Æbleskiver

My fabulous sister-in-law, Amy Glemser, introduced me to these delightful Danish snacks. She would often make them for breakfast on special occasions. I had to get this recipe from her when we moved away so we could continue to enjoy them. These are particularly yummy with apple butter, raspberry jam, powdered sugar, etc.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup butter, melted
3 cup water
3 Tbsp yeast
6 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 + 1/8 cup milk powder
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp cardamom
3/4 tsp salt
6 cup flour

Directions

1. Melt butter and add half of water and vanilla. Set aside.
2. Use 1/2 of water to dissolve yeast and set aside
3. Combine dry ingredients and mix together.
4. Add butter and yeast mixtures quickly to dry ingredients to prevent lumps.
5. Add eggs one at a time
6. Let rise 1 hour
7. Heat Æbleskiver pan on med-low heat.
8. Server with jam, maple syrup, cinnamon sugar, Nutella, etc.

Note: can substitute 50/50 cinnamon/nutmeg instead of cardamom

Cinnamon Sugar
3 Tbsp sugar
3 tsp cinnamon

XL Batch

2 1/4 cup butter, melted

4 1/2 cup water

4 1/2 Tbsp yeast

9 eggs

3 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp milk powder

2 1/4 tsp cardamom

9 cup flour

1 1/4 tsp salt

3/4 cup sugar

Sm Batch

1 cup butter, melted

2 cup water

2 Tbsp yeast

4 eggs

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup milk powder

6 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp cardamom

4 cup flour

1/2 tsp salt

Shrimp and Sausage Skillet

Ingredients:
1 lb medium or large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
6 oz of pre-cooked smoked Turkey sausage chopped
1 red bell pepper, diced
3/4 cup diced green bell pepper
1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
1/4 cup chicken stock
2 small zucchini, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
salt & pepper to taste
2 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
2 tbsp. coconut oil or olive oil

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with some coconut oil or olive oil.

2. Season shrimp with Old Bay Seasoning

3. Cook shrimp about 3-4 minutes until opaque - remove and set aside

4. Cook onions and bell peppers in skillet with 2 Tbsp of olive oil or coconut oil for about 2 minutes.

5. Add sausage and zucchini to the skillet, cook another  minutes.

6. Put cooked shrimp back into skillet along with the garlic, and cook everything for about 1 minute

7. Pour chicken stock into pan and mix through to moisten everything

8. Add salt and ground pepper to taste

9. Remove from heat and serve.

Egg Nog Rice Krispie Treats

This is a favorite holiday treat for us. A great twist on a classic rice krispie treat. Thanks to Lauren's Latest for the original recipe.


Servings: 18
Prep Time: 30 min
Cook Time: 5 min

Ingredients:
3 tbsp. butter
6 cups mini marshmallows, divided
1/2 tsp. run extract
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
6 cups rice krispies cereal

Glaze Ingredients:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp. egg nog
nutmeg

Directions:
1) Spray 9x13 pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
2) In a large pot, melt butter and 4 cups marshmallows over medium low heat until marshmallows are melted completely. Remove from heat. Stir in rum extract and nutmeg. Pour in cereal and stir to coat in marshmallow. Stir in remaining 2 cups mini marshmallows. Pour into prepared pan and press down with buttered fingers. Cool to room temperature, about 20-30 minutes.
3) In a small bowl, stir powdered sugar and egg nog together until smooth. Drizzle over bars and sprinkle with more nutmeg. Cut into bars and serve.

Pumpkin Soup (soupe au potiron)

I had a left over pumpkin from Halloween that I wanted to cook up. I remembered eating a delicious pumpkin soup while in France over 12 years ago. A quick internet search lead me to this recipe which sounded a lot like what I remembered. I was able to translate the recipe (it's in French) and modify it to what I had on hand.

This soup recipe is absolutely wonderful. I was totally surprised how well it turned out. The nutmeg adds a nice touch. Since I was just experimenting, I'm not sure about the quantities I used. I'll probably make some modifications the next few times I make this.

I didn't get a picture because it was eaten too quickly. Most of us ended up having seconds.

Servings: 6
Cook Time: 30 min

Ingredients:
1 small pumpkin
5 potatoes, peeled
1/2 qt half and half
salt
pepper
nutmeg, ground
2 tsp chicken bouillon
2 cups water

Directions:
1) Remove the skin and pumpkin 'guts' leaving the pulp. Cut the pumpkin pulp in 1 inch cubes. Peel the potato and cut in 1 inch cubes.
2) Boil the potato and pumpkin until soft. Approximately 10 minutes. Meanwhile heat 2 cups of water and the chicken bouillon.
3) In a mixer or food processor, blend the drained pumpkin and potato pieces until smooth. Add the puree to the hot chicken broth.
4) Mix in the half and half and spices. Bring the soup to a boil and then reduce temperature to keep warm.

Costa Vida Chicken (copy cat)

I needed a chicken taco recipe for an office potluck the other day. After some searching on the Internet, I came across this copy cat recipe for Costa Vida Chicken. The chicken was a hit at the office and will be on our family menu in the near future.

Ingredients:
1 bottle (16 oz) Zesty Italian Dressing
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp ground cumin
3 cloves garlic, minced
5 skinless, boneless chicken breast

Directions:
1) Mix dressing, spices, and garlic together.
2) Place chicken breasts in crock pot, cover with dressing mixture
3) Cook on low for 4 hours
4) Shred chicken and cook for an additional hour

* This makes a lot of food. You can freeze or refrigerate any leftovers.
** I found the flavor to be a little strong. Next time I'm going to try a light dressing to see if that helps.

Gingerbread Ornaments

This is a great holiday activity. The kids love cutting out the cookies and decorating them. I got the recipie from our friend Mindy. She used it to make gingerbread houses with her girls. Check them out here. Ingredients: 

• 1 cup butter, softened 
• 1 cup brown sugar 
• 1 1/2 cups molasses 
• 4 eggs 
• 1 tsp baking soda 
• 1 tsp salt 
• 2 tsp allspice 
• 2 tsp cloves 
• 2 tsp cinnamon 
• 2 tsp ginger 
• 8 cups flour 

 Directions: 

1) Blend butter and brown sugar together in a mixer. 

2) Add molasses, eggs, baking soda, and spices. 

3) Mix until well blended. 

4) Stir in flour. 

5) Refrigerate at least 3 hours or over night. 

6) Preheat over to 350 F 

7) Roll out cookie dough on floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out shapes and place on cookie sheet. 

8) Bake for 10 - 12 minutes 

 Tips: Use a straw to cut out a small hole in the cookie shape before cooking. This will make it easier to thread the ribbon to hang the ornament.

Candied Yams

Candied Yams have been a Thanksgiving tradition for my family for as long as I can remember. The combination of yams, peaches, and nutmeg is just incredible. I add a little cinnamon in my version.




Ingredients:

1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tbsp flour
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
2 tbsp butter
2 cans yams (17oz)
1 can peaches (16oz)
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmellow

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.


2. Drain yams and peaches and place in baking dish.


3. In a separate bowl, mixtogether the sugar, flour, nutmeg, and cinnamon.


4. Add the spice mixture to the yams and peaches and carefully stir.


5. Add the butter, cut in small pieces, on top .


6. Place in preheated oven and cook for 35 minutes.


7. Remove from oven and top with marshmellows. Return to oven and set the temperature to broil. Watch carefully to prevent the marshmellows from burning.