Cooking and Foodie

December 23, 2018 My Mom's Meatloaf You can smell this cooking all through the house and you will not be able to contain yourself.  You can leave and come back and it is still all over as you walk through your home until it is time to go to bed.  Your mouth will start watering before it even cools off and yes you will cut it and eat it before it cools off and guess what.......You will not care. You serve this with whipped butter and cream mashed potatoes with a pat of butter dripping off onto the plate.  If you want you can serve with my wonderful Father-In Laws green beans that I have tweaked as well. Mom's Sweet & Sour Meatloaf 2 pounds ground beef 1 pound Italian flavored pork sausage.  (you can use any flavored sausage and any meat if you don't eat pork) 1 pkg saltines crackers crushed, leave in pkg and use straight rolling pin to hit pkg and then roll over the top. Keep rolling/hitting until a fine pieces have formed 1/2 medium chopped red on...

December 8-Dinner We had a friend that was visiting, for dinner. Luckily I was cooking out of my Christmas cookbook my way. Parmesan-Shrimp Pasta Bake 1 pkg medium shells, Farfalle or Elbow. You pick your pasta, needs to be a little hardy as we are baking the pasta. 6 Tbsp butter 6 cloves garlic 5-6 Tbsp flour 1/3 cup of white Sherry or chicken broth 1 cup of milk mix with 1 cup of heavy cream 1/2 cup clam juice you will find this by the 4 Tbsp Ketchup Salt and Pepper 1 pound uncooked pealed deveined medium shrimp, if frozen thaw 2 Tbsp fresh dill chopped 1 cup grated fresh or jarred Parmesan cheese you could use Romano as well Lemon Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray shallow casserole dish. Cook the pasta a little under what the package directions state as you want it a little al dente.  Melt butter in large 5 quart pot, add garlic sauté for 1 minute add flour until all butter is soaked up. Add the chicken broth ,milk, clam juice and ketchup, heat just to thicken...

December 21  Gingerbread Mini Muffins. My husband loves molasses, so anything I bake with molasses he will love.  I hope you will all love them as well.  They are pretty easy to make and remember that they don't come out fluffy like most muffins as you are using a very dense syrup to make these.  They are really good and they smell just like Christmas and bring back all your childhood memories back to life. Gingerbread Muffins  I chose Mini This recipe is from Betty Crocker's best Christmas Cookbook ( I added cardamom and you should cook for about 8-10 minutes.  Yum

December 19  Side dish of Acorn Squash. An exciting new way and you will love the decorative look of them. You could serve to Royalty and they would think you cooked all day. They are baked which takes the fat out, well unless you add a little melted butter sauce that was left over from some apples you had microwaved with butter and brown sugar. They are still Non Fat right? This dish is so yummy it won’t matter. I served with baked white fish. 1 acorn squash sliced in rings and seeds removed 1/4 cup milk or eggnog 1 egg 1 cup soft bread crumbs, I used the left over french bread and pulsed in food processor to make small crumbs 1/2 cup of corn meal 2 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp fresh grated nutmeg 1 tsp cardamom 2 Tbsp Brown sugar Melted Butter remember to always use butter not margarine or a substitute Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix milk/eggnog and egg.  Beat all together in a flat bowl so it will be easy to dip the rounds in.  In a separate bowl mix the bread cru...

December 19 Ready for some down time? Well here it is, make yourself a cup of chamomile or peppermint (because after all it is Christmas) tea and sit down with a little dessert.  You will love these. Especially in the early morning, biting into one of these cheesy sausage herb infused biscuits.  They are so small that you can eat a couple of them and not feel guilty.  Christmas is not time for guilt, only fun with food. The great thing about these little delicious bites is that you can eat them anytime, so make a batch whenever put them in a ziplock bag and either freeze for when you have family coming over and staying the night unexpected. You will go to your freezer pull these out, stick in a bounty paper towel as they defrost (as the paper towel keeps the moisture out of your biscuit) put them in the microwave for about 10 seconds and then they are wonderful again. Sausage Cheesy Herb Biscuits 1/2 pound Italian,  regular or spicy sausage ( I use Jimmy Deans) ...

December 18  The Best French Toast Ever After seeing how easy it is to make you will want to make it for your friends and family and maybe have them all over for Brunch.  There is a sauce/jam that goes on it.  If you are like me and start the sauce and turn it on, thank goodness on medium heat, and then answer the door because your friends came for a quick visit and bring you a gift for Christmas.  Well you have to stop everything and do a little visit.  I love when friends come over. So my sauce became a jam and didn't burn, thank goodness for a husband that turned off the stove.  I just added 1/4 of aged Balsamic Vinegar and just whisked and there you go, it is a delicious and when you put that wonderful Christmasy fragrant tangy jam on your French Toast, you will want to savor it and it will be worth licking your lips. Christmas French Toast 1 loaf of French Bread, Cut in 1/2 in slices 2 eggs whisked 1 cup of Eggnog 1 Tbsp fresh grated Nutmeg...

Lets talk Chicken or Turkey.  Here is a simple recipe for that night at Christmas time that you really don't even want to stop to eat dinner but you know you need the energy to keep going, wrap those gifts, make those cookies, trim the tree, visit neighbors, sing carols. Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Uncle Bens Long grain-Wild Rice pre cooked packaged rice. (If you want easy) You can actually cook the White and Wild rice from scratch 1/2 cup of Butter 1/2 cup of flour Salt and Pepper to taste 1 1/2 cups Chicken Broth 1 cup of Milk 1 cup of Egg Nog (or use Heavy Cream) Butter 1 medium chopped white or yellow onion 1 8 oz pkg Sliced Mushrooms Cubed Chicken ( I used a roasted chicken from Costco, you can find these in almost any grocery store) You can also cook a chicken yourself.  You could also BBQ it.  I chopped part White and part Dark meat. Any chopped nuts, I like Pecans for the Christmas theme Add some chopped roasted red pepper, either jarred or roast ...

Did you say Dessert.  Remember how to spell Dessert (you always want 2 Desserts, hence the 2 'ss) You only want to cross the Desert once (hence 1 s) Ok onto to the Dessert So very simple and so elegant looking.  it has 5 ingredients can you believe it? These are from my moms friend about 1975 and I know there are different versions and different names for this dessert. My mom called them Nan's Goodies Melt 1 cube of butter in a 9x13 pan, I melted it in a bowl then poured the butter on the bottom Pour Graham Cracker crumble over and combine and press in the bottom.  I used the crumbs that come in a box.  You can also use regular Grahams and just smash into crumbs. Pour 1 can  (15 oz) of Borden's condensed milk over the crumbs Pour chocolate chips over the milk, you can use 3 oz of 60% Cacao chocolate and then 3 oz of milk chocolate.  I like Ghiradeli Chocolate.  But any brand will do. Sprinkle 1 cup of flaked coconut over the chocolate, I us...

December 16  When you just want vegetables for a bit.  Here is something wonderful that goes right in the oven. Roasted Vegetable Lasagna 3 Zucchini roasted and sliced 2 medium White onions roasted chopped, I did big pieces and we love roasted onions. 1 yellow and green bell peppers 1 jar of Roasted red peppers 8 oz or more of sliced mushrooms 1 pkg lasagna noodles. I used Barilla Oven Ready noodles.  I love these.  You can use the noodles that you cook first if you are unable to locate the Oven ready. 1 jar of Garlic Ragu spaghetti sauce. You can make your own sauce as well.  Just trying to Simplify.  Mozzarella Cheese Parmasean Cheese Place all the vegetables that you want to grill, except for the mushrooms, on a platter and drizzle olive oil on them, roll them around making sure all sides have been oiled.  You will place the vegetables on the ready grill. Grill for 3 minutes and then turn making sure all sides have been grilled but are...

December 15 Chilly Outside means Three Bean Christmas   Chili on this inside. I love Chili on a cold day. I know surprising that it is cold in Vegas but it does get to the 40's or less in the mornings and late evenings. I large Tomatoe diced 1 15 oz can of Garbanzo beans 1 15 oz can Black Beans I love Bush's I 15 oz can Pinto Beans 15 oz Prego spicy spaghetti sauce 3 small red, orange, yellow, green bell peppers cut into 1 inch pieces 1 medium white onion chopped in 1 inch pieces 1-2 Tbsp of Chili powder 1 Tbsp Cumin 1 Tbsp of Coriander Worcester Sauce Ketchup You could add a Anaheim or Jalapeño pepper if you like "hot".  I do not haha Another Guest pleaser and so quick and easy. As you can see I had already froze the left over Chili. Not much left.  Put all ingredients, except the Worcester and Ketchup, in a 5 quart cooking pot.  Heat to boiling and then reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender. At the last 10 minutes...

December 13   Tuesday went out to dinner with a friend  and Wednesday we had leftovers.  That is what is great about these recipes, you will have some left overs and when your Holiday Season is just getting hectic, grab some leftovers and there you have dinner. I made another side dish, Broccoli and Corn stuffing , so easy on these busy nights we are having at Christmas time. One Stalk of Broccoli  just cut off the flowerettes ( you can use frozen flowerettes if you can't find fresh) 1-2 boxes of Jolly Giant sauced small white or yellow corn frozen, you can also use creamed corn if you like. 2 eggs slightly beaten White onion chopped Butter 1 boxed chicken, herbed, or garlic etc of Stove Top Stuffing.  You can use 3/4 cup of seasoned stuffing crumbs if you would like.  Remember I just want to make it simple for you. Heat oven to 350 degrees . Mix broccoli, corn, onions and eggs in ungreased 3-quart casserole dish.  Mix melted butter and...

December 10  I made a side this time Red Cabbage and Apples 3 Tbsp of Butter 2 Medium unpeeled tart cooking apples-sliced , I use granny smith 1 head of red cabbage coarsly shredded 1/4 cup of water 1/4 cup (or more) red wine vinegar or rice vinegar you can mix if you like.  You might need to taste so you know whether to add more vinegar. 2 Tbsp sugar 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp cardomen 1/2 tsp all spice Melt butter over medium heat in a 5 quart cooking pot.  Add apples cook about 5 minutes. Stirring occasionally. Stir in remaining ingredients.  Heat to boiling; reduce heat and simmer 35-40 minutes. Make sure there is no crunch left in the cabbage. I served this with a white fish smothered in capers in juice, chopped combination olives, greek, green, black with pimentos and chopped dill.  Then pour Kraft (or any brand) Zesty Italian salad dressing over.  You want to get a small glass baking dish to lay your fish in to cook in a 425 degree ove...

December 9 Sunday Dinner Baby It's Cold Outside How about a Curry stew.  You can use any root vegetables that you want, that is what is so great about this dish.  Everyone has different tastes and that is also true about vegetables. What is great about this dish is that you can chop all of your vegetables, onions and garlic the day before and bag them up (garlic and onion together and vegs in another bag together). Which was great for me as I had a friend for dinner on Saturday and was able to get the chopping done and enjoy her friendship. You could also cook this the day before and then you could rest on Sunday, Curried Coconut Beef with Winter Vegetables Oil/butter mix Flour 2 lbs Beef loin, chuck you can even use stew meat, just change the cooking times 1 large white onion 5 cloves garlic you can use less or more, to me more is always better 2 Tbsp curry powder, I used yellow you can choose the one you like , just remember you are cooking with beef 1 can...

December 8 Yes I had a busy weekend and that is why I am typing all of these recipes today/tonight. I made cookies for a Youth Choir concert for my Church, then cookies for a work cookie exchange. I picked over 2 grocery bags of lemons off my tree this weekend so I made Lemon Shortbread cookies with Lemon Frosting.  They are so yum yum yummy.  That fresh lemon zest you just can't beat it. It is so fresh and citrusy it is a beautiful aroma.  Just breath in slowly, can you smell that tart/sweet crisp lemon smell?  Aww. I then made cookies with my cookie press, they are small but so cute and not too sweet.  Not many ingredients that make these little goodies. I also made Pizzelle's an Italian/German cookie. Here is my German Heritage. They are so light and crunchy you can eat 10 and not realize it.  They don't take long but you need to watch them so they don't burn . If there is any one of these that you want the recipe for just leave me a note on h...

December 7 EggNog Bread with a topping or nuts and berries in the bread. Guess what you can do with left over eggnog from that party you threw and had people that can't have dairy.  Well lets make something with it besides a cocktail.  Lets bake again. 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1 cup eggnog or 1/2 & 1/2 (but really it is called Eggnog bread not 1/2 & 1/2 bread) get in the Holiday spirit and use the Eggnog especially if you have left over. 3 Tbsp vegetable oil 1 tsp Hazelnut extract with 2 Tbsp of water mix before adding 3 1/2 tsp baking powder 3/4 tsp grated fresh nutmeg (you can use grated jar nutmeg it just doesn't have that fresh strong aroma/flavor) 1 egg Topping Toasted coconut and chopped pecans You can also mix in dried cranberries, pecans, pistachios or whatever fruit, nut or nothing. Glaze if you need more sugar. Just milk or water and powdered sugar you can add some hazelnut extract. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spr...

December 6 Wild Rice with Cranberry and Orange 1 Pkg Uncle Bens Wild Rice(ready to heat and serve) 1 medium onion chopped 1 pkg 4-6 oz sliced mushrooms, white, crimini, or baby bellas 1 1/2 cups of Chicken Broth  or less (use 3/4 cup of orange and minus that amount of chicken broth) if you want a little Christmas taste/smell) 2 cloves of garlic chopped 1 cup dried cranberries, don't use fresh cranberries(way too tart) Heat oven 350 degrees.  Spray baking dish, 8x8x2 with cooking spray. Melt butter add onion and mushrooms, when onion is soft add the garlic and cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant.  Mix in prepared rice and just enough broth to broth/orange juice to cover rice no extra as rice is already cooked. Stir and pour into prepared dish. Bake Covered  40 minutes then add cranberries and cover and bake for another 10 minutes. Serve warm with BBQ chicken right off the outside grill. You can grill anytime.  You can make your own BBQ sauce and make it ...

December 5 Fudge Truffle Tart I know you have been waiting to see what is next.  I have been doing desserts as well as dinners. I love Christmas and all the cooking/baking that goes with it.  I love my new stove with double ovens.  Still getting to know them and know when things burn or not.  Hopefully more not. So here goes. I baked this time. There are 3 glazes/sauces that goes on it. You don't need to do all 3...I didn't 5 oz bittersweet chocolate 60-70% Cacao chopped or broken up 1/2 cup butter...yum 1 1/2 cup sugar 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 4 eggs beaten Heat oven to 350  degrees. Grease Tart pan, if you don't have one use a spring form pan, works just as good. If you don't have either you could use a pie plate, it might be hard to get out but doable. Melt chocolate  and butter in 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, cool slightly. Mix sugar, flour and eggs in large bowl until well blended.  Stir in chocolate mi...

December 4th....Sweet Nutty Potatoes 1 lb sweet potatoes 1 cup applesauce (you can use the individual ones) 1/3 cup packed brown sugar 3/4 cup chopped pecans 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp grated nutmeg Butter Boil the potatoes with the skins on until they are tender. Drain and remove from heat and peel the skins off.  Slice in 1 1/2 inch circles and layer in 2 1/2 quart baking dish. Heat oven to 375 degrees You can overlap. Pour the applesauce over the potatoes, smooth across potatoes.  Sprinkle sugar, spices and nuts over sliced potatoes, then place pats of butter all over potatoes.  I put small pats on each slice on top.  Cover and Bake 30 minutes. Oh my these are so yummy.  I served with baked white fish and frozen corn.

This is for Monday December 3rd... I had the page in the book marked for a different chicken dish, however while I was a meeting my husband did the grocery list for me and we ended up with Chicken Dijon Casserole so glad he chose this one, it really hit the spot for a Monday. 3 cups of cook pasta, farfalle (bow tie), elbow, or small rigatoni 2 cups cooked cube chicken-season with salt and pepper and brown on all sides 1/3 cup chopped roasted red pepper ( in jar) or fresh and roasted in the grill 2 cups seasoned frozen broccoli (16oz) bag 1 cup of snow peas 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1/3 cup of chicken broth 3 Tbsp of Dijon mustard 1/2 chopped medium white onion ( you can use less) 1-1 1/2 cups of shredded mexi blend cheese 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese You can add sliced mushrooms if you like....I like Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 3 quart casserole Mix pasta, chicken, bell pepper and broccoli. Separately mix soup, broth, mustard and onion, now add to chicke...

Yay Christmas Season is finally Here.  December has come forward and so has the cold weather. I started my 25 days of Christmas foods it is going to be a mix of dinner/dessert/apps and boy are they yummy. So I had to skip Saturday December 1st as it was our Church's Christmas party and then we met up with friends for dinner before the season gets really crazy.  Make sure you make time for your friends and family throughout the month.  Be a little more generous and and little more forgiving of those around you.  We never know what their day is like or even their life.  Give a smile, its free and is always well received. So Sunday December 2, I made Beef Burgundy Stew. Lets start with the grocery list 6 strips of bacon, cut in 1 inch pieces 2lbs of round, chuck eye or rolled rump, cut in 1 inch cubes 1/2 cup of flour 1 clove of garlic chopped. I used 4 large cloves. 2 cups of Beef Broth 1 Tbsp of  better than beef bouillon 1 Tbsp of fresh or dr...