chessy spinach/artichoke dip and Maple Glaze Ham

Ok so I know it's not a dessert but it's New Years Eve and we are having a party.  I didn't feel like baking after cleaning the house all day :/.  So I'm making a maple glazed ham, cheesy spinach and artichoke dip.  I brought (sorry) a giant cookie, and holiday cookies.

So here is the recipe:
Cheesy Spinach and Artichoke Dip
4 packages of frozen Spinach or you can use fresh spinach (make sure its rinsed and drained)
2 pkg of cream cheese (room temp)
2 can or jars of artichoke hearts (drained and chopped)
2 sm cloves or minced garlic
2 pkg of mozzarella cheese
4oz of parm. cheese, grated

I make it in a crockpot just cuz I can put it in and let it cook while I'm cleaning house.  So you put the spinach, cream cheese, artichoke, garlic, 1 pkg of mozzarella and parm.  Set the crockpot to high (4 hr although that is just to get it hot enough to melt all the cheese - normally done in 1-2 hours).  After about an hour mix in last pkg of mozzarella.  Right before serving top with alittle more of the parm.

As for the ham,  its just a ham that is boned in.  Put in shallow dish and bake at 350 for 15 mins per pound.  We have a 8 lb ham so about 2 hours.  Put in just enough water to cover the bottom of the pan, this keeps the ham moist.  Also to keep to from drying out, cover the ham with foil.  As for the glaze, if the ham comes with one you can use it but I like mine better.

For the glaze (very simple):

• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1. 1
   Blend all ingredients to make a paste.
2. 2
   Rub over ham in its last 15 minutes of cooking
   So thats my New Years Eve food. Everyone else is bring stuff too.  :-) Happy New Year and Blessed Be!!!!!!!!!

more coming soon

I know i've been slacking off but not had time with holiday and work but now that we are after the holiday my hours are being cut so I have more time.  so more food coming soon :)

Today menu

I made turkey meatballs and peanutbutter balls :) it was a ball kind of night!!

Day 3: dessert

Caramel pecan cheesecake bites are in the oven!!!!!!!

Caramel Pecan Cheesecake Bites

crust: 1 1/2 c graham cracker
1/4 c sugar
1/4 c butter, softened
Bites: 3 pkg cream cheese, softened
2/3c sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 c whipping cream
3 eggs
1/2 c pecan halves, chopped
1 Tbsp butter, softened
1 Tbsp pked brown sugar
1/3 c caramel topping

Preheat oven 325. Crust: line a rectangular pan with foil.  mix all ingredients. press in bottom of pan using fork and bake 8-10 mins; cool.

Beat cream cheese w/mixer until smooth.  Gradually beat in sugar and vanilla.  Beat in whipping cream.  Beat in eggs one at a time.  Pour over crust.  Stir together pecans, butter, brown sugar and caramel topping in separate bowl until mixed.  Drop evenly over cheesecake.

Bake 30-35 minutes.  Let stand 30 minutes to cool on rack.  Cover and refrigator at least 2 hours.  Cut cheesecake with 1 1/4" round cutter; place on serving plate.  Drizzle caramel topping over top if desired.

Can't wait to taste this one!!! pics coming soon :)

day 3: dinner.....mini taco bits

1 lb of ground Turkey
1 can of chili seasoned tomato mix
1 can of diced tomato
1 pkg of taco cheesy mix
3/4 c milk
mini tortilla chips or scoop
Mexican seasoned cheese
Sour cream and salsa to garnish

Brown ground turkey, drain.  Add in all tomato mixes and taco mix and milk.  Simmer on medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes or until tomatoes have reduced. 

Scoop 1T of meat mixture onto mini tortilla chip, top with cheese.  Add sour cream and salsa if desired.

Put in 375 oven for 5-8 mintues or until cheese is melted.

Now I like to scoop the meat mixture onto my chips as i eat them :)   Dessert is next. yummie caramel pecan cheesecake bites.

bread is done!!!!!!!!!!

Day 2: bread machine banana honey bread :)

2 c all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/3 c pk brown sugar
3/4 c sugar
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 eggs, beaten
2 T honey
1 tsp cinnamon
2 bananas, peeled and halved and mashed



place all ingredients in the pan and place into bread machine.

Select Dough setting and press Start.  Mix the bread for 5 minutes until bananas are mashed and all ingredients are combined.  Use a rubber spatula to push the dough from the sides of the pan.  When the 5 minutes have passed, press Stop. 

Select Bake setting and press Start.  The Bake cycle takes about 50-60 minutes depending on the machine you have.  To test, insert toothpick into the center top.  If not done, reset and continue to Bake for 10 to 15 minutes.  Remove the pan and allow bread in pan for 10 mintues.  Remove the bread to cool completely on a wire rack.


This bread is very banana-y and honey and cinnamon tasting :) yum yum yum yum.  Cant wait to cut into it and put some butter on it!!!!

Day 1: giant cookies

Day 1: Giant Chocolate chip cookies

Recipe:
1/2 c butter, softened
1/2 c shortening
1 c packed brown sugar
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c baking soda
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1 12 oz pkg (2 cup) semisweet chocolate or mini candy-coated pieces
1/2 c chopped walnuts, pecans or hazelnuts
In large bowl beat butter and shortening on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.  Add brown, sugar, and baking soda.  Beat until conbined, scraping sides of bowl occassionally.  Beat in eggs and vanilla until combined.  Beat as much of the flour as you can with the mixer.  Stir in any remaining flour with spoon.  Stir in chocolate chips and nuts if desired.

Using an ice cream to drop mound of dough about 4" apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake in 375 degree oven for 11 to 13 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.  Makes about 20 cookies depending on the size.

So I learned that my bottom rack likes to burns everything on the bottom but I was able to save the cookies :).  They are cooling on the rack now, cant wait to bite into one.  Ryan and sharpie even helped out.

475 recipes to go

I decided today that I miss baking.  I use to do it so much due to my catering business but I don't do it much anymore.  I got this cookbook a long time ago and never used it.  I was looking through it tonight and they all look so good and made me miss my baking days.  So it hit me, (yes I'm "borrowing" the idea for the one movie) I am going to cook my way through my cookbook.  Ok so I may not bake every night but atleast every other night. hehehe


I am going to start with the first recipe and work my way through the whole 475 plus cookies and dessert recipes :). and some recipes have different varies so it looks like it will be fun. 

Then I will post pictures and details on how it turned out.  I'm even going to to share the recipes.  It would only be right of me.

The first recipe will be started tomorrow.  Keep an eye out for my first posting!!!!!!!!