Maple Cream Bon Bon's

One of my favorite candies.   Easy to make and makes a great gift.  You can use walnuts instead of pecans in this recipe, but I prefer pecans.

MAPLE CREAM BON BON'S

(makes about 60)

Ingredients:

*1 cup butter, softened

*3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

*3 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon maple extract

*2 cups pecans, chopped

*1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

*1 cup milk chocolate chips

*1 cup butterscotch chips 

Directions:

~In a large mixing bowl, cream 1 cup softened butter, 3 1/2 cups  powdered sugar, and 3 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon maple extract until smooth.

~Mix in 2 cups chopped pecans.

~Roll dough into 1-inch balls.

~Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

~Freeze for at least 30 minutes.

~Melt 1 cup milk chocolate, 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 cup butterscotch chips in a double boiler , stirring often or the microwave for 20-30 seconds.

~Put a toothpick into dough balls (optional). (I like to do about 10 at a time and keep the rest in the rest in the freezer until ready to dip).

~Holding onto the toothpick, dip each dough ball into chocolate-butterscotch mixture, one at a time.

~Allow excess chocolate to drip off.

~Place on parchment paper and remove toothpick.

~Allow chocolate to harden before eating.

~Store in a sealing container in the refrigerator.

Bleu Cheese Burgers

 I love bleu cheese and having it burgers is da bomb.   The burger is good without the dressing if you prefer not to add the extra calories.  You can buy your favorite bleu cheese dressing if you don't want to make it.

BLEU CHEESE BURGERS

(4 burgers)

Sauce Ingredients:

*1/2 cup bleu cheese crumbles

*1/4 cup sour cream

*1/4 cup mayonnaise 

*1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

*1/8 teaspoon dry mustard

*1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

*1/8 teaspoon salt

*1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Burger Ingredients:

*4 slices of your favorite cheese (optional) 

*4 hamburger buns

*1 pound ground beef (I use 80/20)

*1/2 cup bleu cheese crumbles

*2 tablespoons chopped chives

*1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

*1/4 teaspoon hot sauce 

*1/4 cup butter, chopped (optional)

*1/2 teaspoon coarse ground pepper

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

Bleu Cheese Dressing Directions:

~In a mixing bowl, whisk all the ingredients together.  

~Refrigerate for at least 6 hours (I normally make this the day before).

Burger Directions:

~In a large bowl mix ground beef, bleu cheese crumbles, chives, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, butter, pepper, salt, and dry mustard (Do not over mix).

~Form into 4 patties.

~Place on a plate and cover with plastic wrap.

~Refrigerate for 2-8 hours.  

~Grill over high heat for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until burger is done.

~Place a piece of cheese over burger and transfer on to bottom half of bun (I like to toast my bun first.

~Spread some bleu cheese dressing over inside of top bun.

~Place over burger and enjoy.  

Variation:

`add bacon, tomato, pickles and lettuce if you like.

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Pistachio Muffins

 Good to make anytime, but great for Saint Patrick's Day or Christmas, because of the green coloring.   To be honest, I often don't add the pistachio  nuts, because they are pretty expensive and the muffins give you the pistachio taste with the pudding in it.  BTW,  I think they taste more like a cupcake than a muffin.

PISTACHIO MUFFINS

(makes 2 dozen)

Ingredients:

*1/2 cup vegetable oil

*3/4 cup granulated sugar

*2 eggs

*1/4 cup sour cream

*1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

*1/2 teaspoon almond extract

*1 cup whole milk

*2 cups all purpose flour

*1 (3.4 ounce) box pistachio instant pudding mix

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*2 teaspoons baking powder

*1/2 cup pistachio nuts, chopped (optional)

*1/2 cup coconut (optional)

Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray.  If you are using paper liners spray them with cooking spray too.

~In a large mixing bowl,  mix vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, sour cream, vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk and mix until light and creamy.

~Add flour, pudding mix, baking powder and salt and mix until just combined.

~Fold in pistachios and coconut.

~Divide mixture evenly into muffin tin.

~Bake for 16-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

~If you aren't using paper liners, allow muffins to cool for 10 minutes, before removing from pan.  If you are using paper liners, you can remove from pan right away.

~Transfer to cooling rack and allow to cool completely.

Variations:

~Add 1/2 cup dried cranberries

~Add 1 cup chocolate chips

~Add 1 cup white chocolate chips

~Substitute pistachio nuts with pecans or walnuts

Cobb Salad

 One of my favorite salads.    Sooooooo good!  I use a homemade Red Wine Vinaigrette Dressing or homemade Italian Dressing, but  use whatever is your favorite dressing.  Soft Bread Sticks go great with this salad  

COBB SALAD

(serves 4)

Salad Ingredients

*2 boneless, skinless,  chicken breasts, grilled and sliced (or use rotisserie chicken)

*8 cups romaine lettuce (or your favorite lettuce)

*1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved (I use fresh garden tomatoes when they are in season)

*1/2 - 1 small red onion, diced small 

*1 cup of crumbled bacon (about 8 slices)

*1/2 cup bleu cheese crumbles

*4 hard boiled eggs, sliced

*1 avocado, sliced thin (I don't put one in my salad.  Not a fan)

Salad Directions:

~In a large bowl, toss lettuce, tomatoes, red and red onion together.

~Divide into 4 bowls or plates.

~Top salads with bacon, eggs, avocado, and chicken.

~Drizzle with your favorite salad dressing.

Italian Dressing

 I love a good Italian dressing.   I love it on salads, but also as a marinade for chicken.  

ITALIAN DRESSING

(makes about 1 cup)

Ingredients:

*1/8 cup red wine vinegar

*1/8 cup white vinegar

*1/2 cup olive oil

*2 tablespoons water

*1 1/2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

*2 teaspoons honey 

*1/8 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (you can use a dairy free parmesan or omit it)

*1 teaspoon garlic powder

*1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt

*1/4 teaspoon dried oregano 

*1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

*1 teaspoon dried basil

*1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes 

Directions:

~Place all ingredients into a jar with a lid and shake until mixed well (I blend mine with an immersion blender)

~Refrigerate until ready to use, shaking before each use.

Mock Olive Garden Salad Dressing

 I love Olive Garden salad and breadsticks.  It's easy to make this at home.  Goes with just about any salad.   

MOCK OLIVE GARDEN SALAD DRESSING

(makes about 2 cups)

Ingredients:

*1 cup mayonnaise

*2/3 cups white vinegar

*1/8 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar

*2 tablespoons lemon juice

*1 tablespoon water

*3/4b cup freshly grated parmesan romano cheese 

*2 teaspoons olive oil

*1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

*1 1/2 teaspoons parsley flakes

*1/2 teaspoon garlic salt.

Directions:

~Place all ingredients into a blender and mix until smooth.

~Refrigerate until ready to use.  

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