August 2011 Meeting Info

Our next meeting, on August 10th at 6:30 p.m. will be "Wild Card...Anything Goes!" So you can try out ANY new recipe from soup to nuts and everything in between.

The meeting will be at Angel's home: 1102 W Ovington.

Hope to see a bunch of you there!

St. Patrick's Green recipes

We had a GREAT turnout last night! So many people and some very yummy eats.

Sybil brought: RUSTIC SPINACH PIE from PuffPastry.com

1/2 of a 17.3-ounce package Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry Sheets (1 sheet), thawed
2 tablespoons butter
2 medium carrots, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
1 pouch dry onion soup and recipe mix
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup whipped cottage cheese
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Heat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9-inch springform pan.

Heat the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the carrots and cook for 3 minutes, stirring often. Stir in the spinach, soup mix and black pepper and cook for 2 minutes or until the spinach is tender, stirring often. Remove the skillet from the heat.

Beat the eggs, cottage cheese and feta cheese in a large bowl. Stir in the spinach mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes.

Unfold the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Roll the pastry sheet into a 12-inch square. Press the pastry into the bottom and up the sides of the pan, leaving the excess pastry draped over the sides of the pan. Spoon the spinach mixture into the pan. Fold the excess pastry in over the filling.

Bake for 45 minutes or until set. Let the pie cool in the pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes.

AND

CUPCAKE POPPERS from BettyCrocker.com

Cupcakes
1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® white cake mix
Water, vegetable oil and egg whites called for on cake mix box
1/4 teaspoon each gel or liquid food colors (neon pink, neon purple, neon orange, neon green, classic blue)

Frosting
1 1/2 cups marshmallow creme
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
Gel or liquid food colors (neon pink, neon purple, neon orange, neon green, classic blue)

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 60 mini muffin cups. Make cake batter as directed on box. Divide batter among 5 small bowls, about 3/4 cup each. Make 5 different colors of batter by adding 1/4 teaspoon food color to each bowl; blend well.

Fill each muffin cup with 1 level measuring tablespoon batter, making 12 cupcakes of each color.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes; remove from pan. Cool completely, about 10 minutes.

In large bowl, beat marshmallow creme and butter with electric mixer on medium speed until blended. Beat in powdered sugar until fluffy. Divide frosting among 5 small bowls, about 1/3 cup each. Using the same 5 food colors, lightly tint frosting in each bowl to match the cupcake colors.

Assemble each popper using 2 mini cupcakes. Cut tops off each cupcake horizontally (save bottoms for another use). Spread or pipe about 1 tablespoon frosting on cut side of 1 cupcake top. Form a sandwich by placing cut side of second cupcake top on frosting; press lightly. Repeat with remaining cupcake tops. Store loosely covered.

Karen brought: FROSTED CREAM CHEESE SUGAR COOKIES
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 cup butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1/2 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
2-1/2 cups all purpose flour

In a large mixing bowl beat the butter, cream cheese, sugar and egg until nice and frothy (about 4 minutes). Add the vanilla and almond extract and beat for 1 minute or more.

In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and baking soda. Mix them around so that all ingredients are well incorporated. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat for about 2 minutes. Press the dough into a large jelly roll (sheet) pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Let the pan cool completely.

FROSTING:
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 oz cream cheese, softened
3-1/2 cups powdered sugar (or more)
1 tsp vanilla
Food coloring or icing paste

Sprice brought: AUTHENTIC IRISH SODA BREAD from FamilyFun.com

Ingredients
2 cups white flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
4 tbsp. butter, chilled
1 cup raisins
1 1/2 cups buttermilk or plain yogurt

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients.

Cut in the butter until it is pea-sized. Stir in the raisins and buttermilk or yogurt. Turn the dough onto a floured surface, knead 1 minute, and shape into a disk.

Cut an "X" in the top and bake on a greased baking sheet for 45 to 50 minutes. Makes one 8-inch-wide loaf.

Sherry brought: DOUBLE PISTACHIO CAKE from her friend, Gwen Young

CAKE:
1 yellow cake mix
1 (4 serving) pkg Jell-o instant pistachio pudding mix
3 eggs
1/4 cup oil
1 cup club soda
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Blend all ingredients, beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour into greased and floured pans.. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes. Cool pan for 15 minutes. Frost and garnish with additional nuts and coconut.

FROSTING:
1 pkg Jell-o pistachio pudding
1 envelope dream whip
1-1/2 cups milk

Combine and beat for 5 minutes.

Memory brought: GRINCH BREAD from Food.com

1 (18 1/2 ounce) package yellow cake mix
4 eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons water
1 (3 ounce) package instant pistachio pudding mix
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup maraschino cherry
1/2 teaspoon green food coloring
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons white sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour two 9 x 5" loaf pans. Mix together cake mix, eggs, oil, water, pudding mix, sour cream, cherries, and food coloring. Pour into prepared pans. In a small bowl, stir together cinnamon and sugar. Sprinkle tops of loaves with mixture. Bake for 45 minutes. Cool.

Mary brought: Fried Cabbage from her friend, Sarah Degener

1 head cabbage, cored and chopped into chunks
6 slices bacon, uncooked, chopped
1 whole onion, chopped
Chicken bouillon powder
Cayenne pepper

Fry bacon on medium heat until done. Add onion and saute until barely clear. Add cabbage and saute until limp. Sprinkle mixture with the chicken bouillon and stir. Add cayenne pepper to taste. Simmer until cabbage is tender, stirring frequently.

DeeAnn brought: HOT REUBEN POT PIE from Pillsbury.com

1can (14 oz) sauerkraut, drained
1/2cup chili sauce
1/4cup mayonnaise
1lb sliced corned beef (from deli), cut into 1/2-inch strips
1can (12 oz) Pillsbury® Grands!® Jr. Golden Layers® refrigerated buttermilk biscuits 1cup shredded Swiss cheese (4 oz)

Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 2-quart round casserole with cooking spray.
Spread sauerkraut evenly in bottom of casserole.
In medium bowl, stir chili sauce and mayonnaise until blended.
Add corned beef; toss until evenly coated. Spoon over sauerkraut. Cover; bake 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, separate dough into 10 biscuits; cut each biscuit crosswise in half. Arrange biscuit pieces over partially baked casserole. Bake uncovered 18 to 20 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown. Sprinkle cheese over top. Bake 3 to 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

Irene brought:

Julie brought: IRISH RHUBARB CAKE from ebfarm.com

Filling:
1 pound trimmed rhubarb, cut into 1/2-inch slices
3/4 cup (packed) light brown sugar
1 teaspoon grated orange zest

Dough:
3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup sugar plus 2 tablespoons as garnish
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 large egg, separated

Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter a 10-inch deep-dish pie plate and set aside.

Combine the rhubarb, sugar, and orange zest in a bowl and stir to blend. Set aside at room temperature while you make the scone dough.

Place the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a large bowl and whisk to blend. Add the butter and cut it in with a pastry cutter or with your fingers, breaking up the butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal.

In another small bowl, whisk together the orange zest, buttermilk, and egg yolk. Set the egg white aside for the garnish.

Add the liquid ingredients to the bowl with the dry mixture and stir until just combined. Gather the dough in your hands and squeeze it lightly to form a cohesive mass. Don't overwork the dough or your scone cake will be tough.

Lightly flour a work surface and divide the dough in half. Pat one half into a flat disk, then roll it out into a 12-inch circle. Transfer the dough to the prepared pan. Add the rhubarb mixture, including any juices. Pat the remaining piece of dough into a flat disk, and roll it into a 12-inch circle. Transfer the dough to the pie plate, arranging it atop the rhubarb filling. With a knife or scissors, cut the edges of the top and bottom pastry rounds so they are even with edge of the pie plate. Press the edges together to seal the dough. Alternately, you can wet the edge of the bottom pastry and then press the top layer against it to adhere. Avoid creating a thick, bulky crust.

Cut 3-4 slits in the top dough to allow steam to escape during baking. Lightly whisk the reserved egg white with a teaspoon of cold water, and brush some of the egg wash over the top crust. Sprinkle the wet crust with the 2 tablespoons of sugar.

Bake until the cake is golden and the rhubarb is tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 40 to 50 minutes. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before serving. Cut the cake into wedges and serve warm.

February Meeting

Hiya,
Our February meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February, 9th at 6:30 p.m. at Cei's home.

The theme is: Red Hot Night. Bring something red, or something hot or something red and hot (spicy).

Hope to see you all there!

January's Recipes

Sybil brought: Fancy French Cheese Puff Fake-Out by Rachael Ray

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, divided
1 cup flour
2 teaspoons fresh thyme
Salt and ground black pepper
1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
1 cup milk
3 eggs

Pre-heat oven to 450ºF. Prepare a mini muffin pan or popover tin by spraying each cup with nonstick cooking spray and dropping a small dollop of melted butter into each one.

In a medium mixing bowl whisk together the flour, thyme, salt, pepper and cheese. In a blender, process the milk and eggs until combined. Add the dry ingredients to the blender and process until the batter is smooth, about 2 minutes.

Divide the batter evenly between the cups, filling them up about halfway. Bake the cups until puffed and deep golden brown, about 20 minutes. Cool the popovers briefly in the pan then remove them while still rather hot. Serve warm.

Cei brought: Mexican-style Pork and Sweet Potato Slow Cooker Stew from Weight Watchers

1 small poblano chile
1 pound(s) lean pork loin, boneless pork roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 cup(s) canned chicken broth
1 large sweet potato(es), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 small onion(s), chopped
14 1/2 oz canned diced tomatoes, fire-roasted, undrained
1/2 tsp Durkee Ground Cumin Seed, or other brand
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice

Turn on a stovetop burner and place poblano chile over open flame (use tongs or a long-handled fork to keep fingers away from flame); carefully turn to char on all sides. Place poblano in a plastic or paper bag; close bag and set aside for 10 minutes to steam. Rub poblano skin off with your hands under cold running water; core, seed and dice poblano. (Note: If you have an electric range, broil poblano on high, 3 inches from flame, turning occasionally, until charred on all sides. Follow remaining directions above.)

Place pork in a 5-quart slow cooker. Add broth, sweet potato, onion, poblano chile, tomatoes, cumin, salt and pepper; stir well. Cover and cook on LOW setting for 6 to 7hours. Add lime juice and stir well. Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving.
Serve with a spoonful of fat-free sour cream if desired.

Jody brought: Meaty Baked Beans from Slow Cooker Favorites

8 ounces ground beef
8 ounces bulk pork sausage
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 16-oz cans pork and beans in tomato sauce
2 15-oz cans kidney or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
2 15-oz cans butter beans or black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup bottled barbecue sauce
4 slices bacon, crisp-cooked, drained and crumbled
1/2 cup packed brown sugar or granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
2 TBS lime juice
2 TBS yellow mustard
1 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

In a large skilled cook ground beef, sausage, onion and garlic until meat is brown. Drain fat. Place meat mixture into a 4-1/2 to 6 quart slow cooker. Stir in the undrained pork and beans, drained kidney beans, drained butter beans, barbecue sauce, cooked bacon, sugar, water, lime juice, mustard, chili powder and pepper.

Cover, cook on low-heat setting for 5-6 hours or on high for 2-1/2 to 3 hours. Makes 12 to 16 servings.

DeeAnn brought: Coconut Squares a recipe from her sister

PART I
½ cup butter
1 cup flour
½ cup brown sugar

Cream butter and sugar.
Add flour and cream well.
Put in 8x13 pan and pat down with hands.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes

PART II
1 cup sugar + 2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 eggs
¼ tsp salt
1 ½ cups coconut
3 Tbsp flour
½ tsp baking powder
½ cup chopped nuts

Beat eggs, add other ingredients (except nuts) and mix well.
Add nuts and mix by hand.
Pour over Part I.
Put back in oven and bake for 30 minutes at 300 degrees.
Cool and cut.


Memory brought:

Recipes from Dining on a Dime RS Meeting

Tara brought:
Quinoa and Black Beans

1 tsp vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
1-1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 tsp ground cumin
1-1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion and garlic, and saute until lightly browned.

Mix quinoa into the saucepan and cover with vegetable broth. Season with cumin, cayenne, salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

Stir frozen corn into the saucepan, and continue to simmer for 5 minutes until heated through. Mix in the black beans and cilantro.

Patty brought:
Chipotle Chili Cornbread Bake (From The Pampered Chef)

1 medium green pepper
6 green onions with tops, divided
1 lb of ground beef or turkey
1 can (16oz) chili beans in sauce, undrained
1 cup chunky salsa
2 tbsp Chipotle Rub
1 pkg (8.5oz) corn muffin mix
1 container ( 8oz) sour cream
1 egg
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tomato, seeded and diced

Coarsely chop bell pepper. Thinly slice green onions. Reserve 1 tbsp of onion tops for garnish. Combine bell pepper, onion bottoms, and meat; mix well. Microwave, covered on high 7-9 min or until beef is no longer pink. Pour off juices. Add beans, salsa and rub to beef mixture; mix well. Cover; microwave on HIGH 5 minutes or until hot.

Meanwhile, combine muffin mix, sour cream and egg in batter bowl; mix well. Scoop muffin mixture evenly over chili; spread evenly to edges of dish. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 7-9 minutes or until center of cornbread springs back when lightly pressed. Sprinkle cheese over cornbread, if desired; cover and let stand 5 min. Garnish with reserved onion tops and tomato, if desired.

Mary brought:
Fried Rice

2 eggs
½ tsp. salt
5 Tbsp. peanut oil
1 c. chopped green onions
½ c. frozen peas
½ c. diced ham
2 c. cooked rice
2 Tbsp. chicken broth
3 Tbsp. soy sauce
½ tsp. pepper
2 tsp. toasted sesame oil (optional)

Beat the eggs with salt in small bowl.
Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in wok over medium heat.
Pour in beaten eggs. Stir continuously until eggs are cooked dry and separated into small pieces.
Remove eggs and set aside.
Heat 3 Tbsp. oil in wok over medium-high heat 1 minute.
Add green onion and rice. Stir-fry 5 minutes.
Add broth and soy sauce. Stir to mix well.
Stir in cooked eggs, peas and ham.
Add pepper and sesame oil

Remove from heat and serve warm. This recipe will serve 6 and may be doubled or tripled. Also, shrimp, pork and or chicken can be used instead of or in addition to the ham. More veggies also can be added.

January's Meeting of the Pioneers

To start off the new year we will be making Comfort Foods. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on January 12th at DeeAnn's home.

Be sure to email DeeAnn your recipe.

December's Recipes-Appetizers and Desserts

Mary brought Texas Crab Grass from Carol Hawkins
1/2 cup butter
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1 pkg frozen, chopped spinach (cooked and drained)
1 7-oz can crabmeat
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Melba rounds or crackers

Slowly melt butter in a heavy saucepan. Add onion and saute until soft. Add spinach to onion mixture. Add crabmeat and cheese. Transfer to chafing dish and serve with Melba rounds or crackers.

Sybil brought Sweet Snowballs from Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Magazine
In the container of a food processor, process 1 (18-ounce) package golden cream-filled vanilla sandwich cookies, Golden Oreo® Sandwich Cookies, until crumbly. Pour into a large bowl. Add 1 (8-ounce) package of softened cream cheese. Beat at low speed with an electric mixer until well combined. Using hands, shape into 30 (1-inch) balls. In a large, microwave-safe bowl, melt 2 (6-ounce) packages of white baking chocolate, Baker’s®, according to package directions. Dip balls in white chocolate, and place on a baking sheet covered with wax paper. Refrigerate for 1 hour, or until firm.

AND Two-Layer Fudge from Kraft Foods

1 pkg. (8 squares) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate 1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk, divided 1/2 cup chopped PLANTERS Walnuts 1 tsp. vanilla 1 pkg. (6 squares) BAKER'S White Chocolate Make It
MICROWAVE semi-sweet chocolate and 3/4 cup milk in medium microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted.

ADD nuts and vanilla; mix well. Spread onto bottom of foil-lined 8-inch square pan.

MICROWAVE white chocolate and remaining milk in medium microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 min. or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Spread over semi-sweet chocolate layer. Refrigerate 2 hours.

AND Parmesan Puff Pastry from Paula Deen

Ingredients
1 (17.3-ounce) package frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup butter, melted
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet.


On a lightly floured surface, unfold pastry sheets. Cut each sheet into 13 strips, about 3/4 by 10-inches apiece.


In a shallow dish, combine cheese, basil, and garlic. Brush pastry sticks with melted butter. Roll pastry in cheese mixture, lightly coating each side. Gently twist pastry sticks, and place on a prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.

DeeAnn brought Peanut Butter Cup Popcorn from OurBestBites.com
Peanut Butter Cup Popcorn
Recipe by Our Best Bites


2 bags of Simply Salted (or similar) popcorn (or about 20 cups of popped popcorn)
2 c. honey roasted peanuts
3 c. peanut butter chips (I used Reese's)*
2/3 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips *
1 Tbsp. vegetable shortening or oil
*I LOVED this suggestion from one of our readers. If you want more chocolatey flavor in your popcorn, substitute 1 c. of the peanut butter chips with 1 c. of chocolate chips and then still drizzle the chocolate over the popcorn at the end.

Place the peanuts popped popcorn in a very large bowl. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the peanut butter chips and vegetable oil or shortening and heat for 2-2 1/2 minutes or until smooth, stirring every 30 seconds. Drizzle the melted peanut butter chips over the popcorn and peanuts and toss to combine.


Spread the popcorn onto a wax paper-lined baking sheet. In a Ziploc bag, heat the semi-sweet chocolate chips until just melted and smooth (about 1-1 1/2 minutes, mashing the bag every 20-30 seconds). Cut a small corner in the Ziploc bag and drizzle the chocolate over the popcorn. Allow to stand long enough to become solid (you can transfer the pan to the fridge or freezer to hurry this step along). When done, break the popcorn into small pieces and enjoy!

AND

Pepper Popper Dip modified from Jalapeno Popper Dip at OurBestBites.com
2 8-oz pkgs Neufchatel cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup Parmesan cheese
2 4-oz cans fire roasted green chilies
Crackers or sourdough baguettes, sliced

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl combine all the ingredients and spread into a 9-inch pie plate or small baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until dip is bubbly and golden brown.