Mimi Hill's Maraschino Party Cake

Okay, me following Mimi’s recipe was not the easiest thing in the world. My Mom loves this cake I think because her mom had her crack the walnuts. I cheated and bought the already shelled ones. Here you take a look at the original recipe. I would have called my Mimi up if she was still alive. I think it came out pretty good, considering what I had to work with.


1¼ cup sugar
½ cup shortening
½ tsp salt
2 eggs
½ cup cherry juice
¼ cup milk
1 tsp lemon juice
½ cup or more chopped cherries
½ cup chopped walnuts
2 cups flour
2½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp almond flavoring

Cream the sugar and shortening together. Add eggs to shortening mixture. Combine milk, cherry juice, lemon juice and almond flavoring in large measuring cup. Combine flour, baking powder and salt together in separate bowl. Alternate adding flour and milk mixture to creamed sugar until well combined. Fold in cherries and walnuts. Spread into greased and floured baking pan. Bake at 350º for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Use creamy white frosting and top with cherries and walnuts for garnish.


© Crackerberries 2009

Pumpkin Banana Bread

"We're not falling for the banana in the tail pipe trick" ~~ who remembers what movie?

3½ cups flour
2 mashed bananas
2 cups pumpkin
2 tsp baking soda
1½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp baking powder
¾ cup butter flavored Crisco
2 cups sugar
1 cup raisins



Preheat oven 350º. In small bowl combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg and cinnamon; set aside. In large mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time mixing well after each addition; add pumpkin and banana; mix well. Add flour mixture and stir until well combined. Fold in raisins. Pour into two greased 9x5 bread pans. Bake 55 minutes or until wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool on wire racks.

© Crackerberries 2009

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Being the week of Halloween I thought this would be a good time for some festive spook-tacular recipes. Tall Cool One likes cherry filling on his cheesecake. Believe me, when he put it on pumpkin cheesecake I thought that just sounded gross, but it actually tasted okay. I prefer a scoop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream with mine, but you go ahead and have it however you like it.



1½ cup graham cracker crumbs
6 Tbsp butter or margarine
2 Tbsp sugar

16 oz cream cheese softened
¾ cup sugar
16 oz pumpkin
¼ tsp salt
1¼ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ginger
½ tsp nutmeg
3 eggs



Preheat oven to 350º

Combine graham cracker crumbs, 2 Tbsp sugar and melted margarine and mix well. Press into 9 inch spring form pan and bake in 350º oven for 8 minutes.

In large bowl beat cream cheese and sugar until well combined. Add pumpkin and spices and mix well. Add eggs one at a time mixing well after each addition. Mix until smooth.

Pour into prepared crust and bake at 350º for 50-55 minutes until center is set. Turn oven off and crack oven door, let cool in oven for one hour. Using butter knife, loosen sides before opening spring. Garnish with caramel apple flavored candy corn.


© Crackerberries 2009

Jambalaya

1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
½ green pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
24 oz chicken broth
6 oz red wine
½ cup salsa
8 oz kielbasa, halved and cut into ½ inch pieces
¾ cup long grain rice, uncooked
1 cup cubed ham
1 tsp thyme
½ tsp basil
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
½ tsp fresh ground pepper
1 bay leaf

Thaw and rinse shrimp and set aside. Cook onion, celery, garlic and pepper in olive oil until tender. Add broth, wine, salsa, kielbasa, rice, thyme, basis, bay leaf, cayenne pepper and black pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Add shrimp and bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer about 5 minutes. Add ham, remove bay leaf and heat until hot. Serve with biscuits or garlic bread.

© Crackerberries 2009

Turkey on Rye Meatloaf

When using ground turkey, it is very important to use spices, otherwise the taste is kind of institutional … not that I have any experience in an institution, but it kind of reminds me of the pale yellow walls or the green color that the halls are painted with. (Okay, I get that from watching movies.) Plain ground turkey is blah.




1¼ lb ground turkey meat
3-4 slices rye bread, cubed
¼ cup salsa
1 medium onion, diced
1 large egg
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp poultry seasoning
½ tsp coriander
¼ tsp curry powder
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp fresh ground pepper



Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Shape into a loaf in a greased baking dish. Bake at 350º for one hour. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.


© Crackerberries 2009

Spaghettie Pie Casserole

8 oz spaghetti
16 oz pasta sauce
1 lb ground beef
2 eggs
2 Tbsp butter
¾ cup parmesan cheese
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1 small onion, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced

Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain. Add 2 Tbsp butter, eggs and ½ cup parmesan cheese; set aside.

In large skillet, cook onion, celery, garlic and beef; drain if necessary. Add sauce until heated.

Place spaghetti mixture in greased baking dish, pushing spaghetti up around the sides and making a well in the center forming a crust. Pour sauce over spaghetti. Sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese.

Bake in 350º oven for 25-30 minutes or until sides are lightly golden; remove from oven and let stand minutes prior to serving.


© Crackerberries 2009

Roasted Rooster

Yes, we killed our rooster and cooked him and ate him.  He was a tough old bird.

½ fresh rooster; plucked, cleaned
1 Tbsp fresh ground pepper
2 stalks celery
1 medium onion, peeled & quartered
1 Tbsp salt
1 Tbsp poultry seasoning
½ cup chicken broth
½ cup dry white wine
2 Tbsp olive oil

Preheat oven to 325º

Wash rooster well with cold water, being sure to pull any loose feathers from the skin; and pat dry.

Place in baking dish, skin side up; add onion, celery, broth & wine. Rub rooster with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and poultry seasoning. Cover place in oven. Bake at 325º for 2½ hours, removing from oven every 30 minutes to baste with juices.

Serve with favorite sides; butternut squash, mashed potatoes, honey glazed carrots, gravy and stuffing (or as they refer to it in the south, dressing).

© Crackerberries 2009

Overstuffed Peppers with Piquant Sauce

Yum yum yum, I love stuffed peppers, they are like mini-meat loaves!

2 large green peppers
1 lb ground beef
1 envelope of onion soup mix
½ cup bread crumbs
1 tsp oregano
1 egg
¼ cup ketchup
1 lb ground beef
3 Tbsp brown sugar
4 Tbsp ketchup
½ tsp nutmeg
1 tsp dry mustard

Preheat oven to 400º

Cut peppers in half and discard seeds and white pulp. Wash and set on paper towels to drain.

In large bowl combine ground beef, onion soup mix, bread crumbs, oregano, egg and ¼ cup ketchup. Mix well. Pack tightly into green pepper halves. Arrange closely in lightly greased baking dish.

In small bowl combine brown sugar, nutmeg, dry mustard and ketchup and stir well. (I double this recipe because I like extra after it bakes); spoon evenly over peppers.

Bake uncovered at 400º for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 350º and cover peppers with aluminum foil or baking dish cover and cook an additional 40-45 minutes. Remove from baking dish immediately. Add more sauce if desired.



© Crackerberries 2009

Pasta Salad

2 cups colored pasta, cooked and drained
1 cup chopped ham
1 cup chopped Swiss cheese
½ cup chopped green pepper
¼ cup chopped onion
¼ cup slice black olives
1 medium tomato, diced
10 slices pepperoni, quartered
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
Salt and Pepper
½ cup parmesan cheese

Combine pasta with all of the vegetables and mix well. In a small bowl pour in vinegar first then add Italian seasoning and salt and pepper, while whisking, slowly add olive oil, mixing well to combine. Pour over pasta and toss to mix. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve.


© Crackerberries 2009

Raisin Oatmeal Cookies

¾ cup butter flavored Crisco
1 cup packed brown sugar
½ cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp ground cloves
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1½ cups flour
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup raisins



Preheat oven 375º. Combine Crisco and sugars in large mixing bowl and beat until creamy; add eggs and vanilla and mix well. In a medium bowl combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and cloves and stir to combine; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in rolled oats and raisins.

Drop by rounded tablespoons 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove from oven, cool on cookie sheet 1 minute then transfer to wire racks and cool completely.

These are good with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream tucked between two cookies. Mmmmm, good!


© Crackerberries 2009

Jalapeño Parmesan Biscuits

Preheat oven to 450º

2 cups jiffy baking mix
1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
¼ cup chopped onion
¼ cup parmesan cheese
½ tsp garlic powder
¾ cup buttermilk

Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl and stir just until moistened. Drop by spoonfuls on ungreased cooking sheet; bake at 450º for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.

© Crackerberries 2009

Boston Butt Chili

In the winter time you cook a 3 lb Boston Butt in the rotisserie using Crackerberries special spice rub mix. Then you have a nice Sunday afternoon din-din of butt and candied sweet potatoes. After that you pull some butt and have pork sand-ridges with some spicy brown mustard on fresh sub rolls on Monday, you will have just enough butt left to whip up a chili. Oh, yeah, don’t forget to cook your crock pot beans on Saturday and have them for supper and then you’ll have the leftovers for chili on Tuesday.  In the summertime, smoke that Boston Butt on the grill. 



2 cups chopped Boston Butt
2 cups navy or kidney beans
1 jalapeno pepper, diced
1 Tbsp paprika
1 cup salsa
1 cup tomato sauce
1 tsp chili powder
¼ tsp cayenne pepper







Combine all ingredients in crock pot and simmer on low for 4 hours. Serve with jalapeno parmesan biscuits or Johnny cake.


© Crackerberries 2009

Chicken & Dumplings with Gravy

2½-3 lbs chicken pieces
3 cups water
1 onion, peeled and wedged
1 tsp salt
½ tsp sage
½ tsp marjoram
½ tsp fresh ground black pepper
2 bay leaves
1 cup sliced celery
1 cup sliced carrots
1 cup frozen corn
2 cups chicken broth
¼ cup flour

Skin chicken and add to water in large kettle with onion, sage, salt, pepper, marjoram and bay leaves. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to slow simmer. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Add celery and carrots and simmer 15 more minutes. Add corn and simmer 10 minutes or so.

In medium bowl combine 1 cup flour, 1 tsp baking powder and ½ tsp salt. Cut in 2 Tbsp shortening until mixture resembles crumbs. Ad ½ cup buttermilk, stirring just until moistened.

Spoon batter into six mounds on top of chicken (do not drop in liquid). Return to boiling, reduce heat, cover and simmer 12-15 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted into dumplings comes out clean. Transfer to serving platter and keep warm.

Combine 2 cups chicken broths and ¼ cup flour in pan and bring to boil. Stir until thickened. Serve gravy over chicken, vegetables and dumplings.


© Crackerberries 2009

Eggplant Tomato Quiche

1 pie crust (recipe follows)
1 large tomato, cut into ¼ inch slices
1 medium egg plant, sliced into thin rounds
3 eggs, slightly beaten
¼ cup sour cream
¼ cup parmesan cheese
2 slices mozzarella cheese
½ tsp basil
½ tsp oregano
½ tsp fennel seed
¼ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp ground black pepper
Salt and pepper to taste

Spread eggplant slices on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and sprinkle with salt; let stand 15 minutes. Preheat oven 350º. Pat dry any juices from the eggplant with paper towel. Spray both sides of the egg plant with oil and place in oven for then minutes.

Combine basil, oregano, fennel seed, garlic powder and pepper in a small bowl and mix well. Spray with oil and sprinkle spices over both sides of tomato. Place in oven with eggplant and cook for 10 minutes or until both eggplant and tomatoes are lightly roasted but not blackened. Remove from oven and cool 5 minutes.

Layer eggplant in bottom of pie crust, saving 4-5 slices; place mozzarella cheese on top of eggplant, then top with tomato slices.

Beat the eggs and sour cream together until well combined; add parmesan cheese and dash each of salt and pepper; mix well and pour over tomatoes. Sprinkle with fresh ground pepper.

Bake at 350º for 35-40 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Single Pie Crust
1¼ cups all purpose flour
¼ tsp salt
1/3 cup shortening
4-5 Tbsp ice cold water

Make a glass of ice water. In a medium bowl stir flour and salt together. Using pastry blender, cut in shortening until flour is crumby. Sprinkle 1 Tbsp iced water over flour and gently toss with a fork. Repeat with 1 Tbsp water at a time until all flour is moistened..

On lightly floured surface, use your hands to flatten and roll pastry from center to edges in a circle to fit into your pie plate. *Note: the more rolling and patting done with the pastry, the tougher it becomes.

© Crackerberries 2009

Liver + Onions

So liver and onions was a meal my mother served once a week when I was a kid. Liver is cheap now, imagine how cheap it was back then. I loved liver and onions night. However, I did not care for what she served it with: mashed potatoes and stewed tomatoes. That was what my sister loved. I remember sitting at the dinner table saying “I don’t like mashed potatoes.” My father would say, “Shut up and eat it”. “But that’s not fair,” I’d retaliate, “Penny gets a hot dog because she doesn’t like liver”. Then my father would give me that look and say, “If you keep running your mouth, you can have more mashed potatoes.” That meant I better shut up. My mother always liked my sister better than me. (I’m just kidding) When we’re kids and things like that happened, that’s what your brain told you, isn’t it? Parents just know what is best for their kids … whether it’s eating stewed tomatoes and mashed potatoes or liver and onions; or in my sister’s case, a hot dog. Guess my mother really like me better. I’ll take liver and onions over a hot dog every day.



1 lb beef or pork liver
1 cup whole milk
3 medium onions
8 slices bacon (optional)
½ cup flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp pepper
2 Tbsp butter




Soak liver in milk for 20 minutes. While liver is soaking cook bacon in skillet over moderate heat, turning occasionally, until crisp. Remove bacon from pan and add sliced onions and salt and cook until golden brown. Remove onions and add to bacon. Cover with a piece of aluminum foil to keep warm.

Drain milk from liver (if you have a dog, he will love this mixed with his dog food.) Combine flour, paprika and pepper in saucer. Dredge liver through flour and shake off excess.

In wiped out skillet add butter and let it melt over moderately high heat. Add liver; cook 2-3 minutes per side until no longer pink inside. Serve with bacon and onions.


© Crackerberries 2009

Sausage Biscuits

Tall Cool One and I joke around about some of the things that the restaurants have “buy one get one free”. I think this was something Bojangles did. Not 100% sure. But since coming to South Carolina I’ve see more restaurants than I ever heard of while living in Maine. One thing is for sure, the south can eat. And I can simulate their specialties... sort of.


3 cups flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
¾ tsp cream of tartar
¾ cup butter flavored Crisco
1 cup milk
¼ cup corn meal
½ lb bulk mild sausage, made into patties and cooked



Preheat oven to 425º. Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, garlic powder, and cream of tartar in large bowl. Stir to combine. Using a pastry blender, cut in the shortening until the mixture is crumbly. Make a well in the center of the mixture and pour 1 cup of milk in all at once. Stir just until moistened.

Turn dough out on well floured surface and knead the dough by gently folding and pressing for 5-6 times. Pat dough out to ½ inch thickness. Cut out 6-8 circles with large glass or biscuit cutter. Sweep through corn meal and place the circles one inch apart on cookie sheet. Bake 10-14 minutes or until golden. Remove biscuits from baking sheet.

Place sausage patty in the center of two biscuits with mustard or grape jelly. Serve ‘em up warm or wrap in wax paper to store in fridge or freezer for later use.

© Crackerberries 2009

Red Flannel Hash

So we had a New England boiled dinner over the weekend. You know what that means? Leftovers get turned into a new meal; Red Flannel Hash. Just use all of the leftover meat and vegetables from the dinner. The only new items I added was the bacon and the beets…that’s what made it red since I was not using corned beef which is customarily what is cooked in a New England boil dinner. I used a rump roast.

2 cups chopped roast
1½ cup diced potatoes
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
2 cups shredded cabbage and onions
1 15 oz can beets, drained and finely chopped
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp thyme
½-¾ cup juice from leftover veggies or beef broth
3 slices bacon


Save about ½-¾ cup of juice that the veggies are setting in when you take them out of the fridge. Combine chopped and diced veggies with meat. Mix well. Add Worcestershire sauce, thyme and paprika to reserved veggie juice or beef broth. Pour over mixture. Spoon into greased baking dish; and lay bacon over top and bake at 375º for 30 minutes or until bacon is crisp. Let stand a few minutes before serving. Good for breakfast with eggs or din-din with Italian bread.



© Crackerberries 2009

Dirt Cake

It’s funny when I tell people I’m making a dirt cake. They look at me funny and say “you make a cake out of dirt”? Usually I laugh a little and say “no, it’s not really dirt” and then I explain the ingredients. But, after I thought about this, it really is dirt. Everything comes from dirt. Genesis 2:7 “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground…” For without that, there would be nothing.



1 box chocolate cake (or make your own)
1 large container of cool whip
4 Skor© bars
2 boxes of instant chocolate pudding
Chocolate syrup
Gummy worms

Bake the cake according to instructions on box. Let cool completely and then crumble in large chunks.

Make pudding only using ½ of the milk that is called for. Combine with ½ of the container of Cool whip.

Break the candy bars into tiny pieces (a hammer on a cutting board works well).

In glass bowl or fancy dish layer bottom with ½ of crumbled cake, top with ½ of pudding/cool whip mixture. Sprinkle with a third of the crushed candy bars. Drizzle chocolate syrup across the top and down the sides. Repeat layers.

Spread cool whip over top and sprinkle with remaining candy bar. Strategically place gummy worms in “dirt”.

This is also good for other holidays. Faux leaves for a Thanksgiving dessert or imitation poinsettias for Christmas, a Cross for Easter, etc. Imagination is ¾ of the battle of creation.


© Crackerberries 2009

Moo-Chi-Pig Casserole

This is a great brunch or breakfast for a crowd. Made the night before leaves your morning open to relax, enjoy your coffee and company without slaving in the kitchen. Not only that, but it’s a pretty tasty casserole. Serve as is or add salsa or ketchup.

1 lb mild bulk pork sausage
1 16 oz pkg. cooked cubed ham
1 26 oz pkg. shredded hash browns
8 oz shredded Colby & Monterey Jack cheese
4 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
¾ cup milk
1 tsp celery salt
1 Tbsp Texas Pete
¼ cup parmesan cheese
1 Tbsp bacon bits
1 dozen eggs

Cook the sausage in large skillet until no longer pink; drain grease and cool completely. Spray large baking dish or lasagna pan with cooking oil. Spread uncooked hash browns in bottom of baking dish, spreading them up the sides to create a crust if you will.

Lay cubed ham over hash brown, then top with cooled sausage. You might also add cooked onion and green pepper (optional). Top with cheeses.

In large bowl, beat eggs and add milk, parmesan cheese, celery salt and Texas Pete; mix well. Pour over casserole. Sprinkle with bacon bits.

Place in refrigerator over night. Remove from fridge 30 minutes prior to baking. Bake in 350º oven for one hour or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

© Crackerberries 2009

Green Tomato Pine Nut Pizza

I love pizza night. Tall Cool One loves pizza, as long as it doesn’t have anchovies on it. I think you can put anything you want on a pizza. This one was especially flavorsome.

Whip up your own pizza crust or buy one of those pre-made ones. Whip up your own pizza sauce or buy a jar of pre-made.

Pizza Toppings
1 cup pizza sauce
¾ cup mozzarella cheese
¼ cup parmesan cheese
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
2 Tbsp pine nuts
15-20 slices pepperoni
2 small green tomatoes, sliced

Pizza Crust

2½ cups all purpose flour

1 tsp Italian seasoning

½ tsp garlic powder

1 package (1½ tsp.) active dry yeast

¾ cup hot water (120º-103º)

1 TBSP oil

In a large bowl combine ¾ cup flour, seasoning, garlic powder and yeast; blend well. Mix hot water and oil together and combine with flour mixture. Blend at low speed until moistened then mix at medium speed for 2 minutes. Add ¾ cup flour to form stiff dough.

On floured surface, kneed in ¼ - ½cup flour until dough is smooth and elastic (3-5 minutes). Place dough in greased bowl, twirling around to coat; cover loosely with plastic wrap and cloth towel. Let rise in warm place (80º-85º) for 30-40 minutes or until double in size.

Punch dough down several times to remove all air bubbles. Pat or roll out on pizza stone to form crust. Let rest for 10 minutes before adding toppings.

Pizza Sauce
½ cup chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium tomato, chopped
6 oz tomato paste
8 oz tomato sauce
1 tsp salt
2 tsp oregano
2 tsp basil leaves
½ tsp pepper
1 tsp sugar

Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until tender; add remaining ingredients and simmer on low for 30 minutes being sure to stir often. Cool before spreading on pizza dough.

Preheat oven to 400º. Spread sauce on dough, top with cheeses, pine nuts, pepperoni and sliced green tomato. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Bake at 400º for 23-25 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes before slicing.

© Crackerberries 2009

Grandmother Anise Cookies

½ cup butter flavored Crisco shortening
1¼ cup sugar
2 eggs
3¼ cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
¼ cup milk
¼ tsp salt
2 Tbsp aniseed
Confectioner’s sugar



Preheat oven to 350º

In large bowl combine shortening and sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs and milk.

In separate bowl combine flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt and mix well. Gradually add to creamed mixture. Add aniseed and mix well.

Using small ice cream scoop, place one inch scoops two inches apart on parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Press down scoops with cup dipped in confectioner’s sugar. Bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden. Cool on wire racks.


© Crackerberries 2009

Parmesan Tata's

4 medium potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 8 wedges
½ cup melted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup parmesan cheese
3 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
¼ cup finely chopped onion
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp paprika

Preheat oven to 400





Combine all ingredients except potatoes in a large bowl and mix well. Add potatoes and stir to combine. Spread potato wedges across cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake uncovered in 400º oven for 30 minutes or until tender and golden brown.

Tata’s make a great side dish or appetizer served with ranch dressing, sour cream or ketchup.


© Crackerberries 2009

Snyder's Of Hanover Chicken

Fry in the south, bake in the north, am I right? I wanted fried chicken but if you recall my last attempt at frying chicken, I over fried. Baking is more my forte so try this one on for size.

10 baby chicken legs
½ bag honey mustard and onion pretzel nibblers, crushed and pulverized
*1-2 cups buttermilk
1 Tbsp dry mustard
1 tsp pepper

Wash chicken legs in cold water and place in large dish. Cover with buttermilk. Let stand on counter for 45 minutes.

Combine pulverized nibblers with dry mustard and pepper in large zip lock bag. Drain buttermilk from chicken and place one or two pieces at a time in zip lock bag and shake and bake at 350º 45 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165ºF.

*Make your own buttermilk by combining one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice in liquid measuring cup and top off with milk; stir to combine and let stand five minutes.


© Crackerberries 2009

Potato Tomato Salad

3 medium-large red potatoes, scrubbed and cubed
2 cloves garlic
2 eggs, hard boiled, peeled and diced
4 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
1 large tomato diced
½ cup frozen peas
¾ cup mayonnaise
2 Tbsp ranch dressing
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp prepared mustard
1 tsp paprika
¼ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper




In medium sauce pan cook potatoes in enough water to cover with garlic just until tender; drain, discard garlic and cool.

In small bowl combine mayonnaise, ranch dressing, dry mustard, prepared mustard, paprika, salt and pepper and mix well.

Combine peas, tomato, bacon and potatoes in large bowl and mix well. Pour sauce over and combine. Fold in chopped eggs. Garnish with tomato slices and parsley if desired.




© Crackerberries 2009

Not So Average Sloppy Joe

On Wednesday nights our church has dinner together where people get the opportunity to eat and have some fellowship prior to Bible study. Usually we do not get there in time for dinner due to Tall Cool One’s work schedule. But they had Sloppy Joe’s one Wednesday evening and I hadn’t had Sloppy Joe’s in forever, or so it seemed. I kept saying, “We’re gonna have sloppy Joe’s” and Tall Cool One kept making a face of "YUCK". You remember the can of sloppy Joe sauce, right? Manwich© right? This is not that.



1 lb ground beef
1 small onion
1 small green pepper
1 tsp oregano
½ ground black pepper
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp fennel seed
1 cup tomato sauce
¼ cup ketchup
½ loaf Italian bread
1 Tbsp margarine
1 tsp garlic powder
¾ cup shredded Colby Jack cheese




In large skillet brown ground beef with onion and green pepper; drain grease if necessary. Add tomato sauce, oregano, fennel seed, Italian seasoning, pepper and ketchup; bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until thick 10-15 minutes.

Slice bread length wise; spread margarine on both sides of the inside. Place on cookie sheet with buttered side up and sprinkle with garlic powder. Place in oven for 10 minutes to lightly brown. Remove from oven and slice in quarters; scoop Joe mixture over bottom quarters. Sprinkle with Colby Jack cheese and place tops of bread over cheese.

Wrap with aluminum foil and return to oven for 15 minutes. Serve with your favorite Sloppy Joe side dish; {Kraft© macaroni and cheese, right kids?}

© Crackerberries 2009

Surprise Peanut Butter Cookies

Sometimes I just have a craving for peanut butter and chocolate. Did you get your peanut butter in my chocolate? No, you got your chocolate in my peanut butter. Either way, it’s two great tastes that taste great together! Am I right?


1½ cups flour
½ cup cocoa
½ tsp baking soda
½ cup butter flavored Crisco
½ cup sugar
½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
½ cup crunchy peanut butter
1 egg
1 Tbsp half & half
1 tsp vanilla

½ cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup confectioner’s sugar
1 Tbsp half & half

Preheat oven to 350º.

Combine flour, cocoa and baking soda together in one medium size bowl. In large bowl combine the Crisco and peanut butter and using electric beater, cream until well blended; add sugars and mix again. Add egg, half & half and vanilla and beat until smooth. Add flour combination. You may have to use a wooden spoon if the mixture gets too thick.

In separate bowl combine creamy peanut butter, confectioner’s sugar and half & half and mix well.

Using one inch ice cream scoop place balls 2 inches apart on cookie sheet; using smaller melon scoop top with peanut butter filling. Add another scoop on top and flatten being sure to press edges together. Using a fork dipped in sugar make criss-crosses on top of cookie while flattening.

Bake in 350º 8-10 minutes. Let stand one minute then remove from cookie sheet and place on racks to cool completely.

© Crackerberries 2009

Herb Tarlick Steak

I know, I know … probably NY Strip is best cooked without any additional flavorings. But I wanted garlic and I marinated it for about 30 minutes and it was delectable! Herb Tarlick = garlic herbed steak. Just saying herbed garlic reminded me of Herb Tarlick from WKRP in Cincinnati. Remember that sitcom?




1 lb New York Strip (or other beef)
3 cloves of garlic, minced
¼ cup red wine vinegar
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
3 Tbsp fresh chopped parsley
¼ tsp cayenne pepper






Combine all ingredients in small bowl and mix well. Rub over steaks being sure to cover both sides. Let stand on counter at room temperature for 30 minutes. Grill to desired doneness. Serve with your favorite side.


© Crackerberries 2009

Shepherd's Casserole

I never understood why it was called a pie. To me a pie is in a pie plate with doughy pie crust. A pie is something you eat for dessert unless it’s chicken pie or pork pie and then you have it with gravy. I suppose Shepherd’s Pie was probably made the same way at one point in time… I really don’t know. I guess that’s one to chalk down for research. Anyways this is my rendition of Shepherd’s pie.


1 lb ground beef
1 small onion
½ cup chopped green pepper
1 tsp ground pepper
5-6 small potatoes
1 cup frozen peas
2½ cups frozen corn
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp paprika
2-3 cloves garlic
1 stick margarine
¼ cup milk or half & half



Peel potatoes and cut into small pieces. Place in sauce pan with peeled garlic cloves and cover with water. Bring to boil and reduce heat; simmer about 10-15 minutes or until you can easily pierce the potato with a fork. Remove from heat; drain. Mash or whip with ¾ of the stick of butter and ¼ cup milk or half & half. Set aside.

While the tatas are cooking, in a large skillet cook the ground beef with the onion and green pepper. Once the burger is browned, drain grease if necessary. Add Worcestershire sauce and ground black pepper. Transfer to lightly greased baking dish.

Cover with peas and corn. Scoop or spread whipped potato over the top. Dot with remaining margarine and sprinkle with paprika; bake at 350º 30-45 minutes until golden brown.

© Crackerberries 2009

General Tso's Chicken

This one is for you Michael … I know it always was your favorite thing to order from Chinese restaurants.

1 lb boneless chicken thighs or breasts
1 Tbsp light soy sauce
1 egg lightly beaten
1-2 Tbsp corn starch
Fresh ground pepper

Cut chicken into cubes and combine with the egg, soy sauce, pepper and enough corn starch to coat the chicken well. Set aside.

2 Tbsp dark soy sauce
2 tsp dry sherry
3 Tbsp white wine or water
1 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 Tbsp granulated sugar SAUCE INGREDIENTS
1 Tbsp minced ginger
1 Tsp mince garlic
2-3 Tbsp corn starch

5-10 dried chili peppers
3 green onions
1½ cup broccoli florets
Oil for deep frying

Combine sauce ingredients in a bowl and stir well to dissolve sugar before adding corn starch. Set aside.

Slice green onions and break apart broccoli.

Heat oil in Wok to 350º-360º; drop chicken cubes in oil a few at a time and cook, stirring/flipping often (about 3-4 minutes) or until crispy. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.

Clean out wok and add 2 Tbsp oil. When hot, add broccoli, green onions and chili peppers. Stir fry 1-2 minutes. Return chicken to Wok and stir fry 1 minute.

Push chicken and veggies out of way to make hole in center of Wok. Pour in sauce, stirring constantly until thickened. Mix with chicken and veggies. Serve over white rice.

© Crackerberries 2009

2X Baked Potatoes

We usually have a salad with our steak but with the temperature dropping we decided to spark up the oven. I wasn’t really sure about a 2X baked sweet potato. To be honest with you, I like the candied sweet potato recipe that has been passed down from my great-grandmother much better. I’ll get that one posted one of these days. But this was different. It’s always good to try something different.

2 russet potatoes
2 yams or sweet potatoes
1 Tbsp molasses
1 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp brown sugar
4 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp sour cream
2 Tbsp parmesan cheese
1 tsp black pepper
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp Italian seasoning


Preheat oven to 350º. Scrub potatoes and prick with fork. Place in oven directly on rack (second level from the bottom). Bake for 45-60 minutes. Sweet potatoes cook faster than the russets. You can tell if they are done by jabbing them with a sharp knife … if it slides in easy, done, if not, cook longer.

After the potatoes are done, let them cool off for about 15 minutes or so. Cut tops lengthwise off or in an X. Gently scoop out potato in separate bowls … you don’t want to mix your sweet potato with your russet potato. YUCK.

For russet potato, combine potato with sour cream, parmesan cheese, pepper and 2 Tbsp butter. Mix and mash well. Scoop back into potato skin being careful not to rip the skin; sprinkle with Italian seasoning.

For sweet potato, combine potato with molasses, honey, brown sugar and 2 Tbsp butter. Mix and mash well. Scoop back into potato skin being careful not to rip the skin; sprinkle with nutmeg.

Return to 350º oven for 15 minutes or until lightly golden. Add more butter or sour cream if you wish.

© Crackerberries 2009

Canned Beer Chicken

First you have to get a stainless steel chick can rack. I think we found ours at Wally World but I’m not 100% sure of that. I suppose if you were really mechanically inclined or really creative you could make your own out of a coat hanger or something …

Then you get your chicken that weighs 3½ - 4 pounds. That leaves ours out — lucky for them. The fat things are an easy 15 pounds.

3-4lb whole chicken
2 Tbsp minced garlic
1 Tbsp onion salt
1 Tbsp oregano
1 tsp red pepper flakes
Salt & pepper

Clean your chicken removing giblets from the cavity and rinse it inside and out under cold water.

Generously rub the chicken with a chosen poultry seasoning. We used an Italian seasoning combination of minced garlic, oregano, onion salt, red pepper flakes and fresh ground black pepper. You could also just salt and pepper the heck out of your chicken.

Using at 12 ounce can of your favorite beer, drink half of the contents. For those of you that don’t drink beer, use your favorite soda-pop. Feel free to add supplementary ingredients to the beer (liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, etc).

Place an onion or an apple in the neck cavity of the chicken. Put the chicken over the Chick Can Rack on top of the beer can. Place in aluminum pie plate to prevent flare ups from the grill. Add ¼ cup of water to pan.

Cook over indirect heat for about 2 hours; baste the chicken every 30 minutes or so. Internal temperature should reach 180ºF. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before removing (be careful, liquid inside is HOT!).


© Crackerberries 2009

Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo A La Spaghetti

Wednesday is spaghetti day!

8 oz spaghetti
3 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp EVOO
1 cup whipping cream
1½ tsp fresh ground black pepper
½ cup parmesan cheese
½ cup fresh chopped parsley
1 cup frozen peas
2 cups fresh broccoli florets
1 cup cooked chicken, chopped

Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain, add 1 Tbsp EVOO {extra virgin olive oil} and 1 tsp fresh ground black pepper and mix well; set aside.

In large skillet sauté the broccoli florets in 1 Tbsp butter for about 2-3 minutes; add parsley and sauté one minute; add peas and chicken and keep warm.

In large sauce pan melt 2 Tbsp butter, add cream and pepper and bring just to bubbling, reduce heat and simmer 3-5 minutes just until mixture starts to thicken. Remove from heat and add broccoli combination and mix well. Add parmesan cheese and mix well.

Combine spaghetti with mixture and toss lightly to mix. Transfer to warm serving dish and sprinkle with additional parmesan cheese if desired.

© Crackerberries 2009

Cherry Scones with Orange Strawberry Banana Glaze

2½ cups flour
2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
¾ cup butter or margarine
2 eggs, slightly beaten
½ tsp almond extract
¾ cup whipping cream
1 cup fresh, pitted and halved cherries
1 Tbsp milk
1 Tbsp sugar

Preheat oven to 400º. Combine flour, 2 Tbsp sugar, baking powder and salt in large bowl. Use pastry blender and cut in the butter until mixture resembles crumbs. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture.

In medium bowl combine eggs, whipping cream, almond extract and cherries; add to flour mixture all at once; using fork, mix just until all ingredients are moistened.

Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface. Knead dough by folding and gently pressing it 10-12 times. Divide dough in half. Pat dough out into two six inch circles and cut each circle into wedges.

Place wedges on ungreased baking sheet and brush with milk and sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 400º for 12-15 minutes until lightly golden. Drizzle with glaze and serve warm.

Orange Strawberry Banana Glaze

1 cup confectioner’s sugar
1 Tbsp orange strawberry banana juice
¼ tsp almond extract

Combine all ingredients and mix well until drizzling consistency, adding more juice if necessary.


© Crackerberries 2009

Chow Maine Meatloaf

It reminded me of our cat so I named it after her.

1½ lb ground 85% beef
¼ cup Italian style bread crumbs
¼ cup rolled oats
2 eggs
1 pkg. Lipton Onion Soup mix
½ tsp tarragon leaves
½ tsp marjoram leaves
½ tsp rubbed sage
½ tsp thyme
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 small onion, chopped
¼ cup green pepper, chopped

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Shape into loaf in baking dish. Top with Piquant Sauce if desired:

3 Tbsp brown sugar
¼ cup ketchup
¼ tsp nutmeg
1 tsp dry mustard

Mix together and spread over top prior to baking.

Decorate with fresh veggies from your fridge if you feel the urge. {Tail = green bean, eyes = two small green tomatoes with stems, whiskers = parsley stems and nose = cherry tomato cut in half} Bake at 375º for 45-55 minutes or until internal temperature is 165 º.


© Crackerberries 2009

Mississippi Mud Cake

Capital M, dotted letter, crooked letter, crooked letter, dotted letter, crooked letter, crooked letter, dotted letter, hump-back, hump-back, dotted letter.

Isn't that how that used to go?

I am a wicked chocolate craver. I love chocolate with my coffee first thing in the morning. A little coffee, a little chocolate, a little morning devotions, it’s just like being in heaven. Okay, maybe not quite, but it’s close. I found this recipe in a Southern Living cookbook and it is just too heavenly not to share.

1 cup butter, melted
2 cups sugar
½ cup unsweetened cocoa
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
Dash salt
1½ cups flour
1½ cups chopped toasted pecans
10½ oz bag miniature marshmallows
Chocolate frosting

Combine first 6 ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Stir in flour and chopped pecans. Spread batter into greased and floured 15x10 inch jelly roll pan.

Bake at 350º for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and sprinkle evenly with marshmallows.

Return to oven for 5 minutes or until marshmallows start to puff up and turn golden. Drizzle chocolate frosting over warm cake. Cool completely and cut into squares.

Chocolate Frosting

2 cups confectioner’s sugar
½ cup milk
½ cup butter, softened
½ cup unsweetened cocoa

Mix the sugar and cocoa together first then add butter and milk and mix on medium speed with electric mixer until smooth.

© Crackerberries 2009

PIZZA Stuffed Biscuits

I wanted to whip up a pizza but I didn’t feel patient enough to wait for the dough to rise and then work with the dough to throw the crust. I also didn’t have enough cheese and pepperoni for a whole pizza. Hmmmmm, my brain was working and working. I wanted stuffed bread but again, that would entail patience for the dough to rise. So this is what I came up with, which I have to say... it was gooooooood!

3 cups flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 Tbsp parmesan cheese
¾ tsp cream of tartar
¾ cup butter flavored Crisco
1 cup milk plus 2 Tbsp
12 slices pepperoni
½ cup mozzarella cheese
¾ cup pizza or tomato sauce (I used leftover bruschetta topping)

Preheat oven to 425º. Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, garlic powder, and cream of tartar in large bowl. Stir to combine. Using a pastry blender, cut in the shortening until the mixture is crumbly. Make a well in the center of the mixture and pour 1 cup of milk in all at once. Stir just until moistened.

Turn dough out on well floured surface and split in half. Using one half knead the dough by gently folding and pressing for 5-6 times. Pat dough out to ½ inch thickness. Cut out six circles with large glass or biscuit cutter. Place the circles one inch apart on cookie sheet. (I used a muffin top pan that worked splendidly).

Add 1½ Tbsp of pizza sauce to center of each circle. Top with two slices of pepperoni (I cut mine into fourths) and divide the cheese evenly amongst the circles.

Using the other half of the dough, repeat the steps and cut into six more circles. Brush one side of the biscuit circle with milk and place that side down on top of the filled portion. Gently press the edges together.

Mix parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning together in small saucer. With any remaining dough, cut smaller size portions and dip in milk and roll in parmesan mixture. Place on top of each biscuit.

Bake at 425º for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from pan and cool slightly before serving. Use any extra sauce for dipping.

© Crackerberries 2009

Split Pea Soup & Onion Cheddar Johnny Cake

These cool mornings are just the thing that make me crave a warm bowl of soup and hot piece of cake. A favorite recipe that is never cooked often enough came to me as I was rummaging through the freezer debating on what to take out for din-din. I came across an old hambone leftover from March when my mother was visiting. A lot of people wince at pea soup. They just don’t like it. We do. I’d like to share it with you.

16 oz dry split peas
2 bay leaves
1 Tbsp marjoram
½ tsp ground thyme
¼ tsp ground coriander seed
½ tsp ground pepper
1 ham bone
6 cups water
4 cups chicken broth
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, diced
2 carrots, shredded
2 cups chopped turnip




Place water, bay leaves, peas and hambone in large kettle and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally adding chicken broth as needed. After one hour, add remaining broth, marjoram, thyme, coriander seed, pepper, garlic, onion, carrots and turnip.

Simmer one hour and remove hambone. Cut meat from hambone {Give hambone to dog…dogs love hambones, but don’t try to take it away from him after you have given it to him…best to give it to him outside so he doesn’t make a mess on the carpet.} Return meat to soup. Simmer until thick and bubbly. Serve with Johnny cake.


Onion Cheddar Johnny Cake

½ medium onion, diced
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups yellow corn meal
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup milk
¼ cup vegetable oil

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Pour into lightly greased loaf pan. Bake at 350º for 35-40 minutes (until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean).


© Crackerberries 2009

Salubrious Pancakes

Premade and prepared means big bucks most times. I don’t know how people can afford to go out to breakfast, go out to lunch, and go out to din-din. Doesn’t it make more sense to whip up your own premade and prepared meals, stick them in the freezer or in airtight containers for later use? This pancake mix will do for you in four hours what that pro-biotic yogurt does for you in two weeks.

5 cups all purpose flour
1½ cups whole wheat flour
1½ cups bran cereal, crushed (I used Wheaties)
1 cup old fashion rolled oats
2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
1½ tsp baking soda

Combine all ingredients in large bowl and mix well; store in air tight container for as long as 6 months.

1½ cups pancake mix
1 cup milk
1 egg
1 Tbsp canola oil





Combine ingredients together in large bowl and stir until well combined. Pour batter on to light greased fry grill and cook until top starts to bubble (1-2 minutes) flip and cook 1-2 minutes longer. Serve with confectioner’s sugar, syrup, jelly, butter, etc.


© Crackerberries 2009

Apple Sausage Stuffed Pork Chops

3-1 inch chops, with pockets
1 medium onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, diced
½ lb bulk mild sausage
1 small green apple, diced
2 cups dry bread crumbs
½ cup margarine
½ cup chicken broth
½ dry white wine
1 tsp thyme
1 Tbsp oregano
1 Tbsp basil leaves
1 Tbsp marjoram leaves
1 tsp red pepper flakes



· To cut pockets in pork chops for stuffing, insert knife tip in the side of the chop; carefully continue horizontal cut to form a pocket. To not cut all the way through the chop.

In large skillet cook the sausage until no longer pink; drain grease. Add onion and celery, apple and margarine and sauté until tender. Add chicken broth, wine and thyme and heat just until bubbling. Mix in bread crumbs and stir until well combined.

Spoon the mixture into pork chop pockets; set aside. In small saucer mix the oregano, basil, marjoram and red pepper. Press each chop into mixture and coat well on both sides.

Place chops in lightly greased baking dish. Bake uncovered 375º for 35 to 45 minutes or until internal temperature reads 160ºF and juices run clear.

© Crackerberries 2009

Homemade Corn Doggies

There’s nothing like a corn doggy on a hot day, huh? The best corn dogs are found at the old time fairs. If you can’t find a fair to buy a doggy, find your kitchen and make one. Dig out the corn meal, a package of hot dogs and the canola oil and whip up a batch today.


1¼ cup flour
¾ cup corn meal
½ tsp salt
4 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp baking powder
2 eggs, slightly beaten
½ cup milk
Canola oil for frying


In large bowl combine the dry ingredients and mix well. In large liquid measuring cup combine milk and eggs and mix well; add to dry ingredients and mix to get all the lumps out.

Dry off hot dogs with paper towels. Stick Popsicle sticks or wooden skewers up through hot dogs (optional). Dip the dogs in the batter and coat well.

Deep fry in hot oil, turning occasionally for about 2-3 minutes or until lightly browned. As you can see in our picture we let them go a little longer than “lightly” browned.

This batter is great on onion rings also. Drain on paper towels and serve with your favorite condiments.




© Crackerberries 2009