Pistachio Refrigerator Dessert

1 c. flour
2 tbsp. sugar
1/2 c. butter
1/4 to 1/2 c. chopped nuts (pecans)
8 oz. cream cheese
2/3 c. powdered sugar
9-12 oz. Cool Whip
2 pkgs. (3 oz.) instant pistachio pudding
2 1/2 c. cold milk
1/4 tsp. almond extract

1. Mix flour, sugar, butter and nuts. Press into 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 F for 15 min. Cool.
2. Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and half the Cool Whip. Spread on cooled crust.
3. Mix pudding, milk and almond extract. Spread on second layer.
4. Spread remaining Cool Whip on top of third layer. Refrigerate for 2-4 hours.

NOTE: Butter must be soft, but don’t melt it.

Cinnamon Roll Bread

Bread:
2 c. flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg, room temperature
1 c. milk
2 tsp. vanilla
1/3 c. plain Greek yogurt or sour cream

Swirl:
1/3 c. sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tbsp. butter, melted and cooled slightly

Glaze:
1/2 c. powdered sugar
2-3 tsp. cream or milk (as needed for consistency)

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter a glass loaf pan.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, vanilla, and yogurt or sour cream. Add flour mixture to egg mixture stirring just until combined. Pour into the prepared loaf pan.
4. In a small bowl, stir the swirl ingredients together. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto the top of the bread, then use a knife to swirl it a couple of times into the batter. Do not over mix.
5. Bake for 45-50 min. or until center tests done with a toothpick.
6. Remove from oven, cool for 15 min. in the pan on wire rack, remove from pan and cool completely on rack.
7. Make the glaze by whisking the ingredients together until smooth. When bread is completely cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top.

Meatballs in BBQ Sauce

Sauce:

1/2 c. finely chopped onion
1/8-1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1/4 c. vinegar
1 tbsp. paprika
2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2-1 tsp. salt
1 c. tomato juice
1 tsp. mustard powder
1/4 c. ketchup
1/4 tsp. chili powder
1/2 c. water

Meatballs:
1 lb. ground beef
1/4 lb. ground pork
1 med. onion, minced (1/2 c.)
1/2 c. uncooked white rice
1 egg, beaten
1/2-1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2-1 tsp. allspice
1 c. breadcrumbs

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. In a sauce pan, combine the BBQ sauce ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 min.
3. In a bowl, combine meatball ingredients and mix well.
4. Roll into golf ball-sized balls. Place meatballs in a casserole and pour BBQ sauce over them.
5. Cover and bake for 1 hr. and 30 min. Hallway through, move them around and spoon sauce over so none get dry on top.

Lemon Brownies

These taste fantastic. The texture is delightful. I used 2 tbsp. of the lemon zest in the bars and then what was left for the glaze. It was enough.

3/4 c. flour
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1/2 c. butter, softened
2 eggs
2 tbsp. lemon zest
2 tbsp. lemon juice

Glaze:
2 tbsp. lemon juice
8 tsp. lemon zest
1 c. powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish with butter.
3. Zest and juice two lemons.
4. In a bowl, beat the flour, sugar, salt and softened butter until combined.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
6. Pour egg mixture into the flour mixture and beat for 2 min. until smooth and creamy.
7. Pour into baking dish and bake for 23-25 min. It should turn golden brown around the edges. Do not over bake.
8. Allow to cool completely before glazing.
9. Filter the powdered sugar and whisk with the lemon juice and lemon zest.
10. Spread the glaze over the bars with spatula and let set.

Blueberry Kuchen

I did not use the lemon zest and it was still delicious although I think it would be very good with it.

1 1/2 c. flour
3/4 c. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. grated lemon peel (optional)
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
2/3 c. milk
1/4 c. butter, melted
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. blueberries, fresh or frozen

Topping:
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. flour
1/4 c. butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Grease 9x13 pan.
3. In large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, lemon peel, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt.
4. Add the milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla. Beat until well blended. Pour into pan.
5. For the topping, combine the sugar and flour, then add melted butter and mix with fork until crumbly.
6. Sprinkle blueberries over the cake batter and then sprinkle the topping over the blueberries.
7. Bake for 40 min. Serves 12.

Sour Cream Rhubarb Cake

1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. melted butter
1 egg
1 c. sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
2 c. flour
1 1/2 c. rhubarb

Topping:
1/3 c. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Grease 9x13 pan and set aside.
3. Melt butter and allow to cool a bit.
4. In large bowl, combine sugar, butter, egg, sour cream and vanilla. Mix well.
5. Stir in the baking soda and flour.
6. Fold in rhubarb.
7. Spread batter in pan.
8. In small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over the batter and bake for 40-45 min.

cheesy baked artichoke dip

1/2 c. plus 2 tbsp. (packed) grated parmesan cheese (about 2 oz.)
1/4 c. plus 2 tbsp. mayonnaise
1/4 c. plus 2 tbsp. sour cream
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. onion salt
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
pinch of salt
2 14-ounce can artichoke hearts packed in water, well drained, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
1/4 tsp. paprika
1 c. Italian cheese blend
French-bread baguette slices, toasted

1. Whisk 1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, pepper, onion salt, and garlic powder in medium bowl to blend. Stir in chopped artichoke hearts. Transfer mixture to 3-cup ramekin.
(Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover mixture and refrigerate.)
2. Sprinkle dip with remaining 2 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese, Italian cheese and paprika.
3. Preheat oven to 375 F. Bake dip until heated through, about 25 min. (about 35 min. if chilled).
4. Preheat broiler. Broil until cheese melts, about 2-3 min. (Can skip this step.)
5. Serve warm with toasted baguette slices.
Yield: Makes about 2 2/3 c.

Apple Bread

2 c. apples, peeled and chopped
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 c. canola oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 c. flour
1 c. sugar

Topping:
1/4 c. + 2 tbsp. flour
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 c. butter

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Grease and flour loaf pan.
3. Peel, core and slice apples (1-inch chunks).
4. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat eggs until fluffy. Add the oil and beat until combined.
5. Add vanilla, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Beat until thoroughly mixed.
6. Next add the flour and sugar and mix on low just to blend. Turn the mixer to high and beat until smooth. The batter will be very thick.
7. Fold in the chopped apples, mixing by hand so the apples do not get broken up.
8. Spoon the batter into the loaf pan.
9. In a small bowl, combine flour, sugar and cinnamon. Cut the butter into this mixture with a fork until moist and crumbly. Sprinkle topping on loaf.
10. Bake for about 1 hour. Place on cooling rack for 5 minutes before removing from pan.

NOTE: It is easier to slice the bread if you wait until it is cool.

Baked Cod

1 lb. cod
1 1/2 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tbsp. olive oil
Sea salt
Black pepper
Garlic salt
Paprika
Thyme, dried

1. Pre-heat oven to 400 F.
2. In a small bowl, mix lemon juice with olive oil. Place fish on baking sheet and brush with oil.
3. Lightly sprinkle fish with the spices in order listed. Turn fish over and repeat with oil and spices.
4. Bake for 13-17 minutes.

Chicken Wings

5 lbs. chicken wings, split
1/4 c. coriander seeds, crushed
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tbsp. kosher salt
1/4 c. olive oil
3/4 c. sriracha sauce
3/4 c. butter, melted
1/2 c. fresh cilantro, chopped
grated zest and juice of 3 limes

1. In a large bowl, combine coriander, cumin, cinnamon, salt and olive oil. Toss wings in this sauce. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or preferably overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 275 F.
3. Arrange wings on baking sheets. Cover with foil and roast for 45 min. Remove foil and increase heat to 475 F. Roast until wings are crisp and cooked through, about 5 min.
4. Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, combine sriracha, melted butter, cilantro, lime zest and juice.
5. When wings are done roasting, toss with the sriracha-butter sauce. Place on a platter. Get out the napkins. Enjoy!

Salmon Baked in Foil

3 tomatoes, chopped OR 1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes in juice, drained
2 shallots, chopped
2 tbsp. plus 2 tsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice (from about 1/2 lemon)
1 1/2 tsp. chopped fresh oregano OR 3/4 tsp. dried
1 1/2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme OR 3/4 tsp. dried
1 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
4 salmon fillets (about 5 oz. each)

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.
2. In a medium bowl, stir the tomatoes, shallots, 2 tbsp. olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. black pepper.
3. In the center of each of four large sheets of aluminum foil, spoon 1/2 tsp. olive oil. Place one salmon fillet atop each sheet and turn to coat with the oil.
4. Sprinkle the salmon fillets with the remaining 1/2 tsp. each salt and pepper.
5. Spoon tomato mixture over the salmon.
6. Fold the sides of the foil over the fish and tomato mixture, covering completely, and seal the packets closed. Place the packets on a heavy baking sheet.
7. Bake until the salmon is just cooked through, about 25 minutes.

Onion Beef Au Jus

1 boneless beef rump roast (4 lbs.)
2 tbsp. canola oil
2 lg. sweet onions, cut into 1/4-inch slices
6 tbsp. butter, softened, divided
5 c. water
1/2 c. soy sauce
1 envelope onion soup mix
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp. browning sauce, optional
1 loaf French bread
1 c. Swiss cheese, shredded

1. In a Dutch oven, over medium-high heat, brown roast on all sides in oil; drain.
2. In a large skillet, saute onions in 2 tbsp. butter until tender. Add the water, soy sauce, soup mix, garlic and browning sauce if desired. Pour over roast.
3. Cover and bake at 325 F for 2 1/2 hours or until meat is tender.
4. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing. Return meat to pan juices.
5. Slice bread in half lengthwise; cut into 3-inch sections. Spread remaining butter over bread. Place on a baking sheet. Broil 4-6 inches from the heat for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Top with beef and onions; sprinkle with cheese. Broil 4-6 inches from heat for 1-2 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve with pan juices.

Cupcakes

Cari gave me this recipe. I didn't write down instructions when I got it from her, but did the usual thing. I used a hand mixer. I lined the muffin pan with cupcake papers. Makes 12 cupcakes.

2/3 c. sugar
1/4 c. butter, softened
2/3 c. milk
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/3 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder

1. Cream sugar and butter.
2. Add milk, egg, and vanilla.
3. Add flour and baking powder. Do not over mix.
4. Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes.

I didn't have enough powdered sugar for butter cream frosting and so found this recipe. It is fantastic!

Fudge Frosting

1/2 c. sugar
2 tbsp. cocoa
2 tbsp. butter
1/4 c. milk
1 tbsp. light corn syrup
dash of salt
1/2 to 3/4 c. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla

1. Mix sugar, cocoa, butter, milk, corn syrup, and salt. Heat to boiling, stirring frequently. Boil, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes. Cool for 10-15 minutes.
2. Beat in powdered sugar and vanilla.

Hamburger and Vegetable Casserole

My Mom calls this casserole Ship Wreck Hotdish. She uses tomato soup, but you can use any kind of canned soup (tomato, cream of celery, cream of chicken, or cream of mushroom). The ground beef does not have to be browned before adding to this dish. I use a medium onion and 3-4 peeled and sliced carrots.

6 med. potatoes, sliced
1/2 c. rice
1 lb. ground beef
onions, chopped
carrots, sliced
2 c. water
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 tbsp. salt
1 tbsp. sugar

1. In a 9x13 pan, layer potatoes, rice, burger, onions and carrots in order listed.
2. In a small bowl, mix water, soup, salt and sugar. Pour over layers in pan.
3. Bake at 350 F for 1 1/2 hours.

Gingerbread Cupcakes

My Grandma Mary used to make these cupcakes. I asked her for the recipe so that I could make them for myself. Grandma told me specifically to use the molasses with the purple label with the rabbit on it. If I remember right, this recipe makes more like 18 cupcakes instead of 12.

2 eggs, beaten
1 c. sugar
1 c. canola oil
1/2 c. molasses
2 c. flour
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 c. boiling water

1. Beat eggs well, add sugar, oil, and molasses.
2. Add dry ingredients sifted together.
3. Add water last.
4. Put in muffin cups. Bake at 350 F for 30 min.

Lemon Frosting

1 c. powdered sugar
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. milk

1. Mix with hand mixer.

Banana Cupcakes

1/2 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda dissolved in 1 tbsp. hot water
1 c. mashed bananas
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flour

1. Cream shortening and sugar. Stir in egg, vanilla, bananas and soda water.
2. Stir in salt, baking powder, and flour.
3. Put in muffin cups. Bake 20 min. at 350 F.

Lemon Frosting

1 c. powdered sugar
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. milk

1. Mix with hand mixer.

Waikiki Meatballs with Rice and Pineapple

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
2/3 c. bread crumbs
1/2 c. onion, finely chopped
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp powdered ginger
1/4 c. milk
1 tbsp. canola oil
2 tbsp. corn starch
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 (16 oz.) container chilled fresh pineapple, plus juice from the container (1/4-1/2 c.)
1/2-3/4 c. water (enough to make 1 c. with the pineapple juice)
1/3 c. rice vinegar
1 tbsp. soy sauce

1. In large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, onion, egg, salt and ginger. Using a tablespoon, scoop meat mixture and roll into balls placing on a tray or parchment paper.
2. Preheat oven to 325 F. Heat canola oil in skillet. Brown meatballs in batches in skillet without crowding until brown on all sides, then place in baking pan. Save bits and oil in bottom of skillet.
3. Once all meatballs are browned, place in oven to finish cooking for about 15 min.
4. Prepare rice while meatballs are in the oven (2 c. water + 1 c. white rice + 1/2 tsp. salt). Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 min.
5. If there is more than 1 tbsp. of grease in the skillet, remove the excess. For sauce, mix cornstarch and brown sugar in a small bowl. Add the pineapple juice/water, rice vinegar and soy sauce. Mix until smooth. Add to frying pan and bring to boil stirring until thickened and glossy. Reduce heat and add meatballs to sauce and gently stir to coat. This can simmer for a few minutes. (The sauce can be doubled if you like more sauce for the rice.)
6. Serve meatballs with rice and chilled pineapple chunks.

Lasagna

Lasagna is one of those dishes that can be made with so many variations. I sometimes skip the sausage and pepperoni and just use the ground beef, sometimes I use three layers and cook four more noodles, and sometimes I just use cottage cheese for the filling. If you want to skip the meat altogether or add to it, you can add sauted vegetables such as mushrooms, onions, garlic, bell peppers, carrots, zucchini, etc. to the sauce. I like putting grated Parmesan on top too.

1 lb. ground beef, browned
1/2 lb. ground Italian sausage, browned (optional)
1 lg. jar spaghetti sauce
8 lasagna noodles, cooked
pepperoni
1 lb. mozzarella, grated

Filling:
15 oz. ricotta
1 egg
1/2 tbsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 c. mozzarella, grated

1. Brown ground meat. Add spaghetti sauce.
2. Cook noodles.
3. Mix filling ingredients.
4. In 9x13, layer 1/2 of the noodles, sauce, filling, single layer pepperoni and mozzarella. Repeat.
5. Bake at 350 F for 1 hr. Let stand 10 min.

Beefy Chile Rellenos Casserole

5 (4 oz.) cans whole green chiles, drained
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 med. onion, chopped (1 c.)
1 tsp. garlic, minced
3 tsp. cumin, divided
1 pkg. taco seasoning, divided
1/2 tsp. salt
8 oz. pkg. shredded Monterey Jack cheese (2 c.)
8 oz. pkg. shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (2 c.)
4 eggs, beaten
1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk
1 tbsp. flour
1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
Sour cream
Raisins
Toasted slivered almonds
Pitted ripe olive slices

1. Heat oven to 325 F. Grease 9x13 glass baking dish.
2. Split chiles lengthwise; remove seeds. Pat chiles dry with paper towels.
3. In a heavy skillet, cook and stir ground beef with onion and garlic until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in 1 tsp. of the cumin, 2 tbsp. of the taco seasoning, and salt.
4. Arrange half of the chiles in a single layer in greased baking dish; top with beef mixture and another layer of chiles.
5. Sprinkle cheese over chiles.
6. Combine eggs, milk, and flour; pour over cheeses.
7. Stir remaining 2 tsp. cumin and remaining taco seasoning into tomato sauce. Spread tomato sauce evenly over casserole.
8. Bake until bubbly in center (about 60 min.). Serve with sour cream, raisins, almonds and olives if desired.
NOTE: You can refrigerate this casserole up to 24 hr. before baking. Refrigerate the tomato sauce in a separate bowl and spread on casserole just before baking.

Rice with Sauted Onions and Leeks

I love leeks. I used brown rice instead of white rice making the simmer time 45-50 minutes. It was still very wet after that time, so I put the lid on only half way and let it simmer many more minutes to eliminate more moisture.

2 leeks
1/4 c. olive oil
1 c. onion, minced
1 tbsp. flour
1 tbsp. salt
1/2 tsp. sugar
4 c. water
1 c. rice, uncooked

1. Clean leeks. Slice into rounds.
2. Heat oil. Saute onions about 5 minutes.
3. Add flour, salt, and sugar and saute 1 minute.
4. Add rice and leek rings. Turn to coat.
5. Cover, reduce heat, simmer 20-25 minutes.