Topic: A Taste of Home (OOC)

Katt Batten

Date: 2016-04-13 15:09 EST
As many know I, much like my character Katt, enjoy cooking and baking. I have shared many recipes with individuals that I know over the course of years but someone gave me the idea to make a thread to share the goodies. So here I will be placing recipes of things I have made and wanted to share! If you have any questions feel free to tap me via PM or in the OOC chat thread.

Bon App?tit! :grin:

Katt Batten

Date: 2016-04-13 15:31 EST
Decided to Arrange things a little. In this section I have prepared (and will keep updated) a reference list.

Cooking Trinity

Diced - "onions "bell peppers "celery

I personally buy a few, chop them up and freeze what I don't use. You can also purchase it pre-chopped in bags like this in the freezer section at the store.

Roux

Easy to prepare and used for many different things. The longer you cook your roux the darker it becomes so keep this in mind. Also the longer you cook it the more flavor you will get.

Ingredients - "1 stick of butter (others that can be used are vegetable oil, olive oil, bacon grease are among the top of the list but I perfer butter) " 1 cup of flour

Preparing: On a medium fire put the stick of butter into a medium sauce pan and wait until it is completely melted. Whisk in the flour which will create a thick paste. Stir often.

How dark do you want your roux"

-White Roux: Cook for 5 minutes -Blond Roux: Cook for 20 minutes - roux will be a slight tan color -Brown Roux: Cook for 35 minutes - roux will look like peanut butter -Dark Brown Roux: Cook for 45 minutes - roux will look like melted chocolate (won't taste like it though!)

This can be frozen and kept for another time. Just pour onto a baking sheet and put in the fridge overnight then take out, break into pieces and store in a freezer bag for future use.

Katt Batten

Date: 2016-04-21 14:19 EST
Sausage Pasta

"1 pkg. sausage, sliced to desired thickness (preferably 1/4" slices) "8 oz. spiral pasta, cooked, drained "2 cups heavy cream "1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (or if you want to make your own cajun seasoning blend: salt, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, onion powder, cayenne pepper - to taste) "1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese (granted I use a whole bag which is 2 cups!) ?"Optional: Cooking Trinity (see reference)

Noodles: Cook as directed. If Adding Cooking Trinity: In your pot or deep skillet add the trinity plus two tablespoons of butter. Let saute until onions are clear.

In your pot or deep skillet add sausage on medium heat for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add in your cream and cajun seasoning and let simmer for 5 more minutes. Make sure to stir often as the sauce thickens! Lastly add in your pasta and cheese, give a stir.

Done!

Also good with chicken or chicken and sausage. I was asked to recommend sausage for this meal. I personally use Hillshire Farm smoked sausage. Add in a little salad and some garlic bread and you got yourself a whole meal prepared in less than 15!

Quick.

Easy.

Yummy!

Katt Batten

Date: 2016-04-21 14:38 EST
Growing up one of my favorite meals was Chef Boyardee Beefaroni. Still is to this day! So I am going to share one of my favorite recipes for making this at home!

Homemade Beefaroni

" 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni " 1lb ground beef " 2 minced cloves garlic " 1 minced medium onion " 2 (10.75 oz.) cans condensed tomato soup " 1 (10.75 oz.) can water (aka just use one of the empty tomato soup cans) " 2 teaspoons sugar " Salt and pepper to taste

Macaroni Cook as directed and drain. Set aside. In a pot toss in the onions and garlic, simmer until onions are clear. Toss in ground beef and brown. Drain if needed. In the pot add in the soup and sugar with the beef mix. Cook on medium for 5 minutes. Add in the macaroni and your salt/pepper (to taste) Cook for another 15 minutes, stirring often.

Done!

I add shredded cheese on top (Parmesan or Velveeta cheese depending on my mood)

Katt Batten

Date: 2016-04-24 17:04 EST
Now for something sweet! My mom shared this recipe with me and it is to dieeee for!

Apple Dumplings

" 2 Granny Smith Apples, skinned and cored " 2 cans of Crescent Rolls " 2 sticks of butter " 1 " cup sugar " 1 teaspoon of vanilla " Cinnamon to taste " 2 teaspoons sugar " 1 " of mountain dew (Look at the end of the post for details)

You will be using a 9x13 pan, make sure to butter it up! Cut each apple into 8 slices each Roll each slice in a crescent roll Melt the 2 sticks of butter in a sauce pan Stir in sugar and give it a single stirring. Do not over stir! Add vanilla and barely stir. You want to leave this mixture lumpy Pour sauce over dumplings Take the mountain dew and pour it along the (inner) edge of the pan and if you find you have some left over just pour it along the center Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes. You want the top to be golden brown and crispy (yumyum) Take out and sprinkle to desired amount of cinnamon

Done!

I know some of you are going 'mountain dew! ewwww!'. If you don't like mountain dew I assure you, you cannot taste it. If it bothers you though you can substitute it with Sprite.

Service with vanilla ice cream while it is still warm and you are in heaven!

Katt Batten

Date: 2016-06-01 18:57 EST
This next recipe is one of my favorites. While this is the basics don't forget to add to taste. Each person's tastebuds are different.

This is best in the slower cooker but can be done on the stove.

Chicken Pot Pie Stew

" skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into pieces. 4 is usually enough but I like to add more. " 1 cup chopped celery " 2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup " 6 cubes chicken bouillon " 2 teaspoons garlic salt " 1 teaspoon celery salt " 1 tablespoon ground black pepper " 1 (16 ounce) bag frozen mixed vegetables " 8 medium red potatoes (or as much as you'd like) " 1 small package baby carrots, cut any way you want

If in slow cooker: toss everything but the bag of mixed veggies and carrots into the pot and slow cook for 5 hours on high. Put in the mixed veggies and carrots and cook for another hour. Done!

If on the stove: Start by boiling the potato until they are soft. Drain. Add in the rest of the ingredients and cook for 20 minutes.

Add in some biscuits to dip into the creamy sauce and you got yourself a tasty meal!

Katt Batten

Date: 2016-06-01 19:11 EST
And a sweet treat and you don't even have to bake it!

Chocolate Eclair Cake

" 1 box chocolate graham crackers " 3 cups milk " 2 (3.4oz) boxes chocolate instant pudding " Whipped cream " Chocolate frosting " Chocolate shavings (optional)

In a medium bowl, whisk together milk and pudding. Stir in whipped topping.

In a 9x13 pan, line a layer of graham crackers down. Pour half of pudding mixture over graham cracker layer. Place another layer of graham cracker over the mixture and spread remaining pudding mixture on top. Add one more layer of graham cracker.

Warm frosting in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave for 1 minute then spoon-spread over the top graham cracker layer. Garnish with chocolate shavings if desired.

Refrigerate for at least four hours then serve!

Katt Batten

Date: 2016-06-01 19:43 EST
One of Southern Livings best desserts since 1966 is the Hummingbird Cake. This recipe is simply amazing! While my first time varied from the recipe it still came out delicious! I used half of what was needed for the frosting so there was only enough to coat it. Which since I am not a big frosting person that made it perfect.

Hummingbird Cake

For the cake: " 3 Cups of flour " 2 Cups of Sugar " 1 Tablespoon of Salt " 1 Teasepoon of baking soda " 1 Teaspoon of cinnamon " 3 large eggs, lightly beaten " 1 " vegetable oil " 1 " vanilla extract " 4 ripe bananas, cut into pieces " 1 can (8oz) crushed pineapple - undrained " 1 cup chopped pecans (for cake)

For the frosting: " 1 cup chopped pecans (for garnishing) " 2 bars (8oz) of cream cheese " 2 sticks of butter " 16 oz powdered sugar " 2 Tablespoon of vanilla extract

First: Line three 9in cake pans with vegetable shortening and flour (makes it easier to remove the cake). Mix all the ingredients for for the cake and bake at 350? for 25-30 minutes. Let sit on the counter until they are cool.

Second: Mix the cream cheese, butter, sugar, and vanilla for frosting. (I would recommend using a hand held whisk - (can be bought at walmart for like 8$!). If you don't have one on hand let the cream cheese sit out while you make the cake. 20-30 minutes on the counter should make it softer to work with.

Final Touches: Once the cake has finished and you have whisked your frosting, place one layer of cake down on whatever will be holding the cake. Place down a cup work or so worth of the frosting on this layer. Place down your second layer and repeat the frosting. Place on the last layer then frosting your cake's top and sides, garnishing the top with the remaining pecans.

Enjoy!