Aunt Mary Ann's Sugar Cookies

Tons of memories : )

½ cup margarine

½ cup butter (can use all margarine, but she uses ½ butter and ½ margarine)

1 cup oil

1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cream of tarter

1 tsp. vanilla

4 cups flour

Mix all ingredients together. Chill dough in refrigerator for at least 1 hr. then roll into small balls, place on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with a flat bottom glass dipped in granulated sugar.

Bake at 350 degrees 8-9 min. until just turning brown. These freeze well.

Hot Fudge, Butterscotch Caramel Cake

I took this picture with my phone so it is a bit distorted...

Oh but a cake so yummy! Serve it with a big scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream.

1 box devils food cake mix prepared as directed for two layer cake.

1 jar butterscotch caramel sauce (the thick one)

1 jar hot fudge (Hershey's is really good) warmed slightly (about 15-20 sec) in microwave.

Assembly:

Place first cake layer on a plate; spread 3/4 jar butterscotch caramel sauce over cake then top with second cake layer. Spread slightly warmed hot fudge over top layer, then drizzle remaining butterscotch caramel sauce over all.

All this gooey goodness will drip down the sides and some may spill over the plate..... oh yeah!

Marinated Cucumbers

2 cucumbers, peeled and sliced thin

1/2 onion, thinly sliced

1/4 cup vinegar

1-2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon celery seed

Stir together vinegar, sugar, salt and celery seed.

Pour over cucumbers and onions.

Refrigerate at least 2 hrs (the longer the better) tossing occasionally.

Up North There "Goulash"

Don't ask me how the folks up north came up with this, but it is comfort food for sure.

It is the best because you can adjust it to your likes any ol way ya like : -)

I first had this at my friend Marcine Miranda's house at about the age of 12.... her step-mom (Marie if my memory serves me) made this often as she had a crew to feed and mostly boys! Marcine liked to add lots of pepper to it and I believe that is what makes this taste the best. Also have a well buttered slice of white bread along side.... yummy!

1 pound ground beef

1 onion, chopped

2 cups macaroni, prepared as directed on package

1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes

1 15 oz can tomato sauce

salt and pepper to taste

Fry ground beef and onion together till nicely browned.

Add cooked macaroni, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt and pepper.

simmer slow for 20-30 minutes.

serve with well buttered slices of fresh white bead.

Enjoy!

Pinwheels

Sirloin Steaks

1 Tub spreadable butter (like Land O Lakes spreadable butter with olive oil)

1/2 teaspoon (more if you like) Chopped garlic

Italian seasoning

Fresh baby spinach leaves

1/2 Cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400F

Stir garlic and desired amount of Italian seasoning (I just used about 3 -4 shakes) into butter.

Pound steak to tenderize and flatten to about 1/2 inch.

cut into approximately 2 inch strips.

Spread butter evenly on each strip and top with desired amount of cheese and spinach.

Roll up the steaks into pinwheels and tie with string.

Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Spaghetti and Meatballs

I found this recipe in the "Buca di Beppo" cookbook; it has such a nice fresh spin on old Spaghetti and Meatballs and easy too! It has loads of garlic in it too mmmm - trust me you'll love it!

Meatballs:

2 1/2 pounds ground beef

1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano Cheese

3/4 cup dry Italian style bread crumbs

4 large eggs

1/4 cup chopped garlic

2 teaspoons salt

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, Romano cheese, bread crumbs, eggs, garlic and salt; mix well. Shape into meatballs the size of golf balls. Makes about 40 meatballs. Cover and refrigerate for approx 1 hour.

Sauce:

6 garlic cloves, sliced thinly

1 large onion, diced into 1/4 inch pieces

1 celery stalk, chopped

1 carrot, chopped

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

2 (28-oz) cans plum tomatoes with juice

salt and pepper to taste

In a large pan sauté over medium heat the garlic, onion, celery and carrot in the olive oil until translucent. Add the parsley. Break up the tomatoes with your hands and add, with all of the tomato juice, to the pan. Add salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and add the meatballs. Be prepared: sauce will significantly increase in volume, but then it will reduce back by one-third by the end of the cooking time, simmer approximately 45 minutes.

Serves 6

Serve over cooked spaghetti pasta noodles and garnish with fresh chopped basil and grated Parmesan cheese; add a salad and slice of garlic bread - awesome dinner!

Braised Lamb Shanks

Oh this is really yummy and a must try if you like lamb.

6 lamb shanks

2 Tbls olive oil

10 cloves garlic minced

2 onions chopped

3 large carrots cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1 bottle (750ml) red wine

1 28 oz can whole peeled tomatoes

1 10 oz can chicken broth

1 10 oz can beef broth

5 tsp fresh rosemary

2 tsp fresh thyme

salt and pepper

In a heavy pot heat oil and brown lamb shanks (in batches) on all sides about 8 minutes.

Remove from pan and set aside.

Add onions, carrots and minced garlic to pot and saute unitl golden brown, about 10 minutes or so. Stir in Wine, broth, tomatoes, rosemary and thyme. Return shanks to pot pressing down to submerge. Simmer for 2 hours until tender.

Remove cover from pot; simmer for 20-30 minutes longer. Transfer shanks to platter, place in a warm (200f) oven. Simmer juice in pot until thickened, about 15 minutes. Spoon sauce over shanks. Serve with green peas and mashed potatoes, rice, or polenta. Enjoy!!!

Fajitas

Marinade:

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 tablespoons olive oil

Enough for about 2 lbs. of steak... or chicken (against my husbands wishes)

Whisk together and pour over steak, marinade for at least 1 hour or overnight.

grill or broil as desired. slice against the grain

Sauté onion,assorted sweet peppers.

serve with fresh tortillas, guacamole, sour cream, peco de gallo, http://www.lachelleskitchen.com/2009/03/pico-de-gallo.html

Etc.....

Ice Cream Cake

1 Brownie Mix (family size)

3/4 quart ice cream, softened

1 jar hot fudge sauce

15 Oreo cookies (crushed)

Soften ice cream slightly in microwave. Spread evenly in a foil lined round 9-inch pan and refreeze.

Prepare brownie mix as directed on package and pour into two round cake pans. Bake for 22-25 minutes. Completely cool and remove from pan.

Assemble:

Place first layer of brownies on a plate and spread 1/2 the hot fudge sauce on top. Remove ice cream from foil lined pan and put on top of hot fudge sauce, then spread the rest of the sauce on top of the ice cream and top with the second layer of brownies. Frost, and press crushed Oreo's all around then freeze several hours or overnight.

Brandon liked it!

Sardines on Toast

Fantastic camp breakfast; a great tip we learned from our friend Mike Ponter. Yummy - Thanks Mike!

Easy Coleslaw

Super Easy

1 bag (Dole) shredded cabbage

1 pkg. Good Seasons Italian Dressing mix (prepared)

toss together and refrigerate for at least 1 hr.

Easter Cake

About 25 years ago... Where has the time gone? Yes about 25 years ago while listening to a radio show (Party Line) on KATE am radio out of Albert Lea, MN; A grandma called this cake recipe in and somehow I managed to copy down all the steps. Now I have changed it up just a bit over the years, so it is much easier and quicker; this is a blast to make, and kids really have fun helping.

We were camping when I made the cake this year! I didn't have extra Jelly Beans leftover from Peter Rabbit.... but if you do, it's fun to mix a bit of coconut with a drop of green food coloring and sprinkle that on top then top the coconut with several Jelly Beans. You can use the chick peeps too, but I like the bunnies because they lay flat up against the cake.

1 cake mix (any flavor) baked as directed

1 can frositing (any flavor)

Decorate as desired.... let the kids help they love it.

Camping Cupcakes for Fun

Ha ha, who says you can't bake cupcakes in a Nat'l Forest! Only problem is I forgot the frosting... Wait I have "Dark Chocolate Dreams" a peanut butter blended with dark chocolate,that's the ticket! I love camping :-)

Monkey Gland Steak

I know it sounds very odd and somewhat scary; trust me it is nothing like your thinking and extremely tasty!

Monkey Gland Steak

4- sirloin, rib eye or rump steak (round steak)

1 ( 25 ml)Tbs oil

1 onion finely chopped

1 lb (500 g) fresh mushrooms

1/2 cup ketchup

1 1/2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce

1/2 cup (125 ml) chutney

Fry onions and mushrooms in oil for 5 minutes.

Combine ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and chutney.

add to onions and mushrooms and simmer a few minutes

Pour sauce over meat and cover with foil; place in a 375 f (190 c) oven until meat is tender - approximately 30-40 minutes.

South African Green Bean Salad

2 lbs. fresh green beans, trimmed

1/2 cup oil

4 Tbs fresh lemon juice

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper

1 cup onion, thinly sliced

1/2 cup stuffed green olives, sliced

Steam green beans until tender.

In a large bowl whisk together oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.

Add onion, olives, hot green beans and toss to coat.

Serve immediately

Grampa's Pumpkin Dessert

My dad gave me this recipe.

He has made this many times for a restaurant near his home in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

They also request his Cherry Cheesecake http://www.lachelleskitchen.com/2008/09/grampas-cherry-cheesecake.html .

Grampa's Pumpkin Dessert

1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree

1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

4 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 (18.5 oz) box yellow cake mix

3/4 cup butter, melted

1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts (I used pecans because my husband is a tad allergic to walnuts)

Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C)

Grease a 9X13 baking pan

In a large bowl mix together , pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar and pumpkin pie spice. Mix well, and pour into pan.

Sprinkle dry cake mix over the top, scatter nuts over cake mix, then drizzle melted butter over nuts.

Bake for 1 hour or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.

Naan

a nice Indian flat bread to go with a pot of Curry perhaps.....

1 (.25 oz) dry active yeast

1 cup warm water

1/4 cup sugar

3 Tbs milk

1 egg, beaten

2 tsp salt

4 1/2 cups bread flour

3-4 cloves minced garlic

1/4 cup melted butter

In a large bowl dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand about 10 min. to activate yeast.

Stir in sugar, milk, egg, salt. Add flour to make a soft dough. Knead for approx 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a well oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, allow dough to rise to double its size - approx. 1 hr .

Punch down dough and knead in garlic. Pinch off pieces of dough (about golf ball size) and roll into balls. Place on tray and cover with a damp cloth, allow to rise for approx. 30 min or until doubled in volume.

Heat grill pan - I used my electric Cuisinart Griddler

Flatten one ball of dough into a circle and grill for approx. 2-3 min. brush uncooked side with butter, the flip over and grill another 2-3 min., brush the cooked side with butter and flip again for 2-3 min. until nicely browned.

Repeat

Samoosas

Preheat oven to 400 F

1 package frozen Pepperidge Farm puff pastry sheets- thawed

Filling:

1 Tbs (15 ml) oil

1 tsp (5 ml) finely grated ginger root

1 onion, diced

2 green or red chilies, diced

1 carrot, peeled and grated

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1/2 cup (124 ml) frozen peas, thawed

2 potatoes, boiled, peeled and diced

1/2 tsp (3 ml) salt

1/4 tsp (1 ml) fresh ground pepper

1/2 tsp (3ml) cumin

1 tsp (5 ml) curry powder

1/2 tsp (3 ml) ground coriander

1/2 cup (125 ml) water

Heat oil in frying pan. Add ginger, onion, chilies, carrots, and garlic. Saute for a few minutes, the add peas, potatoes, seasonings and spices. Add water and simmer for about 10 minutes. Cool

Carefully separate puff pastry sheets and roll with a rolling pin to flatten, and widen slightly. Using a pizza cutter, cut into three strips and cut each strip into 3 squares.

Place a spoonful of cooled filling onto square of puff pastry and fold in half to make a triangle. Moisten edges of pastry and press with a fork to seal.

Brush each Samoosa with egg wash. (1 egg and 1 tbs water beaten)

Bake for 20 minutes.

Enjoy!

Banana Bread

1 cup shortening

1 1/2 cup sugar

4 eggs

2 cups mashed bananas

3 1/2 cup flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

Cream together the sugar and shortening until light and fluffy; add eggs one at a time blending well after each. Blend in bananas. Add remaining ingredients to banana mixture and stir until smooth. Turn into two greased 9x5x3 loaf pans. Bake at 350 f for about 50 min. Cool on rack for 10 min. then remove from pans.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Something yummy and different than Pumpkin Pie this time of year!

1 round loaf of Hawaiian Bread or Challah bread (I used Hawaiian)

4 eggs

4 cups (1 quart) heavy whipping cream

2 cups sugar

3 cups canned pumpkin

1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon

1 ½ teaspoons ground allspice

1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger

Pinch of ground cloves

¼ teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly butter a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside. Place the bread cubes on a rimmed baking sheet and toast until golden brown; set aside.

In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, cream, sugar, pumpkin and spices. Slowly add the bread to the mixture, pressing bread down with your hands to submerge in the liquid (do not stir the bread into mush). Let stand for 20 minutes so that the bread becomes saturated.

Place the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15 to 25 more minutes until crisp and brown. Serve warm. If desired, top each serving with a dollop of Cinnamon Whipped Cream.

Makes about 8 servings

Top with real whipped cream sprinkled with cinnamon.

Tiramisu Layer Cake

All I can say is this is worth every bite! I found this recipe on allrecipes.com. Click on the title and it will take you there. I wanted to make something that said our company was special, I think this did nicely. Great meeting you Brandon!

CAKE: 1 (18.25 ounce) package moist white cake mix 1 teaspoon instant coffee powder 1/4 cup coffee 1 tablespoon coffee flavored liqueur FILLING: 1 (8 ounce) container mascarpone cheese 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

2 tablespoons coffee flavored liqueur FROSTING: 2 cups heavy cream 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar 2 tablespoons coffee flavored liqueur GARNISH: 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 1 (1 ounce) square semisweet chocolate

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 3 (9 inch) pans.
2.	Prepare the cake mix according to package directions. Divide two thirds of batter between 2 pans. Stir instant coffee into remaining batter; pour into remaining pan.
3.	Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. In a measuring cup, combine brewed coffee and 1 tablespoon coffee liqueur; set aside.
4.	To make the filling: In a small bowl, using an electric mixer set on low speed, combine mascarpone, 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar and 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur; beat just until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
5.	To make the frosting: In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer set on medium-high speed, beat the cream, 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar and 2 tablespoons coffee liqueur until stiff. Fold 1/2 cup of cream mixture into filling mixture.
6.	To assemble the cake: Place one plain cake layer on a serving plate. Using a thin skewer, poke holes in cake, about 1 inch apart. Pour one third of reserved coffee mixture over cake, then spread with half of the filling mixture. Top with coffee-flavored cake layer; poke holes in cake. Pour another third of the coffee mixture over the second layer and spread with the remaining filling. Top with remaining cake layer; poke holes in cake. Pour remaining coffee mixture on top. Spread sides and top of cake with frosting. Place cocoa in a sieve and lightly dust top of cake. Garnish with chocolate curls. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.
7.	To make the chocolate curls, use a vegetable peeler and run it down the edge of a chocolate bar.

Sweet and Sauer Beef

Thoroughly a Norsk-y dish and soooo good. I like to use short ribs, but you can use any kind of beef you would use in a stew; and like all recipes you can adjust the ingredients to the way you might like it. More or less sauerkraut, plain mustard instead of spicy mustard, etc....

2 lbs. short ribs

2 tablespoons oil

1 large onion chopped

1 16-ounce can sauerkraut, drained and rinsed.

1 cup beef broth

1 cup current jelly

2 tablespoons prepared spicy mustard

1 8-ounce can sliced water chestnuts

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

1/2 teaspoon caraway seed

Brown short ribs in oil in large dutch oven (remove ribs from pan and set aside), add onions and brown. Add beef broth, jelly, mustard, salt, pepper, caraway seed, simmer for 5-10 minutes. Add beef, water chestnuts and sauerkraut and mix well, continue to simmer slow for about 2 hours, or place dutch oven in a 250 F. oven for 2-3 hours, or in a crock pot on low for about 8 hrs. Serve over rice or dumpling noodles.

Old Fashioned Apple Crisp

Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C)

*8 cups thinly slice apples

1 cup white sugar

1 tablespoon flour

slightly heaped teaspoon cinnamon

juice of one small lemon

1/3 cup water

1 cup old fashioned oats

1 cup flour

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup butter melted

Scatter sliced apples in a 11x8 inch baking pan, sprinkle with lemon juice and toss. Mix sugar, 1 tablespoon flour and cinnamon together. Sprinkle over apples and pour water evenly over all.

Combine oats, flour, brown sugar , baking powder, baking soda and butter mix till crumbly. Crumble evenly over apple mixture. Bake in preheated oven for approximately 45-50 minutes. Serve warm or cold with lots of freshly whipped whipping cream or with Vanilla ice cream.

* 8-10 cups thinly sliced apples, I use approx. 8 depends on how many apples I have : )

Iceberg Apple Salad

1/2 head iceberg lettuce, chopped

1 crisp red apple, cored and chopped

1/2 cup Miracle whip

1/4 cup milk

Tbls. sugar

Lemon pepper to taste, a few good shakes

Whisk together Miracle Whip, milk, sugar and pepper until smooth.

Pour over lettuce and apple and toss.

Quite a Summer

I'm starting to blog a few recipes again... it has been a hectic summer to say the least. We spent 4 glorious weeks in South Africa visiting family, what an adventure!

I also took on the task of painting the interior of our home. This has kept me busier than I anticipated, but I'm loving it.

As the seasons begin to change I will be busier in my kitchen again, stay tuned : )

Zulu Cabbage

1 large onion, sliced

1 green pepper, chopped

1 small head cabbage, chopped

1 14 oz. can chopped tomatoes

1-2 tablespoons curry powder

salt to taste

Saute onion and green pepper till soft.

Add cabbage and cook until it begins to wilt.

Add tomatoes and curry powder

Stir occasionally adding a little water if needed.

Simmer for about 1.5 hrs.

Salt to taste.

This is a dish you can change up how you like but this is the basic recipe. I like to add tumeric, garlic and some cardamom seed.

Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breasts

8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, sliced

8 slices bacon

2 teaspoon chopped fresh chives

2 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup milk

2 teaspoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

1 pinch salt

Preheat oven to 325 f.

Pound chicken breast until flattened.

Place a slice of cream cheese in center of each breast and sprinkle with chives.

Roll up Chicken Breasts and wrap with bacon and secure with toothpicks.

Place in a large baking dish.

In a large bowl wisk together Cream of Mushroom Soup, mayonnaise, milk, lemon juice, salt and pepper until smooth and pour over chicken.

Bake for 1 hour.

Serve with brown and wild rice mix, or over noodles.

Makes 8 servings - recipe can be cut in half easily!

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

1 1/2 cups flour

2/3 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup mashed banana (usually 2 lg)

1 large egg

1/4 lb butter, melted

1/4 cup milk

3/4 cup chocolate chips

1. Mix dry ingriedients together.

2. Mix wet ingriedients together.

3. Stir banana mixture gently into the dry ingriedients till just moist.

4. Stir in chocolate chips.

5. Divide into 12 lined muffin cups and bake at 350°F about 30 minutes.

12 Muffins

Pickled Eggs

2 jars pickled beets

1 dozen medium sized hard boiled eggs

6 -8 whole cloves

1 onion sliced*

In a large bowl pour jars of pickled beets over peeled hard boiled eggs, sliced onion and whole cloves. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

*parboil the onion (whole) for 7-10 minutes to soften slightly before slicing, if desired.

Chocolate Mousse-ee Mousse

I just returned from spending a glorious month in South Africa this past week. On Sunday my Daughter came over and like many Sundays we run to the grocery store in search of something fun to make to eat later in the day. We just had breakfast so neither of us were very hungry, so finding something was more of a challenge this time... we decided on marinaded chicken, simple tossed salad, baby red potatoes and some sweet corn. For dessert my daughter kept saying she thought something like mousse would be nice, something like a chocolate mousse or a cake with mousse or anything mousse-ee mousse-ee..... ha! That's what she said, really : ) We found a real nice Chocolate at Sprouts grocery store called "Chocolate Block French Vanilla". Now neither of us have ever made homemade mousse so this was going to be a first. Guess what? It turned out divine! It was super easy too. Here it is:

8 ounces semi sweet or french vanilla chocolate, coarsely chopped 1/2 cup water, divided 2 tablespoons butter 3 egg yolks 2 tablespoons sugar 1 1/4 cups whipping cream, whipped In a microwave melt chocolate, 1/4 cup water and butter until the chocolate and butter are melted. Cool for 10 minutes. In a small heavy saucepan, whisk egg yolks, sugar and remaining water. Cook and stir over low heat until mixture reaches 160 degrees F. Remove from the heat; whisk in chocolate mixture. Set saucepan in ice and stir until cooled, about 5-10 minutes. Fold in whipped cream. Spoon into dessert dishes. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

Fresh Strawberry Pie

1 baked pie shell (cooled)

5-6 cups fresh strawberries divided

1 cup sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

3/4 cup water

3-4 drops red food coloring (optional)

Mash 1 cup strawberries

In a small saucepan combine sugar and cornstarch; stir in water and mashed berries.  Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, stir in food coloring if desired.  Cook and stir for 3 minutes.   Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Slice the remaining strawberries in half and place in baked pie shell.  Pour cooled strawberry glaze over strawberries.  Chill for at least 3 hrs.  Serve with fresh whipped cream.  

Jalapeno Poppers

Everyone loves these, especially Sissy : )

and they're a cinch to make.  

Preheat oven to 375 F.

8 Jalapenos, cut in half lengthwise, remove seeds

1/2 package cream cheese

8 slices bacon, cut in half

Fill jalapenos with cream cheese, wrap with bacon and secure with toothpicks.

Place the poppers on a wire rack over a broiling pan or baking sheet.

Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Enjoy!

Pasta Salad Texas Style

Salad:

1- 16 oz package rotini pasta (I used Barilla Plus this time, wheat pasta would be nice too)

1/2 green pepper, chopped

4-5 (small bunch) green onions, Chopped

handful of grape or cherry tomatoes, chopped

1 small can sliced black olives

Dressing:

1 packet taco seasoning

1/4 cup vinegar

3 tablespoons water

1/2 cup oil

Prepare pasta according to package instructions, drain and set aside.

Wisk together dressing ingredients

Toss veggies with warm pasta, and dressing.

Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

Pecan Pie

I was digging around my cupboard this afternoon and discovered I still have a bag of pecans from Christmas in there!  Being that Pecan is probably my husbands most favorite pie I thought I would go ahead and make one.  He is partial to the the one I make with chocolate (posted 09/19/08), but I don't have a single bit of chocolate around here,  so I made this one instead.  I Wonder if he will go for this one...

Pecan Pie - with a tad of Brandy because that's what I have, but Jim Beam would be nice too : )

1 stick unsalted butter

1 cup sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1 cup broken pecans

3 eggs slightly beaten

1-2 teaspoons Brandy

Melt butter in a small saucepan add sugar and corn syrup.  Cook until the sugar has dissolved, remove from heat.  Whisk in eggs, brandy and stir in pecans.  Pour into unbaked pie shell.

Bake at 350 F. for 50-60 minutes or until set

Robert's Stuffed Cabbage on the Grill

When I met my husband, we lived in Minnesota. We joined up with a few friends of his for an afternoon Braai, that's what they call a BBQ in South Africa. Mind you this wasn't your typical fun in the sun on a Sat. or Sun. afternoon in July or August... it was February and it was cold, really cold... like -20 F degrees cold... on a frozen lake!!! Geez and I thought I had seen everything! Well turns out it was great fun; what the heck else can you do when it's that cold on a frozen lake in the dead of winter? Ice Fish? Yep they were doing that too : ) They had the Weber grill out there with lots of great food cooking over the hot coals, and passed around a tot or two to warm the innards. The pictures below are of one of those Braai's. I think this one was on Lake Minnetonka.








OK back to Stuffed Cabbage on the Grill.... everyone would bring something to throw on the grill. Sometimes my husband would wrap one of these up and toss it on the grill, it was always a big hit. Last night we had a Braai here at our now Texas home; we cooked up some lamb chops, green beans & onions wrapped in foil and a stuffed cabbage! Give it a whirl it's fantastic!

1 small cabbage
1 onion, sliced
1 tomato, sliced
1/2 stick butter, slightly softened
salt and pepper

Cut 4 equal cuts through cabbage close to the core, being careful not to cut all the way through. Rub butter into each cut, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place slices of onion and tomato in each cut. Take a large piece of aluminum foil and butter one side and sprinkle with salt and pepper, wrap the cabbage tightly with the foil. Wrap the cabbage with another piece or two of foil. Place on a med-high grill and forget about it for about 3 hrs. No turning!

This can be tossed into a camp fire too, just be sure to wrap it well, and the cooking time will be less, depending on the fire.

Unwrap and enjoy!

Perfect Super Easy Oven Barbeque Ribs

1 rack pork loin ribs
Salt and pepper

Place Ribs in a large roasting pan.
Season with Salt and Pepper
Tightly Cover
Bake at 300 degrees for 3 hours.

Uncover and brush with *BBQ sauce, bake for another 20-30 minutes brushing with sauce every 8-10 minutes or so.

BBQ Sauce:

This sauce is more tangy than sweet (my husband likes it that way) but if you like your sauce more on the sweet side just add more brown sugar.

3 Tablespoons butter
1/4 Cup minced onion
1 Cup White Vinegar
1 Cup tomato sauce
1/4 Cup Worcestershire sauce
2 Teaspoons brown sugar
1 Teaspoon salt
1/2 Teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/8 Teaspoon cayenne pepper
Dash Tabasco sauce

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and saute for 6-8 minutes, or until the onions begin to turn golden. Stir in the remaining ingredients, reduce the heat to low, and cook until the mixture thickens, approximately 20 minutes, Stir frequently.

Use the Sauce warm. It keeps, refrigerated, for a couple of weeks.

*We use the bottled stuff now and then too, Stubb's spicy is our favorite!

Bean Salad

Well another salad here.... I love bean salad! It is easy to make and you can adjust it to fit. Normally I make it very simple and plain 3 beans, vinegar, sugar, oil and salt and pepper. Today I felt like changing that up just a little.

1 can green beans
1 can wax beans
1 can chick peas
1 can dark red kidney beans
1/2 small onion sliced very thin
1/2 small green pepper, chopped
1 jar pimento
3/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon celery seed

In a small bowl whisk sugar, vinegar, oil, garlic, salt, pepper and celery seed together

Drain all beans, chick peas and pimento. In a large bowl mix the beans, onion, green pepper and pimento together. Pour liquid over the salad and toss to coat. Chill for at least an hour and toss before serving.