Ramblings of Silver Blue

Cathy’s Creamy Chicken Bake INGREDIENTS 8 skinless, boneless chicken breasts 8 slices Swiss cheese 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup 1/4 cup white wine 1 cup herb-seasoned stuffing mix 1/4 cup butter DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Arrange the chicken in a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking [...]

Easy Decadent Truffles INGREDIENTS 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 3 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips, melted 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla DIRECTIONS In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar until well blended. Stir in melted chocolate and vanilla until no streaks remain. Refrigerate [...]

Poor Man’s Shepherd’s Pie INGREDIENTS 2 pounds ground beef salt and pepper to taste 1 medium jar of meat flavored pasta sauce 1 large onion, chopped 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 (15 ounce) can french cut green beens 6 cups prepared instant mashed potatoes 6 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 375 degrees [...]

Watching Everyday Italian, I was reminded of a dinner in 1988 with my ex-fiancee and her family. Marge Zechmeister was a good cook, and one of the family specialties that Kelly (my ex-fiancee) was wanting me to try was her mother’s “Fried Ravioli”. These were frozen cheese raviolis, dipped in beaten egg, rolled in cornflake [...]

a/k/a Food Network. Why have a “Who Wants To Be A Food Network Star” when there’s only so many time slots not currently occupied by omnipresent Rachel Ray? Have they run out of ideas? Tink and I were talking about how Road Tasted, 40 dollars a Day, Tasty Travels, Feasting On Asphalt, and now Giada’s [...]

Just because websites shut down and I keep losing this damn recipe that people love when I make, here’s Ponderosa Steakhouse Twice Baked Potatoes (Link active as of today) 1 c. Sour Cream 1/2 c. Cheddar Cheese 1/2 c. Bacon bits 2 tsp Garlic Powder 2 tsp Black Pepper 1/2 c. (heaping) Chopped Onions 2 [...]

Lots of stuff going on. Tons of emails to sift through. Mail to be opened. BUT! Just so you don’t think I forgot you, I’m giving you an early recipe for next holiday season. Print this out, save it. Or better yet, use it to use up what you still have left over. Eggnog Cheesecake [...]

Christmas Stollen INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 cups milk 1/2 cup white sugar 3/4 cup butter 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 eggs 2 egg yolks 5 2/3 cups all-purpose flour 1 ounce active dry yeast 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/2 cup raisins 1/2 cup candied citrus peel 1/2 cup candied cherries DIRECTIONS 1. Scald milk. Add sugar, butter, [...]

Tumbleweeds INGREDIENTS 1 (12 ounce) can salted peanuts 1 (7 ounce) can potato sticks 3 cups butterscotch chips 3 tablespoons peanut butter DIRECTIONS Combine peanuts and potato sticks in a bowl; set aside. In a microwave, heat butterscotch chips and peanut butter at 70% power for 1-2 minutes or until melted, stirring every 30 seconds. [...]

Toad in a hole INGREDIENTS 6 slices bread 2 tablespoons butter, softened 6 eggs 6 slices Cheddar cheese DIRECTIONS Preheat a large skillet to a high heat. With a small biscuit cutter remove centers from bread. Butter slices on one side only. Grill bread until lightly toasted. Crack an egg into each bread hole (be [...]

I listed this one back on January 4, but it bears repeating cos they’re SOOOOO good. Japanese Chicken Wings INGREDIENTS 3 pounds chicken wings 1 egg, lightly beaten 1 cup all-purpose flour for coating 1 cup butter SAUCE 3 tablespoons soy sauce 3 tablespoons water 1 cup white sugar 1/2 cup white vinegar 1/2 teaspoon [...]

Chocolate-Pecan Pie Bars 2 cups flour 2 cups sugar, divided 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened 1/4 tsp. salt 1-1/2 cups corn syrup 6 squares BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate 4 eggs, lightly beaten 1-1/2 tsp. vanilla 2-1/2 cups PLANTERS Chopped Pecans PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Grease 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Beat flour, 1/2 cup [...]

You survived Thanksgiving. What to do with all those leftovers? Here’s some ideas: After Thanksgiving Turkey Soup INGREDIENTS * 1 leftover turkey carcass * 3 medium onions, chopped * 2 large carrots, diced * 2 celery ribs, diced * 1 cup butter, cubed * 1 cup all-purpose flour * 2 cups half-and-half cream * 1 [...]

Apple Betty INGREDIENTS 4 cups thinly sliced apples 1/4 cup orange juice 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup white sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 pinch salt 1/2 cup butter DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9 inch pie plate. Mound sliced apples in [...]

3 cups water 1 teaspoon salt 5 tablespoons butter 3 1/2 cups potato flakes 1 onion, minced 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese 1/4 teaspoon pepper (or more to taste) 1 1/2 cups milk 1/2 cup sour cream 1/4 cup bacon bits 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese 1 (6 ounce) can French-fried onions DIRECTIONS Preheat [...]

Courtesy of Bob Evans. 1 pound Bob Evans or Owens® Savory Sage or Original Recipe Sausage Roll 1 large onion, diced 3 stalks celery, diced 1 (14 ounce) package cubed stuffing 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning 2 1/2 cups chicken broth 1/2 cup melted butter DIRECTIONS In a large skillet over medium heat, crumble sausage. Add [...]

Turkey Stuffing Roll-Ups INGREDIENTS 1 (6 ounce) package stuffing mix* 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted 3/4 cup milk 1 pound sliced deli smoked turkey 1 (2.8 ounce) can French-fried onions, crushed DIRECTIONS Prepare stuffing mix according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine soup and milk; set aside. Spoon [...]

In celebration of PR, Lady who Counts, and my dining at Bardo Edibles + Elixirs last night, here is the recipe for Pork and Ginger Dumplings (Posted by Rachel on her blog “Coconut & Lime”, copied here in case her blog goes away) Ingredients: 2 cups napa cabbage, chopped 1/2 pound ground pork 2 tablespoons [...]

Slow Cooker Pork Chops INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup olive oil 1 cup chicken broth 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon paprika 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried basil 4 thick cut boneless pork chops 1 pinch salt and pepper to taste DIRECTIONS In a large bowl, whisk [...]

There was an article in the paper today (Daily Press, “The Good Life” Section) where a reader wrote in about her dissatisfaction with a smoothie from a local restaurant. It was for a Mango smoothie, and she wrote “the smoothie called for milk. I don’t drink milk, so I substituted orange juice. It wasn’t good.” [...]

I need your recipes for dishes you make at Thanksgiving. I’ll compile them and put them on-line for all to enjoy. Think of it as a mini-Carnival of the Recipes. Send your input to: cookingtime at thesilverblue.com I look forward to reading your suggestions!

FINALLY, a way to know what to throw-out and what to save! THE GAG TEST Anything that makes you gag is spoiled (except for leftovers from what you cooked for yourself last night). EGGS When something starts pecking its way out of the shell, the egg is probably past its prime. DAIRY PRODUCTS Milk is [...]

Creamy Broccoli Soup INGREDIENTS 1 tablespoon olive (or canola) oil 1 large onion, diced fine 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 packages frozen chopped broccoli, thawed 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced small 4 cups chicken broth 1/2 cup half and half salt and pepper to taste DIRECTIONS Heat oil in a large pot, and saute [...]

Garden Stuffed Baked Potatoes INGREDIENTS 4 large potatoes 2 tablespoons butter 1 small onion, chopped 1 (10 ounce) package chopped frozen broccoli, thawed 1/2 cup ranch-style salad dressing 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 2 teaspoons dried parsley salt and pepper to taste DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Pierce the skin of [...]

Braised Beef Rolls INGREDIENTS 2 pounds London broil or flank steak rolls 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 3/4 cups water, divided 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup raisins 1 medium onion, cut into wedges 2 tablespoons vinegar 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 teaspoon ground mustard 1 bay leaf [...]