Last week on Jan’s Daily Dish I told you about my FoodSaver not working and my eBay purchase of another one.  It arrived yesterday, brand new with tape and cardboard still intact, so of course I fired it up immediately and it worked perfectly.

So this morning I got up, assembled my ingredients and I was off to the races. 

I used two heads of iceberg lettuce that I washed, chopped and spun dry in the salad spinner.  They don’t recommend you use baby bibb or spring greens, they’re too tender and don’t last as well,  romaine and iceberg work best.  Then I used the slicing blade of the salad shooter to quickly shred all of the other veggies.

Then I gave it all a quick toss to combine all the ingredients in the mixing bowl, which by the way is the greatest, cheapest thing ever.  This huge stainless bowl came from a local restaurant supply house, cost less than $10 and I use it so much, it’s awesome!

I started using a funnel to fill the jars, quickly realized that it was a pain, it was easier to just position the jar over the salad bowl and scoop the greens with a measuring cup.  Hubby doesn’t like green peppers, so I only added them to some of the jars and I didn’t add soft ingredients like cucumbers, tomatoes, or mushrooms as I’ve read that they don’t hold well.  I also used a regular stainless knife to chop my lettuce, even though I have a plastic lettuce knife, there is “supposedly” no need to use it as the lettuce doesn’t turn brown and I’m not a fan of tearing it because I like a finer texture and it’s hard to achieve when tearing it.

Then I wiped off the tops of the jars to make sure they were dry so that the seal would hold and I was ready to vacuum seal them.  It was really fast, really easy, it only took twenty seconds per jar to seal.  And no, there is nothing running down the front of the FoodSaver, it’s just shadows from the jars ;o)

And how long did this take?  From the time I started assembling my ingredients until I put them in the fridge, thirty-five minutes start to finish and I have enough salad to last me for seven days.  And this was the first try, I’m thinking next time it won’t take as long as today because I’ll know what I’m doing.  One mess per week and enough salad to last for days, works for me…

These little plastic tulip sundae dishes are a great find.  They are usually in stock at Walgreens, and at holiday time they have them in red and green.

You’re probably wondering why I’m showing you these, what’s so special about plastic bowls?  Well, first of all they are like $.49 apiece, and they are the best thing ever when I’m in the kitchen baking.  I guess I’ve watched too much FoodTV, but I always measure my different ingredients into little containers before stirring whatever I’m baking together. 

Okay, I confess, it’s not entirely FoodTV, it’s mainly so that I don’t forget to add something. I have glass ramekins, and FiestaWare ramekins, but they’re bulky and heavy, these are lightweight, stack easily, grab one and you’re good to go.  I have a ton of them, and I use them for all kinds of things.  They’re the perfect size for little hands when you are fixing a snack for little people, I use them for coleslaw, potato salad and baked beans, and they’re perfect for a scoop of ice cream, or a serving of pudding or Jello. They’re unbreakable, dishwasher safe, you’ll find a boatload of uses for them.  You won’t want to trot them out when Aunt Martha comes to visit, save the cut glass for when she comes, but for everyday use, you can’t beat these!

You might want to check the seasonal aisle next time you are in Walgreens, I think I’ve seem them at Wally World, too.  I know, they’re plastic, but they’re goodies, pinky swear they are…

~ jan

Prep time: 20 minutes

Total time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted, plus additional for pan
1 package (18.25 ounces) chocolate cake mix
3 large eggs
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
3 to 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 box (1 pound) confectioner's sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped nuts

Directions
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. and place rack in center. Lightly butter a 13-by-9-inch baking pan. 
2. In a large bowl, stir together cake mix, 1 egg, and 1/2 cup butter until combined well; evenly pat into prepared pan and set aside. 
3. In a large mixer bowl, beat cream cheese on medium speed until smooth. Beat in remaining 2 eggs and the cocoa powder until combined well. Reduce speed to low and add sugar; beat until combined well. Gradually beat in remaining 1/2 cup butter and the extract; beat until smooth. Fold in nuts with a rubber spatula and spread over cake mixture in pan. 
4. Bake until set around edges but center is a little gooey, 40 to 50 minutes (do not overbake). 
5. Transfer cake in pan to a wire rack and let cool slightly before cutting.

Nutrition facts per serving (based on 20 servings): 
Calories: 365
Total fat: 20g
Saturated fat: 9.5g
Sodium: 342mg
Carbohydrate: 45g
Calcium: 56mg
Cholesterol: 69mg
Protein: 4g
Fiber: 2g

Source:  Ladies Home Journal

The Deen's List
Use a candy thermometer to keep oil temperature between 325 and 350 degrees F. (see Where to Find It).

Cool, filter, and reuse the peanut oil up to three times. For folks with peanut allergies, use corn oil instead.

Paula says: "Remember whenever you're fryin' a turkey you have to exercise all the cautions, 'cause you don't want the fire department for lunch."

Makes 12 to 15 servings
Prep time: 30 minutes 
Total time: 1 hour 20 minutes

 

 

Ingredients
1 10-pound turkey (neck and giblets removed), thawed if frozen
2 tablespoons favorite dry rub
3 to 5 gallons peanut oil
Rosemary, thyme, and oregano sprigs, for garnish
Apple slices, for garnish

Directions
1. Rinse turkey inside and out; pat dry. Coat with dry rub. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour. 
2. Heat oil in a turkey fryer (see Where to Find It), following manufacturer's safety instructions, to 350 degrees F., checking temperature with a candy thermometer. Slowly lower turkey into oil, making sure it is fully submerged. 
3. Fry until an instant-read thermometer inserted 2 inches into the inner thigh of turkey (without touching bone) registers 165 degrees F., carefully removing turkey from oil to check temperature, about 35 minutes. 
4. Carefully remove turkey from oil and drain on paper towels; let stand 10 to 15 minutes before carving. Transfer to a platter and garnish with herb sprigs and apple slices, if desired.

Nutrition facts per serving (based on 15 servings):
Calories: 370 
Total fat: 20g
Saturated fat: 4g
Sodium: 260mg
Carbohydrate: 0
Calcium: 28mg
Cholesterol: 132mg
Protein: 44g
Fiber: 0

 

Source:  FoodTV

Ingredients

1 pound dried red beans
3/4 pound smoked turkey sausage, thinly sliced
3 celery ribs, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 sweet onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon Creole seasoning
Hot cooked long-grain rice
Hot sauce (optional)
Garnish: finely chopped green onions, finely chopped red onion

Preparation

1. Combine first 8 ingredients and 7 cups water in a 4-qt. slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH 7 hours or until beans are tender.

2. Serve red bean mixture with hot cooked rice, and, if desired, hot sauce. Garnish, if desired.
Try These Twists!

Vegetarian Red Beans and Rice: Substitute frozen meatless smoked sausage, thawed and thinly sliced, for turkey sausage.

Per cup (with 1 cup rice): Calories 422; Fat 3.5g (sat 0.4g, mono 0.2g, poly 0.2g); Protein 21.5g; Carb 76.4g; Fiber 12.2g; Chol 0mg; Iron 6.1mg; Sodium 530mg; Calc 113mg
Quick Skillet Red Beans and Rice: Substitute 2 (16-oz.) cans light kidney beans, drained and rinsed, for dried beans. Reduce Creole Seasoning to 2 tsp. Cook sausage and next 4 ingredients in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring often, 5 minutes or until sausage browns. Add garlic; saute 1 minute. Stir in 2 tsp. seasoning, beans, and 2 cups chicken broth. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low, and simmer 20 minutes. Serve with hot cooked rice and, if desired, hot sauce. Garnish, if desired. Makes 8 cups. Hands-on Time: 26 min., Total Time: 46 min.
Per cup (with 1 cup rice): Calories 424; Fat 3.2g (sat 1.1g, mono 0.2g, poly 0.4g); Protein 17.2g; Carb 79.5g; Fiber 7.6g; Chol 25mg; Iron 4.3mg; Sodium 804mg; Calc 76mg

Source:  Southern Living

Lori at Pugsplace posted this recipe for carbless pizza, just had to share.  This is AWESOME, Lori!

You can find the recipe on Lori’s Blog…

Ingredients

    3  cups  all-purpose flour
    1  teaspoon  salt
    1-1/4  cups  shortening
    1    egg, lightly beaten
    1/4  cup  cold water
    1  tablespoon  vinegar
    8  small  cooking apples (about 2 pounds)
    3/4  cup  packed brown sugar
    2/3  cup  whipping cream
    1/2  cup  butter, cut up
    2  tablespoons  light-colored corn syrup
    1  teaspoon  vanilla
    1/3  cup  whipping cream

Directions

1. For pastry: In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening until pieces are the size of small peas. In a small bowl, combine egg, the 1/4 cup cold water and vinegar. Stir egg mixture into flour mixture until all of the dough is moistened. Form dough into a ball. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. (Dough will be slightly sticky.)

2. Divide dough in half. Turn one portion dough out onto a well-floured surface. Roll to form a 12x12-inch square. Using pastry wheel or sharp knife, cut into four 6-inch squares.

3. Peel and core 4 apples. Place an apple on each pastry square. Fold corners to center over apple. Pinch edges to seal. Place dumplings in a greased 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Repeat with remaining pastry and apples.

4. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 45 to 50 minutes or until apples are tender and pastry is golden brown. Cool at least 10 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, for caramel sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, 2/3 cup whipping cream, and corn syrup. Bring to boiling, stirring occasionally; reduce heat to medium. Boil gently, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Transfer to a bowl; cover and set aside to cool slightly. Makes 8 servings.

6. To serve, in a chilled small bowl, whip 1/3 cup cream to soft peaks. Serve warm dumplings with caramel sauce and whipped cream.
Amish Apple Dumplings

Source:  Midwest Living

Miss Daisy’s Tea Room was a famous Franklin Tennessee institution in the 80’s.  Hubby took me, it was so much fun, and the food was wonderful.  I bought her cookbooks, used them a few times, put them away and went on to other things.

John and Deanna also live in Franklin and last week they ate at Marcia’s Patisserie in historic downtown Franklin.  Deanna had frozen cherry salad and loved it.

When she told me about it, I remembered my Miss Daisy Cookbooks and since I’m a cherry lover as well, I vaguely remembered that she had a recipe in her cookbook for Frozen Cherry Salad.  They’re here for the weekend, and this afternoon I got out her cookbooks, and sure enough, there was the recipe and it’s exactly the same thing as Deanna got at Marcia’s.

So here it is for all of you, and it’s wonderful.  Enjoy!!!  ~ jan

Miss Daisy’s Frozen Cherry Salad

1-l6. oz can cherry pie filling

1-14 oz. can crushed pineapple

1-14 oz. can Eagle Brand condensed milk

1-13 oz. can Cool Whip

Chopped Pecans, optional

Mix all ingredients and freeze in either a loaf pan or a 9 x 13 pan.  Cut in squares and garnish with Party Salad Topping and a strawberry.

This is the original recipe that calls for the party salad topping so I’ll include it, even though she didn’t have it on hers.

Party Salad Topping

4-1/2 oz. Cool Whip
1/4 cup salad dressing (I assume this is Miracle Whip, not mayo)
1/4 cup instant breakfast drink (Tang maybe)

Mix well and refrigerate until serving time.

August 27th, mark your calendars ladies!

 

Ingredients

• 1 large head cabbage, shredded
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 1 1/2 large carrots, shredded
• 1 cup white wine vinegar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup white sugar

Directions

1. Combine the cabbage, bell pepper, onion and carrot.
2. Whisk together the vinegar, oil and sugar. Pour enough dressing over salad to coat. Mix well , cover and refrigerate 6 to 8 hours.
3. Drain any excess liquid, toss and serve cold.

Note: Sunflowers are a great addition to this coleslaw