If you like to eat good home cooked food that is easy to prepare, you'll like some of my favorite recipes. Step into the kitchen and see how to prepare 5-star dishes. You may never eat out again!
"From the Grill"
---Mesquite Grilled Cajun Baked Chicken---
I start with a large package of thighs (about 12), and take the skin off (it is healthier). Coat thighs with a little salt and pepper and a whole lot of Louisiana brand Cajun Seasoning.
Smoke on grill over mesquite charcoal just long enough to leave the grill lines on the meat and lightly brown. Do not fully cook. It usually takes about 10 minutes on each side. If you don't have a grill or mesquite, then just follow the baking directions.
Place smoked thighs in a covered baking dish in about 1/2 inch of water. You may want to recoat the thighs with some more of the Cajun seasoning first. Bake, covered, for 1 hour at 375 degrees. Bake an additional hour at 220. The longer you bake the chichen at the lower temperature, the juicier it becomes. It will just fall off the bone. That's when you know that it has been cooked to perfection.
Don't throw the juice away. Save it to make soup (see my special soups section).
"Special Soups"
---Cajun Baked Chicken Soup---
With the broth you saved from the chicken recipe above, this easy to make soup is incredibly delicious.
Start by boiling about 2 to 3 cups of frozen mixed vegetables in 2 cups of water. After about 4 minutes, add the chicken broth and one package of Cajun Chicken Ramen (noodles only). Continue boiling for 3 minutes, then add a few dashes of soy sauce, the Ramen flavor packet, and a pinch or two of ginger powder. Turn heat off, add one egg and stir briskly. Before serving, add 1/2 cup of grated cheddar cheese.
Becomes a meal with garlic bread and salad.
"Desserts"
---Strawberry Pie---
Ingredients for one pie (can be doubled):
One 9-inch Graham Cracker or Shortbread pie shell
Strawberries, about 1.5 pints
1 cup of sugar
3 Tbsp of cornstarch
2 Tbsp of light Karo syrup
1 cup of water
1/3 cup of Wild Strawberry Jello mix
Mix thoroughly:
Before adding water and cornsyrup, mix the sugar and cornstarch.
Add water and syrup, bring to a boil (be careful not to overheat and let splatter).
Cook until thick, remove from heat, add jello mix.
Prepare strawberries:
Place whole and sliced berries in pie shell.
Pour jello sauce over berries and refrigerate.
---Dessert Pizza---
Toppings for one pizza:
Small can of pineapple tidbits, small can of Mandarin oranges, one can of sliced peaches, one banana, blueberries (canned pie filling okay if fresh not available), strawberries, kiwi, etc.
1 roll of Pillsbury Sugar Cookie dough:
Cut cookie dough into 1/4-inch thick slices and place on pizza pan evenly spaced (I buy the disposable aluminum pans). Bake at 325 degrees until lightly brown on top (usually 12 minutes). Cool.
Mix together until creamy:
1 package of cream cheese (8 oz.)
1/4 cup of sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
Spread cream cheese mixture on top of cookie pizza crust. Slice fruit and arrange on top of cream cheese.
Mix in a sauce pan, boil 1 minute (careful to not let splatter), cool until warm:
2/3 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. of cornstarch (mix well with sugar before adding juice)
1 cup of orange juice
Once mixture is cool, pour over fruit and refrigerate pizza.
---Pecan, Coconut, Chocolate Chip Pie---
Ingredients:
1 stick of butter
3/4 cup of white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. of vanilla
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup of coconut
1/2 cup of chopped pecans
1 Tbsp. of vinegar
Melt butter, add eggs, stir in sugar and cool. Add all other ingredients and stir well. Pour into short bread pie crust and bake at 375 degrees for ten minutes, then 325 for 30 minutes.
---Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread---
Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl:
1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. salt
1 level tsp. ground clove
1 heaping tsp. ground cinnamon
3 1/3 cups of flour (all purpose)
Mix very well after adding each of the following ingredients:
3 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 can of pumpkin
1/2 cup oil
1 cup water
Add flour mixture to liquid mixture, stir well. Add 10 oz. bag of chocolate chips (substitute white raisins or chopped nuts for the chips).
Spray two bread pans with PAM spray. Pour into pans and bake for 60 to 70 minutes, sometimes longer, at 325 degrees.
---Monster Cookies---
Thoroughly mix together in a very large bowl:
2 sticks of butter
1.5 cups brown sugar (packed)
1.5 cups white sugar
Add to sugar mixture and mix thoroughly:
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2.5 teaspoons baking soda
Combine sugar and egg mixture with:
One 18 oz. jar of Peanut Butter (crunchy)
One 12 oz. package of chocolate chips
One 18 oz. box of raw oatmeal (do not cook)
Drop 1/4-cup size portions of dough on ungreased cookie sheet, and bake at 325 for 10 to 12 minutes.