Spoon Bread Casserole

My sister-in-law introduced this casserole from the Jiffy Mix website as a Thanksgiving side dish a few years ago -- it was an immediate hit with everyone!!  Unfortunately, the fat and calorie content is HUGE, but for an occasional comfort food, nothing can beat it.

 

Spoon Bread Casserole

 

1 pkg. "Jiffy" Corn Muffin Mix

1/2 cup margarine or butter, melted

1 14 oz. can whole kernel corn, drained

1 14 oz. can cream style corn

1 cup sour cream

2 eggs

 

1.  Preheat over to 375 degrees; grease 1-1/2 quart casserole dish

2.  Pour melted margarine and corn into casserole 

3.  Blend in sour cream

4.  In separate bowl, whisk eggs and stir into casserole

5.  Add muffin mix and blend thoroughly

6.  Bake 35-40 minutes, or until center is firm.  Serve hot.

 



Pasta Fagioli

Delicious soup for a cold winter night

 

Pasta Fagioli

 

1 yellow onion, diced

1 carrot, diced

1 stalk celery diced

2 slices bacon

2 - 28 oz. cans peeled plum tomatoes

2 - 32 oz cans beef broth

2 cups water

10 twists sea salt grinder

10 twists pepper grinder

1 small sprig thyme, stripped

2 small sprigs parsley, snipped

 

16 oz dried cannelini beans -- boil for 2 minutes; let sit for one hour

16 oz pasta (elbows, ziti, penne), boiled till al dente

 

1.  In soup pot, saute onion, carrot, celery and bacon in olive oil, until soft

2. Add tomatoes and simmer 10 minutes

3.  Add beef broth and water, salt, pepper, thyme and parsley

4.  Add cannelini beans

5.  Simmer slowly for 3-4 hours; remove bacon strips

6.  Prepare pasta; drain and add to soup

7.  Simmer for 1/2 hour

8.  Serve with fresh shaved or grated parmesan

 

Leftovers are even more delectable!!



 

The Versatile Soup Tureen

As a collector of soup tureens, I have discovered that not only are they wonderful vessels for soup, they also make lovely centerpieces, when surrounded by a garland of flowers or fruit.

New Year's Day

Table setting for a mid-afternoon New Year's Day dinner for three --

 

Happy New Year!!

Roasted Mushrooms

Delicious side dish with beef

Roasted Mushrooms

1-1/2 lbs mushrooms, sliced (I used white, portabella and shittake -- any combination is fine)
1-16 oz package peeled yellow onions, cut in half
3 shallots, cut into quarters
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup margarine, melted
3 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
20 twists of salt grinder
12 twists of pepper grinder

1.  Combine mushrooms, onions and shallots in bowl
2.  In separate bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients; add to mushroom mixture
3.  Place in uncovered casserole dish and bake in 400 degree oven for 45 minutes

Any leftovers also warm up well



Slow-Roasting for Tenderness

I bought a very small chuck roast the other day, with a recipe in mind.  However, time lapsed and I didn't use it.  Today I took a small casserole, lightly oiled it with olive oil, placed thin slices from four peeled Russet potatoes in the bottom, and the chuck roast and a small jar of sliced mushrooms on top.  I poured 1-1/2 cups of water around the sides to moisten the potatoes, and then covered the meat with one can of Campbell's Golden Mushroom soup. 

I placed the covered casserole in a 300 degree oven for 2-1/2 hours, and was rewarded with the most tender, tasty dish imaginable.

A bit of slow-roasting can be a lifesaver when preparation time is short and the meat quality is questionable.
   

Snickerdoodles

 

Delicate, chewy Christmas cookie with a hint of cinnamon -- great with a cup of orange spice tea

 

 

Snickerdoodles

 

3 cups flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

1 cup margarine, softened

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

 

4 Tbsp. sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

 

1.  Combine flour, baking soda and cream of tartar in bowl; set aside.

2.  In large bowl, combine margarine, sugar, egg and vanilla -- beat with mixer until fluffy.

3.  Slowly add remaining flour mixture, stirring with wooden spoon until combined.

4.  Cover and chill dough at least one hour, or even overnight.

5.  Combine sugar and cinnamon in small bowl.

6.  Shape chilled dough into 1" balls.  Roll balls in cinnamon/sugar mixture.

7.  Place two inches apart on cookie sheets covered with parchment paper

8.  Bake in 375 degree oven approximately 10 minutes -- cookies should be lightly browned on edges and slightly soft in center when done

 

Enjoy!!