Fresh Pineapple Gratin

Here's a great summer dessert recipe made with a fresh pineapple.

It's baked and served hot with your choice of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream that could be flavored with a bit of dark rum or served plain.

Here's what you'll need:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

1 - Sheet Pan lined with Parchment Paper

1/2 C Shredded Sweet Coconut

1/2 C Crushed Gingersnaps

1/2 C Finely Crushed Macadamia Nuts

1/2 C Sweetened Condensed Milk

2 TBS Dark Rum 

1 Large Ripe Pineapple, leaves intact and cut in half lengthwise.

Remove the core from each half with a sharp paring knife. 

In a small bowl:

Coconut

Gingersnaps

Macadamia Nuts

Mix well and set aside.

Place the Pineapple Halves on the Sheet Pan cut side up.

Drizzle each half with 2 TBS of the Condensed Milk Mixture.

Sprinkle each half with 1/4 C of the Coconut Mixture.

Drizzle each half with an additional 2 TBS of the Condensed Milk Mixture.

Bake for at least 15 minutes , until golden brown.

Scoop out to serve.

Serve with your choice of Vanilla Ice Cream or Homemade Whipped Cream with a bit of Dark Rum.

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

Old Fashioned Cream Cheese Pie

This is a vintage recipe. It's a simple pie that doesn't need any fancy topping........ however I  top it with fresh Berries, your choice of Raspberries, Blueberries, Blackberries or Strawberries.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
1 - 9" Pie Pan

Crust:

1 1/2 C Crushed Graham Crackers
6 TBS Butter, melted
1/4 C Confectioner's Sugar
1 tsp Cinnamon

Filling:

12 oz. Cream Cheese, room temperature
3/4 C Granulated Sugar
2 tsp Pure Vanilla
2 Large Eggs, room temperature


Topping:

1 C Sour Cream
3 1/2 TBS Granulated Sugar
1 TBS Pure Vanilla

In a medium bowl:
Graham Cracker Crumbs
Butter
Sugar
Cinnamon
Whisk well.
Press into the Pie Pan.
Bake 10 minutes.
Remove to a rack to cool completely.

Filing:

In a medium bowl with an electric mixer:
Cream Cheese
Sugar
Vanilla
Eggs
Beat until creamy smooth.
Pour into the crust.
Bake 15 - 20 minutes.
Remove to a rack to cool completely.

Topping:

In a medium bowl:
Sour Cream
Sugar
Vanilla
Whisk until incorporated.
Spread even;y over the filling.
Bake 10 minutes.
Remove the pan to a rack to cool for 10 minutes.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies

Here's the original recipe for these cookies.
I'm posting this for my friends around the world.
We have so many friends around the world and they all love Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Now you can make them too!
You can use the translate link on the blog page for this recipe and read it in any language.

Sometimes the "original" is the best!


Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Sheet Pans lined with Parchment Paper


2 1/4 C Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Salt
1 C  (2 Sticks or 16 Tablespoons) Butter, softened
3/4 C Granulated White Sugar
3/4 C Brown Sugar
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
2 Large Eggs
2 C ( a 12 ounce package) Nestle Toll House Semi Sweet Chocolate Morsels.
1 C chopped Pecans


In a small bowl:
Flour
Baking Soda
Salt
Whisk well.

In a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer:
Butter
Granulated Sugar
Brown Sugar
Vanilla
Beat until creamy smooth.

Add:
Eggs, one at a time and beat well after each one.
Gradually add the Flour mixture to the Egg Mixture.
Mix well.
Stir in the Chocolate and Nuts by hand.

Drop by the Tablespoon ( I use a 1 1/2" Cookie Scoop) onto the Sheet Pans, 2" apart.
Bake 9 - 11 minutes, or until golden brown.

Remove the pan to a cooling rack for 10 minutes.
Transfer the cookies to the rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Breakfast Bread Pudding with a Crumble Top, Terry's Bread Pudding and Overnight Christmas Morning French Toast

Breakfast Cinnamon Bread Pudding with a Crumble Topping:

I happen to love Bread Pudding and I have my favorite recipe posted on the Blog. I reposted it at the end of this recipe.
I also have a recipe for Overnight Christmas Morning French Toast. This recipe is another favorite to serve on Christmas Morning. It's also reposted at the end.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees the morning after refrigerating the pudding and crumble.
1 - 9" X 13" casserole dish brushed well with Pan Release Mix. (equal parts of Crisco, Vegetable Oil and Flour) I start with 1 C of each mixed well and refrigerated in a jar. I always have it available for all of my baking needs.

1 loaf of a really good Pain de Campagne (country bread, preferably day old. Cut into cubes.
8 Eggs
2 1/2 C Half and Half
3/4 C Granulated Sugar
2 TBS Vanilla

Crumble:

1/2 C Flour
1/2 C Dark Brown Sugar
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Salt
8 TBS Butter, cold and cubed.

Spread the bread cubes evenly in the dish.

In a large mixing bowl:
Eggs
Half and Half
Granulated Sugar
Vanilla
Whisk well and pour evenly over the Bread.
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

In a small mixing bowl:
Flour
Brown Sugar
Cinnamon
Salt
Whisk well.
Cut in the Butter with a Pastry Blender to create a crumble.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning:
Evenly sprinkle the crumble over the pudding.
Bake 45 - 60 minutes. The tops should be golden brown.

Just before serving, dust with Confectioner's Sugar.
Serve individual servings with warm Maple Syrup.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

• Another Best of the Best Recipes.
  I've had this recipe since the early 70's.
  It's the only Bread Pudding I make.
  
  
  Terry's Bread Pudding:
  
  
  1 Baguette, sliced
  1 Quart of Milk (4C)
  3 eggs, beaten
  2 C Sugar
  2 TBS Vanilla
  3 TBS Butter
  1 C Raisins
  
  
  Mix Bread and Milk by hand
  Add all other ingredients except the Butter
  Melt the Butter in a 9X13 pan in a 350 degree pre heated oven, coating the bottom and sides well
  Pour the mixture in the pan and Bake for 45 minutes
  
  
  Another option is to bake the Pudding in Muffin Tins lined with paper cups.
  If you bake the Pudding in Muffin Tins, make sure to break up the bread into small pieces, not slices.
  Spray the paper cups with a vegetable cooking spray.
  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
  
  
  Serve with The Queens Sauce:
  1 Pint Heavy Cream
  3 Eggs
  1/2C Sugar
  1/2 tsp Vanilla
  1 C Brandy or Whiskey
  
  
  In the top of a doubler boiler,  place the Cream and Eggs and whisk well
  Add Sugar and Vanilla
  Stir constantly for 10 minutes
  Slowly add the Brandy or Whiskey and whisk until incorporated
  
  
  Here's another Whiskey Sauce :
  
  
  In a sauce pan, over medium low heat:
  1/2 stick of butter
  THe juice of 1 lemon
  1 C apple cider
  1/2 C brown sugar
  a pinch of salt
  1 C Bourbon Whiskey
  
  
  Cook to reduce to 1/2
  Serve on the side with Bread Pudding.
  
  
  Enjoy!
  Peace in the Kitchen!
  
  
  This is one of our favorite Christmas Morning Recipes.
  
  Overnight Christmas Morning French Toast:
  
  Here's what you'll need:
  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  1 - 9" X 13" Casserole Pan, heavily buttered.
  
  1 (8oz) package of Cream Cheese
  12 ( Day old Croissants)
  18 Eggs
  1 1/2 C Heavy Cream
  1 TBS Vanilla
  1/2 tsp Nutmeg
  1/2 tsp Cinnamon
  1 stick (8TBS) of Butter, melted + additional for greasing the pan
  Pure Maple Syrup
  Confectioner'sSugar
  
  Heavily Butter a 9"X13" casserole dish.
  Slice Croissants in half, horizontally.
  Layer them cut side up in the dish.
  Drop pieces of Cream Cheese in between the layers.
  
  In a bowl:
  Eggs
  Melted Butter
  Heavy Cream
  Vanilla
  Nutmeg
  Cinnamon
  Whisk Well
  Pour ove the Croissants.
  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  Serve topped with warm Maple Syrup and sprinkle with Confectioner's Sugar.
  
  Enjoy!
  Peace in the Kitchen!
  
  
  

Terry's Original Instant Salsa Mix

Terry's Original Instant Salsa Mix.

I've been testing a recipe for a mix that creates an instant Salsa.

This recipe makes   1 -  14.5 oz. can of Diced Tomatoes. ( you can break up the chunks a bit with an Immersion Blender) if you prefer it to be less chunky, or you can use a can of Crushed Tomatoes. It's for a small crowd, make the day of a party and refrigerate it for a few hours.

I consider this mix to be Medium Heat but you have to consider that I live in Texas and we love Spicy foods. If you're not used to the heat I would start with 1/4 C of Red Chile flakes instead of
1/2 C.

If you prefer a less Chunky Salsa, use Crushed Tomatoes.

Terry's Original Instant Salsa Mix

Here's what you'll need for 1 recipe of Salsa:
1- 14.5 oz. can of Diced Tomatoes
1 or 2 TBS of the Mix.
I pour the Tomatoes in a Canning Jar add the Mix and Shake well.
Refrigerate it for at least an hour.
Stir well prior to Serving.

Mix the following ingredients in a Jar and store at room temperature.

Instant Salsa Mix:
3 TBS Dried Cilantro Flakes
2 TBS Dried Minced Garlic  (not powder)
1 TBS Dried Minced Onion (not powder)
1 TBS Dried Parsley (not powder)
1/2 C Red Chile Pepper Flakes
2 TBS Canning Salt (no other substitute, it has to be Canning Salt)
1 TBS Adobo Seasoning




NOTE:
We're in France for the summer and we just had Pizza at the house in Provence.
I brought some of this Salsa Mix and one of the family members sprinkled it on the
Pizza and it's really good. We all ended up doing that.
Just another way to enjoy it.
You can also mix some in a jar of Peach or Strawberry Preserves and serve over a
block of Cream Cheese or Warm Brie with crackers.

I increased the recipe to make a larger amount to share with friends.
This is the amount that I always have available.

3/4 C Dried Cilantro Flakes
1/2 C Dried Minced Garlic, not powder.
1/4 C Dried Minced Onions, not powder.
3 TBS Dried Parsley
2 C Red Chile Pepper Flakes
1/2 C Canning Salt, no other substitute can be used.
1/4 C Adobo Seasoning.

Mix well and store at room temperature in an airtight jar. Prepare the Salsa according to the recipe above.

Here are some examples of other ways you can use the Mix:

I reccomend  1 TBS for the following recipes, but if you like Hot, you can always add additional.

1. Add 1 TBS to 2 C of Sour Cream for a Dip.
2. Add 1 TBS to a Jar of Peach Preserves or Strawberry Preserves.
3. Add 1 TBS to prepared Guacamole.
4. Add 1 TBS to a Can of Whole Cranberries.
5. Add 1 TBS to a Can of Beans.
6. Add 1 TBS to a Box of Jiffy Mix Cornbread.
7. Add 1 TBS to Scrambled Eggs. (Add it to 2 TBS of Milk and allow it to Hydrate the Mix and then add it to the Eggs.)

8. Sprinkle it on your favorite Pasta Dish. 


Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Toll House Peanut Butter & Jelly Bars

Just another great Bar Cookie.

Toll House Peanut Butter & Jelly Bars

These come in a variety of flavors so you can
be creative with the recipe.
Change the flavor of the Morsels and the flavor of Jam.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
1 - 8" X 8" Baking Pan lined with foil. (I cut two pieces overlapping and
extending 2" over all four sides.

1 - 16.5 oz. package of Nestle Toll House
Refrigerated Chocolate Chip Cookie Bar Dough, divided.

3/4 C Nestle Toll House DelightFulls Peanut Butter
Filled Morsels.
1/4 C Raspberry Jam (I use Bonne Maman)
1 TBS Flour

Press 20 squares of dough into the pan.
(Refrigerate the remaining 4 squares.)

Bake for 15 minutes.
Transfer the pan to a rack to cool for 15 minutes.

Spread Jam over the baked cookie crust.
Sprinkle the DelightFulls Morsels evenly over the Jam.

Place the remaining 4 squares of Cookie Dough in a small bowl with Flour and
mix with your hands until crumbly.
Sprinkle evenly over the Morsels.

Bake an additional 20 minutes. The top should be golden brown.
Transfer the pan to a rack to cool completely.
Lift it out of the pan using the foil, onto a cutting board or flat surface.

Cut into Squares to serve.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Fruit Loops Cookies

I happen to like cookies made with Cereal.

Froot Loop Cookies

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

2 C Flour
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/4 tsp Salt
1/2 C Shortening
1/2 C Butter, room temperature
1/2 C Granulated Sugar
2 Eggs
1/2 C Fresh Orange Juice
2 C roughly crushed Froot Loop Cereal

In a bowl:
Flour
Baking Powder
Salt
Whisk well.
Set aside.

In a Stand Mixer with a paddle attachment:
Shortening
Butter
Sugar
Beat 3 - 5 minutes.

Add:
Eggs
Orange Juice
Beat well

Add:
Flour Mixture
Mix just until combined.
Fold in Cereal by hand.

Use a 1 1/2" Cookie Scoop.
Place the cookies 2" apart on a parchment paper lined Sheet Pan.
Bake 12 minutes.

Remove the pan to a rack to cool for 5 minutes.
Transfer the cookies to a rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

German Christmas Cookies

Recently discovered Christmas cookie recipe.

German Christmas Cookies

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

1/2 C Butter, room temperature
1/2 C Shortening
2 C Granulated Sugar
1 Egg
2 C Sifted Flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Cardamom

In a Stand Mixer with a paddle attachment:
Butter
Shortening
Sugar
Beat 3 - 5 minutes.

Add:
Egg and mix just to combine.

Sift together in a small bowl:
Flour
Baking Soda
Cardamom
Add this to the wet ingredients .
Mix just to combine and create a dough.
Put the dough on a piece of plastic wrap.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Use a 1 1/2" Cookie Scoop and place the dough 2" apart on a Parchment Paper lined Sheet Pan.
Bake 10 minutes.
Remove Pan to a rack to cool for 5 minutes.
Transfer the cookies to a rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Tex - Mex Bundt Pan Bread

This is a great recipe to serve as an appetizer. I serve it with a side of homemade Salsa or Picante Sauce for dipping.

Tex - Mex Bundt Pan Bread

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
1 - 10 " Kugelhopf Bundt Pan. You need a pan with a simple design.

1/2 C Butter, melted
1 1/2 C Shredded Mexican Blend Cheese
1/4 C Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1 - 10 oz. Jar of Sliced Jalapeño Peppers, drained
1 tsp Dried Parsley
2 - 12 oz. Tubes of Refrigerated Biscuits. Cut each biscuit into quarters.

In a large bowl:
Butter
Mexican Cheese
Mozzarella Cheese
Jalapeños
Parsley
Mix well by hand.
Add the biscuit pieces to the mixture and toss to coat well.

Transfer to the Pan.
Bake 30 minutes, until golden brown.

Invert onto a Serving Platter and serve warm.
Serve with a side of Homemade Salsa or Picante Sauce for dipping.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Anne's Snickerdoodle Cookies

This is our family Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe.

I got permission from a friend of ours in New Zealand to post this picture of her cookies.
They turned out really well. She asked for a Snickerdoodle Cookie recipe and I forwarded this one to her.
Congratulations Mary Ann P. 

Anne's Snickerdoodle Cookies

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

NOTE: Our friend in New Zealand did not have access to Crisco. If you don't have it you can substitute all Butter but you have to add an additional 2 TBS, to the Cup required in the recipe.


In a large mixing bowl:

1 C Shortening (part Butter)
1 1/2 C Granulated Sugar
2 Eggs
Mix well with an electric hand mixer.

Sift in 2 3/4 C Flour
2 tsp Cream of Tartar
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/3 tsp Salt
Continue mixing until well combined.

Use a 1 1/2" Cookie Scoop to form the cookies.

Roll each ball in a mixture of 2 TBS Sugar and 2 TBS Cinnamon, whisked together in a small bowl.

Place the cookies 2" apart on a Parchment Paper lined Sheet Pan.
Bake for 8 - 12 minutes.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Hawaiian Roll Baked Sliders

This recipe came from a family friend. They can be made with Vegetarian Hickory Smoked Turkey Deli Slices.

1 1/2 pounds of shaved Ham or Vegetarian Deli slices.
1 pound of sliced Swiss Cheese
Cream Cheese , room temperature and spreadable.
2 packages of Hawaiian Rolls, no other roll can be substituted.

Make the sandwiches on a heavy duty foil lines sheet pan.

Begin by assembling the sandwiches:
Separate the rolls and spread a good amount of Cream Cheese on both halves.
Place the bottom half of the rolls on the sheet pan. Make sure they fit tightly in the pan.
Top each half with some ham, then cheese and put the top on to create a sandwich.

In a saucepan on medium heat:
1 1/2 sticks of Butter
1 1/2 TBS Dijon Mustard
1 1/2 TBS Worcestershire Sauce. (I use a vegetarian Worcestershire Sauce)
1 1/2 TBS Minced Onion
Mix well and heat.
Pour the mixture evenly over the tops of all of the sandwiches.
Cover the pan with foil and refrigerate overnight.
Just before serving, bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 15 - 20 minutes.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Christmas Candy?

I'm not sure this should be the correct name for this recipe but it was given to me by the mother of our best friend. It's their family recipe. We've known the family since the birth of their first child, who happens to be the one in this story that got married. You know, the kind of recipe that Grandma always made at Christmas time, the recipe that the kids identified with Christmas and Grandma? The kids all called it Christmas Candy.
We recently attended the wedding of our best friend's daughter. We all got together a week before the wedding and had a great time reminiscing about our family friendship. We all helped cook for all of the guests coming to the house the days preceding the wedding. The wedding was out of town, in another State than the one we all live in.
My wife made her famous Cinnamon Rolls that the kids remembered eating when they were little. We made Chocolate Chip Cookies, because everyone loves them and you can never have enough cookies when there's a crowd. Grandma also made sandwiches that the kids love. They're sliders made with Ham and Cheese on Hawaiian Rolls that are slathered with Cream Cheese, topped with a sauce and baked in a Jelly Roll Pan lined with foil. I have that recipe too and I may post it at a later date. They were also amazing.
And........ Grandma made her famous Christmas Candy even though the wedding was in May.
The kids requested this recipe. As I watched her make them, I was told the history of the recipe and that every Christmas she made them. This is the kind of recipe that I love to hear about, make and blog about.
After all of this, realize that I've written the recipe exactly as I was given it as she was making them.
It's one of those recipes that only a Grandmother can explain, after making them for over 30 years.

Christmas Candy

In a glass bowl that's safe in a microwave:

1 C of Sugar and 1 C of Karo Syrup. It doesn't matter if it's light or dark. She used light.
Mix this well and stir in 1 C of Creamy Peanut Butter. It could be chunky if you prefer.
Heat this mixture in the microwave.
Pour it over 6 C of Special K Cereal. No other cereal can be substituted.
Mix this well by hand. I use a Silicone Spatula.

Press it into a 1/4 Sheet Pan that's been lined with Foil.

Melt 1 package of Chocolate Chips along with 1 package of Butterscotch Chips.
Pour this over the top.
Smooth it with an offset spatula.

Allow it to cool completely.
Cut into bars to serve.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Pistachio Madeleines

I think I love Madeleines as much as I love Macarons. I also like Pistachios and any recipe with them in it.

Pistachio Madeleines

Here's what you'll need:
You'll Preheat the oven to 400 degrees the day after you prepare the batter.
1 - 12 mold Madeleine Pan brushed with Pan Release Mix.. (equal parts of Crisco, Vegetable Oil and Flour) I start with 1 C of each mixed well and refrigerated in a jar. I always have it available for all of my baking needs.

1 C Flour
3/4 tsp Baking Powder
2 Eggs
1/3 C Granulated Sugar
3 TBS Whole Milk
1 oz. Honey
11 TBS Butter, melted
1/4 C Pistachio Nuts, roasted and chopped.

In a small mixing bowl:
Flour
Baking Powder
Sift together
Set aside.

In a large bowl with an electric hand mixer:
Eggs
Sugar
Beat well for 10 minutes.

In a saucepan on medium heat:
Milk
Honey
Cook just until the melted and well combined.
Stir often.

Fold the Flour into the Eggs by hand.
Stir well until combined.
Pour in the Milk
Add:
Butter
Mix slowly until incorporated.
Fold in Pistachio Nuts by hand.

Spoon Batter into the Pan.
The molds should be 1/2 full.
Cover with Plastic Wrap and refrigerate overnight.

The next morning, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Bake 5 minutes.
Rotate the Pan and continue baking an additional 5 minutes.
A toothpick in the center should come out clean.

Serve with Coffee or Tea.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Potato Chips Dauphinoise ?

Wow, that's a mouthful, isn't it?
I've combined the great taste of a Classic Pommes Dauphinoise and the all American Kettle Potato Chips in a ........ Pie?
It could be referred to as a Casserole, but surprisingly, it's amazing.

Potato Chips Dauphinoise

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Heavily butter a 9" Deep Dish Pie Pan

I recommend Kettle Brand Krinkle Cut, Sea Salt Potato Chips.


4 C Potato Chips
1 C Shredded Swiss Cheese
1 C Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 C Half and Half
1 C Sour Cream
2 Eggs
4 TBS Butter, melted
2 Cloves of Garlic, minced
2 tsp Italian Seasoning
1 tsp Herbes de Provence
1/4 C Thinly Sliced Green Onions

In a large mixing bowl:
Half and Half
Sour Cream
Eggs
Butter
Garlic
Italian Seasoning
Herbes de Provence
Whisk well.

Fold 2 C of the Potato Chips into the mixture until well coated.
Use a large slotted spoon and transfer the Chips to the Pie Pan.
Sprinkle evenly with the Swiss Cheese.

Fold the remaining Chips in the mixture and coat well.
Spoon the remaining Chips and filling into the Pie Pan.
Press lightly with the back of the spoon.
Sprinkle evenly with the Cheddar Cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes.

Remove the pan to a rack and immediately sprinkle the top with Green Onions.
Serve Hot.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!