7.16.2011

Blueberry Dessert recipe.

Ingredients
1/2 cup softened butter
26 saltine crackers, crushed
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
4 large egg whites
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (21 ounce) can blueberry pie filling
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Directions
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Mix the butter, crushed saltines, and walnuts together in a bowl, and press the mixture into the bottom of an 8x12 inch baking dish.
With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar, and vinegar in a large metal or glass bowl until the mixture forms stiff peaks, then beat in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Spread the meringue mixture over the prepared crust, and bake in the preheated oven until the meringue is golden brown and firm, 10 to 15 minutes. Let the crust cool.
Mix together the blueberry pie filling and lemon juice in a bowl, and spread the mixture over the cooled meringue.
Beat the cream and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract together with an electric mixer, gradually adding confectioners' sugar, until the whipped cream forms fluffy peaks. Cover the blueberry pie filling with the whipped cream, and refrigerate until served.

Bloody Mary Steaks with Green Olive Butter recipe.

Ingredients
4 (6 ounce) boneless beef sirloin steaks, room temperature
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 teaspoons cracked black pepper
2 teaspoons celery seed
1 1/2 cups extra spicy Bloody Mary mix
1 tablespoon orange juice concentrate
2 fluid ounces vodka
16 pitted green olives
3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
2 teaspoons chopped garlic

Directions
Preheat a grill to medium heat.
Brush steaks on both sides with olive oil, then sprinkle with a mix of cracked pepper and celery seed. Cook steaks to desired doneness on the preheated grill. When done, allow steaks to rest on a plate while continuing with the recipe.
Bring the Bloody Mary mix, orange juice concentrate, and vodka to a boil over high heat; then reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 5 minutes. While sauce is cooking, puree the olives, butter, and garlic in a small food processor until almost smooth.
To serve, pour a pool of the sauce in the center of each plate. Slice each steak into 4 or 5 slices, and fan out over the sauce. Add a dollop of olive butter, and spoon a little more sauce overtop.

Broiled Short Ribs recipe.

Ingredients
4 pounds boneless beef short ribs
salt and pepper to taste
1/3 cup molasses
2/3 cup ketchup
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions
Trim fat from rib meat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Place in a Dutch oven and cover with water. Simmer for 2 hours. Drain.
In a small bowl, combine the molasses, ketchup, lemon juice, dry mustard, chili powder and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly.
Place the drained meat on a broiler rack. Brush molasses mixture over ribs. Broil on medium for 10 to 15 minutes, turning and basting with sauce often.

Bubba's Pretzel Salad recipe.

Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup crushed pretzels
1/2 cup sugar
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
1 (8 ounce) tub frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup sugar
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained with juice reserved

Directions
In a medium bowl, mix together crushed pretzels, 1/2 cup sugar and melted butter until blended. Press into the bottom of a 9x9 inch baking dish.
In another bowl, beat 1/2 cup sugar and cream cheese until fluffy. Fold in whipped topping. Spread over the pretzel layer in dish.
In a small saucepan, stir together cornstarch and 1/4 cup sugar. Mix in reserved pineapple juice, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in crushed pineapple. Spread over the whipped layer in the dish. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 1/2 hours, or until firm.