Cajun Cooking Recipes Cooking Blog

2010-01-26T13:40:00.000-08:00

Cajun Cooking Recipes Newsletter

January 26, 2010

Welcome to Cajun Cooking Recipes!

Hi y'all! Welcome to Cajun Cooking Recipes Newsletter!

How are things going for you today? Great I hope!

I have to say, our weather has been really pretty lately, still a touch on the cold side for me, but, I'm not normal anyways!

How have you been doing on your New Year's resolution, if you made any? I actually have kept one so far! I started exercising, and have actually stuck with it! Usually, I will do it for two or three days, then I think, I'll do it tomorrow, well yeah, right, tomorrow never comes that way for me!

We hope you enjoy todays newsletter. We love to hear from our readers, so drop us a line! Just reply to this newsletter.

Today's Recipe:

Stove Top Tamale Pie

1 t. olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 8-oz. can tomato sauce
1 14-oz. can black beans, un drained
1/2 C. water
1 3-oz. can chopped green chilies, un drained
1 1.25-oz. package taco seasoning mix
1 8-oz. package corn muffin mix
1 C. shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 C. sliced green onion

In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, place the olive oil and onion and sauté until the onion is translucent. Add the ground beef and brown; drain the fat.

Stir in the tomato sauce, black beans, water, green chilies and taco seasoning mix. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 5 minutes.

Prepare the corn muffin mix according to package directions. Drop small spoonfuls of batter over the meat mixture in the skillet; don't worry if there are some small uncovered places. Cover and cook over medium heat 15-17 minutes until the batter is cooked through.

Sprinkle the mixture with the cheese and green onion. Re-cover and cook 3-4 minutes over low heat until the cheese melts.

Serves 4-6

Today's Cooking Tip:

Cooking Tips For Hamburger Meat

If you are looking for a way to decrease the fat in regular hamburger meat when using in sauces and casseroles, you can cook it like you normally do, drain it, place in colander, and rinse with warm water. Blot dry with paper towels. This reduces the fat content, but takes a lot of the flavor away!

Today's Joke:

You might be a Cajun if.....

You wonder where the mosquitoes have gone when you travel north!

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Thanks for reading everyone! If you have a recipe, cooking tip, joke, questions, or just want to say hi, just add your comment at the end of this post!

Have a great week,

Peggy and that wacky quacker, Georgette!

Cajun Cooking Recipes

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Chicken with cream gravy recipe

2009-06-12T02:55:00.000-07:00

Chicken with cream gravy recipe

This chicken recipe which makes it's own cream gravy is one of my kids favorites. Mine too!

Ingredients:

6 to 8 chicken pieces (I use leg quarters)
1/2 to 1 onion-chopped
seasoning to taste
flour-enough to coat chicken
oil-enough to fry chicken
water

Directions:
First of all, if you are using leg quarters, trim off excess fat. I leave the skin on mine, I like the way the chicken comes out with it on.
Rinse the chicken pieces. Season them with your choice of seasonings. I use Tony Chachere's, a little salt and pepper, and garlic powder.
I also season the flour I use to coat the chicken.
Next shake the chicken pieces a few at a time in the flour until well coated.
Heat enough oil in a dutch oven to fry chicken. (I do this in a dutch oven instead of a skillet, because I also put this in the oven. Saves using two pans!)
Fry the chicken pieces on all sides until lightly brown.
Add the chopped onion, and continue cooking until the onions are soft.
Drain oil.
Add enough water to cover chicken, and simmer a little while until it starts to make gravy.
It may be thick, and you can add more water to thin a bit, as this will thicken in the oven.
Remove from heat.
Heat oven to 350 degrees, and cook for about an hour, or until chicken is done. Keep checking at times to make sure the gravy is not getting too thick, as it may stick. If it is, just add a little bit more water.
I usually serve rice with this, and of course some veggies. I love the way this makes it's own cream gravy.

A recipe on how to make Cajun chocolate pecan pralines

2009-05-24T10:55:00.000-07:00

A lot of people ask me how to make a good praline. There are several ways to make pralines, and I am going to give you one of my favorite praline recipes. This one is for making Cajun style chocolate pecan pralines. The pralines do take some work, but man, I love them, and they are worth the time, especially if you like chocolate and pecans, and of course, candy!

How to make CHOCOLATE PECAN PRALINES

First you need to gather the following ingredients together;
1 1/2 Sticks unsalted butter
1 c Sugar
1 c Packed, light brown sugar
1 c Milk
1/2 c Heavy cream
1 c Coarsely chopped pecans
2 c Whole pecan halves
2 tb Vanilla extract
1 1/2 c Semisweet chocolate chips

First off, you need to chill the chocolate chips . Then assemble all the ingredients and utensils before starting to cook. (Measure out the chocolate chips and keep them in the fridge until just before needed.) You need to gather up everything you need beforehand: a large, heavy-bottomed aluminum pot or skillet with deep sides, a long-handled metal whisk or spoon, 2 large spoons (or an ice cream scoop with a manual release) and a very lightly greased cookie sheet.

Next, just melt the butter in the pot over high heat then add the sugars, milk, cream and chopped pecans. You will need to cook this 5 minutes, and whisking constantly. Then reduce heat to medium, and continue cooking and whisking about 10 minutes.

Add the pecan halves and continue whisking and cooking until done, about 8 to 10 minutes.
(If it starts smokes toward end of cooking time, just lower the heat.) Stir in the vanilla. then immediately drop about 1/4 cup of chocolate chips into about one-sixth of the batter.
Then you really need to stir it all quickly and just enough to cover some of the chips with batter but not you do not want the chocolate chips to melt yet.

Quickly drop the chocolate mixture onto the cookie sheet by heaping spoonfuls, using the second spoon to push the batter off the first (or use ice cream scoop). Each of the pralines should be about 2 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch thick.

Repeat with remaining mixture, stirring briefly before adding more chocolate chips. The cooled pralines should be light brown, opaque, somewhat chunky and crumbly. Sometimes it takes some practice to get the pralines just right, but just keep trying until you get the hang of it, it really is worth the effort!

This recipe yeilds about 24 chocolate pecan pralines, more or less!

How to make Cajun sauce picante

2009-05-19T18:16:00.000-07:00

How to make Cajun sauce picante

I just love to make this Cajun dish, and making sauce picante is really not hard at all! To me it tastes better with peeled crawfish tails, peeled shrimp, fish, or chicken (I usuallly use cut up chicken breasts)but some folks use other a combination, and others add sausage. Every Cajun makes their recipes in different ways, so you usually won't find recipes with the exact same ingredients!

To make the sauce, I use the following ingredients:

1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
8 0unces of water
2 tablespoons of flour
2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning (I use Tony Chachere's)
1/2 to one whole onion-chopped
About 4 green onions-chopped

I usually don't add salt and pepper, because for me the Tony's has enough. You may want to adjust this to your own taste.

Mix first four ingredients until well blended, then add the onions and green onions
Then add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a large fry pan and heat the mixture over medium or low heat, until the onions have softened a bit.
Now you can add your crawfish tails, shrimp, fish, or chicken, and continue cooking until meat is done.

*NOTE: Crawfish and shrimp do not take very long to cook, fish takes a bit longer, and chicken usually takes the longest.

You can also add pre-cooked meat once the sauce is done, and not cook as long.

I normally serve this over cooked rice, because I like it that way, but lots of people like it over pasta.

How To Make Easter Biscuits Recipe

2009-04-10T12:53:00.000-07:00

Hi y'all!

Happy Easter weekend! We are featuring a recipe on how to make Easter biscuits today. Making biscuits for Easter isn't really all that hard, but it's worth the extra effort you put into it. It is almost like making regular biscuits, but a few more ingredients (and for some, a few more steps) are needed to make them special for this Easter holiday.

How To Make Easter Biscuits

Ingredients:

3 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. mixed spices
1 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 c. butter
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. (or more) currants
2 eggs, beaten

Directions:

First you sift the four, baking powder, mixed spices and cinnamon into a bowl; add butter. and cut into small pieces. Mix it all in using your fingers until mixture resembles fine bread crumbs. (Imagine taking bread crumbs, and crumbling them up really fine, that is how it should look)
Then just stir in the sugar and currants.
Next add the eggs and mix till it all forms a stiff dough.
Roll this mixture out on a lightly floured board to about 1/4 inch thickness. You can cut the dough into rounds using a 3 1/2 inch fluted cutter.
Now all you have to do is to place the rounds onto a greased baking sheet, or sheets, if they all don't fit on one sheet, you can always use another one!
Just about done now, all that is left to do is to bake the biscuits in a preheated 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned. (Oven temperatures differ, so start checking after about 10 to 15 minutes)
When done, cool the biscuits on a wire rack.

These biscuits go great with just about anything you are serving for Easter.

Have a wonderful Easter holday and thanks for reading!

Please look at the links to the left side of this page for our most important pages in our website!

Till next time,
Peggy and that wacky quacker, Georgette!

Cherry Nut Easter Eggs Recipe

2009-03-30T09:54:00.000-07:00

Hi Y'all!

Today's newsletter features a recipe for Cherry Nut Easter Eggs, which sounds really wonderful!

How is your day going? Are you getting ready for Easter?

Our weather has really been nuts lately, but hey, it's Louisiana!

We hope you enjoy today's newsletter!

*Cherry Nut Easter Eggs

Ingredients:

1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
2 small boxes regular vanilla pudding and filling (do not use instant pudding)
1 (9 ounce) jar maraschino cherries
1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
1 to 2 pounds confectioners' sugar
1 pound chocolate, melted

First of all, you will need to cut the cherries in half, and then drain the cherries well on paper towels.
Next just cook milk, butter and pudding in a medium pan over low heat until well blended and the mixure is thick. Remove from stove and add the cherries, nuts and enough sugar to make it all a thick consistency.
Now you form the mixture into 8 to 10 egg shapes making sure your hands are coated in butter. Then you place the eggs onto a wax paper covered cookie sheet. You will need to chill the eggs in the fridge several hours until the egss are firm.
Not too much left to do now! Just melt the chocolate in a double boiler, but be really careful not to scorch it. Let cool a bit and frost the eggs with melted chocolate.
You can also decorate the eggs with your favorite butter cream icing.

Today's Joke:

Would you like something from my Easter basket?
Sure! Here. Have some plastic grass!

Today's Cooking Tip:

How to buy eggs:

I know when I first had to start grocery shopping, I didn't know too much at all about it! I knew you should check the expiration date on eggs along other items, but I didn't know that you should open the carton to check to see if any eggs were cracked! So, here are a few tips for when you are buying eggs! The colder the eggs the better. Try to reach to the back of the shelf, that is where the eggs are normally the coldest. Then open the carton, and make sure they are not cracked! Next., check the expiration date. If they expire in a few days, look for another carton that has a later date of expiration. Another indication that eggs are old is that they will be shiny. They should be clean and a little dull.

I hope these tips help someone!

Recipe Requests/Cooking Questions:

So far, no one has a recipe request or cooking question.
If you have a recipe request or cooking question, or if you just want to comment on this post, please post it by clicking on the link at the end of this post, "click here to read or reply to this post"

Okay, I know we have been through a lot over the years with this newsletter. We have had a lot of changes, this is yet another one, and hopefully the last one! I have had no answer from Zinester regarding if they are continuing their services for newsletter, and I have had a lot of people telling me they can't even read the newsletter any more. In order to continue to receive the newsletter, please click on the icon near the top right side of this page, where it says. "Want to be updated when I make a new post? Just click the orange icon to subscribe to my feed!" I really apologize for the troubles!

Here are a few of our important pages:

Cajun Cooking Recipes

Close Clone Restaurant Recipes

We also have a lot of our past newsletters archived at:

Cajun Cooking Recipes Newsletter Archives

And our message board is located at:
Cajun Cooking Recipes Message Board

That's it for today folks! We hope you have a wonderful week!

Peggy and that wacky quacker, Georgette!

Easter Bunny Salad Recipe

2009-03-26T12:39:00.000-07:00

Edible Easter Bunny Salad Recipe

Ingredients:

One leaf from a head of Lettuce laid out on a plate
Pear halves
Raisins
Apple slices or AlmondsPlace

This is a fun and really cute salad recipe that children can help with for easter. First you will need to add the pear halves on the leaf of lettuce. (this makes the body of the bunny).
Next insert raisins into the pear halves for the eyes and nose. The way to make the ears on the bunny is to add either apples slices or almonds.

Now we are almost finished making the Easter Bunny! All that is left to do is to add miniature marshmallow or cottage cheese to make the bushy tail for the bunny.

This is really quick, easy recipe that kids can help make. Another great thing about this salad recipe, it's edible!

Have a wonderful Easter, and lets hope the Easter Bunny brings the kids lot's of treats!

Looking for easter recipes-A little something different!

2009-03-17T18:07:00.001-07:00

Are you looking for Easter recipes? I'm in the mood for something different this Easter! I get tired of the same old dishes, each and every year, but just don't want to hurt someones feelings! You know, the family gets together, so and so brings this Easter dish that they have been making for years, everyone says how wonderful it is, but, in the back of their minds they may be saying, it's good, but, I am looking for a different type of recipe this year for Easter, we have this each and every year!

Let's try and think outside of the box! Why can't we just fix our favorites? Why does it always have to be a "traditional Easter" meal? Yeah, well, Aunt Sally may be mad at us, because we bring something that is not what the family is used to, but, I have always been kind of the "black sheep" of the family anyway, they would expect that from me!

Sure, let's have the Easter games, with all the kids there, the Easter egg hunt, we can't do without that, especially finding the golden egg, that is always great! Have the whole family get together, I'm not saying get rid of tradition! Tradition is important. I'm just talking about food! Let's all try and bring one dish that is not what we usually bring for Easter. Try and take a little extra time if you have it, bring the dish you normally bring, but bring something else that you never do! Something you like, and hopefully something someone else will like!

Who knows? You may start your own family tradition for Easter!

Can't Afford Food-Much Less Buy Food that is good for you!

2009-03-10T14:15:00.000-07:00

Why can't we afford food anymore? What kind of food is good for you? Milk, juice, vegetables, some types of meat, which even ground meat is getting really expensive to buy now, and full of grease, which is not good for you, much less any of the other food that is supposed to keep you healthy! Potatoes here in Louisiana have really gotten ridiculous. Can't afford to buy them either!

Fruit juice is way too expensive for me to buy on my budget. Milk, nope, can't afford to buy it either, so I just skip milk, even though I love it.

Lot's of folks are health concious these days, but have you ever thought about the folks that really can't afford to eat that way, that some folks turn down their noses at because of the way they eat?

Okay, food stamps.....for people who can't afford to buy food that they really need, food stamps are available, but.....the income level that the food stamp office usually requires for you to NOT have, is way too high for most folks to even qualify!

How are we supposed to feed our children? Even just something to fill them up, not to mention how we are supposed to be able to buy food that is good for them, or for you! I know lot's of Mother's that go hungry, just so their kids can have a little something to eat!

Okay, I'm sure, we have all seen lot's of people on the side of the road holding up signs, saying they are hungry, and will work for food. (Or at least we do here in Louisiana, maybe not in your part of the world) How do weed out the ones that are really hungry, and the ones that are lazy and just don't want to do a darn thing to help themselves? Lot's of folks are down on their luck, and they are forced to do such things to just put food on the table, but there are lot's of scam artists out there too. These people should be ashamed of themselves! They are making us turn a blind eye to the ones who really need help in buying food.

I had a friend of mine, that worked in a home cleaning business, she saw a woman on the side of the road, holding up a sign stating that she would work for food. Well, it so happened that they were really short that day, and could have used the extra help. They stopped and told the woman that she could come work for a days wages. Guess what she said? She said that she could not leave because she would lose her corner, but could they donate to her????? Well, my friend told her NO!!!! Which I totally agree with!

This post is not to offend anyone, I really would like your comments on this post. What are your views on this article? What would you have done if that woman said she would work for food, and then said she couldn't leave her corner!!!!!

Just my two cents on people that can't afford food, much less buy foods that are good for you!

Peggy

Are hot dogs bad for your health?

2008-06-26T12:20:00.000-07:00

Hot dogs, are they bad for your health?

Hot dogs are great on the grill, with chili and onions, and ketchup, and mustard, and most anything you want to throw on them! But are hot dogs bad for your health? Seems like most everything you eat nowdays is bad for you, or most any food that tastes good anyway!

There is so much controversy on the hot dog, if they are bad or good for you, that I would love to hear your opinons.

I don't know about y'all, but, no microwave for me when it comes to my hot dogs! If they aren't grilled, then I have to boil them on the stove, until they are nice, and plump, and hot! But, what's up with that anyway? They don't plump up near as much as they used to, don't have the same taste either. All this chicken and pork and turkey, instead of the way they used to be. Wonder what they used to make them out of?

I'm sure the way I fix mine are for sure not healthy. I put mayonnaisse, mustard, ketchup, onions, chili and cheese on mine. I can almost hear some of you groaning at that! But I bet there are some folks out there that like their dogs this way too!

What is your favorite type of hot dog? What kind stuff do you put on yours? I would really love to know what your favorite way to eat your hot dog is! So, come on folks, share your favorite hot dog recipe with us!

Eat Healthy Meals That Taste Good!

2008-05-06T09:38:00.000-07:00

Need or want to eat meals that are healthy, but find that most do not have much taste? Would you like to actually eat a meal that is healthy and has taste?

I recently came across this blog, Healthy Yet Yummy Food - For Healthy, Delicious And Quick Meal Recipes that seem to be bursting with flavor!

Recipes like, Chili Crab, Hawaiian stir-fried tempeh, Watermelon Fire and Ice Salsa, just to name a few, plus many more.

The following recipe is one I really can't wait to try:
Spiced Coconut Fish-Serves 4

Ingredients :
500 g Fish fillets
1/2 cup Desiccated coconut
3/4 cup Hot water
1 clove Garlic
12 mm Fresh ginger
1/4 teaspoon Ground kencur (aromatic ginger)
1 teaspoon Ground cumin
1 teaspoon Ground coriander
1 teaspoon Garam masala
1 teaspoon Salt
1 1/2 tablespoons Lemon juice
1 tablespoon Chopped fresh coriander leaves
Banana leaves
Aluminum foil

Method :
Wash, clean and scale fillets and cut into approximately 10 cm lengths.
Blend together, at high speed, the coconut, hot water, garlic, ginger, kencur, cumin, coriander, garam masala and salt until coconut is very finely ground.
Mix in lemon juice and coriander leaves.
Put equivalent of 1 fillet of fish on each piece of banana leaf placed on square of foil.
Spoon 2-3 teaspoons of coconut mixture on fish.
Wrap leaf over, make a parcel of foil, steam for 15 minutes.
Serve hot.

My mouth is watering just thinking about it! This blog a visit, I'm sure you will find a recipe you like! Feel free to leave your comments!

Rising Cost of Food And Gas

2008-05-02T13:18:00.000-07:00

I know I normally post recipes, but I just had to give my two cents worth on the rising cost of gas and food.

With gas prices rising, so are our food costs. It is getting to where people are having to choose between putting gas in their car, or eating. That is really sad, and something really needs to be done soon.

Imagine a single parent raising children on their own. Some only make minimum wage, have to pay a baby sitter, put gas in their car to get to work, and put food on the table. For many that is becoming a overwhelming task. Also anyone living on a low fixed income.

I think we are going to start seeing a lot more gas theft, people standing in front of gas stations asking for gas or money, more people turning to food stamps, and welfare, because they just can't make it on what they recieve monthly. There is just too much month at the end of the money for a lot of people. How is the higher price of gas helping anyone?

I would love to hear comments on this issue. You opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Cajun Fried Sweet Potato Fries Recipe

2008-04-02T19:02:00.000-07:00

Cajun Fried Sweet Potato Fries

These Cajun sweet potatoes are simple to make and will make your mouth water!

You will need one sweet potato for each person.

First you take the sweet potatoes and bake them in the oven at 375 to 400 degree F for about 45 minutes.

Then let cool, peel each one, and slice into strips lengthwise, just like a regular french fry.
Next, drop the fries into hot oil, and fry them up until golden brown. Drain.

That's it! You can season them with salt, or as a lot of places here in Louisiana do, serve them sprinkled with powdered sugar! I've had them both ways, and I happen to like them with a little powdered sugar, instead of salt.

Not sure which way your family or guests will like them? Leave off the salt, or sugar, and let them choose!

April Fool's Shamburger Recipe

2008-03-26T13:15:00.000-07:00

I found this really neat recipe for Shamburgers that would be great to serve for April Fool's Day!
April is just around the corner! Wow, this year is already going fast.

The reason they are called Shamburgers, is because they look like regular hamburgers, but when you bite into them, you are in for a surprize! You can fool almost anyone with these! They are acutally cookies made to look like hamburgers, with seasame seeds and all! That is why they are called Shamburgers!

Okay, ready to pull the wool over someones eyes? Here is what you need to do:

First of all, gather the following ingredients together:

1 cup (2 sticks) margarine
1 cup sugar
3 eggs (1 is for the cookie glaze)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 cup shredded coconut
Green food coloring
Red and yellow icing
12 large (1.5 ounces) or 36 medium (.6 ounce) peppermint patties

The next step is to make the fake hamburger buns:
Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Using an electric mixer, cream the margarine and sugar until fluffy, or about 1 to 2 minutes. Then you 2 eggs and beat well. Stir in the vanilla extract.
With me so far? Great!

Stir up the flour, baking powder and salt into a seperate bowl, mixing well. Once you have done this, add this mixture to the creamy mix you made with the margarine, sugar and vanilla, making sure to blend it all in together well.

Now, you take this mixture using about a rounded tablespoon at a time, and drop it onto a lightly greased baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Next, take a rounded glass, flour the bottom of it lightly, and use it to press the dough into a circle.

Take the remaining egg, and beat it well, then use a pastry brush to lightly brush the top of each cookie. Sprinkle the sesame seeds on top of each cookie. Bake them in the oven for around ten minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown.

Once these are done, cool them on a rack. While these are cooling, it's time to make the fake lettuce for your Shamburgers!

Place the shredded coconut in a plastic bag, add a couple of drops of the green food coloring to this, and shake it all up until it has turned a light green color.

Now, your cookies have cooled and you have it all set to go!

This is how you put it all together:

Assemble the burgers:
Choose two of the cookies that are about the same size and shape. Spread some icing ketchup or mustard on the bottom "bun" add a peppermint patty, sprinkle with some coconut lettuce. Then add a squirt or so of icing ketchup or mustard to hold the top bun together.

Now you are done! How does it look? Like Hamburgers, or shall we say, Shamburgers!

This recipe makes about 12 large hamburgers, or Shamburgers.

Have fun with it, and let me know what you think by adding a comment~

Chocolate Easter Eggs Recipe

2008-03-11T20:42:00.000-07:00

Chocolate Easter Eggs

Ingredients:
1 cup butter softened3 pounds powdered sugar
2/3 cup condensed milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pound chocolate (semi-sweet) semi-sweet, chopped
2 tablespoons vegetable shortening

Icing:
2 pounds powdered sugar
1 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup milk
1 x food coloring (optional)

Directions:

To increase variety, divide dough into four portions and use extra flavors.
In a large bowl, beat butter until fluffy; gradually beat in icing sugar, milk, vanilla and salt.
On work surface, knead until smooth.
Shape into 32 eggs.
Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.

Irish Cream Chocolates recipe

2008-03-04T11:45:00.000-08:00

Irish Cream Chocolates

12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup Irish cream liqueur, such as Bailey's
1/4 cup whipping cream
2 cups pecan pieces

Heat chocolate, Irish cream and whipping cream in a double boiler over medium heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and stir in pecans. Drop by teaspoonsful onto wax paper; cool for one hour.

Remove Irish cream chocolates from wax paper and store in airtight container.

St. Patrick's Parfait Recipe

2008-02-25T14:08:00.000-08:00

St. Patrick's Parfait

1 box instant pistachio pudding
2 cups milk
2 kiwifruit, sliced
Cool Whip
green food coloring

Prepare pudding according to package directions.

When pudding is chilled, layer pudding, kiwifruit and green-tinted
Cool Whip in clear plastic cups.

Serve parfait on St Patrick's Day along with green-tinted lemonade.

Louisiana King Cake Recipe

2008-01-14T11:43:00.000-08:00

Louisiana King Cake

1/2 warm water (110 degrees F.)
1/2 cup warm milk (110 degrees F.)
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon lemon zest
5 egg yolks, room temperature
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
4 3/4 cups bread flour or unbleached all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons instant active dry yeast
1 teaspoons cinnamon
1 egg white beaten with 1 tablespoon milk
1 tiny (1-inch) plastic doll
Colored Sugars
Lemon Frosting

Place all ingredients in bread pan according to manufacturer's instructions; select dough setting and press start. NOTE: Check the dough (don't be afraid to open the lid). It should form a nice elastic ball. If you think the dough is too moist, add additional flour (a tablespoon at a time). The same is true if the dough is looking dry and gnarly. Add warm water (a tablespoon at a time).

When dough cycle has finished, remove dough from pan and put into a lightly oiled bowl. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in a draft free place to rise for approximately 1 hour or until the dough doubles in volume.

Lightly coat a large baking sheet with butter or vegetable spray; set aside. Remove dough from bowl and place on a lightly-oiled surface. Using your fist, punch dough down with a heavy blow. Sprinkle cinnamon over the top, pat and shape dough into a cylinder. Twist dough to form a curled cylinder and loop cylinder onto the buttered baking sheet. Pinch the ends together to form a circle. Cover dough with plastic wrap and let sit for approximately 45 minutes or until the dough doubles in volume.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Brush top and sides of cake with egg white wash and bake on middle rack of oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown. (A good check is to use an instant thermometer to test your bread. The temperature should be between 200 and 210 degrees.) Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. If desired, at this time, you can hide the plastic doll in the cake.

Colored Sugars:
3/4 cup sugar
Green, purple, and yellow coloring paste

Squeeze a dot of paste in palm of hand. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons sugar over the paste and rub together quickly. Place this mixture on wax paper and wash hands to remove color. Repeat process for other two colors; set aside.

Lemon Frosting:
3/4 cups powdered sugar
Juice of 1 lemon

In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth (depending on size of lemon, add water if mixture is too thick or additional powdered sugar if too thin). Spoon icing over top of the cake. Immediately sprinkle on colored sugar, alternating between the three colors.

This recipe for Louisiana King Cake may sound like a lot of trouble, and for some people, not worth it, but I live in Louisiana, and King Cakes for Mardi Gras are a Mardi Gras tradition! So, what the heck, give it a try, I bet your guests will love the cake and the concept!

For other great recipes, a fun recipe forum, free newsletter, with lots of great people that help you out with cooking questions,recipe requests, or just about anything related to cooking, visit our other website Recipe Snoop!
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You will really be surprised at what we have to offer! Best of all, it's all FREE!

House almost set on fire by arsonist twice!

2007-12-16T00:08:00.000-08:00

My house was almost set on fire by an arsonist twice in two days. This time, he poured gas on my car and was in the process of lighting a match when I caught him, when I smelled gas. All I saw was a tennis shoe, and the flame of a lighter.

The cops have not done one thing, I'm scared, and need any help we can get. Please, if anyone can, get people's attention about this. Anyone, everyone, the media, the newspaper, friends, anyone! My house was almost set on fire twice, and I am really scared! Please read the complete story here. House almost set on fire Twice

Christmas Snowball Cookies Recipe

2007-12-12T13:19:00.000-08:00

Christmas Snowball Cookies

1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup chopped pecans
additional powdered sugar

Cream butter, sugar and vanilla until fully mixed. Add flour with salt to creamed mixture, blend throughly. Add nuts and mix well. Chill dough for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 400F. Shape into 1-inch balls and bake 8-10 minutes. Do not brown. Cool, then roll in powdered sugar. Once the cookies are rolled in the powdered sugar, they resemble snowballs, making these cookies perfect to serve for Christmas!

We hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!

Turkey Carving Video

2007-12-05T07:20:00.000-08:00

If you or someone you know, doesn't know how to carve a turkey, then this video from Joy Of Cooking will show you step by step on how to carve it. I was very impressed by the details of this video.

Oh, and of course it made me hungry! I thought I was tired of turkey, but after watching this video, I am ready to start cooking one again!

Enjoy, and I would love to hear your comments!

Easy Fantasy Fudge Recipe

2007-12-02T13:17:00.000-08:00

Easy Fantasy Fudge

3 cups sugar
3/4 cup margarine
1 can (5 oz.) evaporated milk
1 pkg. (12 oz.) semisweet chocolate pieces
1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow creme
1 cup chopped nuts
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine sugar, margarine and milk in heavy 2 to 3-quart saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Continue boiling 5 minutes over medium heat or until candy thermometer reaches 234 degrees F., stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Remove from heat.

Stir in chocolate pieces until melted. Add marshmallow creme, nuts and vanilla. Beat until well blended. Pour fudge into a greased 13-by-9-inch pan.

Cool at room temperature. Cut into squares.

This recipe Makes 3 pounds.

Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

2007-11-30T09:25:00.000-08:00

Peanut Butter Cookies

1 1/4 cups flour, sift or stir before measuring
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg

Sift together flour, salt, and baking powder; set aside. Cream shortening, peanut butter, and sugars; beat in vanilla and egg. Stir in flour mixture, blending well. Shape mixture into 3/4-inch balls; place on greased baking sheets.

Flatten each cookie with the tines of a fork; dip fork in flour periodically to keep it from sticking to the peanut butter cookie dough.
Bake peanut butter cookies at 375 degrees for about 10 to 12 minutes.

This recipe for Peanut Butter cookies would be a great addition to your Christmas collection of recipes. I know my kids love peanut butter and cookies!

Baked Ham with Cornbread Apricot Stuffing

2007-11-22T08:02:00.000-08:00

Baked Ham with Cornbread Apricot Stuffing

One 4 pound smoked boneless ham
One 8-inch square pan cornbread (homemade or mix)
1/2 cup of chopped celery
2 tablespoons of chopped onion
2 tablespoons of butter
1/2 cup of apricot preserves
1/2 cup of chopped pecans
1/2 cup of beef broth

Place ham on rack in shallow roasting pan. Bake in a 325ºF. oven for about 1-1 1/2 hours or until meat thermometer registers 140ºF. Slice to serve. Meanwhile, crumble cooked cornbread, place in large mixing bowl. In medium skillet, sauté celery and onion in butter until onion is tender; stir in preserves and pecans and toss with corn bread. Turn into a greased 2-quart casserole. Drizzle broth over stuffing. Bake at 325ºF. for 30-45 minutes, until heated through and lightly browned. Serve with smoked ham.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I wanted to share this recipe in case you are looking for last minute Thanksgiving stuffing ideas. I think the combination of apricot, and cornbread makes this stuffing an interesting idea! Serving with the baked ham makes for a wonderful meal!

We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!

Spooky Gloved Munch Mix

2007-10-21T19:37:00.000-07:00

Spooky Gloved Munch Mix Recipe

6 cups POST ALPHA-BITS Wholesome Sweetened Oats
4 cups popped popcorn
2 cups JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows
1 cup dried mixed fruit
1 cup candy-coated chocolate pieces
100 candy corn pieces (about 1 cup)
10 clear large plastic food handlers' gloves
10 pieces raffia, each about 8 inches long

TOSS cereal with popcorn, marshmallows, dried fruit and chocolate candies in large bowl or toy witch's cauldron.
PLACE 1-1/4 cups of the snack mix in each of 10 small plastic bags. Give one to each child along with 10 pieces of candy corn, a plastic glove and piece of raffia. Have each child place 2 pieces of candy corn, with the white tips down, in each thumb and finger section of the plastic glove to resemble fingernails.
FILL gloves evenly with snack mix; tie closed with raffia.