Growing up I had a neighbor lady who used to live in Texas. This recipe came from her and was simply known as Texas bars. They are pretty amazing, especially with butter cream chocolate frosting.
What you will need: 2 c flour, 2 c sugar, 2 eggs, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp soda, 1/2 c mayonnaise, 2 sticks margarine, 1 c water, 4 Tbsp cocoa
Combine the flour, sugar, eggs, salt and soda in the mixer. Mix until it forms a sand like consistency. Add the mayonnaise and mix until combine. In a small pan bring the margarine, water, and cocoa to a boil. Slowing add it to the flour mixture. I always add a little in at a time so the liquid doesn't slosh out of the mixer. Pour into a greased 13x18 pan or pan similar in size.
Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Let cool before frosting.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Tomatoes and more tomatoes! That calls for Salsa
I don't garden. Anyone who knows me knows that I do not like any type of gardening. I do, however, like to benefit from the gardening efforts of friends, neighbors, and family. I recently inherited several tomatoes. We have been eating LaCasa salsa for years and absolutely love it. At $5 a jar it can get pricey so I thought I'd try to make some salsa. Here is what I came up with...
I was surprised by the red color. It almost looks ruby red in real life. The consistency is just what I wanted-thin with tiny chunks. Use a food processor to get it like this. The taste isn't LaCasa, but it's pretty good. The 'recipe' is below. I just kind of threw things in....
4 large garden tomatoes
1/2 yellow onion
1 garlic clove
1/2 jalepeno (seeded if you want less heat)
Cilantro - I love fresh cut couldnt find it so I used this stuff out of a tube that my husband found. About 2 tbsp.
Juice of 1/2 a lime
cumin-about 1 tsp
chili powder-about 1 tsp
Kosher salt to taste.
Put all in a food processor and process until a consistency you like.
Store for one week in the fridge.
I was surprised by the red color. It almost looks ruby red in real life. The consistency is just what I wanted-thin with tiny chunks. Use a food processor to get it like this. The taste isn't LaCasa, but it's pretty good. The 'recipe' is below. I just kind of threw things in....4 large garden tomatoes
1/2 yellow onion
1 garlic clove
1/2 jalepeno (seeded if you want less heat)
Cilantro - I love fresh cut couldnt find it so I used this stuff out of a tube that my husband found. About 2 tbsp.
Juice of 1/2 a lime
cumin-about 1 tsp
chili powder-about 1 tsp
Kosher salt to taste.
Put all in a food processor and process until a consistency you like.
Store for one week in the fridge.
Saturday, September 27, 2014
White Chicken Chili
What you need: 2 cans navy beans, rinsed and drained, 1 - 10 oz can chicken, 1-4oz can green chilis, 1TB dried onion, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp pepper
Mix all together and bring to a simmer. Add more seasoning to taste.
I serve this over steamed rice.
Friday, June 27, 2014
Pesto Shrimp and Capriese Salad
Has it really been over a year since I've posted a recipe? I guess I've been busy. Life changes and it's hard to keep up with things. Since September 2012 I've had another baby, earned a Masters degree, and have started working again. How's that for busy!!!
Being busy hasn't stopped me from cooking, but my meals aren't as fancy as they used to be or at least they don't take as much time. For example: chicken nuggets, frozen pizza...I'm so ashamed. But hey, it's summer so that means I have a break from work. I will start as Dean of Students in August so I am trying to enjoy time with the kids and time in my kitchen.
Here is tonight's recipes-requested by a former neighbor who saw my post on FB. I only wish I had a delicious dessert to share with her as I know she loves her desserts (as do I).
Pesto Shrimp
I didn't measure ingredients for pesto-just eyeballed it.
What you will need: Basil, one clove garlic, olive oil, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, shrimp (I buy precooked frozen and let it thaw), butter
Place 1 cup fresh basil leaves, garlic clove, 1-2 Tablespoons pine nuts, about 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, and 2 tbsp. olive oil in a food processor. Process until it comes together. Add more oil to arrive at the consistency you like.
You are going to grill these babies, so get that grill going. I am proud to say I recently mastered the gas grill. I usually let my hubby take care of grilling, but sometimes the kids are hungry and dinner has to happen sooner than later.
I double up tin foil and smear the pesto on the foil. Then place the thawed shrimp on the foil. About 40 pieces? I buy the frozen bag at Walmart. Stir the two ingredients a bit and top with pats of butter. Maybe 3-4 pats. Place on grill until the shrimp start to color. About 10 minutes. They are precooked so you don't have to worry about that, just don't over cook or they become chewy.
Capriese Salad
This was just something I made up on a whim.
What you need: 1 pound Cheese filled tortellini, salami, cheese, grape tomatoes, olives, green pepper, Ken's Light Northern Italian Dressing
I buy my tortellini from Schwan's. It comes frozen, but I know you can buy it in the refrigerator section of the grocery store as well. Bring 4 quarts of water to boil and add a pinch of salt. As always, I use Kosher salt. Add the tortellini once the water comes to a boil. The key to tortellini is once it floats it is done. At that time drain and run cold water over. In a large bowl add the ingredients to your liking. I had salami on hand, but otherwise I would have used pepperoni. I used on entire green pepper, diced. I also halved the grape tomatoes and cubed the cheese. I used pepper jack and Colby jack. I had cucumber on hand so added that as well. Just use what you like. I mixed it all with about 1/3-1/2 cup of dressing. Once again, it's all about taste. Taste as you go!
Enjoy Shilpa!!!
Being busy hasn't stopped me from cooking, but my meals aren't as fancy as they used to be or at least they don't take as much time. For example: chicken nuggets, frozen pizza...I'm so ashamed. But hey, it's summer so that means I have a break from work. I will start as Dean of Students in August so I am trying to enjoy time with the kids and time in my kitchen.
Here is tonight's recipes-requested by a former neighbor who saw my post on FB. I only wish I had a delicious dessert to share with her as I know she loves her desserts (as do I).
Pesto Shrimp
I didn't measure ingredients for pesto-just eyeballed it.
What you will need: Basil, one clove garlic, olive oil, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, shrimp (I buy precooked frozen and let it thaw), butter
Place 1 cup fresh basil leaves, garlic clove, 1-2 Tablespoons pine nuts, about 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, and 2 tbsp. olive oil in a food processor. Process until it comes together. Add more oil to arrive at the consistency you like.
You are going to grill these babies, so get that grill going. I am proud to say I recently mastered the gas grill. I usually let my hubby take care of grilling, but sometimes the kids are hungry and dinner has to happen sooner than later.
I double up tin foil and smear the pesto on the foil. Then place the thawed shrimp on the foil. About 40 pieces? I buy the frozen bag at Walmart. Stir the two ingredients a bit and top with pats of butter. Maybe 3-4 pats. Place on grill until the shrimp start to color. About 10 minutes. They are precooked so you don't have to worry about that, just don't over cook or they become chewy.
Capriese Salad
This was just something I made up on a whim.
What you need: 1 pound Cheese filled tortellini, salami, cheese, grape tomatoes, olives, green pepper, Ken's Light Northern Italian Dressing
I buy my tortellini from Schwan's. It comes frozen, but I know you can buy it in the refrigerator section of the grocery store as well. Bring 4 quarts of water to boil and add a pinch of salt. As always, I use Kosher salt. Add the tortellini once the water comes to a boil. The key to tortellini is once it floats it is done. At that time drain and run cold water over. In a large bowl add the ingredients to your liking. I had salami on hand, but otherwise I would have used pepperoni. I used on entire green pepper, diced. I also halved the grape tomatoes and cubed the cheese. I used pepper jack and Colby jack. I had cucumber on hand so added that as well. Just use what you like. I mixed it all with about 1/3-1/2 cup of dressing. Once again, it's all about taste. Taste as you go!
Enjoy Shilpa!!!
Monday, December 17, 2012
Chocolate Covered Coconut Balls
Here is another Christmas favorite.
What you will need: 5 oz sweetened condensed milk, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 14 oz flaked coconut, 24 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
Blend milk and vanilla. Add the sugar a little at a time, mixing until smooth. It will become very thick. Stir in coconut. Roll into small balls and chill on wax paper until firm. In a double boiler, melt chocolate chips. Using a toothpick, dip each ball into the chocolate and place on wax paper. Cool for several hours.
What you will need: 5 oz sweetened condensed milk, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 14 oz flaked coconut, 24 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
Blend milk and vanilla. Add the sugar a little at a time, mixing until smooth. It will become very thick. Stir in coconut. Roll into small balls and chill on wax paper until firm. In a double boiler, melt chocolate chips. Using a toothpick, dip each ball into the chocolate and place on wax paper. Cool for several hours.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Ginger Snaps
Ginger snaps are probably one of my favorite kind of cookie. The best ginger snap is soft and chewy. Try this recipe. You'll love it!
What you will need: 2/3 cup margarine, 1 cup sugar, 1 egg, 4 Tbsp molasses, 2 cups flour, 1/4 tsp salt, 2 tsp soda, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp cloves, 1 tsp cinnamon
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Beat the margarine and sugar. Then add the egg and molasses and mix well. Add the remaining ingredients and mix. The dough will be sticky; add a little flour if you feel it's too sticky. I usually refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes then roll the dough into balls about the size of a walnut. Roll them in sugar and space them on a baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Makes 3 dozen.
What you will need: 2/3 cup margarine, 1 cup sugar, 1 egg, 4 Tbsp molasses, 2 cups flour, 1/4 tsp salt, 2 tsp soda, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp cloves, 1 tsp cinnamon
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Beat the margarine and sugar. Then add the egg and molasses and mix well. Add the remaining ingredients and mix. The dough will be sticky; add a little flour if you feel it's too sticky. I usually refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes then roll the dough into balls about the size of a walnut. Roll them in sugar and space them on a baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Makes 3 dozen.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Roasted Brussel Sprouts
I remember having a family dinner at our priest's home as a child and he served us brussel sprouts. To be polite my brother and I tried them, but didn't like them. As an adult they are becoming one of my go-to vegetables. They are so easy to roast and my husband likes them as much as I do!
What you will need:
Brussel Sprouts, olive oil, salt and pepper
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Rinse the sprouts and cut in half. Tear off any leaves that are wilted or brown. Toss the sprouts in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Throw them on a cookie sheet and roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes. Serve warm.
What you will need:
Brussel Sprouts, olive oil, salt and pepper
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Rinse the sprouts and cut in half. Tear off any leaves that are wilted or brown. Toss the sprouts in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Throw them on a cookie sheet and roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes. Serve warm.
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