Creepy Witch Fingers

I know it's not Halloween yet, but I am so excited it's FALL!

I thought I would post these so you all have a chance to make them in October.

My Fat ones I call Monster Fingers. =)

Sometimes I get impatient and roll them too thick.

CREEPY WITCH FINGERS

1 cup softened real butter

1 cup powdered sugar

2 3/4 cup flour

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp almond extract

1 tsp baking powder

dash of salt

slivered almonds

Jam (red)

Beat together with Cookie Paddles

Chill for 30 minutes

Roll into finger size and pinch to make knuckles.

Use butter knife to make knuckle lines

Press Slivered Almond in for Finger nail

Bake for 20-25 minutes (Pale golden)

Cool for 5 min.

While still warm take off almond and dab a bit of red jam and replace slivered almond

My friend suggested I food color it Green! Brilliant!

bake @ 325 degrees for 20-25 min

Taco Braid

walk your fingers under the ends to transfer to pan(cookie sheet,

unless you divide it to 2 then you can do two 9X13 pans.

This Braid you can fill with pizza stuff, or use just the plain rolls and spread cream cheese frosting and add pie filling, then after baking frost with frosting.

The 1st week of my marriage, Janae' took me to a Rhodes Rolls demonstration in Ogden and we learned lots of fun stuff to do with their rolls.

This Braid has been fun to play with and do whatever with.

But the Taco Braid is our family's favorite!

I made 2 tonight, I was in a hurry taking these pictures (sorry) and I baked it in a throw away pan so I could take it to someone for dinner. (That's also why I used more rolls too)

12 Texas Rhodes Rolls

1 lb ground beef

1 chopped onion

1 pkg. taco seasoning

1 can refried beans

8 0z shredded cheddar cheese

shredded lettuce

diced tomatoes

sour cream

guacamole

salsa

Spray pan & plastic wrap with Non-stick cooking spray & cover Rhodes Texas Rolls for 3 hours on counter. Or until thawed & raised

Brown 1 lb. ground beef & 1 chopped onion add 1 pkg taco seasoning

Spray counter with "Pam" and Roll Rhodes rolls into large rectangle.

Spread refried beans over dough, leaving 3 inches on sides for Braid.

Top beans with meat and onion

Top with shredded cheddar cheese.

Fold ends of dough over cheese and Braid sides, starting on ends and ending in the middle.

Put on pan and cover with plastic wrap sprayed with "Pam"

(optional~brush beaten egg over dough, makes it shiny and crusty on top)

Allow to double in size, at least 1/2 hour, depending on how warm your home is.

Bake @ 350 degrees for 30 min. or until brown

Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream & Guacamole. (salsa too if you like)

Quick & Easy Pear Salad

I was in a huge hurry to get our dinner on the table so we could all get out the door, so this is not the best picture, luckily Bryan said, Karin you should take a picture of this! I would carmelize my pecans like I always do, with only sugar... I think adding the water makes the pecans look sugary like in this picture. I would also maybe do less red wine vinegar, for the kids sake.
I tried this out for the first time last night and We loved it! I couldn't stop eating it.

Pear Salad
1 1/2 bags of your favorite Salad Greens (I just did Romaine)
2 pears peeled, cored and chopped (I put 4 in, cuz' I love pears!)
5 oz. feta cheese (crumbled by Brandon)
1 avocado (peeled, pitted and diced by Bryan)
1/3 c. thinly sliced green onions

for the pecans:
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 c. pecans
1 TBSP water (next time I will not use the water)

Dressing:
1/2 tsp. salt (I used Kosher)
1/2 cup olive oil
3 Tablespoons Red wine vinegar (if serving to little ones, I would lessen this amount)
1 1/2 tsp. sugar (or add more sugar if you keep the vinegar the same)
1 1/2 tsp prepared mustard
1 clove minced garlic
pepper to taste

Directions:
In a skillet over medium heat, stir 1/4 c. sugar adn 1 Tblsp water together with the pecans. Continue stirring gently until the sugar has melted and caramelized the pecans. Transfer to wax paper(I always use foil) cool and break into pieces.
In large bowl. Layer lettuce, pears, feta, avacado, and green onions. pour dressing over salad, sprinkle with pecans and serve.
(I tossed it all together with the dressing, minus the avacado, pears and pecans, so they wouldn't sink to the bottom, then layered.)
Enjoy!

Cilantro Lime Rice

This is perfect to serve with the enchiladas!
Plus, you can do the green onions and cilantro at the same time for both dishes
I forgot to take a picture...I will add one later.

2-4 T butter
2 green onions peeled and minced
2 cups jasmine rice or long grain rice
(I have made it with a couple different rices and it is still delicious)
grated zest of 2 limes
2 T fresh cilantro washed and chopped
4 cups chicken stock/broth
kosher salt to taste
(I love using kosher salt now, Walmart even sells it)

Saute' green onions in butter then add to all the other ingredients in a 9X13 pan. Cover with foil. Cook at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until all the liquid is gon and the rice is soft. (it always takes my oven at least 30 mins.)

Chicken & Green Sauce Enchilada

Girls ~ I have found a NEW FAMILY FAVORITE!

We looooooove this recipe.

I can't stop making it.

This is a must try....it is super easy:

6-8 Flour Tortillas (You must use the UNCOOKED TORTILLAS, cook them before assembling)6-8 Cooked chicken tenders,cubed or shredded (or 2 cans of canned chicken)

2 green onions (diced)

1 T chopped cilantro

2 cups sour cream

2 cups shredded cheddar

1 small can of green chili sauce (or 1/2 large can)

Pour a couple scoops of chili sauce into the bottom of 9X 13 pan. (just enough to cover bottom) Mix chicken, sour cream, onions, & cilantro. take one cooked tortilla and fill with cream mixture and a pinch of cheese. Roll and lay in pan. Repeat until sauce is gone. Top with remaining chili sauce and cheese.

Bake @ 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Crusty Italian Bruschetta

1 loaf baguette bread

6-8 roma tomatoes, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp. dried oregano

6-8 fresh basil leaves chopped (or 1 tsp. dried basil)

2 tsp. salt

olive oil

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Cut bread into diagonal slices.

Brush tops with olive oil.

Bake 450 degrees for 5 mins. until edges are golden.

Remove from oven.

Mix remaining ingredients with 1/2 c. olive oil (I never use that much)

Spoon mixture on top of bread and serve with your favorite Italian main dish.

Frosted Pumpkin Squares

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
beat sugar & eggs for 2 minutes at medium speed

2 cups pumpkin (libby's small can)
1 cup oil
Beat in pumpkin & oil for 1 minute at medium speed

Add dry ingredients and beat for 1 minute at low speed:
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. soda
1 tsp salt
Grease Jelly Roll pan
Pour batter in pan and Bake 25-30 min
(set out cream cheese & butter to soften for frosting)

Frosting
Beat together:
2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup cream cheese, softened
6 TBSP Butter, softened
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Spread on cooled cake, can sprinkle with chopped nuts

This is a jelly roll pan (cookie sheet) So it serves tons!
Plan on sharing several plates with friends and having leftovers for your own family

Biscuits & Gravy

Southern Biscuits

2 1/2 c. flour

1/4 c. sugar

1 1/2 TBSP baking powder

3/4 cup cold butter

1 cup cold milk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In large bowl, combine flour, sugar & baking powder.

Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Stir in milk just until flour mixture is moistened.

Spoon onto cookie sheet.

Bake 20 min. or until golden brown.

Makes 12 biscuits

Gravy

Use drippings from frying bacon.

Add flour and stir continue adding flour until forming a paste.

Add Milk and stir on Medium heat until thickened.

If it's too thick, add more milk

Season to taste with S & P

If you don't have grease from bacon or sausage, use 1/4 cup of butter.

Add 1/4 cup of flour and follow the rest of directions.

Bosch

http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/Bosch_Universal_Plus_Mixer_MUM6N10UC.aspx

Mnisa, here is a picture of the Mixer you asked about and if you go to this web page it will tell you a bit about it.

Tami~ do you still have the website you found that is not bias and compares the Kitchen Aid with the Bosch?

The comparison clearly shows the power and size of the Bosch to be better. If you like to bake, and not knead by hand, the Bosch will be your best friend. If you want to display your mixer on your counter and have it look awesome, the Kitchen Aid will do the job.

Janae'~can you put a poll on our webpage, so that all our fabulous viewers can vote on which one is better...Kitchen Aid vs Bosch?

Moist Meatloaf

Combine & put in greased loaf pan.

1 lb. ground beef

1 egg

1/2-1 cup Quick Oats

1 TBSP worcestershire sauce

2 TBSP dried onion

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 can tomato soup

Cover with Foil

Bake @ 350 degrees 45 min.

Uncover, Bake additional 15 min.

It is so moist you will think you haven't cooked it!

Lion House Taco Soup

Brown 1 lb lean ground beef with 1 medium chopped onion.

Drain.

Add:

1 pkg taco seasoning

16 oz. can corn (drained)

16 oz. can kidney beans (drained)

28 oz. stewed tomatoes

8 oz. tomato sauce

Simmer 20 min.

Top with grated cheddar cheese & tortilla chips on individual servings.

Parmesan Oven Fries

6 med. potatoes, peeled & cubed
1 Tbs. oil
3 Tbs. grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. paprika
1/2 t. garlic powder
1 t. salt
Line cookie sheet with foil & spray with non-stick oil
Toss Potatoes with oil
Combine remaining ingredients & toss with potatoes
arrange potatoes on baking sheet
Bake @ 450 degrees for 25min.

White Chicken Chili

1 tsp lemon pepper
1 tsp cumin seed
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 cup chopped onion
2 (8oz.) cans white Shoepeg corn
1 can undrained green chilis
1 tsp. ground cumin
2(14oz) cans Great Northern beans

In pan, add 2 1/2 c. water, lemon pepper & cumin.
Add chicken & boil
Remove chicken & dice.
Put back in & add remaining ingredients.
Mix Well.
Simmer 30-45 minutes

Top with :
Monterrey Jack cheese (shredded)
fresh limes
diced avacado
chopped cilantro
tortilla chips

Okay--I have made this so many times, here's how I make it
I put frozen chicken in the crockpot and leave for church!!!
cook it low for 6-8 hours or high 4hours (it doesn't matter, just figure out when you want to eat)
I use the garlic out of the jar that is already sliced, and only if I don't have time or the onion, I use the dehydrated onions (it still tastes delicious)
I have these staples on hand all the time....the beans, shoepeg corn and chilis are all in cans. The chicken is frozen, the garlic and onion don't have to be fresh.
So all you need to grab at the store is the cheese & avacado. (I don't love cilantro)

Okay, so come home from church and put the chicken in a pot, it will fall apart and shred on it's own. I add about 3 cups water and all the remaining ingredients and simmer for 35 min. Just enough time to change clothes, set the table, dice the avacados and slice the lemons.

It's a great one for company coming too!

Crockpot Southwestern Chicken

Crockpot Southwestern Chicken

1 small bag frozen corn

1 can black beans (I added a can of drained green chiles)

2 large frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 16-oz jar medium salsa, such as Pace medium picante sauce

shredded cheddar cheese

tortilla chips

sour cream

chopped cilantro

diced avocado

Pour bag of frozen corn in bottom of crockpot. Place frozen chicken breasts on top of corn and cover with rinsed and drained black beans and jar of medium salsa. Cook on high for 1 hour, and then on low for 4 hours. Shred chicken with forks. Serve with tortilla chips and add toppings to individual servings.**It is very important that you use MEDIUM salsa in this. Mild simply isn't flavorful enough. Be sure to serve with tortilla chips, and not tortillas. The salty crunchy chips make this so good!

Home Made Wheat Bread

I made wheat bread this morning. Here's the recipe:

In Bosch Mixer Bowl with Dough Hook:

2 cups Hi gluten Bread Flour or 1/2 cup vital wheat gluten

1/2 cup potato flour (I use potato pearls, blend to make flour)

1/2 cup powdered milk

4 TBSP Dough enhancer

3-5 TBSP yeast ( I use 3)

2 TBSP Sea Salt

Mix on speed 1 for approx. 1 min

Add:

1 cup Canola Oil

2/3 cup honey

6 cups warm water, 115 degrees

turn the machine to speed 1 & Add 8+ cups Fresh ground whole Wheat Flour(do this quickly) until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. (I usually use about 12-14 cups

When you can see the sides pull clean as well as the dough coming clean from the bottom of the bowl you know you have enough flour. (do not add too much flour) the dough should be very sticky and doen't come together at this point, but the bowl is clean. (you can see the bottom of the bowl while mixing it)

Knead on speed 1 for 8-10 min or until the gluten has been developed.

Oil your hand, remove dough from mixer onto a slightly oiled counter. Divide dough into 4-5 large loaves.

Shape loaves, and place in a well greased pan, never use oil. (nonstick spray)

Cover with a dry towel and let rise until dough has risen double, or 2 inch. above the rim. (30-60 min. depending on room temp)

Bake @350 degrees for 30-35 min.

Use thermometer to tell when bread is done (insert in bottom of bread) it should measure quickly to 190-200degrees. Let cool before putting in bread bags.