PHOENIX BBQ!

PHOENIX {RACE DAY} BBQ {AKA - Dug's Spicy BBQ Sauce}

Race day is always a big day for eating and when the temperature hits 80º outside, it makes us want to spark up the grill and bring out the chicken!



3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
3 cloves garlic
½ cup chopped onion
6 oz tomato paste
1 Tbsp liquid smoke
1 Tbsp grated orange peel
1 tsp ground rosemary leaves
½ cup dark karo syrup
8 oz beer
4 oz red wine






Combine peppers, garlic and onion in food chopper/processer together. Add to medium size sauce pan with all other ingredients. Bring to boil over medium heat stirring frequently. Once mixture boils, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring often. (Breathe in that steam and it will clean out your sinuses).

Let cool completely. Marinate chicken (or other meat) in one cup of sauce for 3 hours. Cook meat on grill, basting with remaining sauce generously. This has quite a bite so be sure to have plenty of cool beverages to drink with it.


© Crackerberries 2011

Dug's Super Spicy Honey Roasted Peanuts

16 oz raw peanuts
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
½ cup honey
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp vanilla
1tsp kosher salt, plus some
¼ cup sugar





Preheat oven to 325º. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and spray generously with non-stick cooking spray.

Combine butter, honey, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, ginger and vanilla in sauce pan (or microwaveable dish) and heat until butter is melted and mixture is smooth. Add peanuts and stir until well combined. Spread mixture on cookie sheet.

Bake peanuts for 35 minutes, stirring every 7 minutes. Make sure to stir the ones on the outside to the inside because they will get crispier faster. Remove from oven final time and stir to distribute sauce evenly.

Sprinkle with sugar and a little more kosher salt. Once they have cooled a few minutes place on parchment paper on counter to cool completely. You will have to stir and break apart clumps; store in air tight container at room temperature.


© Crackerberries 2011

BANANA SALAD

Bananas, vinegar, peanuts and an egg…all good for you; put them together with a few other ingredients and wham-bam! My friend, Jody Kusant made this versatile recipe that you can eat for breakfast, or a snack in the middle of the day, it even works as a delectable dessert and it will cure that midnight belly craving too.

1 egg
1 tsp butter
1 scant cup sugar
3 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp vinegar
2 Tbsp evaporated milk and or half & half
¼ cup peanuts
3-4 bananas



Beat egg well; add butter, sugar, vinegar and water and mix well. Cook over medium high heat until mixture thickens (STIRRING CONSTANTLY); will thicken more as it cools. Cool, add milk. Pour over sliced bananas (used three today, but you can use more) and sprinkle with honey roasted peanuts. Toss lightly; will keep in refrigerator for several days.


© Crackerberries 2011

"RED THINGS" [AKA Boneless Chinese Spareribs]

{AKA Boneless Chinese Spareribs}

This recipe is for my kids. They used to (probably still do) call Chinese boneless spareribs “red things”. They always wanted the “red things”. Here they are… homemade and very close to the real thing.

12 oz pork loin strip, sliced into ½ inch strips
¼ cup green tomato cranberry sauce
¼ cup hoisin sauce
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp honey


Combine all ingredients in large bowl or zip lock bag and marinate in refrigerator for at least 6 hours or over night.

Preheat oven to 350º.

Carefully place strips on roasting rack and place rack over roasting pan with at least an inch of water. Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and re-baste ribs with remaining marinade. Increase temperature to 375º and bake an additional 30 minutes. Serve with homemade hot mustard [equal portions of dry Colman’s mustard mixed with water].


© Crackerberries 2011

Baked Stuffed Shells

14-18 uncooked jumbo pasta shells, cooked, rinsed & drained
12 oz ricotta cheese
1 cup parmesan cheese
1 16 oz bag frozen spinach, thawed and drained
2 cups mozzarella cheese
1 egg
16 oz pasta sauce
Italian seasoning

Combine ricotta and egg and blend well. Add parmesan, spinach and one cup of mozzarella cheese and mix well. Spoon mixture into cooled pasta shells; place in greased baking dish. Pour pasta sauce over shells, sprinkle with remaining one cup mozzarella cheese and Italian seasoning and bake at 350º 45 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Serve with salad or meatballs.



© Crackerberries 2011

TERIYAKI TURKEY SALAD

1 turkey breast, cooked, sliced thickly
½ cup teriyaki sauce
5 Romaine lettuce leaves, washed & dried with paper towel
2 Roma tomatoes, sliced
¼ cup chopped leek
4 sweet colored peppers, sliced
Fresh ground pepper


Marinate turkey breast in teriyaki sauce for 30 minutes, drain sauce. Sprinkle with fresh ground pepper and in lightly oiled cast iron fry pan, grill turkey just until warmed. Layer lettuce leaves, leeks, tomatoes and pepper and top with turkey. Serve with favorite dressing and garlic sticks.



© Crackerberries 2011

STROMBOLI — the Crackerberries way...

1 pizza dough or frozen bread dough, thawed
Pulled chicken (recipe to follow)
2 Tbsp chopped chipotle peppers in Adobo sauce
3 Tbsp chopped green chilies
1½ cup shredded cheddar
Pepper to taste

Roll out pizza dough; spread all ingredients over top. Roll up into bread shape; may have to curve to accommodate pizza stone. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with fresh ground pepper. Bake at 350º for 25-30 minutes. Remove from oven, let cool and slice. Serve with a side of dipping sauce.

Pulled Chicken -- AKA the Chris-topper


2 lbs chicken pieces, skinned
½ cup apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp chili powder
½ tsp allspice
½ red onion, chopped
¼ cup water

Combine all ingredients in lightly greased crock pot. Cook on low for 6 hours. Remove chicken from pot and pull meat off bones. Return meat to crock pot and cook for an additional 30-45 minutes. This recipe can be put on top of rice or pasta, put on pizza, put in calzones or made into sandwiches. It’s a versatile recipe.





© Crackerberries 2011

Pork & Spinach Mélange

1 lb pork tenderloin cut into strips
16 oz frozen spinach
1 cup chicken broth
¼ cup teriyaki sauce
1 Tbsp corn starch
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 leek, chopped
1 Tbsp fresh ground black pepper
3 cups cooked white rice

Marinate pork in teriyaki sauce while cooking rice. Combine chicken broth and corn starch in small bowl; mix well and set aside. Sauté pork and leeks in vegetable oil using large wok; cook about 5-7 minutes. Add spinach and cook until hot. Create well in middle of mélange and add chicken broth mixture, stirring constantly. Cook until mixture bubbles and then blend into spinach and pork. Serve hot over rice.



© Crackerberries 2011

Turkey Tetrazzini

8 oz linguine cooked according to package instructions, drained; keep warm ¼ cup unsalted butter
8 oz fresh sliced mushrooms
3 Tbsp flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup plain non-fat yogurt
½ cup green chilies
1 leek, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
½ tsp nutmeg
1 tsp pepper
3 cups cooked turkey
¾ cup grated parmesan cheese

Preheat oven 350º.

Combine flour and ¼ cup of the chicken broth until smooth.

In Dutch oven sauté celery, leeks and mushrooms in butter over medium heat until tender. Reduce heat and stir in flour mixture; cook one minute until smooth and bubbly; gradually add remaining chicken broth, stirring constantly. Cook and stir constantly until mixture boils and thickens; about 5 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in yogurt, chilies, turkey, nutmeg and pepper. Add linguine and toss to mix. Spoon into a 3 quart ungreased baking dish and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake 30-45 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Garnish with celery leaves (optional) before serving. Yield: 8 servings




© Crackerberries 2011

Baked Stuffed Haddock

The fresh cold Atlantic fish isn't as readily available in South Carolina as it is in Maine, but every once in awhile it's good to splurge and have a treat. This is a "wicked good" haddock recipe. You could use Cod or Pollock too I suppose, but not Tilapia ... that is too soft and would just turn to mush.


1 lb haddock fillets
1 medium onion, chopped
1-2 stalks celery, chopped
¼ cup butter
6 oz fresh or canned crab claw meat
1 cup bread crumbs
Salt & Pepper


Wash the haddock fillets under cold water and place in greased baking dish. Set aside. In medium skillet, melt butter and sauté onions and celery until tender. Drain crab meat, reserving liquid. In large bowl mix bread crumbs, salt & pepper with crab meat. Add celery and onion and mix well. Add enough crab meat liquid to moisten the stuffing. Spread stuffing over top of haddock. Bake 375º 20-30 minutes.

Haddock should flake apart with fork when done. Do not over cook. Serve with coleslaw.



© Crackerberries 2011

Sweetheart Cake

I have to share the story behind this wonderfully, devine creation. I asked my husband what his favorite kind of cake was and he replied, "Cherry Pie". Hmmm, I thought to myself, never heard of that. Little did I know, he really meant Cherry Pie. So I thought I would really surprise him one day...and this is a winner in our house. Everytime I make it, it comes out better. Hope you like it too.



2 cups flour
1½ sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
½ cup milk
½ cup cherry juice
½ Crisco
2 tsp vanilla extract
4 egg whites
1 can cherry pie filling
Cherries and Pecan halves (optional)



Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, milk, cherry juice and shortening in a large mixing bowl until well blended. Add egg whites and vanilla and beat on high for 3 minutes. Pour into two greased and floured 9 inch round baking pans. Bake at 350º for 30 minutes. Let cool on racks for 5 minutes and then remove from pans and cool completely. Once cooled slice each cake through the middle. Top bottom half with half of the can of cherry pie filling, then add top of cake, spread with frosting, add next bottom and top with cherry pie filling, then add top and frost whole cake. Decorate with cherries and pecans if desired.

FROSTING

¼ cup unsalted butter
¼ cup cream cheese
½ cup Crisco
1 Tbsp vanilla
4½ cups confectioner’s sugar
3 Tbsp (more or less) half + half

Combine all ingredients except half and half in large mixing bowl and beat well. Add half & half for spreading consistency; store in refrigerator.


© Crackerberries 2011

Bacon & Cheddar Muffins

Happy Valentine's Day!

31 years ago I made a homemade Valentine and put it in a cute boy's locker. Today I made that same cute boy a homemade Valentine and put it in his lunchbox. Please look for a special Valentine recipe tomorrow.

1¾ cups self-rising flour
½ Tbsp baking powder
1 egg, beaten
1 cup plain non-fat yogurt
¼ cup sugar
1 cup shredded cheddar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
4-5 slices turkey bacon, crumbled
½ cup granola cereal

Combine dry ingredients (flour, baking powder and sugar) together in large bowl; create well in center. In large measuring cup, combine egg, yogurt and vegetable oil. Pour into well and mix until blended (mixture will be lumpy). Fold in cheese, bacon and cereal. Spoon into 12 greased muffin tins. Bake 400º for 18-22 minutes. Remove from tins immediately and serve warm with your favorite marmalade; (pictured here with homemade tangerine marmalade.)





© Crackerberries 2011

Baked (Bone In) Chicken Parmesan

2 lbs chicken leg quarters, skinned & cut into pieces
½ cup parmesan cheese
1 tsp pepper
12 oz tomato paste
14½ oz tomatoes, (Hunts green pepper, celery & onion)
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp basil
1 Tbsp Oregano
1 tsp garlic powder
1½ cups water or red wine
1 leftover pork chop or other meat (optional)
Feta cheese
Fettuccine or other pasta

Preheat oven to 350º. Place parmesan cheese and pepper in zip lock bag. Add a few pieces of chicken at a time and coat well. Place in a greased baking dish; bake uncovered 350º for 40 minutes.

Meanwhile in a large skillet, sauté the onions and garlic in olive oil; add tomatoes, paste, water, basil, oregano and leftover meat. Bring to boil then reduce heat and simmer while chicken cooks.

Remove chicken from oven, flip each piece over. Spoon just enough sauce over each piece to cover, sprinkle with more parmesan cheese if desired. Cover with aluminum foil and return to oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes.

Cook pasta according to package instructions and drain. Place chicken pieces in bed of pasta and add more sauce; sprinkle with feta cheese and serve hot.

© Crackerberries 2011

Chocolate Chip Cookie

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE ALTERNATIVE —

THE WHOLE WHEAT VERSION

1 cup butter flavored Crisco
1¼ cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
½ cup granulated sugar
2 Tbsp water
Cream these ingredients together until well combined, then add
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
Mix well.

In medium bowl mix the following together, then slowly add to creamed mixture until well combined:

1 cup all purpose flour
1¼ cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt

Mix in 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips and 1 cup butter scotch chips. Also ½ cup chopped nuts are optional.

Drop tablespoons or small ice cream scoops on ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake at 375º for 8-10 minutes. Let cool one minute then place on wire racks to completely cool.
Yield: 5½ dozen 2½”-3” cookies



© Crackerberries 2011

Cheese-less Macaroni & Cheese

Dig out your crock pot and let’s get crocking. This recipe is so easy even a kid can whip it up. And they will love it!!





2 cups elbows macaroni (uncooked)
1 can cream of mushroom or chicken soup
1 can chicken broth
1 tsp pepper
¾ cup milk
4 hot dogs cut in chunks
1 cup buttered Italian style bread crumbs



Combine the elbows, cream soup, chicken broth and pepper in crock pot and mix well. Cover and cook on low for two hours. Remove cover, careful of the steam and stir in milk and mix well. Cover and cook on low for two more hours. Remove cover, careful once again of the steam, stir in hot dogs, cover with buttered bread crumbs, cover and cook on low for one more hour. Take cover off and let stand 10 minutes before serving.


© Crackerberries 2011

Turkey Noodle Casserole

2 cups uncooked wide egg noodles
1 medium onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 cups cooked turkey
1 Tbsp flour
3 Tbsp butter or margarine, divided
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 oz diced pimentos
½ cup parmesan cheese
1 cup milk
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup Panko Italian style bread crumbs


Cook noodles according to package directions, drain and set aside.

In large skillet cook onion and celery in 2 Tbsp butter or margarine until tender; sprinkle with flour and cook 2 minutes, add milk and cook until thickened and add cream of mushroom soup and cook until heated. Add pimentos, peas and turkey and mix well.

Place noodles in greased 10 inch square baking dish. Pour turkey mixture evenly over noodles.

In small bowl combine bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and 1 Tbsp melted butter. Spread over top of casserole. Bake at 375º for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.


© Crackerberries 2011