Blog Archives

Recipes

Some  MORE  of our All Time Favorites recipes:

 

ORANGE CRANBERRY HOLIDAY PARTY PUCH:

INGREDIENTS:

1 (64 oz) jug Cran-apple Juice

1 (12 oz) can frozen cranberry juice concentrate- NO additional water added

3 cups orange juice

Juice of 1 lime (or 2 TBL.)

2 liters ginger ale

ice

fruit for garnish – cranberries, apples, oranges, limes

In a large pitcher mix together cran-apple juice, frozen cranberry concentrate, orange juice and lime juice.  This is the punch base.  Chill the base until ready to serve.  Just before serving, add ice in punch bowl or drink dispenser.  Add punch base and then add ginger ale.  Add any garnishes to punch you like.

 

ARTICHOKE CHICKEN PASTA:

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups Cooked Diced Turkey or Chicken

1 can Artichokes in water, drained, cut up

1 teaspoon minced diced onions

1/4 teaspoon Tabasco

1/4 teaspoon marjoram

1 (10 1/4 oz.) can cream of chicken soup

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

1 (13 oz.) can evaporated milk

1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 (12 oz.) package bow tie pasta, prepared according to package directions

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Mix all ingredients reserving 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and 1 cup cheddar cheese.  Place in a greased     9 X 13 inch baking dish.  Sprinkle Parmesan and cheddar cheese over top.  Bake 30 minutes at        400 degrees or until hot and bubbly.  Garnish with paprika and parsley.  Makes 8 – 10 servings.

 

FROZEN BRANDY OLD-FASHIONEDS

Prep: 15 minutes + freezing

Makes: 12 servings (about 2.5 qt.)

6 cups Water

1 cup sugar

2 cups brandy

1 can (12 oz.) frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

1/4 cup maraschino cherry juice

1/4 cup bitters

EACH SERVING

1/4 Cup lemon-lime soda, chilled

Maraschino cherries and orange wedges, optional

 In a saucepan, bring water and sugar to a boil.  Cook and stir until sugar is dissolved; cool completely.  Stir in brandy, orange juice concentrate, juice and bitters.  Pour into a 3 qt. freezer container.  Freeze the mixture overnight or until set.

For each serving, scoop 3/4 cup slush into a rocks glass.  Pour lemon-lime soda into the glass; if desired serve with fruit.

1 SERVING 246 cal., 0 fat (0 sat. fat) 0 chol., 9 mg sod., 38 g carb., (32 sugars, 0 fiber), 1 g pro.

Seasoned Pretzels:

SERVED AT 2018 GRAND OLDE FLAG EVENT

INGREDIENTS

1 Bag Pretzel Chips (28 oz.) 

1 Cup Pure Canola Oil (or just a little less)

1 package of Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix

2 teaspoons Dill Weed Seasoning

1 teaspoon Lemon & Pepper Seasoning

1 teaspoon Garlic Powder

1 large Foil Turkey Pan

Preheat oven to 200 degrees.  Add the pretzels to the foil pan.  Mix all the seasonings and oil together and pour over the pretzels.  Stir.  Bake for 10 minutes-Stirring after 3 minutes, then after an additional 3 minutes, and after 4 minutes.  Turn off the oven.  Do not remove from oven.  Let sit for an additional 15 minutes.  This will allow the oil and spices to absorb into the pretzels.  Recipe from Phyllis Amble.

 

Pink Party Punch:

SERVED AT 2018 GRAND OLDE FLAG EVENT

INGREDIENTS

2 (12 OZ) cans frozen raspberry lemonade

6 cups water

1 (46 oz) can pineapple juice

1 liter Club Soda

1 liter Gingerale

Ice

Raspberries & pineapple for garnish (optional)

In a large pitcher, mix together the frozen lemonade and 6 cups water (do NOT follow instructions on cans).  Add pineapple juice and combine.  Keep chilled until ready to serve.  When ready to serve, add ice to bowl/dispenser.  Add juice mixture and chilled soda. Serves 1.5 gallons.

 

Melt in Your Mouth:

FARMHOUSE OPEN HOUSE “Lemon Meltaways”

Bake @350 Degrees ( 13 minutes)

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE COOKIE DOUGH:

 14 tablespoons butter, room temperature

1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar

1 tablespoon lemon zest (packed – about 2 lemons)

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)

1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1/4 cup cornstarch or arrowroot

1/4 teaspoon salt

In a bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy.  Add 1/2 cup of confectioner’s sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest and 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.  Gently blend on low until incorporated, scrapping down sides with a spatula as needed.  

In a small mixing bowl combine the flour, cornstarch ad salt.  Whisk together.  Add the flour in four batches to the creamed butter and lemon mixture.  Blend on medium low until each is incorporate.  Place the cookie dough in a small bowl and cover with plastic wrap.  Refrigerate for 1 hour.

To bake the cookies, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Scoop a level spoonful of dough using a 1-inch cookie scoop.  Roll each into a tight ball and place two inches apart on the parchment lined baking sheet.  Bake for 13 minutes at 350 degrees until lightly browned around the edges.  Slide the parchment paper onto a wire rack to cool. Repeat with a new piece of parchment paper placed on a cooled cookie sheet.  Cool cookies completely if using the glaze recipe below.

INGREDIENTS FOR GLAZE:

1 CUP CONFECTIONER’S SUGAR

2 – 3 TABLESPOONS FRESH LEMON JUICE

1 TEASPOON LEMON ZEST FOR GARNISH IF DESIRED

To make the glaze, mix together 1 cup of confectioner’s sugar and 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice.  Add more lemon juice or sugar as needed to reach desired consistency.  Garnish with lemon zest if desired.  Allow the glaze to fully set then store cookies in a cool place or refrigerator.  Makes 3 dozen.  Recipe adapted from Southern Living.

 

 

Open House “Pumpkin Cookies”

Bake @350 Degrees ( 10 -12 minutes)

*Beat w/mixer for 30 seconds:

2 c. softened butter

2c. sugar

*Add:  2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg

*Add:  2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

1- 15 oz canned pumpkin

4 cups sifted flour

***Frosting:

Cook  1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. packed brown sugar just until smooth

***Transfer to bowl and add:

1/4 cup milk you can also use almond milk if prefer

1 tsp. vanilla

2 3/4 cup powdered sugar  This is a wonderful cookie for the season, the recipe was shared with us by our good friend Nancy Potter who is our framer.  Grateful, Thankful for this one!

Grandma Cooper’s Ginger Cookies

1 Cup sugar

1 Cup Shortening

1 Cup Sorghum

1 Egg

1 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Soda

1 T. Ginger

About 3 Cups of Flour

Mix the first 4 ingredients, add flour, soda, salt and ginger.  Chill dough, form into small balls dipped in sugar.  Place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.

DO NOT OVERBAKE!

Many of the recipes you see on this page are what we prepare for our gathering guests.

Holiday Party Cheese Ball

This is always the best little homemade gift I can think of making for a hostess gift or just a little holiday cheer.

*This recipe will make two balls.

Cream  (2)  8 0z. light cream cheese

Shred 16 oz. of sharp cheddar cheese, I love Cracker Barrel if I can find it, and cream with the cream cheese

Mince a Tbsp of fresh onion

Add 1 tsp. Lemon juice

Add 2 tsps. Worchestershire

Chop pecans use for rolling the cheese balls in

After the mixture is mixed, I seperate into two balls and roll in the chopped pecans.

I always reserve at least 5 nice whole pecans to press into the top

I make ahead, wrap really well and freeze so I can pull them out when I need to and stick into a little gift bag when I am going somewhere.

Fa La La La La!

From our American Country Christmas Open House 2012

Holiday Punch

3 pkgs (3 oz) raspberry jello

4 Cups boiling water

1 Cup Sugar

4 Cups cold water

2 1/2 Cups Simply Orange Juice

2 1/2 Cups Cranberry Juice

1 Qt. Ginger Ale (I used the new Cranberry Ginger Ale and it was good) It is good either way

1/2 Cup Lime Juice

1 1/4 Cup Lemon Juice

We also just added Simply Lime Aide to taste

Slice 2-3 oranges and fresh cranberries–these are used for garnish

Combine jello, boiling water and sugar until dissolved,

Add juices and cold water to the mixture then the ginger ale gets added before serving.

I served in a large clear jar and the you can set in a wreath for the holidays.  The fruit, the color and greens are so festive.

Christmas Tree Farm Cookies

1 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown Sugar (packed)

1 egg

1 cup salad oil

1 1/2 cups rolled oats

1 cup crushed grape nut flakes

1 cup shredded coconut

3/4 cup chopped pecans

3 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. coconut extract

1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees, Cream butter and sugars, add the egg, then add the oil, oats, grape nut flakes, coconut and pecans. After you have added these ingredients and they are well mixed begin adding the remaining dry ingredients and vanilla stirring until well blended.  Form into balls, about the size of a large walnut and place on an ungreased cookie sheet, flatten with a fork dipped in water then position a pecan half on the top center of each cookie.  Bake approximately 10 minutes do not over cook these cookies.  Enjoy this delightful treat!

My Aunt Carolyn’s Sour Cream Cookies

1/2 Cup butter flavored Crisco

1 1/2 Cup brown sugar

2 Eggs, Beaten

1 Cup Sour Cream

2 1/2 Cups Flour

1/2 tsp. Baking Powder

1 tsp. Soda

1/2 tsp. Salt

8 oz. pkg. dates, cut up

1 Cup chopped nutmeats, I like pecans

Mix well, drop on cookie sheet that has been greased.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 – 12 minutes, or until golden brown.  Frost with the following frosting.  This is a wonderful chewy cookie so don’t over bake.

Frosting: Brown 1/2 cup of butter in a saucepan.  Add 3 Cups of powdered sugar and enough hot water to spread easily.  Start with 2 Tablespoons and add a few drops of water until the frosting spreads well.  You may have to add a few more drops as it cools.

Enjoy A Little Winter Comfort Food

Primebeef Pot Pie

Bake 400 Degrees for 35 minutes

2 TBSP. Butter

1 Cup sliced Carrots, 1 Cup sliced Celery, two Potatoes peeled and cut up and

1 TBSP. Minced Onion

Saute all of the above in butter until softened then ADD:

1 small can Beef Broth saving out enough broth that you add 4 TBSP. of

Arrow Root to, this is a natural thickening agent, stir this until smooth

You will cook the broth and veges for a total of ten minutes then add 1 Cup of Frozen Pettite Peas, 2 Cups of cut up cooked Prime Beef, 1/4 tsp. course pepper and 1/2 tsp. course sea salt.

Mix in your thickening stirring until everything is heated through, then Add a can of Cream of Mushroom Soup, mix and pour into a nice size baking dish.

I use a pre made pie crust, roll it to make it fit your dish, cover and crip the edges like you would a pie, cut slits in the top you can brush with egg but I don’t think it is necessary.

Bake and enjoy on a cold winter evening!

Our Favorite New 2011 Open House Treat

Carmel Crispix Mix

6 c. Crispix cereal ( I like to include Cheerios)

4 c. pretzels (use the checkerboard style if you can find them or otherwise use the heart shaped these catch the carmel better)

2 c. mixed nuts

1 stick of butter

1/2 c. brown sugar

4 Tbsp. Karo syrup

Mix the first three ingredients together.  Place butter, brown sugar and syrup in a microwav bowl or use a sauce pan on the stove.  Heat and bring to boil for 1 min.  Pour over the dry mix and stir to coat evenly (I use two 9 x 13 cake pans).  Bake at 250 degress for 20 min.  Stir once.

cool and break apart.  This is a great treat to gift in a cute bag with a bow too.  It’s super yummy and easy to do.

SWISS MISS CHICKEN

This was a favorite casserole that I served at our Boxwood & Berries this fall and now every year when guest gather.

6 Large chicken breasts

Onion Soup mix/ or onion powder

2 – 6oz. pkgs. Uncle Ben’s Original wild rice

1 – 2 3 oz pkgs. sliced almonds

1 – 8oz can sliced water chestnuts

1 – 4 oz jar chopped pimentos

1 1/2 Cups of Hellman’s Mayo

1/2 tsp. celery salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

2 cups shredded Swiss Cheese

Salt to taste

2 Tbsp. Lemon juice

Seasoned Salt

Bake chicken breasts  at 350 degrees in a baking dish adding water to the bottom of the pan.  Make sure there is enough water to come up 1/2 way on the chicken.  Sprinkle onion soup mix over the chicken.( I don’t always use a whole package of the onion soup mix  but it is good either way because of the flavor, sometimes I even use onion powder if I don’t have the soup mix.)  Cool your chicken and cut into pieces when done baking.  Cook your rice.

Mix the chicken pieces with the remaining ingredients.   You may add more pepper and lemon juice.  I like to sprinkle with seasoned salt but you don’t have to it is totally up to you.  Place your cooked wild rice in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.  Cover the rice with the chicken mixture and bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes.  Just a note sometimes I even sprinkle with bread crumbs.  It is a company favorite.


Mother’s Almond Glazed Sugar Cookies

I like to serve these at our Christmas Open House it seems to be a favorite

1 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup white sugar

1 tsp almond extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

Glaze

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp almond extract

4 to 5 tsp. water

sliced almonds

Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Combine butter, sugar and almond extract.

Beat until creamy.  Add flour, baking powder and salt: beat until well mixed.  Roll dough into small balls. place about 2 ” apart on cookie sheet.  Flatten balls with bottom of buttered glass dipped in sugar.

Bake for 7 to 9 minutes, until lightly browned.  Cool and glaze the cookies and decorate with sliced almonds.  Makes about 3 1/2 dozen yummy cookies


This is always a crowd pleaser!

Ice Cream Grasshoppers

1 gallon pail of Vanilla ice cream

1 12 oz Cool whip

1 Cup Creme de Menthe

1 Cup Light Creme de Cocoa

Let your ice cream sit out and get soft.

Put it in a very large mixing bowl, and using your hand mixer begin getting your ice cream nice and creamy, add the next 3 ingredients.  Put back into the ice cream pail and store in the freezer.  This is great to serve over the holidays.  Pour into a fancy glass and shake fresh nutmeg over the top before serving.

Note:  If you like Alexander’s you will add 1 Cup of Brandy and 1 cup of Dark Creme de Cocoa to your cool whip and ice cream mixture.

Enjoy!


Over – the – Rainbow Macaroni and Cheese

this a recipe from Carol (3) Deckert

It is just the best my gandkids love it and so do all of the grown ups

1 Tbsp Vegetable Oil

1 Pound of Elbow Macaroni ( 3 Cups )

8 Tbsp. ( 1 Stick) plus 1 Tablespoon butter

1/2 Cup Shredded Muenster Cheese

1/2 Cup Shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese

1/2 Cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

1/2 Cup Shredded Monterey Jack

2 Cups Half – and -Half

1 cup Velveeta, cut into small cubes

2 Large Eggs, Lightly beaten

1/4 tsp Seasoned Salt

1/8 tsp. freshly ground Pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, Lightly butter a deep 2 1/2 quart casserole dish

Bring the large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.  Add the oil, then the macaroni, cook until the macaroni is just tender.  About 7 minutes.  Do not overcook.  Drain well.  Return to the pot.

In a small sauce pan melt eight tablespoons of the butter.  Stir this into the macaroni.  In a large bowl, mix the Muenster, mild and sharp Cheddar, and Monterey jack cheeses.  To the macaroni, add the half and half, 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheese, the cubed Velveeta, and the eggs.  Season with salt and pepper.  Transfer to the buttered casserole.  Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese and dot with remaining one tablespoon of butter.

Bake until it’s bubbling around the edges, about 35 minutes.  Serve Hot.


Maggie Bonanomi’s Spice Cookies

these are really yummy, special cookies we tasted  when Maggie was out for Boxwood 2009, she made them for us as a treat.  FYI:  they were in our cookbook but not entered right so this is the real deal.

Sift Together

2 Cups flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. ground ginger

1 tsp. ground cloves

1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Cream together

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1 cup sugar

add to sugar and butter

1 egg yolk (save the white for the frosting)

1/2 cup molasses (Grandma’s brand or light Ber Rabbit)

Gradually combine dry ingredients with sugar and butter mixture, mix until smooth, chill for 1 hour.  (Maggie puts this into a zip-loc bag)

Roll out on a floured surface  THIS IS WHERE A PASTRY CLOTH AND TOLLING PIN COVER COME IN HANDY.

She rolls the dough out very thin, cut out desired shapes and bake on a parchment paper covered cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for 5-10 min check as cookies may burn easy.

Decorative Frosting

1 egg white slightly beaten

1 1/2- 3/4 sifted Powdered Sugar

1 tsp. orange extract

this frosting needs to be thin enough to pipe onto cookies, air dry glaze.  keep in an air tight container.

Bunko Punch

This is a great summer crowd pleaser and very refresshing!

1 cup brewed citrus green tea

7 cups water

4 cups of your favorite vodka we use Absolut or Ketel one or you could do 2 cups of each

1  (6 oz can) of frozen orange jusice thawed

1  (6 oz can) of frozen pink lemonade thawed

Fresca

Mix together the tea, water, orange juice and lemonade concentrates into a large freezer proof bowl (glass or stainless steel freezes faster)  overnight or days ahead.  With fork, scrape the frozen mixture into a tall glass, pour fresca soda into the mixture, stir and garnish with fresh fruit

Bacon/Egg Breakfast Biscuits

This is a favorite of all the guests that come to gathering so I thought I would share it with everyone!

1 8oz. pkg of cream cheese

2 eggs

2 Tbsp. milk

1/2 cup shredded Swiss Cheese or use a favorite cheese

1 can refrigerated flaky biscuits (there are 8 bisquits in a can)

5 slices of bacon broken or use cooked ham or even cooked sausage crumbled

Heat oven to 375 degrees

Spray muffin tin with Pam

In a small bowl beat cream cheese, eggs and milk on low speed until smooth.  Stir in the Swiss Cheese and here is where you could add pre-cooked onion, red pepper or other favorites tastes you might want to incorporate.

We keep ours simple with just the main ingredients because most everyone is comfortable with that.

Seperate bisquit dough into the 8 bisquits and press one ito easch greased muffin tin. Spoon in cheese mixture and top with bacon.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until filling is set and bisquits are golden brown.  Cut around each tin to llsen.  Remove from pan and enjoy they are really yummy and most people will eat at least two so make a double batch..  Serve w/fresh fruit and you are good to go.

Moose Stew

2 lbs stew meat, I used Moose Round steak

3/4 of a bag of baby carrots, I left whole

3 stalks of celery cut up

1 onion cut up

8-10 peeled and cut up potatoes

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can tomato soup

Mix it up, put in a covered baking dish

sprinkle with coarse pepper and seasoning salt

Bake at 350 degrees for 2 hours

I made flakey bisquits and sour cream cucumbers

Reed and I were very content!

What and easy, comforting meal.