Cowboy Squash Casserole

I live in Texas and we have many recipes that include Squash and Corn.

This one has Jalapenos, Mexican  Cheese, Yellow Squash and White Corn plus other good stuff!

It's baked in a 3 quart casserole dish in a pre heated 350 degree oven

I ended up making it in my very large Cast Iron Chicken Fryer. I did all of the preparation in the pan and baked it in the pan. At the end, I broiled the top to give it color. I also have a great Terra Cotta Bram that I make it in.

Cowboy Squash Casserole:

3 pounds of Yellow Squash (sliced thin)

2 large Vidalia Onions, diced

1/2 C Water

1 - 15.25 ounce can of White Corn, drained

3 Jalapenos, seeded and diced

1.4 tsp Cayenne Pepper

2 Eggs, beaten

2 C Shredded 4Cheese Mexican Cheese

1- 8oz. package of Cream Cheese, cut into small cubes

In a saute pan, combine:

Squash

Onion

Water

Cook uncovered just until tender

Remove from heat

Fold in:

Corn

Jalapenos

Cream Cheese

Shredded Cheese

Egg

Cayenne Pepper

Mix well

Pour mixture into a buttered 3 quart Cast Iron casserole dish

Bake  uncovered for 45 minutes

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

In this picture , the original recipe, the onions were sliced. I

did not like the texture with the squash so I re- wrote the recipe

to Dice the Onions. I also recommend the addition of Cayenne

Pepper. I did not think there was enough spice in the original recipe.

Baked Pumpkin Spice Doughnuts with a Pumpkin Spice Glaze

Fall is in the air and I made these delicious Baked Doughnuts.

Baked Pumpkin Spice Doughnuts with a Pumpkin Spice Glaze:

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the Oven to 325 degrees.
A Doughnut Pan for Baking Doughnuts, sprayed with a Vegetable Cooking Spray. (Yields about 22 Doughnuts)
A Pastry Piping Bag
A Baking Rack and a Sheet Pan lined with Parchment Paper. This is for Glazing the Doughnuts.

1 C of Canned Pumpkin Pie Pumpkin.
1 Box of Duncan Hines Spice Cake Mix (1 package if there are 2 in the Box)
2 Large Eggs
1 C Cold Water

1 Recipe of Pumpkin Spice Glaze:

1 C Confectioner's Sugar + additional for Dusting.
2 TBS Hazelnut Coffee Creamer
1 TBS Pumpkin Pie Pumpkin
1/2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
1/4 tsp Vanilla

Add all ingredients to a Mixing Bowl.
Whisk until Creamy Smooth.


Doughnuts

In a Mixing Bowl:
Pumpkin
Cake Mix
Eggs
Water
Whisk until Well Combined.

Fill the Pastry Bag with the Batter.
Pipe evenly into the Wells of the Pan.

Bake 16 minutes.

Remove Pan to a Rack.
Cool 5  Minutes.

Transfer Doughnuts to a Rack over the Sheet Pan.
Drizzle with Glaze.
Dust with Confectioner's Sugar.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Vegetarian Creamed Sausage Gravy

Here's my version of Creamed Sausage Gravy for Vegetarians.

1 pound of Breakfast Sausage, Hot or Mild ( I use Gimme Lean Vegetarian Fresh Ground Sausage and add some Cayenne Pepper or Adobo Seasoning to taste, to kick up the flavor).

Add it in when you brown the Sausage.

Brown it in 2 TBS of vegetable oil when using Vegetarian Sausage. Otherwise omit Oil with Meat Sausage.

1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 to 4 cups whole milk, more to taste
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, more to taste

Directions:

With your finger, tear small pieces of Sausage and add them in a single layer to a Large, Heavy Cast iron Skillet. 

Brown the Sausage over Medium-High heat until no longer pink.

Reduce the heat to medium-low. 

Sprinkle on half of the Flour and stir so that the Sausage soaks it all up, then add more, little by little.

Stir to combine well and cook it for another minute or so, then pour in the Milk, stirring constantly.

Cook the Gravy, stirring frequently, until it thickens. (This may take 10 to 12 minutes.)

Sprinkle in the Seasoned Salt and Pepper and continue cooking until very thick and creamy.

If it gets too thick too soon, just add another 1/2 cup of Milk or more if needed. Taste and adjust the Seasoning.

Spoon the Sausage Gravy over Warm Biscuits and serve immediately!

This recipe can be easily doubled to serve 24.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Tex - Mex Chili in a Crock Pot served with Queso, Cornbread Croutons and Garnishes

I love Tex - Mex recipes and this version of a spicy Chili is delicious.

Here's what you need:
A Large Crock Pot
An 8" X 8" Baking Pan, Sprayed with a Vegetable Cooking Spray.
A Sheet Pan lined with Parchment Paper. (for the Croutons)
Preheat the Oven to 400 degrees for the Croutons.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees for the Croutons.
These can be made a day ahead and stored at room temperature in a covered container.

Chili Ingredients:

1 TBS Olive Oil
2 Cloves of Garlic, minced.
1 Large Yellow Onion, diced.
2 lbs of Gimme Lean  Ground Beef and Ground Sausage. ( 1 pound of each)
2 TBS Chili Powder
1 TBS Cumin
1 TBS Coriander
1 TBS Garlic
1 TBS Smoked Paprika
1 - 15 oz. Can of Black Beans, drained.
1 - 15 oz. Can of Kidney Beans, drained.
2 - 15 oz. Cans of Fire Roasted Tomatoes, undrained.
1 - Green Bell Pepper, diced.
1 - Red Bell Pepper, diced.
2 - Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce
3 C  Vegetarian Better Than Bouillon No Beef Base

Queso Ingredients:

3 TBS Butter
3 TBS Flour
1 C Whole Milk
3/4 C Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Crouton Ingredients:

1 C Yellow Cornmeal
1 C Flour
1/3 C Granular Sugar
2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1 Large Egg
1/4 C Vegetable Oil
1 Fresh Jalapeño, seeded and diced.
1 C Whole Milk

Garnishes:
Cornbread Croutons
Sour Cream
Broken Tortilla Chips
A Can of Pickled Jalapeño Nacho Slices
Salsa

Chili:

In a Skillet in Medium High Heat:

Oil, until hot.
Add:
Onion
Garlic
Beef and Sausage
Salt and Pepper to taste.
Stir to Combine Well.
Cook until well done.

In the Crock Pot:
Beef and Onion Mixture

Add:
Chile Powder
Cumin
Coriander
Garlic
Paprika
Black Beans
Kidney Beans
Tomatoes
Green Pepper
Red Pepper
Chipotle Peppers
Broth
Stir to Combine Well.

Cover and Cook on Low for 6 - 8 hours or on High for 3 - 4 hours.


Make the Queso:

In a Saucepan on Medium Heat:
Butter, until melted.

Add:
Flour
Whisk well to create a Roux.

Add:
Milk
Whisk Well.

As it Thickens, continue Cooking for 3 minutes.
Whisk often.

Add:
Cheese
Continue Whisking until it's Creamy Smooth.
Remove from Heat and Set Aside.
When it Cools, transfer to a Serving Bowl.


Croutons:

In a Large Mixing Bowl:
Cornmeal
Flour
Sugar
Baking Powder
Salt
Egg
Oil
Jalapeno
Milk
Stir by Hand until Well Combined.

Spoon into the Baking Dish.
Bake 15 - 20 minutes, until Golden Brown.
Remove Pan to a Rack to Cool Completely.
Invert onto a Flat Surface and Cut into Crouton Sized Cubes.

If you want the Croutons Toasted, Scatter them on the Sheet Pan, return to the
400 Degree Oven for 10 - 15 minutes.
Toss once, half way through.
Store them in a covered container at room temperature until ready to serve.

Ladle the Chili into Individual Bowls and Top with your favorite Garnishes.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Christmas Date Bars

Just another favorite Holiday Bar.
My Aunt Faye made these during the Holidays.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
1 - Rimmed - 15 1/2 X 10 1/2" Jelly Roll Pan.
Brushed well with Pan Release Mix:

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.
I use this for all of my baking recipes.

1 8 oz. Package of Pitted Dates, Chopped.
2 TBS Granulates Sugar
3/4 C Water
1/4 C Chopped Pecans
8 TBS Butter, room temperature.
1 Box of Duncan Hines Devil's Food Cake.
1 Container of Vanilla Frosting.

In a Saucepan on Low Heat:
Water
Dates
Sugar
Stir constantly for 7 minutes, until thick.

Add:
Pecans
Mix well.
Set aside to Cool.

In a Mixing Bowl:
Cake Mix
Cut in Butter with a Pastry Blender until it forms a Crumble.
Reserve 1/3 C.
Pat the remaining mix into the Pan.
Bake 10 - 12 minutes until Golden Brown.
Remove Pan to a Rack.

Spread the Date Mix evenly over the Baked Layer.
Spread the Frosting evenly over the Dates.
Sprinkle evenly with remaining Cake Mix Crumbles.

Return to Bake for an additional 25 minutes.

Remove Pan to a Rack to Cool Completely.
Cut into Squares to serve.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Slow Cooker Tex - Mex Casserole

Slow Cooker Mexican Casserole:

1 - 28 oz. Crushed Tomatoes , with juice

14 1/2 oz. of your favorite Salsa ( we all have our favorites in Texas)

1 - 6 oz. can of Tomato Paste

2 - 15 oz. cans of Black Beans, rinsed and drained

1 - 15 1/4 oz. can of Corn, drained

2 - 4 oz. cans of Green Chiles, drained

1 tsp Cumin

1 tsp Adobo or Garlic Powder ( I use Adobo)

10"  Flour Tortillas to layer in the slow cooker

Shredded Cheddar Cheese for Garnish.

Combine Tomatoes, Salsa, Tomato Paste, Beans, Corn, Green Chiles, Cumin and Adobo Powder in a large bowl.

Mix well

Place 1 C of the mixture in the bottom of the Slow Cooker

Top with a Tortilla

Spread with 1/3  of the remaining mixture

Repeat until all of the mixture is used.

Cook on Low - 5 Hours.

Serve topped with Shredded Cheddar Cheese.

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

French Apple Cake

This is something we would eat in France in the afternoon with a cup of coffee.
It would be a great dessert too.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
1 - 9" Springform Pan brushed well with Pan Release.

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.

Brush the Pan generously with the Mix.

1 C Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/4 tsp Salt
8 TBS Butter, softened.
2/3 C Granulated Sugar +  1 TBS additional for Sprinkling on the Cake.
2 Large Eggs
1 tsp Vanilla
3 TBS Dark Rum
2 Apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2" Cubes. (Jonagold, Fuji or Braeburn)
Confectioner's Sugar for Garnish.

In a Small Mixing Bowl:
Flour
Baking Powder
Salt
Whisk Well.

In a Stand Mixer with a Paddle Attachment:
Butter
2/3 C Sugar
Beat until Creamy for 3 minutes.

Add:
Eggs
Beat just until incorporated.
Vanilla
Rum
Beat until incorporated.

Add:
Flour Mixture, on Low Speed.
Mix just until incorporated.

Fold in Apples by Hand with a Silicone Spatula until incorporated.

Spoon the Batter into the Pan.
Sprinkle the top with remaining Sugar.

Bake 40 minutes, until Golden Brown and a Toothpick in the Center comes out Clean.
Remove Pan to a Rack to Cool 10 minutes.
Release the Cake  and transfer it to a Serving Platter.

Dust the Top of the Cake with Confectioner's Sugar just prior to serving.

Serve individual servings garnished with Homemade Whipped Cream:

This is my favorite recipe for homemade Whipped Cream.

Homemade Whipped Cream:

1 C Heavy Cream
1 tsp Vanilla
1 TBS Confectioner's Sugar.
Whip the Cream in a Stand Mixer with a Whisk Attachment.
Beat to Soft Peak.
Add:
Vanilla
Confectioner's Sugar
Beat to Stiff Peak.
Transfer to a Serving Bowl to serve.


Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

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