Around the Camp Fire...

Funeral Cake

maggiesmommy — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:15:28 GMT

Ok..here's the recipe for my gramma's funeral cake:

Grandma Willie's Funeral Cake

1 box Devil's food cake

16 oz sour cream

2 cups sugar

14 oz shredded coconut

8 oz cool whip

Make the cake mix as directed and bake in 2 round pans

cool completely

Slice the cakes in half with dental floss so you have 4 round cakes.

Mix sugar and sour cream very well.

Add coconut and reserve 2 cup of mixture

Spread coconut stuff between the layers of cake.

Mix reserved coconut stuff with cool whip and spread over top and sides.

You can also make this cake with white or yellow mix and a can of crushed pineapple instead of coconut, but I think the coconut and chocolate mix is way better.

CARTER BARS!!!

maggiesmommy — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:55:34 GMT

There was this treat I used to have in school called Carter Bars...they were no bake...a thick layer of peanut butter/sweet goo with a layer of chocolate on top...they were worth more than gold in the middle school cafeteria (litterally, for my birthday, one of my friends bought me one from the cafe cart at school, and everyone kept telling me "Jenny must really like you...she got you a CARTER BAR!") Anyways, I am having a major craving, but can't find the recipe...I remember they contain oats, peanut butter and powdered sugar, and the topping had chocolate and butterscotch chips. HELP!!!

BBQ sauce?

Chuffy — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:45:15 GMT

Anyone know a good recipe for homemade BBQ sauce... I was thinking of doing BBQ chicken tonight

Flapjacks

Chuffy — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 19:38:54 GMT

There are COUNTLESS flapjack recipes out there, but no matter what I do, I can't seem to get them right. I used to make lovely ones, but now they are always too dry and crumbly or too hard, or overdone and black round the edges or so underdone and soft that they fall to bits. ARGH! Another two batches failed today.

Does anyone have any good flapjack recipes? What do you think is good about your flapjack recipe - what is the texture of it like when it's done (moist, chewy, sticky?)

Deb's Ribs

JackieG — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:46:37 GMT

http://community.dog.com/forums/p/95924/766297.aspx#766297

Finally!

Dip Recipes?

JackieG — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:55:45 GMT

I'm bringing dip and chips to something this weekend and next. Trouble is, I'm tired of my usual offerings and was hoping you guys had a few different recipes to share. Thanks for any and all ideas. :)

Crock pot recipe sharing

Cita — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:23:26 GMT

I'm just discovering my crock pot really, but I have 2 favorite recipes already.[p] Pot roast: big hunk of well trimmed meat, browned, with about a 1/4 bottle of red wine. Cook some chopped onions with about 1 tbsp butter and 3 tbsp flour -cook around 3 mins and add to pot (this will thicken the sauce). Add some carrots, mushrooms, and/or celery. Add about 5 cloves of crushed or minced garlic, 2 tsp salt, 2 tsp rosemary and/or thyme, 1/2 tsp ground cloves, and black pepper. Cook about 4-5 hours on high, can go 8-10 on low. Yum!![/p][p]Lamb stew: lamb shoulder or other tough meat, carrots (I like the peeled baby ones), lots of onions cooked with flour, half a can of beer, and 2 tsp each salt,pepper and thyme. Garnish with parsley. So tasty! The lamb can be fatty, so skimming fat off the top usually helps. [/p]

Speaking of Crock Pots...

spiritdogs — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 16:28:53 GMT

I need to get a new one. The one I have is a little too small if I want to cook for a group, and one of the "feet" has fallen off and become lost, so I consider it a bit of a hazard. I've heard all kinds of things about this one cooks too hot, that one has flimsy knobs, etc. Can you guys weigh in on the brands you use, and how you like them?

Rate Your Dishwasher

spiritdogs — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:31:30 GMT

I may not get one for a while, but I need a new dishwasher! The front panel is yellowing, the "normal" cycle button doesn't work, so I'm doing the power cycle and using too much water. I don't want to fix it because I suspect it will cost half what a new one is worth. I want to get one that is energy star rated, but I don't want to spend a ton either. Need a built in under the counter model. What say you???

Macaroons?

l.michelle — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 21:09:53 GMT

I know this will seem stupid to some, but I tried to make coconut macaroons for BF today and I made three batches, and none turned out! They seemed to go very liquidy while baking, and each time i tweaked the recipe just a bit to see if it would work, and they didn't! BF still ate some from the last batch which turned out *almost* there, but they still weren't right

any hints?

I am thinking Fish this weekend..

Bonita of Bwana — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 04:49:43 GMT

I think I will make some pecan encrusted talipia this weekend. On Tuesday we are going out for my birthday and I want hibatchi shrimp and scallops. friday night is heavy appetizer night since we have our wine tasting club and it is a Sake night. I love a good sake. It will be interesting to see what chef greg whips up for the appies.... They really go all out. The last tasting we went to they had grilled shrimp and ginger sauce, smoked salmon with cream cheese and capers in endive, an antipasto, sirlion skewered and marinated then grilled and tiny spice cakes.

Who else has a special meal coming up??

Bonita

Smoothies

misstrouble — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 20:07:26 GMT

I love smoothies, Strawberry-Kiwi is probably my favorite.....but how do you make fresh, healthy smoothies without those seeds?! I just made one, and it's like a seed-fest. LOL! Thanks

Budget Cooking anyone??

Bonita of Bwana — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 09:52:57 GMT

So how about it guys want to swap some budget ideas??? It is going to be tight around my place for a while and I can always use good ideas to stretch a buck.

It does not help that the family is spoiled rotten. SIL will not eat any beans but pinto. DH is a pain in the tuccus to feed, he can not eat carrots or apples ( 'cept apple pie) the kids are not into bland, is not into soups and will deal with stew once if really hungry. And sandwiches are a sore point with him....as is chicken he calls that divorce food

I know next week we will do a white bean chili or red beans and rice with honey corn bread ( SIL can eat or not what ever rocks his boat) ... I think a Taboule salad along with basalmic pork or shrimp. Maybe if the weather stays nice I can grill some turkey cranberry burgers.... I can do stuffed chicken rolls. I only have to deal with 3-4 meals a week daughters will handle 3 maybe 4. The youngest will cook I just have to plan it and buy it as she is out of work.

Desserts get tough, The kids need something, nothing huge but something, So maybe the 5 gal tub of vanilla ice creme and toppings or sherbert. If push comes to shove we can always go with a big bag of ice and make sno cones....

Bonita of Bwana

Steak with Peppercorn Sauce???!!!

Chuffy — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:19:19 GMT

Help. I need a recipe for this TONIGHT (ie. by about 5.30pm,in 4hours!!) or I may be facing divorce!

The recipes I have looked up require the sauce to be made AFTER the steaks have been cooked, using the juices of the meat. DH would like me to make the sauce in advance to make dinner quicker to make tonight. I am convinced that it wont be as nice if I do that. What do you think?

For the crock pot/slowcooker fans

Benedict — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:37:05 GMT

I was reading a food blog this morning and came across a link to another food blog, by a woman who vowed to use her crock pot for something every day of the year. Some great looking, easy recipes here.

Soup Recipe's (Yummy Potato Soup, Shadowsgin)

shadowsgin — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:04:15 GMT

We kinda got started on Soup Recipes in the "Crock Pot" topic. Thought maybe if I put my recipe here you would all share your secret special soups with me too!

Yummy Potato Soup Recipe (Makes a large pot)

1 lb bacon fried crispy* set bacon aside til soup is ready to serve.

Use a small amount of the bacon grease to saute 1-diced onion and 2 cloves chopped garlic**

Peeled and cubed russett potatoes (I usually do a whole 5 lb bag, sometimes more, lol, cause my hubby loves it and the girls at work love it.)

Put peeled and cubed russett potatoes in pot with just enough water to cover add a little salt and tablespoon butter.

Add the saute'd onion and garlic.

Cook in slow cooker or pot on stove on low temp til potatoes are fork tender.

Add milk and cubed velveta cheese to desired taste and consistency ( I like my soup thick and hubby likes lots of "juice* lol)

Pepper to taste

Remember when adding the milk and cheese to keep temp low, stir occasionally but the more you stir the more your potato will break down some like it better that way.

When cheese is melted pour into soup bowl, crumble a generous amount of bacon on top. Serve with hot bread or crackers.

*If you prefer a fast fix you can use bacos or dried bacon bits.

**If you are not a bacon eater, you can saute' your onion in butter or EVOO. We love onions and garlic so I use 2 onions and 4 cloves garlic.

I also like to garnish with fresh chopped chives and a dolop of sour cream.

Yummmm Yummmm I think I am going to have to make some too!!!

Thanksgiving Dinner-Favorite Traditions anyone

shadowsgin — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:34:37 GMT

We have several family favorites. I love this holiday cause it is the one time the Hubby and I stay home for 4 days with no travel and no company, except our furr babies of course.

Hubby usually smokes several turkeys for our friends with another family. We are not doing smoked turkeys this year. I am looking forward to cooking for him this year. He usually does most the cooking cause he is disabled and is home all the time. This is my time to put my culinary skills to the test, lol.

We have for the last several years brined our turkey which we have found is the secret to the best turkey ever! I usually make Cornbread Dressing, not stuffed in the turkey, mashed potatoes, giblet gravy. I love sweet potatoes but not crazy about marshmellows so I make "Mashed, baked sweet potatoes with pecans" Even though I love jellied cranberry sauce, Hubby does not but we tried a new easy recipe last year and he love it. He is a pie eater, I am not so I usually make my famous Sweet potatoe bread which we both like and our family tradition, Heavenly Hash.

Here are a few of my easy sides ;

Baked, Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Wrap in foil and bake 2 large sweet potatoes at 450 for appox 1 hour

remove skin and with a mixer blend butter, brown sugar (can use Splenda Brown sugar) to taste.

Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ginger, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.

I like to mix pecan pieces in the mix, or you can just add pecan halves on top for decoration. My daughter makes a crumble topping with Brown Sugar, flour, butter and pecans adding the butter last just enough to make it crumble. She tops the mashed sweet potato and bakes just long enough to brown the crunchy topping.

Cranberry Delight

One can of jellied cranberry sauce, 1 package cream cheese blended til smooth and fluffy. Taste great with Turkey dinner really good on left over turkey sandwich.

Heavenly Hash

2 pkgs Strawberry/Banana Jello (we use sugar free) can make ahead made per pkg directions.

Fold in one large can fruit cocktail and 1 tub cool whip. (If you prefer real whip cream then it is double yummy)

Fold in pecan pieces (we like a lot of them)

Keep refrigerated til time to serve.

Cant wait to hear what everyone else's favorites are?

Gin

Soft food ideas?

Benedict — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 21:26:48 GMT

OK, I'm desperate, please help.

As some of you may have gathered, DH had surgery on his jaw this week. Long story as to why and if I tell it here, most people will not even want to think about food.

But, he can't chew...at ALL. He thought he'd be able to, the doctor's said he'd be able to, but with a mouth full of stitches that is also numb, he can't sense where the food IS in his mouth to chew it. He's been living on custard, homemade applesauce, mashed potatoes, yogurt and milkshakes. He's sick of all these foods, so tonight I went out and got him a tin of ready-made spaghetti, it being tinned everything in there has been thoroughly cooked and is soft, and I cut the noodles up into tiny pieces so he could just swallow it. Of course, he's going to get tired of this solution in a day or so, too.

Any ideas for soft foods - particularly soft savoury foods - that don't include soup, which he doesn't like?

Pumpkin/Spinach or Pumpkin/Chard Recipe?

Agnes L. — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:28:14 GMT

I am looking for good recipes to use up pumpkins. When I was pregnant, one of my pregnancy books has a recipe for a casserole that had pumpkin and either spinach or chard--I think chard. The nutrition was off the charts and it tasted delicious. I can't find the recipe or remember the book I found it in

Anybody know a nutritional way of cooking a pumpkin (aside from simply baking)? Preferably simple and quick. Thanks!

Agnes

Chicken Tikka Masala

Chuffy — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 21:20:59 GMT

My DH says if I can make a good one he will marry me all over again.... can anyone help me????

beef recipes needed

4HAND — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 18:14:27 GMT

My husband was awarded 1/4 of a cowI bought a small bunk freezer for all of it.If anyone has a steak,roast or ground beef recipe I'd love a few ideas.

Tena

Anyone have a zucchini bread recipe?

sharismom — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:27:15 GMT

I was given an abundance of zucchini, but cannot locate my recipe. Does anyone have a good one?

Tristan's Salmon Birthday Treat

Bonita of Bwana — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:53:47 GMT

So Tris is turning 9 next week and when I asked what he wanted for his birthday dinner he was quick to ask for a dinner normally cooked only for adults.

What are YOUR favorite Birthday dinners??

Here is Tristan's Dinner Sophistication

In a cast Iron Skillet with cook 1 pound of bacon cut into 1/2 to 1 inch bits..... add onion then slice and saute 1 large vidlila onions. ( thinly sliced mushroom optional) in the bacon grease.

Set to the side.... reduce heat on skillet to med.

Melt 2 tbsp of butter and place Wild Salmon fillets, ( normally 4-5 per large skillet)

On Medium cook each side for 4-5 minutes

The turning the heat up higher in another skillet add 3 tbsp butter and place cooked salmon in it briefly to brown each side.

In original skillet retain all used grease and add 2 more tbsp butter turn up to 3/4 heat , once melted add hash browns with diced onion. sprinkle garlic powder, salt and a smidgen of pepper. Cook till one side is toasty brown then flip.

Serve with hash browns ( approx 1 cup ) plated and salmon laid on top. Dress with sauteed onion.

a nice side green salad with a vinaigrette dressing like Raspberry...

Nice to know even being raised in what half the family thinks is backwoods Alabama you can get a sophistcated supper ! And raise kids to like it !!!

Bonita of Bwana

??? Rice ???

Chuffy — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 19:08:15 GMT

How do you cook it?

Is your rice scrummy every time? Is there a fool proof way to achieve great rice?

Help!

simple and wonderful shrimp recipe

kpwlee — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:31:51 GMT

Both from Gourmet magazine

Grilled Oregano Shrimp
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tsp dried oregano, crmbled
1 small onion
24 peeled and deveined large shrimp @ 1lb
4 long skewers

Get your grill medium hot is says or I used a skillet pan that has ridges - just sprayed with Pam

stir together oil, oregano, and 3/4 tsp each of salt and pepper
cut onion lengthwise into 3/4 inch wedges and separate layers
toss shrimp and onion with oil mixture then thread 6 shrimp onto each skewer, alternating with single layers of onion
grill shrimp, covered only if using a gas grill, turning once until just cooked through 3-4 minutes or about 6 minutes on the skillet

I didn't have fresh shrimp so used frozen cooked ones - came out fine - also I had half of a large red onion so used that.
For as simple as this is it is YUMMY

served with
Orzo with feta, tomatoes and dill
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
1/2 cup fresh chopped dill (couldn't find so used dry - you use MUCH less dry than fresh)
1 tsp grated lemon zest
1 cup orzo
1.5 cps crumbled feta (6 oz tub)

Toss together oil, tomatoes, dill zest and 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper in a lge serving bowl. Let stand at least 10 minutes
cook orzo, al dente
drain orzo and toss with tomato mixture. Add feta and toss again