Toffee Almond Sandies

 Combine almonds and toffee bits to make a delicious tasting cookie. These are so good

 Ingredients

1 c. butter, softened
1 c. granulated sugar
1 c. powdered sugar
1 c. oil, vegetable
1 tsp. almond extract or vanilla
2 eggs, room temperature
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp. salt
3 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. whole wheat flour
2 c. almonds, chopped
1 (8 oz.) pkg. English toffee bits
granulated sugar for rolling the cookie dough balls in

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. 

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy.

Pour in the oil and almond or vanilla extract and mix until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. 

Turn the mixer to low. Add cream of tartar, baking soda and salt. 

Gradually add the all-purpose flour, and wheat flour. Mix well. 

Stir in almonds and toffee bits. 

Take about a teaspoon of dough and roll it between the palms of your hands. The balls should be about 1-inch. Or the size of a walnut.  If the dough is too sticky to work with, place in the refrigerator for an hour or two to firm up.  Roll the balls into a bowl of granulated sugar.

Place on cookie sheets and flatten the tops with a fork like you would with peanut butter cookies.

Bake 12 to 14 minutes, or until lightly browned.  Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheets for 3 minutes, then remove them to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container.

Tender, Juicy Pork Chops

 

Ingredients

4 thick cut pork chops
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. cumin
1 Tbs. flour
1 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 c. chicken stock or chicken bouillon
1Tbs. vinegar
2 to 3 tsp. honey
1 Tbs. butter

Directions

In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cumin, and flour. Take the pork chops out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking time. Pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel. Season both sides with salt, pepper and the spice rub you just prepared.  Set the pork chops aside for 30 minutes to bring them close to room temperature. This helps the meat to cook evenly.

 In a heavy cast iron skillet, heat the oil. Cook the pork chops on one side for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown. Turn the pork chops over to cook the other side and fry until golden brown. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce heat to low.  Cook until a thermometer reads 145° when inserted in the thickest part of the pork chops. Cooking time will vary between 6 and maybe 12 minutes, depending on how thick or thin your pork chops are.

Remove pork chops from the skillet when done and place on a plate. Cover with a lid or a sheet of foil to keep them warm.

Raise the heat under the skillet to medium high. Pour in the chicken stock, vinegar and honey. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the skillet because that is where all the flavor is. Bring this to a bubble, then reduce heat to a simmer. Continue cooking to reduce the mixture by half. Taste the sauce to see if it needs more salt or pepper. Remove from heat. Stir in the butter.

Pour over pork chops and serve.

Cheese Broccoli Casserole

What could be better than cheese and broccoli. Cheese makes almost anything taste better.  Even vegetables.  This is a quick recipe and perfect for almost any meal.

Ingredients

1 (10.5 oz.) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 egg
1/2 c. mayonnaise
1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
30 oz. package frozen broccoli, chopped
1 (5 oz.) can water chestnuts, drained and sliced (optional)
3 c. cheddar cheese, shredded
1 1/2 c. cheese crackers, crushed
1/2 c. butter, melted

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 13 x 9 baking dish or pan with cooking oil.

In a large bowl, combine the mushroom soup, egg, mayonnaise, seasoned salt, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix until smooth. 

Add the broccoli, water chestnuts, and cheese. Mix until combined. 

Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish or pan.

Sprinkle the crushed cheese crackers over the top. 

Pour the melted butter over the top of the crackers.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until top is golden brown and cheese is melted.

Serve. warm.

Fried Chicken Strips

Ingredients

2 lbs. chicken strips or boneless skinless chicken breasts.
1 egg, beaten
1/2 c. buttermilk *see note below
1 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbs. Parmesan cheese

Directions

In a shallow bowl, combine beaten egg and buttermilk. In another shallow bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, pepper, onion powder, paprika and salt.

If using chicken breasts, cut them into strips. Cut them lengthwise into strips about 1/2 inch thick.

Dip the strips in the flour mixture, shake off excess.  Dip the strips into the egg mixture.  Dip the strips once again in the flour mixture. Lay the chicken on a rack. Repeat with the rest of the chicken strips. It is best to let the pieces of chicken dry for 20 minutes. The flour coating stays on better while frying, and they fry more evenly than they would if using chicken straight out of the refrigerator. 

Heat about a half inch of oil in a deep, heavy cast iron skillet.  Or you can use an electric skillet, heating the oil to 375°. 

Carefully put the chicken in the hot oil. Fry the chicken strips for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until done. Internal temperature should read 160°.  Fry the chicken in batches. Do not crowd the skillet.  Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with cheese.

If you don't have buttermilk, you can substitute it by pouring a 1/2 tablespoon vinegar in a measuring cup. Finish filling the measuring cup to a half cup with milk.  Let stand for 5 minutes.

BBQ Dry Spice Rub Recipe

This spice rub is so simple, using a few basic ingredients that you already have in your spice cupboard.  We use this seasoning on chicken, beef, pork and many other dishes. 

By making your own spice rubs, you control the ingredients that go in to each one. By experimenting, you can come up with the seasoning blend that you and your family love!

Ingredients

3/4 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. smoked paprika or regular paprika
2 Tbs. salt
3 Tbs. chili powder
2 Tbs. black pepper
2 Tbs. garlic powder
2 Tbs. onion powder
1 1/2 Tbs. cumin
1 Tbs. dry mustard
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. celery salt
1 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)

Directions

Combine brown sugar, paprika, salt, black pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, dry mustard, cinnamon, celery salt and cayenne pepper.

Pour the mixture into an air-tight container.

 Pull Apart Monkey Bread

 

Ingredients

Yeast Dough

1/4 c. warm water
1 pkg yeast or 1 Tbs. dry yeast
1 1/4 c. warm milk
1/3 c. butter, melted and cooled
2 egg, room temperature
1/4 c. sugar
1 tsp  salt
5 c. flour

Coating

1 1/2 c.  sugar
2/3 c. brown sugar
1 Tbs. cinnamon
1/2 c. butter

Topping

1/4 c.  butter, melted and divided
1 tsp. vanilla

Directions

Grease two 9 x 5-inch bread pans or a 10 to 12 cup bundt pan. 

Combine warm water and yeast together in a large bowl.  Set in a warm location for about 10 minutes to allow the yeast to bloom.

Add warm milk, butter, eggs, salt and 2 cups flour. Mix with a wooden spoon until well combined. You can also use a mixer with the dough hook. Continue to knead in the remaining flour, until it gets too hard to stir with a spoon. Turn the dough out on a floured surface. Knead in the rest of the flour, using more or less flour as needed, depending on the day. If there is a lot of moisture in the air, you will need more flour. Knead the dough until smooth for about 8 to 10 minutes. You will want a dough that is slightly sticky.

Lightly grease the bowl that you prepared the dough.  Place the dough in the bowl, turning once to coat all sides. Cover the bowl with a tea towel or a sheet of plastic wrap. Place in a warm location and let rise for about 2 hours. 

Prepare the coating. 

Place 1/2 cup melted butter in a bowl. In another bowl, combine granulated sugar and cinnamon together.  Set aside.

Divide the dough into 40 to 45 balls. Roll each ball in the melted butter, and then roll the balls in the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Place the balls evenly between the 2 loaf pans.

Cover the loaf pans with a tea towel or a sheet of plastic wrap.  Set aside in a warm location to rise for about 20 minutes. 

In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/4 cup melted butter, brown sugar and vanilla. Pour over the pull apart balls in the loaf pans, dividing the mixture between the two pans.

Preheat oven to 350°.  See note below. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until done, and the top is golden brown.  If the tops brown too fast, cover loosely with a sheet of foil. Leave the bread to cool in the pans for 5 to 8 minutes.  Then invert the pans onto a serving platter.

Serve warm. You can mix up a thin glaze of 1 cup powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon milk and pour over the warm monkey bread.

 I usually don't preheat the oven when making bread. I put the pans in the oven and then turn the oven on. It also helps give the bread a little more rising time.

 Pork Cutlets and Gravy

Growing up, my mother often served pork cutlets with potatoes and gravy. It was so good. Here is her recipe. 

Ingredients

Potatoes

2 1/2 lbs. potatoes, cut into quarters or halved. May be peeled if desired
2 or more garlic cloves, minced
1/2 c. or more milk
2 Tbs. or more butter
salt and pepper to taste

1 1/2 lb. pork cutlets
salt and pepper to taste
1 c. flour
1 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 egg, beaten
1 Tbs. milk or water
2 Tbs. oil

Gravy

2 Tbs  flour
2 1/4 c. milk or more as needed
salt and pepper to taste
1 can mushrooms, drained (optional)

Directions

Place the potatoes into a pot or saucepan. Fill the pot with cold water until there is an inch of liquid over the top of the potatoes.  Add a half teaspoon of salt to the water. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are soft.  Drain.

Turn the heat to high and bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat to low to maintain a simmer, and cover. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until you can easily poke through the potatoes with a fork.

Fill a pot with water and bring to a boil.

In a shallow dish or bowl or pie pan, combine flour, onion powder, and garlic powder. In another shallow bowl, beat the egg and water or milk together. 

Season the cutlets with salt and pepper.  Dip a cutlet in flour mixture, and shake off excess. Then dip the cutlet in the egg mixture. Then dip the cutlet in the flour mixture again.  Repeat with each cutlet. Lay them on a pan as you get the skillet heated. 

Heat oil in a heavy cast iron skillet. Cook the cutlets on one side until nicely browned, about 2 minutes. Turn the cutlets over and brown the other side. 

Remove the cutlets to a plate and set aside as you make the gravy.  

Make sure there is at least 2 tablespoons oil in the pan. If there is not enough oil, add some butter to the skillet. Stir in the flour and cook for about 2 minutes to remove the flour taste. Whisking constantly, slowly pour in the milk. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. 

Add the mushrooms and pork cutlets. Turn the heat to low as you finish the potatoes. 

With an electric hand held mixer, beat potatoes until most of the lumps are gone.  Add milk, butter, and garlic.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve cutlets with potatoes and gravy.