Aunt Velma’s Apple Cake

Aunt Velma’s Apple Cake

1 C. Sugar
1 tsp. Salt
2 C. Flour
2 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Cinnamon
2 Eggs
1/2 C. Crisco
4 C. Apples, chopped
1 tsp. Vanilla
1/4 tsp. Cloves
1/2 tsp. Nutmeg
1 C. Nuts, chopped

Beat shortening, sugar and eggs and beat well. Add apples and mix. Sift dry ingredients together then add to apple mixture. Add Vanilla and 1 C. chopped nuts. Pour into pan and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Rum Sauce for Aunt Velma’s Apple Cake: Bring to boil 1/2 C. butter, 1/2 C. Cream or canned Milk, 3/4 C. sugar. Add 1 tsp. Vanilla, 1/2 tsp. Rum flavoring. Serve over warm apple cake.

Waffled Breakfast Grilled Cheese

Waffled Breakfast Grilled Cheese

Waffled Breakfast Grilled Cheese

4 slices thick cut bacon

4 eggs

2 tsp. milk

1 tsp. butter, plus more for buttering the bread

4 slices whole grain or whole wheat bread

2 slices cheddar cheese

 

In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels. In a bowl, whisk the eggs together with the milk. Salt and pepper to taste. Melt the 1 tsp. of butter in a skillet over medium heat and add the eggs. Scrambled to your desired doneness. Heat a waffle iron to high heat. Butter the outsides of the bread. Place one slice of bread, buttered side down, on the waffle iron. Add half of the eggs, 2 slices of bacon and a slice of cheese. Place another piece of bread on top, buttered side out. Repeat with the second sandwich. Close the waffle maker and cook until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.

Uses for Coffee

Uses for Coffee

To jazz up a spice rub, add ground coffee. For an especially good combination, mix together ground espresso or other coffee, paprika, chili powder (or pure ancho chile powder), cumin, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Add a touch of sugar to balance the bitterness of the coffee. This spice rub is especially good with grilled beef and pork.

For onion soup with that je ne sais quois, stir in 1/4 tsp. instant espresso powder per 1 C. broth.

To supercharge bottled barbecue sauce, stir in a few tsp. strong-brewed coffee or espresso.

To create a mocha flavor in chocolate desserts, dissolve 1 to 2 tsp. instant espresso powder in 1 to 2 tsp. hot water (or other warm liquid from your recipe). Add to the ingredients for an 8-inch square pan of brownies. Try it in other chocolates desserts, too, like chocolate pudding, fondue, mousses, and chocolate sauce.

To perk up the taste of a spicy gelatin dessert, dissolve the gelatin in brewed coffee instead of in water.

For a blast of flavor in homemade biscotti, add freshly ground coffee to the batter.

For a simple glaze for C.cakes or muffins, mix together strong-brewed coffee and enough confectioners’ sugar to make the mixture spreadable.

To make ham steak with red-eye gravy, stir 1 C. brewed coffee into the skillet used to fry the ham, scraping the pan bottom to loosen any browned bits. Stir in 1/2 C. heavy cream or half-and-half and simmer over medium-low heat until the gravy thickens up a bit, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then pour over the ham steak.

To make a novel marinade for turkey, improvise a combination of brewed coffee, cider vinegar, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, freshly ground black pepper, sugar, and ground cinnamon. Use to marinate boneless, skinless turkey breast before grilling or broiling.

Apple Cake

Apple Cake

2 C. Finely Diced Apples
1 C. Sugar
1 Egg
1 C. Flour
1 ½ tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Baking Soda
¾ C. chopped Nuts
1 tsp. Vanilla

Topping
½ C. Brown Sugar
2 T. Flour
1 C. Water
¼ lb. Butter
1 tsp. Vanilla

Mix apples and sugar together. Let stand until sugar is thoroughly dissolved. Add egg and beat well. Sift dry ingredients together. Stir into apple mixture. Add nuts and vanilla. Put into 8” x 8” pan and bake 375 for 40-45 minutes. For topping: Cook sugars, flour and water until clear. Add butter and vanilla. Stir until butter melts. Pour over cake while both are hot.

One Pot Hawaiian Pasta

One Pot Hawaiian Pasta

One Pot Hawaiian Pasta

4 slices thick cut bacon, chopped

16 oz ham steak (or thick sliced from the deli), cubed

1/2 large red onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

2 C. water

1 tsp. dried basil

1 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. Kosher salt

1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes

12 oz dry penne pasta

16 oz diced pineapple (fresh or canned)

1 C. (4 oz) mozzarella cheese

Chopped parsley, for topping

 

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the bacon. Cook until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Discard all but 1 T. of the bacon grease.  Add the cubed ham and onion to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until the ham is browned and the onion is just soft, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds more. Add the tomato sauce, water, basil, oregano, salt and pepper flakes. Stir to combine, then add the pasta and stir again. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover and cook until the pasta is tender, about 15 minutes (stir one or two times during cooking to make sure nothing is sticking).  Stir in the pineapple and reserved bacon, then remove from the heat. Sprinkle the top of the pasta with the mozzarella and cover again. Let the dish sit until the mozzarella is melted. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

Honeysuckle Cordial

Honeysuckle Cordial

Use this lovely cordial to make a refreshing drink topped with soda or tonic, use it to sweeten ice tea, or drizzle it over fresh summer fruit.

4 C. honeysuckle buds, lightly packed
1 lemon
2 C. sugar
2 C. boiling water
1 tsp. citric acid*

Gather the honeysuckle blossoms, and shake them in a colander or lay them out on a tea towel. Pick through the blossoms removing any green leaves, stems, brown, wilted buds or bugs. Place the sorted blossoms in a large bowl. Using a vegetable peeler, peel off strips of the yellow (no white pith) lemon peel in strips and place on top of the blossoms. Cut the lemon into slices, discard the stem ends, and drop the slices in the bowl. Toss around to combine. In a saucepan, bring the sugar and water to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. When the sugar is dissolved, pour the boiling syrup over the blossoms and lemons in the bowl. Stir in the citric acid, cover the bowl with a tea towel, and leave for 24 hours undisturbed. The next day, strain the cordial through a sieve lined with cheesecloth into a large bowl or measuring jug with a pouring spout. Pour the strained cordial into bottles or jars. Makes about 16 oz. cordial *Citric acid is a natural preservative. It is also called sour salt and can be found in the kosher section at the grocery

Dinner Rolls

Dinner Rolls

Crumble one cake of yeast into a bowl. Add 2 1/2 cups lukewarm milk and stir until yeast is dissolved. In mixing bowl, cream 1/2 cup shortening. Gradually add 2 T. sugar and 2 tsp. salt. Sift 5 cups flour. Add 1 cup to mixing bowl, beat well. Add 1/2 cup yeasted milk. Beat well. Repeat until all flour and yeasted milk is used, beating between each addition. Continue to beat until dough is smooth, scraping bowl often. Cover with damp cloth and allow to rise in warm area (80 degrees) until double in bulk, about one hour. Punch down, stirring with a spoon. Drop by large spoonfuls into lightly greased muffin cups, filling them about 2/3 full. Cover and let rise again, about 20 minutes to double. Bake 20 minutes at 450 degrees. Makes 30 rolls.

Chile Colorado con Carne

Chile Colorado con Carne

Chile Colorado con Carne

5 dried New Mexican chiles

4 dried chiles de Arbol

2 dried Ancho chiles

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 pounds sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 cup beef broth

1 small white onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon Mexican oregano

1/2 tablespoon cumin

1/2 tablespoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

 

Bring a small pot of water to boil. Cut the heads off the chiles and shake out all the seeds. Cut the chiles up with a pair of scissors or rip them by hand into small pieces. Place the chiles into a non-reactive bowl and pour enough boiling water into the bowl to cover the chiles. Place a lid over the bowl and allow to sit for 30 minutes to soften the chiles. Transfer the chiles to a blender and add 3/4 cup of the soaking water. Blend until very smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Set aside.  Heat the olive oil in heavy pot or large skillet over medium high heat. Add the meat and brown well on all sides. Don’t crowd the pan! Take the time to really brown the beef; cook it in batches, if necessary. Add another tablespoon of olive oil if the pan starts to get too dry.  Once all the meat is browned and back in the pan, add the beef broth, stir, cover and simmer on low for 30 minutes.  Add the chile puree, onion, garlic, Mexican oregano, cumin, salt and pepper and mix well.  Cover and simmer until the beef is very tender, about 1 hour.  Serve with Spanish rice and corn tortillas.

Pickled Sweet Cherries

Pickled Sweet Cherries

Version 1 – Spiced Brine:
1 3/4 C. white vinegar
1 3/4 C. granulated sugar
3/4 C. water
2 cinnamon sticks (about 4-inches long)
2 tsp. whole cloves
2 whole star anise
2 pounds dark sweet cherries with stems

Version 2 – Savory Brine:
1 3/4 C. white vinegar
1 3/4 C. granulated sugar
3/4 C. water
black peppercorns (4 to 5 per half-pint jar)
bay leaves (one per jar)
2 pounds Rainier sweet cherries with stems

Prepare canner and wash/sterilize 4 to 5 half-pint mason (or equivalent) jars. Keep jars in hot (not boiling) water until ready to use. Warm lids in hot (not boiling) water to sterilize and soften seal. Combine vinegar, sugar, water, and spices in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and boil gently, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Remove hot jars from canner and pack cherries into jars. Pour hot brine over cherries to within 1/2-inch of rim. Wipe jar rims and threads. Screw on lids and rings. Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes (for half-pint jars, process 15 minutes for larger pint jars). Remove from water and let cool completely, 12 to 24 hours. Check seals. Any unsealed jars should be refrigerated and used within 3 weeks.

Cranberry Fruit Bread

Cranberry Fruit Bread

2 C. Flour
1 C. Sugar
1 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
1 Egg
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Salt
1/2 C. Nuts
1/4 C. Shortening
3/4 C. Orange Juice
1 T. Orange Zest
1 C. Cranberries, coarsely chopped

Sift dry ingredients together. CUt in shortening, combine orange juice and rind with well beaten egg. Pour all at once into the dry ingredients, mixing just enough to dampen. Carefully fold in chopped nuts and cranberries. Spoon into greased loaf pan. Spread corners and sides slightly higher than the center. Bake in 350 degrees for about one hour.

Prosciutto Provolone Fig Grilled Cheese

Prosciutto Provolone Fig Grilled Cheese

Prosciutto Provolone Fig Grilled Cheese

8 slices sourdough bread

4 tbsp butter (softened)

10 oz jar fig spread

16 slices provolone cheese

16 slices prosciutto (app ½ lb)

4 oz blue cheese crumbles

½ cup fresh arugula

Butter each piece of sourdough bread on one side with about ½ tbsp of butter. On the other side of each piece of bread, spread about 2 tbsp of fig spread. On four of the slices of bread, place two slices of provolone cheese, then two slices of prosciutto, a few blue cheese crumbles, a little arugula, then top with two more slices of prosciutto and two slices of provolone. Sandwich the other pieces of bread on top with the fig spread facing down. Place in a large skillet or in a panini press for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is crispy brown on the outside.

Blueberry and Apple Jam

Blueberry and Apple Jam

1 pound Granny Smith apples (about 3 small)
2 pounds blueberries, rinsed
1 1/2 C. sugar
3 T. fresh lemon juice
Grated zest of 1 lemon

Prepare for water-bath canning: Sterilize the jars and keep them hot in the canning pot, put a small plate in the freezer, and put the flat lids in a heatproof bowl. (See this page for details.) Peel, core, and dice the apples, reserving the peels, cores, and seeds. Put as many of the apple trimmings in a jelly bag or 4 layers of cheesecloth as will fit, and tie the bag closed. Put the blueberries and sugar in a wide, 6- to 8-quart preserving pan. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently, then continue to cook until the juices are just deep enough to cover the blueberries, about 5 minutes. Pour into a colander set over a large bowl and stir the berries gently to drain off the juice. Return the juice to the pan, along with the apples and the bag with the trimmings, and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil, stirring occasionally, until the syrup is reduced and thick and registers about 220°F on a candy thermometer, 15 to 20 minutes. Return the blueberries and any accumulated juice, along with the lemon juice and zest, to the pan and bring to a simmer. Simmer, stirring frequently, until a small dab of the jam spooned onto the chilled plate and returned to the freezer for a minute wrinkles when you nudge it, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir gently for a few seconds to distribute the fruit in the liquid. Ladle boiling water from the canning pot into the bowl with the lids. Using a jar lifter, remove the sterilized jars from the canning pot, carefully pouring the water from each one back into the pot, and place them upright on a folded towel. Drain the water off the jar lids. Ladle the hot jam into the jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace at the top. Use a damp paper towel to wipe the rims of the jars, then put a flat lid and ring on each jar, adjusting the ring so that it’s just finger-tight. Return the jars to the water in the canning pot, making sure the water covers the jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a boil, and boil for 5 minutes to process. Remove the jars to a folded towel and do not disturb for 12 hours. After 1 hour, check that the lids have sealed by pressing down on the center of each; if it can be pushed down, it hasn’t sealed, and the jar should be refrigerated immediately. Label the sealed jars and store.

Eggo Bites On The Go-Go

Eggo Bites On The Go-Go

Eggo Bites On The Go-Go

1 package of frozen Kellogg’s Eggo Bites Waffle (each box contains four packages; eight bites per package)

4 tsp or 1.5 oz travel size of cream cheese

Ocean Spray Craisins

Follow the instructions on the Kellogg’s Eggo Bites Waffle box to make eight bites. Spread 1 tsp of the cream cheese on top of each of the four of the bites.  Sprinkle a few of the dried cranberries on top of the cream cheese. Top with the remaining four toasted bites; like a sandwich.  (Try Nutella & Banana or Peanut Butter & Raisins)

Doris’ Red Kidney Beans & Rice

Doris’ Red Kidney Beans & Rice

Use about 1/2 package dried red kidney beans; soak overnight and rinse, discarding any stones. Add soaked beans to large pan and fill pan with fresh water to about 3″ above beans. Add one large diced onion, ham chunks or bacon bits, salt, pepper and 1 diced clove garlic. Cook over medium heat about 2 hours. Serve over hot cooked rice.

Penne with Peas, Pea Greens and Parmesan

Penne with Peas, Pea Greens and Parmesan

1 pound fresh peas, shelled (about 3/4 C.)
6 oz. pea shoots (tendrils, shoots, leaves) (1/2 big bunch), curly tendrils removed and discarded
1 T. extra virgin olive oil
1 bunch young spring onions or scallions, cleaned and finely chopped (about 1/2 C.)
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 T. chopped fresh tarragon
1 T. chopped fresh parsley
¾ pound penne
1 to 2 oz. Parmesan, grated (1/4 to 1/2 C., to taste)

Begin heating a large pot of water for the pasta. Meanwhile, steam the peas over an inch of boiling water for 4 minutes, until just tender. Transfer to a bowl. Add the pea shoots to the steamer and steam 2 minutes, until just wilted. Remove from the heat and allow to cool until you can handle them. Do not discard the steaming water; pour it into a measuring cup. Squeeze out excess water from the pea greens and chop medium-fine. You should have about 1 C. chopped leaves and tender stems. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet and add the chopped spring onion or scallions. Cook, stirring, until wilted, about 3 minutes. Add the pea shoots and stir together for about a minute. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the peas, tarragon and parsley and about 1/4 C. the steaming water and heat through. When the water in the pot comes to a boil, salt generously and add the pasta. Cook al dente, using the timing instructions on the package as a guide but checking the pasta a minute before the time indicated is up. When the pasta is ready, using a ladle transfer 1/2 C. the pasta cooking water to the pan with the peas and pea shoots. Drain the pasta and toss at once with the vegetables and Parmesan. Serve hot.

Chicken Chow Mein

Chicken Chow Mein

Chicken Chow Mein

1-1/4 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into thin strips

1 tsp baking soda

12-14 oz chow mein noodles (thick wheat type, not crunchy fried ones)

1 tbsp vegetable oil

4 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped

6 cups finely shredded green cabbage

2 carrots, julienned

2 cups bean sprouts

1 bunch scallions, cut into 2″ pieces, whites and green separated

4 eggs, scrambled, cooked in a single layer, cut into bite-sized pieces (see notes)

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup + 2 tbsp All-Purpose Chinese Stir Fry Sauce (recipe below)

 

All-Purpose Chinese Stir Fry Sauce

 

1/4 cup light soy sauce

1/4 cup regular soy sauce

1/2 cup oyster sauce

1/4 cup Chinese wine

1/4 cup cornstarch

1 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp sesame oil

2 tsp ground white pepper

Combine ingredients in a jar and shake to combine. Store in refrigerator and shake well before use.

 

 

Combine chicken and baking soda in a small bowl and toss to combine. Set aside for 10 minutes to marinate, then rinse chicken well and pat dry.  In the meantime, make the Chow Mein Sauce: mix together cornstarch and soy sauce, then mix in remaining ingredients. Pour 2 tbsp of Chow Mein Sauce over the chicken and set aside to marinate for 10 minutes.  Prepare the noodles according to the packet instructions. Heat oil in wok or large fry pan over high heat. Add garlic and stir fry for 30 seconds until the garlic is golden brown and you can smell the garlic in the oil. Add chicken and stir fry until the skin is white but the inside is still raw – about 1 minute. Add the cabbage, carrot, and the white pieces of scallions. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes until the cabbage is just starting to wilt and the chicken is cooked through. Add the noodles, sauce, and water. Stir fry for 1 minute, tossing to coat the noodles in the sauce. Add bean sprouts, remaining scallions, and eggs. Stir through quickly then remove from heat. Serve immediately.

 

NOTES:  Note about the eggs: I am terrible awful not good at doing the scrambled eggs in the wok thing. If you would rather do it that way, just add them after the cabbage and chicken are cooked: make a well in the pan, pour in the eggs, scramble, let cook fully, toss with other ingredients, and continue on with the recipe. Or, you can omit them altogether.

Chicken Pie with Butter Crust

Chicken Pie with Butter Crust

5 lb. skinless meaty chicken breasts and thighs
1 large onion, quartered
1 1/2 C. finely chopped Onion
2 1/2 C. Cooked Cubed Potatoes
4 medium carrots, cut into julienne strips (1 1/2 C.)
1 C. sliced Celery
2/3 C. all purpose Flour
2 C. All purpose Flour
4 tsp. Baking Powder
3 T. melted Margarine
3/4 C. Milk

In a Dutch oven or large saucepan, combine chicken, onion, and 1 T. salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 40 minutes or until the chicken is tender. Remove from broth and reserve. Cool chicken. Remove meat from bones and cut into small pieces. In another sauce pan add diced potatoes, 1 1/2 C. diced Onion, carrots and celery in a small amount of water. Cover and cook 10 minutes or just until tender. Drain. Divide chicken and vegetables into two ungreased 2 quart casserole dishes.

Nectarine Basil Iced Tea

Nectarine Basil Iced Tea

This is one of the best iced tea recipes to serve at a backyard barbecue so make a lot of it.
î …
4 black tea bags
4 sliced nectarines
1/3 C. sugar
5 to 10 basil leaves

Steep the tea for 5 minutes in 8 C. water. Throw away the tea bags. Meanwhile, boil the nectarines and sugar in 1 C. water. Reserve ¼ of the fruit. Simmer for 10 minutes, then add the basil leaves and simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Remove the basil and throw away. Combine the nectarine mixture and the tea and chill.

French Toast BLT

French Toast BLT

French Toast BLT

6 slices bacon

1 tsp cracked black pepper

1/2 tsp ground fenugreek (optional)

4 large eggs, divided

1/2 cup whole milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

4 slices challah or brioche bread

2 Tbsp unsalted butter

1 large tomato, sliced into rounds

4 large lettuce leaves

Maple syrup

 

 

Place bacon on griddle or in frying pan over low heat and sprinkle with half of the pepper and half of the fenugreek if using. After a few minutes, flip bacon and sprinkle with remaining pepper and fenugreek. Continue cooking until crispy.  In a medium-sized bowl, lightly whisk together 2 of the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon. Dunk each slice of bread into the mixture until well-coated. Melt butter on a skillet over medium heat and place bread on skillet and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, until well-browned. Move to separate plate or pop in the oven set to low if you want to keep warm for later. In a separate small nonstick frying pan with, fry the remaining two eggs to your liking. Assemble sandwich by piling lettuce, tomato, bacon slices, and egg on one slice of french toast bread and topping with another. Drizzle maple syrup over the top.

Sweet & Sour Chicken Wings

Sweet & Sour Chicken Wings

Disjoint 3 lb. Chicken wings. Save tips for broth. Put tips in pan, cover with water. Cover pan and simmer 30 minutes. Measure out 1/2 C. liquid; discard the rest. Pour broth in large bowl and add 1 1/2 C. sugar, 2 T. Soy Sauce, 6 T. Ketchup, 1 C. Vinegar and a dash of salt, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Sprinkle chicken with garlic salt. Roll each wing in cornstarch, dip in beaten egg & brown. Put in shallow pan, pour sauce over. Bake at 350 degrees for 4 (???) minutes. Turn over every 10 minutes.

Baby Artichokes with Lemon and Olive Oil

Baby Artichokes with Lemon and Olive Oil

6 pounds baby globe artichokes
1 C. bottled or strained fresh lemon juice, plus 2 tsp. for the
trimmed artichokes
2 C. white wine vinegar (6% acidity)
1 C. extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, sliced
2 tsp. pure kosher salt

Using a sharp serrated knife, cut off the top ¾ inch of each artichoke, then pull off the tough green outer leaves until you reach the pale yellow center. Use a paring knife to smooth the base of the artichoke a bit and peel the stem. As you trim each artichoke, put it in a large bowl of water with the 2 tsp. lemon juice. Prepare for water-bath canning: Wash the jars and keep them hot in the canning pot, and put the flat lids in a heatproof bowl. In a wide, 6- to 8-quart preserving pan, combine the 1 C. lemon juice, vinegar, oil, garlic, and salt. Bring to a boil, then drain the artichokes and add them to the pan. Boil for 10 minutes. Ladle boiling water from the canning pot into the bowl with the lids. Using a jar lifter, remove the hot jars from the canning pot, carefully pouring the water from each one back into the pot, and place them upright on a folded towel. Drain the water off the jar lids. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the hot artichokes to the jars and ladle in the liquid, leaving l/2 inch headspace at the top. Use a chopstick to remove air bubbles around the inside of each jar (be diligent about removing the bubbles here). Use a damp paper towel to wipe the rims of the jars well, then put a flat lid and ring on each jar, adjusting the ring so that it’s just finger-tight. Return the jars to the water in the canning pot, making sure the water covers the jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a boil, and boil for 25 minutes to process. Remove the jars to a folded towel and do not disturb for 12 hours. After 1 hour, check that the lids have sealed by pressing down on the center of each; if it can be pushed down, it hasn’t sealed, and the jar should be refrigerated immediately. Label the sealed jars and store.

Canning Garlic Green Beans

Canning Garlic Green Beans

Canning Garlic Green Beans

5 lbs green beans, Fresh

water

salt (optional)

garlic clove, Whole

 

Wash and break green beans, then wash and rinse again. Put into large pot, cover with water and bring to boil. Let boil 5-10 minutes. Meanwhile, sterilize jars in boiling water bath and sterilize seals. Place 1 garlic clove into jars. Ladle green beans into hot jars, then fill jars with hot bean water, making sure to leave 1/4 inch headspace. Add 1/4 tsp salt to each pint. Wipe rims of jars, place hot seals on jars and tighten bands. Place in pressure canner and process 20 minutes at 10 lbs pressure.

Pat’s Kahlua

Pat’s Kahlua

Mix 1 1/2 C. ground Coffee with six cups water. Bring to a boil; turn off and allow to steep. In large pot combine 2 cups water and 4 cups sugar. Simmer until sugar is fully dissolved. Strain coffee and add to sugar water; allow to cool. Add 2 ounces vanilla, 4 cups karo corn syrup, 1 qt. 180 proof grain alcohol. Pour into jug. Add scored vanilla bean. Age 30 days before serving.

Cardamom Pinwheel Danishes

Cardamom Pinwheel Danishes

For the Danishes:
2 large eggs
1 tsp. instant yeast
4 C. all-purpose flour, sifted
1 tsp. pure kosher salt
2 tsp. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. ground cardamom, or ground seeds of 10 cardamom pods
1/2 C. (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus 2 to 3 tsp. softened butter
About 13 C. Rhubarb and Strawberry Jam

For the icing (optional):
1/4 C. confectioners’ sugar, sifted
2 tsp. softened unsalted butter
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
About 2 tsp. warm water
1/4 C. chopped nuts (such as toasted pecans or walnuts, or pistachios)

Make the Danishes: In a medium bowl, beat the eggs, yeast, and % C. warm water together until smooth. Set aside in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to cool. In a large bowl, stir the flour, salt, sugar, and cardamom together, then cut in the 1/2 C. butter until the largest pieces of butter are about the size of peas. Make a well in the center and scrape in the egg mixture. Gradually incorporate the flour mixture into the egg, then turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and knead until smooth and soft but not sticky, about 2 minutes. Clean the bowl, return the dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in volume, about 1 1/2 hours. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Divide the dough into quarters and roll one piece of dough out into a rectangle about 18 inches long and 3 inches wide. Cut into 6 or 8 rough squares. With a sharp knife or pastry wheel, cut a slit from each corner of each square toward the center, stopping about 1/2 inch from the center. Spread a bit of softened butter in the center of each square and spoon 1/2 tsp. the jam into the center of each. Bring every other point (four total) to the center of the pastry and pinch them together tightly over the jam. Using a spatula, carefully transfer the pastries to the baking sheets. Repeat with the remaining dough, butter, and jam. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until nicely browned. Let cool completely on wire racks. If desired, make the icing: In a small bowl, whisk all the ingredients together, adding more water if necessary to make an icing that is just pourable. Drizzle it over the pastries (you won’t need all of the icing). Sprinkle the nuts over the pastries and serve.

Strawberry & White Peach Waffles

Strawberry & White Peach Waffles

WIW: Strawberry & White Peach Waffles

2 cups pancake waffle mix

1 cup buttermilk

2 eggs

4 strawberries, sliced and chopped

1 rip white peace, sliced and chopped

1/2 stick sweet cream butter, melted

Syrup

 

Preheat waffle griddle. Into a large bowl add the pancake waffle mix, buttermilk, eggs, and chopped strawberries and peaches. Mix until the ingredients are just combined, do not over mix. Brush a hot waffle iron with melted butter. Spoon 3-4 tablespoons of waffle batter into each waffle section. Close the lid and allow the waffles to cook for 4-5 minutes. Remove the waffle from the waffle iron and top with softened butter. Top with slices of strawberry and white peaches. Drizzle with maple syrup. Serve.

Bourbon Sour Cherries

Bourbon Sour Cherries

4 C. sour cherries, stemmed and pitted
1 1/2 C. sugar, divided
1 vanilla bean, split and scrapped
3/4 C. water
1 / 4 C. bourbon

Mix cherries, 1/2 C. sugar and vanilla bean with seeds in a medium bowl. Let macerate 4 hours to really extract all the juices. Discard vanilla bean. In a medium saucepan stir together cherries with juice, remaining sugar, water and bourbon. Cook over medium-low heat until sugar is completely dissolved. Bring to a slow boil and cook an additional 2-3 minutes until cherries are heated through. Ladle cherries into half-pint jars. Cherries should be packed tightly but not crammed. Cover cherries with syrup leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Process in a boiling water bath for 25 minutes.

Canned “Swedish” Meatballs

Canned “Swedish” Meatballs

10 lbs. 90/10 Ground Beef
½ cup fine ground bread crumbs
3 T. minced garlic
dried parsley, rosemary, thyme, celery salt (to taste)
1 large onion (finely minced – I used a food processor)
8-9 eggs
canning salt and pepper
½ tsp. nutmeg

4 small cans of Cream of Mushroom soup (or create sauce using real foods following cream of x recipe!)
¾ cup of water for each can of soup used
salt, pepper, parsley, celery salt
2 T. beef base

For Meatballs: mix all ingredients and form into 1″ balls. You want a nice firm meatball so use just enough eggs to hold the meat together. These will be pressure canned for a long time so the meatballs need to be firm to help hold their shape. They will be tender after pressure canning. Bake on baking sheets at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until brown and done. For Sauce: Combine ingredients until mixture comes to a boil and keep at a low simmer. To Can: have your jars, lids and rings sterilized and ready to go. Keep your jars hot for filling. Get your pressure cooker warmed up and ready to go. Add meatballs to jar, ladle in sauce leaving 1″ head room, debubble your jars, wipe the rim with a clean paper towel dipped in hot water and vinegar, place your lid and ring on and then place in the pressure cooker to keep warm. Process quarts for 90 minutes at 10 pounds (please use correct poundage for your elevation and follow directions for your canner) or pints for 75 minutes.

Corn Muffins

Corn Muffins

1 C. Flour
1 C. Corn Meal
2 T. Sugar
1/2 tsp. Salt
3 tsp. Baking Powder
2 Eggs, well beaten
1 1/4 C. Milk
3 T. melted Shortening

Mix all wet ingredients and stir until well blended. Sift together dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients all at once. Stir till just blended, batter may be slightly lumpy. Pour into greased muffin pan. Bake at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes. (If cooking in 8×10 pan, increase cooking time to 25-30 minutes)

Grand Marnier Raspberry Peach Cosmo

Grand Marnier Raspberry Peach Cosmo

Grand Marnier Raspberry Peach Cosmo

2 oz Grand Marnier Raspberry Peach

1 oz cranberry juice

1/2 oz fresh lime juice

 

Combine all ingredients in a shaker and shake.  Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a twist.

Quick Pickled Sugar Snap Peas with Mint

Quick Pickled Sugar Snap Peas with Mint

Depending on the size of your pickling container and how tight you fill it with veggies, you may need to make extra pickling brine to top it off.

1 pound (455g) sugar snap peas or snow peas, ends trimmed
1/2 medium onion, sliced thin
1/2 C. (30g) chopped fresh mint

1 C. (240ml) water
2/3 C. (160ml) distilled white vinegar
Zest of 1 large lemon
Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 T.)
1 tsp. (15ml) sugar
1 tsp. (15ml) kosher salt
2 tsp. (10ml) coriander seeds
1 tsp. (5ml) cumin seeds

In a 2-quart (2-L) jar, layer the peas, onion, and mint. Make the pickling brine: In a large bowl, combine 1 C. (240ml) water with all the brine ingredients (vinegar, lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar, coriander seeds, and cumin seeds). Pour the brine into the container with the peas, covering them completely. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before eating.

Three Bean Soup

Three Bean Soup

6 slices Bacon, diced
2 large Onions, sliced
2 cloves Garlic, minced
2 lb. meaty Beef or Ham Shanks
6 C. Water
3 Beef Bouillon Cubes
1 15oz. can Pinto Beans, drained
1 15oz. can Kidney Beans, drained
1 15oz. can Garbanzo Beans, drained
3 carrots cut in 3″ slices
1/2 tsp. Oregano
1/2 tsp. Marjoram
Salt & Pepper

Cook bacon; remove from pan and discard all but 2 tablespoons of the drippings. Add onion and garlic to pan and cook until soft. Add shank, water and boullion; cover and cook 1 1/2 hours. Lift out shank and cut meat off bone; discard bones adding meat back to soup. Add bacon, beans, carrots and spices. Cover and simmer until carrots are tender, about 30 minutes. Skim fat (if any) and season to taste before serving.

Boneless Pork Roast with Vegetables

Boneless Pork Roast with Vegetables

4 -5 lbs boneless pork loin
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. parsley
1 tsp. rosemary (fresh or dried)
1 tsp. seasoning salt
1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp. black pepper
10 fresh garlic cloves, Chopped
5 -6 yukon gold potatoes, quartered
8 -16 oz. baby carrots
1 large Spanish onion, quartered
1 (8 oz.) can beef broth

Place Pork Loin fat side down in a 9 x 13 pan and arrange vegetables around it. In a small bowl mix Garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt and black pepper until combined and rub it onto the pork (top only, not the bottom). Sprinkle the parsley on top, and then the garlic. Drizzle the olive oil over top of the pork. You can season the vegetables as well, I recommend to. Just sprinkle all of the same dry seasonings over top. Add beef broth from one of the corners of the pan, do not pour over pork. Place foil, slightly vented, over the pork, and fitting the pan. Cook it on 325 for 2 1/2 hours. Midway through rotate the pork so it it fat side up and replace the foil so it is covered again. After its done take the foil off and put the broiler on HIGH. Flip the pork again to meat side up and broil for 10 minutes. You will do this twice (meat side up, 10 mins, fat side up 10 mins, and then meat side up one last time for 10 mins.) For a total of 30 minutes You may need a few mins longer depending on your oven. Just look to see how browned its getting. Let meat rest for 30 minutes. Enjoy! The vegetables with have an incredible flavor and so will the meat. **You may add more veggies but You’ll probably have to go with a bigger pan size. **If you’d really like to kick it up, make a roux and add PAN JUICES and some red wine and let it reduce, stirring often to make a nice gravy!

one-hour ricotta cheese

one-hour ricotta cheese

I love having a simple, versatile homemade cheese on hand for adding to sandwiches or pasta, or to dollop on fruit. This farmer cheese fits the bill and can be made without any special cheesemaking equipment. Officially, ricotta is made from “reboiling” the whey left over from other kinds of cheesemaking, but, unofficially, it’s a super simple fresh cheese requiring nothing more than milk, heat, and acid. If you’ve ever added both lemon and milk to your tea (I have—oops) then you know that acidic ingredients will curdle milk. In this ricotta recipe we take advantage of this, and use common acidic ingredients to make cheese.

The three biggest determinants to the final flavor of your ricotta are the quality of the milk you start with, the acid you choose, and the amount of time you allow your cheese to drain. Start with very fresh daily. Pasteurized milk and cream are fine, but skip ultra-high-temperature pasteurized options; these often fail to form a nice curd. After thirty to sixty’ minutes of draining, this ricotta is thick enough to spread on toast or serve with fruit.

If you drain it long enough, or press it under weight to get even more liquid out, it will become firm and crumbly, much like Mexican queso fresco or Indian paneer. Save the whey that drains off your cheese—you can use it to replace some or all of the water used in bread making and other baking. It adds a nice tang and extra protein.

BASIC RICOTTA

1 quart whole milk
1 C. heavy cream
3 T. white distilled vinegar
l tsp. kosher salt

In a heavyweight, nonreactive saucepot, combine all the ingredients. Stirring occasionally, gently bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and watch for the mixture to begin to curdle. You may see some curds very early in the cooking process, but between 185 and 200 degrees F, the curds will become quite distinct from the whey and will float to the surface. Watch for the whey to change from white and milky to yellowish-clear with only a bit of milky haze. When you note district curds and mostly clear whey, remove the pot from the heat and let sit, undisturbed, for 30 minutes. Line a mesh strainer with a damp paper towel, several layers of cheesecloth, or a clean, damp lint-free towel. Set the strainer over the bowl and pour the curds and whey through the strainer. Let sit for at least 30 minutes to drain. Check the texture. The longer you strain the cheese, the firmer it will get. If you plan to strain longer than 1 hour, transfer the cheese to the refrigerator and strain chilled. For an even firmer texture, drain the mixture until the curd holds its shape, then form it into a disk shape and lightly salt the outside of the cheese. Wrap the cheese in a clean towel or several layers of cheesecloth and set the cheese on a plate. Place another plate on top of the cheese, and then set something heavy—like a big can of pumpkin or a jar of tomatoes—on top of the plate to weight the cheese. Transfer the whole contraption to the refrigerator. Periodically check for whey that has pooled on the bottom plate and discard it. Drain the cheese until it has reached the desired firmness, up to 12 hours. Wien the ricotta is ready, transfer it to a clean container with a tight-fitting lid and keep it chilled. It’s best eaten fresh but will keep for about 1 week in the refrigerator.
Try these ricotta variations. Simply follow the instructions above, but substitute these ingredients.

LEMON RICOTTA

1 quart whole milk
1 C. heavy cream
3 T. freshly squeezed lemon juice
l tsp. kosher salt
Zest of l lemon

LIME RICOTTA

l quart whole milk
l C. heavy cream
3 T. freshly squeezed lime juice
l tsp. kosher salt
Zest of l lime

Gnocchi with Gorgonzola Sauce

Gnocchi with Gorgonzola Sauce

2 1/4 pounds russet potatoes
1 large egg
2 C. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 C. whipping cream
3 C. crumbled Gorgonzola cheese (about 13 oz.)
Chopped fresh chives
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Pierce potatoes several times with fork. Microwave until tender, turning once, about 16 minutes total. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise; scoop potato flesh into bowl; discard potato skins. Mash potatoes until smooth. Mix in egg. Sift flour, salt, pepper, and nutmeg over potato mixture; stir to combine. Knead gently. Divide dough into 8 pieces. Roll each piece on work surface into 1/2-inch-diameter rope. Cut dough into 1-inch lengths and make grooves in each piece with fork. Cook gnocchi in large pot of boiling salted water until gnocchi are tender and rise to surface, about 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer cooked gnocchi to warm platter. Bring cream to simmer in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add Gorgonzola, whisking until melted. Spoon sauce over gnocchi. Sprinkle with chives and Parmesan, if desired; serve.

Lois Cooley’s Smoked Fish

Lois Cooley’s Smoked Fish

3 C. Dark Brown Sugar
¾ C. Coarse Salt
2 T. each: Celery Salt, Onion Salt, Garlic Salt, Powdered Mustard, Coarse Black Pepper

Mix ingredients well. Cover fish meat side in layers with smoking rub. Let stand 12-24 hours. Smoke to your liking. Pack in jars. Pressure cook 45 minutes at 15 pounds. Use Ball Seals as kerr will melt with fish oil and not seal.

Alternatively, you can freeze instead of canning.

 

North African Lentil Stew

North African Lentil Stew

North African Lentil Stew

1 tbsp. paprika

1 1/2 tsp. each: coriander and cumin

3/4 tsp. each: salt and pepper

1/4 plus 1/8 tsp. allspice

2 tsp. olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

8 cups low-sodium vegetable broth or chicken broth, divided

1/4 cup tomato paste

1 lb. dried brown lentils, picked over and rinsed

2 carrots, peeled and chopped

2 cups seeded, peeled and chopped butternut squash

1 medium turnip, peeled and chopped

2 tbsp. lemon juice

1 cup plain yogurt

Chopped fresh cilantro

 

Stir together paprika, coriander, cumin, salt, pepper and allspice in small bowl. Set aside.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes or until soft, stirring often. Add garlic and 1 1/2 tbsp. of spice mixture and cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant, stirring constantly. Add 1 cup broth and tomato paste and bring to a boil, stirring to scrape up browned bits from bottom of skillet. Transfer to a 4- or 5- quart slow cooker.

Add remaining broth, lentils, carrots, squash and turnip. Cook, covered, on LOW for 8 hours or until lentils are tender.

 

Serving Size: 1 ½ C.

Calories: 283

Fat: 3g

Fiber:16g

Zucchini, Spinach & Cheese Fritters

Zucchini, Spinach & Cheese Fritters

2 Zucchinis, Grated
3 Handfuls Baby Spinach, Chopped
1/2 C. either Feta or Cheddar Cheese (depending on your preference)
1/4 C. Diced Fresh Herbs (Coriander, Mint, Basil, Oregano etc.)
3 Large Eggs, Lightly Beaten
2 Spring Onions, Diced
2 Cloves Garlic, Diced
1/3 C. Almond Flour
1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
Salt & Pepper (To Taste)
A Dash of Olive Oil

Place the grated zucchini in a sieve/strainer over a bowl. Sprinkle roughly 1 tsp. salt over the zucchini to draw out the liquid. Leave it like that for 10-15 minutes. Once that’s done, gently wring as much remaining liquid out using your hands and then put to one side. In a large bowl, combine the zucchini, spinach, cheese, herbs, eggs, spring onions, and garlic. Stir to mix well. Then, sprinkle in the almond flour and baking powder, little bit by little bit, until it all is all mixed in well and holding together nicely.
Heat about 1/4 C. olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Once the oil is heated, scoop in your batter (roughly 3 tsp. per fritter). After 30 seconds or so, push down gently on the fritter with the back of a spatula to flatten them out, but not too much! Fry each side of the fritter for about 3 minutes per side or until golden brown. Place the fritters onto plate with some paper towels to absorb any excess oil, and serve warm!

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Gram: “Good Lola”

Cream 1 C. shortening, 1 C. sugar, and 3 eggs. Add 1 C. cooked raisins, squeezed dry, 1 C. quick oats, 1 C. nuts, 7 T. raisins juice, 3 C. flour, ½ tsp. baking soda, ½ tsp. cinnamon, ½ tsp. nutmeg and ½ tsp. salt. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes.

Pasta with Lemon, Olive Oil, and Goat Cheese

Pasta with Lemon, Olive Oil, and Goat Cheese

Pasta with Lemon, Olive Oil, and Goat Cheese

1/2 pound angel hair pasta

grated zest and juice of 1 meyer lemon

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus a little more for garnish

2 to 3 ounces fresh, soft goat cheese, crumbled, plus a little more for garnish

1/4 cup good quality extra virgin olive oil

salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

 

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the angel hair pasta until al dente, or tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water. While the pasta is cooking, combine the zest and juice of the meyer lemon in a large bowl.  If using a regular lemon, start by adding about 2/3 of the juice since regular lemons are more sour.  Add more, if needed, once the sauce is thoroughly combined.  Add the parmesan, goat cheese, olive oil, and a little bit of the hot pasta cooking water. (I added about 3 ounces of goat cheese because I like it and it makes the sauce creamier.)  Season with salt and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper.  Whisk sauce together until smooth. Transfer the cooked and drained pasta immediately to the bowl and toss to completely coat the pasta with the sauce. Garnish with more parmesan and crumbled goat cheese on top.

Mom’s No Bake Cookies

Mom’s No Bake Cookies

2 C. Sugarcookies
3 T. Cocoa
1/2 C. Milk
1 stick Margarine
1/2 tsp. Salt
3 C. Quick Oats
1/2 C. Peanut Butter
1 tsp. Vanilla

Over medium heat, melt margarine, sugar, milk, salt and cocoa. Heat to a rolling boil and cook over medium/medium high burner exactly one minute (under or over cooking will affect the texture of the final cookie, causing it to be chalky or to fail to set up). Remove from heat; add vanilla and peanut butter, stirring until melted. Stir in oats until well mixed. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper.