Tag Archives: my great recipes

Carol’s Ham Casserole

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Preparation time: 20 min.
Baking time: 25 to 30 min.
Oven temperature: 375°F

Broccoli and ham cubes bake in a savory custard, making a hearty casserole for a family meal. It is also an excellent choice to serve on a brunch buffet table.

For 4 servings you will need:
2 lbs. fresh broccoli
½ tsp. salt
Water
2 medium onions, minced
1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
3 Tbsp. olive oil
3 to 5 anchovies, chopped
1½ cups cubed ham
2 Tbsp. chopped parsley
3 eggs
Dash each white pepper, salt and nutmeg
¾ cup whipping cream or half-and-half
2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan Cheese

Preparation:

  1. Wash and cut broccoli into 2-inch pieces. Cook in boiling salted water for 5 min. Drain.
  2. In frying pan, saute onions and garlic in olive oil. Add anchovies. Cook 2 min. longer. Mix in broccoli.
  3. Transfer mixture to a buttered 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Top with ham. Sprinkle with parsley.
  4. Beat eggs. Season with white pepper, salt and nutmeg. Stir in cream. Pour evenly over broccoli. Sprinkle with cheese.
  5. Bake at 375°F for 25 to 30 min. or until custard is set and broccoli is tender-crisp.

Good served with: Italian or French bread and red wine, if you like, for a satisfying summer meal.

For 2 servings: Half of the ingredients. Use individual baking dishes.
For 8 servings: Double the ingredients. Use 2 baking dishes.

©️MCMLXXXV MY GREAT RECIPES. ®️ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN HOLLAND.

Sherried Prunes in Jelly

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Preparation time: 15 min.
Chilling time: 2 hrs.

Elegant enough for company but inexpensive enough for every day, this delicious dessert is easy to make. Unmold it in your nicest glass dessert dishes and top with delectable Creme Francaise.

For 4 servings you will need:
1 cup soft pitted dried prunes
1 cup water
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
¼ cup cream sherry
½ cup orange juice
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. grated lemon rind
Crème Francaise (recipe follows)
Grated orange rind

Crème Francaise: Soften 1 pkg. (3 oz.) cream cheese. Add 1 Tbsp. sugar and ¼ tsp. vanilla extract. Gradually added ½ cup whipping cream, beating with electric mixer only until of sauce consistency.

Preparation:

  1. Put prunes in saucepan and add water. Bring to boiling. Cover and simmer 8 min. or until prunes are just tender.
  2. Remove from heat. Drain, reserving liquid. Cool prunes, then dice and set aside.
  3. Measure juice and add enough cold water to make 1¼ cups. Place in small saucepan and sprinkle with the gelatin. Heat, stirring, until gelatin is dissolved.
  4. Remove from heat. Stir in sherry, orange juice, sugar, lemon juice and lemon rind. Fold in prunes.
  5. Pour into 4 individual molds, serving dishes, or custard cups and chill 2 hrs. or until firm.

For 8 servings: Double the ingredients.

Tips: Cream sherry is best in this recipe but other kinds can be used.

©️MCMLXXXV MY GREAT RECIPES. ®️ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN HOLLAND.

Rhubarb and Yogurt Flummery

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Preparation time: 10 min.
Baking time: 25 to 30 min.
Oven temperature: 325°F

Here is a springtime dessert of tangy-sweet rhubarb and cool, creamy yogurt. Rhubarb, the traditional “pie plant” combine naturally with yogurt. Cinnamon and toasted almonds top this low-calorie dessert.

For 4 servings you will need:
1 lb. rhubarb
½ cup sugar
Cinnamon
Plain yogurt or vanilla yogurt
Toasted sliced almonds and mint sprigs for garnish, optional

Tips: Purchase firm, crisp, bright red or dark red rhubarb stalks. Avoid very thin or oversized stalks. This recipe makes a wholesome breakfast dish. Add sliced strawberries or bananas.

Preparation:
1. Wash rhubarb stalks and trim ends. Peel stalks only if necessary (in older rhubarb, the peels are tough).
2. Slice rhubarb. Layer in a deep baking dish. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.
3. Bake at 325°F for 25 to 30 min. or until rhubarb is tender. Cool to room temperature.
4. Spoon yogurt into serving dishes. Top with the rhubarb. Sprinkle with almonds, if used. Garnish with mint.

For 2 servings: Half of the ingredients.
For 8 servings: Double the ingredients.

©️MCMLXXXV MY GREAT RECIPES. ®️ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN HOLLAND.

Quick Chesed Beef Hash

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Preparation time: 12 min.
Cooking time: about 20 min.

Good quality roast beef hash in a can can be of great help when time is short and a hearty main dish is wanted. This meal, cooked in a skillet, saves energy and time, and is suitable for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner.

For 4 servings you will need:
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
¾ cup chopped onions
⅔ cup chopped green pepper
2 cans (15 oz. each) roast beef hash
Salt and black pepper
1¼ cups shredded Cheddar cheese
4 warm hard-cooked eggs, shelled, quartered
Paprika
¼ cup chopped parsley

Tips: Since beef hash varies, taste and add salt and black pepper accordingly. Corned beef hash or poached eggs can be used in this recipe if desired. For microwave cooking, cook onions and peppers in a quart glass measure on high for 2 or 3 minutes. Add to butter in skillet and brown lightly.

Preparation:
1. In a 9- or 10-inch skilled, melt butter. Add onions and green pepper. Cook slowly until lightly browned but still crisp. Remove from heat.
2. Put hash in skillet. Break up and flatten with heavy spoon. Taste and add salt and black pepper if needed.
3. Cook over medium heat until hash browns nicely, stirring often. Flatten to brown a bit more on bottom. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and keep warm over low heat until cheese melts.
4. Using pancake turner, place mounts of hash onto 4 warm plates. Top each with a hard-cooked, quartered egg. Sprinkle with paprika and parsley.

Good served with: Stewed tomatoes or fresh tomato wedges, applesauce or cole slaw, heated crusty rye bread and sweet butter.

For 2 servings: Half of the ingredients. Use an 8-inch skillet.

For 8 servings: Double the ingredients. Use a 10- or 12-inch skillet. Allow extra 10 min. for browning.

©️MCMLXXXV MY GREAT RECIPES. ®️ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN HOLLAND.

Hamburger Stroganoff

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Hamburger Stroganoff is an easier and less expensive version of the classic recipe. The flavor is just as exciting, piqued with paprika, cayenne pepper and garlic; softened with sour cream. For an extra special touch, you can make your own noodles.

For 4 servings you will need:
1 lb. lean ground beef
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
1 medium onion, chopped
½ lb. fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
½ cup beef broth
1 tsp. salt or to taste
2 tsp. paprika
Dash cayenne pepper
1 cup sour cream
4 sliced green onions for garnish
Cooked noodles

Preparation:
1. In large heavy frying pan, sauté the beef in the butter along with the garlic, onions, mushrooms until beef has lost it’s pinkness and vegetables are tender.

2. Add the all-purpose flour. Mix until blended.

3. Add the beef broth, salt, paprika and cayenne pepper.

4. Stir, and cook until thickened. Blend in the sour cream. Keep warm but do not boil.

5. Turn cooked noodles onto shallow casserole. Top with green onions. Serve immediately.

Good served with: Tossed green salad, crisp bread, butter, and buttered mixed vegetables.

For 2 servings: Half of the ingredients. Be careful not to cook the meat dry.

For 8 servings: Double the ingredients.

©️MCMLXXXV MY GREAT RECIPES. ®️ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN HOLLAND.

Lucy’s Fruited Cream

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Preparation time: 15 min.
Chilling time: 1 hr.

For busy days, consider this dessert-rum-flavored cream, studded with fruits and nuts, spread with a lavish hand over cake slices. It combines eye appeal with ease of preparation. If preferred, you can use fresh fruit instead of canned, depending on the season.

For 4 servings you will need:

4 slices ready-made pound cake
1 can (10 oz.) pineapple chunks, well drained
1 can (6 oz.) Bing cherries, well drained.
1 banana, sliced
¼ cup coconut, optional
½ cup diced cranberry jelly
¼ cup chopped walnuts
1 cup whipping cream
2 Tbsp. powdered sugar
1 tsp. rum flavoring
Few drops red food coloring, optional

Preparation:

  1. In a bowl, combine pineapple, cherries, banana, coconut, if used, cranberry jelly and walnuts.
  2. Whip cream. Beat in powdered sugar, rum and a few drops of food coloring, if used, to a light shade of pink.
  3. Gently fold in fruit-nut mixture. Cover and chill. 1hr. to blend flavors.
  4. When ready to serve, spread mixture over cakes slices on individual serving plates.

Tips: For a more spirited flavor, blend in real rum, sherry or port wine.

For 2 servings: Half of the ingredients

For 8 servings: Double the ingredients.

©️MCMLXXXV MY GREAT RECIPES. ®️ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN HOLLAND.

Country Creamed Ham on Corn Bread

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Preparation time: 20 min.

Creamed dishes can be elegant and economical. This cream sauce, made with milk and broth, is a perfect complement for ham and hard-cooked eggs. Spoon over steaming old-fashioned cornbread.

For 4 servings you will need:
1 cup diced, cooked ham
2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
⅔ cup warm milk
⅓ cup chicken broth
⅛ tsp. white pepper
2 hard-cooked eggs
2 Tbsp. chopped chives
Corn bread

  1. Use a ham slice or leftover ham. Trim off visible fat.
  2. Melt butter in a skillet. Add flour and cook over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes.
  3. Slowly stir in the milk and broth.
  4. Quarter eggs. Add carefully with the ham to the cream sauce. Don’t stir.
  5. Cut large squares of cornbread, heated if possible. Split.
  6. Spoon mixture over halves. Sprinkle with chives.

Good served with: A chicory and romaine salad tossed with an oil and vinegar dressing, steaming mugs of coffee and pecans sugar cookies.

Tips: An honest-to-goodness cornbread has a rich, brown crust and a somewhat gritty bite. Try Whole Grain Corn Bread and taste the difference. Sauce Aurore can be used for a variation, adding 1 to 2 Tbsp. of tomato purée to the cream sauce. Sprinkle paprika over completed dish.

©️MCMLXXXV MY GREAT RECIPES. ®️ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN HOLLAND.

Walnut Caramels

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Preparation time: 15 min.
Cooking time: about 1 hr.

Luscious caramels make a welcome gift at Yuletide. They can be made a week to 10 days ahead of presentation, as long as they are wrapped airtight and stored for the interim in a cool, dark place.

For 64 candies (about 1½ lbs.) you will need:

2 cups sugar
¾ cup light corn syrup
½ cup (¼ lb.) butter or margarine
2 cups half-and-half
½ cup finely chopped walnuts
1 tsp. vanilla

Preparation:

  1. In a large heavy saucepan combine sugar, corn syrup, butter and half of the cream. Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly.
  2. Stir in remaining cream, nuts and vanilla. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture reaches a temperature of 244°F. on a candy thermometer (small amount dried into very cold water will form a firm ball). As mixture becomes thick, stir constantly.
  3. Immediately pour mixture evenly into a well buttered 8-inch-square pan. Let stand until cool.
  4. Cut into 1-inch squares. Wrap individually in waxed paper or plastic film.

© MCMLXXXIV MY GREAT RECIPES®. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN HOLLAND.

Spicy Sugared Nuts

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Preparation time: 15 min.
Cooking time: about 15 min.

Easily-made, this unusual confection is wonderful as a holiday treat. Include it with other candies for a welcome gift.

For about ¾ lb. of candy you will need:
½ cup pure maple syrup or maple blended syrup
½ cup sugar
1 Tbsp. Butter or margarine
½ tsp. Cinnamon
¼ tsp. Ginger
⅛ tsp. each ground cloves and allspice
Dash salt
1½ cups pecans

Preparation:

  1. In medium saucepan, combine syrup and sugar.
  2. Bring to boiling over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
  3. Using a candy thermometer, cook syrup without stirring until temperature reaches 236°F or the softball stage.
  4. Remove from heat. Add butter, spices, and salt.
  5. Stir in nuts, then beat with spoon until syrup begins to thicken and becomes slightly creamy in color.
  6. Spread on waxed paper, separating nuts with a fork.
  7. Cook, then store in airtight containers.

© MCMLXXXV MY GREAT RECIPES ALL RIGHTS RESERVED®. PRINTED IN HOLLAND.

Chicken Liver Timbales

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Preparation time: 30 min.
Baking time: 20-30 min.
Oven temperature: 350°F

Chicken is still a favorite economy meal. But, what do you do with the livers? Rather than ignoring their delectable potential, freeze the liver from 3 to 4 chickens until you have enough to make this dish.

For 4 servings you will need:
1 cup (about 8 oz.) chicken livers
2 eggs
2 Tbsp. Madeira, sherry or 1 tsp. lemon juice
4 Tbsp. butter or margarine
4 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
½ cup undiluted chicken broth
½ cup milk
1 tsp. dried thyme leaves
¼ tsp. salt
Butter and bread crumbs for baking dishes
Tomato Bearnaise (recipe follows)
Chopped chives
Parsley and tomato wedges for garnish

Tomato Bearnaise: Into blender or food processor with steel blade, place 3 egg yolks, ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp. dried tarragon leaves and 3 Tbsp. tomato paste. Process until blended. While blender or processor is on, slowly add ¾ cup hot melted butter or margarine. The sauceauceauce will be thin while hot, but it will thicken as it cools.

Preparation:

  1. Clean chicken livers, removing any fat, tendons, or discolored portions. Place into a blender or food processor with steel blade in place. Process until smooth. Add eggs. Madeira or lemon juice. Set aside.
  2. In saucepan, melt butter. Blend in flour. Cook 1 min. Slowly add chicken broth and milk. Cook until very thick and smooth. Add the thyme and salt.
  3. Blend sauce into chicken liver mixture. Press mixture through strainer and divide among 4 custard cups that have been buttered and sprinkled with crumbs.
  4. Place cups into shallow pan with 1-inch boiling water. Bake at 350°F for 20 to 30 min. or just until a knife inserted in the center of a custard comes out clean.
  5. Meanwhile, prepare Tomato Bearnaise.
  6. To serve, unfold timbales onto individual serving dishes. Spoon on the sauce and sprinkle with chopped chives. Garnish with parsley and tomato wedges. Serve hot.

MCMLXXIV MY GREAT RECIPES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN HOLLAND.