Thiessen Family Dip

My wife is from Kansas and her maiden name was Thiessen. We visit our relatives often and when we do, we gather together and share food and recipes. I had this dip for the first time many, many years ago. Three of our nieces prepared it and when I asked for the name and the recipe, they simply said, "it's the Thiessen family dip."

I thought I had previously posted the recipe on the Blog, apparently I didn't.

Thank you Amy, Heather and Becky for sharing this delicious dip.

Thiessen Family Dip:

2 - 8 oz. packages of Cream Cheese, softened.

1 Red Bell Pepper, diced.

1 Green Bell Pepper, diced.

1 Yellow Bell Pepper, diced

1 Can of Corn, drained.

2 small cans of sliced Black Olives, drained.

1 Envelope of Hidden Valley Ranch Dip or 3 TBS of the Powdered Mix.

In a Medium mixing bowl:

Cream Cheese
Hidden Valley
Mix well.
Add:

Bell Peppers

Corn

Mix well by hand.

Fold in Olives by hand.

Mix well.

Serve with Potato Chips, Pita Chips or Crackers.

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

German Beer Cheese Soup and Hatch Pepper Cheese Soup

German Beer Cheese Soup!

4 C Vegetable Broth. I use a Vegetarian Chicken Broth. You can use Chicken Broth if you're not Vegetarian.
1 - 12 oz. Bottle of Good German Lager Beer.
1 C finely diced Onion
1/2 C finely diced Carrot
1/2 C finely diced Celery
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce. I use a Vegetarian version.
Salt and Pepper to taste.
1/2 C Heavy Cream
3 C Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese + additional for Garnish.
1/4 C Cornstarch
Thinly sliced Chives for Garnish.

In a large Soup Pot on Medium Heat:
Broth
Beer
Onion
Carrot
Celery
Garlic Powder
Worcestershire Sauce
Salt and Pepper to taste.
Mix well and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat.
Add:
Cream
3 C Cheese
Cook for an additional 15 minutes.
Stir often until Cheese is melted.

Add:
Cornstarch
Whisk well.
Continue cooking for 10 minutes.

Remove from heat.
Serve immediately.
Garnish each serving with additional Cheese and Chives.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Hatch Pepper Cheese Soup

This can be made with Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack Cheese if you don't have access to Hatch Pepper Cheese.
As the weather cools down and Fall and Winter approach, I make Soup!
I make it every weekend.  I  create many original soup recipes. and I have hundreds of recipes available to me. When we go to the Mennonite Central Conference Sale in Kansas every year, I immediately go to the booth that sells Mennonite and Amish family recipe books. They have incredible Soup recipes.
Here's one of them. I have adapted it to make it my own. It can certainly be made with Cheddar Cheese. I liked the idea of a "white" creamy soup.

4 TBS Butter
1/2 C finely chopped Onion
1 clove of Garlic, minced
4 TBS Flour
2 C  Whole Milk
1 C Vegetarian Broth
1 C Heavy Cream
1 C of shredded Hatch Pepper Cheese
1/2 C canned diced Green Chiles

Melt Butter in a Soup Pot on medium heat.
Add Onion and Garlic.
Saute until soft.
Add Flour and whisk until smooth.

Combine Milk and Vegetable Broth.
Slowly add it to the Flour mixture, stirring constantly until it begins to thicken.
Reduce Heat to low.
Add Cream.
Gradually add Cheese, stirring constantly.
Do not allow it to boil
Fold in Chiles

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Traditional All American Coffee Cake

I was raised on Traditional Coffee Cake.  We ate it for Breakfast and for an Afternoon Break. I think my Grandmother made it best.

Here's a great Traditional Coffee Cake recipe.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
1 - 9" Square Baking Pan sprayed with a Vegetable Cooking Spray.

8 TBS Butter, room temperature.
1 1/4 C Granulated Sugar, divided.
1 Large Egg
2 C Flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Baking Powder
1 1/2 tsp Nutmeg, divided.
1 C Buttermilk

In a small mixing bowl with a hand mixer:
Butter
1 C Sugar
Beat until creamy smooth for 3 minutes.

Add:
Egg
Mix until well combined.

In a small bowl:
Flour
Baking Soda
Baking Powder
1 tsp Nutmeg
Whisk well.
Add this mixture to the Butter mixture, alternating with Buttermilk.

Spoon into the Pan and smooth evenly with an offset spatula.

In a small bowl:
Remaining Sugar
Remaining Nutmeg
Whisk well.
Sprinkle evenly over the Batter.

Bake for 30 - 35 minutes.
A toothpick in the center should come out clean.

Remove Pan to a Rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

New recipes coming soon!

I've been quite busy this summer. I have a new recipe that I need to make before I post it. I'm also working on some new Holiday recipes. I don't think it's ever too early to start thinking about your Holiday menus. I'm putting together recipes that have not previously been posted on my Blog. There are some new favorites that I will be serving at home for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
I'm also narrowing down my choices to enter in the Dallas Morning News/Central Market Holiday Cookie Baking Contest. I have so many new recipes to choose from. More to come from The Hippy in the Kitchen!

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Vintage German Chocolate Cake in a 9" X 13" Pan.

I've posted many vintage recipes. Here's another very popular cake recipe from the 1950's.
I've adapted the recipe to make it more contemporary without changing the integrity of the original recipe.
I like the concept of making this cake in a 9 X 13 pan. Traditionally it's make in round cake pans, layered, filled and frosted. That can be difficult for a first time baker. I've always loved the flavor combinations in a German Chocolate Cake.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
1 - 9" X 13" Glass Pan 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. It's a foolproof release mix.

2 C sifted Flour.
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 tsp Salt
1/2 C Water
1 - 4 oz. Package of Baker's German Sweet Chocolate
4 Large Eggs, separated.
16 TBS Butter, room temperature.
2 C Granulated Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla
1 C Buttermilk

Frosting:
12 TBS Butter, room temperature.
1 - 12 oz. can of Evaporated Milk
1 1/2 C Granulated Sugar
1 1/2 tsp Vanilla
4 Large Egg Yolks, beaten.
7 oz. Baker's Flaked Coconut
1 1/2 C Chopped Pecans


Cake instructions:
In a Mixing Bowl:
Sifted Flour
Baking Soda
Salt
Whisk well.

In a glass bowl:
Water
Chocolate
Heat in a Microwave for 1 minute. Remove, stir well and set aside.

Separate the Eggs.

In a Glass Bowl:
Egg Whites
Beat until stiff and set aside.

In a Large Mixing Bowl, with a Hand Mixer:
Butter
Sugar
Beat for 3 minutes until well combined.
Add:
Egg Yolks, one at a time, beat until well combined.

Gradually Add:
Melted Chocolate to the Butter mixture.
Beat until well combined.

Add:
Vanilla, Mix by hand until incorporated.

Mix this next step by hand, don't use a mixer.
Fold in:
Flour, alternating with Buttermilk until completely combined.

Fold in, by hand:
Beaten Egg Whites.

Pour Batter into the Pan.
Bake 30 - 40 minutes.
A Toothpick in the center should come out clean.
Remove Pan to a rack to cool for 10 minutes.

Make the Frosting.

In a Saucepan on Medium Heat:
Butter, until melted.
Add:
Milk
Sugar
Vanilla
Egg Yolks
Cook for about 10 - 12 minutes.
Stir constantly until it begins to thicken.
Remove from heat.

Fold in:
Coconut
Pecans
Stir by hand until well combined.
Pour over the Cake and smooth evenly with an Offset Spatula.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Fried Eggs in Bell Pepper Rings

I love Eggs, anyway you cook them. I also like Eggs cooked or baked inside of other food.... Tomatoes, Avocados, Portobello Mushroom Caps and the list goes on and on. Here's another simple way to enjoy a Fried Egg ..........  in Bell Peppers! It's not at all complicated but I thought I'd post it on my Blog. Use a combination of Red and Green Bell Peppers for a Christmas Brunch. See Options below for variations.

Heat  about 2 - 3 TBS of Olive Oil in a Cast Iron Skillet on Medium High Heat.

After it's hot:
Add Bell Pepper Rings. Slice them thin but substantial enough to hold an Egg!
Slice the Peppers and clean the inside to make room for an Egg.

Cook on both sides for about 1 minute, just to soften them.
Add 1 Egg into each Ring.

Lower the Heat to Medium Low.
Fry the Eggs about 5 minutes, depending on how you like your Eggs.
Season with Salt and Pepper to serve.

Options:
Place a slice of tomato in the ring just prior to adding the Egg.
Top the Egg with Parmesan Cheese, or a slice of your favorite Cheese.
Sprinkle with Bacon Bits.
Add a spoonful of Hash Browns before adding the Egg. Brown one side,
flip to brown the other side and then add the Egg.
Serve the finished Egg with a side of your favorite Salsa.
Come up with other options for serving, based on your personal tastes.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Cranachan, a Traditional Scottish Dessert

From the first time I saw the photograph of this Traditional Scottish Dessert, I knew that I would make it.
I decided to simply share the link to the recipe so you could see the photograph too.
Thank you Cristina for sharing this amazing recipe.

http://christinascucina.com/…/cranachan-lovely-scottish-des…

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!