shepherd's pie

this is the way i prepare this comfort food recipe.  good way to use up mashed potatoes after a big, holiday meal.

ingredients and directions

1 lb ground meat--i mixed pork, beef and turkey

1 can tomato soup (with a couple tablespoons of water to rinse down the sides of the can and pour that in with it)

2 cans green beans, drained

layer of roasted garlic mashed potatoes*

shredded cheese

brown meat over stove and drain fat.  add tomato soup and mix to warm.  spread into an 8 x 8.  spread green beans, then potatoes, then cheese and bake @ 425 until bubbly and cheese starts to brown.

*roasted garlic mashed potatoes

4-5 potatoes (any variety will work, i think)

1/2 bulb roasted garlic**

1/2 teaspoon horseradish

salt to taste

butter or margarine to taste

mix of milk and buttermilk to get the right consistency

boil and mash potatoes.  add all other ingredients and whip with a mixer til fluffy.

**roasted garlic

cut the tip off a bulb of garlic without peeling off the skin.  drizzle with a little bit of olive oil.  wrap in foil, leaving a little bit of air between the top of the bulb and the seal you create when you fold the foil over.  roast @ 400 for about 40 min.  let cool.  getting it out is super obnoxious because it takes forever since you have to peel it apart clove by clove.  i suggest wearing gloves for that part or, trust me, you will regret it!

dried blueberry granola

you know when you've finally made up your mind to do that thing you've been putting off and thus absolutely nothing will stop you from getting it done today?  well, that's what happened this morning.  i've had all the ingredients to make some sort of granola and this morning was the morning.  so nevermind that i had to crush my own cardamom seeds or mix oils--i was making this stuff or else!  i'm glad i did because it really turned out delicious!

as a side note, i've given up trying to trick myself into thinking granola is healthy.  it has some healthy ingredients, but it will never be yummy and low fat.  just deal with it, right?  okay.

i started with this recipe as a base and worked my own thing from there.

ingredients

5 C oats
1 1/2 C puffed rice cereal
1 1/2 C crisp rice cereal
1/3 C flax seeds
1/3 C sunflower seeds
1/3 C pepitas
3/4 t freshly ground cardamom
3/4 t cinnamon
dash salt
2 C coarsely chopped pecans
1/2 C coconut oil
1/2 C oil
1 C maple syrup
2 t vanilla
2 generous handfuls dried blueberries

directions

toss together all dry ingredients in a large bowl.  melt coconut oil over medium heat, take off heat and whisk in remaining ingredients.  pour over oat mixture and mix til evenly coated.  spread evenly onto two cookie sheets lined with parchment paper.  bake @ 350 for 30 min, mixing once after 15 min.  let cool and add blueberries.  try not to overeat every morning like me!!

pumpkin bars

again, another thing you want just like your mom made them growing up.

ingredients

2 C sugar
4 eggs
1 C oil
1 small can pumpkin
1 t vanilla
2 C flour
2 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
2 t cinnamon
1 t pumpkin pie spice
1/2 C walnuts or pecans (optional)

directions

cream sugar, eggs and oil, then add all other ingredients in order.  pour into a greased cookie sheet and bake 15-20 @350. 

let cool and frost with the following, whipped til fluffy:

6oz cream cheese, softened
3 T butter, softened
1 1/2T milk
1 t vanilla
3 C powered sugar

frozen mango cream pie

one of my roommates from college made this and i've never forgotten about it--so super yummy!

combine and bake the following @ 375 for 8 min:

1 1/4 C graham cracker crumbs
2 T sugar
3 T butter

puree 3 peeled and chopped mangoes with 1/2C sugar and 1/4 C lime juice.

then, cream 8oz cream cheese (softened) and 3/4 C sugar until smooth.

slowly blend puree into cream cheese mixture and beat well.  then fold in cool whip with a spatula.  pour mixture onto crust, cover and freeze at least 4 hours.

toss together 1 large chopped mango, 2 T sugar and 2 T lime juice and spoon atop the pie before serving.

chocolate caramel brownies

anyone that knows me knows my food weakness in a major way is brownies.  this recipe is the devil i often entertain...thanks to my old college friend, jenny.

if you are interested in making these even more decadent, just top with your favorite french vanilla ice cream, burnt almonds and your favorite fudge.  you're welcome!

ingredients

1 pkg caramels (about 50 wrapped pieces)
1 C evaporated milk
1 german chocolate cake mix
1/2 C melted margarine
1 C chopped nuts
1 12oz pkg chocolate chips

directions

put caramel and 1/3C evaporated milk in a pan in the oven @ 250 until melted.  mix cake mix (as-is), margarine, remaining milk and nuts together.  spread 1/2 cake mixture in greased 9 x 13 and bake @ 350 for 6 min.  sprinkle chocolate chips, then caramel mixture, then remaining cake mix mixture and bake for 15 min @ 350.

date n' nut candy

after i just wrote in a previous post that i generally like to make healthy stuff, i'm about to post 4 desserts!  this is one from my friend from california, amy.  thanks, amy!

ingredients and directions:

combine 1 1/3 stick butter and 1 stick nucoa brand margarine (or other completely non-dairy margarine) in a pan and melt over medium heat.  add 1 C light karo syrup, 1 C dates (peeled, pitted, chopped then soaked in water and microwaved 30 seconds to separate).  bring to a boil, then add 3 C sugar and 1 1/3 C brown sugar a little at a time.

cook to softball stage and add 4 C chopped pecans.  cook to firmball stage (250 degrees), take off heat and add 1 t vanilla.  pour into a very well greased 9 x 13 and cool--but not all the way!!  cut and roll in wax paper when still warm.

cornbread

fits in an 8 x 8, double for a 9 x 13.  30 min @ 350.

ingredients

1 C corn meal
1 C flour
1/4 C sugar
1 T baking powder
1 t salt
1 1/4 C milk
1/3 oil
1 egg, lightly beaten