Thursday, March 31, 2011

Pralines


Betcha can't eat just one!
This is a Paula Deen recipe.  After making these a
friend told me they tasted like the Pralines you get in New Orleans. All I know is they are sinful!


1 1/2   cups sugar
1 1/2   cups packed light brown sugar
   1/8   t salt
      3  T dark corn syrup
      1  cup evaporated milk
      2  T butter
      1  t vanilla
1 1/2  cups pecans (chopped in large pieces)

  • butter the sides of a heave 2 quart saucepan
  • place the sugars, salt, corn syrup, milk, and butter in saucepan
  • over medium heat stir mixture constantly with a wooden sppon until sugars have dissolved and mixture comes to a boil
  • continure to cook to soft ball stage (236 degrees)
  • remove from heat and let cool 10 minutes
  • add vanilla and nuts
  • beat with a sppon by hand for approx 2 minutes or until candy is slightly thick
  • quickly drop heaping tablespoons onto wax paper
  • let cool and harden before eating

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Mamaw's Potato Candy

One of my favorite Christmas memories of my Mamaw...her Potato Candy!

1 1/2 cup potatoes
      1  pound powdered sugar
   1/2  cup peanut butter

  • boil, drain, and mash potatoes, leaving no lumps
  • mix potatoes with sugar
  • roll mixture into an oblong shape on a pastry mat (lightly dusted with powdered sugar)
  • spread peanut butter on top
  • roll up like a jelly roll
  • cut in slices
  • keep refrigerated

Coconut Carmel Icing

Delish on top of Momma's Fresh Apple Cake

6 T butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 t  vanilla

  • cook together in saucepan until well dissolved and mix together
  • pour on top of cake

Momma's Fresh Apple Cake

2 1/2  cups flour
1 1/2  cup sugar
      2  eggs
1 1/2  t cinnamon
   3/4  t salt
   1/2  cup shortening
      6  T buttermilk
1 1/2  t baking soda
      1  t nutmeg
      3 unpeeled apples (chopped)

  • sift together flour, cinnamon, salt, soda, nutmeg
  • cream sugar and shortening together
  • add eggs and mix well
  • add flour mixture and buttermilk mix well
  • add apples
  • bake at 275 degrees for 45 minutes
  • while cake is still hot pour Coconut Carmel Icing on top or leave icing off and serve with whipped topping

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Homemade Tortilla Chips

Goes great with Seven Layer Dip!


1 to 2 packages of corn or flour tortillas.
 
  • cut each of your tortillas into pizza-shaped wedges.
  • to speed things up, stack the tortillas in groups of three or four and cut at one time.
  • fry your wedges in vegetable oil over medium-high heat for about a minute until golden brown and crispy.
  • use a slotted spoon to pull the chips out ,then place on a plate lined with paper towels to drain
  • while the chips are still hot, salt to taste.


Other ways to season the chips...
  • Chili powder
  • Salt & chili powder
  • Salt, chili powder & onion powder
  • Chili powder, garlic powder & cumin
  • Cumin, chili powder & salt
  • Cumin, oregano & paprika
  • Paprika, cayenne & chili powder
  • Salt, red pepper, cumin & curry
  • Chili powder, salt, crumbled dried oregano & Monterrey Jack cheese
  • cinnamon and sugar (flour chips)

Seven Layer Dip

      

       2   cans bean dip
1 1/2   cup sour cream
       1  pkg taco seasoning
     16  ounce carton avocado dip
       1  bunch green onions
       1  cup diced black olives
       1  large diced tomato
       1  small pkg shredded cheddar

In a deep dish pie plate or trifle bowl layer the dip in this order...
  • bean dip
  • taco seasoning mixed with sour cream
  • avocado dip
  • cheese
  • green onions (finely chopped)
  • tomatoes
  • olives
  • chill and serve with Homemade Tortilla Chips or Frito's

Enchilada Casserole

Great topped with sour cream and salsa!







1 pound hamburger
1 can enchilada sauce
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup shredded cheddar
1/2 bag tortilla chips

  • cook hamburger until brown and drain
  • stir in sauce and soups
  • put back in skillet and cook until hot and bubbly
  • crush tortilla chips and place in bottom of  9x13 dish
  • pour mixture on chips and top on cheese
  • bake at 350 degrees until melted

Cream Cheese Cinnamon Bites

Delicious hot or cold

2 cans crescent rolls
2 pkg cream cheese
1 cup sugar
1 stick margarine
sugar and cinnamon

  • spray 9 x 13 dish with non stick spray
  • layer one can of crescent rolls in dish, making a solid crust
  • mix together cream cheese and sugar until creamy
  • spread over the layer of crescent rolls
  • layer the other can of crescent rolls over the mixture, leaving them slightly separated
  • pour the margarine over the top
  • sprikle a heavy coat of sugar and cinnamon on top
  • bake at 350 degrees for 10 - 15 minutes
  • store in frig

Sour Cream Cornbread

Sour Cream Cornbread
1 cup self rising cornmeal
2 large beaten eggs
1 cup cream style corn
1 (8 ounce) sour cream
1/2 cup oil
2 T sugar

  • mix all ingredients together
  • pour in a greased baking dish or iron skillet
  • bake at 400 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Oreo Truffles

                                             

In honor of  "National Food on a Stick Day"!

1 pkg Double Stuff Oreos
1 pkg softened cream cheese
White Almond Bark

  • Crush 9 of the cookies to fine crumbs in food processor and place in bowl for later use.
  • Crush remaining cookies to fine crumbs and place in medium bowl.
  • Add cream cheese and mix until well blended.
  • Roll cookie mixture into balls, about 1-inch in diameter, stick ball in a wooden skewer and place on a wax paper covered cookie sheet.
  • Put in refrigerator to cool while you melted the almond bark 
  • Dip balls in melted almond bark
  • Place on wax paper-covered baking sheet.  Sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs.
  • Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour and enjoy!

Arkansas Dirt Cake

1 pkg Oreo cookies ( I prefer double stuff!)
1 pkg softened cream cheese
1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup powdered sugar
8 oz tub cool whip
2 small boxes instant vanilla pudding mix
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups milk

  • crush cookies an spread half over the bottom of a 9x13 pan
  • mix cream cheese, butter, and sugar until smooth
  • fold in cool whip
  • in separate bowl mix pudding, vanilla, and milk and mix whip until smooth and thickened
  • fold pudding mixture into cream cheese mixture
  • pour over cookie crumb crust and top with remaining cookies
  • chill before serving
This is a really cool recipe that can be served up different ways.

Here are some links to pictures with serving suggestions...

Cemetery Cake

Gummy Worm Dirt Cake

I Pledge Allegiance to the Dirt Cake

Refrigerator Rolls

2/3 cup sugar
2 beaten egg yolks
6 cups flour3 cup butter
1 t salt

  • pour 1 cup warm water over 2 pkg. yeast
  • cream 2/3 cup sugar and 2/3 cup butter together
  • add 1 cup hot water and stir until lukewarm then add yeast
  • stir in 2 beaten egg yolks, 6 cups flour, and 1 teaspoon salt
  • fold in 2 stiffly beaten egg whites cover in refrigerator overnight
  • divide and shape as desired
  • let rise 2 hours and bake at 400 degrees until brown

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Nanny's Green Tomato Pie

People will think this one of the best apple pies they've eaten!

5 green tomatoes, chopped
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup all-purpose flour


  • Place diced green tomatoes and vinegar in a large bowl.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, salt and flour. Sprinkle over tomatoes and toss to coat evenly.
  • Pour into 9 pie crust and cover with another pie crust
  • Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes, until bubbly and crust is brown.

Tomato Pie

4 tomatoes peeled and sliced
1 prebaked deep dish pie crust (9 inch)
1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
10 chopped basil leaves
1/ cup chopped green onions
pepper and salt

  • place tomatoes in a colander in single layer
  • sprinkle with salt and allow to drain
  • pat tomatoes dry
  • layer tomato slices, basil, and onions in pie shell
  • season with salt and pepper to taste
  • combine cheeses and mayo
  • spread mixture on top of the tomatoes and bake until the cheese is melted and slightly brown on tips

Hearty BBQ Dip

1/2 cup miracle whip
1/4 cup BBQ sauce with honey
2 T minced onion
2 T minced bell pepper

Mix ingredients together and serve with Baked Potato Spears.

Parma Dip

1 cup miracle whip
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup milk
1 T minced onions

Combine ingredients together and serve with Baked Potato Spears.

Baked Potato Spears

3 large baking potatoes
1/4 cup miracle whip
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
3/4 teaspoon garlic salt

  • cut potatoes lengthwise into quarters
  • mix sugar, mustard, pepper, and garlic salt together
  • brush each quarter with miracle whip
  • season with dry mixture
  • place on an ungreased sheet pan
  • bake at 375 degrees for 50 minutes or until tender and brown
  • serve with favorite dip
Parma Dip and Hearty BBQ Dip recipe can be found in this blog.

Watergate Salad

No conspiracy here!  Just plain old cornfed goodness!
1 small carton whipped topping
1 pkg instant pistachio pudding mix
1 can crushed pineapple with juice
1 cup mini marshmallows
1/2 cup chopped pecans

  • fold dry pudding mix into whipped topping
  • add pineapple with juice
  • add marshmallows
  • add nuts
  • refrigerate before serving

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

1 pkg cream cheese
1 stick butter
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 T brown sugar
3 1/2 T cocoa powder
1 1/2 t vanilla
1 pkg mini chocolate chips
chopped pecans (optional)
graham crackers or butter cookies


  • soften cream cheese and butter, then cream together
  • add powdered sugar, brown sugar, cocoa, and vanilla
  • stir in chocolate chips
  • cover and refrigerate for 2 hours
  • take out and roll into a large ball
  • roll ball into chopped nuts or a mixture of white and dark chocolate chips
  • refrigerate at least another hour
  • serve on graham crackers or butter cookies
You could also spoon mixture into a graham cracker or cookie crust and top with graham cracker crumbs and more chocolate chips.

Cheesy Bread

1 loaf french onion bread
2 cups shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup minces green onions
1/2 minced black olives
garlic powder

  • mix all ingredients in a bowl except bread and garlic powder
  • cut loaf in half lengthwise spread mixture on both halves
  • sprinkle with garlic powder
  • bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes

Hershey Bar Cake


One seriously rich cake that taste best when made the day before serving.


Cake

1 box Swiss cake mix
1 small box instant vanilla pudding mix
3 eggs (beaten)
1 cup oil
2 cups buttermilk

Mix ingredients together, stirring well.  Grease and flour two 9 inch round pans.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.  Cool completely and frost.

Frosting

8 ounces softened cream cheese
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
8 ounce tub of whipped topping
6 to 8 ounces grated chocolate bar

Mix indgredients together and frost cake.  Keep refrigerated.

Stuffed Mushrooms

The recipe I get the most request for...

3 boxes mushrooms
1 package bacon (cooked and crumbled)*
1 cup mayonnaise**
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar*
1/2 small onion chopped finely (optional)
garlic salt

  • Remove stems from mushrooms and set aside. 
  • Mix bacon, mayo, cheddar, onion (optional), and garlic salt(to taste).  
  • Stuff into mushrooms and bake at 350 degrees until stuffing is bubbly.  Do not overcook. 
  • Mushrooms are best served hot from the oven.

* amount of bacon and cheese can be adjusted to your taste
** for creamier stuffing add more mayo

Dreamsicle Salad (Tang Salad)

Astronauts wish they had this to eat in deep space! 

            

 
1/2 cup orange instant breakfast drink mix
1 can sweetened condensed milk
8 ounce carton sour cream
1 small tub whipped topping
2 cans mandarin oranges (drained)

  • Mix the sweetened condensed milk, sour cream and drink mix together. 
  • When drink mix is somewhat dissolved mix in the whipped topping.  
  • Set aside a few mandarin oranges and fold in the rest. 
  • Pour mixture in a bowl and garnish with mandarin slices. 
  • Chill several hours before serving.
 I like to layer this dessert in a trifle bowl with an extra can of mandarin oranges then arrange slices in a pretty design on top. 

Veggie Bites (aka Veggie Pizza)

Broccoli and Cauliflower and Pimentos
OH MY
2 cans crescent rolls
1 package ranch dressing mix
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 eight ounce package cream cheese
2 small boxes frozen broccoli (thawed, drained, and florets cut off and into small pieces)
1 head fresh cauliflower (florets cut off and into small pieces)
1 small jar chopped pimentos (drained)
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar


  • Place crescent rolls on a large rectangle cookie sheet without tearing apart.  Bake until just done and no longer.  Set aside to cool. 
  • Mix softened cream cheese, ranch dressing mix and mayo together until creamy.
  • Spread mixture on top of crescent rolls crust
  • Layer all the veggies on top like you would pizza toppings then sprinkle cheddar on top. 
  • Cut into 2 inch squares and arrange on a pretty plate. 
  • Lightly cover with foil and refrigerate before serving.

Note:  any veggie that you like can be added to this recipe:  fresh green onions, carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes, etc. 

Ro - tel Spinach Dip

Nice and cheesy and it's really really easy!


1 ten ounce package frozen spinach
1 pound Velveeta
1 box cream cheese
1 can Ro-tel

  • Microwave spinach on high five minutes. 
  • Stir in rest of ingredients and microwave until cheese is melted. 
  • Serve with chips. 
See I told you it was easy!

Taco Soup

 A quick and easy way to get "trashy" breath!
2 pounds hamburger (cooked and drained)
1 small onion (chopped)
1 clove minced garlic
2 cans Ro-tel
2 cans hominy
2 can black beans (drained)
2 T chili powder
1 package taco seasoning mix
1 package ranch dressing mix
Taco Soup






  • Brown hamburger, onion, garlic and drain well. 
  • Combine hamburger with rest of ingredients in stew pot. 
  • Simmer for 30 minutes. 
  • Top with cheese, corn chips, sour cream, and/or black olives. 

Simple Potato Soup

1 package frozen hash browns
1 cup chopped onions
1 can chicken broth
2 cans water
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of celery soup
2 cups milk

  • Bring hash browns, onions, and broth to a boil then simmer for 30 minutes. 
  • Add soups and milk and continue to simmer for 20 minutes stirring occasionally. 
  •  Serve.

Top with sour cream and cheese to make baked potato soup.

Clam Chowder

Scooter loves clam chowder so I make this every once in awhile.

6 large diced potatoes
1 large minced onion
6 bacon strips
1-2 small cans evaporated milk   or   2-3 cups half&half
2 cans chopped clams (do not drain)
2 T margarine


  • Cook potatoes in large kettle with enough water to cover until tender. 
  • Cook bacon and onions together and drain. 
  • When potatoes are done add onion, bacon, and clams. 
  • Add enough milk to make creamy. 
  • Float margarine on top.
  • Serve

Fried Shrimp Breading

1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 egg
3/4 cold water
2 T vegetable oil
Breadcrumbs or Panko

  • Combine flour, salt and pepper
  • Dip shrimp in flour mix
  • Coat with breadcrumbs
  • Fry in oil until done

Mamaw's Dressing

In memory of the Queen Mother...

3 packages Jiffy cornbread mix
5 eggs
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 small can pet milk
3-4 cups chicken broth
ground sage
1 small minced onion
6 slices bread torn into bits

  • Cook cornbread and crumble completely
  • Mix broth with eggs
  • Add cornbread, egg mixture, soup, bread and pet milk until mixture is a thick soup consistency
  • Add sage to taste
  • Cook at 350 degrees until done in middle.

Cheesy Garlic Biscuts

Biscut

2  cups Bisquick
2  cups grated cheddar
1/2  teaspoon garlic powder
1/4  cup margarine
1/2 cup milk

Topping

Mix the next three items together and set aside.
1 T melted butter
1 T Parmesan
1/4 t parsley

  • mix garlic powder and Bisquick
  • cut in butter
  • add grated cheese and milk
  • stir briefly
  • drop on greased cookie sheet and bake at 425 degrees until golden brown
  • brush on topping and serve

Nanny's Zucchini Bread

Eat as much as you like, it has veggies in it.

3 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup walnuts
4 1/2 teaspoons double acting baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 cups grated zucchini
2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
2 cups raisins
  • mix flour, sugar, walnuts, baking powder, salt, and raisins
  • beat eggs slightly
  • stir in vegetable oil, zucchini, and lemon
  • stir liquid mixture into flour mixture
  • pour in greased and floured loaf pan
  • bake at 350 degrees for one hour or until toothpick comes out clean

Spanish Omelettes

Recipe makes enough for two omelets.

2 T minced green pepper
2T minced onion
4 T butter
2 eight ounce can tomato sauce
4 T sugar
2 t Worcestershire sauce
dash cayenne pepper

  • in medium skillet cook and stir green pepper and onion in butter over low heat until onion is tender
  • stir in tomato sauce, sugar and seasonings
  • simmer for 10 minutes or until sauce is thickened
  • pour into a three egg omelet (recipe makes enough for two omelets.)

Green Bean Bundles

Katiebug loves these sweet bundles!
1 stick butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
garlic salt
3 cans whole green beans
1 package bacon

  • cut bacon in half and wrap around 8 to 10 green beans and place in baking dish
  • melt butter in microwave and mix in brown sugar
  • pour over bundles
  • sprinkle with garlic salt
  • bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes

Atomic Buffalo Turds

Deer back-strap fillets (3/4 inch)
Bacon
Cream cheese
Teriyaki sauce (thick sauce works best)
Garlic powder
Pepper Jack cheese (thinly sliced)
Diced jalepenos
onion (thinly sliced)

  • Pound fillets until meat is the size of a softball.
  • dip into teriyaki sauce
  • dust with garlic powder
  • spread cream cheese on one side, the more the better
  • add onion and jalapenos
  • roll meat up like a sushi roll
  • wrap bacon around the roll and secure with a toothpick
  • lay on hot grill until bacon is cooked the way you like it
  • about five minutes before being done add slice of pepper jack cheese on top and let melt
  • serve and then step aside, some serious stuff is about to happen!  :)