Crystal's Italian Tomato Salad

5 cups fresh ripe tomatoes, diced

1 cup banana peppers, sliced (you can use hot, mild, or a mix of both)

3/4 cup of white or purple onion diced

1/4 cup of fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced (or 2 tablespoons of dried)

1 clove of garlic, minced or pressed

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

splash of balsamic vinegar (optional)

salt and pepper to taste

     Combine all ingredients in a non-metallic bowl; cover and marinate at room temp 1-2 hours. Promptly refrigerate leftovers (if there are any).  If refrigerated bring to room temp before serving.  

Crystal's Gluten-Free Shake and Bake Copycat Recipe

Crystal's Gluten-Free Shake and Bake Copycat Recipe

Shake and Bake is childhood comfort food for me.  If you are gluten-free and feeling nostalgic this recipe will take you back!  

INGREDIENTS

2 cups of gluten-free flour (I use Namaste brand)

2 cups of gluten-free bread crumbs (I used    )

3 tablespoons paprika

1 tablespoon of brown sugar

1/2 tablespoon of garlic powder

1/2 tablespoon of dehydrated onion flakes

1/2 tablespoon pepper 

4 teaspoons of salt

1/4 cup of vegetable oil

Mix all ingredients gluten-free flour through salt thoroughly. 

Slowly whisk in vegetable oil.  

I put the amount I think I might need for dinner in a gallon-size ziptop bag.  Go with less as you can always add more, but whatever is left you are going to throw out so you don't want to waste.

Store the remainder in a tightly sealed container in the freezer.  I use a freezer ziptop bag.  If you use fresh ingredients this will easily last a year if you keep it frozen and take out what you need each time.  

 

McCormick Original Chicken Seasoning Copycat Recipe

McCormick Original Chicken Seasoning was my go-to for years and a staple ingredient in many of my recipes. Sadly McCormick rebranded it as Just a Pinch Original Seasoning and then discontinued it. I have searched and searched for a copycat to fill the void to no avail. So after many many failed attempts, this is what I find to be as close as my taste buds remember. If you miss McCormicks Original Chicken Seasoning I hope this will help fill the void. 

McCormick Original Chicken Seasoning Copycat Recipe 

 Makes about 1 cup 

  INGREDIENTS 

4 Tablespoon Paprika 

2 1/2 Tablespoon Celery Salt 

2 Tablespoon Chicken Bouillion (I used Full Flavor Chicken Soup Stock Mix) 

1 Tablespoon Chicken Tomato Flavor Bouillion (I used Fiesta Brand) 

1 Tablespoon Sugar 

1/2 Tablespoon Rosemary (crushed or ground) 

3/4 Teaspoon Basil (crushed or ground) 

3/4 Teaspoon Parsley (crushed or ground) 

3/4 Teaspoon Thyme (crushed or ground) 

3/4 Teaspoon Onion Powder 

1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper 

  INSTRUCTIONS 

 1. Mix all ingredients together and store in and airtight container. 

  TIPS 

 To crush or grind the rosemary, basil, Parsley, and Thyme you can rub them between your fingers, grind them with a mortar and pestle, or use a spice grinder. I have and extra coffee grinder I use as a spice grinder.

Grandma Hiers’ Carrot Cake Recipe Courtesy of Paula Deen Based on 89 Reviews Servings: 8 servings Prep Time: 20 min Cook Time: 40 min Difficulty: Easy Ingredients Butter, for pans 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans (I subbed Pamela’s GF Baking & Pancake Mix cup for cup) 2 cups sugar 2 teaspoons baking soda (HELLO next time nix baking soda if using Pamela’s it’s already in the mix can you 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon say OVERFLOW????) 1 teaspoon salt 4 eggs 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil (I used ½ Organic Coconut Oil & ½ Canola Oil) 3 cups grated carrots 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans, optional Frosting: 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature 1 stick salted butter, room temperature 1 (16-ounce) box powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup chopped pecans Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 3 (9-inch) round pans; Line bottom of the pans with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add eggs and vegetable oil. Using a hand mixer, blend until combined. Add carrots and pecans, if using. Pour into pans. Bake for approximately 40 minutes. Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes. Remove from pans, place on waxed paper and allow to cool completely before frosting. For the frosting: Add all ingredients, except nuts, into a medium bowl and beat until fluffy using a hand mixer. Stir in the nuts. Spread frosting on top of each cake layer. Stack the cakes on a serving plate and serve. Show: Paula's Best Dishes Watch Paula on Food Network ½ Recipe makes 12 cupcakes Turned out really tasty, only hitch the overflow all over the oven LOL….

Egg Roll Soup

EGG ROLL SOUP BY GIVEMESOMEOVEN.COM/EGG-ROLL-SOUP YIELD: 6-8 SERVINGS This Egg Roll Soup recipe was delish!!! I have tried several recipes from givemesomeoven and they never disappoint! Go and check out her page at givemesomeoven.com PREP TIME: 10 MINS MINS COOK TIME: 25 MINS INGREDIENTS: • 1 pound ground pork (or see other alternatives below!) (I used pre-cooked sausage links) • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 medium white onion, peeled and diced • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 1 small green cabbage, chopped into bite-sized pieces • 6-8 cups chicken or vegetable stock (I added Better Than Bouillon Chicken in addition to my broth) • 2 teaspoons ground ginger • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil • optional toppings: toasted sesame seeds, thinly-sliced green onions, homemade fried egg roll wrappers** (or store-bought wonton strips) DIRECTIONS: Head on over to givemesomeoven.com/egg-roll-soup

Henry Bain Sauce

This one is for all you Louisvillians who love this super tasty but often very expensive to purchase sauce. The sauce originated with the headwaiter of the famous Pendennis Club right here in Louisville. If you are not a Louisvillian and love a sweet and spicy steak sauce, this one is a must try.

Henry Bain Sauce

1 (8-ounce) bottle chutney
1 (14-ounce) bottle ketchup
1 (12-ounce) bottle chili sauce
1 (11-ounce) bottle steak sauce
1 (10-ounce) bottle Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon hot sauce

Process chutney in a blender or food processor until smooth. Add ketchup and next four ingredients and process until blended. Chill at least 2 hours.

Note: For testing purposes only Majors Grey's Chutney and A-1 Steak Sauce were used.

HINTS: This recipe makes a large batch. Purchase some nice glass or plastic containers from your local dollar store, tie a pretty ribbon around the top and give as thank you gifts for Christmas. 

Great on steak, chicken, or pork. 

Works well as a condiment or marinade.

The original recipe was published in Southern Living Magazine is January 2001.

This is my most requested dessert.  I don’t make one I make at least 2 at a time and there is always a fuss because someone ALWAYS wants more! 

BLACK-BOTTOM STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE

 1 Keebler Shortbread crust  

 8 ounces milk-chocolate pieces (Hershey Kisses, Dove pieces)

 3 tablespoons milk

12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

½ cup confectioners’ sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla (I add more)

1 ½ pint baskets of strawberries, rinsed, dried and tops cut off

1/3 cup seedless blackberry jam

Melt the chocolate pieces and 3 tablespoons milk in a glass bowl in the microwave until melted, being careful not to get it too hot and stirring every 30-45 seconds.  Pour mixture into crust and spread to level.

Refrigerate until firm to the touch. 

Blend together the cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla until smooth.  Spread evenly over the chocolate layer in the crust. 

Arrange strawberries on top of the cheese layer, pointed ends up. 

Melt the jam in a glass bowl on low in the microwave.  Brush or drizzle the jam over the strawberries. 

Refrigerate. 

Use a very sharp knife to cut and you can top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings if desired. 

I try to source all of my recipes.  This one came from a magazine over 20 years ago.  I no longer have the clipping, only a had written recipe.  Enjoy!