Monday, November 29, 2010

Sugar Roasted Butternut Squash

Sugar Roasted Winter Squash
1 large butternut or acorn squash
2-3 Tbsp. butter
1/3 c. brown sugar

Cut butternut squash in half and remove seeds and string pulp.
Place 1 - 1/2 Tbsp. butter in each half and sprinkle brown sugar all over sides and top.
Place on a baking sheet and cook for 40 minutes at 400 degrees.

Friday, November 26, 2010

O'Henry Bars

O' Henry Bars
1/2 c. karo syrup
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. peanut butter
2 c. rice krispies
1/3 - 1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Combine karo, sugar and peanut butter in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
Add cereal and stir to incorporate.
Press into an 8x8" sprayed casserole dish.
Sprinkle chocolate chips on top.
After chips melt, spread evenly over top.
Let set in freezer for 10-15 minutes.
Cut and serve.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Heavenly Carrots

Looking for a last minute Thanksgiving side dish?
This is not your average carrot or stuffing recipe.
The top gets all crispy after baking... mixed with the butter and the cheese... YUM!
Give it a try, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Heavenly Carrots
Recipe from Lyn Denna
4 c. cooked carrots
1 c. croutons or stuffing mix
1 1/2 c. grated cheese
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 c. butter, melted
1 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. salt

Place carrots in butter in a 1 1/2 qt. casserole dish.
Stir in croutons and cheese.
Mix remaining ingredients together and pour over carrots.
Bake uncovered in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes.


Monday, November 22, 2010

Pork Chops in Creamy Sauce

This looks exactly like a chicken breast, but is really a pork chop, I promise!
Pork Chops in Creamy Sauce
Recipe from Robin Miller

1 Tbsp. olive oil
4 pork loin chops
¼ c. chopped shallots
1 c. milk
2 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. dried tarragon
¾ c. white wine or champagne (or substitute 2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar with remaining amount broth)
1 Tbsp. flour

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Season pork with salt and black pepper and add to hot pan.
Cook 2 minutes per side, until golden brown.
Remove pork from pan and set aside.
To the same pan, add shallots and cook 2 minutes, until soft.
Add thyme and tarragon and cook 1 minute, until fragrant.
Add sparkling wine and cook 1 minute.
Whisk flour into milk and add to pan.
Return pork to pan and simmer 3 to 5 minutes, until pork is cooked through and sauce thickens.
Serve with mashed potatoes.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Coffee Cake (Cinnamon Swirl)

I have no idea why this is called coffee cake.
It doesn't contain coffee.
It isn't even served with coffee.
I guess it could be... just never at our house.
Or anyone elses that I know of for that matter.

Truthfully, we make this for breakfast.
I like it topped with warm applesauce.
Coffee Cake
Recipe from Lyn Denna

Mix and spread in 9x13” pan:

3 c. flour
5 tsp. baking powder
1 ½ c. sugar
1 ½ tsp. salt
2 eggs
½ c. shortening
1 ½ c. milk

Mix, sprinkle on batter and gently swirl into batter:
¾ c. brown sugar
¾ c. nuts
3 tsp. cinnamon
3 Tbsp. melted butter

Bake at 375 for 35-40 minutes.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Swiss Chicken and Bacon Bread Braid

I really like the idea of making bread braids.
I pretty much love everything about fresh bread, actually.
This idea can easily accommodate whatever filling you want - but be mindful of consistency.
You want the filling to be just right - if it is too wet your bread will get soggy, and that is never a good thing.
This recipe captures the perfect consistency.
And... since everyone in my family also loves bacon it was a real hit.
Mmmmm.... ooey-gooey, cheesey, deliciousness!
Swiss Chicken and Bacon Bread Braid
1 large chicken breast, cooked and cubed
1/2 lb. bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
3/4 c. shredded Swiss cheese
3/4 c. Mozzarella or Cheddar Cheese
1/2 c. finely chopped sweet red pepper
1/4 c. finely chopped onion
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp. Italian salad dressing
1 Tbsp. mayo
Combine all ingredients (except dough) in a large bowl.
Roll out bread dough in a large rectangle (11x17"ish) - the size of a large cookie sheet.
Spray a large cookie sheet with cooking spray and transfer bread dough to it.
Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut slits on the outsides of the dough, about 1" apart, leaving the middle intact, like this:

Now take all of your filling and pour it down the middle.
Now, start 'braiding' the bread from the top to the bottom, alternating sides as you go.

Wrap the bottom pieces underneath the loaf to secure it and close it off.
Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Poppy Seed Chicken


 
Poppy Seed Chicken
Recipe from Sweet Basil

3 chicken breasts, cooked and diced
2 cans Cream of Chicken soup
1 16oz. carton Sour Cream
1 Tbsp. Poppy Seeds
1 Package Ritz Crackers
1 Cube Butter, melted

Heat oven to 350.
Mix soup, sour cream and chicken together.
Pour into a 9x13" dish.

Break up the crackers (not ground up) and mix with the melted butter and poppy seeds.
Sprinkle over the chicken mixture and place in oven.

Bake for 30 minutes and serve over rice.