Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Recipe : A Lot More Than Plain Spinach Pie (Greek Batsaria)

Ingredients
1 pound chopped fresh spinach
3 leeks, chopped
5 green onions, chopped
2 1/3 cups crumbled feta cheese
1 bunch parsley, chopped
1 bunch dill, chopped
1 bunch spearmint, chopped
1 teaspoon white sugar
3/4 cup olive oil
1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup semolina flour
1 pinch salt
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cups water
1 1/4 cups grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
2 tablespoons cold butter, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a deep 9x9 inch baking dish.
Beat the eggs in a mixing bowl, then stir in the spinach, leeks, green onions, feta cheese, parsley, dill, spearmint, sugar, milk, and 3/4 cup of olive oil until evenly mixed. Season to taste with salt and pepper; set aside. Whisk together the all-purpose flour, semolina flour, and 1 pinch of salt in a mixing bowl. Stir in 1/4 cup of olive oil and the water until no lumps remain. Pour 2/3 of the batter into the prepared 9x9 inch pan, and spread out evenly. Spoon the spinach filling over the batter, then spoon the remaining batter overtop. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese, butter pieces, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Bake in the preheated oven until the bottom crust and top has firmed and nicely browned, about 1 hour.

Recipe : Apple Dumplings I

Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground allspice
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons red currant jelly
1 1/2 cups boiling water
1 1/2 cups white sugar
3 tablespoons apple juice
1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a large shallow baking dish.
Roll dough into a 18x12 inch rectangle that's 1/8 inch thick. Cut dough into 6 squares.
Combine butter, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves and brown sugar. Peel and core apples. Place one apple on each square of pastry. In center of each apple place 1 teaspoon red currant jelly. Spread spice mixture over each apple; bring points of pastry together and seal. Place apples in the prepared baking dish with the seams either on top or underneath the apples.
Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 30 minutes. In a saucepan combine boiling water, granulated sugar, and apple juice. Cook until sugar is dissolved. Pour over baked apples and bake for an additional 20 minutes. Baste frequently. Serve warm. Makes 6 servings.

Recipe : Black-Eyed Pea and Jalapeno Salsa

Ingredients
1 (15.5 ounce) can black-eyed peas
1 cup chopped pickled jalapeno peppers
1 (4 ounce) jar pimento peppers, drained and chopped
1 (8 ounce) jar mushrooms, drained and diced
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Mix the black-eyed peas, jalapeno peppers, pimentos, mushrooms, celery, onion, and olive oil together in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Recipe : Banana Oatmeal Crumb Cake

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup mashed bananas
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cups rolled oats
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup rolled oats
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions
Stir together flour, 1 1/3 cups oats, salt, and baking soda.
In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup butter or margarine with 2/3 cup brown sugar. Beat in the eggs, then the bananas and vanilla. Beat the flour mixture into the banana mixture. Turn the batter into a greased and floured 8 inch square pan.
Mix 3/4 cup oats, 1/3 cup brown sugar, melted butter or margarine, walnuts, and cinnamon together until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the batter.
Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 40 to 45 minutes, or until it tests done. Transfer to a rack to cool.

Recipe : Anzac Biscuits II

Ingredients
2 1/8 cups rolled oats
5/8 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 tablespoon golden syrup
1 teaspoon baking soda
4 teaspoons boiling water
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Directions
In a large bowl, combine the oats, sugar, flour. Melt and add butter or margarine. Add golden syrup. Lastly, add the baking soda dissolved in the boiling water. Stir the dough until everything is completely mixed together.
Place spoonfuls of mixture onto a greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 15-20 minutes, or until done.

Recipe : Apple Nut Cake with Rum Sauce

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups white sugar
1 cup margarine
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon butter flavored extract
2 tablespoons water
4 apple - peeled, cored and diced
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup water
1/2 cup margarine
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon butter flavored extract
2 teaspoons rum flavored extract

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. Sift together 2 cups flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream 2 cups sugar and 1 cup margarine until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon butter flavoring and 2 tablespoons water. Beat in the flour mixture, stirring just until incorporated. Finally, stir in chopped apples and pecans.
Pour batter into prepared 9x13 inch pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.
To make the Rum Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup water and 1/2 cup margarine. Bring to a boil. Mix 1 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons flour and 1/8 teaspoon salt and stir into the saucepan. Bring sauce to a boil, stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla, 1/4 teaspoon butter flavoring and 2 teaspoons rum flavoring. Pour sauce over the cake and serve.

Recipe : Barbecued Beef Sandwiches

Ingredients
2 cups thin slices cooked roast beef
1 (18 ounce) bottle barbecue sauce
5 Kaiser rolls, split

Directions
In a saucepan, combine beef and barbecue sauce; heat through. Serve on rolls.

Recipe : Braised Celery

Ingredients
1 bunch celery, cleaned and cut into 4 inch pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 cube chicken bouillon
1 cup boiling water
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

Directions
Arrange the celery in a single layer on the bottom of a large skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Dot with butter. Dissolve the bouillon cube in boiling water, and pour over the celery.
Cover pan, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

Recipe : Basic Biscuits

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup milk

Directions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
In a large mixing bowl sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in shortening with fork or pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Pour milk into flour mixture while stirring with a fork. Mix in milk until dough is soft, moist and pulls away from the side of the bowl.
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and toss with flour until no longer sticky. Roll dough out into a 1/2 inch thick sheet and cut with a floured biscuit or cookie cutter. Press together unused dough and repeat rolling and cutting procedure.
Place biscuits on ungreased baking sheets and bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 10 minutes.

Recipe : Barbequed Pig

Ingredients
2 cups vegetable oil
1 cup achiote (annatto) seeds
24 cloves garlic, peeled
3 tablespoons dried oregano
3/4 cup salt
1/2 cup sour orange juice
1 whole (25 pound) suckling pig, dressed
16 cloves chopped garlic
16 peppercorns
12 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded
2 cups extra virgin olive oil
1 cup distilled white vinegar
1 cup lime juice
2 tablespoons salt
cheesecloth

Directions
Annatto Oil: In a small saucepan, heat oil over low heat. Stir in annatto seeds, and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool, and strain it before use, removing the seeds.
In a large mortar, crush 24 cloves garlic with oregano and 3/4 cup salt. Stir in the sour orange juice. Set aside.
Make deep cuts in the pig on the neck, just under the lower jaw, on the loin, legs, shoulders, and ribs. Rub the seasoned orange juice into the cuts, as well as all over the skin, and in the cavity of the pig. Cover the pig with cheesecloth, and refrigerate overnight.
Build an open charcoal fire over a bed of stones. Hot coals may need to be added during the long cooking period. Place a post with a Y shape on either end of the fire.
Pass a smooth pole with no bark thru the body of the pig. Tie the front legs tightly around the pole. Do the same with the hind legs, stretching them as far as possible. Resting the ends of the pole on the Y posts, place the pig over hot coals. Rotate the pole constantly and slowly in order to cook the pig evenly, and baste it frequently with the annatto oil. Roast the pig for about seven hours, or until a thermometer stuck into the thickest part of the thigh reaches 160 degrees F (75 degrees C). Carve.
Meanwhile, prepare the garlic sauce by first crushing the remaining 16 cloves garlic, the 16 peppercorns, and the fresh chilies in a mortar. Transfer mixture to a small bowl. Stir in olive oil, vinegar, lime juice, and 2 tablespoons salt. Serve with carved meat.

Recipe : Blue Cheese and Dried Cranberry Tossed Salad

Ingredients
4 hearts of romaine lettuce, chopped
1/2 English cucumber, sliced
3/4 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
3/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette

Directions
Layer the romaine lettuce with the cucumber, grape tomatoes, pecans, cranberries, and blue cheese in a large salad bowl. Dress the salad with the balsamic vinaigrette before serving.

Recipe : Aunt Joyce's Chocolate Cake

Ingredients
3 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups warm water

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave.
Pour the melted chocolate into a large mixing bowl. Blend in the mayonnaise, vinegar and vanilla. Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt and gradually stir into the chocolate mixture. Slowly stir in the warm water. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.

Recipe : Brazilian Whole Banana Pie

Ingredients
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup water
10 bananas, peeled and sliced lengthwise
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups toasted wheat germ
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup light margarine
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of brown sugar over the bottom of a small saucepan or skillet. Cook over medium heat until melted. Stir in water until sugar is completely dissolved. Heat to between 234 and 240 degrees F (112 to 116 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water and placed on a flat surface. Pour the syrup into a round baking dish or deep dish pie plate and spread to coat the bottom.
Make a layer of bananas on top of the melted sugar. In a medium bowl, stir together the whole wheat flour, wheat germ, oats and 1 cup of brown sugar. Mix in the margarine using your hands, pinching it into small pieces to make a crumbly dough. Sprinkle half of this over the bananas in the dish and pat down. Top with the remaining bananas and sprinkle with about half of the cinnamon. Spread the rest of the dough over the bananas and pat the pie smooth. Sprinkle remaining cinnamon over the top.
Bake for 45 minutes in the preheated oven, until the pie topping is toasted and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Recipe : Barb's Broccoli-Cauliflower Salad

Ingredients
12 slices bacon
1 head fresh broccoli, diced
1 head cauliflower, chopped
1/2 red onion, diced
3/4 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup creamy salad dressing
1 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/4 cup white sugar

Directions
Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
Combine the bacon, cauliflower, broccoli, onion and sunflower seeds or pecans.
Whisk together the salad dressing, vinegar and sugar. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Refrigerate and allow to chill before serving.

Recipe : Banana Spring Rolls

Ingredients
2 large bananas
8 (7 inch square) spring roll wrappers
1 cup brown sugar, or to taste
1 quart oil for deep frying

Directions
Preheat the oil in a deep-fryer or large cast-iron skillet to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Peel bananas, and slice them in half lengthwise, then crosswise into fourths. Place one piece of banana diagonally across the corner of a spring roll wrapper, and sprinkle with brown sugar to taste. Roll from the corner to the center, then fold top and bottom corners in, and continue rolling. Dip your finger in water and brush the last edge to seal. Repeat with remaining banana pieces.
Fry a few banana rolls at a time in the hot oil until evenly browned. Remove to paper towels to drain. Serve hot or cold.

Recipe : Apple Radish BBQ Ribs

Ingredients
4 pounds pork spareribs
2 quarts apple juice
3 cups barbecue sauce
1/2 cup prepared horseradish
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic salt

Directions
Place ribs in a stock pot, and cover with apple juice. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 1 to 2 hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, mix together barbecue sauce, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic salt. Stir in 3 tablespoons of the apple juice from the ribs.
Brush underside of ribs with 1/3 of the sauce. Turn them over, and place in roasting pan. Brush tops with remaining sauce.
Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 35 minutes, brushing occasionally with sauce.

Recipe : Blackberry Cobbler II

Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups white sugar, divided
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons cold butter
1/4 cup boiling water
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
4 cups fresh blackberries, rinsed and drained

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
In a large bowl, mix the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in 1/4 cup boiling water just until mixture is evenly moist.
In a separate bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in cold water. Mix in remaining 1 cup sugar, lemon juice, and blackberries. Transfer to a cast iron skillet, and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Drop dough into the skillet by spoonfuls. Place skillet on the foil lined baking sheet.
Bake 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until dough is golden brown.

Recipe : Baked Calico Rice

Ingredients
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
3/4 cup chopped green pepper
2/3 cup uncooked long-grain rice
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions
In a 2-qt. baking dish, combine all ingredients; mix well. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until rice is tender, stirring occasionally. discard bay leaf before serving.

Recipe : All-Around Good Smoothie

Ingredients
1/2 cup nonfat milk
1/2 cup fat-free plain yogurt
1/2 frozen banana, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons powdered protein supplement
1 1/2 tablespoons flax seed
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 cup frozen strawberries

Directions
In a blender, blend the milk, yogurt, banana, protein supplement, flax seed, honey, and strawberries until smooth.

Recipe : Blueberry Cream Dessert

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
3/4 cup sugar, divided
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (21 ounce) can blueberry pie filling
1 (8 ounce) carton frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions
In a bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, 1/4 cu sugar and butter. Press into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and remaining sugar until smooth; add the eggs and vanilla. Pour over crust.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until set. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Cool on a wire rack. Spread with pie filling and whipped topping. Refrigerate until serving.

Recipe : Bev's Seasoned Salt

Ingredients
1/2 cup salt
1/2 teaspoon white sugar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground thyme
1 pinch ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1 teaspoon ground mustard

Directions
Pour the salt into a small mixing bowl. Whisk in the sugar, oregano, celery seed, paprika, thyme, turmeric, curry powder, chili powder, marjoram, and mustard until evenly blended. Store in a tightly sealed shaker jar.

Recipe : Angel Food Cake Roll

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package angel food cake mix
5 teaspoons confectioners' sugar
1 (8 ounce) container reduced fat strawberry yogurt
1 (1 ounce) package instant sugar-free vanilla pudding mix
3 drops red food coloring
2 cups reduced-fat whipped topping

Directions
Line a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan with waxed paper. Prepare cake according to package directions. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool for 5 minutes. Turn cake onto a kitchen towel dusted with confectioners' sugar. Gently peel off waxed paper. Roll up jelly-roll style in the towel, starting with a short side. Cool on a wire rack.
In a bowl, whisk the yogurt, pudding mix and food coloring if desired. Fold in whipped topping. Unroll cake; spread filling evenly over cake to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up. Cover and freeze. Remove from freezer 30 minutes before slicing.

Recipe : Berry Vinegar

Ingredients
3 cups cider vinegar
1 cup raspberries
2 tablespoons white sugar

Directions
Combine vinegar, berries and sugar together in a medium glass mixing bowl. Mix gently and pour mixture into bottles. Cover tightly and store at room temperature.

Recipe : Asian Bok Choy Salad

Ingredients
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup white sugar
1 lemon, juiced
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1/3 cup olive oil
2 medium heads bok choy
4 green onions, chopped
1 cup pine nuts
1 (5 ounce) can chow mein noodles

Directions
Mix water and sugar in a medium saucepan, and bring to a boil. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until a light syrup has formed. Remove from heat, and mix in lemon juice, soy sauce, and olive oil. Refrigerate until serving.
In a medium bowl, toss together bok choy and green onions. Top with pine nuts and dried rice noodles. Sprinkle with the dressing to taste.

Recipe : Billy's Favorite Gingerbread Spiced Coffee Syrup

Ingredients
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon honey
1 (1 inch) piece fresh ginger root, sliced
1 cinnamon stick, broken into large pieces
8 whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon whole allspice berries
1/2 teaspoon whole peppercorns
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions
In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine water, sugar, and honey. Stir in ginger, cinnamon stick, cloves, allspice, peppercorns, and nutmeg; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for 20 minutes, then strain through a fine mesh sieve, or double layer cheesecloth.