bite size beignets

http://www.cheekykitchen.com/2010/03/bite-size-beignets.html

Bite-Sized Beignets

with a sprinkling of Citrus Spiced sugar

These soft, sweet & puffy pieces of fried yeast dough are often found sitting under piles of powdered sugar. Though your waistline won't want you to eat them oft, you can knead up a batch in a matter of minutes, then plop the dough into a gallon-sized, lightly oiled ziploc bag and let it rise in the fridge overnight. Wouldn't a plate full of hot beignets, a bowl of banana's and a supful of cocoa make the perfect remedy for this final plague of chilly winter mornings? Yes. Yes, indeed. Add to the usual platter of powdered-sugar coated beignets a heavy dusting of homemade citrus-spiced sugar, and you may just discover that you're a morning person after all.

1 c. very warm water

1 T. yeast

2 (5 oz.) cans evaporated milk

1/2 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

2-4 c. flour

3 c. + 3 T. vegetable oil

In a large bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Stir in sugar. Add milk, sugar, eggs, salt, and vanilla. Add 2 c. of flour to the bowl and stir until a thick batter is formed. Continue to add flour until a soft dough forms. Knead dough, adding just enough flour to keep it from being sticky. Pour 3 T. of vegetable oil over the top of the dough, cover and let rise 1 hour. (If you plan to make them in the morning, just plop the dough into a gallon-sized ziploc bag & stick it in the fridge until you're ready to fry the dough in the morning.) Once you are ready to fry the dough, heat 3 c. of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Roll risen dough very thin, cut into small rectangles, then carefully drop dough into hot oil. Fry on one side just until puffy and barely brown, then turn and fry on the other side. Remove from heat, place on a large platter lined with paper towels. Once all dough has been fried, sprinkle the mound of cooked beignets with Citrus-Spiced sugar, then generously sprinkle with powdered sugar. Enjoy!

Pizza Dough

This is the pizza dough that I got from a friend in NYC.

2 1/4 tsp dry, active yeast
1 1/2 c warm water (110-115 degrees)
4 cups flour (I use all purpose) (may need more)
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp olive oil plus enough to coat bowl
1 tbsp sugar

Pour the water, sugar and yeast into mixing bowl. Stir until dissolved. Let rest for 10 minutes and the mixture will begin to react by becoming a little foamy head.
Add the salt and olive oil and stir to combine. Add 1 cup of flour of flour separately until the 4 cups are mixed in. Will be thick. Sometimes I use more flour (up to two cups) to get it to the right consistency. You don't want it to be sticky. I just mix everything in my kitchenaid for about 8-10 min until it looks like a smooth textured ball. Coat a bowl with plenty of room for the dough to rise with olive oil. Place dough in bowl and let rise for at least an hour, more time if you have it.
If you want to freeze the dough, put it in a sprayed freezer bag and do not let rise until you are thawing.
I like to sprinkle corn meal on my pizza stone to get the crust a little more crunch.
Cook at 425 for about 10 minutes without toppings, then add toppings and cook for another 10 min or so depending on how you like your crust.

Beef Kabob Marinade

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/kabob-marinade/Detail.aspx

• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup prepared mustard
• 1 1/2 teaspoons coarsely cracked black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon meat tenderizer (optional)

Mix together and marinade. It recommends 4-24 hours. I did it for around 3 and it was great!

Excellent Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

http://realmomkitchen.com/349/chocolate-chip-cookies/

2/3 cup shortening
2/3 cup butter (or you can use margarine)
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
3 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 bag chocolate chips

Cream butter, shortening, and sugars together. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well. Add soda, salt, and flour and mix until combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Bake at 375 on an ungreased cookie sheet for 8 to 10 minutes. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

Choc. Cream Pie

Courtesy of Heather (SIL)

4 ounces cream cheese
1 tbsp half and half
1 tbsp sugar
4 oz. cool whip

Mix together and spread in the bottom of Choc Cookie Crust

2 c. half and half
2 small packages of chocolate pudding
rest of cool whip

Mix together and put on top. Refrigerate for at least an hour

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 c. shortening
3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 c. pumpkin
2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1 c. nuts
1 c. choc. chips
1 c. oatmeal

mix together. bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

recipe of Grandma Funk's

Snowboardin' Sharon's White Chili

2 large cans chicken broth
2 large cans cannellini beans
small brown onion
1/2 tsp cumiin
1/2 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper (to taste)
Green tabasco (to taste)
Green onions
2 lbs. boneless chicken breast
8 oz. can chopped green chiles
handful fresh cilantro
1/2 tsp leaf oregano
Monterey Jack Cheese (grated)

Cube chicken breast, dice brown onion. In large pan saute chicken and onion in a little oil until cooked. Add chicken broth, beans, chiles, and spices. Slowly simmer for an hour or longer. Chop cilantro, add to chili and refrigerate over night.
Next day, Season more if desired. Simmer for several hours. In bowls, top with chopped green onion and grated cheese.
Serve with tortillas or cornbread.