In the Kitchen

Scottish Oatmeal Pudding

2011-12-21T14:35:00.001-08:00

It's almost that time of year again for my annual batch of what Nova Scotians and Scots alike refer to as Oatmeal pudding. Rather than a dessert it is a delcious meat free entree.

Requirements:

Cheese cloth
Quick Oats
Pepper
Salt
Diced White Onion
3/4 of a Warm Stick of Butter (not a block)
Chicken Broth (2 cans)
Large Stewing Pot
Baking Sheet

In a mixing bowl combine one medium sized finely diced white onion, 3/4 a stick of warmed butter, a tsp and 1/4 of black pepper and 1/2 tsp salt with 3 cups of Quick Oats.
Mix thoroughly by hand.
Wrap into a sausage shape in cheesecloth with several layers and tie both ends.
In a large stewing pot bring to a boil the chicken broth made as per directions on can.
Carefully insert the filled cheesecloth into the broth and allow to soak for 10 minutes. Turn down heat to a simmer and allow to set for 40 minutes being sure to turn over sausage roll often to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Remove the sausage roll and place on baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until the roll is dry and golden.
Allow cooling and then place in fridge over night.
To serve: unwrap from cheese cloth and slice, place on baking sheet and broil to "toast" the slices.
Voila! Enjoy for breakfast with biscuits, or dinner!

Green Bean Casserole

2009-08-09T12:16:00.000-07:00

4 1/2 cups of cooked green beans
half a teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
1 can of condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1 and a half cups of French fried onions

Mix soup, pepper and milk in a casserole dish. Add beans and half of the fried onions. Bake for approximately 25 minutes at 350 degrees F then add the remaining fried onions and put back in the oven for 5 minutes more until golden brown.

Chicken Enchiladas

2009-05-09T06:24:00.000-07:00

3 chicken breasts
1 tsp olive oil
salt and pepper
1 block of light cream cheese
4 green onions
2 pkgs of tortilla shells
1 large jar of salsa

Fry sliced chicken breasts in a pan with olive oil, salt and black pepper until golden.
Warm 1 block of Philadelphia cream cheese in the microwave and then add 4 chopped green onions and blend together with chicken breast (while still hot).
Over boiling water place a rack and 4 or 5 tortilla shells at a time and steam.
Once properly softened spread the chicken/onion/cheese mixture on each shell. Then add a spoonful of salsa and roll. Place into a casserole dish lined with salsa. Once all of the shells are rolled spread the remaining salsa over top and place in the oven at 500 and bake until shells begin to turn golden at the edges... remove and enjoy!

Greek Salad Dressing

2008-11-28T05:27:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:

* 1 1/2 quarts olive oil
* 1/3 cup dried oregano
* 1/3 cup garlic powder
* 1/3 cup dried basil
* 1/4 cup pepper
* 1/4 cup salt
* 1/4 cup onion powder
* 1/4 cup Dijon-style mustard
* 2 quarts red wine vinegar

Mix dry ingredients together first and then pour in liquids. Cover and shake well.
Pour over salad and refrigerate the rest.

Shephard's Pie ...so much better than with onion soup

2008-11-02T06:42:00.000-08:00

Lean Ground Beef
1 can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 packet of Green Peppercorn Gravy Mix
Betty Crocker Mashed Potatoes
Butter
1 Can of Peas
1 Can of Corn
Water

Brown lean ground beef in a frying pan while preparing the potatoes as per directions. (adding the appropriate amount of salt to pre-made mashed potatoes is key)
In a separate sauce pan prepare green peppercorn gravy and add your can of cream of mushroom soup. (do not add water or milk to the soup) Allow the gravy to thicken and then pour into the pan of browned ground beef. Add peas to the mixture and stir. Smooth into the bottom of a casserole dish.
Layer the cold corn next and top with the mashed potatoes. Add several dollops of butter on the top and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place in oven at 350 degrees until potatoes turn a golden brown. Remove, serve and enjoy.

Homemade Pizza Crust

2008-10-16T14:37:00.000-07:00

4 Cups Flour
2 tbsp. ( 2 packets) of Quick Rise Yeast
1 tsp. Salt
2 Tsp. White Sugar
2 Cups of Very Warm Water
1/4 Cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (do not substitute with any other kind of oil this gives a lot of the flavour to the crust)
1 Can of President's Choice Pizza Sauce

Mix dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Add the wet ingredients and mix thoroughly with hands but do not over kneed. ( Something difficult for needy people haha:) )
Cover with a towel and let rise for 20 minutes while preheating your oven to 375 degrees.
Separate into two portions. Grease a pizza pan and spread out creating a lip around the edge with greased, washed hands.
Add sauce and then toppings. (Putting the toppings on top of the layer of cheese makes it more flavourful)
Cook watching carefully until crust is golden brown. I can't give you an exact time as it depends on your oven. Mine is convection so it tends to cook quickly and evenly.
Enjoy!

Best Thanksgiving Stuffing

2008-10-12T13:27:00.000-07:00

2 rolls of Maple Leaf pure pork sausage
2 cups of bread crumbs
1 sweet onion
3 stalks of finely sliced celery
1 package of fresh sliced mushrooms
5 medium white potatoes (boiled and mashed)

In pan fry sausage meat and onion, celery, and mushrooms softly, until onion is transparent and celery is translucent.
Drain grease.

In a large bowl fall in mixture along with mashed potatoes and bread crumbs. Stir well and then add poultry seasoning (1 1/2 tsp) and sage (1 1/2 tsp.) Add to salted cavity of bird.
And cook turkey as usual.Handed down through 4 Rankin generations... and it is the best! Enjoy!

Fairy Cakes

2008-10-12T12:23:00.000-07:00

2 cups sifted cake flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup whole milk

3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3/4 teaspoon coconut extract

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter

1 1/3 cups granulated sugar

2 large egg whites, plus 1 whole large egg

Make sure all the ingredients are at room temperature. Heat the oven to 350 degrees and line two greased standard muffin pans with cupcake liners. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. In a measuring cup, combine the milk and extracts. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add the egg whites and the egg and mix until they are combined. Add half of the flour mixture and mix until it is combined. Gradually drizzle in all the milk mixture. Add the remaining dry mixture and mix carefully until just combined. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake cups (they should be two-thirds full) and bake about 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cake springs back when pressed lightly and an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let cool.

*

Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting

Makes about 2 1/2 cups

8 ounces cold cream cheese

8 tablespoons butter (1 stick)

1/8 teaspoon salt

3 3/4 cups sifted powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon coconut extract

1/2 cup sweetened coconut shavings

In the bowl of an electric mixer, slowly mix the cream cheese, butter and salt until fluffy and combined. Slowly add the powdered sugar. Mix in the extracts until incorporated and the frosting is smooth. Frost each cooled cupcake with about 2 tablespoons of frosting and immediately top with 1 teaspoon of sweetened coconut shavings.