Derry's Recipes

A collection of my favorite recipes from over the years. Nothing too fancy, especially since I can make them. Hopefully nothing too "pretentious", either. Several of them started out in my mom's kitchen years ago.

The "Labor" rating is an overview of how much time and muscle it takes to complete the recipe. One batch of pumpkin bread is a cinch, however making gingerbread men usually takes me all weekend.

My recommendations for holiday baking are marked with a holly bush


[ Appetizer ] [ Bread ] [ Dessert ] [ Dessert - Cookies ] [ Drinks ] [ Main Dish ] [ Salad ] [ Sauce ] [ Soups ]


Appetizer

Nachos

Category: Appetizer

Labor: Moderate

  • 1 small can refried beans
  • 1/2 lb. browned ground beef
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1/2 cup salsa (8 oz.)
  • grated cheddar cheese
  • small sour cream
  • 1/2 tomato (chopped)
  • onion (optional)
  1. Heat refried beans, hamburger, taco seasoning, salsa and cheese.
  2. Pour mixture onto serving dishes (or individual plates), top with sour cream, then tomatoes. [Guacomole and olives can be added, as well]
  3. Heat chips in oven if desired.

Bread

Banana Bread

Category: Bread

Labor: Easy

Oven Temp: 350º

Baking Time: 45-50 minutes

  • 1/3 cup shortening
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1-3/4 cup flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (or more)
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • dash of vanilla
  1. Preheat oven to 350º
  2. Cream shortening and sugar, add eggs, beat well.
  3. Add dry ingredients and banana.
  4. Pour into well greased 9x5x3" loaf pan. Bake 45-50 minutes.
  5. Remove from pan. Cool on rack. Wrap and store overnight.

Pumpkin Bread

Category: Bread

Labor: As easy as it gets...

Oven Temp: 350º

Baking Time: 1 hour

  • 1 lg can pumpkin
  • 4 cups sugar
  • 1 cup oil
  • 5 cups flour
  • 4 tsp soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp cloves
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  1. Mix together in one bowl.
  2. Add nuts and/or 1 cup raisins before baking, if desired.
  3. FIll 3 loaf pans 1/2 full.
  4. Bake at 350º for 1 hour.

Dessert

Apple Raisin Bread Pudding

Category: Dessert

Labor: Easy

Oven Temp: 350º

Baking Time: 45 minutes

  • 7 slices raisin bread, left overnight to dry out, broken into 1" pieces
  • 4 tart apples, peeled, cored, coarsely chopped
  • 3/4 cup pecan halves, lightly toasted, coarsely chopped
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted, cool
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  1. Combine bread, apples, and pecans in lightly greased 13x9x2 baking dish, then spread evenly.
  2. Whisk eggs, butter, sugar, cinnamon, milk and vanilla in large bowl until well blended; pour over bread mixture.
  3. Press down with spatula if necessary to soak bread.
  4. Set aside for 30 minutes to allow bread to absorb liquid.
  5. Bake in preheated 350º oven for 45 minutes or until pudding is just set and golden brown on top.
  6. Serve warm with a drizzle of heavy cream or vanilla ice cream.

Berry Cobbler Crust

Category: Dessert

Labor: Easy

Oven Temp: 475º

Baking Time: 55 minutes

  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp lemon peel

Prepare fruit: mix 1/3 cup sugar and 1 Tbs corn starch with fruit in large bowl. Let stand until sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a buttered 8-inch baking dish.

Prepare topping: Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in small bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter and sugar in large bowl until smooth. Beat in egg yolk, lemon peel and vanilla. Add flour mixture; mix just until moist dough forms. Spoon dough atop fruit, spacing evenly. Bake until juices bubble thickly and topping is golden, about 55 minutes. Cool slightly and serve with vanilla ice cream.


EXPERIMENTAL - Bisquick Cobbler Crust

Category: Dessert

Labor: Easy

Oven Temp: 425º

Baking Time: 55 minutes

  • 4-2/3 cups Bisquick
  • 1 cup milk
  • 6 Tbsp sugar
  • 6 Tbsp melted butter

Prepare fruit: mix 1/3 cup sugar and 1 Tbs corn starch with fruit in large bowl. Let stand until sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a buttered 8-inch baking dish.

Prepare topping: Mix ingredients. Spoon dough atop fruit, spacing evenly. Bake until juices bubble thickly and topping is golden, about 55 minutes. Cool slightly and serve with vanilla ice cream.


Peanut Butter Fudge

Category: Dessert - Fudge

Labor: Easy

  • 1-1/2 cups sugar
  • 5 Tbs butter
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 1-1/2 cups mini marshmallows
  • 2-1/2 cups peanut butter
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • nuts (optional)
  • 8 oz choc chips
  1. Combine sugar, butter, milk.
  2. Bring to boil. STIR CONSTANTLY. Cook 5 min boiling (bubbling - MED to MED HI).
  3. Add marshmallows, peanut butter, vanilla. Stir until melted and together.
  4. Pour into buttered pan. Sprinkle choc chips over top, then spread or swirl melted choc chips.

Rocky Road Fudge

Category: Dessert-Fudge

Labor: Easy

  • 12 oz milk chocolate chips
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 4 cups small marshmallows
  1. Melt chips & peanut butter.
  2. Mix in marshmallows.
  3. Spread in 9" pan.
  4. Put in refrigerator to cool.

Spice Nuts

Category: Dessert

Labor: Easy

Oven Temp: 300º

Baking Time: 30 minutes

  • 1/2 cup nuts (any kind)
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 3 tsp cinnamon
  • dash of nutmeg
  • small dash of cloves
  1. Beat up egg white.
  2. Dip nuts into beaten egg white.
  3. Shake in sugar mixture.
  4. Bake for 1/2 hour at 300º. Store in airtight container.

Magic Cookie Bars

Category: Dessert

Labor: Easy

Oven Temp: 350º

Baking Time: 25-30 minutes

  • 1/2 cup butter or margarine
  • 1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1 can (14 oz.) Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
  • 1 cup (6 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1-1/3 cup flaked coconut
  • 1 cup chopped nuts
  1. Preheat oven to 350º (325º for glass pan).
  2. In 13x9x2 baking dish, melt margarine and mix with graham cracker crumbs in the pan. Pat to form a crust on the bottom of the pan.
  3. Sprinkle nuts & chocolate chips in the pan, sprinkle coconut in the pan, then evenly drizzle Eagle Brand over the ingredients.
  4. Bake 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool and cut into bars.
  5. Store loosely covered at room temperature.

Karen's Ultimate Brownies

Category: Dessert-Brownies

Labor: Easy

Oven Temp: 350º

Baking Time: 30 minutes

  • 1 cup butter
  • 4 sq baking chocolate
  • 4 eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 2 cups walnuts, chopped
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • dash of salt
  • 2 cups sugar
  • chocolate chips (6 to 12 oz.)
  1. Melt butter and chocolate on low in saucepan.
  2. Add remaining ingredients and stir until well blended.
  3. Put into 13x9" pan. Bake 30 minutes at 350º.

Thanks to Karen Lee, who uses these as "thank you's" and "bribes".


Cookies

Grammy's Chocolate Cookies

Category: Dessert-Cookies

Labor: Easy

Oven Temp: 350º

Baking Time: 8 minutes/batch

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 cups (2 sticks plus 4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 cups sugar, plus more for dipping
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  1. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, 2 cups sugar, and eggs on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla, and mix to combine. Gradually add dry ingredients, and combine with mixer on low speed. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, and chill until dough is firm, about 1 hour.
  3. Heat oven to 350º. Line baking sheets with Silpats (French nonstick baking mats). Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Dip top of each ball into sugar. Place on prepared baking sheets about 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake until set, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool. Makes about 10 dozen.

Anne Feldman Kennewick, Washington via Martha Stewart Cookie Contest. I have no idea who "Grammy" really is...


Chocolate Chip Cookies

Category: Dessert-Cookies

Labor: Moderate

Oven Temp: 350º

Baking Time: 9 minutes/batch

  • 1 cup butter, melted
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2-1/2 cups flour
  • 6 oz. chocolate chips
  • 1 cup nuts
  1. Beat melted butter until homogenized.
  2. Add brown sugar, sugar, eggs and vanilla and blend well.
  3. Add salt, baking soda, flour, mixing until well blended.
  4. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.
  5. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls on cookie sheet lined with brown paper.
  6. Bake in 350º oven for approx. 9 minutes.

Chocolate Crackles

Category: Dessert-Cookies

Labor: Moderate/Messy

Oven Temp: 350º

Baking Time: 10-12 minutes/batch

  • 2 sq (2 oz.) unsweetened chocolate
  • 1/4 cup oil
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup nuts
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup sifted flour
  1. Melt chocolate, blend in oil, sugar, vanilla. Add eggs & beat well.
  2. Sift dry ingredients into chocolate mixture. Mix in nuts.
  3. Chill several hours.
  4. Drop teaspoonful of dough into powdered sugar. Bake at 350º 10-12 minutes.

Chocolate P-nut Butter Surprise

Category: Dessert-Cookies

Labor: Moderate

Oven Temp: 350º

Baking Time: 12-15 minutes/batch

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup Dutch-proc. cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temp
  • 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup & 1/4 cup (separated) light-brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  1. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
  2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, vegetable shortening, granulated sugar, and 1 cup light-brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing until fully combined between each addition. Add vanilla, and beat to combine. Gradually add dry ingredients, and mix on low speed until fully combined. Remove from mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in chocolate chips. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, and chill until firm, about 1 hour.
  3. Heat oven to 350º. Line baking sheets with Silpats (French nonstick baking mats)
  4. In a small bowl using a rubber spatula, stir together peanut butter and remaining 1/4 cup light-brown sugar.
  5. Using a 1 1/4-inch scoop or heaping tablespoon, drop dough onto prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Make a thumbprint in the center of each cookie. Fill thumbprint with 1 teaspoon peanut-butter mixture. Top with a second scoop of dough, and carefully mold dough to cover ³surprise.²
  6. Bake until firm, about 12 minutes (15 min. on airbake sheets). Transfer sheets to wire racks to cool for 5 minutes before transferring cookies to racks. Makes about 3-1/2 dozen.

Chris Capista Wausau, Wisconsin via Martha Stewart Cookie Contest


Gingerbread Men

Category: Dessert-Cookies

Labor: Hard

Oven Temp: 350º

Baking Time: 10 minutes/batch

  • 2 cups margarine
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup molasses
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 4 Tbs cocoa (unsweetened)
  • 4 tsp ginger
  • 4 tsp cloves
  • 1 Tbs cinnamon
  • 7 1/2 cups flour
  1. Cream margarine and sugar. Add remaining ingredients, folding in flour. Chill at least one hour.
  2. Sprinkle flour on clean counter, and roll out dough to 3/16"-1/4" thickness. Cut cookies and gently transport to baking sheets.
  3. Bake on ungreased sheets at 350º for 10 minutes. Makes about 72 5" people.

ICING: 1 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 1/8 tsp cream of tartar, 1 egg white. Beat at high speed - frosts about 30 people.


Drinks

Hot Chocolate Mix

Category: Drinks

Labor: Easy

  • 2 lb. box Nestle Quik (2 to 3 lbs)
  • 14 qt. box Carnation Powdered Milk
  • 2 - 22oz. jars Coffeemate Creamer
  • 1 lb. powdered sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. cinnamon

Mix together. Store in airtight container.


Warm Cranberry Wassail

Category: Drinks

Labor: Moderate

  • 1 gallon Ocean Spray cranberry juice cocktail
  • 5 cups apple juice
  • 1/2 cup sugar (optional)
  • 8 3-inch cinnamon sticks
  • 2 tsp whole allspice
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  • orange slices for garnish
  • whole cloves for garnish
  1. Combine all ingredients, except garnishes, in a large saucepan.
  2. Heat to boiling, reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.
  3. Strain punch to remove spices.
  4. Place in a heatproof punch bowl (or crock pot).
  5. Garnish with orange slices studded with cloves.

Makes 28 6-oz servings.


Main Dish

Chicken & Dumplings

Category: Main Dish-Chicken

Labor: Hard

  • 1-1/2 lbs chicken parts
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 Tbs oil
  • 2 10oz. cans cream of chicken or mushroom soup
  • 4 cups milk
  • 3 Tbs butter
  • 1-1/2 cup flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup milk
  1. Liberally salt and pepper chicken parts.
  2. In electric skillet over medium high heat, brown chicken on all sides in oil.
  3. In large bowl, mix soup and milk until smooth. Pour over browned chicken, cover, simmer on med-low for 20 min.
  4. In bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt. With pastry tool, cut butter into the dry ingredients. Add milk & stir until sticky dough.
  5. Drop lumps of dough into hot chicken & gravy. Cook 10 min uncovered, then 10-15 covered.

Serves 4


Chicken and Rice

Category: Main Dish-Chicken

Labor: Moderate

Oven Temp: 350º

Baking Time: 30 minutes

  • 2 cups chicken
  • 1-1/2 cups white rice
  • 1-1/2 cups MJB wild brown rice
  • 1 can pineapple chunks (15 oz.)
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 chicken boullion cubes
  • slivered almonds for garnish, if desired

Prepare rice according to instructions (add a couple chicken boullion cubes to the water for flavor).

Mix rice with other ingredients and bake at 350º (or 325º) for about half an hour.


Mom's Enchiladas

Category: Main Dish

Labor: Moderate

Oven Temp: 350º

Baking Time: 30 minutes

  • 1/2 pkg sour cream
  • small cottage cheese
  • 1/2 pkg taco seasoning
  • 1/2 pkg dry onion soup mix
  • Tortilla shells
  • small can diced green chilis (optional)
  • 1 lb hamburger
  • 1-2 cups mozarella cheese
  • 1/2 to 1 cup cheddar cheese
  1. Brown hamburger.
  2. Mix cottage cheese, hamburger, taco seasoning.
  3. Grate cheeses.
  4. Put cream of chicken soup & water in bottom of 13x9 pan.
  5. Put hamburger mixture on tortilla. Put equal amount of cheese.
  6. Put white & yellow cheese over top of tortillas.
  7. Bake at 350º for 30 min.

Mom's Lasagna

Category: Main Dish-Pasta

Labor: Hard

Oven Temp: 350º

Baking Time: 30 minutes

  • 1/2 box lasagna noodles (10)
  • 2 lbs. ground beef
  • 32 oz. jar Prego (or make sauce)
  • 2 eggs (beaten)
  • Small cottage cheese (16 oz.)
  • 1 lb. mozarella cheese

HOMEMADE SAUCE

  • 1 lb. can tomatoes
  • 2 6oz. cans tomato paste
  • 1 Tbs basil
  • 2 Tbs parsley flakes
  • 1-1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 minced garlic (or powder to taste)
  1. Boil noodles as directed, with a little oil to keep them from sticking.
  2. Brown beef (w/ salt, pepper, garlic powder).
  3. Add sauce and let simmer 15 min.
  4. Mix eggs & cottage cheese together.
  5. Lightly cover bottom of 13x9 pan with sauce, lay down 5 noodles, then 1/2 the meat sauce, 1/2 cottage cheese mixture, and 1/2 mozarella. Lay down 5 more noodles, repeat...
  6. Bake 30 min. @ 350º then let cool 15 minutes.

Tim's Meatballs

Category: Main Dish

Labor: Hard

Oven Temp: 350º

Baking Time: 20 minutes

  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 cup corn flakes
  • 1/3 cup dried parsley
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 Tbs soy sauce
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic
  • 2 Tbs minced onion
  • 1/3 cup ketchup

Make into balls. Bake @ 350º for 20 min.


Flank Steak

Category: Main Dish-Steak

Labor: Moderate

  • 1/2 cup oil
  • 1/3 cup dry red wine
  • 3 Tbs green onion
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • 1 tsp dry mustard
  • 1/4+ cup soy sauce
  • 2 tsp red wine vinegar
  • 1-2 Tbs brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp basil
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1/8 tsp marjoram

(Enough for one steak) Marinate steak overnight. Cook steak about 5 minutes on each side.


Salad

Broccoli Salad

Category: Salad

Labor: Moderate

  • 1 cup roasted peanuts
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 2 bunches broccoli (tops only)
  • 1 lb. crumbled bacon
  • 1 medium onion, optional

DRESSING

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 Tbs white vinegar
  • 2 Tbs sugar

Mix salad ingredients together, then stir in dressing before serving. (Peanuts will become soft if dressing is added too soon.)


Chicken Salad

Category: Salad

Labor: Moderate

  • 3-4 chicken breasts (cooked)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/8 tsp curry powder
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • Sliced green grapes (1 1/2-2 cups)
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 1 can pineapple tidbits
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 1 cup slivered almonds

Amounts of ingredients can be varied according to your taste. Mix all ingredients, except for almonds. Chill salad before serving. Do not add almonds until salad is ready to be served.

Salad can be served alone, or on bread, rolls, croissants, etc.


Oriental Chicken Salad

Category: Salad

Labor: Moderate

  • 1 pkg chicken flavored Top Ramen
  • 1 Tbs sugar
  • 1/2 cup oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/8 tsp five spice
  • 2-3 Tbs rice vinegar
  • 2 cups chicken
  • 2 Tbs sesame seeds
  • 2 oz. slivered almonds
  • 1/2 head cabbage
  • 2 green onions
  1. Combine ramen seasoning packet with other dressing ingredients. Shake well, and let stand overnight.
  2. Crumble ramen noodles in bowl, add remaining ingredients and dressing. Toss well.
  3. Serve with fresh melons and pineapple slices.

** (When doubled, use 3 Tbs sugar, 5 Tbs rice vinegar, 1/4 tsp five spice)


Sauce

Sweet & Sour Sauce

Category: Sauces

Labor: Moderate

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 6 Tbs vinegar (when double, 3/4 cup)
  • 6 Tbs soy sauce
  • salt


Tim's Sweet & Sour

Category: Sauces

Labor: Moderate

  • 2 cups water
  • 2 Tbs corn starch
  • 1 small can pineapple tidbits
  • 1 Tbs rice vinegar
  • 1 Tbs sugar
  • 2 Tbs ketchup

Mix cornstarch and water very well. Bring to boil in saucepan. When mixture thickens, add 2 Tbs of juice from pineapple tidbits, rice vinegar, sugar and ketchup.


Soups

Lisa's Meatball Minestrone

Category: Soup

Labor: Moderate (meatballs, chopping veggies)

  • TURKEY MEATBALLS:
  • 2 egg whites (or whole egg)
  • 4 Tbs quick-cooking oats
  • 4 Tbs Parmesan cheese topping (canned, not fresh)
  • 1/4 tsp italian seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 lb ground turkey
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 cans (14.5 oz) chicken broth
  • 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • 1 cup diced peeled potatoes
  • 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 cup uncooked spiral pasta

Turkey meatballs:

  1. In a bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients.
  2. Crumble turkey over mixture, mix well.
  3. Shape into 3/4 inch balls.
  4. Place on a baking sheet coated with nonstick cooking spray.
  5. Bake, uncovered, at 350º for 20 minutes or until meat is no longer pink.

Soup:

  1. In a LARGE saucepan coated with nonstick cooking spray, saute onion, celery and garlic in 1 Tbsp butter until crisp-tender.
  2. Add broth, potatoes, tomato paste, vegetables and seasonings.
  3. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
  4. Stir in pasta and meatballs.
  5. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat for 10-12 minutes or until vegetables and pasta are tender.

Crockpot directions:

  1. If you use a crockpot, cook the soup portion for 4 hours on high to get the vegetables crisp/tender.
  2. Add the cooked meatballs and pasta, cook for 30 more minutes and everything will be done.

Thanks to Lisa McCown for this tasty recipe!


EXPERIMENTAL

Eggnog Cookies

Category: Dessert

Labor: Moderate

Oven Temp: 350º

Baking Time: 23-25 minutes/batch

  • 2-1/4 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1-1/4 cups white sugar
  • 3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
  • 1/2 cup eggnog
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1 Tbsp ground nutmeg

** I made these once and don't remember liking them all THAT much. Let me know what you think **

  1. Preheat oven to 300º.
  2. In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix well with a wire whisk and set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, cream sugar and butter with an electric mixer to form a grainy paste. Add eggnog, vanilla and egg yolks and beat at medium speed until smooth.
  4. Add the flour mixture and beat at low speed just until combined. Do not over mix.
  5. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets, 1 inch apart. Sprinkle lightly with nutmeg. Bake for 23-25 minutes or until bottoms turn light brown. Transfer to cool, flat surface immediately with a spatula.

Makes about 3 dozen.


Rob's Beef Wellington

Category: Main Dish

Labor: Difficult

Oven Temp: 350º

Baking Time: Varies

  • 2 lbs mushrooms
  • 1/2 cup red wine (Merlot or Cabernet)
  • 16 oz chive and onion-flavored cream cheese
  • 2 thawed puff pastry sheets
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cube butter
  • 3 lb filet mignon tenderloin

** This is Rob's recipe. It's truly melt-in-your-mouth, but I haven't tried to make it yet... **

  1. Chop mushrooms to 1/8". Saute in red wine & butter. Drain
  2. Cook tenderloin at 350º until meat thermometer indicates "rare" on a baking sheet with sides. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
  3. Roll out pastry sheet
  4. Mix chopped, sauteed mushrooms w/ cream cheese. Place 1/2" layer on pastry crust in the size of the tenderloin.
  5. "Frost" tenderloin 1/2" think w/ mushroom mixture. Cover w/ second pastry sheet and pinch closed.
  6. Brush w/ beaten egg and cold water on the outside.
  7. Cook at 350º until meat thermometer reads "medium".
  8. Let cool 20 min., slice 1" thick and serve.

Sukiyaki

Category: Main Dish

Labor: Moderate

  • 1-1/2 lb beef rib eye
  • 1 small can shirataki
  • 1 cup (4-6) sliced mushrooms
  • 1-1/2 cups sake
  • 1-2 eggs
  • 12 oz. tofu (optional)
  • 1 bunch green onions
  • 8 oz can bamboo shoots (rinsed)
  • 1 cup Japanese soy sauce
  • 3 Tbs sugar

** It's been a long time since I've made this...**

  1. Slice beef very thin (easier to cut if slightly frozen).
  2. Slice tofu into 1" pieces and set aside.
  3. Put small amount of oil in frying pan and scramble eggs. Set aside.
  4. Heat oil in frying pan and saute beef.
  5. Add onions, shirataki, bamboo shoots, mushrooms and tofu.
  6. Combine remaining ingredients to make a sauce. Pour sauce over meat and vegetables until they are half-covered. Adjust heat so that sauce simmers.
  7. Cook for 10 minutes, then sample piece of meat.
  8. Remove from pan and serve hot with rice.

Last updated November 18, 2001 - Derry Lyons