5.18.2011

Brenda's Apple and Pomegranate Crisp recipe.

Ingredients
4 medium apples - peeled, cored and sliced
1/2 pomegranate, skin and light-colored membrane removed
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish.
In a large bowl, toss together the apples, pomegranate seeds, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spread evenly into the prepared pan. In the same bowl, stir together the oats, flour and sugar. Rub in the butter between your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over the top of the fruit.
Bake for 45 minutes in the preheated oven, until the apples are soft. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Brazilian-Style Beef Ribs recipe.

Ingredients
1 (3 pound) rack of whole beef ribs (not short ribs)
2 tablespoons sea salt, or more if needed
3/4 cup water

Directions
Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).
Place the rack of beef ribs in front of you on a work surface with the shiny white membrane facing up. Slip the blade of a sharp knife under the membrane at one end, and slice the membrane off the meat in a single piece, if possible. Discard the chewy membrane. Rub the ribs thoroughly with sea salt, front and back. Place the ribs onto a cooking rack in a roasting pan.
Bake in the preheated oven until very tender, about 6 hours. Lightly baste the beef with water (use beef broth if you prefer) after the first 1 1/2 hours, being careful not to dislodge the salt. Baste again every 45 minutes to 1 hour; after 6 hours of total cooking time, remove from oven and allow to rest 10 to 15 minutes before slicing up into servings.

Basic Easy Chicken Wings recipe.

Ingredients
3 pounds chicken wings, separated at joints, tips discarded
1/2 cup butter
1 cup hot sauce
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Preheat grill for high heat.
Lightly oil the grill grate. Cook the wings 8 to 12 minutes on each side, until juices run clear. The larger pieces will take slightly longer to cook.
Melt the butter in a saucepan, and mix in the hot sauce, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.
Place wings in a large container with a secure lid. Pour sauce over the wings, and seal. Shake wings with the sauce until thoroughly coated.

Artichoke and Chickpea Stew recipe.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 carrots, chopped
4 medium roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
1 (15 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
1 (15.5 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
1 quart low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
1 teaspoon lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat, cook the onion until translucent. Stir in the garlic and chili flakes; cook until the garlic has begun to soften, about 1 minute. Add the carrots, tomatoes, artichokes, garbanzo beans, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer until the carrots are tender.
Season with sage, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes more to meld the flavors.

BBQ Sauerkraut Casserole recipe.

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 (27 ounce) can sauerkraut, drained
2 cups tomato juice
1 cup brown sugar

Directions
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, and stir in the ground beef and onion. Cook until the beef is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink. Drain, and discard any excess grease.
Pour the beef mixture into a 3-quart casserole dish. Layer the sauerkraut over the ground beef, pour the tomato juice over the sauerkraut, then sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake in the preheated oven until the sauce is bubbly, about 60 minutes.

Brazilian Carrot Cake recipe.

Ingredients
3 large carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
1 cup cooking oil
2 cups white sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 cup white sugar
1 cup instant hot chocolate mix
3/4 cup milk

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease 9x13 baking dish.
Place the carrots, eggs, and oil in a blender or bowl of a food processor. Process until carrots are finely chopped. Pour the carrot mixture into a mixing bowl. Stir in 2 cups sugar until well blended. Stir in the flour and baking powder; mix until well blended. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.
Bake in preheated oven until top springs back when lightly touched, about 40 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the icing by placing the butter, 1 cup sugar, instant hot chocolate drink mix, and milk in a pan. While stirring, heat to almost boiling over medium-high heat until mixture thickens. When the cake is done, remove from the oven and immediately spread the icing evenly over the top.

Butter Honey Wheat Bread recipe.

Ingredients
1 cup water
2 tablespoons margarine
2 tablespoons honey
2 cups bread flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup dry milk powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast

Directions
Put ingredients into bread machine in the order suggested by the manufacturer. Process for large (1-1/2 pound) loaf, wheat setting.

Banana Pudding III recipe.

Ingredients
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 cups cold water
1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups heavy cream
3 bananas, sliced
1/2 cup lemon juice
36 vanilla wafers

Directions
In a medium bowl, stir together condensed milk and water. Beat in pudding mix until smooth. Chill in refrigerator 5 minutes.
In a separate bowl, whip cream until stiff peaks form. Fold whipped cream into chilled pudding mixture.
Dip sliced bananas in lemon juice. Shake off excess.
In a 2 1/2 quart serving bowl, spoon 1 cup pudding mixture. Top with one-third each of the wafers, bananas and remaining pudding. Repeat layers twice. Chill until serving.

Bahamian Chicken Souse recipe.

Ingredients
24 chicken wings, separated
3 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 large onion, diced
1/2 green pepper, diced
6 large potatoes, peeled and diced
3 carrots, diced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon ground allspice
2 bay leaves
3/4 cup lime juice
3 cups water
salt and black pepper to taste

Directions
Toss the chicken wings with 3 tablespoons lime juice and the seasoned salt. Set aside to marinate at room temperature for 1 hour.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and green pepper; cook and stir until the onion has softened and begun to brown, about 10 minutes. Add the potatoes, carrots, red pepper flakes, allspice, bay leaves, marinated chicken, lime juice, and water. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and continue simmering until the chicken is no longer pink at the bone, and the vegetables are tender, about 40 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.

Baby Food Cake I recipe.

Ingredients
1 (18.25 ounce) package moist yellow cake mix
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 (4 ounce) jar apricot baby food
1 (4 ounce) jar plum baby food
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour one 9 or 10 inch Bundt pan.
Combine the cake mix, sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, apricot baby food and plum baby food. Mix for 2 minutes. Stir in walnuts and pour batter into the prepared pan.
Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 1 hour. Wonderful with a light dusting of confectioner's sugar or with an almond frosting.

Best Ever Onion Rings recipe.

Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons onion salt
1 quart vegetable oil for frying
4 large onions, peeled and sliced into rings

Directions
Whisk together eggs, milk, flour, baking powder, and onion salt in a bowl to make a smooth batter.
Heat the oil in a large saucepan or deep fryer until a thermometer reads 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Dip the onion rings evenly into the batter, then fry in the oil for 2 to 3 minutes, working in batches if necessary, until the onion rings are golden brown. With a slotted spoon, remove the onion rings to paper towels to drain. Serve hot.

Blueberry Pumpkin Muffins recipe.

Ingredients
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup quick cooking oats
2/3 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup fresh blueberries or frozen blueberries, thawed

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease and flour muffin pan or use paper liners.
Mix the flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a mixing bowl until evenly blended. In a separate bowl, stir together the pumpkin, milk, egg, and butter. Gradually stir in the flour mixture, just until all ingredients are moistened. Fold in the blueberries. Spoon batter into muffin cups, filling to the top.
Bake in preheated oven until tops spring back when lightly pressed, about 20 minutes.

Broccoli Spaghetti Soup recipe.

Ingredients
1 head broccoli, chopped
1 pinch salt
1 (8 ounce) package spaghettini
1/4 cup olive oil
freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Stir in broccoli and salt and cook until just tender. Break up spaghettini and stir into the pot. Cook 8 to 10 minutes more, until pasta is al dente. Serve in bowls topped with a tablespoon of olive and some freshly ground pepper.

Bacon-Egg Spaghetti recipe.

Ingredients
8 slices bacon
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 pound spaghetti
1 pound American cheese, cubed
4 eggs, beaten

Directions
In a large skillet over medium heat, fry bacon until crisp and drain on paper towels; crumble and set aside.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and add to cooked mushrooms.
Meanwhile, saute mushrooms in about 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings and remove from heat.
Add the cheese cubes and beaten eggs; toss until the cheese is melted and the eggs have coated the noodles. Sprinkle in the crumbled bacon and stir; serve.

Almond Chicken and Rice recipe.

Ingredients
1 cup uncooked long grain rice
1 (3 1/2) pound broiler-fryer chicken, cut up
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 celery rib, chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup slivered almonds, divided

Directions
Place the rice in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish; top with chicken. In a bowl, combine soup, milk, celery, onion, parsley, salt, pepper and 1/4 cup of almonds. Pour over chicken. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining almonds. Bake, uncovered, 15 minutes longer or until meat juices run clear.

Baked Mushrooms with Thyme and White Wine recipe.

Ingredients
1 1/2 tablespoons minced onion
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 1/2 tablespoons white wine
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 ounces fresh mushrooms, quartered
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Whisk together the onion, garlic, thyme, white wine, and olive oil in a large bowl. Add the mushrooms and toss to coat; season to taste with salt and pepper.
Transfer mushroom mixture into a small baking dish, cover, and bake for 35 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Applesauce Cocoa Cookies recipe.

Ingredients
1/2 cup shortening
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup granulated artificial sweetener
2 cups cake flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup unsweetened applesauce

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
Cream together shortening and sugar replacement. Add egg and blend well.
Sift all dry ingredients together and add alternately with applesauce and water to creamed mixture. Be sure to add flour first and last.
Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets. Bake at 375 degrees F for 12-15 minutes.

Black Chocolate Cake recipe.

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 pinch salt
2/3 cup shortening
2 cups boiling water
2 eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. Sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa and salt. Set aside.
Melt the shortening in the boiling water, then stir into the flour mixture until blended. Beat in the eggs, then stir in the vanilla.
Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.

Avocado-Egg Salad Tostada Filling recipe.

Ingredients
3 slices bacon
1 avocado - peeled, pitted, and diced
3 tablespoons lime juice
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 cup light creamy salad dressing (such as Miracle Whip Light�)
1/2 tomato, diced
1/4 small onion, diced
salt and cayenne pepper to taste

Directions
Place the eggs into a saucepan in a single layer and fill with water to cover the eggs by 1 inch. Cover the saucepan and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, remove from the heat and let the eggs stand in the hot water for 15 minutes. Pour out the hot water, then cool the eggs under cold running water in the sink. Peel and chop once cold.
Place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate. Crumble once cool.
Mash the avocado in a mixing bowl with the lime juice, mustard powder, paprika, and salad dressing. Stir in the chopped eggs, crumbled bacon, diced tomato, and diced onion until evenly combined. Season to taste with salt and cayenne pepper.

Breakfast Pizza recipe.

Ingredients
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, or more if needed
1 envelope Fleischmann's� Pizza Crust Yeast or RapidRise Yeast
3/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup water
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 ounces sausage, cooked and crumbled
1 cup frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon Durkee� Ground Mustard
1/2 teaspoon Durkee� Fine Grind Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese*

Directions
Combine 1 cup flour, undissolved yeast and salt in a large bowl. Heat water and oil until very warm (120 degrees to 130 degrees F). Add to flour mixture and beat for 2 minutes. Add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. (If using RapidRise yeast, let dough rest at this point for 10 minutes.)
Roll dough to 12-inch circle; place in greased pizza pan. OR, pat dough with floured hands, pressing gently to fill greased pizza pan or baking sheet. Form a rim by pinching the edge of the dough; prick surface with fork.
Bake crust in preheated 450 degrees F oven on lowest oven rack for 8 minutes. Reduce oven to 375 degrees F. Remove pizza from oven.
Top pizza crust with sausage, hash browns and onions. Beat eggs, ground mustard, pepper and salt together in a bowl. Pour over toppings. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 16 to 20 minutes until eggs are set and crust is browned.

Best Chocolate Pound Cake recipe.

Ingredients
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup butter, softened
3 cups white sugar
5 egg yolks
5 egg whites
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/4 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10 inch tube pan.
Cream shortening and butter until light and fluffy, gradually adding sugar. Beat well at medium speed of an electric mixer. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating after each addition.
Sift flour, baking powder, salt, cocoa and cinnamon together. Add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix just until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla and almond extracts.
In a clean bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold carefully into cake batter, mixing only until no streaks remain. Pour batter into a greased and floured 10 inch tube pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes, remove from pan, and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Apple Coffee Cake recipe.

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups milk
1 (21 ounce) can apple pie filling
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon butter, softened
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons water

Directions
In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Pour half into a greased 13-in.x 9-in.x 2-in. baking dish. Combine pie filling and cinnamon; spoon over batter. Drop remaining batter over filling; spread gently.
Combine topping ingredients; sprinkle over batter. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over warm or cooled coffee cake.

Authentic South Indian Biryani recipe.

Ingredients
2 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 pod cardamom
1 cinnamon stick
4 medium onions, chopped
3 tablespoons chopped fresh garlic
1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh ginger
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
chili powder to taste
1 1/2 medium tomatoes, chopped
16 ounces plain yogurt
3 tablespoons water
lemon juice, to taste
3 cups white rice
1 teaspoon butter
salt to taste
1 bunch fresh mint, chopped
1 bunch chopped cilantro

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Heat oil in a large oven-proof pot over medium heat. Add cardamom, clove, and cinnamon stick. Stir in chopped onions, and fry until golden brown. Stir in garlic and ginger. Stir in chicken pieces, and fry about 3 minutes. Stir in chili powder, and cook several minutes. Stir in tomatoes, and cook about 5 minutes. Mix yogurt with 3 tablespoons water and lemon juice; stir into sauce.
Cover pot, and bake in a preheated oven until the sauce is somewhat thickened and concentrated, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook rice in enough salted water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook until it is half cooked, about 7 minutes. Drain rice, and stir into chicken and sauce. Stir in butter, season to taste with salt, cover pot, and bake 1 hour. Stir in mint and cilantro immediately before serving.

Aunt Zula's Christmas Cutouts recipe.

Ingredients
1 cup shortening
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
Cream sugar and shortening together. Add eggs and dry ingredients. Add the milk last.
No need to chill this dough, simply roll out to 1/4 inch thickness, cut out and bake 10-12 minutes.