Monday, June 30, 2008

Hawaiian Dessert

There was a Mother/Daughter event at our church a week or so ago. We were to take a Hawaiian themed dessert. After looking around the web, and asking for advice, this is what I ended up taking. I thought it was yummy. Hope you do too...
I found the recipe at cooks.com

1 (18 1/4 oz) yellow cake mix

1 (5 1/2 oz) instant vanilla pudding

1 c. cold milk

1 8 oz. pkg cream cheese softened

1 8 oz. frozen whipped topping thawed

1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple well drained ( I reserved the juice for the cake mix)

1/2 c. pecans chopped

1/2 c. flaked coconut

1/2 c. maraschino cherries, chopped and drained (I don't care for them, so I omitted this one)

Prepare cake mix according to package directions (I used the pineapple juice for the water called for, and made up the difference with water). Pour into greased 10x15 inch jelly roll pan. Bake at 350* for 15-20 minutes. Cool in pan.

Blend pudding mix and milk. beat cream cheese into pudding until smooth. Fold in whipped topping by hand (I used the mixer, for me it makes it smoother). Spread mixture on cooled cake. Spread pineapple on top. Then sprinkle with nuts, cherries (if desired) and coconut. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Cut into squares.



Thursday, June 5, 2008

Tucson Meat Pie

It's getting kind of hot to make this, because you bake it in the oven. But it's one of our favorites.

1T oil or margarine 1/2 t. cumin
1/2 med. onion 1 c. corn
2 cloves garlic minced 2 T. diced green chilies
1 lb. lean ground beef 1/2 t. salt
8 oz. tomato sauce 1/4 t. pepper
1 1/2 t. chili powder 1 c. cheese shredded

Heat oil in large skillet. Saute' onion until soft. Stir in garlic. Add meat. Cook until barely pink. Stir in tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, corn, chilies, salt & pepper. stir and cook gently 5 minutes. Fill partially baked shell (recipe below). Bake at 375* 25-30 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese, cook 5 minutes or until cheese melts.

Cornmeal pastry shell
3/4 c. flour
1/4 c. cornmeal
1/3c. butter

Place flour in bowl. Remove 2 1/2 T. flour and mix with 2 T. water, set aside. Add cornmeal to flour in bowl. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in flour paste. Mix until dough forms. Roll out to fit pie pan, prick with fork. bake at 425* for 5 minutes.

Great with a side salad.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

semi home-made spaghetti sauce

I made spaghetti for dinner tonight. The sauce came out even better than usual. So I thought I'd post what I did.

1 lb. ground beef browned
1 med. onion chopped
1/2 red bell pepper diced
1 jar spaghetti sauce (I used Kroger brand, garlic and parmesan I think)
1 15oz. can diced tomatoes Italian style
2 T sugar
small palm full Italian seasoning
1/4 t. basil
1/4 t. oregano
1/4 t. chili powder (more if you like it spicy)

I threw it all in the slow cooker, gave it a stir and let it go for 6 hours.
Boil some pasta and mix it all up.