Sunday, June 26, 2011

Cooking : Blackberry Pie IV

Ingredients
4 cups blackberries
1/2 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons tapioca
2 tablespoons butter
1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C.)
In a large mixing bowl, combine blackberries, sugar and tapioca. Be careful not to damage the berries. Pour into pie crust. Cover with top crust, seal and crimp edges, then cut slits in the top for steam vents. Top with pats of butter.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Cooking : Banana-Nut Bundt Cake

Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups finely chopped ripe bananas
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1 cup chopped nuts

Directions
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda and cinnamon. In another bowl, combine the eggs, oil, bananas, pineapple and vanilla; stir into dry ingredients just until combined. Fold in coconut and nuts. Pour into a greased 10-in. fluted tube pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing cake from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

Cooking : Apple Slices Brown Betty

Ingredients
2 cups dry bread crumbs
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
10 cups sliced tart apple
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup applesauce
1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs, brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and cloves. Place half of the sliced apples in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with half the bread crumb mixture. Repeat layers. Pour melted butter over all and cover with applesauce. Combine remaining cinnamon with white sugar and sprinkle on top.
Bake in preheated oven 1 hour, until apples are tender and mixture is bubbly.

Cooking : Broccoli with Almonds

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds fresh broccoli, cut into spears
1 cup water
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
1/4 cup sliced almonds
3 tablespoons stick margarine
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon salt

Directions
In a large saucepan, bring broccoli, water and bouillon to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5-8 minutes or until broccoli is crisp-tender. Drain and place in a serving dish; keep warm. In a skillet, saute almonds in margarine until browned. Add onion and salt; saute until onion is tender. Pour over broccoli; toss to coat.

Cooking : Best Chicken Salad Ever I

Ingredients
1 (5 ounce) can chunk chicken, drained and flaked
2 tablespoons creamy salad dressing
1 teaspoon sweet pickle relish
1 large apple, cored and diced
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 stalk celery, chopped (optional)
2/3 cup raisins
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
In a large bowl, mix the chicken, creamy salad dressing, pickle relish, apple, pecans, celery, and raisins. Season with salt and pepper. Chill until serving.

Cooking : Buffalo Wing Potato Pancakes

Ingredients
2 frozen, breaded chicken strips
3 tablespoons hot sauce (such as Frank's RedHot �)
6 cups leftover mashed potatoes
1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing mix
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions
Cook the chicken strips according to package directions. Dice the cooked chicken strips and place them in a bowl and toss with the hot pepper sauce.
Stir together the mashed potatoes, eggs, and ranch dressing mix in a large bowl.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. In batches, drop 1/2 cup of the potato mixture into the skillet. Press to flatten. Sprinkle a heaping tablespoon of the coated chicken strips on the flattened pancake. Cook for about 4 minutes on each side, until the pancakes are golden brown. Garnish with shredded cheese and serve.

Cooking : Actually Delicious Turkey Burgers

Ingredients
3 pounds ground turkey
1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 cup finely diced onion
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions
In a large bowl, mix ground turkey, seasoned bread crumbs, onion, egg whites, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper. Form into 12 patties.
Cook the patties in a medium skillet over medium heat, turning once, to an internal temperature of 180 degrees F (85 degrees C).

Cooking : B and L's Strawberry Smoothie

Ingredients
8 strawberries, hulled
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 cup plain yogurt
3 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
6 cubes ice, crushed

Directions
In a blender combine strawberries, milk, yogurt, sugar and vanilla. Toss in the ice. Blend until smooth and creamy. Pour into glasses and serve.

Cooking : Banana-Chip Oat Muffins

Ingredients
1 cup quick-cooking oats
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 medium ripe bananas, mashed
2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Directions
In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients. In a small mixing bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until crumbly. Beat in the bananas, egg, applesauce and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips.
Coat muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray or line with paper liners; fill three-fourths full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Serve warm.

Cooking : Banana Meatloaf

Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 tablespoon minced onion
3/4 cup mashed banana
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, onion, banana, salt, pepper, paprika and dry mustard until well mixed. Shape into a loaf and place in prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven 1 hour, or until no longer pink in the center.

Cooking : Absolute Best Liver and Onions

Ingredients
2 pounds sliced beef liver
1 1/2 cups milk, or as needed
1/4 cup butter, divided
2 large Vidalia onions, sliced into rings
2 cups all-purpose flour, or as needed
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Gently rinse liver slices under cold water, and place in a medium bowl. Pour in enough milk to cover. Let stand while preparing onions. (I like to soak up to an hour or two - whatever you have time for.) This step is SO important in taking the bitter taste of the liver out.
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Separate onion rings, and saute them in butter until soft. Remove onions, and melt remaining butter in the skillet. Season the flour with salt and pepper, and put it in a shallow dish or on a plate. Drain milk from liver, and coat slices in the flour mixture.
When the butter has melted, turn the heat up to medium-high, and place the coated liver slices in the pan. Cook until nice and brown on the bottom. Turn, and cook on the other side until browned. Add onions, and reduce heat to medium. Cook a bit longer to taste. Our family prefers the liver to just barely retain a pinkness on the inside when you cut to check. Enjoy!

Cooking : Awesome Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Ingredients
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
1 1/4 cups water
5 1/2 pounds pot roast

Directions
In a slow cooker, mix cream of mushroom soup, dry onion soup mix and water. Place pot roast in slow cooker and coat with soup mixture.
Cook on High setting for 3 to 4 hours, or on Low setting for 8 to 9 hours.

Cooking : Bacon 'n' Egg Bundles

Ingredients
1 teaspoon butter or margarine
12 bacon strips
Fresh parsley sprigs

Directions
Lightly grease six muffin cups with the butter. In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until cooked but not crisp. Drain on paper towels.
Cut six bacon strips on half width-wise; line the bottom of each muffin cup with two bacon pieces. Line the sides of each muffin cup with one or two bacon strips. Break an egg into each cup. Bake, uncovered, at 325 degrees F for 12-18 minutes or until whites are completely set and yolks begin to thicken but are not firm. Transfer to a serving plate; surround with parsley.

Cooking : Berry Crumb Tarts

Ingredients
1 package Pepperidge Farm� Puff Pastry Shells
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 (21 ounce) can fruit pie filling

Directions
Bake pastry shells according to package directions.
Mix flour, sugar, cinnamon and butter until crumbs form.
Spoon about 1/3 cup pie filling into each pastry shell. Top with crumb mixture. Bake at 400 degrees F for 5 minutes. Let cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Cooking : Almond Chocolate Torte

Ingredients
2/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
8 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 (.25 ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
2 cups whipping cream, whipped

Directions
Set aside 1 tablespoon almonds for garnish. Chop remaining almonds; sprinkle into a greased 9-in. springform pan. In a microwave or heavy saucepan, melt chocolate; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar.
In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; let stand for 1 minute. Cook and stir over low heat until gelatin is completely dissolved. Beat into cream cheese mixture. Add melted chocolate; beat until blended. Fold in the whipped cream. Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle with reserved almonds. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

Cooking : Bloomin' Onion Dipping Sauce

Ingredients
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons ketchup
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated raw horseradish
1/4 teaspoon paprika

Directions
In a medium mixing bowl, combine sour cream, ketchup, seasoning salt, red pepper flakes, horseradish, and paprika. Serve immediately or refrigerate before serving.

Cooking : Breakfast Sausage Roll

Ingredients
2 (1 pound) loaves frozen white bread dough
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound ground pork sausage
1 pound ground spicy pork sausage
1/2 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 (6 ounce) can canned mushrooms
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons water

Directions
Rub the frozen bread dough with vegetable oil, cover and allow to thaw overnight at room temperature.
Place sausage in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Roll out one loaf of bread and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Layer cooked sausage, green peppers, mushrooms, and cheese on top of bread. Leave 1 inch border at the edges bare. Roll out second loaf of bread and place over bread and filling. Enclose filling by pinching edges of both loaves together.
In a small bowl, beat together egg and water. Brush surface of roll with egg wash. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Cooking : Apricot Pineapple Jam

Ingredients
12 ounces dried apricots
1 cup water
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
1/2 cup grapefruit juice
3 cups sugar

Directions
In a large saucepan, bring apricots and water to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until apricots are very tender. Mash. Add pineapple, grapefruit juice and sugar. Simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour or until thick and translucent, stirring frequently.
Pour into jars or freezer containers; cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Cover and let stand overnight or until set, but no longer than 24 hours. Refrigerate for up to 3 weeks or freeze for up to 1 year.

Cooking : Aunt Carol's Apple Pie

Ingredients
2 pounds Granny Smith apples
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie

Directions
Peel and slice apples. Toss with sugars, cinnamon and flour. Set aside.
Roll crust to make slightly larger to fit 10-inch glass pie pan. Fit bottom crust in pie pan. Turn in apple mixture and dot with butter. Put crust on top and crimp edges of crust together.
Wet hands with water and dampen top of pie. Sprinkle with additional sugar. Puncture top of pie with fork so pie will vent.
Bake for 15 minutes at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C), reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and continue baking for about 45 minutes more, until crust is golden brown. It's a good practice to place a piece of aluminum foil slightly larger than the pie under the pie plate to catch overflows. Serve warm.

Cooking : Bavarian Strawberry Pie

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups flaked coconut
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 quart fresh strawberries, sliced
3/4 cup sugar
1 (.25 ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup cold water
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped

Directions
In a small bowl, combine coconut and butter. Press onto the bottom and up the sides of a greased 9-in. pie plate. Bake at 300 degrees F for 30-35 minutes or until lightly browned (cover edges loosely with foil to prevent overbrowning if necessary). Cool on a wire rack.
In a large bowl, combine strawberries and sugar; let stand for 15 minutes. In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; let stand for 1 minute. Cook and stir over medium heat until gelatin is dissolved; stir in lemon juice. Stir into strawberry mixture. Cool to room temperature. Fold in whipped cream. Pour into crust. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before slicing.

Cooking : Apple-Raisin Breakfast Bread Pudding

Ingredients
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 (16 ounce) loaf cinnamon bread with raisins, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored, and sliced
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup melted butter
1 Granny Smith apple - peeled, cored, and diced

Directions
Beat the eggs in a mixing bowl. Whisk in the milk, cream, vanilla extract, and nutmeg until evenly blended. Fold in the bread cubes and set aside until the bread soaks up the egg mixture, about 5 minutes. Place the sliced apples into a mixing bowl and sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter; toss to evenly coat. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and arrange the apple slices evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish; spoon the bread mixture over top. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Sprinkle the diced apple over the bread pudding and cover again with the aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven until the bread is no longer soggy, about 40 minutes. Remove the foil and set the oven to Broil; broil until golden brown on top, about 5 minutes. Remove and let stand 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Cooking : Black Lung Braised Brisket

Ingredients
1/2 cup red wine
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup liquid smoke flavoring
1 tablespoon molasses
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
1 (3 pound) beef brisket
2 (14 ounce) cans beef broth

Directions
Whisk together the red wine, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, molasses, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl; pour into a resealable plastic bag. Add the brisket, coat with the marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
Remove the brisket from the marinade and shake off excess. Reserve the remaining marinade. Heat a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the brisket until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes per side.
Pour the reserved marinade into the skillet along with the beef broth. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the brisket can be pulled apart with a fork, 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

Cooking : Aunt Peg's Chowder

Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large onion, sliced
1/4 pound zucchini, chopped
1 (8 ounce) can garbanzo beans, with liquid
1 (8 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes with liquid, chopped
3/4 cup dry white wine
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup grated Romano cheese

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, and saute onion until tender and lightly browned.
In a medium baking dish, mix onion, zucchini, garbanzo beans with liquid, tomatoes with liquid, wine, butter, garlic, basil, and bay leaf.
Cover, and bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes. Uncover, stir, and continue baking 30 minutes.
Stir heavy cream, Monterey Jack cheese, and Romano cheese into the vegetable mixture, and continue baking 10 minutes, until cheeses are melted and bubbly.

Cooking : Artichoke Spinach Dip

Ingredients
1/4 cup butter
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, partially thawed
1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
2 (16 ounce) containers sour cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
garlic salt to taste

Directions
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the spinach and artichoke hearts. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
Mix cream cheese and sour cream into the spinach mixture. Stir in Parmesan cheese and garlic salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve warm.

Cooking : Asiago Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Ingredients
2 cups heavy cream
1 cube chicken bouillon
1 tablespoon Asiago Cheese
1 tablespoon cornstarch, mixed with equal parts water
1 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
1 (16 ounce) package bow tie pasta
3/4 cup bacon
1/4 cup butter
1 cup diced red onion
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup chopped green onion
1 pound grilled skinless, boneless chicken breast, diced
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions
In a large saucepan over medium heat, cook 2 cups cream until just bubbling. Watch carefully, to ensure that it doesn't boil over. Stir in bouillon and Asiago cheese. Stir with a whisk until dissolved. Add cornstarch mixture, and simmer until sauce is thickened, stirring constantly. Mix in the sun-dried tomatoes. Set aside, or cover and refrigerate for later use.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Saute red onion until soft and translucent. Stir in garlic and cooked bacon, and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in green onions, chicken and 1 cup cream. Cook, stirring, until cream is heated through. Add Asiago cream sauce, and heat through. Toss with cooked pasta until evenly coated, and sprinkle with chopped parsley.

Cooking : Bean and Pasta Soup

Ingredients
8 ounces pork sausage
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, finely diced
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed minestrone soup
2 1/2 cups water
1 (14.5 ounce) can great Northern beans, undrained
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup uncooked spinach pasta

Directions
In 4 quart stock pot, cook sausage until lightly browned. Add onion powder, garlic, and onion, and cook until tender.
Stir in minestrone soup, water, great northern beans (undrained), kidney beans (undrained), thyme, basil and pepper.
Bring to a boil and then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
Stir in pasta and cook another 15 minutes and then serve.

Cooking : Alligator in Garlic-Wine Sauce

Ingredients
2 pounds alligator meat, cut into cubes
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
salt and pepper to taste
all-purpose flour for dusting
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 cup white wine

Directions
Toss alligator cubes with lime juice, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour to marinate.
Squeeze any excess liquid from alligator and place into a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper, then toss with enough flour to coat. Remove alligator, shake off excess flour, and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic; cook and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add alligator, and cook until firm and opaque, 5 to 6 minutes. Place alligator into serving dish, then pour wine into skillet and simmer until thickened, about 2 minutes. Pour sauce over alligator to serve.

Cooking : BBQ Chicken Pizza I

Ingredients
3 boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and cubed
1 cup hickory flavored barbeque sauce
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon molasses
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
1 (12 inch) pre-baked pizza crust
1 cup smoked Gouda cheese, shredded
1 cup thinly sliced red onion

Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). In a saucepan over medium high heat, combine chicken, barbeque sauce, honey, molasses, brown sugar and cilantro. Bring to a boil.
Spread chicken mixture evenly over pizza crust, and top with cheese and onions. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted.