BBQ Brisket

This Rockin' Rudy's BBQ sauce was given to us by Denise (Doug's Sister. She purchased it at a farmers market here in Idaho. It is made in Nampa.....yummy!!! Thanks Denise....

Brisket

1 (4-5 lb.) beef brisket
Garlic salt to taste
Onion salt to taste
Celery salt to taste
Liquid smoke, enough to cover roast
1 (17 fl. oz.) jar BBQ sauce
1/4 c. Worcestershire sauce
Night Before: Place brisket in Pyrex dish and sprinkle with salts. Rub with liquid smoke. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
Next Day: Mix BBQ sauce and Worcestershire sauce and pour over brisket. Cover with foil and bake about 4 hours at 300 to 325 degrees.
NOTE: tightly wrap foil so the beef steams as it cooks

Bûche de Noël (Yule Log) Recipe

"Parker learned about "traditions" this year at school. He informed me that according to history we should be making the "log dessert" because our family originated from England." Here is an attempt that Parker and I made. It looks as though it will be a Holiday Tradition for years to come.Parker thinks it tastes like a fancy HOHO.


You can substitute the filling with softened ice cream and drizzle with hot fudge instead of the rich chocolate icing. If you want to get creative, you could use any flavor of cake mix and filling combos........This is very easy. My favorite was a chocolate cake peppermint ice cream combo.
This would be a great summertime dessert as well. You can store one in the freezer up to 1 month .

Ingredients:
Cake:
3 eggs
1 3/4 C. Betty Crocker Super Moist devils food cake mix (from 18.25 oz. box)
1/3 C. water
2 TBL Oil
1 TBL Powdered Sugar

Rich Chocolate Frosting
1/2 C. Whipping Cream
1 C. Semisweet Chocolate Chips (6oz)
1 TBL corn syrup
1/4 teas. vanilla

Filling use your favorite buttercream icing or ice cream:
This is what we used:
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup butter
5 tablespoons milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
food coloring  

1. Heat oven to 375* Line bottom only of 15x10x1 in. jelly roll pan with wax paper or foil. Spray with baking spray with flour.

2. In a large bowl beat the eggs with an electric mixer on high for about 5 minutes until thick and lemon colored. Add cake mix water and oil. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds,then on medium speed for 1 minute,scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pan.

3. Bake 11 to 14 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched in center.
Turn cake upside down onto clean kitchen towel sprinkled generously with powdered sugar,carefully remove foil or wax paper. While hot roll up cake and towel starting from the narrow end. Cool completely on cooling rack for about 1 hour.

4. Meanwhile in a medium microwavable bowl, microwave whipping cream uncovered on high 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds or until it just starts to boil. Stir in the chocolate chips and corn syrup, let stand 3 minutes. Beat gently with wire whisk until smooth add vanilla. Refrigerate about 1 hour stirring every 15 minutes, until spreading consistency.

5. Unroll cake carefully and remove towel. Spread filling evenly over cake, roll up cake. Place on cooling rack on a sheet of waxed paper. Frost cake with the chocolate,using a fork to drag the tines through frosting to resemble a log.(Don't be intimidated by this, Parker did the fork tines part and it turned out great.)
Let stand 15 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.

More Family Fun

Cheesy Christmas

Baby Laila she's almost 1

Fun in the Snow

Caramels

Carmels
(Printable Version)
2 Cups Sugar
1/2 Cup (1 stick ) butter
2 Cups of heavy whipping cream
3/4 Cup light corn syrup

Grease bottom and sides of a 8x8x2 square pan (use butter)
Heat ingredients to boiling in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook stirring frequently to 242 * or until small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water forms a ball and holds its shape until pressed.
Immediately pour into prepared pan. Cut into squares and wrap individually in waxed paper or candy wrappers from your craft store.

Prime Rib Roast and Cheesy potatoes

1 Rib Rost about (6-8 pounds) I like to use the boneless

Seasoned Salt or Garlic Salt ( I use a blend that includes Rosemary,Thyme,Sage, Tarragon, garlic etc.)Use your favorite dry seasoning blend.

Olive Oil

The secret to this recipe is the method of cooking. Preheat the oven to 400*.
Remove the roast from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking. Lightly rub the entire roast with olive oil and then season the roast with your favorite dry seasoning. You will need to coat the outside quite liberally with the seasonings so your finished roast will have plenty of flavor. Place roast in a large roasting dish (on a rack) with fat side up.Place Meat Thermometer in center (avoid any bones )
Cook the roast for 1 hour at 400 *. Turn off the oven for 1 hour. DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN !!!! Turn the oven back on to 325 * and cook the roast an additional 5 to 8 minutes per pound depending on the desired rareness of the meat. I cooked mine until the meat thermometer read 140* it continued cooking after I removed the roast from the oven and the center reached 150* I found that it was a good mix of medium rare, medium and well done on the ends.
LET STAND 15 MINUTES BEFORE SLICING

Well Done temp 170 - 180 *
Medium temp 150-160 *
Rare temp 140-150 *


Funeral Potatoes Recipe
1½ hours | 25 min prep
SERVES 12 -16
• 12 large potatoes or 1 (32 ounce) bag frozen shredded hash browns
• 2 (10 3/4 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
• 2 cups sour cream
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 cups crushed corn flakes
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

1. Peel potatoes and boil for 30 minutes, until just tender.
2. Cool and grate into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
3. Heat oven to 350º.
4. Combine soup, sour cream, cheese, ½ cup melted butter and onion.
5. Gently blend into the potatoes.
6. Combine corn flakes and 2 tbsp melted butter. Sprinkle on top.
7. Bake for 30 minutes.

Christmas Treat Idea

This treat idea can be used with any "Chex Mix Recipe " that you choose, I decided on a sweet version.........Thanks to my sister Doree for such a great idea!!
























T.V. Mix ..”Sweet Chex Mix”
1 bag of M&andM’s (Plain or Peanut)
½ box of Rice Chex
½ box of Corn Chex or Crispix
1 small bag of slivered almonds
2 C. Shredded Coconut
¾ C. Butter
1 C. Sugar
1 C. Corn Syrup
Combine butter, sugar and corn syrup in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and continue cooking for 3 minutes.
While the syrup is cooking pour cereals , coconut and almonds on a large bowl and toss to distribute. Pour the cooked syrup over the cereal mixture and stir until well coated , let cool for 10 minutes and then toss the m&m’s into the cereal mix……… Enjoy

Make Ahead French Toast Casserole

Perfect addition to Christmas Morning......YUMMY
( I didn't use pecans this time because Kellan doesn't like them it is great with or without them.)
Ingredients

Casserole

1 Loaf (16-ounce) supermarket French or Italian bread , sliced 1/2 inch thick

8 Large eggs

2 cups Whole milk

2 cups Half-and-half

1 tablespoon Sugar

2 teaspoons Vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon Ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg

Topping

12 tablespoons Unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), softened

1 1/3 cups Packed light brown sugar

3 tablespoons Corn syrup

5 ounces Pecans , chopped (1 1/2 cups)
Preparation
1. For the casserole: Adjust two oven racks to the upper and lower-middle positions and heat the oven to 325 degrees. Arrange the bread in a single layer on two baking sheets. Bake until dry and lightly golden, about 25 minutes, rotating the baking sheets front to back and top to bottom halfway through the baking time. Allow the bread to cool.

2. Grease the bottom and sides of a 9 by 13-inch baking dish (or casserole dish of similar size) with butter. Layer the baked bread tightly in the prepared dish (you should have two layers). Whisk together the eggs, milk, half-and-half, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg and pour evenly over the bread. Press lightly on the bread to submerge. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8 to 24 hours.

3. For the topping: When ready to bake, adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix the butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup together until smooth, then stir in the pecans.

4. To assemble and bake: Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and unwrap. Spoon the topping over the casserole, then spread it in an even layer. Place the dish on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until puffed and golden, about 60 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Carmel Chocolate Cookies

This is the recipe for the chocolate cookies in the third row other treats pictured are lemon bars, pecan brittle and grandmas molasses cookies.


Caramel Thumbprint Cookies

Ingredients:
• 66 HERSHEY'S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates filled with Caramel
• 1 family size (13x9-in. pan) original supreme brownie mix with HERSHEY'S Syrup Pouch
• 1/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 cup ground pecans(optional)
• 2 teaspoons milk

Directions:
1. Remove wrappers from chocolates. Lightly grease cookie sheets.

2. Beat brownie mix, pouch of syrup, cocoa, eggs, oil and water in medium bowl until well blended. Cover; refrigerate about 1 hour or until thoroughly chilled (dough will still be sticky).

3. Heat oven to 350°F. Shape dough into 48 1-inch balls. (Return dough to refrigerator if necessary or drop by rounded teaspoons onto wax paper-lined trays and refrigerate about 10 minutes.) Roll balls in pecans, if desired. Place on prepared cookie sheet; press thumb gently in center of each cookie. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until set. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.

4. Place 18 caramel filled chocolates and milk in small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM (50%) 30 seconds; stir. If necessary, microwave at MEDIUM an additional 10 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, until chocolates are melted and smooth when stirred. Spoon slightly rounded 1/4 teaspoon caramel filling in each indentation. Lightly press chocolate in center of each cookie. 48 cookies.

I chose to just drizzle the melted carmel kisses over my cookies this time. Either way they turn out yummy!

Chewy Chocolate Lovers Cookies

For the cookies pictured above I omitted the additional 1 1/2 cups of chocolate chips, I then melted white chocolate and drizzled the cookies topping them with crushed candy canes.

**Resist the urge to bake the cookies longer than indicated; they may appear
underbaked at first but will firm up as they cool.**


2 cups (10 ounces) all-purpose flour
½ cup (1 ½ ounces) baking cocoa
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
16 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped (or melt the equivalent of semi-sweet chocolate chips)
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
10 tablespoons (1 ¼ sticks) butter, softened to room temperature
1 ½ cups (10 ½ ounces) packed light brown sugar
½ cup (3 ½ ounces) granulated sugar
1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips

Whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.

Melt the chocolate in the microwave (50% power for 2 minutes, then stir and microwave in 20 second intervals until chocolate is melted - be careful not to overheat or chocolate will sieze). In a small bowl, beat the eggs and vanilla lightly with a fork; set aside.

Beat the butter at medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 5 seconds. Beat in the sugars until combined, about 45 seconds; the mixture will look granular. Reduce the speed to low and gradually beat in the egg mixture until incorporated, about 45 seconds. Add the chocolate in a steady stream and beat until combined, about 40 seconds. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. With the mixer at low speed, add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Finally add the chocolate chips. Do not overbeat. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature until the consistency is fudge-like, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, adjust the oven racks to the upper- and lower-middle positions and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 sheets with parchment paper or silpat liners (this is pretty important - if the cookies are baked on a greased baking sheet only, they will probably stick). Roll the dough into 1 ½ inch balls and place them on the cookie sheets, spacing them about 1 ½ inches apart.(I used a medium cookie scoop)Bake until the edges of the cookies have just begun to set but the centers are still very soft, about 10-11 minutes, rotating the baking sheets from top to bottom halfway through the baking time. Cool the cookies on the sheets about 5 minutes or until set and transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.

Hamburger Gravy and Biscuits

"Serve this meaty milk gravy over noodles, mashed potatoes or homemade biscuits."
INGREDIENTS:
2 pounds lean ground beef
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 quart milk salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon onion salt
1/2 C. Sour Cream
1 small onion, chopped
1 can of veggies(otional)
(optional)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Place hamburger and fresh chopped onion in a large, deep skillet. Crumble and cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Remove from heat and sprinkle flour over cooked hamburger. Stir until evenly coated and all fat is absorbed.
2. Place skillet over medium heat, add 1/2 of milk and stir until gravy begins to thicken. Add remaining milk until desired consistency has been reached and gravy comes to a boil.Add sourcream and veggies. Season with salt, pepper and onion salt.
3. Serve over mashed or boiled potatoes, toast or biscuits.

Sour Cream Banana Muffins

< Sour Cream Banana Muffins
3 medium ripe Bananas
1 cup softened margarine
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups chopped macadamia nuts or almonds, divided (optional)
1/4 cup packed brown sugar (optional)
1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Blend bananas in food processor or blender. Cover; blend until smooth. Add margarine, sugar, eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Cover; process until well blended.

Stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in medium bowl.

Combine banana mixture with flour mixture and 1 cup nuts; stir just until blended. Spoon mixture into muffin tins lined with paper baking cups.
If you choose the optional topping :
Stir together brown sugar, remaining 1/2 cup nuts and cinnamon. Sprinkle mixture over muffins in baking pan.

Bake at 350ºF., 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove muffins from pan; cool on rack.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
Serving Size : 24

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

Doug has been busy putting up lights,he was very glad he accomplished this before the snowfall........

Pecan Brittle

1 C. butter
1 C. Sugar
1 TBLS corn syrup
3 TBLS water
1 ½ Cups of Pecans
Put all ingredients except Pecans in a heavy saucepan, bring to a boil over medium heat stirring often. Continue cooking until candy is the color of a brown paper bag. Remove from heat and stir in pecans. Dump candy on a greased cookie sheet. Spread out . Let cool and then break into pieces. Store in paper bag.

Grandma's Molasses Cookies

1 egg
1 cup sugar
1 cup oil
1 cup molasses
1 cup warm water
1 Tbsp soda
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp vanilla
*Mix eggs sugar and oil first then add other ingredients. Add 6 1/2- 7 cups of flour or until dough is soft. Flour counter and roll out and cut.

*Bake @ 350 degrees for 10 min.

*Icing

1 stick of butter
About 1 Tbsp vanilla( I use 1 teaspoon of real Mexican vanilla)
milk
and powered sugar till frosting is thick.

Fettuccine Alfredo

Fettuccine Alfredo
3 Tbsp. Butter
3 Tbsp Flour
2 Cups Milk
1/2 Tsp Salt
1 tsp Garlic powder
1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
1/4 C. Parmesan Cheese
1 pkg of cooked Fettuccine Noodles

Melt Butter. Stir flour into butter while cooking until a smooth paste forms. Slowly stir in milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly.
Add salt, garlic powder and cream, stir well. Stir in Parmesan Cheese (continue until cheese is melted but mixture does not boil) Serve over Hot cooked noodles. I often add cooked chicken or broccoli. Enjoy!

Chocolate PeanutButter Cupcakes

Ingredients
• 1 box (18.25 ounces) devil's food
• cake mix
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups chopped chocolate-covered peanut butter cups (about 8 ounces), plus more to garnish
• 8 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
Directions
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. line cupcake pans with cupcake papers.
2. In a large bowl, beat cake mix, eggs, buttermilk and vegetable oil on low for 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium-high; beat for 2 minutes, scraping down side of the bowl after 1 minute. Fold in 2 cups of the chopped peanut butter cups.
3. Divide batter between prepared cupcake pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 16 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
4. Place chopped dark chocolate in a medium-size bowl. Bring cream just to a boil and pour over chocolate. Whisk until chocolate melts. Add peanut butter and whisk until smooth.
Dip cupcakes in chocolate mixture and then garnish top with chopped peanutbutter cups .
** A second option for icing is this great cooked fudge frosting recipe **
Chocolate Fudge Frosting
2 Cups Sugar
½ Cup Shortening
3 oz Unsweetened Chocolate
2/3 Cup Milk
½ tsp salt
2 tsp. vanilla
Mix all ingredients except vanilla in a 2 ½ quart saucepan. Heat to rolling boil stirring occasionally. Boil 1 Minute without stirring. Place Saucepan in a bowl of ice and water. Beat until frosting is smooth and of spreading consistency, stir in vanilla.

Lemon Bars

Ingredients:
2 sticks (8 ounces) butter
2 cups flour
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
4 beaten eggs
2 cups sugar
4 tablespoons flour
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon peel
sifted confectioners' sugar
Preparation:
Heat oven to 325°. Blend butter, 2 cups flour and 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar. Pat into ungreased 13x9x2-inch pan. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes. For filling, blend together eggs, sugar, 4 tablespoons flour, lemon juice, and lemon peel. Pour over first layer. Return to oven and bake at 325° for 20 minutes. Loosen around edges, cut into bars and sift confectioners' sugar over the top while warm.

Monte Cristo Sandwiches

"This is the real Monte Cristo sandwich. It has a nice thick batter and is absolutely delicious. Enjoy hot sandwich with currant or strawberry jelly.....

INGREDIENTS:
1 quart oil for frying, or as
needed
2/3 cup water
1 egg
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 slices white bread
4 slices Swiss cheese
4 slices turkey
4 slices ham
1/8 teaspoon ground black
pepper
1 tablespoon confectioners'
sugar for dusting
DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat 5 inches of oil in a deep-frying pan to 365 degrees F (180 degrees C). While oil is heating, make the batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg and water. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper; whisk into the egg mixture until smooth. Set aside in the refrigerator.
2. Assemble sandwiches by placing one slice of turkey on one slice of bread, a slice of ham on another, then sandwich them with the Swiss cheese in the middle. Cut sandwiches into quarters, and secure with toothpicks.
3. Dip each sandwich quarter in the batter so that all sides are coated. Deep fry in the hot oil until golden brown on all sides. Remove toothpicks and arrange on a serving tray. Dust with confectioners' sugar just before serving.

Pecan Pie

We have had tried many pecan pie recipes but this one, is by far our favorite. Hope you enjoy it also.

Pecan Pie
Ingredients
2 Eggs, Slightly Beaten
1 Cup Light Corn Syrup
1/4 Cup Sugar
2 Tablespoons Flour
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1-1/4 Cups Broken Texas native pecans
Preheat oven to 375 deg F.

Spread pecans in an unbaked 9-inch pie shell.

Mix remaining ingredients and pour over pecans.
Bake at 375 deg F. for 40 to 50 minutes or until filling is set.
TIPS:
Cover the edges of the pie crust with aluminum foil about halfway through baking to prevent crust from getting too brown before the pie is done.
Note that this recipe calls for Light Corn syrup (we use the Karo brand). Many people use dark syrup in their pecan pies but we find that this gives the pies a rather strong taste and a darker, less appealing texture.

Crust
4 ½ C. Flour
1 ½ TBS Sugar
1 ½ tsp Salt
6 TBS Butter
1 ½ C. Crisco
¾ Cup Buttermilk
Blend with a fork , add buttermilk and lightly mix with your hands. Just until incorporated. Seperate into 4 equal portions by gently pressing mixture into a thick disk shape.
Roll out between waxed paper. Makes two double crusts or 4 single crusts. You can freeze unused crust. Just portion out and flatten into a disk,wrap in saran wrap and freeze in a ziploc freezer bag.

Amy Thurston's Italian Sausage and Tortellini Soup

Italian Sausage Soup with Tortellini
1 lb. Italian Sausage
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic- minced
5 cups beef broth
1 cup water
1(14oz)Can Stewed tomatoes(I substituted a 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes and omitted tomato sauce)
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
1/2 t. packed fresh basil
1/2 t. dried oregano
1- 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 medium green pepper
1 1/2 cups sliced zucchini
8 oz. fresh tortellini (I use cheese tortellini)
3 T. chopped fresh parsley

1. Brown sausage in 5 quart dutch oven remove and drain. Reserve 1 T. drippings.
2. Saute onions and garlic in drippings. Stir in beef broth, water, tomatoes, carrots, basil, oregano, tomato sauce and sausage. Bring to boil- simmer uncovered for 30 min.
3. Remove fat from soup. Stir in zucchini ,green pepper and parsley. Simmer covered for 30 min. Add tortellini during the last 10 min. Sprinkle with paremesan cheese.

Spice Cake with Buttermilk Sauce

I got this recipe from "my muffin thursdays" it is really good. A great moist cake for the holidays.

Apple Spice Cake
Ingredients:
1/2c butter (you can use margarine here, but I don't usually)
2c sugar
2 eggs
1c applesauce
2 apples, peeled, cored, and grated
2-3 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2tsp cloves ( I only used 1/4 tsp)
1 1/2tsp baking soda
1/4tsp baking powder
1 1/2tsp salt
2 1/4c flour

Directions:
Cream butter and sugar. Mix in eggs one at a time till well incorporated. Stir in applesauce, apples, and spices till combined. Sift in cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and flour. Stir till all dry ingredients are moist. Don't overmix. Pour into a 9" x 13" baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray or buttered.

Bake at 375 30-40 minutes or till a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Serve with buttermilk syrup.


Buttermilk Syrup
Ingredients:
1/2c butter
3/4c buttermilk
2 Tbsp light corn syrup
1 1/2c sugar
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp vanilla

Directions:
In a large pot, combine butter, buttermilk, corn syrup, sugar, and baking soda. Stir and bring to a boil. Boil 7 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove pan from heat. Allow bubbles to settle a bit, then stir in vanilla. Serve warm.

***IF YOU ACCIDENTALLY ADD THE VANILLA WITH THE OTHER INGREDIENTS: don't worry. The vanilla will actually pretty much cook off during the boiling, so just add another 1-2 tsp after it comes off the heat.

Pumpkin Pie Cake

"Yellow cake mix takes the place of crust in this pumpkin dessert reminiscent of a pumpkin pie in a dish."
INGREDIENTS:

1 (29 ounce) can pumpkin pie mix
1 cup sugar
1 can evaporated milk
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 t. salt
Topping:
1 yellow cake mix
1 cup butter, chilled
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2.In a large bowl combine pumpkin,sugar, milk, 4 eggs,salt and vanilla. mix well and pour this mixture in baking dish.
3.In a medium bowl with a pastry blender, or in a food processor, combine chilled butter with cake mix until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over pumpkin mixture. Sprinkle chopped nuts over all.
4.Bake for 1 hour, until top is golden. Cool and serve with cool whip or whipped cream.

Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli

Ok so I went to Olive Garden and had the real version of this soup, and this copycat recipe tastes exactly the same. I love them both, and the best thing is that this is a really simple recipe to make especially if you were to buy your carrots already julienned.

Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli
(printable Version )
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, diced (1 cup)
1 large carrot, julienned (1 cup)
3 stalks celery, chopped (1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes
1 15-ounce can red beans (with liquid)
1 15-ounce can great northern beans (with liquid)
1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
1 12-ounce can V-8 juice
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 pound (1/2 pkg.) ditali pasta

1. Brown the ground beef in a large saucepan or pot over medium heat.
Drain off most of the fat.
2. Add onion, carrot, celery and garlic and sauté for 10 minutes.
3. Add remaining ingredients, except pasta, and simmer for 1 hour.
4. About 50 minutes into simmer time, cook the pasta in 1 1/2 to 2 quarts
of boiling water over high heat. Cook for 10 minutes or just until pasta is al dente, or slightly tough. Drain.
5. Add the pasta to the large pot of soup.
Simmer for 5-10 minutes and serve. Serves 8.

Pumpkin Pie

Libby’s Pumpkin Pie
• 1 (9 inch) unbaked deep dish pie crust
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 eggs
• 1 (15 ounce) can LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 1 (12 fluid ounce) can NESTLE® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
2. Combine sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs lightly in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. Pour into pie shell.
3. Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 F.; bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. (Do not freeze as this will cause the crust to separate from the filling.)

Flakiest Pie Crust
Ingredients:
2c flour
1c shortening (I use all vegetable)
1 tsp salt
1Tbsp sugar

for the slurry:
1/3c flour
1/2c water

Directions:
In a large bowl, cut shortening into flour and salt with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs (about the size of small peas). Combine the 1/3c water and 1/2c flour to make a slurry. Pour over crumbled shortening mixture and mix till just combined. Divide dough in half. Wrap each half in plastic wrap and flatten into a small disc.

Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to set. This will make rolling it out much easier. If you don't need a double crust, you can freeze one half of the dough and use it later.
When ready to use the crust, roll out each half on a heavily floured surface with a floured rolling pin. If it doesn't go well the first time, it's okay. Just crumple it back into a ball and try again. It's VERY forgiving.

Makes 1 double crust

Baked Oven Omlette

This is recipe comes Laura at Real Mom Kitchen. Her Mom has made this as long as she can remember. The great thing about this is you can make it the night before and have it already in the morning. It works great for Christmas morning. Open presents while it cooks in the oven. She likes to buy the sandwich bread that is in the shape of a square to make this. It makes it easier. This recipe also is a great way to use up leftover ham. You make this in layers like lasagna. With this, it's like the bread is your noodles.

Baked Oven Omelet

1 loaf of bread
3 cups of grated cheddar cheese
1/2 pound chopped ham ( I do 2 cups)
1/4 cup chopped green onion
5 eggs beaten
2 1/3 cup milk
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. paprika
1 Tbsp. prepared mustard


Trim crust off bread. Save crust for another use. As you layer the bread, butter each side of the bread. I just use my tub of margarine for this. Placea layer bread in the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan, just enough buttered slices to cover the bottom of the pan. Then layer 1 cup of the cheese, half the ham, and half the green onion. Place another layer of buttered bread slices. Top with 1 cup cheese, remaining ham, and remaining green onion. Beat egg, milk, salt, paprika, and mustard together. Pour over layers in pan. Top with remaining cheese and refrigerate overnight. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes, until knife comes out clean. Serves 9-12

Tari and Adam's Visit

See... My grandkids are cuter than yours!!!


















Just snoozing with Nathan...(anesthetic still wearing off I don't nap like this, really)








I think this is the sweetest baby boy!!!

We enjoyed Tari and Adam and baby Nathan this weekend. It is fun see how much everyone has changed

Beef Enchiladas

Beef Enchiladas
Serves: 4
Prep: 15 min; Cook: 20 min; Bake: 20 min


1 pound lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon pepper
For Sauce:
1 small can of diced green chilies
2/3 cup water
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh or 1/2 tsp dried oregano leaves
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
8 corn tortillas (5 or 6 inches in diameter)
Shredded cheese, sour cream and chopped onions, if desired


1. Heat oven to 350°.

2. Cook beef in 10-inch skillet over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until brown; drain. Stir in onion, sour cream, 1 cup cheese, the parsley and pepper. Cover and remove from heat.

3. Heat bell pepper, water, chili powder, oregano, cumin, chilies, garlic and tomato sauce to boiling in 2-quart saucepan, stirring occasionally; reduce heat. Simmer uncovered 5 minutes. Pour into ungreased pie plate, 9 X 1 1/4 inches.

4. Dip each tortilla into sauce in pie plate to coat both sides. Spoon about 1/4 cup beef mixture onto each tortilla; roll tortilla around filling. Place seam side down in ungreased rectangular baking dish, 11 X 7 X 1 1/2 inches. Pour remaining sauce over enchiladas.

5. Bake uncovered about 20 minutes or until bubbly. Garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream and chopped onions.

This freezes well. Just Wrap and freeze before the final baking step. Thaw inrefrigerator overnight then bake for approx. 30 minutes or until heated through.

Cooking with Alicia and Annie **Baked Pretzels

Here is another recipe from the cooking contest I spoke of in an earlier post http://alicia-annie.blogspot.com/2008/10/november-2008-blog-event.html There are tons of recipes to choose from. My kids thought homemade pretzels sounded yummy. They definitely preferred the cinnamon sugar ones. You could top these with tons of different items....use your imagination.

Baked Pretzels
1/2 pkg. or 1/4 tsp. dry yeast

1 1/2 tsp. Sugar

2 c. flour

Coarse salt

3/4 c. warm water

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 beaten egg with 1 teaspoon water


Instructions
Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add salt. Blend in flour with fork on floured board. Knead dough until smooth. Pull off pieces of dough about size of golf balls. Roll into 14 inch ropes and twist into pretzel shapes (alphabet shapes are fun for young children.) Brush with beaten egg and water; sprinkle with salt. Bake on greased cookie sheets at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes.

Cooking with Alicia and Annie **Lasagna Bread

I received an email from Afton Ellsworth telling me about the recipe sites she and her husband have. They are also doing a cooking contest for November checkout
http://alicia-annie.blogspot.com/2008/10/november-2008-blog-event.html I chose Lasagna Bread ...... I made it for lunch today. It is very hearty and the family enjoyed it . It goes great paired with a green salad and fruit. Especially after all the treats from Halloween. I made a change or two due to personal preference. It really does taste alot like lasagna.
Lasagna Bread
1/2 lb. sausage ( I used Mild Italian )
1/2 lb. hamburger
3/4 c. chopped onion
1/2 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp. parsley flakes
1/2 tsp. leaf basil
1/2 tsp. leaf oregano
1/2 tsp. salt
1 can tomato paste
1 c. creamed cottage cheese(I just beat my cottage cheese with a mixer)
1 egg
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
2 cans crescent rolls( They do make a sheet sized one now)
2 (7x4 inch) pieces Mozzarella cheese
1 tbsp. milk
1 tbsp. sesame seed ( I substituted with Italian Seasoning)


Instructions
Meat mixture: Brown meat, add all seasonings, onion and paste and simmer for 5 minutes. Cheese mixture: Combine cottage cheese, egg and Parmesan cheese.

Crust: On a large cookie sheet, press the crescent rolls into a 15x13 inch rectangle. Spoon half the meat mixture onto the dough, leaving a border on the sides and enough dough at the top and the bottom to enclose ingredients like a letter inside an envelope. Follow meat mixture with cheese mixture, then the other half of the meat mixture, placing the sliced Mozzarella cheese on last. Enclose ingredients pressing dough together with fingers. Brush with milk and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Bake in a 375 degree oven for about 25 minutes or until crust is golden brown. It took around 20 minutes in my oven. Serves 6

Carmel Apple Dip

Apple Dip
1 10 oz. tub of soft cream cheese or 1 8 oz. block softened
1/2 C brown sugar
1/4 C white sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2/3 pkg of a 8 oz. bag of SKOR English Toffee Bits
6-9 Granny Smith Apples cut into wedges for dipping
Mix together with a spoon until smooth - cream cheese, sugars and vanilla. Fold in toffee bits just before serving so they don’t get soggy. (soggy is yummy too!) I cut the apples just before serving to prevent them turning brown.

Tari , Nathan and Adam ..They have really gone to the dogs!!!!

Redneck Boys

Have you embraced your "inner" redneck? Kellan has......


Let's just call this good safe Sr. Halloween Fun

Halloween Fun

Alexandra the Witch

Indiana Parker

Should I be worried about the girls Kellan is hanging out with?

Laila the Little Stinker