Christmas Cookies--Bullets

This year I am giving tins of cookies as gifts.  I am cutting back on spending so I can make a donation to help drill water wells in Mozambique, where thousands of people die every year as a result of drinking contaminated water.

I have a few favorite cookie recipes, but one that everyone loves are Mexican Wedding Cookies--those little round bites covered in powdered sugar.  They are easy to make but in our family are called Bullets.  The first time my mom made them, she did something wrong, and they came out hard as rocks.  When my dad tried one, he told my mom not to worry, they wouldn't go to waste, 'cause he would use them for bullets.  Well, the name stuck.

Here is the recipe that I use

Bullets  (Mexican Wedding Cookies) Daddy's Favorite
Ingredients: 
1 cup Margarine                     2-1/4 cup Flour
1/2 cup Powdered Sugar     1/4 tsp Salt
1 tsp Vanilla                     3/4 cup finely chopped nuts Walnuts or Pecans

Instructions:  Mix butter, sugar, and vanilla thoroughly.  Mix dry ingredients, and blend in.  Mix in nuts.  Roll in 1" balls, place on cookie sheet and bake at 400  for 10-12 minutes, until set but not brown.  While warm roll in additional powdered sugar.

Apple Dumplings

 Now that fall is almost here, apples are abundant.  This is one of my favorite recipes--

Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings Prep Time: 30 Minutes Cook Time: 1 Hour Ready In: 1 Hour 30 Minutes Servings: 6 "These are the apple dumplings my grandmother used to make: warm, flaky, sweet, and drizzled with a sauce that bakes right with them. These are not difficult to make, just a little time-consuming. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream." INGREDIENTS: 1 recipe pastry for double-crust pie 6 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and cored 1/2 cup butter 3/4 cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 3 cups water 2 cups white sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch pan. 2. On a lightly floured surface, roll pastry into a large rectangle, about 24 by 16 inches. Cut into 6 square pieces. Place an apple on each pastry square with the cored opening facing upward. Cut butter into 8 pieces. Place 1 piece of butter in the opening of each apple; reserve remaining butter for sauce. Divide brown sugar between apples, poking some inside each cored opening and the rest around the base of each apple. Sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg over the apples. 3. With slightly wet fingertips, bring one corner of pastry square up to the top of the apple, then bring the opposite corner to the top and press together. Bring up the two remaining corners, and seal. Slightly pinch the dough at the sides to completely seal in the apple. Repeat with the remaining apples. Place in prepared baking dish. 4. In a saucepan, combine water, white sugar, vanilla extract and reserved butter. Place over medium heat, and bring to a boil in a large saucepan. Boil for 5 minutes, or until sugar is dissolved. Carefully pour over dumplings. 5. Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes. Place each apple dumpling in a dessert bowl, and spoon some sauce over the top.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

A little while back I posted the recipe for Oreo Brownies.  In this variation I combined two of my most favorite flavors--Chocolate and Peanut Butter. But again it is super simple.

You will need a package of Peanut Butter Oreos, A Peanut Butter Brownie mix and ingredients to make it, and a package of Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie dough.  I used a 9x11 pan but a smaller size would make thicker brownies.  For glass pans preheat oven to 325. (Metal pans-350 degrees)

Press cookie dough in greased pan, add layer of Oreo cookies

Top with prepared brownie mix, bake for approximately 35 minutes or until brownies are done.

Let cool slightly, cut into squares between cookies.  Good warm with vanilla ice cream.

Oreo Brownies

I'm always looking for a easy yummy dessert. Oreo Brownies fill the order

1 (18.5 oz.) box brownie mix (family size)
~plus the ingredients to make the batter
1 (15.5 oz.) package Oreo Cookies
1 roll Refrigerated Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Press the cookie dough on the bottom of a sprayed 9x13 pan.

Layer Oreos over the dough.  Don't crush, just put them on the dough. 

Mix the brownie mix as directed on the box.  Then, spread that over the Oreos.

Put in preheated 350 degree oven.  Check after 30 minutes.  If toothpick doesn't come out clean, continue baking  in 5 minute increments until it comes out clean.

This is great by itself, but if you served it warm with some vanilla ice cream, you'd have the ultimate dessert!

Corn Tortilla Casserole

I want to share an easy recipe that is good for lunch or supper on a cold day.  Add a crisp green salad and this makes the perfect meal.

Corn Tortilla Casserole    From Marti Murphy Serves 4

Ingredients:

*1 lb Ground Beef	1- 4 oz can Taco Sauce
1 pkg Corn Tortillas, broken up	1/2 can chopped Green Chili
1 can Cream Chicken Soup (no     milk)	Grated Cheese A handful of Fritos if desired
I medium can Tomatoes

Instructions:  Brown ground beef, add all other ingredients except cheese. Simmer, Then place in casserole dish, add cheese on top.  Place under broiler to melt cheese.  Remove sprinkle with Fritos and serve.  

*Note cooked pulled chicken breasts could be substituted for the ground beef

Yeah for Cookie Day

Today is National Cookie Day, so I wanted to share an old family recipe.  These are great holiday cookies.

Sour Cream Cookies                                  Grandma Treyman

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Shortening (part butter)	1 tsp Baking Powder
1 cup Sugar	1/2 tsp Soda
1 Egg	1/2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Vanilla	1/4 tsp Nutmeg
2-2/3 cup Flour	1/2 cup Sour Cream

Instructions:  Mix shortening, sugar, egg and vanilla.  Mix dry ingredients, add alternately with sour cream.  Divide dough.  Roll out 1/4" thick on well-floured pastry cloth.  Cut with 2" cutter, place on greased cookie sheet, sprinkle with sugar.  Bake at 425⁰ for 8-10 minutes, until lightly browned.  Makes 4 dozen.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

                                                          

             

1. Turkey-love it or leave it?  White meat or dark?  What's your favorite thing to make using leftover turkey?
I love turkey, definitely the white meat.  My favorite way of preparing it is to deep fry it.  The skin is so crispy and the meat is really moist.  Leftovers end up as sandwiches, or in salad, and maybe even with noodles or dumplings.

2. Gotta burn off all those carbs the day after a holiday feast so which would you rather do-run a 10K or climb a mountain? 
Can't run because of my hip surgery, but I can climb.  I love to hike, mostly moderate trails, because after all I am an old lady.

3.  Do you feel like social networking has made your relationships better or worse?  Explain.
I enjoy social networking, being able to keep in touch with friends via the internet has enabled me to keep up with their lives.

4. How do you find and express gratitude for the hard things in your life? 
I have to find the good in the situation and give thanks for that.  In times where I can see no silver lining, I thank God for all the past blessings, and know that He will accompany me through the trials.

5.  In the US, the day after Thanksgiving has been dubbed 'Black Friday'.  Is most of your holiday shopping done live and in person, or is it done more through the magic of the Internet? How do you feel about stores opening at midnight Thanksgiving night? Will you be out amongst the masses on Friday? 
I don't leave the house on Black Friday (except I will be baby-sitting that day).  I hate the crowds, and the stores never having the specials in stock.  I prefer to shop on the internet, but generally make most items.

6.  Speaking of the color black-which black item in your wardrobe would you say is your favorite?
I have a nice black dress that I wear to dress up, also a flared black skirt that looks nice with a red or a white blouse.

7.  What do you appreciate about your life today? 
I am glad that I have learned from my mistakes, am living a fulfilling life, and have the love of friends and family.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Here is an unusual recipe from my MIL.  It is for a frozen pumpkin pie--very good!  I make it every year for Thanksgiving, and other special days in the year.

Pumpkin Peace Pipe Pie                          From Alice Murphy

Spread 1 quart softened Vanilla Ice Cream on a Graham Cracker Crust and freeze.

Combine:

1 lb can Pumpkin	1/2 tsp Ginger
1-1/2 cups Sugar	1/4 tsp Cloves
1/2 tsp Salt	1 tsp Vanilla
1 tsp Cinnamon	Fold in 1 cup cream whipped or container of Cool Whip

Instructions:  Spread over frozen pie.  Caramelize 1 cup slivered almonds with 1/4 cup sugar.  Decorate edge of pie with additional whipped cream, freeze 4 hours.  Take out of freezer 1/2 hour before serving.  Sprinkle almonds over top when ready to serve.

Of Garrison Keillor and Tater Tots

On this day in 1942 - Garrison Keillor was born.  He is a noted humorist, radio host: A Prairie Home Companion; author: Radio Days. He had a  monologue entitled The News from Lake Wobegon. Lake Wobegon is a quintessential but fictional Minnesotan small town "where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average", and every church social or family reunion includes a pot-luck dinner with Tater Tot casseroles and Jello salads.

Every time I hear a rebroadcast, I think of the time that I spent in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, population 3577, located 115 miles southwest of Minneapolis.  It is the typical Midwest small town.  The people are friendly, helpful and know all about you.

A couple of facts about Sleepy Eye--

• Many watchers of the "Little House on the Prairie" TV series will recognize Sleepy Eye as an important trade post for the citizens of Walnut Grove. It is also a midway point between Walnut Grove and Mankato.
• Residents of Sleepy Eye made headlines in the early 1990s for trying to ban MTV in the town

All the women had their own secret recipes that they would bring to pot lucks, but everyone made Hamburger hot dish.  They were similar--usually the type of soup would be the only difference.

Here is a recipe that my MIL often prepared--simple but tasty.  It is part of my Heritage Family Recipe Collection.

Hamburger Hot Dish                                 From Alice Murphy

Ingredients:

1-1/4 lbs Ground Beef 1 medium Onion, chopped	1 can Golden Mushroom Soup     Or regular mushroom soup 1 pkg. Tater Tots.

Instructions:  Put ground beef loosely in 2 qt casserole.  Add chopped onion, pour soup over top.  Place Tater Tots closely together to cover ingredients.  Cover with foil.  Bake 350 degrees for 1 hour.  10 minutes before serving remove foil.

What's for Breakfast

Flaky Biscuits

2 cups flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cream of tarter

Mix together then cut in

1/2 cup shorting

Add

2/3 cup milk

Stir, turn on floured board, knead 10 times, pat out and cut.  Place on ungreased sheet (brush tops with milk)  Bake at 450 degrees for 

10 to 12 minutes.  Makes 16 biscuits.

Quiche

Many of you have asked for my quiche recipe.  Quiche is a simple baked egg dish that is almost foolproof.

First I will give you my no fail pie-crust recipe.  I wish I could take credit for it, but I got it from my mom who got it from Betty Crocker.

PIE CRUST

3 cups flour (rounded a little)

1 cup shortning

Cut in together, until size of small peas, then

In a separate bowl mix together

1 egg beaten

5 Tablespoons water

1 Tablespoon vinegar

1 teaspoon salt

Sprinkle mixture over flour, mix gently, roll out, no need to chill

This will make 3 crusts.

For the quiche, I have a basic recipe that can be added to.  The base is

8 oz cream cheese, room temperature

1/2 cup heavy cream

3 egg yolks

1 whole egg

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Beat until smooth and blended, then for

Quiche Lorraine

1/2 pound bacon, fried slightly crisp Save a bit for topping)

or for 

Sausage Quiche

12 ounces spicy sausage, fried and drained (save a bit for topping)

3 finely chopped green onions

*Chopped green pepper, broccoli, pimento, mushrooms, etc. may be added as desired.

Now

Place meat and desired vegetables in an unbaked pie shell

Pour cheese mixture over

Garnish with reserved meat

Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes

Reduce heat to 350 degrees, bake 10 minutes longer till puffed and golden and knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Pumpkin Peace Pipe Pie

My mother-in-law, a Minnesota farmer's wife, had an amazing collection of unusual recipes--some of them top secret.  But she did share this Thanksgiving Pie recipe with me.  It is made with ice cream.  How good is that?

Pumpkin Peace Pipe Pie

For the crust, I used Cinnamon Graham crackers, 2 packs

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter

Pulse in food processor until crumbs are finely crushed, and butter is blended.

Press into pie pan, I used 10 inch, if using smaller size, save extra crumbs for another time.  Chill

Combine 16 oz. canned pumpkin

1-1/2 cups sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1/4 teaspoon cloves

1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix well then add--

16 oz whipped cream or Cool Whip topping

Soften 1 quart vanilla ice cream and fill pie crust half full

Finish filling with pumpkin mixture

Freeze about 4 hours

For garnish, In heavy pan caramelize 1 cup slivered almonds with

1/4 cup sugar over high heat--Don't take your eyes off them

Stir constantly, when sugar melts they will brown in just a few seconds.  Cool on foil.

Freeze until about an hour before serving.  Decorate top of pie just before serving with addition Cool Whip, or whipped cream, and almonds.

This pie will be gone in a minute.  So cut yourself a little piece, and enjoy