The Best Sugar Cookie

This is my favorite:

The Best Sugar Cookie

3/4 cup Golden Crisco or Butter-flavored Crisco (shortening)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
Coloured decorations or icing

Cream Crisco, sugar, eggs and vanilla in large mixer bowl at medium speed of electric mixer until light and creamy. Cmbine flour, baking powder and salt. Add to creamed mixture, mixing on low speed until well blended. Cover dough and chill 1 hour, if desired, for easy rolling. Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll half of dough at a time. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Using a cookie cutter, cut in desired shapes. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Roll leftover pieces. Sprinkle with coloured decorations or leave plain to decorate when cool. Bake at 375°F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until edges are light brown. (Time will vary with cookie size.) Cool slightly, then remove to cooling rack.

Sugar Cookies

Here is a very simple sugar cookie recipe I believe came from an old Betty Crocker cook book.

Sugar Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
granulated sugar

Mix together sugar and butter. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract; mix well. Blend in flour, baking soda and cream of tartar. Cover and chill for 2 to 3 hours. Heat oven to 375 F. Divide dough in half. Roll each half 3/16 inch thick on lightly floured cloth-covered board. Cut into desired shapes; sprinkle with granulated sugar. Place on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until light brown on edges.

Baked Onion with Rice Apple and Nut Stuffing

A recipe for the onion lovers among us (I'm one).

Baked Onion with Rice, Apple, and Nut Stuffing

6 large red onions, about 8 to 10 ounces each
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 cup diced apples
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 (6-ounce) package wild rice, cooked according to package directions
1/2 cup lightly toasted walnuts
2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage
2 tablepoons chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup grated Dry Jack, or white cheddar
1/2 to 1 cup chicken stock, or vegetable stockPreheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and set aside.

Peel the onions. Trim the stem ends so they will stand upright and remove the top 1/2-inch. Rub oil on each onion and season lightly with salt and pepper. Place in a baking dish, and bake, root ends down, until golden brown and just tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour (depending upon the size). Remove from the oven and let rest until cool enough to handle. When cool enough to handle, push out the centers, leaving a shell. Return one piece of the removed onion to each to form a bottom and chop the remaining onion centers to measure 1 cup.

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the 1 cup of chopped onion and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the garlic, apples, salt, and pepper, and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the cooked rice, walnuts, sage, and parsley, and stir well. Add 1/4 cup of the cheese and stir well. Stuff the onions with the rice mixture and place in a baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup cheese over the tops of the onions, and add stock to come 1/2-inch up the sides of the onions. Bake until tender and bubbly, about 20 to 30 minutes, basting occasionally. Serve immediately.

Glazed Goose

Another excellent Goose recipe.

Roast Glazed Goose with Tawny Port Gravy

1/2 cup chopped yellow onion, plus 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
1 teaspoon salt, plus 1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne, plus 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, plus 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1 domestic goose, about 10 pounds, well rinsed and patted dry, neck and giblets reserved
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped carrots
2 bay leaves
3 cups Ruby port
Tawny Port Gravy, recipe follows
Goose Fat-Roasted Potatoes, recipe follows

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Combine 1/2 cup of the onions, celery, bell peppers, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of the cayenne in a mixing bowl. Remove any excess fat around the opening of the cavity of the goose. Prick other fatty areas with a fork at intervals. Do not prick the breast. Stuff cavity of goose with vegetable mixture. Season the outside of the goose with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, and the black pepper. Place the goose in a large roasting pan and roast for about 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until the drumsticks and thighs are easy to remove.
Combine the remaining 1/2 cup onion, carrots, bay leaves, and port wine in a medium-sized sauce pan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens and reduces to about 1/2 cup, about 30 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh strainer and let cool.
Using a pastry brush, glaze the goose with the port wine reduction, and return to the oven for 5 minutes to allow the glaze to caramelize and set. Remove from the oven and let rest for 20 minutes before carving. Serve with the Port Gravy, and Goose Fat-Roasted Potatoes.

Port Gravy:
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
Giblets and neck from the goose
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
5 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups Tawny port
2 cups water

In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the giblets and neck, and brown, stirring, 3 to 4 minutes.
Add the onions, celery, carrots, salt, pepper, bay leaves, and thyme and cook, stirring often, for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the flour and stir to combine. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes.
Add the wine, bring to a boil, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 1 hour. Remove from the heat and strain into a clean container and keep warm until ready to serve. Yield: About 2 cups

Goose Fat Roasted Potatoes
2 pounds fingerling potatoes
1 teaspoon salt, plus 1 teaspoon
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup goose fat, or duck fat
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary
5 sprigs rosemary, as garnish

Scrub potatoes and place in a large pot. Cover with cold water and add 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until just fork tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and cool under cold running water. When completely cooled, slice them in half lengthwise, and place in a bowl.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Season the potatoes with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Place a 12-inch, non-stick, ovenproof saute pan or skillet over medium-high heat and add the goose fat.
Once the fat is hot, add the seasoned potatoes to the saute pan, cut side down. Sear on the stovetop for 1 minute, then place the pan in the oven. Roast for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the stove, and add the garlic and chopped rosemary. Toss the potatoes in the pan to coat them and serve immediately garnished with the rosemary sprigs. Yield: 4 servings
(courtesy of Emeril Lagasse)

Roast Goose with Brandy

This recipe is so good I have included it at Thanksgiving-Goodies. It takes a little work but the results are fantastic.

Roast Goose with Brandy Cranberry Reduction

1 (10 to 12-pound) farm-raised goose
3 tablespoons kosher salt
1 1/2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
3 cups chopped onions
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped carrots
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped celery
3 bay leaves
5 sprigs thyme, plus 2 teaspoons chopped thyme leaves
6 garlic cloves, smashed
4 cups dark chicken stock, chicken stock, or water
1/4 cup thinly sliced shallots, plus 2 tablespoons minced
1 cup brandy
3/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries
Apple Cider Glazed Pearl Onions, recipe follows Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.

Remove the neck, giblets and liver from the goose. Rinse the goose thoroughly inside and out under cold running water. Reserve the neck and giblets separately. Pat the goose dry with paper towels and season with the kosher salt and black pepper. Place the onions, carrots and celery in a medium bowl and toss to combine. Remove 1/2 cup of the vegetable mixture and set aside. Stuff the cavity of the goose with the remaining vegetable mixture, 2 bay leaves, 4 sprigs of thyme and 4 cloves of garlic. Truss the goose.

Using a fork, prick the skin of the goose on the thighs, back, and lower breast. Place the goose on a rack in a large roasting pan. Place the goose in the oven and roast for 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F, pour 1/3 cup of hot water over the breast and legs of the goose and continue to roast the goose for another 30 minutes. Open the oven door and pour another 1/3 cup of hot water over the breast and legs of the goose. Close the oven and cook the goose another 30 minutes. Pour a final 1/3 cup of hot water over the goose to help the fat render from the bird and cook the goose for a final 30 minutes. Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thigh of the goose without touching the bone and be sure that it registers at least 165 degrees F. If it does, remove the goose from the oven and allow to rest. If not, continue to roast the goose for another 30 minutes.

While the goose roasts, prepare the goose stock. Use a heavy, sharp knife to chop the goose neck into 2 or 3 pieces. Place the chopped neck and giblets in a 2-quart saucepan and sear over medium heat. Cook the necks and giblets, turning occasionally, until well caramelized, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the reserved 1/2 cup of vegetables, the remaining bay leaf, sprig of thyme, 2 cloves of garlic, and 1/4 cup sliced shallots and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are wilted and lightly caramelized, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the stock, increase the heat to high, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook the stock for 1 hour. After 1 hour, remove from the heat, strain through a fine-mesh sieve and reserve stock on the side. Discard solids. Pour the brandy over the cranberries and reserve separately.

When the goose is cooked, place it on a warmed platter, and pour off the fat that has collected in the roasting pan, being sure not to pour off the browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Once most of the fat has been removed from the roasting pan, place it on the stovetop over medium heat on 2 burners. Add the minced shallots to the pan and cook for 1 minute, stirring with a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits. Add the brandy, cranberries, and thyme leaves and continue to cook until the brandy is nearly evaporated, about 1 minute. Add the reserved goose stock to the pan and reduce the heat to medium low. Continue to cook until the stock is reduced by about half and the sauce is thickened, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the sauce to a sauce boat and serve alongside the goose. Serve the pearl onions on the side.

Apple Cider Glazed Pearl Onions:
1 tablespoon goose fat, reserved from cooking the goose
2 pounds pearl onions, peeled
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 cups apple cider
1 teaspoon fresh finely chopped thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Set a 12-inch saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the goose fat to the pan and, once hot, add the pearl onions. Cook the onions until caramelized, 4 to 5 minutes, swirling the pan to ensure even browning. Deglaze the pan with the apple cider vinegar and, when nearly evaporated, about 30 seconds, add the apple cider, thyme leaves and salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook the onions until tender, and the cider has reduced to a syrup-like consistency, 7 to 8 minutes. Serve alongside the goose as a side dish. (courtesy of Emeril Lagasse)

Savannah Chop House Creamed Corn

Found this recipe at footballguys, it looks pretty good!

Savannah Creamed Corn

2 (10-oz.) packages frozen
kernel corn
1 C. whipping cream
1 C. milk
1 t. salt
6 t. sugar
2 T. melted butter
2 T. all-purpose flour

Combine corn, whipping cream, milk, salt and sugar; bring to boil. Simmer 5 minutes.

In separate bowl, blend butter and flour. Add to corn and mix well.

Yield: 8 servings

Oyster Dressing

Another excellent southern recipe from Paula Deen. If you like oysters, you will love this dressing.


Oyster Dressing

Cornbread:
1 cup self rising cornmeal
1/2 cup self-rising flour
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Dressing:
7 slices white bread, dried in warm oven
Cornbread
1 sleeve saltine crackers
2 cups chopped celery
1 large onion, chopped
8 tablespoons butter
7 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried sage
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
5 eggs, beaten
2 pints or 1 quart oysters, drained

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

To make the cornbread, combine all ingredients and pour into a greased shallow baking dish. Bake for approximately 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.

To make the dressing, crumble dried white bread slices, cornbread and crackers. Mix together and set aside. Saute chopped celery and onion in butter until transparent, approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Pour over corn bread mixture. Add stock, mix well and add salt, pepper, sage, and poultry seasoning. Add beaten eggs and mix well. Add oysters and mix. Pour into a greased pan. Bake for about 45 minutes.

Hot Cranberry Cider

Nothing warms you like this delicious cranberry cider courtesy of Paula Deen. I hope you enjoy!


Hot Cranberry Cider

Ingredients:

1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 cinnamon sticks, plus additional sticks to use at stirrers
1 tablespoon whole cloves
8 cups cranberry juice
6 cups apple juice


Directions:

Put the sugar, cinnamon sticks and cloves in the basket of a large coffee percolator. Put the juices in the bottom of the percolator. Let the mixture perk as if making coffee. Serve with cinnamon stick stirrers, if desired.

Fancy Parmesan Green Beans

A recipe to spice up tour green beans!

Fancy Parmesan Green Beans

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 to 3 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and cut
• water to cover, about 3 to 4 cups
• 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1/3 cup chopped onion
• 1 can (8oz) sliced water chestnuts, drained
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon basil
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

PREPARATION:

Combine green beans and water in Dutch oven. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for about 8 t o 10 minutes until tender but still a bit crisp. Drain. Plunge into ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain beans and set aside. Combine mushrooms, onion, water chestnuts, salt, pepper, basil, and Italian seasoning and oil in a Dutch oven; sauté until onion is tender. Stir in beans and cook until thoroughly heated. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Serves 6 to 8.

Green Bean Casserole

The old standby green bean casserole recipe. A must have at my Christmas dinner.

Green Bean Casserole

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 4 cups cooked green beans
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 1/3 cups French fried onions

PREPARATION:

Mix soup, milk and pepper in a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish. Stir in beans and 2/3 cup of the fried onions. Bake for about 25 minutes at 350 degrees F. Top with the remaining 2/3 cup fried onions and bake about 5 more minutes, until onions are lightly browned.
Serves 6.

Black Pepper Venison

Growing up in Michigan we always had wild game as part of our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. Here is a quick and easy way to prepare your venison steaks.

Thanksgiving Recipes Here!

Black Pepper Venison

INGREDIENTS

• 2 (1/2 pound) venison steaks
• 2 teaspoons cracked black pepper
• 2 teaspoons coarse salt
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

DIRECTIONS

1. Season venison steaks with pepper and salt. Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat; skim off solids (the 'milky' substance that forms) and discard. Transfer butter to a large skillet and heat over high heat.
2. Saute venison steaks in skillet for about 3 minutes each side, then reduce heat to medium and cook for about 10 minutes each side for rare steaks, 15 minutes each side for medium. Remove from heat and let stand for 2 to 3 minutes before slicing into long strips. Serve immediately.

Chocolate Cranberry Truffles

Chocolate Cranberry Truffles

9 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
1/2 cup Ocean Spray® Jellied Cranberry Sauce
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 1/2 tablespoons powdered sugar

1. Place chocolate, cranberry sauce and heavy cream in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat until sauce is smooth, whisking frequently. Remove from heat and pour into a glass or plastic bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Let sit at room temperature to thicken.
2. Combine cocoa and 1 1/2 tablespoons powdered sugar on a small plate. Scoop out a rounded teaspoonful of chocolate mixture. Roll in cocoa, coating throroughly. Dust hands with powdered sugar. Roll truffle in hands to form a 1-inch ball. Continue forming truffles with remaining chocolate mixture.

Makes 30 truffles.

(recipe provided by Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.)

Maple Candy

One of my all time favorites and it is very easy.

Simple Maple Candy:

1 C. maple syrup
1/2 C. granulated sugar
2 t. distilled white vinegar
2 t. baking soda

Butter a 9 x 9-inch pan and set aside.

In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, combine the syrup, sugar and vinegar. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves. Continue cooking without stirring until a candy thermometer reads 300° F. Remove from heat and quickly stir in the soda; mix well. Pour into prepared pan. Do not spread. Cool and break into pieces.

Golden Acorn Squash

This squash is very tasty. Your family will love it.

Golden Acorn Squash

INGREDIENTS

• 3 tablespoons butter, divided
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
• 3 tablespoons brandy
• 2 acorn squash, halved and seeded

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Coat pan evenly with melted butter.
2. In a saucepan, mix the remaining butter, brown sugar, frozen orange juice concentrate, and brandy . Bring to a boil, and remove from heat.
3. Place squash halves cut side down in the baking dish, and bake 30 minutes, or until easily pierced with a knife. Turn squash over, and drizzle with the sauce. Continue baking 15 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.

Apricot Ham

Apricot and brown sugar ham is another very tasty recipe. Make this at Christmas and everybody will be merry!

Apricot Ham:

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (10 pound) fully-cooked spiral cut ham
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup apricot jam
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
  

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).
2. Place the ham cut side down onto a sheet of aluminum foil. I like to put the shiny side up. Mix together the brown sugar, apricot jam and mustard powder in a small bowl. Brush onto the ham using a pastry or barbeque brush. Reserve any leftover glaze. Enclose the foil around the ham and place on a rimmed baking sheet.
3. Roast for 2 hours in the preheated oven, or if you ham is a different size, figure 14 minutes per pound. Apply the remaining glaze 20 minutes before the ham is done.

Beer Ham

Here is another simple Ham recipe. This is very good and quite simple.

Beer Ham:

INGREDIENTS

• 20 pounds bone-in ham
• 1 (20 ounce) can sliced pineapple
• 2 (12 fluid ounce) cans beer

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease an 18 quart roasting pan.
2. Place the ham, with the fattier side up, in the roaster. Use toothpicks to secure pineapple rings on the ham. Pour the beer over the ham. Place lid on roasting pan.
3. Bake 6 to 8 hours, or until cooked through.
4. Remove the pineapple rings and let sit 15 minutes before slicing.

Collards

Here is an excellent collard green recipe.

Slow-Cooked Collard Greens:

2large bunches collard greens
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, sliced
2 garlic cloves, smashed
2 bay leaves
1 smoked ham hock
2 quarts chicken broth, warm
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepperTo prepare the greens: cut away the tough stalks and stems from the collards, and discard any leaves that are bruised or yellow. Wash the collards thoroughly to remove the grit, 2 or 3 times, until the water runs clear. Dry thoroughly. Tear the leaves into large pieces.

Place a large pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the onion, garlic, bay leaves, and ham hock. Cook until the onions are soft and starting to brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. Pack in the greens, pushing them down into the pot. Add the broth, vinegar, and sugar. Bring up to a boil turning the greens over occasionally with a wooden spoon as they wilt. Lower to a simmer, cover the pot, and let cook for 45 minutes. Taste the "pot liquor" (broth) and check the seasoning, add salt and pepper. Cover and let cook for 15 more minutes. Remove the bay leaves and serve.

Cola Ham

Of course I must start of with one of my favorite Ham recipes. Here you go:

Cola-Baked Ham

1 (12 to 15-pound) fully cooked bone-in ham
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 (2-liter) bottle cola
3/4 cup cherry preserves or jelly
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons orange flavored liqueur (recommended: Grand Marnier)
Biscuits or dinner rolls, accompaniment
Creole mustard, accompaniment Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Trim rind and excess fat from the ham, leaving a 1/4-inch thick layer of fat. With a sharp knife, score the fat in a diamond pattern. Place the ham in large roasting pan and sprinkle with the allspice. Pour the cola into the pan and bake uncovered 1 hour and 15 minutes, basting every 15 minutes with the pan juices.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine the cherry preserves, orange juice, and liqueur over medium heat and cook, stirring, until melted, 1 to 2 minutes.

Remove the ham from the oven and brush the top and sides with the cherry glaze. Return the ham to the oven and bake, brushing with pan juices and glaze every 15 minutes and tenting the ham with foil if browning too quickly, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of ham without touching the bone registers 140 degrees F, about 15 to 30 minutes.

Remove the ham from oven and let rest for 30 minutes to 1 hour before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature thinly sliced.