Alton Brown's Baked Macaroni & Cheese

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, February 21, 2011

 

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound elbow macaroni
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 1 tablespoon powdered mustard
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
  • bay leaf
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 large egg
  • 12 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Fresh black pepper

Topping:

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente.

While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and mustard and keep it moving for about five minutes. Make sure it's free of lumps. Stir in the milk, onion, bay leaf, and paprika. Simmer for ten minutes and remove the bay leaf.

Temper in the egg. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the macaroni into the mix and pour into a 2-quartcasserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.

Melt the butter in a saute pan and toss the bread crumbs to coat. Top the macaroni with the bread crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and rest for five minutes before serving.

Old Fashioned Raisin Pie

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, February 07, 2011

pie

This is the recipe Mother always used, on the back of the Sun-Maid raisin box, and yes, it was as good as it looks.   ~ jan

A country fair winning recipe from years ago.

Ingredients

2 cups Sun-Maid Natural Raisins
2 cups water
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 tablespoon butter

1 double unbaked pie crust

Directions:

COMBINE raisins and water and boil for 5 minutes.
BLEND sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and salt.
ADD to raisin liquid and cook, stirring until clear.
REMOVE from heat.
STIR in vinegar and butter. Cool slightly. Turn into pastry-lined pan.
COVER with top pastry or lattice strips.
BAKE at 425 F about 30 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

Makes 1 pie (8 servings).

Here are my tweaks:

Raisin pie tends to be runny, especially when it’s warm, and we all know it’s best when it’s warm, so I increased the cornstarch to 3 tablespoons.

I had a bag of assorted raisins, some were really large golden raisins, and it also contained regular dark raisins and regular size golden raisins.  This was fantastic!  The combination of raisins really enhanced the flavor. 

This pie was so good, seriously the best raisin pie I’ve ever eaten.  It was so good that I tagged it and it’s going in the Tried ‘n True Hall of Fame in the sidebar.

~jan

Hacienda Salsa

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, February 02, 2011

We have a local mexican restaurant, Hacienda, who has the most amazing salsa.  It's definitely for the midwestern palate, not at all authentic as salsas go, but the locals, including yours truly, absolutely adore it.  I found this recipe posted on Group Recipe site for Hacienda Salsa, it looks very similar to what I'm used to. I'm also posting her recipe for Ranch Dip.  

I hope you all enjoy these recipes as much as my friends and I do, we think they're just wonderful.

~ jan

Hacienda Salsa, an adapted recipe from Group Recipe Site

 1 large (28oz) can whole tomatoes
  • 1 small can (7 oz) jalapenos (with onions and carrots that's how they come if you can find that size can if not you'll have to guess)
  • 1 large (28oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • garlic salt to taste (about 2tsp)
  • salt to taste (about 2tsp)
  • Optional:  If you want this chunky, add a drained 15 oz. can of petite diced tomatoes
  • In blender combine large can of whole tomatoes (drained) and jalapenos puree.
    • Pour entire contents of crushed tomatoes in large bowl. Slowly add tomato/jalapeno puree. Add garlic salt and salt. Mix until will blended.
    • Hint: If you're using larger can of jalapenos and have to guess, it's always easier to puree a bit more and add than it is to take away!
    • Note:  When I'll make this recipe, I'll drain the jalapenos with onions and carrots, and I may also drain the whole tomatoes, because I don't want the salsa to be soupy or be too vinegary.  Then after I puree, I will adjust and add back liquid if I need to.  ~ Jan
    • -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    • Hacienda Ranch Dip, an adapted recipe from Group Recipe Site
    • 1 package dry original Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing
      • Follow directions on packet, but double the mayo (make sure it's mayo, not Miracle Whip)
      • Mix slowly with spatula until creamy
      • Optional:  Top with sliced scallions and/or parsley, stir in hot pepper flakes if you want it spicy

Paula Deen's Shepherd's Pie made from Leftover Roast Beef

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, January 25, 2011

Shepherd's Pie from Leftover Beef Roast and Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

  • 1 small onion, peeled and chopped
  • 14 tablespoons butter, divided (1 stick plus 3/4 stick)
  • 1 1/2 pounds leftover pot roast, cubed
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 8 to 10 medium red new potatoes
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups instant biscuit mix
  • 1 1/2 cups niblet corn or mixed vegetables, prepared according to package dire

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
 Pot Roast Layer:
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, saute onion in 2 tablespoons butter. Add pot roast and cook until browned. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
 Potato Layer:
Peel and slice potatoes 1/4-inch thick. Place in a saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Cook for approximately 15 minutes or until fork tender. Drain potatoes and transfer to a mixing bowl. Whip potatoes with an electric mixer, mixing until moderately smooth. Don't over beat them; a few lumps are nice. Add 1/2 cup heated milk, 1 stick butter, and sour cream. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Whip again until mixed. Adjust thickness by adding more milk, if desired.
 Biscuit Layer:
Combine biscuit mix and 1 1/2 cups of milk. The mix should be thinner than that of normal biscuit mix but not runny.
 Spray a 9 by 9 by 2-inch pan (or any similar casserole dish) with cooking spray. Layer mashed potatoes halfway up the sides of the dish. Next, spread a layer of corn or mixed vegetables on top of the potatoes. Then add the layer of pot roast and onions with gravy. Pour the biscuit mix over the meat. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter and drizzle over top. Bake for approximately 35 to 45 minutes or until top is golden brown. Let stand for a few minutes before serving.
Source:  Food Network

S'mores Filled Pancakes from Williams-Sonoma

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, January 25, 2011

Like their namesake, these filled pancakes are made with marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers, creating a delectable breakfast treat.

Ingredients:

  • 4 Tbs. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for cooking
  • 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
  • 1 1/4 cups ebelskiver pancake mix
  • 2 eggs, separated
  • 1 cup milk
  • 40 semisweet chocolate disks (about 2 1/4 oz. total)
  • 1/4 cup coarsely crushed graham cracker crumbs
    Optional:  Sprinkle with a few chopped pecans 

Directions:

Fill the bottom pan of a double boiler with water and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. In the top pan of the double boiler, combine 2 Tbs. of the butter and the marshmallows, and stir until they are melted and incorporated into the butter, 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and keep the marshmallow cream warm until ready to use. 

Using the ebelskiver pancake mix, eggs, milk and the remaining 2 Tbs. butter, prepare the pancake batter according to the package instructions. 

Brush the wells of a filled-pancake pan with melted butter and heat over medium heat until the butter begins to bubble. Pour 1 Tbs. batter into each well. Place 2 chocolate disks in the center of each pancake and top with 1 Tbs. batter. Cook until the bottoms are golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Using 2 ebelskiver turning tools or wooden skewers, flip the pancakes over and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes more. Transfer the pancakes to a large serving plate. Repeat with the remaining batter and chocolate. 

Drizzle the tops of the pancakes with the warm marshmallow cream and sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs on top. Makes about 20 filled pancakes.

Adapted from a recipe from Williams-Sonoma Kitchen

Trefoils Girl Scout Cookies Recipe

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, January 23, 2011
2 sticks unsalted butter at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
tiny pinch ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
2 cups all-purpose flour


1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add in salt, ginger, and lemon zest. Mix to combine. Slowly add in flour, and mix until well combined, but do not overmix. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes.

2. Roll out dough 1/4 inch thick and cut into shapes. Place on a cookie sheet, at least an inch apart and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until almost starting to brown on the edges. 
This copycat recipe adapted from Yahoo Foods

Do-Si-Dos Girl Scout Cookie Recipe

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, January 23, 2011

OCookies

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup chunky peanut butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 2/3 cups quick-cooking oats

Filling

1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
Optional: 1/2 cup crushed peanuts 

Method

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine peanut butter and butter in a large mixing bowl. Mix with an electric mixer until well combined. Add brown and white sugars. Beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, until completely mixed in the batter. Add vanilla extract and mix again.

2. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add to batter and mix on low just until combined. Add quick cooking oats and mix until just combined. Drop cookie dough by the tablespoon on a cookie sheet, spread about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 – 12  minutes at 350 degrees and then let cool for 5 minutes on the cookies sheet. While they are cooling, take a tooth-pick and prick the top of the cookies. Transfer to a cooling rack and continue to cook all cookies.

3. For filling, combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Make little sandwiches with the filling.

Makes about 48 sandwich cookies.

This copycat recipe is adapted from The Family Kitchen

Girl Scouts Thin Mints Recipe

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, January 23, 2011

 

Cocoa Wafer Cookies
3 T. butter
1 egg white
1/4 c. brown sugar
pinch of Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. cocoa powder
1/2 c. flour (plus 1/4 c.)
2 drops pure peppermint oil
Combine all ingredients together. Add flour as needed, until dough is roll-able and not sticky at all. Roll verrrry thin. Cut into desired shapes. Bake at 325 for 4-7 minutes, or until cookies have firmed and browned slightly around edges. Remove from oven and cool.
*
Peppermint Buttercream Layer
2 c. powdered sugar
4 T. melted butter
2-3 drops pure peppermint oil
1/2 tsp. heavy whipping cream
Optional: Crushed peppermint candy

Mix together until it becomes thick and easy to roll with a rolling pin. Roll until about 1/4″ thick. Cut into desired shape. Place atop cooled cookies. Place cookies into melted chocolate CANDIQUIK, spoon chocolate atop until fully covered. Allow to dry on a piece of parchment paper. Makes about 30 cookies.

This copycat recipe adaption is from The Family Kitchen

 

Girl Scout Tagalongs Recipe

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, January 23, 2011

 

 

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Optional:  1/2 cup chopped peanuts 

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar. Beat until smooth. Add in egg and beat until well incorporated, scraping down the bowl, if necessary. Add in vanilla. Beat until smooth. With mixer on low, add in salt and flour. Mix until completely incorporated and dough is uniform. Shape dough into a cylinder with a diameter of about 2-3 inches. Wrap in parchment paper and freeze for at least 25 minutes.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice dough into 1/8 inch disks and place on baking sheets, about a half inch apart. Once you have made 30 cookies, wrap up the cookie dough, freeze, and save for another time. Bake for 8 minutes. Place on a cooling rack and let cool completely.

3. Mix together peanut butter and powdered sugar. Form into small disks and press onto cookies. Melt chocolate in a microwave safe bowl for 30 second intervals, and mix well after each interval. Coat cookies completely in chocolate and lift out with a fork. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and let set, or freeze to speed up the process.

Source:  This copycat recipe is Adapted from a recipe from The Family Kitchen

 

 

Girl Scout Samoas Recipe

by 👩‍🍳 Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA 👩‍🍳, January 23, 2011

 


2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter at room temperature
1 cup superfine sugar (or granulated)
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
Dipping Caramel (recipe follows)
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (available at health food stores)
12 ounces of chocolate chips
Optional:  1 cup chopped pecans 

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Add in egg and beat until well incorporated, scraping down the bowl, if necessary. Add in vanilla. Beat until smooth. With mixer on low, add in salt and flour. Mix until completely incorporated and dough is uniform. Pull dough together and shape into a cylinder with a diameter of about 2 1/2 inches. Wrap in parchment paper and freeze for at least 25 minutes.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice dough into 1/8 inch disks and place on baking sheets, about an inch apart. Once you have made 30 cookies, wrap up the cookie dough, freeze, and save for another time. Use a tiny circle shaped cookie cutter or a large round cake decorating tip to cut a hole in the center of each disk. Refrigerate for an additional 10 minutes. Bake for 8 minutes, or until crisp. Let cool completely.

3. Add coconut into the caramel. Warm the caramel in the microwave for about 10 seconds if necessary. Take cooled cookies and gently dip them completely in the caramel. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Freeze until set, about 5 minutes.

4. Melt chocolate in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until fully melted. Place the caramel coated cookies in the chocolate. Use a fork to pull them out of the chocolate and place them on a parchment line cookie sheet. Use the chocolate still on the fork to drizzle stripes over the top of the cookies. Refrigerate until set.

Dipping Caramel

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar)
4 tablespoons corn syrup
6 tablespoons water
pinch of salt
6 tablespoons butter
6 tablespoons heavy cream (DO NOT use plain whipping cream)
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1. In a heavy bottomed saucepan with high sides, combine sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt. Whisk until combined, and set over medium-low heat. Swirl the pan every now and then to help distribute the heat. Use can use a pastry brush dipped in water to brush the sugar crystals down the sides of the saucepan. When the sugar dissolves completely, raise the heat to medium. When it comes to a boil, watch very carefully for the bubbles to become more viscous (this means that the water has evaporated and that it is ready to go through the candy stages). As it is bubbling away, you want it to turn a deep amber color. When it does, remove the heat and, working quickly, use the spoon to scoop up a small amount of the candy and drop it into the small glass of water. If the blob turns hard like lollipop, then it is ready. If the blob is still soft, put the pan back on the heat. Keep testing until the candy is hard. Remove from heat.

2. Whisk in butter, 6 tablespoons of cream, and vanilla (Careful here, as the mixture should bubble violently for about 10 seconds). If the caramel isn’t smooth right away, return the pan to low heat and whisk until smooth.

This copycat recipe is adapted from a recipe from The Family Kitchen

 

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