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Recipes from Bluesbaby

Have you ever found a great recipe online and then later when you wanted it, you just couldn't remember where it was located? This is my method of hanging on to our family recipes and others too good to lose. You may have to scroll all the way down for the archives and link sections.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Orange Dreamsicle Fudge

Orange Dreamsicle Fudge

1 bag white chips (I used Nestle Premium white chips)
1 can white frosting (NOT whipped)
Crush Orange Ice Cream topping

Melt frosting in a saucepan over low heat (so to not burn it) until frosting is glossy. Add chips and continue cooking over low heat stirring until chips are melted and blended well with frosting.

Pour contents out into a greased 8" x 8" pan (or parchment paper lined pan). Drizzle Orange Crush Ice Cream topping over top and if desired, swirl topping through fudge with a fork or toothpick. Cool in refrigerator until set.

Cut fudge to desired sized pieces once set. This recipe can be altered to taste by using different flavors of chips and frosting. Or try these ~
White chips + lemon frosting = lemon fudge
Chocolate chips + fudge frosting = chocolate fudge
Peanut butter chips + white frosting = peanut butter fudge
Andes Mint chips + Chocolate frosting = Mint Chocolate Fudge
(I add a touch of mint extract to these)
Let your imagination run with this and make all sorts of unheard of fudge.

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Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Copycat Faves: Restaurant Recipes Revealed!

From Cheddar Biscuits to Scampi these are all mmmm mmm good!
http://www.food.com/slideshow/copycat-faves-restaurant-recipes-revealed-67/cheesecake-factory-shrimp-scampi-1

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Corned beef Hash

Found http://www.food.com/recipe/corned-beef-hash-453515

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1 1/2 lbs deli corned beef, coarsely chopped
1 (26 ounce) bag hash browns
2 tablespoons steak seasoning (I use Mrs Dash )
1 medium green bell pepper, sliced into 1/4 inch strips
1 medium red bell pepper, sliced into 1/4 inch strips
1/2 cup green onion, chopped
1/8 cup beef broth (I leave this out)
1 dash Worcestershire sauce (I leave this out)


Directions:

1 Heat the oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat.
2 Add the onion and cook until softened.
3 Add corned beef, hash browns, seasoning, pepper, green onions, (beef broth and Worcestershire).
4 Cook stirring occasionally, until potatoes are golden and crisp. About 15 minutes.
5 To add eggs : When the potatoes are crisp and golden make indention's in the hash to hold eggs and place skillet in oven - preheat, with the hash in the oven, to 350.
6 When oven is preheated, remove skillet and crack an egg into each indention and lightly cover with foil and place back in oven until eggs are cooked as you desire - runny yellow or set.
7 Serve the Hash with slices of toast.

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Ham and Egg Pies

Found http://australian.food.com/recipe/ham-and-egg-pies-94624

Ingredients:

Yield: 12 pies

1 teaspoon olive oil 12 slices ham (thin) 12 eggs 12 cherry tomatoes 1 tablespoon chives, finely chopped 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated

Directions:

1 Preheat oven to 180C (350F).
2 Lightly oil a 12 hole muffin pan.
3 Line moulds with a slice of ham so the ends stick out over the top.
4 Break an egg into each hollow, top with tomato and scatter with chives, parmesean, salt and pepper.
5 Bake for 18 minutes or until egg is set.
6 Remove from oven and leave to cool for 5 minutes.
7 Run a knife around each mould to loosen ham.
8 Cool on rack.

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Sunday, October 20, 2013

Arby’s Sauce - Copy Cat

Found http://www.budgetsavvydiva.com/2013/08/copy-cat-recipe-arbys-sauce/

 Ingredients
1/2 cup ketchup
1 teaspoons water
1/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt

 Directions:

Heat all the ingredients to develop the flavor of the sauce until it begins to boil.

Remove from heat.Cool before using. Store in refrigerator.

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Cookies in a Jar

Found here: http://www.blueeyedbakers.com/home/2010/12/14/christmas-crunch-cookies-in-a-jar.html

Christmas Crunch Cookies

For the jar:
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup M&M’s
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup Rice Krispies
1/2 cup white chocolate chips

To make the cookies:
Jar contents plus
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg

In a 1 quart jar, layer the jar ingredients in the order listed. Using a spoon or something with a flat bottom (we used a cocktail muddler, shocking) pack each layer down as much as possible before adding the next.

To make the cookies, preheat oven to 350. Beat together the butter, vanilla extract and egg in a large bowl. Add the contents of the jar and stir until well mixed. Drop rounded spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until puffed and golden.

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Mix, mixes and DIY

Found http://www.redflycreations.com/2012/07/mixes-mixes-mixes.html

Brownie Mix:

8 cups sugar
6 cups flour
2 cups cocoa powder
1 1/2 Tbsp baking powder
1 Tbsp salt

To Make: (this is the recipe that is on the tag) (just lightly mix the ingredients, if you beat them a lot it gets too much air in the eggs and gives more of a cake-like texture.)

2 1/4 cups brownie mix
2 eggs beaten
1/3 c melted butter 2 tsp vanilla

Pour into an 8x8 " pan. Serves 8-9 (these brownies are quite thick- about 2"-- if you want them thinner place them in an 9 x 13 pan. They will be about 1/2-1" thick then)

Bake for 30-35 min at 350 degrees. (25-30 min. for the 9x13 pan- serves 12-15)

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All Purpose Quick Mix

5 lbs flour (20 cups)
4 c. dry milk
3/4 cups baking powder
2 Tbsp salt
1 Tbsp Cream of Tartar
5 cups vegetable shortening

(you should not use margarine or butter in substitution for the shortening unless you are going to refrigerate your mix)

To Make:

Biscuits
3 cups quick mix
3/4-1 cup water
Spread 2 tablespoons of melted butter on biscuits before baking. Bake for 10-12 min at 450 degrees

Try to handle the dough as little as possible, as this will create rubberiness if handled too much.

Shortcake
3 cups quick mix
2 Tbsp sugar
3/4 cup water
Bake 10-12 min at 450 degrees

Coffee Cake 
3 cups quick mix
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup water
 1 tsp vanilla
(optional: add 1/2 cup sour cream to make it creamier)

Filling
1 cup flour
1 cup brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine quick mix, sugar, egg, water and vanilla. Add dry ingredients. Prepare filling by mixing dry ingredients together, then cut in the butter. Spread half of the cake mix, half of the filling, then the other half of the cake mix, then the other half of the filling in an 8x8 pan. I used a 2" deep pan and it filled the pan to the top. So, you could probably use a larger pan and the cake would be just a little thinner. Bake for 40-50 min. (mine was done in 30 min.)

The original recipe I found only had half the filling recipe and used it only in the middle. The coffee cake really needed some sweetness sprinkled on the top though. So I double the filling and sprinkled the other half on the top----much better!!

UPDATE: Another delicious and quick recipe to make with this mix is:

Cinnamon Roll Biscuits

4 1/2 cups baking mix
1 1/3 c milk
 2 T butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 T. cinnamon

Glaze:
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
2-3 T milk

Mix together mix and milk. Roll out the dough on floured surface. Spread butter, then sprinkle on brown sugar/cinnamon mix. Roll up the dough and cut into 2" wide slices. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 min. Mix together the glaze then spread on rolls when cooled a little.

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Homemade Tortilla Mix (I just made half of this recipe)

16 cups flour
2 Tbsp baking powder
2 Tbsp salt
1/2 cups shortening

To make:
2 cups of tortilla mix
1 cup of water

Divide dough into 15 little balls, cover and let them rise 10-15 min. Roll them out as thin as you can get them. (You can use a tortilla press, but I have found that a rolling pin works just as well, or better) . Fry on a dry, hot griddle, about 2 min. on each side or until little brown spots begin to appear. If it takes longer than 2 minutes your griddle is not hot enough.

The consistency you are looking for in the dough is almost like play dough. If it is too crumbly they will not roll out well. That is why the water amount is so varied. Depending on the humidity of the day, you will need more or less.

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Pancake/Waffle Mix

8 cups of unbleached flour
2 cups nonfat dry milk
1/2 cup sugar
3 Tbsp baking powder
1 1/2 Tbsp baking soda
2 tsp salt

To Make Pancakes: 
2 cups mix
1 3/4 cups of water or milk
1 egg
2 Tbsp vegetable oil

To Make Waffles:
2 1/2 cups of mix
2 cups of water
3 eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Corn Bread Mix

4 cups flour
4 cups yellow cornmeal
2 cups dry milk
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup baking powder
1 Tbsp baking soda
2 tsp salt

To Make: 
1 1/4 cups cornbread mix
1 egg beaten
1/2 cup water or milk (butter milk is even better!)
2 Tbsp oil
Pour into 8x8" pan. Bake 12-15 min at 425 degrees

(you can also make corn muffins by baking them in muffin tins for 15 min. at 425 degrees)

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Muffin Mix

12 cups flour
4 Tbsp baking powder
1 Tbsp baking soda
2 tsp salt
4 1/2 cup sugar

Plain muffins:

2 3/4 cups mix
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup oil
Bake 15-18 min at 400*

Optional Streusel Topping:
1/2 cup of flour
1/2 cup of brown sugar
2 tbsp butter

Cut the butter into the flour/brown sugar mix. Pour half of muffin mix into half of muffin cups. Sprinkle half of the streusel, then cover with the rest of the muffin mix, and finally top with the rest of the streusel.

Blueberry Muffins:

2 3/4 cups of muffin mix
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup milk
1 cup blueberries
1 tsp vanilla
Bake 15-18 min at 400*

The final cost:

$20 for the containers @ $3 each $ 6.36 for the 20 lbs of flour $2.38 for a large container of Baking Powder $2.19 for 4lb sugar $4.00 for shortening

All the other ingredients I already had on hand. Probably the most expensive item, if you don't already have it in your pantry, is the powdered milk. So about $35 total. Only about $14 if you take out the containers. Not bad considering you have the equivalent of about:

8 brownie mixes 6 muffin mixes 8 cornbread mixes 5 pancake/waffle mixes 8 tortilla recipes that make at least 15 tortillas each 8-9 shortcake/biscuit/coffe cake mixes

So, let's say I spent a total of $20 (because of counting in the cost of the items I already had on hand) then it would be about $.46 a mix. Not bad!

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Saturday, October 19, 2013

Homade Vanilla Extract

Found here: http://blog.yummly.com/blog/2012/11/how-to-make-homemade-vanilla-extract/

Materials Needed

an air-tight container
vanilla beans
vodka, or your alcohol of choice, be it bourbon, rum, or brandy.

Directions

Split your vanilla beans in half with a knife. (There’s no need to scrape them). Put your vanilla beans in your glass bottle or jar and cover with vodka. Add about 1/3rd cup of vodka for each whole bean.

Seal the jar and store it in a cool place for at least 6-8 weeks, making sure to shake the bottle at least once a week!

Tips and Tricks

2 months of steeping will allow for the best flavor, but your vanilla extract can be used as early as 3-4 weeks.
Instead of making a brand new batch, just keep adding vanilla beans and liquor to your bottle as you use it! The taste will just get better. Keep your fresh vanilla beans in a cool, dark place in a vacuum-sealed bag (if possible). This will prevent them from hardening too much over time!

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Seasoning Mixes

I need to start accumulating recipes for DIY since I donated and threw away  most of my seasonings and mixes during my move.

http://blog.yummly.com/blog/2012/07/make-your-own-taco-seasoning-mix/

TACO SEASONING
Ingredients:

1 1/2 tsp paprika*
3 tsp ground cumin*
1 tsp cayenne pepper*
1 1/4 tsp oregano*
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp sea salt (or regular)
1 tsp black pepper
*Note: You can substitute the paprika, cumin, cayenne, and oregano for 1 tablespoon of chili powder, if you want. If you do, just supplement it with 1/4 teaspoon more of oregano, 1/2 tsp more of paprika, and another teaspoon of cumin for good measure.

Directions:
All you need to do is mix together all of the ingredients! If you store them in an airtight container, it should stay fresh and flavorful for 3-6 months. It’s super easy, you’ll save money, and it tastes much better than store bought too!

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Found http://www.budgetsavvydiva.com/2012/07/copy-cat-recipe-lawrys-seasoned-salt/
Lawry’s Seasoned Salt Copy Cat\

Ingredients

1 tablespoons salt
1teaspoons sugar
½ teaspoon paprika
⅛ teaspoon turmeric
⅛ teaspoon onion powder
⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
⅛ teaspoon cornstarch

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.

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Found http://thenerdswife.com/2013/05/homemade-taco-seasoning.html

3 parts chili powder
2 parts ground cumin
1 part paprika
½ part cayenne pepper
1 part dried oregano
1 part onion powder
1 part garlic powder
1 part salt
½ part black pepper

Mix all the ingredients together and use however you’d like.

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BISCUITS, OATMEAL, COOKIES and CAKE MIX
http://bluesbabys-rants.blogspot.com/2011/03/make-your-own-mixes.html

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HOMEMADE POPCORN SEASONINGS
http://bluesbabys-rants.blogspot.com/2011/12/popcorn-seasonings.html

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RANCH DRESSING
http://bluesbabys-rants.blogspot.com/2012/08/1-minute-homemade-ranch-seasoning-mix.html

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GROCERY LIST
paprika, cumin, cayenne, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, chili powder (mixed and seperate Ancho, Pasilla, Guajillo), sugar, turmeric, cornstarch