Cast Iron Chicken

Cast Iron Chicken

2 tsp. paprika

2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

½ tsp. onion powder

½ tsp. garlic salt

2-3 lbs. chicken pieces (legs, leg quarters, whole chicken cut up)

2 tbsp. butter

6 sprigs fresh thyme

KEY WORDS: CAST IRON

Preheat cast iron skillet in 450º oven.  While cast iron skillet is preheating, combine spices.  Cut up chicken (if necessary) and pat dry with paper towels.  Sprinkle spices all over chicken.  Coat well.  Use all spices.  When oven reached temperature, remove skillet – be careful, it’s HOT.  Add the butter to the cast iron and let it melt.  Place the thyme sprigs on one side.  Add the chicken, skin side down.  Place skillet in oven and bake 15 minutes.  Remove from oven (careful…still wicked hot) and flip the chicken over.  Return to oven and bake another 15 minutes.   Internal temperature for leg/thighs should read at least 175º.  Remove from oven and let stand 10 minutes.  Transfer chicken to platter, discard thyme.  Stir juices and spoon over chicken.  

**I stole this recipe from Cooks Country (www.cookscountry.com).  I love it.  I will never cook chicken another way!

© Crackerberries 2019

Irish Oatmeal Cookies

Irish Oatmeal Cookies

12 tbsp. unsalted butter

¾ cup natural creamy peanut butter

¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar

½ cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

¾ tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

1 cup all-purpose flour

1½ cups Irish steel cut oatmeal

1 cup raisins

¾ cup coconut

Preheat oven 350º

Cream together butter and peanut butter, then add sugar and mix until light and fluffy.  Beat in eggs until smooth.  Combine oats, flour, baking soda, and salt and then add to creamed mixture.  Beat until thoroughly blended. Fold in raisins and coconut. Drop by rounded spoonful two inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350º for 12 minutes.  Let cool on cookie sheet one minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Yield 5 dozen cookies.         

© Crackerberries 2019

Crackers 3-Bean Stew

2/3 cups each: Soldier Beans, Yellow Eye Beans, Jacob’s Cattle Beans

2 large cloves garlic

¼ tsp. cayenne pepper

1 tsp. chili powder

½ tbsp.

Italian seasoning

2-3 slices cooked bacon (optional)

1 carrot

1 onion

1½ - 2 cups chopped cooked smoked shoulder

1¼ cup almond milk

Salt and pepper to taste

Place dry beans in crock pot and cover with water … let soak 2 hours.

Drain, rinse and cover with water to about 1-1½ inch above beans. 

Add garlic and other spices.

Cover, cook on high 5 hours.

Turn off and let cool 1-2 hours.

Sauté carrot and onion for 5-10 minutes.

Add remaining ingredients to beans, turn crock pot on low and reheat 1-2 hours.

Serve with dollop of sour cream and crackers and hot sauce if you wish.

© Crackerberries 2019

Barbie's Favorite Chili

BEANS:

2 cups dry beans (red kidney are favorite but I think this time I used soldier)

½ cup sugar

½ ketchup

¼ cup molasses

2 tsp. dry mustard

½ cup chopped onion

¼ lb. salt pork

Salt and pepper.

Soak beans overnight, drain, rinse, and put in crock pot with just enough water to cover.  Add ingredients and cook on high for 3 hours, turn down to low and cook 5-6 more hours.

CHILI

1¼ lb. ground beef

1 pkg. hot sausage links, removed from casing

1 lg. can diced tomatoes (I used roasted red pepper)

1 cup tomato sauce

1 lg. green pepper, diced (didn’t have green pepper so used 5 jalapeno’s from garden)

1 onion, chopped

2 tbsp. minced garlic

2 tbsp. chili powder

1-2 tsp. cayenne pepper

1 tbsp. black pepper

1 tbsp. basil

1 tsp. celery salt

1 tbsp. paprika

Cook burger and sausage and drain off grease. Add onions, garlic and green pepper and cook until aromatic. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, spices and beans. Simmer on medium heat, stir often, 1-2 hours.

Great chili bowls, taco salads, burrito’s, nachos. 

Festive Egg Nog Macaroni and Cheese

Festive Egg Nog Crockpot Macaroni & Cheese

3 Cups uncooked pasta shells

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

2 cups milk

1 cups egg nog

1 15 oz. can cheddar cheese condensed soup

1 15 oz. can cream of chicken condensed soup

1 tsp. ground black pepper

1 tsp. paprika

1 cups chopped turkey

Combine soups, milk and egg nog and mix until smooth.  Add to crock pot with shells and 1½ cup of the cheddar cheese and ½ cup of the Monterey Jack cheese, stir to combine.  Cover and cook on low for three hours.  Add turkey and stir.  Top with remaining cheese, cover and cook one more hour.  Serve and enjoy.  (Not for the calorie counters)

© Crackerberries 2018

Zucchini Tamale Casserole

Zucchini Tamale Casserole

1 lb. ground beef

1 jalapeño

1 zucchini

1 onion

1 can mixed beans

1 jar corn relish

1 cup BBQ Sauce (I used Crackerberries famous Fig BBQ Sauce)

4 slices homemade corn bread

3 slices jalapeño cheese

Scramble ground beef in large skillet. Drain grease and set aside.  Sauté onion, zucchini for 5 minutes, then add beans, corn, BBQ sauce and cook till bubbling.  Mix in with ground beef.  Spread in light greased casserole dish.  Top with cheese and sliced cubed bread.  Sprinkle with jalapeño peppers.  Bake in 350º oven for 15-20 minutes, until cheese is melted and bread is lightly toasted.  Serve with Mexican sour cream.

Mexican Sour Cream

1 cup sour cream

2 Tbsps. green chilies, chopped

2 tsps. Jalapeño, chopped

2 tsps. Lime juice

Combine in small bowl, mix until well blended. 

© Crackerberries 2018

Macaroni BLT Salad

Macaroni BLT Salad

1 box small macaroni shells

1 lb. cooked bacon, chopped

2 tomatoes, chopped

1 onion, diced

1½ cup ranch dressing

2 cups chopped Romaine lettuce

½ cup fresh chopped parsley

1½ tsp. fresh ground black pepper

Cook pasta according to directions. Drain, rinse and set aside.  Combine tomatoes, onion, pepper, and salad dressing together in a large bowl.  Toss in pasta and then add lettuce, parsley and bacon. 

© Crackerberries 2018

Eggs of Tecumsah

Eggs of Tecumsah

4 poached eggs (4 minutes)

½ lb. ground beef

½ lb. bulk sausage

2 English muffins, halved and grilled

4 slices cooked bacon

½ cup mayonnaise (Duke’s is highly preferred)

2 tbsp. Thousand Island dressing

Salt & Pepper to taste

1 tbsp. Texas Pete

In small bowl mix mayonnaise, Thousand Island dressing, and Texas Pete.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Combine ground beef and sausage and separate into four ¼ lb. patties.  Grill on hot cast iron pan 4-6 minutes per side until cooked.  Grill muffins until lightly toasted.  Poach eggs. Build on muffins, burger, bacon, egg and sauce. Sprinkle with paprika and serve with a side of home fried potatoes.

© Crackerberries 2018

Zucchini Bars

½ 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 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 Frost
8 oz. package cream cheese
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 tsp finely shredded lemon peel

In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar together until smooth and fluffy. Add lemon peel and frost the cooled bars. Cut into 36 bars.

Welcome to the 2018 A-Z Blogging challenge.  This will be my fourth year. Every year I take on the challenge with hopes of disciplining myself to keep writing throughout the year as much, if not more than just through the monthly challenge. (It certainly is a challenge.)  Some years are better than others.  Some I just lose track of time.  This year I have decided to put my favorite hobbies together. A recipe that is tried and true as well as some thoughtful insight.  Please note some of these recipes have been shared before, however they have gone through years of testing and this is the perfected recipe.  I really hope one of my recipes or “Food for Thought” inspires you to do something great.  Enjoy the read and the photos, try the recipe, share your thoughts or comments, and most of all, have FUN with the challenge this month!

Cheers,

Yummy Yeast Rolls

YEAST ROLL DOUGH

1 egg

¾ cup water (70°-80°)

2 tbsp. butter (softened)

¼ cup dry milk powder

¾ tsp. salt

1½ cup all-purpose flour

1½ cup whole wheat flour

¼ cup sugar

2¼ tsp. yeast

Combine all ingredients starting with wet items first and ending with yeast, in bread machine.  Select the dough setting.

When cycle stops, turn out dough on lightly floured surface.  Divide dough in half. Roll each into 10x15 inch rectangles.  Let rest and make filling.  Each half will make 12 buns.

YUMMY PEANUT BUTTER FILLING             

¾ cup brown sugar

¼ cup flour

¾ cup crunchy peanut butter

3 tbsp. softened butter or margarine

Combine in bowl and mix well.  Divide in half and spread over each rectangle.  Roll up the long side of the dough and pinch along the sides to seal.  Slice into twelve rolls. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet and cover with dish towel to let rise 30-45 minutes or until doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 375°.  Bake 20 minutes.  Remove from cookie sheet and place on wire racks to cool slightly.  Drizzle with yummy glaze if desired.

YUMMY GLAZE

1 cup confectioner’s sugar

2-3 tbsp. orange juice

Combine in bowl and mix to desired spreading consistency.  Drizzle over each bun and serve immediately.  Store leftovers in air tight container.

Food for Thought:

➤January is Bread Machine Baking Month.

➤Sandwiches account for 50% of the world’s bread consumption.

➤According to Scandinavian superstition, a boy and girl who eat from the same loaf of bread are destined to fall in love.

➤On average, each American consumes 53 pounds of bread per year.

➤The first loaf of commercially sliced bread in the United States was sold on July 7, 1928 in Chillicothe, Missouri.

➤The average bread maker uses less energy than a coffee maker, utilizing approximately 9 kilowatt-hours per month.

➤The first home bread maker was sold in 1986 by the Matshushita Electric Industrial Co., now known as Panasonic.

➤Ancient Egyptians are usually credited with the invention of yeast leavening, as well as the oven, so they are considered early bread pioneers.

Things to consider if you are buying a bread machine:

Size Matters: Know where you plan to stow your bread maker when not in use. They will use precious kitchen real estate. 

How big:  A 1-pound bread pan machine should yield 8 slices, while a 1 1/2 pound pan should provide 12 slices; a 2 pound pan 16 slices; and a 2 1/2 pound pan 20 slices. Know who you are feeding.

Basic or whistles:  If you are only going to bake white bread, select a simpler model, since white bread requires only the basic, or white, cycle to produce a good result. If whole grains, wheat, pizza dough or jams are on the meal plan, you’ll need to consider a machine with extra “cycles.” Whole wheat or whole grain cycles allow longer rising times for the dense loaves; while a cycle for French bread decreases kneading time and adds more time for rising. Some machines feature quick or rapid cycles that cut baking time by an hour; while others are programmed with a regular bake cycle that is always a speedy two or two-and-a-half hours. Fast and fresh!

  

Welcome to the 2018 A-Z Blogging challenge.  This will be my fourth year. Every year I take on the challenge with hopes of disciplining myself to keep writing throughout the year as much, if not more than just through the monthly challenge. (It certainly is a challenge.)  Some years are better than others.  Some I just lose track of time.  This year I have decided to put my favorite hobbies together. A recipe that is tried and true as well as some thoughtful insight.  Please note some of these recipes have been shared before, however they have gone through years of testing and this is the perfected recipe.  I really hope one of my recipes or “Food for Thought” inspires you to do something great.  Enjoy the read and the photos, try the recipe, share your thoughts or comments, and most of all, have FUN with the challenge this month!

Cheers,

Welsh Rarebit

(check back later for actual picture of the recipe)

Welsh (Rarebit) Rabbit

3 tbsp. salted butter

12 oz. American cheese, cubed

1½ cup Guinness or other stout beer

3 eggs, beaten

2 tsp. dry mustard

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Hot pepper sauce (optional)

In medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat.  Add cheese and beer and cook over very low heat until cheese melted.  Stir frequently.  In small bowl combine eggs, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and hot pepper sauce. Slowly add to melted cheesy beer mixture, beating with a wire whisk.  Cook for an additional 10-15 on low heat minutes until thickened.  Serve over saltine crackers, or toast.

Food for Thought:

This is one of my all-time favorite hot lunch meals from grade school.  I loved Welsh Rarebit day.  I could never taste rabbit in it and wondered why a rabbit tasted so much like cheese! 

Welcome to the 2018 A-Z Blogging challenge.  This will be my fourth year. Every year I take on the challenge with hopes of disciplining myself to keep writing throughout the year as much, if not more than just through the monthly challenge. (It certainly is a challenge.)  Some years are better than others.  Some I just lose track of time.  This year I have decided to put my favorite hobbies together. A recipe that is tried and true as well as some thoughtful insight.  Please note some of these recipes have been shared before, however they have gone through years of testing and this is the perfected recipe.  I really hope one of my recipes or “Food for Thought” inspires you to do something great.  Enjoy the read and the photos, try the recipe, share your thoughts or comments, and most of all, have FUN with the challenge this month!

Cheers,

Veggie Salad

Veggie Salad

There is no recipe for veggie salad.

Food for Thought:

When you have to eat your vegetables, you might as well have fun with them! 

Welcome to the 2018 A-Z Blogging challenge.  This will be my fourth year. Every year I take on the challenge with hopes of disciplining myself to keep writing throughout the year as much, if not more than just through the monthly challenge. (It certainly is a challenge.)  Some years are better than others.  Some I just lose track of time.  This year I have decided to put my favorite hobbies together. A recipe that is tried and true as well as some thoughtful insight.  Please note some of these recipes have been shared before, however they have gone through years of testing and this is the perfected recipe.  I really hope one of my recipes or “Food for Thought” inspires you to do something great.  Enjoy the read and the photos, try the recipe, share your thoughts or comments, and most of all, have FUN with the challenge this month!

Cheers,

Unicorn Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 3 oz. package of cherry flavored gelatin
½ cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 tbsp. lemon rind (optional)
2 eggs
1½ tsp. baking powder
2 cups flour
1½ cups cooking oats

Preheat oven to 375º. Place rack in center of oven.

In large mixing bowl, cream butter, gelatin and sugars together until fluffy. Add eggs, orange rind and cherry extract and beat well. Combine flour, baking powder and cooking oats together and gradually add to mixing bowl, beating on low and scrapping sides of the bowl until mixed well.

Scoop by tablespoons on ungreased cookie sheets two inches apart. Bake at 375º for 12 minutes or until lightly browned on edges. Cool one minute then remove to wire racks to cool completely. Yield 5 dozen 1½-2 inch cookie gems.

Food for Thought:

Use any flavor gelatin for Unicorn cookies.  Unicorn Cookies come in all colors and flavors.  You could even make several batches and mix them all together. 

Welcome to the 2018 A-Z Blogging challenge.  This will be my fourth year. Every year I take on the challenge with hopes of disciplining myself to keep writing throughout the year as much, if not more than just through the monthly challenge. (It certainly is a challenge.)  Some years are better than others.  Some I just lose track of time.  This year I have decided to put my favorite hobbies together. A recipe that is tried and true as well as some thoughtful insight.  Please note some of these recipes have been shared before, however they have gone through years of testing and this is the perfected recipe.  I really hope one of my recipes or “Food for Thought” inspires you to do something great.  Enjoy the read and the photos, try the recipe, share your thoughts or comments, and most of all, have FUN with the challenge this month!

Cheers,