Ina and her guest cook, Amelia Durand whipped this up.  I'm such an Ina fan, and this looks amazing.  What would the world be without the Barefoot Contessa, the woman is a wonder.  ~ jan

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound sausage, such as kielbasa or andouille, sliced
• 1 pound smoked ham, cubed
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1 green bell pepper, cored and diced
• 1 red bell pepper, cored and diced
• 1 cup seeded and diced tomato
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced OR 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
• 2 teaspoons diced fresh oregano
• 1 teaspoon diced fresh thyme
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 6 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
• 3 cups long-grain rice, rinsed
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 6 to 8 dashes hot sauce, optional (recommended: Tabasco)
• 1/2 cup chopped scallions, divided
• 3/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, divided
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 pound medium shrimp, deveined (20 to 24 count)

Directions

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon fine fleur de sel, plus extra for sprinkling
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

My friend, Seana, from Napa Valley, sent me her much loved recipe for Salsa Deviled Eggs.  Can't wait to try it, has to be a winner, Seana is a world class cook.  ~ jan

SALSA DEVILED EGGS

Makes 20

10 hard boiled, extra large eggs, peeled, halved

1/3 cup mayonnaise

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1/4 cup finely chopped, drained, oil packed sun-dried tomatoes

1 Tbsp finely chopped pickled jalapeno peppers

6 green onions, thinly sliced

6 Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped

Remove yolks from eggs and place in medium bowl. Blend in mayonnaise and mustard. Stir in all remaining ingredients. Spoon mixture into pastry bag fitted with large plain or star tip. Pipe mixture into egg white halves. (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Cover tightly and refrigerate.)

1. Heat oven to 450°F.
2. Unroll pie crust onto cooking parchment or wax paper. Brush a small amount of coconut milk onto dough (just enough to moisten it). Sprinkle 1/2 tablespoon of the toasted coconut evenly on dough, then press it lightly into dough, just enough to make it stick.
3. Sprinkle 1/2 tablespoon toasted coconut onto bottom of 9-inch pie plate, then form dough into plate. Prick bottom and side with fork. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light brown. Cool.
4. Heat the remaining coconut milk, the whole milk, 1/2 cup toasted coconut, vanilla bean, 1/3 cup of the sugar and the salt to a simmer in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, about 5 minutes to dissolve sugar.
5. In a separate large bowl, with whisk, beat the egg yolks, remaining 1/3 cup sugar and the cornstarch until well combined. Gradually beat the simmering liquid into the yolk mixture to temper it, then return the entire mixture to saucepan, scraping the bowl with a rubber spatula. Discard vanilla bean.
6. Heat the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, beating constantly with whisk, 5 to 6 minutes or until mixture is thickened.
7. Remove from heat; beat in the coconut extract and butter. Pour into the cooled crust; press a sheet of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the filling and refrigerate until the filling is cold and firm, at least 3 hours or overnight.
8. Just before serving, beat the cream and sugar in a chilled bowl using electric mixer at medium speed until soft peaks form. Add the rum and continue to beat until slightly stiff peaks are formed. Spread or pipe the whipped cream over the chilled filling. Sprinkle 1/4 cup toasted coconut and shaved chocolate over the top. Store in refrigerator.

• 2  cups olive salad
• 1  (16-ounce) French bread loaf, split horizontally
• 1/2  pound  sliced hard salami
• 1/2  pound  sliced cooked ham
• 6  Swiss cheese slices
• 6  thin provolone cheese slices

• 1  (1-quart) jar mixed pickled vegetables
• 1  purple onion, quartered (optional)
• 1  (16-ounce) jar pitted green olives, drained
• 2  (2 1/4-ounce) cans chopped ripe olives, drained
• 1/4  cup  chopped pepperoncini peppers
• 2  tablespoons  capers
• 1  tablespoon  minced garlic
• 1/2  cup  olive oil
• 1 1/2  teaspoons  dried parsley flakes
• 1  teaspoon  dried oregano
• 1  teaspoon  dried basil
• 1/2  teaspoon  ground black pepper
• 1  (7.25-ounce) jar roasted red peppers, drained and coarsely chopped (optional)

FOR BATTER:

6 egg white

4 egg yolks

3 tablespoon sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons flour, sifted

1 whole lemon zest

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

FOR 10 INCH OVAL SKILLET:

1 oz. butter

2 tablespoons heavy cream

2 tablespoons raspberry marmalade

powdered sugar, before service

Heat oven to 475 degrees.

PREPARATION OF SKILLET:

Heat an oval skillet and add butter, cream and

raspberry marmalade .

Stir and mix well until skillet and mixture are hot.

PREPARATION OF BATTER:

Beat the egg whites until stiff,

and bring in slowly 3 tablespoons of sugar,

while the mixer is running.

Last bring in the vanilla extract.

Remove mixing bowl with the egg whites

and fold in by hand with a wire whisk the egg yolks, flour and lemon zest.

Mix as little as possible.

With spatula form four individual nockerl, one at the time,

and place into the hot skillet on top of the hot raspberry mixture.

BAKING:

Bake in hot oven for 9 to 10 minutes.

Nockerl should still be soft in the center.

Remove from oven and top with powdered sugar and serve at once,

(otherwise the nockerl will collapse)

on hot two plates (two per person).

Recipe Source:  Rudy Lechner's Restaurant and Bar

Thanks Carlene for telling me about this unusual recipe..

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound elbow macaroni
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 tablespoon powdered mustard
• 3 cups milk
• 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 large egg
• 12 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Fresh black pepper

Topping:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs

Directions

This is the recipe Mother always used, on the back of the Sun-Maid raisin box, and yes, it was as good as it looks.   ~ jan

A country fair winning recipe from years ago.

Ingredients

2 cups Sun-Maid Natural Raisins
2 cups water
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 tablespoon butter

1 double unbaked pie crust

Directions:

COMBINE raisins and water and boil for 5 minutes.
BLEND sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and salt.
ADD to raisin liquid and cook, stirring until clear.
REMOVE from heat.
STIR in vinegar and butter. Cool slightly. Turn into pastry-lined pan.
COVER with top pastry or lattice strips.
BAKE at 425 F about 30 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

Makes 1 pie (8 servings).

Here are my tweaks:

Raisin pie tends to be runny, especially when it’s warm, and we all know it’s best when it’s warm, so I increased the cornstarch to 3 tablespoons.

I had a bag of assorted raisins, some were really large golden raisins, and it also contained regular dark raisins and regular size golden raisins.  This was fantastic!  The combination of raisins really enhanced the flavor. 

This pie was so good, seriously the best raisin pie I’ve ever eaten.  It was so good that I tagged it and it’s going in the Tried ‘n True Hall of Fame in the sidebar.

~jan

• 1 small can (7 oz) jalapenos (with onions and carrots that's how they come if you can find that size can if not you'll have to guess)
• 1 large (28oz) can crushed tomatoes
• garlic salt to taste (about 2tsp)
• salt to taste (about 2tsp)
• Optional:  If you want this chunky, add a drained 15 oz. can of petite diced tomatoes
• In blender combine large can of whole tomatoes (drained) and jalapenos puree.
  
  • Pour entire contents of crushed tomatoes in large bowl. Slowly add tomato/jalapeno puree. Add garlic salt and salt. Mix until will blended.
  • Hint: If you're using larger can of jalapenos and have to guess, it's always easier to puree a bit more and add than it is to take away!
  • Note:  When I'll make this recipe, I'll drain the jalapenos with onions and carrots, and I may also drain the whole tomatoes, because I don't want the salsa to be soupy or be too vinegary.  Then after I puree, I will adjust and add back liquid if I need to.  ~ Jan
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  • 
  • Hacienda Ranch Dip, an adapted recipe from Group Recipe Site
  • 1 package dry original Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing
  • • Follow directions on packet, but double the mayo (make sure it's mayo, not Miracle Whip)
    • Mix slowly with spatula until creamy
    • Optional:  Top with sliced scallions and/or parsley, stir in hot pepper flakes if you want it spicy