Perfect Chocolate Brownies

These are amazing.  I've been looking for a long time for a brownie recipe that could hold a candle to my favorite brownie mix (Hershey's triple chunk).  These win.  Hands down.  Yum.  Dense, moist, top crispy layer, sweetly chocolate, and delicious to the edges.  The picture above includes a layer of York Peppermint Patties and Homemade Chocolate Frosting (Choco. chips, Butter, Milk, and Powdered Sugar)

Born from the newest addition to my family.  My Cuisine at Home Cookbook Annual Volumes.  They complete me.  I hope they don't mind that I post this here.  ;)

Basic Chocolate Brownies
(Makes 1- 9x13" pan)
Work Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time 25-30 Minutes

Melt and Set Aside:
12 oz semisweet chocolate, broken up
1 1/2 c. sugar
12 T butter

Wisk Together:
1 c flour
1/4 c cocoa
2 t baking powder
1/4 t salt

Beat until Foamy:
4 large eggs (at room temp)
1 T vanilla

Bake at 350 degrees. 22-25 min.
in a greased 9x13 pan.

Heat butter, sugar and chocolate until melted.  (I microwaved mine.  I used 1/2 milk and 1/2 dark because I didn't have semisweet.  Let cool.  Spray pan.  Line with parchment paper if desired and spray again.  Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt.  Beat eggs and vanilla until foamy (mine never foamed, possibly because my eggs were too cold?  not sure)  Add cooled chocolate to eggs.  Mix until well combined.  Add flour mixture, one half at a time, folding into wet ingredients.  Spread batter into pan.  Bake for 22-25 minutes until toothpick inserted in center is barely moist.  Beware of over baking.

Vegetable Korma

Vegetable Korma

Sauté until potatoes are tender:
1 1/2 T oil
1 small onion, diced
1 large potato, cubed

Add, sauté for 1 min:
1 teaspoon minced ginger
4 cloves garlic, minced

Add:
1 1⁄2 c cream or half and half.
1-4oz can tomato sauce – Or sauce from chicken tikka
2 teaspoons salt
1-3 T sugar
1/2 T curry powder

Add:
2 to 3 cups of frozen or fresh vegetables that you enjoy.
    (I like peas, cauliflower, carrots, sugar peas, broccoli.)

Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 10 minutes. Garnish with cilantro to
serve.

Wienies and Rice

It's just one of those things.  I can't explain it.  You either love it or loathe it.  I won't recommend it, but if you're feeling up try it, I won't stop you.  It's a major hit around my house!  At least for the kids.  I haven't quite convinced my husband it's edible.  :)

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYuMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

FYI: For me and my 4 kids, we triple it and rarely have leftovers.


Wienies and Rice

1 T flour
1/2 c catsup
1 t vinegar (original recipe - 1 T)
2 t sugar
1 t mustard
3/4 c water
1/2 lb. Hot Dogs sliced

In a skillet, combine flour, catsup, vinegar, sugar, and mustard.  Add water 1/4 c at a time.  Add hot dogs and bring to a boil of Med High heat.  Let simmer for 5-10 minutes.  Serve over rice.

Kerry's Jerky

Kerry's Jerky
2 lbs lean ground beef

2 Tbs sweet basil

1 Tbs Salt or Season Salt

1 C brown sugar

1 to 2 Tbs liquid smoke depending on how much flavor you want(dehydrator)

1/2 Tbs cracked black pepper (or course ground)(more for spicier)

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 C  Heinz 57 or barbeque  sauce

To make hot you can add Ghost Pepper or Cayenne pepper or  Habanero
Also add any flavors like Teriyaki , what ever flavor you like.

Mix well in kitchen aide with paddle

Roll it out, cut it up and dehydrate it.

If using a smoker, omit liquid smoke

Caramel Popcorn

I love everything coated, dipped, or filled with caramel. In the Russell clan we call these *Neesha's Best Ever* Caramel Popcorn Balls because they are the best ever!!

Caramel Popcorn
1 cup corn syrup
2 1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 Tblsp vanilla
25-30 cups popped popcorn (1-1 1/4 cup popcorn kernels; 4-6 bags)

Cook first 3 ingredients to a boil.

add butter and milk

Heat to 228 degrees

Remove from burner, add vanilla

Pour over popcorn and coat well.

WARNING: Extremely HOT, use spatula to mix.

If desired coat hands with Pam and shape into balls.

Orange Chicken

YUM!  Need I say more?

 

Time: 1 hour
Serving Size: 8
Note: Heathy version is posted below

Fried Chicken Bites:
4 lbs chicken, cubed
1 1/2 c corn starch
1/2 t salt
1/2 t pepper
2-3 c bread crumbs
4 eggs, well beaten
oil (for frying)

Orange Sauce:
3 c water
1/2 c orage juice
2/3 c rice vinegar
5 T soy sauce
2 T orange zest
2 c brown sugar
1 t minced ginger
1 t garlic
4 T green onion (optional)
1/2 t red pepper flakes (optional)
6 T corn starch
4 T water

Combine corn starch, salt and pepper in one bowl.  Place beaten eggs in a second bowl.  Pour bread crumbs in a third bowl.  Dip chicken in egg mixture, dredge in cornstarch, then again in the eggs, and finally in the bread crumbs, set aside.  Heat pan with vegetable oil on medium to 360 degrees.  Fry chicken in batches until completely cooked.  (2-3 minutes)

In a large saucepan combine 3 c water, orange juice, rice vinegar, and soy sauce.  Blend well over medium heat for a few minutes.  Stir in brown sugar, orange zest, ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes.  Bring to a boil.

Combine 3 T water and cornstarch and mix thoroughly.  Slowly stir cornstarch mixture into sauce until it thickens.  Pour sauce over breaded chicken and garnish with green onions.

* Healthy option:  Prepare chicken by dicing it into bite sized pieces, salting and peppering it, and cooking in a skillet with 2 T oil.  Make sauce and add to chicken.  Less sauce may be needed.

Rice Krispie Ice Cream Strawberry Dessert

Brittany's Berry Ice-Cream Dessert

3 c rice krispies
1/2 c coconut
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c butter
1/4 c chopped nuts (opt)
1 carton vanilla ice cream 
1 box danish dessert (found by puddings)(or premade in produce section..fruit glaze)
1 lb strawberries (can use blackberries, raspberries or blueberries)

Melt butter, and mix in rice krispy's, brown sugar, coconut and nuts. Can double this to make it extra crunchy.
Press half of crunchy mixture in to a 9X13 pan.  Cut ice cream into 1" slices and layer  it in the pan.
Spread rest of crunchy topping on top.
Freeze for an hour or two.
Prepare danish dessert and add strawberries. (We drizzled caramel on top also because we had it)
Top with danish dessert.