Brownie Drops

Brownie Drops

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2 packages (4 ounces each) sweet baking chocolate
1 tablespoon butter
2 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cup flour (may need to add slightly more to get right texture)
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
dash salt
3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts

Melt chocolate and butter in a double boiler.  Cool.

In large bowl, beat eggs to foamy.

Add sugar 2 tablespoons at a time, beating constantly until light and thick.

Blend in cooled chocolate mixture and vanilla.

Add dry ingredients and fold in nuts.

Drop by teaspoons onto greased cookie sheet.

Bake 10 minutes, or until crispy on outside and chewy on inside.

Cool.  Store tightly covered.

Makes 3 dozen cookies.

Myrt Buckley's Rice Pudding

Very special thanks to Elizabeth for finding this lost treasure.

1 c rice regular
3 c water
1/2 t salt

Simmer 40 minutes til water gone

Add 3/4 c sugar

Pour into pan with rice:

2-3 eggs - beat separately
1 can evaporated milk 11 oz
plus 1 1/2 can regular milk

Put in 11 x 13 pan

Sprinkle with nutmeg and/or cinnamon

Cook 350 degrees just under 1 hour

by Myrtle Buckley

Chocolate Custard Cookies (Christmas Cookies)

Also know as Fudge Meltaways in some circles.

In top of double boiler, put:

1/2 cup butter
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup sugar
5 tablespoons cocoa

Cook until thickened and add:

1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup coconut
2 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Mix well and press into bottom of 9 x 13 cake pan.

Refrigerate while mixing the following:

2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup softened butter
3 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons powdered vanilla pudding (not instant)

Put this on top of first layer and chill for 20 minutes or longer.

Melt 3 squares Baker's semisweet chocolate.

Spread over top of custard layer.

Chill and cut into squares.

Old Fashioned Sour Cream Drops

Old Fashioned Sour Cream Drops

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Mix together:

1/2 cup soft shortening
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs

Stir in:

1 cup thick sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla

Sift together and stir in:

2 3/4 cup sifted flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Chill at least one hour.

Drop rounded teaspoons about 2 inches apart on un-greased cookie sheet.

400 degrees at 8-10 minutes, or until delicately browned.

Carol Hoover's Rice Pudding

Rice Pudding by Carol Hoover

2/3 cup rice
2/3 cup sugar
2 quarts milk
1/3 cup margarine
pinch salt
1 teaspoon vanilla (at end)

Mix all ingredients except vanilla.

Bring to boil on low, cook 2 hours, stirring from time to time.

Stir in vanilla.

Pour into heat-proof bowl.

OK, I have a couple questions about this.

Q1: Who has Carol Hoover?

Q2: Who has time to stir for 2 hours?

Rib Roast

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/foolproof-standing-rib-roast-recipe/index.html

Foolproof?  I am willing to try it.

Roast Duck

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/food/sc-food-1207-dinner-duck-20121212,0,7347991.story

This gets me in the mood for roast duck.

Quick Ragu

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/fettuccine-with-quick-ragu-recipe/index.html

I need to buy some ground turkey.

Hot Buttered Rum

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/hot-buttered-rum-recipe/index.html

I definitely want to try this.

Lemon Soup

http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/turkey_soup_with_lemon_and_barley/

Yet another idea about what to do with leftover turkey.

I want to try it.

Cornbread dressing

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/cornbread-dressing-with-pancetta-apples-and-mushrooms-recipe/index.html

My friends from Bolzano no longer sell their gourmet pancetta.

But this recipe is probably worth trying anyway.

Clam chowder

http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/clam_chowder/

This looks like a fun recipe, and everything is better with bacon.

Chowders

http://www.library.umass.edu/spcoll/chowder/

I love chowders.

Scratch Onion Dip

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/onion-dip-from-scratch-recipe/index.html

I want to try this.

Stovetop Lasagna

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/stovetop-lasagna-recipe/index.html

Looks easy enough.

Crispy Potatoes

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/crispy-sliced-roasted-potatoes-recipe/index.html

I love potatoes.

Eggplant

http://www.organicgardening.com/cook/eggplant-and-mozzarella-rolls

Looks like a fair amount of work, but might be worth it.

Chocolate Pudding

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/pots-de-creme-recipe/index.html

Looks like a good recipe, but it obviously has nothing to do with pioneer women.

Avocado Salad

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/watercress-avocado-and-orange-salad-recipe/index.html

Sounds simple and delicious.

Kansas City Ribs

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/neelys/kansas-city-style-pork-ribs-recipe/index.html

Worth trying.

Parasites

http://www.rodale.com/intestinal-parasites-humans

Note the connection to climate change.

I wash my produce with tap water, but maybe I should start using a vinegar solution.

Nutella

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-rt-us-italy-nutellabre83s07y-20120429,0,806011.story

What is weird about this story is that most of us thought it was a candy bar in a jar all along.

Chicken Saute

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/broccoli_chicken_and_almond_saute/

This looks simple and interesting.

Orange Barbecue Sauce

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/crouton-crushed-chicken-tenders-with-orange-barbeque-sauce-recipe/index.html

I want to try this bbq sauce, but it is going to have a hard time competing with Kara's own homemade sauce.

Healthier Hot Dogs

Thanks to Elizabeth for sending me this link.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=something-to-chew-on

I want to try them.

Carbonara

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/spaghetti_alla_carbonara/

Everything is better with bacon.

Dutch Baby

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/dutch_baby/

A special type of pancake that I have never eaten.

But I am in favor of anything cooked in a cast-iron skillet.

Roman Chicken

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/roman-style-chicken-recipe/index.html

Looks very flavorful.

Oxtails

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/glazed_oxtails/

I have never prepared oxtails but they look like my kind of food.

Cabbage

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/blanched_cabbage_with_butter_and_caraway/

Very simple recipe and looks delicious.

Chicken Wings

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/crisp-chicken-wings-with-chili-lime-butter-recipe/index.html

I love wings.

Guacamole

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/guacamole-recipe4/index.html

I like a chunky guacamole.

Joseph James

http://www.foxbrews.com/

Joseph James is opening a brewery in Franklin.

Very much looking forward to trying their beers.

No-Bake Cookies

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/no-bake-chewy-truffle-cookies-recipe/index.html

This looks like an interesting recipe.

Biscuits

Baking Powder Biscuits

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

2/3 cup shortening (e.g., Crisco)
3 1/2 cups flour
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 Tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups milk

Mix dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, salt).

Cut shortening into flour mixture using two table knives until size of peas.

Stir in milk.

Knead dough.

Very important:  Adjust with milk or flour until just the right consistency to roll dough.  If too sticky, add flour.  If too dry, add milk.

Roll out dough with rolling pin on lightly floured surface.

Very important:  Roll to desired thickness.  If you want thin, crispy biscuits, then roll thin.  If you want tall, puffy biscuits, then roll thick.

Cut into biscuit-sized pieces.

Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake until lightly browned, maybe 10 minutes, probably less.  Keep an eye on them.  Do not overbake.  Do not burn.

Most important of all:  This is yet another one of those recipes that requires experience, like pie dough or cream puffs.  The more often you make biscuits, the better you will get at it.

Mia Famiglia

http://miafamigliarestaurant.com/Home_Page.html

Awesome meal at Mia Famiglia last night.

Carrot bisque was rich and creamy, finished with roasted chestnuts, a nice touch.

Mahi mahi was perfectly fresh, served with sauteed greens, caramelized fennel, and pan-fried gnocchi.

Chicken Drumsticks

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/apple-honey-drumsticks-recipe/index.html

Sounds simple enough.

Crispy Potatoes

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/crispy-garlic-sage-potatoes-recipe/index.html

They look delicious.

Bacon Deviled Eggs

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/bacon-deviled-eggs-recipe/index.html

Everything is better with bacon.

Mac and Cheese

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/macaroni-and-4-cheeses-recipe/index.html

Not your grandfather's macaroni and cheese.

I have never had mac and cheese made with pureed winter squash.

Vegetable Stock

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_make_vegetable_stock/

Interesting point on not overcooking the stock.

Who Killed Lard?

Thanks to Elizabeth for sending me this link.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2012/01/06/144806987/the-friday-podcast-who-killed-lard

I should eat more lard.

Piccata

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/chicken-piccata-recipe/index.html

Looks very flavorful.

Bean Dip

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/edamame_dip/

I want to try it.

Curry Spices

http://www.herbcompanion.com/cooking/fresh-clips-curry-spices-zmrz11djzwar.aspx

I should try making my own spice mix.

Chunky Guac

http://www.organicgardening.com/cook/chunky-guacamole-serrano-peppers

Looks delicious.

Might be a little spicy.

Chicken Parmesan

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/chicken-parmesan-rollatini-recipe/index.html

With a side of polenta.

Collard Greens

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/collard-greens-recipe/index.html

Could use spinach instead.

Economical Superfoods

http://www.rodale.com/research-feed/7-economical-superfoods-everyone

I like oats, garlic, onions, etc.

Chili

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/three-bean-and-beef-chili-recipe/index.html

Could substitute turkey or chicken for the beef.

Or how about tofu chili?