CIAO DOWN

Patti's Salsa

2009-12-14T08:39:00.002-06:00

1 16 oz. can tomatoes
1/4 c. jalapenos
2 t. garlic salt
2 t. cumin
1 1/2 t. salt

*you can use garlic powder instead of garlic salt just add the salt
*you may not want to add the salt unless you use garlic powder
*use salt according to taste
*no jalapenos! just double the recipe and use 1 can ro-tel and 1 can of diced tomatoes

***I mix salsa and sour cream together -- yummy

Too Much Choc. Cake

2009-12-14T08:12:00.002-06:00

1 (18.25 oz) pk. devil's food cake mix
1 (5.9 oz) pk. instant choc. pudding mix
1 c. sour cream
1 c. veg. oil
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 c. warm water
2 c. semisweet choc. chips

Mix together 1st six ingredients add choc. chips. Pour batter into a well greased 12 c. bunt pan. Bake for 50-55 mins.
Cook cake in the pan for at least 1 1/2 hrs. invert and remove from pan. Dust w/ powdered sugar. Makes 12 servings

I serve this with fresh whipped cream and a berry sauce.

Berry Sauce
1 pkg. of frozen mixed berries (or raspberry, whatever you want)
2 T. water
Cook on the stove until warm all the way through then mix it in the blender. Add it back to the stove and finish cooking with a little sugar added.

Pecan Pie

2009-12-14T08:09:00.002-06:00

3 eggs
1/2 c. sugar
1 c. white corn syrup
1/4 lb. (1 stick) melted butter
1 t. vanilla
1 c. chopped pecans
1 uncooked pie crust

Beat eggs well. Add the rest of the ingredients in order. Pour into uncooked pie crust. Cook in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 30-45 mins.

Tea Syrup

2009-11-13T09:19:00.003-06:00

3 qts. boiling water
4 oz. tea bags
1/2 t. baking soda
5 lbs. sugar

In large sauce pan bring water to full rolling boil. Add tea bags and soda. Let it steep 5 mins. covered. Remove the tea bags and add sugar stirring until well dissolved. This makes one gallon of tea syrup. To serve use one measure of syrup to 4 measures of water or 3 cups syrup per gallon. When serving a large crowd allow 5-7 gallons of deluded tea per 100 people. Keeps well in refrigerator for several weeks.

Sweet Potato Casserole

2009-11-12T10:51:00.003-06:00

3 C. mashed sweet potato (2 cans)
1 1/2 C. sugar
2 eggs
1t. vanilla
Combine all ingredients and pour into dish (8x8) and sprinkle with topping.

Topping:
1/3 c. butter, room temp.
1/3 c. flour
2/3 c. sugar
1 c. chopped pecans
cut butter into flour and sugar and add pecans

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 mins.

Chicken Divine

2009-11-03T14:12:00.003-06:00

3-4 chicken breast (cooked)
1 16 oz. french style green beans (drained)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/4 c. mayo.
1 lb. cheddar cheese, grated
1 c. durkee onion

Rice for 4-6 people

In an 8 by 8 pan put the green beans at the bottom -top with the shredded chicken -add the mayo/soup mix on top of the chicken -then add the cheese and top with the onions --cook at 350 degrees for 30-45 mins. Serve on top of the rice

Onion-Garlic mixture for enchiladas

2009-08-26T17:23:00.003-05:00

Prep: 5 min., Cook: 10 min. This recipe has lots of uses. It's great as a base for French onion soup, spread on toast topped with your favorite cheese, stirred into mashed potatoes or hash browns, or mixed into hamburger patties.
This recipe goes with Chicken-and-Green Chile Enchiladas
Yield
Makes about 1 1/3 cups
Ingredients
2 cups chopped onion (1 large onion)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 garlic cloves, chopped
Preparation
1. Sauté onion in hot oil in a 3 1/2-qt. saucepan over medium heat 8 minutes or until tender; add garlic, and sauté 2 minutes. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 5 days.

Chicken Chili enchiladas

2009-08-26T17:20:00.003-05:00

Prep: 20 min., Bake: 30 min. Substitute leftover roast beef or your favorite shredded barbecued pork as a tasty alternative to chicken.
Yield
Makes 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients
3 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken
2/3 cup Onion-and-Garlic Mixture
2 (4-oz.) cans chopped green chiles
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
3 (10-oz.) cans enchilada sauce, divided
2 cups (8 oz.) shredded Mexican four-cheese blend, divided
8 (9-inch) burrito-size flour tortillas
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 425º. Stir together first 4 ingredients, 1 1/2 cups enchilada sauce, and 1 cup cheese.
2. Spoon about 1/2 cup chicken mixture down center of each tortilla; roll tortillas up, and place, seam sides down, in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Pour remaining enchilada sauce over tortillas. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese.
3. Bake, covered, at 425° for 20 minutes; uncover and bake 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and golden brown.

Shauna's Potato Salad

2009-07-04T22:54:00.002-05:00

2 pounds small Yukon gold potatoes
2 large eggs
Kosher salt
2 cups mayonnaise
¼ cup Dijon mustard
¼ cup finely chopped dill pickles with ¼ cup juice, about 2 pickles
¼ small onion, finely chopped
½ lemon, juiced
⅛ C sugar
freshly ground black pepper

Put the potatoes and eggs into a big saucepan of cold salted water. Bring to a simmer. After 12 minutes remove the eggs with a slotted spoon and let cool. Continue cooking the potatoes until a paring knife poked into them goes in without resistance, about 3 minutes longer. Drain the potatoes in a colander and let them cool.

Stir together the mayonnaise, mustard, pickles and their juice, onion, lemon juice, and sugar in a bowl large enough to hold the potatoes. Peel the cool eggs and grate them into the bowl. Stick a fork into the potatoes and lift them 1 at a time out of the colander. Break up the potatoes by hand into rough chunks, add them to the bowl and toss to coat with the dressing. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

Roasted Broccoli

2009-05-20T16:57:00.003-05:00

1 head broccoli, cut into spears
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 450 degrees
Toss broccoli with garlic, oil, salt and pepper, then spread in one layer on a baking sheet. Roast for 15 minutes.

Chicken Meatloaf

2009-05-20T16:51:00.003-05:00

2 lbs. ground lean chicken
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
2 tablespoon chopped onion
2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoon ketchup
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 425 degrees
Combine chicken, tomato paste, parsley, garlic, onion, Worcestershire sauce and eggs in a bowl. Place mixture in a nonstick loaf pan; spread ketchup on top.
Bake uncovered for about an hour or until meatloaf is firm to the touch in the center. Let meatloaf settle 10 minutes before serving. Serves 6

Sloppy Joes

2009-05-08T00:08:00.003-05:00

1 1/4 pounds ground beef
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon steak seasoning blend
1 medium onion, chopped
1 small red bell pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups tomato sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 crusty rolls, split, toasted, and lightly buttered

Brown beef.
Drain grease.
Add onion and red peppers to the skillet.
Reduce heat to medium and cook onions, peppers, red wine vinegar and Worcestershire sauce with meat for 5 minutes.
Combine brown sugar and steak seasoning.
Add sugar and spice mixture to the skillet and combine.
Add tomato sauce and paste to pan.
Stir to combine.
Reduce heat to simmer and cook Sloppy Joe mixture 5 minutes longer.
Using a large spoon or ice cream scoop, pile sloppy meat onto toasted, buttered bun bottoms and cover with bun tops.

Fabulous Flourless Chocolate Cake

2009-05-06T15:41:00.003-05:00

14 squares (14 oz) semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 squares (2 oz) unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 cup butter (2 sticks; do not use margarine)
9 large eggs, separated
12 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp. cream of tarter
confectioners' sugar

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Remove bottom of 9 by 3 spring form pan; cover with foil, wrapping foil around back. Replace pan bottom. Grease and flour foil bottom and side of pan.
In heavy 2-quart saucepan, melt semisweet and unsweetened chocolates and butter over low heat, stirring frequently, until smooth. Pour chocolate mixture into large bowl.
In small bowl, with mixer at high speed, beat egg yolks and granulated sugar until very thick and lemon-colored, about 10 minutes. With rubber spatula, stir egg-yolk mixture into chocolate mixture until blended. Wash and dry beaters.
In separate large bowl, with clean beaters and with mixer at high speed, beat egg whites and cream of tarter until soft peaks form when beaters are lifted. With rubber spatula, gently fold beaten egg whites, one-third at a time, into chocolate mixture just until blended.
Scrape batter into prepared pan; spread evenly. Bake 35 minutes (Do not over bake; cake will firm upon standing and chilling.) Cool completely in pan on wire rack; refrigerate overnight in pan.
Run thin knife, rinsed under very hot water and dried, around cake to loosen from side of pan; remove side of pan. Invert onto cake plate; unwrap foil from pan bottom and lift off pan. Carefully peel foil away from cake.
To serve, let cake stand at room temperature 1 hour. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Or dust heavily with confectioners' sugar over paper doily or stencil.

Cajun Meatloaf

2009-04-09T19:11:00.001-05:00

I made this meatloaf for potluck Sunday...and not one single morsel of it was brought back home! It really is THAT good. This is "Pastor Ryan's Cajun Meatloaf" from Pioneer Woman. I'll be posting this on "Ciao Down" also, but I know not everyone checks out that site and I wanted to share this with as many of you as possible. Now...go ciao down on some meatloaf. Your taste buds will thank you. (Your heart, not so much.)

2 lbs lean ground beef
1 lb ground pork
3 bell peppers
2 med onions
1 bunch celery (5-6 ribs)
3 eggs
6 Tbs butter
1-2 C breadcrumbs
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 Tbs Worcestershire
1/2 C milk
2 C ketchup
2 Tbs honey
optional: few shakes of hot sauce

Preheat your oven to 400.

Chop all of the fresh vegetables (peppers, onions, celery) into a small dice and mince the garlic. Over medium heat melt 6 Tbs butter. Once butter begins to start brown, add the diced vegetables and garlic. Add about 1 Tbs salt. After these have cooked for a few minutes add Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, nutmeg, and Cayenne pepper. Add hot sauce if you want. Next add 1/2 of ketchup. Continue cooking and stirring for a few more minutes. Remove from heat.

After allowing the mixture to cool for a few minutes add milk. Stir until combined. Next add at least 1 C of bread crumbs. Continue adding bread crumbs and stirring until mixture is a nice, thick paste. In a large mixing bowl place the ground beef and pork. Wisk 3 eggs and add to the meat. After allowing the pasty vegetable mixture to cool down a bit, begin incorporating it into the meat. Keep working all of the Cajun-Veg mix into the meat until all is blended well.

Spray a sheet pan with some non-stick cooking spray. Next, using your hands, form your meat mixture into a loaf on the pan. Make the loaf about 6-8 inches wide and about 1 1/2 inches thick. In a small bowl or measuring up mix together 3/4 C of ketchup with about 2 Tbs of honey. Slather this sauce over top of the whole meatloaf.

Place in a 400 over for about 40 minutes.

Honey Pecan Mix

2009-03-20T21:21:00.003-05:00

6 C Kelloggs Crispix cereal
1 C mini pretzel
1 C pecan halves
1/3 margarine
3/4 C firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 C honey (NO EXTRA)
1 tsp vanilla

In a 9X13X2 baking pan, coated with cooking spray, combine cereal, pretzels, and pecans. Set aside. In large sauce pan over medium heat combine margarine, sugar, and honey. Bring mixture to a boil while stirring. QUIT STIRRING and continue to boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla. Pour syrup over cereal mixture, stirring until well coated.

Bake at 250 for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Let cool on cookie sheet. Store in airtight container.

Note: You can double this recipe, but triple the sauce.

Sopapilla Cheesecake

2009-02-10T23:16:00.001-06:00

2 cans crescent rolls
2 8oz cream cheese
1 C sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Beat sugar, cream cheese and vanilla together. Spray a 9x13 pan w/ Pam.
Roll out 1 can of crescent rolls in pan. Press edges together.
Spread cream cheese mixture on crescent rolls. Top w/ other can of crescent rolls.
I found it easier to work w/ the 2nd roll of crescents when you left it in the
frig...that way they don't get soft while you’re making the filling

Topping
1 stick of margarine-melted
1/2-3/4 c sugar
1-2 tsp cinnamon
Mix sugar and cinnamon together.
Pour melted margarine over rolls.
Sprinkle sugar mixture on top.
Bake 25-35 mins.

Potato Cheese Bake

2009-02-09T12:35:00.003-06:00

2 lbs frozen hash brown potatoes
1/2 C melted oleo
2 cartons sour cream
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 Tbs dried minced onion
1 can Cream of Chicken soup
2 C grated cheese
2 C cornflakes or onion strings

Mix 1/4 C melted oleo, sour cream, spices, soup and cheese together. Pour mixture into hash browns in large bowl. Pour into 9 X 13 baking dish. Mix together rest of melted oleo and cornflakes or onion strings. Pour on top of potato mixture and bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

Southwest Sausage Bake

2009-02-09T12:08:00.002-06:00

6 flour tortillas, cut into 1/2 inch strips
3 cans (4 oz each) chopped green chilies, drained
1 lb bulk sausage, cooked and drained
2 cups shredded MOnterey Jack cheese
10 eggs 1/2 up milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp onion salt
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes and green chilis (Ro-tel)
sour cream and salsa

In a greased 9X13 baking dish, layer half of the tortilla strips, chilies, sausage and cheese. Repeat layers. Ina a bowl, beat the eggs, milk, and seasonings; pour over cheese. Pour diced tomatoes and greeen chilis on top. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake, uncovered at 350 for 60 minutes or longer or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting. Serve with sour cream and salsa.

Yield: 12 servings

Pimento Cheese

2009-01-19T10:59:00.003-06:00

one 3 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese
1 cup grated Monetary Jack cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon seasoning (recipe below)
2 Tablespoons mashed pimentos

Seasoning
I keep a shaker filled with 1 cup salt, 1/4 cup black pepper, and 1/4 cup garlic powder

Mix all ingredients and refrigerate.

Note: I will not touch bought Pimento Cheese, however, this is the best you will ever put in your mouth. Absolutely scrumptious.

Meatballs

2009-01-17T13:48:00.002-06:00

3 lbs ground beef
1 can Rotel, drained
1 C grated cheddar cheese
2 eggs
1 can Italian bread crumbs
garlic powder to taste
dash basil
dash cumin
dash oregeno
dash hot sauce

Mix all ingredients in large bowl. Shape mixture into balls. Place meatballs on cooling rack over a jellyroll pan so the grease can cook out of the meat and drain away. Cook on 375F for 40 minutes.

After they're cooked I like to place mine in a crock pot and pour spaghetti sauce over them and serve over noodles.

Black Eyed Pea Salsa

2009-01-02T13:53:00.002-06:00

Dressing:
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup white wine (or regular) vinegar
2 to 3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon celery seed
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper
Veggies:
3 stalks celery,
finely chopped 3 green onions,
sliced1 red bell pepper,
chopped1 cucumber,
peeled, seeded, and chopped1 jalapeno (optional),
seeded and chopped1 cup (more if desired) chopped cilantro
2 cans black eyed peas, drained.
Mix together dressing ingredients. Set aside.Combine all vegetables (except cilantro) with black eyed peas. Pour dressing over the top and gently stir together. Add cilantro and stir gently.Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Banana Cookies

2008-04-11T08:56:00.008-05:00

1 1/2 c. shortening
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
4 ripe bananas
1/2 t. salt
2 t. baking soda
31/2 cups flour

Cream shortening, sugar, eggs, and bananas. Add the dry ingredients. Spoon onto greased cookie sheet and cook at 375 for 10 mins.

Frosting
6 T. brown sugar
4 T. butter (room temp.)
4 T. milk

Enough powdered sugar to make the right consistency. Spread on the cookies.

Keep the cookies refrigerated.

Coconut Chess Pie

2008-12-06T13:56:00.005-06:00

1 stick butter
1 1/2 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 c. coconut
2 tsp. vinegar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
pie crust

In a saucepan heat butter and sugar until melted. Combine rest of ingredients. Pour into unbaked pie crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 min. Cool and Refrigerate until serve.

Baked Potato Soup

2008-12-08T15:38:00.006-06:00

4 large baking potatoes
2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
12 slices bacon, cooked, crumbled, and divided
4 green onions, chopped and divided
1 (8-ounce) carton sour cream

Wash potatoes; prick several times with a fork. Bake at 400 degrees for 1 hour or until done; cool. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise; scoop out pulp, and reserve. Discard shells.
Melt butter in a Dutch oven over low heat; add flour, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly.
Stir in potato, salt, pepper, 1 cup cheese, 1/2 cup bacon, and 2 tablespoon green onions; cook until heated (do not boil). Stir in sour cream; cook just until heated (do not boil). Sprinkle servings with remaining cheese, bacon, and green onions. Yield: 10 cups

Southwestern Chicken-and-Rice Soup with Tortilla Strips

2008-12-08T15:22:00.003-06:00

1 medium onion, chopped
1 Large carrot, peeled and chopped
1/2 medium-size red bell pepper, chopped
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
3/4 cup uncooked white rice
2 medium plum tomatoes, chopped
1 to 2 Tbsp. chopped pickled jalapeno slices
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. black pepper
8 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves, chopped
juice of 1 lime (about 2 Tbsp)
1 ripe avocado, chopped
Tortilla Strips

Saute first 3 ingredients in hot oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat 7 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add garlic; saute 1 minute.
Stir in chicken and next 5 ingredients. Stir in chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until rice is tender. Stir in cilantro and lime juice. Serve with chopped avocado and Tortilla Strips.
Makes about 6 servings.

I use olive oil instead of vegetable oil.
I do not cook the jalapeno in the soup i let people add it if they want to.