Popcorn Balls

Posted on May 14, 2012 by

Popcorn balls

Popcorn Balls have been delighting children of all ages for countless years.

This easy and fun recipe will have you making them time and time again!

Yield: 18 – 24

Ingredients

  • 1 1⁄4 cups granulated sugar/caster sugar
  • 1 1⁄4 cups brown sugar
  • 1⁄2 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • 3 1⁄2 quarts popped corn
  • 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt

Ingredients

  1. Put the sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup and water in a saucepan.
  2. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
  3. Add butter and continue cooking – without stirring – until the temperature reaches 240°F/115.5°C on a candy thermometer or when the mixture forms a soft ball when tested in cold water.
  4. Put the popped corn in a large bowl and sprinkle with salt.
  5. Pour the hot syrup over it and mix thoroughly.
  6. Shape into small to medium-sized balls and when cooled, wrap in waxed paper, foil or plastic wrap.

This is a wonderful recipe to do with children. Not only do they love to eat the sweetened popcorn, but they also love forming them into the popcorn balls. If you wet your hands while forming the popcorn, they won’t stick to your fingers.

Posted in brown sugar, butter, Candy, Cooking With Kids, corn syrup, Homemade Recipes, Miscellaneous, popcorn, sugar, Unique Recipe | Comments Off

Spanish Sandwich

Posted on May 14, 2012 by

Spanish Sandwiches add flavor with the combination of tomato juice, egg and cheese to the mixture. A light and fun taste sensation as well as a nice and easy way to add flair to your meal.

Serves 6

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons chopped pimiento
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped onion
  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup tomato juice
  • 1 cup grated cheese of your choice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • dash paprika
  • 1 egg, well-beaten
  • 6 slices buttered toast

Method

  1. Saute pimiento and onion the butter for 5 minutes.
  2. Add the tomato juice, grated cheese, salt and paprika.
  3. Cook 5 minutes longer… until the cheese is melted.
  4. Stir a small amount into the egg.
  5. Then return the “tempered” egg mixture into the hot mixture and cook 2 minutes longer.
  6. Pour over the hot buttered toast and enjoy!
Posted in Breakfast, Cheese, Dinner, Eggs, onion, paprika, pimento, toast, tomato juice, Unique Recipe | Tagged | Comments Off

Enhancing a Store Pizza

Posted on May 12, 2012 by

An enhanced store-bought pizza

My kids love Pizza either hot or cold so it was a good choice for dinner on occasion. Dinner was good then the pizza slices that remain can be used in their lunchboxes for the following day. I never liked the amount of work involved in making a pizza from scratch though so I found an alternative using an inexpensive store pizza.

The DIY Solution

One way to do this is to order in a ready-to-eat pizza or two but this can be quite expensive. Even the store bought ones can be quite pricey and they still have to be cooked when you get home. A solution was at hand though!

Many supermarkets sell low cost pizza which, if cooked as bought, provide a poor food experience. All that is needed is to treat them as a starting point then enhance them some. They normally have too little cheese on the top so that is an easy thing to add.

The one shown in the picture started out as a Chicken Tikka Pizza that cost me £1 from my usual supermarket. I added on some sliced mushrooms and some halved cherry tomatoes then topped it off with some soy cheese slices that I have been trying. It came out very well.

Chopped Onions or Peppers are also good things to add as is additional meat. It all helps to turn what starts out as a budget pizza into a great pizza at little extra cost.

One final tip that is energy saving too. Use the fact that the oven is on to cook extra pizza then use them in lunchboxes the following day. I’ll have to admit to not liking cold pizza here though so this would not be lunch for me.

Posted in Cooking With Kids, Dinner | Tagged | Comments Off

Sausage Ratatouille

Posted on May 9, 2012 by

Sausage Ratatouille

Sausage Ratatouille is an absolutely wonderful mix of sausage, tomatoes, peppers and onions. The combination is simmered for a couple of hours producing one of the best flavored party dishes around. This makes a delicious meal for the family.

Serves 8

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds sausage, cut into 6 – 8 inch pieces each
  • 1 package of 8 sub rolls (larger than hot dog rolls)
  • 2 large cans (28 ounces each) whole, peeled tomatoes – including juice
  • 3-4 large peppers, cut into thick strips
  • 2-3 large onions, cut into large chunks
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste

Method

  1. In a large saucepan, place the cut sausages and sear on high heat.
  2. Put the remaining ingredients into the saucepan along with the sausages.
  3. Crunch up the tomatoes to break them up so they cook down a bit during the cooking process.
  4. Stir gently so as not to break apart the sausages as well as mix everything together.
  5. At this point you can cover the pot and turn the burner to low.
  6. Simmer everything on low for a minimum of 2 hours or more.
  7. When done, the sausage and vegetables will be very fork tender.
  8. Put a sausage into one of the rolls and top with the veggies and juice.

A taste sensation that few will be able to beat!

NOTE: This recipe is excellent when done in the slow cooker. Put everything into the slow cooker and turn on low for at least 12 hours. A more tender meal will be difficult to find.

For a change, turkey sausages also make an excellent substitute for the pork sausages.

Posted in Dinner, Meats, onions, peppers, Sandwich, sausage, Slow Cooker, tomatoes, Unique Recipe, Vegetables | Tagged | Comments Off

Harvard Beets

Posted on May 7, 2012 by

Harvard Beets

Harvard Beets are a delicious red beet concoction in a tasty sauce. The tartness from the lemon juice and the sweetness from the sugar tantalizes the taste buds into wanting to devour this savory yet sweet dish.

Serves 2 – 4

Ingredients

  • 1 can red beets, drained and diced or sliced
  • 1 cup water
  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour/plain flour
  • 1 Tablespoon chopped onion
  • 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar/caster sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste

Method

  1. In a saucepan, put all the ingredients except the diced or sliced red beets.
  2. Mix well and cook until it turns into a sauce, stirring constantly.
  3. When thick, add the red beets and heat thoroughly.
  4. Serve as a side dish.
Posted in butter, Dinner, flour, lemon juice, onion, red beets, sugar, Vegetables, Vegetarian | Tagged | Comments Off

Hungarian Goulash

Posted on May 1, 2012 by

Hungarian Goulash

Hungarian Goulash is a thick, hearty dish, and still is a very popular dish among herdsmen in Hungary. They made it in a cast-iron kettle hung above open fire, out in the fields.

Serves 6

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds beef cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 1⁄4 cup butter
  • 2 sliced onions
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon paprika
  • 4 medium/large potatoes, diced
  • 1 cup canned or homemade stewed tomatoes

Method

  1. Melt the butter in a saucepan.
  2. Add the diced meat and onions.
  3. Saute until browned.
  4. Add salt, pepper, paprika and the tomatoes.
  5. Simmer for 30 minutes.
  6. Add potatoes and more tomatoes and/or water if necessary.
  7. Cook 30 minutes longer.
  8. If desired, add 1 cup of heavy cream/double cream and 1⁄2 cup of water.
  9. Heat thoroughly and enjoy.
  10. Tastes even better the next day.
Posted in beef, butter, Dinner, Meats, onions, paprika, potatoes, stewed tomatoes, Unique Recipe, Vegetables | Tagged | Comments Off

Zabaglione

Posted on May 1, 2012 by

Zabalione

Zabaglione is a decadent Italian delicacy dessert that literally melts in your mouth.

The creamy texture and flavor is unbeatable!

Be sure to try some the next time you are in the mood for something different.

Serves 8

 

Ingredients

  • 6 egg yolks
  • 1⁄3 cup granulated sugar/caster sugar
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon grated cinnamon
  • 1 cup sweet wine

Method

  1. In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks until light yellow in color.
  2. Slowly add the sugar, continuing to beat until firm.
  3. Add the cinnamon and wine slowly, beating in well.
  4. Place the bowl in some hot water in a saucepan and cook the mixture until the sugar is dissolved.
  5. Beat continually until the mixture resembles custard.
  6. Remove from heat then place into individual containers.
  7. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Posted in cinnamon, egg yolks, Eggs, sugar, Unique Recipe, Wine / Alcohol | Comments Off

Italian Meatballs

Posted on May 1, 2012 by

Italian Meatballs

Italian Meatballs are often a favorite to enjoy, but unless it is done the “old fashioned” way, you can wind up with hard meatballs that you just don’t enjoy. Why bother to make something if you don’t even enjoy the end result? Treat your tastebuds to this all time classic from the past. It will be extremely hard to find a better Italian Meatball.

Serves 6 – 8

Ingredients

  • 1 1⁄2 pounds of ground beef (or ground turkey if preferred)
  • 4 cups bread crumbs
  • 1⁄2 cup raisins (optional)
  • 1 cup grated Parmesean cheese
  • 3 large or extra large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
  • 3 quarts beef or chicken stock

Method

  1. In a large bowl, gently mix together all the ingredients except the beef/chicken stock.
  2. Add 2 quarts of cold water to the meat mixture.
  3. Mix very well.
  4. Mold the meat mixture into small balls.
  5. HINT: Use an ice cream scoop for uniform meatballs.
  6. In a large pot, boil the chicken/beef stock.
  7. Drop the formed meatballs into the boiling stock and cook until well done – approximately 20 – 25 minutes.
  8. You may need to do these in batches.
  9. If doing in batches, set aside the cooked meatballs and continue with the rest until you are done.
  10. Use the meatballs in spaghetti, or slather in tomato sauce and use on a sub roll, or any other way you like to use meatballs.
  11. Guaranteed the best you will ever have…

NOTE: If you prefer, the meatballs may be fried up in a frying pan instead of boiling in the stock.

Posted in beef, beef stock, bread crumbs, Cheese, chicken stock, Dinner, Eggs, ground beef, ground turkey, Homemade Recipes, Meats, parmesan cheese, raisins, Unique Recipe | Tagged | Comments Off

Italian Minestrone Soup

Posted on April 29, 2012 by

Minestrone Soup

This Italian Minestrone Soup is a nice, hearty meal in a bowl. One that will be sure to have you clean your dish and look for more!

And the best part is, since this delicious soup is healthy, it would never be a problem to have that heaping second helping.

Serves 6

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried beans of your choice, or you can use 2 cans of cooked pink beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 1⁄2 Tablespoons chopped onion
  • 1 stalk celery, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, chopped
  • 3 Tablespoons parsley, chopped or 1 Tablespoon dried parsley
  • 1⁄4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup tomato pulp (fresh preferred but canned will also work)
  • 1 cup chopped cabbage
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • 1 cup cooked macaroni or you can use rice if preferred

Method

  1. Soak the dried beans in cold water for 10 hours or overnight.
  2. To the soak water, add 1 1⁄2 quarts of fresh water.
  3. Simmer until the beans are tender.
  4. Keep an eye on the level of water, and adding more if necessary.
  5. Saute onion, celery, garlic and the fresh parsley in olive oil.
  6. If using the dried parsley, simply place it into the pot with the beans after they have cooked.
  7. Add the tomato pulp and the chopped cabbage.
  8. Season to taste with the salt and pepper.
  9. Bring to a boil.
  10. Add the boiling mixture to the soaked and cooked beans.
  11. Now add the macaroni or the rice or for a change of pace you could use a combination of both.
  12. Simmer 30 minutes.
  13. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese
Posted in cabbage, celery, Dinner, dried beans, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, Healthy Recipe, macaroni, onion, parsley, Pasta, pink beans, Soups, tomato, Unique Recipe, Vegetables, Vegetarian | Tagged | Comments Off

Homemade Mayonnaise

Posted on April 27, 2012 by

Homemade Mayonnaise

This homemade mayonnaise recipe is so easy to make and tastes so much better than the store bought variety… why would anyone ever wish to buy it.

A simple matter of adding a few ingredients together and before you know it, you have light, creamy and delicious homemade mayonnaise for you to use in an instant.

Yield: almost 2 cups

Ingredients

  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 Tablespoons vinegar
  • 3⁄4 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • dash pepper
  • 1 cup light olive oil or your preference of oil

Method

  1. Beat egg yolk and add 1 Tablespoon of the vinegar.
  2. Add the mustard, salt and pepper.
  3. Mix well.
  4. If mixing the mayonnaise by hand, you will get the best results if you use a whisk.
  5. Drop the oil one teaspoon at a time into the egg mixture, making sure to beat constantly until 1⁄4 cup of the oil is added.
  6. Then add the oil in larger quantities, beating thoroughly after each addition.
  7. As the mixture thickens, add the remaining vinegar a little at a time.
  8. You can also use half lemon juice and half vinegar if you prefer.
  9. Cover and keep in a cool place.

NOTE: If using a stick blender to make the mayonnaise, add all the ingredients at one time into a tall container… put in the stick blender and start it up. Slowly drag the blender up the sides as it is mixing. When incorporated, the mayonnaise is complete.

Posted in Accompaniments, dry mustard, egg yolk, Homemade Recipes, light olive oil, pepper, salt, Sauce, vinegar | Comments Off