Monday, December 31, 2007

Southern Pecan Pie

This is my husband's favorite dessert. I tried many times to make it, but the texture just wasn't right. I found an old recipe of my grandmothers which adjusted the oven times during baking. That seemed to do the trick and the texture is perfect!

Ingredients:
3 eggs
2 T butter
1 C Karo syrup
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup pecans
1 tsp vanilla
frozen pie shell

Beat eggs. Mix sugar with eggs, then add syrup and vanilla. Melt butter and add to mixture. Stir in pecans. Pour into unbaked pie shell and place in preheated 400 degree oven for 10 minutes. Then reduce the oven temperature to 350 and bake for 35 minutes.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Ranch Potatoes

These are a delicious and easy side dish to compliment any meal.

Ingredients:

1 packet of ranch dressing
1 cup sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
5 or 6 potatoes - peeled and cubed
garlic salt
salt/pepper
1 cup cheddar cheese
milk/cream or half and half (whichever you have handy)
2 Tablespoons butter

Mix ranch mix with sour cream and mayo.
Boil potatoes until fork tender and drain. Return to pan and mash with potatoe masher. Add butter to potatoes and milk or cream. Add ranch dressing. Use some salt and pepper and mix in. Put into baking pan. Sprinkle seasonings on top and then add cheese last. Bake until cheese is bubbly in 350 oven.

Friday, November 9, 2007

Chicken and Stuffing

I just tried this tonight and it was so good! I kind of winged it, so you may adapt the ingredient amounts.

Chicken - either boneless breast cut up, or whole chicken boiled and deboned.
1 box of Stove Top chicken flavored stuffing
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
1/2 can chicken broth
1 stick butter melted

Mix soup and sour cream together and add chicken. Add some chicken broth to flavor.
In seperate bowl, melt 1 stick butter, add stuffing mix and chicken broth to moisten.
In a baking pan, put 1/2 of stuffing mixture then put chicken mixture and then top with last of stuffing mixture. Drizzle remaining chicken broth over and bake for 30 minutes at 350.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Pumpkin Blueberry Muffins

Today is a perfect fall day, a nice wind is blowing through the open windows and it is a great day to bake! I found this recipe for pumpkin muffins and gave it a try. They are great!

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1/4 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
1/4 cup light brown sugar


Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine dry ingredients. Blend pumpkin, milk, egg and butter. Add pumpkin mixture to dry ingredients. Fold in blueberries. Fill tins. Sprinkle evenly with brown sugar mixed with a little cinnamon. Bake 20 minutes. Yields 12 Muffins.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Easy Hamburger Casserole

Here is a quick, easy but delicious casserole. A friend at church ( Hi K!!), made this for a church dinner and it was so good. She calls it "Wednesday Night Casserole".

Ingredients:
egg noodles cooked and drained
1 - 2 lbs hamburger meat cooked and drained
1 can cream of chicken soup
cheddar cheese

Brown hamburger meat and season with salt, pepper and I added a few dashes of worsteshire sauce. You can also chop onion and green pepper in this while browning.
Mix cooked egg noodles, toss with a small bit of butter and add cream of chicken soup. If this is too thick, add some milk. Stir in hamburger meat, place in baking pan and top with cheese. Bake until cheese is bubbly.

Oatmeal Crisps

In my last post, this was a recipe for disaster! But this time, the oats made it into the dough and it turned out much better. These oatmeal crisps are delicious!

Ingredients:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar (you can use less of each)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 & 1/2 cup All Purpose Flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
3 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 cup nuts (pecans or walnuts)
optional - 1/2 cup heath bits

Mix softened butter with sugar until blended. Add eggs and vanilla, mix well. In a separate bowl, add flour, salt and baking soda and stir well. Add this flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix. To this add the oats, nuts and heath bits, fold in.
This makes a huge batch of batter and if you would like, you can take half of the batter, form it into a log shape and wrap in waxed paper. This will keep in the refrigerator or freezes well. To bake, slice this dough in slices. For current dough, if you don't want to chill it and slice it, you can spoon it onto a greased cookie and bake at 350 for 10 minutes or until golden brown.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

The Ultimate Cooking Blooper

I have developed into a pretty good cook. Granted, baking is not my strongest point, but I got a great lesson in humility this weekend. Isn't it funny how the Lord keeps us humble.
I decided to whip up a batch of chewy oatmeal cookies. I have tried this recipe and it is great! I followed directions such as keeping wet and dry ingredients separate, etc. and everything else. They were in the oven, smelling wonderful when I took a peek.....instead of drops of cookies, the dough was spread out all over the pan, there was no bulk, it was watery and flat. Reviewing the recipe in my mind, I just couldn't figure out what I had done wrong until it hit me like a ton of bricks (or oats), I didn't add the oatmeal...DUH! So, I will post this great cookie recipe soon, just don't forget the oatmeal!!

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Sweet and Spicy Pork Roast

This recipe is for a pork roast I have made several times. I could not find the printed recipe for it so I'm not able to give exact amounts. This is made with a spice rub and there is room for lots of experiments with it.

Ingredients:
Pork Roast - pork loin or any kind of pork roast
Spices:
1 tsp of each - garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, chili powder
Dash of salt and pepper
Dash or up to 1/2 tsp red cayenne pepper
1/4 to 1/2 cup brown sugar

Mix spices together in small bowl. Place roast in pan lined with foil. Press spice mixture into meat covering completely top side. Cover with foil and bake slowly in 325 oven according to chart on roast. You may bake uncovered for the last 15 minutes to brown.

This has a delicious sweet, spicy flavor and be cooking covered and slowly, is very tender.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Light and Fluffy Cheesecake

I am so excited about this recipe! I made it yesterday and left for church while it was setting. DH (dear husband)got home before me and had a piece. He later asked "where did you get the cheesecake? Like I had bought it! That was a huge compliment for me. This is so easy and delicious!

Ingredients:
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese - softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 & 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tsp vanilla
1 (9 inch) graham cracker crust

Mix cream cheese and sugar in bowl with beaters on medium speed until well blended.
In another bowl, whip heavy whipping cream with vanilla until fluffy. Gently fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture. Spoon mixture into crust and refrigerate 3 hours or overnight. Top with any fruit or pie filling if desired.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Seven Layer Casserole - Man's Meal

1 and ½ cups rice

1 can whole kernel corn (drained)

salt and pepper

2 cans of 8 ounce tomato sauce

¾ cup of water

½ cup of chopped onion

½ cup of chopped green bell pepper (optional)

1 and ½ pound ground beef

package of bacon

Preparation and Cooking

1. In a basic 9 * 13 pan or cooking dish add 1 and ½ cups of uncooked long grain white rice
2. Add 1 drained can (normal size) of whole kernel corn and spread out on top of rice
3. Sprinkle with salt and pepper
4. Pour over 1 can (8 ounce) of tomato sauce and spread over corn with the back of a spoon
5. Evenly distribute ½ cup of water on top of tomato sauce
6. Add ½ cup of finely chopped onion
7. Add 1 and ½ pounds ground beef on top. It should look like a huge hamburger patty on top of everything. Make the patty about ½ inch thick. You may want to use more ground beef. (You can season the meat if you like)
8. Sprinkle with salt and pepper
9. Pour over 2nd can (8 ounce) of tomato sauce and spread evenly over ground beef
10. Add ½ cup of chopped green bell pepper and spread over ground beef (optional)
11. Evenly distribute ¼ cup of water over entire dish
12. Cover entire casserole with as many strips of bacon as you desire (1 layer is fine)

Cover the pan with tin foil and place in oven which should be preheated at 350 degrees. Bake for 1 hour. Remove tin foil and cook an additional 30 minutes. Remove from oven (depending on how fatty the ground beef you use is you may want to dump out the excess grease). Let cool for 10-15 minutes and enjoy. I like to put hot sauce and ketchup on mine but it is wonderful all by itself as well. It is very quick and easy to prepare. The hard part is waiting for it to cook.

Parmesian Ranch Pork Chops

One or two packs of pork chops - boneless chops work better
Dale's steak seaoning marinade (you can use this to marinade anything)
Shake and Bake Parmesian/Ranch seasoning mix

Marinate pork chops in Dales for a few hours or overnight in a ziplock bag.
Drain marinade and dip pork chops in Shake and Bake seasoning.
Place on foil lined baking pan.
Bake per directions on Shake and Bake box or until golden brown and crispy.

Friday, September 7, 2007

Marble Cheesecake Squares

I LOVE Cheesecake! I found this recipe today, haven't tried it yet, but it looks easy and tasty.

1 cup chocolate graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons margarine or butter melted
2 (8-ounce) blocks cream cheese, softened
1 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
4 large eggs
1 ounce semisweet chocolate

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Place crumbs in a 9-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray; drizzle with margarine. Toss with a fork until moist. Press into bottom of pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 8 minutes; cool on a wire rack.

Place cheeses in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed until smooth. Add sugar and flour; beat well. Add vanilla, eggs; beat until well blended. Pour cheese mixture into prepared pan.

Place chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl; microwave at high 1 1/2 minutes or until soft, stirring after 45 seconds (chocolate should not completely melt). Stir until smooth. Drop melted chocolate onto cheese mixture to form 9 mounds. Swirl chocolate into batter using the tip of a knife. Bake at 325 degrees for 35 minutes or until almost set. Cool on a wire rack. Cover and chill at least 4 hours.

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Walnut Pear Muffins

Fresh pears are in season in my area and my uncle has a tree loaded with them! That is why I may seem to be on a "pear kick". In an attempt to use the pears up, I did an internet search for pear muffins and came across this one. It is the best muffin I have ever tasted! Hope you enjoy the recipe.

1 & 1/2 Cup All Purpose Flour
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
2 & 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon groung ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 medium pear, peeled and chopped finely
1 egg
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
Topping Mixture
3 to 4 Tablespoons finely chopped walnuts
3 to 4 Tablespoons brown sugar

Place first 6 ingredients into a large bowl. Stir in chopped pear. Whisk together in a separate bowl egg, yogurt, vanilla and oil. Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients until just combined - do not over mix. Fill greased muffin pans about 2/3 full. Mix topping ingredients together. Sprinkle topping mixture over each muffin. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes at 350 until lightly browned.

Pear Crisp

I have tried for years to make a good cobbler/crisp with no good results...until now! A dear kitchen saint at church gave me this recipe and it is fantastic.

Fresh pears 3 or 4
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1 stick melted butter

Cook pears in medium size pot with 1/2 cup sugar and sprinkle with cinnamon to taste. Cook about 7 minutes, until still firm, but not hard.

In a mixing bowl combine sugar, flour and melted butter until crumbly. You can add some spice - cinnamon, nutmeg or allspice to this if desired.

Place pears in a 13x9 baking pan and spoon/sprinkle topping evenly over them. Bake at 350 until brown - about 30-45 minutes.

Italian Sausage with Peppers and Onions with Pasta



1 or 2 packages (depending on family size) of sweet Italian Sausage sliced thin
1 med onion
1 green bell pepper
5 cloves garlic (adjust according to your taste)
1 jar Spaghetti Sauce
Italian Seasoning

Brown sausage, onion, pepper and garlic in pan. Add spaghetti sauce and italian seasoning to your taste. Simmer 30 minutes

Boil one box of pasta (I used ziti) in salted water until tender. Drain and add shredded parmesian cheese and Italian seasoning. You can use a combination or basil, oregano or parsely or buy Italian seasoning.

Serve the sausage dish on top of the pasta for a delicious and filling meal.

Family Meal At Church


Last night we had the monthly Family Meal at church. For my family's contribution I made Italian Sausage with peppers and onions, pasta side dish, ceasar salad and a fantastic chocholate cake found at Jenna's Fare
Recipes will follow

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Joyfully Cooking

Blogging is new to me and I am loving it! My first blog is www.joybright.blogspot.com and is filled with adventures within my home and family, plus a bit of Biblical devotion which blesses me and in turn I would like to share to be a blessing to you. This blog is dedicated to cooking and serving meals joyfully. We all have to cook...food that is prepared and served with love can create a warm and inviting atmoshpere in your home. I hope that this blog will encourage others to bring joy into their kitchens, home and family.