30 Kasım 2012 Cuma

Best Cupcake I've Ever Eaten!

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Yes, it tastes as good as the picture looks! My fellow co-worker and MTSIG follower David Derryberry surprised me with this absolutely scrumptious birthday brownie-cookie-chocolate treat-cupcake. He had me warm it just a smidgen in the microwave before devouring. All that was missing was a glass of milk and another one. David received the recipe from Tracy and I want to extend my thanks for coming through with the recipe and letting me share all this yummy goodness.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 roll slice and bake refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough
  • 1 bag brownie mix
  • 12 Reese's Peanut Butter cups (regular size)
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Lightly spray a 12 muffin tin.
  3. Cut 12 half inch slices of cookie dough* and smoosh into bottom of tins.
  4. Place peanut butter cup in tin.
  5. Mix brownie mix per package directions. Place a dollop of brownie mix on top of peanut butter cup. (Enough to cover top of PB cup). To avoid "muffin top," David says to not eat these! Just kidding. Don't overfill the tins. Seriously, a dollop will keep your cupcakes from having a muffin top. :-)
  6. Bake in oven for 25 minutes.

*You will have leftover cookie dough.




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Denise's Tipsy Tea aka Elk River Tea

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One of my favorite drinks to imbibe in periodically is a Long Island Tea. Problem is, when you want to whip them up for a crowd, it gets quite expensive! One evening we were packing for the river. It was going to be a hot, humid weekend and I got the brilliant idea to create my own version of a "tipsy tea," which I have officially named Elk River Tea. 

I packed a gallon of Milo's tea, some lemons and planned on creating my own concoction with some smooooth Canadian Hunter Whiskey. Of course you can fix your own sweet tea at home and make it a really inexpensive party drink.

INGREDIENTS:

  • Southern Sweet Tea (Milo's or homemade only!)
  • 1 oz. Canadian Hunter Whiskey
  • Lemon Slices
  • Lots of ice
Fill your glass with lots of ice and sweet tea. Add 1 oz. or more of Canadian Hunter Whiskey. Squeeze some lemon juice in the glass, stir and top with another lemon slice.

If  you really want to treat your guests to a really cool treat....click here for my Tipsy Pops!!


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Denise's Tipsy Pops

To contact us Click HERE

My co-worker Lisa, brought in a Southern Living magazine one day that included "Cocktail on a Stick" recipes. I don't know why she thought of me, but I agreed they would be a perfect test recipe in the Grisham kitchen. As hot as it's been all summer, anything icy and cold is a welcome treat! After looking over all the recipes listed, none of them excited me. I don't drink mint juleps and the other options would require me to buy a bunch of stuff for drinks I normally wouldn't even fix.

So...being the frugal chef I am, I stuck with what I know best. I made pops with Elk River Tea, Whipped Cream Vodka Creamsicle and Strawberry 'Nise.


INGREDIENTS:

  • Small plastic cups
  • Popsicle sticks (from craft department)
  • And one of the following adult beverages
Creamsicle
  • 2 oz Whipped Cream Vodka
  • 4 oz Diet Orange Crush
Strawberry 'Nise
  • 2 ozs. Burnett's Coconut Vodka 
  • 6 oz. Orange Fused Strawberry Sunny-D  
Elk River Tea
    • Southern Sweet Tea (Milo's or homemade only!)
    • 1 oz. Canadian Hunter Whiskey
    • Lemon juice 

    Mix your favorite poison and pour into a plastic cup. Word to the wise: If your concoction includes a carbonated drink, give it plenty of room to grow or you will be wiping up a slushy mess!! Carefully cover the top with aluminum foil. Make a very small slit in the foil so you can work a popsicle stick in. Set on a tray and let freeze overnight.

    To remove from the cup, carefully roll the cup in your hands and eject the pop out. 

    *These treats are for adults only!! 

     

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    Andy and Denise's Kraut and Weiners

    To contact us Click HERE

    Here's one of those good ole' southern recipes that you either love or hate. Kraut does have a strong taste...but not when I fix it! Typically Andy fixes this dish with red wienies, but he went all out and splurged and put smoked sausage in it. That's the way I like kraut and wieners best. Now, having said all that; we have two different ways of preparing this. He uses oil, I use bacon grease. The bacon grease just tones down the strong kraut bite. My Momma didn't raise a fool. If my husband is fixing this, he can fry the wienies any way he wants. We like to serve stewed potatoes and black-eyed or purple hulled peas and a pan of cornbread.

    This is such an easy recipe, it makes me wonder why we don't fix it more often.

    ANDY'S INGREDIENTS:

    • Can of chopped kraut
    • 1 pack of red hot dogs, cut into slices
    • Enough canola oil to cover the bottom of a skillet
    DENISE'S INGREDIENTS:
    • Can of chopped kraut
    • 1 lb. smoked sausage or polish kielbasa , cut into slices and sliced in half again
    • Bacon grease, a big spoon full
      In a large skillet, heat the oil (or melt the bacon grease). Add cut up meat. Pan fry until lightly browned.

      Stir in can of kraut. Mix well.

      Cook until the kraut turns to a little darker color; about 15 minutes. Be sure to stir frequently.


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      Cousin Christine's Peanut Butter Pie

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      When I lived in Connecticut, I spent lots of time with my family, especially  my cousins. My Wadsworth cousins are: Pam, Eddie, Kelly, Christine and Dallas. Their Mother Patricia and my Mother Marguerite are sisters. When I think back on memories with the family, I remember me and Dawn getting to spend several days with our girl cousins in the summer. We loved playing and swimming and rambling around. Out of everyone and everything that has stuck with me all these years, it has to be my cousin Chrissie's (that's what we called her then) smile. I notice even now her face still lights up when she smiles.Christine has prepared several of the desserts included in the blog and is so sweet to send me a few pictures. I especially love how she made both of her twin boys happy when she fixed the Snicker Cheesecake Squares for them. One had the chocolate Oreos and on the other she used the vanilla for the crust. That brought up a whole new conversation on using Nutter Butters or any other sandwich cookie to give it a twist.

      Last week my sweet cousin Christine Jessen shared her Peanut Butter Pie recipe with me. This just looked too good to pass up sharing with you all. I asked her if she would mind sharing it in a Guest Post. She was kind enough to do so. Thanksgiving will be here before you know it, so I thought this was perfect timing!

      INGREDIENTS:
      Crust

      • 25 Oreos
      • 4 tablespoons melted butter
      Filling
      • 1 cup smooth peanut butter
      • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese- softened
      • ½ cup sugar
      • 1 (8 ounce) container of Cool Whip, thawed
      Topping
      • 1 (11.75 ounce) Jar of hot fudge topping
      • 15 Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (frozen, unwrapped)
      • 1 (8 ounce) container of Cool Whip, thawed
      Directions
      Preheat oven 350. Crush Oreos in food processer until crumbs and you no longer can see the whites of the cookies. Mix in melted butter. Press the crumbs into the bottom and sides of a 9 inch pie pan. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from oven and let it cool completely!
      With a mixer beat together peanut butter, cream cheese and sugar. Slowly beat in Cool Whip until well combined. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the filling, spoon remaining mixture into cooled pie shell. With an off center spatula, smooth filling to the edges of the pie.
      Reserve 2 tablespoons of the hot fudge topping. Using a microwave, heat the hot fudge topping for 30 seconds, stir and heat for additional time no more than 30 more seconds. Topping should be thick and pourable but not to runny. Start in the center of the pie and pour the hot fudge topping over the filling. With your off center spatula, smooth topping to edge of pie. Refrigerate until set up.
      Take 10 of the frozen, unwrapped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and chop them into small pieces. Sprinkle chopped candy over pie, lightly pressing into the fudge topping. Reserve 4 tablespoons of Cool Whip.

      With an off center spatula, spread the remaining Cool Whip over the entire pie. Smooth to edge of pie. With the reserved Hot Fudge Topping, place in plastic baggy, cut a small corner from the bag and drizzle over pie. With the reserve filling, place in plastic baggy, cut a small corner from the bag and drizzle over pie going in the opposite direction then the Hot Fudge Topping. With the reserved Cool Whip, place in a plastic baggy, cut a small corner from the bag and pipe a boarder around the edge of the pie. Quarter the remaining five peanut butter cups and place around the piped boarder along the edge of the pie. Refrigerate until ready to eat.


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      29 Kasım 2012 Perşembe

      Rainbow Swiss Chard Manicotti

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      Rainbow Swiss Chard Manicotti

      This dish is so delicious & colorful!  You can't go wrong with any kind of food that is stuffed.

      Printable Recipe
       
       14 Manicotti shells (pasta)2 cups Rainbow Swiss Chard (or regular Chard) (rinsed & chopped)1/2 red bell pepper (deseeded, rinsed & chopped)1/2 yellow bell pepper (deseeded, rinsed & chopped)small onion (peeled, chopped)1 or 2 cloves of garlic (depending on your garlic preference) (peeled & minced)1 to 2 tablespoons olive oilparsley (fresh or dried - add to taste)ground black pepper (to taste)1 egg1/3 cup parmesan cheese2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese2 cups ricotta cheese1 jar pasta sauce (tomato sauce) Boil the pasta shells as described on the package.  Drain the pasta and allow to cool.  Prepare the fresh ingredients as described above.  In a large frying pan - lightly saute the peppers, onion & garlic for only about 5 minutes (you don't want to fully cook the veggies because they will continue to cook in the oven later).  Add the prepared Swiss Chard & cover the pan - continue sauteeing for only 1 minute (just until the chard has started to wilt).  Remove the pan from the heat & allow to cool uncovered for about 10 minutes.  Set aside 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese for later.  In a large bowl - stir together the parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese & the egg.  Now add the previously sauteed veggies into this cheese mixture & stir until combined.  Add all of the parsley & pepper & stir.  (If the filling is a little stiff then add 2 tablespoons of the tomato sauce).  Now you are ready to fill the pasta - I use a small spoon and add 2 small scoops to one end of the pasta shell & then 2 scoops to the other end of the manicotti shell.  Continue filling until all of the pasta shells & the filling have been used.  This filling should be a perfect amount for 14 Manicotti (now this might vary since not all Manicotti are the same size).  Pour half of the pasta sauce into a large glass pyrex pan -sprayed first.  Place each filled Manicotti shell onto the sauce (see picture below right).  Pour the remaining tomato sauce on top of the Manicotti & finally top with the remaining Mozzarella cheese.  Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until desired doneness is achieved (cover with foil for the first 15 minutes & then remove). ENJOY!!
              
           Thanksgiving Signature, for http://godsgrowinggarden.com/

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      Dresses from Shabby Apple

       

      Drying Fresh Parsley for the Winter

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      Photobucket
      Parsley is perfect for Winter usage - it has such a wonderful clean & green taste!  I prefer fresh Parsley but dried parsley makes homemade chicken noodle soup perfect! There are a couple different ways to dry herbs but today we will be talking about using a food dehydrator, which in my opinion is the easiest and most successful way.
      The dehydrator manufacturer recommends taking the herb directly from the garden, shaking or brushing any dirt off & then dehydrating immediately. However, I find that there always seems to be some grit left after dehydrating. Therefore, I always rinse the herb off (in this case Parsley) and then pat it dry on a paper towel before using the dehydrator. There is nothing worse than biting down on a grain of soil.
      Photobucket
      STEP 1: Harvest Parsley by cutting off as many large bunches of leaves as desired (cut the stalk close to the ground)STEP 2: Snip the choice leaves off the stalk with your fingers (or kitchen scissors) and then wash the Parsley leaves.STEP 3: Arrange the leaves on the dehydrator tray and then turn the dehydrator on - at the manufacturer's specified temperature and time. (It took my dehydrator 48 hours to dry 4 racks of parsley). STEP 4: Once the leaves are completely dry, then crumble the parsley by hand . Place the parsley flakes in an airtight container. ENJOY!
      Photobucket
      NOTE: I always discard/compost any Parsley leaf that has holes or corners missing - these blemishes are from animals or bugs. Also, NEVER use a Parsley leaf that has bird poop residue. Copyright,Permissions & Disclaimer   Photobucket


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      Humble Bumble

      Destruction or Life

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       "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;  I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."  John 10: 10 Have you ever been the victim of a theft?   A few years ago my husband & I spent the evening at my sister-in-law's house to celebrate my niece's 12th birthday.  We were inside enjoying the party;  eating cake and playing board games.  Our dog (a large Collie St. Bernard mix) was outside in the car waiting for us.  While we were inside we kept hearing this scratching noise at the screen door - my husband jokingly said "That sounds like Coach" (our dog)  - we all laughed "hahahaha".  At 10pm when it was time to leave - we stepped outside, walked to the driveway and noticed that our car wasn't there!  I said "we must have parked it on the side of the road" - we looked around & nothing - Our car was gone!!!!  Then we started to freak because our dog was in the car - but thankfully he cautiously peered around the corner - our dog was just fine.  Come to find out - while we were enjoying the party - a neighbor's house across the street was being robbed.  The thieves ran out of cargo space so they stole our Jeep Cherokee to jam pack full of  TVs and other electronic equipment.  I will never forget the fear, worry & destruction that followed.  My purse was also in our locked car so the robbers had my credit cards, my keys, cell phone and my identity!  It literally felt like my life was destroyed - we had to have new locks put on our house, our cars, new cell phone & new cell number, new drivers license..etc................it took many months before I felt comfortable again. It is the same with our soul.  The only purpose of Satan & false prophets is to steal, kill & destroy but Jesus' only reason for coming is to give us everlasting life!  What a difference between life & destruction.  Even though "life" can have many hardships - Life means growth whereas destruction is hopeless.   Our choice is very clear - It is black & white - there is no grey - we can either choose Jesus Christ & life or turn our back on Him therefore choosing Satan and devastation.  Which one will you choose?  Photobucket

      Building a Backyard Hoop House

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      Picture from inside the hoop house - the spinach, kale & asian greens are already growing!

      I thought we all needed a break from the "Cyber Monday" ads - so I decided to show you the hoop house that we just built in our backyard.

      If you recall - last year we bought a greenhouse kit that ended in disaster (see picture below) - to read about that sad event click on the link below:
      Harbor Freight Greenhouse Warning

      Our greenhouse kit ended in disaster

      For this Hoop House we used some wood, metal brackets, pvc pipes, duct tape & some plastic.


      It won't win any contests for looks but hopefully it will withstand our winter winds and serve it's purpose of growing greens during the off season.

      ENJOY!

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       Photobucket



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      Dresses from Shabby Apple

      Make Fancy Tarts with This Pan

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      Photobucket

       Make Fancy Tarts with this Pan

      I just love the fluted edges of these unique tarts - they look like flowers.  This pan is made by a German company called "Zenker".  I bought this about 15 years ago and unfortunately I have not been able to find it for sale anymore.  However, as you can see by the picture above this is a shallow pan similar to a "muffin top" pan.  Therefore, you could use a muffin top pan and just buy a large round cookie cutter (or biscuit cutter) to make tart crust similar to these.

      I will be sharing a recipe on Friday of this week using this pan.

      ENJOY!
      Photobucket

       
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      Just in time for Christmas baking - 10 of my favorite cookie creations! (ebook)

      My Cookie Creation CountdownONLY $2.99

      28 Kasım 2012 Çarşamba

      Best Cupcake I've Ever Eaten!

      To contact us Click HERE
      Yes, it tastes as good as the picture looks! My fellow co-worker and MTSIG follower David Derryberry surprised me with this absolutely scrumptious birthday brownie-cookie-chocolate treat-cupcake. He had me warm it just a smidgen in the microwave before devouring. All that was missing was a glass of milk and another one. David received the recipe from Tracy and I want to extend my thanks for coming through with the recipe and letting me share all this yummy goodness.

      INGREDIENTS:
      • 1 roll slice and bake refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough
      • 1 bag brownie mix
      • 12 Reese's Peanut Butter cups (regular size)
      DIRECTIONS:
      1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
      2. Lightly spray a 12 muffin tin.
      3. Cut 12 half inch slices of cookie dough* and smoosh into bottom of tins.
      4. Place peanut butter cup in tin.
      5. Mix brownie mix per package directions. Place a dollop of brownie mix on top of peanut butter cup. (Enough to cover top of PB cup). To avoid "muffin top," David says to not eat these! Just kidding. Don't overfill the tins. Seriously, a dollop will keep your cupcakes from having a muffin top. :-)
      6. Bake in oven for 25 minutes.

      *You will have leftover cookie dough.





      Denise's Tipsy Tea aka Elk River Tea

      To contact us Click HERE



      One of my favorite drinks to imbibe in periodically is a Long Island Tea. Problem is, when you want to whip them up for a crowd, it gets quite expensive! One evening we were packing for the river. It was going to be a hot, humid weekend and I got the brilliant idea to create my own version of a "tipsy tea," which I have officially named Elk River Tea. 

      I packed a gallon of Milo's tea, some lemons and planned on creating my own concoction with some smooooth Canadian Hunter Whiskey. Of course you can fix your own sweet tea at home and make it a really inexpensive party drink.

      INGREDIENTS:

      • Southern Sweet Tea (Milo's or homemade only!)
      • 1 oz. Canadian Hunter Whiskey
      • Lemon Slices
      • Lots of ice
      Fill your glass with lots of ice and sweet tea. Add 1 oz. or more of Canadian Hunter Whiskey. Squeeze some lemon juice in the glass, stir and top with another lemon slice.

      If  you really want to treat your guests to a really cool treat....click here for my Tipsy Pops!!


      Pin It

      Denise's Tipsy Pops

      To contact us Click HERE

      My co-worker Lisa, brought in a Southern Living magazine one day that included "Cocktail on a Stick" recipes. I don't know why she thought of me, but I agreed they would be a perfect test recipe in the Grisham kitchen. As hot as it's been all summer, anything icy and cold is a welcome treat! After looking over all the recipes listed, none of them excited me. I don't drink mint juleps and the other options would require me to buy a bunch of stuff for drinks I normally wouldn't even fix.

      So...being the frugal chef I am, I stuck with what I know best. I made pops with Elk River Tea, Whipped Cream Vodka Creamsicle and Strawberry 'Nise.


      INGREDIENTS:

      • Small plastic cups
      • Popsicle sticks (from craft department)
      • And one of the following adult beverages
      Creamsicle
      • 2 oz Whipped Cream Vodka
      • 4 oz Diet Orange Crush
      Strawberry 'Nise
      • 2 ozs. Burnett's Coconut Vodka 
      • 6 oz. Orange Fused Strawberry Sunny-D  
      Elk River Tea
        • Southern Sweet Tea (Milo's or homemade only!)
        • 1 oz. Canadian Hunter Whiskey
        • Lemon juice 

        Mix your favorite poison and pour into a plastic cup. Word to the wise: If your concoction includes a carbonated drink, give it plenty of room to grow or you will be wiping up a slushy mess!! Carefully cover the top with aluminum foil. Make a very small slit in the foil so you can work a popsicle stick in. Set on a tray and let freeze overnight.

        To remove from the cup, carefully roll the cup in your hands and eject the pop out. 

        *These treats are for adults only!! 

         

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        Andy and Denise's Kraut and Weiners

        To contact us Click HERE

        Here's one of those good ole' southern recipes that you either love or hate. Kraut does have a strong taste...but not when I fix it! Typically Andy fixes this dish with red wienies, but he went all out and splurged and put smoked sausage in it. That's the way I like kraut and wieners best. Now, having said all that; we have two different ways of preparing this. He uses oil, I use bacon grease. The bacon grease just tones down the strong kraut bite. My Momma didn't raise a fool. If my husband is fixing this, he can fry the wienies any way he wants. We like to serve stewed potatoes and black-eyed or purple hulled peas and a pan of cornbread.

        This is such an easy recipe, it makes me wonder why we don't fix it more often.

        ANDY'S INGREDIENTS:

        • Can of chopped kraut
        • 1 pack of red hot dogs, cut into slices
        • Enough canola oil to cover the bottom of a skillet
        DENISE'S INGREDIENTS:
        • Can of chopped kraut
        • 1 lb. smoked sausage or polish kielbasa , cut into slices and sliced in half again
        • Bacon grease, a big spoon full
          In a large skillet, heat the oil (or melt the bacon grease). Add cut up meat. Pan fry until lightly browned.

          Stir in can of kraut. Mix well.

          Cook until the kraut turns to a little darker color; about 15 minutes. Be sure to stir frequently.


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