Sweet and Spicy Salmon

2 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. cumin
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
6 (5-oz.) salmon fillets, skin and pin bones removed
1 tbsp. olive oil

1. Combine brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper.
2. Brush each salmon fillet with 1/2 tsp. of the oil, then rub each fillet with about 1/2 tbsp. of the spice mixture.
3. Grill 5 minutes on each side for medium or an additional 1 to 2 minutes for well done.

Scott’s Green Bean Casserole

We were on a mission to use less creamed soups for better health and came up with this recipe. It has been a family favorite ever since. We serve it at almost every holiday meal.

3 cans green beans, regular cut, drained
1 sm. to med. onion, chopped
8 oz. mushrooms, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
6 oz. chicken broth
6 oz. whipping cream
1/2 tsp. pepper
6 dashes soy sauce
sm. can French fried onions

1. Place green beans in a casserole.
2. Saute onion, mushrooms, and garlic in olive oil until soft. Add chicken broth and cream. Heat, don’t boil.
3. Pour over green beans.
4. Add soy sauce, pepper, and 1/2 of the French fried onions. Stir to combine.
5. Bake at 350 F for 50 min. Place other 1/2 of French fried onions on top of casserole. Bake for 10 min. more.

Apple Streusel Muffins

Streusel Topping:
1/3 c. rolled oats
1/4 c. flour
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 c. butter

Batter:
1 1/4 c. flour
1 c. rolled oats
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. milk
5 tbsp. butter, melted
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 med. apple, peeled and chopped

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease 12 muffin cups.
2. Topping: Stir together oats, flour, brown sugar and cinnamon. Cut butter into small pieces, and rub it into oat-flour mixture until texture resembles granola. Set aside.
3. Batter: Stir together flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in mixing bowl. Whisk together milk, butter, egg, and vanilla in separate bowl. Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients just until batter comes together. Stir in apple pieces. Spoon batter into muffin cups. Top each with a heaping tbsp. of streusel.
4. Bake 18 to 20 min., or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in middle of pan comes out clean. Let cool in pan 10 min., and then unmold muffins onto a wire cooling rack.

Patsy’s Beer Cheese Soup

My Aunt Patsy made this for Christmas one year. I absolutely love it. It is a labor of love as you need to stir it for quite awhile, but it is worth the effort.

1/2 cup butter
chopped onion
chopped celery
1 cup flour
4 cans chicken broth
1 1/2 cups half & half
16 oz jar cheese whiz
6 oz beer
bacon (optional)
sour cream (optional)
croutons (optional)

1. Melt butter and sauté chopped onion and celery. Blend in flour and stir until real thick. Add chicken broth. Add half & half and mix over low heat until thick and smooth (takes awhile).
2. Add cheese whiz and beer. Stir until cheese melts. Simmer 15-20 minutes.
3. Crumbled bacon, a dollop of sour cream and/or croutons on top is good!

Dottie’s Wild Rice Baron

This recipe originally appeared in the local paper. I named it after a woman I used to work with who gave it to me. She died from cancer many years ago. I now work in the unit that she used to be in. I make it each year for the Christmas potluck at work. It is a nice way of remembering her during the holidays.

2 c. raw wild rice
4 c. water
2 tsp. salt
2 lb. ground beef
1 lb. mushrooms (fresh)
1/2 c. celery, chopped
1 c. onion, chopped
1/2 c. butter
1/4 c. soy sauce
2 c. sour cream
2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 c. slivered almonds (save some for garnish)

1. Gently cook wild rice in water and 2 tsp. salt (covered) for 45 min. Drain, if necessary.
2. Brown ground beef.
3. Rinse mushrooms, cut off tips of stems, slice caps and sauté with onions and celery in butter for 5 minutes.
4. Combine soy sauce, sour cream, salt and pepper. Add cooked wild rice, beef, onion, mushrooms and celery mixture and almonds. Toss lightly.
5. Place mixture in lightly greased, 3-quart casserole. Bake in moderate oven (350 F) for about an hour, uncovered. Add water, in necessary, and season to taste. Stir several times. Garnish with reserved almonds.