Louisia Burbank's Gingerbread Recipe

3 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour

3/4 tsp baking soda

3/4 cup unsalted, room temperature butter

1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed

1 tbsp ground ginger

1 tbsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp allspice

1/2 tsp salt

1 large egg

1/2 cup unsulfured molasses

1/2 cup STRONG black coffee

How to Prepare

 In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, spices. Set aside.

In an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter.

Add sugar and beat until fluffy.

Mix in eggs, molasses and brewed coffee.

Gradually add the flour mixture and combine on low speed (you may need to work it with your hands to incorporate the last bit of flour).

Chill for at least an hour or overnight.

Before rolling out, let sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes. If after refrigerating the dough feels too soft to roll out, work in a little more flour.

Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a third of dough on a large piece of lightly floured parchment paper or wax paper. Using a rolling pin, roll dough 1/8 inch thick. Refrigerate again for 5-10 minutes to make it easier to cut out the cookies. Use either a cookie cutter or place a stencil over the dough and use a knife to cut into desired shapes. Optional: if using gingerbread man/woman cookie cutter, press chocolate chips in the centre of each cookie, to add the effect of “buttons”.

Transfer to ungreased baking sheets. Bake until crisp but not darkened, approximately 8-10 minutes.

Remove from oven, and let sit a few minutes.

CopyCat Lofthouse Sugar Cookies

CopyCat Lofthouse Sugar Cookies

1/2 cup butter flavored shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon of almond extract (shop the dollar stores they sometimes have it)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup sour cream
3 cups flour, plus extra for desired consistency and rolling

Cream together butter and sugar, till fluffy.
Beat in eggs, sour cream, almond and vanilla for 1 min.
Mix baking soda, baking powder, and 3 cups flour in seperate bowl. Slowly add dry ingredient mixture with wet ingredients.  NOTE:  the dough is going to seem soft and sticky, this is how you want it.
Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 425 F. (YES! I know that sounds high but that is right.)
Roll out dough on generously floured surface to 1/4 inch thick.
Cut out shapes (circles work best, I use a large glass) and bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 8 minutes.
Cool on wire rack. When completely cool, frost and decorate as desired.

The high heat makes leaves the cookies soft, but gives the cookies a nice brown bottom.

I personally think the key is the almond extract, I have always used it in sugar cookies and know bakeries do too.

Green Chilli Casserole - thanks CMC!!

My mother got this recipe about 30 years ago, but it used chunks of pork and fried corn tortillas. While I was in Tennessee, I was watching the CMC channel, as they where cooking easy recipes with a Mexican flair. While I do not know if this was ever made in Mexico, I did like the changes. Since then it has become one of my kids favorites.

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef

2 cans of cream of mushroom soup
2 cups of milk

1 can of green chillies chopped (I use 2 but I love chillies)
1 lb of shredded cheddar cheese
1 bag of corn chips ( I get the ones that are $2)

In 5 quart pot, brown ground beef and drain. Add soup, milk and cheese, mix well. Crush the chips in the bag, not to small, but pieces smaller than an inch. In a microwavable 10x13 baking dishes, spread a layer of chips, enough to cover the bottom of the pan, but not too thick. Using a ladle, spread a layer of the mix on top of the chips, spread a layer of cheese, alternate each layer two more times. Spread more cheese on top. Cook in the microwave for 5-7 mins.

OPTIONAL: Can bake in the oven at 350* for 20-30 mins or until cheese is melted and bubbling.

Munchie's Beefy Noodle

This is another one for Hamburger Helper to eat there heart out over! This a beef gravy with mushrooms and noodles.

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef
1 lb package cooked noodles drained
3 packages of low sodium brown gravy
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
2 cups water

Brown hamburger and drain, in same pot that you cooked the noodles in mix water, soup and gravy mix. On low heat cook till thickened. Turn off heat, add noodles.

Approx serves 4-6

Approx cost less than 6 dollars - 2.50 hamburger, 1.50 gravy, .90 soup, 1.25 noodles

Grandma's Mac and Tomatoe

Grandma was making one pot GREAT food, long before Hamburger Helper ever thought about it! This is one of Nicholas' favorites.

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef

1 lb package macaroni cooked
2-16 oz cans of crushed tomatoes

Optional 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese

Brown the ground beef, drain. In a 5 qt pot (I use the same one I cooked the macaroni in, then I cook the hamburger in it.) Add tomatoes and cheese. Stir well enjoy.

Approx Cost less that 5 dollars - 1.00 for macaroni, 1.50 for tomatoes, 2.50 for hamburger

Shephard's Pie

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef

2 cans of tomatoe sauce

1 package of frozen mixed vegetables

1 package of Idahoan Instant Potatoes

1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese

Heat oven to 350* (optional use microwave see below for directions on putting in dish) Brown ground beef in 5 quart pot, drain. Return meat to pot. Add the cans of tomatoe sauce and vegetables, stir till completely mixed. Make potatoes according to package directions. Stir in cheese. Spoon potatoes on top of meat and vegetables, smooth out like icing on a cake. Bake in oven for 15 minutes.

Microwave directions: Follow directions as above but use a 5 quart microwavable dish. Heat for 5-7 minutes depending on microwave.

This has become one of Erik's favorites after he FINALLY tried this summer.

Looking for a coupon for Idahoan Potatoes: http://www.idahoan.com/

Sausage Gravy aka Biscuits & Gravy

Ingredients

1 lb pork sausage
2 tbs of margarine or butter
1/4 cup of flour
2 cups of milk

1 tsp salt 1 tsp garlic pwd

1/2 tsp pepper 1 tsp onion pwd or 1 med onion chopped up

In medium/large pot, brown sausage and onion in the marg or butter. Add flour, stir till all meat is coated with flour, turn down heat and milk and seasonings. Stir till thickened. Serves approx 4

Serve over Pillsbury Grands Flake Biscuits. I have yet to find a recipe I like as much as these.