Seasoned Black-eyed Peas

A New Year's tradition to bring luck in the coming year.

   

• 1 pound dried black-eyed peas
• water
• 2 tablespoons rendered bacon fat
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper 

Wash, sort and cover peas with water and soak overnight.
Drain and rinse peas.
In a large saucepan add bacon fat and onion.
Cook onion until translucent. 
Add peas and enough water to cover the contents with two inches to spare.
Season with salt and pepper.
Bring to a boil.
Lower heat and simmer 50 to 60 minutes.

 

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Sloppy Joes

A quick and easy weeknight meal recipe.

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• salt and pepper to taste
• 4 teaspoons mayonnaise
• 6 hamburger buns

Brown ground meat, drain.
Add onion, cook until translucent
Add ketchup, mustard and water.
Bring to a boil, simmering 15-minutes.
Stir in mayonnaise
Toast buns.
Serve meat on buns.

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Parmesan Bacon Crisp

An old favorite to ring in the new year.

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 sleeve club crackers
• 12 ounces bacon, slices cut in half

Top each cracker with one teaspoon of cheese
Wrap each cracker with 1/2 slice of bacon
Place on rack on cookie sheet.
Bake in preheated 250-degree oven for 2 hours or until bacon is done.
Serve warm or at room temperature.

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Brownie Cookies

Easy brownie cookie recipe.

• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups sugar
• 2/3 cups cocoa powder
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 cup walnuts

Mix oil, sugar, and cocoa powder together.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition.
Add vanilla extract.
Mix flour and baking powder together.
Add flour mixture gradually to batter.
Fold in nuts.
Chill dough.
Roll dough into 1-inch balls.
Bake in preheated 350-degree oven for 8 minutes.


Tips:
This batter is very wet, but it will thicken.  If you need to speed things up place in freezer.

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Oyster Cracker Snack

Oyster crackers have been made in New England since 1828 by the Westminster Cracker Company.  They are traditional served with oyster stew and clam chowder, but with a few ingredients you can transform them into a easy snack to enjoy with a glass of wine.

• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 package dry ranch dressing mix
• 1 teaspoon dill
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
• 2 10-ounce packages oyster crackers

Mix together oil, ranch dressing, dill, onion powder. garlic powder and lemon pepper.
Pour over oyster crackers.
Toss to coat.
Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake in preheated 250-drgree oven for 20 minutes.
Cool.
Store in air tight container.
Makes 12 cups

Printable Recipe 
 

Butter Cookies

A simple butter cookie recipe

 

• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• water
• additional sugar for coating

Cream butter and sugar together.
Add egg, mixing well.
Add flour, baking powder and salt.
Beat until well mixed.
Roll dough into 1-inch balls.
Dip top of each ball into water, then into sugar.
Place on ungreased cookie pan 2-inches apart.
Bake in 350-degree preheated oven for 8 to 14 minutes or until lightly brown around edges.

Cost  $2.10 for 5 dozen cookies
Printable Recipe 

Overnight Sausage Egg Breakfast Casserole

Mix everything the night before for a stress free breakfast.

• 10 eggs, beaten
• 2 1/4 cups milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 pound sausage, cooked and crumbled
• 4 cups cubed white bread, 8 to 9 slices
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Mix eggs, milk, mustard and salt together.
Add sausage, bread cubes and cheese.
Pour into greased 9-inch X 13-inch casserole dish.
Refrigerate overnight.
Let stand at room temperature for 30-minutes.
Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 40 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool 10-minutes before serving

Printable Recipe.

Cost  $8.48 for 12 servings  or $.71 a serving
Cost of ingredients based on the online prices at Wal-Mart in my area.

Notes:
Recipe can be easily halved if you don't need 12 servings.
My cost $4.48
I used my Country Sausage which only cost me about $1.49 a pound to make.

Country Sausage Recipe

 

Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookie recipe using self-rising flour.

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups self-rising flour
• 1/4 cup sugar, reserved for coating cookies

Cream butter and sugar together until fluffy.
Add egg and vanilla, mix.
Add flour, mixing thoroughly.
Scrape down sides of bowl and mix again.
Roll into 1-inch balls.
Dip top half of balls in reserved sugar.
Place on parchment lined cookie sheet two inches apart.
Bake in a preheated 375-degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes.
Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan.
Remove to wire rack to finish cooling.

Printable Recipe

Cost  $1.63 for 4 dozen cookies  
Cost of ingredients based on the online prices at Wal-Mart in my area. 
                                                        
                                                       
Notes:
Freezes well either baked or unbaked.
My cost 1.14 (Kroger has sugar for .99/4 pounds)

Chocolate Covered Cheesecake Bites

Easy no-bake candy recipe.

 

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 4 tablespoons butter, softened
• 4 cups confectioner's sugar
• 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix cream cheese and butter until creamy.
Add sugar a little at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Add graham cracker crumbs, vanilla and lemon juice, mixing well.
Chill batter until firm.
Roll into one inch balls.
Melt chocolate chips.
Dip balls into chocolate, covering completely.
Place on wax paper lined tray.
Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Printable Recipe

Cost  $5.75

Cost of ingredients based on the online prices at Wal-Mart in my area.
 

Butterscotch Blondies

Quick and easy blondie recipe.

• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1/3 cup butterscotch chips

Mix together the melted butter and sugar.
Add the egg and vanilla.
Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
Mix wet ingredients with dry ingredients.
Add the butterscotch chips.
Pour into a greased and floured 8X8 inch pan, spreading evenly.
Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares.

Printable Recipe 

Cost $1.89 for 9 servings or $.21 a serving*

Tips:
If you do a lot of baking, brown sugar is $4.58 for 7 pounds at Sam's Club.  That is 19 cents a cup versus  29 cents a cup if purchased in 1 pound boxes.
My Cost $1.41 or $.16 a serving

*Cost of ingredients based on the online prices at Wal-Mart in my area.
 

Orange Blossoms

Keep a batch of Orange Blossoms in the freezer for a quick dessert.  Just the perfect sweet bite with a cup of coffee.

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 2 cups confectioner's sugar
• zest of one orange

Mix cake mix with water, oil and eggs according to package directions.
Pour into greased mini-muffin tins.
Bake 10 to 15 minutes in preheated 350-degree oven or until lightly browned.
Mix orange juice and confectioner's sugar until smooth.
Add orange zest.
Dip muffins while they are still warm in the glaze, covering completely.
Cool on rack.

Printable Recipe

Cost  $3.18 for 72 mini-muffins  $.13 for a serving of 3 muffins

Tips:

Perfect for freezer.
Sam's Club has confectioner's sugar for $4.58 for 7 pounds.
If you do a lot of baking this is cheapest way to buy confectioner's sugar, 18 cents a cup versus 27 1/4 cents a cup.
I got a great buy on cake mixes at Kroger for $.49 and my eggs are free, so
my cost  is $1.76  or $.07 a serving

Cost of ingredients based on the online prices at Wal-Mart in my area.

Steamed Cranberry Pudding

Traditional Christmas Recipe 

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 2 cups whole cranberries
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Dissolve the baking soda in hot water.
Add sugar and molasses, mixing well.
Mix in cranberries and flour.
Pour into a greased 6-cup steamer mold.

Place mold in steamer, cover pot.

Cook over medium heat for 1 1/2 hours or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
Loosen the edges, and cool on a wire rack in the mold.

Unmold

Serve with hard sauce.

Hard Sauce

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Make the hard sauce just before serving:  
Heat butter, cream, sugar and vanilla in a small saucepan over medium heat. 
Cook stirring constantly until heated through and smooth.

Cost of pudding $3.20
Cost of Hard Sauce $2.00
Total cost $5.20



Printable Recipe 

Pecan Pie

A easy recipe for pecan pie. Comes out prefect every time.

• 1 cup light or dark corn syrup
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups pecans
• 1 unbaked deep-dish pie crust

Mix corn syrup, eggs, sugar, butter and vanilla together.
Stir in pecans.
Pour into prepared pie crust.
Bake in a preheated oven for 60 minutes or until center reaches 200 degrees.
Cool three hours before serving.

Cost: 
$6.34  8 servings 

Printable Recipe

Pineapple Bread

A moist sweet bread recipe bursting with tropical flavors. Plus it so easy to make, just stir and bake.

3 eggs, beaten
2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple, in it own juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups self-rising flour
1 cup chopped walnuts


Mix together eggs, sugar, oil, pineapple and vanilla.
Add flour, mixing until combined.
Stir in nuts.
Divide the batter equally into two loaf pans.
Bake in a preheated 325-degree oven for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cost to make 2 loaves $5.60.

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French Onion Dip

French onion dip is a creamy, decadent recipe that is easy to make.  Perfect with chips or crisp vegetables for dipping.

 

• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 sweet onions, chopped
• 2 cups sour cream
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon celery salt
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper

Add oil to a large skillet. Saute onions on low until brown and caramelized, about 35 minutes.
Cool onions.
Mix together remaining ingredients, blending well.
Add cooled onions.
Chill at least one hour before serving.

Tips:

For a creamier dip, puree after adding onions.
For super crisp vegetables, cut and store in ice water, drain before serving.

Little Smokies Cocktail Sausage

A easy recipe for a man-pleasing football snack.

• 1/2 cup grape jelly
• 1/2 cup chili sauce
• 1 12-ounce package cocktail sausage

Melt jelly and cocktail sauce together in a small saucepan.
Add sausage.
Simmer on low one hour.

Spinach Tea Sandwiches

A excellent tea sandwich recipe that is sure to please.

Spinach Tea Sandwiches
 

• 1 10-ounce box frozen chopped spinach, cooked
• 1/2 cup of mayonnaise
• 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
• 1 packet Knorr Vegetable dry soup mix
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 tablespoon pimiento, minced
• very thin sliced bread

Cool spinach and squeeze dry.
Mix together all ingredients except bread.
Chill for at least 2 hours.
Spread filling on one slice of bread, top with another slice.
Make desired number to sandwiches.
Remove outside crust with serrated knife.
Cut into desired shapes.

Tips:

Freeze bread five hours before making sandwiches. The crust will cut much neater from the bread.
Make sandwiches the night before.
Refrigerate in an air-tight container covered with a sheet of wax paper and a damp paper towel.  This will prevent them from drying out.
Pepperidge Farm very thin sliced bread makes the best tea sandwiches.

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Tintoretto Cocktail

Only two ingredients for a Tintoretto cocktail.   Ancient Egyptians regarded the pomegranate as a symbol of prosperity.

• 6 ounces pomegranate juice, chilled
• 16 ounces Processo or other sparkling wine, chilled

Pour pomegranate juice into champagne flute.
Pour chill wine over juice.

Spinach Dip

A favorite dip recipe to share with your favorite friends, even if they are Bama fans.

• 1 10-ounce box frozen chopped spinach, cooked
• 1 cup of mayonnaise
• 2 cups sour cream
• 1 packet Knorr Vegetable dry soup mix
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 3 tablespoons pimiento peppers, minced

Cool spinach and squeeze dry.
Mix all ingredients together.
Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

Printable Recipe 

Pinto Beans

Try this recipe for a meatless meal.  Rice and pinto beans served with cornbread make a complete protein.

• 1 pound dry pinto beans, sorted and rinsed
• 1 smoked ham hock
• 1 10-ounce can diced tomatoes and green chilies
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 celery rib, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 dash hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt  
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• hot cooked rice

Cover beans with water and soak overnight. Drain.
Place beans in a large Dutch oven, and add water to cover.
Add ham hock.
Bring to a boil, and cook, uncovered, 30 minutes.
Add remaining ingredients and cook 55 minutes or until beans are tender.
Remove a cup on beans from pot, blend until creamy.
Return to pot, stirring to combine. 
Serve over rice.

Tip:
Pinto beans freeze well.  

Scalloped Potatoes

A traditional recipe for a rich, creamy side side.  Try scalloped potatoes for an easy yet impressive dish. 

• 4 medium potatoes, pared and sliced 1/8-inch thick
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 1/2 cup milk
• salt and pepper to taste

Place half the potatoes in a greased 1 1/2-quart shallow baking dish.
Dot with half the butter.
Add half the onions.
Sprinkle with half the flour.
Season with salt and pepper.
Repeat with remaining ingredients.
Pour milk over potatoes.
Bake covered for first half of baking period, in a 400-degree oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until potatoes are tender and brown crust is formed over top.

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Hissy Fit Dip

Rumor has it that the first time this recipe was served at an SEC tailgating party it was so popular that it was gone before one Southern belle got to taste it. She was so upset that she pitched a hissy fit.  So be sure to make plenty of this cheesy, creamy dip and save the hissy fits for a bad call on the field. 

Hissy Fit Dip

• 16 ounces sour cream
• 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 8 ounces Velveeta, cubed
• 1 cup American cheese, shredded
• 1 pound pork sausage, cooked, drained and crumbled
• 1/4 cup green onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
• 1/4 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• dash of garlic powder

Combine all ingredients; stirring until well blended.
Pour into a greased baking dish.
Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 1 hour.
Serve with chips.

Hissy Fit Dip is great served hot or at room temperature.

Printable Recipe

Turkey and Brie Sandwiches with Pears

A turkey sandwich recipe with sweet pears and peppery arugula that is deliciously different.

• focaccia bread
• brie cheese
• pear slices
• sliced turkey
• arugula
• fig preserves

Cut focaccia bread into sandwich portions.
Slice in half.
Layer brie, pear slices and turkey between bread slices.

Wrap each sandwich in foil.
Bake in a 350-degree preheated oven for 10 minutes or until cheese melts.
Spread fig preserves on top slice.
Add arugula.
Serve warm.

Make your own focaccia  bread with this easy recipe.
Focaccia Recipe