Shepherd's Pie

recipe dated 3/6/97! An early marriage favorite, made often

1 lb ground beef
1 clove garlic
Mushrooms
Carrots
Celery
Onion
1 T thyme
cheese
mashed potatoes
Chicken stock

Brown ground beef and onion and garlic. Saute mushroom, carrots, and celery until tender.
Stir in 1 T thyme, salt and pepper.

in a measuring cup, stir together 1 cup chicken stock and 1T flour.  Stir into vegie mixture.  Bring to boil, lower heat, and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.

Add 1 can corn, beef and any juices.  Spread in a deep pie plate or casserole.
Spread mashed potatoes on top.  Bake uncovered @350 for 30 minutes

Another version written on a phone message page - the first is more of a gravy filling.
this one adds 1/2 can (small) tomato sauce and cooked corn to the beef mixture instead of the broth.  Place layer of cheese over beef mixture, then mashed potatoes. Bake

Linguiça and peppers

Had this at one of Glen's co-workers house in Providence many years ago

Linguiça, sliced thin
oil
green peppers, sliced thin
onions, sliced thin
1 large can diced tomatoes
sugar
salt and pepper

Brown sliced Linguiça in 2 T oil until tender.  Add sliced onions and peppers.  Cook well.  Add tomatoes, sugar, and seasoning.  Serve on rolls

White Cheese Chicken Lasagna

From allrecipes.com
I added 1 tsp each Rosemary, Tarragon, Beaumond

INGREDIENTS:

9 lasagna noodles 1/2 cup butter 1 onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 2 cups chicken broth 1 1/2 cups milk 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, and rinse with cold water. 2. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook the onion and garlic in the butter until tender, stirring frequently. Stir in the flour and salt, and simmer until bubbly. Mix in the broth and milk, and boil, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Stir in 2 cups mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Season with the basil, oregano, and ground black pepper. Remove from heat, and set aside. 3. Spread 1/3 of the sauce mixture in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer with 1/3 of the noodles, the ricotta, and the chicken. Arrange 1/3 of the noodles over the chicken, and layer with 1/3 of the sauce mixture, spinach, and the remaining 2 cups mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Arrange remaining noodles over cheese, and spread remaining sauce evenly over noodles. Sprinkle with parsley and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. 4. Bake 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven.

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 2 cups ricotta cheese 2 cups cubed, cooked chicken meat 2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Cinnamon Blueberry Overnight French Toast

Cinnamon, vanilla, and blueberries mingle together in this scrumptious overnight french toast bake. Make-ahead recipes like this have been my salvation for many a holiday - and we especially love this one. Prep time includes the 1 hour for the bread cubes to sit out to harden.

yield: 6-8 SERVINGS

prep time: 1 HOUR 20 MINUTES

cook time: 1 HOUR

total time: 2 HOURS 20 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS:

• 8 cups challah bread cubes, cut into 1-inch squares (cinnamon swirl or other sweet eggy breads like brioche are also great)
• 6 large eggs
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen, plus a few additional for topping
• Pure maple syrup for topping, if desired

Topping

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:

1. Spread the bread cubes on a large baking sheet or cutting board and let sit at room temperature to crisp up a bit, at least 1 hour but up to 8.
2. Butter a 9-inch x 12-inch baking dish and add half of the bread cubes (4 cups). Scatter blueberries on top, then add remaining bread.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Pour over the bread cubes and blueberries. Pat gently to help submerge the bread. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 6 hours.
4. To bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a small bowl, mix together the 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Remove casserole from refrigerator and uncover. Sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar mixture over the top.
5. Bake for 60 – 70 minutes, until golden brown and no longer jiggly. If it begins to brown too much toward the end of baking, cover with a piece of foil.
6. Cut into squares and serve with additional blueberries and maple syrup. 

Cranberry Delight Spread

1 pkg 8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 T frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1 T sugar
Zest of 1 orange
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup finely chopped dried cranberries
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans (optional)
Garnish, small mint leaves

In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, oj, sugar, peel and cinnamon on medium speed until fluffy.
Stir in cranberries and pecans. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.  Garnish as desired.
Serve with ritz crackers
Makes 12 servings.

Poppy Seed Cake (Fog City Diner, SFO)

2 oz poppy seeds
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp almond extract
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbs zest of lemon, fine grated

Preheat over to 350.  Soak poppy seeds in buttermilk one hour before baking.  Cream butter and 1 cup sugar until light and creamy.  Add 4 egg yolks and almond extract.  Beat well and set aside.  In large bowl, sift the flour, soda, baking powder, salt.  Add egg mixture, poppy seeds, buttermilk, and zest.  In separate bowl, beat egg whites with 1/2 cup sugar until stiff but not dry.  Fold into flour mixture.  Pour into a buttered and floured pan.  Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.  I used mini muffin pans and start watching them at 20 minutes.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich variations

First, use good bread. Not that junk in a loaf called "sandwich bread." Use fresh French, Italian, or sourdough bread, sliced a bit thicker than regular sandwich bread.

Next, use really good cheese. None of those plastic-wrapped slices. Use real cheese that is easy to melt: Havarti, Colby, provolone or muenster. Or a combo of 2-3. I would not use mozzarella b/c it's chewy, and would not use sharp cheddar b/c it doesn't melt so great... you could use a mild cheddar, though.

Spread outside of bread w/ soft butter, place on a skillet or grill pan over med. heat. Don't walk away or you'll burn it! (ask me how I know...) Check cooking side often, and when the shade of golden brown you like, flip to other buttered side. Check often, then when done, remove to plate, cut into pieces and scarf down!

Red and Black Cafe variations:
Grilled focaccia bread, tomato, mozzarella, pesto
Swiss, mozzarella, cheddar on grilled focaccia bread

*Grilled Mozzarella and Tomato Panini Sandwiches
8 slices sourdough or Italian bread
8 slices Mozzarella cheese
1 large tomato, cut into slices
1/2 cup pesto
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Preheat grill for medium heat. Place cheese on 4 slices of bread. Spread pesto over cheese and top with tomato slices and remaining bread. Brush both sides of sandwiches with oil and place on the grill. Cook each side for about 4 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Remove from heat and serve.

*Grilled Apple, Bacon and Cheddar Sandwich with Roasted Red Onion Mayo Sandwich

 2 slices (1/2-inch-thick) sourdough, multi grain or another hearty bread
4 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp
4 slices Cheddar
1/2 Granny Smith apple, cored, sliced thin
Roasted Red Onion Mayo, recipe follows
Butter

Preheat a seasoned grill pan or griddle over medium heat. Assemble this sandwich just as you would a traditional grilled cheese sandwich: spread 1 slice of bread with some Red Onion Mayo, then top with 2 slices Cheddar, the bacon, the apple slices, then 2 more slices of Cheddar, finishing with another mayo-slathered slice of bread. Butter the outsides of the bread and transfer to the hot grill. Grill about 3 minutes per side, since this sandwich is so thick. Remove to a cutting board and cut the sandwich in half on the diagonal to serve.
----Roasted Red Onion Mayo:----
1 medium red onion, chopped
2 teaspoons olive oil
Salt and pepper
1 cup mayonnaise
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
On a small rimmed baking sheet, toss the red onion, olive oil, salt and pepper together. Roast in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the onion is very soft, stirring occasionally. Remove from oven and let cool. Transfer to a food processor and buzz until finely chopped. Add the mayo and pulse until smooth and combined.


*Sweet and Spicy Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
2 teaspoons canola oil
1 large red onion, finely diced
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 ounces sharp Cheddar, thinly sliced, divided
8 slices whole-wheat bread
3 ounces pepper Jack cheese, thinly sliced, divided
1 large or 2 medium beefsteak or hothouse tomatoes, sliced
Cooking spray

Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Lower heat to medium. Add onions and saute, stirring, until edges are browned, about 10 to 12 minutes. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste.
Place 3/4-ounce Cheddar on 1 slice bread. Spread 1 tablespoon caramelized onions on top of cheese and top with 3/4-ounce pepper Jack. Top with 1 large or 2 medium slices tomato and other slice of bread. Repeat with 3 other sandwiches.
Spray a nonstick skillet or griddle with cooking spray and heat until hot. Place sandwich on griddle and weigh down with a heavy skillet or plate. Lower heat to medium-low and grill until underside is a deep brown but not burnt and cheese is partially melted, about 5 to 6 minutes. Flip sandwich and grill other side, an additional 4 to 5 minutes. Slice in half and serve hot.

Baby Red Potato Salad

from skinnytaste
 
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 6 • Size: 3/4 cups • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 3 pts 
Calories: 107.2 • Fat: 3.2 g • Carbs: 17.8 g • Fiber: 2.1 g • Protein: 2.2 g

• 4 cups baby red potatoes, cut in small pieces
• 1/2 cup green bell pepper, finely diced
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
• 3 scallions, diced
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp reduced fat mayonnaise
• salt and fresh pepper

Boil potatoes in salted water until soft, approx 10 minutes. Drain and let cool.

While the potatoes are boiling, combine red onion, green pepper, mustard, olive oil, vinegar and mayonnaise and season with salt and pepper. Mix well and let the flavors marinade while the potatoes cook. Once the potatoes are done and cool, mix into the bowl and add scallions and additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve room temperature or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Miniature Shepherd's Pies Recipe | Taste of Home Recipes

Miniature Shepherd's Pies Recipe | Taste of Home Recipes

 These mini pies are ideal for nibbling at holiday parties. If ground beef isn't your preference, change up the flavor with ground lamb and a teaspoon of dried rosemary instead.  Or ground turkey...

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped carrot
• 1-1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 2/3 cup beef broth
• 1/3 cup frozen petite peas
• 2 packages (17.3 ounces each) frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 3 cups mashed potatoes

Directions

• In a large skillet, cook the beef, onion, celery and carrot over medium heat until beef is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the flour, thyme, salt, nutmeg and pepper until blended; gradually add the broth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until sauce is thickened. Stir in peas; heat through. Set aside.
• Unfold puff pastry. Using a floured 2-1/4-in. round cutter, cut 12 circles from each sheet (save scraps for another use.) Press circles onto the bottoms and up the sides of ungreased miniature muffin cups.
• Fill each with 1-1/2 teaspoons beef mixture; top or pipe with 1 tablespoon mashed potatoes. Bake at 400° for 13-16 minutes or until heated through and potatoes are lightly browned. Serve warm. Yield: 4 dozen.

 

Turkey and Cranberry Chutney Wraps

Serves 4

4 Mission® Life Balance Whole Wheat Tortillas

8 tablespoons nonfat cream cheese

4 tablespoons cranberry chutney

4 tablespoons tart dried cherries

8 slices or ounces turkey breast

8 thin slices red onion

1 cup chopped lettuce

Lay each tortilla flat and coat each with 2 tablespoons cream cheese, 1 tablespoon chutney, 1 tablespoon dried tart cherries, 2 slices turkey, 2 slices onion, and 1/4 cup lettuce.

Roll into a tight wrap and serve.

Tuna Loaf

2  - 7 oz cans tuna fish, drained
1   can cream of celery soup
2 slightly beaten eggs
2 tablespoons minced onion
1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
1 tsp lemon juice

Sauce:
2/3 - 1 cup milk
1 can cream of celery soup

Preheat oven to 350. Spray loaf pan with Pam. Combine tuna, soup, eggs, onion, breadcrumbs and lemon juice. Bake @350 degrees for 3/4 - 1 hour. Combine milk and soup to make sauce.  Pour over sliced loaf.

Mac and Cheese

Barefoot Contessa Family Style

• Kosher salt
• Vegetable oil
• 1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi
• 1 quart milk
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 12 ounces Gruyere, grated (4 cups)
• 8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (2 cups)
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3/4 pound fresh tomatoes (4 small)
• 1 1/2 cups fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices, crusts removed)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.
Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large (4-quart) pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into a 3-quart baking dish.
Slice the tomatoes and arrange on top. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, combine them with the fresh bread crumbs, and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.

Crockpot Pulled Chicken

Crockpot Pulled Chicken - as seen on Apple A Day, originally from Eating Well - serves 8-1

Printable Recipe
1 (14 oz.) can tomato sauce
2-3 chipotle chiles in adobo, finely minced
1/4 cup cider vinegar
3 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp plus 2 tsp smoked paprika
2 Tbsp tomato paste
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
3 tsp dry mustard
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs and breasts, trimmed of fat
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced

Stir tomato sauce, chiles, vinegar, honey, paprika, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, chili powder and salt in a 6-quart slow cooker until smooth. Add chicken, onion and garlic; stir to combine.

Put the lid on and cook on low until the chicken can be pulled apart, about 5-6 hours.

Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and shred with a fork. Return the chicken to the sauce, stir well and serve.

Blueberry Streusel Coffee Cake

from Hartford Courant Bicentennial Cookbook; I usually double, using a 9 x 13 pan.

3/4 c sugar
1/4 c shortening
1 egg
1/2 c milk
2 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups blueberries

Streusel Topping:
1/2 c sugar
1/3 c flour
1/4 c soft butter
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c chopped walnuts or pecans

Wash blueberries and pat dry on paper towel (I use frozen - just add to batter frozen).  Cream the sugar and shortening until fluffy; beat in egg.  Sift flour, baking powder and salt together.  Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Fold in blueberries.

Spoon batter into a greased and floured 9 inch square pan and spread evenly.  Combine the sugar, flour, butter and cinnamon until well blended (use your fingers or pastry blender.)  Sprinkle this streusel mixture over batter.  Top with chopped nuts. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 45 - 50 minutes.

Pierogi

courtesy of Carol Aylward

see Pinterest (Christmas board) for my preferred potato and cabbage fillings.  Also KA flour site comments had some good ones. KA dough recipe is similar - 2 C flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 whole egg, 1/2 c sour cream, 4T butter.  Old school Polish cooks swear they never heard of using sour cream or butter. I had better luck with Carol's recipe than those without sour cream so i might consider using a whole egg instead of 2 yolks - end up with lots of whites otherwise!  The one i tried last year had a cup of hot water with butter melted in it - not good!

2 3/4 cups flour
1 tsp salt
2 egg yolks
1 cup sour cream

Bring a large pot of water to boil. Mix above ingredients together in a large bowl. With dough hook, knead till soft.  Roll out thin.  Using a glass or can, cut circles (2 - 3") or cut into cubes with ravioli cutter.  Add 1 tsp filling to each cube. Fold and seal.  Place in boiling water and cook for 8 minutes (ready when they float to top.) Remove from water, drain, saute in butter.
Note: if freezing, place on parchment covered tray (do not boil) and flash freeze; store in ziploc.

Cabbage filling:
1 large can sauerkraut, drained
1 onion, diced
salt pork or bacon
Fry salt pork/bacon and onion until crisp.  Cook sauerkraut for about 5 minutes. Combine.

Potato filling:
8 medium potatoes, cooked, drained, mashed
salt and pepper
cheese (shredded cheddar or farmers cheese)
Combine; season. Use 1 tsp in each pillow

Ham and Cheese Rollups

12 oz cream cheese, softened
3 T finely chopped chives or green onions
1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
2 cups finely grated Swiss cheese
1/2 pound smoked ham, or turkey, or RB
6 lettuce leaves
6 flour torillas (8 - 10")

Combine cream cheese, chives, mustard, and cheese until well blended. (I might even chop the ham and add here.) spread mixture on tortilla, leaving 1/4 " border. Cover cream cheese mixture with ham/turkey, followed by lettuce. Roll up tightly and wrap individually in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 3 hours but no longer than 24.  Cut into 1" slices. About 42 appetizers.

Green Bean Casserole - healthy version

Revised Green Bean Casserole recipe from the Hartford Courant.  November 2010

2 pounds fresh green beans, blanched
1 T oil
1 cup onion
10 oz mushrooms, chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 cups milk
2 T cornstarch mixed with 2 T cold water
1/8 tsp black pepper
Topping:
2 cips chopped onions
1 tsp oil
2 T balsamic vinegar
3 cups bread crumbs
2 T butter, cut into small pieces

In large skillet heat oil over medium heat. Add onions, cook till soft.  Stir in garlic, mushrooms, salt. Cook until most of liquid reduced. Add milk to the pan, reduce to medium-low; simmer.  Stir in cornstarch and water mixture, and stir  until milk has thickened. Add green beans, and stir to coat beans thoroughly with milk mixture.  Transfer the mushroom and bean mixture to a 9 x 13 baking dish.

Topping: Heat oil, add onions, cook until browned. Add vinegar, and cook until liquid evaporates. Stir in bread crumbs. Cover top of green bean mixture with bread crumbs. Dot with butter. Bake @375 for 40 - 45 minutes. Serves 10.

Make Ahead Scrambled Eggs

Ingredients:

• 12 eggs
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/8 tsp. white pepper
• 1/2 tsp. salt

Preparation:

Beat eggs with cream in a large bowl. Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Pour eggs into skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until eggs are scrambled and just set, but still moist. Remove pan from heat and stir in sour cream. Spread eggs into a greased 12x7" glass baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight.
When ready to eat, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Uncover the baking dish and sprinkle eggs with pepper and salt. Stir gently, then bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and eggs are hot, at least 140 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. 8 servings

Bisquick Muffins

2 c. Bisquick
1/4 c. sugar
1/3 c. milk (add more as needed)
2 tbsp. vegetable oil

Mix ingredients together, adding more milk as needed to get a good muffin consistency. Pour batter by spoonfuls into muffin pans; bake in a 350-degree oven until golden brown.

Note: This is a basic recipe that you can adapt. For example, you could add blueberries or mashed bananas. You could add a little cinnamon for flavor. You could add a streusel mix to the top: 2 tbsp. packed brown sugar and 1 tbsp. Bisquick.

Tomato Bisque

2 pounds tomatoes (or 2 28 oz cans)
2 cubes beef bouillon, crumbled
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 bay leaf 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 quart milk

1. Run the tomatoes through a food mill to remove the seeds and skins, and place in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the bouillon, sugar, salt, bay leaf, basil and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, and simmer 30 minutes. (If you're going to can this mixture, process it now.)
2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour all at once to form a roux, cook 1 minute. Whisk in milk, a little at a time, cooking and stirring constantly until thickened. Stir into tomato mixture and heat through.

p.s. this is from AllRecipes.com.  It was suggested that this freezes well. Some used canned tomatoes, pureed, but some diced for texture.