Thursday, November 22, 2012

Sweet potatoes and apples

I made this for our Thanksgiving dinner .... I strayed some from the original recipe... this is my version

1/4# bacon 
1 onion, diced

Saute together in large skillet until bacon is done. Drain the grease off.. Then add
 1 1/2 cups chicken broth 
 1/4 cup real maple syrup 
3 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into small cubes 

Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, with lid on , for about 15 min. till sweet potatoes are cooked.  Remove lid and simmer away some of the liquid, then add 
3 apples, diced ... I used granny smiths.. 
Cover and cook 5 min. till the apples are soft. 

So many flavors that really work well together... 

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Best Ever Banana Bread

I don't know where I found this recipe, I only know that I have been using it for a good 20 years. I renamed it to the Best Ever Banana Bread, because I really think that it is... and most everyone that has had it, says the same thing... 

In small glass bowl mix together 
1 & 1/2 cups sour cream
2 tsp baking soda 
and let sit about 5 minutes till it is bubbly. 

In a large bowl combine
1/2 cup butter, softened with 
1 & 1/2 cups sugar 
until well combined. 
Then add 3 eggs, one by one until the mixture is well combined , again.
Then add 
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
 2 & 1/2cups flour and continue mixing till it is combined. 
Then add 3 bananas, that are all smashed up ... 
Fold in the sour cream mixture. 
Put in two well greased loaf pans and bake at 350 for 50 min. Cool in pan 10 min. before removing to a rack to cool. 

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Apricot Wraps

These are a quick and easy appetizer that even younger children could easily put together and they are SO good... I am taking them to the last gathering of our Cooking Club tonight... They are one of my favorite appetizers.. maybe because of that sweet/salty thing!!! 
 1 pkg. [14 oz. ] dried apricots 
1/2 cup whole almonds
1 # sliced bacon...cut each slice in thirds 
1/4 cup apple jelly
2 Tbsp. soy sauce

Mold an apricot around an almond and then wrap 1/3 strip of bacon around it, securing with a toothpick. 

Put on baking sheet. 
Bake at 375 for 25 minutes

In saucepot, melt apple jelly and then add soy sauce, stirring till combined.  Dip the apricot wraps in the sauce!!! 


Monday, November 5, 2012

Chicken and stuffing casserole

Ten years ago my best friend brought this casserole over to us and it has become a favorite ever since... Of course Carol could not give me the recipe , as like me, most of her recipes are in her head. This is one of my favorite dishes to take for a covered dish dinner, or when I want to take dinner to someone  as it is so easy to make a head, leave in the refrigerator and then put in the oven at dinner time. 

So you will need chicken breasts... boneless skinless.... I cut them in a little bigger than bite size pieces and then saute them in a bit of oil until they are cooked all of the way through. Often I grill them in a grill pan because the bits left in the pan help make great gravy... 

So while they are cooking, you will need to make some stuffing...I am sure you can use a box of Stove Top if you want...[and if you use Stove Top, I think you might want to use two boxes}... but I always make mine by sauteing  diced onions and celery in lots of butter... then adding lots of chicken stock... and then a bag of Pepperidge Farm stuffing..and then some extra seasonings..... Okay, what is lots???  A stick of butter for a bag of stuffing and nearly 4 cups of chicken stock... {and a medium onion and 3 or 4 stalks of celery} ....
I then add some poultry seasoning and some sage... 

If you make the whole bag of stuffing it will fit into a 9x13 pan, so you would want to saute about 4- 5 single chicken breasts....

I know.. this is getting complicated.. but it is really very easy ... 

Once the chicken is done, put it in the bottom of the  9x13 pan... then spread the stuffing over it... 

Now you need to make the gravy... Using the pan you cooked the chicken in , add about 2 cups of chicken stock.... loosening up any bits..... If need be, strain them , in a fine sieve... Put the stock back on the stove... bring to a boil.. 
In a small cup mix together 1/4 cup flour and a 1/2 cup water... Mix together until it is smooth... Add to the boiling stock, reduce heat... and then simmer, stirring constantly, till it is thicken and smooth.  That's how you make gravy... You may need to add salt... you may want to add a drop of yellow food coloring... 

Pour the gravy over the stuffing.... then bake in a 350 oven for about 30 minutes. If you choose to refrigerate it and bake it later, it will take an additional 30 minute . When it is bubbly around the edges  it is ready !!!