Crowd Size Cinnamon Rolls

 This recipe makes 4 dozen good sized rolls.   They are so soft and tasty.   I know mashed potatoes in cinnamon rolls sounds strange, but trust me, it's so good.  I don't even like mashed potatoes, but they make these so soft and seem to keep them soft longer.  You can use instant mashed potatoes in this, but real are much better.

CROWD SIZE CINNAMON ROLLS 

(3 1/2 - 4 dozen)

Cinnamon Roll Ingredients:

*2 cups warm water 

*2 tablespoons active dry yeast

*2 tablespoon granulated sugar

*10 cups all-purpose flour

*2 cups mashed potatoes, cooled down

*1 cup granulated sugar

*1 tablespoon salt

*1cup butter, melted

*5 large eggs, beaten

Filling Ingredients:

*1 cup softened butter, divided into quarters

*1 1/3 cups light brown sugar

*4 tablespoons ground cinnamon 

Topping Ingredients (optional)

*2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

*1 cup butter, softened

*4 cups powdered sugar

*2 teaspoon vanilla extract

*4-6 teaspoons heavy cream or milk

Cinnamon Roll Directions:

~In a large mixing bowl, lightly whisk 2 cups warm water, 2 tablespoons active dry yeast, and 2 tablespoon granulated sugar.

~Allow to sit for 10 minutes to proof.

~Stir in  4 cups all purpose flour, 

~In another bowl, mix 2 cups cooled mashed potatoes (they can be slightly warm), 1 cup granulated sugar,  1 tablespoon salt, 1 cup melted butter (warm, not hot), and 5 large beaten eggs together until well incorporated.

~Mix egg mixture into flour yeast mixture until well incorporated.

~Add in remaining 6 cups all-purpose flour.

~Knead with dough hook for about 6-8 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic or knead by hand for about 10-12 minutes.

~Grease a large container and place dough into it.

~Cover with a clean damp towel until dough has risen double in size (about 1 - 1 1/2 hours).

~Grease 4  9x13 inch pans.

~Divide dough into 4 equal pieces.

~Roll out dough into about 12 x 18 inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface.

Filling directions:

~Spread 1/4 cup soften butter all over the top of the dough.

~Sprinkle 1/3 cup light brown sugar evenly over top of butter.

~Sprinkle 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon over top of brown sugar.

~Lightly pat down topping into dough.

~Tightly roll up dough lengthwise and seal with done.

~Cut dough into 12 equal pieces and place into prepared pan.

~Cover with a clean damp towel and allow to rise for 30-10 minutes or until doubled in size.

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Place in cinnamon rolls in preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes or until top is a golden brown and internal temp in 190-100 degrees.

Topping directions:

~In a large bowl, mix 2 (8 ounce) containers softened cream cheese and 1 cup softened butter together until well incorporated.

~Stir in 4 cups powder sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract until well mixed.

~Stir in 4-6 tablespoons heavy cream or milk until desired consistency.

~Spread on hot rolls.

Pineapple Chicken and Rice

 This is a super quick recipe to make.   About 30-15 minutes from start to finish.

PINEAPPLE CHICKEN AND RICE

(serves 4)

Ingredients:

*1 cup rice

*2 cups water

*3 cups boneless, skinless chicken breasts cup into chunks

*2 tablespoons cornstarch

*1 teaspoon salt

*1 teaspoon ground black pepper

*1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

*3 tablespoon vegetable oil

*1 (15 ounce) can pineapple chunks in juice (or about 1 cup fresh pineapple)

*1 1/2 cups pineapple juice (or the juice from the can)

*2 tablespoons light brown sugar

*2 tablespoons soy sauce 

*1 tablespoon tomato paste

*1 tablespoon sesame seeds

*1 red bell pepper, chopped into chunks

*1 medium yellow onion, peeled and chopped into wedges

*2 garlic cloves, minced

*1 teaspoon minced giner

Directions:

~In a large bowl, add 2 chopped up chicken breasts, 2 tablespoons corn starch, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.  

~Mix until chicken is well coated.

~In a medium saucepan put 2 cups water and 1 cup rice and cover.

~Bring to a boil over medium high heat.

~Once boiling reduce heat to simmer and cook for 20 minutes or until rice is tender (longer if using brown rice).

~Once you reduce heat to simmer, heat up a large skillet over medium heat.

~Add 3 tablespoons vegetable oil.

~Once oil is hot add chicken and cook until chicken is a golden brown, stirring often (about 5 minutes).

~In a small bowl, whisk 1 1/2 cups pineapple juice, 2 tablespoon light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon minced ginger and 1 tablespoon sesame seeds until well mixed.

~Add 1 sliced onion, and 1 chopped red bell pepper into pan with chicken.

~Sauté for about 3 minutes.

~Add in 1 cup pineapple chunks and cook for 2 minutes.

~Stir in sauce and mix in well.

~Continue cooking for 5-8 minutes or until sauce has reduced down and has thickened up (it will become caramelized).  

~Dish up rice and serve chicken mixture over top.

Brunswick Stew

A great southern soup.   I do not make it spicy, because my husband doesn't care for spicy things.  Add as much hot sauce as you want or add a little cayenne pepper.  Also some people add okra to their soup.

BRUNSWICK STEW

(seves 6-8)

Ingredients:

*1/2 pound bacon, cut up 

*1 1/2 cup cooked chicken, shredded (I use leftover rotisserie chicken)

*4-6 boneless pork chops (or use a pork roast about 2 pounds)

*2 medium yells onions, chopped

*3-4 garlic cloves, minced 

*1 (28 ounce) can stewed tomatoes

*1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

*1 teaspoon salt

*1 teaspoon ground black pepper

*4 1/2 cups chicken stock 

*2 cups peeled, cubed russet or Idaho potatoes 

*2 cups frozen corn, thawed

*1 cup frozen lima beans thawed

*1/4 cup BBQ sauce

*1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 

*hot sauce to taste (optional)

Directions:

~In a large dutch oven, cook 1/2 pound cut up bacon over medium heat until crisp.

~Remove bacon from pan.

~Add in pork chops, and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until a light golden brown.

~Remove from pan and set aside.

~Chop pork into bite size pieces, once cool enough 

~Add in 2 medium chopped onions and cook until tender, stirring often.

~Add in 3-4 minced garlic cloves, and cook for 1 more minute, stirring continuously.

~Add in 1 (28 ounce) can stewed tomatoes,  1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, stirring the bottom of the pan to deglaze it.

~Add  in 4 1/2 cups chicken stock, 2 cups peeled cubbed potatoes, and bring to a boil.

~Add in 1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken, cooked bacon, and 2 cups pork chops.

~Stir in 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce to taste.

~Reduce heat to simmer and cook until potatoes are tender.

~Add in 2 cups thawed corn and 1 cup thawed lima beans.

~Cook for another 10 minutes before serving.

Spice Cake Truffles

 Easy peasy to make.   I normally make a spice cake with cream cheese frosting and use the leftover to make these.

SPICE CAKE TRUFFLES

(makes 48-50)

Ingredients:

*1 (15.2 ounce) box spice cake mix (or make your own spice cake)

*1 (3.4 ounce) package instant cheesecake pudding

*1/2 cup whole milk 

*If you make your own spice cake and cream cheese frosting then you can omit the pudding and milk

*1 (24 ounce) package white almond bark, chopped in small pieces.

Directions:

~If using a homemade cake that is frosted, place cake into a large mixing bowl and a mix until it all becomes well incorporated.  Now skip down until 'Shape dough into  balls' section. 

~Bake cake as directed on the box .

~Allow the cake to cool completely.

~Break up cake into pieces and place in a large mixing bowl.

~Add in /12 cup whole milk and 1 (3.4 ounce) box instant cheesecake pudding.

~Mix until fully incorporated.

~Shape dough into 1-inch balls (I use a small cookie scoop).

~Place onto a parchment lined cookie sheet.

~Place in freezer for at least 30 minutes.

~Melt 24 ounce of chopped white almond bark over a double boiler (do not let water boil).

~Dip cake balls into melted almond bark until entire ball is coated.

~Refrigerate until almond bark is set.

~Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator.

Spice Cake

 Good year round, but I think of this as a perfect fall recipe.   I sometimes 1 teaspoon maple flavoring in place of the 1 tablespoon vanilla extract.

SPICE CAKE

(serves 12)

Cake Ingredients:

*2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

*1 1/2 cups packed dark brown sugar

*1/2 cup granulated sugar

*1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

*1 teaspoon baking powder

*1 teaspoon salt

*2 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

*1 teaspoon ground ginger

*3/4 teaspoon ground allspice

*1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

*1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

*1 cup vegetable oil

*4 large room temperature eggs

*1 tablespoon vanilla extract (or 1 teaspoon maple flavoring)

*1/4 cup buttermilk

Frosting Ingredients:

*1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

*1/2 cup butter, softened

*2 teaspoons vanilla extract

*2 cup powered sugar 

Cake Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray.

~In a large mixing bowl, stir 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar,  1/2 granulated sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 3/4 teaspoon ground allspice, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg.

~Stir in 1 cup vegetable oil.

~Stir in 4 eggs, one at a time.

~Stir in 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and 1/4 cup buttermilk until batter is smooth.

~Pour into prepared pan.

~Bake for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick insert4ed in center comes out clean.

~Cook cake completely before frosting.

Frosting Directions:

~In a medium sized mixing bow, beat 1 (8 once) package softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup softened cream cheese together until light and fluffy.

~Add in 2 teaspoons vanilla and 2 cups powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.

Spaghetti Dog

Most kids love this one.

SPAHETTI SAUCE

Ingredients:

*1 hot dog

*thin spaghetti noodles

*1/8 cup marinara sauce

*1/8-1/4 cup mozzarella cheese

*garlic butter, melted (optional)

*1/8 cup ricotta cheese

*1/8 cup parmesan cheese

*1 hot dog bun

Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Take raw spaghetti noodles and poke them into the raw hot dog.

~In a large skillet, bring water to a boil (enough to cover a hot dog.

~Place hot dog and spaghetti into boiling water and cook until noodles are done.

~Remove from boiling water and place on a cookie sheet, with spaghetti noodles laid straight.

~Evenly spread marinara sauce over cooked noodles.

~Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over top of the sauce. 

~Roll hot dog inside of noodles.

~Open hot dog bun and spread melted garlic butter over inside and outside of bun.

~Spread ricotta cheese over inside of bun.

~Place spaghetti dog over ricotta cheese.

~Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over top of spaghetti dog.

~Bake in preheated oven for about 5 minutes (just long enough to melt cheeses).

Dark Brown Sugar

 Super easy to make.  If you want it to be light brown sugar just decrease that molasses by half.  This recipe is easy to double or reduce.

Ingredients:

*4 cups granulated sugar

*1/2 cup black strap molasses 

Directions:

~Place 4 cups granulated sugar and 1/2 cup black strap molasses into a mixing bowl.

~Mix with paddle attachment for about 5 minutes, scraping the bowl half way through.

~Store in an airtight container.

Mushroom Gravy

 This is good over pork chops, chicken, and potatoes.

Mushroom Gravy

Ingredients:

*3 tablespoons butter

*1 small yellow onion, finely chopped

*1 (8 ounce) package mushrooms, sliced

*1/3 cup all-purpose flour

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*1 teaspoon ground black pepper 

*2 cups chicken stock 

*1/3 cup heavy cream

*2 dashes Worcestershire sauce

*1 tablespoon soy sauce

Directions:

~Melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat in a large skillet.

~Add 1 small finely chopped onion and 1 (8 ounce) package sliced mushrooms.

~Sauté for about 7-9 minutes, or until veggies are done,  stirring often.

~Stir in 1/3 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon ground black pepper until the flour is dissolved (about 1-2 minutes).

~Whisk in 2 cups chicken stock 1/4 cup at a time, whisking well after each addition.

~Whisk in 1/3 cup heavy cream, 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tablespoon soy sauce until fully incorporated.

~Simmer for 5 more minutes.