Cheese Dip/Ball

Sorry I haven't posted for a while.  I've been sort of hiding out... I've been dealing with vertigo for the last week and a half or so, preparing Sharing Times and a talk for church (I was  Big Mac's  speaking companion today for High Council Sunday) and haven't  had the time nor felt much like cooking. Besides, I really don't want to post recipes without pictures if I can help it...  so, if I didn't cook, well, there are no pictures! ***

However, I got hungry for something yummy and pulled out this recipe.  It is awesome!  I got it from my friend, L. Rothans, who shared  Steve's Kickin' Crackers  with me.  Thanks for another fantastic one, L . !!

Her original recipe is really good just as she gave it to me, I've made it that way so I can attest to it.  It's so easy and quick.  The longest part of the recipe is leaving the cream cheese out on the counter to soften!  This time, though, I added a little more garlic and onion powder than the last time, plus I added, oh maybe a 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and a sprinkling of crushed red pepper flakes just to kick it up a bit.  It goes perfectly, kicked up or not, with the Kickin' Crackers (pun intended!) or just about any other way you would want to eat it.  Oh yeah, and I actually drained my salsa because it was kinda watery, and added 2 heapin' tablespoons of the solids.  Then added in some of the drained-off fluid back in to get the consistency I was looking for.

Just to prove how good it is, Big Mac sat down with a plate of Steve's Kickin' Crackers (many more than shown!) and the bowl of dip, then proceeded to throw back a bunch of this combination of tasty delights!

So, here ya go... Enjoy! ... wait, maybe I'll go get some before I begin with the recipe.......

OK, I'm back.  Now for the recipe. :)

L. ROTHANS' CHEESE DIP/BALL

8 oz. softened cream cheese
1 T melted butter
2 T (or more) salsa
2 handfuls of shredded cheese
Onion & Garlic powder to taste
Opt. cayenne & red pepper flakes to taste

Whip all together.  Chill.  Serve.

If you don't chill, it's creamy and ready to eat, but letting it sit for a while does allow the flavors to mingle.... and we all know we like friendly flavors. (mingle, get it?! Oh well, guess I should leave the humor to the professionals...)     tee hee...   

*** BTW:  How do you feel about my posting recipes with no pictures?  Would you rather I post a recipe without pictures as opposed to getting no recipe at all, or would you rather know what the finished product looks like?  Give me your opinion, 'k?  Thanks!

Dad's Homemade Doughnuts

Oh, yes!  These will make my kids swoon and drool!  They all love them and get really jealous when we make them and they're not here to share in the yummy-ness of them!  Their dad has been making these for years.   Big Mac (Dad) made these all by himself this time while I was busy with Sharing Time preparations.  (Believe it or not, I actually tried to talk him out of making them... I can resist anything but temptation!  And my hard-to-lose, 25+ pound weight loss doesn't stand a chance against these things!  Sigh... oh well!  They're worth it, I guess!!)

They are crispy, sugary-crystal-coated-rustic-looking wonders.  Their appearance imperfections are so much a part of their charm.  He never re-rolls the dough (not that you can't), but just throws in the 'holes' along with the scraps in their various shapes and sizes... it makes them even more fun to eat.

These are one of our family's favorite food traditions.  I hope they become a favorite in your house, too!

Dad's Homemade Doughnuts

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 t. soda

1 t. nutmeg

6+ cups flour, enough to make a stiff dough

2 T shortening

2 cups sour milk (or sweet milk with 1 t. vinegar added)

1/4 t. salt

Shortening or oil to deep fry

1.  Combine and mix all dry ingredients together.

2.  Cream sugar and shortening together.

3.  Add eggs and mix well

4.  Add sour milk and dry ingredients and mix to

        make, adding flour to have a nice stiff dough

        that's not sticky.

5.  Roll out on floured surface 1/4" thick,...  yes 1/4"!

        They really puff up when frying.

6.  Cut into doughnuts or your desired shapes.

7.  Deep fry in 350 degree oil or melted shortening,

        turning them over after they have floated to the

        surface and are golden brown.

8.  As you remove them from the cooker, drop them,

        one by one, into a big paper grocery bag

        containing granulated sugar.  Give the bag a

        shake then take them out and set them on

        newspaper to cool.

Then eat 'em up!

Easy Burros

These are so good and way easier!  I received this recipe from a friend here in Heber/Overgaard about 10 years ago... V. Hausmann.  Thanks again for this great little recipe.

I have, of course, changed things just a little, but the original is really, really good, especially if you don't want to go the Chimichanga route.  The biggest reason for the change is that the canned beef available now, it seems, is different than it use to be.  The directions say to drain the beef, reserving the gravy.  Well, the gravy just doesn't drain off!  There is very little liquid to pour off, so I warmed up the beef in a small skillet to melt the gravy, then poured it into a microwave safe bowl, added the chopped green chilies and the corn starch, stirred it all up and then microwaved it for a couple of minutes until it was thick.  I then put  it in the skillet with the meat, added the beans (I used pintos) and then heated all of it well. 

Then I put the filling on flour tortillas, rolled them up and placed them seam side down in a baking dish.  I poured on some green enchilada sauce, topped it with cheese and put it in a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes.  Dang!  They are so good! 

Put a little rabbit food on the side and a dollop of sour cream on top, YUUUMMM!  (OK, so I forgot the sour cream in the picture... use your imagination!) :)

Give 'em a try... I bet you'll like them, too!

Easy Burros

1 can (12 oz.) beef, drained, reserving gravy

1 can chopped green chilies.

1T cornstarch

1 can black beans

Combine gravy, green chilies, and cornstarch.

Microwave 1-2 minutes, stirring a couple of times, until thick.

Add beef & can of black beans.

Fill tortillas & heat in microwave for 1 minute.

Recipe for Happiness

The Recipe for Happiness is finding out you're gonna be a great-grandma!  Yes folks, our granddaughter, Kacey, is expecting a wee one around the 27th of April, 2012!!  I'm really glad Big Mac's old enough for this cuz I'm sure not!!  Congratulations to Kacey and Karl!  Grandpa & I sure love ya!!