Biscuits and Gravy

My husband and I love biscuits and gravy for breakfast! We usually make them when we have leftover KFC biscuits and then I have found the biscuit recipe on the KFC website.

Biscuits:

• 1 1/2 cups flour 
• 1 1/2 tsp salt (This was too much, I use 1 tsp) 
• 1 tbsp sugar 
• 1 tbsp baking powder 
• 2/3 cup milk 
• 1/3 cup shortening (I used butter) 

1. Mix all dry ingredients and then mix in milk and cut in butter 
2. Knead all ingredients together on a floured surface until mixture is well mixed. If it is too dry, add a little milk 
3. Flatten dough to be 1/2 in thick and use a glass or cup to cut rounds out of it 
4. Bake at 425 for 10 - 13 minutes. This recipe makes about 9 - 12 biscuits 

Gravy (Spicy):

• 1 lb breakfast sausage (To save calories, I buy the turkey or chicken) 
• 1/4 cup chopped onion 
• 1 small can of green chilis 
• 2 dashes Cayenne 
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder 
• 1/4 tsp chili powder 
• 1/4 cup flour 
• 2 cups milk 
• Salt and pepper to taste 

1. Brown sausage with onion 
2. Add green chilis, 1/4 cup flour, cayenne, garlic powder, chili powder, salt and pepper 
3. Add milk and cook over medium heat until thickened and bubbling 
4. Serve over hot biscuits and top with eggs if you like

Thanksgiving in a Sandwich

My husband and I love the Bobbie Sandwich from Capriotti's so we decided to make it at home! The sandwich is made on a sub roll piled with turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce!

First Step: Bread

I first made this recipes from allrecipes.com: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/French-Baguettes/Detail.aspx?src=etaf

Second Step: Turkey

• 3 lb turkey breast 
• 1 cup chicken or turkey broth 
• 1/4 cup butter 
• salt 
• pepper 
• 1/4 tsp sage 
• 1/4 tsp dill weed 
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder 
• 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning 

1. In a 9x13 glass dish, I set the turkey in and poured the chicken broth over it. 
2. Sprinkle entire turkey breast with salt and pepper 
3. Herbed butter: combine melted butter, sage, dill weed, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning and pour over the turkey 
4. Bake at 350 degrees turning over half way and checking every 1/2 hour to make sure the top is moistened with the broth and butter 

Third Step: Stuffing

• 1/4 yellow onion 
• 3 stalks celery 
• 1/3 cup butter 
• salt 
• pepper 
• 1/2 tsp sage 
• 1/2 tsp chicken seasoning 
• 4 cups bread cubes 
• 2 eggs beaten 
• chicken broth (about 1/2 cup) 

1. Chop onion and celery finely and add to melted butter, cook until onions are translucent 
2. Mix bread cubes, sage, chicken seasoning, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl 
3. Add 2 eggs and butter mixture, mix well 
4. Add chicken broth and mix until all bread cubes are moistened (you may not need all the broth or may need a little more) 

Fourth Step: Cranberry Sauce

• 12 oz cranberries 
• 1 cup sugar 
• 3/4 cup orange juice 

1. Mix cranberries, sugar and orange juice is pan and cook on medium heat until the cranberries start to pop. 
2. Crush cranberries with potato masher or spoon and cook mixture until thickened 

Fifth Step: Assembly

• French baguette 
• Mayo 
• Turkey 
• Stuffing 
• Cranberry Sauce 

Take french baguette and put desired amount of mayo on bread, then layer with turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce! Enjoy and then nap because this sandwich will fill you up!

Homemade Bread

Ok I have FINALLY figured out the way I like my bread to be made so here is my recipe:

• 1 1/2 cups water 
• 1/2 cup honey 
• 1 1/2 tsp salt 
• 2 cups bread flour 
• 2 cups wheat flour 
• 3/4 cup uncooked oats 
• 1 tbsp yeast 

1. Mix all ingredients in the order listed into a bread maker. 
2. Set the bread maker on dough only and let it mix it and then let it rise. 
3. One bread has risen, remove from bread maker and put into a loaf pan and let rise again about 10-20 minutes 
4. Bake at 350 for 33-35 minutes 
5. Cool bread loaf completely and store in bread box or wrapped in clear wrap and in a ziplock bag. 
6. Enjoy! We like to serve it warm at dinner or use it during the week for sandwiches or it makes amazing french toast!

Chili on a Rainy Night

Hey everyone....sorry I have been away for awhile...its been busy and cooking has been at a minimum the last week or so but I am back in it. Last night I made chili and I never seem to make it the same but here is my basic recipe:

• 1 lb ground turkey or beef 
• 1/2 a sweet onion, diced small 
• 1/2 green pepper, diced small 
• 3 cloves garlic, pressed 
• Can of green chilis 
• Small can of tomato sauce 
• Can of diced tomatoes 
• Can of red beans 
• 1 tbsp oregano 
• 1 tbsp chili powder 
• 1/2 tsp salt 
• 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper 
• Dash of cayenne 
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro 
• Topping: shredded cheddar and sour cream 

1. Brown the ground meat with the diced onion and green pepper and garlic. Cook until meat is fully cooked and onions are transparent 
2. Mix together diced tomatoes, green chilis, beans, tomato sauce, chili powder, cayenne, salt, pepper, and the meat mixture. 
3. Top with cilantro and bake in a covered baking dish for 20-30 minutes or until mixture is bubbly. 
4. Top with shredded cheese and sour cream and ENJOY!

Cheesy Taco Soup

• 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey 
• Small yellow onion, chopped 
• 1 green pepper, chopped 
• 1 red pepper, chopped 
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped 
• 1/4 cup taco seasoning 
• 1 tsp chili powder 
• 1 tsp salt 
• 1/8 cup chopped fresh cilantro 
• 4 tbsp butter 
• 3 cups chicken broth 
• 1/4 cup flour 
• 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese block, chopped into small pieces (1/4" cubes) 
• 1 1/2 cups milk 
• 1/4 cup sour cream 

1. Brown meat, onion and peppers in large pot 
2. Add taco seasoning, chili powder, salt, cilantro and chicken broth and bring to a boil 
3. Add butter and flour until butter is melted and slowly mix in milk and bring to a boil 
4. Add cheese and cover for 5-10 minutes. Once all cheese is melted, stir in sour cream, remove from heat and serve! 
5. Garnish with taco chips if desired.

Camping Recipes

This weekend my husband and I took a camping trip to the lake and here are some recipes we came up with on the fly:

Dinner: Lemon Pepper Chicken Nuggets

Lemon Pepper Chicken Nuggets:

• 2 chicken breasts 
• 1 tbsp Lemon pepper 
• 1 cup cream of wheat 
• 1/4 tsp salt 

1. Cut chicken breasts into bit size pieces (1 in by 1 in) 
2. Mix together salt, lemon pepper and cream of wheat in a zip-lock bag. 
3. Add chicken to mixture and coat the chicken well 
4. Fry in butter or oil until meat is cooked 

Breakfast: Cheesy Eggs and Potatoes

• 6 eggs 
• 1/4 cup mushrooms slices 
• 1/8 cup chopped onion 
• 1/4 cup chopped green peppers 
• Salt & Pepper to taste 
• 2 oz of Monterey Jack cheese, cut in slices 
• 3 red potatoes 
• 2 tbsp butter 
• Italian seasoning 

1. Chop potatoes and boil until soft and drain 
2. Heat butter in pan and add potatoes, Italian seasoning and salt 
3. Fry until crispy, stirring continuously (about 15 minutes) 
4. Beat eggs and add mushrooms, onion, pepper, salt and pepper 
5. Cook until almost all the way cooked and add cheese slices 
6. Continue cooking egg and mix cheese in until eggs are cheesy 
7. Pile on a plate and enjoy!

Lemon Bars

I love to bake a special birthday treat for all my co-workers on their birthday. This recipe has become an office favorite that I have made many times:

Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups flour 
• 2/3 cup powdered sugar 
• 3/4 cup butter melted 
• 1/2 tsp vanilla 

1. Mix flour and sugar together until well blended 
2. Add butter and vanilla and mix 
3. Press into greased 9 x 13 pan, I use olive oil 
4. Bake at 375 degrees for 13-15 minutes until the edges start to get a little brown 

Topping:

• 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar 
• 6 eggs 
• 4-5 lemons 
• Lemon juice 
• 1/2 tsp lemon zest 
• 1/3 cup flour 

1. While crust is baking mix sugar and flour until well blended 
2. Crack all eggs into the sugar/flour mixture and mix until well blended 
3. Zest lemon into mixture 
4. Juice all lemons, should be about a 1/2 cup (If all lemons do not juice a 1/2 cup and I am out of lemons, I will add lemon juice so that it is a 1/2 cup) I also like to roll my lemons on the counter before I cut them to loosen the juice, it makes it easier. 
5. Pour lemon juice in mixture and whisk until bubbly 
6. After crust is finished, pour lemon mixture over the top and bake for 20 minutes until the top is lightly browned 
7. Cool on wire rack and serve. Some people like powdered sugar on the top but I think they are sweet enough! 

ENJOY!!!

Peanut Butter Pancakes with Homemade Applesauce

Who doesn't love a nice homemade breakfast on Sunday morning??? We loves pancakes but are not too fond of syrup so instead of using syrup we like to top our pancakes, waffles, etc with jam, jelly, or applesauce.

Here is a quick and easy recipe for homemade apple sauce:

• 2 apples 
• 1/4 cup water + 2 tbsp 
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon 
• 3 tbsp sugar 
• Dash of nutmeg 

Mix all ingredients in a sauce pan and heat up on medium heat until bubbling.
Turn the heat down to low and cover for 15-20 minutes, mixing every 5 mins
When apples are soft, mash them with a potato masher

I made my pancake recipe but added peanut butter chips in them and served them with the homemade apple sauce on top!

Extra Cheesy Meatloaf

So yesterday I had planned to make Sweet & Sour Meatballs but the hubby wanted cheesy meatloaf.

Recipe for 2 or 3 servings:

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey 
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs 
• 1 egg 
• 2 oz Monterey Jack cheese (in block form) 
• 2 oz Mozzarella cheese (in block form) 
• 2 oz Sharp Cheddar cheese (in block form) 
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar 
• 1/2 tsp salt 
• 1/4 tsp pepper 
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder 
• 1/4 tsp chili powder 
• 1/2 jalapeno , seeds removed 
• 1/3 Anaheim pepper, seeds removed 
• 1/3 cup, finely chopped red onion 
• 1/3 cup, ketchup 

1. Preheat oven at 350 degrees 
2. Mix ground meat, salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder. 
3. Finely chop jalapeno and Anaheim pepper and add to meat mixture along with finely chopped red onion 
4. Cut all cheese into small cubs, about 1/4 in by 1/4 inch and add to meat mixture 
5. Mix in ketchup, egg and bread crumbs and make sure the meat mixture is mixed well. 
6. Bake in greased loaf pan for 45 minutes. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar on top and bake another 15 minutes. 
7. Removed from oven, let cool about 5 minutes, slice, and enjoy!

Salisbury Steak over Mashed Cauliflower

Last night I made Salisbury Steak, from a recipe I found on allrecipes.com and I served it over my Mashed Cauliflower and it was delicious! It is definitely better than those frozen salisbury steak meals you buy and was quick and easy to make!

Here is the recipe I used:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Salisbury-Steak/Detail.aspx?src=etaf

Ingredients

• 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed French onion soup 
• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef 
• 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs 
• 1 egg 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper 
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 
• 1/4 cup ketchup 
• 1/4 cup water 
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder 

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix together 1/3 cup condensed French onion soup with ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, salt and black pepper. Shape into 6 oval patties. 
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown both sides of patties. Pour off excess fat. 
3. In a small bowl, blend flour and remaining soup until smooth. Mix in ketchup, water, Worcestershire sauce and mustard powder. Pour over meat in skillet. Cover, and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.