MANWICH CLONE RECIPE

Someone recently told me that a variety of convenience foods (that we all take for granted) are not readily available to cooks living outside of the USA; simple things like good old hot dogs, graham crackers, ranch mix, canned pumpkin, Crisco and  Manwich ( plus MANY others).

I don't buy many convenience foods, but every once in a while, I  find something like Manwich comes to the "quick snack for the grandkids" rescue. The down side is that it can be expensive when feeding a crowd, so I was very happy to find this great "clone" recipe. 

TIP:  When feeding a crowd,  I usually serve these sandwiches, "slider style", on small dinner rolls.

8 ounces tomato sauce
1 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon dried onion flakes
1 tablespoon finely diced green pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon celery seed

Mix everything together and add to one pound of (browned and well drained) ground beef.  Simmer for 10 minutes then spoon onto  buns and serve.

Read More

Skillet Penne and Sausage

This dish is quick and easy because everything 

cooks in one skillet. It gets it's great flavor 

from sun-dried tomatoes

along with fresh spinach, and garlic. 

 You'll also need Italian sausage-sweet or hot. 

(I used a combo of both), milk, chicken broth,

parmesan cheese, olive oil and salt.

 Chopped onion, garlic and sun dried tomatoes.

 I like to evenly divide the penne into two jars. 

This easily measures out the 8oz.

(I use lots of these jars for storage) 

This way I'll  have another 8oz ready to go.

 Heat the olive oil in a large 12" skillet until 

shimmering. Add the onion and 1/2t salt

 and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

Squeeze the sausage out of it's casing and 

brown, breaking it up with a wooden spoon

 until no longer pink, about 4 minutes.

Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, 

about 15 seconds. 

 Sprinkle on the sun-dried tomatoes. 

I will chop them next time. These were too big.

Now here's the fun  part......

 Sprinkle the penne evenly over the sausage.

No need to mess with another pot to cook 

the pasta. You could do this whole dinner in an

 electric skillet anywhere.

 Now pour 2C of chicken broth over the pasta,

 I used one small can.

 Pour the milk over. I used whole milk even 

though we don't drink it. We drink skim. 

I'll use the rest in other dishes like pancakes 

or mashed/scalloped potatoes, oatmeal. 

But you can use whatever you have.

 Bring to a simmer and cover.

 Let simmer for about 15 minutes until 

the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.

Stir in the fresh spinach a handful at

 a time and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.

 Stir in the parmesan cheese. 

 Taste first to see if it needs a bit more 

salt and pepper. It will depend on the sausage, 

broth and cheese that you've used.

Crusty bread and a salad are all that's needed. 

That is if you want to mess up another  bowl.

Skillet Penne and Sausage

.....a one pot dish.....

Ingredients

1T olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1/2t salt
1 lb Italian sausage, sweet or hot, casing removed
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 C sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, rinsed and chopped
8 oz penne or similar pasta
2 C low sodium chicken broth
1 C milk
1 bag fresh baby spinach, (5-6oz)
1 oz parmesan cheese, grated (1/2 C)
Directions
1. Heat the oil in a large 12" skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and salt cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Squeeze the sausage from the casing and add to the pan, breaking up with a wooden spoon until browned, about 4 minutes.
3. Stir in the garlic and cook another 15 seconds until fragrant. Sprinkle the sun-dried tomatoes and the penne evenly over the sausage.
4. Pour the broth and milk evenly over the pasta. Bring to a simmer and cover. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook until the pasta is tender, about 15 minutes.
6. Stir in the spinach a handful at a time and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. stir in
the parmesan cheese and taste for seasoning, adding salt and pepper if desired.
serves 4-6

Enjoy!

Links: Somewhat Simple,
The Shabby Creek Cottage,
No Minimalist Here,
Foodie Friday, Stone Gable

Read More

MANGO CAKE

This cake brings rave reviews and is a nice change from the predictable pineapple upside-down cake. The cake is sweet, very light and tender and the fruit keeps it deliciously moist. We ate it warm, with ice cream after dinner tonight.

Preheat your oven to 350F and spray a round 9" x 2" cake pan with vegetable spray. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper and then spray it again.

BOILED SYRUP LAYER (goes under the batter)
1 cup white sugar
¼ teaspoon lemon juice
¼ cup cold water
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Arrange one pound of small diced mango in the bottom of the parchment lined cake pan, and sprinkle VERY LIGHTLY with some cinnamon sugar. Note: I threw in a few maraschino cherry pieces for color.

In a heavy bottomed  sauce pan, stir 1 cup sugar + lemon juice and cold water together. Bring to boil on medium heat, stirring once in a while, until it starts to turn amber. Watch carefully, because once it starts to turn color, because it will darken quickly. After it turns light amber, pour evenly over the mango and set aside while you make the batter.

CAKE LAYER
1½ cups all purpose flour
1¾ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup whole milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup butter (room temperature)
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
.
In a small bowl, mix flour, baking powder, ginger and cinnamon together, set aside. In another small bowl, mix milk and vanilla extract, set aside.
.
With electric mixer, beat the room temperature butter for one minute, or until it is light and fluffy; add brown sugar and beat on high for 3 minutes. Reduce speed and add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Make sure you scrape down the sides of the bowl once in a while.

Now you need to mix in the milk mixture and the flour mixture, but make sure you alternate (dry...milk...dry...milk etc.). Scrape down the bowl and give it one final mix but don't mix too long. Pour the batter over the mango and syrup layer.

Bake at 350F for 35 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean (it takes 45 minutes in my electric oven). Remove from oven and let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Run a thin knife around the edge to loosen, then invert on a serving plate and peel off the parchment paper; serve warm. This cake is excellent with whipped cream or ice cream.

NOTE: Do not make this in a spring form pan because the sauce might leak out.

NOTE: You can make this with almost any kind of fruit, blueberries work nicely too.

NOTE: The fruit might appear quite wet when you first invert the cake, but as it cools off, the sauce thickens considerably.

Read More

Baked Tofu

For many Indonesian Family, especially those who live in this country, tofu is one of the most popular ingredients for our meal. I realize that in one week, I cook at least 2-3 dishes using tofu as the main ingredient for our dinner. It's cheap, easy to find, and contains good nutrition. Delicious... for sure.
I believe some family have the same experience with me.

There are many dishes can be

Read More

COOKIE BOWLS

Looking for a fun and inexpensive way to jazz up your next family gathering? Try these cookie bowls. Not only are they easy to do, but you can fill them with anything from pudding, to ice cream, to cheesecake. You can make the cookie bowls ahead of time and freeze them (unfilled); there are tons of possibilities.

The instructions for these cookie bowls called for forming them over an inverted cupcake pan, however, I wanted bigger (and thicker) ones because they were for a specific purpose and had to be strong enough to travel well, so I formed them over an inverted Texas size  muffin pan.

DO NOT BE TEMPTED TO MAKE THESE COOKIE BOWLS USING ALL BUTTER. IT WILL NOT WORK. THE DOUGH WILL SPREAD AND NOT FORM A BOWL !!!!!

1/4 cup butter flavored shortening (no substitutions)
1/4 cup butter (room temperature)(no substitutions)
1/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1½ cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Beat together shortening, butter and sugars in a large bowl; add the egg and vanilla; beat until well mixed. IMPORTANT NOTE: Do NOT replace butter for the shortening in this recipe; if you do, the dough will spread too much while baking.

Mix the flour and baking powder and gradually stir them into the batter; stir in the chocolate chips.

Put batter into a large plastic bag and flatten into a disk; chill for at least an hour. Preheat your oven to 375. Turn your cupcake (or muffin) pan upside down and cover every other one with foil.

NOTE: standard size cupcake pan requires a 4" circle of foil and the Texas size muffin pan requires a 6" circle of foil. Spray the foil with vegetable spray.

NOTE: I used the new no stick foil and didn't have to spray it at all.

Roll the chilled cookie dough  (between two pieces of waxed paper) out to about 1/8th inch or about the same as pie dough. Cut circles and drape over foil, smoothing cracks together and trimming to fit.

UPDATE: One friendly commentor for this recipe said that she used inverted cupcake papers instead of the foil and it worked well. That's brilliant, thank you!!

Bake 10-12 minutes or until light brown. Remove from oven and let them cool on the pan for about 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, gently lift them off of the pan (use the tip of a butter knife to lift one corner first) but don't remove the foil  until the cookie bowl is completely cool.   Fill just before serving.

Read More

Salmon with Spinach in a Blue Cheese Cream Sauce

This delicious salmon dinner is a favorite of ours. 

It's easy enough  for a gourmet dinner anytime, 

yet special enough for company.

If you love salmon, spinach and blue cheese,

you are in for a unique flavor combination!

You'll need fresh salmon fillets, one per person,

 a bag of fresh spinach, a small container each

of heavy cream, and blue cheese, 

garlic salt and pepper, and spaghetti or linguini.

Start boiling the salted water for the pasta. 

Generously season the salmon fillets' top sides 

with the  garlic salt and pepper.

Saute the salmon, skin side down in a hot skillet

 with a little olive oil or butter.

When you turn the salmon you will be able to

 easily pull off the skin. Season again.

Turn to brown both sides. Do not cook completely

 through. It should still be a little pink inside.

Remove from the pan and keep warm in a low heat

 oven along with your dinner plates.

Add the spinach to the saute pan; season and 

toss to cook for about 2 minutes.

Add the blue cheese.

Stir in the heavy cream and simmer gently

to heat through.

Return the salmon to the pan and spoon on

 a little of the sauce. Remove from heat.

Plate the salmon on the pasta and top with spinach

blue cheese cream sauce. 

sooooo good!

Salmon with Spinach in a Blue Cheese 

Cream Sauce~Over Pasta

2-4 salmon fillets ~ one per person

garlic salt ~ pepper ~ oil/butter

1 bag fresh spinach ~ about 9oz

1 4oz container crumbled blue cheese

1 small container heave cream ~ 1C

8-16oz spaghetti or linguini

(to serve 2 or 4)

Season the salmon with garlic salt and pepper.

Saute in hot butter or oil skin side down.

Flip and remove the skin. Season that side.

Saute until golden and flip again to lightly

brown the both sides. Do not overcook

Remove to plate in warm oven.

Add the spinach to the saute pan, season and 

toss to cook a few minutes. Add the blue cheese, 

then stir in the heavy cream. Bring to a simmer 

to heat through. Return the salmon to the pan. 

Top with a little sauce and serve the salmon

over pasta an top with spinach blue cheese 

cream sauce.

Enjoy!

Links: Savvy Southern Style,
Lady Behind The Curtain,
No  Minimalist Here,
Between Naps On The Porch,
Designs By Gollum,
My Romantic Home

P.S. Don't forget to enter my giveaway for

Tumbleweed Pottery. Click HERE.

Tumbleweed is also giving my readers a 

discount all during May for 20% off!  

Stock up on gifts!

To get the 20% discount use the 

coupon code: maydays

Read More

MARINATED PORK LOIN

After grilling the same country style pork ribs  for the past umpteen years, I wanted a change.  I wanted to find some cut of pork that didn't need pre-cooking (in order to get it nice and tender). So recently, we started grilling pork loin (not tenderloin). The whole loin is very tender, flavorful and unlike the country style pork ribs that have lots of ... what picky-picky husband calls "waste" (fat, gristle, bone), the loins have ZERO "waste".  I usually buy a 2 pound loin and that is perfect for three big eaters (or 2 of us plus lunch tomorrow).

1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 tablespoons pineapple juice
1 tablespoon dehydrated onion flakes
4 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Put everything in a large zip lock plastic bag and squeeze it around to mix well.

Slice your 2 pound pork loin into 3/4" thick slices and put them into the bag with the marinade, making sure the liquid reaches all of the meat surfaces.  Put the bag in the fridge for 6-12 hours (I did it for 6 hours and it was perfect).

When you are ready to grill, remove the meat from the marinade (but save the marinade). Bring the marinade to a very gentle boil and cook it for 15 minutes. This cooking time will make the marinade safe to eat AND it will thicken the marinade so you can use it to baste the pork loin on the grill.

Grill your pork outdoors, basting the meat each time you flip it over.

Read More

LEMON MERINGUE PIE FOR TWO

Whether you are empty nesters, like us, or you only have a couple of people to cook for; "recipes for two" are great!! Not only do they eliminate the temptation for 2nd third helpings, but they are excellent for those times when you don't feel like eating the same full size dessert all week!! This recipe makes two perfect (single serving size) lemon meringue pies, one of picky-picky husbands favorites.

CRUST
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon  cold shortening (I use butter flavored)
1 tablespoon cold butter
1/2 teaspoon white sugar
1 tablespoon cold water

Mix all of the dry ingredients in a small bowl; cut the cold shortening and butter into the dry ingredients until it is about "half of a pea" size. Stir in the cold water and mix into a ball (don't over work). Divide dough in half.

Any small oven proof dish will work for these little pies; I used my 10 ounce Pyrex custard cups.  Press the dough into the bottom and about half way up the sides of the custard cup. You can roll out the dough if you like, but I find it easier to just press the dough into place. Bake in preheated 425 oven for about 10 minutes or until light golden. Remove from oven and set aside.

LEMON FILLING
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon corn starch
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cold water
1 egg yolk, lightly beaten with fork   (save the egg white)
2 tablespoons FRESH lemon juice
1 tablespoon butter

In a small, heavy bottom, saucepan, mix the sugar, cornstarch and salt; whisk in the cold water,  until it is smooth.  Cook (stirring) on medium heat until thick and bubbly, then reduce heat and cook (and stir) for 2 minutes.

Slowly drizzle about half of the hot mixture into the beaten egg yolk (whisking like crazy as you drizzle, so you don't get scrambled eggs). Once well whisked, put it all back into the saucepan and cook 2 more minutes at a gentle boil.

Remove from heat and add butter and lemon juice; mix thoroughly and pour into baked pie shells.

MERINGUE
1 egg white
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Using a GLASS bowl (never use plastic when whipping egg whites) and beaters that are totally free from any grease or oil; beat egg white and cream of tartar until you get soft peaks. Sprinkle in the vanilla and sugar (while the mixer is still running) and continue beating until you get stiff peaks.

Spread meringue onto hot filling. Put back into a preheated 350 oven for about 10-15 minutes or until the peaks of the meringue are golden.

After the meringue is cooked, let these little pies sit at room temperature for about an hour then chill them for at least 2 hours before serving. Once they are chilled, you can lift the pies out of their baking dish for a prettier presentation.

Read More

From the Tea Plantation to the Tea Table

West Java Province is blessed with fertile soil, beautiful panorama, delicious culinary and ... beautiful ladies. I won't explain more about the last one, but I'm sure most of Indonesians have known about that. But for the others, you'll find out in this posting.

It was about 3 weeks ago, we had a trip to Lembang, West Java to attend a 'family day' event from my husband's office. Actually it

Read More

CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD

Everyone seems to have their own tried and true family macaroni or potato salad recipe. Some have lots of vinegar, some have lots of mustard, some have no eggs (yee gads!!) I even had some that had small cubes of sharp Cheddar cheese which was surprisingly tasty.

I remember when I was little, my folks took us back to visit our VERY German relatives in the Dakota's and one of my Aunts gave me some German potato salad. I was a huge fan of potato salad, but let me tell you that hers was not like any other potato salad I had ever tasted. It was not only FULL of vinegar and bacon grease, but it was HOT!! It's been over 50 years but I still can remember my shock!!  lol

What do you put in YOUR macaroni (potato) salad?

2 cups dry small seashell macaroni
½ cup chopped onion chopped (fairly fine)
3 stalks of celery with leaves chopped (fairly fine)
½ cup red bell pepper chopped (optional)
1 cup grated carrot
3 large pickles chopped (favorite flavor)
4 hard-boiled eggs chopped
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup lite mayonnaise
3 tablespoons yellow prepared mustard
3 tablespoons pickle juice

Boil macaroni for 8 minutes (or as recommended on box), then rinse under cold water, and drain very well.

NOTE: Many recipes warn you not to rinse cooked macaroni, however, I find that macaroni salad stays creamier if you rinse the starch off of the cooked macaroni before you add the mayonnaise to the salad.

Add chopped veggies, eggs and pickles to the cooked and rinsed macaroni. Whisk the mayonnaise, mustard, pepper and pickle juice together and gently stir into the macaroni-veggies.

IMPORTANT: This salad really needs to sit in the refrigerator overnight so the flavors can blend together…it makes a huge difference.

NOTE: I do not add salt to this salad because there is already a lot of salt in the pickles, pickle juice and mustard.

NOTE: Just before I put this salad into the fridge, for the first time, I put a piece of wax paper (or plastic wrap) on the surface of the salad and then I lay 2 paper towels (folded) on top of the wax paper and snap the Tupperware lid on. The paper towel will attract any condensation in the bowl and the waxed paper (or plastic wrap) will keep the moisture from running down into the salad. Once the salad is in the fridge overnight, discard the wax paper and paper towel.

NOTE: The amount of mayonnaise you use is up to you. Start with 1 cup and add more if you like your salad creamier.

Read More

hello

It has been 2 weeks since my last posting... followed by busy and tiring days.

Lot of things happened; we were back from a short vacation, final exam for my daughter, we celebrated her 12th birthday, hmm...I baked brownies and cookies for her friends, and the tensed National Exam that was done just today. She studied hard to ensure herself ready for the tests, especially because the tests

Read More

INDIVIDUAL YORKSHIRE PUDDINGS

On VERY special occasions, my British mother used to make roast beef with Yorkshire pudding. She baked the pudding in a 9" x 9" pan and I can still picture the huge golden "puff" coming out of the oven. Of course, it always collapsed by the time she brought it to the table, but we all thought it was SUPPOSED to look like that and we eagerly dunked chunks of the tasty treat into mom's deliciously perfect beef gravy; Mmmmmm, I can still taste it.

Recently, I decided to make a couple of changes to my Yorkshire pudding recipe. First, I made them into individual puddings and secondly, I decided to serve them with roast chicken and gravy, so I added a little poultry seasoning and onion powder  into the batter; what a nostalgic treat!!

 This recipe is fool proof as long as you follow it closely.

The cooking times for these individual Yorkshire puddings work well if you bake them in one of those over-sized cupcake pans, I believe they are called Texas size muffin pans; a popover pan will work well also. If you use a standard cupcake pan, you'll have to reduce the cooking time.

Put your UNGREASED pan in a COLD oven and then preheat the oven and pan to 425.

While your oven/pan is preheating, whisk together:

3 eggs
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon onion powder (not onion salt)
½ teaspoon poultry seasoning  (if you use chicken gravy)
1 cup of milk (see note)
1 tablespoon melted butter

NOTE: If I have whipping cream, I put about ¼ cup of whipping cream in a measuring cup and then fill the rest of the way with 2% milk...if I have no cream on hand, I just use 1 cup of 2% milk.

After the above ingredients are whisked together well, add one cup of all purpose flour (spoon flour into measuring measuring cup and level off with straight edge). Whisk everything together until it looks very smooth and creamy. Let batter sit at room temperature while your oven preheats.

Working quickly (so your pan doesn't cool off) take your pan out of the hot oven and spray each cup with vegetable spray. Put a small chunk of COLD butter (roughly ½ teaspoon but the exact size is not crucial) (see note below) into the bottom of each hot cup (don't wait for it to melt). Fill each cup half way full.

Bake at 425 for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, turn the oven down to 325 (don't open the oven door) and bake for another 15 minutes. Remove puddings from pan and poke a tiny hole (I use a toothpick) in the bottom of each popover to relieve a little steam (not totally necessary if you are going to eat them right away).

The inside of the Yorkshire pudding is full of light batter with holes, which is perfect for holding butter and gravy.

NOTE: Traditionally, you are supposed to pour the batter over hot beef fat  in the bottom of each muffin cup, however, I couldn't bring myself to do that (and besides I was serving them with chicken), so I used butter and it works great.

NOTE: If you are serving these with roast beef, omit the poultry seasoning and add whatever seasoning you like.

NOTE: This recipe makes six generous Yorkshire puddings.

Read More

Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

Lets pretend that we are just coming home 

from school and have a big plate of 

warm cookies and cold milk waiting for us.

They are so easy to mix up.

 Start with room temperature butter, 

beat in the sugars, then add the egg.

 Beat until fluffy. Mix in vanilla.

 Add the flour, baking soda and salt thru a sifter.

 Dump in the chocolate chips.

 Mix just until everything is incorporated.

 Use a teaspoon full and space 2" apart.

 I sometimes use parchment paper. 

An un-greased baking sheet is all you'll need.

 Bake @375 until lightly golden around the edges.

 Cheers!

 Scratch and Sniff.....just kidding!

 I chill the remaining dough and when firm enough 

I roll it into walnut-sized balls. 

I then freeze or refrigerate 

to bake more warm cookies the next day.

That's how we roll!

They don't last long!

Mom's Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 stick butter, softened
1/2 C brown sugar
1/4 C white sugar
1 egg
1 t vanilla
1-1/2 C flour
1/2t baking soda
pinch salt if using unsalted butter
1 C chocolate chips, semi-sweet


Set the butter in a bowl to reach room temperature. Add sugars and beat with an electric mixer until blended. Add the egg and beat until creamy. Beat in the vanilla.
Add the flour, soda , and salt thru a sifter. Add the chocolate chips. Beat again
until everything is well mixed. Drop by using a rounded teaspoon full of batter onto
 an un-greased cookie sheet 2" apart.
Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes, until golden around the edges.
Optional add-ins: 1/2C walnuts or pecans lightly toasted and chopped.

(when you double the recipe use 3/4C brown sugar and 3/4 C white sugar)

tip: roll chilled dough into walnut-sized balls, refrigerate or freeze to bake up fresh warm cookies anytime!

Enjoy!

P.S. Don't forget to enter my giveaway for

Tumbleweed Pottery. Click HERE.

Tumbleweed is also giving my readers a 

discount all during May for 20% off!  

Stock up on gifts!

To get the 20% discount use the 

coupon code: maydays


Links: A Stroll Thru Life

Read More