I found the neatest tip...

for the BEST CORN ON THE COB EVER!!!! I found it over on Feasting Friends. Missy found a new technique that will give you that "sweet taste" every time you make corn on the cob. The secret is just adding a few simple ingredients to your water!!! For years I've been boiling my corn in just plain ol' water! She says that if you try it this way - you'll never go back to just plain water ever again!!! I can't wait to put some corn on my menu for this next week!!! How 'bout you? What's your secret to making sweet corn?

Sweet Corn on the Cob

4 ears of corn
water (enough to cover the corn)
3/4 cup Heavy cream (or substitute with milk)
2-3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons butter (optional and to add to the water)

Fill a large stock pot with enough water to cover the corn. Add milk, sugar and butter. Stir to mix. Bring to a boil, then add corn cobs. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for about 8 minutes, or until just tender. Do not over cook or the corn will become tough. Also, never salt the water, as it also toughens the corn.

Using long tongs remove and place on a plate or in a bowl, then cover with foil until ready to serve. Enjoy!

Dessert for the week...

I don't know what has happened to me... all my life I have been a chocoholic and in the last two years I prefer salty snacks to sweet snacks?!?!? What is going on with me? Hormones?! Who knows... Anyway, I still drool when I see photos like this one, but once the goodies are made - I'll only be able to have a couple of bites. Well, I found this recipe and I'm hoping it'll put me back on track!!! I'll keep you posted...

photo via verybestbaking.com

Nestle Toll House's Chocolate Chip Pie

1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell *
2 large eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts
Sweetened whipped cream or ice cream (optional)

Preheat oven to 325° F. Beat eggs in large mixer bowl on high speed until foamy. Beat in flour, granulated sugar and brown sugar. Beat in butter. Stir in morsels and nuts. Spoon into pie shell.
Bake for 55 to 60 minutes or until knife inserted halfway between edge and center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream, if desired.

* If using frozen pie shell, use deep-dish style, thawed completely. Bake on baking sheet; increase baking time slightly.

Breakfast for Supper...

This is a 5 star recipe from Southern Living!!! I can't wait to give it a try!!! Looks great for anytime of the day!

(Photo via Confessions of a Plate Addict)

Country Grits and Sausage Casserole

2 pounds mild ground pork sausage
4 cups water
1 1/4 cups quick-cooking grits, uncooked
4 cups (1 pound) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
Paprika
Garnish: fresh parsley sprigs

Brown sausage in a large skillet, stirring until it crumbles. Drain well, and set aside. Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan, and stir in grits. Return to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; add cheese and next 3 ingredients, stirring until cheese melts. Stir in sausage and eggs. Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 13" x 9" x 2" baking dish; sprinkle with paprika. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 1 hour or until golden and heated. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Garnish, if desired. Serves:10

Make-Ahead: Prepare grits mixture as directed above, but do not bake. Cover and chill overnight. Remove from refrigerator; let stand, covered 30 minutes. Uncover and bake as directed.

More CBS Brunch Ideas...

Well, of course now that my obligation for the CBS brunch is over for this semester - I keep finding really neat recipes everywhere!!!! Guess I'll have to make them next year. I don't think I can wait until then to try them though. Thought I'd share these with you...

This one comes from Mennonite Girls Can Cook.

Sausage and Pancake Strata

12 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1 pkg(14.5 oz) frozen mini pancakes(I made my own although from a mix) approx 18
1 pkg(7oz) maple flavoured brown and serve sausage patties,8 or 9 patties
Maple Syrup

Preheat oven to 350. Coat a 11"by 7" baking dish with cooking spray. Beat eggs with milk and stir in cheese and salt and set aside. Cook the sausages and the pancakes. Arrange half of pancakes in bottom of dish. Top with sausage patties. pour egg mixture over the patties and top with the rest of the pancakes, gently pressing them into the egg mixture to partially coat. Cover with foil and bake for 30 min. Uncover and drizzle maple syrup over the egg mixture which has started to set at this point. Continue baking uncovered for another 30 min until set. Let stand 5 min before serving and drizzle with more maple syrup if you prefer.


The Next few come from Mommy's Kitchen...

Mini Cini's

2 packages Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
(preferable the packages where it is one rolled sheet of pastry per package)
2 8oz packages softened cream cheese
1 Cup sugar
2 Tablespoons cinnamon
2-3 Tablespoons melted butter
1 ½ Cups powdered sugar
2-3 Tablespoons heavy cream (do not substitute)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove rolls from packaging. Unroll each of the dough pieces so they are in the shape of rectangles. Roll each individual into an even thinness. Place cream cheese, sugar and cinnamon into a medium bowl. Stir until well combined. Spread half of the cheese mixture onto one sheet of dough and half onto the other spreading evenly across dough leaving about ¼ inch border around edges. Roll dough as if you were making cinnamon rolls, ending with seam side down. Cut 1 inch pieces and place all 24 pieces into mini muffin tins. Brush each roll with melted butter and bake for 15-20 minutes or until slightly golden around edges and cooked through. Transfer rolls to a cooling rack and cool completely. While cooling combine powdered sugar and heavy cream until thick and drizzle ready. With a spoon, drizzle icing over each roll.

Donut Muffins

3 cups all purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup shortening (Crisco)
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 teaspoons cinnamon
2 sticks butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 12 muffin cups. Stir together flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Set aside. In a different bowl, cream together 1 cup sugar and shortening, then add eggs and mix. Add flour mixture and milk alternately to creamed mixture, beating well after each addition. Fill prepared muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until golden. In a bowl, melt 2 sticks butter. In a separate bowl combine remaining sugar and cinnamon. Dip baked muffins in butter, coating thoroughly, then coat with cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents

1 lb. sausage, browned & drained
1 (8oz.) philidelphia cream cheese spread
1 pkg. pillsbury crescent dinner rolls

Brown and drain breakfast sausage . Combine sausage & cream cheese. Roll into logs about 2 inches long place on crescent triangle or spoon into crescent. Roll up Crescents and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 350 about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Katie Lee Joel's Award-Winning Burger

Okay Cindy, you said you were in the mood for a Patty Melt!!! Well, take a look at this! It's a cross between a hamburger and grilled cheese!!! YUMMMM!!!!

This burger is a creation of Katie lee Joel's grandmother who made the burger with cheap ingredients during tough times. She was crowned this year's queen of the Burger Bash with this winning recipe!!! (She also has written The Comfort Table, if you're interested.)

So, I figured this would be the best recipe for us to try!!! Let me know how it goes, if you beat me to it!!!

The Logan County Hamburger

1 pound ground beef (85 percent lean)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 medium yellow onion, half grated, the other half thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 slices white bread
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
12 slices American cheese, optional

In a medium bowl, combine the beef, egg, grated onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until combined. Form into thin patties. Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Heat a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the burgers about 3 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels. Drain the grease from the skillet. In the same skillet, place six slices of bread, butter side down. Top each with a slice of cheese, if desired, some onions and a burger. Top with remaining slices of cheese, if using, and bread, butter side up. Cook each sandwich until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Serve with mustard, ketchup, pickles, or any other desired hamburger toppings. Makes 6 burgers.

Thanks to Katie Lee and her grandmother for an awesome recipe!!! Can't wait to try it!!!

My mom...

No, you don't need glasses!!! This is Paula Deen, but we all joke in my family that NeNe is Paula's long lost twin!!! They talk JUST alike and even look alike. They both have crazy personalities that are just so contagious!!! I love turning on the TV and hearing Paula Deen's voice - really reminds me of home.

Well, here in our neck of the woods - a cold front is headed our way! Paula's show today was about Country Comfort food, so this would be perfect for the upcoming weather. She made this meatloaf that I'm sharing with y'all. It's very different from what I normally make, but I think my kids might actually like it. Let me know if you or your picky eaters liked it or not!!! I think I'm gonna give it a try. I'll keep y'all posted...


Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf
1 pound ground chuck
10 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 (8-ounce) package sharp Cheddar, grated
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup bread crumbs, toasted
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/3 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
1 (3-ounce) can French fried onions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck and next 8 ingredients, mixing well. In a small bowl, combine the ketchup and mustard. Stir 1/4 cup ketchup mixture into meat mixture, reserving remaining ketchup mixture. Press meat mixture into a 9 by 5 by 3-inch loaf pan, or shape into a loaf and place on a rack in a broiler pan. Spread remaining ketchup mixture over loaf. Bake 40 minutes. Top with French fried onions; bake another 10 to 15 minutes, or until meat is no longer pink.

How Divine....

What a Heavenly Meal and perfect for the upcoming holidays!!!! I can't wait to try this!!!! I stumbled upon this on MyRecipes this morning and am so glad I did!!! Serves: 6

Mushroom Bisque with Pastry Top Hats and Sherry Shallot Butter

Ingredients:
1 1/4 pounds common mushrooms or chanterelles (see notes)
1 slice bacon (1 oz.), chopped
3/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup cognac or brandy
1/3 cup dry white wine
3 cups fat-skimmed chicken broth
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
Salt and white pepper
1 package (10 oz.) frozen puff pastry shells, thawed
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Sherry-shallot butter (recipe below), optional

Preparation:
Trim and discard tough or discolored stem ends and any bruised spots from mushrooms. Rinse common mushrooms and drain well. (If using chanterelles, submerge in cool water and gently agitate with your hands to loosen dirt. Drain, rinse under running water, and gently pat dry with a towel.) Coarsely chop mushrooms.

In a 5- to 6-quart pan over high heat, stir bacon until fat begins to render, about 1 minute. Add onion, celery, and garlic; stir until onion is limp, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and stir often until their liquid is evaporated and mushrooms begin to brown, 15 to 20 minutes.

Add cognac and stir to scrape up browned bits from pan bottom and sides. Add wine and boil until most of the liquid has evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes. Add broth and return to a boil, then cover, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, to blend flavors, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from heat.

In a blender, holding down lid with a towel, whirl mixture, a portion at a time, until smooth. Pour into a bowl. Stir in cream, then salt and pepper to taste. Chill, stirring occasionally, until soup is at room temperature, 10 to 15 minutes.

Spoon soup into six round soufflé dishes or ovenproof bowls (1 1/4- to 1 1/2-cup size; 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 in. wide) to within 1/2 inch of rim.

On a lightly floured board, roll each puff pastry shell into a round 1 to 1 1/2 inches wider than top of soufflé dishes. Brush egg in a 1/2-inch border around the bottom edge (unscored side) of each pastry round. Carefully drape each round, egg side down, over a dish so that it doesn't touch soup; press edges firmly around sides of dish. Brush more egg lightly over pastry tops and sides (discard remaining egg or save foranother use). Set dishes at least 1 inch apart in a 12- by 17-inch baking pan.

Bake in a 375° regular or convection oven until pastry is richly browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve at once, with sherry-shallot butter to stir into portions at the table.

Sherry-shallot butter: In an 8- to 10-inch frying pan over high heat, stir 1/3 cup minced shallots and 1/3 cup dry sherry often until liquid is evaporated and shallots begin to brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Pour into a small bowl and let cool. Add 3 tablespoons butter (at room temperature) to shallots and mix. Divide into six equal portions and, with your hands, roll each into a ball. Arrange on a small plate. Cover and chill until firm, at least 15 minutes.

Can't wait to try...

Chicken Enchilada Quiche
from Betty Crocker

1	Refrigerated pie crust (15-oz box), softened as directed on box
4	eggs
1	cup half-and-half or milk
1 1/2	cups Chicken breast, cubed (1 1/2 cups)
1 1/2	cups broken tortilla chips
2	cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (8 oz)
1	cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
1	cup Thick 'n Chunky salsa
1	can (4.5 oz) chopped green chiles
1/2	teaspoon salt
	Pepper to taste, if desired
	Sour cream, if desired
	Thick 'n Chunky salsa, if desired

	Heat oven to 350°F. Place pie crust in 9-­ or 9 1/2-inch glass deep-dish pie pan as directed on box for One-Crust Filled pie.
	In medium bowl, beat eggs with wire whisk until blended. Beat in half-and-half. Stir in chicken, chips, both cheeses, 1 cup salsa, the green chiles and salt. Pour into crust-lined pan. Sprinkle pepper over top of filling.
	Bake 55 to 65 minutes or until crust is light golden brown and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Cut into wedges. Serve with sour cream and/or salsa.

Real Mom Kitchen's...

Sausage Oven Pancake Square

Doesn't that picture looks scrumptious?!?!?! OMGoodness, I can not wait to try this one out!!! I actually thought of my mother-in-law leaning over her electric griddle making millions of pancakes for all of us when we went home after the hurricane. If only I had found this awesome food blog then!!! I just love Laura over at Real Mom Kitchen!!! She and I have the same tastes in food and we visit the same blogs. I've already bookmarked a handful of her wonderful recipes. You ought to go on over and take a look for yourself!

Stay tuned... if you don't beat me to it, I'll let you know how this one turns out... (I have a feeling it's going to make my keeper's list!!!)

Sausage Oven Pancake Square
1 (12 oz) pkg pork sausage

1 cup cheddar cheese , shredded

1 egg

1/4 cup milk

2 Tbsp. maple-flavored syrup

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1/2 cup flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/8 tsp. salt

3/4 cup maple-flavored syrup

Cook sausage in skillet, stirring frequently, until no longer pink. Drain sausage on paper towels. Spread sausage into a 8 inch of 9 inch square baking dish. Sprinkle cheese over sausage. In large bowl, beat egg, milk, 2 tbsp syrup, and the oil with a wire whisk until well blended. Beat in flour, baking powder, and salt. Pour batter evenly over sausage and cheese. Bake 25 to 30 min at 350 degrees until golden brown. Serve topped with remaining maple syrup.

This looks sooo good!!!

I can't wait to try this! If any of you beat me to the punch - let me know how it turns out!!!

Pineapple Chicken Salad Pitas
(photo and recipe from Cooking Light)

Almonds add crunch to the filling, though you can substitute toasted walnuts or pecans, if you prefer.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast (about 1 pound)
1/2 cup matchstick-cut carrots
1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1/3 cup light mayonnaise
1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
1/4 cup plain fat-free yogurt
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice, drained
4 (6-inch) whole wheat pitas, each cut in half
8 Romaine lettuce leaves

Preparation

Combine first 11 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring well. Line each pita half with 1 lettuce leaf; fill each half with 1/3 cup chicken mixture.

Yield

4 servings (serving size: 2 stuffed pita halves)