Sweet & Savory Thursday ~~ Mexi-Chili Casserole

Savoring the last of the tomato crop from another successful season of gardening, I decided to garnish one of my long standing casserole recipes which dishes up a most delightful combination.  So, here goes:

STEP ONE:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Brown 1 pound of hamburger in skillet with one Tbsp. minced garlic, drain.
• Rinse and drain one 15. oz. can of red kidney beans in colander.

STEP TWO:

• Stir together in large bowl:
• Drained and rinsed red kidney beans
• Browned and drained hamburger and minced garlic
• one 15 oz. can of enchilada sauce (either mild or hot)
• one 8 oz. can tomato sauce
• one Tbsp. dehydrated minced onion
• 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1 cup corn chips (I used the Chili Cheese Variety)
• 1 1/2 cups sour cream
• 1 Tbsp. hot sauce (I used Cajun Sunshine)

STEP THREE:

• Pour mixture into a two quart casserole baking dish.
• Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until mixture is bubbly.
• Remove from oven and sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese on top.
• Garnish with corn chips.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

• Place mixture inside tortillas and garnish with sour cream, diced green onions, guacamole, & fresh lime slices.
• Serve as a regular entree with rice and/or corn.

Happy Dining!

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Sweet & Savory Tuesday ~~ Blueberry Swirl

I'm showcasing another family favorite of the dessert variety on this Sweet & Savory Tuesday. The reason I typically prepare this one in a 9 x 13 disposable container is that our guests usually eat everything but the container! So, here goes:

STEP ONE:

Blend the following ingredients together, press into a 9 x 13 inch pan, and chill in freezer for one hour or refrigerator for two hours.

• 1 1/4 cups crushed graham crackers
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• Mix the graham cracker crumbs and sugar together before adding the melted butter
• 1/3 cup butter, melted

STEP TWO:

Blend the following ingredients together with a mixer, and spread over the graham cracker crust.

• 1 - 8 oz. container Cool Whip or prepared package of Dream Whip
• 1 - 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup powdered (confectioner's) suger

STEP THREE:

Cover with one large can of blueberry pie filling or flavor of your choice.  I have tried the raspberry and cherry pie fillings before, but our family happens to prefer the blueberry the best!

PREPARATION TIPS:

If you prefer to use whole graham crackers or don't happen to have any graham cracker crumbs on hand, lay whole crackers between two sheets of waxed paper.  Use your rolling pin to crush the crackers into crumbs.

HEALTH TIPS:

There have been many articles written about the health benefits of blueberries. Granted, marrying the berries with the remainder of the ingredients in this recipe might negate a few of the benefits.  It's okay to indulge every once in awhile, especially during family celebrations.  Here's one link regarding the benies of blueberries: https://authoritynutrition.com/10-proven-benefits-of-blueberries/

Here's to happy dining & enjoying family favorites!

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Sweet & Savory Friday - Planter to Potato

I simply love being able to step outside my patio door, walk about ten feet, and snip some fresh chives for my baked potato!

In the featured photo, I cooked a medium sized Russet Brubank potato at 350 degrees for about an hour and fifteen minutes, turning it at the half way mark. After testing the potato with a knife inserted in the center to make sure it was thoroughly cooked, I added real butter, sour cream, salt, pepper, and home grown chives.  Every small scoop was scrumptious!  

To get the real scoop on potatoes grown in our great state of Idaho, please visit https://idahopotato.com/frequently-asked-questions.

Back to the chives for a moment.  Herbs are so easy to grow, especially if the area you have to work with happens to be very small.  In this particular container featured in the photo below, I have planted rosemary along with the chives. Herbs are interesting in that several of them can be grown together in a very small space.  It's best to do your homework in advance to learn which ones need more sun than others, so you don't end up positioning one that forms too much shade for another one.

If you don't happen to use all of your fresh herbs during the summer and fall months, you can harvest and dry them for storage inside air tight containers. Your winter soups, stews, and other domestic endeavors will be enhanced by your collection.

Happy Herbing & Eating!

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Sweet & Savory Thursday ~~ Breakfast Casserole

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 slices of bread, cubed with crusts removed
• 1 pound of sausage, browned and well drained
• 9 beaten eggs
• 3 cups milk (or 1 1/2 cups each of milk and half & half)
• 1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper
• 3 Tbsp. dehydrated onion
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp. salt, optional
• 1 tsp. dry mustard
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1 Tbsp. Cajun Sunshine or hot sauce of your choice
• 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• Paprika

DIRECTIONS:

• Place bread cubes in the bottom of a greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish
• Sprinkle browned sausage evenly over the bread cubes
• In a large bowl, beat the eggs well.  Add the milk (or milk and half & half) and all other ingredients.  Mix well.
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate over night.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
• Sprinkle paprika over the top.
• Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean
• Serves 12.

This is a great recipe to prepare for the holidays or when you are having out of town company pay you a visit.

Serve with fresh fruit and breakfast rolls.

Happy Breakfasting or Brunching!

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Sweet & Savory Tuesday ~~ Moist Molasses Marvels

STEP 1:

• Mix together in mixing bowl:
• 3/4 cup soft shortening
• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup molasses

STEP 2:

• Sift together in another bowl:
• 2 1/4 cups Gold Medal flour
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ginger
• 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp. salt, optional

STEP 3:

• Mix dry ingredients into molasses mixture.

STEP 4:

• Chill dough in refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.

STEP 5:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees.
• Lightly grease baking sheets.
• Roll teaspoonfuls of chilled dough into balls the size of large walnuts.
• Dip tops in granulated sugar, optional.
• Place cookies, sugared side up, 3 inches apart on baking sheet.
• Bake 10-12 minutes, or just until set, but not hardened.
• Cool on wire rack.
• Yields approximately 4 dozen cookies.

One of the major things I like the best about these cookies is that they do not dry out as some molasses varieties have a tendency to do.

Serve with coffee, hot tea, ice cream, iced tea or milk.  

Happy Baking & Eating.  Enjoy!

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Sweet & Savory Thursday ~~ Sundae Pie

There are desserts, and then there are desserts. This one has been around for decades, but is still an all time family favorite.  Every now and then it's okay to set aside your calorie counter.  You will need to do that for this recipe, too!

• STEP 1:
• Mix and spread in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes:
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup butter (mix in with pastry blender or fork)

Remove from oven and place baking dish on cooling rack.  Cool to room temperature.

• STEP 2:
• Mix together and spread onto cooled crust:
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup whipped cream or cool whip  (if you whip the cream in a mixer, make sure to measure it after whipping)

• STEP 3:
• Mix together and pour over ingredients of Step 2:
• 1 large package vanilla instant pudding
• 1 large package chocolate instant pudding
• 4 cups milk

• STEP 4:
• Spread whipped cream or cool whip over the top and sprinkle with chopped pecans.

Serve with a nice cup of coffee or tea.  Enjoy!

Happy Reading & Eating.

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