Caprese Couscous Salad

We spent the whole day away from home yesterday. Didn’t get home until late and just needed a snack. Luckily, I had just enough Couscous left in the cupboard to make this for Ed and I.

 

Caprese Couscous Salad
This will make about 4 servings

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese balls
1/2 teaspoon each of ground garlic, salt and pepper
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup couscous cooked according to package directions

After the couscous has cooled a bit, mix everything together in a bowl and set aside for 10 minutes so the flavors can blend.

Enjoy!

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Pepperoni and Bacon on top Hawaiian on the bottom

Must be Friday!  Have a great weekend everyone!

Shepard’s Pie

Shepherd’s Pie

This will serve about 6 people

1 pound ground pork or beef
1/2 cup chopped onion (I use onions that I had sautéed and frozen)
1/2 cup carrots (I use carrots I have canned. Directions in Canning Category)
1/2 cup peas (I used frozen peas)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons seasoning (I use a spice called 5 season. It has in it Cinnamon, Anise, Ginger, Nutmeg and Cloves)
2 tablespoons catsup
1 cup brown gravy

8 cups mashed potatoes (I used 2 quarts of canned potatoes. Directions in Canning Category)
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup shredded cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Paprika to garnish

In a large frying pan, add the ground pork and sauté until brown.
Add Worcestershire, seasoning, catsup and gravy. Mix well and simmer for 2-3 minutes
Add onions, carrots and peas, mix well
Pour mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish

In a large pot of water, boil potatoes until tender
Drain and mash
Mix in butter, milk, sour cream, cheese, salt and butter
Spread on top of meat mixture and garnish with paprika

Bake in a 375 degree oven for 20-25 minutes

Enjoy!

Carrots

Carrots must be pressure canned

Peel carrots and cut away bad spots
Carrots can be left whole, sliced or cubed
Rinse carrots
Pack jars leaving 1 inch head space
Add 1 teaspoon canning/kosher salt to each quart jar. 1/2 teaspoon to pints
Cover carrots with hot water leaving 1 inch head space
Remove air bubbles, add more water if needed
Wipe rim, apply lid and ring

Process at 11 pounds pressure, Pints 25 minutes, quarts 30 minutes

After 24 hours have passed, remove rings and wash jars.
Label jars with date and store. Do not stack jars.

Honey Mustard Chicken

Honey Mustard Chicken
 
This recipe will serve 4
 
4 boneless skinless chicken breast
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/2 cup melted butter
1/4 teaspoon pepper
 
Preheat oven to 375
I take a 2 cup measuring cup and melt the butter in it. Then use the lines on the side to add the correct amounts of mustard and honey. Mix well.
 
Add chicken to a greased 9×13 baking pan.
Season with pepper, add onions, and pour sauce over chicken
 
Bake for 30 minutes covered. Remove foil baste chicken with sauce and cook until juices run clear
Enjoy!

This is a really simple dish that comes out great everytime. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

This recipe will make about 6 servings

2 cups pasta cooked according to package directions. I used Barilla Pipette Pasta for this recipe.
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
1 cup water
2 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 pound of Velveeta cheese
1 cup stewed tomatoes (optional)
1/2 cup bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

In a large sauce pan, combine cornstarch, mustard, salt and pepper.

Stir in evaporated milk, water and butter.

Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until mixture starts to bubble.

Cook for another minute making sure to scrap the bottom of the pan as you stir.

Lower heat and add cheese. Stir until melted.

Remove from heat and add pasta.

Mix well and pour into a greased 9×13 baking pan

Top with stewed tomatoes and breadcrumbs

Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and a light brown color

Let stand a few minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

Candy Marshmallows

Candy Marshmallows

Spread mini marshmallows on dehydrator trays.

1 bag will fill 2 trays

Set heat at 125 for 10-12 hours

I let the marshmallows sit on the trays overnight to cool down, then store in an airtight container.

Grams Party Mix

Grams Party Mix

This recipe should be made in 2 full size roasting pans

8 cups rice chex
8 cups corn chex
8 cups crispix
8 cups frosted cheerios
8 cups pretzels
*8 cups of cereal is about half a box

5 sticks margarine
5 teaspoons each of garlic powder, celery salt, season salt and Worcestershire sauce

Preheat oven to 300 degrees
In a sauce pan, melt butter and add seasonings.
Add half the dry ingredients to each roasting pan.
Pour equal amounts of seasoned melted butter over the cereal mixing well.
Mix very well every 15 minutes for the next 2 hours.

Store in an airtight container

Banana Chips

Banana Chips
 
1/2 cup lemon or pineapple juice
2 cups water
7 sliced bananas

Soak bananas in lemon water for 5 minutes to keep them from turning brown on the dehydrator.
Arrange on dehydrator trays in a single layer, do not overlap.
Dry for approximately 10-11 hours at the 135 degree setting.
Store in a closed container and enjoy!

Fastnacht Donuts

Today is Fasnacht Day in my area.  Fasnacht Day is an annual Pennsylvania Dutch celebration that falls on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.

It’s not to late to make your donuts.

 

Fastnacht (Fat Tuesday) Donuts
Makes about 60

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 teaspoon white sugar
3 cups all purpose flour
2 cups milk

3 eggs beaten
1/4 cup melted margarine
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 1/2 – 4 cups flour

Oil for frying
2 cups confectioners sugar
6 tablespoons milk

 

In a small bowl, proof the yeast by adding it to warm water. Let it stand 10 minutes

Warm the milk in a saucepan until it bubbles. Remove from heat and let it cool until warm

In a large bowl, mix together 1 teaspoon sugar and 3 cups of flour.

Stir in milk until smooth

Add proofed yeast and mix well

Cover and let rise until it has doubled in size. About 40 minutes

 

Stir in eggs, margarine, 1 cup of sugar, salt and flour. Start with 3 cups and add more until the dough gets stiff.

Cover and let rise again until it has doubled in size. About 40 minutes

 

Punch down the dough and divide in half.

Working with half at a time, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface until about 1/2 inch thick.

Cut the dough with a pizza wheel into approximately 2 inch donuts.

Cover and let rise for the final time until doubled in size

 

Preheat oil to 350 degrees

Cut a slit in the center of each donut, I used kitchen scissors, and shape before placing in oil

Fry 2-3 minutes per side. I used wooden skewers to easily flip donuts

When they are a golden color, cool on racks over paper towels

 

Mix confectioners sugar with milk until smooth

Using a basting brush, coat donuts with glaze and cool

 

Enjoy!

 

What does Fasnacht Day mean?

Fasnacht Day is an annual Pennsylvania Dutch celebration that falls on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.

The word translates to “Fasting Night” in English.

The tradition is to eat the very best foods, which are part of the German tradition, and lots of it, before the Lenten fast.