How to Make Classic Rice Pudding

This recipe will provide you with the details on how to make classic rice pudding. Rice pudding is my favorite type of pudding. It's rare that you can find it homemade in my area. I started using this recipe to make my own classic rice pudding at home.

Classic Rice Pudding Recipe:

• 1 cup of rice, cooked
• 3/4 cup of seedless golden raisins
• 13 ounces of evaporated milk
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1. Place the rice and raisins in a 1 quart baking dish and set aside.
2. Beat the remaining ingredients in a mixing bowl until smooth.
3. Pour the mixture over the rice and raisins.
4. Place the baking dish with the pudding mix into a baking pan with hot water in it.
5. Put the pans in the oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes at 350 degrees F.
6. Cool and serve. This recipe should serve about 5 or 6 guest.

How to Make Hoppin' John

The year is coming to an end and it won't be long to New Years. What's New Years without a helping of Hoppin' John. This recipe has it all, that is all of those essentials to eat on New Years Day to have good luck for the entire year. You can always throw some dried black eyed peas in your change purse for extra luck ;).

How to make Hoppin' John:
1 lb of sausage
1 medium onion chopped
2 cans of black eyed peas
2 cups of water
pinch of crushed red pepper
1 cup of uncooked quick rice
salt and pepper to desired taste

Brown the sausage and onion together. Add in the blacked eyed peas and water. Bring the contents to a boil, then add in the remaining ingredients. Reduce the heat and simmer the Hoppin John on low heat until it becomes thick. Serve with cooked cabbage. We mustn't forget the cabbage on New Years Day.

*I always wonder where this stuff originates from.

Cherry Salad

In a pinch for a dessert super easy and fast. Cherry salad is so simple, a child could make it. No cooking involved but it does require freezing. So, there must be some time for that detail.

1 can of crushed pineapple
1 cup of nuts
1 can of cherry pie filling
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
1 cup of whipped topping

Mix it all up. Then place it in a freezable pan or mold. Put it in the freezer for at least 4 hours. Remove a bit before serving. You don't want it to thaw completely but enough it will serve easier or come out of the mold. Enjoy!

Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse

As seen in "Anthony Bourdain - No Reservations", the New Jersey episode, I've decided to try some of this cheese and bread from Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse. Anthony Bourdain had me drooling over this cheese and bread just from the screen.

So I did a bit of research, and found their site (hoping they their farm was still in operation, as my video was a bit dated). I was pleased to see that I can order some of their fine products online, and have them delivered to my home. How convenient! As a special holiday treat, I'm going to make an order. While it's not something I can afford an everyday luxury, it can be a special occasions treat. I know if the Europeans are having this stuff imported it has to be fantastic!

Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse

Sour Cream Apple Pie

This has been the easiest apple pie I've made. The recipe is simple and doesn't have too many different ingredients.

Sour Cream Apple Pie Recipe:
1 cup sour cream
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons of flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
2 cups of peeled and sliced apples
pie crust

Beat all of the ingredients together except the apples. Add the apples and mix. Place the apple filling into an uncooked pie shell. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes.

Topping:
Mix 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/3 cup of flour and 1/4 cup of butter. Make a crumble and sprinkle on top. Bake the pie for 20 more minutes.

You can also omit the topping and make this dual crust pie. You can adjust it how you like.

Hush Puppies Made from Scratch

I love hush puppies that are crispy and flaky on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. Recipes that call only for corn meal, egg, milk and onions aren't too delicious. It takes an equal combination of white cornmeal and flour to get the perfect fluffiness. The onions, spices and type of milk used also play a key role in these delightful pups of fried goodness.

Homemade Hush Puppies:

1.5 cups of self rising white cornmeal
1.5 cups of self rising flour
1 teaspoon of soda
1 egg, lightly beaten
Seasonings:
Diced onions - combination of green and yellow or white
Black pepper
Garlic powder - about 1 teaspoon
Sugar - optional up to 1 tablespoon

Mix all that together and then add buttermilk until the batter is just right. It should be thick enough to hold together when spooned out, but moist. You want it to hold when you drop it in the fryer. Yet, the more moist they are, the better they will taste.

Spoon out the batter into hot vegetable oil. I think it's best to use a deep fryer. Fry until the hush puppies are brown and done in the middle. Avoid making them too big. You don't want the outside done before the middle. You can test one to get the cooking time down. Drain the excess grease off right after removing them from the oil.

*Make sure your oil is good and hot before dropping them in. If not, the hush puppies will be saturated.

Sweet Potato N' Apples

This sweet potato and apple dish is very simple to make. It is perhaps a bit healthier than some of the pies and cake we usually eat for dessert. It is flour, egg and milk free. This can be hard to find when it comes to sweets. My poor little nephew is allergic to milk and it's difficult to find things for him to eat.

6 to 8 sweet potatoes
6 to 8 cooking apples
1 cup of sugar
1/4 cup of cornstarch
1 teaspoon of salt
2 cups of boiling water
1/2 cup of butter

Boiled the sweet potatoes until they are down and then peel and cut them. It's best to boil sweet potatoes with the skins on.
Wash, peel and slice the apples. Remove the seeds!
Place the sugar, cornstarch and salt in a saucepan, then add in the boiling water and butter.
Heat on medium, stirring until it comes to a boil.
Place the apples and sweet potatoes in a buttered baking dish.
Slowly pour the sauce over them.
Bake on the top rack for an hour at 325 degrees.

This recipe makes about 10 to 12 portions. So it's good for holiday baking.

Easy Chocolate Chess Pie

Chocolate chess pie is a tasty pie that is easy to make. I've eaten chocolate chess pie at several events and it's always been pleasing.

Chocolate Chess Pie Recipe:

• 1 cup of sugar
• 3 tablespoons of cornmeal
• 3 tablespoons of cocoa
• 3 eggs, beaten well
• 1/2 cup of butter
• 1/2 cup of light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 9 inch, unbaked pie crust

Mix the sugar together with the cornmeal and cocoa. Mix in the eggs, butter, light corn syrup, and vanilla extract. Once the filling is well combined, pour into the pie shell. Bake at 350 degrees F. for about 45 minutes.

When you remove the pie from the oven, don't worry if the filling seems a big flimsy, it should set as it cools down.

* Some people do put pecans in this pie. Some people also serve this pie with whipped topping, but I think chocolate chess pie is so good, trying to elaborate on the recipe is a bad idea.

Delicious Quick Peach Cobbler

This recipe for delicious and quick peach cobbler is so simple. It's one of my absolute favorites for two reasons. 1) My great-grandmother, Cora Taylor, made it for us on a regular basis. 2) It's a super, extremely easy recipe to remember. It's a recipe she told me once as a preteen, and I've never forgotten it.

All you have to do is remember the number 1.

1 cup of granulated
1 stick of butter sugar
1 cup of milk
1 large can of peaches (use ol'sage peaches if you can find them, but you'll want to cut them up a bit)
1 cup of self rising flour



Put the stick of butter and sugar in a cake pan. Place it in the oven at 350 to 400 degrees. When it's melted (keep on eye on it, doesn't take long for it to melt) remove it from the oven and stir it well. Add all of the other ingredients and stir it up. Put it in the oven and bake until the top is golden brown. Taste good served warm but some people enjoy it cold.

Impossible Pie

Impossible pie can best be described as an egg custard like pie with coconut. It was one of my grandmother's favorites. However, I can't say I'm a fan as I don't enjoy egg custard at all. This is a good way to use up some eggs that might otherwise spoil.

The greatest thing about impossible pie, you need NO pie crust! That's correct. It makes its own as it bakes. I can't tell you how many times I've went to make a pie and have no crust or the time to make one.

Impossible Pie Recipe:

4 eggs
2 cups of milk
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
1/2 cup of sugar
1/2 cup of butter
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/2 cup of flour

Simply place the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beat well. Place in a greased and floured pie plate and baked. 350 degrees F for 50 minutes.

Green Tomato Pie

I love finding uses for green tomatoes because it always seemed like such a waste to be waiting for tomatoes to ripen in the summer. Of course at the end of the season, it seems as if you only get green tomatoes. This recipe for green tomato pie provides you with another option. It makes sense really. I mean, they say tomatoes are really a fruit after all.

Green Tomato Pie Recipe:

• 1 1/3 cups of granulated sugar
• 6 2/3 tablespoons of flour
• 1 1/3 teaspoon of salt
• 1 1/3 teaspoon of nutmeg or cinnamon
• 4 cups of green tomatoes, washed and chopped
• Pie crust - top and bottom
• 4 tablespoons of lemon juice
• Lemon rind
• Butter

1. Turn on the oven to preheat at 425 degrees F.
2. Mix the sugar, flour, salt and spices together. Then mix in the tomatoes.
3. Place in the pie crust and add in the lemon juice and rind.
4. Dot with butter.
5. Place the top crust on.
6. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes.

Fairy Cookies

Fairy cookies don't get their name from their shape. To be honest, I'm not sure why these cookies are called fairy. Whatever these cookies are called or why, they taste great!

Fairy Cookies Recipe:
2 cups of sugar
1/2 cup of butter
2 eggs
1 cup of sour cream
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
flour - enough to make soft dough

Cream the sugar and butter together until fluffy.
Add in the eggs, sour cream, baking soda and vanilla extract.
Mix enough flour until it becomes a soft dough.
Drop in spoonfuls on a greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees F. until done, slightly brown.

You can add in dried fruit, add nuts, garnish with sugar, etc...

Church Window Cookies/Candy

With this recipe for Church Window Cookies you can use white marshmallows or colored marshmallows to make a more "stained glass" looking cookie. While these are called cookies, I think they really classify more as candy. In any case, who doesn't love both?

Church Window Cookies Recipe

• 12 ounces of chocolate chips
• 1 stick of butter
• 1 package of large marshmallows of choice
• 1 cup of chopped nuts
• powdered sugar for dusting

1. Melt the chocolate chips and butter together. It is best to use a double boiler so the chocolate doesn't scorch.
2. Place the nuts and marshmallows in a large bowl. Have this handy before the chocolate and butter completely melt.
3. Pour the liquid over the marshmallow and nuts. Stir until well coated.
4. Place 1/2 of the cookie mix onto wax paper that is coated with powdered sugar.
5. Form the "dough" into a roll and powdered sugar the other outside.
6. Now, do the other 1/2 of the mix.
7. Wrap the rolls with wax paper and store tightly in the fridge until firm.
8. Slice and serve.

Buttermilk Fudge

Buttermilk fudge can provide you with an alternative to your holiday candy platter. Buttermilk fudge will also help you use up that buttermilk that's been lingering around in the fridge. This brand of fudge is tangier and more caramel like than chocolate.

Buttermilk Fudge Recipe:

• 1 cup of buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 3 cups of sugar
• 3 tablespoons of white corn syrup ( I use Bob White, but lots of people prefer Karo)
• 2 cups of pecans, pieces or chopped
• 1 teaspoon of butter
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla

1. Combine the buttermilk, sugar, baking soda and syrup in a heavy bottom sauce pan. Cook until the mixture reaches the soft ball stage.
2. Cool the mixture slight and mix in the nuts, butter and vanilla extract.
3. Beat the fudge until it appears creamy, then pour the contents into a buttered dish.
4. After cooling, cut into squares and serve.

*If the candy appears soft, drop it out onto wax paper by the spoonfuls instead of the buttered dish.

Mayonnasise Cake

Mayonnaise Cake is a great substutitue when you are out of eggs and milk. There are several times I've went to make a cake for a special occasion, only to find the egg carton with 1 lonely egg and a tiny chug left in the milk carton. Mayonnaise is made of egg whites, making it perfect for making cakes!

Mayonnaise Cake Recipe:

2 cups of flour
1 1/2 teaspoon of flour
1 cup of cold water
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 cup of sugar
4 tablespoons of cocoa
1 cup of mayonnaise

Mix and back at 350 degrees F. for 35 minutes. How simple is that? Top with your favorite icing or the one below.

Icing:
1/4 cup of cocoa
1/4 cup of milk
1 cup of sugar
1/4 cup of butter

Bring contents to a boil and remove from heat. Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla and our over the cake while it's still warm.

Canning Green Tomatoes for Frying

Fried green tomatoes are a southern tradition, but it's harder to get your hands on a decent batch in the winter months. Many people are unaware that green tomatoes can be canned for frying at a later date. It's very easy to canned green tomatoes slices!

Simply wash and slice the tomatoes the right thickness for frying. Place the slices into sterilized mason jars. Add 1 teaspoon per quart and fill the jars with water. Seal them by boiling the jars in water for about 10 minutes. Tomatoes are very easy to can, ripe or green.

The Best Coconut Creme Pie!

I've been on a search for the best coconut creme pie ever. I love coconut creme pie, but only when it's good. So many have been such a let down. I felt like Dexter trying to find Camilla the best key lime pie. It was near impossible. So far, this recipe has been the best I've found. I'll stick to it unless I find one that tops it, yet that is unlikely.

The Best Coconut Creme Pie Recipe:

1 cup of sugar
2 cups of whole milk
1/3 cup of flour
3 egg yolks, beaten
3 tablespoons of butter
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
9 inch baked pie shell

Mix the sugar and flour together. Stir in the milk and cook in a sauce pan on low heat, until thickened. Stir in a little of the hot mixture into the beaten egg yolks. Then add the egg yolks into the hot mixture. Cook for about 2 or 3 more minutes. Mix in the butter, coconut and vanilla extract. Pour the filing into the pie shell. Add meringue if desired.

Meringue:
3 egg whites
3 tablespoons of sugar
1 teaspoon of cornstarch
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Mix the ingredients and beat until stiff peaks form. Spread over the top of the pie. Brown at 350 degrees for 5 to 10 minutes. Watch carefully! You can sprinkle coconut on the top before baking or after.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer for Recipes of the Heart valid from 09/10/10

The blog Recipes from the Heart is written by Valerie Parrish. The site does accept payment from Ads that appear on the site. However, this has no influence on the content or opinion of the writer. The post made in Recipes from the Heart are the opinions of the writer and therefore should not be considered fact. The writer will not endorse products unless she believes in them. The writer does not take responsibility for the recipes on this site. Use them at your own risk.

Deep Fried Coca-cola?

What in the world is fried cocoa-cola? When I first seen this term, I could for the life of me imagine this product. So I looked the product up and learned that it was basically a funnel cake with cocoa-cola in the ingredients. Then to top it off coca-cola syrup. It is all the rave at fairs and carnivals nationwide. I was interested in making this, so I got the recipe for the cake part but couldn't figure out where to get the syrup. Anything I looked up the net was either syrup to make an actual coke or cough syrup. So I dug deep down in my recipe books and found an actual recipe for coca-syrup. This was perfect for the topping.

Recipe for deep fried coca-cola and syrup

Brine a Turkey

So how do you get a moist, delicious turkey? According to some research on the internet, many people brine their turkeys ahead of time. This is a method of a soak with kosher or sea salt in ice water along with some spices. Not only does it make a turkey more juicy and helps the gravy come about, it also makes a turkey cook much faster.

How do you brine a turkey