Preheat oven to 450.
Stir biscuit mix and buttermilk together using as few strokes as possible, just mix until completely combined.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface
Gently roll to 1/2 in. thick
Using biscuit cutter, cut and place on baking sheet so sides are lightly touching.Bake 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Brush the top with butter for added richness.
Alternate route: roll out into a rectangle. Brush with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Roll jelly-roll style. Slice into rolls. If desired, add a simple frosting of powdered sugar + warm milk.
This particular recipe caught my eye, since I already had buttermilk in the fridge from my buttermilk scones I made earlier in the week.
I decided to take the Pinterest challenge and make it exactly as it says in her recipe. I didn't have the six tiny loaf pans, but I had three 8x 3 7/8x 2 15/32 in loaf pans to use.
It turned out fantastic.
Because of the different loaf size, I baked mine for 45 min.
I ate a version of this salad when I went to Emory University with my husband for the weekend. It was such a satisfying lunch, with a little granola bar for dessert. Enjoy with ginger ale or some kind of fizzy beverage. Or iced tea. Or whatever!
Cucumber Hummus Salad
bed of romaine lettuce, chopped or torn
1/2 cucumber, peeled and sliced
2 dollops of really good hummus~ I used Sabra Roasted Pine Nut flavor
grated sharp white cheddar cheese
...and that's all folks! Or serve with your fave dressing. It tastes fine without! We ate this particular salad as a side with homemade vegetable beef soup!
I used to order this whenever I went out for Irish food. Now I can make a casserole, and eat on it for lunch-leftovers the next day or two (so now when we go out, I just get the burger). A lot of times when I'm making this casserole, I brown the beef earlier in the day, add the soup, and stick it in the fridge. Then all you have to do at dinnertime is the mashed potatoes and pop it into your oven. Shepherd's Pie 1 lb. ground beef or ground turkey 1/4 diced onion 1 can cream of mushroom soup (I use 1/2 26 oz. can, meaning approx. 13 oz.) Frozen Mixed Veggies- corn, peas, carrots, and green beans 3-4 Large Russet Potatoes, mashed Milk to taste Salt and pepper Garlic powder Mozzarella or Cheddar, shredded Parmesan, grated 1. Preheat oven to 350. 2. Brown your ground beef, and as the grease cooks out, add your diced onion. 3. Drain, and add cream of mushroom soup. 4. Put in casserole. 5. Thaw mixed veggies in the microwave, add salt and pepper and layer onto your beef mixture. 6. Wash and peel potatoes. Cut into large slices and boil for about 8-10 minutes, until just soft. 7. Drain water, add milk and butter, garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste. Mash as you stir this in. 8. Layer your potatoes, top with cheese, and pop into oven for 30 minutes. 9. Before taking it out of the oven, turn on the broiler to get your cheese a tiny bit browned. I think my fave thing about this recipe is that it is good for all ages. Our one-year-old just gobbles it down. And serve it with a slice of multigrain bread, and that's it. (Ok, maybe some pudding for dessert). Enjoy!
This is classified in my recipe book as "Quick and Easy French Bread," and I love this recipe! I have made it so many times, and it always turns out delicious. I also love coming up with creative add-ins! I have done tomato-basil bread, and it was great. I have also made it as a round loaf instead of two long loaves.
Rosemary + Garlic French Bread
1/4 c. warm water
1 pkg. dry quick-rise yeast
pinch of sugar
3 1/2- 4 c. flour
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 c. plus 2 tbsp. warm water
handful fresh (or it could be dried) rosemary
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 egg white + 1 tbsp. water
Combine water, yeast, and sugar in a small bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Add sugar, salt, and water. Mix well. Gradually add flour, mix well, and knead 5 minutes. Let rise 15 minutes in a warm place.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough with a rolling pin to get air bubbles out. Then roll up jelly-roll style and turn ends under and smooth out. Place on a greased cookie sheet. Cut 3 diagonal slashes across loaves. Combine water and egg white and brush on loaves.
Preheat oven to 300. Boil kettle of water. Pour boiling water in a shallow pan on lower rack of the oven. Turn off oven. Set sheet on rack above. Let rise until double- about 15 minutes- and then take the pan of water out. Turn oven to 425 degrees and bake for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 375 degrees and bake 8 minutes longer. Makes 2 loaves.
TOTAL TIME: (bake and prep)~ about an hour
adapted from a recipe from Cooks.com that no longer exists.
This is a family favorite and it is vegetarian, to boot!
1 15 oz. can chickpeas, drained
1 onion, chopped
1/2 c. fresh parsley
2 cloves garlic, pressed
1 egg
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. ground coriander
1 tsp. salt
1 dash pepper
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 c. dry bread crumbs or crackers, crushed
olive oil for frying
1 container plain yogurt
1/2 cucumber peeled and chopped
1 tsp. dry dill weed
salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp. mayonnaise
1. In a large bowl, mash chickpeas until thick and pasty. In a blender, process onion, parsley, and garlic until smooth. Stir into mashed chickpeas.
2. In a small bowl, combine egg, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, cayenne, lemon juice, and baking powder. Stir into chickpea mixture along with olive oil. Slowly add bread crumbs or crushed crackers until it is not sticky but will hold together, add more or less crumbs/crackers as needed. Form 8 balls and then flatten into patties.
3. Heat 1 in. of oil in a large skillet over med-hi heat. Fry until brown on both sides.
4. In a small bowl combine yogurt, cucumber, dill, salt, pepper, and mayo. Chill for 30 min.
You should really try making homemade pizza sometime. It's a lot of fun, kids can help, and the process IS part of the experience. I once did a can crust for a party, and we all decorated our own pizzas. That can be fun as well! Molly helped me make it this time, and it truly turned out delicious!
For the crust:
2 1/4 tsp. or 1 pkg. active dry yeast rapid rise 3 1/2-4 c. unbleached flour (You can use half whole wheat and half white flour- delicious!)
1 1/4 c. very warm water 3/4 tsp salt sprinkle of sugar
2 tbsp. olive oil
1. 1 3/4 c. warm water- pleasantly warm on your wrist, sprinkle yeast and let activate 10 min., sprinkling in a pinch of sugar to help activate
2. Put salt and 2c. of the flour into food processor, pulse, then add yeast/water and pulse five times. Add olive oil. Add remaining flour 1 c. at a time, scraping sides as you go. Add the rest of your water, and if it is too runny, add a bit more flour. Empty out and knead 15 turns until dough is elastic, adding flour as needed. It should not be sticky.
3. Allow dough to rise in greased covered bowl for 45 min. (alternatively, preheat/set oven to 170. Turn off oven. Allow dough to rise 30 min). Punch down and divide in half- each half will make a 12 in. pizza.
You can wrap it in Saran Wrap at this point and leave it in the fridge overnight, or as long as you need to. (If there are any hard spots on your dough from refrigeration, just pick them off and throw them away). Form the dough into a circular disk. Stretch the crust in a round, spinning pattern, turning as you go. Keep flattening and stretching until it is the size you want. (Might need kitchen gadgets for this;) For the Pizza:
Add a dollop of sauce with spoon, using the back of the spoon to spread on your crust. Add toppings of choice, and lots of shredded mozzarella and fresh parmesan.
Ideas for toppings.... Good Marinara sauce (could be mixed with sour cream or mayo/cream cheese~this is a Paula Deen fave) Barbecue Sauce Pesto pepperoni, bacon, italian sausage, (spicy) chicken, (fresh) mozzarella, feta, parmesan cheese, fresh tomato, black olives, ground beef, shredded basil, grapefruit, pineapple, bell pepper, red pepper flakes. Add shredded basil/cilantro at the end to keep it from over-baking.
4. Bake with toppings on 450 for 16-18 min.adapted from Paula Deen's Pizza Recipe, Paula Deen Celebrates c. 2006 *I tried this pizza crust recipe, since it called for sugar unlike Paula Deen's recipe. I found it a bit too dry. I'm going to keep trying crust recipes. ~SEE ALSO: Barbara Kingsolver's pizza crust recipe
I found this Fun recipe for butternut squash soup, but decided to tweak it just a little bit. My primary alteration was the addition of a tablespoon and a half of ginger. This was finely minced ginger, but grated might be preferable.
The recipe I came away with was this:
Creamy Ginger Butternut Squash Soup
1 butternut squash cut in half vertically
1 onion diced
2 tbsp. of butter
1 1/2 tbsp. ginger
2 tsp. olive oil
2-3 cloves garlic
2 c. vegetable stock
1 c. heavy cream
salt and pepper to taste
Bake the squash on 400 degrees for about 40-50 minutes. Meanwhile, brown the onion in butter, add garlic and oil and half of the ginger and simmer for a good while. Add chicken stock and cream and simmer until squash in the oven is soft and can be scooped out of its skin.
Scoop it into your soup, then blend in a blender or with a stick blender. Simmer a bit longer to get the juices really cooked in.
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 packet onion soup mix or 1 finely chopped onion 1 can stewed tomatoes 1 15 oz. can black beans 1 5oz pkg. brown rice (she often uses instant) 1/2 c. water 1 c. Mexican blend shredded cheese
1. Spray 2 qt. casserole with cooking spray and put in chicken and onion soup. 2. Sprinkle with lime and garlic and bake for 30 min. at 350 or until chicken is done. 3. Cut up then add rest of ingredients except cheese. 4. Mix, then cover tightly and bake at 350 for 45 min. or until rice is done. 5. Sprinkle with cheese, cover and let sit until cheese melts.
This is delicious! Add salsa, sour cream, or cilantro if desired!! Serve with warmed tostadas or chips!
You have to try this if you've never had Carbonara. This is like a slightly more complicated Alfredo. It is one of our staples. We love it!
Bacon Carbonara
1 pound pasta, I used farfalle
butter
6-7 strips bacon
2-3 cloves garlic, chopped or pressed
1/2 cup dry white wine or cooking wine (opt)
2 large egg yolks, butter, and heavy cream, egg yolk (opt)
Handful of finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, (I use dried parsley) for garnish Parmesan, grated
Directions:
1. Put a large saucepot of water on to boil. Add a liberal amount of salt and the pasta. Cook to al dente, about 11-12 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and chopped bacon. Brown bacon for 3-4 minutes. Add red pepper flakes and garlic and cook 2 to 3 minutes more. Add wine and stir up all the pan drippings.
3. In a separate bowl, beat yolks, then add 1 large ladleful (about 1/2 cup) of the pasta cooking water. This tempers the eggs and keeps them from scrambling when added to the pasta.
4. Drain pasta well and add it directly to the skillet with pancetta and (bacon-if you want) oil. Pour the egg mixture over the pasta. Toss rapidly to coat the pasta without cooking the egg. Remove pan from heat and add a big handful of cheese, heavy cream, butter, lots of pepper, and a little salt. Continue to toss and turn the pasta until it soaks up egg mixture and thickens, 1 to 2 minutes. Garnish with parsley and extra grated fresh Parmesan.
Once I discovered the recipe for Shortcake on the back of the Bisquick box, I went hogwild with ideas.
Adding sugar to a biscuit recipe makes it dessert? Sign me up.
I recently went grocery shopping in search or Bisquick, but couldn't find it. I am sadly dependent on the box mix, as opposed to dicing butter for the perfect biscuit.
I found a great alternate plan, and these AMAZING chocolate chip scones were born.
Recipe:
3 1/4 c. Southern Biscuit Flour (with shortening flakes)
1 1/4 c. buttermilk
1 c. mini chocolate chips
3 tbsp. sugar
butter for brushing
drop biscuit style- and bake on 450 for 10 minutes!
If you make these for little ones, hold off on the almonds for half of the muffins. Sprinkle some nutmeg on the muffins that do have almonds- that way you'll be able to tell them apart when they come out of the oven.
These are delicious! Enjoy.
1 3/4 c. flour
1/3 c. sugar or honey
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 beaten egg
1/2 c. milk
2 1/2 overripe bananas
1/2 c. sliced almonds
1/4 c. cooking oil
brown sugar for topping
1. Preheat oven to 400. Grease 12 muffin cups.
2. In medium bowl combine flour, sugar (or honey), baking powder, and salt. Make a well in center of flour mixture, set aside.
3. In another bowl combine egg, milk, oil, bananas, and oil. Add egg mixture all at once to flour mixture and stir just until moist.
4. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, 2/3 full. Sprinkle brown sugar over muffins.
5. Bake for 18-20 min. or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 min. Serve warm.
Enchiladas are one dinner that are delicious and easy to make, but sometimes too spicy for kids. I'm currently loving the green enchilada recipe from this book (Annette's Enchiladas).
And yet, this is the way I usually make 'em. Here are three ways to make Enchiladas- in one pan! - so even the little ones at the table are happy. And this is the most important thing about sitting down for a meal- to see tiny tummies leave full and to see happy tots by the end of your meal.
You will need:
3 chicken breasts
Chipotle Salsa
3 tbsp. homemade Taco Seasoning
2 small cans of enchilada sauce
tortillas
Mexican shredded cheese
~Preheat Oven to 400.
1. Combine 3 breasts of chicken and 1/2 container of salsa with Taco Seasoning in a slow cooker. I like Chipotle Restaurant-style Salsa for a unique kick in the flavor of the chicken.
2. Cook on high for 4-6 hours.
3. Tear or cut apart your chicken until shredded. Combine with 1 c. shredded cheese and Reserving about 1/2 c. chicken, enchilada sauce.
4. Add chicken with sauce and chicken without sauce to tortillas. Add extra cheese to 1/4 of your tortillas for the cheese-lovers at the table. Top with enchilada sauce and shredded mexican cheese. Put kids' enchiladas on the side to tell them apart from the rest!
5. Bake for 20 min. on 400. Enjoy- these are delicious! My kids loved these- even my picky eater.
This is a very healthy side dish. Squash has lots of healthy vitamins, and it is so yummy with butter and cinnamon/brown sugar. 1. preheat oven to 400. 2. cut acorn squash in half, lengthwise. 3. scoop out seeds. 4. place shell side up, skin side down on greased cookie sheet. bake for 30-45 min. on 400. 5. remove from oven, turn squash over so it is skin side up. 6. add butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon and broil on high for 1-2 min or low for 3-4 min. serve with additional cinnamon sugar.
4 lg. sweet potatoes
1 c. white sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. butter
1 tsp. sugar
topping:
1 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. flour
1/3 c. butter, melted
1 c. chopped pecans
2 c. mini marshmallows
1. bake sweet potatoes on 400 for 45-60 min.
2. peel and mash, (may use electric beater) add other ingredients and dump in 9X13 baking dish.
3. mix topping indredients and crumble in diagonal rows, alternating with marshmallows later.
4. bake on 350 for 25 min.
add marshmallows for additional 15 min. till golden brown.
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling
1 cup (2 sticks or 8 ounces) regular butter, very-cold, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 teaspoon sugar
6 to 8 Tbsp ice water
Ingredients for the filling:
4 eggs
Butter
1/2 onion, diced
1 1/2 c. milk
1/4 c. half and half
diced ham or crumbled sausage, pre-cooked
chunks of parmesan and cheddar cheese
Instructions: Put crust ingredients in food processor and blend, slowly adding water at the end. Cold crust is essential to crispy texture. If your dough is too warm, put it in the freezer for a little while. Roll out dough using plenty of flour. Grease pan or baking dish and press into pan. Saute onions on the stove, cool. Raw onion tastes good, too though! Whisk eggs, milk, and half and half. Fold in ham and cheese, and onions. Put filling in crust and bake for 40 min. on 350 degrees.
2Mix 1 1/2 cups sugar, the butter, and eggs in large bowl. Stir in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt.
3Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Mix 1/4 cup sugar and the cinnamon. Roll balls in cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Press down for bigger cookies.
4Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.
buy ground beef in bulk. half and save the other lb. for later.
Add to raw ground beef (or ground turkey, if preferred):
dried onion or onion powder garlic powder ground ginger salt and pepper
1. Make patties and pile on a plate separated by wax paper.
2. Pan fry until no longer pink in the center - we like ours well done.
3. At the end of frying, add slices of gouda until melted.
4. Serve on onion rolls with desired condiments. I like sliced red onion, mayo, ketchup, pickles, and spicy mustard! Yum! Try it. And enjoy!
Serve with sweet potato fries and peach ice-cream for dessert. ;)
