Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

Both Tall Cool One and I dislike white potatoes. I guess because we had mashed potatoes every day of our lives growing up. Yes, we sure got sick of hearing “Jeffrey likes them” or “Penny likes them”. Good, feed them to Jeffrey and Penny… ha ha ha.

We love candied sweet potatoes so when I found this recipe in a cookbook, I had to try it. It is ‘wicked’ good. A nice change for a summertime potato salad!

4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 Tbsp olive oil
½ cup honey
3 Tbsp white wine vinegar
2 Tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced

Coat a cookie sheet or roasting pan with non-stick cooking spray. Toss potatoes and one tablespoon of olive oil together to coat well. Spread in pan and bake uncovered at 450º for 45 minutes, stirring once after the first 20 minutes.

Whisk together the remaining olive oil, honey, vinegar, rosemary, salt, pepper and garlic. Transfer potatoes to serving bowl and pour dressing over top; toss gently to combine. Garnish with fresh sprigs of rosemary if desired.

Now, the recipe says to serve it warm, however, we found that if you let it set in the fridge overnight, the flavors incorporate and it’s much tastier in the summertime as a cold salad.

© Crackerberries 2009

Fig Pseudonymous Cookies

Okay, so presentation wise they would have came out better had I not sliced my two end fingers on my left hand while preparing cucumbers for today’s batch of sweet gherkin pickles. But they still taste just as good as the real thing… thicker, but that’s only because I didn’t roll the dough out thin enough.

1 cup sugar
½ cup Crisco shortening
2 large brown eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2½ cups all purpose flour
¼ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
2 cups fig preserves

Combine sugar and shortening in large bowl and beat with electric mixer for 30 seconds to combine. Add eggs and vanilla extract and mix until well combined. In small bowl, combine flour, salt and baking soda and mix well. Blend into sugar mixture and blend well, scraping sides of bowl. Cover and refrigerate for two hours.

Preheat oven to 375º

Separate mixture into two batches. Roll out the first batch about 1/16th inch thickness. Using parchment paper makes moving dough to cookie sheet easier. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Spread with fig preserves.

Roll out second batch of dough to the same thickness. Place on top of preserves. If you really want to make them like the real thing, cut 3-4 strips and press sides together to seal. Otherwise, press sides all around to seal. Bake in 375º oven 15-20 minutes until light golden brown. Remove and cool completely before cutting into squares.



© Crackerberries 2009

Italian Garden Omelet

Not enough leftover spaghetti sauce from the night before to make a lunch out of? Here’s what you can do with it. YUM!!

3 large brown eggs, beaten
1 large green pepper
½ tsp celery salt
¼ tsp fresh ground pepper
1 cup meat pasta sauce
¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 medium onion, diced

Heat non-stick fry pan to over medium high heat. Core green pepper and slice off two or three pieces for presentation. Dice the remaining green pepper and combine with onion and celery salt. Cook over medium heat just until crisp tender (about 2 minutes). Remove from pan, set aside; wipe the pan clean with paper towel. Spray with non cooking oil and heat over medium high heat. Add fresh ground pepper to egg mixture and pour into pan. Using spatula, pull egg mixture carefully toward you to let uncooked portion drain off cooked portion. Once you have all of the egg cooked, pour ¾ cup pasta sauce, ½ cup cheese, onion and green pepper mixture onto the highest side of the egg mixture. Carefully fold the egg over with spatula and top with remaining sauce, cheese and sliced green peppers.




© Crackerberries 2009

Peach Ice Cream

{Served here with Peach Crisp}

I remember hot summer days at my grand-parents house. There was nothing like a trip down to the lake for a swim to cool off or the stop on the way back at the local dairy joy for an ice cream. This is an easy way to make ice cream … and you don’t need an ice cream maker!

1 can fat free sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated milk)
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt
½ cup peach (or other fruit) preserves~or cold milk if you want to make vanilla ice cream.

Combine condensed milk, salt, peaches and vanilla in medium bowl. Mix well and set aside. In large bowl (use a large metal bowl that you have chilled in the freezer with the beaters for about 20 minutes) beat heavy cream until stiff peaks form when beaters are lifted out of mixture (about 5 minutes). Gently fold in peach mixture. Pour into a shallow 1½ quart metal pan. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze. After two hours or when edges start to harden, gently stir ice cream; spoon into air tight container and freeze for two – three more hours before serving. Keep in freezer for up to one week.


© Crackerberries 2009

Inside Out Reese's Peanut Butter Cookies

Okay, so there are no Reese’s peanut butter cups in this recipe at all. But that’s what the cookies remind me of and they are inside out. If you can think of a better name, by all means let me know.
Cookie

½ cup butter flavored Crisco (add 3 tsp water)
½ cup crunchy peanut butter
½ cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar, firmly packed
½ tsp baking powder
½ baking soda
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1¼ cups all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 375º

Beat the peanut butter and Crisco together on high speed for 30 seconds or long enough to combine. Add sugar, brown sugar, baking soda and baking powder and mix until combined, being sure to scrape the sides of the bowl. Add egg and vanilla and mix well. Add flour.

Drop by tablespoons or a small ice cream scoop (my favorite cookie tool), onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 375º for 7-9 minutes. Remove from pan immediately and cool completely on wire racks.

Chocolate Frosting

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 1/3 cup confectioner’s sugar
½ cup margarine
½ cup cream cheese
1-2 Tbsp heavy whipping cream
1 tsp vanilla

Combine cocoa and confectioner’s sugar together and mix well. In large bowl beat margarine and cream cheese and vanilla together until well combined. Gradually add cocoa sugar mixture until frosting consistency, adding heavy cream as needed to make smooth.

Frost cookies and store in refrigerator.


© Crackerberries 2009

Asian Steak Oriental

You know when it’s really hot (like this weekend is going to be 100º) and you don’t feel like having a big meal but you need to have some meat and veggies. This is a salad that is light and easy to throw together too. Yes, I know that the steak is a little rarer than it should be, but let me just say, the raw cabbage will help off-set that … ha ha ha.


1 lb steak (¾”-1” thick) — you could use chicken breasts or pork tenderloins
1 package Oriental-flavored ramen noodles (add a bottle of ketchup and you’ve got spaghetti ~ just kidding)
1 carrot, finely diced
½ cabbage, shredded
½ cup honey roasted peanuts
½-¾ cup Asian style dressing

Rub seasoning from ramen noodles on both sides of steak. Sear steaks and cook to your liking ~ for searing, allow 2 minutes for 1-inch thick steaks and 4 minutes for 1½-2-inch thick steaks. To sear steak: preheat grill to 500º-550º with the cover on. Place the meat on the cooking grill. Close lid and sear the first side of the steak over high heat. Flip the steak and reduce heat to medium and finish grilling indirect over medium heat turning once halfway through the remaining grilling time (about 9 minutes total for ¾-inch steak).

Break block of ramen noodles into small pieces; combine with cabbage, carrots, Asian dressing and mix well. Slice steak and arrange on top of cabbage mixture. Sprinkle with peanuts and voila…instant cool summer din-din!



© Crackerberries 2009

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