Honey Butter

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1 cup honey

1 cup sugar

1 pound (4 sticks) salted sweet cream butter

1 tsp vanilla

Bring whipping cream, honey and sugar to a boil to dissolve the sugar. Put cold butter in a blender. Pour boiling mixture and vanilla over butter and blend until smooth. Pour into containers and refrigerate overnight before eating. Store in the fridge.

This recipe can be found here.

Mormon Muffins

1 c. boiling water

2½ tsp. baking soda

½ c. shortening

1 c. sugar

2 eggs

2 c. buttermilk

2½ c. flour

½ tsp. salt

2 c. All Bran cereal

1 c. 40% bran flakes

½ c. chopped walnuts

Directions

Add soda to boiling water and set aside.

Whip shortening and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add the eggs and mix well. Add the buttermilk, flour, salt; mix again.

Add the soda water very slowly. Gently fold the cereals and the walnuts into the mix.

Muffin mix must sit in the refrigerator overnight before baking.

Preheat oven to 350 °

Grease the tops and inside of muffin pans (these will go over the tops of the tins). Spoon batter into muffin tins to the top.

Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes.

Notes

Muffin batter will last one week, covered and refrigerated.
Makes about 2 dozen regular sized muffins.

The recipe can be found here. 

Best Lasagna. Ever

1½ lb. ground beef

1 lb. sausage

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 cans (14.5 oz.) whole tomatoes

2 cans (6 oz.) tomato paste

2 Tbsp. dried parsley

2 Tbsp. dried basil

1 tsp. salt

3 cups low fat cottage cheese

2 whole eggs, beaten

½ cup grated parmesan

2 Tbsp. dried parsley

1 tsp. salt

1 lb. sliced mozzarella cheese

1 package (10 oz.) lasagna noodles

(add ½ tsp. salt And 1 Tbsp. olive oil to pasta water)

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet or saucepan, combine ground beef, sausage, and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat until browned. Drain half the fat; less if you’re feeling naughty. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, 2 tablespoons parsley, basil and salt. After adding the tomatoes, the sauce mixture should simmer for 45 minutes while you are working on the other steps.

In a medium bowl, mix cottage cheese, beaten eggs, grated Parmesan, 2 more tablespoons parsley, and 1 more teaspoon salt. Stir together well. Set aside. Cook lasagna until “al dente” (not overly cooked).

To assemble:

Arrange 4 cooked lasagna noodles in the bottom of a baking pan, overlapping if necessary. Spoon half the cottage cheese mixture over the noodles. Spread evenly. Cover cottage cheese with a layer of mozzarella cheese. Spoon a little less than half the meat/sauce mixture over the top.

Repeat, ending with meat/sauce mixture. Sprinkle top generously with extra parmesan.

Either freeze, refrigerate for up to two days, or bake immediately: 350-degree oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until top is hot and bubbly.

This recipe can be found here.

Butterscotch Chip Cookies

2½ cups flour

¾ tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

1 cup butter, softened

½ cup sugar

½ cup light brown sugar, firmly packed

1 large egg

½ tsp. vanilla

2 cup (12 oz.) butterscotch chips

Preheat oven to 375° Line cookie sheet. 

In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light.  Beat in egg and vanilla until smooth.  Gradually add flour mixture until combined.  Stir in chips.

Drop rounded teaspoonfuls onto cookies sheets.  Bake about 10 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.

Cool several minutes before transferring to rack to cool completely.  Store in airtight container.

Makes 4 dozen 3 inch cookies.

Recipe found on Guittard butterscotch chip package  

Malted Milk Cookies

2½ cups flour

¾ cup plain malted milk powder

½ tsp. baking soda

¼ tsp. salt

1 cup sugar

½ cup light brown sugar; firmly packed

1 cup salted butter; softened

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 Tbsp. sweetened condensed milk

2 lg. eggs

2 cups milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 300°.

In medium bowl combine flour, malted milk powder, soda and salt. Mix well with a wire whisk. Set aside.

Blend sugars in a large bowl at medium speed. Add butter and mix, occasionally scraping down the sides of the bowl. Add the eggs, vanilla and condensed milk, and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.

Add the flour mixture and chocolate chips, and blend at low speed until just combined. Do not over-mix.

Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheets, 2 inches apart.

Bake 24-25 minutes until cookies are slightly brown along the edges. Transfer cookies immediately to a cool surface with a spatula.

This recipe can be found here.

Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1½ tsp. freshly grated lemon zest

1 tsp. ground coriander

2 Tbsp. poppy seeds

¾ cup salted butter, softened

1 cup white sugar

2 large egg yolks

1 large egg

1½ tsp. lemon extract

Preheat oven to 300°

In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking soda, lemon zest, coriander and poppy seeds. Mix well with a wire whisk and set aside.

In a large bowl cream together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed until the mixture forms a grainy paste. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the egg yolks, egg, and lemon extract. Beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.

Drop by rounded tablespoons onto an ungreased cookie sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake for 23-25 minutes or until cookies are slightly brown along the edges.  Immediately transfer the cookies with a spatula to a cool surface.

This recipe can be found here.

Pumpkin Spice Cookies

2½ cups flour

½ tsp. baking soda

¼ tsp. salt

2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 cup dark brown sugar, packed

½ cup sugar

¾ cup butter, softened

1 egg

1 cup pumpkin, canned or freshly cooked

1 tsp. vanilla

½ cup (2 oz.) walnuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 300°

In a medium bowl, combine flour, soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice. Mix well with a wire whisk and set aside.

In a large bowl, blend sugars with an electric mixer set at medium speed. Add the butter and beat to form a grainy paste. Scrape sides of bowl, then add egg, pumpkin and vanilla. Beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.

Add the flour mixture and walnuts. Blend at low speed just until combined. Do not overmix.

Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheets, 1½ inches apart. Bake 22 to 24 minutes, until cookies are slightly brown along edges. Immediately transfer cookies with a spatula to a cool.

This recipe can be found here.

Mexican Corn Salad

Serves 6

4 cups fresh (or canned) corn kernels; about 6 ears

2 avocados, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 limes, zested and juiced

1 green bell pepper, seeds removed and finely chopped

1/2 red onion, finely diced

1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled

1/3 cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

3/4 teaspoon chili powder, or to taste

kosher salt, to taste

Heat olive oil in a large pan or skillet over medium-high heat and cook corn until semi-charred on all sides. About 8 minutes.

Season with salt, then transfer corn to a large bowl.

Add diced avocado, garlic, bell pepper, red onion and parsley, then mix in chili powder, lime zest and juice, and mayonnaise.

Toss everything together until evenly coated, then taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary.

Add cotija cheese and toss together, then refrigerate or serve immediately.

You can find the recipe here.

Quick Chili

2 Tbsp. olive oil

2 lbs. ground beef

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 (14-ounce) cans tomato sauce

3 Tbsp. chili powder

1 Tbsp. ancho chile powder

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 (14-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 (14-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

½ cup chili sauce

Add the oil to a Dutch oven and set over medium heat. When hot, add the beef and cook, stirring to break up the meat, until browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and stir, then add the tomato sauce, chili powder, ancho chile powder and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for a minute, then add the kidney and pinto beans and the chili sauce. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and simmer for 30 minutes.

This recipe can be found here.

Black Bean and Mango Salsa

1 (15.5 oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 medium mango, peeled and diced (about 1 cup)

½ cup diced red onion (about ½ medium onion)

½ cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

2 tsp. red wine vinegar

½ tsp. sugar

¼ tsp. garlic powder

¼ tsp. kosher salt

1/8 tsp. black pepper

1 medium avocado, diced

In a large bowl, combine the beans, mango, onion and cilantro.

In a small bowl, combine the lime juice, vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, salt and pepper.  Stir to dissolve the sugar and then pour over the black bean mixture.  Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour.

When ready to serve, gently fold in the diced avocado.  Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

This recipe can be found in "Our Best Bites", page 13

Lemon Ricotta Cookies

2½ cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 (15-ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1 lemon, zested

Glaze:

1½ cups powdered sugar

3 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 lemon, zested

Preheat the oven to 375°

In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In the large bowl combine the butter and the sugar. Using an electric mixer beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating until incorporated. Add the ricotta cheese, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Beat to combine. Stir in the dry ingredients.

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Spoon the dough (about 2 tablespoons for each cookie) onto the baking sheets. Bake for 15 minutes, until slightly golden at the edges. Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 20 minutes.

Glaze:

Combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a small bowl and stir until smooth. Spoon about 1/2-teaspoon onto each cookie and use the back of the spoon to gently spread. Let the glaze harden for about 2 hours. 

This recipe can be found here.

Nectarine Cobbler

Topping:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup milk
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened

Filling:
4 cups sliced nectarines
1/2 cup cold water
1/3 cup unpacked light brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Garnish:
Cinnamon sugar for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 350°.

To prepare the topping: In a medium-size bowl, stir together the flour, the sugar, and the baking powder. Add the milk and the butter and beat until smooth.

To prepare the filling: In a large saucepan, combine all the ingredients. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is thickened and bubbly, about 5-10 minutes.

Pour into an ungreased 13x9-inch glass baking dish. Spoon the topping over the filling and spread carefully and evenly with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

Bake 30-40 minutes or until topping is lightly golden and a cake tester inserted into the center of topping comes out clean.

This recipe can be found here.

Zucchini & Yellow Squash with Sun-dried Tomatoes

10 sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil

¾ cup warm water

¼ cup chicken broth

5 Tbsp. olive oil

1 large onion, finely sliced

5 cloves garlic

2 yellow squash, cut into thin strips

2 zucchini, cut into thin strips

salt & pepper

Slice the tomatoes into thin strips.

In a large frying pan heat the oil and stir in the onion.  Cook over low heat until it softens but does not brown.

Stir in the garlic, squash, and zucchini. Cook for about 5 minutes.

Stir in the tomatoes, their soaking liquid, and the chicken broth.

Season with salt and pepper.

Raise the heat slightly and cook until the veggies are just tender.

Serve hot or cold.

This recipe can be found here.

Enchilada Casserole

1 can (16 oz) kidney beans or pinto beans

¾ cup scallions, sliced

1 Tbsp. chili powder

1 tsp. minced garlic; 1 tsp cumin

6 six-inch corn tortillas

1 can (11 oz) corn, undrained

1½ cups cheddar cheese, grated

1 can (4 oz) chopped green chilies

1 can (14½ oz) pasta style stewed tomatoes

sour cream

Drain beans, reserving 1 Tbsp. liquid.  Put in medium sized bowl with scallions and spices.  Mash to make a chunky puree.

Cut tortillas in half.  Line the bottom of a 8 X 8 pan, with 4 tortilla halves, longside against the sides.  Spread half the bean mixture on top.  Top with 4 more tortilla halves.  Spoon corn on top.  Sprinkle with half the cheese and all the chilies. Top with remaining tortilla halves.  Spread remaining bean mixture.  Spoon tomatoes over beans and sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Cover tightly with foil.  Bake at 350° for 50 – 55 minutes.

Serve with sour cream.

Baby Back Ribs

1 rack baby back ribs (about 2-2.5 pounds)

3 c. pineapple juice

1½ c. brown sugar

1½ tsp. mustard powder

1/3 c. ketchup

1/3 c. red wine vinegar

1½ Tbsp. lemon juice

2 Tbsp. soy sauce

½ tsp. ground cloves

2 tsp. ground ginger

4 cloves garlic, minced

½ tsp. cayenne pepper

Your favorite barbecue sauce

Using a sharp knife or a pair of kitchen shears, cut each rack into about 4 portions (it ends up being about 3-4 rib bones each).  Place in crockpot.

Mix pineapple juice, brown sugar, mustard powder, ketchup, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, soy sauce, cloves, ginger, garlic, and cayenne pepper. Pour over ribs and cover. (This step can be done the night before.) Set to low for 6-7 hours.

Remove ribs from liquid and heat grill to medium. Place ribs on the grill, brush one side with barbecue sauce, and close the lid for 3-4 minutes. Carefully turn the ribs, brush other side with sauce, close the lid, and wait another 3-4 minutes. Repeat.

Serve immediately.

This recipe can be found here.

Cajun BBQ Shrimp

¾ lb. large shrimp

2 Tbsp margarine

1 Tbsp Worchester sauce

1 Tbsp + 1 tsp ketchup

1½ Cajun seasoning

¼ tsp cayenne

1 lemon, juiced

2 cloves garlic, minced

Peel and devein shrimp.

Melt margarine in medium pan.  Remove from heat.  Whisk in remaining ingredients.

Arrange shrimp in single layer in baking pan; pour butter mix over top. 

Heat oven to 450°.  Bake shrimp 3 minutes.  Turn shrimp and bake 2 minutes more.

Rainbow Soup

1 medium onion, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 Tbsp olive oil

4 cloves garlic, pressed

1 med red bell pepper, chopped

1 cup carrot, chopped (or pumpkin)

1 heaping Tbsp paprika

3 tsp turmeric

½ tsp cinnamon

1 bay leaf

A little hot sauce

1 (15 oz) can tomatoes, chopped

5 cups broth

1½ cups spinach

Salt and pepper, to taste

In large pot, place oil, onion and celery.  Cook on low heat for 5 – 10 minutes to develop more sweetness in the onion.

Add garlic and turn up heat to medium.  Cook for a minute or so; add peppers and carrots.  Cook another minute or two and add the spices.  Stir and cook until fragrant – another minute or so.

Add tomatoes and broth; simmer 15 minutes.  Add spinach; simmer 5 minutes more.

If adding cooked cubed meat (i.e. chicken or turkey) , add at this time.

Adjust seasonings as desired.

Makes approximately 9 cups of soup.

Stuffed Pork Chops

1 lb. uncooked lean boneless pork chop(s), four chops (1/4-lb each) trimmed  

3 Tbsp. dried plain breadcrumbs  

½ rib celery, finely chopped  

½ small onion, finely chopped  

1 egg  

1 tsp. parsley  

 1 tsp. sage

 black pepper, to taste  

Cut a large, deep pocket in the side of each chop with a very sharp knife.

Combine the bread crumbs, celery, onion, egg, parsley, sage, and pepper in a medium bowl. Fill the pocket of each chop with the mixture; skewer the edges with toothpicks to hold them together, if necessary.

Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Spray a 1-quart shallow baking pan with cooking spray.

Spray a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set over medium heat. Add the stuffed chops and cook, turning once, until golden brown on each side.

Transfer to the baking pan; cover with foil, and bake until the meat is no longer pink and the vegetables in the stuffing are tender, about 10 minutes.

Remove the foil and continue baking until the stuffing is golden and slightly crispy, 10 minutes more.

This recipe can be found here.

Mix and Match Meatloaf

1. Pick Your Meat

Preheat the oven to 350°. Put 1½ lbs. ground meat in a large bowl (choose 1 or a combination).

Ground beef

Ground turkey

Ground veal

Ground pork

2. Choose a Binder

Add 1 cup to the bowl with the meat (choose 1).

Breadcrumbs

Instant rice (uncooked)

Cornflakes

Crackers or croutons, crushed

Fine bulgur (uncooked)

Oats (quick cooking or regular)

Instant potato flakes (use ½ cup)

Quick-cooking barley (uncooked; use ½ cup)

3. Pick a Vegetable

Prepare 1 to 2 cups (choose 1); add to the bowl.

Carrots, shredded

Frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

Swiss chard or kale, finely chopped

Bell peppers, finely chopped

Mushrooms, finely chopped

Zucchini, shredded and squeezed dry

Celery, finely chopped and sautéed

4. Choose a Mix-In (Optional)

Add ½ cup total (choose up to 2).

Sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

Cooked bacon, chopped

Pickles or gherkins, chopped

Canned green chiles or pickled jalapeños, chopped

Walnuts, chopped

Roasted red peppers, chopped

Shredded cheese (up to 1 cup)

5. Bake the Meatloaf

Add 1 cup grated onion, ½ cup ketchup, 2 Tbsps chopped herbs (parsley, chives, basil and/or thyme), 2 eggs, 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce, 1 minced garlic clove, 1½ tsp kosher salt and ½ tsp. pepper and mix with your hands until just combined. Shape into a 9-by-5-inch oval loaf on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Top with strips of bacon, if desired. Bake about halfway, 30 minutes.  (I use mini loaf pans and cut the baking time.  Check the temperature!)

6. Make a Glaze

Brush the top and sides of the meatloaf with a glaze and continue baking until a thermometer inserted into the center registers 160°, about 25 more minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Classic

Mix ¼ cup ketchup, 2 tsp. brown sugar and 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce.

Garlic-Herb

Mix ¼ cup ketchup, 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar, 2 tsp. brown sugar, 1 grated garlic clove and ½ tsp. Italian seasoning.

Spicy Barbecue

Mix ¼ cup barbecue sauce, 2 tsp. honey, 1 tsp. chipotle chile powder and 1 tsp. cider vinegar.

Tangy

Mix ¼ cup ketchup, 2 Tbsp. apricot preserves, 2 tsp. soy sauce, 1 tsp. rice vinegar and 1 tsp. ground ginger.

This recipe can be found here.

Toffee Bars

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

1 egg yolk

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups flour

¼ tsp. salt

1 (12 oz.) pkg. semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°.

Cream butter, sugar and egg yolk.  Add vanilla.  Mix in flour and salt; stir well.

Spread dough in a greased and floured 9X13 inch pan.  Bake for 20 minutes.

Remove from oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips while hot.

Return to oven for 1 minute.  Remove and spread melted chocolate evenly over the top of the bars.

Let cool before cutting into squares.

Clara's Chicken Soup

1 chicken breast
1 pkg Ranch dressing mix
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup frozen broccoli
1 handful noodles

Place chicken, dressing mix and broth in crockpot and cook on high for 3 1/2 hours.

Shred chicken.  Add broccoli and noodles and continue cooking til tender.

Roasted Cauliflower

1 head cauliflower (about 2 pounds), cut into bite-size florets (about 8 cups)

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

5 cloves garlic, roughly chopped

¼ tsp. crushed red pepper

2 tsp. kosher salt

2 tsp. roughly chopped fresh thyme leaves

Preheat the oven to 450°.

Toss the cauliflower with the olive oil, garlic, and red pepper on a baking sheet; sprinkle with the salt and thyme and toss again. Roast until golden and tender, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve.

This recipe can be found here.

Triple Chocolate Cake

1 chocolate cake mix, any kind

1 (3.4-ounce) package instant chocolate pudding

1 cup sour cream

3/4 cup vegetable oil

3/4 cup water

1 (12-ounce) bag semisweet chocolate chips

4 eggs

Preheat oven to 325°.

Put all ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix for nine minutes. Pour into a very well-greased Bundt cake pan. Bake 1 hour.

Let cool in pan for 1 hour before removing. (It tastes much better once cooled.) Store in refrigerator.

Though this cake does not require frosting—it is very sweet and very rich—it can be dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with ganache for presentation purposes.

Note: This recipe adapts well to two standard loaf pans or sixteen mini-loaf pans. (Adjust baking time for mini loaves.)

This recipe can be found here.