fashioned baked beans.
You could take a short cut and start with canned beans.

Ingredients:

1 pound dry navy beans or great Northern beans- about 2-1/4 cups

about 3-4 sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled. Or if you have some leftover ham use that.
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup molasses or maple syrup
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon dry mustard. If you don’t have dry, use 1 Tablespoon prepared mustard.
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Rinse and sort the dry beans. Cover beans with water and let soak for a couple hours up to overnight.
Drain the beans.
Cook your bacon in the bean pot. Remove bacon from drippings.
Add the beans to the pot.
Cover the beans with water and add a handful of the chopped onion.
Bring to a boil.
Partially cover pan and turn heat down so the beans are simmering gently.
Cook beans, stirring occasionally, for about an hour to an hour and a half.
Add more water, as needed, so the beans remain covered by about an inch of water.
They are ready when you take a bean out with a spoon and blow on it. The skin will burst open.
Take off the heat. Drain the beans, but save the liquid.
Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a 2-1/2 quart bowl or baking dish mix the beans, bacon(or ham) and onion.
Stir in 1 cup of the bean liquid, the molasses or maple syrup, brown sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper.
Cover the dish and bake in the preheated oven for about 2-1/2 hours, or until it is as thick as you like.
Stir occasionally.
Add more bean liquid, if needed.

Serves 10-12 as a side dish.

If you are using ham, you can add some bacon grease to the pot of beans or use vegetable oil or just skip that part all together.

If you want to make beans and weinies, cut up hot dogs and add to the baked beans about a half hour before the beans are done. Any sooner and the hotdogs seem to lose most of their flavor.

Making Pasta Salad- The Easy Way

10 Tuesday Aug 2010

Posted by in Cheese, meat, pasta salad, Recipe, salad dressing, vegetables

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I love pasta salad so much. I could eat it all the time.

I never used to make it. I would eat it when I’d go somewhere or someone brought it to my place and I always loved it.

I searched for recipes or just bought a mix.

Than I realized I was making it much harder than it needed to be.

All you need is some pasta,whatever meat you want- if you want, cheese, and vegetables.
You will also need a bottle of salad dressing. Just whatever kind you like.

I usually take a handful of every veggie I am using.
If it is frozen, put it in a colander.
The rest goes into a big bowl with the meat. Use maybe a cup of meat.

Cook 3-4 cups of pasta.
Drain in the colander you have the frozen vegetables in. The hot water will thaw out the vegetables.
Rinse the pasta and vegetables in cold water. Drain well.

Pour the pasta/veggies into the bowl with the meat and other vegetables.
Add a handful of shredded cheese or small cubes of cheese.

Pour salad dressing over the mixture.
Just add enough to coat the pasta salad.

Chill until serving.

The pasta may absorb some of the salad dressing. So, if the salad seems dry, add a little more to moisten.

What could be easier?

That’s it.

Your pasta salad done your way.
Yummy!

Cheesy Zucchini

08 Sunday Aug 2010

Posted by in Cheese, Recipe, side dish, zucchini

≈ 1 Comment

Cheesy Zucchini

If you grow your own zucchini, you know how plentiful it can be.

If you are like me you get tired of fried zucchini or zucchini bread.
So, I went on an internet and cookbook quest to see what all I could make with it. This is one of the ways I found.

It is inspired by a recipe I found online. I did change it a bit and I find it so yummy! 

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
You will need a 9″ square baking pan.

Ingredients:

2-3 medium-small zucchini
2 Tablespoons butter
salt, pepper, garlic powder to season
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Wash, stem, and thinly slice the zucchini. You will need 3-4 cups.
In a skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat.
Add the sliced zucchini.
Season with the salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Saute for about 10 minutes, until the zucchini has softened. Stir frequently.
Spread the sauteed zucchini in the baking dish.
Sprinkle  the cheese over the top and put in the oven for 10-15 minutes.

Serves 4 as a side. 

Quiche Lorraine

20 Tuesday Jul 2010

Posted by in brunch, quiche, quiche lorraine, Recipe, supper, yummy stuff

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Quiche is great for brunch or even a light supper. It is pretty simple to make.

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ingredients:

1- single crust pastry for 9″ pie
6 slices bacon
1 medium onion, sliced
3 beaten eggs
1-1/2 cups milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
dash ground nutmeg
1-1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese(6 oz.)
1 Tablespoon flour

Put your pie crust into a 9″ pie plate. Over the top of the crust lay a double thickness of foil.
Put into preheated oven and bake for 8 minutes.
Take out foil.
Bake the crust 4-5 more minutes until crust is set and dry. If you hear moisture coming from the crust it is not done.
Remove from the oven and reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees.

While the crust is baking, cook the bacon until crisp.
Drain, but leave about 2 tablespoons bacon drippings in pan.
Crumble the bacon and set aside.
Cook the onion in the bacon drippings until tender. Takes about 5 minutes.
Drain.
Add to the crumbled bacon.

In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs, milk, salt, and nutmeg.
Stir in the bacon and onion.

In a separate bowl, toss the flour and cheese together.
Add that to the egg mixture.

Pour the egg mixture carefully into the hot baked pastry.

Bake for 35-40 minutes or til a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Serves 6.

A couple things to remember- DO NOT prick the crust with a fork.
Also the creamer the Swiss cheese, the creamier the resulting quiche will be.

Yummy!

Apple Dumplings

22 Tuesday Jun 2010

Posted by in apple dumplings, apples, dessert, pastry, Recipe

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An apple dumpling is an apple baked inside a piece of pastry. They are best served warm and maybe even with some ice cream on the side.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
You will need a 11″ x 7″ pan or a 9″ x 13″ pan.

Ingredients:

Syrup-
1-1/4 cups water
1 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 Tablespoons butter

Combine in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cover and let simmer for 5 minutes. Add butter to the syrup.
Set aside.

Pastry-
2-1/4 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup shortening
6-8 Tablespoons water

Combine the flour and salt in a medium bowl. Cut in the shortening with a fork or pastry cutter until the shortening is the size of small peas.
Add the water a little bit at a time, mixing just til it is moistened.
Form it into a ball.
Roll it out on a floured counter or board to approximately 18″ x 12″ size.
Cut into 6 equal pieces.

Inside-
6 medium small apples
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar

Peel and core the apples. You can use you vegetable peeler for this. Or you can use a separate apple corer to core the apples. Otherwise, you can slice the apple in half and cut the core out and stick both halves together on the pastry square.
Once all the apples have been peeled and cored, put them each on their own piece of pastry.
Combine the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sprinkle over the apples.
Moisten the edges of the pastry squares with water.
Bring up the four corners over the apple and pinch the dough together to seal.
Place the pastry covered apple in the baking pan.
Pour the syrup over the dumplings.
Bake for 45 minutes or until the apples are tender and pastry is browned slightly.

To serve, spoon syrup over dumpling.

Makes 6 yummy apple dumplings.

Chocolate Banana Bread

20 Sunday Jun 2010

Posted by in bananas, Chocolate, chocolate banana bread, quick bread, Recipe

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Take one bite and you taste chocolate. Take another bite and you taste banana. Two great tastes, all in one quick bread.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grease and flour(or use cocoa powder for coating) a 9″ x 5″ loaf pan.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup old fashioned oats, ground into a fine powder
1/2 cup flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup mashed, ripe bananas(3-4 medium)
2 Tablespoons milk or cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a medium bowl,whisk together the ground oats, flours, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder. Set aside.
In another bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy.
Add the eggs, banana, milk, and vanilla extract. Beat for 2-3 minutes with a mixer until the mixture has thickened and is somewhat smooth.
Gradually add the flour mixture, beating til smooth after each addition.
Make sure to beat just until smooth. Over-beating will cause the bread to peak in the oven.
Scrape batter into the prepared loaf pan.
Bake for 45-50 minutes or til the bread passes the toothpick test.
Leave the bread in the pan for 10 minutes. Turn out onto rack to cool completely.

Makes 1 loaf.

Brownie Peanut Butter Cheesecake

14 Monday Jun 2010

Posted by in brownie peanut butter cheesecake, cheesecake, chocoalte, dessert, peanut butter, Recipe

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Brownie peanut butter cheesecake is a very decadent dessert.
It is rich and just a small slice is enough to satisfy you.
The filling and topping is peanut butter and the crust is made of brownie batter.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
You will need a 9″ spring-form pan that has been greased and floured.

Crust:

3 oz semisweet chocolate, grated or chopped.
1/4 cup butter(1/2 stick)
1/2 cup flour
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
2 eggs
1 cup packed brown sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons chocolate or vanilla extract

Filling:

12 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
1-1/3 cups creamy peanut butter

Topping:

3/4 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

To make the crust-
Melt the chocolate and butter in a double boiler or in the microwave. Set aside.
Combine the flour and baking powder. Set that aside.
Beat the eggs until thick and lemony colored.Beat in the brown sugar. Mix in the chocolate and the chocolate or vanilla extract.
Stir in the flour/baking powder, just until blended.
Spread 1 cup over the bottom of the prepared pan.
Put the rest of the batter in the fridge to chill.
Bake the bottom crust for 15-17 minutes until firm.
Take out of oven and refrigerate for 15-30 minutes.

While that is chilling make the filling-
In a large bowl beat the cream cheese and brown sugar until smooth.
Beat in the eggs and sour cream.
Beat in the peanut butter.
Set aside.

Take the batter and pan out of the fridge.
Use a spatula to spread the rest of the batter over the sides of the spring-form pan.
Put pan on its side and spread it, rolling as you go.
Quickly set upright and pour filling into the pan.
Some of the batter may drip down the sides. That’s OK.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until the filling is firm.

Make the topping while the cheesecake is baking-
Put the sour cream, sugar, and peanut butter and a bowl and beat with mixer until smooth.

Three minutes before removing cheesecake from the oven, spread the topping over it.

Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour.
Cover and chill in the refrigerator for several hours, preferably overnight.

To serve, loosen sides with a knife and release side of pan.

Serves 12.

Double Fudge Brownies

10 Thursday Jun 2010

Posted by in Brownies, Chocolate, fudgy, Recipe, whole wheat flour

≈ 1 Comment



These brownies are extremely fudgy and yummy.
And you’d never guess that they are made with whole wheat flour.

For the best texture, let them sit overnight before cutting and serving.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lightly grease a 9″ x 13″ baking pan.

Ingredients:

1 cup(2 sticks) unsalted butter
2 cups packed brown sugar
3/4 cup Dutch process cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon espresso powder-optional
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
4 eggs
1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Melt the butter in the microwave or on the stove.
Add the brown sugar and stir in.
Heat or microwave it again, just until bubbly.
Stir in the cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, optional espresso powder, and vanilla extract.
Let the mixture cool down to lukewarm.
Add eggs one at a time to make make they are blended in well.
Add the flour and chocolate chips and stir until smooth.
Spread the batter into the baking pan.
Bake for 30 minutes. When testing with a toothpick, crumbs will cling to the toothpick.
Cool on a wire rack.
Cut into bars after letting them sit overnight.
Makes 20-24 brownies.

Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Cookies

08 Tuesday Jun 2010

Posted by in Baking with chocolate, chocolate chips, chocolate-chocolate chip cookies, Recipe

≈ 3 Comments

Chocolate-chocolate chip cookies are for the serious chocolate lover. When you want some chocolate, this cookie always satisfies.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
You will need a couple of ungreased cookie sheets.

Ingredients:

2-1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 cup(2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups chocolate chips

Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder in a bowl and set aside.
Beat the butter, brown sugar, sugar, and vanilla extract in another bowl until the mixture is creamy.
Add the eggs one at a time.
Blend in flour mixture.
Add the chocolate chips.
Drop by Tablespoon or medium size cookie scoop onto cookie sheets.
Bake for 9-11 minutes. They may be a bit soft in the middle and that is OK. They will finish cooking after they come out of the oven.
Remove to wire rack to cool.
You will get 4-5 dozen cookies.

Waffles

07 Monday Jun 2010

Posted by in breakfast, Recipe, waffles

≈ 1 Comment


I love waffles. I have to say, I don’t think I have met a waffle I didn’t love. This is a really simple recipe for homemade waffles.
I make Belgian waffles, which are the large ones with deep pockets.
But, just a regular waffle maker still works great with this recipe.

Preheat your waffle maker per manufacturer instructions.

Ingredients:

1-3/4 cups flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt 2 eggs
1-3/4 cups milk
1/2 cup cooking oil

In one bowl stir together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set off to the side.
In a second bowl mix the eggs, milk, and oil.
Dump the liquid mixture into the flour mixture and stir just until moistened. The batter will be lumpy.
Pour 1-1/14 cups batter onto the grids of the waffle maker and bake until done. It will take 3-4 minutes.
Carefully remove waffle from the maker. Repeat with the remaining batter.
You will get 12-16 waffles on a 4″ waffle maker.
You will get about 4 waffles using a Belgian style waffle maker.

Serve with butter and your favorite syrup.
Fruit is great on these waffles too.