6.30.2011

Bean Casserole recipe.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, sliced
1 medium carrot, sliced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
6 fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 (14.5 ounce) can red kidney beans, drained
1/2 teaspoon salt
ground black pepper to taste
1/2 (1 pound) loaf French bread, cut into 1/2 inch thick slices
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and carrot; cook and stir until onion is tender and transparent. Stir in the sugar, red pepper and mushrooms and continue to cook until onion is browned.
Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir to blend. Cook for 1 minute then mix in the water and tomato paste. Season with basil and thyme. Mix in the beans and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a greased casserole dish.
Pour the remaining oil into a shallow dish. Dip one side of each slice of bread in the oil, then arrange on top of the casserole with the oiled side up. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top.
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until the bread and cheese are toasted.

Apple Butter Ham Glaze recipe.

Ingredients
1 cup apple butter
1/2 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon dried onion flakes
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Directions
Whisk together the apple butter, orange juice, dried onion flakes, and Worcestershire sauce in a small saucepan. Simmer until slightly thickened.

BBQ Glazed Homemade Meatballs recipe.

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup quick cooking oats
6 1/2 ounces evaporated milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup ketchup
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon liquid smoke flavoring

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish.
In a bowl, mix beef, egg, oats, evaporated milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, and 1/2 cup onion. Form into 1 1/2 inch balls and arrange in a single layer in the baking dish.
In a separate bowl, mix ketchup, garlic, sugar, 1/4 cup onion, and liquid smoke. Pour evenly over the meatballs.
Bake uncovered 1 hour in the preheated oven, until the minimum internal temperature of a meatball reaches 160 degrees F (72 degrees C).

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.