Orange Glazed Pecans

Citrusy-sweet pecans make the perfect appetizer or snack.

 



 

 

• 2 cups pecans halves
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest

Toast pecans in a 350-degree oven for 8 minutes.
In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar and orange juice.
Cook over medium-high heat, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads soft-ball stage, 
236-degrees.
Remove from the heat; stir in pecans and orange zest
Beat mixture with a wooden spoon until it thickens and loses its gloss, about 2 minutes.
Drop pecan halves onto waxed paper to set.
When cool break apart.
Store in an airtight container 

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Pralines

A sweet, slightly crumbly brown sugar candy loaded with toasted pecans.

• 1 1/2 cups pecans
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons corn syrup
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Toast pecans in a 350-degree oven for 8 minutes.
Mix sugar, brown sugar, salt, corn syrup, evaporated milk and butter in a heavy sauce pot.
Bring to a boil stirring constantly.
Cook over medium-high heat until soft-ball stage, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat when candy thermometer reads 232-degrees.
Cool sugar mixture about 15 minutes or until 150-degrees.
Stir in pecans and vanilla.
Beat with a wooden spoon for 1 to 2 minutes or candy begins to thicken.
Drop quickly onto wax paper.
Cool.
Store in air-tight container.

Tip: 
If candy becomes to hard to drop add a spoonful of hot water and stir.
 

Pear Martini

Try Pear Martinis at your next brunch for something different. A drink that has a delicate fresh taste.

• 1 1/2 ounces pear vodka
• 1  ounce simple syrup
• 1 ounce lemon juice
• 1 ounce pear puree
• pear slice for garnish
• cheese cube for garnish

Mix together and shake over ice.
Strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with pear and cheese.

You can buy pear flavored vodka and pear puree, but it is easy to make your own.
For a non-alcoholic version replace vodka with pear nectar.


Pear Vodka

• 6 pears, peeled, cored and chopped
• 1 fifth vodka

Pour vodka over pears.
Store in refrigerator for one week.
Shake occasionally.
Strain and discard solids.

Pear Puree

• 2 cups pears, peeled and cored
• 1/2 cup water 
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons sugar

Mix together in a medium sauce pot.
Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and cook 2 minutes or until tender.
Cool.
Puree in blender.
Store in refrigerator.
Freeze for longer storage.

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Peach Daiquiri

Enjoy with or without rum on a hot summer day.

• 4 large peaches, peeled, pitted and chopped
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons simple syrup
• 2 cups crushed ice
• 4 ounces light rum

Place all ingredients in blender.
Blend on high speed until slushy.
Pour into glasses.
For non-alcoholic drink omit rum.

For non-alcoholic drink omit rum.

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Cream of Potato Soup

A simple soup that can be prepared in a short time.

 

• 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt  
• dash pepper
• paprika  
• parsley, minced

 

Boil potatoes in water for 15 minutes.  Set aside.

Melt butter over medium heat.

Add onion, cook until translucent.

Stir in flour. Cook 5 minutes.  Do not brown flour.

Add milk, stirring to combine.

Bring to a boil.

Add potatoes and water.

Reduce heat to simmer.

Season with salt and pepper.

Simmer 15 minutes.

Garnish with paprika and parsley.

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Pickled Okra

They're crunchy.



 

• 3 1/2 pounds washed fresh okra
• 3 cups 5 percent acidity apple cider vinegar
• 3 cup water
• 1/3 cup canning salt
• 2 teaspoons dill seeds
• 2 teaspoons mustard seeds  
• 4-6 garlic cloves
• 4-6 small hot red peppers

Brush okra lightly with a piece of nylon net or a brush to remove fuzz.
Trim stems from okra, being careful not to cut pods.
Bring vinegar, water, salt, dill seeds and mustard seeds to a boil
Pack okra in hot sterilized jars, filling to 1/2 inch from top.
Add 1 garlic clove and 1 hot red pepper to each jar.
Pour hot vinegar mixture over mixture in jars, filling to 1/4 inch from top.
Remove air bubbles.
Seal and process 15 minutes in a boiling water canner. 
Let stand at least 7 days before serving.
Yield about 4 pints

Tip:
I like using the 12-ounce jelly jars.

Printable Recipe

 

Bloody Mary Cocktail

For best flavor serve ice-cold.

 

 

• 6 ounces tomato juice
• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 lime wedge
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
• 1/8 teaspoon celery salt
• celery stick for garnish
• green olives for garnish
• pickled okra for garnish

Blend tomato juice with vodka and Worcestershire sauce.
Squeezed lime juice into juice.
Add pepper, Tabasco and celery salt.
Pour over ice.
Garnish with celery stick, olives and okra.

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Enjoy without the vodka for a virgin bloody Mary.

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Lemon Brownies

A refreshing sweet tart brownie.

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
• 2 large eggs
• zest of 2 lemons
• juice of 2 lemons

Lemon Glaze

• 1 cup confectioner's sugar
• juice of 2 lemons
• zest of 2 lemons

In the bowl of an electric mixer beat the flour, sugar, salt and butter until combined.
Whisk together the eggs, lemon zest and lemon juice.
Add eggs to the flour mixture and beat for 2 minutes at medium speed until smooth.
Pour into a greased 8x8 inch baking dish.
Bake in pre-heated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.
Allow to cool completely before glazing
Sift powdered sugar to remove any lumps.
Stir in lemon juice and lemon zest.
Spread glaze over the brownies and let glaze harden.
Cut into bars and serve.


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Classic Hurricane Cocktail

The classic Hurricane Cocktail was first served during the 1939 New York City Worlds Fair, but a bar in New Orleans made this fruit punch world famous.  Don't be deceived by its sweet fruity taste it packs a category-5 punch.

• 2 ounces light rum
• 2 ounces dark rum
• 2 ounces passion fruit juice
• 1 ounce orange juice
• 1/2  ounces fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon simple syrup
• 1 tablespoon grenadine
• Garnish: orange slice and maraschino cherry

Mix all ingredients together.
Pour over ice.
Garnish with orange slice and maraschino cherry

Printable Recipe

Fried Green Tomatoes

Serve hot for a tangy, crispy, yet juicy tomato side dish.
 

 

 

• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, divided
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 3 green tomatoes, cut into 1/3-inch slices
• vegetable oil
• salt to taste

 

 

Mix together egg and buttermilk.

Mix together 1/4 cup flour, cornmeal, salt and pepper.

Dredge tomato slices in remaining 1/4 cup flour.

Dip in egg mixture.

Dredge in cornmeal mixture.

Add oil to a depth of  1/4 inch in a large skillet. 

Heat oil to 350 degrees.

Cook tomatoes 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

Do not over overcrowd skillet.

Drain on a wire rack.

Salt hot tomatoes to taste.

 

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Orange Jelly

A beautiful citrus orange colored jelly that is great on toast, but try serving it over pound cake for a fantastic dessert.

• 1 12-ounce package frozen orange juice
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon butter
• 1 1.75-ounce box powered pectin
• 4 1/2 cups sugar

Thoroughly mix orange juice concentrate with water, butter and pectin in a large sauce pan.
Bring to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down.
Add sugar all at one time.
Return to a full boiling roll and boil exactly one minute, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat.
Skim off foam.
Ladle hot jelly into prepared jars to 1/4 inch of top.
Top with two-piece lids.
Process 15 minutes in a boiling-water canner.
Makes 6 half-pint jars.

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Pecan Peach Pepper Preserves

Preserves that are sweet and a little hot.  Perfect served over cream cheese.  Or put a teaspoon on grilled pork chops or chicken and let melt into a sauce.

Pecan Peach Pepper Preserves

• 3 pounds of peeled, pitted and finely chopped peaches
• 7 1/2 cups of granulated sugar, divided
• 1 large sweet red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 medium jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1 3-ounce pouch liquid pectin

Mix chopped peaches and 2 cups of the sugar in a non-reactive bowl or pot; cover and let stand about 30 minutes to macerate.
Mash the peaches, leaving some large chunks.
Use an immersion blender if you want the jam smoother.
Add peppers, zest, pecans and remaining sugar to the peaches.
Add lemon juice, vinegar and butter.
Bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly.
Stir in the pectin.
Return to a full rolling boil and boil 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and use a metal slotted spoon to skim off any foam.
Ladle quickly into sterilized jars to within 1/8 inch of tops.
Wipe jar rims and treads.
Cover with two-piece lid.
Screw on bands.
Process in a water bath canner for 10 minutes.
Makes about 9 half pints.

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Congealed Lime Salad

• 1 3-ounce package lime Jello
• 1 1/2 cups boiling water
• 1 cup miniature marshmallows
• 3 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature, diced
• 8 ounces sour cream
• 1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple
• 1/2  cup chopped pecans

Stir together Jello, water, marshmallows, and cream cheese in a large bowl.
Chill until it begins to set, about 45 minutes.
Beat until combined.
Stir in sour cream, pineapple, and pecans.
Pour into gelatin mold.
Chill until set, at least 3 hours.

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Macaroni Shrimp Salad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• 16 ounces elbow macaroni
• 1 pound shrimp, boiled, peeled and chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 4 green onions, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 4 hardboiled eggs, sliced or chopped
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• juice of half a lemon
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste

Cook macaroni according to package directions.
Drain.
Combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl.
Add macaroni mixing well.
Chill before serving.

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Cresent Ham Sandwiches

Equally good for dinner with a green salad or breakfast with a fruit salad.

• 1 8-ounce package refrigerated crescent rolls
• 1 pound fully cooked ham, thinly sliced
• 4 ounces Swiss or Havarti cheese, thinly sliced
• 1 large tomato, thinly sliced
• 5 eggs, beaten

Unroll the crescent dough and separate into 2 squares.
Place one square in bottom of 8-inch baking pan that is well greased or lined with parchment paper.
Press dough to fit pan.
Layer with half the ham, cheese and tomatoes.
Pour half the eggs over layers.
Repeat the layers.
Top with remaining dough square.
Pour remaining eggs over top.
Cover with foil or parchment paper.
Bake in preheated 350-degree oven for 20 minutes.
Remove foil and bake another 25 minutes.
Let cool at room temp for 15-20 minutes before serving.
Slice into 6 to 8 servings.





Tip: 
Let the parchment overhang sides of dish for easy removal from pan.


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