Irish Bread Pudding

Happy Saint ♣ Patrick's Day

My Grandmother Averill was born 87 years ago today, (may she rest in peace) — does that make me Irish?  (ha ha)!  We always make a loaf of bread to go with Sat-day "beans, bath and tail" and one thing we found is once you have bread fresh out of the oven with the butter melting down your hands as you eat it, it just doesn’t taste the same cold or even heated up the next day. I kept finding these few pieces of bread accumulating in the refrigerator so I decided bread pudding was a good way to use up the leftover pieces.

And what better day than to have some good old fashion Irish Bread Pudding for dessert after a meal of Corned Beef and Cabbage?  (OK, so it's not really a traditional Irish recipe, I just made that up.)

8 slices day old bread (lightly toasted)
½ cup raisins
½ cup Bailey’s Irish Cream (use brandy you like)
¼ cup butter
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp allspice
3 eggs
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups milk, *scalded & cooled

Cover raisins with Bailey’s Irish Cream; set aside for a few hours.

Preheat oven 325°

Spread 1½ tsp butter on each slice of bread and cut into 1 inch cubes; set aside. Combine brown sugar, cinnamon and all spice; reserve 3 Tbsp for later use. Toss bread crumbs with mixture. Place ½ bread mixture in lightly greased 1½ Qt casserole baking dish.

Drain raisins (drink up); place ½ raisins over bread. Repeat layers. Combine eggs, salt and vanilla in mixing bowl, beat med speed for 1 min, gradually adding scalded milk. Pour over casserole and let stand 5 min.

Sprinkle with reserved 3 tbsp spice mixture. Bake 325° for 45-50 min. Serve warm with vanilla Sauce.

• Scalding milk is bringing just below the boiling point.

Irish Vanilla Sauce

½ cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar firmly packed
½ cup whipping cream
¼ cup Bailey's Irish Cream
½ cup butter
1 tsp vanilla

Combine all ingredients except the vanilla and the Bailey's in 1 qt saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until mixture thickens and comes to a full boil (5-8 min). Stir in vanilla and Irish Cream. Serve over warm pudding; store surplus in refrigerator.

© Crackerberries 2011

My Mom's Macaroni & Cheese

2 cups elbows macaroni
12 oz frozen broccoli  and cheese (Mom uses Bird’s Eye)
1 can of cheddar soup
8 slices American cheese
1 cup milk
¾ cup bread crumbs
3-4 Tbsp butter, melted
Salt and pepper to taste




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

Cook broccoli according to package directions; in large bowl, combine broccoli, cheddar soup, milk and salt & pepper and mix well.

Using a well greased Dutch oven or 2 quart casserole dish, layer macaroni, 4 slices of the American cheese, 1/3 of the broccoli mixture and repeat layers ending with broccoli mixture.

In small bowl combine bread crumbs and butter. Spread over top of casserole. Bake in 350º oven for 45 minutes or until bubbly on top. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.

© Crackerberries 2011

Fiery Smothered Pork Chops

1 lb sliced pork loin (½ inch thickness)
½ Tbsp Jamaican-Jerk seasoning
1-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
14½ oz can of Tex-Mex style diced tomatoes
1 medium onion, finely sliced
1 tsp vegetable oil

Rub both sides of the sliced pork loin chops with the Jamaican-Jerk seasoning; set aside. In cast iron fry pan, heat the oil and add the onion and chipotle pepper (add more peppers to add even more spicy); cook about 2 minutes, stirring often (until that hot pepper burns the inside of your nose). Push mixture to one side of fry pan.

Add pork to cleared side of fry pan and cook about 3-4 minutes per side until browned. Add tomatoes and heat until boiling. Reduce heat, cover and cook 10 more minutes or until pork chops are no longer pink inside. Serve with cooked white rice.




© Crackerberries 2011

Hamburger Pie & Tomato Pepper Sauce

2 cups flour tortilla mix
½ cup warm water
¾ lb ground burger
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
14½ oz. stewed tomatoes
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tsp vegetable oil
1 Tbsp oregano
2 tsp corn starch
1 tsp fresh ground pepper

Combine tortilla mix and warm water in medium sized bowl. Mix well and knead until mixture is smooth and elastic (about 5 minutes). Cover with warm damp towel and let rest 10 minutes.

In large skillet cook the garlic, onion and burger in the vegetable oil until burger is brown. Drain tomatoes, reserving liquid. Add tomatoes and oregano to burger and cook just to heat.

Divide tortilla mix in half. Roll out first half to fit into pie plate. Prick the bottom with a fork and bake in 375º oven for 8 minutes. Pour mixture into cooked tortilla crust. Sprinkle with shredded cheeses. Roll out other half of crust and lay over top. Press to sides to seal. Make venting holes in top. Bake at 350º for 45 minutes.

Combine reserved tomato juice and corn starch, mix well. Microwave for 2 minutes; add pepper and stir well.

Slice pie and serve with tomato pepper sauce.


© Crackerberries 2011

Simple Turkey Enchiladas

8 flour tortillas
2 cups cooked turkey
1 can of nacho fiesta soup
2 cups shredded cheddar
1 Tbsp cumin
1 tsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
¼ cup sliced olives
¼ cup milk
¼ cup chopped jalapeños


I make my own flour tortillas but to make it even more simple use store bought ones.

In large measuring cup, combine the soup and the milk and stir until well blended.

In large skillet, sauté the onion in the olive oil until tender; add turkey, jalapeños and soup and cook until heated.

Spoon the mixture into flour tortillas and roll up. Place seam side down in greased baking dish. Spread with cheddar cheese and sprinkle with cumin. Bake at 375º 35-40 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Top with olives. Garnish with sour cream, lettuce, tomato, etc. Serve with fried rice.

© Crackerberries 2011

Oatmeal Fig Squares

1¼ cup all purpose flour
1¼ cup rolled oats
½ cup sugar
¾ cup butter, melted
½ tsp baking soda
2 tsp vanilla
12 oz fig mincemeat
½ cup flaked coconut


Heat oven to 350º; grease 13x9 inch baking dish. In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, sugar, butter, baking soda and vanilla and mix on low speed until crumbly. Save out one cup of mixture and press remaining in the bottom of the greased baking dish. Spread fig mincemeat over top and sprinkle with 1 cup of crumb mixture and top with coconut. Bake 25-30 minutes. Cool completely and cut into squares.

Fig preserves, raspberry preserves, strawberry preserves can also be used.




© Crackerberries 2011

Turkey Fried Rice

Fried rice can be made with just about anything you have on hand. I find the best way to do it is to always have some white rice already made and then you just add veggies of your choice and a few spices to it; presto, instant side dish.

3 cups cooked white rice
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
½ cup frozen peas
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
1 leek, thinly sliced
2 carrots, diced
2 Tbsp minced garlic
1 cup cooked turkey
1 egg, beaten
2 Tbsp soy sauce
Salt & Pepper to taste


Prepare the ingredients you will use before you start cooking. In wok, heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil; cook egg and garlic until egg sets. Remove from wok and chop into pieces; set aside. Add remaining vegetable oil and heat on medium high; stir fry carrots, celery, leeks for about 2 minutes or until tender. Add rice stirring until grains separate; reduce heat slightly and add peas and turkey and soy sauce. Cook until thoroughly heated and add egg, stir well, serve hot.


© Crackerberries 2011

Classic Italian Garlic Bread

My mom bought me a bread machine at a yard sale for $5. It’s my favorite kitchen appliance. This is one of our preferred bread machine recipes. You can make up a batch, split it, freeze half of it, and have it for a later meal.

1 cup water (70º-80º)
2 Tbsp butter flavored Crisco
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 egg
3¼ cups flour
¼ cup sugar
½ tsp rosemary leaves
½ tsp thyme
½ tsp oregano
½ tsp basil
¼ tsp garlic powder
2¼ tsp yeast

Kosher salt
Melted butter
Italian seasoning



Place first 12 ingredients in bread machine in order listed. Select dough setting. When cycle is complete turn dough out on lightly floured surface. Divide dough into portions…shape into balls or rolls. Place on greased baking sheets and cover with towel; let rise in warm place until double in size (about 30 minutes). Bake at 375º for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter, sprinkle with kosher salt and Italian seasoning before serving.

If freezing, let thaw in refrigerator, then divide, place on baking sheets to rise, bake as directed.

© Crackerberries 2011

Meatball Veggie Bake

¾ lb burger
1 egg
¼ cup Italian bread crumbs
½ tsp marjoram
1 Tbsp BBQ sauce
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 can cream of mushroom soup
¼ cup milk
½ tsp nutmeg
1 tsp gravy master
2 large potatoes
2-4 cloves garlic
1 tsp Lawry’s seasoning salt
1 medium onion
4 oz sliced fresh mushrooms
6 oz sweet petites carrots
1 cup frozen peas

Combine burger, egg, bread crumbs, marjoram and BBQ sauce together in bowl and mix well. Shape into 20-two inch meatballs. In large skillet, brown meatballs in vegetable oil on all sides. Remove meatballs from skillet, reserving 1 tbsp of grease.

Wash, peel and cube potatoes; cook with garlic in water until done well enough to mash/whip. In mixing bowl, mash or whip the potatoes with ¼ cup of the chopped onion and Lawry’s seasoning salt and a little bit of milk. Set aside.

Cook carrots and peas; drain; set aside.

Using 1tbsp grease, cook the remaining chopped onion and mushrooms in the skillet, just until tender. Add cream of mushroom soup, milk and nutmeg and heat until thick and bubbly.

Place meatballs in well greased 3quart casserole dish around the outside. Place carrots and peas in the center and pour mushroom mixture over top. Scoop potatoes strategically around the casserole; bake 375º for 45 minutes or until potatoes are lightly browned. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.


© Crackerberries 2011

Nacho Fiesta Scallop Potatoes

4 medium potatoes, washed and thinly sliced
1 cup milk
1 10¾ oz can Fiesta Nacho soup
1 onion diced

Mix milk and soup together.

Place half of the potatoes in a well greased 1½ quart casserole dish. Spread half of the onions over the potatoes and pour half of the soup mixture over the top. Repeat layers.

Bake at 350º covered for 45 minutes.

Remove cover and bake 50-60 minutes longer or until potatoes are tender and top is browned.

Let stand ten minutes before serving.

(Optional: sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese and a tablespoon of pimentos just before serving.)

© Crackerberries 2011

Captain Morgan's Pecan Pie

Ingredients:

1 9-inch pie crust, pressed into 9-inch pie plate, do not bake.

Filling

4 eggs, slightly beaten

1 cup light corn syrup

¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar

¼ cup granulated sugar

2 tbsp. butter or margarine, melted

1 tbsp. Captain Morgan’s spiced rum

1 tsp. vanilla extract

½ tsp. salt

1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°

Filling: Combine eggs, corn syrup, sugars, melted butter, rum, vanilla & salt in large bowl. Blend well. Stir in pecans and mix well. Spoon into unbaked pie crust and bake for 15 minutes at 350°; remove from oven and cover pie crust edges with tin foil to prevent overbrowning. Return to oven and bake for 20 minutes.

Topping:

1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar

3 tbsp. butter or margarine

3 tbsp. honey

1 tbsp. Captain Morgan’s spiced rum

1 ½ cups pecan halves

 

Combine brown sugar, margarine, honey and rum in sauce pan; cook for about 2 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Add pecan halves. Stir until coated; spoon over pie. Bake 20 minutes until topping is bubbly and crust is golden brown. Cool to room temperature before serving. Refrigerate leftover.

 

 

 

© Crackerberries 2011

Turkey Spinacia

6 oz vermicelli, cooked and drained
2 cups cooked, sliced turkey
½ onion, sliced half wise
4 large cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp basil leaves
½ cup chicken broth
4 oz sliced fresh mushrooms
6 oz fresh baby spinach
8 oz sliced water chestnuts, drained
2 cups cooked turkey
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt & Pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese




Sauté garlic and onions in olive oil until onions are opaque. Add mushrooms and water chestnuts and sauté 2-3 minutes. Add turkey and chicken broth and cook just until warmed; add spinach and cook until spinach begins to wilt. Spoon over cooked pasta; sprinkle with Italian seasoning, parmesan cheese and salt and pepper.



© Crackerberries 2011

Fig Mincemeat Muffins

Girl, you thought he was a man, but he was a muffin {from an old radio station I used to listen to…intro for Darrell Martinie - the cosmic muffin} -- and he always ended his predictions with "It's a wise man who rules the stars; it's a fool who's ruled by them. Over and out." He died of cancer in 2006.

This one’s for you, Muffin.



1¼ cups all purpose flour
¾ cup whole wheat flour
3 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
¾ cup evaporated milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg, beaten
8 oz fig mincemeat


Preheat oven to 400º.

Mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Using a small bowl or large measuring cup, blend together the milk, egg, and vegetable oil. Pour in the center of the dry ingredients all at once and mix just until moist. Mixture will be stiff.

Using small ice cream scoop, spoon 2 Tbsp of mixture into each of 12 greased muffin tins. Top with 1 Tbsp of fig mincemeat and then distribute the remaining muffin mix over the top of the mincemeat. Bake at 400º for 18-22 minutes. Remove from tins and cool on wire racks a few minutes before serving warm.


© Crackerberries 2011