Nutmeg Noels

Easy Christmas cookies, my husband loves and made them himself tonight, I think because he was desperate!  Seriously, we've been making these for years and they're always a hit. Light nutmeg taste, buttery soft cookies.

RECIPE
Ingredients
2 tbls red or green sugar sprinkles
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup butter

Method
Preheat oven to 400. In small bowl combine colored sugar and 1/4 tsp nutmeg; set aside.

In large bowl combine flour, sugar, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt and remaining nutmeg (1/4 tsp); add butter, egg and vanilla.  Beat at low speed until well mixed, approx. 3 minutes. 

Roll rounded teaspoonfuls into 1" balls.  Roll cookies into sugar/nutmeg mixture. Place on un-greased cookies sheets, about 2" apart.  Bake 10-12 minutes or until centers are firm.

Enjoy,
Mary

© Cooking with Mary and Friends. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cooking with Mary and Friends with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Granddad's Golden Mushroom Sirloin Beef Tips

Updated August 2019

It was strange to me when my dad started cooking, much later in his life. He loved to cook with wine, which my mother did not, so we had many interesting dinners when he started "experimenting!"  

For the most part he did an amazing job, and many of them I love and prepare to this day. This recipe for his Golden Mushroom Sirloin Beef Tips is one of my family's favorites, and we have it from time to time when I'm in the mood for one of  "dad's dinners!"

My dad originally used sirloin beef tips my parents purchased at a local butcher, but over the years we all started using stew beef instead which is more budget-friendly.

RECIPE
Ingredients

2 lbs stew beef cut into 1-inch pieces

1 medium clove garlic, minced 

2 cans cream of mushroom soup 

1 Tbsp. chopped onion 

3/4 cup sherry 

1/2 cup water

Method

Place all ingredients in a slow cooker and stir until blended. Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours. Serve over rice or egg noodles.

*Cook's note - 

1. Beef tips can also be baked in a large covered casserole dish or Dutch oven in a 350-degree oven for 2-3 hours.
2. You can use marsala wine or red wine such as a cabernet sauvignon in place of the sherry.

Also seen on Weekend Potluck

Enjoy,

Mary

© Cooking with Mary and Friends. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cooking with Mary and Friends with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Granddad's 60-Minute Rolls

My dad loved to cook!  As as young girl, I remember he got a Campbell's Soup Cookbook one year for Christmas and proceeded to make many recipes from that little book. He also loved making each recipe his own by adding different spices, wine, etc. to the mix! Maybe that's where I also learned to change up the recipe? 
These 60-Minute Rolls came into our house when he was in his older years ... like late 60's (he'd be 92 now if he was still with us).  He originally found them in a Maine Cookbook ... super-easy, very tasty yeast rolls that take 1 hour from start to finish.  When the dough is patted out with your hands, and cut with a 2" round cutter, they are then brushed with melted butter and folded over in 1/2 to make half-moon shaped rolls. They are delicious served with butter, or try honey-butter for a different taste.  Either way, they are yummy. My family loves them and I know yours will too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

2 pkgs. yeast (if using a jar of yeast, this would be 4 1/2 tsp. yeast)
¼ cup warm water (110-120 degrees)
1 ¼ cups milk
¾ tsp salt
3 tbls sugar
¼ cup butter
3 ½-4 ½ cups flour

 

Method

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in ¼ cup warm water. In a large saucepan, put milk, sugar, salt and ½ of the butter; heat to lukewarm (I have also done this in the microwave, then just cool to lukewarm before proceeding). Add yeast mixture to milk/sugar/salt/butter mixture and stir to combine with a wooden spoon. In a large mixer bowl (I use my Kitchen Aid), using the dough hook, put 3 1/2 cups of the flour and add combined liquid ingredients.  Turn mixer on low and beat until dough forms a ball, adding just enough more flour (approx. 1 cup) to make a soft dough (dough may be slightly sticky). Put out on floured board and knead until smooth (5 or so turns of the dough should be plenty). Dough should be soft, but not sticky. Place dough in a greased (I spray with Pam) bowl, cover with saran wrap and let rise in warm place for 15 minutes. Turn out onto floured board and pat out to 1/2” thick. Cut with a 2” cutter. Brush rolls with remaining butter and fold over in 1/2. Let rise on a greased baking sheet in a warm place for 15 minutes. Bake at 450 for 10 minutes.

Raising dough tip – turn oven on to 400 for 1 minute – turn off and place dough in oven to rise. Works great every time! You will also need to turn the oven on again to 400 for 1 minute for the 2nd rising.

Yield:  about 12-15 rolls

Ham Stock and 15 Bean & Ham Soup

I love ham and 15 bean soup! It's one of those "make you feel warm all over soups." So, let's make some. You need one very meaty ham bone, saved from a ham shank or other ham you have baked. Save any leftover meat from the ham as well ... you will need some later. This is probably the most "frugal" thing you can do - make stock from a ham you have already eaten for dinner ... I mean, why not? You were going to throw it away anyway, so why not use it to make stock? Just think for one minute how awesome that is ... something you weren't going to use becomes some yummy soup you and your family will enjoy, or stock you can add to other dishes to make it even more yummy. I'ts a win, win as far as I can see!

RECIPE
Ingredients
1 large, meaty ham bone
2 quarts water
1 large onion, chopped
4 large carrots, cut in 1/2
4 celery stalks, cut in 1/2
1-2 tsp sea salt
1-2 tsp course-ground black pepper
1-2 tsp garlic
1-2 tbls chili powder
1-2 tsp red pepper flakes

Soup
1 bag Hurst's 15 Bean Mix
1 can diced tomatoes
1 onion, chopped
garlic to taste
Juice of 1 lemon or 1 tbls lemon juice
Ham pieces, diced

Method
Place all ingredients in a large stock pot and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer several hours, or until ham is falling off the bone (about 3-4 hours); drain stock discarding all vegetables and ham bone.  Reserve any ham meat from the bone to use in the soup. Place stock in a large storage container and refrigerate until fat particles solidify on top; remove fat from stock. At this time you can pressure can just the ham stock if desired. Ladle into jars and pressure can pints for 20 minutes and quarts for 25 minutes at 10 lbs pressure.

Soup
Soak 15-bean mixture for 8 hours or overnight in 9 cups water.  Drain beans and place in large stock pot.  Cover with 2 quarts of reserved ham stock, add water if necessary; bring mixture to a boil, uncovered. Simmer 2 1/2 hours; add 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 onion diced, garlic and lemon juice. Continue to simmer 30 more minutes. Serve while hot or put up by pressure canning if desired.

Pressure Canning 15 Bean and Ham Soup
Reduce cooking time for the soup (above recipe) to 1 hour. Place diced ham pieces (reserved from baked ham) in canning jars; ladle soup over top to fill jars leaving 1" head space. Process pint jars 75 minutes at 10 lbs. pressure (quart jars 90 minutes).

Enjoy,

Mary

© Cooking with Mary and Friends. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cooking with Mary and Friends with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Joan's Chili

Updated January 2020

This is a very easy chili recipe I originally received from my mother-in-law when I was first married. You can mix it up anyway you want to, add more beans, a variety of beans and even corn.  

My family prefers it the original way, but we always serve it with shredded cheddar cheese, sliced jalapeno's, sour cream, cornbread, Saltine crackers or Frito's on the side, so each person can make their bowlful their way. 

RECIPE

Ingredients

2 cans kidney beans (can omit if you prefer bean-less chili)
2 cans tomato soup
1 can stewed tomatoes (or diced, whichever you prefer)
2 large onions chopped
1 1/2 lbs hamburger
2-4 tbsp chili powder (to taste)
1-2 tsp cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes
1-2 tsp garlic powder
1-2 tsp course-ground black pepper
salt to taste
sliced jalapenos (optional)

Method

Brown beef and drain fat. Put all ingredients and large pot and simmer 2-4 hours or until well cooked and flavors have blended. 

Adjust seasonings during cooking time. This chili can be made as hot or as mild as you like by simply adding more or less peppers and spice. 

Cook's Note - 
You can also make this in a slow cooker. Simply brown the beef, drain fat, add to crock pot with all other ingredients and cook 8-10 hours on low. Perfect for a quick weekday meal!

Recipe is easily doubled and freezes well.

Enjoy,
Mary

© Cooking with Mary and Friends. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cooking with Mary and Friends with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb

I love, love, love lamb! Lamb of all kinds, center-cut loin chops, bone-in or boneless leg of lamb and more! Easy to roast, and very yummy, a boneless leg of lamb makes a very nice presentation for a special dinner or celebration.  Paired with some yummy root vegetables, it's dinner in one pan, which is always great!

Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb

First, make sure your lamb is at room temperature: To cook evenly, the lamb roast must not be cold - let it stand at room temperature, loosely covered, for approximately 1 hour or even more. This time can vary depending on how big or small your lamb roast is. I can't give you an exact time on this. If you don't let the roast come to room temperature, if will take longer to cook your roast. Your roast won't cook evenly, and you'll end up with well-done slices on the end and raw meat in the center. Use your best judgment!


Ingredients

3 cloves garlic, minced (use more or fewer according to taste - we used whole cloves)
2 teaspoons coarsely-chopped fresh rosemary leaves (stems removed) or 1 teaspoon dry rosemary leaves
1/4 teaspoons coarsely-ground black pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice

Root vegetables of your choice (onions, potatoes, carrots or other)

Method

In a small bowl, combine garlic, rosemary, and pepper. Add olive oil and lemon juice. Mix until all ingredients are combined.  Remember - don't remove the netting that is around the lamb roast.

Rub the Herb Seasoning Rub mixture all over the outside of the lamb.  Now add your root vegetables, placing them around the roast in the pan.

Insert a meat thermometer so tip is in thickest part of lamb (not resting in fat). Set oven to 450 and sear the lamb roast for 15 minutes then turn the oven to 325 for the rest of the cooking time. Do not cover the roast. Cook until the lamb roast reaches the desired internal temperature.  Remove from oven, cover with aluminum foil, and let sit approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Remove netting prior to carving.

Rare	120 to 125 degrees F	center is bright red, pinkish toward the exterior portion
Medium Rare	130 to 135 degrees F	center is very pink, slightly brown toward the exterior portion
Medium	140 to 145 degrees F	center is light pink, outer portion is brown
Medium Well	150 to 155 degrees F	not pink
Well Done	160 degrees F and above	meat is uniformly brown throughout

Enjoy!

Mary

Bleu Cheese "Cheese Apple"

If you LOVE Bleu Cheese, you will love this Cheese Apple (cheese ball).  This is from my mother's family, and it's so good! Something we looked forward to when we were kids to have at the holiday time, or any "special time."  Awesome stuffed on celery (one of my favorites) or on crackers ...  we absolutely love it on Wheat Thins or Triscuits, but it's really good on any of your cracker favorites.  I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!


Ingredients
2 - 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 - 4 oz. bleu cheese crumbles or wedge of bleu cheese
1 small onion, diced finely
1-2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce (or more to taste)
Paprika (to sprinkle all around cheese ball)

Method
Mix first 4 ingredients until well blended (we usually mix by hand ... yep, get your hands in it and smoosh it all together - this is fun for kids to do)!

Sprinkle with Paprika and chill.

Serve with your choice of celery sticks or crackers.

Enjoy,

Mary

Boston Baked Beans

Revised and updated June 2020

I love it when I come across a new recipe for canning, and just couldn't wait to try it and share it!  This one is much more reminiscent of true Boston Baked Beans with onion, molasses, ground mustard, and more goodness!

I tasted it several times during the "baking" process and adjusted the seasonings to our taste, so please feel free to make it your own. The process is long, but you're not standing over it all day long, and the results are so worth the time it takes!

RECIPE

Ingredients

1 bag dry Hurst Navy Beans (24 oz or 3 cups)
3 tbsp molasses (or more to taste)
2 tsp salt per 3 cups of beans (optional)
1-2 tsp ground mustard
1/2 cup ketchup (or barbecue sauce)
1/4 cup brown sugar (or up to 1/2 cup)
1 large onion, diced
1-2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1-2 tsp course-ground black pepper (or to taste)

Method
Sort and rinse the beans in a colander in cold water. In a large dutch oven add beans and 3 cups of water per 1 cup of beans (9 cups water for 3 cups of beans).  Cover and bring to a boil on stove-top. Boil 2 minutes, remove from heat and let sit covered 1 hour. Drain and rinse beans.

Add beans back to the dutch oven, add 9 cups of water, and heat to boiling. Drain (this time reserving the bean water in a bowl). 

Mix the molasses, salt, ground mustard, ketchup (or barbecue sauce), brown sugar, onion, Worcestershire sauce, pepper and 4 cups of the reserved bean water in a large dutch oven; bring to a boil. Remove from heat; stir in drained beans.  You may need more bean water as you need enough to cover beans completely. Mixture will be very soupy.

Cover dutch oven and bake in oven at 350 for 3-4 hours, stirring every hour and adding more bean water as necessary to keep beans soupy.  After 2 hours, taste beans and adjust seasonings to your taste (I added more molasses, ground mustard and pepper). Beans should be ready to pressure can in 3-4 hours (the beans should be cooked, but remember they are going to cook more in the canner, so you don't want them too soft).

If not canning, stop here and continue to bake until beans are done to your satisfaction. Serve while hot with your favorite dishes.

Pressure Canning:

Using a slotted spoon, ladle beans into canning jars, filling with half solids and half liquid (I chose pint jars for us, but quarts work too). Add more bean water to each jar if needed to keep mixture "soupy." Cover jars with seals and pressure can pints 65 minutes, or quarts 75 minutes at 10 lbs. pressure (adjusting for altitude).

Remove pressure canner from heat, allow pressure to release on its own, remove jars (place on a kitchen towel on your counter-top) and leave undisturbed 24 hours.  Jars are sealed when you hear the "popping" of the lids depressing (raised button in the middle of the lid is depressed).

Store on pantry shelf. Shelf life is 1 year.

Yield: approx. 6 pints

Enjoy your Boston Baked Beans with some Boston Brown Bread for an authentic New England treat.

For more awesome bean recipes see Bacon Zucchini Bean Dip and the amazing bean collection at Sumptuous Spoonfuls

Enjoy,

Mary

© Cooking with Mary and Friends. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cooking with Mary and Friends with appropriate and specific direction to the original  content.

Crockpot Breakfast Casserole

Updated December 2020

This is absolutely the BEST ever! So easy, quick and convenient. I've made it many times for weekend gatherings with friends and family, or for my husband's workplace, and it always gets rave reviews. 

It is especially nice for Thanksgiving or Christmas morning, when something easy and satisfying is the key to everything! Spend a little time the night before, and wake up to this in the morning!  

RECIPE
Ingredients
1 bag frozen cubed potatoes (32 oz) 
1 lb bacon (diced, cooked and drained), ham (cooked and cubed) or sausage (cooked and crumbled) 
1 onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1 dozen (12) eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper (more or less to taste)
Optional - sliced mushrooms, sliced jalapeno peppers or diced red peppers

Method
Place a layer of frozen potatoes on the bottom of the slow cooker, followed by a layer of bacon, ham or sausage; then onions, green pepper and cheese. 

Repeat the layering process two or three more times, ending with a layer of cheese. Beat the eggs, milk, salt and pepper together. Pour over the mixture in the slow cooker, cover and turn on low. Cook for 10-12 hours.

Serve with hot sauce or salsa and additional shredded cheese, if desired.

Also seen on Weekend Potluck

Enjoy,
Mary

© Cooking with Mary and Friends. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cooking with Mary and Friends with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Oatmeal-Craisin-Pecan Cookies

Ooey, gooey, chewy, Oatmeal-Craisin-Pecan Cookies are so good and super-easy to make!  Original recipe adapted from Quaker Oats.


RECIPE

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter + 6 tbsp butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt (optional)
3 cups oats (quick or old-fashioned, uncooked)
1 cup craisins
1 cup chopped pecans

Method
Heat oven to 350. Beat butter and sugars on medium speed of electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla, beat well.

Add flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; mix well  Stir in oats, craisins, and pecans.

Drop dough by mounded tablespoonful's on ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 8-10 minutes or until light golden brown.  Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered.

Yield:  approx. 4 dozen

Enjoy,
Mary
© Cooking with Mary and Friends. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cooking with Mary and Friends with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.