Caramel Pull Aparts

Ahhh, here’s a favorite recipe for Sunday morning brunch. I have never served these to anyone that didn’t love them. This is another oldie, but goodie.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound loaf frozen bread dough, (thawed enough to cut) cut into about a dozen hunks
  • 3/4 cups chopped nuts or apple slices
  • 1 Tablespoon Sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
  • 1 small package dry vanilla pudding (not instant) mix
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter, cut into pieces

Directions

In a greased bundt or angel food cake pan, layer the nuts (or apples) evenly on the bottom of the pan. Then sprinkle with the cinnamon and sugar. Now layer the hunks of bread dough. Sprinkle the dry pudding mix over the bread dough, then the brown sugar and the pieces of butter. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let rise @ room temperature overnight. Bake @ 325 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes until done.

Sassy Green Salsa

This is a cherished favorite recipe that I received when a co-worker sweet talked a Mexican Restauranter into giving it to her. He made her swear to not tell his Mother! So their names shall remain anonymous. This is a simple recipe, but delicious.

Ingredients

  • 15 Tomatillos (aka green tomatoes), chopped fine
  • 3 Jalapeno peppers, seeds removed, chopped fine
  • 2 Tablespoons Cilantro leaves, chopped fine
  • 1/4 cup onion, chopped fine
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, chopped fine

Directions
Mix all finely chopped ingredients together. And “NO lime juice” per our Mexican friend.

Oreo Mint Dessert

I was looking through my favorite recipes and found this one and just had to chuckle. This was a popular dessert in the 70’s. I think every shower or ladies event that I went to served this dessert at one time or other. Sometimes it is just fun to make these old classic desserts, it can bring back some really good memories. Hey, and the men love this one, too.

Ingredients

  • 1 package Oreo cookies
  • 1 cup small pillow mints (you know, the classic, little pastel colored after dinner mints)
  • 1 cup miniature marshmallows
  • 1 pt cream, whipped (no added sugar needed)

Directions
Crush the Oreo’s and spread 1/2 of them evenly in a 9×13 inch pan. Gently stir the mints and marshmallows into the whipped cream. Spread on top of Oreo’s. Top with the remaining Oreo’s.
Chill 24 to 48 hours before serving. Top each piece of dessert with a mint, if desired

Lazy Daisy Oatmeal Cake


I was digging into old favorite recipes and came across this one. It used to be one of my family’s favorite desserts when we were growing up. It is especially good served warm. I love this one.
Try it with some ice cream or whipped topping.
It is sure to please.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cup boiling water
  • 1 cup regular Oats (not quick cooking)
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions
Pour boiling water over oats. Cover and let stand for 20 minutes. Beat butter until creamy, gradually add sugars, beat until fluffy. Blend in vanilla and eggs. Stir in oats. Mix the flour, salt, soda, and spices. Add this mixture to creamed mixture. Mix well. Pour into well greased and floured 9 inch square pan. Bake @ 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.

Frosting

  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3 Tablespoon 1/2 & 1/2 or milk
  • 1/3 cup chopped nuts
  • 3/4 cup coconut

Combine all ingredients. Spread over cooked cake. Put under broiler and broil until bubbly. Watch carefully.

Unstuffed Pork Chops

This is a favorite recipe for a fall evening. I was raised in the south where pork was always served with apples of some type. I like to serve it with baked apples and a green salad. Homemade applesauce makes a great side dish, too.

Ingredients

  • 5-6 pork chops
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 1/2 cup water
  • 1 8 ounce package stuffing
  • 1 cup coarsley chopped unpeeled apple

Directions
Brown the pork chops and set aside. Combine the butter and water and bring to a boil, to this add the stuffing and apple and toss gently. Spoon the stuffing into a lightly greased 9 inch square pan. Arrange the chops over stuffing. Cover pan with foil and bake @ 350 degrees for 30 min. Uncover and bake 10 minutes more.

Dump Cake

Baking Supplies
Baking Supplies
This is another old favorite recipe. They don’t make desserts any better or easier than this. You could certainly try different combinations of fruit. This is great served with ice cream or whipped cream. Cool Whip works, too. Put these 3 ingredients on your grocery list, keep them in your pantry, and you will never be at a loss for a quick last minute dessert.

Ingredients

  • 1 can cherry pie filling
  • 1 can crushed pineapple, (20 oz)
  • 1 package white or yellow cake mix
  • 1 stick butter or margarine
  • Nuts (optional)

Directions
Dump can of pie filling in 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Next dump in the can of pineapple, next dump dry cake mix on top of this, spreading evenly. Cut butter into small pieces and place evenly over cake mix. Top with nuts, if desired. Bake @ 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until golden brown.

Helen’s Eggplant Bake

Eggplant
Eggplant
This is an old favorite recipe that my Aunt Helen gave me at least 45 years ago. I have always enjoyed it and haven’t changed a thing about it over the years.

Ingredients

  • 1 medium eggplant, sliced in 1/2 inch slices
  • 3/4 cup melted butter
  • 3/4 to 1 cup bread crumbs
  • 1 large tomato, sliced
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon basil
  • 4 oz fresh mozzarella cheese
  • 2 Tablespoon freshly grated parmesan cheese

Directions

Layer eggplant, tomato, and onion. Drizzle with 1/4 cup butter, salt, and basil. Cover and bake for 20 minutes @ 400 degrees. Remove from oven, top with mozzarella cheese, mix the Parmesan, 1/2 cup butter, and breadcrumbs and sprinkle over the top of mozzarella. Return to oven for 10 more minutes.

Corn Tomato Chowder

Corn Tomato Chowder
Corn Tomato Chowder
I got this favorite recipe from my dear friend, Carol. She is an amazing cook and eating at her house is always a treat. This is a nice easy soup for a cool fall evening.

Ingredients

  • 3 Teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 medium green pepper, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 Teaspoon
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (plain or with chilies or with basil and garlic)
  • 1 can chicken broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 can whole kernel corn, drained
  • 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream

Directions
Saute the onions, peppers, chicken, and Cajun seasonings until the the chicken is cooked through. Add tomatoes, broth and water, cover and bring to a boil. Stir in the corn and cream and heat through.

Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette

As stated in an earlier post, I prefer homemade salad dressings over store bought dressings. Not only are they easy, but they are inexpensive, too. Here is one of my favorite recipes for a vinaigrette. It is not only good on a salad of fresh greens, but also on potato salad or a vegetable salad.

Ingredients

  • 1 small clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Freshly ground pepper

Directions
Mix all ingredients together and blend well.