Jalapeno Hushpuppies

Peanut oil, for frying (about 1 1/2 quarts) 

1 1/2 cups self-rising cornmeal 

1 cup self-rising flour 

1/2 onion, chopped 

1 7-ounce can diced jalapeno peppers, drained (or 6 fresh jalapenos, seeded if desired, and diced) 

1 15-ounce can creamed corn 

2 large eggs, lightly beaten 

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 

Hot sauce, for serving (optional) 

Directions 

Pour about 1 1/4 inches of peanut oil into a deep-fryer or Dutch oven; heat over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. 

Combine the cornmeal, flour, onion, jalapenos, corn and eggs in a mixing bowl; stir until blended. Let stand 5 minutes. 

Working in batches, drop the batter by teaspoonfuls into the hot oil. Don't overcrowd the pot; leave room for the hushpuppies to be turned. Cook until golden brown, turning, about 3 minutes. 

Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Transfer to a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven while frying the remaining batter. Lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste and transfer to a serving dish. Serve with hot sauce. 

If you can't find self-rising cornmeal, use 1 1/4 cups plus 2 1/2 tablespoons regular cornmeal, 1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder and 3/4 teaspoon salt. 

Photograph by Con Poulos 

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trisha-yearwood/jalapeno-hushpuppies-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback

Baked Sweet Potato Casserole

4  medium to large sweet potatoes, cooked and peeled (I boil mine. You could also use canned sweet potatoes, drained. Two of the tall 40 ounce cans, but I think the uncanned are best)
1 stick butter or 1/2 cup or 8 tablespoons
1/4 cup heavy cream (could use evaporated milk or regular milk)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (Can use more of the spices if you like. I like to taste the sweet potatoes)
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup nuts, chopped (Walnuts or pecans)
Marshmallows (Optional)

Cook and peel sweet potatoes and mash with potato masher.  Add butter and cream to potatoes just like if mashing regular potatoes.  Stir in brown sugar, egg, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray. (I used a 7 x 11 casserole dish.  Put mashed sweet potatoes in dish and sprinkle nuts over the top.  Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes.  Remove from oven and add enough marshmallows to cover top of baking dish. Can use the miniature or big marshmallows.  Put back in oven until marshmallows start to melt and brown on top.  (I just stick mine under the broiler for a few minutes.)  This makes 8 to 10 servings. Reheats well in the microwave or oven and could be put together the night before without the nuts and marshmallows and cooked the next day.  Enjoy!

Bread Stuffing 101

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 large onion, chopped
3 medium celery ribs with leaves, chopped
15-ounce bag cubed seasoned stuffing or 1 pound firm white sandwich bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (10 cups) and dried overnight or in the oven
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
3 cups homemade turkey stock or canned reduced-sodium chicken broth \
2 teaspoons poultry seasoning, preferably homemade (recipe follows), optional
Salt and freshly milled black pepper

Directions

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and celery. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is golden, about 10 minutes.

Scrape the vegetables and butter into a large bowl. Add the stuffing and parsley. Stir in enough of the stock to moisten the stuffing, about 2 1/2 cups. Season with the poultry seasoning, if desired, and salt and pepper to taste. Use to stuff turkey, or place in a buttered baking dish, drizzle with an additional 1/2 cup stock, cover, and a bake as a side dish.

Giblets, from your turkey
Vegetable oil
Small onion
Small carrot
1 (13 3/4-ounce) can reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 peppercorns
1 recipe Bread Stuffing 101, including bread cubes

Directions

Use the giblets from your turkey. With a heavy cleaver or large knife, chop the turkey neck into 2 to 3-inch pieces. Trim the liver and refrigerate (if it is added to the broth too soon, the liver will overcook and make the broth bitter). In a large saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the neck, heart, and gizzard and brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. Stir in 1 quartered small onion and 1 coarsely chopped small carrot. Add a 13 3/4-ounce can reduced-sodium chicken broth and enough cold water to cover the giblets by 1 inch. Bring to a simmer, skimming off the foam that rises to the surface. Add 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 8 peppercorns. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, partially covered until the giblets are very tender, about 2 hours. Add the turkey liver and simmer until cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes. Strain, reserving the stock, if desired. Cool the giblets. Pull the meat off the neck. Chop the neck meat, heart, gizzard, and liver. Stir into he Bread Stuffing 101 along with the bread cubes

Chocolate Chip Clusters

1 cup chocolate chips (You can use dark chocolate or any kind you like or have on hand)

1 cup butterscotch chips

2 teaspoons shortening

1/2 cup coconut

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup nuts of your choice (I used walnuts)

Place chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and shortening in a microwave safe bowl.  Microwave for  1 to 2 minutes or until melted, stirring often. Remove and stir in coconut, raisins, and nuts.  Place cupcake papers in muffin tins and put about two tablespoons chocolate mixture in each one.  Place in refrigerator for about 45 minutes or until hardened.  Makes 12 clusters depending on size you make them.  These keep well in the fridge for several days. Just remove from papers and put in plastic freezer bags.  Enjoy when a craving for chocolate hits you!

Doritos Casserole with Chicken

2 c. shredded cooked chicken (i use that precooked grilled chicken found in the deli meat section)
1 c. shredded cheese (or more if you are a cheese hound)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1 can Ro-tel tomatoes
1/2 packet taco seasoning (or more- to taste)
couple dashes of garlic powder
couple dashes of season salt
bag of doritos

1. pre-heat oven to 350-f degrees.

2. in a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except doritos.

3. in a greased 2 qt baking dish, put a layer of crushed doritos (about 2 cups), then a layer of the chicken mixture. Repeat once more, ending with a layer of chicken mixture. Top with more shredded cheese, cover, and bake for 30-35 minutes, till bubbling hot.

Easy Taco Casserole

1 pound lean ground beef
1 can Ranch Style beans
1 10-12 ounce bag tortilla chips, crushed
1 can Ro-tel tomatoes
1 small onion, chopped
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 package taco seasoning
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup water
sour cream and salsa for serving

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large skillet, brown meat and drain off fat. Stir in beans, tomatoes, onion, taco seasoning, soup and water. Simmer over medium-low heat until everything is well combined and heated through.

Grease a 9×13 casserole dish. Put down a layer of crushed tortilla chips, followed by a layer of the meat/bean mixture, then half of the cheddar cheese. Repeat layers. Cover with foil and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until bubbly.

Let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. Top with sour cream and salsa.

Ingredients

2	- 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened
1⅓	cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
1	teaspoon garlic, finely minced (I used my garlic press)
1½	Tablespoon chili powder
1	teaspoon cumin
	Cayenne pepper to taste
	Salt to taste
1	Rotisserie chicken, skinned and shredded - If you can find a southwest flavored chicken, that would be even better.
½	bunch cilantro, chopped
4	green onions, chopped
	10 oz. can Rotel tomatoes
1	package jalapeno cheddar tortillas

Directions

Mix cheeses together until well blended.
Add all remaining ingredients and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour. Place one heaping spoonful onto tortilla. Spread to edges using a metal spatula. Roll and cut into slices.