Crispy Crab Appetizer

1 pound fresh crab meat
3 slices of white bread, crust removed
1 egg beaten
1 tablespoon Hellmann's mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
1 tablespoon parsley

Preparation :

Make breadcrumbs in food processor so they are chopped up fine. In a large bowl, mix together egg, mayonnaise, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, and Old Bay seasoning.

Add breadcrumbs and crab meat and mix by hand to avoid breaking up too many of the lumps. You may need to break up the very large lumps however so the crab balls will stay together.

Shape into 24 balls and fry in batches in hot oil until golden brown, turning once. Drain on paper towels. Serve with your favorite sauce.

Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Makes 8 -10 servings.

16 ounces elbow macaroni (about 3 cups)
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 ½ cups milk, divided
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 lb (16-ounces) cubed (1/2 inch size) Velveeta cheese
8 ounce shredded Kraft Mild Cheddar Cheese (about 2 cups), divided
8 ounce shredded Kraft Monterrey Jack Cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
1. Cook macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water until tender but not mushy, about 8-10 minutes. Drain well and pour into a large mixing bowl.

2. Melt on low the Velveeta Cheese and ¾ cup milk until melted (stir often)

3. Pour Melted Cheese Sauce over Pasta and Stir. Add in butter, ¾ cups milk, eggs, 1 cup shredded cheeses, salt and pepper. Mix well and transfer to a 2 quart baking dish. Pour the remaining cheese on top.

Bake until top crust is golden brown and casserole is bubbling, about 25 minutes. Serve hot ...

Fried Green Tomatoes

The movie "Fried Green Tomatoes"  is one of my all time favorites. It is based on a novel  by Fannie Flagg starl about a little cafe her great- Aunt Bess owned in Irondale, Alabama. The movie is really about life long friendship. The scene where Evelyn brought Ninny some fried green tomatoes for her birthday... just like they made at the cafe.... always makes my mouth water!

Recipe
3-4 green tomatoes
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup corn meal
1/2 tsp salt & pepper
milk
vegetable oil
Mix together flour, cornmeal, salt & pepper. Add enough milk to create a thick batter. Heat 2 inches of oil in a large skillet. Batter each tomato slice, and wipe off excess. Carefully place in hot oil, browning on both sides. (may or may not need turning, depending on the amount of oil) To cool, drain in a colander to keep tomatoes from becoming soggy. Salt to taste. Tomatoes should be green and firm. Best time to pick green tomatoes is in October. Any red spots and they won't fry or taste as good.

You can also purchase a batter from the "Whistle Stop Cafe Website" It makes perfect fried green tomatoes every time. It makes the tomatoes crispy, but not greasy. Try frying some dill pickle slices while you are at it.

"I found out what the secret to life is: friends. Best friends."
~Ninny Threadgoode/ Fried Green Tomatoes

Spinach Dip Bites

• 
  

  

  I found this yummy recipe posted on Facebook this morning. What a great appetizer idea!
  

  Recipe by Providence Ltd. Design Be sure to check out their blog. They are sisters and business partners. They offer complete interior design services. Sister's Point Of View
• Dip:
  

  10 oz frozen spinach, defrosted
  8 oz. frozen artichoke hearts
  3 oz. cream cheese, softened
  8 oz. sour cream
  1 cup shaved or shredded Parmesan cheese (not grated powder)
  1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  1/4 tsp. onion powder
  Salt and pepper (to taste)
  
  Mini phyllo shells (in the grocery store freezer)
  
  Directions:
  1- Squeeze the liquid out of the spinach, place in a large bowl.
  2- Dice the artichoke hearts into small pieces while they're still somewhat frozen (it's easier to cut frozen). Toss in with the spinach.
  3- Add the cream cheese. Using a spoon, smush the cream cheese into the artichokes and spinach until well combined.
  4- Add the sour cream, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings. Stir well to combine.
  5- Transfer to an oven safe dish. Refrigerate at least 1 hour (can be done overnight too).
  6- Heat the oven to 350.
  7- Heat in the oven for 10-15 minutes, until just warm and beginning to melt. (If you're using it as just a dip keep it in until bubbly and hot.)
  8- While it's in the oven, place the mini phyllo shells on a cookie sheet.
  9- Remove from the oven. Using a tablespoon, fill each shell with dip.
  10- Heat in the oven for 5-6 minutes, until filling and shells are hot and golden.

Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole

1 Bag Tater Tots
1 1/2 lbs. Spicy Italian Sausage
1 Onion Chopped
2 Cups Shredded Cheese, Divided
1 Dozen Eggs
1 1/2 Cups Milk
1 Tsp. Salt
1 Tsp. Pepper
2 Tsp Garlic Powder

Place tater tots in bottom of baking dish.
Pour one cup of the shredded cheese over the top of tater tots.
In a skillet brown the sausage with the onions, then pour over top of cheese.
Beat the eggs with the milk, salt, pepper and garlic, pour this mixture over sausage.
Place casserole in oven and bake for 45 minutes.
Remove casserole from oven and pour the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the top.
Return to oven until cheese bubbles.

Avocado Egg Rolls

Oh my goodness I LOVE these things!

1 Tbls. white vinegar

1 tsp. balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp. tamarind pulp
1/2 cup honey
1 pinch ground saffron
1/2 cup chopped cashews
2/3 cup fresh cilantro
2 cloves garlic
2 green onions
1 Tbls. granulated sugar
1 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 cup olive oil
1 lrg. avocado - peeled, pitted, diced
2 Tbls. sun-dried tomatoes in oil - chopped
1 Tbls. minced red onion
1/2 tsp. chopped fresh cilantro
1 pinch salt
3 egg roll wrappers
1 egg - beaten

In a microwave-safe bowl, stir together vinegars, tamarind, honey, and saffron; microwave for 1 minute; stir until tamarind is dissolved. -Puree tamarind mixture, cashews, 2/3 cup cilantro, garlic, onions, sugar, pepper, and cumin in a blender. Pour mixture into a bowl and stir in oil; refrigerate until ready to use. Gently stir together avocado, tomatoes, onion, 1/2 tsp. cilantro, and salt. Distribute filling evenly onto center of each egg roll wrapper. Position a wrapper so that a corner is pointing toward you; fold the bottom corner up, 1/4 of the way over the filling; brush remaining corners and edges of the wrapper with egg; roll up from side to side; fold top corner over all and press to seal; repeat with remaining wrappers. Deep-fry egg rolls in 375 degree oil for 3-4 minutes, until golden brown. Drain on brown paper bags. Slice egg rolls diagonally across middle and serve with prepared dipping sauce.

Tamarind pulp can be purchased at many large supermarkets in the ethnic food aisle.

Southern Braised BBQ Beef Sandwich

One 3-pound chuck roast, rinsed and dried
2 medium onions, chopped
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes (preferably plum tomatoes)
1 18-ounce bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce (or 2 1/4 cups of your favorite homemade BBQ sauce)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
12 sandwich or hamburger buns

• In a large, heavy pot, heat olive oil on medium heat. Add the onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, roughly chopping them in the pot. Add the barbecue sauce, increase heat to medium high and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the chuck roast. Bring to a low simmer, cover and slow cook until meat is very tender, stirring occasionally, about 3 hours.
  
  Remove the meat from the pot. Use a fork and knife to separate the roast into small pieces. Set aside.
  
  Increase the heat on the pot to medium/medium-high, uncover, and reduce the liquid until thick. Stir often to prevent burning.
  
  Return the meat to the liquid in the pan. Warm both thoroughly. Add salt and pepper to taste.

  Serve on buns. Makes approximately 12 sandwiches.

  
  

Chocolate Dream

*1 box Duncan Hines® Fudge Brownie Mix
*1/4 cup Kahlua
*2 cups prepared chocolate mousse
*2 cups real whipped cream1 oz. semi-sweet chocolate shavings

Prepare brownie mix according to instructions on box, using the two egg recipe and substituting milk for the water.
*Line (2) 9" X 9" X 2" baking pans with either parchment paper or wax paper.
*Spray bottoms with non-stick cooking spray.
*Pour equal amounts of batter into each pan.
*Bake in a 325 degree oven for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
*Allow to cool completely.
*Set one brownie pan aside; invert other pan and remove brownie in one piece; return to pan upside down; remove parchment paper.
*Brush the brownie evenly with 1/2 the Kahlua; spread 1/2 the mousse evenly over the brownie; spread 1/2 the whipped cream over the mousse; sprinkle top evenly with chocolate shavings.
*Remove second brownie from pan; brush with remaining Kahlua; place brownie on top of other brownie; spread remaining mousse evenly over the brownie; spread remaining whipped cream over the mousse.
*Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serves 9

Homemade Kahlua

*6 cups granulated sugar
*4 cups water
*1/4 cup instant coffee granules
*1 cup water
*750 ml bottle of vodka
*1/2 cup vanilla extract

*Dissolve sugar in 4 cups water in a pan over medium heat; boil for 10 minutes; set aside.
*Dissolve coffee granules in 1 cup water in a pan over medium heat; boil for 8 minutes.
*Combine sugar mixture and coffee mixture; cool to room temperature.
*Stir vodka and vanilla into cooled coffee mixture.
*Store in sealed, decorative bottles.

Makes 10 cups

You can also serve this with a chocolate ganache poured over it before serving. The recipe is very simple. Just melt some good quality semi-sweet chocolate chips by pouring hot (do not boil) whipping cream over them and whipping. Let cool before spooning over Chocolate Dream. I have also served this with ice cream instead of mouse.

ENJOY!

Hash Brown Casserole

Have you ever been to "Cracker Barrel"? If so...this is very similar to their recipe!

10.25 oz. can condensed cream of chicken soup
8 oz. Colby cheese - grated
1/2 cup melted butter OR margarine
1 sm. onion - minced
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 lb. bag frozen shredded hash browns

Spray a 13" X 9" X 2" baking pan with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.
*In a bowl, combine soup, cheese, butter, onion, salt, and pepper.
*Gently fold the potatoes into the mixture and pour into prepared pan.
*Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes, until heated through and top is browned.

Serves 8

Oven Brisket

4 to 6 lb. Fresh beef brisket, well trimmed
1 C Barbecue sauce (your favorite)
¼ C Worcestershire sauce
¼ C Liquid smoke (Colgin's is best)
1 T Garlic powder
2 t Celery salt
2 t Lemon pepper
1 t Salt
1/4t black pepper
1 C Chopped onion
1 1/4 C Water
2 pkg's dry onion soup mix
Directions:
Preheat oven to 275°F.

In a large baking dish, (Be sure to use a Pyrex baking dish or very heavy metal pan) thoroughly mix all ingredients for sauce. Put the brisket in the baking dish, and turn it over once to coat it with the sauce. Seal the dish with heavy-duty aluminum foil.

Bake at 275°F for 5 to 6 hours. Remove from oven and allow to stand for 1 hour before slicing. Slice across the grain, and serve with sauce. Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Pressure Cooker Beef Stroganoff

I threw this in the old pressure cooker last night and it came out pretty good. Serves 4-6 but recipe can easily be doubled. Fast, inexpensive and the teenagers like it!

1 lb Stew Meat
1 Tbsp Flour
1 Tbsp. Veg. Oil
1 4oz. Can Mushrooms drained (reserve liquid)
1 Med. Onion
1 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Pepper
Dash Ground Marjoram
2 tsp. Dry Mustard
3 Tbsp. Ketchup
1/2 Cup Dairy Sour Cream

1. Roll beef in flour. Brown in hot Vegetable in cooker.
2. Add enough water to reserved mushroom liquid to measure 1 1/2 cups.
3. Add mushrooms, mushroom-water mixture, and remaining ingredients, except sour cream.
4. Cover and cook 15 minutes after control jiggles.
5. Cool cooker normally for 5 minutes, then place under faucet.
6. Stir in Sour Cream and heat through. Serve with noodles.

Mexican Meatloaf

This was a big hit at The Greene House tonight! Very Easy!




1 lb. ground beef
1 cup crushed Doritos
1 egg - beaten
1 pkt -taco seasoning
1 1/2 cups shredded colby/jack cheese - divided
1 1/2 cups-salsa divided
1/2 can re-fried beans

Combine first 4 ingredients, 1/2 cup of the cheese, and 1 cup of the salsa.
Form mixture into a loaf and place in a greased loaf pan.
Spread refried beans over the top of the meat loaf.
Drizzle remaining salsa over top.
Bake in 400 degree oven for 50 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
Bake additional 5 minutes to melt the cheese.

What's For Dinner 04/21/09

EASY! Chicken Stew

This is a family favorite for busy evenings when you want comfort food, yet don't have the time to simmer it all day. Only takes about 30 minutes. Serve over rice, pasta, or with mashed potatoes.

3 tablespoons olive oil
1-1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into bite-size pieces
3 cloves garlic, minced
1-1/2 medium onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1-1/2 medium carrot, thinly sliced
1-1/2 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1-1/2 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
3 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice
3/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3/4 teaspoon dried basil
1-1/2 bay leaf
3 tablespoons butter
salt and pepper to taste

Heat the olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in chicken and cook about 1 minute. Mix in garlic and onion; cook until tender. Stir in carrot, zucchini, and red bell pepper. Pour in tomatoes with juice. Season with red pepper flakes, basil, and bay leaf, and continue cooking 10 minutes, until vegetables are tender and chicken juices run clear. Stir in the butter until melted, and season with salt and pepper just before serving.

What's For Dinner 04/20/09

Shepherds Pie...well, sort of...

Anytime I just throw a meal together...my husband calls it one of my "wildcat suppers"...This is one of many of those meals.

1 pound ground beef
1 (14.5 ounce) can green beans, drained and I add cubed carrots...
But you can add all sorts of stuff...peas, corn...or just use a can of mixed veggies...whatever you like. You really can't mess it up.
1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 onion, diced
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
2 cups mashed potatoes (Left over is best...instant works just fine)

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Cook and stir ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until beef is browned, about 10 minutes. Drain fat. Mix in green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and onion.
Pour beef mixture into a 2 quart casserole dish and top with Cheddar cheese. Spread mashed potato on top.
Bake in the preheated oven until the pie is hot, and the mashed potatoes are golden brown, about 30 minutes.

What's For Dinner 04/14/09

Fettuccine Alfredo
1/2 cup real butter
1 pint (2 cups / 16 fl. oz.) heavy whipping cream
1 tsp. garlic powder
salt and pepper - to taste
1 dash cayenne pepper
2/3 cup fresh grated Parmesan OR Romano cheese
1 lb. box fettuccine noodles - prepared as directed
chopped fresh parsley - for garnish, optional

In a 2-quart saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter; add cream, garlic powder, and salt and peppers; simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring constantly, until thick.-Remove sauce from heat and stir in cheese. Do not heat sauce after cheese has been added.-Serve sauce over hot fettuccine noodles and sprinkle with parsley, if desired.

Notes: Though you can’t rush this sauce, if it seems to be taking too long to thicken, stir in up to 1/4 cup cream cheese. Make sure your Parmesan or Romano is grated and not shredded; it won't melt properly if shredded. Do not use Kraft® Grated Parmesan in the canister; your Alfredo won't taste right. Either grate your own or buy the stuff from the deli. This dish cannot be reheated or made ahead of time; the sauce will separate and appear greasy and curdled.

Garlic French Bread

Salad Dressing sort of like Olive Garden
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
1 tsp. lemon juice
2 Tbls. beaten egg (see *Note*below)
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup corn syrup
3 Tbls. grated Romano cheese
2 Tbls. dry, unflavored pectin (see Notes, below)
1 1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
1/4 tsp. dried parsley
1 pinch dried oregano
1 pinch red pepper flakes

Pour the vinegar, lemon juice, and egg into a blender; blend for 10 seconds, then allow to rest for 10 minutes.-Add remaining ingredients to blender and blend on low speed for 30 seconds.-Chill at least 1 hour before serving, the longer the better.

*When you mix the raw egg with vinegar and lemon juice it will kill any Salmonella present. You can also buy pasteurized eggs at many supermarkets. Pectin can be found in most supermarkets near the Jell-O or with the Mason jars.*

What's For Dinner 04/13/09

Mushroom Meatloaf

1 lb. ground beef
1.25 oz. pkt. dry French onion soup mix
1/2 cup chopped canned OR fresh mushrooms
1 Tbls. Worcestershire sauce
1 egg - beaten
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1/4 tsp. black pepper
10.75 oz. can cream of mushroom soup - low-fat okay
10.75 oz. soup can filled with beef broth

Combine beef, soup mix, 1/2 of the mushrooms, Worcestershire sauce, egg, bread crumbs, and pepper and shape mixture into loaf. -Lay loaf in a 2" deep oblong baking dish.-Combine remaining ingredients and pour over meat loaf.-Bake 400 degree oven for 1 hour, or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.

The gravy is wonderful so I am making mashed potatoes, and Corn on the cob....and of course....

Homemade Pan Rolls

3 3/4 cups bread flour, divided
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup shortening
1 teaspoon salt
1 (.25 ounce) package rapid rise yeast
1/2 cup warm water (120 to 130 degrees F/50 degrees C)
1/2 cup warm milk
1 egg
2 tablespoons butter, melted

In a large bowl, stir together 2 cups flour, sugar, shortening, salt and yeast. Add water, milk and egg. Beat with electric mixer on low speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Add the remaining flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until the dough comes together.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Place in greased bowl and turn greased side up. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Dough is ready if indention remains when touched.
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide in half; cut each half into 24 pieces. Form the pieces into rounds. Place the rolls close together in two lightly greased 9 inch round cake pans. Brush with melted butter. Cover and let rise in warm place about 30 minutes or until doubled. Cover the rolls with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Bake in preheated oven for 12 to 18 minutes, until golden brown.

What's For Dinner 04/09/09

Coney Chili Dogs!

My dad is from Cincinnati....so we're doing it Cincinnati Style!

1 lb. ground beef
3 lrg. onions - minced
1 1/4 cup ketchup
1 1/4 cup water
1/4 cup chili powder
1 Tbls. garlic powder
1 Tbls. Kitchen Bouquet browning sauce OR ↓
1 Tbls. grated unsweetened chocolate
1 tsp. - 1 Tbls. cayenne pepper - depending on taste
1 tsp. parsley flakes
salt - to taste
Italian bread crumbs - as needed for thickening

In a saucepan over medium-high heat, brown beef and onion, breaking up the beef while it cooks; drain off grease.-Add remaining ingredients, except breadcrumbs, to pot and simmer over low heat for 1 hour.-Slowly stir in bread crumbs to reach desired thickness.
serve chili over a hot dog in a bun and top with grated cheddar cheese and chopped onions. OR!---To make a Five Way, start with a large helping of spaghetti on a platter, ladle on the chili, spoon some kidney beans over top, sprinkle with chopped onions, and smother with grated cheddar cheese. Sometimes I just leave off the Onions and Beans and just make it a three way...just as good in my opinion!

Serves 4-8

Family Game Night

Take a chance! When you tell the family that it's games night at your home...the kids might think you've come unhinged...but make it non-optional and make sure you make it fun! Take it from me...I've done it and it works. Everyone joins in either as a player or a spectator when we played games on the Nintendo Wii. The house is filled with laughter and cheering and it's nice to see everyone having a good time. Playing games is ageless and there is virtually no generation gap.
Plan for one night a week where everyone will be home. If you don't have one night where everyone will be there...you need to juggle things around so you have at the very least one night where the entire family is home.
Then there is board games to consider. You could play everything from Monopoly to Snakes and Ladders depending upon the ages of the children. You could set up themes to play a game for example a Hawaiian theme. Have pineapples and things like that...everyone wears leis. Each person could talk about what they know or as questions about Hawaii. Use your imagination. You know what your family likes.
The game itself doesn't have to relate to the theme; just the atmosphere and conversation. You could be playing Yatzee, Life, Clue, Sorry, Snakes and Ladders, Don't Spill the Beans or Uno. It doesn't matter which game you're playing. You could incorporate your theme into various intervals throughout the game. Each time someone lands on a red square everyone must take a bite of pineapple. Spin a ten and all must eat a macadamia nut! If you select the Go to Jail card, it's your turn to do the Hula dance. Get the idea?
At the end of each game night... discuss next week's theme. Family members can take turns choosing the theme and the accompanying snacks and decor. If it's too much for one person to coordinate or if children are younger...these tasks can be delegated. Your three year old can decide she wants a clown theme complete with balloons and everyone will wear clown make-up. Your 6th grader made opt for an art theme and paint or draw the decorations.
If you want to keep it simple without the extras...that's okay too. You're sure to be a hit with games and their favorite snacks. Everyone will want to come back again and again.
This should be an inexpensive night. You can pick up new games at thrift stores and garage sales for $1.00. Most decorations you may already have around the house or can be picked up at the same places you're getting second hand games or even the dollar store.
My children are now teenagers and we still do this every weekend. Hey take it from me...your children won't remember and thank you for all the hours you put in a work, but they will always cherish the family time together. The family that plays together stays together. Have fun!

What's For Dinner 03,16,09

Beef Taco Skillet

This makes 4 servings so I generally double the recipe.

1 lb. ground beef
1 can Campbell's tomato soup
1/2 cup salsa
1/2cup water
6 flour tortilla's cut into 1" pieces
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Cook beef until well browned, stirring to break up meat. Pour off fat. Stir in soup, salsa, water, and tortillas. Heat to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook for 5 min. Stir and top with cheese.

If you like you can stir in 1/2 a cup of sour cream with soup. OR Use corn tortillas instead of flour and use shredded Mexican cheese blend instead of cheddar.

Our Favorite Cheese Dip

My family loves this cheese dip. We have it often on game night (Fridays)

16 oz. block of Kraft Velveeta Mexican(mild)
1 can Campbell's cream of celery soup
1 5oz. can evaporated milk
Green chili's as much or little to your liking...Personally I do not use the Green Chili's...I used a can of Rotel.

Break up the cheese and melt all together and enjoy!