Karen's Refrigerator Cake

Refrigerator Cake
Recipe and picture courtesy of Karen Dirgins-Graves

aka the easiest cake to make in the history of cake making:
What you need--1 package of Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers1 bowl of whipped cream (you can use Cool Whip, but it doesn't turn out as good)

Directions:
Sandwich the cookies with the whipped cream to make a cookie log, then ice the whole thing with whipped cream. Refrigerate overnight for the cookies get a chance to soft.

Whipped Cream: 1 pint heavy whipping cream, 2 tbsp. confectioners sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla. Beat with a electric mixer until soft peaks form.

Karen's Tadals or Anise Drop Cookies

Picture and Recipe courtesy of Karen Dirgins-Graves

Cookies:

6 eggs
3/4 cup melted butter
1 cup sugar
2 tsp. anise flavoring
2 tbsp. baking powder
4 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt

Icing:

3 cups confectioner's sugar
1/2 hot milk

pinch of anise flavoring

Cream together eggs, butter, and sugar. Add anise.
Mix dry ingredients together. Add to creamed mixture.

Drop by teaspoonful onto a nonstick cookie sheet.

Bake at 350, 8-15 minutes. Allow to cool before icing and add sprinkles.

Valerie's Shephard's Pie

Recipe courtesy of: Valerie Alava Ross

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
Couple cloves crushed garlic
3/4 cup chopped carrots
Small can corn
1 Can beef gravy
Mash potatoes
Shredded cheese
Browned ground beef in garlic.

Directions:

Drain meat. Sauté onion and carrots in meat till soft. Add corn and gravy and mix well. Transfer to greased baking dish. Top with mashed potatoes and shredded cheese.

Bake @ 350 for 25 to 30 minutes or till bubbly.

Swedish Glog (mulled wine)

Ingredients:

2 cups water
12 cardamom seeds
2 whole cloves
1/2 orange, zested
1 cup white sugar
1 cup raisins
1 cup blanched almonds
4 cups Muscatel wine, or orange Muscat
4 cups port wine (or Burgundy)
2 cups brandy

Directions:

Bring water to a boil with cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and orange zest; stir in sugar until dissolved. Remove from heat, and allow to steep overnight.
Place the raisins and almonds into a large saucepan. Strain the sugar water into the raisins, then pour in Muscatel, port, and brandy. Place over medium-high heat, and cook until hot but not simmering.
Serve warm in a mug with some fruit and almonds in each cup.

Our Family's Thanksgiving Stuffing

Ingredients:

This recipe serves 4. For Thanksgiving we double the recipe.

6 Tbs Butter
1 cup chopped onions
1 cup chopped celery
2 tsps chopped fresh Sage or 1 tsp dried
1  1/2 cups chicken broth
8 cups cubed bread crumbs of prepared stuffing in bag
*optional* 1/2 cup cooked crumbled sausage and/or dried cranberries

Directions:

Melt butter in saucepan over medium hight heat. Add celery and onions and cook for 4-5 min.
Remove from heat.

Add broth to stuffing in a large bowl and mix lightly.
Place into turkey or in a casserole dish covered.

Jessica's Lasagna Cupcakes

Recipe courtesy of: Jessica McCoy

Ingredients

... 1 cup marinara sauce

3/4 pound ground beef

12 wonton wrappers

8 ounces shredded mozzarella

3 ounces Parmesan cheese

4 ounces Ricotta cheese

(optional) basil for garnish

Directions

1)Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray muffin tin with cooking spray.

2)Brown beef and season with salt and pepper. Drain.

3)Cut wonton wrappers into circle shapes using a biscuit cutter or using the top of a drinking glass. You can cut several at a time.

4)Reserve 6 tablespoons Parmesan cheese and 6 tablespoon mozzarella for the top of you cupcakes. Start layering your lasagna cupcakes. Begin with a wonton wrapper and press it into the bottom of each muffin tin. Sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese, Ricotta cheese, and mozzarella cheese. Top with a little meat and marinara sauce. Use around 1-2 teaspoons of all the ingredients depending on your personal preference.

5)Repeat layers ending with marinara sauce. Top with reserved Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.

6)Bake for 18-20 minutes or until edges are brown. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. To remove use a knife to loosen the edges then pop each lasagna out.

7)Garnish with basil and serve.

Jessica's Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes

Recipe courtesy of: Jessica McCoy

Ingredients:

3 large potatoes, peeled and quartered

... 2 heads garlic, cut in halves

1/2 cup cream

2 tbsp. melted butter

2 rosemary or 1 tsp. rosemary

olive oil

salt and pepper

Preparation:

Boil potatoes in water with salt for at least 30 minutes or until soft. Drain and mash potatoes until smooth. Using potato ricer is preferred but it is optional as a standard masher can be used.

Slice head of garlic in half and set aside in a square of aluminum foil. Add some olive oil and a little bit of salt on the top of garlic. Top with fresh or ground rosemary. Put the other half of garlic back on top, as if making a sandwich, and add another table spoon of olive oil. Wrap tightly in the aluminum foil. Bake in oven at 400 degrees at least 40 -45 minutes. Remove from oven and peel.

Meanwhile, in a sauce pan combine cream and butter. Stir until smooth and well combined over low, medium heat. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl with mashed potatoes combine, peeled baked garlic, cream and butter mixture, salt and pepper. Stir until well incorporated. Adjust seasoning according to taste.

Serve on a platter with favorite main dish.

Enjoy your roasted garlic mashed potatoes!

Jessica's Lemon Raspberry Triffle

picture courtesy of: Jessica McCoy

Recipe courtesy of: Epicurious.com

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Raspberry-Lemon-Trifle-105181#ixzz1eP0fkxu9

Syrup

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup water

Curd

4 large eggs

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 tablespoon grated lemon peel

Fruit and topping

4 1/2-pint baskets fresh raspberries

1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar

1 16-ounce frozen pound cake, thawed

2 cups chilled whipping cream

Preparation

For syrup:

Combine sugar, lemon juice, and water in small saucepan. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 1 minute. Cover and chill.

For curd:

Whisk eggs, sugar, and lemon juice in heavy medium saucepan to blend. Add butter and lemon peel. Stir over medium heat until curd thickens to pudding consistency, about 10 minutes. Transfer to small bowl. Press plastic wrap onto surface of curd. Chill until cold, at least 4 hours. (Can be made 3 days ahead.)

For fruit and topping:

Combine 2 baskets raspberries and 1/4 cup sugar in bowl. Mash berries coarsely with fork. Let stand until juices form, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.

Cut cake crosswise into 8 pieces. Cut each piece into 3 strips. Line bottom of 3-quart trifle bowl with 8 cake strips, trimming to fit. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons syrup; spread with 2/3 cup curd, then half of mashed berries. Repeat layering. Top with remaining cake, syrup, and curd. Cover; chill overnight.

Beat cream and 3 tablespoons sugar in bowl until peaks form; spread over trifle. Mound remaining berries in center.

Creamy Pumpkin Trifle

Recipe courtesy of: Dashing Dish

Ingredients

1 (18.25-oz) box spice-style cake mix (you could also use reduced sugar cake mix for even lower sugar/calories!)

1 1/2 (15-oz) cans pure pumpkin

1 (1 oz) box no sugar added instant vanilla (or butterscotch) pudding mix

1 cup fat free milk (or milk substitute of choice)

1 tbs brown sugar (or sweetener of choice)

1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (or pumpkin pie spice!)

2 (12-ounce) containers light whipped topping

*Optional: 1/3 cup gingersnaps, crushed

Method

To make the cake layer, start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13×9 inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Combine cake mix, 1 can pumpkin puree, and 1/2 cup water in a large bowl. Mix until well combined, and transfer into the baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. When completely cooled, crumble the cake (or cut into small squares depending on the look you want) and set aside.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix together for about 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Stir in 1 container of cool whip, and 1/2 can of pumpkin, brown sugar, and spices until well blended.

In a trifle bowl or (a large pretty glass serving bowl), layer a fourth of the cake, half of the pudding/pumpkin mixture, a fourth of the cake, and half of the whipped topping. Repeat layers until the trifle glass is filled to the top. (I like to end with the whip cream layer!)

Garnish with cinnamon or crushed gingersnaps if desired. Refrigerate for 1 hour, or until ready to serve. (Also tastes great when made the night before!)

Note: *You may also use wineglasses or individual dessert glasses for individual trifles!

Servings: 16 (~1 cup per serving)

Calories: 175 per serving

Weight Watcher Points Plus: 6 per serving



Jessica's Pizza Cupcakes

Recipe courtesy of: Jessica McCoy

Ingredients

2 cups of flour, white or wholewheat

1 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

1 tbsp baking powder

1/4 cup olive oil

1 cup powder milk

1 cup of water

2 medium eggs

1-2 tomatoes, seeded and cut

1 cup fresh or canned mushrooms, cut

1/2 green or red bellpepper, cut in small pieces

1 cup seeded olives, black or green, sliced

100grs Mozzarella cheese (low fat)

Directions

Combine flour, salt, sugar, milk powder, baking powder. Add water, olive oil, and eggs and blend with handmixer, to obtain a liquid consistency.

Add oregano to the mix and pour into a greased and floured muffin tray.

In each cupcake, Add pieces of mushroom, tomato, olive, bell pepper and top with mozzarella cheese.

Bake at 180degrees C for 30-45 min.

Drop Yeast Rolls

Recipe courtesy of: Lucinda Graniel

My Mom's 'drop' yeast rolls. 2 yeast pkg.s, 2 Tble.s warm water, dash sugar. Mix, set aside. 1 cup cooled, scalded milk, 3 beaten eggs, 1/2 cup oil, 1/4 cup sugar, dash of salt, and yeast prep. Add 2 cup flour and whisk well, add 2 more cup and fold in with wooden spoon. Add 1/2 more cups if needed to make a loose batter. Let rise. mix down. Spoon onto greased pan, let rise 10 min. Baked at 350* until brown.( 20 min.)



Michael Symon’s Turkey Dumpling Soup

Ingredients

FOR THE DUMPLINGS:

1 cup Flour

2 Eggs

1/4 cup Milk

1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg

1/4 cup Chopped Chives

FOR THE SOUP:

8-10 pound Turkey (removed from bones)

1 1/2 gallons Turkey Stock (made from Turkey)

2 tablespoon Unsalted Butter

1 large Onion (diced)

2 large Carrots (diced)

1 bunch Celery (diced)

2 Cloves Garlic (minced)

1 cup Tarragon (chopped)

Roasted Turkey Meat pulled and roughly chopped

2 gallons Chicken or Turkey Stock (prepared or a good quality brand)

Directions:

FOR THE DUMPLINGS: Make a well in the flour in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Add the eggs and milk mixture to the well, then add the nutmeg and chives and whisk all together until smooth.

FOR THE SOUP: Heat butter over medium heat in a large stockpot. Add the vegetables with a large pinch of salt, and sweat the vegetables until translucent. Add the pulled turkey and stock, cover and bring to a simmer. Continue to simmer for 45 minutes.

Bring soup to a boil and cut in dumplings by placing batter on a damp cutting board and using a bench scraper or knife to cut into bite sized dumplings. Drop the dumplings into the boiling soup, and wait for them all to float to the surface. Let boil another minute, add tarragon, and serve.



Pumpkin Pie French Toast

                                                      Makes 8 slices

Ingredients:

8 slices Challah bread (sliced about 1 inch thick) or sliced bread of your choice.

1 cup pumpkin puree (or substitute with “Pumpkin Pie Filling”, and omit the spices.

4 eggs

1 ½ cups whole milk OR fat free half and half

2 tsp vanilla

1 tsp sugar

1 ½ tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

butter or vegetable oil

Directions:

Add the pumpkin puree, sugar, eggs, milk and spices to mixing bowl, whisk well to a smooth batter.

In a baking dish, soak the slices of bread, flip to the other side to coat.

Heat a griddle or nonstick pan and add a pat of butter or vegetable oil.

Cook the French toast in batches until golden, 2-3 minutes on each side.

Serve hot with a pat of butter and hot maple syrup!



Chocolate Cream Filled Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache Topping

                                                   Prep Time: 20 Min

Ready In: 35 Min

Makes 26 cupcakes

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar

1/3 cup baking cocoa

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 cup milk

1 cup vegetable oil

1 cup water

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream Filling:

1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened

1/4 cup shortening

2 cups confectioners' sugar

3 tablespoons milk

Pinch salt

Chocolate Ganache

8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate (chips or bakers chocolate)

1/2 cup heavy cream

½ tsp instant coffee granules

Directions:

Cupcakes:

In a mixing bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Add eggs, milk, oil, water and vanilla. Beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Fill paper-lined muffin cups half full. Bake at 375 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Cream Filling;

In a mixing bowl, combine butter, shortening, confectioners' sugar, milk, vanilla and salt; beat until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Insert a very small tip into a pastry or plastic bag; fill with cream filling. Push the tip through the bottom of paper liner to fill each cupcake.

Ganache:

Cook the heavy cream, chocolate chips, and instant coffee in the top of a double boiler over simmering water until smooth and warm, stirring occasionally

Apple Pie Pancakes / Apple Pie Topping

Apple Pie pancakes:

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups flour
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp apple pie spice or cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup apple juice
3 tsp melted or vegetable oil
2 tsp
1/2 cup diced apples
　
Directions:

In bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, spice and salt. Make a well in the center, set aside.
In a small bowl, use a fork to mix together eggs, juice, butter and vanilla. Combine the two mixtures until just moistened., no more than that. The batter should be lumpy. Stir in apples.
Using a ladle, ¾ full of mixture, pour onto a hot, lightly greased griddle or skillet. Wait until the batter bubbles, flip and cook until light golden brown.
Serve warm with warmed maple syrup.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Apple Pie “topping”

Ingredients:

4 apples, diced
2 teaspoons Cinnamon or Apple pie spice
½ tsp Nutmeg
1 ½ tsp Vanilla extract
2 tsps Maple syrup
1 TBS Lemon Juice
1 TBS Butter
1 TBS chopped Walnuts *optional*
　
　
Directions:

In a bowl combine the apples, lemon juice, vanilla and spices. Toss to combine.
In a medium saucepan, on medium high, sauté the apples in the butter. Add in the maple syrup. Stir often until the apples are tender and there is nice thickness to the sauce (about 10 minutes).
Serve over hot pancakes and top with some warmed syrup and top with some chopped walnuts.

Chewy Oatmeal Cookies

Prep Time:
15 Min
Cook Time:
12 Min
Ready In:
1 Hr 30 Min

Original Recipe Yield 3 dozen

Ingredients

3 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)
1 cup raisins (optional)

Directions

In a small bowl, combine the eggs, raisins, and vanilla. Cover and chill for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, cinnamon and baking soda; add to the creamed mixture and stir until all of the dry ingredients are absorbed. Next, stir in the egg and raisin mixture, then stir in the rolled oats and pecans. Dough will be stiff. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto an unprepared cookie sheet.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges are golden. Allow cookies to cool 5 minutes on the baking sheet before removing to a wire rack to cool completely

Debbie's Cumin-Curry Pork with roasted sweet onions, Cubanelle peppers, and roasted potatoes

Recipe courtesy of Debbie Curry

Ingredients:

3 1/2 lb. boneless pork roast (or pork loin or chops also)
4 or 5 Cubanelle peppers (or any you prefer)
2 lbs fingerling potatoes (or 10 baby white, cut in half)
1 large onion, cut into wedges
1 large clove garlic, cut into thin slivers
2 Tbs. brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. curry powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper


Directions:

Preheat oven to 375. Cut several slits in the roast, insert garlic slivers. In bowl, blend brown sugar, curry powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Rub mixture evenly on pork roast.

Put roast in roasting pan, place onion wedges and peppers around roast. Add 1/2 cup water or chicken broth, or some extra virgin olive oil to the pan.

Roast 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes. Cover and let stand 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Scallop and Shrimp Lasagna

Ingredients

2 (16 ounce) package lasagna noodles (or ready to bake lasagna noodles)
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach
1 lb bay scallops (or large sea scallops cut into quarters)
1 lb large shrimp (cut in pieces)
*or you can use 2 lbs of any seafood (crab, lobster etc…)*
2 (16 ounce) jars Alfredo-style pasta sauce
2 tbs sautéed chopped garlic (optional)
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 pints ricotta cheese
1 Tbs chopped parsley
Paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. F (175 degrees C). Cook lasagna noodles as directed, drain and set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine scallops, shrimp and one jar of Alfredo sauce, stir together. In a separate bowl, combine ricotta, garlic, drained, cooked spinach, and stir.

In a 9 x 13 baking dish, spoon a thin layer of sauce down, place one layer of lasagna noodles, edges overlapping. Spread a layer of the ricotta and spinach mixture over noodles, pour seafood and sauce mixture over the top. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella over mixture. Repeat that layering trying to end up with the seafood mixture on top. Spread evenly. Sprinkle another cup of mozzarella over sauce. Sprinkle paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle the Parsley all over the top. Bake 50 to 60 minutes, until top is brown and bubbly.

Beef or Chicken Enchiladas

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef or shredded chicken
8 corn tortillas
1 packet Fajita seasoning
1 can enchilada sauce
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3 TBS Vegetable oil
Salt and pepper
1 small red pepper, diced
1 ripe plum tomato, diced
½ small red onion
3 large scallions, sliced thinly

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large sauté’ pan, brown the ground beef with 2 TBS of the vegetable oil. Blend well until cooked through. Drain out any excess oil, season to taste with the salt, pepper and the Fajita packet (you may not want to use the whole thing). Pour in ¼ of the can of enchilada sauce, reserving the rest.

In a square casserole dish, sprinkle the remaining tbs of oil and cover the bottom and sides to coat using a paper towel. Pour in ¼ of the remaining enchilada sauce at the bottom to coat.

On each tortilla, spread a few tbs of the shredded cheddar, and a few tbs of the meat mixture, roll up and place face down in the casserole dish. Repeat this until you use all the tortillas. (you can divide the meat in 8 servings to be sure you have the same amount in each)

Pour the remaining enchilada sauce all over the top, sprinkle with shredded cheddar, diced tomatoes, peppers, onions and scallions.

Bake for 25-30 or until edges are browned and crispy.

Cheesy Garlic Bread

Ingredients:

1 loaf of Italian or French Bread
3 TBS of butter, softened
2 TBS of minced garlic, smashed
1 tsp of extra virgin olive oil
2 TBS grated Parmesan cheese
1 TBS parsley
3/4 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a bowl, mix butter, garlic, olive oil, parmesan cheese, and parsley. Cut bread in half, lengthwise. Spread butter mixture over the two halves of bread.

Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on evenly on top of bread. Sprinkle with a little Parsley.
Place on baking sheet.

Cook approximately 10 minutes, or until bread is lightly toasted and mozzarella cheese topping is melted.

Slice with a serrated knife, serve immediately.

Easy Salisbury Steak

So, if you wondered how “Salisbury Steak” ever came to be, you will be fascinated to hear this; it was invented in 1888 by Dr. J. H. Salisbury. This American doctor created the dish made from minced beef and onions topped with gravy in order to provide easily digestible nutrition for sick Civil War veterans. So, apparently the dish did not come from the Swanson frozen TV dinner company or the city Salisbury, in Wiltshire England like most of us probably heard, just like Belgium Waffles don’t come from Belgium.

Serves 6

Ingredients

1 Packet dried Onion soup and dip mix
1 Jar of “homestyle” brown gravy
1 small basket mushrooms (or pre-sliced in a can)
1 ½-2 lbs pounds ground beef
½ cup bread crumbs
¼ cup milk
2 eggs
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon paprika
½ tsp garlic
½ tsp mustard powder
½ tablespoon parsley
1 ½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Directions

In a large bowl, mix together onion soup mix with ground beef, bread crumbs, milk, eggs, paprika, garlic, mustard powder, salt and black pepper. Shape into 6 oval patties.

Add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, to a large skillet and over medium-high heat, brown both sides of patties. Absorb excess oil on paper towels and place in bake dish.

Rub mushrooms with wet paper towel to clean, and then cut into thin slices. Toss them with the Worshishire sauce, a little Olive Oil and sprinkle with paprika, salt and pepper. Spoon them over the steak patties. Pour the gravy on top and wrap tightly with tin foil.

Bake, covered at 375 degrees for 25 minutes, remove foil then bake for approximately 30-35 minutes or until the mushrooms are golden and browned on top. To serve, spoon some extra gravy over the top of the patty and sprinkle with parsley.

Grilled Chipotle Lime Fish Tacos

Recipe courtesy of “Healthy Home Recipes”

http://healthyhomerecipes.com/recipedetail.aspx?&id=24671

Marinade:

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tbs distilled white vinegar
2 tbs fresh lime juice
2 tsp lime zest
1 1/2 tsp honey
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp seafood seasoning
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp hot pepper sauce, or to taste
1 lb tilapia fillets, cut into chunks

Dressing:
1 (8 oz) container light sour cream
1/2 cup adobo sauce from chipotle peppers
2 tbs fresh lime juice
2 tsp lime zest
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp seafood seasoning
salt and pepper to taste

Toppings:
1 (10 oz) package tortillas
3 ripe tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
1 small head cabbage, cored and shredded
2 limes, cut in wedges

Instructions:
To make the marinade, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, lime juice, lime zest, honey, garlic, cumin, chili powder, seafood seasoning, black pepper, and hot sauce in a bowl until blended. Place the tilapia in a shallow dish, and pour the marinade over the fish. Cover, and refrigerate 6 to 8 hours.

To make the dressing, combine the sour cream and adobo sauce in a bowl. Stir in the lime juice, lime zest, cumin, chili powder, seafood seasoning. Add salt, and pepper in desired amounts. Cover, and refrigerate until needed.

Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil grate. Set grate 4 inches from the heat. Remove fish from marinade, drain off any excess and discard marinade. Grill fish pieces until easily flaked with a fork, turning once, about 9 minutes. Assemble tacos by placing fish pieces in the center of tortillas with desired amounts of tomatoes, cilantro, and cabbage; drizzle with dressing. To serve, roll up tortillas around fillings, and garnish with lime wedges.

Nancy's Home Made Dinner Rolls

Recipe courtesy of Nancy Josland Dalsin
Nancy's Locally International Cuisine
http://nancyscuisuine.blogspot.com/2011/08/homemade-dinner-rolls.html

HERE'S ALL YOU HAVE TO DO:

1 package quick-acting active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons) ( 7 grams)
1 1/3 cup milk (105º to 115ºF degrees)
3 to 3 1/2 cups flour or whole wheat flour
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon melted butter
coarse salt

Dissolve yeast in warm milk with sugar in electric mixer bowl. Stir in 1 cup flour, oil, and salt. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour, scraping dough from side of bowl, until soft dough forms. Cover and let rise in warm place until double, about 45 minutes.

Heat oven 400ºF degrees. Prep a 12 cup muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Punch down dough in center and fold over a few times. Pinch off 1 inch balls of dough and quickly roll in palm of hands. Put 3 balls to one muffin cup; brush with melted butter; sprinkle with coarse salt.

Bake 12 to 15 minutes, until crust is light golden brown. Immediately remove from pan. Store loosely covered.

Peter's Roasted Zucchini

Recipe courtesy of Peter Francis Battaglia

Roasted zucchini with allspice and Greek Olive Oil...marinated in fresh lemon juice, chopped fresh mint, garlic, sea salt, black pepper..topped with Feta
.

Almond Bundt Cake with Strawberries

Recipe courtesy of: “Recipe.com”
http://www.recipe.com/almond-bundt-cake-with-fresh-strawberries/

Ingredients

2 tablespoons sliced almonds (1/4 ounce)
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole almonds (5 ounces)
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter or non-hydrogenated margarine, softened
1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/4 cups sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
1 cup low-fat buttermilk
4 cups strawberries, halved
4 teaspoons sugar
Confectioners' sugar for dusting
Whipped cream for garnish, optional

Directions

1- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat 10-inch (12-cup) Bundt pan with cooking spray formulated with flour for baking. Sprinkle sliced almonds over bottom of pan.

2- Pulse flour, whole almonds, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in food processor or blender until almonds are finely ground.

3- Beat butter in large bowl with electric mixer 3 to 4 minutes, or until creamy. Beat in oil. Gradually add sugar, and beat 4 to 5 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add vanilla and almond extracts, and beat until blended.

4- Alternately fold flour mixture and buttermilk into butter mixture with spatula, making 3 additions of dry ingredients and 2 additions of liquid. Spread batter in prepared pan, and bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until top springs back when touched and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack 5 minutes. Unmold onto rack, and cool completely.

5- Toss strawberries with sugar in medium bowl. Chill 1 hour to let strawberries release their juices. Serve cake dusted with confectioners' sugar and topped with strawberries and whipped cream, if desired.

Nutrition Facts
Calories 271, Total Fat 15 g, Saturated Fat 5 g, Cholesterol 55 mg, Sodium 197 mg, Carbohydrate 29 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 5 g, Sugars 17 g
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Chicken and Black Bean Nachos

Recipe courtesy of: Paula Berglund Blum

chips of choice - mine were white corn
cheese of choice - mine was Sharp Cheddar
Garnishes were chopped vidalia, pickled jalapenoes, and sour cream

Chicken and Black Bean Mixture:

1 chcken breast, baked and pulled off the bone
1 c black beans cooked in chicken stock
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 chopped pasapilla pepper, seeded and deveined
3 T picante
1 t cumin
1 t garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
Stir to combine and left cold to warm when I served it

Avacado Salsa:

1 large tomato, diced
1 large avacado, diced
1/2 vidalia, diced
1 large clove garlic, chopped
Juice of one lime
1 T tasting olive oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
Green onion for garnish

Assemble and enjoy!

Peter's Giambotta D'estate

Recipe courtesy of: Peter Francis Battaglia

Summer Vegetables stewed together...eggplants, mushrooms, onions, garlic, tomatoes, zucchini, with fresh parsley, basil, olive oil and white wine...

Peter's Grilled Chicken

Recipe courtesy of:Peter Francis Battaglia

Chicken marinated in lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, white wine, dill, salt, pepper, garlic,..then grilled...plated with pan fried potato and zucchini rounds with garlic and allspice...garnished with fresh lemon, sea salt, black pepper, fresh dill and sliced green onions.

Karen's Linguini in home made red sauce

Recipe courtesy of: Karen Dirgins-Graves


Two heads of garlic
Two cans of crushed plum tomatoes
One can of tomato paste
1/4 cup of olive oil
and a whole lotta fresh basil

Pasta Salad with Tuna and Zucchini (Insalata di pasta con tonno e zucchine)

Recipe courtesy of: “Italianfoodnet.com”
http://www.italianfoodnet.com/eng/ricette/pasta-salad-with-tuna-and-zucchini-insalata-di-pasta-con-tonno-e-zucchine

Serves 4
Ingredients:

350 gr (12.34 oz) Bow Tie Pasta
250 gr (8.81oz) Tuna flakes in Oil
1 Sliced Zucchini
1 Chopped Red Onion
Red Pepper flakes
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt

Directions:

First of all plunge the pasta into boiling salted water
Heat a frying pan then add the olive oil, once hot, add the chopped onion and fry until translucent then add zucchini, a pinch of red pepper flakes, a pinch of salt and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes
Once zucchini has cooked, turn off the heat then add tuna flakes and wait for the pasta's cooking time
When your pasta is ready drain and rinse under cool water
Without turning on the heat, put the pasta into the pan with sauce and saute to amalgamate
Transfer the pasta to a serving dish, drizzle with a little olive oil and serve

Fran's Grapefruit Basil Martini

Recipe courtesy of: Fran Levitt-Higgins

Ingredients:

2 oz vodka
2 oz freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
...1-2 teaspoons simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water)
2-3 basil leaves

Directions:

Muddle a couple of leaves with the simple syrup in the bottom of a mixing glass or shaker
add the other ingredients, plus ice
Shake until very cold and pour into martini glass
Place leaf in the drink : )

Peter's Shrimp Piccola Marina

Recipe courtesy of: Peter Francis Battaglia

Shrimp, dusted in flour and sauteed in olive oil...then added to a pan of grape tomatoes, organic baby spinach, onions, garlic, black pepper, sea salt..white wine...then a bit of unsalted butter, fresh basil and oregano, and Spaghetti Rigati (spaghetti with ridges) tossed and served.

Roasted Rosemary Lemon Garlic Chicken

Recipe courtesy of: "Nanzina's Recipe Swap"

https://www.facebook.com/groups/45089946689/#!/pages/Nanzinas-Recipe-Swap/159788228013?sk=wall

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 roasting chicken, cleaned

1 head of garlic, cut in half horizontally

½ lemon, cut in half

2 sprigs of fresh rosemary

3-4 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped (to put under the skin)

2 extra sprigs of rosemary, (for under the chicken during roasting)

Sea salt & freshly ground black pepper (to season the cavity)

1 tbsp olive oil

½ large red onion, cut in wedges

2 large carrots, peeled and halved length-wise and then cut in thirds across

2 large parsnips, peeled and halved length-wise and then cut in thirds across

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F/175°C

2. To prepare a chicken for roasting, I do some additional cleaning of the bird, removing any pin feathers left and taking out that huge lump of fat.

3. Season the cavity with salt and pepper and put 2 rosemary sprigs, garlic and lemon quarters in the cavity. Gently separate the skin from the breast of the chicken and put the chopped rosemary under the skin). Tie the legs together and pin the wings under the bird.

4. Line a small roasting pan with foil (you don’t have to, but clean up is so much easier). Prepare a bed for the chicken: - place the other 2 rosemary sprigs, carrots, parsnips and onions on the foil, spritz a little olive oil and place the lemon & onion slices plus the rosemary leaves.

5. Lay the chicken, breast side up top.Brush with olive oil and sprinkle a little salt for really crispy skin.

6. Roast for about 1 hour and test with a meat thermometer - It’s ready at 180°F/77°. Depending on the size of the chicken, it could take up to another 30 minutes.

7. Place the chicken on a platter and cover with aluminum foil for 15 minutes or so. It keeps the chicken juicy.



Butter Baked Chicken and Gravy

Recipe courtesy of: Tonya Dowden Howell Young

Ingredients:

1⁄4 cup butter, melted

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 1⁄4 teaspoons salt

1⁄8 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 (15-ounce) can evaporated milk, divided

1 (4 1⁄2-pound) chicken, cut into pieces

1 (10 3⁄4-ounce) can cream of chicken soup

3⁄4 cup water

Hot cooked rice (optional)

Asparagus (optional)

Instructions

1.Preheat oven to 350˚.

2.Pour melted butter into a 13x9-inch baking dish.

3.In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, and pepper.

4.  In a separate shallow dish, add 1⁄2 cup evaporated milk. Coat chicken pieces with evaporated milk; dredge each in flour mixture. Place chicken, skin side up, in prepared baking dish. Bake, uncovered, for 35 minutes. Remove from oven, and turn chicken.

5. In a small bowl, combine soup, water, and remaining evaporated milk; pour over chicken. Return chicken to oven, and bake for 35 minutes longer. Remove chicken from baking dish; whisk gravy in baking dish until smooth. Serve chicken and gravy with rice and asparagus, if desired.

Pamela's Jungle Juice

Recipe courtesy of: Pamela M. Wilson

Ingredients:

1 large watermelon
1 plum
1 apple
1 orange
a couple of handsful of watermelon
1 bottle Flavored Vodka..I used Blueberry..use the whole bottle..750 ML

Directions:
Chop and add fruit to watermelon and add Vodka and top with more watermelon..

Let sit over night in the frige..ENJOY..remember dont drink and drive

Eggnog Pound Cake

from: Flo Braker’s Baking for All Occasions

MyBakingAddiction.com

http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/eggnog-pound-cake-with-crystal-rum-glaze/

Ingredients

For the cake

2 tablespoons dark rum or water

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, preferably freshly grated

8 ounces unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 cups granulated sugar

3 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup store-bought refrigerated (rather than canned) eggnog

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the crystal rum glaze:

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons dark rum

2 tablespoons water

Directions

Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) or 325°F (160°C) if the pan has a dark finish). Butter a 10-by-3-inch Bundt pan, lightly coat it with nonstick spray, then flour it, tapping out the excess flour. Or, butter and flour a 10-by-4 1/4-inch tube pan with or without a removable bottom. Have all of the ingredients at room temperature.

 Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg onto a sheet of waxed paper; set aside. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-low speed until creamy and smooth, 30 to 45 seconds. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the sugar in a steady stream and continue to beat on medium speed until light in color and fluffy, about 5 minutes, stopping the mixer occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl.

 With the mixer still on medium speed, add the eggs, 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time, beating after each addition until incorporated and stopping the mixer occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl. On the lowest speed, add the flour mixture in four additions alternately with the eggnog in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour mixture and mixing after each addition until incorporated. Stop the mixer as needed to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the vanilla during the final moments of mixing.

4. Detach the paddle and bowl from the mixer, and tap the paddle against the side of the bowl to free the excess batter. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly with the spatula.

5. Bake the cake just until the top springs back when lightly touched in the center and the sides are beginning to come away from the pan, 55 to 65 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool in the pan for about 10 minutes while you prepare the glaze.

Crystal Rum Glaze

1. In a small bowl, combine the sugar, rum, and water and stir with a rubber spatula just until blended.

2. Without delay, tilt and rotate the cake pan while gently tapping it on a counter to release the cake sides. Invert a wire rack on top of the cake, invert the cake onto it, and carefully lift off the pan. Slide a sheet of waxed paper under the rack to catch any drips from the glaze. Using a pastry brush, coat the top and sides of the warm cake with all of the glaze. Let the cake cool completely before serving.

3. To serve, slide the base of a tart pan, a small rimless baking sheet, or a large offset spatula under the cake and carefully transfer it to a serving platter. Cut the cake into thin slices with a sharp or serrated knife.

French Toast Casserole

Prep Time: 15mins

Cook Time: 45-55 Minutes Ready In: 1 Hour -1 hr 10 Minutes

Servings: 6-8

We love this recipe! Double up the ingredients for a large family brunch or leftovers.

The variations are endless. Use any breads you have on hand, such as Raisin bread, wheat, whole grain, even waffles all cubed up! Put whatever fruits you like, blueberries, raspberries, apples etc...Our family favorite is Banana Chocolate Chip. You can also add in some pumpkin puree, nutmeg and cinnamon to the egg mixture to make a great Pumpkin French Toast. It can be completely assembled and wrapped with foil the night before to bake off in the am, or even cooked ahead and warmed up and served in the morning.

Ingredients: 

6 cups (packed down) bread cubes

6 eggs

2 1/2  cups milk

1/4 cup Cinnamon sugar (or equal parts cinnamon and sugar)

2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon margarine, softened

1 cup chopped Walnuts or Pecans

Directions:

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly butter an 8x8 inch baking pan.

In a large bowl, beat together eggs, milk, 2 tablespoons sugar and vanilla. Add in all the cubed up bread, mix well to coat. Pour into prepared dish and dot with margarine; sprinkle with a little cinnamon sugar and let stand for 10-15 minutes.

 Combine remaining 2 tablespoons sugar with nuts and 1 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle over the top. Bake in preheated oven about 45 to 50 minutes, until top is golden

Serve warm with a little whipped cream or maple syrup on top.

Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

From Cupboard to Cupboard

http://fromcupboardtocupboard.blogspot.com/2011/05/strawberry-lemonade-cupcakes.html

For Cupcakes:

1 package white cake mix [I like Betty Crocker]

1 (3 oz) package strawberry jello

1 cup mashed fresh strawberries [1 1/2 cups whole=1 cup mashed]

1 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup buttermilk

4 eggs

In a large bowl, stir together cake mix and jello mix. Make a well in the center and pour in mashed strawberries, oil, milk, and eggs. Beat on low speed until blended. Scrape bowl and beat 2 minutes on medium speed. Pour batter into prepared cupcake pans... I used cupcaked liners. 36 cupcakes for high altitude. 24 cupcakes otherwise.

Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until cupcakes are done. Do the ole' toothpick test :)

Cool on wire rack until completely cooled!

For Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:

1/2 cup crisco

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened

1 tablespoon clear vanilla extract

2 pounds powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 Tablespoons lemon juice

2 Tablespoons lemon curd

1 drop yellow food coloring

1 tablespoon milk if needed

Cream together shortening, butter, and cream cheese until good and smooth. Add vanilla and combine. Sift together powdered sugar and salt and slowly add to creamed mixture. Add lemon juice, lemon curd, and coloring and mix well. If the frosting is too stiff, add milk.

Decadent Chocolate Brownies

Prep Time: 15 Min

Cook Time: 35 Min

Ready In:1 Hr

Servings 24 Bars

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 cups white sugar

4 eggs

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch pan.

In medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Remove from heat and immediately stir in the cocoa. In a large bowl, beat together the sugar and eggs. Stir in the melted chocolate mixture. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; stir into the batter. Fold in walnuts if desired. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the top has crusted over. You want the tester to come out a with a little batter on it, not completely clean. Cool for a few minutes before cutting into bars.