Kitchen Crafts 'n' More
Tuesday, May 06, 2008 Recent Recipe Requests & Hint Requests from Readers

Hey everyone,

Just a few requests that we still need to fill for our KCnM readers...if you can help out, that would be great!

Please e-mail me at christina@happyslob.com if you have any of these!

Thanks,

Christina


Posted by HappySlob :: 8:39 AM :: 0 comments

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Another Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix Recipe - Copycat Recipes

Here's another fabulous, make-it-yourself taco seasoning mix recipe! I'm planning to try this one out and never rely on taco mixes again! Thanks to Collette for providing the delicious (and money saving) recipe.

Hi Christina,

Heres a taco seasoning recipe. Hopefully this helps Betty out!!!



TACO SEASONING
1/4 c. dried, minced onion
1/4 c. chili powder
3 T. salt
4 T. corn starch
1 T. dried, minced garlic
1 T. ground cumin powder1 T. crushed red pepper flakes2 t. beef bouillon granules1 1/2 t. dried oreganoCombine all ingredients. Store in an airtight container, in a cool dry place, for up to 1 year. To use: brown 1 lb. ground beef in a skillet and drain. Add 2 T. taco seasoning, 1/3-1/2 c. water, bring to a boil and cook and stir 2 minutes.(makes 6-7 batches each serves 4 people)

Collette

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Posted by HappySlob :: 8:36 AM :: 0 comments

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Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix - Gluten Free Option

FOR: Betty
FROM: SUE B.


TACO SEASONING MIX (Copycat recipe)

INGREDIENTS: 2 tbsp's. all-purpose flour, 3/4 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. dried minced onion, 1/4 tsp. paprika, 1 1/2 tsp's. chili powder, dash of garlic powder and dash of onion powder.

DIRECTIONS: Use your hands to thoroughly incorporate everything into the ground beef before cooking.

Editor's Note: For anyone (like me) who doesn't eat flour -- try substituting brown or white rice flour in the mix. Should work just fine! And will give you a gluten free taco mix to give to a friend or family member who's eating gluten free...

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Posted by HappySlob :: 8:28 AM :: 0 comments

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Wednesday, April 09, 2008 Recipes Requested: Caramel Rolls and Cinnamon Popcorn

Here are two recent recipes requested by one of our longtime readers:

"I'd like recipes for:

Caramel Rolls. I have a really good dough recipe but what do people use
for the caramel?

Cinnamon Popcorn

Thanks a bunch!"

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Posted by HappySlob :: 11:27 AM :: 0 comments

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Reader Question - Getting Rid of Skunk Smell in the Air

Yick...this is a nasty problem to have! If you can help Collette, just post a comment or email me at christina @ happyslob.com. Thanks all!

Now, here's the email Collette sent in:

"Hello there Christine,
It had been a VERY long time since I have been to the KCNM website and Ive missed it. I just have been WAYYY to busy but now Im back. Im not sure where I am to post a question but Im hoping that you can help me. The problem is I had a skunk spray outside my house and now the air inside is VERY aweful I am wondering if anyone has any helpful hints to get rid of the smell. Any help would be VERY appreciated. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Collette."

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Posted by HappySlob :: 11:24 AM :: 0 comments

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Another Best Banana Bread Recipe - Shared from a Reader

This one sounds like a keeper, all! I extend warm thanks to Jeanette for taking the time to share this recipe. :) Sounds great. Now, here is Jeanette's email she submitted...


Here is a recipe I've used for years. I make it a lot at my job at the
local hospital/nursing home kitchen when we have overripe bananas. I
like the idea that it uses salad oil. At home I use a little ground
flax seed & sometimes substitute a little whole wheat flour. It's a
soft batter. Our nursing home residents really like this one & is
always a popular breakfast choice. Jeanette from Montana

Easy Banana Bread

1/2 cup salad oil
1 cup sugar, white or brown
2-3 overripe bananas, mashed
2 eggs, add 1 at a time
3 tablespoons milk, orange or apple juice
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 cups flour
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Options: coconut, raisins, craisins

Mix in order taking care not to overbeat with mixer. Dry ingredients can
be sifted
together before adding if you want to.

Spray 1 loaf pan, line bottom with a strip of parchement paper
or waxed paper, or foil to ensure easy removal. Bake 350 degrees
55-65 minutes testing with toothpick for doneness.

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Posted by HappySlob :: 11:20 AM :: 0 comments

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Thursday, March 27, 2008 Recipe Found (Already!) - for Key Lime Fudge (with No Chocolate)

You Kitchen Crafts 'n' More readers are an impressive bunch. I've already received some of the requested recipes from yesterday's newsletter. This Key Lime fudge recipe was submitted by Cindy, who says it's the one she always uses. It sounds SO good, and so different than the typical chocolate fudge. Enjoy!

Key Lime Fudge
3 cups white chocolate baking pieces
14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons finely shredded lime peel
2 tablespoons bottled Key Lime juice or regular lime juice

Line an 8-by-8-by-2-inch or 9-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan with foil, extending foil over the edges of pan. Butter foil; set aside.

Stir baking pieces and sweetened condensed milk in a large heavy saucepan over low heat just until pieces are melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in lime peel and lime juice. Spread mixture evenly into the prepared pan.

Cover and chill for two hours or until firm. Lift the fudge from pan using edges of foil. Peel off foil and use a knife to cut fudge into pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Makes 2 1/2 pounds or 64 servings.

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Posted by HappySlob :: 10:58 AM :: 1 comments

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Copycat Recipes - Olive Garden's Tuscan Chicken Recipe

Olive Garden's Tuscan Garlic Chicken Recipe
from the Olive garden website
Thanks to Dorina for sending it in! This is a classic, popular recipe from Olive Garden. Would be perfect with a nice crisp, green salad served on the side. Enjoy!

Serves 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 1/2 cup(s) flour, plus 1 tablespoon
1 Tbsp salt
2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp Italian herb seasoning
1 lb(s) curly or regular fettuccine
1 Tbsp garlic, chopped
1 red pepper, julienne cut
1/2 cup(s) dry, white wine
1/2 lb(s) whole leaf spinach, stemmed
12 oz heavy cream
1 cup(s) Parmesan cheese, grated

Combine 1½ cups flour, salt, black pepper and Italian herb seasoning in a shallow dish.Dredge chicken in the mixture, shaking off any excess.In a large, nonstick, ovenproof skillet, add 3 Tbsp of olive oil – enough to coat – and sauté chicken in batches over medium-high heat for about two to three minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crisp. Add additional olive oil for each batch as necessary.When finished, transfer the skillet to a preheated oven at 350 degrees F. Cook for approximately 10 to 15 minutes or until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside until needed.While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 Tbsp of olive oil in a sauce pan. Add the garlic and the red pepper and cook for approximately one minute.Add remaining 1 Tbsp of flour and stir to combine.Next, add the wine and bring to a boil for one minute. Add the spinach and the cream and bring to a boil. The sauce is done cooking when the spinach becomes wilted.

Complete by stirring in the Parmesan cheese.Partly coat the pasta with the sauce, transfer to a large bowl (or individual dishes) and then top with the chicken, the remaining sauce and extra Parmesan cheese.

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Posted by HappySlob :: 10:56 AM :: 0 comments

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Recipes: Banana Squares with Vanilla Icing

These sound fantastic - just top them with a thin vanilla icing (easy - just icing sugar and milk until it creates a thin, drizzly type frosting - definitely add a nice splash of real vanilla extract to flavor it). These little banana squares would be ideal for afternoon tea or bake sales. Jazz them up by adding some chocolate chips or chopped nuts.


Banana Squares
Submitted by Jeannie - thanks!

½ c. butter or margarine
1½ c. sugar
2 eggs
¾ c. commercial sour cream
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
2 large, very ripe, mashed bananas
2 c. flour (make it gluten free by using a gluten free flour mix)

Cream butter and sugar, add eggs, beat until fluffy, add sour cream, soda, salt and vanilla, beat until smooth, add flour, beat until well mixed. Add mashed banana and mix until well blended. Bake in jelly roll pan, or cookie sheet with sides. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Frost with thin powdered sugar icing.
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Posted by HappySlob :: 10:53 AM :: 0 comments

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Swiss Potato Bake Recipe - Hash Browns Baked with Cream, Cheese & Butter

Wow, this sounds decadent, over the top and utterly delicious! Would make a good side dish for a special event. Thanks to Jeannie for the recipe.

Swiss Potato Bake

2 pounds frozen hash browns
1 pint whipping cream
2 cups grated Swiss cheese
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
Salt and pepper



Put hash browns into a 13x9 pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover with grated cheese. Pour cream evenly over top. Drizzle with melted butter. Sprinkle with paprika, if desired. Bake at 350F for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Lighten up: I think you could very well make this a far lighter dish by using half and half cream (or even lighter milk), and a bit less butter.

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Posted by HappySlob :: 10:49 AM :: 0 comments

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Sunday, February 17, 2008 Household Hints Submitted by Readers

When I asked for new household hints - your FAVORITE household hints, in fact - I received lots of helpful emails! Here are the new household hints that were just submitted. You can find them and more stored for easy location at the household hints blog.



  • Cleaning household hints - submitted by Sharon from PA - "I take an old rag into the shower with me. When I am done with my shower, I put soap on the rag and clean the shower and tub. Doing this daily keeps it clean and quick." (Hey Sharon, great idea! It sounds very much like the 'uncleaning' shower routine I teach in my Happy Slob's Guide to Housecleaning!
  • Household hints (cleaning) - submitted by Patricia N. - "Do one thing everyday and remember that no one's house really looks like a magazine picture all the time, it only looks like that when the kids and husband aren't home."
  • Up and down stairs cleaning trick - submitted by Kristina - "If you have stairs never go up with out taking something up, and never go down with out taking something down. It's the one thing I have brainwashed my kids to do. It actually works to keep clutter at bay." (Love this idea, Kristina!)
  • New use for coffee filters - submitted by Gretta - "using coffee filters instead of paper towels, they don't stick to fried foods."
  • Housecleaning every day - submitted by Peggy - "to do at least some housework every day...otherwise, it multiplies during the night...
    sort of like Captain Kirk and "The Trouble with Tribbles"." (LOL one of the funnier emails I received, thanks Peggy!)
  • Cleaning copper household hint - submitted by Gladys - "cleaning the copper bottoms of my pans,,with 2 tablespoons white vinegar and 2 teaspoons salt and was/rub litely with dish rag and rinse,,viola sparkling clean." (Wonderful, Gladys! I'm going to give this one a try, and if it works as well as you says I'll have to post it on my Happy Slob's Housecleaning site too!)
  • Cleaning for kids tip - submitted by Cindy - "Assign chores to the kiddos. They make most ofthe mess anyway. It is great for teaching responsibility and a wonderful penalty instead of spanking."
  • Cleaning countertops with peroxide - submitted by Tracy Ann - "To get the gunk out from the area where the sink meets the counter top (or sometimes behind the taps where the sink meets the countertop), I pour some peroxide on an old toothbrush I keep for that purpose. The peroxide I get from my drug store in the first-aid section. I find that it lifts that entire gunk out and the counter top looks amazingly cleaner."

Thanks so much for these great new household tips, everyone! I hope all of you subscribers will get to try at least one or two.

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Posted by HappySlob :: 12:05 PM :: 2 comments

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Tuesday, February 12, 2008 Baking Tip from a Professional Baker - Good for Pie and Tart Baking

You know I love to collect pie recipes! So, here's a great way to use those pie recipes and create delicious pies and tarts that are perfectly baked. A professional baker's tip, no less!

Lindsey Shere, pastry chef, Chez Panisse, Berkeley: Whenever possible, bake tarts and pies on a pizza stone. It makes a big difference in getting the bottom crust to bake properly.

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Posted by HappySlob :: 9:59 AM :: 0 comments

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Favorite Recipes - Requests - Best Banana Bread Recipe (Mom's Recipe) from Carol

Banana Bread
Carol came up trumps and replied to our request for the BEST Banana Bread recipe ever. This is it, she says. :) If you think YOU have the best recipe, email it to me at christina (at) happyslob.com

Mom’s best
Makes one loaf

3 very ripe bananas
¾ cup sugar white or brown
large pinch salt
¼ cup butter or margarine
1 tsp soda
1 tbs. water
2 cups flour, unbleached, white, or wheat
(if dough seems too thick, add one or two beaten eggs)

Mix all ingredients together very well. Makes one bread pan size loaf. Put into greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees about 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pan immediately after taking from oven and cool on rack or clean dish cloth.

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Posted by HappySlob :: 9:57 AM :: 0 comments

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