Thursday, May 7, 2020

Stir Fry


Fry about 1 lb chicken (cut in bite-sized pieces) in a little oil.  Remove and cover to keep warm.

In same pan add and cook a few minutes: (with a little more oil/water)
1 onion
2 stalks celery
2 large carrots

Add and cook a few minutes:
1 pepper, chopped
1 bunch broccoli
1 bunch cauliflower

Add and cook a few minutes:
1 zucchini squash, sliced

*Stir so they don't get brown, but until the crispness is gone.

Add:
1/2 c hot water with 2 tsp chicken bouillon dissolved
1 Tbs cornstarch stirred into 1/3 c cold water
Garlic salt
2 Tbs soy sauce, to taste
The already cooked chicken

Stir until it thickens slightly.

Serve over hot, cooked rice with extra soy sauce and peanuts, if desired

From Roxanne


Sunday, April 26, 2020

White Bread

In Bosch add, and then mix with whisk paddles for 2 minutes:
5 c warm-hot water
2 Tbs yeast
2/3 c sugar or honey
2/3 c oil
2 c white flour

Rise 15 min.

Add and then mix in:
1 Tbs dough enhancer
2 Tbs salt

Switch to dough hooks and add:
9+ cups white flour

Knead 8 min.
Preheat oven to 170*
Shape into 5 loaves. 
Turn oven off and then place loaves in preheated oven for 40 min, uncovered. 
After 40 minutes, leave loaves in, turn oven to 350.  Bake 30 min.

Monday, April 13, 2020

Disney Churros


Ingredients
  • 1 cup water
  • 8 tablespoons butter
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 ½ cups vegetable or canola oil
  • ½ cup sugar
Instructions
  1. Combine water, butter, salt, and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon in 1 ½-quart saucepan over medium heat. Bring pot to rolling boil.
  2. Reduce heat to low.
  3. Add flour and stir vigorously until mix forms a ball. Remove from heat and let rest for 5-7 min.
  4. Add eggs, one at a time, and stir until combined. Set aside.
  5. Heat oil in medium skillet or 1-quart saucepan over medium-high heat or until temperature reaches 350˚.
  6. Spoon dough into piping bag fitted with large star tip. Pipe 1-inch strip of dough over saucepan, cut with knife, and drop into hot oil. Repeat until churro bites fill saucepan with room to fry. 
  7. Fry churro bites until golden brown. Remove with slotted spoon or mesh spider strainer.
  8. Drain churro bites on paper towel.
  9. Mix sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon in medium bowl. Toss in churro bites until coated. Place on serving plate and serve with favorite dipping sauce.

Disney's Dole Whip

The recipe (for a single serving) reads at the following:
  • 1 big scoop of ice cream
  • 4 oz of pineapple juice
  • 2 cups of frozen pineapple
  • Add all ingredients to a blender until it’s a thick drink.
  • Add your swirl and then you’re done.
Dole's Recipe:
  • 1 cup pineapple juice (frozen)
  • 1 banana (peeled and frozen)
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons of powdered sugar
  • 1⁄4 to 1/2 cups of unsweetened coconut milk
  • Add it all into a blender. Blend until smooth. The end.

Thursday, April 9, 2020

Buttermilk Oatmeal Muffins

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quick-cooking oats
  • 1 cup buttermilk (fine if you make with lemon juice/milk)
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (these are sweet, can do a little less)
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour or wheat
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

  • 1. In a bowl, soak oats in buttermilk for about 15 minutes. Stir in egg, sugar and oil. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; stir into oat mixture just until moistened. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake at 400° until muffins test done, 16-18 minutes. Cool in pan 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack.

From Taste of Home (Janeen)

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Instant Pot Oatmeal

1 c oatmeal
2 c liquid (water/creamer)

Set IP for 3 min. 
Naturally release 20 min.

Top with brown sugar, bananas, etc.

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Marshmallow Brownies


  • 18.3 oz package Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie Mix + Ingredients to prepare
  • 2 c. marshmallows
  • 6 Tbsp half and half
  • 6 Tbsp butter
  • 1 1/2 c. white sugar
  • 1/2 c. chocolate chips
  1. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions.
  2. Cover prepared brownies with marshmallows immediately after baking and set in hot oven that's been turned off until they puff up about 2-3 minutes. Remove from oven.
  3. In a medium size saucepan bring half and half, butter and white sugar to a boil. Boil for one minute, stirring frequently not to scorch the bottom. Stir in chocolate chips, stirring mixture until they are melted and frosting is smooth. Immediately spread over brownies

Friday, March 27, 2020

Pizza

Pizza Crust:
1 pizza                              2 pizzas
1 c warm water                 2 c water
1 tsp sugar                         2 tsp sugar
1 Tbs yeast                       2 Tbs yeast
1 tsp salt                           2 tsp salt
1 Tbs oil                           2 Tbs oil
2 1/2 c flour                     ~5 c flour

Place water, yeast, and sugar in bowl.  Let it sit.  Add oil, salt, and flour.  Stir.  Knead in bowl.  Roll out on a pizza pan and let rise as you put on the toppings. *

*OR let crust rise 15 min and bake at 400 for 5 min.  Then add toppings and bake at 400 for 15-17 min.

Sauce: (Enough for 2 pizzas)
16 oz tomato sauce
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
2 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder

Toppings:
Mozzarella and cheddar cheese
Pepperoni
1/2-3/4 lb ground beef cooked with onions
fresh tomato slices
green pepper slices
onions

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Ingredients

  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts cooked in lightly salted water then chilled in the fridge and diced, about 4 cups 
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 1 1/2 cups halved seedless red grapes
  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • 1 cup mayonnaise 
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Place the diced chicken, celery, green onions and grapes in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine.
  • In a medium-sized bowl, add the remaining ingredients to make the sauce and stir to combine. Pour the mayo sauce over the chicken salad and stir to combine and thoroughly coat the salad.
  • Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours before serving.
  • Serve on sandwiches, croissants or in wraps with some lettuce. For a low-carb option, serve on a bed of lettuce with sliced tomato and avocado.

Servings: 8 servings for sandwiches

Monday, March 2, 2020

Mel's Lasagna



YIELD: 9X13-INCH PAN

Mel's FABULOUS LASAGNA


PREP TIME 35 MINUTES

COOK TIME 1 HOUR 20 MINUTES

TOTAL TIME 1 HOUR 55 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS

RED SAUCE:

  •  1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
  •  1/2 cup chopped onion
  •  28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
  •  6-ounce can tomato paste
  •  2 teaspoons sugar
  •  2 teaspoons dried basil
  •  1 teaspoon dried oregano
  •  1/8 teaspoon dried thyme (her recipe calls for 1/4 tsp)
  •  1/4 teaspoon salt
  •  1/4 teaspoon pepper

CREAMY FILLING:

  •  1 container (15-ounce) ricotta cheese or a combination of ricotta and cottage cheese (see note)
  •  1 large egg
  •  1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  •  1 tablespoon parsley flakes
  •  1/2 teaspoon salt
  •  3/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese

NOODLES AND CHEESE:

  •  3-4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or Italian cheese blend)
  •  9 no-boil lasagna noodles (see note)

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. For the sauce, in a large, 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook the ground meat and onion until the meat is cooked through. Drain any excess grease. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, dried basil, salt and pepper. Simmer the sauce for 20 minutes.
  2. For the filling, in a medium bowl mix the ricotta, egg, basil, parsley, salt, and Parmesan cheese.
  3. To assemble the lasagna, lightly grease a 9X13-inch baking pan. Spread 1/2 cup or so of the sauce over the bottom into a thin layer. Layer as follows: 3 noodles, red sauce, creamy filling, mozzarella, 3 noodles, red sauce, creamy filling, mozzarella, 3 noodles, red sauce, remaining mozzarella. (Basically, all layers - the noodles, red sauce, mozzarella - are split into three layers and the creamy filling is divided among two layers.)
  4. Cover with greased foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover, bake 20-30 minutes more until hot and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

NOTES

I use the Barilla or Target (whole wheat) brand of no-boil lasagna noodles with good success. You can certainly use regular lasagna noodles; boil them for 1-2 minutes less time than the package directions so they don't soften too much while baking.
I've recently updated (June 2015) some aspects of the recipe to reflect how I've changed it slightly over the years and to simplify the directions a bit. If you love the older version - the only recent changes are that I use crushed tomatoes instead of diced tomatoes (keep them undrained if using diced) and I've cut down the tomato paste to make the lasagna a bit more saucy (the original recipe called for 12 ounces of tomato paste). Also, I know it's not traditional, but I usually use half ricotta cheese and half cottage cheese. It helps the filling stay creamier and not as dry - I use a cup of each when doing that.
Freezable Meal: Prepare recipe right up until the baking step and then cover with a double layer of lightly greased aluminum foil. Freeze. Thaw in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. To bake, increase baking time to about 40 minutes covered and 20 minutes uncovered. If baking from frozen, bake covered for 1 hour and 30 minutes, uncover and bake 30-40 minutes longer.


HTTPS://WWW.MELSKITCHENCAFE.COM/MY-MOMS-FABULOUS-LASAGNA/

Easy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 spice cake mix
1 15 0z can pumpkin
Chocolate chips (about ¾ bag)

Mix ingredients and drop onto parchment lined cookie sheet.  
Bake at 350 for 12-15 min. Until just done.

(yes, there are no eggs or anything else!)

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Black Bean Salad Wraps

2 burrito sized tortillas (sun dried tomato) or 4 regular size
1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 c chopped red pepper
2 Tbs fresh cilantro
1/3 c mayo
1 Tbs lime juice
Leaf lettuce
Cheese, opt


  1. Stack tortillas and wrap in foil.  Heat at 350 for 10 min to soften (opt).
  2. In medium boil slightly mash black beans; add pepper, cilantro, mayo, and lime juice.  Stir well.
  3. To serve, spread bean mixture evenly over tortillas.  Top with lettuce (and cheese)  Roll up.
From Better Homes and Gardens Cook Book

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Salmon

Place 1-2 lbs Salmon in 9x13 dish (or foil under first to wrap salmon in).  Cut in half if really big, or make pieces about the same so they cook evenly.

Drizzle a little olive oil on top

Sprinkle with:
  • lemon pepper
  • basil
  • parsley
  • lemon juice
Add a little water to pan (1 Tbs-probably don't have to if you're wrapping it)

Bake at 400 covered for about 20 min.  Take foil off and bake another 3 min.


Tarter Sauce                                                                 1/2 Recipe
  • 1/2 c mayo                                                         1/4 c mayo
  • 2 Tbs sour cream                                               1 Tbs sour cream
  • 1/4 tsp dill                                                          1/8 tsp dill
  • 1/2 tsp parsley                                                    1/4 tsp parley
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder                                          1/4 onion powder
  • 1 Tbs pickle relish (I like sweet)                        1/2 Tbs pickle relish
  • 1 pinch seasoned salt                                           pinch season salt
  • 1 tsp fresh lemon juice (or bottled)                     1/2 tsp lemon juice

Monday, January 20, 2020

Marinated Chicken

Raw chicken
Soy Sauce
Italian salad dressing

Marinate for at least 15 min.  Grill or cook in pan on stove.  Remove as soon as juices run clear.
Great for Winger's Salad.

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Sweet Rolls- Kristin Trevino

Sweet Rolls  
 Full                                                                                         Half
3 Tbs yeast                                                                1 1/2 Tbs yeast
1 1/2 c warm water                                                    3/4 c warm water
1 2/3 c sugar                                                              1/2 c + 1/3 c sugar
1 1/2 c shortening                                                       3/4 c shortening
5 eggs                                                                         2 eggs
2 tsp salt                                                                     1 tsp salt
4 c warm milk                                                            2 c warm milk
11-12 c flour                                                              5-6 c flour


To Bosch add water and yeast and sprinkle of sugar.  Let sit until double in size.  Add remaining ingredients until still sticky but comes together.  Knead 4 min.  Place in large oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap until doubled (or if doing half, rise in Bosch).  Roll into rectangle, fill.
Bake at 400 for about 15-20 min.

Orange Rolls:  (For half batch)
Roll dough out into long rectangle about so dimension is about 1/3 dough x 2/3 dough or 1/4 x 3/4 for smaller rolls  (or make about 12 regular rolls, then roll the rest of the dough to make orange rolls- bake for about 10 min - will still make about 12 orange rolls after)
Spread:
about 3/4 - 1 stick softened butter
white sugar
zest from one orange
juice squeezed from half an orange
Roll up, cut about 1 1/2" each.  Tuck end under the roll.
Place on greased cookie sheet.  Cover with sprayed plastic until doubled.

Cinnamon Rolls: (for half batch)
Roll like orange rolls
Spread 3/4 - 1 stick softened butter
brown sugar and cinnamon

Cream Cheese Frosting
1 stick softened butter (she says cold whips better)
4 oz softened cream cheese
2 1/2 c powdered sugar
1/2 Tbs vanilla
Cinnamon if it's for cinnamon rolls 
Enough milk or cream to get right consistency 
*or for orange rolls add some orange zest and orange juice instead of cream

Mix butter and cream cheese until combined.  Mix again for 30 sec.  Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Whip 3 min.  Mix well, then add liquid.

Monday, January 13, 2020

Spanish Chicken and Rice

2 bags Seeds of Change Spanish Rice (with quinoa, red bell peppers & corn)
2 Tbs water
2/3ish can of cream of chicken soup
1 c chicken
1 can corn

Place in skillet and heat.

Can also heat in oven

Friday, January 10, 2020

Cheese Ball

8 oz cream cheese
1 c sharp cheddar cheese
2 green onions, chopped fine
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce 
1/8 tsp onion powder 
1/8 tsp garlic powder 
parsley
1/3 c chopped fine pecans

Whip cream cheese until smooth, add cheese, onions, and rest.  Whip and form into a ball.  Roll in pecans.

Friday, January 3, 2020

Hot Citrus Drink

Hot Citrus Drink

1/2 c sugar
1 qt water
1 c orange juice (or add a second cup for extra orange juice flavor)
1/3 c lemon juice
1/2 t vanilla
1/2 t almond extract

Mix all ingredients in sauce pan and heat through.

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

rice krispies

Mel's Kitchen cafe

INGREDIENTS

  •  8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter
  •  16 ounces large marshmallows
  •  1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  •  Pinch coarse, kosher salt
  •  9 cups crisp rice cereal (i.e. Rice Krispies)

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9X13-inch pan. Set aside.
  2. In a large saucepan, melt the butter on low heat and let it cook until the solids start to turn golden brown and it smells caramelly and fragrant (here's a browned butter how-to if you'd like a visual).
  3. Add the marshmallows and cook on low, stirring constantly until mostly melted, a few small lumps here and there are ok. Add the vanilla and salt and stir to combine.
  4. Remove the pan from the heat and add the rice krispies. Stir until evenly combined.
  5. Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan and using lightly greased or barely wet (with cold water) hands, lightly press the mixture into the pan (mashing them too hard and you'll end up with very firm rice krispie treats - so use a gentle hand if you want them chewy). Let cool before slicing into squares.

BIG BATCH:
  • 1 1/2 sticks butter
  • 24 oz marshmallows
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • pinches coarse salt
  • 13 1/2 c Rice Krispies
*Place in jelly roll pan, cut into 48 bars

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Perfect Lemon Cupakes

Cake:
1 pkg lemon cake mix
1 c sour cream
3/4 c water
3/4 c oil
4 eggs
1 small pkg lemon instant pudding

Mix dry ingredients, add wet.  Mix with mixer on med speed for about 2 min. 
Cupcakes:  bake at 350 for 20 min.  Regular cake:  pour into greased 9x13, or two round pans.  Bake for 25-30 min.  Check with toothpick.

Lemon Buttercream frosting
1 c butter, very soft
6-8 c powdered sugar
1/2 c fresh lemon juice
1 tsp grated lemon zest

Place butter in large mixing bowl. Add 4 c sugar, then juice and zest.  Beat until smooth and creamy.  Gradually add the remaining sugar 1 c at a time, until icing is thick enough to spread well (maybe just 6 c total?)  Use and store at room temp.  Don't refrigerate and it will last covered for about 3 days.

*Raspberry jam between layers-half frosting/half jam in middle
*7 min. frosting with added lemon would be really good, too!

Banana Slush Punch



Ingredients:
6 cups water, divided
4 very ripe bananas
1 1/2 cups white sugar
6 cups (48 ounces) pineapple juice
2 12- ounce cans orange juice concentrate
1 12-ounce can lemonade concentrate (pink or yellow)
3 liters Sprite or ginger ale
Instructions:
In the jar of a blender, combine 3 cups water, bananas, and sugar. Blend until smooth and set aside.
In a large bowl or pot, combine remaining water, pineapple juice, orange juice concentrate, and lemonade concentrate and mix well or blend with an immersion blender. Add banana mixture.
Divide the mixture evenly among 3 freezer-safe containers or gallon-sized Ziploc bags and freeze for several hours or overnight (at least). When ready to serve, place 1 container of banana mixture at a time into a drink bowl or jar and pour 1 liter of chilled ginger ale or Sprite over the banana mixture. Mix with a spoon (or immersion blender) and serve immediately. If desired, you can garnish with frozen berries.

Smore's Squares

From Katie Grahms

Melt until smooth (in microwave 30 second intervals):
3/4 c light corn syrup
3 Tbs butter
1 pkg milk chocolate chips
1 c mini marshmallows

Remove from heat, add:
1 tsp vanilla

Add and mix with rubber scraper:
1 pkg golden grahams (8-9 c)

After a few minutes, and when mix isn't too hot to melt these marshmallows, add:
2 c mini marshmallows

Chex Muddy Muddies

9 c Rice Chex
1 c chocolate chips
1/2 c PB
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 c powdered sugar


  • Measure cereal into large bowl.
  • In 1 qt microwavable bowl microwave, chocolate chips, PB, and butter for 1 min.  Stir.  Micro about 30 seconds longer until mixture can be stirred smooth.  
  • Stir in vanilla.  
  • Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.  Add powdered sugar, mix until coated.  
  • Spread on wax paper to cool.

Monday, October 21, 2019

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Rinse pumpkin seeds and let dry.

Mix together:

2 c pumpkin seeds
1 Tbs oil
1 tsp salt - course or regular 

Place on jelly roll pan in a single layer.  Bake at 350 for about 15-25 min.  Check and stir occasionally.
Or convection 325 for about 15 min, stir every five minutes. 

Monday, August 12, 2019

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Yummy pulled pork sandwiches (More traditional)
Link from Creme de la Crumb HERE

  • 3 pound pork shoulder cut into 4 large chunks
  • 1 can coca cola may sub dr pepper or root beer
  • 2 1/2 cups bbq sauce (try using a couple different kinds that compliment to add flavor)
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 6 hamburger buns for serving
In the Instant Pot:
  1. Lightly grease instant pot and place pork chunks in it.  Pour soda on top.
  2. Stir together 2 cups BBQ sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic powder, and onion powder.  Pour over pork.
  3. Place lid on, sliding to locked position.  Set pressure to cook for 45 min.  Natural release for 10 min, then vent.  
  4. Use two forks to shred pork.  Use a slotted spoon to tranfser pork to a bowl.  Discard liquid from IP and stir remaining 1/2 c BBQ sauce with pork (or if it's flavorful enough, just add BBQ sauce to your sandwich before eating).
Serve on hamburger buns with extra BBQ sauce.