SWEET...a Blog Award!!

The always sweet Elizabeth at The Last Door...Down The Hall has given me this Sweet award!! I quote her as saying "I am going to turn you on to her cooking blog, she has an art blog, too. But anyone who can make such good food with a three year old has to be admired. Plus, I love a good recipe." THANK YOU Elizabeth, your blog RAWKS some great recipes too!!

I am to spread the sweetness on to some others, HMMM...do I have a recipe for that?

Ham Stuffed Jumbo Shells

24 jumbo Pasta Shells
3 tablespoons all-purpose Flour
2 cups Milk
1/2 pound fresh Mushrooms, halved and sliced
1/2 cup chopped Onion
1/2 cup chopped Green Pepper
1 tablespoon Oil
3 cups cubed fully cooked Ham
1 cup shredded Swiss Cheese, divided
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan Cheese
2 tablespoons minced fresh Parsley
1/4 teaspoon Paprika

Cook pasta according to package directions. In a small saucepan, combine flour and milk until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat.
In a large skillet, saute the mushrooms, onion and green pepper in oil until tender. Reduce heat; add the ham, 1/2 cup Swiss cheese and Parmesan cheese. Cook and stir until cheese is melted. Remove from the heat. Stir in 1/2 cup of the reserved sauce.
Drain pasta; stuff each shell with about 3 tablespoons of filing. Place in a 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Top with remaining sauce. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with parsley, paprika and remaining Swiss cheese.

Makes 8 servings, 3 shell per person.

Funnel Cakes

These carnival must haves are much easier to make than doughnuts but taste just as good.

2 Eggs
1 cup Milk
1 cup Water
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
3 cups All Purpose Flour
1/4 cup Sugar
1 tablespoon Baking Powder
1/4 teaspoon Salt
Oil for deep frying
Confectioners' Sugar

In a mixing bowl, beat eggs. Add milk, water and vanilla, mix well. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt, beat into egg mixture until smooth. In an electric skillet or deep fryer, heat oil to 375 degrees. Cover the bottom of a funnel spout with your finger, pour 1/2 cup of batter into the funnel. Hold the funnel over the skillet, remove your finger and move funnel in a spiral motion until all of the batter is released. Fry for 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve warm.
Makes 8 cakes.
*NOTE*: The batter can also be poured from a liquid measuring cup instead of a funnel.

My New Look

I decided to try a new look for this blog as well since I changed my others. I am not sure that I am satisfied with this look yet, we'll see....

Holiday French toast

The first time I had this was at a family reunion. Serve it to your guests for breakfast, it is awesome!!

1 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Butter, melted
3 teaspoons Cinnamon, divided
3 Granny Smith Apples, sliced thin
1/2 cup Dried Cranberries
1 loaf French Bread, cut into 1 inch slices
6 large Eggs
1 1/2 cups Milk
1 tablespoon Vanilla Extract

1. Combine brown sugar, butter and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon in a 13 X 9 inch baking dish. Add apples and cranberries, toss to coat well. Spread mixture evenly over bottom of dish. Arrange bread slices on top.
2. Mix eggs, milk, vanilla and last 2 teaspoons of cinnamon until well blended. Pour over bread, soaking completely. Cover and refrigerate 4 to 24 hours.
3. Bake covered with foil in preheated oven 375 degree oven for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 5 minutes. Remove from oven, let stand 5 minutes. Serve warm with plenty of warm syrup.

Makes 12 servings

Fresh Peach Crisp

I make this using fresh peaches when in season. I freeze peaches to use throughout the year to get that "fresh" peach taste. You can also make this using canned or frozen peaches found at most grocery stores. To make peeling peaches easier see my tip in the left hand column.

4-5 medium Peaches or 1 (16oz) can
1/4 cup Oatmeal
1/4 cup Flour
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1 tbsp Cinnamon
1/4 cup Butter

Place peach slices in a glass baking dish. In a small bowl combine remaining ingredients, mix well using a fork. Sprinkle the crumbled mixture over your peaches. Bake in 350 degree pre-heated oven for about 20 minutes or until golden brown on top. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. YUM!!