Easy Zucchini Au Gratin by Louise

 

Ingredients

• 3-4 whole fresh zucchini Sliced 1/4-1/2 inch thick into slices. Unsliced, mine weighed 3 pounds.
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1/4 cup half & half
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Divided into 2 portions.
• 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Place the sliced zucchini on a flat surface with towels or paper towels. Sprinkle both sides of the zucchini with salt.
• Allow the zucchini to sit for 30 minutes. This will sweat out the excess moisture of the zucchini. Skipping this step will result in a watery dish. After the 30 minutes. Blot and wring out any excess moisture.
• While the zucchini rests, prepare the filling for the dish. 
• Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl, add the garlic, the cream cheese, half & half, Parmesan, and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Stir. Add in the onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Taste the sauce repeatedly, heat, and adjust the flavor to taste as needed.
• Stir periodically until the cheese has melted.
• Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Arrange the zucchini in rows throughout a 9×13 baking dish. Drizzle the cheese sauce throughout.
• Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar and the mozzarella on top.
• Bake (uncovered) for 30-35 minutes until golden brown. 
• Cool before serving.

Chocolate Zucchini Muffins, by Louise

Ingredients

• 1 cup buckwheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups oatmeal flour (okay to grind regular oatmeal in a food processor)
• 2/3 cup cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 6 tbsp olive or avocado oil
• 2/3 cup no sugar maple syrup
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups almond milk (or any milk)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cup shredded zucchini, squeezed of all liquid*
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl combine oat flour, buckwheat flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl whisk together butter, maple syrup, applesauce, egg, milk, and vanilla.
4. Slowly incorporate the dry mix into the wet. Stir in shredded zucchini and chocolate chips.
5. Divide batter evenly into 24 small muffin cups, 12 large, or 2 greased loaf pans.
6. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until tops spring back and no wet batter remains when picked with a toothpick.
7. Allow to cool for 20 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.
8. Will keep up to 3-4 days in an airtight container or freeze individually for up to 3 months.

*Roughly one medium-large zucchini. Place in paper towel or a dish towel and squeeze to remove all liquid. Do not skip this step!

Easy Macaroni and Cheese

 

Ingredients:

• 4 Cups of Chicken Broth
• 1 lb. Pasta (any shape)
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) Butter
• 1 lb. of shredded cheddar, American, Velveeta, or Monterey Jack cheese (I use Velveeta or Cooper Sharp American, or sometimes a combination of whatever I have on hand)
• 1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese
• 1 Block (4 oz.) Cream cheese, cut into cubes
• 1 teaspoon of Dijon Mustard
• 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
• A few splashes of milk or cream for additional creaminess.

Instructions:

1. In a large pot with a lid bring chicken stock to a boil over medium heat.
2. When stock comes to a boil, stir in pasta. Let stock come back to a boil.
3. Cook for 4 minutes, remove from heat and add the butter. Cover pot with lid and let sit for a minute or two until the butter is melted. DO NOT DRAIN!
4. Stir in remaining ingredients and continue to stir until cheese is melted. 
5. It may appear a trifle runny at first but as it cools it thickens.
6. At this point, if you want it cheesier, add more cheese, if you want it creamier add a few splashes of milk or cream and stir until desired consistency.

Louise's Buttery Buttermilk Biscuits

 

Ingredients:

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) Butter
• 2 & 1/2 Cups All-purpose flour
• 1 & 1/2 Tablespoons sugar (any kind)
• 1 & 1/2 Tablespoons Baking Powder
• 1 & 1/2 Teaspoons Salt
• 1 & 3/4 Cup Buttermilk (okay to use 2 tablespoons of lemon juice mixed with enough milk to equal 1 & 3/4 Cup)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Spray an 8 X 8" baking dish with non-stick spray, put in your stick of butter and place into your pre-heating oven to melt the butter (keep an eye on it so butter doesn't burn).
3. In the meantime mix all dry ingredients into a medium bowl.
4. Pour buttermilk over dry ingredients and mix until a loose batter forms.  Batter should be quite sticky.
5. Pour batter into your prepared baking dish right on top of the melted butter - butter may run over the top of your batter, but this is okay.
6. Cut dough into 9 squares - this will help separate individual biscuits once they are cooked.
7. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes rotating the dish once during baking.
8. Biscuits should be golden brown and spring back when touched.
9. Enjoy! 

Japanese Almond Cookies

Ingredients

 Red Food Coloring

1 C + 3T Vegetable shortening

1C Sugar

1 egg beaten

1 t almond extract

2 + 1/2 C flour

1/2 t salt

1/2 t. baking soda

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. With an electric mixer, beat the shortening and sugar together until creamy.  Beat in egg and almond extract.

3. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and salt.  Add to shortening mixture and mix well.  Scoop up a scant tablespoon of dough with a spoon and form into a walnut-sized ball. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and press slightly with your thumb to make a small indentation (don't flatten).  Dip the end of a chopstick into the red food coloring and touch the center of the cookie to make a red dot.

4. Bake in a preheated oven until slightly browned, 15-18 mins.  Cool on a rack.

Nutrition facts

Per serving: 173 calories, 1.6 grams of protein, 18.3 grams of carbohydrates, 7.8 mg of cholesteral, and 77.8 mg of sodium. 

Sugar-free, Gluten-free No-bake Berry Icebox Cake

Ingredients

• 3 cups HeavyWhipping Cream

• 1-1/2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract

• 1 teaspoons Liquid Splenda

• 1 batch of  Gluten-free, Sugar-free vanilla cookies (included on this blog)
• 1-1/2 lbs berries trimmed and sliced

Instructions

1. Place the bowl of an electric mixer, or a large glass bowl if using a hand mixer, in the freezer to chill for at least 10 minutes. Fit electric mixer with the whipping attachment then add heavy whipping cream and vanilla to the chilled bowl. Whip on low speed while gradually adding Splenda then gradually increase speed as whipped cream thickens. Whip until cream can hold it’s shape but is not lumpy.
2. Spread a thin layer of whipped cream into the bottom of an 8x8” baking dish. Layer in 9 of the cookies, spread on another layer of whipped cream, and then top with 1/3 of the strawberries. Repeat layers - cookies, whipped cream, and berries - two more times to create three layers total (you might have a little extra whipped cream at the end.) Cover dish with saran wrap then refrigerate overnight. When ready to serve, slice then serve immediately.

Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef, turkey, or a combo
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley or 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 2 tbsp flour
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1/2 lb bacon cooked & crumbled
• 1/4 cup crushed french fried onions
• 8 oz  cheese cubed (cheddar, Monterey jack, provolone, etc)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl combine egg, ground beef, parsley, garlic powder, flour, milk, bacon crumbles and crushed french fried onions.
2. Mix well.
3. Shape meat mixture into a ball shape.
4. Stuff a cube of cheese into each meatball and cover with remaining meat mixture.
5. Place meatballs onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
6. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through.

Louise's Dynamites

INGREDIENTS:

2-1/2 pounds ground beef
2 medium green peppers, finely chopped
1 medium red pepper, finely chopped
1 large Vidalia onion, chopped 
1 entire bunch of celery, chopped
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes in puree
1 can (16 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (12 ounces) tomato paste
1 cup water
1T olive oil
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon dried oregano
2-1/4 teaspoons salt
1-1/2 teaspoons pepper
16 hoagie buns or other sandwich rolls, split

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a Dutch oven, cook beef and vegetables in olive oil over medium-high heat 8-10 minutes or until beef is no longer pink, drain.
2. Stir in all remaining ingredients except buns. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 1 hour or until desired consistency and flavors are blended, stirring occasionally.
3. Serve on buns. Yield: 16 servings.

NOTE:

It is said Dynamites originated right in Madison Maine. All I know is they sure taste good.  They always come in handy for quick fund raisers, also.

GWH Sticky Buns

Ingredients:

1 cup milk
2 teaspoons dried yeast
2 teaspoons salt
2 large eggs, beaten
¼ cup honey
½ cup butter, melted
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour

Topping and filling:

¾ cup butter, melted, 
1 ¼ cup brown sugar
⅓ cup honey
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups chopped pecans or walnuts

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl combine the flour, yeast, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a separate container, mix together the milk, honey, butter. Pop in the microwave and gently heat for a few seconds until the mix is lukewarm and the butter is melting.
3. Once the butter has melted whisk in the eggs. You want to make sure the mix isn’t too hot otherwise the eggs will cook.
4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and mix until it forms a dough and all the flour is mixed in. It only takes a minute to mix the dough together.
5. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest at room temperature until the dough rises for a minimum of 4 hours. After the 4 hours, you can place it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
6. For the filling: Mix together melted butter, brown sugar, honey, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Set aside.
7. Using a 9-inch cake pan, with a spoon spread half the brown sugar mixture evenly over the bottom and sides. Scatter nuts over the brown sugar mixture and set aside.
8. Dust your work surface with flour. Roll out the dough to a ⅛ -inch thick rectangle. As you roll out the dough, make sure there is enough flour to prevent it from sticking to your work surface.
9. Evenly spread the remaining brown sugar mixture over the rolled out dough leaving 1 inch around the edge of the dough without filling.
10. Starting with the long side, roll the dough into a log. Roll it over until its pinched seam is underneath.
11. Using a serrated knife, cut the log into 2 ½ inch rolls (around 8 or 9 pieces). Arrange the rolls over the nuts in the prepared pan, so that the cut edge is facing upward.
12. Cover the tin with plastic wrap and allow to rest for 1 hour. During this time they will rise up to meet the tin and become bubbly.
13. Once proofed, place the rolls on a baking sheet covered with parchment, in case the caramel bubbles over.
14. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake for 30 - 40 minutes, or until golden brown and firm in the center.
15. While still hot, run a thin spatula around the outer edge of the pan to release the caramel rolls, and invert immediately onto a serving dish. If you let them set too long they will stick to the pan and will be difficult to turn out. Enjoy warm!

Notes:
If in a hurry it is perfectly okay to use frozen bread dough to speed things up a bit.

HOMEMADE DAILY SHOWER CLEANER SPRAY

Ingredients:

1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide
1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
1 tablespoon liquid dish soap
3 cups water
5-6 drops of essential oil (optional)

Directions:

Pour the peroxide, rubbing alcohol, dish soap and rinse aid into a spray bottle of at least a 32 oz size.  Slowly add the 3 cups of water.  

Put the top back on the spray bottle and then slowly tip the bottle back and forth to mix the ingredients.

To use:  After showering, mist the spray on the walls of the shower and you’re done.  There’s no need to wipe.

Our Favorite Peanut Butter Bars with Chocolate Ganache

Ingredients:
Nonstick cooking spray
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar 
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 
1 cup all-natural peanut butter 
1/4 teaspoon sea salt 
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, melted 
8 ounces (1 cup) semisweet chocolate chips 
1 cup heavy cream 

Directions:
Coat the bottom and sides of an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.

In a large bowl, stir to combine the confectioners' sugar, graham cracker crumbs, peanut butter, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and melted butter. Press the mixture into the prepared baking dish and set aside.

Place the chocolate chips and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Heat the cream in microwave for 2 minutes. Pour the cream over the chocolate, let sit for 1 minute and then whisk until completely melted and smooth.

Pour the ganache over the peanut butter mixture and refrigerate until the chocolate is cooled and set, at least 45 minutes and up to overnight.

Cut into squares to serve.

Mindy's favorite slow cooker vegetarian chili

Ingredients:

2 cups of mixed dried beans (navy, black, great northern, pinto, whatever you have hanging around in your cupboards)
1/2 cup lentils
1 red pepper, seeded and diced
1 green pepper, seeded and diced
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 - 28 oz. can of stewed or diced tomatoes (or 3 large fresh tomatoes, diced)
2 tablespoons oregano
2 teaspoons cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon coarse black pepper or Mrs. Dash
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
4 vegetable bouillon cubes (or 4 teaspoons vegetable broth base)
1/4 pound salt pork (optional for "truly" vegetarian)
water, for soaking and cooking

Instructions:

1. Rinse beans and pick over for nasty ones or stones.
2. Cover beans with about 5 cups of cold water and soak over night (or at least 6 hrs.) in your 6-quart slow cooker crock.
3. Add bouillon cubes, tomatoes, both peppers, onion, garlic, and seasonings -- stir.
4. Add cold water to cover ingredients, if needed.
5. Cover, cook on low setting for 6-8 hours.
6. Halfway through cooking process add lentils and top with more water, if needed.

Louise's Easy Pizza Bread

Ingredients:

2 lbs of Pizza Dough (I use Hannaford's multi-grain dough, but the canned kind is okay too)
2 cups Mozzarella cheese, grated (or your favorite pizza cheese)
1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon parsley flakes
1/3 cup olive oil
1 – 8 oz package of pepperoni
1 lb ground beef
1 teaspoon of fresh garlic or garlic powder
1 tablespoon chives (fresh or dried)
10 links of brown and serve breakfast sausage

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Brown ground beef with garlic and chives - drain & cool.
3. Cut pizza dough into bite sized pieces add oil and toss so that the oil is spread evenly on each piece of dough.
4. Cut the pepperoni and sausage into smaller pieces.
5. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
6. Transfer into a large greased bunt pan. (I usually have enough for a loaf pan also).  
7. Bake for about 30 minutes (or until the top is brown and the center is thoroughly cooked).
8. Be sure to check it in the middle before you pull it out. If the middle is still not cooked thoroughly - leave it in another 5 minutes at a time until it's done.
9. Flip over on to a plate while it's still hot.
10. Serve with a side of red sauce and enjoy!

Note: This is simple and works great for pot luck meals or small family get-togethers.

Louise's Favorite Rhubarb Custard Pie

Rhubarb Custard Pie:

ingredients :

Pastry for Double-Crust Pie (Aunt Gabby's Recipe)
1 1/2-2 cups sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash salt
4 cups fresh or frozen unsweetened chopped rhubarb
2 slightly beaten eggs
2 tablespoons half-and-half or light cream or milk
1/4 cup Milk

directions:

1. On a lightly floured surface, roll out half of the pastry and fit into a 9-inch pie plate. Trim even with rim.
2. In mixing bowl, combine 1-1/2 to 2 cups sugar, flour, nutmeg, and salt. Add the rhubarb. Gently toss until coated. (For frozen fruit, let stand for 15 to 30 minutes or until partially thawed, but icy.)
3. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs and cream. Pour over fruit; toss to mix. Transfer to the pasty-lined pie plate.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out remaining dough into a 12-inch circle and cut slits for steam to escape, trim top crust to 1/2 inch beyond edge of pie plate; fold extra pastry under bottom pastry and flute edge. If you like, make leaf cutouts from pastry scraps and place on pie; brush top crust with milk.
5. To prevent overbrowning, cover edge of pie with foil. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 25 minutes for fresh fruit (50 minutes for frozen). Remove foil. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes more or until top is golden. Cool on wire rack. Makes 8 servings.