Sunday, July 31, 2011

EASY (KAHLUA) CHOCOLATE TRIFLE ( I LOVE CHOCOLATE)



KAHLUA  CHOCOLATE  TRIFLE  (makes 16-20 servings) TAKE ONE BOX (18 1/2 oz. CHOCOLATE CAKE MIX (PLAIN-NOT-PUDDING TYPE)<>1 CUP KAHLUA<>2 SMALL CARTONS (WHIPPING CREAM)<>2 BOXES (3 1/2 oz. each) INSTANT CHOCOLATE PUDDING<>3 1/2 CUPS MILK<>THEN TAKE (6 CHOCOLATE-COVERED TOFFEE CANDY BARS, CRUSHED) BAKE CAKE IN 13X9in PAN ACCORDING TO PACKAGE DIRECTIONS.<>AFTER COOLING, (POKE HOLES IN CAKE AND (POUR KAHLUA OVER IT)<>REFRIGERATE OVERNIGHT. (WHEN READY TO ASSEMBLE TRIFLE) WHIP CREAM<>ADD MILK TO PUDDING AND BEAT ACCORDING TOO PACKAGE DIRECTIONS><>(CUT CAKE INTO CUBES)<>LAYER IN A CLEAR GLASS TRIFLE DISH, (OR GLASS BOWL) 1/3 OF EACH INGREDIENT, AS FOLLOWS< (CAKE CUBES, PUDDING, WHIPPED CREAM< CRUSHED CANDY TOFFEE BARS< (REPEAT THE LAYERING TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES) ENDING WITH THE WHIPPED CREAM AND CANDY TOFFEE BARS!!!!WOW TO CHOCOLATE!!!!

THOUGHTS WHILE TAKING A WALK ( BY A RIVER)!!




SOMEWHERE BENEATH THE RIVER, SUPERB, SLEEK, BLACK, MUST HIDE A HIDDEN TREASURE, SOFTLY IN THE SHADOW, OF THE RUSHING WATER YOU CAN HEAR THE VOICES, THE TUNES OF THE WINDING RIVER AS IT RUSHES ALONG. DOWN IN THE FLOOD OF REMEMBRANCE, THOUGHTS WHILE TAKING A WALK AND ENJOYING NATURES BEAUTY!!

VEGETABLE (TORTELLINI BAKE) FRESH VEGETABLES!






2 PACKAGES (9 ounces each) REFRIGERATED (CHEESE TORTELLINI)<>2 SMALL ZUCCHINI, DICED<>2 SMALL YELLOW SQUASH, DICED<>1 MEDIUM ONION, DICED<>2 MEDIUM SWEET RED PEPPERS, DICED<>2 TEASPOONS DRIED BASIL<>1 TEASPOON SALT<>1 TEASPOON PEPPER<>2 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL<>2 CUPS (8 ounces) SHREDDED MOZZARELLA CHEESE<>2 CUPS HALF-and HALF CREAM<>THEN (COOK TORTELLINI ACCORDING TO PACKAGE DIRECTIONS<> MEANWHILE IN A SKILLET SAUTE ZUCCHINI< SQUASH< ONION< RED PEPPER AND SEASONINGS IN OIL UNTIL VEGETABLES ARE CRISP-TENDER.<>DRAIN TORTELLINI AND RINSE, VEGETABLES MIXTURE, MOZZARELLA AND CREAM<> TRANSFER TO GREASED 3-qt. BAKING DISH<>(BAKE UNCOVERED, at 375 drgreesF FOR 30 MINUTES OR UNTIL BUBBLY<> YIELD 10-12 SERVINGS!! (TASTE OF HOME VEGETABLES FRESH FROM THE GARDEN!!!) WITH TORTELLINI!!!!

SOUR CREAM (BLACKBERRY PIE)





1--9in. SINGLE PIE SHELL<>3 CUPS FRESH PICKED BLACKBERRIES<>3/4 CUP WHITE SUGAR<>1/3 CUP FLOUR<>2 CUPS SOUR CREAM<>1/2 TSP VANILLA EXTRACT<>2 TBSP. FLOUR<>2 TSP BROWN SUGAR<>2 TSP.  BUTTER MELTED<>  IN BOWL, COMBINE 3/4 CUP SUGAR and FLOUR, WHISK IN SOUR CREAM AND VANILLA<>ARRANGE BLACKBERRIES EVENLY IN PIE SHELL. SPREAD SOUR CREAM MIXTURE OVER BERRIES, COMBINE FLOUR, 2 TSP SUGAR,AND MELTED BUTTER UNTIL MIXTURE CRUMBLES>(SPRINKLE OVER PIE) THEN BAKE @ 400 degreesF. FOR 30-4-min UNTIL PASTRY IS (GOLDEN BROWN) THEN LET THE PIE COOL AND SERVE. (SLICE TOP WITH DOLLOP OF WHIPPED CREAM)  REFRESHING!!!!

Saturday, July 30, 2011

TRAINS & TRACKS (SUMMER & WINTER) AWESOME!!






AWESOME,  COLORFUL, HEAVY METAL, TRAINS and TRACKS, STILL WORKING, BEING USED! THE TRAINS TRAVEL IN MY AREA, AND SOME ARE PASSENGER TRAINS. THEY TRAVEL SCENIC ROUTES, PASS BY FARM LAND AND RIVERS. THEY ARE A SITE TO BEHOLD, AND YOU CAN HEAR THEM WITH DISTINCT WHISTLE SOUNDS AS THEY ROAR ALONG THE METAL TRACKS!! (IF YOUR A PASSENGER IN ONE OF THEM YOU CAN GET A GREAT VIEW OF THE RIVER!!)

ANTIQUE OVAL (PICTURE FRAMES WITH BUBBLE GLASS) MADE OF TIGER WOOD




ANTIQUE PICTURE FRAMES, DATE BACK TO 1800's THEY HAVE CONVEX SHAPED BUBBLE GLASS, MADE OF TIGER OAK WOOD. THE PHOTO'S ARE OF FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAVE PASSED ON. (THESE ARE FAMILY FRAMES, PAST DOWN GENERATION, TO GENERATION!! AND ARE PRIZED BY ANTIQUE COLLECTORS.!!

LITTLE DREADED (3 LEAF PLANT) POISON IVY



POISON IVY, IS A PLANT, VINE, CREEPS, (CAN BE FOUND ON THE EDGE OF A ROAD, FOREST AND FIELDS, HARD TO GET RID OF.<>COMPOUND LEAVES OF POISON IVY CONSIST OF THREE POINTED LEAVES, THE ONE IN THE MIDDLE< LEAFLET HAS A MUCH LONGER STOCK, SUMMER THEY ARE GREEN IN AUTUMN THEY ARE ORANGE, RED.(THEY CAN GIVE YOU A TERRIBLE RASH, AND SOME PEOPLE END UP IN THE HOSPITAL!, (THE RASH SPREADS AND CAN BLISTER AND WEEP) NOT A PRETTY SITE! THE PLANT IS CONSIDERED POISON TO SOME PEOPLE, (BEWARE OF THIS 3 LEAF PLANT) NOTE IT HAS JUST 3 LEAVES!!!

CROWD PLEASER ( KAHLUA PECAN PIE)




KAHLUA  PECAN  PIE-****MAKES 8-10 SERVINGS--1/4 CUP BUTTER<>3/4 CUP GRANULATED SUGAR<>1 TEASPOON VANILLA EXTRACT<>2 TBSP. FLOUR<>3 EGGS<>1/2 CUP KAHLUA<>1/2 CUP DARK CORN SYRUP<>3/4 CUP EVAPORATED MILK<>1 CUP WHOLE or CHOPPED PECANS<>PASTRY CRUST<> (LINE 9-inch PIE PAN WITH YOUR FAVORITE PASTRY RECIPE><>CHILL<>PREHEAT OVEN TO 400 degreesF. (IN LARGE BOWL, CREAM TOGETHER BUTTER, SUGAR, VANILLA and FLOUR) MIX WELL.<>BEAT IN EGGS, ONE AT A TIME. (STIR IN KAHLUA, CORN SYRUP, EVAPORATED MILK, PECANS.)<>MIX POUR IN PIE PAN<>(BAKE 10 MINUTES.<>THEN REDUCE HEAT TO 325 degreesF. AND BAKE UNTIL FIRM,(ABOUT 40 MINUTES) CHILL, GARNISH, if DESIRED WITH WHIPPED CREAM and PECAN HALVES OR FRESH STRAWBERRIES!!  (EXCELLENT  Mmmmm!)

ENJOY FLAVORS ( CHICKEN and PASTA FRITTATA )





CLASSIC  (CHICKEN &  PASTA  FRITTATA) --1 CUP BROCCOLI FLORETS<>1 MEDIUM ONION, CHOPPED (1/2 CUP)<>2 TBSP. OLIVE OIL<>1 1/4 CUPS COOKED PENNE (or desired PASTA)<>1 CUP CHOPPED COOKED CHICKEN<>2 TBSP> CHOPPED FRESH BASIL<>8 EGGS, LIGHTLY BEATEN<>1/2 CUP SHREDDED MOZZARELLA CHEESE<><>PREHEAT OVEN TO 400 degrees F.<> (IN A LARGE OVEN-GOING SKILLET) COOK BROCCOLI AND ONION IN HOT OIL OVER MEDIUM HEAT 5 minutes or until TENDER.<>(STIR IN PENNE, CHICKEN, BASIL, and 1/4 TEASPOON EACH SALT&BLACK PEPPER<>(POUR EGGS OVER MIXTURE IN SKILLET)<>COOK OVER MEDIUM HEAT<>AS MIXTURE SETS, RUN A SPATULA AROUND EDGE OF SKILLET, LIFTING EGG MIXTURE SO UNCOOKED PORTION FLOWS UNDERNEATH><>(CONTINUE COOKING AND LIFTING UNTIL EGG MIXTURE IS ALMOST SET.<>TOP WITH CHEESE.<>PUT SKILLET IN OVEN (BAKE 5 MINUTES or until SET>) SPRINKLE WITH PEPPER.<>YIELDS 6 SERVINGS!! SERVE WITH SIMPLE SPINACH SALAD and ENGLISH MUFFINS!!!!

Friday, July 29, 2011

REMEMBRANCES from the Farm (GREEN TOMATO MINCEMEAT)





4 QUARTS. (GREEN TOMATOES)<>4 LBS BROWN SUGAR<>2LBS. RAISINS<>4 QUARTS APPLES<>1 LB. CURRENTS<>1 LB. SUET<>1 CUP BOILED CIDER<>1 TBSP. BEEF EXTRACT<>1 CUP WATER<>2 CUPS WALNUTS<>2 TBSP. SALT<>1 TBSP. CINNAMON<>1 TBSP. NUTMEG<> 1/2 TBSP CLOVES.<><>CHOP TOMATOES AND APPLES BEFORE MEASURING.<>GRIND UP SUET<> POUR BOILING WATER OVER TOMATOES, COOK 10 minutes and DRAIN<> THEN COOK ALL OF MIXTURE SEVERAL HOURS OVER LOW FLAME, STRAIN MIXTURE THEN ADD TO CANNING JARS, FILL , AND SEAL. ( THIS RECIPE LOVED BY OLE TIMERS) THEY WOULD KEEP IN COLD CELLAR!!!

SAY---CHEESE CAKE (MINT SWIRL (KAHLUA) CHEESE CAKE (!!!!




MAKES 12 SERVINGS<><>1 1/2 lb. CREAM CHEESE< softened<>3/4 CUP SUGAR<>3 EGGS<>1 CUP SOUR CREAM<>1/2 KAHLUA<> 1 TEASPOON PEPPERMINT EXTRACT<>3 oz. SEMI-SWEET CHOCOLATE, MELTED<>GREEN FOOD COLORING<>CHOCOLATE CRUST<>FOR CHOCOLATE CRUST<> MIX 1 1/2 CUPS CHOCOLATE WAFER CRUMBS<>1/4 CUP MELTED BUTTER and 2 TBSP< SUGAR.<> PRESS INTO BOTTOM and part WAY UP SIDES of a 9 inch SPRINGFORM PAN.<>FREEZE 5 min<>BAKE CRUST 350degreesF--10min.<><>FILLING FOR CHEESE-CAKE (BEAT CREAM CHEESE UNTIL SMOOTH.<>BEAT IN SUGAR.<>BEAT IN EGGS 1 at a TIME BEATING WELL AFTER EACH.<>STIR IN SOUR CREAM. <>TRANSFER 3 1/2 CUPS MIXTURE TO ANOTHER BOWL AND ADD 1/4 CUP KAHLUA, PEPPERMINT EXTRACT AND A FEW DROPS OF FOOD COLOR.<>BLEND MELTED CHOCOLATE INTO REMAINING CREAM CHEESE MIXTURE.WITH REMAINING KAHLUA<>POUR GREEN MIXTURE INTO CHOCOLATE CRUST.<>LADLE CHOCOLATE MIXTURE INTO GREEN MIXTURE IN 5 DISTINCT POOLS.<>DRAW KNIFE THROUGH MIXTURE TO (MARBLE).<>BAKE (KAHLUA MINT CHEESE-CAKE) AT 300degreesF--for 1 1/4 HOURS. LEAVE CAKE IN A TURNED OFF (OVEN) 2 HOURS. (CHILL) EXCELLENT SO SIMPLE AND PLEASURABLE!!!!

Thursday, July 28, 2011

YIPPE-EYE-AY! RIBS ARE IN! (SIZZLEICIOUS) GRILL THEM IN THE BACKYARD (EARN YOUR STRIPES)!!





-POLYNESIAN  SPARERIBS---2 TABLESPOONS HONEY OR SUGAR<>1 TEASPOON DRY MUSTARD<>1 TEASPOON GROUND GINGER<>1/2 CUP PINEAPPLE JUICE<>1/4 CUP VINEGAR<>1/4 CUP SOY SAUCE<>1 CLOVE GARLIC, MINCED (OPTIONAL) <>4 POUNDS (IN RACKS) PORK LOIN BACK RIBS< EXCESS FAT TRIMMED OFF><><>(TO PREVENT FLARE_UPS BOIL OR STEAM RIBS) BEFORE GRILLING><><>NOW MIX ALL INGREDIENTS EXCEPT RIBS IN LARGE PAN> (ADD RIBS, (BASTE RIBS WITH MARINADE)> LET STAND AT LEAST 1 HOUR< TURNING RACKS OCCASIONALLY. (DRAIN, RESERVE MARINADE) PLACE RIBS ON GRILL OR ON RACK I N BROILER PAN. ( GRILL OR BROIL 30 MINUTES ABOUT 7 inches from MEDIUM HEAT SOURCE> (BRUSH WITH MARINADE, GRILL OR BROIL UNTIL TENDER, (ABOUT 30 MINUTES LONGER, TURNING and BRUSHING RIBS OFTEN.) <><>THIS WILL MAKE ^ SERVINGS)!!  SIZZLEICIOUS--WE RIB YOU NOT!!!!