Year: 2014

Orange Nut Bread

Orange Nut Bread

My grandma used to make Orange Nut Bread every Christmas. I like to make it every year to think of her, and to use as a holiday food gift. The orange flavor and pecans are perfect paired with a nice cup of warm tea. 

Toffee Coated Pretzel Sticks

Toffee Coated Pretzel Sticks

Years ago, I helped my friend, Mary Allen make these fun Toffee Coated Pretzel Sticks. We ate them with hot cups of tea, and they were so delicious. When I returned home from my visit, I soon shared them with our family. Our daughters enjoyed 

Buttery Pecan Tarts

Buttery Pecan Tarts

My mom makes these Buttery Pecan Tarts almost every Christmas. They are so yummy, with a buttery, cream cheese shell, and then more butter in the sweet pecan filling. They practically melt in your mouth! Perfect for the upcoming holiday season. 

I like to make these tarts when I’m looking for party finger foods or even for a church potluck such as a Christmas decorating party! Or a Holiday tea party! No matter how you decide to celebrate this holiday season, you’ll want to try making these delicious tarts for your friends and family.

Pecan Harvest

Plus, pecans are often readily available in November, and this recipe is perfect for using some of those freshly cracked yummy nuts. Check out my Bourbon Pecan Pie with Whipped Cream for another recipe that is great for using freshly cracked pecans.

 

Ingredients Needed to Make Buttery Pecan Tarts

 

For the Dough:

  • butter, at room temperature
  • cream cheese, room temperature
  • all-purpose flour

For the Filling:

  • large egg
  • brown sugar
  • melted butter
  • salt
  • vanilla extract
  • chopped pecans

 

Instructions for Making This Recipe

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Gather all your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table. Coat two mini muffin pans with cooking spray.

Using a nut chopper or knife and cutting board, coarsely chop pecans.

Making the Dough:

In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and cream cheese until incorporated. Add in all-purpose flour. Mix well. Place the dough in a small bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Chill dough for 20-30 minutes.

Divide dough into fourths and then roll each into six balls. Place one ball in each cup of the prepared mini muffin pans. Use your fingers or a tart tamper to form the dough along the sides of the pan.

 

Making the Filling:

In a medium bowl, combine large egg, granulated sugar, melted butter, salt, vanilla extract, and chopped pecans. Mix well.

Fill tart shells 2/3 full. Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until delicately browned.

Allow to cool for 10 minutes and then remove from pan to a wire cooling rack.

This recipe will make 24 tarts.

Need more ideas for Holiday dinners or entertaining? Check out these Holiday Recipes Here. See more Desserts Here.

Recipe for Buttery Pecan Tarts

Buttery Pecan Tarts

This is a recipe my mom makes every Christmas. These tarts are so yummy, they practically melt in your mouth! Perfect for the upcoming holiday season.
4.50 from 2 votes
Print Rate Pin Recipe
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Holiday Baking, Pecans, Pies and Cobblers, Thanksgiving Dinner
Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Refrigerate:: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients  

Dough:

Filling:

  • 1 large egg
  • 3/4 cups brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Gather all your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table. Coat two mini muffin pans with cooking spray.
    Using a nut chopper or knife and cutting board, coarsely chop pecans.

Making the Dough:

  • In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and cream cheese until incorporated. Add in all-purpose flour. Mix well. Place the dough in a small bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Chill dough for 20-30 minutes.
  • Divide dough into fourths and then roll each into six balls. Place one ball in each cup of the prepared mini muffin pans. Use your fingers or a tart tamper to form the dough along the sides of the pan.

Making the Filling:

  • In a medium bowl, combine large egg, granulated sugar, melted butter, salt, vanilla extract, and chopped pecans. Mix well.
  • Fill tart shells 2/3 full. Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until delicately browned.
  • Allow to cool for 10 minutes and then remove from pan to a wire cooling rack. Makes 24 tarts.

Notes

*Unless otherwise indicated, all butter used on this recipe site is salted. 

Nutrition

Calories: 260kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 157mg | Potassium: 85mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 388IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg
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Baked Mexican Egg Rolls

Baked Mexican Egg Rolls

We love egg rolls at our house and these Baked Mexican Egg Rolls are wonderful appetizers to serve at your next family gathering!

Homemade Enchilada Sauce

Homemade Enchilada Sauce

My husband loves this Homemade Enchilada Sauce. When this sauce simmers on the stove it smells so good! Your whole kitchen will practically turn into a Mexican La Cucina.

Chunky Venison Stew

Chunky Venison Stew

My husband likes to hunt deer and elk in the fall. This Chunky Venison Stew is a wonderful way to use some of the processed meat.  Continue reading Chunky Venison Stew

Mom’s Peach Pie

Mom’s Peach Pie

Mom’s Peach Pie is so delicious. Made with a tender flaky crust that never disappoints, and freestone peaches–preferably from Colorado, which are so juicy and flavorful. This recipe has even won awards at our county fair. My husband and daughters love it.

Grandma’s Pistachio Salad

Grandma’s Pistachio Salad

Here’s a recipe I grew up with as a girl and still enjoy today! Grandma’s Pistachio Salad is especially nice for family gatherings or church dinners. This salad is also kid-friendly. Not only to make with little hands, but also to eat. Kids love to 

Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

These Mozzarella Cheese Sticks are seasoned to perfection. When you bite into the ooey-gooey cheesy yumminess. Ahhhh. Your taste buds will be in heaven. Click to Tweet

Mozzarella Cheese Sticks may take a little bit of time, and can be messy, but believe me, these cheese sticks will rival any you’ve eaten at a restaurant. The breaded crust is seasoned to perfection, and then you bite into the melted ooey-gooey cheesy yumminess. Ahhhh. Your taste buds are in heaven. So good!

The last time I made this recipe, I had my granddaughter (who is 7) help me. Having that extra hand to work through the breading steps was incredibly helpful! So, I encourage you to have a friend or family member help you, too. It makes the process go more quickly, and is less messy.

Recipe for Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

Ingredients Needed to Make Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

  • large eggs (2 of them)
  • water
  • Italian-style bread crumbs
  • all-purpose flour
  • cornstarch
  • garlic salt
  • seasoned salt
  • peanut oil for frying
  • mozzarella cheese sticks (I like Sargento brand. Do not buy reduced fat for this recipe.)

Instructions

In a medium bowl, combine eggs and water, whisking until frothy.

On a large plate, pour out the bread crumbs. On a second plate, mix together flour, cornstarch, garlic salt, and seasoned salt.

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.

Breading for Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

Steps for Breading the Cheese Sticks

  1. Coat cheese sticks in flour mixture.
  2. Dip cheese sticks in egg mixture to cover.
  3. Coat cheese sticks a second time in flour mixture, making sure cheese is covered completely.
  4. Dip once more in egg mixture.
  5. Coat in bread crumbs, covering completely, and pressing in with fingers. (At this time, your fingers may get really messy. That’s okay. Just rinse them off and continue on.)

Having an Extra Hand is Helpful

Working through these steps is where my granddaughter was a big help. She was in charge of coating the cheese sticks in the bread crumbs. So, I did steps 1-4, using one hand for the flour, and one for the egg wash.

Then I’d place the gooey cheese sticks on the plate of bread crumbs for her to cover. She used a spoon and managed to get through the process with very little mess. 

Set the breaded cheese sticks on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with all cheese sticks.

Place the baking sheet in your freezer for 20 minutes. After twenty minutes, you may opt to place the cheese sticks in a freezer bag for using later. The cheese sticks will keep in your freezer for 2-3 months.

When ready to cook, heat a Dutch oven with enough oil to fill 5-6 inches deep. Deep fry cheese sticks 3-4 at a time, cooking for 30-40 seconds until deep golden brown at 350-365 degrees. (Remove if cheese starts to splatter in oil.) Be sure to bring oil back to desired temperature between batches.

Recipe for Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

You may keep the cheese sticks warm at a low temperature in your oven until ready to serve. Serve warm with your favorite Mariana Sauce. This recipe makes 12 sticks.

Wine Recommendation: Kendall-Jackson Vitner’s Reserve Chardonnay 2018

See More Appetizers Here.

Recipe for Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

Here's a delicious recipe to try. It takes a little bit of time, and can be messy, but believe me, these cheese sticks rival any you'll eat at a restaurant. So good!
No ratings yet
Print Rate Pin Recipe
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Breaded Cheese Sticks, Deep Fried, Fried Foods, Mozzarella
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Freeze: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 12 sticks

Ingredients  

  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 1/2 cups Italian-style bread crumbs
  • 2/3 cup flour
  • 1/3 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • peanut oil for frying
  • 16 oz Mozzarella cheese sticks 12 sticks

Instructions

  • In medium bowl, combine eggs and water, whisking until frothy.
  • On a large plate, pour out the bread crumbs. On a second plate, mix together flour, cornstarch, garlic salt, and seasoned salt.
  • Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Prepare cheese sticks in the following 5 steps:
  • Coat cheese sticks in flour mixture.
  • Dip in egg mixture to cover.
  • Coat again in flour mixture, making sure cheese is covered completely.
  • Dip a second time in egg mixture.
  • Coat in bread crumbs, covering completely, and pressing in with fingers. (At this time, your fingers may get really messy. That's okay. Just rinse them off and continue on.)
  • Set breaded cheese sticks on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with all cheese sticks. Place baking sheet in freezer for 20 minutes.
  • Add oil to Dutch oven and heat over medium-high heat until temperature reaches 350-365 degrees. Deep fry cheese sticks 2-3 at a time, cooking for 30-40 seconds until deep golden brown. (Remove if cheese starts to splatter in oil.) Be sure to bring oil back to desired temperature between batches.
  • You may place the cheese sticks in a warm oven until ready to serve. Serve warm with your favorite Mariana Sauce. Makes 12 sticks.

Notes

*After 20 minutes in the freezer, you may place the cheese sticks in a freezer bag to finish at another time. These will keep for 2-3 months. 
**Wine Recommendation: Kendall-Jackson Vitner's Reserve Chardonnay 2018

Nutrition

Calories: 216kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 52mg | Sodium: 898mg | Potassium: 54mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 79IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 1mg
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Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy

Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy

You can’t get more down-home cooking than Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy. Perfect for hearty, Meat-and-Potato food lovers, like my husband, my father, and my brothers. Comfort food deluxe!