Make-ahead Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

• Servings: 10
• 3 pounds russet (idaho) potatoes, scrubbed but unpeeled
• 1 1/2 cups half and half, plus extra if necessary
• salt, to taste
• 6 tablespoons butter, softened

Recipe

• place potatoes in a large pan with water to cover. bring to a boil. reduce heat and simmer, covered, until tender when pierced with a thin-bladed knife, 20 to 30 minutes.
• heat half and half in microwave.
• process unpeeled potatoes through a food mill into a medium bowl. (or, using a potholder, peel and drop them into a bowl. puree using a potato masher or standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.) stir in half and half and a sprinkling of salt (or beat, if using mixer) until smooth and fluffy. (can be cooled and refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 days.)
• thirty minutes before serving, microwave until warm. transfer to a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. stir in butter to melt. cover with plastic wrap. keep warm until serving time.

taqueria style tacos - carne asada

Ingredients

• Servings: 16
• 3 pounds flank steak
• 1/3 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 limes, juiced
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 white onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 lime, juiced
• 2 large tomatoes, chopped
• 2 jalapeno peppers, chopped
• 1 white onion, quartered
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled
• 4 dried new mexico chile pods
• 1 pinch salt and pepper to taste
• 1 (32 ounce) package corn tortillas
• 2 cups grated cotija cheese (optional)
• 2 limes, cut into wedges

Recipe

Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Ready Time: 1 hr 35 mins


• lay the flank steak in a large glass baking dish. in a medium bowl, whisk together the vinegar, soy sauce, 4 cloves of garlic, juice of two limes, and olive oil. season with salt, black pepper, white pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, oregano, cumin and paprika. whisk until well blended, then pour over the steak in the dish. turn over once to coat both sides. cover with plastic wrap, and marinate for 1 to 8 hours.
• in a small bowl, stir together 1 chopped white onion, cilantro, and the juice of 1 lime. set aside to use as a relish for the tacos.
• heat a skillet over medium-high heat. toast chile pods in the skillet for a few minutes, then remove to a bowl of water to soak for about 30 minutes. preheat the oven to 450 degrees f (230 degrees c).
• place the tomatoes, 1 onion, jalapenos, and 4 cloves of garlic a baking sheet. roast in the oven for about 20 minutes, until toasted but not burnt. place the roasted vegetables, and soaked chile pods into a blender or food processor, along with salt and pepper. puree until smooth.
• heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. cut the marinated flank steak into cubes or strips. cook, stirring constantly, until the meat is cooked through and most of the liquid has evaporated.
• warm the tortillas in a skillet for about a minute on each side to make them pliable. tortillas may also be warmed in a microwave oven. arrange two or three tortillas on a plate, and lay a generous amount of beef over them. top with a sprinkle of the onion relish and a large spoonful of the pureed salsa. add as much cheese as you like. garnish with lime wedges, and serve.

Easy Turkey Gravy

Ingredients

• Servings: 7
• 5 cups turkey stock with pan drippings
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup milk
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour

Recipe

Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 7 mins Ready Time: 17 mins


• bring the turkey stock to a boil in a large saucepan. stir in soup, and season with poultry seasoning, pepper, seasoned salt, and garlic powder. reduce heat to low, and let simmer.
• warm the milk in the microwave, and whisk in the flour with a fork until there are no lumps. return the gravy to a boil, and gradually stir in the milk mixture. continue to cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute, or until thickened. be careful not to let the bottom scorch.

Scottish Pudding

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 cup water
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon mixed spice
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 1/4 cups chopped mixed dried fruit
• 1 1/4 cups golden raisins
• 1 cup margarine
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 eggs, beaten

Recipe

Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Ready Time: 15 mins


• in a saucepan, combine the water, sugar, mixed spice, cinnamon, mixed fruit, golden raisins and margarine. bring to a boil and let simmer for one minute. remove from the heat and stir in the flour, baking soda and eggs. pour into a microwave-safe bowl.
• place the bowl into the microwave, uncovered. cook for 10 minutes on full power. let stand for 5 minutes. serve warm with your favorite custard.

Steamed Radishes

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 20 radishes
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/4 cup butter

Recipe

• trim the ends off of the radishes and peel a band of radish-skin from around the middle of the radish.
• steam the radishes in a covered microwave safe container for 8 minutes, or until fork tender. drain and toss with butter, serve immediately.

peanut butter bars i

Ingredients

• Servings: 1
• 1 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 4 tablespoons peanut butter

Recipe

Preparation Time: 25 mins Ready Time: 1 hr 25 mins


• in a medium bowl, mix together the butter or margarine, graham cracker crumbs, confectioners' sugar, and 1 cup peanut butter until well blended. press evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan.
• in a metal bowl over simmering water, or in the microwave, melt the chocolate chips with the peanut butter, stirring occasionally until smooth. spread over the prepared crust. refrigerate for at least one hour before cutting into squares.

christmas walnut toffee

Ingredients

• Servings: 1
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon corn syrup
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts, divided
• 1 (6 ounce) package chocolate chips

Recipe

• butter a 9 inch square baking dish, and set aside. melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. stir in the sugar and corn syrup until smooth; add the water and stir. heat to 290 degrees f (145 degrees c) using a candy thermometer.
• when the temperature has been reached, stir in 1 cup of the walnuts, and cook for 3 more minutes, stirring constantly. pour into the prepared pan, and allow to cool. when the toffee is cooled, remove from the pan, and place waxed paper. melt chocolate chips in a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water, or in the microwave, stirring frequently until smooth.
• spread half of the melted chocolate one side of the toffee slab, and sprinkle with half of the remaining nuts. allow to cool until set, then repeat with the other side. break into bite size pieces when set.

Microwave Raisin Bread Pudding

Ingredients

• Servings: 1
• 16 thick slices raisin bread, cubed
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup butter
• 5 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Recipe

Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 25 mins Ready Time: 30 mins


• line a microwave-safe 2 quart ring mold or baking dish with raisin bread. sprinkle sugar and cinnamon evenly over bread cubes. set aside.
• place milk and butter in a 1 quart glass measure and microwave on medium 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 minutes, until butter is melted and milk is scalded. quickly stir eggs, 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla into hot milk mixture. pour over bread cubes.
• cover with plastic wrap and microwave at medium heat for 17 to 19 minutes, until pudding is set.