Cranberry Salad

This is a family favorite and has been served at our Thanksgivings for as long as I can remember...

1 pkg cranberries, chopped {pulsed} but NOt completely blended
3/4 of a 10 oz bag mini marshmellows
1 pt whipping cream
1 cup sugar
1-2 apples peeled and grated
1 pomegranate, peeled and seeded

Combine cranberries and sugar; let stand 2 hours. Whip cream and mix with marshmallows let stand for 2 hours.  Then combine these mixtures and add apple and pomegranate.  Can be done the night before serving.

Ramano's Macaroni Grill Penne Rustica

GRATINATA SAUCE

3 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons minced garlic

3 tablespoons marsala wine

2 cups heavy cream

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup chicken broth

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard

2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon minced fresh thyme

1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

1 lb penne rigate, cooked

12 medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 skinless chicken breasts

1/2 cup about 2 ounces thick-sliced prosciutto, chopped

TOPPING

3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

1 1/2 teaspoons paprika

GARNISH

12 sliced pimientos

4 sprigs rosemary
Directions:Prep Time: 25 mins

Total Time: 37 mins

1 Preheat bbq grill to high. 2 Prepare gratinata sauce by melting 3 tbls of butter over medium/low heat. Add garlic and sweat it for about 5 minutes. Be sure the garlic doesn't brown. Add the marsala wine and cook for another 5 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients for the sauce and whisk until smooth. Bring mixture to a simmer and keep it there for 10 minutes or until it's thick. Cover sauce and remove from heat. 3 Cook past following directions on the package (7-9 minutes in boiling water). You want the pasta tender, but not mush (al dente). Strain pasta and set it aside when it's done. 4 Pound the thick end of your chicken breast a bit with a kitchen mallet to make them a uniform thickness. Rub chicken with olive oil, then sprinkle on a bit of salt and pepper. Spear the shrimp on skewers (6 per skewer should work fine), then rub them with oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. 5 Grill chicken for 5 to 6 minutes per side. Grill shrimp for 2 minutes per side. When chicken is done, slice each breast into strips. 6 Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Build each dish in a large shallow baking dish. Or you can use a 9 inch glass or ceramic pie plate. Load 3 cups of pasta into each baking dish. Add one quarter of the chicken, 3 shrimp, and 2 tbls of prosciutto onto each serving. Spoon 3/4 of a cup of gratinata sauce on each serving and toss to coat. Combine 3 tbls of grated Parmesan cheese with 1 1/2 tsp paprika, then sprinkle about 1 tbls of this mixture over the top of each serving. Bake the dishes for 10-12 minutes, or until tops begin to brown.

Pumpkin Whoopie Cookies

•3 cups all-purpose flour

•1 teaspoon salt

•1 teaspoon baking powder

•1 teaspoon baking soda

•2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

•1 tablespoon ground ginger

•1 tablespoon ground cloves (I didn't use this)
•2 cups firmly packed dark-brown sugar

•1 cup vegetable oil

•3 cups pumpkin puree, chilled (did not chill... who has time to chill?)
•2 large eggs

•1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

•FOR THE CREAM-CHEESE FILLING

•3 cups confectioners' sugar

•1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

•8 ounces cream cheese, softened

•1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat; set aside.
2.In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves; set aside. In another large bowl, whisk together brown sugar and oil until well combined. Add pumpkin puree and whisk until combined. Add eggs and vanilla and whisk until well combined. Sprinkle flour mixture over pumpkin mixture and whisk until fully incorporated.

3.Using a small ice cream scoop with a release mechanism, drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, about 1 inch apart. Transfer to oven and bake until cookies are just starting to crack on top and a toothpick inserted into the center of each cookie comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Let cool completely on pan.

4.Make the filling: Sift confectioner' sugar into a medium bowl; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter until smooth. Add cream cheese and beat until well combined. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla, beat just until smooth. (Filling can be made up to a day in advance. Cover and refrigerate; let stand at room temperature to soften before using.)

5.Assemble the whoopie pies: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Transfer filling to a disposable pastry bag and snip the end. When cookies have cooled completely, pipe a large dollop of filling on the flat side of half of the cookies. Sandwich with remaining cookies, pressing down slightly so that the filling spreads to the edge of the cookies. Transfer to prepared baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate cookies at least 30 minutes before serving and up to 3 days.

Jules Red-and-White Mostaccioli

1 pound Uncooked mostaccioli or tubular pasta

Alfredo Sauce

1 26- ounce jar meatless spaghetti sauce

3 cups shredded mozzarrella cheese

Preheat oven to 350

Cook pasta according to directions. drain.

Prepare Alfredo Sauce

1/2 cup butter

1 3-ounce package cream cheese

1 pint heavy cream

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 cup grated Parmesean cheese

salt and pepper

Spread thin layer of spaghetti sauce in 9x13 baking dish. Layer half the pasta, half the Alfredo sauce, half the spaghetti sauce and 1 1/2 cup of cheese. Repeat layering.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 until bubbily.

Cranberry meatballs

Cranberry Meatballs
2 eggs, beaten
1 c dry bread crumbs
1/3 c minced fresh parsley
1/3 c ketchup
2 T finely chopped onion
2 T soy sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 lbs. ground beef
SAUCE:
1 can (16 oz) whole-berry cranberry sauce
1 bottle (12 oz) chili sauce
1 T brown sugar
1 T prepared mustard
1 T lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
In a bowl, combine the first nine ingredients (see above pic) Add beef and mix well. 
Shape into 1 inch balls. Place in an ungreased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 450 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until no longer pink
Transfer with a slotted spoon to a slow cooker or chafing dish.
Combine sauce ingredients in a saucepan; simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour over meatballs. Serve warm.
My meatballs were slightly bigger than 1" and yielded about 60. Total time about 1- 1.5 hours.   

Anna's Spinich Salad

1 1/2 bags baby spinich
1 head lettuce
1 cup swiss cheese
8-10 slices of bacon
Green apples or pears
Sugar almonds

Dressing:
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup vinegar
1 cup veg oil.
1/2 TBSP poppy seeds
{Blend}

Jules Bowtie Pasta with Cherry and Basil

1 pound uncooked bowtie
1 1/2 pounds cherry tomatoes
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup capers, drained
1/3 cup olive oil
1 large garlic clove minced
15 pitted black olives sliced
1/2 grated parmesean cheese
crushed red pepper

Cook Pasta according to package directions.

Meanwhile, slice the tomatoes in half and place them in a large skillet. Add the basil, capers, oil, garlic, and olives.

Drain the pasta. Place above mixure over med-high heat and cook until heated through. Stir in the pasta. Sprinkle on cheese. Add a few shakes of red pepper. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Amber's Carmel Apple Cheesecake Bars

2 C flour
1/2 C brown sug
1 Cup butter, softened
2 8oz pckages cream cheese, softend
1/2 C plus 2 Tblsp sugar, divided
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3 Granny smith apples- peeled, cored and finely chopped
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Streusel Topping:(combine before adding)
1 C brown sugar
1 C flour
1/2 C oats
1/2 C butter, softened
1/2 C caramel topping

Preheat oven to 350. In a med bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 9x13 pan. Bake 15 min or until lightly browned.In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer at med speed until smooth. Beat in 1/2 C sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Pour over warm crust.In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, 2 Tbs sug, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon over cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle evenly with Streusel Topping. Bake 30 min or until filling is set. Drizzle with caramel topping.

Holiday Scents

1 orange, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
3-4 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp. whole cloves
1 handful of cranberries
1 bay leaf

Put everything together and fill pan with water. Boil together and then let simmer on stove. It will fill your home with a wonderful holiday smell.

Poppy Seed Dressing

3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. salt
1/3 cup vinegar
1 cup vegtable oil
1/2 T poppy seeds.

Wisk together, refrigerate, and serve over a bed of greens.

orange, brown sugar glaze

1 cube butter
2 med. oranges, sliced
2 cups fresh orange juice
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup water
1/4 tsp cloves
2 cinnamon sticks

Mix all ingredients into sauce pan, and cook for 30-40 minutes. Strain out orange slices, cloves and cinnamon sticks and serve over ham.

Katie's Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

8 cups chicken broth
3 cups sliced carrots
½ cup slice celery
1 small bunch green onions, sliced
1 box Uncle Ben's Wild Rice, original recipe with seasoning packet
1 tsp. dried thyme
2 Tbls butter
3 Tbls flour
1 cup milk
1 Tbls lemon juice
½ tsp. Italian seasoning
3 cups chopped cooked chicken (rotisserie works well)

Mix broth with vegetables, rice and seasoning packet, and thyme. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 50 minutes. Melt butter, stir in flour, stirring until smooth. Add milk. Stir and cook until bubbly, then cook for 1 minute. Slowly add to hot rice mixture. Add chicken and lemon juice. Salt and pepper to taste. Heat through and serve.

Christmas Salad

1 head red leaf lettuce
1 head green leaf lettuce
1 large pomegranate
1 large pear
1 cup Asiago cheese shaved or shredded
1/2-1 cup toasted cashews
2 large grapefruits

Note: last night I added 1 head of Romaine and left out the grapefruits.)

Dressing:
1 cup sugar
2 Teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
2 cups vegetable oil
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
(This makes a TON of dressing....you could easily half it)

Sour Cream Rolls

Grandma Garff’s Sour Cream Rolls

Ingredients:

1 large carton of sour cream (2 cups)1/4 cup shortening
Heat them together in a little pan, but don't boil.Place in mixing bowl and stir in:

1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, well beaten
Directions:Take 2 packages of dry, fast rising yeast and dissolve in 1 cup of luke warm water. Then mix with other ingredients in large bowl. Add 7 1/2 cups flour, and knead.Cover the bowl with aluminum foil and place a dishtowel over it. Place bowl and contents, well covered, in a refrigerator overnight (or in a cold oven for 3 hours) and until the dough has doubled in bulk. Make rolls and place in roll pans, cover with dishtowel and let raise for about 3-4 hours.Don't make them too small. If you fold them over, put a little butter between the folds. Bake 9-12 minutes, depending on oven, at 350 degrees. Bake until rolls are light brown--not dark brown.
I cut the dough into 4 equal parts and then roll it out into a 16 inch circle. Then I use a pizza cutter to cut the circle into 16 even triangles. I roll them up like Cresent rolls and butter them with a melted butter and a pastry brush hot out of the oven.
Make them tastier!

This dough is an excellent base for cinnamon or orange rolls.
After the first rising, divide dough 4 ways. Roll each section out into a circle. Brush dough with softened butter. Sprinkle with brown sugar & cinnamon (for cinnamon rolls) or sugar and orange zest (for orange rolls). Roll into log shape and slice 1 ½ inch rolls. Place in buttered pyrex and bake.

Optional Frosting: While the rolls are still slightly warm, frost with a butter, milk, powdered sugar frosting (cinnamon rolls). Or butter, OJ and powdered sugar (orange rolls).

Tortilla Soup

Ingredients:

6 tablespoons canola oil
8 corn tortillas, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1 medium onion, chopped
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
3 bay leaves
6 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 large cooked chicken breast halves, shredded

*I also like to add a can of black beans (for gas) and a bit of frozen corn (for color).

Garnish:

shredded monterey jack cheese
diced avocado

lime wedges
sour cream
2 corn tortillas, sliced and fried crisp (optional)

Directions:

1 In large pot, heat the oil over medium heat.
2 Add the tortillas, garlic, cilantro and onion, cooking for 2-3 minutes.
3 Add the tomatoes, bringing to a boil.
4 Add cumin, chili powder and bay leaves.
5 Add chicken stock and return to a boil.
6 Reduce heat.
7 Add salt and cayenne and simmer for an additional 30 minutes.
8 Remove bay leaves and stir in shredded chicken.
9 Garnish with Monterrey Jack cheese and avocado, and sour cream and fried tortillas if desired.

CHRISTMAS QUACAMOLE

Seed of 1 ripe pomegranate

1 avocado, chopped

1 tomato chopped

2 T finely chopped red onion

1/4 t ground coriander

1/8 t cayenne

1 T lemon juice

Salt

Chicken Alfredo

Marinade for chicken:

1/4 C soy
3 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp vinegar
1 1/2 tsp garlic powd
1 1/2 tsp ginger
2 green onions chopped
1 tsp pepper

Marinate 4 chicken breasts for 4 hours in fridge. Grill then slice into thin slices and put on top of noodles and sauce.
Alfredo sauce:

1 cube butter
1 C cream
1 egg white
1/2 C parmesan cheese

Warm up the butter, cream and parm cheese until it reaches a boil. As soon as it starts boiling, take it off the burner. Then whisk in the egg white. Let it sit for a few minutes for thickening. Serve over a box of cooked bowtie noodles.

Shannons Tort Salad

2 12 oz pkg fresh tortellini
1 8 1/2 oz can Artichoke hearts drained and quartered
1 cup diced tomato
1 cup feta crumbled
1/2 cup black olives
1/2 cup walnuts chopped


Dressing:
1/4 white wine vinegar
1/4 cup green onion chopped
3 med garlic cloves minced
1 Tbs dried basil
1 tsp dill
1/2 cup olive oil

Cook tort, drain, transfer to large bowl
Add all. Whisk dress and pour on top.

(Be forewarned...Sally loves this salad...Krissy thinks its disgusting.)

Anna's pasta salad

1/2-3/4 box of bowtie pasta
1 rotisserie chicken
1/2 sliced/seeded cucumber
1 bunch green onions
3 stalks celery chopped
red grapes (as many as you'd like)
toasted cashews

dressing:
1 bottle Kraft Coleslaw dressing

Aly's Back to School Luau

JERK CHICKEN SALAD

1 T olive oil

1 T Caribbean Jerk Rub

1 pound chicken tenders

1 cup diced fresh pineapple

1 red bell pepper

3 green onions

2 heads romaine lettuce

1 can black beans, drained

6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Dressing

2 limes

1/3 cup lite mayonnaise

2 T pineapple preserves

In a grill pan combine oil and jerk rub. Add chicken, cook until done, set aside. Add pineapple to pan and cook one to two minutes. Cut chicken into bite sized pieces. Dice bell pepper and slice green onions. Add them to chicken and pineapple. Mix in bacon and black beans. For dressing zest one lime and use the juice of both limes, mix well with mayo and preserves. Put chicken salad onto individual romaine lettuce leafs and drizzle with dressing.

POLYNESIAN MEATBALLS

1 pound lean ground beef

2 eggs slightly beaten

1/2 tsp garlic salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 small onion minced

1/2 cup crushed seasoned croutons

Mix above ingredients and roll into small balls. Roll in flour and brown in a well-oiled fry pan. You can also use the pre-cooked meatballs from Costco.

Sauce

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 tsp powdered ginger

1/2 cup ketchup

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup pineapple juice

Heat ingredients for sauce and add meatballs. Simmer for a few minutes or put them in a crockpot. You can serve with pineapple tidbits over rice.

The Cupcakes were a hit (thanks sal!)

You sprinkle cinnamon sugar on them for sand

a gobstopper candy for the beach ball

and a piece of fruit by the foot for the towel!

all of the girls!

Hollie's Yams

Beat together:
3 cups cooked mashed yams
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 stick butter melted
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla

topping:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup butter

Bake in 9x9 glass pan @350 for 20 min.

Jenni's Chicken Pot Pie

In 1/3 cup butter saute until soft:
1 cup onion
1 cup celery
1 cup carrots
1 potato

add 1/2 cup flour
then add 3 cups chicken broth and
1 cup half and half
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup frozen corn

add cut up chicken (I prefer rotisserie)

Pour all of above into pie crust
Bake 30 minutes @ 400 (may need to cover edges during last 10 minutes)

Granola

10 cups oats
1 lb melted butter
2/3 cup molasses
1 cup brown sugar
3 cup coconut (toasted)
1 T. cinnamon
2 pkgs. craisins
1-2 cups slivered almonds

Melt butter. Add molasses, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Mix all dry ingredients together in a separate bowl. Add butter mixture and mix until well combined. Pour onto cookie sheet and bake @ 350 for 20-30 minutes, stirring every 5-10 minutes.

Thanksgiving Stuffing

1-2 bags Peppridge farms stuffing OR
Wonder bread with crust removed, cubed
2 cups Chicken broth
1-2 onions
celery, chopped
1-2 cans water chestnut, chopped
1-2 tsp. dried sage
1 cube butter

Saute onions and celery in 1 cube of butter. Add chopped water chestnuts, chicken broth, and sage. Pour mixture over bread crumbs, may need to add more chicken broth. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and more sage if needed. Place in Pyrex dish and bake for 30 min. @ 325, covered.

Christmas Spinach Salad

3-10 oz bag baby spinach leaves/ mixed greens
1 cup crasins
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup toasted walnuts/pecans
4 oz feta cheese crumbled
1 pomegranate, seeded
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves

Vinaigrette:
2 large tomatoes coarsely chopped
juice and zest of 1 lemon
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper

Pulse above ingredients then add 1/2 cup olive oil. Drizzle over salad and serve.

Fruit Dip

1 8 oz. cream cheese
1 jar Marshmallow cream
1 tsp. orange juice concentrate
dash of powdered ginger
2 T. orange rind

Blend ingredients together and chill. Serve with apples, oranges, kiwi, banana's, etc.

Skor Cookies

2 1/4 cup flour
1 T baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
1 T. vanilla
2 eggs
1 pkg. skor toffee chips

Combine dry ingredients. Pre-heat oven to 350. Combine brown sugar, sugar and butter/margarine. Add eggs and vanilla. Slowly add flour mixture. Add skor chips. Bake @ 350 for 9-11 min.

Anna's Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 lb real butter
2 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 T. real vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
6 cup flour
6 cup milk chocolate chips

Bake @ 350 for 8-10 minutes.

Sugar Cookies

COOKIES:
1 Cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
4 1/2 cups flour
4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

Cover surface with flour. Roll out to 1/2 in. thickness. Bake @ 350 for 13 min. Done when not shiny on top.

FROSTING:
8 oz pkg. cream cheese
1 lb bag of powdered sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. almond extract (optional)

Choco Bundt Cake

1 yellow cake mix
1 small box instant chocolate pudding
1/2 cup sugar
- remove lumps with a wire whisk

Add:
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup water
3 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (I like to use the big Ghiradelli ones)
- stir with electric mixer 2 minutes

Put in an greased bundt pan and bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes. Take out of the oven and let sit in pan for 15 minutes then flip over and sprinkle with powdered sugar. mmm mmm mmm.