Saturday, April 18, 2009

CHEESE AND RAISINS PIE

INGREDIENTS:
1 pk. cream cheese,
1 cup cottage cheese,
1 cup corn bread mix,
4 eggs,
1/2 cup sugar,
1 cup raisins;
1 teaspoon vanilla extract,
dash of salt
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven at 375 F; butter (or spray) 8x8 baking dish;
Combine all the ingredients. Pour the cheese mixture into prepared baking dish and bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until done. Glass dish is ideal to see the bottom - golden brown;

Serve warm or cold;
Enjoy!
Have a nice day!

TOMATO SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE AND OLIVES

INGREDIENTS:
3 sliced tomatoes,
1/2 cup green calamata olives,
1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese,
2 tablespoons olive oil,
fresh ground black pepper,
salt to taste,
fresh parsley, dill or basil;


In a serving platter arrange tomato slices; sprinkle salt; add crumbled cheese and olives.
Drizzle olive oil; ground pepper; garnish (optional) with fresh parsley , dill or basil.
Here you have a nice and fresh salad; bread and butter, garlic bread or just right from the oven french baguette from the bakery next door, will be a delightful entry to a dinner for two (or more if you double the quantity)
Enjoy!
Have a nice day!

LEMON CHOCOLATE COOKIES


INGREDIENTS:
1/2 pk.lemon flavor cake mix,
1/2 pk. chocolate flavor cake mix,
2 eggs,
1/3 cup veg.oil;
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven at 375F;
Mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl; form 1-1/2 inch balls and place on ungrased baking sheet.
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes. It's that easy !!!

Have your coffee ready and...
ENJOY !
Have a nice day!

Friday, April 17, 2009

DINNER IS SERVED -ROTISSERIE CHICKEN, RICE PILAF AND SALAD

HOW TO COOK RICE:
Bring to boil two cups of water with one tablespoon of butter or margarine and one teaspoon of salt. Stir in one cup rice. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
INGREDIENTS FOR RICE PILAF:
2 cups rice,
1 cup chopped onion,
1 cup diced carrots,
1 cup diced celery,
1/4 cup olive oil,
1 teaspoon salt,
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper,
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder;
DIRECTIONS:
Saute onion,carrots and celery in 1/3 cup olive oil ; add salt pepper and garlic powder; add 5 cups of chicken broth (water is fine) ; cover and simmer for 20 minutes on low heat.
INGREDIENTS FOR SALAD:
2 hand full of lettuce
2 green onions,
4,5 radishes,
1/2 English cucumber,
2 tablespoons olive oil,
1/2 teaspoon salt,
2 tablespoons white vinegar;
Mix and serve !
Thanks to the Supermarket's fresh aromatic rotisserie chicken !!! These beauties really saved my time in the kitchen tonight. All I had to do was the rice pilaf and salad.
For dessert we had chocolate ice cream topped with strawberry syrup and roasted peanuts.
Have a nice weekend!

PORK AND BEANS STEW

INGREDIENTS:
1 LB.cooked pork meat,
3 cups cooked red beans,
1 cup chopped celery,
1 cup chopped carrots,
1 cup chopped onion,
1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce,
1 spoon Taco Seasoning,
1 teaspoon garlic powder,
1/2 teaspoon red crushed pepper,
1/2 spoon thyme,
2,3 bay leaves,
1/3 cup olive oil,
salt to taste;
DIRECTIONS:
In a large cooking pan, heat the oil on medium high heat; saute onion, celery and carrots for few minutes or until tender; add pork meat, cooked beans and all the remaining ingredients at once. Add broth (or water) enough to cover all, stirring few times. Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes on low heat, stirring few more times. Taste for salt.
I added a nice and fresh cabbage and carrot salad next to this delicious stew, but any other salad will be just fine and welcomed! Hope you like it!
Enjoy!
Have a nice day!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

VANILLA BUTTER COOKIES

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup salted butter - softened,
1 cup sugar,
1-1/2 cups flour,
2 large eggs,
2 teaspoons vanilla extract;
Preheat oven at 375 F...

Combine all the ingredients starting with butter and sugar and adding the rest; Form 1-1/2 inch balls and place on ungreased baking sheet 1 inch apart; bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the bottom of cookies are slightly golden brown; sprinkle powder sugar while the cookies are still warm.

Have your coffee ready and...
ENJOY!
Have a nice day!


BEAN AND CHEESE DIP




INGREDIENTS:
3 cups cooked pinto beans,
2 cups chopped onion,
4 minced garlic cloves,
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese,
1/2 cup sour cream,
1/3 cup tomato sauce,
1/3 cup olive oil,
1/2 teaspoon red crushed pepper,
1 teaspoon salt;
Sautee onion and garlic in 1/3 cup olive oil for 3,4 minutes;
Add tomato sauce, crushed pepper and salt; cook for 2 minutes;
Combine cooked beans, sauteed onion mixture, sour cream and cheddar cheese in a food processor until smooth.
Pour in a serving dish and garnish (optional) with sauteed onion and garlic. Serve with your favourite chips!
Enjoy!
tip- How to cook Pinto Beans:
Sort and wash beans in a colander under cold water. Soak 3 cups of beans over night in 6,7 cups of water.Cover and simmer for 1/2 to 2 hours until tender adding more water if necessary.


NEW AND IMPROVED -TEXAS GARLIC TOAST (part one)




All you need is:
1 package Texas garlic Toast,
1 cup mixed shredded cheddar an mozzarella cheese,
1 teaspoon dry italian seasoning;
Preheat oven at 400 F;
Arrange bread on a baking sheet;
Sprinkle italian seasoning and top with shredded cheese;
Bake for 10 minutes, remove and...
ENJOY!


NEW AND IMPROVED -TEXAS GARLIC TOAST (part two)






All you need is:
1 package Texas garlic toast,
1 teaspoon italian dry seasoning,
1 teaspoon red crushed pepper,
Preheat oven at 400 f;
Arrange garlic bread on a baking sheet;
Sprinkle italian seasoning and red crushed pepper on top of each slice; bake for 10 minutes; remove, serve and...
ENJOY!


SESAME PUFF PASTRY STICKS




All you need is:
1 pk. square puff pastry,
1 egg,
1/2 cup black sesame seeds;
Preheat oven at 400 F; in a small bowl beat egg with 1 tablespoon water; brush each square with egg mixture; cut each square in 8 pieces (strips); bake for 10-12 minutes or until nice and golden, on ungreased baking sheet.
What a magnificent quick snack!!!
Enjoy!