Jambalaya

 Ingredients

1 large onion chopped

1 clove garlic minced

1 large green pepper chopped

1 stalk celery diced

2 T. oil or bacon grease

2 teaspoons minced parsley

½ lb. ham cubed small

½ t. thyme 

2 large bay leaves

2 t. salt

1 t. Tabasco

1 15oz. can diced tomatoes

1 8 oz. can tomato sauce

2 cups water

2 c. uncooked rice

½ - 1lb. smoked sausage (like hillshire farm) cubed

1 lb. cooked chicken breast cubed (or shrimp)

 

Instructions

Cook onion, garlic, bell pepper, and celery in oil for 2 minutes.  Add parsley, ham, thyme, and bay leaves.  Cook 2 more minutes.  Add salt, Tabasco, tomatoes w/juice, tomato sauce, and water.  Simmer 2 minutes.  Add rice.  Reduce heat and simmer, covered for 30 minutes.  Add chicken and smoked sausage.  Cover and simmer 10-15 minutes longer-until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.  6-8 servings

Tortellini and Sausage Soup

 Ingredients

1 lb. Ground Italian Sausage

Olive oil

4 cloves garlic minced

1 medium onion minced

½ cup apple juice

½ cup water

32 oz. chicken stock

1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes

1 15 oz. can crushed tomatoes

4 medium carrots diced

2 T. fresh basil chopped

1 ½ t. Dried oregano

2 medium zucchini grated

1.5 lbs. Fresh five cheese tortellini

4 T. fresh parsley chopped

1-2 t. Salt

⅛ t. Pepper

Instructions

In a large soup pan brown the sausage with a little olive oil over medium heat.  Once sausage is mostly cooked add the onions and garlic and continue cooking until the onions are soft and translucent.

Next add the cans of tomatoes, apple cider, water, chicken stock, diced carrots, dried oregano, and fresh basil.  Let that simmer for about 10 minutes while you shred the zucchini and chop up the parsley. Add zucchini and parsley and simmer for 5 minutes.

Finally add the tortellini and cook until tender, season the soup with salt and pepper to taste and cook for another 5 minutes.

Homemade Enchilada Sauce

 

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 3 tablespoons flour (whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour and gluten-free flour blends all work!)

• 2 tablespoon ground chili powder (scale back if you’re sensitive to spice or using particularly spicy chili powder)

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano

• ¼ teaspoon salt, to taste

• Pinch of cinnamon (optional but recommended)

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 2 cups broth (vegetable or beef)

• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar

• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. This sauce comes together quickly once you get started, so measure the dry ingredients (the flour, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, salt and optional cinnamon) into a small bowl and place it near the stove. Place the tomato paste and broth near the stove as well.

2. In a medium-sized pot over medium heat, warm the oil until it’s hot enough that a light sprinkle of the flour/spice mixture sizzles on contact. This might take a couple of minutes, so be patient and don’t step away from the stove!

3. Once it’s ready, pour in the flour and spice mixture. While whisking constantly, cook until fragrant and slightly deepened in color, about 1 minute. Whisk the tomato paste into the mixture, then slowly pour in the broth while whisking constantly to remove any lumps.

4. Raise heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook, whisking often, for about 5 to 7 minutes, until the sauce has thickened a bit and a spoon encounters some resistance as you stir it. (The sauce will thicken some more as it cools.)

5. Remove from heat, then whisk in the vinegar and season to taste with a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. Add more salt, if necessary (I usually add another pinch or two). Go forth and make enchiladas! Makes enough sauce for a 9x13 pan of enchiladas

Reunion Spaghetti

• 1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes or tomato puree
• 1 14.5 oz. can of crushed tomatoes or tomato puree
• 10 oz. hot Italian sausage crumbled (approximately)
• 1 t. Oregano
• 1 t. Basil
• 1 t. Dried garlic
• 2 T. minced onion flakes
• 2 T. parsley flakes
• 1 t. Salt
• ½ t. Sugar 
• 1 16 oz package spaghetti noodles

In a large saucepan brown the Italian sausage (you can use link sausage, just peel off the skin and break apart in the pan as you brown it).  If there is a lot of grease after it is browned, drain it off or use a ball of wadded up paper towel to soak it up.

Add the canned tomatoes and spices and bring to a simmer.  Turn down low and simmer for at least a half hour or up to an hour.

While the sauce simmers, bring a pot of water to boil, add a teaspoon or two of salt to the water.  When it reaches a boil, turn down to medium heat and add the noodles and cook according to the package directions, usually about 9 minutes.

Serves 8

Notes:  I did this recipe (times 4) for the 2026 reunion so it was 6 28oz. cans total of tomatoes, half tomato puree, half crushed tomatoes. When you make it, any combo should do and you can substitute tomato sauce or petite diced tomatoes, the substitutions will affect the texture (be more watery) and taste a little different but should still be good. You could do two 28 oz. cans and add just a bit more of the spices and feed 10.

I usually use ground beef but the Italian sausage was on sale so a good bit cheaper and hey, added flavor.  For the reunion, it wasn’t too greasy so I didn’t drain any of the grease after browning it.

Light and Fluffy Overnight Waffles

•  1 T dry yeast
•   ½ c. warm water
•   2 c. warm milk
•   2 c. flour
•   1 t. salt
•   ½ c. margarine/butter melted or vegetable oil
•   ¼ t. baking soda
•   2 eggs

1. Sprinkle yeast on the warm water in a large mixing bowl and let stand for 5 minutes
2. Add the milk, sugar, and flour and beat until smooth
3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the mixture stand overnight
4. The next morning, or whenever you want to cook the waffles, add the beaten eggs, the margarine/oil, the salt, and the baking soda (it helps to put the baking soda in warm water before adding it)

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Ingredients

•   4 eggs
•   ½ c. oil (or substitute applesauce for this too)
•   1 c. unsweetened applesauce
•   1 (16 ounce) can pumpkin (2 cups of pureed pumpkin)
•   1 c. sugar
•   3 c. flour
•   2 tsp. baking soda
•   2 tsp. baking powder
•   2 tsp. cinnamon
•   1 tsp. salt
•   1 c. chocolate chips

Directions

1.  Mix dry ingredients together; separately, mix wet ingredients
2.  Blend the two mixtures together, fold in chips
3.  Generously fill a 2 greased muffin pans
4.  Bake at 400 degrees F for 16-20 minutes

Double Chocolate Banana Bread

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/4 cups mashed bananas (about 3)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1. Heat oven to 350. Spray bottom of 8×4 inch loaf pan  or muffin tins with cooking spray. 

2. Beat sugar, eggs, and oil in large bowl at medium speed until combined. Beat in banana and vanilla at low speed. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl; beat into banana mixture at low speed just until combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

 3. Spoon batter into pan. Bake 60-70 minutes for loaf or 20 minutes for muffins until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely on wire rack.

Reunion Recipes

Cinnamon Roasted Almonds

By Georgia

• 1 egg white
• 1 t. vanilla
• 1/2 c. white sugar
• 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 1/4 t. salt
• 1 t. ground cinnamon
• 4 c. whole almonds

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees.  
2. Lightly grease a cookie sheet. 
3. Beat egg white till foamy, add vanilla.  Add the nuts and stir till well coated.
4. Mix the sugars, salt, and cinnamon and sprinkle over the nuts.
5. Toss to coat and spread evenly on the prepared pan.
6. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes until golden.
7. Allow to cool, then store in an airtight container.

 The Best No-Bake Bars You'll Ever Eat

By Esther

• 1 c. peanut butter
• 1/2 c. honey
• 1/2 cup unrefined coconut oil (be sure to use unrefined for the coconut flavor)
• 2 c. dry oats (not instant)
• 1 c. shredded coconut                   
• 1/2 c. chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
• 1 1/4 c. dark chocolate chips
• 1 t. vanilla

1. Melt peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil over medium-low heat.
2. Once melted, remove from heat and add oats, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, and vanilla.Stir until chocolate is entirely melted.
3. Pour into a 9 x 13 foil lined pan and cool in the fridge.
4. When it's set, cut into bars and enjoy. Store in the fridge...if they last that long!

Buffalo Chicken

Ingredients

• 20 chicken wings (or 1 dozen drumsticks)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon hot sauce, divided
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) melted butter 

Directions

1. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Set a wire rack on the baking sheet and coat it with cooking spray.
2. Place the salt, pepper, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, and vegetable oil in a resealable plastic bag, and shake to mix. Add the chicken wings, seal, and toss until well coated.
3. Place the flour, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder in another resealable plastic bag, and shake to mix. Pour the chicken wings from the first bag into the flour bag, seal, and toss until well coated with the flour mixture. Place the wings onto the prepared baking sheet rack, and place into the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
4. Preheat oven to 400°F.
5. Melt the butter in a medium microwave safe bowl. Whisk in the hot sauce. Dip the wings into the butter mixture one at a time, and place back on the baking sheet rack. Bake in the preheated oven until the chicken is no longer pink in the center, and crispy on the outside, about 1 hour.

Chicken Tikka Masala

 Ingredients:

1 1/2 Lbs chicken breast, chopped into bite size pieces

(Marinade)

• 1 cup plain yoghurt
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1/4 t. red pepper
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground ginger

(Sauce)

• 1/4 cup cilantro
• 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 jalapeño, minced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, cubed (optional)
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce
• 1c. heavy whipping cream

Put the chicken in a dish or large ziploc bag, and add all of the marinade ingredients: yoghurt, lemon juice, cumin, red pepper, black pepper, cinnamon, salt, & ground ginger.

 Put in the fridge for 1-2 hours then discard the marinade. Grill or cook the chicken in a high sided skillet about 5 minutes per side, or until no longer pink inside. For the sauce, melt the butter over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper,and jalapeño and cook till tender.  Add coriander, cumin, paprika, garam masala, garlic, and salt. Stir to combine. Stir in tomato sauce and simmer for a few minutes until thickened.  Add the cooked chicken to the sauce and stir in the cream . Serve with white rice and garnish with fresh cilantro.

Montana Moose Poop (or elk poop)

Montana Moose Poop 

Liv

I got this recipe from my piano teacher and the first time we made was at my 8 year old birthday party.

photo courtesy of the internet-- north dakota kitchen

Ingredients:

10 cups of cocoa puffs

2 cups of corn syrup

1 1/2 cups of sugar

1 1/2 cups of peanut butter

2 cups of dry roasted peanuts

Line jelly roll pan with parchment paper. (Don't use waxed paper as a substitute. It won't work!)
In a really large bowl, pour 10 cups of cocoa puffs.

Combine corn syrup and sugar in a pan on the stove top. Stir and bring to a boil. Add peanut butter, stir 'til melted. Add peanuts, stir to combine.

Pour over cocoa puffs. Stir to coat. Pour into prepared pan (you may have to press it down.) Let cool. Cut into bars and enjoy!

LKP

  

Eclair Sheet Cake

Eclair Sheet Cake
Noah

Noah's new favorite dessert that a lady in our ward makes- I haven't actually made it but he's eaten it and gone on and on about it a couple of times so I asked her for the recipe....

photo courtesy of the internet 

Cake Ingredients: 

1 cup of water

1 stick of margarine

4 eggs 

1cup of flour 

Cake Prep: 

Bring water and margarine to boil add flour and mix into a ball. Cool slightly.  Add eggs 1 at a time and mix with fork

Spread into lightly greased 11 x 11x 1inch cookie sheet. (I think a large cookie sheet aka jelly roll pan works fine!)  Bake 400° fahrenheit for 15 - 20 minutes. Press down bumps with a spoon and cool.

Filling Ingredients:

1 (8oz) package of cream cheese (softened)

3 cups of milk

2 small packages of Instant French Vanilla pudding

Filling Prep:
Mix filling with electric mixer at medium.
Spread on cooled crust.

Top with 8oz container whipped topping and at serving time drizzle hershey's chocolate syrup over top then run knife through to create design.

This was (almost totally) entered by Liv.
   

Chocolate Caramel Cake

CHOCOLATE CARAMEL CAKE

Esther

1 chocolate cake mix (German chocolate, Devil’s Food, etc.)

1 tub cool whip (8-12 oz)
1 jar caramel ice cream topping
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1-2 Score or Heath candy bars (or a package of chocolate covered toffee bits)

Cook cake mix as directed. Cool. Poke several holes in cake with a fork. Then pour sweetened condensed milk all over cake, evenly spreading (you do not need to use whole can if you don’t want to). Pour caramel over cake, spreading evenly (do not need to use entire bottle). Let sit for about 5 minutes and the spread cool whip over entire cake, spreading evenly. Break up candy bar(s) into small pieces and sprinkle randomly over cool whip. Refrigerate when not serving. Cover. DELICIOUS!

***Georgia’s Note: Or more properly known as Better Than Sex Cake or BTS

Bacon and Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

BACON AND CREAM CHEESE STUFFED MUSHROOMS

Georgia

 

 

Ingredients

• 8 oz bacon
• 1/2 cup finely minced sweet onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 16 oz white button mushrooms
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Using scissors or a sharp knife, cut raw bacon into small pieces. In a large saute pan, over medium heat, cook bacon until nice and crispy. While bacon is cooking, remove mushroom stems from caps and chop stems into small pieces. When bacon is done, remove from pan and set aside; reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon grease and pour the rest from pan. Saute onion until soft about 5 minutes, scraping up any brown bits on bottom of pan. Add chopped mushrooms stems and garlic and cook a few minutes longer. Reduce heat to low. Add cream cheese and parmesan cheese and stir until cheeses are melted. Add reserved chopped bacon and season to taste with salt and pepper. (Mixture can be made, cooled, and stored, covered, in the fridge for up to two days.) Remove mixture from heat and stuff each mushroom cap generously with mixture. Bake at 350F for about 20 minutes or until mushrooms are soft and filling is nice and hot.

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Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

CHEESECAKE STUFFED STRAWBERRIES

Georgia

 

http://www.thesweetslife.com/2011/08/cheesecake-stuffed-strawberries.html

Ingredients:
-1 lb large strawberries
-8 oz. cream cheese, softened (can use 1/3 less fat)
-3-4 tbsp powdered sugar (4 tbsp for a sweeter filling)
-1 tsp vanilla extract
-graham cracker crumbs

Directions:
1. Rinse strawberries and cut around the top of the strawberry. Remove the top and clean out with a paring knife, if necessary (some may already be hollow inside). Prep all strawberries and set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Add cream cheese mix to a piping bag or ziploc with the corner snipped off. Fill strawberries with cheesecake mixture. Once strawberries are filled, dip the top in graham cracker crumbs. If not serving immediately, refrigerate until serving.