Monkey Bread (bread machine)

I think everyone has made Monkey Bread, there are many, many recipes to be found, often using frozen bread dough.  This is basically caramel rolls without rolling (I believe I have mentioned that I take the easy way out if possible :).  The bread is nisu bread, for you non-Finnish people, that translates to sweet bread.  I'm not crazy about the lack of flavor you get when just using a basic bread dough.  By the way, you can use this dough to make nisu breads also, or if you want to put the time into it (groan), you can make real caramel rolls or cinnamon rolls.

Monkey Bread

Bread Machine Nisu
1 c. warm milk
4 T. margarine
3 eggs
4 heaping c. bread flour
1-2/3 c. sugar, divided
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cardamom (optional)
2 tsp. yeast
2 tsp. cinnamon

Add ingredients in order listed to bread machine (using 2/3 c. sugar), run through dough cycle.  Meanwhile, combine 1 c. white sugar with cinnamon.  After cycle is completed, cut into chunks, roll in cinnamon and sugar mixture and drop in single layer in greased 9 x 13-inch pan.  Cover with cloth and let rise until double, about 45 minutes.

Caramel

1/2 c. margarine
1 c. brown sugar

Put ingredients into saucepan, stir and bring to boil, boil 1 minute.  Pour over bread chunks.  Bake at 350° for 25 minutes, or until golden. Let rest in pan for 10 minutes, then dump out onto cooling rack.  Yields 15 servings.
WW PointsPlus™ = 10 pts. per serving

Banana Bread

Otherwise known as "the best banana bread you'll ever eat"!  Honestly, it's awesome!  This bread is super moist!  Unlike many banana bread recipes, you don't need buttermilk (as you can see, just a bit of butter:).  You won't have to put those over-ripe banana into the freezer to wait until you remember to purchase buttermilk.  This is what I did in the past, usually to have the bananas be long forgotten, only to be tossed next time the freezer was cleaned out.  When my kids see the bananas getting dark, they start watching for banana bread.

Banana Bread

1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 stick butter
3 to 4 ripe bananas

Preheat over to 350°.  Mix together bananas and melted butter, add remaining ingredients.  Put into greased bread pan, bake for 1 hour or until toothpick poked into center comes out clean.  Let stand in pan on cooling rack for 10 minutes before removing to cooling rack to cool.
WW PointsPlus™ = 74 pts. per loaf

Fried Cabbage

This was my lunch yesterday, today and probably tomorrow.  After all I need to use the whole head :).  Seriously, I found myself with an extra head of cabbage and decided to do some research to see if there was something "else" I could do with it, the crushed red pepper caught my attention.  I cut the recipe down to 1/3 for my lunch portion.  I like a light lunch (save my points for supper), this fit the bill, the red pepper gave it the little zing I tend to lean towards when making low point lunches.  Maybe the "big" flavor makes me feel like I ate more....?

Fried Cabbage

2 T. butter
1 T. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp. pepper
6 c. coarsely chopped cabbage
1 T. water

In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the sugar, salt, pepper flakes and pepper. Add the cabbage and water. Cook for 5-6 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Yield: 6 servings.
WW PointsPlus™ = 2 pts. per serving

Philly Burger

I know.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.... That was my thought when I first saw this recipe.  The ingredients do not deviate far from what I usually use when making a grilled burger, which is onion, Worcestershire sauce and salt and pepper mixed with my ground beef.  I gave it a try.  I will make this again, the sauce was a nice added twist.  My kids opted for cheeseburgers, no sauce.  I don't know that they noticed a difference from the typical grilled burgers I make.  It's fun to change things up a bit!

Philly Burger

2 T. Worcestershire sauce, divided
4 tsp. Dijon mustard, divided
1 can (2.8 oz.) French-fried onions, divided
1 pd. ground beef
1 pkg. (3 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 jar (2.5 oz.) sliced mushrooms, drained
1 tsp. dried parsley flakes
4 hamburger buns

In a large bowl, combine 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 3 teaspoons mustard and half the onions. Crumble beef over mixture; mix well. Form into four patties. Grill, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 6-9 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 160° and juices run clear.  Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine the cream cheese, remaining Worcestershire sauce mixture, mushrooms and parsley. Spread the cheese mixture on cooked patties; top with reserved onions. Grill or broil 30 seconds longer or until the onions are crisp-tender. Serve on hamburger buns. Yield: 4 burgers.
WW PointsPlus™ = 16 pts. per burger
 

Mrs. Wages Salsa

I think I have mentioned it before, I am a lazy cook.  If there is an easier way to achieve basically the same results, meaning, flavor and taste is not lost, I am all for it!  This is the perfect example.  I have been making salsa this way for years.  I used to spend so much time and energy with my old recipe, after making this one, I came to the conclusion that we loved this salsa as much as the other, and this one is way easier.  I made this batch this morning, actually I boiled and chopped the the tomatoes last night and left them in the refrigerator until this morning.  The flavors of this mix is extremely good and the prep is so simple!  All you need is Mrs. Wages Salsa Mix, tomatoes and vinegar.  Oh, and don't forget the jars!

Note: one package makes 6 pints.  General rule of thumb - if you have a heaping ice cream bucket of tomatoes, you have enough for a batch.

I debated about putting this on my blog and decided I would because I remember how excited I was when I first tasted this salsa and then learned how simple is was to make.  I have even made it when tomatoes are not in season, using canned tomatoes.

Cowboy Salsa

I think I have a new "favorite" fresh salsa!  We had a neighborhood party recently, this was a shared dish.  It's really, really good!  The flavors work so well together, don't be afraid of the can of hot jalapenos peppers, use the whole thing, or use fresh.  Must be the sugar that tones it down so much.  I wouldn't call this a "hot and spicy" salsa.  I made it for a wedding shower this past weekend and had many requests for the recipe.

Cowboy Salsa

1 (15 oz.) can Corn and Diced Peppers, drained
2 (15 oz.) cans black beans, drained
1 (4 oz.) can jalapenos peppers, chopped
4 to 5 pieces celery, chopped
4 to 5 stalks green onion, chopped

Dressing:
1/3 c. sugar
1/3 c. rice vinegar
1/3 c. vegetable oil

Combine top ingredients, set aside.  Mix together dressing ingredients into saucepan, bring to boil.  Remove from heat, let cool.  Mix together with top ingredients, refrigerate.
WW PointsPlus™ = 49 pts. per recipe

Better Than Puuro Cake

I have been making this cake for years, it's by far and away the absolute favorite in this house.  Every birthday has it!  Because of its popularity with my "children", I changed the name from a not very child appropriate one to something warm and friendly like Puuro : ).  For those not of the Finnish descent, Puuro is hot cereal or hot oatmeal, nothing warmer or friendlier than that!  Seriously, this cake is to die for!!

Note: At one time you could purchase a 1/2 pt. jar of Mrs. Richardsons "Butterscotch, Caramel, Fudge" topping.  Now I can usually find a jar of "Butterscotch, Caramel" and a jar of "Fudge" toppings, I just eyeball the portions to equal 1/3 pt. of each flavor.  I also highly recommend using Mrs. Richardsons brand, I wouldn't make it with any other.

Better Than Puuro Cake

1 box chocolate cake mix
14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 pt. jar Mrs. Richardsons Butterscotch, Caramel, Fudge topping
8 oz. Cool Whip
2 to 3 Heath bars, crushed

Make cake according to direction on box (9 x 13-inch).  Let cake cool for 25 minutes.  Poke holes in cake with handle of wooden spoon.  Fill holes with entire can of sweetened condensed milk.  Pour toppings over cake, then cover with Cool Whip.  Cool in refrigerator for at least 5 hours.  Sprinkle with Heath pieces just before serving.  This cake only gets better the longer it has to absorb the toppings.  Serves 20.
WW PointsPlus™ = 11 pts. per serving