Cake with Rum Syrup

 

Photo Source: Recipes of Ybor City Facebook Group

This cake takes me back to childhood Christmas seasons.  There was a time when we would visit friends and family on Christmas Eve like a marathon.  I can't remember exactly who made this cake, but it was made every year.   

It was sinfully delicious!

CAKE:

2 c. sifted cake flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. sugar
6 egg whites
12 egg yolks
1 tsp. vanilla

Set oven to 375 degrees. 

Sift flour, baking powder and salt into medium-size mixing bowl. 

Beat egg whites until stiff, adding sugar a little at a time. 

Add egg yolks one by one. 

Fold in sifted flour. 

Add vanilla and pour into a buttered square cake mold. 

Bake for about 30 minutes. 

Let cool. 

Cut cake into squares but do not take out of the pan.

SYRUP:

4 c. sugar
2 c. water
1 cinnamon stick
1 lime peel
3 or 4 drops lime juice
2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. rum or sweet wine

Put the sugar, water, cinnamon stick, lime juice and lime peel in a pot. 

Bring to a boil and let it boil for about 5 minutes. 

Take off the stove and add vanilla.
 

Let cool and add the rum. 

Pour the syrup over the cake squares. 

Best when refrigerated a while.

Recipe from Recipes of Ybor City Facebook Group

Coconut-Pecan German Chocolate Pie

     Photo source:  Taste of Home

Going through recipes in my collection from old cookbooks and magazines.  My files are full of these recipes. Here is a recipe for a pie that could be a contender for your holiday dessert table from Taste of Home.  I love Taste of Home!  Check out their website for lots of awesome recipes.

Doesn't it look delicious?

NOTE:  I'm not a fan of lard, so I would substitute with shortening or butter.

Originally published as Coconut-Pecan German Chocolate Pie in Taste of Home, December 2013

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/coconut-pecan-german-chocolate-pie/


Ingredients

• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons cold lard
• 3 to 4 tablespoons ice water

FILLING:

• 4 ounces German sweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans

TOPPING:

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions

Mix flour and salt in a small bowl . . . blend lard in until crumbly.  Add ice water gradually, toss until dough holds together.  Shape into a disk and refrigerate 30 minutes or overnight wrapped in plastic wrap.

Preheat oven to 400°. 

Roll dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle on a lightly floured surface.  Transfer dough to a 9-in. pie plate. Trim pastry to 1/2 in. beyond rim of plate and flute edge. Line unpricked pastry with a double thickness of foil and fill with pie weights, dried beans or uncooked rice.

Bake 11-13 minutes or until bottom is lightly browned. Remove foil and weights . . . bake 6-8 minutes longer or until light brown. Cool on a wire rack. 

Reduce oven setting to 350°.

Melt chocolates in a large bowl in the microwave and stir until smooth. Cool slightly. Whisk in milk, egg yolks and vanilla until well blended.  Stir in pecans. Pour into crust. 

Bake 16-19 minutes or until set. 

Cool 1 hour on a wire rack.

Meanwhile . . . combine brown sugar, cream and butter in a small heavy saucepan.  On medium heat, bring to a boil, while stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat.

Whisk a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks in a small bowl.  Return all to pan and whisk constantly, cook 2-3 minutes or until mixture thickens and a thermometer reads 160°. Remove from heat. Stir in coconut and vanilla; cool 10 minutes.

Pour over filling; sprinkle with pecans. Refrigerate 4 hours or until cold. 


Yield: 8 servings.

Air Fryer Baked Potato

 

The baked potato looks so crispy and perfect!

I've made frozen french fries in the air fryer, but not baked potatoes.  Sometimes I make a meal of a baked potato, so I will have to try this.  

Thank you Ashley!  The Recipe Rebel is one of my new favorites with great information to go with the recipes.

Click here to go to Ashley's informative recipe page.

What To Make With Chicken Broth

 

Photo Source: Easy Chicken Recipes

Chicken broth is one of the most important items to have in your kitchen.  

While many make homemade chicken broth, I keep a jar of Better Than Bouillon to make my own chicken stock.  Since I love shortcuts in the kitchen, I just mix it in water and have delicious chicken stock in minutes.  Click here for the Better Than Bouillon website for everything you want to know about using this awesome product that comes in many flavors.

One of my cooking tricks is to use chicken stock instead of water when making rice or pasta.  Think about all the items you make that require water and replace with chicken stock.  It brings an enhanced flavor to whatever you are making.

Becky at Easy Chicken Recipes has an in depth article on everything you want to know about chicken broth, including 29 recipes using it.

Click here to go to Becky's post.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

 

Photo Source: Food Folks and Fun

The air fryer is what I now predominantly use since The Captain passed away and I am cooking for one.  I've adapted many of my recipes to prepare in the air fryer and will post many of these recipes.  There are many people cooking for one and using their air fryer, so I am looking for more air fryer recipes.  More recipes will be posted in the future.

Jillian at Food, Folks and Fun has posted an in depth air fryer recipe post for chicken thighs.  The article is very informative.  Thank you Jillian!  I am a subscriber to her newsletter and everyone should too!

Click here to go to the recipe post.

Pastina

 

Photo Source:  La Bella Vita Cocina

Pastina is one of my favorite childhood foods.  Maybe the fascination was the little tiny star noodles, however, it was also very delicious.  

It conjures up memories of my nana in the kitchen taking care of everyone.  Pastina would be served to anyone who had the flu or a cold, even though I would ask for it on a normal day.  Guess you could call it italian chicken soup.  

It has been decades since I've had Pastina since I have had no idea of how to make it.  My mom doesn't even remember.  It was one of those things that was so normal, the mindset was that it would always be there, like my nana.  We all loved it.  This reminds me how much I miss my precious nana, she was a treasure. 

Now, thanks to Roz at La Bella Vita Cucina, I can make pastina myself.  I would love to make a large batch and freeze it in portions.  

I mentioned Pastina to The Captain all the time and told him how special it was.  It makes me sad that he will never know.

Click here to go to the recipe page source.  Thank you so much Roz!

Spicy Crab Cakes

Crab cakes are one of my favorite foods . . . and I have posted a bunch of crab cake recipes in the past. This is another recipe a friend shared with me that I have not tested yet from my personal recipe collection.

The mayonnaise sauce in particular caught my eye and I plan on making some very soon . . . just for sandwiches and a different twist for egg and tuna salad sandwiches.

Ingredients:

2 eggs
1/2 lb. fresh lump crabmeat
1 c. ricotta cheese
1 c. (4 oz.) shredded Monterey Jack cheese with jalapenos
3 tbsp. cut chives
3/4 c. fine seasoned dry bread crumbs
1/4 c. oil
1 (7 oz.) jar roasted red peppers, drained
1/3 c. mayonnaise


Directions:

Whisk eggs until blended.

Stir in crab, cheeses, chives and 1/4 cup bread crumbs.

Form crab mixture into 1/4 inch thick cakes a on sheet of waxed paper, coat cakes with remaining bread crumbs.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat.

In hot oil, fry crab cakes, a few at a time, until golden on both sides, about 3 minutes in all.

As cakes cook, remove from pan, drain on prepared baking sheet with paper towels and keep warm in oven.



RED PEPPER MAYONNAISE SAUCE

Process red peppers with mayonnaise in blender  until smooth.

Serve with crab cakes.

12 servings.

World's Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe is said to have come from a famous cookie maker

3/4 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter
1 Tbs. vanilla extract
2 eggs, slightly beaten
3 cups flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a large bowl, combine the white and brown sugars.

Add butter and cream together with the sugar.

Add vanilla and eggs, mixing well.

In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking soda and salt together.

Add dry mixture to the creamed mixture.

Mix well; the dough will be stiff.

Add the chocolate chips. Add nuts, if desired.

Line cookie sheets with baking parchment or wax paper.

Using a small ice cream scoop, drop dough onto the cookie sheets.

Bake 10-12 minutes.

Remove from oven and cool on wire racks.

Yield: 2-3 dozen



Variations on World's Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

Start with the basic World's Best Chocolate Chip recipe above, and
making substitutions or additions as called for. All variations
should be baked in a preheated 350F oven for 10-12 minutes, unless
otherwise stated.

Creme de Menthe Chocolate Chip Cookies
Substitute 2 tablespoons Creme de Menthe liqueur for 1 tablespoon
vanilla, and substitute 3 cups mint chocolate chips for the 3 cups
semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Butterscotch Beauties
Substitute 3 cups butterscotch chips for 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Chunky Peanut Butter Chip Cookies
Substitute 3 cups peanut butter chips and 1 cup chopped peanuts for 3
cups semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Kiss Your Cookies
Prepare dough as directed for basic recipe. Form a ball of chocolate
chip dough around a Hershey's Chocolate Kiss. Roll dough in your hand
to form a ball and bake on cookie sheet for 9-11 minutes at 350.

Amaretto Almond
Substitute 1/2 tablespoon almond extract and 2 tablespoons Amaretto
for the 1 tablespoon vanilla. Add 1 cup sliced almonds plus chocolate
chips to cookie dough. (If you do not want to use liqueur, substitute
1 tablespoon almond extract for the 1 tablespoon vanilla.)

Kahlua Chocolate Chip
Substitute 3 cups milk chocolate chips for the semi-sweet chocolate
chips and substitute 3 tablespoons Kahlua liqueur for 1 tablespoon
vanilla.

Caramel Kings with Nuts
Reduce flour to 2-1/2 cups. Substitute 20 Kraft caramel candy pieces
for the 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips. Chop each caramel into 8
small pieces. Mix chopped caramels with 1 cup chopped nuts and stir
into prepared cookie dough.

Triple Chocolate Delight
Substitute 1 cup milk chocolate chips, 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate
chips and 1 cup white chocolate chips for the 3 cups of semi-sweet
chocolate chips.

Raisinette Dreams
Substitute 2 cups Raisinettes for 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Reese's Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Substitute 1-1/2 cups Reese's Peanut Butter Chips and 1-1/2 cups
semi-sweet chocolate chips for 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips. Add
1 cup chopped peanuts, if desired.

Heath Bar Cookies
Substitute 6 Heath Bars (original or soft and chewy style) for 3 cups
semi-sweet chocolate chips. (Heath Bars come 2 small bars per pack.
Use 3 packs, or 6 small bars.) Cut each bar into 12 pieces before
adding to prepared cookie dough.

Chewy Gooeys
Substitute 10 Kraft caramels and 2 cups large semi-sweet chocolate
chips for the 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips. Cut each caramel
into 4 thin slices before adding to prepared cookie dough.


SOURCE:
Cookies! The Collector's Series/Volume 26
The American Cooking Guild

Gina's Mojo Roast Pork

 This is the best roast pork ever!  It is a family recipe, cuban in origin, and usually includes black beans and garlicy white rice on the side with some of the juice of the pork poured over the beans.  

Ingredients:

Mojo Criollo (Found in your local Hispanic aisle I use Goya brand)

  or make your own Mojo Criollo

6 medium Onions

10-12 garlic cloves

1 cup sour orange juice (you may substitute 1 cup orange juice and 1/8 cup lemon juice)

5 lb Pork butt

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

           

Place pork in Dutch Oven fat side up.  Score the fat and stud with ½ of the garlic. (I like to stab holes in the pork and stuff with garlic to further distribute the garlic flavor within the pork).

           

Cut onions into quarters and place in pot with the remaining garlic

Pour the Mojo Criollo into the Dutch Oven and add 1 cup of sour orange juice.

Cook for about 6 hours or until fork tender.

Another method I use:

Ingredients the same, cooking method different.

I cook my pork roast in the crock pot all day long . . . check it periodically until done to your preference.

Coat the bottom of the crock pot with some olive oil and saute onion and garlic in the olive oil until onions are translucent. 

Add the roast with the Mojo Criollo and sour orange juice.

 

The onions liquify and the roast cooks in the onion and garlic juice, along with the marinade, giving it lots of flavor.  It also makes an awesome gravy.

NOTE:  Cooking time depends on your crock pot.  Set on high - cook around 3-4 hours.  Set on low - 8 hours or until done.

Macaroni and Cheese

 

Photo source: Paula Deen

Being married to country boys taught me how to appreciate comfort food. 

I love the Food Network and Ina, the Barefoot Contessa . . . one of my favorite FN shows. She made the most delicious looking macaroni and cheese that has a bit of a twist to it. So I thought I would share it.

I'm also including a macaroni and cheese recipe from Paula Deen . . . my other favorite.  I can't really say one is a favorite over the other. They share the style of comfort food . . . much like I do . . . I've also listed my basic technique for Macaroni and Cheese . . . sorry, you know I'm the type of cook who does not measure anything on my basic recipes.

Gina's Macaroni and Cheese

I make my macaroni and cheese from scratch, but I don't measure anything. It is a combination of what these other ladies do . . . I guess you could use their measurements as a guide.

I make a roux of flour and butter as a base . . . add half and half (I use fat free) or milk and whisk over heat until I get the desired consistency. Add salt and cayenne pepper to taste . . . add cheddar cheese (I use a medium sized package of shredded cheese) . . . stir until smooth.

Pour over cooked macaroni.

NOTE:

When my tomato plants yield lots of tomatoes and
I have an abundance of tomatoes, I also cut up
tomatoes into the mixture . . . yummy!!

Mac and Cheese
Barefoot Contessa . . . The Food Network

INGREDIENTS:

Kosher salt
Vegetable oil
1 pound elbow macaroni
1 quart milk
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
12 ounces Gruyere, grated (4 cups)
8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (2 cups)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 pound fresh tomatoes (4 small)
1 1/2 cups fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices, crusts removed)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.

Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large (4-quart) pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into a 3-quart baking dish.

Slice the tomatoes and arrange on top. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, combine them with the fresh bread crumbs, and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.




Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
Paula Deen

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (4 cups cooked)
4 tablespoons (1/2 stuck) butter, cut into pieces
2 1/2 cups (about 10 ounces) grated sharp Cheddar cheese
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup sour cream
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed Cheddar cheese soup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Boil the macaroni in a 2 quart saucepan in plenty of water until tender, about 7 minutes. Drain. In a medium saucepan, mix butter and cheese. Stir until the cheese melts. In a slow cooker, combine cheese/butter mixture and add the eggs, sour cream, soup, salt, milk, mustard and pepper and stir well. Then add drained macaroni and stir again. Set the slow cooker on low setting and cook for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.

Banana Pudding

 

Photo source: eaglebrand.com/

Good thing bananas are cheap and healthy because I could live off of them. Although I eat lots of bananas, you can never eat them fast enough before you have to use them in some kind of cooking or they end up in my compost pile.

Banana pudding is one of my favorite desserts and one of those comfort foods that is good for every day or during the holidays. It is all in the way you present it.

My recipe is an adaptation of a recipe from Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk found years ago in a magazine, newspaper or a cookbook . . . I've used this recipe for as long as I can remember, so I don't know for sure.

Makes 8 to 10 servings

Ingredients:

1 (14 ounce) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk (NOT evaporated milk)
1 1/2 cups cold water
1 (4 serving size) package instant banana flavored pudding and pie filling mix
2 cups (1 pint) whipping cream, whipped
36 vanilla wafers
2-3 medium bananas, sliced and dipped in lemon juice

Directions:

Line serving bowl with vanilla wafers.

In large bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk and water until combined. Add pudding mix and beat well. Chill 5 minutes. 

Fold in whipped cream.

Using a glass serving bowl (2 1/2 quart), layer ingredients, by spooning 1 cup pudding mixture into the bowl, add some of the wafers, bananas and pudding. Repeat layering twice, ending with pudding.

Chill thoroughly. 

NOTE:  Depending on your preference, either line the serving bowl with vanilla wafers, or use more within the pudding.  I like to line the serving bowl.

Cheddar Bay Biscuits

 

One of my favorite restaurants is Red Lobster since seafood is my very favorite food. However, not only do I love the restaurant because it primarily offers a wide variety of seafood dishes, I adore those biscuits that they keep bringing out as long as you want more. Actually, I could make a meal off of those biscuits and the awesome salad that comes with the meal.

My friend Rose and I came up with this version of Cheddar Biscuits that come close to those awesome Red Lobster biscuits and so easy to make with Bisquick . . . something I am never without in my pantry.  We made many trips to Red Lobster so we could pick up all the flavors.  I think we came close!

Scroll down for recipe.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees


Ingredients:

• 4 cups Bisquick
• 3 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 1/3 cups water
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/8 teaspoon dried parsley

Combine baking mix, cheese and spices with water. Mix until dough is firm. Using a small scoop or spoon, place dough on a greased baking sheet, varying the size to what you desire. The number of biscuits depends on how big or small you make each one.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Combine the melted butter and some parsley. Brush over baked biscuits immediately upon removing from oven.

Collection of Thanksgiving Recipes

Are you ready for Thanksgiving?  Whether you are looking for new recipes or if you are hosting Thanksgiving for the first time, listed below are articles that will help you with whatever you need Thanksgiving-wise.

If you are like me cooking for one . . . it is Door Dash from Bob Evans Restaurant, who has the best Thanksgiving Dinner delivered to you.  I've done it for the last couple years and very happy with them!

Thanksgiving Cheat Sheet from Betty Crocker

Showstopping Thanksgiving Desserts from Betty Crocker

Thanksgiving Table Settings from Martha Stewart

Homemade Stuffing Mix from Everyday Cheapskate

First Time Hosting Thanksgiving from Everyday Cheapskate

Deviled Eggs from nobiggie.com

Delicious Turkey Recipes to Liven Up Your Fall from Maria's Mixing Bowl

Thanksgiving Recipe and Wine Menu from Living the Gourmet

Molly Yeh's Top Thanksgiving Recipe Videos

Classic Thanksgiving Side Dishes You'll Make Every Year from Food Network

Keep scrolling for videos

Pierogi Lasagna Rolls

 

This is one of the most unusual recipes I have run across in a long time.

Mashed potatoes rolled up in lasagna noodles with cheddar cheese and bacon?

It looks delicious and I can't wait to make this meal!

Click here to go to the recipe source page.

Pepperoni Pizza Rolls

 

Sally's Baking Addiction is one of my favorite food blogs!

Pizza rolls make an awesome and impressive appetizer to take to a party or serve at your own party.  Of course you are not confined to using pepperoni . . . use what you like on a pizza!

Sally's source recipe page . . . 

check out her website for detailed photos and a link to buy her new cookbook.

  

Turtle Brownies

                                         

Dorothy at Crazy for Crust always has the best dessert recipes!

Chocolate and caramel has been calling my name and I have been
drooling over the recipes that I am finding with two of my favorite
 dessert ingredients.

This recipe makes 16 brownies!

Click here to go to the source recipe page at Crazy for Crust.

Check out all the other sweet treats while you are there!

Crab au Gratin Pizza

 

Michelle at the blog Ms enPlace has quite a unique imagination when it comes to pizza!

I've thought about coming up with a crab pizza, but my imaginary crab pizza has a base of my crab enchilada sauce (crab pasta sauce) topped with crab and cheese.  One of these days we will make it and share it here.

Michelle uses sharp cheddar cheese, but I'm wondering what it would taste like using a mild white cheese like provolone.  I think that is what I will do!  I'll do an update when we make the pizza :)






Crab au Gratin Pizza
makes 1 12-14" pizza

For the pizza dough
3 to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 package Rapid Rise Yeast
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup very warm water (120 to 130 F)
2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
Cornmeal

Preheat oven to 450 F.


In large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, undissolved yeast, and salt. Stir very warm water and olive oil into dry ingredients. Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 4 to 6 minutes. Cover; let rest on floured surface for 10 minutes. Shape dough into smooth ball. Roll and press dough into a 12-14" circle.  Dust a pizza peel with cornmeal.  Place the circle of dough on the peel and shake to make sure the dough will slide off into the oven.  Slide the dough directly onto your oven rack.  Bake for about 10 minutes.  Remove with the pizza peel.

For the sauce
1 1/2 TBSP butter
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
2 TBSP finely chopped onion
1 1/2 TBSP flour
3/4 cup milk, warmed
salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, to taste

Melt the butter over medium low in a saucepan.  Saute the garlic and onion in the butter for 5-7 minutes.  Sprinkle in the flour and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring.  Slowly whisk in warm milk and bring to a boil.  Lower to a simmer and cook for about 3 minutes.  Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste.

To make the pizza
prebaked pizza crust (above)
white sauce (above)
8-10 oz cooked crabmeat
1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 TBSP chopped green onion


Spoon the sauce onto the prebaked crust, leaving an inch border.  Scatter the crab on top.  Top evenly with the cheddar and Parmesan cheeses.  Bake at 350 F for about 12 minutes.  Place under the broiler for a few minutes to lightly brown the cheese.  Scatter the green onion over the top, slice, and serve.


Recipe and Photo Source