Thanksgiving Stuffing

This is my Mother In-law's recipe. 

Ingredients:

1 loaf of white bread  (homemade preferred)
1 loaf of wheat bread (homemade preferred)
1 stock of celery
l large onion
1 package of mushrooms
Dripping from you giblets
1 stick of butter

Cut your bread into little squares (I take each piece of bread and cut it in 5 strips, then I turn an cut in to little squares about 5 times across the bread slice.).  I take the white bread and pour it on a cookie sheet,  I take the wheat bread and pour it on another cookie sheet.  I put them in on oven on 400 degrees.  I toast them until all sides are hard. So I check them a few times and stir them so they are all evenly cooked.  I cook them 1/2 to 1 hour.  No sides can be soft, they are just slightly brown.  I then pour them both in a big bowl and mix altogether.   I put 1 stick of butter in a frying pan and melt.  I dice a large onion in my alligator and about 12 long celery sticks.  I use the small blade in the alligator. I almost use a whole celery stock.  It makes perfect little squares as you can see.  I also slice one container of mushrooms. I saute' this all together in a large fry pan.   After the celery and onions are soft I use the dripping off the turkey giblets that I have boiled in a small pan.  I feel the fry pan up with the drippings then I add water.  I add about 1 quart of water.  2 teaspoons of poultry seasoning, and 2 Tablespoons of chicken bullion. Taste if it needs salt add about 1/2 teaspoon of salt.  Make sure all the bread is damp.  If it isn't you will need to add a little water.  Take this bowl full of your stuffing and pour in your slow cooker.  Cook for about 1 1/2 hours on low.  Or cook in a 9' by 13' pan covered well with aluminum foil, on 375 degrees for 1/2 to 1 hour until good and hot.  This is my husbands favorite thing about Thanksgiving Dinner. 

English Muffins

I love Eggs Benedict. So we make these mostly for that breakfast dish. Delicious. 

Ingredients

1/2 cup on non-fat dry milk or buttermilk

1 teaspoon salt

2 1/2  teaspoons of sugar

1 Tablespoon of shortening of Butter

1  1/2 cups of hot water

Add together in a cup and let this rise to the cup:

1 Tablespoon dry yeast

1/2 teaspoon of sugar

1/3 cup water

2 cups all purpose flour sifted  (2 1/2 cups of spelt flour)

(Equipment that you need, a fry pan with a lid on it,

4 metal rings,  a # 30 ice cream scoop)

I did this recipe in the compact Bosch with the dough hook

I added the first column of the recipe, then I added the risen cup of yeast.

The last thing that you add is the flour.

Mix altogether until the flour is all wet.  

Do-not over beat!

 Cover and let rise for 30 minutes

When risen take your fry pan and heat up with the rings inside the pan.  Heat on medium heat, when this is warm enough, spray the rings and pan lightly with vegetable spray.   Then take your ice cream scoop and put 2 scoops in each ring.   Make them a little over half full.  After about 4 minutes lift the rings out of the pan with some tongs.   They will keep there shape, then turn your english muffin over and cook again.   Should make 9 english muffins.

Our Favorite Homemade German Chocolate Cake

This is our go to Birthday cake. It is pure perfection.

For German Chocolate Cake recipe click here.

Coconut-Pecan Glaze/Frosting;

Ingredients:
1 can Evaporated Milk
1 1/4 cups Sugar
4-5 slightly beaten Egg Yolks
1 stick Butter
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 cup Pecans chopped
2 cups Coconut

Cook and stir first 5 ingredients over medium heat until thickened (it takes about 12 minutes). Add Coconut and Pecans. Let cool until glaze is easy to spread. Enjoy!

Summer Broccoli Salad

This is Michael's favorite summer salad.

Ingredients:
2 - 4 Heads of Broccoli
1/2 Red Onion(diced or chopped according to preference)
10 Slices of Bacon cooked crispy
1 cup Cashews
Grapes (according to preference)
Crasins (according to preference)
1 cup Mayo
1/3 cup Sugar
2 Tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar

Directions:
Cook Bacon until crispy and set aside to cool. Chop stems off of Broccoli an add to large bowl all of the above ingredients except Cashews. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Add Cashews and enjoy.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

This meal is easy and super delicious. I got the recipe from my amazing and talented sister in-law Emily. It has become a family favorite around our table.

Ingredients:

2 breasts of Chicken

4 slices of Ham

4 slices of Mozzarella Cheese

1 Cup Flour

1/2 tbsp of Seasonal Salt

Ground Pepper to taste

1 egg

1/4 cup of milk

Directions:

Cut breasts of chicken in half short ways (now you have four servings of chicken).  Then take each half breast and slice it down the middle (like you would a cut a roll in half) without going all the way through.  Open them and put a slice of ham and a slice of cheese inside, make sure you cut the ham and cheese to size.  Then close, and set aside.

In a mixing bowl add one egg and 1/4 c. milk.  Whisk until well combined.  In another bowl mix: flour, seasonal salt, and pepper.  Then take each stuffed piece of chicken and gently put it into the egg mixture until wet.  Then place it into the flour mixture and spoon the ingredients over the top.  When completely covered set the chicken aside on a plate.  Ready your skillet by adding a tbsp of oil and setting the oven to medium heat.  Then place the chicken into the skillet and cook until golden brown.  Make sure the chicken is cooked all the way through before removing from heat. Enjoy!

Hawiian Sloppy Joes

These are by far the best sloppy joes you will ever have the pleasure of consuming. 

Ingredients:

10-12 slices bacon

1 pound ground hamburger

1 whole medium yellow onion chopped

2 tablespoons minced garlic

1 whole yellow bell pepper seeded and chopped

1 can diced pineapple

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

1/4 cup soy sauce

3 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

8 oz tomato sauce - I used stewed tomatoes blended

2 tablespoons ketsup

2 tablespoons mustard

1/2 cup brown sugar

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

In a bowl combine last nine ingredients and whisk together.
In skillet caramelize onion with garlic and add pepper, beef and bacon. Brown through. Add above sauce and bring to simmer. Stir in pineapple. Eat on any type of roll or bun you choose. Enjoy!

(Copy Cat) Magleby's Buttermilk Syrup

My family loves this syrup. We use it on buttermilk pancakes, of buttermilk waffles or french toast. It is super easy to make at stores really well. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1/2 - 3/4 cup Butter
1 cup Buttermilk
2 cups Sugar
2 tbsp Light Corn Syrup
1 tbsp Baking Soda
1/2 tbsp vanilla

Directions:

In large pan, combine butter, buttermilk, sugar and corn syrup. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Next, add baking soda and vanilla. Syrup will begin to bubble up and foam. Stir until syrup settles. Store in fridge in air tight container. Warm in pan before serving, allowing for the bubble up factor.

Ultimate Fluffy Waffles

Oh my word. The first time I made these I was hooked, along with the rest of my crew. This is our go to waffle recipe, and a bi-weekly favorite breakfast around here.

Ingredients:
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup unbleached flour
1/4 cup rolled oats (blended)
1/3 cup instant nonfat dry milk
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
3 tablespoons canola oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups buttermilk

Directions:
In large bowl combine all dry ingredients and set aside. Next, separate egg yolks and white into two bowls. In the bowl with the yolks, add the vanilla and oil.  Whisk egg whites until stiff. Add yolk mixture to dry ingredients and give a few stirs. Fold in egg whites and let batter sit for 5 minutes. Can be used for waffles or pancakes.

Sweet Pork Barbacoa

This meal finds its way on to my family's table at least once a week, if not every other. It is that good. And no one ever gets sick of it. This is even better that Cafe' Rio's pork, which is saying something.


Cafe' Rio Style

Recipe for their 'Sweet Pork', 'Lime Rice', and 'Cilantro Dressing".

Lime Cilantro Dressing
1 Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Package (make as per recipe)
2-3 tomatillos
1/2 bunch Cilantro
1 clove garlic
1 juice of lime
1 Jalapeno (use the seeds if you like it spicy like us.)

Combine all ingredients in food processor and blend well. Let thicken and chill in fridge before serving.


Cafe' Rio Style Sweet Pork
6 lbs pork
16 oz Salsa
1 can Coke
2 cups brown sugar

Place Pork in crock pot and fill pot half way up with water. Cook on high for 5 hours. Drain water and and fat, cut Pork into smaller peices and add Coke, Salsa and Brown Sugar. Cook on high for another 3 hours. Shred Pork with forks and leave on low until ready to serve.

Lime Cilantro Rice
2 cups rice
4 cups chicken bouillon
2 tbsp. lime juice
4 tsp. garlic powder
2 tbsp. minced onion
dash of salt
2 cups cilantro

Cook first 6 ingredients with rice. When done add cilantro and lime remains to taste.

Super Moist - Homemade - Chocolate Cake

This chocolate cake recipe is for the chocolate lover. Pure perfection. It is so moist there almost isn't a need for a glass of milk to go with it...almost. I also use it for cupcakes. Anytime you take these cakes or cupcakes to an event, be prepared to have the recipe written down on a few note cards and be ready to hand them out to all your new admirers.

Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon of baking soda
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk (or 1 teaspoon of vinegar added to one cup of milk)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup cocoa
2 cups flour
1 cup hot water

Directions:
Here is the trick to a perfect cupcake or cake everytime. Place all the ingredients in a bowl at the same time. Pour hot water slowly into the bowl as you mix the ingredients with an electric mixer. Once all the water is poured in and the mixture is fully mixed, STOP mixing. Let it be.  Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes for cake, 12-15 minutes for the cupcakes.

Here is the recipe for the World's Best Chocolate Frosting

FROSTING (Taken from Hershey's website)

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter softened
2/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

I add all the ingredients together in a bowl and mix with an electric mixer for a good couple minutes until well combined, and fluffy.

Our Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

My husband is a cookie snob. We have been through recipe after recipe trying to perfect the perfect chocolate chip cookie. I think we have come pretty close. This recipe has some unusual ingredients, but trust me, it worth trying for yourself.

Ingredients:
1/2 cups rolled oats (blend well then measure 1/2 cup)
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
11/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter softened
3/4 cups brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1  teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs
3 cups semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Cream together eggs, butter, and sugar, vanilla, for at least 5 minutes. Add dry ingredients and blend well. Using a 1/4 measuring cup, scoop cookie dough onto baking sheet and chill in the freezer for 15-20 minutes. Cook on 350 degrees for about 12 minutes. Enjoy!

Candied Walnut Shrimp

Ingredients:
1 cup walnuts
1 Tablespoon butter
2 Tablespoons sugar

Melt the butter in a sauce pan.  Then put in your walnuts.  After they are all covered, add you sugar.  Keep mixing as it is cooking.  They will soon become coated like candy.  They will look nice a crisp.

Sauce:
3 Tablespoons mayonaise
1 Tablespoon honey
2 Tablespoon sweet condensed milk
1/2 Tablespoon lemon juice

Make your sauce a mix together.  Make sure your honey is can easily be poured.  The sweetened condensed milk that I used i made from a recipe that is found on this blog, under desserts.

Coated Shrimp:
1 pound shrimp
1 cup flour
1 Tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup water

Coat all your shrimp then fry in hot grease.  As soon as your shrimp is done you can put it all in a bowl nice and hot, then coat with your sauce.  Add your wonderful walnuts and pour over your precooked rice.

Lime Cilantro Dressing

This is the best dressing - ever. period. the end. =) Better than Cafe Rio's too. And its Home Made. L-O-V-E.

Ingredients:

1 pkg. Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch
1 cup Mayo
1 cup Buttermilk
5-6 Tomatillos
1 jalapeno
Juice from 3 limes
1/2 -1 bunch cilantro

Directions:
In food processor or blender, combine mayo, buttermilk, tomatillos, jalapeno, lime, and cilantro. Once smooth, add Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch packet. Pulse 2-3 times to incorporate. Store in fridge to thicken. Enjoy!

Perfect Tortillas

This is the perfect tortilla recipe. Big, light and fluffy, and great tasting.

Ingredients:
8 cups white flour
2 Tbsp. vital wheat gluten (optional)
3 tsp. salt
3/4 cup canola oil
3 1/8 cups hot water

Directions:
Mix all ingredients thoroughly in Bosch mixer with dough hook attachment. Dough should be moist, but not sticky (add a little extra flour if the dough is too sticky). Allow mixture to sit 15 minutes covered in plastic. Divide the dough into balls (a little smaller than a a tennis balls). Cover & let stand 10-15 minutes. Allow your tortilla press to heat up for about 5 minutes before pressing the tortillas. I press them out one right after another (I do not cook them), and stick them in a plastic bag so I have fresh tortillas in the fridge to pull out for certain recipes.

Creamy Chicken Taquintos

These are amazing! They are crispy and bursting with flavor. Michael ate 7 the first time I made them.

Ingredients:

2 cups shredded chicken

1/4 - 1/2 cup lime cilantro dressing (recipe here)

4 oz cream cheese (softened)

2 or so spoonfuls of sour cream

1/2 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp onion powder
2-3 tbs McCormick Chicken Taco seasoning

1 cup cheese

8-10 tortillas (recipe here)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cook chicken through on skillet (if frozen boil for 20 minutes). Shred. In bowl combine all ingredients together (minus tortillas). Cook Tortillas until slightly blistered. Fill each tortilla with 2-3 spoonfuls of chicken mixture, roll and place on baking sheet. Glaze lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Enjoy!

Tomato Basil Soup

This dish is Delish, and sooooe easy! Creamy and hearty, this soup warms the soul. This is one of my very favorite soup recipes. I hope you enjoy it too. Bon Apitie'!

Ingredients:

5 cups water

5 cubes chicken bullion

5 cups heavy cream

large can of pumpkin

2 jars Barilla tomato sauce

shake of garlic

shake of paprika

Directions:

Combine all ingredients on stove a heat through.