Try-Something-New-Tuesday

My 'TSNT' idea was a new recipe from a new cookbook!

Cookbook:

White Chocolate Chip, Banana, Coffee Cake Muffins:

They were DELICIOUS! 

Mix the following in a small bowl and set aside:

2 1/2 C flour

1 t baking powder

1/2 t baking soda

1/2 t salt

In another small bowl, mix:

1 T instant coffee granules 

1 T hot water

 . . . stir until dissolved, then add 2-3 mashed bananas

Cream together the following until light and fluffy:

1 C softened butter

1 1/4 C sugar

1 egg

Add banana mixture to sugar/butter mixture.  Add flour mixture and stir well.  Add 1 cup of (I used white) chocolate chips.  Divide evenly among muffin tins and Bake at 400 for 25-30 minutes.

Try-Something-New-Tuesday

I am trying to organize my life - better - and more efficient.   So, I am going to try something NEW, every Tuesday.  It could be an outing, a recipe, a craft/art project . . . something totally new and different!

Today's Try-Something-New-Tuesday is

Cheesy-Rolls!!!

   

I decided to combine two of my boys' favorites - cheese and rolls - and make my own 'creation' for them to enjoy!!!

• Take a roll of biscuits, and roll them flat. 

• Cut a string cheese stick into fourths.  Place one piece into the middle of a biscuit and roll the biscuit up.

• Roll each biscuit tightly around each piece of cheese, tuck in the ends, place with seal on the bottom.

• Mix 2 Tablespoons of melted butter with a teaspoon of garlic/herb seasoning.

• Spread the butter/herb mixture over each roll, until roll is covered.

• Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes, or until tops of biscuits are lightly browned. 

ENJOY!

Saucy Spiced Apple Pie

This is the BEST apple pie I've ever HAD! . . . . really, it is!

Pastry (for double pie crust)
1/4 C butter, softened
2 C sugar
1 egg
1 egg - separated
1/3 C pineapple juice
1 1/2 t vanilla
1/3 C flour
1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 t ginger
1/4 t nutmeg
** I added a 1/4 cloves too
6 C sliced, tart apples

Line a 9-in pie plate with bottom pastry - trimming even with edge.
In large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the egg, egg yolk, pineapple juice and vanilla until well blended. Combine flour, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg - gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
Fill crust with apple slices, and then top with the creamed mixture.
Roll out remaining pastry to fit top of pie - place over filling. Trim, seal and flute edges (important, it will over-flow if not sealed tight)
Beat egg white, brush over pastry, sprinkle with additional sugar (and cinnamon)
Bake @ 350 for 55-60 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool - serve - enjoy!!!

Fall Pancakes

As most of you may remember, Fall is my FAVORITE season of all!!!

The cool crisp air.

Hot cider.

Pumpkin pie.

Over sized Sweaters.

Warming up by a fireplace.

Pumpkins.

Leaves turning colors.

Last year, I posted a couple of recipes of some of my favorite 'fall' recipes. So, here we are again!

I made these this morning for my family - the kids ate them UP! (which is saying something, because they are picky eaters!)

~ Ginger Pancakes ~

2 C baking mix (like Bisquick)
1 1/2 t ground ginger
1 t ground cinnamon
1/2 t ground cloves
1 egg
1 1/2 c milk
1/4 c molasses

Mix all of dry ingredients together. In a separate bowl, mix egg, milk and molasses - whisk until well blended. Blend the dry ingredients with the wet mixture. Pour, cook and enjoy!!!

Potato Soup

There are many things that I enjoy during the cool weather; changing colors of the leaves, hot cider, cinnamon sticks on the stove, cloves in oranges and nice hot meals, like SOUPS! I LOVE making new recipes especially when it comes to soups. Here is my recipe for a homemade potato soup. And, because I make it so many times, I think I've gotten it down to a science now.

4-5 slices of bacon
3 C of water
5 medium potatoes - pealed and cubed
1 can cream of mushroom
dash of pepper
1/8 t smoked paprika
1/8 - 1/4 C heavy whipping cream
1 C shredded cheese
1/2 t chives

In large pan, cook the bacon, until brown. (I leave them in just for the extra flavor the bring) Remove from hear, then, in the SAME pan, add water and potatoes, put back on burner and bring to a boil.

After potatoes start to soften, lower heat and begin to smash potatoes until desired texture. Add cream of mushroom, pepper and smoked paprika. Stir until blended. Slowly add heavy whipping cream, blend.
For 'Loaded Potato Soup': Add cheese (1 cup or more) and chives and mix until cheese is melted. YUMMY!

Gingerbread Cakes

Do you like Ginger-Snaps, but aren't a fan of the hardness and crunch of the cookies? Try on of these!
This is a muffin that has the exact same flavor as those gingersnap cookies, but moist and light.

Cakes:
1 3/4 C flour
1/2 C brown sugar
1 t baking soda
2 t ground ginger
1 t ground cinnamon
1/2 salt
1/4 t ground cloves
1/2 C butter, melted
1/2 C boiling water
1/4 C honey
1/4 C molasses
1 egg, slightly beaten

Heat Oven to 350 degrees. Place paper cups in a 12-cup muffin pan.
In large bowl, mix together all dry ingredients. Then, add butter, honey, molasses and egg.
Bake 20-25 minutes, or until toothpick comes out of center, clean.

Fall Drinks

I am in LOVE with this season, my absolute favorite. So, when Autumn starts showing its face, I start cooking and baking all my favorite fall recipes. One thing that has been very good tasting is simply adding a DASH OF PUMPKIN SPICE AND NUTMEG to your coffee grounds before brewing. This way, you get a hint of that pumpkin pie taste, without having to pay a $$$ at a local coffee shop. Also, I like to have my caffeine in the morning and my decaf coffee at night. I buy the expensive regular, so my decaf is usually generic. To spruce this up, I simply ADD A CINNAMON STICK to my decaf. For a regular cup, add before pouring, for instant crystals, I add it before putting it in the microwave. You can also add about a TABLESPOON OR TWO OF CIDER to your coffee for a little flavor. It's perfect for a Fall evening!

Berry-Peach Cobbler

I made this cobbler for a couple different events and have been asked for the recipe a few times, but I don't remember who all asked. So, I'm going to post it! This is SUPER yummy and it keeps well too!

Biscuits:
1 1/4 C flour
1/3 C sugar
1 1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/4 t nutmeg
1/4 C cold butter, cut into pieces
1/2 C milk
1 t decorative sugar crystals (optional)

Fruit Mixture:
3/4 C sugar
2 T flour
1 bag of frozen blueberries (I used 'mixed berries' - better!)
3 medium peaches (cut up)
2 t grated lemon peel
1 T lemon juice

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease 2-quart casserole dish.
In medium bowl, stir together 1 1/4 C flour, 1/3 C sugar, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Stir in milk just until mixed well, set aside.
In large saucepan, stir together 3/4 C sugar and 2 T flour. Stir in berries, peaches, lemon peel and lemon juice. Heat to boil, stirring constantly. Spoon fruit mixture into casserole dish. Immediately drop spoonfuls of biscuit dough on top of fruit mixture. (about 8-10 spoonfuls) Sprinkle sugar crystals over cobbler.
BAKE: 25-35 minutes, or until biscuits are golden brown.
(serve with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream. . .a real crowd pleaser!) - ENJOY!