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.