Thursday, December 30, 2010

Yummy Strawberry Bars

Preheat oven: 350 degrees

  • 1 stick softened butter
  • 1 & 1/4 C. flour
  • 1/4 C. powdered sugar

Combine and press into greased 9 x 13 pan, bake 10-15 minutes.
Cool crust. Top with 1 pint fresh sliced strawberries.

For glaze, mix and boil for 1 minute:

  • 1 C. sugar
  • 1 C. water
  • 2 Tbsp. cornstarch

Cool glaze until just warm and whisk in 1 small package strawberry jello. Pour glaze over strawberries. Cool to room temp before refrigerating.

Brownie Mix Cookies

Preheat oven: 350 degrees
Yield: aprox. 18 cookies
  • 1 (15.8 oz.) pkg brownie mix
  • 1/3 c. crisco, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • chopped nuts, optional
  • frosting, optional

Mix brownie mix, melted crisco, egg and nuts together. Scoop balls onto cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes at 350. Frost after cooling.

Lemon Squares

Preheat oven: 350 degrees

  • 1 C. butter
  • 1/2 C. powered sugar
  • 2 C. flour
  • 1/8 tesp. salt

Combine 1st 4 ingredients, pat into a 9 x 13 pan, bake 10 minutes at 350.

Meanwhile, beat together:

  • 4 eggs
  • 2 C. sugar
  • 6 Tbsp. flour
  • 6 Tbsp. lemon juice (fresh or bottled)
  • 1 Tbsp. lemon zest

Pour mixture over baked crust, bake for 25 minutes uncovered. Test with sharp knife for doneness. Should be slightly sticky, but firm.

Sift powdered sugar on top of cooled bars for garnish.

Chocolate Chip toffee Bars

Preheat oven: 350 degrees
Bake time: 25 minutes
  • 2 and 1/3 C. flour
  • 2/3 C. brown sugar
  • 3/4 C. butter
  • 1 egg
  • 1 and 1/2 C. chocolate chips
  • 1 C. chopped pecans (or walnuts)
  • 14 oz. can Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 and 1/2 C. toffee bits

Stir together 1st 3 ingredients. Add in 1 egg; slightly beaten. Mix well.

Combine: chocolate chips and chopped nuts. Stir half into mixture, save half for topping.

Press crumb mixture into greased 9 x 13 pan. Bake 10 minutes.

Pour sweetened condensed milk over crust. Top with reserved chip/nut mixture and toffee bits. Return to oven, bake until golden brown. Cool completely, cut into bars.

Chocolate Pie - a family FAVORITE!

  • 1 and 1/2 C. sugar
  • 1/2 tesp. salt
  • 2 and 1/2 Tbsp. corn starch
  • 1 Tbsp. flour
  • 4 Tbsp. cocoa powder
  • 3 C. milk
  • 3 egg yolks, beaten (you can save the whites to make meringue if you want)
  • 1/4 C. butter
  • 1/2 tesp. vanilla
  • baked pie crust or graham cracker crust
  • cool whip for topping (optional)

Mix sugar, salt, corn starch, flour and cocoa together in a large sauce pan. Beat together the egg yolks and milk. Place pan over medium-high heat then whisk wet ingredients in with dry ingredients.

Bring to simmer and whisk continually until it thickens. (Don't walk away or it will burn!) It's done when it reaches the consistency of thick pudding. Do not overcook or the cornstarch will turn back to liquid.

Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla.

Cool completely before pouring into pie crust. Yes, you must wait until its completely cool.

*You can just bake a ready made store bought pie crust. I think they're just as good as homemade.

Peanut butter Pie (Mom's)

  • 1 C. powdered sugar
  • 1/2 C. peanut butter
  • 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
  • 1 (12 oz.) container cool whip
  • 1 chocolate graham cracker pie crust
  • 2 Reeses peanut butter cups, chopped up for garnish

Use an electric or stand mixer to combine powered sugar, peanut butter, cream cheese and cool whip. Pour the mixture into the pie crust. Top with chopped peanut butter cups. Refrigerate several hours before serving.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Cream Puff Cake

Servings: 15
Prep time: 25 min
Bake: 25 min. + chilling

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup butter, cubed
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 eggs

Filling:

  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 2-1/2 cups 2% milk
  • 3 packages (3.3 ounces each) instant white chocolate or vanilla pudding mix
  • 1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions:
In a large saucepan, bring water and butter to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until smooth and shiny. Transfer to a greased 9 x 13 baking dish.

Bake at 400° for 22-26 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack.

For filling: in a large bowl beat the cream cheese, milk and pudding mixes until smooth. Spread over the crust; refrigerate for 20 minutes. Spread with whipped topping. Chill until serving.

IHOP Harvest Grain Pancakes

Another good recipe from Jane Merle at church. We use this for the men's breakfast and it's a big hit!
  • 3/4 C. Quaker oats
  • 3/4 C. whole wheat flour
  • 2 tesp. baking soda
  • 1 tesp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tesp. salt
  • 1 and 1/2 c. buttermilk
  • 1/4 C. veg. oil
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 C. sugar
  • 3 Tbsp. finely chopped blanched almonds
  • 3 Tbsp. finely chopped walnuts

Use a blender or food processor to grind the oats until fine like flour. Combine oat flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl.

In another bowl combine the wet ingredients with granulated sugar - beat with hand mixer until smooth.

Add dry mixture to wet ingredients, whisking slowly until combined. Add nuts and mix well with mixer.

Use 1/3 C. of batter per pancake and cook 2-4 minutes per side on hot, greased griddle.

Yield: 8 pancakes

*You can mix up a larger batch the dry ingredients ahead of time and store them in a air-tight container.

Sky-High Brunch Bake

This comes from a dear lady at church, Jane Merle. She's an amazing cook!

  • 1 pkg (17.3 oz.) frozen puff pastry - 2 sheets - thawed
  • 6 eggs
  • 1 cup Ricotta cheese
  • dash hot pepper sauce
  • 2 pkg (10 oz. each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained very well
  • 4 slices cooked bacon, chopped
  • 1 and 1/2 C. shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 C. chopped red bell pepper

Preheat oven: 400 degrees

Unfold pastry sheet & roll out one sheet to about 11 inch square and one to 12 inch square. Line bottom and side of greased 9 inch spring form pan with the 12 inch pastry sheet.

Beat eggs with whisk. Reserve about 1 Tbsp. of eggs and set aside. Add Ricotta cheese, pepper sauce & spinach to remaining eggs; mix well until combined. Layer half each of the bacon, cheese, spinach mixture & red peppers in pastry line pan. Repeat layers.

Place remaining pastry sheet over mixture; fold and tuck pastry edges in pan. Pinch edges to seal. Brush top with reserved egg. Cut 5-6 slits in top crust with tip of sharp knife to allow steam to escape.

Bake 45-50 minutes at 400, or until golden brown. Cool 10 minutes. Run knife around edges of pan before removing rim.

To make ahead: Assemble and bake ass directed. Cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight. When ready to serve, uncover and bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes until heated through.

World's Best Butter Cookies

Oven temp: 325 degrees
Prep time: 15 minutes
Yields: 48 cookies

  • 8 ounces unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

Beat the butter, sugar, salt and vanilla together until smooth and creamy.
Mix in the egg yolk until well incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl at least once.
Add the flour and mix just until incorporated.

Scrape onto a lightly floured board and knead a few times, just until the dough smooths out.
Turn onto a sheet of plastic wrap and roll into a log, wrap up and refrigerate for several hours or freeze.

Before baking, preheat the oven to 325°F.
Line your baking sheets with parchment.
Slice the dough into slices about 1/8" thick and place them on the sheets about an inch apart(they won't be spreading very much, but they need air room around each cookie).

Bake until JUST beginning to turn golden around the edges, about 16-18 minutes. You can top with icing or jam, dip in chocolate or drizzle with a lemon glaze. Or just enjoy them as is.

The Bomb Burgers

Prep Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 30 mins

For burgers:

  • 1 lb. lean ground beef
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (fine)
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onion
  • 3 teaspoons chopped cilantro
  • 2 teaspoons hoisin sauce
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons minced gingerroot
  • 1 egg

For glaze:

  • 2 teaspoons water
  • 2 teaspoons hoisin sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Directions:
In a bowl combine beef, bread crumbs, green onions, cilantro, hoisin sauce, garlic, ginger and egg. Mix well.

Make 5 burgers patties. Poke a hole thru the middle of each.

For the glaze whisk together: water, hoisin, and sesame oil.

Place burgers on a hot grill and brush the top with the glaze mixture.
Flip after 7 min or so and baste the other side. Continue cooking until desired doneness.

Peanut Chicken Stir-Fry (TOH)

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon water, divided
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • Hot cooked rice or noodles

Directions:
In a small bowl combine until smooth and set aside:

  • 1/2 cup water
  • peanut butter
  • soy sauce
  • brown sugar

In a skillet or wok, stir-fry garlic in oil for 30 seconds. Add the chicken; stir-fry for 5 minutes or until no longer pink. Add the broccoli; stir-fry for 5 minutes.
Stir in the peanut butter mixture; cook and stir for 2-3 minutes or until sauce is smooth and broccoli is crisp-tender.

Combine cornstarch and remaining water until smooth; gradually add to skillet. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

Serve with rice or noodles.

Lisa's Thumbelina Cookies

Preheat oven: 350 degrees
  • 1 stick room temp butter
  • 1/4 C. sugar
  • 1 egg - separated
  • 1 tesp. vanilla
  • 1 C. flour
  • 1/2 tesp. salt
  • very finely chopped walnuts
  • 1 tub cream cheese frosting
  • food coloring to dye frosting if desired
Cream together: butter, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla.
Slowly add in flour and salt.

Shape dough into walnut size balls. Dip into egg whites, roll in finely chopped walnuts.

Place on cookie sheets and dent the center of each cookie in with your thumb.

Bake 5 minutes @ 350. Take out of oven and very carefully dent each cookie with your thumb again. Return to oven and bake 10-15 minutes longer.

Cool and frost with cream cheese frosting.

These came from my friend Lisa Bachynsky who has been making them since she was a little girl. They are SOOO good!

Mom's Pizza Pie

Preheat oven: 350 degrees
  • 1 lb. ground beef; browned and drained
  • 8 oz. can tomato sauce
  • 1/4 tesp. dry oregano
  • 1/4 tesp. dry parsley
  • 1/4 tesp. dry basil
  • 1/8 tesp. pepper
  • 1/2 tesp. salt
  • 1 can crescent rolls
  • 2 eggs
  • 6 slices of mozzarella cheese
Brown and drain the ground beef, add in tomato sauce and seasonings. Bring to simmer and reduce a little.

Beat 1 egg + 1 egg white together. Save the other yolk in another bowl.

Line a 9 inch round pie pan with 1/2 the can of crescent rolls, pressing seams together.
Cover dough with 1/2 of egg mixture.
Layer the beef mixture on top, then cover with 6 slices of cheese.
Pour other 1/2 of egg mixture over top.
Top with other 1/2 can of crescent rolls. Brush beaten egg yolk on top.

Bake 1 hour at 350. If crust becomes too brown, cover with foil (shiny side out).

Mom's Chicken Curry

Mix together:
  • 8 and 1/2 tesp. curry powder
  • 1 tesp. salt

Cut up 2 boneless/skinless chicken breasts into bite size pieces and toss in the above.

Heat a few Tbsp. peanut or veg. oil in large non-stick skillet, cook chicken in it until brown. Remove, set aside. Turn heat to low.

Add to pan and cook on low for 8-10 min. until softened and brown:

  • 2 Tbsp. minced ginger
  • 1 large minced garlic clove
  • 3 mediums onion halved and thinly sliced
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 cardamon pods

Add to pan:

  • 4 C. whole tomatoes; peeled and seeded with juice
  • 1 and 1/2 C. chicken broth
  • cooked chicken

Raise heat to medium and cook until liquid is reduced (about 15 min). Reduce heat to low.

Stir in:

  • 1/4 C. plain yogurt
  • 3/4 c. golden raisins

Serve over jasmine or brown rice.

Happy Holly Ham Glaze

Bake 1 half ham as package directs.

  • 1 16 oz. can cranberry sauce
  • 1 C. brown sugar
  • 1/4 C. orange juice
  • 1/2 tesp. ground cloves
  • 1/4 tesp. cinnamon
  • 1/4 tesp. allspice

Combine and heat slowly in sauce pan until smooth, whisking often. Glaze ham 15 minutes before done. Serve extra glaze with ham.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Mom's Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Preheat oven: 350 degrees
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. butter
  • 2 cans cream of chicken soup
  • 1 C. chicken broth
  • 1 C. chopped green chilies
  • 2 C. chopped cooked chicken
  • corn tortillas
  • shredded cheddar or jack cheese
Cook chopped onion in the butter until translucent. Add in cream of chicken soup, green chilies, cooked chicken - stir until combined well and heated.

In a large baking dish, place a layer of corn tortillas, layer of soup mixture, then layer of cheese. Repeat until dish is filled making sure cheese is on top.

Bake 25-30 minutes uncovered

Lauralee's Rotel King Ranch Chicken

1 stick butter
1 medium green bell pepper, diced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 can Rotel tomatoes (undrained)
2 C. chopped cooked chicken breast
12 (6 inch) corn tortillas; torn into bite size
2 C. shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add bell pepper and onion, cook and stir about 5 minutes, until tender. Stir in soup, tomatoes, and chicken - blend well.

Spray 9 x 13 pan, layer 1/3 of the tortillas, chicken mixture, top with 1/3 of the cheese. Repeat 2 more times.

Bake 40 minutes, uncovered.

Asian Peanut Chicken and Noodles

Place into a large bowl:

  • 1 lb. cooked linguine noodles; drain and rinse
  • 2 bunches sliced green onion
  • 1 Tbsp. chopped cilantro (or more if you like)
  • 1 jalapeno; seeded/deveined, finely chopped
  • 1 lb. sugar snap peas
  • 3 grilled chicken breasts, cut into bite size

In a blender, mix together: (don't substitute any ingredients!)

  • 1/2 C. soy sauce
  • 1/4 C. peanut butter
  • 1/4 C. rice vinegar
  • 1/4 C. sesame oil
  • 2 Tbsp. sugar

Toss dressing over salad. Serve warm or chilled.

Stephanie Frey's Chicken Pot Pie

Preheat oven: 425 degrees
Ingredients:
  • 3 or 4 bone-in chicken breasts
  • 1/3 C. butter
  • 1/3 C. chopped onion
  • 1/2 tesp. salt
  • 1/2 tesp. pepper
  • 1/3 C. flour
  • 2/3 C. milk
  • 10 oz. package mixed veggies or California blend
  • 9 inch ready pie crust (the rolled up kind)

Boil chicken breasts in enough water to cover until cooked through. Save broth. Remove meat from bone, dice into small bite size pieces. (5 cups worth)

For the gravy:
In a large sauce pan, melt butter. Add chopped onion, salt and pepper, and cook until translucent. Add in flour and whisk until smooth. Slowly whisk in the reserved chicken broth and milk. Let it all cook together until it thickens like gravy.

Place diced chicken in bottom of 9 x 13 pan or similar casserole dish. Add package of frozen mixed veggies on top of chicken. Pour on gravy. Roll out pie crust, cut a few slits on top, place on top of casserole.

Bake 35-40 minutes @ 425 until golden.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Mary's Overnight Crunch Coffee Cake

Preheat oven: 350 degrees
Servings: 16

Sift together:
  • 2 C. flour
  • 1 tesp. baking powder
  • 1 tesp. baking soda
  • 1 tesp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 tesp. salt

Cream together until light and fluffy:

  • 2/3 C. butter
  • 1 C. sugar
  • 1/2 C. brown sugar
Add:
  • 2 eggs (1 at a time, beat well after each)
  • alternate dry ingredients with 1 C. buttermilk into cream mixture
Spread batter into floured 9 x 13 pan.

For Crunch topping, combine:
  • 1/2 C. brown sugar
  • 1/2 tesp. cinnamon
  • 1/4 tesp. nutmeg
  • 1/2 C. chopped nuts
Sprinkle over batter.
Refrigerate over night, or 8 hours.
Bake at 350 degrees, 35 - 40 minutes.
Serve warm.

BLT Pasta Salad

  • 1 pkg. rotini pasta; cooked and drained
  • 8 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 large tomato, seeded and chopped
  • 1/4 C. green onion; sliced
  • 4 C. lettuce, chopped
  • 1 C. mayo
  • 1/4 C. lemon juice
  • 2 tesp. sugar
  • 2 tesp. chicken bullion granules
Combine mayo, lemon juice, sugar, and bullion for the dressing.
Combine all remaining ingredients, pour dressing over top and toss just before serving.
*This doesn't keep well since the lettuce wilts, so if you aren't going to use it all for one meal, you'd want to only put lettuce in the portions you'll eat right away.

Broccoli Grape Salad

  • 1 bunch broccoli, cut bite size
  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • 1 C. grapes, halved (or raisins)
  • 1/3 C. sunflower kernels or chopped pecans

Dressing:

  • 1 C. mayo
  • 2 Tbsp. white vinegar
  • 1/3 C. sugar
  • 1/2 tesp. salt

Toss, sprinkle 3 oz. bacon bits on top, refrigerate until serving.

Waldorf Salad (from the Waldorf Astoria Hotel)

  • 3 medium apples; cut into bite size (unpeeled)
  • 1/2 C. chopped celery
  • 1/2 C. grapes; halved
  • 1 C. pineapple chunks; drained
  • 1/2 C. pecans
  • 1/2 C. mini marshmallows

Dressing:

  • 1 C. mayo
  • 1/4 C. sugar
  • 1/2 tesp. salt

Combine all ingredients in large bowl, mix well, cover and refrigerate.

Fumi Salad (Ramen Slaw)

  • 1 pkg. slaw mix
  • 1/2 C. slivered almonds
  • 8 green onions, chopped
  • 1/2 C. sesame seeds
  • 1 pkg. ramen noodles; uncooked and broken into small pieces

Dressing - whisk together:

  • 4 Tbsp. sugar
  • 1 C. oil
  • season pkg. from ramen noodles
  • 6 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar

Brown almonds and sesame seeds in a small amount of butter. Combine slaw mix, onions, and dressing. Just before serving, stir in noodles, almonds, and sesame seeds.

Holiday Cranberry Orange Relish

In a food processor - until finely chopped:
  • 2 pkg. fresh cranberries
  • 3 oranges; cut into wedges, half the peel removed

Then add 1 C. sugar and 1/2 tesp. salt and pulse until mixed well. Adjust to taste. Refrigerate at least overnight. (The longer, the better it tastes.)

Add chopped pecans before serving if desired.

Spring Spinach Strawberry Salad

  • 1 package spinach
  • 1 pint strawberries quartered
  • 2 oz. sugar toasted almond slivers (toast almonds with 4 tesp. sugar in a dry pan until golden)

Dressing - blend together:

  • 1/2 C. sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. sesame seeds
  • 1 Tbsp. poppy seeds
  • 1 1/2 tesp. grated onion
  • 1/4 tesp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tesp. paprika
  • 1/2 C. apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2. C. oil

Mexican Layer Casserole

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 pkg. taco seasoning
  • 1/2 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic; minced
  • 1 pkg. cream cheese
  • chopped tomato
  • chopped lettuce
  • chopped black olives
  • shredded cheddar cheese
  • salsa

Brown ground beef with onion and garlic. Drain meat, then stir in taco seasoning. Place meat in bottom of square baking dish. Let cool for at least 8 minutes.

Spread softened cream cheese over the top of the meat. Make sure to spread it out evenly. Add shredded cheese on top next. Then layer tomatoes, lettuce, and olives. Top with salsa when serving.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

  • 3 cooked chicken breasts; shredded
  • 12 oz. Franks's buffalo red hot sauce
  • 1 C. ranch dressing
  • 2 C. shredded cheese
  • 16 oz. cream cheese; softened
  • celery sticks and chips for dipping

Combine all ingredients and bake in 9 x 13 dish at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve with celery sticks and chips.

Perfect for game day!

Seven Layer Dip

  • 1.5 lbs. ground beef; browned and cooled to room temp.
  • 1 can (16 oz.) refried beans
  • 3 C. shredded cheddar-Monterrey Jack cheese
  • 8 oz. sour cream
  • 1 C. guacamole
  • 1 C. salsa
  • 1 can (6 oz.) black olives; chopped
  • 1/2 C. chopped tomatoes
  • 1/2 C. chopped green onions

Layer all ingredients on a serving tray: Beans, half of cheese, beef, sour cream, guacamole, other half of cheese, black olives, tomatoes, then green onion.

Mini Sausage Appetizers

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 lb. Jimmy Dean sausage
  • 1 lb. Velveeta
  • 1 1/2 tesp. oregano
  • 1/2 tesp. garlic powder
  • 2 loaves baby rye cocktail bread

Brown beef and sausage, drain. Return to pan, add cheese and spices, stir until melted through.

Spread onto slices of bread on baking sheet. Broil 5-7 minutes until bubbly.

Creamy Bacon Dip

  • 16 oz. sour cream
  • 3 oz. bacon bits (the real kind)
  • 2 C. shredded cheddar cheese
  • 8 oz. cream cheese - softened
  • 1 C. chopped green onions

Combine all ingredients. Place in 1 qt. baking dish, cover, bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

Serve with chips or veggie dippers.

Apple Streusel Muffins

Preheat oven: 375 degrees

Combine:
  • 2 C. flour
  • 1 C. sugar
  • 1 tesp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tesp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tesp. salt
  • 1/2 tesp. cinnamon

In another bowl, whisk together:

  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 C. melted butter
  • 1 1/4 tesp. vanilla

Stir wet ingredients into dry. Batter will be stiff

Fold in 1 1/2 C. tart peeled and chopped apples.

Fill muffin cups 3/4 full.

For Streusel topping, cut together:

  • 1/3 C. brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. flour
  • 1/8 tesp. cinnamon
  • 1 Tbsp. cold butter

Sprinkle with streusel topping. Bake 15-20 minutes.

Meanwhile, for glaze topping mix together:

  • 1 1/2 C. powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tesp. milk

Let muffins cool, drizzle glaze over top.

Cherry Coffee Cake

Preheat oven: 350 degrees

For batter:
  • 1 1/2 C. dry yellow cake mix
  • 1 C. flour
  • 1 pkg. (1/4 oz.) yeast
  • 2/3 C. warm water
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten - STIR IN

For crumb topping:

  • 1/3 C. cold butter
  • remaining dry cake mix

For icing:

  • 1 C. powdered sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. kayro syrup
  • 1-2 Tbsp. water

Mix batter until smooth. Pour into greased 9 x 13 pan.

Spoon on top of batter: 1 (21 oz.) can cherry pie filling.

Cut cold butter in with remaining dry cake mix to make crumble topping. Sprinkle on top of cherry layer.

Bake 35-40 minutes.

Meanwhile, mix together ingredients for icing. When cake has cooled slightly, drizzle icing on top.

White Chili

Bring to a boil in a large pot:
  • 1 pound white beans (great northern, pre-soaked overnight)
  • 6 C. chicken broth
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 medium onion, chopped

Reduce heat and simmer until beans soften, about 2 hours. Add more broth as needed.

In a skillet, sautee 1 medium chopped onion in a little oil.

Add to the pot:

  • two 4 oz. cans mild chopped green chilies
  • 2 tesp. ground cumin
  • 1.5 tesp. oregano
  • 1/4 tesp. ground cloves
  • 1/4 tesp. cayenne pepper

Mix thoroughly. Add 4 cups diced cooked chicken, simmer 1 hour.

Serve topped with shredded Monterrey-jack cheese, salsa, and sour cream.