WHY DO WE COOK, CINCO DE MAYO, MEXICAN RICE, MEXICAN BEAN SALAD & MONTHLY GIVEAWAY WINNER!!

WHY DO WE COOK!

I believe that why we cook is as important as how and what we cook...We cook for the richness it brings to our lives and to why we cook is bigger than enjoying good food...Cooking, layered on day after day, builds a happiness for ourselves and the people around us that would not happen any other way...Some of our fondest memories involve cooking and our families.

Please leave a comment about your fondest memories involving cooking! If you do, you will get 3 extra chances in the monthly drawing. I will post tomorrow, what it will be.

CINCO DE MAYO MAY 5TH !!!!

The 5th of May is not Mexican Independence Day, but it should be.
And Cinco De Mayo is not an American holiday, but it should be.

Mexico declared its independence from mother Spain on midnight, the 15th of September, 1810. And it took 11 years before the first Spanish soldiers were told and forced to leave Mexico.

So, why Cinco De Mayo?
And why should Americans savor this day as well?

Because 4,000 Mexican soldiers smashed the French and traitor Mexican army of 8,000 at Puebla, Mexico, 100 miles east of Mexico City on the morning of May 5, 1862.
To help you celebrate Cinco De Mayo here are a couple recipes!

MEXICAN RICE

This is a wonderful side dish for any Mexican dinner.Rice is sauteed with salt, cumin and onion, then simmered with tomato sauce and chicken broth.

INGREDIENTS:

3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 cups chicken broth

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and add rice. Cook, stirring constantly, until puffed and golden. While rice is cooking, sprinkle with salt and cumin.

Stir in onions and cook until tender. Stir in tomato sauce and chicken broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

MEXICAN BEAN SALAD

The dressing is absolutely sensational in this bean salad - so many taste sensations. It begins with oil and vinegar, but then it gets fancy. Let 's see, there 's lemon and lime juice, garlic, cilantro, sugar, cumin, hot sauce and chili powder to taste

INGREDIENTS:

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn kernels
1 red onion, chopped
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 tablespoon salt
1 clove crushed garlic
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
1/2 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 dash hot pepper sauce
1/2 teaspoon chili powder

DIRECTIONS:

In a large bowl, combine beans, bell peppers, frozen corn, and red onion.

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lime juice, lemon juice, sugar, salt, garlic, cilantro, cumin, and black pepper. Season to taste with hot sauce and chili powder.

Pour olive oil dressing over vegetables; mix well. Chill thoroughly, and serve cold.

THE WINNER IS!

The winner of April's giveaway is Amy from Cottage Prims! Congratulations Amy. Will need your address for shipping.

CORNMEAL CAKE WITH MACERATE BERRIES & APRIL GIVEWAY!

APRIL’S GIVEAWAY!

I will be drawing names from followers that comment tomorrow.

So today is your last chance to comment!


The April Monthly Giveaway is a

"Primitive Prairie Church Dolls Roll"

CORNMEAL CAKE WITH MACERATE BERRIES

The cornmeal gives this summery dessert a rustic, Country-style flavor.

INGREDIENTS:

Cake:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons grated orange rind
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/3 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 cup 2% reduced-fat milk

Berries:

1 cup each strawberries, blueberries and raspberries
1/4 cup sugar, or to taste
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

DIRECTIONS:

To prepare cake: preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan.

Combine flour, baking powder and salt.

Combine butter, sugar, orange rind and vanilla in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until evenly blended. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture and cornmeal alternately with milk, beating just until evenly incorporated. Scrape into prepared pan, spreading evenly.

Bake 30 minutes or until a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack.

To prepare berries, mash berries in a large bowl. Add sugar and orange juice and mix gently. Serve with cake.
Recipe by Jean Kressy.

BLARTER, MEXICAN BLACK BEAN PIZZA & APRIL'S GIVEWAY!

APRIL’S GIVEAWAY!

I have started a Monthly Giveaway. I will be drawing names from followers that comment.
The drawings will be on the 1st of each month! .


The April Monthly Giveaway is this

"Primitive Prairie Church Dolls Roll"

Each time you comment on a new post will give you another chance to win the
"Primitive Prairie Church Dolls Roll"!

BLARTER

This is a blog + barter system.

This explanation, taken from the blog site, details what blarter is...

blarter is an online community of bloggers seeking to exchange handmade goods, craft supplies, vintage items, and creative services through barter. use what you have to get what you want!

perhaps you have a stash of wool yarn and would like to trade it for some cotton quilting fabric. maybe you're seeking some vintage handkerchiefs, and would be willing to trade some handmade stationary. do you have a craft book or patterns you no longer need? trade it for something you do need!

blarter arrangements are set up by participants, and participants are solely responsible for carrying out the arrangement to completion. participants are responsible for any and all costs, such as shipping, incurred through barter arrangements.

blarter hopes to foster positive relationships between participants, but does not guarantee satisfaction.

any questions or comments? email blarter@att.net or clik here to go there.

MEXICAN BLACK BEAN PIZZA

For your vegetarian supper of the week, try this Mexican Black Bean Pizza. Loaded with protein, it has plenty of carbohydrates, and lots of flavor. If your family enjoys hot and spicy pizza, add a little extra pepper sauce. Pass the sour cream-salsa sauce at serving time. And sit back and enjoy this great meal.

INGREDIENTS:

1 10-ounce package refrigerated pizza dough
1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons snipped fresh cilantro or parsley
2 tablespoons salsa
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon bottled hot pepper sauce
2 cloves garlic, quartered
1-1/2 cups shredded Cojack or cheddar cheese (6 ounces)
1/2 cup chopped red sweet pepper
1/4 cup sliced green onion
1/2 cup dairy sour cream
2 tablespoons salsa

DIRECTIONS:

Lightly grease an 11- to 13-inch pizza pan. Unroll pizza dough and transfer to greased pan, pressing dough out with your hands. Build up edges slightly. Prick generously with a fork. Bake in a 425 degree F oven for 7 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.

Meanwhile, in a blender container or food processor bowl combine black beans, cilantro or parsley, 2 tablespoons salsa, cumin, hot pepper sauce, and garlic. Cover and blend or process until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides if necessary.

Spread bean mixture over hot crust. Sprinkle with Cojack or cheddar cheese, chopped red sweet pepper, and green onion. Bake about 10 minutes more or until cheese melts and pizza is heated through.

In a small bowl combine sour cream and 2 tablespoons salsa. Serve pizza with sour cream mixture. Makes 4 servings

BLUEBERRY CREAM CHEESE SQUARES!

APRIL’S GIVEAWAY!

I have started a Monthly Giveaway. I will be drawing names from followers that comment on the 1st of each month! .

The April Monthly Giveaway is this

"Primitive Prairie Church Dolls Roll"

Each time you comment on a new post will give you another chance to win the

"Primitive Prairie Church Dolls Roll"!

BLUEBERRY CREAM CHEESE SQUARES

This delectable dessert is the perfect summer treat, NO baking required.

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 c. cornstarch

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. water

3 c. blueberries, rinsed and drained

1 (13 1/2 oz.) pkg. graham cracker crumbs

3/4 c. melted butter 2 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese

1 1/2 c. sugar 2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 (9 oz.) pkg. frozen whipped topping, thawed

DIRECTIONS:

Combine cornstarch, sugar, water and blueberries in saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring until thickened; cool. Combine cracker crumbs into bottom of foil-lined 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan. Mash cream cheese until soft; beat in sugar and vanilla gradually. Fold in whipped topping; drop by spoonfuls over crumb mixture. Spread gently with spatula. Spread blueberry filling evenly over cheese mixture; spread with remaining cheese mixture. Sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture; chill overnight. Use foil to remove dessert from pan. Place dessert on platter;cut into squares.

PINEAPPLE BLUEBERRY CRUNCH CAKE & PRAIRIE CHURCH DOLLS ROLL

APRIL’S GIVEAWAY!

I have started a Monthly Giveaway and will be drawing names from followers that comment.

The drawings will be on the 1st of each month! .

The April Monthly Giveaway is this

"Primitive Prairie Church Dolls Roll"

Each time you comment on a new post will give you another chance to win the

"Primitive Prairie Church Dolls Roll"!

PINEAPPLE BLUEBERRY CRUNCH CAKE


This recipe actually takes only 5 minutes to make and it is delicious! I served mine with Cool Whip!
We called this a Dump Cake, but used Cherry Pie Filling. Try it using Peach Pie Filling or half Blueberry and half Cherry OMG that is good.

INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup butter, plus more for dish
1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, in juice
1 (20-ounce) can blueberry pie filling
1 (18.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix
1 cup chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 13 by 9-inch casserole dish. Melt 3/4 cup butter in saucepan over low heat. Pour the pineapple with juice into the casserole dish and evenly spread blueberry pie filling on top. Cover with dry yellow cake mix and top with pecans. Drizzle with meltedbutter and bake for 35 to 45 minutes.
Recipe from Paula Dean

PRESERVED LEMONS, LEMON PEPPER SEASONING MIX, GRILLED LEMON CHICKEN & APRIL'S GIVEAWAY!

APRIL’S GIVEAWAY!

I have started a Monthly Giveaway. I will be drawing names from followers that comment.

The drawings will be on the 1st of each month! .

The April Monthly Giveaway is this

"Primitive Prairie Church Dolls Roll"

Each time you comment on a new post will give you another chance to win the "Primitive Prairie Church Dolls Roll"!

Lemons/Limes are on sale 4 for a $1. What a good buy, but what to do with them all. It isn’t a good buy if you end up throwing some of them out. Well here is the answer to that problem!

PRESERVED LEMONS OR LIMES

INGREDIENTS

2 to 3 lemons or limes

2 tablespoons kosher salt

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Cut the lemons into sixths, lengthwise, sprinkle with the salt and place in a non-corrosive dish (glass is good). Cover the lemons with water and cook in the oven for 3 hours. Allow to cool and then refrigerate. Cook's Note: The lemons can be refrigerated for up to 6 months as long as they are covered and stored in a glass canning jar. HOMEMADE LEMON PEPPER SEASONING MIX

Lemon pepper adds a piquant flavor when used on grilled meats. Commercial lemon-pepper seasoning, available in the spice section of most markets, is enormously popular as a seasoning for chicken and other foods. You can easily make it at home yourself, and the result will taste much bolder and fresher.

INGREDIENTS:

1 fresh lemon

2 tsp. whole black peppercorns

THINGS YOU WILL NEED:

Baking Sheets

Coffee Grinders

Cutting Boards

Wooden Spoon

Zesters

DIRECTIONS:

Remove the zest from the lemon carefully, using a zesting tool or a vegetable peeler. Remove only the yellow zest and none of the white pith. Mince the zest and place it in a small bowl. Place the peppercorns on a cutting board and crack them by pressing on them with the clean bottom of a heavy pot, or whirl very briefly in a spice grinder - you want them in large pieces. Add the cracked pepper to the zest. Don't forget this key step: Use a wooden spoon or other sturdy tool to mash the cracked pepper and zest together. This helps release the citrus oils in the zest and combine them with the pepper. Spread the zest and pepper on a small baking sheet or piece of foil and place in the oven. If it's a gas oven, leave it in the oven overnight and the pilot light will dry the mixture out. If it's an electric oven, set it to 200 degrees F or so. Pulverize the mixture the next day in a spice grinder or clean coffee grinder. You can also mince it by hand with a knife. It's now ready to sprinkle on chicken, fish and other foods before cooking.

GRILLED LEMON CHICKEN

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 teaspoons Lemon Pepper Seasoning Mix

6 chicken cutlets

DIRECTIONS:

Heat the broiler or grill.

In a low, flat dish stir together the lemon juice, oil and Lemon Pepper Seasoning Mix. Add the chicken breasts, and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 to 45 minutes. Grill over hot coals or broil for 4 minutes on each side, or until done. Serve hot or at room temperature.

BUNNY CREAM PUFFS & APRIL GIVEAWAY!

APRIL’S GIVEAWAY!

I have started a Monthly Giveaway. I will be drawing names from followers that comment.

The drawings will be on the 1st of each month! .

The April Monthly Giveaway is this

"Primitive Prairie Church Dolls Roll"

Each time you comment on a new post, it will give you another chance to win the

"Primitive Prairie Church Dolls Roll"!

BUNNY CREAM PUFFS

These delightful cream puff bunnies will make young and old smile. They taste great too!

INGREDIENTS:

Cream Puffs

1 cup water

1/2 cup butter

1 cup all-purpose flour

4 eggs

Filling

1 (3.3-ounce) package white chocolate instant pudding and pie filling mix

1 1/4 cups cold milk

1 cup whipping cream, whipped

Decorations

Large marshmallows

Decorator sugar Toothpicks

Vanilla-flavored candy-coating (almond bark), melted

Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Black string licorice, cut into thin 3/4-inch strips

Small round pink candies, such as mini candy-covered chocolate pieces

Powdered sugar, if desired

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oven to 400°F. Combine water and butter in 2-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a full boil (4 to 7 minutes). Reduce heat to low; stir in flour vigorously until mixture leaves sides of pan and forms a ball. Remove from heat. Beat in 1 egg at a time until mixture is smooth.

Drop dough by 1/4 cupfuls, 3 inches apart, onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Pierce each puff gently with fork to allow steam to escape. Cool completely. Prepare pudding mix, using 1 1/4 cups milk, as directed on package. After pudding is set, gently stir in whipped cream. Cover; refrigerate until serving time.

To create bunnies, cut off cream puff tops. Cut large marshmallows crosswise into 3 pieces. Dip cut-sides into decorator sugar for ears. Using toothpicks, attach sugared marshmallows into top of cream puff for ears. Use melted candy coating to attach chocolate chips for eyes. Just before serving, fill bottom half of cream puff with 1/3 cup filling. Press licorice strips for whiskers and pink candies for nose into filling. Place decorated cream puff top over filling. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.