Favorite Ingredient Friday ~ Devil's Food Orange Cake & Orange Butter frosting



CAKE

4 medium navel oranges, room temperature
3 squares unsweetened chocolate
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
2 Jumbo eggs
1 cup whole milk
2 cups flour

  • Heat oven to 325 degrees.
  • Generously grease a Bundt pan (I like a decorative Nordicware or Wilton pan)
  • Squeeze oranges, saving pulp
  • Melt the chocolate in the microwave. Then add 1/2 cup of the sugar, the cinnamon and 1/2 cup of the orange juice, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Cool.
  • Mix the baking soda into 2 teaspoons of orange juice.
  • In a large mixing bowl cream the shortening with 1 cup sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
  • Alternate the milk and flour, sifting the flour into the cream mixture and blend until smooth.
  • Add the baking soda mixture and blend well.
  • Add the cooled chocolate mixture and blend well.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
  • Level pan by dropping on counter top to remove air bubbles.
  • Bake until springy 55-60 minutes.
  • Cool 10 minutes and then invert onto platter.
  • Cool before frosting.
FROSTING

1/2 cup butter, softened
5 cups sifted powdered sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice, pulp and all
2 teaspoon orange zest

  • Beat butter until fluffy.
  • Beat in 1/2 of the powdered sugar until smooth.
  • Add orange juice, vanilla and orange peel. Blend until smooth.
  • Slowly add the remaining sugar and blend until silky.
  • Adjust sugar and orange juice until desired consistency and flavor is reached.

If you don’t have this mess in the end,
you did it wrong!

I do the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks and Slow Cooking Thursday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

Slow Cooking Thursday~Tequila Chicken

Slow Cooking Thursday is hosted by Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.
TEQUILA CHICKEN

1 tablespoon peanut oil
1 tablespoon honey
3/4 cup margarita mix
1/4 cup tequila
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons minced garlic
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
PURE
1+ tablespoon flour*
1+ tablespoon water*

  • In a small bowl whisk together the oil, honey, margarita mix, tequila and seasonings until well blended.
  • Poke each chicken breast several times with a fork.
  • Lightly spray slow cooker with PURE.
  • Put chicken in bottom of slow cooker.
  • Pour the tequila mixture over chicken breasts.
  • Cover and cook 3-4 hours on low.
  • When chicken is tender, remove it from the slow cooker and keep warm
  • Whisk together the flour and water until well blended.
  • Turn heat to high on slow cooker.
  • Whisk in the flour mixture and cook uncovered 10 minutes until thickens.
  • Serve chicken with warm tortillas and margaritas.
  • Pour sauce over top and garnish with limes.
*Adjust as necessary for desired thickness.

I do the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by aura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks and Slow Cooking Thursday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

Sweet Sweet Surprise!

I signed on for a quick email check while we are preparing for our family reunion and look what I found. Joy @ Joy of Desserts left me a super sweet surprise. This is her quote that made me smile big and feel some serious heartstring tugs:

3 Sides Of Crazy. Tamy and I seem to have a lot of little things and interests in common. She blogs about all sorts of things like cooking, her home and barn, faith and more. You won’t get bored. If you enjoyed my post about the first American cookbook and antique recipes, you’ll like her series on an old 1917 cookbook she found. She calls the series Tuesday’s Romance of Cookery and Housekeeping. “

These are the other 9 recipients. Stop by and congratualate them. You can read what Joy had to say about them on her post.

Canela’s Kitchen...Mil Postres...Culinarty...4urpetsyay pie!

Texas Tanya...Grace Today...Erin Craig...Tad Cronn...

Now it’s my turn be thoughtful & present 10 more awards.

SO, know that while I am on R&R I will have my thinking cap on!

Menu Plan Monday

We wait for this week every year! It’s our annual family camp out with hubby’s family. Every year it gets a little bigger and we always have at least 85-90 people show up for the week. We have to travel cross country now so some of the meals are eaten out, but after we get there all the cooking is done at the camp ground. We love cooking on the open grill.
Monday
B, L & D ~ sis-in-law’s choice
Tuesday
BR ~McDonald’s drive-thru (hey, it’s tradition)
D ~ Steak & Salad with home made Bleu Cheese dressing
Wednesday
B ~ Streusel Coffee Cake
L ~ Salami, Cheese, Crackers and fruit
D ~ Carne Asada & Salad
Thursday
B ~ Breakfast Casserole
L ~ Cold Carne Asada, fruit and veg sticks with Bleu Cheese Dressing
D ~ Burrito Night (small pot luck where we each bring a part of the whole)
Friday
B ~ Oven Omeletes
L ~ BLT Salad
D ~ Burger Night (little bigger pot luck where we all bring a part of the whole)
Saturday
B ~ French Toast
L ~ Chicken Salad & Deviled Eggs
D ~ BIG POTLUCK (where we all bring a WHOLE something)~ Broccoli Slaw Salad
Sunday
B ~ Danish
L ~ on the road back to sis-in-law’s house
D ~ OUT!

I do the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by aura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks and Slow Cooking Thursday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

Scrumptious Sunday ~ Pies ~ Pineapple cream pie

hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks

Pineapple Cream Pie

2 cups ground ginger snaps*
3 tablespoons butter, melted
40 ounces crushed pineapple, drained WELL, but save the juice
2 cups pineapple juice (juice from the pineapple plus enough water to make the 2 cups)
2 eggs beaten
4 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 + cups mini marshmallows

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Finely ground the ginger snaps and mix with the melted butter.
  • Firmly press the ginger snap mix into a DEEP dish pie plate.
  • Fill the pie plate with the pineapple.
  • In a large saucepan whisk together the pineapple juice, beaten eggs and sugar until sugar is dissolved.
  • Whisk in the cornstarch until smooth.
  • Cook until thick, stirring constantly.
  • Pour over pineapple in shell.
  • Bake 20 minutes.
  • Top with marshmallows and return to oven to bake until marshmallows are golden and crispy.
  • Chill.

*I sometimes use a combination of ginger snaps and vanilla wafers for a less spicy effect.

I do the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by aura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks and Slow Cooking Thursday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

Favorite Ingredient Friday & Freezer Food Friday collide with Meatloaf

hosted by Overwhelmed with Joy & mjpuzzlemom respectively

INDIVIDUAL MEAT LOAVES

2 pounds hamburger
2 bunches green onions, chopped
1 sleeve saltines, crushed
2 eggs
1/2 cup A1
1/2 cup ketchup
8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
2 cloves garlic or 2 teaspoons minced jar garlic
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon white pepper
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon liquid smoke
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Blend all together.
  • I use the mini loaf pans and fill each one 2/3.
  • Bake for 45 minutes or until top is crispy.
  • Pour off excess fat before serving.
  • Bake how ever many you need today and freeze the others for future meals. Thaw in refrigerator before baking.

These are truly greatest hits at our house and welcome leftovers for weekend picnic sandwiches.

I do the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks and Slow Cooking Thursday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

Menu Plan Monday

We wait for this week and next every year! It’s our annual family camp out with hubby’s family. Every year it gets a little bigger and we always have at least 85-90 people show up for the week. We have to travel cross country now so some of the meals are eaten out, but after we get there all the cooking is done at the camp ground.

Monday ~ Clean out the fridge
Tuesday ~ out so I have no dishes
Wednesday ~ B,L & D ~ TRAIN dining car
Thursday ~ B,L & D ~ TRAIN dining car
Friday ~ B,L & D ~ sis-in-law’s choice
Saturday ~ B, L & D ~ sis-in-law’s choice
Sunday ~ B, L & D ~ sis-in-law’s choice

I do the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by aura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks and Slow Cooking Thursday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

Freezer Food Friday ~Sweet & Zesty Meatballs

hosted by mjpuzzlemom
These are a great recipe for a potluck or buffet.
I always make too much on purpose because the leftovers freeze so well.

MEATBALLS*

2 pounds ground beef
1 large onion, finely minced
1/2 sleeve saltine crackers, crushed
1 teaspoon minced garlic from the jar
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1 jumbo egg, beaten

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • In a large bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients and blend well.
  • Shape into 1 inch balls.
  • Place meatballs on un-greased cookie sheet.
  • Bake 25-30 minutes until browned and baked through.
  • For frozen meatballs, put the sauce in the crock pot first and then stir in frozen meatballs. They’ll be ready in 3-4 hours.

*I sometimes cheat and buy the bags of meatballs from Costco or Sam’s Club

SAUCE
3/4 cup Welch’s grape jelly
3 tablespoons white vinegar
1 3/4 cups Heinz chili sauce
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into thin slivers

  • In a large saucepan combine jelly, chili sauce and vinegar.
  • Bring to a soft boil and simmer 5 minutes stirring constantly to prevent scorching.
  • Layer meatballs, peppers and spicy sauce in crock pot.
  • Warm meatballs in sauce for 3-4 hours before serving.
You can put all the leftovers in the freezer together. Be sure to thaw them thoroughly before reheating.

I do the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by aura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks and Slow Cooking Thursday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

Favorite Ingredient Friday collides with Scrumptious Sunday~Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes

hosted by Overwhelmed with Joy and Mercedes Rocks
CHEESY AU GRATIN POTATOES

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 16 oz. whipping cream
  • 5 large russet potatoes
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic (jar) or 1 clove
  • 2 cups grated 4 white cheese mix (Gruyere, Muenster, etc…)
  • 2 cups rates sharp cheddar
  • Wondra Flour
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Peel and thinly slice potatoes.
  3. Grease 9×13 baking dish.
  4. In a large sauce pan, melt the butter.
  5. Gradually add the whipping cream and spices. Blend well.
  6. Gradually add the flour until the mixture thickens, but it is still pourable!
  7. Mix the cheeses all together.
  8. Layer the potatoes, cheese and cream mixture ending with cheese on top.
  9. Bake 45 minutes or until potatoes are tender and golden brown.

I developed this recipe for a request from our youngest and it quickly became a family favorite.

I do the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks and Slow Cooking Thursday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

Slow Cooking Thursday~Carnitas

Slow Cooking Thursday is hosted by Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.
CARNITAS

3 pound pork roast
5 teaspoons minced garlic
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
12 ounces Amberbock Beer

  • Place pork roast in bottom of slow cooker.
  • Toss the pepper, salt, cilantro, jalapeno and garlic together.
  • Spread around and over roast.
  • Pour beer over everything.
  • Cover and cook on high 5-6 hours until pork is tender and fork pulls easily.
  • Serve with warm tortillas, your favorite toppings and salsa.


I do the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by aura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks and Slow Cooking Thursday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

Menu Plan Monday

I do the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by aura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks and Slow Cooking Thursday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

Scrumptious Sunday ~ Chili

I originally posted this recipe here, but the topic has come up again and I’m reusing it since I only have one we like to use.

SCRUMPTIOUS CHILI

3 pounds hamburger
2 large white onions, chopped

2 cans diced tomatoes

2 cans Rotel original tomatoes

2 – 4 oz. cans diced green chiles

3 cups V-8 juice

4 cups beef broth

2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons Hungarian paprika

1 tablespoon sea salt
1 tablespoon black pepper

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

3 teaspoons jar garlic or 3 cloves fresh

  • In a large stock pot, brown the hamburger and onion together.
  • Drain the fat off.
  • Mix in all the other ingredients.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Turn down to a low simmer for 3-4 hours.
  • After dinner separate the remaining chili into 4 freezer containers, label and freeze for future meals.
I do the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by aura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks and Slow Cooking Thursday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!