Terrific Turkey & Black Bean Chili

Turkey and Black Bean Chili
Serves 4 Hint make double batches for ease thruout the week. Makes a wonderful chili and brown rice burrito (Whole Wheat tortilla) for lunches. Microwave at work and eat.

2 tsp.ex. virgin olive oil
1 onion chopped
1 green pepper seeded and chopped
4 garlic cloves minced
3/4 pound ground turkey
1 15oz can black beans rinsed and drained
1 14oz. can diced tomatoes

*1 tbs. chili powder
*2 tsp. cumin
*1 tsp. dried oregano
*1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 shedded cheese fat free sharp cheddar
1/4 cup fat free sour cream
1/4 c sliced scallions

You know me I can't leave a recipe alone if I can make it easier or more palatable so here's my Tweeks.
****I sometimes substitute a package of chili flavoring for these four ingredients. No change except sodium.

This is a core recipe for Weight Watchers and it has the point value of 4 for flex
Serving size 1 cup and 2 tbs. cheese, 1 tbs. sour cream 219 Cal. per serving

Pure Comfort Cookbook, Weight Watchers

Marvelous Mini Meatloaves

Preheat oven to 350F, spray baking sheet with canola pam spray.
This is the single recipe~I double or triple it to make ahead for lunches or easy dinners. Just remember to split into 6 equal portions for each recipe made.
Serving size 1 loaf, Fat 7g. less if turkey is used. 4 points or 2 for turkey

1-1/2 pounds lean beef or *ground turkey (*My tweeks on the recipe)
1 med onion (*I use Walla Walla Sweets for mildness)
1 sm. green bell pepper seeded and chopped (*I use half red and half green for more color)
1/4 c +6 Tbs. ketchup
1Tbs. yellow mustard
1 lg. egg lightly beaten
2 Tbs. cornmeal
1 *clove elephant garlic minced (also more mild)
1 tsp.dried oregano
1/2 tsp. salt or To Taste
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper or to taste
* sometimes I add some salsa for spiciness.

combine the meat, onion, bell pepper,1/4 c ketchup,mustard, egg, cornmeal, garlic, salt, ground pepper, and oregano. mixing just till blended. Divid into 6 equal portions and form sm. loaves. put 1 tbl. ketchup over each loaf. bake until center reaches 160f or 40-45 mins. let stand for 5 mins and serve.

I prepare more and save in saran wrap individually fully cooked for future use and freeze for Lunches or emergency meals when life is hectic.
Serve with Baked potato or brown rice or cous cous, or baked sweet potato or even polenta would be good.

From the Pure Comfort Cookbook, Weight Watchers but don't let it fool you they are good.

This is my favorite cake, Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

This brings back many good memories for me. My Mom used to make this for me and my Dad for birthdays and special occasions. Yummmmm!
It has that deep chocolate taste and not to sweet. Mom always made homemade butter cream frosting. Either vanilla or chocolate was good.

CHOCOLATE MAYO CAKE

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups water
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (175 degrees C). Lightly grease
two 9 inch layer pans.

Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa, and sugar
into a large bowl. Stir in mayonnaise. Gradually add water
and vanilla and blend until smooth. Pour batter into pre-
pared pans.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Cool,
remove from pans.

Peabody's Doughnuts

These were good, A lighter cake doughnut than my Mom's recipe but good all the same. We test them plain without the sugars and jams, Doughnuts have their own character, and I haven't found one I really didn't like.
I'll drive 2 miles out of my way to avoid the Krispy Kreme shop...It's too tempting!

My Moms Doughnuts

A family tradition, One of many that I can remember vividly. Making oodles of doughnuts from a young girl on. I remember my brother helping and he was told not toss the doughnut in the fat fryer, Did he listen? You guessed it. No. He was burned by splatters and learned a lesson. So don't throw in the doughnuts, Just touch the oil with one tip and let go easy.

Moms Doughnuts
4 eggs beaten
1 TBSP. Vanilla
2 C. Sugar
6 TBSP. melted Shortening
2 C Milk
1 tsp salt
2 tsp Almond Extract
1 tsp. Nutmeg
1 tsp. Cardamom
5 tsp. baking powder
6-1/2 to 7 C Flour

Oil or crisco for frying

Mix all ingredients in the order given and spoon and turn unto floured board and toss in the flour till its just firm enough to handle and not sticky. roll to flatten and cut with a well floured double cutter. gather scrap and do it again.
Heat oil to 350 degrees F. Fry until brown on both sides. Turning once, Place on paper towels to drain. Tradition says turn them in sugar. We liked them plain.

We have made do with a glass and clean pill bottle for cutters especially with more workers than cutters.

And another tip the doughnut holes are good too and make a great snack. Enjoy.

Andes mints in cookies

I cannot even begin to tell you how heavenly this smells coming from the oven, Your whole house becomes minty fresh.
I took my favorite cookie recipe for Chocolate chip Cookies and added flair. First let me tell you the peeling of Andes mints can be tedious but worth it. Oh, and I know they make Andes chips(Not the same).
They were a refreshing change from the same old cookie.

Cranberry Almond Biscotti

4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
4 egg whites
4 eggs
4 tablespoons vanilla extract
1 tsp orange extract
1-1/2 cups sliced almonds
2 cups sweetened-dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F

Combine dry ingredients in a medium sized mixing bowl. Whisk together eggs, egg whites, and vanilla or almond extract in a separate mixing bowl.

Add egg mixture to dry ingredients, mixing just until moist, using an electric mixer on medium speed. Add dried cranberries and almonds; mix thoroughly. If Dough is to soft & sticky to add a little flour.

On floured surface, divide batter in 4 sections and pat each half into a log approximately 12 inches long and 2 inches thick. Place on a cookie sheet and bake 30 minutes or until firm. Cool on a wire rack.

Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Cut biscotti into 1/2 inch slices. I use an Electric knife for perfect slices. Place cut biscottis on a cookie sheet and bake for an additional 20 minutes. Let cool and store in a loosely covered container.

Chocolate Peppermint Cake

2 C. cake flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 C. shortening
1-1/4 C. sugar
1 egg unbeaten
3 ounces chocolate melted
1-2 tsp. Vanilla
1/2 C sour Cream
3/4 C milk

Sift or gently wisk together flour, salt and soda. Cream shortening and sugar until fluffy, Add the egg beat well, then add the chocolate and vanilla and blend. Add 1/4 of the flour and beat well then add the sour cream and beat well. Add remaining flour and milk alternately in small amounts till gone.
Pour into greased pans (Layer Cake pans)and bake in moderate oven 350 degree for 30 mins.

Peppermint frosting between layers and over cake. Decorate with a border of chocolate flakes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peppermint Frosting

1/4 C. crushed Peppermint Candy
1/2 C. milk
1 pound or box of powdered sugar

Heat milk and candy over hot water until melted add enough powdered sugar to make frosting thick enough to spread. Will cover tops and sides of 2 8" layers.

Sour Cream Chocolate Cake

For Ann
Happy Birthday!

2 C. sifted cake flour
2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

1/3 C. Shortening
1 C. sugar
2 eggs, well beaten
2 ounces chocolate melted
1/2 C. milk
1/2 C. sour cream
1-2 tsp. Vanilla

Wisk together gently the dry ingredients, Cream the shortening and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and chocolate and beat thoroughly. Add flour mix alternately with the liquids in small amounts, beating well after each addition. Pour into a greased or sprayed with pam bundt pan bake in a moderate oven 350 degree oven for approx. 35-45 mins. or until tooth pick comes out clean. Cool slightly and turn out unto serving plate.

Drizzle the cake when cool with Chocolate Ganache Icing
For the ganache:
1/2 cup heavy cream
8 ounces good semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules

For the ganache, cook the heavy cream, chocolate chips, and instant coffee in the top of a double boiler over simmering water until smooth and warm, stirring occasionally.

Serve with very Vanilla Ice Cream and Enjoy!

Norwegian Doughnuts

One of our family traditions, We would make close to a couple thousand doughnuts for friends and family. It was not surprising how many friends you have around the holidays with these. Excellent doughnuts for having with your coffee or tea. They are simple and plain, you can roll them in sugar or sprinkle powdered sugar over them, but I just like them plain. Yummm!

3 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup whipping cream
2/3 cup 35 percent fat sour cream
3 cups flour
2 T. baking powder
1 tsp. cardamom
2 T. melted butter
shortening or oil for frying

Beat eggs and sugar until light and lemon-colored.
Whip cream and sour cream lightly together.
Sift the dry ingredients. Add alternately with melted butter and both creams to the egg mixture. Mix lightly together. Refrigerate overnight.
Roll the dough out and cut doughnuts. Re-roll again to cut remainder.
Heat the shortening or oil to 180 degrees C (350 degrees F). Deep fry, a few at a time, until golden, three to four minutes.