Naan

Ingredients
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1/4 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons milk
1 egg, beaten
2 teaspoons salt
4 1/2 cups bread flour
2 teaspoons minced garlic (optional)
1/4 cup butter, melted

Directions
1.In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand about 10 minutes, until frothy. Stir in sugar, milk, egg, salt, and enough flour to make a soft dough. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes on a lightly floured surface, or until smooth. Place dough in a well oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and set aside to rise. Let it rise 1 hour, until the dough has doubled in volume.
2.Punch down dough, and knead in garlic. Pinch off small handfuls of dough about the size of a golf ball. Roll into balls, and place on a tray. Cover with a towel, and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
3.During the second rising, preheat grill to high heat.
4.At grill side, roll one ball of dough out into a thin circle. Lightly oil grill. Place dough on grill, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until puffy and lightly browned. Brush uncooked side with butter, and turn over. Brush cooked side with butter, and cook until browned, another 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from grill, and continue the process until all the naan has been prepared.

*To Make Stuffed Naan: In Step 7, roll the dough balls into a circle and place 1 tablespoon of your stuffing of choice in the middle. Fold the dough in half and roll out into an oblong shape. Proceed with the recipe.

Mix some ground nuts (almonds, cashews, raisins) with some chopped raisins or dried or candied cherries, a little sugar, some powdered milk and a little water. Stuff the naan, roll out and garnish with some more nuts and raisins or dried cherries.


*Naan is sometimes made without yeast, using baking powder instead. This is faster and easier too. Simply eliminate the yeast and the initial proofing. Sift 2 teaspoons of baking powder into the dry ingredients. Beat the wet ingredients together. Mix wet and dry to form a dough. Proceed with the recipe, eliminating the second rising after portioning the dough.

Paula Deen's Ginger Cookies

Again, we consumed before I even thought about taking a picture.

Ingredients
3/4 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup sugar, plus more for rolling
1 large egg
1/4 cup molasses
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats. Using an electric mixer at low speed, cream the shortening and sugar until thoroughly combined. Add the egg and molasses and beat until completely incorporated. Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt and add to the mixture. Stir until combined. Roll the dough into balls about 1-inch in diameter. Roll the balls in sugar. Place 1/2-inch apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Flatten the balls slightly with your fingertips. Bake for 12 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

Christmas Smell

4 Cinnamon sticks
1-2 Tbsp. cloves
1 bay leaf
1/2 lemon, sliced
1/2 orange, sliced
4 C. water

Simmer on your stove. When the water's out, just keep replacing it and the smell will continue.

Wisconsin Cheese Soup

½ c finely chopped onion
4 t butter
4 t flour
1 ½ t cornstarch
4 c chicken stock
4 c milk
1 c cooked carrots
1 c cooked celery
1/8 t paprika
1/2 pound shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 pound velveeta cheese


Saute onions, carrots and celery in butter until tender. Add flour and cornstarch blending well. Add chicken stock and milk gradually, stirring constantly. When boiling add paprika and cheeses. Cook over low heat until cheese is melted. Add extra rue and salt if necessary.

Clam spaghetti

Don't let the title scare you away like my husband did. This is SUPER easy and yummy.

1 pkg. spaghetti, fettucinne or linguine noodles
A few cloves of garlic
1/4 C. olive oil
2 cans clams, not drained
1-2 Tbsp. parsley
lemons, cut into wedges
parmesan cheese

Get the noodles cooking. Everything else comes together really quickly.

Heat olive oil in skillet. Add garlic and brown. Add clams, with their juice and parsley. Heat through and let simmer while noodles finish cooking.

Drain noodles and toss with clam sauce. Garnish with lemon juice and parmesan cheese. Both toppings are important to the flavor of this dish.

Garlic Shrimp Crostini

This is both beautiful and delicious. It's a great appetizer to serve as a host.

1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1/4 C. mayo
5 cloves garlic, minced and divided
1 Tbsp. minced green onion
1/4 C. butter
1 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley
24 med. fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
24 toasted french bread rounds
Garnish: halved cherry tomatoes, fresh parsley leaves

In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, mayo, 2 cloves garlic and a green onion. Set aside.

In a large skillet melt butter over medium heat. Add remaining 3 cloves of garlic and minced parsley. Cook for 3 min. Add shrimp and cook until pink and firm, about 3-4 min.

Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over french bread roudns. Top each with 1 shrimp. Garnish with tomato halves and parsley leaves.

Rice Krispy Dessert

Tastes like fried ice cream!

3 C. Rice Krispies
1 1/2 cubes butter or margarine
1 1/2 C. brown sugar
1 1/2 C. chopped walnuts or pecans
1 1/2 C. coconut
1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream
fresh strawberries, sliced

Melt butter and sugar. Pour over rice krispies, walnuts and coconut and mix.
Put 1/2 the mixture into greased 9x13 pan. Slice ice cream and lay on top of this mixture. Add the other half of the mix on top of the ice cream and press down firmly. Store in freezer.

Serve topped with berries.

Southwestern Egg Rolls

1 C. chopped chicken
1/2 Tbsp. parsley
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
dash cayenne pepper
1 Tbsp. chopped red bell pepper

Combine those ingredients and cook. When chicken is fully cooked, add:

2Tbsp. gren onion, chopped
1/2 C. corn
1/4 C. black beans
2 Tbsp. chopped spinach
1 Tbsp. jalapeno, chopped

Cook until warm, then add:

3/4 C. cheese


Cut a raw flour tortilla in half. Place a spoonful of filling near the straight cut. Fold in the sides and roll it closed. Repeat until chicken mixture is gone.
Place rolls on baking sheet sprayed with Pam

Bake at 350 for 20-30 min. Turn them over halfway through the baking time.

Dressing:
Favorite ranch dressing
A couple tomatillos
small bunch of cilantro
lime juice

Blend together and dip rolls in. Yum!

Creamy Chicken Soup

Here's one I want to try but haven't yet.

Cook and shred 4-6 chicken breasts (or one whole chicken)
Add 8 cups of water to the chicken and simmer with:
2 cans chicken broth (optional-- but add a few extra cups of water if you don't use it)
6 carrots, sliced
6 stalks of celery, sliced
1 chopped onion
1/2 t. black pepper
Add chicken bouillon to taste (5-6 cubes or 6 tsps.)

Simmer until veggies are tender yet still crisp. Then add:

2 large cans cream of chicken soup (less if you wish)
2 C. sour cream (one 16 oz. container-- or less if you wish)
1 pound extra wide egg noodles-- cooked al dente

Serves about 12.

Hints: I cook the chicken with a few tsp. minced garlic and a bit of seasoning salt.
This recipe can easily be modified to make more or less, or to be less creamy.
When I make this, I taste it often so it doesn't get too salty. Add the bouillon gradually,
and at the very end.

White Chili

A friend gave me this recipe. It's delicious. All three kiddos even loved it. It was one of those dishes where I was really full but just kept eating because I loved the flavor. Better yet, it's super easy and most of the ingredients are probably sitting in food storage so you don't even have to plan it out beforehand.

1 lb. chicken breast, cut into small pieces
1 Tbsp. oil
small onion, diced
about 6 garlic cloves, minced

Cook those together in a pot on your stove top. Then add:

1 can diced green chilis
2 15 oz. cans white beans, undrained (pinto, navy, etc.)
4 C. chicken broth (This is what it calls for, but I use about half that much b/c I like thicker soups)
1 tsp. chicken bouillon
2 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

Simmer those together for about 1/2 hour. When you're ready to eat, add:

1 C. sour cream
3 C. monterey jack cheese, shredded

Heat through and serve.

Top with:
dallop of sour cream
fresh cilantro
chopped tomatoes
crushed tortilla chips

Coconut Cake

1 pkg. white cake mix
1 1/2 C. unsweetened coconut milk (I just use one whole can)
4 large egg whites

Beat together. Pour into 2 round 8" greased and floured cake pans or double recipe and pour into 3 round 9" cake pans. Bake at 350 for 22 min.

Frosting
3 1/2 C. powdered sugar
1/2 C. butter, softened
1 tsp. coconut extract
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

Combine and frost cake. Then press flaked coconut on top and sides.

I made cupcakes, baking them for 18 min. I frosted them, then dipped them up-side-down into a bowl of flaked coconut. They came out really pretty and were so very easy!

Rachael Ray's Spinach and Artichoke Mac and Cheese

Salt
1 pound regular or whole wheat penne
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
3 tablespoons butter
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup white wine
2 cups milk
A few grates fresh nutmeg
1 box frozen chopped spinach (10 ounces), defrosted and wrung dry in a kitchen towel
1 box frozen chopped artichokes (10-ounces), defrosted and wrung dry in a kitchen towel
Ground black pepper
1 1/4 cups shredded Italian Fontina cheese, plus additional for sprinkling on top
1 1/4 cups grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, plus additional for sprinkling on top
PreparationPre-heat oven to 350ºF.

Place a large pot of water over high heat to cook the pasta. When the water is boiling, salt it well and drop the pasta in. Cook to al dente according to package directions. Drain the pasta and reserve.

While the pasta is cooking, place a medium pot over medium-low heat with 2 turns of the pan of EVOO, about 2 tablespoons, and the butter. Add the onion and garlic to the pan and cook the veggies until very soft, about 10 minutes.

Turn the heat up to medium-high and sprinkle the flour into the pan. Cook for about 1 minute then whisk the wine into the pan, cooking for another minute to burn off the alcohol. Whisk the milk into the pan and bring up to a bubble. Add the nutmeg, veggies, some salt and pepper to the sauce, and simmer until thickened, 2-3 minutes. Add the cheeses to the sauce and stir until melted.

Toss the prepared sauce with the cooked pasta and transfer to a casserole dish. Sprinkle some more Fontina and Parmigiano over the top and bake until the cheese has melted and the top is golden brown, about 30 minutes.

Chicken Pillows

I made this and EVERYONE asked for seconds, so I think it's worth sharing.

1-2 cans chicken or 1 rotisserie chicken, meat pulled off and chopped
1 can green chilis
1 can sliced olives
1 8 oz. block cream cheese, softened
2 cans of refrigerated crescent rolls
breadcrumbs
couple Tbsp. butter/margarine
Cream of mushroom soup (optional)

Mix the first four ingredients. Open the rolls and roll out individual rolls with a rolling pin to make them a little bigger. Place spoonful of chicken mixture in center of each roll, then roll it up, trying to seal all the edges.

You can brush on melted butter and roll around in breadcrumbs if you want, but I often skip that.

Cook according to roll directions, until golden brown.

Some people like to serve it with cream of mushroom soup on top, but I don't. You could also add green onions or mushrooms to the chicken mixture if you want.

Chocolate Cherry Cake

1 pkg. chocolate cake mix
1 can cherry pie mix
1 tsp. almond extract
2 eggs, beaten

Beat eggs, add extract, cake mix and cherry pie mix. Stir gently. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes in a greased 9"x13" pan. I made cupcakes and baked them for about 18 min.

FROSTING:

1 c. sugar
5 tbsp. butter
1/2 c. milk
1 c. chocolate chips

Boil for 1 minute the first 3 ingredients, stirring constantly. Add chocolate chips and stir until melted and smooth. Spread on cake.

Grilled Bruschetta Chicken

This is by far my favorite recipe discovery of 2008. SO GOOD!







4 boneless skinless chicken breasts.
4 T. Italian dressing, divided
2 small tomatoes, finely chopped
Bunch of fresh basil. (Recipe calls for 1 tsp dried basil, but fresh is sooooo much better!)
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (I didn't have any on hand, so I chopped up a string cheese stick)

Marinade the chicken with 2T. Italian dressing for 10 minutes. Cover 1/2 of grill with heavy duty foil. Heat grill and place chicken on the uncovered side of the grill. Throw away the marinade. Cook for 6 minutes. In the meantime, mix the tomatoes, remaining dressing, basil, and cheese. Turn chicken over and place on foil. Top with tomato mixture and grill for 8 minutes, until chicken is done and cheese is melted.

Pad Thai

This is one of my favorites, but I don't make it often enough b/c it makes so much darn food. It's great for big family get-togethers. I'm using it for a church potluck this week. It looks like a lot of ingredients, but really you just pick and choose your favorites.

1 16 oz. oriental noodles or linguine (I prefer linguine)
1/4 C. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. sugar
2 Tbsp. sweet thai chili sauce (found in the oriental aisle)
3 Tbsp. salad oil
1 sm red pepper
1 green pepper
1 Tbsp. grated ginger root
3-4 garlic cloves, chopped
bunch of green onion chopped
1-2 C. meat (stir fry chicken works well. So does shrimp. I like shredded pork roast the best)
2 C. bean sprouts
red cabbage, sliced
shredded carrots (about 2)
1 shredded zucchini
1 sm tomato, cut in wedges
1/4 C. salted peanuts, coarsely chopped
1 Tbsp. cilantro or parsley
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
lime wedges for garnish

Prepare noodles, keep warm.

Combine soy sauce, sugar, chili sauce, 1/2 C. water. Set aside.

In skillet heat oil and cook peppers, ginger, garlic, all but 1/4 C. green onion. Cook until tender and lightly browned. add meat. Stir in bean sprouts and soy sauce mix. Combine with noodles. Top with zucchini, cabbage,carrots peanuts, tomato, cilantro, limes, etc.

Top with two sauces:

Peanut Sauce
2 Tbsp. peanut butter
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
2 cloves garlic minced
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes


Ginger sauce
1 C. soy sauce
1/2 C. rice vinegar
small onion chopped
thumb size ginger chopped

Blend and strain, refrigerate

Combine all and enjoy

Creamy tortilla soup

1/3 C. butter/margarine
1/3 C. flour
1 small onion chopped
2 large carrots sliced
1 can chicken or a bunch of chicken pieces
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1 can chicken broth
About 1 C. milk
salt and pepper to taste
Tortilla chips
Cheese
Cilantro

This is a creation of my own brain that is still in the works. I don't measure, so I'm not sure how much liquid you actually add, but just play it by ear and see what looks right.

Place flour, butter and onion in medium-sized saucepan. Heat until butter is melted and it makes a bubbly mixture. Add chicken broth and milk and heat while stirring with wisk, allowing the mixture to thicken up. Add carrots, chicken and taco seasoning. Heat and cook until carrots are tender. You can add salt, pepper, or more spice as desired.

Serve with chips, cheese, cilantro or whatever else you want on top.

Indonesian Chicken (in the crockpot)

This one is super easy and yummy too! Sometimes I skip adding the peanut butter at the end, shred the chicken and just eat it on a salad or in a tortilla.


INGREDIENTS: (Serves 4)
8 skinless chicken thighs (I used Chicken Breast and Tenderlion)
2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
4 cloves garlic, pressed
1 tablespoon grated fresh gingerroot
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or less depending on your heat index)
1/2 cup peanut butter


***Note, the PB doesn't go in until the very end!***

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS: In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and cayenne pepper. Place chicken in a slow cooker. Spoon sauce mixture over the top of the chicken. Cover and cook on low heat setting about 6 1/2 to 7 hours, or until chicken is tender and fully cooked. Remove chicken from crock pot and stir peanut butter into juices until smooth. Spoon sauce over chicken to serve.

Rosemary Garlic Beef (from Better Homes and Gardens)

1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 rosemary branches, leaves chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
3 pounds sirloin tips, in thin strips or 1 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Mix together olive oil, vinegar, rosemary leaves, garlic, red pepper flakes and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt in a non-reactive 3-to 4-quart bowl. Immerse the beef in the marinade. Refrigerate 4 hours to overnight.

To cook, remove as much marinade as possible from the beef. Thread the beef on skewers, or on sturdy sprigs of rosemary. Sprinkle all sides with the remaining teaspoon of salt and the pepper. Grill over medium-high heat, turning every 1 1/2 minutes, until beef is deeply browned on the outside and still rare on the inside, 8-10 minutes (or to personal preference).

I marinated the steak (I used steak instead of sirloin tips) overnight and then all day. It was fantastic! We ate it with wild rice, rolls, and salad.

Herb Crusted Salmon

This is from Studio 5, gotta give credit where credit is due.

1/2 c. dry bread crumbs
1/4-1/2 C. parmesan cheese (I added this, so it's totally optional)
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 tsp. chopped fresh oregano *
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary *
4 (6-oz) salmon fillets
2 tsp. chopped fresh parsley *
1 1/2 tsp. grated lemon rind


*If you don't have fresh herbs, dried will work also. Or: You can buy Italian flavored dry bread crumbs and completely eliminate adding the herbs.


Combine the first 7 ingredients in shallow dish. Dredge both sides of fillets in bread crumb mixture. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add fillets to pan. Cook 3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and turn fillets. Cook 4 minutes or until fish flakes.

This dish is great with rice and spinach salad!