Fresh Tomato Bruschetta

Oooh, it makes me want to run out to the garden and pick some fresh tomatoes and whip it up right now…it’s so good and tasty. We buy the day old bread on sale from Wallyworld and use that. I just love summer and fresh veggies from the garden.


3 tsp olive oil (not Popeye’s wife)
6 slices French bread (sliced ½” thick)
1 garlic clove, cut in half lengthwise
¾ cup chopped tomato, seeds removed
1 Tbsp fresh basil, minced
1 tsp fresh parsley, minced
1 tsp red wine vinegar
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
1-2 Tbsp parmesan cheese

Brush two tsp oil over one side of each slice of bread. Place bread on baking sheet (you can also place on grill if you don’t want to use the oven). Rub cut side of garlic over bread. Bake (or grill) at 350º for 5-7 minutes until the bread is lightly browned. In the meantime, mince the garlic cloves and combine with tomato, basil, parsley, vinegar, salt, pepper and remaining oil in a small bowl. Spoon mixture over bread; sprinkle with parmesan cheese, return to grill or oven for 1-2 minutes longer. Makes a great snack or lunch or din-din … or I’m even considering breakfast.

© Crackerberries 2009

Zucchini & Carrot Bars

These are good for breakfast as well as a healthy snack. All the food groups are included. A nutritious and delicious way to get your kids to eat their vegetables!

1½ cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
½ tsp ground ginger
½ tsp nutmeg
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup shredded zucchini
1½ cups shredded carrot
¾ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
½ cup raisins
½ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup honey
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350º. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger and nutmeg in large bowl. In separate bowl, combine eggs, carrot, zucchini, brown sugar, raisins, walnuts, honey, vegetable oil and vanilla. Mix well and then add to flour mixture. Mix just until combined. Spread into ungreased 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Bake in 350º oven 25-30 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool in pan completely on wire rack. Frost with Citrus Cream Cheese Frosting.

Citrus Cream Cheese Frosting
8 oz package cream cheese
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 tsp finely shredded lemon peel

Beat the cream cheese and sugar together until smooth and fluffy. Add lemon peel and frost. Cut into 36 bars.


© Crackerberries 2009

Meatless Summer Sand-Ridge

So, I had big plans of having a BLT for lunch. When I got the bread toasted (you should always have all of your ingredients ready prior to whipping up something) I went in the fridge to get the bacon only to realize I had used the last of it on Tall Cool One’s breakfast sand-ridge. I had to work fast, what would I put on these toasted slices of bread? I started rummaging around in the fridge and came up with this very tasty veggie combo.

WHATEVER SUMMER SAND-RIDGE

2 slices whole wheat bread
1 Tbsp Dijon honey mustard dressing
1 medium tomato
1 slice American cheese
Romaine lettuce
¼ cup crunchy sprout mix
½ avocado sliced

Toast the two slices of bread, spread both sides with dressing. Pile one side with all other ingredients and top with final slice of toasted bread. Serve with iced tea.




© Crackerberries 2009

Classic BBQ Chicken Wings

2-6oz cans tomato paste
¼ cup onion, minced
½ cup brown sugar
1 tsp fresh ground pepper
½ tsp dry mustard
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp molasses
1 Tbsp corn syrup
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp Texas Pete sauce (or other hot sauce)
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup merlot
½ cup water
2-3 lbs chicken wings

Combine all ingredients except chicken in sauce pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally. Let cool completely. In large zip lock back combine wings and enough sauce to cover and marinate for at least 4 hours (or over night). Bake in 350º oven for 45 minutes or wrap in aluminum foil and grill on low heat for one hour. Serve with blue cheese dressing, extra sauce and celery sticks.

© Crackerberries 2009

My Ooey Gooey Mess

A salty, sweet combination that is nutritious and delicious!

2/3 cup all purpose flour
¼ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
6 Tbsp packed brown sugar
¼ cup butter flavored Crisco (+ 2 tsp water)
2 egg yolks
½ tsp vanilla extract

1½ cup mini marshmallows

1 cup butterscotch morsels
¼ cup light corn syrup
2 Tbsp butter or margarine
1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup Rice Chex
1 cup honey roasted peanuts



Pre-heat oven to 350º

Combine flour, soda, powder, salt, sugar, Crisco, egg yolks and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Beat at low speed until crumbly. Press into an ungreased 9½ x 7 inch cookie sheet; bake in preheated 350º oven for 12 minutes or until lightly browned.

Remove from oven and cover with marshmallows; bake 3-4 more minutes until they puff slightly and start to brown. Cool on wire rack.

Combine butterscotch morsels, corn syrup, butter and vanilla in large sauce pan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until morsels have melted and mixture is smooth. Stir in peanuts and cereal. Spread mixture over marshmallows and cool completely in pan on wire rack.

For easy clean up and removal from pan, line with parchment paper before baking.

Cut into 12 squares.

© Crackerberries 2009

Garden Stuffed Medley

Tune in to this....

So, you have a garden full of veggies and you aren’t sure what to do with them? Get harmonizing.

4 slices bacon
¾ cup chopped romaine lettuce
¾ cup Italian style bread crumbs
3 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
1 Tbsp olive oil
¼ tsp fresh ground black pepper
1-2 Tbsp Miracle Whip
2 large plum tomatoes
1 medium summer squash
In large skillet cook bacon over medium heat until crispy fried. Remove and drain on paper towels. Chop with a knife or crumble with fingers.

Cut summer squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Brush with olive oil (or spray with cooking spray) sprinkle with salt & pepper (salt is optional) and cover with aluminum foil. Roast in toaster oven (or conventional oven) at 350º for 15 minutes (while you are cooking the bacon).

Slice tomatoes in half lengthwise and remove pulp, leaving ¼ to ½ inch shell. Sprinkle each half with salt & pepper (salt is optional).

In medium bowl combine lettuce, bacon, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, olive oil and pulp from tomatoes. Mix well.

Brush each summer squash and tomato shell with Miracle Whip (or mayonnaise if you prefer) and mound equal portions of bacon mixture in each. Place on roasting pan. Sprinkle with Mozzarella cheese and fresh ground pepper.

Roast uncovered 12-15 minutes at 350º.

© Crackerberries 2009

OLÉ, OLÉ BURGERS

Summer’s here and the time is right for cooking up the meat! {Sing to rhythm of “Dancing in the Street”} Sometimes I just have to make myself laugh! Ha ha! How many ways can you eat a burger? I’m going to see how many versions of the “Secret Ingredient Burger” we can come up with. Here’s Número Uno .

1 lb ground beef
1 pkg. Lipton onion soup mix
1 tsp. chili powder
1 egg
¼ cup Italian style bread crumbs
1 avocado, sliced
American cheese
Prepared salsa
Hamburger buns

Combine ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, soup mix, and chili powder; mix well and form into 4 patties. Grill about 4-5 minutes per side or until internal temperature reaches 165º-170º. Add cheese, avocado and prepared salsa.


© Crackerberries 2009

Rotisserie Rabbit

Okay, so the picture doesn’t make it look all that appetizing … how does one make a picture of a cute little bunny rabbit look appetizing?

And honestly, it does taste like chicken, but better.

 

1 1-2 lb rabbit
12 oz Pepperidge Farms stuffing mix
4 Tbsp butter or margarine
2 stalks celery
1 medium onion
1 can chicken broth
1 tsp crushed rosemary
1 tsp marjoram leaves
½ cup chardonnay wine
¼ cup olive oil
Salt and Pepper to taste


Prepare stuffing according to package directions. Clean rabbit, being sure to cut off any scent glands from legs. Stuff the rabbit with as much stuffing as you can fit into the body cavity. Using food ties and poultry pins, stitch the rabbit together to hold the stuffing in.

Combine rosemary, marjoram, olive oil and chardonnay together in small bowl. Brush over rabbit. Cook in rotisserie for about 40 minutes, stopping twice to brush marinade over rabbit.

Serve with extra stuffing and turnip greens.

© Crackerberries 2009

Whole Wheat Sesame & Poppy Seed Bread

3½ cups whole wheat flour
1 packet active dry yeast
2 Tbsp warm water
¼ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup honey
¼ cup non-fat dried milk
1½ cup warm water
1¼ tsp salt
1 Tbsp poppy seeds
1 Tbsp sesame seeds
1 tsp olive oil

Dissolve the yeast in two tablespoons of warm water. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except the poppy and sesame seeds and mix until the dough starts to leave the side of the bowl. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased surface. Oil your hands and knead it for 6-8 minutes. Transfer dough to a lightly greased bowl, twirling to grease all sides of the dough. Cover with clean dish cloth and allow rising in warm place until doubled in bulk (about 60 minutes).

Transfer dough to lightly oiled work surface and shape into 8-inch roll. Place in greased 8½”x4½” bread pan and cover loosely with greased plastic wrap. Allow the bread to rise for 30-60 minutes or until it’s crowned about an inch above the edge of the bread pan. Rub with olive oil and sprinkle with poppy seeds and sesame seeds. Bake in preheated 350º oven for about 40 minutes. Remove from bread pan immediately and cool on wire rack. Pictured above with sirloin steak and tossed salad.


© Crackerberries 2009

So, You Like It Hot? White Chicken Chili

2 cups Great Northern dried beans
32 oz. chicken broth
2 whole boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tsp cumin
1 bay leaf
2 tsp chili powder
¼ tsp red cayenne pepper
1 cup water, if needed
¼ cup lime juice
1 13.4 oz can diced jalapeño peppers
½ cup mozzarella cheese
Salt and Pepper

Prepared salsa, guacamole & tortilla chips

Everyone says you should soak your beans overnight, wash your beans, pick over your beans, par-boil your beans, and blah, blah, blah. If I’m using the crock pot, I never do. Whatever makes you feel more comfortable is what you should do. My mother always says she can’t make beans like I do … I tell her over and over again … don’t soak them overnight, but she is old and set in her ways. If you try to make a recipe taste exactly like someone else’s recipe without exactly following their recipe, you are just setting yourself up for failure. Sorry but that’s the way I see it.

Place beans, chicken broth, cumin, chili powder, and cayenne pepper, bay leaf, and jalapeño peppers (do not drain) in crock pot. Cover and cook on low for four hours. (DO NOT REMOVE COVER DURING THIS TIME).

Before the four hours are up, prepare the chicken. Wash, and pat dry. Cut into one inch cubes. Brown in non-stick lightly greased skillet until juices run clear. Add lime juice and salt and pepper and cook one minute longer.

Remove cover and stir beans, add chicken and more water if needed. Replace cover and cook 2½-3 more hours, until beans are tender.

Serve with homemade guacamole, salsa and tortilla chips. You may want to have a few slices of bread handy also…THIS IS HOT!


© Crackerberries 2009

"It's Not Just A Snack Pita"

Have you ever had leftover Pita Pockets that are a little too stale to make sandwiches out of? When you go to put the ingredients in, they break and fall apart and you end up tossing them out to the birds. This is a real winner … almost as good as a big plate of Nacho’s. I think next time I will add black olives to the recipe.



Not Just a Snack Pita

¼ cup EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
¼ cup ranch dressing
¼ cup bacon bits
½ cup Monterey Jack cheese
3 6-inch round pita pockets

Preheat oven to 350º. Combine EVOO and ranch dressing in small bowl. Split apart the round pita pockets so that you have two rounds for each one. Cut each round into 8 wedges. Spread, rough side up, on greased cookie sheet. Brush each pita with the dressing mixture. Sprinkle with cheese and bacon bits. Bake at 350º for 15 minutes. Serve with ranch dressing and mustard.


Caper Horseradish Mustard

2 Tbsp Horseradish mustard
2 Tbsp drained capers
2 Tbsp fresh chives
Combine all ingredients in small bowl and mix well.


© Crackerberries 2009

Catfish & Coleslaw On A Roll Not A Bun

You can’t find a frankfurter roll in the south; only hot dog buns; similar to red hot dogs. Oh, you can get a red hot dog, but it’s not like the red hot dogs you get in New England … it’s not a Jordan’s red hot dog. Tall Cool One can make frankfurter rolls out of buns, but they just aren’t the same as a good Nissan’s frankfurter roll. We came across these Pepperidge Farms, soft hoagie rolls.

Tall Cool One says, “These are rolls, not buns”.
I say, “Okay, let’s try them.”

With these rolls you will need a honking big hot dog to go on them or you are eating all bread and no dog! Anyways, I was off on a tangent there for a minute.

For Catfish

1 lb catfish nuggets
1 egg
1 cup flour
¼ cup milk
½ tsp paprika
1 tsp fresh ground pepper
Dash hot sauce
1 cup Italian style bread crumbs

For Coleslaw

½ head green cabbage (shredded)
1 large carrot, shredded
¾ cup light mayonnaise
3 Tbsp cider vinegar
1 Tbsp fresh snipped dill
1 medium Vidalia onion, finely chopped
½ tsp celery seed
¼ tsp paprika
1 tsp fresh ground pepper

Prepare the Coleslaw first as it needs to chill. Combine cabbage, onion and carrot and mix well. In a separate bowl, stir the remaining ingredients together. Pour over cabbage mixture and toss to coat. Refrigerate for at least two hours to incorporate flavors.

Combine egg, milk, flour, paprika, hot sauce and fresh ground pepper. Dip the catfish nuggets in the egg batter mixture then dredge through the bread crumbs; deep fry in hot oil. Toast the hoagie rolls, if desired, and divide nuggets equally. Top with Coleslaw and serve with pickles and chips.

© Crackerberries 2009

It's An Acquired Tasty Turkey Burger

They sure do look like mush going on the grill but once they are ready, yum. You won’t want to make a turkey burger any other way. We were trying to come up with an idea or recipe to use up all those chicken livers that we had leftover from the Spiedini that we made. Tall Cool One came up with this idea. He’s a clever thing sometimes. He said to grind them up and mix them in with the turkey burger. Bear and I boiled up all the leftover livers (they really are nasty little things when they cook) and after he ate a few of them, I ground up what was left to go in with the turkey.

1 lb ground turkey
½ cup chili sauce
½ cup chicken livers, finely chopped
½ cup Italian style bread crumbs
1 egg
1 tsp sesame seeds
1 tsp poppy seeds
1 Tbsp butter
1 Vidalia onion, sliced
Salsa

In medium bowl combine turkey, chili sauce, chicken livers, bread crumbs and egg; mix well. Shape into 4 patties. Grill on medium-high heat about 8 minutes per side or until internal temperature reads 165º. While burgies are grilling, prepare buns. Melt butter or margarine in small microwaveable dish; add poppy and sesame seeds. Spread on top of burgie buns and toast on grill for last 5 minutes of cooking time. Top with Vidalia onion and salsa.

© Crackerberries 2009