Holiday favorites

This is my brothers favorite thing at the holidays!

Aaron's Christmas Cookies

2 cups Captain Krunch

2 cups Rice Krispies

2 cups colored mini marshmellows

1 8oz jar roasted peanuts

1 1/2 lb almond bark

Melt almond bark and pour over all the other ingredients, mix well.  Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper.  Let set up.  Enjoy!

My comfort food

My comfort foods are pretty basic.  I love Chicken and dumplings, Beef Stroganoff, and my Mom's bread pudding.  I also love the hot artichoke dip that I've posted before, mostly because it reminds me of the holidays and parties, when you could always smell it cooking in the quiet right before everyone arrived.

Bread Pudding

4 cups milk

2 cups fresh bread cubes, packed

1 1/4 cup sugar

4 eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon nutmeg

Preheat oven to 325-350.  Scald milk; add bread cubes and sugar.  Allow to stand 5 minutes.  Slowly pour mixture into bowl of beaten eggs, stirring constantly.  Add vanilla.  Place mixture into a well buttered 2 quart casserole and sprinkle with nutmeg.  Bake with casserole in a pan of hot water for 1 hour, or until knife comes out clean.

We serve hot with a little milk or cream poured over it.

Comfort Food

Octamom posted about comfort food this morning. It made me think about whether or not I'd ever posted my absolute favorite, amazing, birthday requested meal on our blog. After a quick scan of previous entries I did not find our recipe for Swiss Steak.
When I was young I used to spend every summer in Idaho with my grandparents (we lived in Las Cruces, New Mexico at the time). Grandma was the best cook ever and she made so many wonderful dishes that utilized the homegrown tomatoes and peppers from Grandpa's garden (a small one acre patch that was divided between the east and west sides of their house). This recipe is very simple and easy.

Here is Grandma Canfield's recipe for Swiss Steak.

2 pounds cube steak
2 quart jars of stewed tomatoes
1 large sweet onion, sliced thin
2 large bell peppers, sliced thin
flour
salt
pepper

Dredge the cube steak in flour and brown in oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Smother the browned steaks with the tomatoes, onion, and peppers. Cover and simmer for about an hour our until the steaks are tender.

We always serve Swiss Steak with pan browned potatoes (I'm not sure why they're called that). You begin with several moderate sized potatoes (not tiny, not quite baking size either). Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise. Use a sharp knife to score the top of the potatoes with a diamond pattern. Brush the cut side of the potatoes with butter or oil and place them in a buttered or oiled pan cut side up. Sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake for about 40 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.

Steamed green beans with sweet onion slices are the preferred vegetable side dish to serve with the steaks. Peach cobbler usually rounds off the meal (we freeze sliced peaches when they are in season so that we have plenty to use throughout the rest of the year).

Wedding Pasta Salads

When my Husband and I got married my parents did the catering, these were the salads that we used.  At least the sauce for the curry salad.  Now they are catering a friends daughters wedding and I thought I'd post these while I was thinking of them.  I absolutely love these salads during the summer!

Chicken Pasta Salad

1 lb rotini, cooked

2 cups cooked chicken or turkey

2 large cans chunky pineapple

2 cups celery

3/4 cup chopped green onions

2 cups seedless grapes

slivered almonds, green pepper and salt & pepper to taste

Dressing:

1 cup mayonnaise (I only use Miracle Whip)

3 Tbs lime juice

1/2 tsp curry

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.  Stir in dressing.  Chill 3-4 hours.  Add nuts just before serving.

*optional dressing :  lemon juice and mayonnaise

Mostaccioli Salad

1 lb bag mostaccioli noodles  (cooked and drained)

Add to noodles:

2 med. Sliced cucumbers

1 med. Sliced onion

Dressing:

1 ½ C oil

1 ½ C sugar

1 ½ C vinegar

1 T onion flakes

2 tsp prepared mustard

1 tsp salt

1 ½ tsp pepper

1 tsp garlic powder

1 T parsley

Mix dressing and pour over noodles, onion and cucumbers. Let chill overnight and stir often. Takes on more flavor as it sets. It is still good after 2 to 3 days. Makes a lot!

Raspberry Cake

1 package white cake mix
1 (3 oz) package raspberry gelatin
1 (10 oz) package frozen raspberries, thawed
4 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup hot water

Frosting:

1 (12 oz) container whipped topping, thawed
1 (10 oz) package frozen raspberries, thawed

*I'm just reading my directions as I'm typing and they call for sweetened, frozen raspberries. I used plain old raspberries and we loved it.

In a large bowl, combine dry cake mix and gelatin powder. Add raspberries with juice, eggs, oil, and water. Beat until well blended. Pour into a greased 9*13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35- 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

For frosting, fold whipped topping into raspberries (I used real cream, whipped it and then fold the berries into the cream). Spread over the cake. Refrigerate for 2 hourse before serving. Store in the refrigerator.

Very Pink Strawberry Cake

This was my favorite cake as a child, in fact it came from a Strawberry Shortcake birthday card that I got one year.  But just a warning, it is very pink, and my parents remember this as being terribly sweet, which I think was from the icing.  On Janet's blog she talks about the cake she made for Jake's birthday and the frosting being whipped cream and frozen raspberries, you could probably do the same here just use the strawberry liquid or the other half of the strawberry package.

Very Pink Strawberry Cake

1 white cake mix

3 tbsp flour

1 (3oz) package strawberry gelatin

1 cup salad oil

4 eggs

1/2 cup cold water

1/2 small package frozen strawberries (thawed)

Mix cake mix, flour and gelatin.  Add oil. Beat in eggs.  Add water and strawberries.  Mix well.  Bake in two loaf pans greased and floured (we used round cake pans too) or 9x13 for 40 - 50 minutes at 350 degrees.

Very Pink Strawberry Icing

2 tbsp butter

2-3 tbsp strawberry liquid

1 cup powdered sugar

Melt butter, add strawberry liquid.  Mix in powdered sugar until spreading consistency.

Honey Oatmeal Wheat Bread

This is our family's favorite bread. It's simple to make, delicious, and with a yield of 3 loaves it's enough to last a couple days.

3 cups boiling water
1 1/2 cups oatmeal
3/4 cup warm water
3 pkgs. yeast (6 3/4 tsp)
1/2 cup honey or brown sugar (we always use honey)
1/3 cup canola oil
2 tsp salt
3-4 cups whole wheat flour (we use more like 5 cups)
4-5 cups bread flour (we just use enough to make a soft dough... don't even bother measuring)

1. Pour boiling water over oatmeal in large mixing bowl. Cool to lukewarm (or it will kill yeast).

2. Dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until foamy (or until oatmeal is lukewarm).

3. Add yeast to oatmeal mixture. Add honey and oil. Blend well. Add salt. Add whole wheat flour, stirring well after each addition. Gradually add bread flour, forming a soft dough. *

4. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead 5-10 minutes. Place dough in greased bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Let rise until double.

5. Punch down and form dough into 3 loaves. Let rise about 20 minutes.

6. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Put on rack or board for cooling.

* I do steps 3 and 4 differently.

Add honey, oil, salt, and 3 cups whole wheat flour to oatmeal. This helps the oatmeal cool faster. Stir until well moistened. Add yeast mixture. Stir until yeast mixture is incorporated into dough. Add more wheat flour if desired. Stir until it begins to get stiff. Turn out onto well floured surface (several scoops of flour) and knead bread flour into dough until dough is no longer sticky and continue kneading until the dough is smooth and pliable.

I measure only the first 3 cups of wheat flour and only because I'm afraid the yeast mixture won't incorporate if the batter is any thicker than that.

Ezekiel Bread

Submitted to Taste of Home magazine by Roger Hawley in Valley Park, Missouri:

"If your Bible's handy, read Ezekiel 4:9 to find the inspiration for this recipe and it's title. This tender, chewy multigraing bread has a hint of sweetness."

3 pkg. active dry yeast (roughly 6 3/4 tsp)
5 cups warm water, divided
1 Tbsp plus 2/3 Cup honey, divided
2/3 cup canola oil
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp salt
4 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup toasted wheat germ
6 - 8 cups bread flour

Dissolve yeast in 3/4 cup warm water and add 1 Tbsp honey. Add the remaining water and honey, the oil, sugar, salt, whole wheat flour, wheat germ and 3 cups bread flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining bread flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).

Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turn dough to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

Punch dough down. Shape into four loaves. Place in 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pans (greased). Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 -35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

*I'm assuming the use of human or cow excrement to generate the 350 degree temperature is optional.

Here's a dinner roll recipe for you Janet!

Hawaiian Dinner Rolls

Ingredients:

• 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, undrained
• 1/4 cup warm pineapple juice (70° to 80°)
• 1/4 cup water (70° to 80°)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine, cubed
• 1/4 cup nonfat dry milk powder
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3-1/4 cups bread flour
• 2-1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 3/4 cup flaked coconut

Directions:

In bread machine pan, place the first 10 ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer. Select dough setting (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed). Just before final kneading (your machine may audibly signal this), add coconut. 
    When cycle is complete, turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Cover with plastic wrap; let rest for 10 minutes. Divide into 15 portions; roll each into a ball. Place in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes or until doubled. Bake at 375° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Yield: 15 rolls. 

*I found this recipe on the Taste of Home Website, I keep meaning to try it bit haven't yet.  But I know Janet is looking for bread recipes so I thought I'd post it.

Devil's Delight Cake

I'm just trying this recipe, but I can't imagine that it won't taste great.  I'll let you know if by chance it doesn't taste as good as it sounds.

Devil's Delight Cake

1 pkg. (18.25 oz.) devil's food cake mix (with pudding in the mix)

4 eggs

1 c. water

½ c. vegetable oil

1 c. chopped nuts

1 c. mini marshmallows

1 c. Hershey's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

½ c. raisins (I don't put these in!)

Confectioners' sugar

 

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease and flour Bundt pan.  In  large mixer bowl

combine cake mix, eggs, water and oil;  beat on low speed just until

blended.  Increase speed to medium; beat 2 minutes.  Stir in nuts,

marshmallows, chocolate chips and raisins.   Pour batter in to pan.  Bake 45

to 50 minutes or until you do the toothpick thing!  Cool 10 minutes; remove

from pan to wire rack.  Cool completely.  Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar

on top.

Banana Pumpkin Bread

This was a great bread, Andy though thinks it should be called cake instead!  Sorry Janet, this probably won't be a recipe for you.

Banana Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/3 cups canned pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup honey ( I used 1/2 cup brown sugar)
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup oats
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup walnuts

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 9x5 inch loaf pan.  I used a bundt pan instead.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the mashed banana, eggs, oil, pumpkin, honey and sugar. Combine the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pie spice and cinnamon, stir into the banana mixture until just combined. Fold in the chips and walnuts if desired. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool loaf in the pan for 10 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.

Really Good Hashbrowns

I have to give a little back story!  A couple years after my husband and I married, our names were given to Andy's Uncle Charlie and Aunt Debbie in the Christmas Gift Drawing.  That year we were staying in in Nevada so out gift was mailed to us.  I was a little shocked to have gotten 2 cases  of dried hashbrown potaotes.  It turns out that these are THE gift to get in the family, and after tasting them I understood.    The brand is Nonpareil, and they come in what look like school milk cartons.  They are already seasoned and you just rehydrate them before cooking.  They are hard to find here (only at Winco) but they do have a website www.buyhashbrowns.com.

I took this to a lot of Mom's group brunches!   When we have it at home I usually serve it with eggs.

Here's what I do with them!

1 container of hashbrowns, rehydrated

1 small onion, diced

1/2 to 1 green bell, chopped

1 ham steak chopped (great use for leftover ham)

about 1  cup shredded cheese (I use chedder)

In a skillet heat about 1-2 tbls of olive oil, add hashbrowns, onions, pepper and ham.

Saute until the hashbrowns are as crisp as you wish.

Shortly before serving top with shredded cheese.  Leave on heat just until cheese is melted.

**this keeps well in a warm oven.

Crock Pot Mushroom and Beef Stew

I haven't posted a recipe for a very long time. Thanks to all who have kept up! WOW! Anyway. I just got dinner in the crock pot and I have no idea how this recipe will turn out, but I wanted to post it up before I forget, in case I like it. SO don't try it until I update the results tonight!

1 pound cubed stew meat
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 pkg brown gravy (the recipe I was following called for onion soup, I improvised)
1/2 cup water
1 cup fresh sliced mushrooms (recipe said 2 4oz cans, drained)
1/2 onion finely chopped
3/4 cup roughly chopped carrots
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tsp Season All
1 tsp pepper

Put everything in the slow cooker on low for 8 hours (well, I'll be on high for a couple hours, then switch over to low until family is hungry tonight). Serve over hot egg noodles.

Another Soup!

My husband and I are in a very fall mood and almost craving soups.  Here's another really good one I just made!  The only trick is you have to melt the cheese in the white sauce first otherwise the texture is not so good, trust me!!

Cauliflower Cheese Soup

• • 1 medium head cauliflower, broken in florets
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) chicken broth
  • 1 chicken bouillon cube
  • 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups milk
  • 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon each cayenne pepper, curry powder and white pepper

Directions:

In a large saucepan, combine the cauliflower, onion, broth and bouillon. Cover and cook over medium heat until the vegetables are tender. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, melt butter; stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk. Cook and stir until bubbly. Cook and stir for 2-3 minutes longer or until thickened. Reduce heat; add cheese and seasonings. Pour into cauliflower mixture. Simmer slowly for 30 minutes (do not boil). Yield: 6-8 servings (2 quarts). 

Vegetable Beef Soup

This is one of our favorite soups. The kids really like the broth and I usually add abc noodles so they think of this a "kid" meal.

2.5 lbs beef roast or stew meat (I use bottom round), cubed
2 pkgs frozen mixed vegetables
1 64 oz can of vegetable juice (like V8, but cheap)
2 cans beef broth
2 cubes beef boullion
1 pkg italian dressing mix

Place all ingredients in crock pot or large stock pot. I usually start with a frozen roast (suprise, suprise) and when it's thawed in the crock pot I remove the meat, cube it, and return it to the soup. If you don't have enough liquid to cover the goodies add some water. If the soup needs salt after it's cooked I sometimes add another boullion cube. I also add ABC noodles the last 15 minutes or so. Some days we feel like Barley Beef Soup and omit the noodles but add a couple handfuls of barley at the beginning of the cooking time. Usually we cook this for about 8 hours but it can be ready much faster... the beans get nice and mushy the longer it cooks... we like that, you may not.

Really yummy light pie!!!

This is another Taste of Home recipe that we really like, especially in the summer!  It's really good even without the spreadable fruit.

Light Lemon Pie

INGREDIENTS

    * 1 package (.3 ounces) sugar-free lemon gelatin

    * 1/2 cup boiling water

    * 3/4 cup cold water

    * Sugar substitute equivalent to 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon sugar

    * 1 cup (8 ounces) 1% cottage cheese

    * 1 carton (8 ounces) frozen reduced-fat Cool Whip® whipped topping, thawed

    * 1 reduced-fat graham cracker crust (8 inches)

    * 1/2 cup 100% strawberry spreadable fruit

    * 8 large strawberries, halved

DIRECTIONS

In a large bowl, dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Stir in cold water and sugar substitute. Refrigerate until partially set.

    In a fine strainer, drain the cottage cheese. Place cottage cheese in a blender; cover and process until smooth. Transfer to a bowl; stir in gelatin mixture. Fold in whipped topping.

    Pour into crust. Refrigerate until set. Just before serving, cut into slices; garnish each with 1 tablespoon spreadable fruit and two strawberry halves. Yield: 8 servings. 

Maple Oat Nut Scones

I love these at Starbucks and had to share the recipe once I found it.  I think the key to these is the blending of the oats for the texture.  

Starbucks Maple Nut Oat Scones Recipe

For The Scones

1 cup oats (quick or old-fashioned)

1 1/2 cups flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon baking powder

2 tablespoons maple syrup

2 1/2 tablespoons cold butter (small pieces)

1 large egg

1/2 cup half-and-half or heavy cream

1/2-3/4 teaspoon maple extract

2/3 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Maple Glaze

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon maple extract

5 teaspoons water

Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.

Using a food processor or blender, finely grind the oats.

In a mixer mix the flour, oats, sugar, salt and baking powder. Add the maple syrup and butter and mix well.

In a small bowl beat the egg with the cream and maple extract. Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture and mix well.

Add the pecans and mix just to incorporate.

Place the dough on a floured surface. Knead and pat the dough into an 8 to 10 inch circle and cut into 8 wedges.

Place the wedges on the baking sheet and bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until light brown.

Remove the scones from the oven to wire rack. Let cool about 3 to 5 minutes.

Mix the glaze ingredients until smooth. Adjust the amount of water to get to the desired consistency. I like the glaze to be rather thick. Spread lots of glaze over each scone and dry about 15 minutes before serving.

This recipe makes 8 Starbucks Maple Oat Nut Scones. 

Here's what we had for dinner tonight!

Tonight I made Cube steak and mashed cauliflower.  It was so good.

Cube Steak

This recipe started, as a recipe from Andy's Grandma, but it's changed a little over time.  I listed her original amounts, but I just dump until the total liquid just covers the cube steaks.

2-4 steaks (I've always used cube steak)

1 c water ( I use apple juice or plain soda)

1 c catsup

1/4 c vinegar

2 tbs brown sugar

2 tbs Worcestershire sauce

1 tbs mustard

These are also in her recipe but I've never added them to mine.

2 tbs onion, chopped

2 tbs green pepper, chopped

My cooking instructions:

Brown steaks in skillet (one that you have a lid for), when browned on both sides remove from skillet.  Mix remaining ingredients and bring to a simmer.  Return steaks to skillet and simmer till steaks are done.  If desired remove steaks and thicken sauce with a little corn starch mixed with water, to make gravy.  

Grandma's cooking instructions:

Brown steaks if desired.  Mix other ingredients and bring to a boil in a sauce pan.  Pour over steak in a baking dish and bake at 325 for 1 to 2 hours. 

This just seemed like over kill to me,  I bet this would work in the crockpot though!

Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower

1 head cauliflower or 1 bag frozen cauliflower florets

Cook cauliflower till very soft, I steamed my fresh cauliflower for about 15 - 20 minutes.  Drain well!

If you have a food processor put cooked cauliflower in that, I used my blender, but some people use potatoe mashers in the pan.

Add 1 cup grated cheese (or more if you like) and about 1/3 to a 1/2 cup sour cream.  Blend, mash, whatever until about the consistancy of mashed potatoes.  If it gets to thin you can thicken with a little bit of instant potato flakes.  In fact you can also just add these at the begining to to get a little more of a mashed potato feel.  Salt and pepper to taste.   

I also put it back in the pan and on the burner, or zap it in the microwave a little to reheat it after blending it.

a couple variations:

• milk or cream instead of sour cream
  
• feta or crumbled blue cheese instead of chedder
  
• one recipe I saw suggested adding a little dill
  
• and ultra healthy is chicken broth instead of any dairy and (horror) no cheese
  

Another Great, fast and easy soup!

Kielbasa Cabbage Soup

3 cups coleslaw mix

2 medium carrots, chopped

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/2 teapoon caraway seed ( I don't have any so I just seasoned with pepper and garlic)

2 tablspoons butter

1 carton (32oz) chicken broth

3/4 to 1 pound fully cooked kielbasa sausage, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

2 medium unpeeled golden delicious apples, (I would use granny smith next time)

1/4 teaspoon pepper

dash of salt

** I added potatoes to mine. I sauted them with the veggies and simmered the whole soup just till they were done.

In a large saucepan, saute the coleslaw mix, carrots, onion, celery and caraway seeds in butter for 5-8 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Stir in the remaining ingredients.

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Yield: 6 servings (2 quarts).

Janet, do you remember this cake from college?

I haven't made this cake in ages, but I 'm so excited I found this recipe again.

Laisy Daisy Cake

1 1/4 cups boiling water
1 cup oats
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
dash of salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 cup sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup margarine
2 egg whites or 1 egg
1 tsp vanilla

Topping:
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup oats
3 Tbs milk
2 Tbs margarine, melted

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease and flour an 8 or 9 inch square pan.

In a small bowl add boiling water and oats, stir and set aside. In a large bowl beat the sugars and margarine until well blended. Add egg whites and vanilla, beat well. Add dry ingredients and oat mixture.

Pour batter into pan and bake 55-65 minutes for an 8 inch pan or 50 - 60 for a 9 inch pan, until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out with only a few moist crumbs on it.

In a small bowl combine all the topping ingredients; mix well. Spread over the top of HOT cake. Broil about 4 inches from heat, 1-2 minutes or just until topping is bubbly. Cool completely.