Month: March 2011

Apricot Nut Bread

I love apricots and I love sweet breads, so this is truly a favorite recipe of mine. Make this to serve with your next brunch or as a special treat for your family.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups dried apricots
  • 1 1/2 cups boiling water
  • 2 Tablespoons shortening
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 Tablespoon baking soda
  • 1 Tablespoon cream of tartar

    • Directions
    Mix apricots and boiling water together to soften apricots. Add the rest of the ingredients in order given. Mix thoroughly. Pour into 1 large greased bread pan. Bake 1 1/4 hour @ 350 degrees.

Gruyere Oven Omelet

Gruyere Oven Omelet
Gruyere Oven Omelet
Are you looking for an easy egg dish? This is so easy and delicious. It just takes minutes to put together and then you can put in the oven and get the rest of the meal ready. It’s a great family favorite recipe.

Ingredients

  • 8 eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/4 pound Canadian bacon or ham, cut up
  • 2 1/2 cups (10 ounces) Gruyere cheese, shredded
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 Tablespoon butter, melted

Directions
Beat eggs. Add remaining ingredietns, except butter. Pour into buttered 2 quart baking dish. Drizzle top with butter. Bake uncovered @ 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Cream Cheese Brownies

Try these delicious brownies the next time you are looking for a treat for your family. They are delicious and will become a family favorite.

Ingredients
Brownie layer

  • 1 chocolate brownie mix
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 or 3 eggs (depending on box directions)
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract

White layer

  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 4 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 Tablespoons flour
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions
Follow directions on box for cake-like brownies, adding 1 teaspoon almond extract. Spread in 9×13 inch pan. Cream butter and cream cheese. Blend in all other white layer ingredients. Zigzag cream cheese mixture through the brownie mix using a knife or fork.
Bake @ 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

Taco Soup

This is a recipe that the ladies in my exercise group were raving about last winter. Your whole family will enjoy this quick and easy recipe. This is one that you can keep the ingredients on hand and whip up at the last minute. Try it soon.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound hamburger
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 package Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix
  • 1 package taco seasoning
  • 1 can pinto beans
  • 1 can chili beans (hot or medium)
  • 1 can whole kernel corn
  • 1 can Rotel stewed tomatoes (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
  • 1 quart stewed tomatoes

Directions
Brown meat and onion; drain. Mix dressing mix and taco mix into meat, then without draining, add all other ingredients. Simmer 1 hour. Garnish with tortilla chips or strips if desired.

Wild Rice Spinach Salad

Spinach Wild Rice Salad
Spinach Wild Rice Salad
Here is a really tasty salad that is a bit different. You can make this a main dish salad by adding cooked chicken. Adjust dressing amount as needed. You will be a hit at the next pot luck with this yummy salad.
Ingredients

  • 1 cup uncooked wild rice
  • 3 1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup uncooked regular long grain rice
  • 1/2 cup vegetable or olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons white vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
  • 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
  • 1/4 cup sliced green onions
  • 4 slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled

Directions
Rinse wild rice thoroughly. Heat wild rice, water and salt to boiling in a 3 quart saucepan, stirring once or twice; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 35 minutes. Stir in long grain rice. Cover and simmer about 15 minutes or until rices are tender and liquid is absorbed. Mix oil, vinegar, sugar, 1/2 tsp salt and pepper in large bowl. Stir in rice and remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate 3 hours or until chilled.

Linda’s Brownies

Brownies
Brownies
I had a supervisor once named, Linda and she would bring these brownies to our meetings. I guess it was her way of bribing us to work harder. It certainly worked! Not only are they heavenly, but they are easy to make, too.

Ingredients

  • 2 packages Pillsbury rich and moist brownie mix
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 3 eggs
  • 3/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions
Mix all ingredients together and spread into a greased 9×13 inch pan. Bake for 40 minutes @ 350 degrees. Frost with your favorite chocolate frosting.

Sweet Pork Roast

Sweet Pork Roast
Sweet Pork Roast
This is another favorite recipe that you can put in the oven and forget about it. It is super easy and very delicious. It is definitely good enough for company.

Ingredients

  • 4 1/2 pound pork center-cut loin, tied if desired
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire
  • 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Mrs. Dash
  • 2 teaspoons Lowry’s seasoning salt
  • 2 teaspoons garlic salt
  • 1 cup Pepsi

Directions
Place pork in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Rub with Worcestershire and soy sauce. Sprinkle with Mrs. Dash, Lowry’s and garlic salt. Roll roast and rub to coat with spices. Pour Pepsi over all. Place roast in 350 degree oven. Bake 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until a meat thermometer inserted in the center reads 180 degrees.

Walnut Oil Vinaigrette

As I have mentioned before, I love to make my own salad dressings. My favorites are ones made with oil and vinegar. This one uses walnut oil, which gives it a very unique flavor. Try it with any salad that is complemented by a nutty flavor.

Ingredients

  • 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 4 teaspoons honey
  • 1 large clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2/3 cup walnut oil
  • salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions
In a small bowl, combine mustard, honey and garlic; stir in vinegar. Gradually whisk in oil. Season with salt and pepper.

Barbecued Round Steak

I am always looking for easy family recipes that I can put in the oven and forget about. This is one such recipe. This is a favorite family recipe of mine for round steak. The steak is tender and tasty.

Ingredients

  • 1 to 1 1/2 pounds round steak, about 1 1/2 inches thick
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions
Cut round steak into crosswise slices about 1/2 inch wide. Heat oil, brown steak on all sides. Use a slotted spoon to remove meat to a baking dish; set aside. Pour off fat, then place remaining ingredients in skillet; bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes. Pour over steak, cover tightly with foil and bake @ 350 degrees for 1 hour. Uncover and bake for 30 minutes longer. Serve with rice or potatoes.