http://tagskitchen.com The Writings of a Wannabe Chef Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:51:34 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Ingredients: * ¼ cup lemon juice * 3 ½ - 4 tsp. grated lemon zest (2 or 3 lemons) divided * 2 cubes butter * 2 cups flour * 1 tsp. baking powder * ½ tsp. salt * 1 ½ cups sugar, divided * 1 large egg * 2 tsp. vanilla * 1 T. poppy seeds, plus more for sprinkling Directions: 1. ... http://tagskitchen.com/2008/07/29/lemon-poppy-seed-cookies/ This recipe makes about 2 quarts.  8oz jars are the perfect size to use, especially if you are giving the jelly as a gift. I usually double this recipe, which makes about 15 - 8oz jars. You need to make sure that all of your lids, caps & rings are sterilized before ... http://tagskitchen.com/2008/07/29/jalapeno-pepper-jelly/ This method of canning should only be used for high acidic foods, such as fruits, tomatoes, jellies, jams, relishes & preserves.   When canning relishes & pickles, you will need to add vinegar in order to make the canning environment high in acid, even when the ingredients like green peppers, are ... http://tagskitchen.com/2008/07/29/canning-boiling-water-bath-method/ 1 can of jellied cranberry sauce         1 cup Whipped cream 5 - 6 bananas slices 1 sleeve salted soda crackers, crushed   Arrange above ingredients in layers. This is good! http://tagskitchen.com/2008/07/22/diane%e2%80%99s-fillerups-cranberry-salad/   3 med. Pears 2 Oz. Blue cheese, crumbled (1/2 c.) 2 Tbs. Lemon juice Mixed salad greens 1 recipe of candied walnuts or pecans 1 recipe of pear-nectar vinaigrette   Halve and core pears. Thinly slice pears; brush with lemon juice to prevent browning. (This may be done up to 1 hr. ... http://tagskitchen.com/2008/07/22/pear-and-blue-cheese-walnut-salad/ 1 pkg. Grape jell-o      1 pkg. Black cherry jell-o 1 can blueberry pie mix 1/2 c sour cream   Add 2 cups boiling water to jell-o and let stand till syrupy. Add 1 can blueberry pie mix. Set until nearly set. And then add 1 1/2 cup sour cream. Just ... http://tagskitchen.com/2008/07/22/purple-passion-salad/ 1 lg. Pkg. Strawberry jell-o 1 can crushed pineapple, drain 1 pkg frozen strawberries       1 8oz. Cream cheese   Make jell-o as per instructions on box. Soften cream cheese and add chopped nuts. Mix well. Form into small balls. Drop evenly into jell-o mix. Set and serve. http://tagskitchen.com/2008/07/22/relas-jell-o-with-cheese-balls/ 1 20oz Can crushed pineapple 2 cups buttermilk 1 6oz Orange jell-o     1 8oz Tub cool whip   In saucepan bring pineapple with juice to boil. Stir in jell-o until dissolved. Remove from heat, stir in buttermilk. Cool to room temp. Fold in whipped topping. Pour into 11x7x2 inch dish or ... http://tagskitchen.com/2008/07/22/orange-buttermilk-salad/ 1 8oz. Cr. Cheese (softened)   1 8oz.can crushed pineapple 1/2 c. sugar     1/2 c. chopped pecans 1 jar 10oz. Maraschino cherries 1 8oz. Tub Cool Whip 1 can Mandarin oranges   Beat the cream cheese sugar until fluffy. Drain fruit and chop cherries and cut some of the oranges. Add pineapple, pecans, some ... http://tagskitchen.com/2008/07/22/creamy-frozen-fruit-salad/ 2 cans (16 oz.) Pineapple chunks        1 can Mandarin oranges (Drain) Small Box of Vanilla Pudding (cooked) Add other fruits if desired.   Drain pineapple and add enough water to make 2 cups. Add to small box vanilla cook pudding and cool until chick. Pour over pineapple and oranges overnight. Add other ... http://tagskitchen.com/2008/07/22/fruit-salad/ 1 family size can of tomato soup        2 Tbs. Sugar 1 qt. tomatoes, blended          Salt & Pepper to taste 2 c. half & half            1 1/2 c. Rainbow pasta (Rotelle) 2 Tbs. Basil  Cook pasta and add to tomato mixture. Mix tomato soup, tomatoes and half & half while cold. Simmer ... http://tagskitchen.com/2008/07/22/tomato-basil-soup/ 1 lb. Ground beef, browned and drained 1 15oz Can stewed tomatoes (un-drained) 1 15oz Red kidney beans (un-drained) 1 8oz Can tomato sauce 1 pkg. Taco seasoning mix (2 Tbs.)   Mix together. Heat to boiling and serve. Top with 1 Tbs. Grated cheddar cheese. Serves. 8.   For variations try chicken broth ... http://tagskitchen.com/2008/07/22/taco-soup-2/ 1 can kidney beans     1 can Ortega mild chilies I can pinto beans                     1 pkg. ranch dressing mix 1 can hominy              1 pkg. Taco seasoning mix 1 can diced tomatoes 1 can black beans   Combine all ingredients, all liquids into a large pot or crock pot. Simmer for 1 hour. Serve ... http://tagskitchen.com/2008/07/19/taco-soup/ 3 sliced onions sautéed in 1/2 c. butter 2 Tbs. Instant beef soup mix or 6 bouillon cubes 4 c. water 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1/2 salt   Combine sautéed onions (sometimes I add a few fresh mushrooms, sliced) and liquid simmering until onions are cooked. Just before serving pour into bake proof soup ... http://tagskitchen.com/2008/07/19/french-onion-soup/ 2 boneless chicken breasts 2 Quarts Water 2 cubes chicken bouillon 1/2 c. diced onions 3/4 c. thinly sliced carrots 1 cube softened butter 1/4 c. flour 1 1/2 c. cooked cubed potatoes 1 small can evaporated milk Salt & Pepper to taste 1 bay leaf   Simmer chicken in water for 1 hour. Add bay ... http://tagskitchen.com/2008/07/19/chicken-chowder/   2 large carrots peeled, diced 3/4 c. butter or margarine 1 chopped onion         3/4 c. flour 2 diced celery stocks   1 8oz. Jar cheese wiz 8 cups water   1 c. fresh or frozen peas 2 Tbs. Instant chicken bouillon 1/4 tsp. Pepper   Use food processor on veggies. In large kettle combine carrots, onion, ... http://tagskitchen.com/2008/07/19/country-cheese-soup/ 1 c. butter             1 c. light corn syrup 2 1/4 c. brown sugar    1 can sweet condensed milk Dash of salt            1 tsp vanilla   Over medium heat, melt butter, sugar and salt. Stir in corn syrup (blend very well every time) gradually add milk stirring constantly.   Fruit dip: 2 ... http://tagskitchen.com/2008/07/17/caramel-dip/ 1 Cup mayonnaise 1 1/2 Tbsp dry onion 1 1/2 tsp Lawry's seasoning salt 3/4 tsp accent 3 drops Tabasco 1 Cup sour cream 1 1/2 Tbsp dry parsley 1 1/2 tsp dry dill weed   Mix and chill 24 hours before serving. http://tagskitchen.com/2008/07/17/vegetable-dip/ 1st layer: 1 C. Un-sifted flour    1 C. Chopped nuts 1/2 C. Margarine softened   2nd layer: 8 oz. can cream cheese softened     1 C. Powdered sugar 1/2 of a 8-9oz container of Cool Whip   3rd layer: 1 small pkg. Instant pudding 1 1/2 C. Milk   4th layer: Last 1/2 of cool whip   Mix 1st layer until crumbly. Press ... http://tagskitchen.com/2008/07/17/cool-whip-pudding-bars/ 1 carton of sour cream Equal amounts of mayonnaise 1 tsp monosodium glutamate 1 wedge of blue cheese or Roquefort (whichever you prefer)   Crumble cheese and add to sour cream. Mix with blender and let set in refrigerator for one day. http://tagskitchen.com/2008/07/17/richards-blue-cheese-dressing/