MUD PIE

This is a Thanksgiving tradition in my family.  It is loved by all and many of these pies are made each year.

Mud Pie

1 cup Sugar

1/2 tsp Salt

2/3 cup Flour

1/3 cup Cocoa

2 Eggs

2-1/2 cups Milk

1/4 cup Margarine or Butter

1 tsp vanilla

1-2 cooked pie crust(s)

Whipped Cream (optional)

Chocolate Shavings (optional)

Mix together well the sugar, salt, flour and cocoa.  Beat the eggs until fluffy and stiff.  Add eggs to the mixture  Heat the milk slowly in microwave.  Add 1/2 of the milk to above mixture.  Mix well then add rest of milk.  Cook on low heat, covered, stirring often.  When thickened good (will be lumpy), remove from heat.  Beat with beaters until smooth.  Mix in the margarine and vanilla.  Chill in fridge then add to cooked pie crust.   Top with Whipped Cream and Shaved Chocolate if desired.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Nacho Bake

I loathe Mac N Cheese and Hot Dogs...however this is a meal that I resort to often for daycare because: 1 - it's EASY, no oven, one pan... 2 - it's QUICK... 3 - It's CHEAP.... So yesterday I announced we were going to have this for lunch and I got at least three groans of "yuck!". I don't normally get that response, but I had to agree with them on it! So I turned over the box and found this recipe. It was still fairly easy, quick and cheap. The kids and I both loved it. I actually had Shells and Cheese on hand, instead of Mac N Cheese, but I'm sure either would work great.

Nacho Bake

1 pkg Shells and Cheese

1 lb ground beef

1 pkg Taco Seasoning Mix

3/4 C water

3/4 C sour cream

3/4 C shredded cheddar cheese

3/4 C salsa

1/2 C coursely crushed tortilla chips

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare the shells and cheese according to basic directions. While Pasta is cooking, brown meat and drain. Add taco seasoning mix and water to the meat. Simmer 5 minutes.

Stir sour cream into the prepared shells. Spoon half of the shells mixture into medium size casserole dish. Top with a layer of meat, half of the cheese, another layer of shells and another layer of meat. Cover.

Bake 15 minutes. Top with salsa, remaining cheese and crushed tortilla chips. Bake uncovered an additional 5 minutes.

Snickerdoodles

These are my most favorite cookies of all time.  My Grandma Alldredge (my dad's mom), would always make these cookies and have them ready for us when we came for a visit while we were young.  I made these the other day for a cookie exchange we were having in Relief Society and they turned out to be a big hit with everyone and I received plenty of compliments.  So I thought I would share them on the blog.  I hope you enjoy them too! 

Snickerdoodles

Sugar
1/2 Cup Shortening
1/2 Cup Margarine or Butter, Softened
2 Eggs
1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
2-3/4 Cup Flour
1 Tsp Soda
1/4 Tsp Salt
2 Tsp Cream of Tartar
2 Tsp Cinnamon

Cream 1-1/2 cups sugar, shortening and margarine together in bowl.  Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well. Combine next 4 ingredients in a seperate bowl.  Stir into creamed mixture.  Chill for at least 1 hour or overnight.  Shape into walnut-sized balls.  Mix cinnamon and 2 Tablespoons sugar in small bowl.  Roll cookies in sugar mixture.  Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet.  Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. 

Wassail (Non-alchoholic)

It's only November and I'm already in the holiday mood. So in celebration of that I've decided to post one of our family Christmas recipes. This is a traditional hot drink....everything about it says "Happy Holidays!" When you are making this your house will smell DIVINE. Just be careful not to let it simmer for too long or you'll end with a soupy syrupy concocotion. I find I sometimes have to water it down a little even after simmer for only an hour or so, but I really don't like mine too strong. You'll have to just experiment a little and find the best mix for you. Good luck!

Wassail

Bring 1 Quart of water and 2 Cups of sugar to a boil.

Add:

2 Quarts of Apple Cider or Juice.

From frozen concentrate and with required water add:

1 6 ounce can of orange juice and 1 6 ounce can of lemonade. (This is a small can. I don't usually see them in this size, so just use the normal size - 12 ounces - and use half of it. You could double the recipe, but that will make a HUGE batch of Wassail).

Also add a few whole cloves and 1 or 2 cinnamon sticks.

Heat to a simmer, but do not boil. Let simmer for an hour or so. Take the cinnamen sticks out after 45 minutes or until you get to your desired spiciness.

This drink is a great substitute for hot chocolate or hot cider if you want something a little different. The recipe does make quite a bit so it's really good for parties, caroling, etc.