Gorgonzola Pear Cheeseball / Dip

I was asked to make a cheeseball for an activity. I have many recipes that I like but I wanted something different. I had been to a cooking class where they had a Gorgonzola Pear Salad that we fell in love with. I had recently made it and had some left over ingredients so I go on line and found a recipe, made a few minor changes and this is now our new favorite cheeseball / dip.

1 firm pear, peeled, seeded and cubed
splash of olive oil
8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
3/4 c Gorgonzola cheese crumbles (you may also use blue cheese)
1 Tbsp grated onion
1/2 c craisins or dried cherries, chopped
toasted pecans or hazelnuts, chopped (optional)

1. Heat oven to 400 put pears in shallow baking dish. drizzle with olive oil. Roast for 10 - 15 minutes. Drain off juices and mash.
2. Cream together cream cheese and Gorgonzola cheese. Add pears, onion and craisins. Mix until well blended.
3. Top with nuts.

You can make it without roasting the pear and omit the nuts if necessary.

High Protein Wheat Bread

I don't know if I ever mentioned that my mother worked as a cook in the hot lunch at one of the local elementary schools. They would get some fun recipes and she would break them down so the average family could use them. This is one of them. Some of the ingredients are unusual bread ingredients but that's what makes it moist and tasty.

5 c white flour
2 c whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
3 tsp yeast
1 c water (add up to 1/4 c more for moister bread)
1/2 c. honey
1/8 c butter
1 c cottage cheese
1/2 c oats
1 egg
1 c nuts or sunflower seeds (or part raisins or craisins or ?)

Mix flour, salt and yeast. set aside. Heat water, honey, cottage cheese and butter till war. Add to dry mixture. Add eggs, mix. Add oats and nuts. Knead 8-10 minutes. Let raise until double, put in greased bread pan. let rise. Bake at 375 for 35-40 minutes.

Firewater or Primary Punch

This was served at many, many socials. It's name was determined by which social you usually had it at. Primary, Relief Society or YW Punch and when we added pop or club soda we called it Firewater. We loved it.

12 oz orange juice concentrate
12 oz lemonade concentrate
1 c sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond extract
9 c water
1 12 oz can up to a liter of lemon-lime pop, or club soda (optional)

Hot Spice Punch

Some foods, or in this case drinks, are filled with memories. Christmas wouldn't be the same with out a big pot of Hot Spice Punch. Another favorite memory is o several winters going to the mountains to play in the snow. I'd mix up a crock pot full of this and keep it on low for all to enjoy when they would come in from the cold. This is similar to Wassail, so it is easy to be creative and make changes.

1 6 oz can of orange juice, mixed up
1 c lemon juice
2 quarts apple juice or cider
2 c. sugar
1 quart water

In a tea or cheesecloth bag:
2 Cinnamon sticks
8 whole allspice
10 whole cloves
a tsp chunk of ginger

Let the spice bag steep at least 5 minutes in the juices. Longer for spicier.

Variations I have tried:
Using pineapple or a other juice
Leaving out the ginger
Using a 6 oz can of lemonade
More or less of any of the juices.

Be Creative

Apple Cider Stew

Two words describe this best, Sweet and Savory, and of course delicious. I found this on a recipe website I like to browse. I had some apples I needed to use up so I decided to give it a try. We enjoyed it. The reviews said it was better the 2nd day but we ate it all so I can't vouch for that.
I will post the recipe as I found it and then the second one with what I did because I didn't have all the ingredients.

1 # beef stew meat, cut into bite size pieces
2 tsp flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp dried thyme (optional)
2 tsp vegetable oil
2 1/2 C apple cider
4 carrots, sliced
3 potatoes, chopped
2 sm Fuji apples, peeled, cored and chopped
1 C chopped onion
1 stalk celery, chopped (optional)
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp thyme

1. Combine the beef stew meat with flour, 1/2 tsp salt, pepper, and 1/8 tsp thyme. Toss to coat evenly.


2. Heat oil in a large pot, cook meat in oil until nicely browned about 5-7 minutes. Pour apple cider over meat, reduce heat down to medium low and simmer until tender, about 1 hour.


3. Add carrots, potatoes, apples, onion, celery, 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp thyme. Continue cooking at a simmer until vegetable are tender, about 1/2 hour.

what I did
1/2 # hamburger (You can use more, that's just all I had)
1/2 large onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 potatoes, chopped
2 carrots, sliced
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 apples, chopped (used what I had, I think they were Galas)
2 C apple juice (or cider)
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp beef bullion
1/2 C frozen peas (optional)
1 pkg brown/beef gravy mix
1/2 C cold water

1. Brown the hamburger. Add other ingredients, except gravy mix and water, and simmer until tender.


2. Add frozen peas.


3. Mix gravy with water. Add to stew, and cook until thickened.


4. ENJOY

Peach Cheesecake Pie

I found this recipe in a magazine. The title alone attracted me. I tried it, we loved it, and each year when the fresh peaches are in season I make it at least once.

2 9" pie crusts
4-5 peaches, peeled and sliced
2/3 c. sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
3 tbsp cornstarch
1/4 c. orange juice
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1 tbsp sugar

• To sliced peaches add 2/3 c. sugar and cinnamon. Stir cornstarch into orange juice, stir into peaches. Bring to a boil, for 1 minute. Reduce heat to low; simmer until thickened, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat. Cool at least 20 minutes.
  Preheat oven to 350. Place foil lined baking sheet on middle rack in oven. Place one pie crust in 9" pie pan, trim and flute edges.
  Beat cream cheese and 1/2 c. sugar until fluffy. Beat in 1 egg and vanilla. Spread in crust. Bake on hot sheet until just set, 20 minutes.
• Top with peach mixture.
• Cut remaining pie crust into 1/2" wide strips. Arrange in lattice pattern over peach layer, trimming as necessary. Press ends to fluted edge. Beat one egg; brush over down. Sprinkle with 1 Tbsp sugar.
• Bake on hot baking sheet, 45 minutes or until golden. Cool on rack 3 hours.

Brazilian Beans and Rice

Several years ago we had a wonderful Brazilian exchange student. From her we learned that just like every family in the USA has their recipe for potato salad, every Brazilian family has their version of Brazilian Beans and Rice. This is a basic meal for the average family, similar to Feijoada, which is a more involved bean dish. This is USA version of Vanessa's recipe

Beans:
several slices of bacon, chopped (you can also use sausage, dried beef or pork)
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 small onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1 can black beans with juice
1 cube or tsp beef bullion
1 small tomato peeled and chopped
brown the bacon, add garlic, onion, and green pepper and saute until tender, add beans and bullion, simmer for several minutes. Add tomato and heat through. Serve over rice.

Rice:
1/2 small onion, miniced
1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
1 tbsp oil or butter
1 c rice
2 c water
saute onion and garlic in oil, until tender. Add rice and lightly brown. Add water, cover, turn heat to low and cook about 20 minutes or until done.

Coconut Syrup

We had the opportunity to spend a night at a dear friends cabin. For breakfast we had a super delicious breakfast of bacon, hash browns, and french toast served with fresh fruit, whipped cream and this coconut syrup. Did I mention it was delicious? Thanks VL.

1 cube butter
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. milk or 1/2 & 1/2 or straight cream (she used cream, of course)

Bring to a boil for one minute then add:

1/2 tsp coconut extract
1/2 tsp soda

Stir and remove from heat. Enjoy!

Use a deep pan because it will boil up when the soda is added.

Rosie's Popcorn

When the Beazer/Hendrix/Walker family got together Rosie made this delicious caramel/candied Popcorn. I really must share the recipe.

1 & 1/4 cup corn syrup
3 cups brown sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 stick butter
Mix syrup and sugar and bring to a boil. Add sweetened condensed milk and return to boil. Add butter and stir until softball candy stage. Make sure to stir constantly, to prevent burning.
Coat and mix the caramel over all the popcorn.

this will cover 3 batches of air popped popcorn.

Spinach Dip

I love to make spinach dip, besides it also tastes yummy. I could eat whole batch by myself. I frequently get asked for my recipe, the problem is I don't follow a recipe. I just dump and pour and do what feels right, proportions are really a matter of guessing. I will try my best though to create it on paper, but there will be lots just do what you want in it.

8 oz cream cheese, softened (I have made it with out and with low fat and non fat, it changed the make-up slightly and it just depends on who is coming over and what I have in the fridge)
1 c. (or several large spoonfuls) sour cream (regular or non fat, doesn't matter)
1 c. (or several large spoonfuls) mayonnaise (regular or non fat, doesn't matter, just don't use miracle whip or salad dressing)
1 pkg frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed out (I also use fresh and chop, don't worry about cooking, use as much as feels good
1 can water chestnuts, minced
1 + tbsp ranch dressing mix (use the whole pkg if you want a stronger flavor)
1 + tbsp chopped pimento, (optional, mostly for color, you could regular red pepper and get the same effect)

Whip the cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise till creamy, add everything else.
Open a box of crackers and enjoy.

Cheese and Green Chili Dip

Several weeks ago we went playing in the snow with Syd's family. One of his nephews (John) brought this dip. It was a delicious change from the usual ones we make. Can hardly wait to have some folks over to play games so we'll have an excuse to make it.

1 pkg (8oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 c Cheddar cheese , shredded
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 tbsp onion, minced
1 can (4oz.) diced green chilies
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp instant chicken bouillon granules

In a small bowl beat cream cheese and cheddar cheese until well blended. Stir in rest of ingredients. Chill before serving.
Serve with crackers or Frito's.

Honey Lime Enchiladas

Stayed at a friends cabin and this recipe was on the counter. Decided to try it and I was glad. They are as yummy as it said they would be.

1 1/2 # pork or chicken, shredded.
Sauce:
1/4 c. lime juice
1/3 c. honey
1 tbsp chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic or 1 glove crushed

2 10oz cans green enchilada sauce
1+ cups each of mozzarella and cheddar cheese, shredded
1-2 doz flour tortillas

Mix together sauce then add to meat. Let soak into meat about 20 min.
Lightly spray baking dish (9x13) may need to use a second pan depending on how full you stuff. Pour enough enchilada sauce in bottom to coat entirely.
Fill tortilla shells with shredded meat and desired amount of cheese. Roll in place in dish.
Pour remainder of sauce over and sprinkle generously with more cheese.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Then turn on broiler, place near top until cheese is crispy & lightly browned.
Enjoy.

Freezes well, cover with plastic wrap then foil. Before baking be sure to remove plastic wrap and foil.