Cranberry Orange Chutney

This delicious recipe is from my niece TeKarri.

1 bag fresh cranberries - 3 cups
1 cup water
1 T. cinnamon
1 T. zest of an orange
1 juiced orange or 1/2 cup of orange juice
1 cup sugar

Put all ingredients into a saucepan and going to a boil. Turn down and let simmer for 30 minutes.

*Best if made the day before
*Diced pecans can also be added.

Fluffy Dinner Rolls

These are seriously the best rolls in the world! Unfortunately, they take a few hours to make so plan accordingly. They are well worth the time.

Flour Paste
1/2 C. water
3 T. bread flour

Dough
1/2 C. cold milk
1 large egg
2 C. (11 ounces) bread flour
1 1/2 tsp. Saf-Instant yeast
2 T. sugar
1 tsp. salt
4 T. unsalted butter, softened, plus 1/2 T. melted

Directions:
1. For the flour paste:
Whisk water and flour in small bowl until no lumps remain. Microwave, whisking every 20 seconds, until mixture thickens to stiff, smooth, pudding-like consistency that forms mound when dropped from end of whisk into bowl, 40-80 seconds.

2. For the dough:
In bowl of stand mixer, whisk flour paste and milk until smooth. Add egg and whisk until incorporated. Add flour and yeast. Fit stand mixer with dough hook and mix on low speed until all flour is moistened, 1 to 2 minutes. Let stand for 15 minutes.

3. Add sugar and salt and mix on medium-low speed for 5 minutes. With mixer running, add softened butter, 1 tablespoon at a time. Continue to mix on medium-low speed 5 minutes longer, scraping down dough hook and sides of bowl occasionally (dough will stick to bottom of bowl).

4. Transfer dough to very lightly floured counter. Knead briefly to form ball and transfer, seam side down, to lightly greased bowl; lightly coat surface of dough with vegetable oil spray and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

5. Grease 9-inch round cake pan and set aside. Transfer dough to counter. Press dough gently but firmly to expel all air. Pat and stretch dough to form 8 by 9-inch rectangle with short side facing you. Cut dough lengthwise into 4 equal strips and cut each strip crosswise into 3 equal pieces. Working with 1 piece at a time, stretch and press dough gently to form 8 by 2-inch strip. Starting on short side, roll dough to form snug cylinder and arrange shaped rolls seam side down in prepared pan, placing 10 rolls around edge of pan, pointing inward, and remaining 2 rolls in center. Cover with plastic and let rise until doubled in size, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

6. When rolls are nearly doubled, adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Bake rolls until deep golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Let rolls cool in pan on wire rack for 3 minutes; invert rolls onto rack, then reinvert. Brush tops and sides of rolls with milted butter. Let rolls cool for at least 20 minutes before serving.

It is recommended weighing the flour for the dough. The slight tackiness of the dough aids in flattening and stretching it in step 5, so do not dust your counter with flour. This recipe requires letting the dough rest for at least 2 hours before baking. The rolls can be made a day ahead. To refresh them before serving, wrap them in aluminum foil and heat them in a 350-degree oven for 15 minutes.

White Bean Chili

This is a yummy vegetarian dish for a cool fall night.

2 medium yellow onions
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. granulated garlic
2 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 tsp. oregano

2 15-oz. cans diced tomatoes (drained)
1 can green chilis

4 cups of chicken stock
4 cans (15 ounce) white beans or 2 cups of dried, soaked, and cooked white beans
1 8-ounce brick of cream cheese
1 cup cilantro, chopped
4 green onions, chopped

Instructions:
1. Saute onions until translucent
2. Add spices, drained tomatoes, and green chilis. Cook for a few minutes.
3. Add broth, beans, cream cheese. Cook for a few minutes, or longer if you are using the dried, soaked beans.
4. Add cilantro and green onions. Cook for a couple of minutes.
5. Serve.

Tortillas

3 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 c. shortening
scant cup warm water

Instructions:

1. Mix flour, salt, baking powder and shortening into cornmeal like consistency.
2. Add warm water until lightly moistened.
3. Let rest for 10-15 minutes.
4. Roll out flat into a round shape by putting the dough between two sheets of wax paper or oven paper (By doing this, you don't have a flour mess on your counter).
5. Cook for about a minute on a flat hot griddle or pan on each side.
6. Eat and enjoy!

Cantaloupe Peach Smoothie

This yummy smoothie is great during the fall harvest when local cantaloupe and peaches are at their prime. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup cantaloupe , sliced to cubes and frozen
• 1 fresh peach , sliced and frozen
• ½ ripe bananas , frozen (optional)
• 1 tablespoon cashew butter, cashews, almonds or almond butter
• ½ cup water or ice cubes
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.01 inch (0.5 mm) fresh ginger , to taste if desired
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds, hemp seeds, and or flax
•  1 scoop of vanilla protein
• dash of cinnamon (optional)
• dash of turmeric (optional)

Instructions

1. Put all the ingredients in the blender and mix until well combined. If necessary, add some water or ice cubes to get a smoothie desired consistency.

Russian Potato Soup

This is a yummy, flavorful soup that is great in the winter. Enjoy!

Ingredients

·       1 lb. Spicy Italian Sausage- Looks like hamburger package

·        Approx. 3 large potatoes

·       1/2 pound fresh portabella mushrooms, cut in larger chunks

·       1 cup chopped carrots

·       3 chopped leeks (mostly the lighter area on the bottom) or 1 cup green onions

·       6 cups chicken broth

·       3 tablespoons butter

·       2 tablespoons olive oil

·       1 quart half and half

·       ¼ cup chopped dill (fresh) plus extra for garnish

·       Salt, Pepper, and a little garlic powder to taste

Instructions

1.     Melt 3 tbsp butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the carrots, leeks or green onion and sauté 5-7 minutes.

2.     Add 6 cups chicken broth. Season with salt, pepper, and dill.

3.     Add the chopped potatoes – cover and cook for 15 - 20 minutes. Potatoes should be firm but tender.

4.     In a separate skillet brown sausage and add to soup pot. I pour the grease in for extra flavor but you can drain it for less fat option.

5.     Wipe out pan and add 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add mushrooms and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until they are lightly browned. Add to soup pot.

6.     Slowly stir half-and-half into the soup and heat.

Dad's Deep Fried Turkey

Deep Fried Turkey

Fifteen pound turkey

25 medium bay leaves

3 ¼ teaspoons dried thyme

3 ¼ teaspoons dried oregano

1 ½ teaspoons whole peppercorns

3 tablespoons Konriko brand or other hot Creole seasoning

2 teaspoons garlic powder

4 gallons peanut oil

1.   Wash turkey inside and out under cold running water.

2.    Crush bay leaves in a small bowl.  Finely grind thyme, oregano, and peppercorn separately; add to bay leaves.  Mix in Creole seasoning and garlic powder.

3.   Rub 1/3 spice mixture on inside of turkey, 1/3 under skin of breasts, and 1/3 on outside of turkey; place in roasting pan.  Cover; marinate overnight or up to 24 hours in refrigerator.

4.   Bring turkey to room temperature.  Using a wooden skewer, thread nick flap securely to bottom of turkey.  Fold wing tips under.  Using steel or aluminum wire, truss legs and pope’s nose together securely; form a handle with wire.  This will enable you to hold turkey while submerging tin hot oil.

5.   Heat oil in 10-gallon pot with liner basket over high heat until temperature registers 360 degrees on candy/deep-fry thermometer.  Holding turkey by handle, immerse in oil.  Maintain temperature at 360 degrees while frying.  Fry until golden brown, about 45 minutes, or 3 minutes per pound.

6.   Lift turkey from oil; transfer to wire rack over a roasting pan.  Drain for 15 minutes.

Jumbo Chocolate Chunk Cookies

By Lori Boss

Vegan, gluten-free

These vegan and gluten-free chocolate chunk cookies will blow your mind! The cookie dough is sweetened with pure maple syrup—you'd never know they don't contain any granulated cane or brown sugar (aside from the chocolate, of course). Almond butter, oats, almond flour, and a small amount of coconut oil form the hearty and nutritious base of these irresistible cookies. Prepare yourself for an addiction. We love these warm, but they're also great straight from the freezer or fridge!

Yield

12-13 jumbo (4-inch) cookies Prep Time

20 Minutes Cook time

10 Minutes

Ingredients:

For the wet ingredients:

1/2 cup (120 g) natural smooth almond butter (no subs)*

1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons (105 mL) pure maple syrup

3 tablespoons (45 mL) virgin coconut oil, softened but not hot**

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the dry ingredients:

1/2 cup (50 g) gluten-free rolled oats

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (50 g) gluten-free oat flour

1/4 cup (33 g) arrowroot flour/starch

1/4 cup (25 g) almond flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt

(150g) 55% non-dairy dark chocolate (about 1 1/2 bars)*** or dark chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a very large (approx. 21 by 15 inch) baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, stir together the wet ingredients (almond butter, maple syrup, oil, and vanilla) until completely smooth.

Stir the dry ingredients (oats, oat flour, arrowroot, almond flour, baking soda, and salt) into the wet mixture, one by one, until thoroughly combined. The dough will be a bit wet/oily, but this is normal.

Chop the chocolate into small chunks. Set aside 3 tablespoons (for topping the cookie dough later), and stir the rest of the chocolate into the batter until combined.

Using a large retractable cookie scoop (or simply a spoon and your hands), scoop mounds of dough (about 2 1/2 tablespoons of dough per cookie). Add each onto the baking sheet, about 3 inches apart, as they'll spread a lot while baking.

Press the remaining 3 tablespoons of chocolate onto the tops of the cookie dough mounds, evenly distributed. (Reshape the cookie dough mounds if they flatten a bit.)

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes (I prefer 8 1/2 to 9 minutes for gooey and soft cookies), until the cookies are spread out. If you prefer a crispy cookie, bake for about 12 minutes.

Cool the cookies directly on the baking sheet for about 5 to 6 minutes. The cookies will be super delicate until they are cooled. Using a spatula, gently transfer each cookie directly onto a cooling rack for another 10 minutes, where they'll firm up even more. (It's normal to have a small amount of oil on the bottom of the cookies due to the almond butter. If this bothers you, simply place them on a couple sheets of paper towel.) Serve and enjoy! Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing.

Tips:

* It's important to use natural smooth almond butter that has a fairly "drippy" consistency. Be sure to stir it very well before measuring and avoid using the dry/hard nut butter at the bottom of the jar as it's too difficult to mix with the other wet ingredients. Some readers have also said that using peanut butter resulted in cookies that didn't spread out and didn't hold together, so I wouldn't recommend subbing the almond butter.

** What is softened coconut oil? During the warm summer months, coconut oil is the perfect "softened" consistency at room temperature; it's neither solid nor completely melted. If you do need to use melted coconut oil, just be sure that it's not hot/warm or it could melt the chocolate.

*** I prefer Camino 55% dark chocolate bars in this recipe, but feel free to use the chocolate of your choice.

Tip: These cookies spread out a lot and are fairly thin. If you prefer a thicker cookie you can try chilling the dough before baking. (I haven't tried this yet myself.)

ohsheglowscookiesbest

Chinese Chicken Salad

Chinese Chicken Salad *50 servings

from Lori Boss

10 c. cooked, shredded chicken

3/4 c. slivered almonds

5 heads cabbage, finely sliced (1/2 lettuce or some purple cabbage or napa cabbage, if desired)

6 pkg. dry flavored noodles

1 bunch green onions

3/4 c. sesame seeds, toasted

4 c. sliced pea pods (or edamame)

4 c. slivered or shredded carrots

7 red peppers, finely slivered 

** Homemade Dressing:

2 3/4 cups rice vinegar 

2 3/4 cup soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)

4 Tablespoons honey or sugar

3/4 cup sesame oil

1 1/2 cup light olive oil

12 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped

6-7 Tablespoons finely chopped fresh ginger

Blend dressing in a blender till combined. Combine with salad and let sit for up to 3 hours (without dry noodles in. Add them at the last minute.) Serve.

Chocolate Souffle

This is absolutely the most delicious dessert ever invented.

Serves 8

4 ounces of butter
4 ounces of sifted flour
1 pint of whole milk
7 large eggs
8 ounces of sugar
8 1/2 ounces of dark chocolate, chopped

In a medium size sauce pot melt the butter and then whisk in the sifted flour. Slowly whisk in the milk until the batter is a smooth, thick consistency; transfer this batter into a mixing bowl and whisk in the egg yolks until well mixed. Stir the chocolate into the warm batter until the chocolate is completely dissolved. Allow the batter to cool.

Whip egg whites in a mixer until they start to thicken and become fluffy, at which time the sugar will be slowly incorporated into the white. Continue mixing the egg whites until they form a stiff, but not dry, peak. Gently fold the whipped egg whites - one third of the whites at a time - into the chocolate batter until all the whites have been incorporated.

Butter each individual shuffle dish and sprinkle a bit of sugar around the edges and bottom of each dish. Fill the prepared dish up to 3/4 with the souffle batter. Bake the souffles on a sheet pan that has a 1/4 inch of water in it at 425 degrees for approximately 20-25 minutes. If you bake in a convection oven decrease the temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 15 minutes.

Serve the souffles with vanilla bean sauce, whipped cream or raspberry sauce. This souffle with vanilla bean sauce is our favorite dessert!!

Vanilla Bean Sauce

2 1/2 c. milk
2/1/2 c. cream
1/3 c. sugar
1/4 vanilla bean

1/3 c. sugar
8 egg yolks

Heat cream milk, vanilla bean and the first 1/3 c. sugar in a double boiler. (To prepare vanilla bean: split vanilla bean open down the middle with the point of a sharp knife. Use the back or dull side of the knife to scrape out the small vanilla beans and put them into the mixture.)

In a stainless steel bowl, mix together the other 1/3 c. sugar and egg yolks.

Once cream mixture comes to a boil, pour a little into the yolk mixture, continuously whisking. Pour the yolk mixture back into the pan and continue to cook until the sauce coats the back of the spoon.
Optional - Once ready, pass the sauce through a fine chinois and cool down over ice. (I have never done this step and it turns out great.)

FYI - Some members of the family prefer drinking the sauce instead of using it to accompany chocolate soufflé, berries, brownies or any other delectable dessert. This recipe really is fabulous!!

Mabo Doufu or Mabo Nasu

2 T. oil (olive, canola, etc.)
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 T. fresh ground ginger
1 medium size onion, finely chopped
4 green onions, finely chopped
3/4 lb. ground beef (or pork)
1 T. to-ban-jan (Korean red chili paste - I've used other Asian chili pastes that works too.)
1 T. sesame oil
1 Japanese eggplant and or zucchini and or tofu and or bell peppers
2 T. sake
1 1/2 tsp. sugar or honey
2 T. water
6 T. soy sauce

1.  Prepare and measure garlic, ginger, onion, green onions.
2.  Slice eggplant lengthwise into 4 strips. Slice horizontally not quarters. Set aside.
3.  In a pan over medium/high hear, add 2 T. oil, garlic, ginger, onions, and half of the spring onions.      Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until onions are translucent.
4.  Add ground beef and season with a bit of salt and pepper. When the meat is cooked, add to-ban-jan and stir.
5.  Add sesame oil and eggplant (zucchini, bell peppers if desired) and cook for 5 - 7 minutes, until the vegetables are soft and cooked through.
6.  If you add tofu, delicately break it up while mixing it in. Add sake, sugar or honey, 4 T. soy sauce, stir and cook for a couple of minutes. Add the remaining 2 T. soy sauce and spring onions, stir and turn the heat off. Serve over rice.

Delicious Homemade Italian Dressing

Zippy, zesty Homemade Italian Dressing is delicious on salads and makes an excellent marinade...plus it's all-natural and easy to make! You'll never go back to bottled Italian Dressing once you've tasted this.

Ingredients 

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil OR avocado oil
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar OR red wine vinegar OR a combo of the two
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 to 2 teaspoons honey
• 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 3/4 teaspoon dried parsley
• 3/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Measure all ingredients into a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake vigorously until well-blended and emulsified. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more salt and pepper if necessary. (Alternatively, you may whisk ingredients together in a bowl, process ingredients in a mini food processor, or blend them in a blender.) Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator; allow to come to room temperature and shake well before using.

Notes

The honey mellows out the acidity of the dressing, but you may add more or less, to taste.

Thai Halibut

This is a yummy way to fix halibut! Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 4 shallots, finely chopped (about 3/4 cup)
• 2 1/2 teaspoons red curry paste*, or 2 teaspoons curry powder (See Cook's Note)
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup light coconut milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus 1/4 teaspoon, plus more for seasoning
• 4 (6-ounce) pieces halibut fillet, skin removed
• Steamed spinach** (See Cook's Note)
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 scallions, green part only, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups cooked brown rice, for serving
  
  
  

  Directions

  In a large saute pan, heat the oil over moderate heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the curry paste and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the chicken broth, coconut milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt and simmer until reduced to 2 cups, about 5 minutes.

  Season the halibut with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Arrange the fish in the pan and gently shake the pan so the fish is coated with the sauce. Cover and cook until the fish flakes easily with a fork, about 7 minutes.

  Arrange a pile of steamed spinach in the bottom of 4 soup plates. Top with the fish fillets. Stir the cilantro, scallions, and lime juice into the sauce and season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Ladle the sauce over the fish and serve with rice.
  
  

  Cook's Note

  *Available in the Asian section of most supermarkets **Steam or microwave 5 cups of washed baby spinach for 2 minutes

  
  

Marge Clayton's Cinnamon Rolls

Mix together and set aside till bubbly (about 10 minutes)

½ cup warm water

2 Tablespoons powdered instant yeast

1 cup melted butter – Marge uses1 sq unsalted butter and 1 sq margarine which she says makes the best rolls, and she melts the butter/marg. in the microwave and lets it cool slightly.

In very large mixing bowl, mix till sugar and salt are dissolved:

2 cups water

¾ cup sugar

2 teaspoons salt

4 eggs (slightly beaten)

Stir in cooled melted butter and yeast.

Mix well.

Add:

7 ½ cups flour (exactly)

Mix with large spoon for about 3 1/2 minutes (till gluten starts – that stretchy look).  The dough will be very sticky.

Cover with tight lid and refrigerate.  If you are in a hurry and want them that day, refrigerate at least 2 or 3 hours.  Dough can be refrigerated 3 days.  Refrigerating helps the dough to be very easy to work with and roll out but it is still very light.

To roll out, cut dough in half and put on floured surface.  (Marge uses a pastry cloth and floured hands and rolling pin). 

Roll about ½” thick and about 13” long and 9” wide.  Spread with melted salted BUTTER – not margarine, sugar (like you’d sprinkle on cereal) and cinnamon (quite heavy).  Roll up to be a jelly roll and even out ends to be the same width.  Pat and pinch where necessary.  Each long “jelly roll” yields 12 rolls.  I cut them with a pizza cutter about 2 – 2 ¼”. 

Place 12 rolls on each baking pan.  Let rise till double.  This varies in a warm kitchen but can be roughly 1 hour.  I cover them with a towel and put them on the top of my stove and then preheat the oven so it is a cozy warm place for them to rise evenly.  Don’t let them “over-rise” but they will look light and fluffy when ready.

Bake at 375 for 10 – 15 minutes – depending on your oven.  I bake them on convection and bake for about 10-12 minutes.

Remove from oven and let sit for about 15 minutes before frosting.

Frosting:

About 1 – 1 ½ lb powdered sugar

¾ cube soft butter (not melted)

1 teaspoon vanilla

about 7 Tablespoons evaporated milk (cream or ½ and ½ or milk won’t work)!!!

Stir till smooth and creamy.

Add additional evaporated milk if needed till it spreads like soft butter.

Eat and enjoy!!!