Link of the Week

Sugar, Spice, and a Little Bit of Life

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Run over and check out Jana's very entertaining blog.  There's recipes, crafts, awesome cakes, and great photography for you to enjoy.

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Tomorrow, stop back in for a great homemade biscuit recipe!

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Peanut Butter Balls

I’ve been making this recipe for 27 years now.  I first made it as a teenager while living at home back in the 1980's.  It was a favorite of my brother and he still requests them today.   This recipe is great for the Christmas holiday or even Easter! 


Peanut Butter Balls

One 18 oz jar of peanut butter, creamy or crunchy
2 sticks butter, softened
1 & ½ boxes of powdered sugar (I usually buy the 2 lb bag and guesstimate according to the mixture’s consistency)
Chocolate Bark (1 lb or as needed to dip the balls)
(My recipe actually calls for chocolate chips and parrafin melted over a double boiler, but chocolate bark melted in the micorwave is easier)

 Cream the peanut butter and the butter in a heavy duty mixer. I burnt up a couple of handheld mixer motors before my Handyman got me a Kitchenaid stand mixer.  Add the powdered sugar a little at a time until mixed thoroughly. The mixture will be VERY thick.

Roll into 1” or smaller balls. I then chill mine for a few hours. Melt the bark in a small deep bowl in the microwave until creamy smooth. Proceed to dip balls and place on a parchment covered sheet pan until the chocolate hardens.  This recipe makes several dozen.

Store in the fridge for several days or on the counter ‘cause they won’t last long!

Pepperoni Bread (Bread Machine)

Pepperoni Bread

Ingredients:

 

• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons water (70° to 80°)


• 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese


• 2 tablespoons sugar


• 1-1/2 teaspoons garlic salt


• 1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano


• 3-1/4 cups bread flour


• 1-1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast


• 2/3 cup sliced pepperoni

Directions:

In bread machine pan, place the first seven ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer. Select basic bread setting. Choose medium crust color and loaf size if available. Bake according to bread machine directions (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed). Just before the final kneading (your machine may audibly signal this), add the pepperoni. Yield: 1 loaf (about 1-1/2 pounds).

Recipe courtesy of Taste of Home.

Aunt Mary's Special Cake with Strawberries

Several years ago I had a chance

to go through Aunt Mary's little recipe box.  I copied down the recipes that I thought I might like to make and read through those that I remembered her making.  There was Date Nut Cake, Chess Pie, Pecan Crisp Cookies and even a recipe on stationery sent from a friend along with a greeting and personal  note.  One that stood out to me was hid near the back of the box, with no name other than Cake.  Not wanting it to get lost in my files I renamed it "Special Cake". 



Over the years, I've made Special Cake several times, usually during the summer to go with strawberries and fresh whipped cream.  My oldest daughter happens to love Strawberry Shortcake. 



I made it again this weekend and decided to use my new bundt pan (can you call it a pan if it's ceramic?) from Williams-Sonoma that was a gift from my dear youngest brother.



My cake wanted to stick a little and didn't brown as well as the one on the cake pan lable, even after baking for 45 minutes.  I took a slice of it and cubed it up for Strawberry Shortcake Trifle. 



Don't you just love spring?  Spring brings us those delicious little red bits of delectable fruit we call strawberries.  Aunt Mary brought me a Special Cake recipe to use with that delicious fruit,  along with many wonderful memories.



Happy Spring and happy Strawberry Shortcake Season!

Read more about Aunt Mary's life and recipes

Aussie Squash Fries (Low Carb)

I was really wanting some of Outback's Aussie Fries and had some fresh yellow squash. Here's what I came up with...

I didn't measure anything.
"Aussie" Squash Fries

Long neck yellow squash (or possibly zuchini)
cheddar cheese, shredded
bacon, cooked and chopped
Olive oil, salt, & pepper (plus other spices to your taste)

Cut squash lengthwise into fry shaped pieces
Fry in olive oil until browned and done.
Remove from skillet and place in oven proof baking dish.
Sprinkle with cheese and bacon pieces.
Heat in oven until cheese is melted.
Serve with spicey ranch dip (I added some extra spices to my homemade ranch dip)