30 Days of Pumpkin: Day 4 ~ Pumpkin Donut Muffins

by

Morwen

  We were going to make Pumpkin Snickerdoodles, then discovered there was no sugar in the house for rolling them in, so switched to these muffins.  Now, they are supposed to have a sugar/cinnamon topping too, but we figured they would taste better without the topping then Snickerdoodles would.

  THIS is the recipe that we used.

30 Days of Pumpkin: Day 3 ~ Pupmkin Spritz Cookies

by

Morwen

  We love Spritz cookies.  I remember my grandma making them every Christmas.  I loved watching her frost them and put those little silver balls on them.  And then of course eating them.  That was the best part.  For a while, we didn't have a cookie press, so we were unable to make them.  Last Christmas, Mum bought another press and we are back in the Spritz business!  One of our little sisters, Jill, especially loves making them.  So, at her request, Mum found a Pumpkin Spritz cookie recipe on Pinterest.  We made them yesterday and they were amazing!

  You can find the recipe for these cookies HERE.  I topped them with melted White Chocolate Chips (Guittard's is the best) and it was sooooo amazing!!

30 Days of Pumpkin: Day 1 & 2 ~ Pupmkin Chocolate Chip Bread

by

Morwen

  During the month of November, my family makes 30 days of Pumpkin recipes.  We don't always have a different recipe everyday, but we eat Pumpkin something everyday.  This year on day 1 & 2, we had the same recipe.  Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread.  It is an absolutely amazing bread and very delicious.

  Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread 

 4 1/2 cups Flour

1 TBSP Cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp Baking Soda

3/4 tsp Salt

3/4 tsp Baking Powder

3/4 tsp Nutmeg

1 1/2 cups Honey

3 cups Pumpkin, pureed

3/4 cup Oil

3 Eggs

2 cups Semi-sweet Mini Chocolate Chips

  In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients.  In a smaller bowl, combine wet ingredients.  Add wet ingredients to dry, mix thoroughly.  Mix in Chocolate Chips.  Spread batter in 2 greased loaf pans.  Bake on 350 for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a knife/toothpick inserted in the center, comes out clean.  Enjoy!!

A German Plum Cake ~ Zwetschgen Datschi

by

Morwen

  A few years ago, our family went to a  friends house to make and can applesauce.  They have a big orchard with all sorts of fruit trees.  Apple, Plum and I think Pear and Peach.  Any way, Ms. M made a very delicious plum cake while we were there.  She is German, and it was (I think) her grandmother's recipe.  This year, we received a lot of plums from another friend and I really, really wanted to make that cake again.  So Mum called up Ms. M and she translated and sent us the recipe.  I made it.  Oh my goodness was it ever good!!  Too good to not share!

  Now, there are two different versions of this recipe.  A Sugar version and  Honey version.  Ms. M uses Sugar, we use Honey.  I personally think the Sugar version tastes better.

  Sugar Version

  Dough

2 1/2 cup Flour

2 tsp Baking Powder

2/3 cup Sour Cream

1/3 cup Butter, melted

1/3 cup Sugar

1 tsp Vanilla

1/8 tsp Salt 

30 or so Plums

  Streusal

1 cup Flour

1/3 cup Sugar

1/2 cup butter, melted

  Honey Version

  Dough

2 1/2 cup Flour

2 tsp Baking Powder

2/3 cup Sour Cream

1/3c Butter, melted

3 TBSP Honey

1 tsp vanilla

1/8 tsp Salt

Same amount of Plums

  Streusal

2 cup Flour

3 TBSP Honey, melted

1/2 cup Better, melted

  Dough

  Mix all until dough is smooth and shiny (will be a little sticky, has to be kneaded by hand)>  Roll out on greased and floured cookie sheet and bring dough up around edge of sheet.  (I used a 9x13x2" glass casserole and just pressed it in and up the sides.)

  Cut and pit Plums and layer onto dough (like putting shingles on a roof).

  Top with Streusal.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until dough edges are golden brown.

  Enjoy!!

Cake Doughnuts

  by

Morwen

  Dear, dear, dear, I really haven't been posting as often as I should.  Naughty me!  

 

  Lately I have been making a lot of doughnuts.  I just adore them and can't get enough.  And since they are so scrumptiously delicious, I decided to share the recipe with you all.  This recipe came from an Amish woman whom we knew when I was little.  They taste even better if you use apple cider instead of milk, and eat them while drinking apple cider.

3 1/3 cups Flour *

1 cup Sugar **

3 tsp Baking Powder

1 tsp Nutmeg

1/2 tsp Salt

2 TBSP Butter

2 Eggs

3/4 cup Milk

Vanilla

  Heat Fat or Oil 3 to 4 inches deep to 370 Fahrenheit.

  

  Mix together dry ingredients.  Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Mix together wet ingredients.  Pour into dry and mix thoroughly.  Roll dough 3/8" thick and fry!  Enjoy!

* Depending on the humidity where you live, you might have to add more Flour.

** I use 1/2 cup Honey instead of Sugar.  If doing so, mix it with the wet ingredients and don't forget it!  I speak from experience!  They don't taste all that great if you forget it!

  There are also different toppings that I enjoy.  You can just roll them in Powdered Sugar and they are amazing that way, but here are a few of the toppings I have used.

  Chocolate Sauce

1/4 cup Butter

3 TBSP Honey

1/4 cup Cocoa Powder

1 tsp Vanilla

  Melt Butter and Honey together.  Stir in Cocoa Powder and Vanilla.  Cool slightly and dip Doughnuts in.  Gobble up!

  Lemon Frosting

1/4 cup Butter, softened

2 cups + Powdered Sugar (you may need more than 2 cups to reach the right consistency for spreading.

1 TBSP Lemon Juice**

  Stir 1 cup of the Powdered Sugar into the butter.  Add Lemon Juice and mix in thoroughly.  Stir in the rest of the Sugar.  Spread and enjoy!  

**You can substitute pretty much anything for the Lemon Juice if you want a different flavor.  I have used Apple Juice, Raspberry Lemonade, Milk and Orange Juice.

 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

by Morwen

Hello again!  Sorry that I haven't been posting more often.  Life has kind of gotten in the way.  Anyway, here is another family favorite.

 2 cups Flour

 1 tsp Baking Soda

 1/2 tsp Salt

  Mix together.  Set aside.

 1 cup (2 sticks) soft, Butter

 1/2 cup Honey

  

  Cream together.

 1 tsp Vanilla

 1 Egg

  Add to creamed mixture.  Beat well.  Gradually add flour mixture.  Combine well.

    

 2 cups Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips

  Stir into dough.  Grease an 8x8 glass casserole with butter.  Spread dough in pan.  Bake in pre-heated 350 Fahrenheit oven for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool thoroughly before cutting.

  

Pico De Gallo

                                                                 By Mairwen.

Ingredients.

                  - 2 large tomatoes, diced.

                  - 1 medium sweet onion, diced.

                  - 1/2 a bunch of cilantro, chopped. ( About 1 large handful ).

                  - Juice of 1 lemon.

                  - 1 1/2 t salt. Add more if needed.

Mix all ingredients well. And serve with chips. Enjoy!

Frozen Yogurt

                                                                  By Mairwen.

This is a great summertime treat. Lightly sweetened, but still yummy

Ingredients.  - 2c Frozen Strawberry's.

                     - 2c Frozen Mango.

                     - 1c Greek un-sweetened yogurt.

                     - 1/4 c heavy cream.

                     - Stevia or honey, to taste. I used about 1 1/2 t of stevia.

In a food processor blend all ingredient until smooth. Pour into bowl and place in freezer. Freeze for 3 hours before serving. Scoop into serving bowls and garnish with fresh mint. Enjoy!

Butterfinger Pie

I wanted to make a secret Mother's Day dessert and when browsing Pinterest, came across THIS recipe.  Since Mom loves Butterfingers (and it just looked knock-me-down delicious), I decided to make it.

I did make a few changes to the recipe.  Instead of a store-bought graham cracker crust, we made our own with standard 'Homemade Graham Cracker Crust' recipe.  Also I substituted Whipped Cream for Cool Whip.

French Bread

by

Morwen

I know that I haven't been posting on here as regularly as my dear sister has.  Sorry about that.  But here is our recipe for French Bread.

1 cup + 2 T  Milk

2 1/2 T  Oil

1 T  Honey

1 1/4 t  Salt

3 1/2 cups  Flour

1 1/2 t Instant Dry Yeast

 Put all of the ingredients into the pan of your bread machine.  Set machine to Dough setting (my machine's dough setting is 1:40 min) and start.  When the machine beeps, take out the dough and let it rest on a floured surface for 10 min.  Meanwhile prepare baking sheet by sprinkling it with cornmeal.  After the dough has rested, divide into two loaves, place on baking sheet, slice the top, then let rise for 15 minutes.  Bake in preheated oven on 350 for 15 min or until golden brown.  The baking time will vary depending on how much moisture is in the air.

Here are the instructions for making it if you aren't using a bread machine.

 In bowl, combine half of the Flour, and all of the Yeast and Salt.  Heat Milk and Honey, add to bowl also add the oil.  Beat on low speed for 30 sec. high speed for 3 min.  With wooden spoon, stir in as much Flour as possible (the other half).  On lightly floured surface, knead in enough flour to make a stiff dough that is smooth and elastic.  Let rise until double(1 hour).  Punch dough down.  Divide in half, cover, let rest on lightly floured surface for 10 min.  Shape into 2 loaves, place on cormealed baking sheets.  Follow above instructions for baking.

Southern Sweet Potato Cakes

                                                                  By Mairwen.

Ingredients - 2 sweet potatoes, mashed.
                   - 2 eggs.
                   - 1 t vanilla.
                   - 1 c brown sugar.
                   - 1/2 c honey.
                   - 1/2 c vegetable oil.
                   - 1/2 t salt.
                   - 1/4 c buttermilk.
                   - 1 3/4 c flour.
                   - 1 t baking soda.
                   - 1 c pecans, chopped.

In a large bowl mix together all ingredient as listed. Scoop batter into muffin pan, filling them about 3/4 full. Bake at 350` for 20 - 25 minutes. Or until a toothpick comes out clean. Best served warm. Enjoy!

Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta

This recipe came from an issue (I don't remember which), of Quick Cooking.  It is simple, easy to prepare, and very delicious.  The only change that I make to it, is making my own Tomato Soup, using:

1/4 cup Butter
1/4 cup Flour
3 oz. can Tomato Paste
1 1/2 cups Water 

Melt Butter in a Cast Iron skillet.*  Meanwhile, thoroughly mix Tomato Paste and Water in a measuring pitcher.  When Butter is melted, whisk in Flour until thoroughly combined.  Then add the Water/Tomato mixture about 3 Tablespoons at a time whisking continually.  By adding it a few Tablespoons at a time, it thickens more quickly.  It is done when all the Water/Tomato mixture is stirred in and it is bubbling rapidly.  It should be the consistency of a thick gravy.  Then just replace the Tomato Soup in the recipe with what you have just made.

*You do not have to use a Cast Iron skillet, it just gives the Soup mixture the best taste.

Brownie cake with cream cheese frosting

                                                             By Mairwen.

This delicious brownie cake has become a favorite in our house. Its so easy to make, you will want to make it all the time.

Frosting - 12 oz. cream cheese, softened.
              - 1 1/2 c 10x sugar, sifted.
              - 1 t vanilla.

Cake - 2 1/4 c flour.
         - 6 eggs.
         - 3 t vanilla.
         - 9 T cocoa.
         - 3 c sugar.
         - 2 sticks + 2 T butter, melted.

Prepare 3 round cake pans with butter, and cover the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a large bowl whisk together sugar and cocoa. Until combined. Stir in eggs and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Then add flour and butter. Mix well. Pour evenly into all three pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until butter knife comes out clean. Cool completely on wire rack.

Frosting. In a large bowl combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Whisk about 2 minutes until smooth and light. Spread a 1/3 of frosting on bottom layer, then repeat for next two layers. Optional - shave chocolate over top for decoration. Enjoy!

Whole Wheat Bread

Naughty me didn't post this last week.  I humbly apologize. 

11 cups Whole Wheat Flour
8 tsp Instant Dry Yeast
3 tsp Salt
1/2 cup Oil
1/3 cup Honey
4 cups Water

  In a large mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients.  Make a well in the center and add the Oil.  Do not stir.  In a microwavable Liquid Measuring cup, put the Honey, then fill with Water to the 4 cup line.  Microwave until warm.  Add to the rest of the ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined.  Knead for 10 minutes.  Rest for 15 minutes.  Knead for 10 minutes.  Let rise until doubled.  Punch down and shape into 3 loaves.  Grease your pans with Butter.  let rise for 30 minutes.  Bake on 325 Fahrenheit for 35 minutes.

Note: Since the temperature of each oven varies, you may need to bake for longer.

Creamy Mushroom Pasta

                                By Mairwen.

• 2# pasta.
• 1 large onion, chopped.
• 1 pkg. mushrooms, chopped.
• 3 cloves garlic.
• about 2 1/2 c heavy cream. ( you can use milk instead. But it wont be as creamy.)
• 1c grated parmesan cheese.
• 3T flour.
• olive oil.
• 1/2 stick of butter.
• salt.

Cook pasta until its done. Set aside.
In a large skillet brown mushrooms, once done place them in a bowl. Add olive oil, onion and garlic in skillet and cook until lightly golden brown. Once done place them in the bowl with the mushrooms. Add butter in the skillet and whisk in four until thick. Whisk in cream. Stir well to make sure it doesn't clump. Add a big pinch of salt, mushrooms and onions back to skillet and cook for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheese. Toss pasta in sauce and serve.

Chocolate Hazelnut Clusters

                                                                By Mairwen.


I made these for my mother, who has never liked white chocolate. After making these she loves white chocolate!!! I hope you enjoy them as much as she does!

• 1 pkg. white chocolate chips.
• 1 pkg. 60% cacao chips.
• 1 pkg. chopped and toasted, hazelnuts.
• 1/2 c chopped, dried cherries.

Melt 60% cacao chips in double boiler. Add nuts and cherries, stir well.
Drop by rounded tablespoon on to wax paper. Let chill in refrigerator, until firm.
Melt white chocolate in double boiler. Dip clusters half way into the white chocolate and place them back onto wax paper. Chill for 10 minutes. Serve.

Taco Mountains

by Morwen

  Taco Mountains are a standard 'go to' in our house.  They are simple, easy and I think that they taste good!  Others in my family don't.  

  The basic ingredients are:

Rice

Black Beans

Lettuce (shredded)

Green Onions (chopped)

Green Peppers (chopped)

Cheese (shredded)

Ranch Dressing (recipe below)

  

  You can add many other things.  Some of our favorites are:

Tortilla Chips (crushed)

Salsa

Olives (sliced)

Hot Sauce 

Parmesan Cheese 

  For this meal you just prepare the ingredients, put them on the table, scoop onto your plate, drizzle dressing over all and eat it!

Ranch Dressing

1 cup Mayo

3/4 cup Buttermilk

2 tsp Dried Parsley

1/2 tsp Garlic Powder

1/2 tsp Onion Powder

1/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper

1/4 tsp Salt

  I hope you all enjoy this dish!

Mint Delight

By Morwen

4 cups Whipping Cream
1-2 box Chocolate Graham crackers
Spearmint extract 
Honey
1 cup Milk Chocolate Chips.

  Pour the cream into a bowl. Add 6 drops Spearmint extract and 1/2 a Tablespoon of honey. Whip. Layer cream and crackers. Melt chocolate. Drizzle over dessert. Refrigerate overnight. Enjoy!!!!!!

Chili

Hello everyone! It's me Mairwen. It's just coming out of the cold months. But sometimes we still need that warm and hearty meal, to warm us up. One of my favorite meals is a big bowl of chili. Just right for the cool nights. It's not your typical chili recipe but it's my family's favorite.

Here's what you need.

• 1lb ground beef.
• 2 small cans of fire roasted tomatoes.
• 1 small can of salsa style tomatoes, (If you don't have them then you can use salsa)
• 1 yellow onion, diced.
• 1 large can light red kidney beans.
• 3 pkgs of taco seasoning. (Yep that's right. Taco seasoning, not chili seasoning)
• water.

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef. Add taco seasoning and cook for 2-4 minutes longer. Remove from heat. In a large sauce pan add remaining ingredients, and beef mixture. Mix in enough water to make it the thickness you like. Cook over medium heat until onion is tender. Serve with sour cream and crackers. Enjoy!

Welcome!

  Welcome, M'Lords and Ladies to our blog.  On here we will be posting our favorite recipes, recipes that we have invented, changes we have made to certain recipes and so on.  Thank you for visiting and we hope that you will enjoy them.