Holiday Popcorn

One of my friends had this recipe on her blog. If you like Splenda she recommends using it, but it won't form the suryp like sugar will. Think carmel corn with peppermint flavor.

Peppermint Popcorn
3 quarts freshly popped plain popcorn, unseasoned *
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/8 teaspoon green food coloring (optional)
about 20 peppermint candies

Arrange popcorn in a shallow baking or roasting pan.
Melt butter in a 2-quart saucepan.
Stir in sugar, salt and corn syrup.
Cook, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves and mixture boils.
Boil, without stirring, for 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and add peppermint extract and green food coloring.
Pour over popcorn in baking pan and stir to mix well.
Bake in a preheated 250-degree oven for 1 hour, stirring 3 to 4 times.
While popcorn is baking, crush peppermint candies in a baggie or food processor.
With about 10 minutes left, sprinkle crushed peppermints over the popcorn mixture.
Cool completely and store in tightly covered containers

*They recommend using air-popped popcorn, but if you don't have an air popper, buy a bag of kernels and do it on the stove - super easy, and works much better than microwave

Winter Steak

This slow cooked steak is great for winter because it is cooked in the oven. Be sure to buy the cheapest steak for this and save the good stuff for grilling in the spring.

Heather's Winter Steak

2-4 large thick steaks

1/4 cup olive oil

2/3 cup red wine vinegar

2 tsp minced garlic

Lawry's season salt

black pepper

gallon sized Ziploc Bag

Generously rub the steaks with the Lawry's salt and black pepper. Place steaks into a gallon sized Ziploc bag and add the olive oil, vinegar and garlic. Seal the bag and place in the fridge overnight or for at least six hours. Longer is better! Take the steak out of the marinade and place it in a baking pan, cover with foil and bake at 250 for 2 1/2 to 3 hrs.

When I make this meal, I buy the cheapest thick steak I can find and buy two large packages. Mix them up in two seperate bags. The first bag goes into the fridge for dinner the next night. The second bag I place inside another ziploc bag and then into the freezer for the next time I am craving steak.

The Best Ever Chili

It took me three years to create this recipe. Now I can't get enough. After a much celebrated debut at my mother's birthday luncheon, I am now sharing it with the world. If you win any awards with it, give me a shout out!

Heather’s Chili

2 can pinto beans
2 can black beans
2 can red kidney beans
3 (35 oz.) cans petite diced tomatoes
1 lb. ground beef
1 onion diced or 1 tbsp onion flakes
2 Tbsp miced garlic
4 Tbsp chili powder
2 Tbsp ground cumin
1 Tbsp oregano
1 tsp basil
Salt & pepper

Brown the beef with the onions. Drain the beef and pour into a large crock pot. Add the other ingredients and cook 4-6 hours. If you want it spicier, add more chili powder or a some diced jalapenos. I serve this with sour cream and cheese over tortilla chips.

Easy Beef Stroganoff

This is my favorite Beef stroganoff recipe. It's easy and it tastes good. A great alternative to spegetti when you what the ease of pasta but a different taste.

Easy Stroganoff
Recipe By : Southern Living
Serving Size : 4
1 Pound ground beef
1 medium Onion -- chopped
2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon Garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon Pepper
4 ounces Can sliced mushrooms
10 3/4 ounces Can Cream of Mushroom soup Undiluted
8 ounces Sour cream
Hot cooked noodles

Cook ground beef and onion in a large skillet until meat is browned, stirring to crumble meat; drain.Stir in flour and next 3 ingredients; cook and stir 1 minute. Stir in soup. Simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add sour cream, and heat thoroughly.Serve over noodles. Yield: 4 servings.

Chex Mix

Here is one of my favorite snacks! I recently found the original recipe for this fun treat! I love making it because I leave out what i don't like (bagel chips) and add what I Do like (more corn and rice chex).

Original Chex® Party Mix
Still great after all these years! Chex® Party Mix has been a party favorite for over 50 years.
Prep Time:10 min
Start to Finish:1 hr 25 min
Makes:24 servings (1/2 cup each)
Ingredients:
6 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
3 cups Corn Chex® cereal
3 cups Rice Chex® cereal
3 cups Wheat Chex® cereal
1 cup mixed nuts
1 cup bite-size pretzels
1 cup garlic-flavor bite-size bagel chips or regular-size bagel chips, broken into 1-inch pieces
Preparation Directions:
1.
Heat oven to 250°F. In ungreased large roasting pan, melt butter in oven. Stir in seasonings. Gradually stir in remaining ingredients until evenly coated.
2.
Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool, about 15 minutes. Store in airtight container.
Microwave Directions: In large microwavable bowl, microwave butter uncovered on High about 40 seconds or until melted. Stir in seasonings. Gradually stir in remaining ingredients until evenly coated. Microwave uncovered on High 5 to 6 minutes, thoroughly stirring every 2 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool, about 15 minutes. Store in airtight container.

New York Style Cheesecake

This is a recipe I got off of the Kraft website. I'm in the process of making it. I will comment on if it's as good as it looks later.

Ingredients
1 cup HONEY MAID Graham Cracker Crumbs
3 Tbsp. sugar
3 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted
5 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3 Tbsp. flour
1 Tbsp. vanilla
1 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
4 eggs
1 can (21 oz.) cherry pie filling
Preparation
MIX crumbs, 3 Tbsp. sugar and butter; press firmly onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 325°F for 10 minutes. (Bake at 300°F for 10 minutes if using dark nonstick springform pan.) MIX cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, flour and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add sour cream, mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended. Pour over crust.BAKE at 325°F for 1 hour 10 minutes or until center is almost set if using silver springform pan. (Bake at 300°F for 1 hour 10 minutes or until center is almost set if using dark nonstick springform pan.) Run knife or metal spatula around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim of pan. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Top with pie filling.

Banana Bread

Banana Bread

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon Baking soda
3 soft, ripe bananas, mashed

Cream sugar and shortening; add eggs, flour, soda, bananas, and chopped nuts. Pour banana bread batter into 1 greased and floured loaf pan; bake at 325° for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. This banana nut bread recipe makes 1 loaf.

Special Spice Cookies

These are some of our favorite cookies! Not very sweet, but full of flavor.

Special Spice Cookies

3/4 cup shortening
1 c. Sugar1 egg
1/4 c. Dark Corn Syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. Flour
1 1/2 tsp. Allspice
2 tsp. Cinnamon
2 tsp. Soda
1/2 c. Powdered Sugar

- Preheat Oven to 350 degrees.
- Blend Shortening, Sugar, egg, corn syrup and vanilla.
- Gently stir in Flour, allspice, cinnamon, and soda.
- Grease cookie sheet.Roll dough into balls the size of pecans.
- Place two inches apart on cookie sheet.
- Bake 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees.
- While still warm dip cookies in powdered sugar.Shake of extra sugar.

Yield: about 4 1/2 dozen.

Chicken Marinade

This is really great for Chicken kabobs. Use chicken tenderloins and stick skewer through the end of the marinaded chicken, put on a slice of white onion and a pinapple tidbit, fold the chicken over and repeat pattern until skewer is full. Grill. Yumm!

GREAT Marinade for chicken:
1/2 c. Soy Sauce
1/2 c. Unsweet Pineapple Juice
1/4 c. Oil1 Tbs. Brown Sugar
1 1/2 tsp. Ginger
1 tsp. Garlic Powder
1 tsp. Dry Mustard
1/4 tsp. Pepper

- Combine ingredients and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Let cool and add chicken.
- Marinate 1 hour.
- Brush remaining sauce on chicken while on grill.

Pizza Dough

Here is an excellent recipe for pizza dough. What family doesn't love pizza? And seriously why pay 4 times what it cost to make it? This recipe is for a bread maker, but I'm sure you could make it yourself. It should be the same ingrediants. If you do, let us know how it turns out.

Italian Pizza Dough
(FBM)
1 1/4 c. water
3 Tbs. Olive Oil
1 Tbs. Kosher Salt
2 Tbs. Sugar
1 c. White Flour
1 1/2 c. Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
2 Tbs. Basil
1 Tbs. Oregano
4 Tbs. Quick Yeast

1. Place ingredients in bread machine in order listed. Select Dough Cycle.
2. When Dough is complete dust counter with flour and corn meal.
3. Roll dough around to thoroughly cover.
4. Roll out Dough to desired size, place on greased cookie sheet. Perforate with fork.
5. Blind bake at 400 degrees for 10 -15 minutes.
6. Add toppings and bake 10-15 minutes.
7. Let stand 10 minutes.

Poppy Seed Chicken

Here is one of my favorites! I hope everyone enjoys!

Poppy Seed Chicken
4 chicken breast (cooked and chopped)
1 Can cream of Celery Soup
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
1 small package slivered almonds
1 8oz package of Sour cream
1 Tbs. Poppy Seeds
1 tube Ritz crackers (crushed)
1 stick of Butter (melted)

Spray and 11 x 13 casserole dish with Pam. Place chicken on bottom of dish. Mix Soups almonds, and Sour cream. Spread mixture on top of chicken. Mix crackers, poppy seed, and butter. Spread on top of chicken mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

An Entree!

Ok I was told that I post too many sweets and not enough "real Food". So here goes. This is a recipe I got from Trish who got it from Nicki. I think Trish and I changed it a little.

Honey Mustard Chicken:
1/4 c. Honey
3 Tbs. White Wine Vinegar
1 tsp. Dry Mustard
1 tsp. Dijion Mustard
1/2 tsp. Thyme
1/4 tsp. Oregano
1 clove Garlic


1. Cut slits on sides of chicken breast.
2. Preheat Oven 400 degrees
3. Brush 1/2 mixture onto chicken.
4. Bake for 30 minutes, turn cover with rest of mixture.
5. Bake about 20 minutes.


This is really good served with mashed potatoes. I also like to marinade the chicken in the mixture for a while. Enjoy!

Fruit Dip

Since it was requested, here is a very simple fruit dip.

Shannon's Fruit Dip:
1 package cream Cheese
About 3 cups powdered Sugar (more or less to taste)
About 1 tablespoon lime juice (lemon juice can also be used)OR for a sweeter dip use 1 tablespoon vanilla extract.

Cream Together till light and fluffy.
Serve with your favorite fruit. I like Grapes and strawberries with it, but it's good with it all. Or chop up fruit and mix it all together to make a yummy fruit salad.

I told you it was easy.

The Famous BBQ Brisket Recipe!

BBQ Brisket

Brisket (trimmed)
Add: Garlic Powder
4 oz. Bottle of Liquid Smoke
1 Can Beef Boulion (broth)
Daddy Henkles Meat Tenderizer
Salt and Pepper

Cover tightly and cook all night at 300 degrees. 10 pm to 6 am

Refridgerate and slice when cooler

Add Beef Boulion and Flour if too dry.

Reheat Briefly. Serve.

* Grandma says she uses Beef Broth in the can and a different Meat tenderizer and it tastes just fine!

Craving Cheese?

Do you ever just have a craving for something? I went searching today for a good cheese ball recipe. Here are some I found. Try them out and tell me what you think. Also if you have a good one let me know...

Anytime Cheese Ball Recipe

Ingredients:
2 (8 oz) pkg. Philly Cream Cheese
1 pound shredded sharp cheese
3 tablespoons white vinegar
1 pound processed cheese such as Velveeta
or
1 small jar of Cheese Whiz
Garlic powder to tasteDirections:
DO NOT MICROWAVE TO SOFTEN. Leave at room temp to soften. Mix together, and roll into a ball, roll in nuts/cheese or leave plain if desired. Wrap in plastic. Refrigerate to set. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
serves/makes 8.


Celebration Cheese Ball

INGREDIENTS:
6 (3-ounces each) packages cream cheese, or 18 ounces, room temperature
8 ounces shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
2 teaspoons grated onion
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons finely minced garlic
Finely chopped pecans or peanuts
PREPARATION:
In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, onion, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic. Beat with an electric mixer until well blended. Refrigerate until firm then shape into a ball. Roll cheese ball in chopped pecans or peanuts until well coated. Wrap in plastic and let ripen in refrigerator for at least 24 hours. Take out of refrigerator at least 2 hours before serving. Serve cheese ball with assorted crisp crackers.

Pineapple Cheese Ball

INGREDIENTS:
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained
1/4 cup finely chopped green bell pepper, or mixture of green and red bell pepper
3 tablespoons finely chopped green onion
2 teaspoons seasoned salt, or to taste
2 cups chopped pecans, divided
PREPARATION:
Directions for pineapple cheese ball.Combine cream cheese, drained crushed pineapple, chopped bell pepper, chopped green onion, seasoned salt, and 1 cup chopped pecans. Chill in refrigerator until firm then shape into a ball.Just before serving roll pineapple cheese ball in remaining cup of pecans. Serve pineapple cheese ball with assorted crackers. Pineapple cheese ball makes about 3 cups of cheese spread.


Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe

INGREDIENTS:
8 ounces cream cheese
8 ounces grated sharp Cheddar cheese
2 teaspoons grated onion
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons finely minced garlic
finely chopped pecans
PREPARATION:
Combine cream cheese and Cheddar cheese; beat with an electric mixer. Beat in onion, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic. Chill thoroughly. Shape into a ball and roll in chopped pecans. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving. Remove pecan cheese ball from refrigerator 2 hours before serving. Serve pecan cheese ball with assorted crackers.

Southern Favorites

Before we left Maine, a friend of ours invited us for a true southern dinner. It was perfect and just what we were missing. Now I am back in the south we are having great food more often, but I still haven't found anything to match Ashley's great dinner recipes. So, I thought I would share them with all of you. Have fun trying these classics and let us know what you think!

Ashley's Fried Okra

Even okra haters loved this okra. Try it with your family!

1 pkg. frozen okra

1 c. self-rising corn meal

1 c. self-rising flour

Creole Seasoning to taste

Thaw okra and spread it out on a paper towel to dry. Mix the corn meal and flour in a bowl with the Creole seasoning. Coat the okra in the flour mixture and let sit for 15-30 min. Then, recoat. Deep fry breaded okra in hot grease and drain. Serve immediately.

Ashley's Cornbread Casserole

There won't be any leftovers of this easy dish!

8 oz. sour cream

1 box Jiffy mix cornbread

2 cans kernel corn (1 can drained)

1 can cream style corn

1/2 stick butter or margarine

chopped green onions

Mix the above ingredients together and pour into a greased casserole dish. Slice butter thinly ontop of the casserole and bake at 350 for about an hour and ten min. or until crusty brown at edges.

Summer treats

For those of you who wonder Heather is in the process of moving across the country, so it might be a while till we hear from her again. i don't think she's cooking too much!
Now for my recipe. I am a busy mom, but I love Ice cream so I have found the EASIEST Ice Cream Recipe EVER!

Easy Homemade Ice Cream:
1 quart Half and Half
2 cans Eagle Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 tsp. Vanilla

Mix all ingerdiants together and pour into Ice Cream maker......I told you it was easy!
Add whatever you want for different flavors. Oreos are our favorite around here. Also try useing fat free Eagle Brand. It is less fat and tastes the same!

Maybe a change of name?

I think we need to call this recipe of the chance we get to post site...it seems like finding a moment is next to impossible! With that said I'm ignoreing Dowager Princess for the time to post here so here we go!
Here is a great recipe for Mexican Casserole (thanks mom). This is one of Jeff's favorites!

Mexican Casserole:

1 Box Taquitos
1 Can Corn
1 Can Ranch Style Beans
Salsa
Cheddar Cheese
Corn Chips

1) Cover the bottom of a deep casserole dish with taquitos.
2) Spread a can of beans on top of taquitos.
3) Spread a can of Corn on top of beans.
4) Spread Salsa on top of Corn.
5) Spread Shredded Cheddar cheese on top of salsa.
6) Chruch up chips and spread chip crumbs on very top.
7) Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until hot all the way through.

* This is one of those great throw it in dishes! I use corn taquitos and homemade salsa, but any kind will work. I've also substituted Chilli for the beans and cheese dip for the cheddar. See which way you like it best!

Semi-Homemade!

These are a great appetizer or good for anytime.

Fried Cheese Ravioli
1 Bag Store bought Frozen Ravioli
Parmesan Cheese
1 Sleeve Ritz Crackers
2 Sticks Butter
Marinara Sauce

1) Boil Ravioli until soft and drain on paper towels.
2) Melt 1/2 stick of butter in bowl.
3) Melt 1 stick of butter in Frying Pan and keep hot.
4) Crush Crackers and mix in Parmesan Cheese.
5)Dip dry ravioli in melted butter in bowl and then in the cracker cheese mixture. Fry for about 3 minutes flipping half way though in pan.
6) Once you remove the ravioli from the pan place on a paper towel to cool.
7) Once cool toss back in the crumbs for a final coat.
8) Serve with warm marinara sauce.

Leftovers

Here's a tip for how to dress up a boring leftover!

Spegetti Sandwich:
Small piece wax paper
2 Pieces Bread
Garlic Powder
Butter
Spegetti
Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Butter two pieces of Bread. Add Garlic Powder (just a sprinkle) and toast. Place wax paper in a bowl. Sprinkle some cheese on paper. Add Spegetti and more cheese on top. Pack the spegetti down to form a spegetti and cheese patti. Microwave till hot and cheese is melted. Place one piece garlic toast on top if spegetti patti, lift paper out of bowl and remove paper. Place other piece of Garlic toast on top to form a sandwich. Enjoy!

Favorite Dinners

Cubesteak Westbrook
This is a favorite for dinner parties at our home. It's easy and quick!

Cubesteaks (cut in half)
Flour, salt and pepper
Butter
Brown Sugar
Ketchup
Dried Onion Flakes
Dried Basil
Beef Broth

Dredge your cubesteaks in the flour mixture. Brown in a hot skillet on both sides. Place them in a baking dish. On top of each steak, place one Tablespoon of butter, one Tbsp of brown sugar and one Tbsp of ketchup. Sprinkle onion flakes and basil over all. Pour enough broth into the dish to come half way up the sides of the steaks. *Do not cover steaks with broth!* Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Uncover, bake for another 15 minutes.

This is delicious with mashed potatoes. Be sure to scrape the pan with the drippings as a sauce!

Latin Chicken Pot

This is a new favorite at Shannon's house. Try it and let us know what you think.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 Tbs. Butter
1 lbs. Chicken Cut into Pieces
Salt & Pepper
2 c. Minute White Rice
3 c. Chicken Stock
1 tsp. Poulty Seasoning
1 Tbs. Sazon Seasoning *
1 c. Tomato Sauce

1) Heat pot on medium heat.
2) Pour EVOO in pan with butter
3) Salt and Pepper the Chicken and add to pot to Brown
4) Add rice and Cook 2 min.
5) Add Stock, Seasoning, and Sauce
6) Bring to a boil for 3 min.
7) Reduce Heat to simmer and cook 15 min.

I like to searve this with guacamole or sour cream or a combination.
* I use a cool Chilli Powder, Garlic, and Cumin when I don't have Sazon.

Recipes For Our Mothers-in-Law!

For Cyntihia:
Special K Treats
1 c. White Karo Syrup
1 c. Sugar
1 c. Peanut Butter
4 c. Special K Cereal

Mix Karo and Sugar in heavy Pan and bring to a boil. Remove from Heat and add Peanut Butter. Stir until well blended. Add cereal and stir until well coated. Drop on wax paper while hot and let cool.
Variation: try different Cereals for a different flavor!


For Tammy:
Caramel Popcorn
4 Qts. Popcorn *
2 Sticks of Butter
2 c. Brown Sugar
1 tsp. Salt
1/2 c. White Karo Syrup
Nuts **
1 tsp. Baking Soda

1) Pop Popcorn and Sort out un popped peices. Add Nuts.***
2) Melt Butter, Brown Sugar, Salt, and Karo in Pan. Bring to a boil and then simmer 5-8 min.
3) Stir in Baking Soda and watch it rise!
4) Pour over Popcorn and Nuts and Stir together until popcorn and nuts are well coated.
5) Spread onto a cookie sheet and Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour.
6) Remove and let cool. Should break apart easily.

* I prefer buttered Popcorn adds a richer flavor!
** Use any nuts you like! A mix even! I prefer Cashews.
*** I like to add the nuts into the carmel on the stove to insure they are completely coated. Sometimes they fall to the bottom of the popcorn and don't mix in as well.

Warm Winter Soups

It's finally winter here in Maine and the snow is piling up. That means it's time for a big pot of soup at dinner time and I have a few that you might like to try. So get out your soup pots and get ready for some great comfort food! Most of them aren't too bad for your New Year's diet either!

Beef Stew

This is my new favorite. It is simple and savory.

1 lb. beef stew meat (or diced roast)

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 large onion, diced

1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic

4 medium potatoes, diced

1 cup diced carrots

2 cans green beans (including the water)

1 1/2 cups beef broth

2 Tbsp. corn starch

salt and pepper

Brown the stew meat in a skillet with the onion and garlic. Season with salt or Lowry's season salt. Drain the beef mixture and pour it all into your crockpot or roasting pan. Add the diced potatoes, carrots and green beans. With a wire wisk, add the corn starch to the beef broth. Mix well and then add it to the pan. The amount of liquid should come up to the top of the meet and vegetables. If it doesn't, add more beef broth or water. Season with salt and pepper. Cook on medium in your crockpot or at 250 in the oven for at least 6 hours. Enjoy!

Creamy Vegetable Soup

I just created this soup to use up leftover broccoli and cauliflower from a recent veggie tray. If you prefer a creamier version like you find in restaurants, puree your soup in a blender or food processor, before serving it. Garnish with cheese. Great for low carb diets!

1 head of cauliflower, chopped

1 head of broccoli, chopped

2 small potatoes, diced

1 cup carrots, diced

1/2 stick of butter

1 cup whole milk or lite cream

8 oz. sour cream

salt

Place all the vegetables in the pot and cover with water. Place in medium high heat until it comes to a boil. Turn the heat down to simmer and add the butter. Simmer, stirring occasionally to make sure it doesn't burn on the bottom, until the vegetables are soft and the water level becomes lower than the top of the vegetables. Add the milk/cream, sour cream and salt. Stir well and heat back up to a slow boil or simmer. Once you are satisfied all the vegetables are very soft and the butter has melted, you can puree the soup if desired. Serve it with your favorite cheese as a garnish. (We prefer very sharp cheddar.)

Enjoy, and don't forget to add your favorite recipe or comment on one of ours!