Southern Hash and Rice

Southern Bar-B-Que & Rice and Hash

When I was growing up we had hog head hash. It is made with the head, heart, and the liver... no part of the hog was wasted. Now, I use Boston Butts. (which is a cut of pork that comes from the upper part of the shoulder from the front leg and may contain the blade bone)

In pre-revolutionary New England and into the American Revolutionary War, some pork cuts (not those highly valued, or "high on the hog," like loin and ham) were packed into casks or barrels (also known as "butts") for storage and shipment. The way the hog shoulder was cut in the Boston area became known in other regions as "Boston butt".

3lbs pork butt*

1/2lb liver, cooked (optional)

1lb peeled potatoes

1 onion

juice from cooking the pork

and a great BBQ sauce (like "Daddy's Bar-B-Que Sauce")

Bake pork (seasoned with salt, pepper and garlic powder), covered until it falls apart. (about 3-4 hours at 350 degrees) Save the renderings/broth. In a pot, boil your potatoes and a finely minced onion seasoned with salt. Run meat (fat and all), liver, potato and onion mixture through a meat grinder. (Or grind in food chopper or processor) Place ground mixture back in the broth, add BBQ sauce to consistence of a very thick gravy. Let simmer at a low temp for another hour or two. Serve over white rice.

* Reserve or cook an extra couple of pounds of meat to shred and add sauce for the BBQ plate or for sandwiches.

If you don't have the sauce or don't know how much seasoning, try this recipe for making it in the crockpot... what can be easier? I still prefer to grind the meat and not chop to get a smoother texture, but that's just me!

CrockPot Hash

5 to 6 lbs Boston butt roasts
1lb. liver
3 large baking potatoes, peeled and diced
3 medium onions, peeled and diced

Step 1: In a 5 quart crock pot on high. Rub both roasts with salt and cracked pepper, then place in the crock pot. Add the diced potatoes and onions, and then fill the pot with hot water or stock and cover. Let it cook 6 to 7 hours until the meat falls apart. Keep check on the water level.

Step 2: Remove the meat from the pot and pull apart to let cool. Next remove the bone, fat, and connective tissue, leaving all the juices in the crock pot. Pull the meat apart in small pieces and then give it a light chop. Break up the potatoes and onions in the pot with a potato masher. Return the vegetables and meat to the pot. Add the butter and reduce heat to the lowest setting. Let it cook another hour or until it is the consistency you like.

Step 3: Add your seasonings one at a time and taste as you go. Add a little BBQ sauce for a kick or... Daddy's BBQ Sauce.

Step 4: Serve over your choice of white rice pour sauce over the rice and hash.

Candied Orange Peel and Southern Ambrosia

If you received fruit baskets over the holidays and still have some fruit left, this is a great way to use up the citrus. 

Orange, lemon, or grapefruit peel can be candied to make a deliciously fresh, zesty treat. This recipe specifies four oranges, but you can substitute two grapefruit or eight small lemons or limes. It is a time consuming project, so make sure that you have an afternoon or so to complete these tasty treats. Or... you could prepare the peels and wrap them in a damp paper towel. Place them in a zip-loc bag, and finish the process the next day. For me, peeling and removing the pith of the oranges was the most time consuming part.

4 oranges
4.25 cups water
2.5 cups sugar, plus more for coating


Use a knife or a citrus peeler to score the peels of four oranges into quarters. Peel the oranges carefully, trying to keep the peels intact as much as possible. Set the peeled oranges aside and reserve for another use, like Ambrosia (recipe follows).

Using a very sharp knife, cut away the bitter white pith from the underside of the peels. The remaining peel should be approximately 1/8” thick. Do not worry if small amounts of white pith remain, but try to remove as much as possible. This will produce a much tastier treat. Slice the peels into long strips approximately ½” thick. Some of the strips may tare as you are trimming the pith away... don't worry any size strips will do!

Combine 4.25 cups of water and 2.5 cups of sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir to dissolve the sugar, and heat, uncovered, until the sugar boils for 5 minutes.

Add the strips of peel and turn the heat down to low (this will depend on your stove... I set mine at 3 which is a medium low setting), until the mixture is at a good simmer. Cook, uncovered and simmering, until the syrup reduces to a quarter of its original volume (the syrup will barely cover the tops of the peels). Try not to stir during this process, or the mixture will crystallize and turn to sugar. The reduction will take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. (depending on the simmering process)

Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow it to cool. Once cool, drain the peels in a colander. Wipe the peels with your fingers or pull between the tines of a fork to remove any excess syrup. At this point, turn your oven to 200 degrees.

Place about one cup of sugar in a small bowl. Dredge the peels in the sugar until they are coated, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper. Add more sugar if necessary.

Place the sugar-coated peels in the warm oven and allow them to dry out. This should take approximately one hour, but check them every 20 minutes to ensure that they are not burning or cooking in any way. The peels should look dry, not shiny. If they are shiny, dredge them in a little more sugar and continue to dry them. Alternately, they can be left to sit overnight on a drying rack instead of placed in the oven.

Once peels are completely dry store them in a zip-loc bag or air tight container. They should keep for weeks. Candied peels can be enjoyed plain, dipped in melted chocolate or used in cake, cookie, candy, or bread recipes.


Southern Ambrosia

"Often nestled among a host of traditional Christmas dishes on the Southern sideboard is a big crystal bowl of ambrosia. This "food of the gods" in its purest form is simplicity itself--fresh oranges layered with flakes of coconut. 

'People who add grapefruit, pineapple, grapes, and bananas, and Lord knows what else to ambrosia simply don't understand ambrosia,' proclaims Martha Pearl Villas in My Mother's Southern Desserts written by her son, James. Her recipe has just four ingredients: oranges, coconut, sugar, and orange juice." ~ Southern Living Magazine

Reserve all the juice and segments of the oranges you used for the candied peels. Toss them in a bowl with a handful of marshmallows, a sprinkle of coconut and dot with a few cherries. If the salad is to dry for your taste, add a little orange juice to the mixture and toss.

Chicken Fried Steaks... With A Twist

In this recipe I give you two options to finish this dish off... If you want a break from the heavy gravy, I give you the option of an au jus sauce. This gives a gravy texture to the coating, without the added milk and fat. For all you purists, I include the gravy recipes. You make the choice!

4 cubed Venison Steaks or Beef Steaks

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1 cup whole milk, divided

3 whole eggs, beaten

1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup beef broth, divided

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

Place the flour into a shallow dish. Place 1/2 cup of the milk and eggs into a separate dish and beat with a fork. Dredge the meat on both sides in the flour, followed by the milk mixture and finally in the flour again. Repeat with the other pieces of meat. Place the meat onto a plate.

Place enough of the vegetable oil to cover the bottom of a cast iron skillet and set over medium-high heat. Once the oil begins to shimmer, add the meat in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook each piece on both sides until golden brown, approximately 4 minutes per side. Pour 1/4 cup of beef broth into a baking dish, add the steaks and place into the oven. Leave them there for 15-20 minutes or if making the gravy, until the gravy is done.

This step is optional... In the pictures, I used the au ju sauce from the steaks.

Add the remaining vegetable oil, or at least 1 tablespoon, to the skillet. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of the flour left over from the dredging. Add the rest of the broth and whisk until the gravy comes to a boil and begins to thicken. Add the milk and whisk until the gravy coats the back of a spoon, approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Season to taste, with more salt and pepper, if needed. Serve the gravy over the steaks.

Cheese Straws

These are always a big hit at parties in the Deep South. The cayenne pepper gives them the perfect kick!

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a food processor, add the butter, cheese, flour, salt and cayenne and process until a smooth dough is formed. Scoop it into a cookie press, fitted with a large star tip. Pipe the dough in 2-inch strips onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. If I am making a lot for a catered even, I pipe out long running lines and cut them to the size I want. (Alternatively, refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes and roll on a lightly floured surface into a 1/4-inch thick rectangle. Cut into smaller rectangles, about 2 by 3-inches, with a pizza wheel or sharp knife.) Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to racks to cool.

Swedish Butter Cookies

We didn't have anymore pecans, but the hubby wanted to make them anyway... He says that he'll get some pecans later. When he thaws them out at Christmas, he says that he'll brush them with butter and roll them in chopped pecans. I say leave them alone and make another batch when you get the pecans! LOL

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg, separated
1 tbsp half & half cream
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 finely chopped pecans
maraschino cherries, halved

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolk, vanilla and cream. Combine flour and baking powder and gradually add to the butter mixture. Stir in 1/2 cup pecans. Roll about a tablespoon of the dough into a ball. Repeat with remaining dough.

In a small bowl, beat the egg white. dip the top of the balls in the egg and then dip in the remaining pecans. Place them about 2 inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Using the handle of a wooden spoon, make a hole in the top of each cookie. Place a cherry in each hole, cut side down. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Store in an air tight container.

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies

 The hubby working on his cookies...
See he really does love to do this stuff! LOL

 

24 maraschino cherries, patted dry
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp maraschino cherry juice
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 all-purpose flour
1/8 tsp kosher salt
1 cup milk chocolate chips

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla and juice. Gradually add flour and salt to butter mixture. Mixture will be thick and may be crumbly. Form into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill in the frig for about an hour.

Insert a chocolate chip into each cherry. Flatten about a tablespoon of dough and wrap it around a cherry. Repeat with the remaining dough and cherries. Place about an inch apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Remove to a wire rack to cool.

Melt the remaining chocolate chips in the microwave. Dip tops of cookies in chocolate or spoon enough chocolate to cover the mound containing the cherry of each cookie. Place on wax paper and allow to set. Store in an air tight container.

Christmas Caramels

I found a few recipes for homemade caramels, but the problem was I didn't have the ingredients for any of them. So, if you know me, you know that didn't stop me! LOL, I compromised and combined what I did have into one consolidated recipe. Notice that there is NO butter or vanilla! The hubby said that the result is just as good if not better than Werther's Caramels! Woo Hoo!

1 cup Heavy Cream 

1/2 cup Half & Half
1 cup granulated Sugar
1 cup packed Light Brown Sugar
1 teaspoon Kosher Salt

Other tools and supplies... Candy thermometer, parchment paper and waxed paper.

In a heavy saucepan, combine cream, half & half, sugars and salt. Over medium to medium high heat bring mixture to a boil while stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. (Make sure the pot is double the size you think you need, because this mixture foams up and will make a huge mess if the pot is not big enough!)

Once the caramel comes to a boil, attach candy thermometer and stop stirring.

While the caramel is boiling, prepare your dish. Butter a 13x9 baking dish, line with parchment, and then butter the parchment. Make sure you leave some parchment showing on two ends of the dish. This will give you 'handles' to lift the caramel out when it is set.

Continue boiling, without stirring until the temperature reaches 245 degrees, the firm ball stage. Don't turn your back or walk away at this point. The caramel can foam over and burn on the stove, or it could boil over on you and cause serious burns. This caramel doesn't wash off. It sticks and burns, so use caution during this stage, and you'll be fine! (Keep kids away from the stove/kitchen while getting the candy up to temperature!)

Remove from heat and pour into your prepared pan. Let the caramel rest in a safe place out of reach (so little fingers won't be tempted... like the hubby here!) for about least 8 hours or overnight before cutting. It should be completely cool and set. It will be a little tacky.

To cut, lift the caramel using the 'handles' of parchment you left showing. Turn it out on a cutting board that you have lightly sprayed with oil. Peel the parchment away and cut as desired. (I used a knife heated in hot water. It cuts easier that way.) I wrapped mine individually in strips of wax paper. This recipe made 100 wrapped candies of various sizes. Next time, I'm going to cover some in milk chocolate! :-)

Mama's Icebox Fruitcake

Ice Box Fruit Cake

My Mama made this every Christmas! I can remember sneaking in the frig and cutting a sliver off. It is so rich all you need is a thin slice... so this 'cake' goes a long way!

1 (12 ounce) package vanilla wafers, crushed
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (4 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained and halved
2 cup chopped pecans

In a medium bowl, stir together the pecans, cherries, condensed milk and vanilla wafers. Dough will be very thick, you will need to use your hands.

Line a loaf pan with plastic wrap and place dough inside. Refrigerate overnight or until the cake is set and all the milk is absorbed.

Coconut Macaroons drizzled with Chocolate

1 (14 oz) bag flaked coconut
1/4 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
4 egg whites, whisked
1/2 tsp vanilla
Melted Chocolate, for dipping

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a small bowl whisk vanilla and egg whites. In a large bowl, combine sugar, flour and coconut. Stir in egg whites.  Drop by spoonfuls about 2 inches apart. Bake for 15-17 minutes until light brown. Dip in chocolate. Cool and store in an airtight container or freeze for a later celebration.

 Plain Coconut Macaroons

Boxed for Christmas and waiting in the freezer! :-)

Chocolate Peppermint Bark

This candy is easy as pie. Well, not really, because baking pies is not all that easy for me. ANYWAY... this candy is very easy, and the possibilities are endless on the ingredients!

1 cup, 6 oz White Chocolate Chips

1 cup, 6 oz Semisweet Chocolate Chips

1/2 cup crushed Peppermint candies

In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate. Heat chocolate in short periods, (10-20 seconds depending on your microwave) stir in between heating. Repeat with the white chocolate. Stir in about 4 teaspoons of the candies in each bowl. 

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Alternating the chocolate and white chocolate, pour pools of each onto the baking sheet. With a butter knife, swirl the chocolate and white chocolate together to create a marble effect. Sprinkle with remaining candies. Chill until firm and break into pieces. Store in an airtight container in the frig or freeze well ahead of time.

ENJOY!

Candy Cane Cookies

These cookies are so cute and really very easy to make. They take a little bit of practice to get the striping pretty, but the key is to have a cold firm dough and don't over work it. It's so worth the work. We found them fun to make!

1 tube refrigerated sugar cookie dough, softened and divided
4 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 teaspoon red food coloring

In a large bowl, beat cookie dough, flour and peppermint extract until smooth. Divide the dough in half and mix the food coloring into one half. Cover doughs and refrigerate for about an hour or until the dough is firm.

Shape about 1 teaspoon of each dough into six inch ropes. Lay the ropes side by side. Press together slightly and twist. Place on a cookie sheet and shape into a cane. Space the dough about 2 inches apart. Repeat with remaining dough.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 8-10 minutes or until lightly golden and set. Cool for 2 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool.

Thin Mint Fudge

Tis the season for cookies and candies! I love this season! The hubby loves to bake cookies and make candies! Easy for me! LOL

1 1/2 tsp butter, room temp
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, 12 oz
1 can sweetened condensed milk, 14 oz divided
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup vanilla or white chocolate chips
3 tsp peppermint extract
1-2 drops green food coloring

Line an 8X8 square pan with foil. Butter the foil and set aside. In a heavy saucepan, melt chocolate and 1 cup sweetened condensed milk over low heat. Stir constantly until melted and smooth. Take off heat and add vanilla. Spread half the mixture in the 8X8 pan. Refrigerate until cooled and firm. Set the remaining chocolate aside.

In another heavy saucepan, melt the vanilla and the remaining sweetened condensed milk over low heat. Stir constantly until melted and smooth. It will be very thick. Take off heat and add peppermint extract and food coloring. Spread evenly over the chocolate layer and refrigerate until cooled and firm. (about 10 minutes)

Reheat the chocolate mixture over low heat until spreadable. Spread on top of the mint mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight or until completely cooled and firm. Lift the fudge out using the foil. Turn out onto a cutting board and gently peel off the foil. Cut into squares. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freeze to save for a party later.

Strawberry Thumbprint Cookies

I'm starting off the cookie and candy season today! I love this season... the hubby loves to bake cookies and make candy! Makes it easy for me! LOL

1 cup butter, room temp
1/2 block cream cheese, 4 oz, room temp
1 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
Strawberry Jam

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, cream cheese and sugar. Add in vanilla and egg yolk. Mix in flour. Cover and refrigerate for about an hour, or until the dough is easy to work.

Scoop dough with a small cookie scoop or shape into 1 inch balls. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart. Use the end of a wooden spoon, dip the handle in water and press into the center of the cookie, about 1/2 inch deep. Fill well with strawberry jam. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until set and a little browned on the edges. Cool on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container. You can freeze them ahead of time and take them out before your big celebration... easy!

Chicken Parmesan... a little healthier version

This is my "healthy" version of Chicken Parmesan. I baked the chicken instead of breading and frying.

4 Chicken Breasts, boneless, skinless
2 T Butter, melted 
32 oz Spaghetti Sauce, make your own or use your favorite store brand
½ t Basil, dried
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and Pepper to taste
3 cups Mozzarella Cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese, shredded

Toss the chicken breasts in butter and sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until no longer pink and juices run clear. Remove from oven and Layer in casserole dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of cheese on top of chicken then add sauce. Top with remaining mozzarella and sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Serve over noodles with tossed salad and garlic bread.

Pilgrim Hats

I should have made this post before Thanksgiving, but I didn't make them until yesterday. They were so cute that I had to share them. Bookmark or Pin them so you can make them next year... Or for fun, use green and red to make them Christmas Pilgrim Hats! LOL

For each cookie you need...

1 fudge striped shortbread cookie, turned upside down
Icing, your choice (I used cream cheese icing.)
Mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Orange gummy candy, cut in tiny squares for the buckle

Place the cookie up-side down. My sister-in-law, Pam, found out it was easier to put a big dollop of icing on top of the reese's cup and turn it over onto the cookie. (She figured that out on the last one... she said!!! Not me! LOL) Then attach the candy for the buckle... Voila! :-)

Thanksgiving Dinner ???

OK... Thanksgiving Dinner is at 1 pm at my house, or at least 1-ish. I had planned Ham, Potato Salad, Green Bean Casserole, Brown Rice, Rolls and Caramel/Chocolate Brownies. My son and husband come to me and tell me that they want French Toast and Cheese Grits! (at 12 noon!!!) I said, "But my ham." My son says, "What? Nobody wants ham!" The hubby is chuckling saying, "He's right! We want French Toast!" Soooo, Thanksgiving Dinner has been moved to Supper! 

French Toast Casserole Recipe Here

Cheesy Grits Casserole Recipe Here

Cherry Delight Dip

I made this dip for my son's 16th Birthday Party, and it was a big hit! Both of my daughter-in-laws asked for the recipe so they could make it for their families! Now that's a compliment if I ever heard one!!!

8oz package of Cream Cheese, room temp
1/2 cup Marshmallow Fluff
1/2 tsp Vanilla
8oz tub of Cool Whip
1 can Cherry Pie Filling

Beat the cream cheese and fluff until smooth. Add vanilla and mix until combined. Fold in Cool Whip. Spread in a serving dish and top with cherry pie filling. Serve with graham crackers or vanilla wafers.

Chocolate Ice Cream

I get major brownie points for making this one for the hubby! He loves chocolate, and he loves ice cream!!!

2 cups heavy cream
1 cup milk
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2/3 cup milk chocolate chips
5 large egg yolks
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine cream, milk and cocoa. Whisk to combine. Bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips until completely melted. Set it aside to cool slightly.

In a stand mixer, beat together egg yolks and sugar until well combined and thickened a little. Drizzle about 1/4 cup of milk mixture to the egg and sugar mixture, while continuing to beat so you don't cook the eggs yolks. Repeat 2 more times adding 1/4 cup of milk mixture to the egg mixture.

Stir egg mixture back into saucepan the milk mixture. Place back on stove and bring back to a simmer. Stir until mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat and strain into a medium bowl to remove any lumps that may have formed. Cool to room temperature.

Wrap with plastic wrap and completely freeze mixture in freezer for 4 hours or overnight.

Chicken Bog

Chicken Bog is a pilau dish made of rice, chicken, onion, celery, spices, and often sausage. A whole chicken is boiled until tender with the sausage, onion, celery and spices, then the rice is added and cooked until it absorbs all the liquid. When I cook this for a large crowd, I create a lot of short cuts that save me time. One thing to remember is that the longer you cook this dish, the thicker and drier it gets. I like to cook mine to the consistency in the picture. I don't like mine thick and gummy, but it's your choice. Here's the scaled down version of my Chicken Bog recipe...

10-12 Chicken Tenders, cubed
1 pkg Kielbasa Sausage
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 teaspoon Garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon sweet basil
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper 
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 
8 cups water
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
2 cups rice
Kosher Salt, to taste

Slice the sausage into 1/2-inch pieces. In a stockpot, combine sausage, onion, butter, and seasonings. Cook until the sausage is browned. Add the chicken, water and bouillon. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook at a low boil for 30 minutes. Taste broth for saltiness and add salt, to taste. Add the rice to the pot and bring to a boil, stirring well. Boil for 10 minutes, (stirring occasionally) then reduce the heat. Cover the pot and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the rice is done. 

Fried Meatloaf and Bacon Wrapped Potatoes

Today you get a two for one recipe! The hubby called me with an idea to do a bacon wrapped potato. When I told him that I was out of potatoes, he quickly volunteered to go by the grocery store on his way home. If you knew how much he hates going to the grocery store, you'd know what a big deal that was to me! Well, I gave him a short list, but he was hungry so I got more than what was on my list! He picked up a few extra things... like peanuts for me to boil, Sweet Heat Potato Chips, Nutty Bars and Oatmeal Creme Pies! Never go to the grocery store hungry!!! LOL

BTW... He wanted me to do new potatoes, but he bought me baking potatoes. When I pointed that out, he asked what difference that makes. I said, "I don't know! It's your recipe!" LOL

I made MEATLOAF (click for the recipe) yesterday. I saw an idea on Mr Food's cooking break during the news, and I wanted to try it... Fried Meatloaf! After the meatloaf set up in the frig overnight (that's important), I sliced them and set up the breading station... a dish of seasoned flour, a dish of egg wash and a dish of seasoned bread crumbs. I dipped them in the flour, then the egg wash and finally the bread crumbs. I pan fried it in my cast iron skillet with a little oil until golden brown.

The Hubby's Bacon Wrapped Potatoes...

4-6 potatoes, cut into wedges
4-6 pieces of bacon
flour
garlic powder
salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Mix the flour and seasonings in a large bowl. Add the potatoes and toss to coat the wedges. Wrap with the bacon and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the bacon is good and crispy and the potatoes are golden brown.

Homemade Pita Bread... Chicken Gyros

For the Pitas:

1 cup warm water
1 pkg dry active yeast
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp oil

In a small bowl, add the yeast to the water and let sit for about 5 minutes.

Pour the yeast and water into the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attached. Add the oil. Slowly add the flour and salt while kneading the dough. The dough should be tacky. Knead the dough in the mixer until it is smooth, about 5 minutes. Brush a little oil over the dough Cover and let rise for an hour or until it has doubled in size.

Turn the dough out onto a floured working surface. Cut the dough into 6-8 pieces. Using a rolling pin, flatten each piece into a circle about 1/4 inch thick. Add more flour if the dough is too sticky.

Heat a cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle a little oil into the pan before adding the disks of dough. Cook the pita until bubbles start to form. Flip the dough over and cook until lightly browned. Flip the dough back over and cook for about a minute, until the pita puffs up. Remove from heat and cover with a clean dish towel. Repeat with remaining pieces of dough.

Chicken For the Gyros:

8-10 Chicken Tenders

2 tbsp Butter

2 tbsp Cavendar's Greek Seasoning
2 tsp Lemon Juice

Pan fry the chicken until done. Add the butter and seasoning. Cook until lightly browned. Set aside.

Tzatziki Sauce for Gyros:

16 ounces Greek yogurt or sour cream
1 cucumber
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp dill
1/2 teaspoon basil
3 tbsp lemon juicesalt and pepper, to taste

Peel the cucumber. Slice the cucumber in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scrape out the seeds. Grate the cucumber and squeeze in a clean kitchen towel to remove excess water.

In a medium mixing bowl, add the Greek yogurt, cucumber, red wine vinegar, dill, basil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate for at least an hour to allow the flavors to develop.

To assemble the Gyros:

Spread tzatziki sauce over a pita. Top with chicken. Add whatever veggies you like... Lettuce, tomatoes, black olives or green olives.

Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars

For the shortbread layer:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

For the cheesecake layer:
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the pecan pie layer:
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/3 cup butter, melted
3 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350.

For the shortbread layer: In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in 1/2 cup pecan. Press mixture evenly into bottom of a greased 9x13" baking pan. Bake for 10 minutes; remove from oven, and cool for 10 minutes.

For the cheesecake layer: Place the cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat at medium speed until smooth. Add milk and vanilla and beat until combined. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cooled shortbread layer. Bake for 15 minutes; remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes.

For the pecan pie layer: In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, corn syrup, and melted butter. Gently stir in the eggs, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir in pecans. Pour pecan mixture over cooled cheesecake layer. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until center is set and pecan pie layer is a rich brown color.

Cinnamon Butter

So simple, but very tasty. It tastes like cinnamon toast! I'm going to use it as a filling in a pastry of some sort. We'll see... My hubby loves it on toast and in oatmeal!

1 stick Butter, room temperature
1/4 cup Sugar
1/4 cup Light Brown Sugar
1 tsp ground Cinnamon

Mix together until smooth. Store in a mason jar in the frig.

Crab Scampi

Why crab scampi and not shrimp scampi? Mainly because it's what I had on hand. Keep in mind that crab is much sweeter than shrimp. You may want to add more lemon and pepper to balance out the sweetness of the crab. Either way, here you go...

1 (16 ounce) package angel hair pasta
1/2 cup butter or margarine
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup minced onion
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 1/2 pounds crab meat
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

Bring a large pot of salted water (with a drizzle of olive oil added) to a boil over high heat. Add the angel hair pasta, and cook until done; drain. Reserve the pasta water. 

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, onion, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Once the mixture begins to bubble, stir in the crab. Cook and stir until heated through. Add in cooked pasta and toss. Add enough pasta water to create a sauce as thick or thin as you want. Taste and adjust seasonings. 

Serve sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and add a salad and some garlic bread to serve.