Archive for the ‘ Recipes ’ Category

My husband and I were introduced to these when I had a booth at a craftshow earlier this month. The vendors at the craftshow are given a package that includes this tasty treat. Recipe found at Deep South Dish.

Chocolate Toffee Bark
a/k/a Saltine Cracker Candy
From the Kitchen of Deep South Dish
More or less 1 sleeve of saltines, enough to
cover a jellyroll pan
2 sticks of butter
1 cup of light brown sugar, well packed
Multi pack of full size Hershey’s milk chocolate bars
Crushed pecans or walnuts, optional

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a jellyroll pan with foil, turn up the edges to form a tray and spray foil with non-stick cooking spray.

Arrange saltines with the salty side up in the jellyroll pan. In a saucepan, bring the butter and brown sugar up to a boil and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Carefully pour mixture over the crackers and spread it out, evenly coating each cracker. Bake for about 5 minutes until bubbly.

While that is baking, break up the Hershey bars a bit. Remove the crackers and quickly top with the chocolate bars. As they begin to soften and melt, use a spatula to spread the chocolate evenly all across the top. Sprinkle top with chopped nuts, if desired. Set aside to cool in the pan for a few minutes, then very carefully slide the foil off onto a cooling rack to cool completely. Can also transfer to a cool baking sheet and refrigerate to speed up cooling. Cut into squares.

Optional Toppings: Sprinkle tops of cracker candy with coconut while the chocolate is still warm. Another good topping is to add Hershey’s Bits ‘O Brickle Toffee Bits sprinkled over the warm chocolate – you’ll probably want to use about 6 ounces. Can also top with any finely chopped nut – pecans, walnuts, peanuts, whatever you like. Try these with cooked, crumbled bacon sprinkled on top!

Gluten Free Variation: Gina from over on the Facebook page offered a great way to make these gluten free. Replace the saltines with rice crackers – she likes using the sesame variety – and you have a gluten free cracker candy. Thanks so much Gina!

Note: I prefer using the Hershey’s bars because they have such a smooth, creamy texture and they spread so fast and so well. You could also just as easily use chocolate chips and stick the tray back into the oven for a minute to soften before spreading, or melt them on the stovetop and then pour them over the top.

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slmetcal March 15th, 2011      Comments Off

The hubby and I were experimenting the other night for dinner and came up with this. It was very good. For those of you who do not like seafood you could easily substitute chicken for the shrimp just follow the recipe otherwise. I used thin spaghetti for the pasta but you can use whatever type of pasta you prefer.

1 6 oz. tub tomato/basil feta

1/2 box thin spaghetti

1 12 oz. bag broccoli florets

1 24 oz. bag jumbo shrimp

At least three cups of Greek vinaigrette dressing

Marinate shrimp with half of dressing for at least one hour.

Heat the grill to medium-low to medium. Note – I used a grill grid, so I had it in place before even lighting the grill.

Prepare pasta according to package directions concurrently while preparing the broccoli and shrimp.

Stir broccoli with other half of dressing. When the grill is hot, place the broccoli on the grill grid in a single layer. After about 6-8 minutes of grilling the broccoli, place the shrimp right on the grid with the broccoli. Cook shrimp until all are cooked and opaque.

Remove broccoli and shrimp from grill. Drain pasta and toss feta with pasta. Combine broccoli and shrimp with pasta.

Serve and enjoy…

Additional note: This was all an experiment with no recipe. It worked out very nicely. I eyeball most of my stuff (amounts and temperatures and such) when I cook, so good luck!

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slmetcal March 14th, 2011      Comments Off

  • I know it has been awhile since I have posted something here.  I use two to 4 pieces of salmon depending on the size and if you want leftovers.
  • Spicy Baked Salmon

  • 2 to 4  Salmon filets

  • 1 clove Garlic

  • 2 tablespoons Onion minced

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Pepper freshly ground

  • 3/4 teaspooons Paprika

  • 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne

  • 3/4 teaspoon Dried thyme

  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

Preparation

Combine all seasoning ingredients and spread over the surface of the salmon. Bake (skin-side down) in a 350 F oven for 30 – 40 minutes depending on the thickness of the salmon.

If you’re grilling it, do so over high heat for 10 – 15 minutes depending on thickness. Do not turn the salmon over.

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slmetcal April 29th, 2010      Comments Off

When I was growing up my grandmother would make this squash casserole.   The recipe came from the lady who was my sister’s babysitter before I came along.   It is one of my favorites now
MRS. FREEMAN’S SQUASH CASSEROLE  (Serves 8-10)

2 cups cooked squash
1 stick butter
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup shredded cheese
1 cup evaporated milk
2 cups cracker crumbs

Mash cooked squash.   Add other ingredients and mix well.   Pour into greased baking dish and bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

(Note:  Reserve enough cheese & crackers for topping.   I use only 1 egg, but egg substitute may be used)

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slmetcal November 20th, 2009      Comments Off

Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes and Pine Nuts
From:
Everyday Food

Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Ingredients

Serves 4

* Coarse salt and ground pepper
* 2 medium tomatoes, diced
* 1 garlic clove, minced
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 8 ounces angel-hair pasta
* 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted if desired

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, combine tomatoes, garlic, and oil in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Let stand at least 10 minutes.
2. Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente; drain, and return to pot. Add tomato mixture, and toss to combine. Serve sprinkled with pine nuts.

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slmetcal November 17th, 2009      Comments Off

Oriental Chicken Salad

1/2 head of cabbage & 1/2 head of lettuce (torn into pieces)
3-4 chicken breasts (cooked and cubed)
2 packs ramen noodles (not cooked, just broken into small pieces,
oriental or chicken flavor,
save flavor packets for dressing)
1/2 cup almonds
1/4 cup sesame seeds

Mix the above, set aside. Then mix the following
in a separate bowl:

1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons vinegar
2 flavor packets from ramen noodles

Pour the dressing over the first mixture,
mix together,
 and refrigerate.

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slmetcal November 16th, 2009      Comments Off

Mediterranean Chicken

Ingredients

2 boneless, skinless breasts of chicken

2 cloves minced garlic

3/4 cup thawed, drained frozen spinach

1/4 cup white wine

4 ounces. Feta cheese, cut into 4 pieces

3 tablespoons Olive oil

1 can chopped drained Tomatoes,

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1 teaspoon.dried basil

Directions

Cut a two inch pocket into the thickest part of each chicken breast.
Stuff each pocket with spinach and feta cheese and seal with a toothpick.
Season each breast well with salt and pepper. Heat oil over medium high heat and saute
the breasts until golden brown on all sides. Remove chicken to a plate and cover with tin foil.
Add onion to remaining oil in pan and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Stir in white wine and bring to a simmer. Stir in tomatoes and basil. Bring to a simmer and return chicken to the pan and cover. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove lid and season sauce to taste. Serve with butter noodles tossed with parsley.

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slmetcal November 15th, 2009      Comments Off

Campbell’s Beef Taco Salad

From: Campbell’s Kitchen
Prep/Cook Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef
2 tbsp. chili powder
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell’s® Condensed Tomato Soup
8 cups salad greens torn in bite-size pieces
2 cups tortilla chips
chopped tomato
Sliced green onion
Shredded Cheddar cheese
Sliced pitted ripe olives

Directions:

COOK beef and chili powder in skillet until browned. Pour off fat. ADD soup and heat through. PLACE salad greens and chips on platter. Spoon meat mixture over salad greens. Top with tomato, onions, cheese and olives.

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slmetcal November 7th, 2009      Comments Off

My inspiration for this recipe came from my husbands favorite chicken dish. The story behind this recipe is that hubby and I were on a business trip staying in a hotel with a kitchenette.    The kitchenette is very small so we do not have an oven to bake in.  We do have a cook top and a microwave.   I just could not get behind the idea of nuking salmon even though they are individually wrapped and package says they are microwavable.    For those of you wishing to cut your prep time down can buy your veggies pre chopped if you choose.  I do 9 times out of 10.  For those who cannot eat pasta feel free to substitute Quinoa or Brown Rice if you wish.   Another note you can cook your salmon a number of ways this was the easiest way considering all we had was a cook top and a microwave.

4 Salmon filets

1 red pepper chopped

1 yellow pepper chopped

1 green pepper chopped

parsley for garnish (Fresh or Dried)  I use dried

1 box pine nut couscous (Quinoa or Brown Rice Can Be substituted)

1 pkg  crumbled sundried tomato feta cheese

1 tbsp lemon juice

mrs dash garden herb seasoning no salt added season to taste

Cook your couscous rice or Quinoa in Chicken Stock following directions on the box.

Combine your feta cheese, peppers, and lemon juice and set aside.

Season with Mrs Dash  and Sauté your Salmon until it flakes usually 10 min.

Once your couscous, rice, or Quinoa is done combine that with the

Feta, Pepper Mixture and garnish with Parsley.  Top your fish with the

leftover Feta, Pepper Mixture.

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slmetcal November 2nd, 2009      Comments Off

Dijon mustard gives the topping a nice kick and balances the richness of the salmon fillets. Lemon juice in the spinach salad offers another bright note.
Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Ingredients

Serves 4

    * 3 slices white sandwich bread
    * 1 cup fresh parsley
    * 2 tablespoons olive oil
    * Coarse salt and ground pepper
    * 4 skinless salmon fillets (6 ounces each)
    * 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
    * 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
    * 5 ounces baby spinach
    * 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced

Directions

   1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil; set aside. In a food processor, combine bread, parsley, and 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt and pepper. Pulse until coarse crumbs form.
   2. Place salmon on prepared sheet; season with salt and pepper. Spread top of fillets with Dijon; top with crumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Roast until salmon is opaque throughout, 11 to 13 minutes.
   3. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine lemon juice and remaining oil; season with salt and pepper. Add spinach and onion; toss to combine. Serve salmon with spinach salad.

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slmetcal September 25th, 2009      Comments Off