Friday, November 13, 2009

Streusel Topped Pumpkin Bread
By Ann Carter

1 c butter
3 c sugar
4 eggs
2 c pumpkin (one small can)
2/3 c water
3 1/3 c flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
Streusel:
1/2 c brown sugar
1/4 c flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 c butter

Cream together butter and sugar.  Add eggs and beat.  Next add the pumpkin and water.  Mix together the dry ingredients and then add them to the rest.  Beat until mixed well.  To make the topping:  Mix dry ingredients together then cut in butter.  Divide batter into 2 loaf pans and top with streusel topping.  Bake at 350 for 60 - 70 minutes.  This freezes well.  It can also be baked in a 9x13 and frosted with cream cheese frosting.
Butternut Squash/Roasted Corn Chowder
By Jocelyn Denyer
Again, I forgot to get a picture but it was very yummy. 

1 sm onion, chopped
1 shallot, chopped
1 clove garlic, mince3d
1 carrot, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
1 can chopped green chilies
1/2 chipotley pepper, minced
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 lb butternut squash OR sweet potatoes OR 3 cans (14 oz) pumpkin
1 lb frozen corn kernels
1/2 gallon vegetable or chicken stock
1/2 c heavy cream, opt
salt and pepper to taste
Cayenne to taste
Add chopped cooked chicken if you want
Sour Cream and crushed tortilla chips, opt

If using butternut squash, cut in half, scoop out the seeds and place in a baking dish, flesh side down.  Add about 1/2" of water and bake at 350 until tender, probably about 1/2 - 1 hour.  When cool enough to handle, scoop out the flesh and dischard the skin.  Cut into large chunks.
If using sweet potatoes, peel and cook in water until tender.  Cut into large chunks.
In large pot, saute onions, shallot and garlic in olive oil until they begin to soften.  Add rest of vegetables and half of the corn.  Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add squash/potato/pumpkin and cook some more.  Add stock and cook for about 1/2 hour.  Puree in batches in a food processor or blender and place back on the heat.  Add the rest of the corn and chopped chicken and season with salt, pepper and cayenne.  Continue heating until hot. Add cream if desired and heat til warm, not boiling.  Can garnish with sour cream and chips.
Pumpkin-Apple Bundt Bread
By Jocelyn Denyer

2 c flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ginger
1 1/2 c sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c + 2 Tbsp butter, room temp, cut into 5 pieces
1 c pumpkin puree
2 c unpeeled shredded tart apples (abt 2 large)
2 Tbsp powdered sugar (opt)

Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350.  Generously butter 12-cup bundt pan;  set aside.  If using food processor, mix first 8 ingredients;  remove and set aside.  Process sugar and eggs until fluffy.  Add butter and process 1 minute.  Add pumpkin and apples and process 2 seconds.  Add dry ingredients, combining with as few on/off turns as possible to just blend flour into batter;  do not overprocess or texture will be coarse.
If using mixer, combine first 8 ingredients and blend well;  set aside.  Cream butter and sugar in large mixing bowl.  Add eggs and pumpkin and mix until fluffy.  Add apples and blend thoroughly.  Mix in dry ingredients.
Turn batter into prepared pan and bake until bread begins to pull away from sides of pan, about 50 - 55 minutes.  Remove from oven and let stand on wire rack 5 minutes.  Invert onto rack and cool completely.  Press powdered sugar through sieve onto bread just before serving, if desired.
Pumpkin Black  Bean Soup
By Shirley Paoule
(Salena forgot to take a picture of the soup but it was really yummy!)

2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 can (16 oz) pumpkin puree
1/2 c red onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 Tbsp olive oil
4 c vegetable broth
1 Tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp each kosher salt, cinnamon, allspice
1/2 tsp pepper
3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
Baked pumpkin seeds, for garnish

Place oil, red onion, garlic, and seasonings into a large pot.  Cook on med-low heat until red onion and garlic brown.  Puree the beans and tomatoes with half of the vegetable broth.  Add pureed ingredients, pumpkin and rest of broth to your pot.  Simmer uncoverd until thick, about 40 - 45 minutes.  Before serving, stir in balsamic vinegar.  Garnish with baked pumpkin seeds.
Pumpkin Fluff Dip
By Salena Thomas

1 (16 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

In a large bowl, mix together instant vanilla pudding mix, pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice. Fold in the thawed frozen whipped topping. Chill in the refrigerator until serving.   Serve with apples, graham crackers, ginger snaps, etc.
Pumpkin Dinner Rolls
By Salena Thomas

1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 Tbsp yeast
5 cups flour

Warm milk to luke warm.  Dissolve in sugar and yeast and let set for 10 minutes.  Mix in pumpkin, butter, and 2 cups of flour: stir well to combine. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.

Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

Divide the dough into four equal pieces, divide each of these pieces into four pieces and then divide each of these 16 pieces in half to make 32 pieces. Form each piece into a round and place on lightly greased baking sheets. Cover the rolls with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Luscious Slush Punch
From Roz Brown

2 1/2 cups white sugar
6 cups water
2 (3 ounce) packages strawberry flavored gelatin mix
1 (46 fluid ounce) can pineapple juice
2/3 cup lemon juice
1 quart orange juice
2 (2 liter) bottles lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage

In a large saucepan, combine sugar, water, and strawberry flavored gelatin. Boil for 3 minutes. Stir in pineapple juice, lemon juice, and orange juice. Divide mixture in half, and freeze in 2 separate containers.
When ready to serve, place the frozen contents of one container in a punch bowl, and stir in 1 bottle of lemon-lime soda until slushy.   Make pretty with slices of lemon and lime.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Clam Chowder
From Shirley Pauole

1 c diced potatoes
1 c chopped onion
1 c sliced celery
2 cans minced clams, not drained
3/4 c butter
3/4 c flour
1 qt half and half
1 1/2 tsp salt
dash pepper

Put vegetables in a large pot.  Pour liquid from clams over vegetables and add enough water to cover (I use bottled clam juice).  Simmer until tender.  In a large frying pan melt butter and add flour and cook until it bubbles. Add half and half and cook until thick.  Add to vegetables.  Add clams, salt, and pepper.  Heat thoroughly.  Serves 8 - 10.
White Chicken Chili

By Joni Page

1 Tab. Olive oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into small cubes
¼ cup onion
1 can chicken broth
1 can (4 oz) chopped green chilies
1 can (19 oz) white kidney or pinto beans, undrained
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1/ tsp oregano leaves
½ tsp cilantro leaves
¼ tsp ground red pepper
Heat oil in sauce pan over medium heat. Add onion and chicken and cook 4-5 minutes stirring until done.
Stir in broth, green chilies, and spices. Simmer 30 minutes.  Stir in beans and simmer 10 minutes longer.  Garnish with cheese, sour cream and tortilla strips if desired.  Makes 4 servings.
Quick and Easy Version:
I eliminate the olive oil and use packaged chicken strips and buy McCormick’s White Chicken Chili seasoning mix in a package.   I just throw everything in a crock pot and cook for 2-3 hours on high.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Chicken Noodle Soup
By Monica Thiriot
(Supposedly from the Lion house, but who really knows…)


4 Cups chicken stock (or 4 c. water with 4 tsp boullion)
2 C chopped carrots Heat and then add:
2 C chopped celery
¾ C chopped onion
2 cups Dry Egg noodles (4 c cooked noodles)
2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup
½ Cup milk
2 Cups cooked/chopped chicken

Simmer together chicken stock and veggies until veggies are tender. While Veggies are cooking, cook and drain noodles and set aside.  Mix together soup and milk. Add to veggies.  Add chicken.  Stir in noodles.
Add seasoning, Salt and pepper and more boullion if necessary for flavor.
ENJOY

Monday, October 5, 2009

Corn Chowder
By Roz Brown

2 large onions, chopped
5 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 cans cream-style corn
3 cans whole kernel corn
1 cup water*
4 cups milk*
1 can evaporated milk*
Tarragon to taste (instead of salt and pepper)
1 pack of bacon/or jar of bits

Sauté onion in bacon drippings if cooking bacon, or butter if not. Pour into pot once sautéed with potatoes and water. Cover and simmer until potatoes are tender. Stir in milk, corn and tarragon, stirring frequently. Add bacon to taste when eating. *I like my soup thin and added a lot more liquid. Keep to the recipe for thicker soup.

Tarragon fun facts: Tarragon is one of the four fines herbes of French cooking, and particularly suitable for chicken, fish and egg dishes. Tarragon is one of the main components of Béarnaise sauce. Fresh, lightly bruised sprigs of tarragon may be steeped in vinegar to impart their flavor.

Tarragon is used to flavor a popular carbonated soft drink in the countries of Armenia, Georgia and, by extension, Russia and Ukraine. The drink—named Tarhun (թարխուն, pronounced [tarˈxuːn]; Тархун), which is the Armenian, Persian and Russian word for tarragon—is made out of sugary tarragon concentrate and colored bright green.

Roz Tarragon fun fact: how I discovered it's use in potatoes and salads, I don't remember - just remember that it's a strong herb like curry so start small.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Italian Sausage Soup
By Salena Thomas

1 pound Italian sausage
1 clove garlic, minced
2 (14 ounce) cans beef broth
1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian-style stewed tomatoes
1 cup sliced carrots
1 (14.5 ounce) can great Northern beans, undrained
2 small zucchini, cubed
2 cups spinach - packed, rinsed and torn
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a stockpot or Dutch oven, brown sausage with garlic. Stir in broth, tomatoes and carrots, and season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 15 minutes.
Stir in beans with liquid and zucchini. Cover, and simmer another 15 minutes, or until zucchini is tender.
Remove from heat, and add spinach. Replace lid allowing the heat from the soup to cook the spinach leaves. Soup is ready to serve after 5 minutes.
I added about 7 oz of chesse tortellini. You can add your own type of pasta if you want. I would increase the broth by one more can to compensate for the noodles (which I did not do cause I didn't have any more broth).
Roasted Tomato Soup
By Jocelyn Denyer

6 lb plum tomatoes, quartered lengthwise
6 large garlic cloves, unpeeled
6 Tbsp shallot, finely chopped
1 tsp oregano
2 Tbsp butter
3 c chicken broth
1/2 c heavy cream
salt and pepper
lemon juice

Spread the tomatoes, skin side down, in one layer in 2 foil-lined jelly roll pans. Add the garlic to 1 of the pans and bake in a preheated 350 oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the tomatoes are very soft and their skin is dark brown. Let the tomatoes cool in the pans on racks.
In a heavy saucepan cook the shallot and oregano in the butter over moderately low heat, stirring until the shallot is translucent. Add the tomatoes, the garlic (skins discarded), and 1 1/2 cups of the broth. Simmer the mixture, covered, for 15 minutes.
In a blender puree the soup in batches until it is very smooth. Strain back into saucepan and whisk in the cream. More broth can be added if necessary to reach the desired consistency. Add lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Breakfast Pizza
from Salena Thomas

Pizza crust
1 lb sausage
¼ c milk
½ tsp salt
1 c frozen hash browns
1 c sharp cheddar
5 eggs
2 Tbsp Parmesan
1/8 tsp pepper

Crumble sausage and cook. Sprinkle potatoes and sausage on crust in a 9 x 13. Sprinkle with cheese. Beat together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Pour into crust. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until eggs are set.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Cheddar Strata with Grilled Onions
from Roz Brown

1 teaspoon vegetable oil
2 medium onions, sliced
8 slices rye bread
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (6 ounces)
1 large tomato, seeded and coarsely chopped (1 cup)
1 1/2 cups milk
4 eggs

Heat oven to 300ºF. Spray square baking dish, 8x8x2 inches, with cooking spray. Heat oil in 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook onions in oil 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown; remove from heat. Trim crusts from bread. Spread mustard on 1 side of each bread slice. Arrange 4 slices, mustard sides up, in baking dish. Layer 1 cup of the cheese, the tomato and onions on bread. Place remaining bread, mustard sides down, on onions. Beat milk and eggs until well blended. Pour evenly over bread. Bake uncovered about 1 hour or until center is set and bread is golden brown. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.