THE Quiche

This recipe really should be called "Pepper Cheese Quiche" because it has delicious roasted red bell peppers and tons and tons of cheese, but calling it "THE Quiche" is also fitting since it is the ONLY quiche I will be making from now on.  My family proclaimed it the best quiche they've ever had, and they've had a lot of quiche!

THE Quiche

by Erin Taylor
                                                                                                                               Oven 375 deg.

6 eggs plus 1 egg yolk
1 1/2 C. whole cream (no milk for this baby!)
1 C. grated Mozzerella Cheese
1/2 C. grated Cheddar/ Jack cheese
1/2 C. Pepper Jack cheese, grated
*1/4 C. roasted Red Bell Peppers, chopped (in the jar, usually in the pickle section, or Italian section)
**1/4 C.  Jalapeno Artichoke Dip (I buy it from Costco)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 pre-made pie shell, baked about 10 minutes at 350 deg. (store bought works great!)


Beat the eggs and egg yolk until frothy. Stir in the rest of the ingredients.  Pour into baked pie shell and bake at 35 deg. for about 50  minutes, or until the center puffs up slightly and no longer "jiggles".  Let cool slightly before serving.

* You may choose to swap out red peppers for chopped spinach or even green onions. Keep it simple, though. This quiche is best with light ingredients
** If you don't have this dip, use 3 Tbsp. Cream Cheese, softened, 2 Tbsp Fresh Parmesan Cheese, grated, and 1 small can of green chilis for a decent substitute.

English Tea Scones (aka Alfred Cakes)

My son came home with an assignment to make "Alfred Cakes" for a school history class. They are very delightful! They taste just like English scones- all warm, fluffy, and filled with fruit. They even have currents which I have never baked with before. (Very much like a cross between dried cranberries and raisins. In fact, you can just use raisins or cranberries because they are cheaper.)

English Tea Scones


2 C. flour
1/2 C. sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 C. currants or raisins, or Craisins (dried cranberries)
1/2 C. dates, cut into small pieces

6 tbsp. butter, cut up

2 eggs
1/4 C. heavy whipping cream
1/4 C. orange juice

Set oven to 425 degrees.
Mix together dry ingredients (flour, sugar, bkg. pwd, salt, nutmeg.)
Cut in the butter until mixtures resemble breadcrumbs.
Add dried fruit and mix together.
In smaller bowl mix eggs, cream, and orange juice together.
Add wet mixture to dry and mix carefully until just incorporated. Do NOT over mix!
Pour contents of mixing bowl out onto lightly floured surface and knead until dry ingredients are mixed into the wet.
Gently roll or pat out the dough until about 1 to 1 1/2" thick. Using a cup or your hands, form dough into circles and place on baking sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes or until tops are lightly golden brown.

Put a small spoonful of glaze on top of each scone and gently spread around the top.  Enjoy!

Orange Glaze

1 C. powdered sugar
1/4 C. orange juice
Mix together until all lumps are gone. Mixture should not be too runny. Add more sugar if it needs to be thicker.  Pour or spoon over scones.

 

Spinach and Mushroom Breakfast Casserole

I love breakfast casseroles- they're easy to throw together, and so great to just put in the oven and enjoy on a lazy Saturday morning. This one will make the non-meat eaters happy, and the rest of us, as well! I couldn't keep from sneaking the mushrooms as I was cooking them, though. *My sister-in-law gave me this recipe and calls it Spinach Stuffing, because it uses breadcrumbs. But, with my modifications, I prefer to eat it for breakfast!

                                                                                                       picture taken from  open.salon.com

Spinach and Mushroom Breakfast Casserole   adapted by Erin Taylor from Laura Webb's recipe.

 

1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed

1/2 cup butter

1/4 pound mushrooms, thinly sliced

1 cup diced celery

1/4 cup chopped onion

3 cups fresh bread crumbs

1 15-ounce container ricotta cheese

4 egg

1 tablespoon minced parsley

1 teaspoon salt

1 Tbsp Poultry gravy mix

1/8 teaspoon pepper

 

1. Squeeze spinach dry with paper towels.

2. In 4-quart saucepan over medium heat, in hot butter, cook mushrooms, celery and onion until tender, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally; remove from heat.

3. Add remaining ingredients and spinach; mix well.

4. Bake in an uncovered, greased  9 x 13 casserole  at 350F for 30 to 45 minutes.

Party Punch

This punch recipe was given to me by a lady in church and it is fantastically delicious! I poured some of it out into small containers and froze them to use as ice for the punch so it wouldn't get watered down. Make it today! (This recipe makes a LOT of punch- 5 gallons!)

Party Punch  from  Dorothy Astill

5 packages of each:

Cherry Kool Aid
Orange Kool Aid

8 cups sugar

1 can (46 oz) Pineapple Juice
1 can (between 48 and 64 oz) bottled Orange Juice (not fresh or frozen, but on the shelf)
1 tsp banana extract (I used about a Tbsp cause it tastes so good!)

In very large cooler, pour contents of both juices into cooler and add all packets of Kool Aid. Stir around until mixed well. Add water to equal 5 gallons. Add sugar and banana extract and stir thoroughly.

Chill and serve!

(2 gallon batch:)

2 pkgs each:
Cherry and Orange Kool Aid

3 1/2 C. sugar
1 tsp banana extract

approx. 18-24 oz Pineapple Juice, canned
approx. 25-32 oz. Orange Juice, canned

Pour juices into a 2 Gallon pitcher and add Kool Aid mixes and sugar. Add banana extract, and fill the rest of the pitcher with water (to equal 2 gallons).

Stir thoroughly and enjoy!
 

Grandma Luker's Carrot Orange Cookies

My grandma Luker used to make these cookies and they were always my favorite. Years went by and I searched for someone with the recipe, but to no avail. Just the other day I tried one more recipe and Lo! This is it! I tweaked it a bit, as I always do, and they are simply irresistable!

 

(I have no picture yet. These turn out to be little rounded mounds, not flattened. More cake-like.)

 

Grandma Luker's Carrot Orange Cookies   adapted by Erin Taylor

 

3/4 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup finely mashed carrots

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 pinch allspice

 

Frosting:

 

1 tablespoon orange juice (or a little bit more for desired consistency)

1 cup powdered sugar

1 T. butter, softened

 

1. Cream the shortening and sugar on medium speed; add the egg. Add all ingredients except the nuts and beat until combined. Stir in the nuts.
2. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until light golden brown on bottoms.
3. Meanwhile, whisk together all the ingredients for the frosting until smooth and spreadable.
4. When the cookies are done, transfer to a wire rack to cool for a few minutes. Dollop a bit of frosting onto each and let it drizzle down the sides. Let cool completely before serving. About 3 dozen.

 

 

Oreo Chocolate Chip Cookies

These... are... AMAZING!!! I found the recipe online, but tweaked it to my taste, and they are soooo good!


(picture from lovintheoven.com)

Oreo Chocolate Chip Cookies  by Erin Taylor (adapted from this recipe on lovintheoven.com)

Ingredients

• 1 stick softened butter
• 1/2 C. Crisco
• 1/4 C. oil
• 3/4 C. sugar
• 34 C/ brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 box Oreo pudding mix
• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 1/4 C. Corn Starch
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 15 broken pieces Oreo Cookies
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 C. white chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.Cream butter, and sugars.  Add eggs and mix for 3 minutes until very fluffy. 
2. Slowly add dry ingredients: flour, corn starch, baking soda, salt, pudding mix- to wet ingredients then stir in oreos and chocolate chips until just combined.
3. Scoop dough onto baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes or until cooked, but still soft.Let cool on baking sheet for 3 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.

Golden Fish and Chips

Ever since I had authentic fish and chips in London, I have craved that crispy, golden fried goodness! Some places come close, others don't even qualify to be called fish and chips. This homemade version I came up with yesterday is about as close as I can come to the english perfection I had years ago! Prepare yourselves for sheer deep fried goodness!



Golden Fish and Chips by Erin Taylor

For the batter:

mix together in bowl:

1 3/4 C. flour
2 egg yolks (I used egg substitute and it worked great!)
1 tsp. salt
dash pepper
1/4 C. apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 C. (or more) Club Soda or tonic water (more if you want thinner batter.)

Place batter in refrigerator while prepping potatoes and fish (helps de-activate the gluten.)

4-8 large fish fillets (may cut into smaller 2" chunks)- cod, halibut, tilapia (a firm fish for frying)
4 med. baking potatoes, cut in strips for french fries, soaked in cold water

Crisco, Peanut oil, or Coconut oil for frying

Heat oil in deep skillet. Keep on medium heat so it doesn't smoke or get too hot. Drain water from potatoes and pat dry both potatoes and fish. Dredge potatoes* and fish in batter. (* for a lighter, crispier fry, you may wait until finished with the fish, then thin the batter a bit to do the fries in. Or you can opt to not batter the fries and just fry them "naked".) Fry on medium heat until golden on all sides. About 4 minutes. If it browns too quickly reduce heat and cool oil before continuing.

Place finished pieces on paper towel, salt to taste, and place in warm oven to keep warm.
Serve with homemade tartar sauce and/or malt vinegar

Homemade Tartar Sauce

1/2 C. mayonaise
1/2 C. sour cream
2 dill pickle quarters, chopped finely
2 tsp. lemon juice (or pickle juice)
1 tsp dill weed
1 tsp garlic salt or season salt of your choice ( I use greek seasoning)

mix together and refridgerate until serving

Love Your Husband Chicken

Three words: Creamy, Warm, Delicious! I made this casserole up tonight with what I had on hand and it was amazingly delicious. I call it Love Your Husband chicken because he said I must love him a lot to feed him this! Very easy to make, and even easier to eat.

Love Your Husband Chicken by Erin Taylor

Preheat Oven to  375deg.

Use a medium casserole dish, or 8 X 9 baking dish, spray with pan spray.

Spread 1 C. Uncooked Rice (I used Jasmine, but any white or long grain rice will do) in bottom of baking dish.

Pour 1 C. Water over rice.

Sprinkle 1 C. Frozen peas over rice.

Lay 6 Chicken Thighs (deboned, no skin, opened up flat) across peas and rice.

Sprinkle with a little salt for flavor.

Chop 1/2 large Red Bell Pepper and sprinkle over Chicken Thighs.

In mixing bowl combine:

1 can Cream of Mushroom, celery, or chicken soup,
1 C. finely grated Parmesan Cheese
2 tsp. Garlic powder or salt
1 C. Water

Pour sauce mixture over chicken. Using a spoon, move each chicken piece aside to allow sauce to seep down through the cracks on the sides and in the middle.

Finally, chop two slices of uncooked Bacon and sprinkle on top of casserole. Place, uncovered, in preheated oven and bake for 1 hour until sauce is bubbly and beginning to brown a bit on the sides, and chicken is fully cooked in the middle.

 

Sausage and Lentil Casserole

Lentils are really good for you. And I don't know how many people actually make them. I wasn't one of them, until a few years ago. My aunt brought a lentil casserole to a baby shower and it was sooo deliciously amazing I had to try one of my own. It is very quick to assemble, and tastes sooo good!


Sausage and Lentil Casserole by Erin Taylor
serves 4-5 people

Preheat oven to 375 deg.

In casserole dish or deep 8 X 9 pan, add the following ingredients and mix together:

1/2 package (16oz. size) lentils, rinsed
1 can chopped tomatoes with juice
2 C. chicken stock (or equivalent)
1 lb. ground breakfast sausage,  uncooked, broken into small pieces
pinch of salt and pepper

Lay 4 to 5 strips of bacon (uncooked) across the top of the casserole (will be very liquidy at this point. Don't worry, lentils will absorb the liquid.) and place in preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour, uncovered.*  Remove from oven and let sit for 10 minutes or so before serving.

*may add cheese at the end and just pop back in the  oven to melt. I prefer it without the cheese, but my husband and son love it with the cheese.

** Get creative! Add chopped spinach, diced red peppers, summer sausage, mixed veggies, cut carrots---- the list is endless!

 

Pepper and Pineapple Cheese Ball

My Sister-in-law made this cheeseball last year and I couldn't stop eating it! There was something so delicious about it, and I didn't know what. When she told me the recipe has pineapple in it I couldn't believe it! Pineapple and Green Peppers??? But it works, I'm telling you! Try it!


Pepper and Pineapple Cheese Ball  (from Jennie Evans)

2 packages cream cheese-softened
1/4 cup green peppers chopped very small (Also green chilis or jalapenos would be awesome!)
1/4 cup green onion also chopped small
1 tsp. season-all
1 small can crushed pineapple (this is the almost tuna sized can)
Crushed nuts (walnuts, pecans,  or almonds)

Mix together, then shape into a ball. Cover with saran wrap.

Sweet Potato Casserole

I got this recipe from a boyfriend's mother a long time ago, and it has been a hit during holidays ever since. I added a few more spices, but it's always amazing- especially with those who claim to hate yams!

(picture from Elizadomestica.com)

Sweet Potato Casserole addapted by Erin Taylor

Mix together:
3-4 large sweet potatoes- skin them, then boil until soft & mash (I cooked mine in the crock pot with water overnight, and omitted the milk*.)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, well beaten
1/4 cup melted butter
1 tsp vanilla
2 Tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. allspice
2 tsp. salt
1/3 cups milk*
Pour ingredients into a sprayed 9 X 13 pan.
Cover with coconut topping:

Topping:
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
5 Tbl melted butter
1 C. shredded coconut
1 cup pecans chopped (optional)

Bake at 350 deg. for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

Shrimp and Pumpkin Creole Soup

I love pumkin soup- you know, the kind with warm spices of cinnamon and nutmeg? Well, my husband does NOT like that kind. So today I made pumkin soup but added creole spice and shrimp. Hello, new favorite! And perfect for a chilly winter day!

Shrimp and Pumpkin Creole Soup by Erin Taylor

2 C. pumkin puree (I used fresh, but canned would work great.)
1 Quart chicken stock (or 1 Qt. water and 1 Tbsp. chicken bouillon)
2 C. water (for thicker soup, add less water, for thinner, add more.)
1/4 C. chopped red bell pepper
1/4 C. chopped celery
1 Tbsp chopped onion
1 C. chopped uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails off
1 Tbsp Creole Spice
1/2 C. powdered milk
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
*(optional) 1 Tbsp bacon bits  (adds a bit of smokey flavor)
Salt to taste

In medium pot combine all ingredients. (If soup is too thick, thin with water to desired consistancy.)  Heat on medium stirring often for about 10 minutes. Using stick blender, or regular blender, puree all contents of pot until nice and smooth in texture. Return to heat and simmer on low for 15 minutes to let all flavors combine.

Great with cornbread!

Black Tie Mousse Cake

(photo by baylor_gal on food.com)

I'm not kidding you, this stuff is like heaven in your mouth. Your tastebuds will scream for more. Your body will crave it when it's gone. You will dream about it!  It has many steps, and you need to be patient, but when you take it out of the refridgerator and slice through the smooth creaminess, and your tongue slides the rich, fluffy mousse from your fork, and your saliva starts to ooze like a slow moving chocolate river, you will KNOW you did the right thing!


Black Tie Mousse Cake  (from Food.com)

Ingredients:

Layer 1:

1 box Devil's Food cake mix (prepared in two round cake pans according to box directions. You will use one round for this recipe.
1 pkg. chocolate pudding mix- added to cake mix

Layer 2:

1 teaspoon knox unflavored gelatin

1 tablespoon cold water

2 tablespoons boiling water

4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips

4 ounces cream cheese, cubed

3/4 cup heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar

 

Layer 3:

3 egg yolks

1/4 cup granulated sugar

3 tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon knox unflavored gelatin

1 3/4 cups heavy cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Layer 4:

 

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

2 tablespoons butter

18 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional)

 

mini chocolate chips for decorating sides of cake

 

Directions:

 
1. BOTTOM LAYER (cake)
2. Bake according to directions on box using 2 round pans, then cool. Once cooled, use the cake from one pan as one layer (you do not need the second cake from the second pan. In other words, you only need half the box cake recipe). Place this round cake at the bottom of a CHEESECAKE PAN. Press it with your fingers and flatten the cake a little. This is the bottom layer out of four layers.
3. SECOND LAYER (the chocolate mousse):
4. Melt chocolate and cream cheese together. Let cool. Soften gelatin with cold water for 1 minute, then add boiling water, stir until dissolved and clear. Let this cool while you start whipping the heavy cream and sugar. As cream starts to thicken, add gelatin. Continue to whip until stiff peaks form. Add 1/4 of the cream to the chocolate mixture and mix thoroughly. Then fold this into the remaining cream. Once you have it completed, spread this chocolate mousse onto the cake and refrigerate.
5. THIRD LAYER (the custard):
6. Beat egg yolks until pale. Add sugar, flour, and gelatin, then beat until mixed. Bring cream and vanilla extract to a boil. Add a small amount of cream to egg mixture while stirring. Gradually add until all of the cream has been added and then pour entire mixture through a strainer into the pan. Continue to cook until custard begins to thicken. Cool slightly, then pour on top of the chocolate mousse layer and freeze while getting the fourth layer ready.
7. FOURTH LAYER (the icing):.
8. Please note: this makes a lot of icing so feel free to half this part of the recipe (I just happen to like a lot of icing on top). Bring butter and cream to a boil, pour over chocolate and let sit for 5 minutes. Stir until smooth. Let cool until it starts to thicken. Remove cake from freezer, remove the cheesecake pan collar, then pour some of the icing and use a spatula to spread it evenly across the top and sides of the cake. While this is still wet, put mini chocolate chips onto the side of the cake. Optional: Melt half a cup of white chocolate chips (in the microwave) and swirl into the icing if you want yours to look like the picture.
9. Refrigerate the cake. Serve cold. Delicious!

Kung Pao Chicken

This asian dish cooks up quickly, despite the long list of ingredients, and tastes delicious! (This image is taken from Uchinatravel.com. I was going to take a picture of mine, but we ate it all, and an empty plate wouldn't be as attractive.)


Kung Pao Chicken (and/or Lettuce Wraps*)  by Erin Taylor
serves 4

Chicken and veggies:
3 Tbsp canola or peanut oil
1 C. chicken breast, cubed (would also work great with shrimp!)
1 C. chopped celery
1/2 C. chopped red bell pepper
2 green onions, chopped
1/2 C. carrotts, chopped
1/2 C. snow peas or sugar snap peas
1 tsp. chopped garlic

sauce ingredients:
2 Tbsp hoisin sauce
1 Tbsp.  fish sauce
1/4 C. low sodium soy sauce
2 Tbsp. peanut butter
2 Tbsp. poultry gravy mix
1 C. water
1 tsp. red pepper flakes (omit for no heat, add more for more heat)
salt to taste

1 bag cole slaw mix
cooked rice
salted peanuts (for garnish)
Lettuce leaves (for lettuce wraps, only)

In large skillet or wok, heat oil. Add chopped chicken and cook quickly until chicken begins to turn white. Quickly add remaining vegetables and saute until they become slightly tender. (about 3 minutes.) Turn heat down and add remaining sauce ingredients. Stir and let simmer with lid off until chicken is finished cooking.  (add more water for a saucier dish.)

Place small handful of cole slaw mix onto center of plate. Scoop cooked rice over cole slaw mix. Smother with Kung Pao chicken and sauce and garnish with salted peanuts. Serve immediately.

*For Lettuce wraps, complete instructions for chicken and veggies, and sauce. Add 1/4 C. salted peanuts to mixture. Spoon into large lettuce leaves and roll up.

 

Green Tomato Enchilada Sauce

(picture taken from ifood.tv)

Every time we go to a mexican restaurant my husband asks "Do you have green sauce?" He is usually disappointed with the so-called green sauce. Well, I had an over-abundance of green tomatoes and thought I'd make my own. The verdict? Well, let's just say if he had to choose to either marry me all over again or eat that sauce the decision might be a difficult one!  Needless to say, it's a great way to use up those unripened tomatoes after your harvest!

*NOTE: this canning recipe is for about 6 quarts of sauce, and is not exact! Adjust seasonings to your own taste!

Green Tomato Enchilada Sauce by Erin Taylor

In a large pot with heavy bottom (I used an 8 quart pot), add:

(about) 5 quarts pureed green tomatoes. (measured after they are pureed)

Turn on med. heat and let cook while pureeing the following ingredients in a blender:

6-7 Anaheim Chilies, seeds removed (no need to roast or peel)
1 onion
1 bunch cilantro
4-5 jalapenos, seeds removed for mild sauce, or add seeds for more heat.

Stir into pot with tomatoes and let cook a few minutes.

Add 4-5 C. chicken stock and 1/2 c. Poultry Gravy powder. Stir thoroughly.

Next, add:

3-4 Tbsp. Cumin Powder
2 Tbsp Chili Powder
1-2 Tbsp. Garlic Powder or Salt
1/4 C. Olive Oil
Salt to taste

Let simmer for about 10 minutes stirring every few minutes. With a stick blender puree mixture for about 3 minutes to make it smoother.

Remove from heat and pour into sterilized quart jars. Process according to directions on canner.

Harry Potter Butterbeer

Harry Potter Butterbeer? Well, this tastes exactly like I always imagined it would! And it's perfect for those crisp fall evenings watching the movies.



Butterbeer



Serves: 4



1 C. brown sugar

2 Tbsp. water

6 tbsp. butter

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cider vinegar

3/4 C. heavy cream

1/2 tsp rum extract


4 12oz. bottles club soda *  (*using unsweetened soda makes it tollerably sweet, rather than over-the-top unbearably sweet like other recipes calling for cream soda or Sprite.)


In small saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar and water. Bring to a gentle boil and cook, stirring often, until the mixture reads 240 deg. on candy thermometer. Stir in the butter, salt, vinegar and 1/4 C. heavy cream. Set aside to cool to room temperature. Once the mixture has cooled, stir in the rum extract.



In a medium bowl, combine 2 Tbsp of brown sugar mixture and remaining 1/2 C. heavy cream. Use an electric mixer to beat until just thickened, but not completely whipped.



To serve, divide the brown sugar mixture between 4 tall glasses. (about 1/4 c. for each glass). Add 1/4 C. of club soda to each glass, then stir to combine. Fill each glass nearly to the top with additional soda, then spoon the whipped topping over each.

Divine Hot Fudge Sauce

I LOVE homemade hot fudge! Who doesn't?  Well, I tried a new recipe last night- other than my usual- and it was divine! It takes just a few minutes to make.

Divine Hot Fudge Sauce
(taken from my friend Karen Brown's recipe. I doubled the recipe so I can keep the rest in a jar in the fridge for later and made one small change noted with an *)

2 C. sugar
1 Can evaporated milk
1/4 C plus 1 Tbsp. Cocoa powder
2 Tbsp. Karo Syrup

2 Tbsp. butter
1 tsp. Rum flavoring* (original recipe calls for 2 tsp. vanilla)

In saucepan, boil first 4 ingredients, stirring constantly until a ball forms when dropped into cold water. (This was about 5 minutes.)  Remove from heat and stir in butter and rum flavoring.  Serve over ice cream. Keep left overs in covered container in refridgerator and eat by the spoonful when the kids are at school!

Fluffy and Light Dinner Rolls

    (picture taken from http://www.life-as-a-lofthouse.blogspot.com/2011/08/texas-roadhouse-rolls-and-cinnamon.html#)

I saw these on Life as a Lofthouse blog and wondered if they really would taste like the Texas Roadhouse rolls they claimed to be. Verdict: I can't say they were like Texas Roadhouse, but they were really quite delicious and light and fluffy. I loved them so much I have taped the recipe to the inside of my cabinet where I keep all my go-to recipes, so that should say something! I tweaked the recipe a bit to eliminate the scalded milk step, and halved it. (maybe this is why they didn't taste exactly like the "real" thing. Hmmm... maybe I should try them the original way first, huh? Well, these were great as they are!)

 

Fluffy and Light Dinner Rolls

Yields 12 large rolls

 

2 teaspoons Active Dry Yeast

1/4 cup Warm Water

1 cup Warm Water ( or Whole Milk, scalded and cooled to lukewarm)

1/4 C. dry milk (omit if using whole milk)

1 1/2 Tablespoons Butter, softened

1/4 cup Sugar

3.5 cups All-Purpose Flour

1 Eggs

1 teaspoons Salt

 

DIRECTIONS: Dissolve yeast in warm water with  sugar, in the bowl of a stand mixer. Once yeast has dissolved, add milk, sugar and 1 cup of flour. Beat thoroughly on medium speed. Let stand until foamy (about 2 minutes). Add butter, eggs and salt. Beat well.

Gradually add in another 2.5 cups of flour, slowly, to form a soft dough while mixer is on low.  *NOTE* Do not use more than 4 cups of flour total. The dough will be very soft and somewhat sticky, you may think it needs more flour, but it does not.

Knead dough in stand mixer with the dough hooks, for about 4 minutes. If you knead it with your hands, you will need to grease up your hands with some cooking spray, to help the dough from not sticking to your hands.

Once kneaded, place into a large, greased bowl. Place dough inside, and turn over to grease top. *NOTE* Again, dough will be sticky so you may need to grease your hands to handle while putting dough in the bowl to let rise. Cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.

Once dough has risen, remove from bowl and place onto a lightly floured surface. Lightly flour a rolling pin, and roll dough out into a large rectangle, that is a 1/2 inch thick. Cut dough in half length-wise and then in strips making 12 total, then fold each strip into thirds, or roll it up and place in greased baking dish. (or if you want squares like Texas Roadhouse,  using a pizza cutter, slice dough into 12 large squares. Place squares onto greased cookie sheets. Cover, and let rise again, until doubled in size.

Bake rolls at 350 for 16-18 minutes, or until lightly golden on top. Remove from oven, and immediately brush tops with butter.

Stuffed Zucchini

This meal could not be simpler, or more delicious.  It takes about 15 minutes to prepare, 30 minutes to bake, and about 3 minutes to devour! Smother with sauteed mushrooms or onions for a beautiful presentation, top with freshly chopped garden tomatoes, or eat by itself for a delicious, easy meal.


Stuffed Zucchini by Erin Taylor

1 box instant stuffing mix (I even used the generic brand and it was delicious!)
1 medium zucchini (about  a foot long and about 3-4 inches across.)
1/2 lb. breakfast sausage (I prefer the kind not in the casings, but you can use the link kind and remove the casings)
Olive oil
salt and pepper

Turn oven on Broil setting.  Slice zucchini in half cross-wise, and then cut each half in half lengthwise.  Scoop out the seedy center with a spoon so you have a nice, smooth chanel running down the length of the zucchini.  Place a sheet of tin foil on bottom of baking sheet. Brush a little olive oil on pan where the zucchini will sit. Place zucchini halves onto foil lined sheet and brush tops with more olive oil. Sprinkle with a dash of salt and pepper and place in oven on middle rack and broil for 10-12 minutes or until tops are browned. (At this point you will begin making stuffing while zucchini is in oven.) Remove zucchini from oven and let cool a few minutes before stuffing. *Turn oven setting to Bake at 375 degrees.*

Prepare stuffing mixture while zucchini is broiling.

Make stuffing according to box directions, omitting butter or oil. (You won't need it with the sausage inside.) When stuffing is made, crumble (uncooked) breakfast sausage into the mixture and stir thoroughly with a wooden spoon (NOT your hands, it's too hot!) until mixed well. Scoop mixture into chanel in zucchini and spread across evenly. Use all the stuffing by heaping it across each zucchini evenly.

Drizzle tops of zucchini with a little olive oil and place in oven set to 375 deg.  Bake for 30 minutes until stuffing is crispy and browned. Remove from oven and let sit a few minutes before serving.

*Optional: You can make sauteed mushrooms or onions to place on top. Makes for a beautiful presentation and an extra pop of flavor, although it doesn't need it!

Mint Chocolate Brownies

Ok, folks. Mint + Chocolate + Brownies = a no-fail crowd pleaser!  These are from-scratch, so none of that out-of-the-box stuff here. (Although, I don't mind some out of the box brownies. Really.)

Mint Chocolate Brownies  by Erin Taylor

Brownies:
1 1/4 C. Flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2/3 C. unsweetened cocoa powder (not dutch-processed.)
2 1/4 C. granulated Sugar
1/2 C. chopped nuts* (pecans, almonds, walnuts... whatever. *Optional.)
4 eggs
3/4 C. butter, melted

preheat oven to 350 deg.
Throw everything in a big mixing bowl and stir until all ingredients are combined. Pour into greased 9 X 13 pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely before frosting and serving.

Mint Frosting:
1/2 C. butter
1/2 C. Shortening
4 c. Powdered Sugar
3 Tbsp milk
1 egg
1-2 tsp peppermint extract (depending on how minty you like it.)
dash of salt
green food coloring (about 4 drops, but you can make it as green as you like.)

Whip all ingredients (but food coloring) in mixing bowl until light and fluffy.  Add food coloring and whip until mixture is all one uniform color. Spread over cooled brownies and drizzle with chocolate drizzle. (below)

Chocolate drizzle:

1 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 Tbsp. Shortening

Melt chocolate chips and shortening in microwave safe bowl in 30 second increments, stirring after each, until chocolate is smooth and melted. Dip spoon into chocolate and drizzle in sweeping motions back and forth across the brownies. Repeat until all chocolate is used, or until brownies look to good to wait to eat any longer!