Weenie In A Beanie Wrap

I am forever trying to use up leftover Saturday beans. Chili is good, but sometimes tedious. Who doesn’t love beans and hotdogs? This is sort of a take on pigs in blanket but different. First, spice up the leftover beans with some red pepper flakes, cumin and garlic powder. Then make up a batch of garlic herb dough in the bread machine. Use your imagination ooh, doggie.

4 hotdogs

1 medium onion

1 cup baked beans

Bread dough

Ketchup

Mustard

Garlic Herb Dough

 

1 cup water (70º-80º)

2 Tbsp butter flavored Crisco

1 egg

3¼ cups flour

¼ cup sugar

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp basil

½ tsp oregano

½ tsp tarragon leaves

Select dough setting. When finished, divide dough in half and freeze half for another meal. Divide into 4 portions and roll out into 6x4 inch rectangles. Place one dog on each blanket; slit dogs down center, not cutting all the way through; fill with ketchup or mustard. Sprinkle with chopped onion, spoon ¼ cup beans over dog and roll up. Press seams together to seal. Place on greased baking dish and let rise for about 30 minutes. Bake 375º for about 20 minutes, until golden brown. Serve with a dill pickle and more ketchup or mustard if desired.

© Crackerberries 2011

The Ultimate Reuben

4 slices pumpernickel bread

¼ lb thinly sliced corned beef
4 Tbsp sauerkraut, well drained
2 Tbsp Thousand Island dressing
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
2 slices Swiss cheese
1 tbsp margarine

Drain sauerkraut on paper towels; heat griddle to medium (340º). Combine mustard and dressing together and mix well. Divide corned beef between two slices of bread, top with sauerkraut, cheese and dressing. Cover with remaining two slices of bread. Spread margarine on the outside of both sides of sandwich. Place on griddle; grill on each side until golden brown and cheese is melted. Serve with Dug’s spicy sweet potato fries.

1 medium sweet potato, peeled & julienned
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp ground ginger
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp chili powder
1 tsp pepper
½ tsp kosher salt

Preheat oven 375º

Combine all spices together and mix well; spread sweet potatoes on greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with vegetable oil and toss lightly to spread over all potatoes. Sprinkle with spices and toss again. Bake in 375º for 20 minutes then toss and return to oven for another 20-30 minutes until fries are done. Serve with honey mustard or ranch dressing.

© Crackerberries 2011

Banana Butterscotch Pie

1 pastry crust
¾ cup sugar
¼ cup corn starch
12 oz evaporated milk
1½ cup skim milk
3 egg yolks, beaten
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 tsp maple extract
5 bananas



For pastry crust, combine 1 cup all purpose flour, ½ tsp salt, 1/3 cup plus 1 Tbsp shortening; mix together until particles are the size of tiny peas. Sprinkle with water and mix only enough for dough to come away from sides of bowl. Form into ball. Roll out pastry and ease into pie plate. Prick with a fork and bake in 425º oven for 10-15 minutes.

Combine sugar and corn starch in large sauce pan with milk. Mix well; cook over medium heat until mixture begins to boil—stirring constantly. Add a little of the hot mixture to the egg yolks and then add all back into the hot mixture. Cook, stirring constantly until mixture begins to bubble. Remove from heat, add butter and maple extract. Cool in sauce pan to lukewarm. Slice bananas and place in bottom of cooked pastry crust. Pour cooled pudding mixture over bananas. Chill for at least three hours. Garnish with whipped cream and more bananas if desired.

© Crackerberries 2011

New England Boiled Dinner

Most people think of corned beef and cabbage as the traditional Saint Patrick’s Day dinner. It’s actually a New England boiled dinner. We ate most of it before I realized I didn’t take a picture, so I tried to make the leftovers presentable. Traditionally a New England boiled dinner is made with parsnips or turnips; parsnips give me hives so I replaced them with beets. That will work out perfect for my corned beef hash tomorrow.

4 lbs corned beef
1 package of petites carrots
1 medium onion, quartered
3 large potatoes, peeled & quartered
3 fresh beets
1 head cabbage cut into wedges
2 bay leaves
1 tsp peppercorns
1 tsp basil leaves

Cover meat with cold water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer, covered 4 hours.

Add cabbage, cook for 15 minutes.

Quarter beets and place in separate sauce pan to cook for about 45 minutes. (I cook the beet separately so that they do not turn the other vegetables red).

Add potatoes and carrots; cook for 30 minutes. Remove meat and cut into pieces; place vegetables strategically around meat.

Serve with horseradish mustard and plenty of vinegar for the cabbage and beets. The pumpernickel bread in the background will make for excellent Rueben’s tonight.

© Crackerberries 2011

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

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

Gyro Burgers

Happy New Year! I think it's okay to say that until the end of January. I am hoping to post something each week. Comments and l♥ve notes would be very encouraging to me. Hope you enjoy my recipes.

¾ lb ground lamb burger
½ lb ground beef burger
1 tsp sea salt
½ tsp ground allspice
2 cloves garlic, minced
Pita bread
1 Vidalia onion, thickly sliced
1 tomato, thickly sliced
Shredded lettuce

Dilly Sauce

1 cup plain low fat yogurt
¼ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp dill seed
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp lemon juice

Whisk together dilly sauce ingredients and set aside.

Combine ground burgers and mix well; sprinkle salt, allspice and garlic over crumbled burger and mix in well. Shape into 6 large patties. In large skillet, fry patties over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Reduce heat, flip and continue cooking until done as desired (about 5 more minutes).

Heat pita pockets in microwave for 30 seconds. Place shredded lettuce in bottom of pocket; add burger, tomato and onion. Drizzle with dilly sauce and enjoy.




© Crackerberries 2011

BBQ Turkey Pizza

Pizza Dough

1 cup various sweet peppers

½ cup sweet and spicy BBQ sauce

4 slices Swiss cheese

1½ shredded mozzarella cheese

1½ cup leftover turkey pieces

2 large onions, peeled & sliced

2 Tbsp butter

Olive Oil

Fresh ground pepper

Preheat oven 400º. Caramelize onions by placing butter and sliced onions in skillet; cover and saute for about 15 minutes. Take cover off and cook another 5 minutes until golden; set aside. Place turkey in skillet with BBQ sauce and heat until warmed.

Roll out pizza dough on pizza stone. Brush with olive oil and fresh cracked peppercorns. Place in preheated oven for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and spread with cheeses, turkey, onions and peppers. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired. Bake in 400º oven for 25 minutes, remove and let stand 5 minutes before slicing.

Crackerberries ©

Blueberry Fig Jam ... YUM

9 cups fresh figs (Kadota) quartered
3 cups fresh blueberries
4 cups sugar
½ cup lime juice
1 tsp mace

Combine all ingredients in preserving pot; mash figs and blueberries. Let stand at least 2 hours. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and boil gently for 45 minutes to an hour until mixture thickens to gel stage (22o° degrees).

Remove from heat and stir 5 minutes to prevent fruit from floating. Skim off foam if necessary. Ladle into prepared sterile jars, leaving ¼ inch head space. Wipe the rims of the jars to ensure there is no spilled jam to prevent a good seal. Seal jars according to manufacturer’s directions. Place in boiling bath for ten minutes.

Crackerberries © 2010