Posted in and sauces, appetizers/snacks, Food, Toppings

Cowboy Candy

Posted on by lmc

Cowboy Candy serves as a delicious condiment to slather over crackers with cream cheese, spoon over burgers or spicy sausage links, or to top a crispy baked flatbread crust. The sweet and spicy pickled combination makes this a winner every time! Watch out… It’s addictive!

Cowboy Candy

3 pounds jalapeño peppers 

6 cups sugar

2 cups apple cider vinegar 

1 Tbs garlic powder

1 tsp celery seed

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Slice jalapeños into rounds. (We use the slicing blade on our food processor.)

Combine the remaining ingredients in a pot on the stove. Bring to a hard boil over high heat. Reduce heat and keep at a low boil for five minutes.

Add jalapeños and heat through for 3-5 minutes.

Using a slotted spoon, ladle jalapeños into clean jars. Then top with the spicy juice to fill jars within a 1/2” from the rim.

Wipe rims. Twist on lids and store in the fridge for up to one month.

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Posted in and sauces, appetizers/snacks, Food, Homemade Mixes

Honey Sweetened Peanut Butter

Posted on by lmc

It seems everyone in our household loves to smather peanut butter over an array of crispy crackers, breads, crunchy veggies, and salty pretzels. We also love the scrumptious honey our bees produce yearly. This recipe combines the best of both to make an utterly delicious spread that’s buttery, nutty, and sweet. It’s actually quite addictive and we can usually plow through a jar in no time. We keep a hefty supply of nuts, honey, (and our own tapped maple syrup) on hand to make a fresh batch whenever needed.

Honey Sweetened Peanut Butter

2 cups (16 ounces) raw, shelled peanuts
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup


Preheat oven to 350°. Place the peanuts on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until lightly golden-brown, about 10 minutes.


Transfer the warm peanuts to a food processor. Pulse a few times just until chopped then run the food processor continuously for 1 minute. Stop and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. The peanut butter will look gritty and dry.

Continue to blend and scrape for several minutes until the peanut butter is smooth and creamy as desired. For crunchy peanut butter, add 1/2 cup additional nuts and pulse to chop nuts into smaller pieces, as desired. Add salt to taste.

Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.

Posted in Baked goods, Baking, Cake, Chocolate, Desserts, Food

The Very Best Chocolate Cake Ever

Posted on by lmc

This cake is dense and full of chocolate flavor… our very favorite chocolate cake recipe!

Best Chocolate Cake Ever

FOR THE CAKE:

3 cups flour

2 cups sugar

6 tablespoons cocoa powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups water

2/3 cup canola oil

2 teaspoons vinegar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

FOR THE CHOCOLATE FROSTING:

1 cup cold milk

1 package (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix

1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions

In a bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Add the water, oil, vinegar and vanilla. Beat on low speed for 1 minute. Beat on medium for 1 minute. Pour into a greased 13×9” baking pan. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

For frosting, in a mixing bowl, beat the milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Beat in thawed whipped topping. Spread evenly over cooled cake. Refrigerate.

Posted in appetizers/snacks, Baked goods, Baking, Beef, Dinner, Food

Easy Taco Pie

Posted on by lmc

Everyone seems to enjoy this recipe. Keep these common convenience ingredients items on hand for a quick and tasty meal.

Easy Taco Pie

• 1 9 ¼ ounce bag Fritos corn chips, crushed
• 2 lbs. ground beef, browned and drained
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 small can green chilies, drained
• 1 can roasted corn, drained
• 2 cups sharp shredded cheese
• Taco pie toppings of your choice such as lettuce, tomato, avocado, jalapeños, olives, salsa, etc.
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 deep pie pans with non-stick baking spray.
  2. In a large pan, brown and chop ground beef. Drain grease, and then mix in taco seasoning, green chilies, and corn; set aside.
  3. Divide chips in half and sprinkle each half as a layer of corn chips into the bottom of each pie dish.
  4. Layer on your seasoned ground beef, and then top each dish with 1 cup of cheese.
  5. Bake for 25 minutes or until bubbly. Cool slightly.
  6. Top with anything you’d like – salsa, guacamole, lettuce, sour cream, olives, peppers, or jalapeños .
Posted in Baked goods, Baking, breakfast, Brunch, Food

Baked Amish Apple-Nut Oatmeal

Posted on by lmc

Our apple trees produced a sizable amount of misshapen apples this season. Luckily, they are perfect for this yummy recipe. Warm cinnamon, apples, nuts and oats make this the perfect breakfast. Spoon into small Tupperware containers for a fast weekly morning meal or an on the go breakfast at the office.

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, beaten
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing the dish
2-3 baking apples, peeled and cubed, (about 2 cups)

Baked Amish Apple-Nut Oatmeal

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease an 11×7” baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients in the order listed. Mix well.
Scatter the apples evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Pour the oatmeal mixture over top and spread evenly. Bake for 35-45 minutes, until the top is golden and the oats are slightly set. Serve warm or at room temperature. Top with yogurt or milk, if desired.

Posted in Baked goods, Baking, Bread, breakfast, Brunch, Cake, Food

Blueberry – Pineapple Coffee Cake

Posted on by lmc

It’s blueberry picking time and this is my new favorite recipe. Super moist and delicious…. I hope you give it a try!

COFFEE CAKE

2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1⁄2 cup packed brown sugar
2⁄3 cup oil
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, well-drained


BLUEBERRY TOPPING

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1⁄2 cup pecans, chopped
1⁄2 cup brown sugar, packed
1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 13×9” baking pan; set aside. In medium bowl stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; set aside.
In large bowl, stir together sugar, brown sugar, oil and eggs. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to sugar mixture, stirring after addition. Fold in pineapple. Spoon batter into prepared pan.
For blueberry topping: Stir together all ingredients; sprinkle evenly over batter.
Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.
Cool in pan on wire rack for 45 minutes.

Optional: Drizzle a glaze over the top of coffee cake after completely cooled.

Posted in Baked goods, Baking, Bread, Brunch, Food

Dilly Buttermilk Bread

Posted on by lmc

I found this recipe in an old community cookbook. The ingredient ratios seemed off but I had extra buttermilk on hand and thought I’d give it a try with a few adjustments. I tweaked the flour quantity and flavor ingredients a bit and the loaf turned out splendid. I threw everything in the bread machine during the late evening hours so the bread was finished before I headed to bed. I sliced the loaf in the morning for hearty breakfast sandwiches to include bacon, eggs, and cheese. Yummers!

Dilly Buttermilk Bread (Bread Machine)

1/2 cup warm buttermilk (70° to 80°)
1/2 cup warm water
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon salt
3 1/2 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoons dried dill weed
1 teaspoon dried onion flakes
1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 cup buttermilk


Directions

  1. In bread machine pan, place all ingredients in the order listed. Select basic bread setting. Choose medium crust color. Bake according to bread machine directions (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed).
Posted in Casserole, Dinner, Food, side dishes, Soup

Easy Spaetzle

Posted on by lmc

While recently visiting family in Ohio, I purchased a few pounds of Spaetzle at a local specialty store. The price was quite expensive so I thought I might try to make them myself. After reviewing a few recipes on-line, I came up with this simple basic recipe. I now freeze batches of this dumpling-like egg noodle for soups, stews, and casserole dishes so we can inexpensively enjoy them year-round.

Easy Spaetzle

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 8 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup evaporated skim milk

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Mix in eggs and milk. Stir until the batter is well combined and develops bubbles. Let the loose batter sit for 5-10 min. Stir again.
  • Bring a large pot of water over high heat to a boil, add 1 tablespoon of salt to the water; reduce temperature to a simmer. Next, place a colander into a bowl to drain the cooked speatzle.
  • Press the batter through a spaetzle maker into the simmering water.
  • Working in batches, after using about 1/3 of the batter, let spaetzle cook until they float to the top. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom of the post. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the spaetzle to the colander so that excess water can drip off.
  • Serve the spaetzle immediately or saute them in butter to crisp. If you don’t serve or saute them right away, add 1 or 2 Tbsp of butter to the hot spaetzle to prevent them from sticking together.If desired, freeze in quart-sized freezer bags for later use.
Flour, salt, eggs, and evaporated milk
Prepare a loose batter.
Use a Spaetzle maker working in batches.
Stir in a pat of butter to prevent sticking.
Freeze in quart-sized freezer bags.
Enjoy in your favorite noodle dishes.
Posted in Baked goods, Baking, breakfast, Brunch, cookies, Food, Gifts, holiday, holidays

Easy Cookie Lollipops

Posted on by lmc

These cookies are super cute and quite tasty. I used the Wilton Easy Cut-Out Cookie recipe to make quick work of this project. Just make the dough, pinch off a small ball, form it around the treat stick, and place your cookie cut-out on top. I used three chocolate chips to top the cookie and then popped them in the oven. Here’s the video for the Wilton recipe.

Wrap them up in a bit of cellophane and you have a lovely gift from the kitchen…
Posted in Baked goods, Baking, Bread, breakfast, Cake, Food

Yummy Cake Mix Banana Muffins

Posted on by lmc

Freeze your overly ripe bananas and pull them out for this delicious recipe!

Yummy Cake Mix Banana Muffins

3 overripe bananas, mashed
3 eggs
1/2 cup canola oil
1 (15 oz) box yellow cake mix
1 tsp vanilla extract
optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin pan with muffins liners (or spray with nonstick cooking spray) and set aside.
In a large bowl combine the bananas, eggs and oil/butter until mixture is smooth. Add the cake mix and gently mix until combined. DO NOT over mix. Optional: fold in chopped nuts
Scoop batter into the muffin pan filling the cups 3/4 of the way full (use an ice cream scoop for ease). Top each with a sprinkle of streusel crumble and tap lightly into batter.
Bake for 18 – 25 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.


Streusel topping –
1 ¼ cup
½ cup light brown sugar tightly packed
⅓ cup sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
6 Tbls.cold butter, cubed

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk or stir together flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and salt. Use a fork to cut the butter into the dry ingredients to make course crumbs. Scatter evenly over muffins, pie, or coffee cake before baking. Store left-over streusel in fridge or freezer for future baking projects.