French Chocolates

Impress your loved ones with French Chocolates for Valentine's Day.  Easily made in the microwave, these chocolates rival high-end chocolates you can buy at a fraction of the cost. ♥

French Chocolates

1 (12 oz.) package semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup ground pecans or walnuts

3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp. vanilla

1/8 tsp. salt

Coating:  coconut, chopped nuts, and/or powdered sugar  

Place chocolate chips in a medium bowl.  Microwave at MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) until melted, 2-4 minutes*, stirring twice.  Stir in the ground pecans or walnuts, condensed milk, vanilla, and salt.  Cool 5 minutes.  Shape into 1-inch balls.  Dip into desired coating(s).  Place on a greased baking sheet and refrigerate until set.  Store covered at room temperature.

* I have a new microwave (1000 watts), and it takes 3 minutes.

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These chocolates can be made in advance and frozen until needed.  

Grinding Nuts 101:  To finely grind the pecans or walnuts used in this recipe, measure 1 1/2 cups of the nuts into your food processor.  Depending on how finely your food processor grinds the nuts, you may need more or less:

 

Pulse for 1-2 seconds at a time checking the texture of the nuts after each pulse.  Pulsing in very brief bursts allows the nuts to fall back down into the container providing for even grinding.  This is the texture you want your nuts to be:

Presentation Idea:  Wal-Mart carries mini baking cups in the Valentine's Day decorations aisle that are perfect for holding these chocolates:

 

Blueberry Muffin Bread

If you like blueberry muffins and have a bread machine, you should try Blueberry Muffin Bread.  I used to buy Sara Lee's Blueberry Crumble Bread, but this recipe gives it a run for its money.

Only 1 tsp. of yeast is needed.

Blueberry Muffin Bread

3/4 cup milk (between 77-85 degrees F)

1 egg*

3 tbsp. water (between 77-85 degrees F)

2 tbsp. butter (cut in pieces, room temperature)

3 tbsp. sugar

3/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/3 cup dried blueberries**

3 cups bread flour

1 tsp. active dry yeast or bread machine yeast

 1. Measure all ingredients (even blueberries) into baking pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Insert pan into the bread machine.

2. Select Basic or White Bread Cycle, 1.5-pound setting, and medium crust setting.

3. Remove immediately from baking pan when done and let cool 15 minutes before slicing.

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*Your egg should be room temperature.  A safe way to achieve this is to place the egg in a cup of hot water for 5 minutes.

**Look for dried blueberries that are fresh and soft, because you want the blueberries to break up during mixing.  The best I've found is the Mariani brand available at Wal-Mart.

Note:  This makes great toast.  After the first day or two, I slice the rest of the loaf and lay the slices side-by-side on baking sheets. I freeze the slices (don't even have to bother covering), and when they're frozen, I put them in freezer Ziploc bags. Then I just pull out a piece now and then and pop it in the toaster...no thawing needed. I do have to run it through a couple of toasting cycles, but it tastes like I just made it.

Bacon Cheddar Potato Skins

Once you taste Bacon Cheddar Potato Skins, you will never want to order potato skins at a restaurant again. 

 

Bacon Cheddar Potato Skins

4 large baking potatoes, baked

1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp. canola oil

3 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

1 1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. garlic powder

3/4 tsp. paprika

3/8 tsp. pepper

8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

Shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Sour Cream

4 green onions, sliced

Preheat oven to 475 degrees.  Cut baked potatoes in half lengthwise; scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4 inch shell.  Place potato skins pulp-side up on a greased baking sheet.

Combine oil, Parmesan cheese, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and pepper; brush over the pulp side of the potatoes. Turn the potatoes over brushing the oil mixture on the bottoms.  Leave them bottom-side up.

Bake at 475 degrees for 7 minutes; turn pulp-side up.  Bake until crisp, about 7 minutes more.  Sprinkle bacon and cheddar cheese inside skins.  Bake 2 minutes longer or until the cheese is melted.  Top with sour cream and green onions.  Serve immediately.

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Crunchy Beef Casserole

Crunchy Beef Casserole is great for a filling weeknight meal.  All the ingredients can be kept on hand to have at a moment's notice, and dinner can be on the table in about an hour.

A 6 oz. can of French's French Fried Onions is pictured, but a 2.8 oz. can will be plenty. Salt not pictured.

Crunchy Beef Casserole

Christy Jordan of Southern Plate has many mouth-watering, simple recipes.  The recipe for Crunchy Beef Casserole can be found on Christy's website:  http://www.southernplate.com/2009/07/crunchy-beef-casserole-and-my-casserole-dish-collection.html

Notes:

*Use a 2.8 oz. can of French fried onions.

*I add additional salt to the mixture before baking.

*I use a 7x11 baker.

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Feta Cheese Ball

 Feta, cream cheese, and bacon blend together to create a savory twist on a classic.  Feta Cheese Ball is perfect to serve for any occasion.

Feta Cheese Ball

2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

2 tsp. ranch salad dressing and seasoning mix

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup crumbled, cooked bacon (4-5 strips)

1 tsp. dill weed

Club crackers

In a large bowl on medium speed, beat cream cheese until fluffy.  Beat in feta cheese and dressing mix.  Put into freezer until slightly firm--about 15 minutes.  While mixture is chilling, combine the Parmesan cheese, bacon, and dill weed in a small bowl.  After cheese mixture has chilled for 15 minutes, shape into a ball, and roll cheese ball in Parmesan mixture.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm.  Serve with crackers. 

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Cherry Cheese Pie

Cherry Cheese Pie is a simple, easy, delicious pie.  It is a family favorite and perfect for Christmas, Valentine's Day, the Fourth of July...anytime!

Cherry Cheese Pie

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened

1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

1/3 cup lemon juice

1 tsp. vanilla

1 (21 oz.) can cherry or blueberry pie filling, chilled

1  9-inch graham cracker crust

In a large mixer bowl, beat cream cheese on medium speed until fluffy.  Beat in sweetened condensed milk a little at a time until smooth.  Beat in lemon juice and vanilla.  Pour into the crust and chill 3 hours or until set.  Top with desired amount of pie filling before serving.  Keep refrigerated. 

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Graham Cracker Crust:  http://easyaspiecanbe.blogspot.com/2014/05/graham-cracker-crust-and-tutorial.html

Mini pies can be made using 4 (9 or 10 oz.) ramekins.  Use 1/4 of the graham cracker crust mixture for each mini pie. Pat in bottom and up sides, and bake as directed until crusts are lightly browned.   Cool, and then continue with the Cherry Cheese Pie recipe dividing filling evenly into each ramekin and topping with desired pie filling:

 

 

Peppermint Candy Ice Cream Pie

Peppermint Candy Ice Cream Pie is delicious, has few ingredients, can be made ahead of time, and the best part...is so easy!  What a beautiful dessert for your holiday table!

Peppermint Candy Ice Cream Pie

1 pint vanilla ice cream
1 (8 oz.) container frozen whipped topping, partially thawed
12 peppermint candies, crushed
3 drops red food coloring
1 9-inch Oreo cookie crust
Garnish:  1 (8 oz.) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
                chopped peppermint candies 

Combine ice cream, half of partially thawed whipped topping (4 oz.), and crushed candies.  Stir in red food coloring.  Spoon mixture into prepared pie crust; cover and freeze 4 hours.  Garnish with desired amount of thawed whipped topping and chopped peppermint candies.  Serve immediately or freeze until ready to serve.  Store in freezer.

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Oreo Cookie Crust:   http://easyaspiecanbe.blogspot.com/2014/12/oreo-cookie-crust.html

Oreo Cookie Crust

You know that any pie recipe that calls for an Oreo crust is going to be good.  You can make one almost as cheaply as you can buy one, plus a homemade crust is so much better (and prettier!) than one bought from a store.  And don't forget the added bonus of getting to eat an Oreo or two while making it. ♥

Oreo Cookie Crust

18 Oreo cookies, finely crushed
3 tbsp. butter, melted

Finely crush Oreos (I use my food processor), and mix with melted butter. Press crumb mixture onto bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie plate sprayed with cooking spray. Refrigerate until ready to fill.  

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 Baking Tip for Easily Removing a Piece of Crumb-Crust Pie:  Just before serving, rub the outside of the filled pie plate with a warm, damp towel.  This softens the butter in the crust, making it less likely to stick to the pie plate.  To prepare the towel, rinse it in very hot water, then wring it well.

Microwave Peanut Brittle Recipe and Tutorial

Microwave Peanut Brittle is crunchy, buttery, and tastes wonderfully of roasted peanuts.  It's so easy; you don't even need a candy thermometer.  Be prepared for it to be requested every holiday season.

Microwave Peanut Brittle

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/8 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups shelled raw peanuts
1 tbsp. butter
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla

Grease baking sheet heavily with butter (additional butter...not the butter used in the recipe).  Combine sugar, corn syrup, and salt in a 2.5 quart microwave-safe (glass or Pyrex) mixing bowl.  Stir in peanuts.  Microwave at HIGH (100%) until light brown approximately 7-9 minutes.  With a wooden spoon, stir once or twice during cooking.

Stir in remaining ingredients until light and foamy (will only take a few seconds).  Quickly spread on buttered baking sheet.  Spread as thinly as possible.  Cool; break into pieces.

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Microwave Peanut Brittle 101:

Give this recipe a trial run before making it for others to gauge how quickly your microwave will cook the mixture as microwave ovens vary. I have a new microwave (1000 watts), and it takes 8 minutes.  If your microwave's wattage is the same as mine, try 8 minutes for your first batch.  If it has a higher wattage, cook for less time, and if it has a lower wattage, cook for more time.  If, after the candy completely cools, it is a bit chewy and/or pale, you'll know you need to microwave it a bit longer next time.  If it tastes like it cooked too long, you'll know to scale back the time.  If it's only slightly under- or overcooked, increase or decrease your time by 10 seconds.  This peanut brittle will stay fresh in a zippered storage bag for several weeks.

 I use a sandwich bag to spread the butter on the baking sheet.  I cover the entire bottom of the sheet with butter:

Measure all ingredients before starting:

Mix the sugar, corn syrup, and salt with a wooden spoon because of the candy's eventual high temperature.  For the same reason, use a microwave-safe mixing bowl that can withstand the high temperature.  Glass or Pyrex bowls work well. The mixture will be very thick and difficult to mix.  Stir in the peanuts:

Microwave at HIGH (100%) until light brown approximately 7-9 minutes.  With a wooden spoon, stir twice during cooking.  Here is the mixture at the first and second stirs:

Stir in remaining ingredients until light and foamy (will only take a few seconds):

 Quickly spread on buttered baking sheet with two metal spoons.  They work much better than wooden spoons for this purpose.  Spread as thinly as possible.  Mixture will continue to look foamy until it starts to harden.  Don't worry about getting every smidgen of candy out of the bowl and onto the baking sheet. The most important thing is getting the candy spread quickly before it starts to harden.

Soak the bowl and spoons in the hottest tap water you have.  The candy stuck to the bowl will eventually dissolve:

Cool and break into pieces.  If needed, I use a metal spatula to loosen sections.  Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Easy Chicken Pot Pie

I made a version of Easy Chicken Pot Pie for years, but I had to cook the chicken first, and then the filling was baked in the oven.  A friend turned me on to her recipe made in the slow cooker, and I have never looked back.

Slow Cooker Easy Chicken Pot Pie

3 or 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (thawed if frozen)
1 (16 oz.) pkg. frozen mixed vegetables
1 (4 oz.) can mushrooms, drained (opt.)
2 (10.5 oz.) cans condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
6 Pillsbury Grands Southern-Style Frozen Biscuits

Place chicken breasts in a 3.5 qt. slow cooker.  Combine rest of ingredients (except biscuits) and cover breasts.  Cook on low 6-8 hours or until chicken reaches 165 degrees.  Before serving, remove breasts from slow cooker.  Shred, and return the meat to the mixture.  Serve on top of baked biscuits.

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 I adapted this recipe from the original recipe shared with me by my friend Constance.

Cranberry Relish and Tutorial

Cranberry Relish is the best cranberry salad I have ever eaten.  Made with cherry gelatin, it has a delicious flavor that compliments turkey or ham and all the trimmings of a holiday dinner.  As an added bonus, it is made a day or two ahead of your holiday feast making it very convenient to serve.

3/4 cup sugar not shown.

Cranberry Relish

1 (12 oz.) package of cranberries, rinsed and drained
2 cups + up to 3/4 cup sugar (divided)
1 (3 oz.) package cherry gelatin
1 cup boiling water
2/3 cup chopped pecans

Using a food processor, grind cranberries.  In a 2 qt. bowl, combine the ground cranberries with 2 cups of sugar.  Stir thoroughly and let set out all day or night so berries can absorb the sugar.  (I usually prepare mine in the evening, and after they have set out awhile, I put them in the refrigerator overnight until I am ready for them the next day.)  The next day, taste berries to see if additional sugar is needed, and if so, add up to 3/4 cup; stir.  Dissolve cherry gelatin in 1 cup boiling water.  Let cool to room temperature, and then stir it into the berries.  Refrigerate.  When partially congealed (about 45 minutes to an hour), stir in the chopped pecans and transfer to a pretty serving dish.  Refrigerate overnight.

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This recipe is an old family recipe handed down to me by my mom. She used a food grinder that attached to the counter with a vice to grind the cranberries.  Growing up, she served this relish every Thanksgiving.

Cranberry Relish 101:

Using a food processor, grind cranberries:

 

 Here is the berry/sugar mixture after it has set out overnight:

When partially congealed (about 45 minutes to an hour), stir in the chopped pecans.  The salad should be congealed enough that the pecans will sit on top of the salad when added:

Transfer to a pretty serving dish, refrigerate overnight, and then serve!  Enjoy!

Herb Roasted Turkey

The herb butter used in this recipe takes roasted turkey to a whole new level.  It is so juicy and full of delicious flavor.

Flour and Reynolds Oven Bag, Turkey Size, not pictured.

Herb Roasted Turkey

1 Reynolds Oven Bag, Turkey Size
1 tbsp. flour
2 ribs celery, sliced
1 medium onion, sliced
12 to 24 pound turkey, thawed
1 stick plus 2 tbsp. melted butter 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Shake flour in Reynolds Oven Bag; place in roasting pan at least 2 inches deep.  Add celery and onion to oven bag.  Remove neck and giblets from turkey.  Lightly stuff with your favorite stuffing recipe, if desired.  Inject melted butter everywhere into the turkey--the breast, legs, thighs, etc.

Herb Butter:
2 sticks butter, softened  
1/2 cup (heaping) chopped fresh parsley
6-8 cloves garlic, minced or 3 1/2 tsp. jarred minced garlic
1 tsp. seasoned salt
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. black pepper
Kosher salt

Combine the softened butter, chopped parsley, minced garlic, seasoned salt, onion powder, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Using your hands works well for this.  From the tail portion of the bird, place a spatula or your hand between the skin on the breast and the meat. Coat under the skin with the herb butter. Using your hands, spread the rest of the herb butter on top of the turkey's skin and inside the cavity, as well. Sprinkle with Kosher salt.  Place turkey in oven bag on top of vegetables.

Close oven bag with nylon tie; cut six 1/2-inch slits in top.  Tuck ends of bag in pan.  Bake 2 to 2 1/2 hours for a 12 to 16 lb. turkey, 2 1/2 to 3 hours for a 16-20 lb. turkey, and 3 to 3 1/2 hours for a 20 to 24 lb. turkey, or until thermometer inserted into thickest part of the inner thigh, not touching the bone, reads 180 degrees.  Add 1/2 hour for stuffed turkey.  Thermometer inserted into middle of the stuffing should read 165 degrees.  Let stand in oven bag for 30 minutes.  If turkey sticks to bag, gently loosen bag from turkey before opening bag.

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*Herb Butter recipe and application method from mrshappyhomemaker.com:  http://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/2013/11/herb-roasted-turkey/

Video of how to carve a turkey (easy method):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAe7-GpV98E

My dad was always in charge of the Thanksgiving turkey.  He would inject it with melted butter and salt it before roasting, and I thought it was the best turkey ever.  I have followed food blogger Mrs. Happy Homemaker for years, and when I saw her Herb Roasted Turkey recipe, I knew I had to try it combined with my dad's method.  It lives up to everything she promises, and her step-by-step photos are very helpful.  Please click on the herb butter link above to see her application photos.

Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

I grew up on the blue box macaroni and cheese and continued to make it all of my adult life.  A few years ago, I decided to start making my own mac and cheese but never found a recipe with the right amount of cheesiness and zing until this one, which several of my friends swore by.  If you'd like to make the leap to homemade and are looking for an easy, foolproof recipe...this is it. You might never make another blue box again.

2 8-oz. blocks of sharp cheddar cheese are shown, but one should provide enough cheese for this recipe.

Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni 

1/2 cup sour cream
1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. black pepper

4 tbsp. butter
2 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese

Spray a 6 qt. slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.  If using a slow cooker with a nonstick insert, omit this step.  Boil the macaroni in water according to the package instructions until still slightly firm (al-dente--not overly cooked); drain. You don't want to overcook your macaroni!
 

In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream, soup, salt, milk, mustard and pepper; set aside.  In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add cheese and stir until it melts. 

In your slow cooker, combine the cheese mixture and the soup mixture. Add drained macaroni and stir well.

Cook for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours* on LOW stirring occasionally just until it's hot and creamy.  Once it reaches that stage, turn your slow cooker on warm until ready to serve.
   

*NOTE: These are approximate times; slow cookers can vary widely in how hot and quickly they cook, so you may need to make adjustments.

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**Recipe adapted from julieseatsandtreats.com:  http://www.julieseatsandtreats.com/2013/04/crock-pot-mac-cheese/2/