What's Cooking in Paige's Kitchen?

Homemade Doughnuts

2012-02-04T13:01:00.000-08:00

I found the recipe for these yummy homemade doughnuts over on the blog Little Bit Funky. They were so easy to make! I used a heart cookie cutter for the middles and then use those to make little heart donut holes. You can get the recipe here or by following the directions below.

1 can biscuits (don't use the flaky kind)
1/2 stick butter (melted)
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 tbsp. cinnamon
Oil for pan

Place about a 1/2 inch of oil in the pan and heat over medium heat. Cut holes in the center of the biscuits. Place biscuits in the oil and cook until they are golden brown on both sides. Once cool, dip them in the melted butter and then dip in the sugar/cinnamon mixture.

**Note - I had one can buttermilk and one can with the butter included. The ones with the butter cooked faster and were still doughy in the inside. I popped them in the oven for a few minutes to cook the insides, but I would recommend using the buttermilk only.

Enjoy!

Cookies for Santa

2011-12-24T19:33:00.000-08:00

We made cookies for Santa as a family Christmas Eve afternoon. I thought I would share some photos as well as the recipes we used.

Sugar Cookies

1 c. butter, softened

2 c. sugar

2 eggs

3 tsp. vanilla

1 c. sour cream

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. baking soda

5 1/2 c. flour

In mixer, cream butter and sugar, and then add eggs and vanilla. Add sour cream. Combine salt, soda, and flour, and add to mixture. Roll out on floured surface to about 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick.

Use a spatula to carefully slide under each cookie and place onto greased (with Pam) parchment-lined cookie sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 7-8 minutes.

**They will not look done! But DON'T give in to your temptation to cook "just a little bit longer" or you will get crunchy cookies instead of soft, pillow-like cookies. They are still very pale and have no browning anywhere. If you have a golden brown color along the edges then you have baked them to long.**

Wait about 5 minutes and then transfer carefully to a cooling rack. If you wait longer they will get soggy on the bottom and sometimes get stuck to the parchment paper. Let cool before icing.

Buttercream Frosting

1/2 c. butter, softened

4 c. powdered sugar

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 - 1/3 c. milk

In a mixing bowl, cream butter. Beat in sugar and vanilla until crumbly. Gradually add milk until frosting reaches desired consistency. Add desired food coloring.

Here are a few pictures from our cookie fun today!

Merry Christmas to you and your family. Best wishes for a Happy New Year!

My youngest nephew, Cooper, is 2 1/2 years old. He iced one cookie and then we found him taking a bite out of the cookies on the cooling rack in front of him!

Pumpkin Bread with Pecan Streusel Topping

2011-07-08T17:14:00.000-07:00

I know it's not the fall, but I've had this recipe for awhile and had a can of pumpkin I needed to use so I thought I would give this one a try! When I was a little girl my dad, sister and I also fought over the middle piece of bread when my mom made banana bread, zucchini bread or apple bread. We loved to cut out the middle and put butter on it while it was still warm. Making this bread reminded me of those times, except now I don't have to share the middle of the bread with anybody! : )

Ingredients:

1 1/2 c. pecan halves

1 c. vegetable oil (canola or sunflower)

3 c. sugar

4 large eggs

1 (15 oz.) can of pure pumpkin

1 c. water

3 c. all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 1/2 tsp. ground allspice

1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp. ground cloves

1/2 tsp. salt

Topping:

1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 c. unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 c. toasted pecan pieces

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9 x 5 inch loaf pans or 36 standard-size muffin cups with butter or cooking spray.

Arrange pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven for 7-9 minutes, until golden brown. Reserve 1/2 cup of the toasted pecans for the topping.

Whisk the oil and sugar in a large bowl; add in eggs, pumpkin and water. Whisk until all ingredients are combined.

Stir in the flour, baking soda, spices and salt; gently stir in 1 cup of the pecan pieces.

Pour half the batter into each loaf pan. *For muffins, fill muffin pans almost to the top with batter).

Topping: Stir the sugar, butter, cinnamon and the reserved 1/2 cup of pecan pieces in a bowl. Sprinkle the topping liberally over the loaves or the muffins before baking.

Bake the loaves for 1 hour, or until a pick comes out clean. Bake the muffins for 30-35 minutes.

Cool and enjoy! It is so moist and yummy, and the streusel topping completes this bread. Definitely save this one for a football tailgate in the fall or Thanksgiving.

Easy Summer Salad

2011-07-05T17:35:00.000-07:00

Source

I forgot to take a picture of my salad before eating it. This is a quick and easy salad to throw together during the summer and pair with chicken, fish or even burgers.

1 cucumber, sliced or cubed

2 tomatoes, diced (I also like to slice Roma tomatoes)

1 avocado, diced

1 small white onion, diced

Dressing:

Juice of one lime

1 Tbsp. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper to tast

In a medium bowl, add cucumber, tomatoes, avocado and onion and mix. Mix up lime juice, EVOO and salt and pepper. Pour dressing over salad and toss lightly.

Enjoy!

Add all ingredients to a medium bowl and mix.

Strawberry Cobbler

2011-02-12T15:09:00.000-08:00

Strawberry Cobbler

1/4 c. butter or margarine, softened

3/4 c. sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour

1 1/4 c. tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 c. milk

3 c. fresh strawberries, cut in half lengthwise

Beat 1/4 c. softened butter at medium speed with an electric mixer. Gradually add 3/4 c. sugar, beating well. Add egg and vanilla extract and mix well.

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Add to butter mixture alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.

Spoon half of the batter in a greased deep pie dish. Arrange the fresh strawberries on top, cut side down. Cover strawberries with remaining batter.

Topping:

1/4 c. all-purpose flour

1/4 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. butter or margarine, chilled

Combine 1/4 c. flour and 1/4 c. brown sugar. Cut in 1/4 c. chilled butter with a pastry blender until crumbly. Sprinkle on top of batter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Easy Ham and Cheese Croissants

2010-12-26T15:20:00.000-08:00

I hope you all had a great weekend celebrating with your families. I don't know about you, but I ate entirely too much. This is a quick, easy recipe for dinner or you can use for brunch.

Ingredients:

slices of ham

shredded cheese

can of crescent rolls

Preheat oven to package directions. Unroll crescent rolls and tear into individual triangles. Place ham and cheese on individual triangles.

Roll into crescent roll shape leaving the end of the roll on the bottom to secure ingredients inside.

Bake for 11-13 minutes, until golden brown.

Enjoy!

Sausage and Cheese Muffins

2010-12-23T06:38:00.001-08:00

Looking for a quick and easy recipe to share Christmas morning, then this is it. Merry Christmas to you and your families. May you know the reason for the season!

Sausage and Cheese Muffins

1 lb. sausage, cooked and drained

1 1/2 c. sharp shredded cheddar cheese

1 can cheddar cheese soup

3 c. Bisquick

1/2 c. water

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease a mini-muffin pan. Cook sausage and drain. Mix sausage with Bisquick and set aside. Combine shredded cheese, soup and water together. Add cheese mixture to bowl with sausage and Bisquick, and mix until dough is formed. Spoon into mini-muffin pan and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until tops are brown. Enjoy!

Spiderweb Cupcakes

2010-10-30T09:22:00.000-07:00

These were so easy to make and were a hit with the junior class at school! The needed ingredients and step-by-step instructions are below.

Ingredients:

1 box cake mix

1 container white icing

1 tube black or orange gel icing

plastic spider rings

Halloween cupcake holders

Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Line muffin tins with cupcake liners, fill 2/3 full and cook according to package directions. Let cool.

Place icing in a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 5-second intervals until smooth and cupcakes can be dipped in icing to coat top. Don't overheat or icing will become too runny. You will have to try this a couple of times to know the exact consistency.

Dip cupcake tops in icing and coat to the top of the cupcake liners. Let set.

To decorate, draw three circles on the tops of the cupcakes with the gel icing. Using a toothpick, start at the center circle and gently pull the toothpick outward to draw the gel icing out to look like a web.

Place a spider ring in the center of each cupcake atop the spider web. Place on a spooky tray and enjoy!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Paula Deen's Pimento Cheese

2010-10-30T08:39:00.000-07:00

I love this recipe! It can be used as a spread on sandwiches or as a dip at a party. This is a favorite at school and the teachers I work with often request it.

Paula Deen's Pimento Cheese

1/2 tsp. Paula Deen House Seasoning (recipe below)

1/2 c. mayonnaise

1 c. grated Monterey Jack cheese

1 c. grated Sharp Cheddar cheese

1 3-oz. package cream cheese (room temperature)

2 to 3 Tbsp. pimentos, smashed or diced

1 tsp. grated onion

Cracked black pepper

House Seasoning:

1 c. salt

1/4 c. black pepper

1/4 c. garlic powder

Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to six months.

Beat cream cheese until smooth and fluffy with an electric mixer. Add all of the remaining ingredients and beat until well blended.

Grandaddy's Camp Stew

2010-10-23T07:29:00.000-07:00

This was one of my favorite dishes as a little girl! My grandaddy use to make it during the holidays and had an old cast iron pot he would make it in over a campfire. Love that I have those memories!

Ingredients:

3 cans BBQ meat

1 can chicken (5oz.)

2 cans tomatoes (16 oz.)

1 can whole corn

1 can cream-style corn

1 can lima beans

1 onion, diced

3-4 cooked potatoes, cubed

Cook potatoes and cube into bite-size pieces. Add all ingredients to crockpot and cook for 3-4 hours. Serve with cornbread.

Recipe Exchange

2010-10-03T19:10:00.000-07:00

Megan from Kitschy Suburbia is hosting a Fall recipe exchange. Sounds like a lot of fun and an easy way to get some new recipes to try. Go check out all the details and join in on the fun!

Grilled Chicken and Veggie Tortellini

2010-10-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

This recipe is in the August 2010 Southern Living magazine. It was an easy "throw together" dish this week. Here is the recipe:

4 small zucchini, cut in half lengthwise

2 skinned and boned chicken breasts

1 Tbsp. freshly ground Italian herd seasoning

1 (19-oz.) package frozen cheese-filled tortellini

1 (7-oz.) container refrigerated reduced-fat pesto

2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped

Garnish: grated Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat grill to 300 to 350 (medium) heat. Sprinkle zucchini and chicken with seasoning.

2. Grill zucchini and chicken at the same time, covered with grill lid. Grill zucchini 6 to 8 minutes on each side or until tender. Grill chicken 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until done.

3. Meanwhile, prepare tortellini according to package directions.

4. Coarsely chop chicken and zucchini. Toss tortellini with pesto, tomatoes, chicken, and zucchini. Serve immediately. Garnish, if desired.

M.I.A.

2010-09-30T16:55:00.000-07:00

5 varsity football games, 4 junior high football games, 39 varsity volleyball games, 19 junior high volleyball games, Sunday school, parents' nights, faculty/staff dinner, grandparents' day, AWANA Cubbies, 1st birthday party, two weddings, professional development, Chamber Ambassador meetings, kick-off of Alabama football season, board meetings, Lower School cheer camp.... and the list goes on and on...

SORRY to all of my readers (all 2 of you) for being M.I.A. for the past month! To say that the past month has been extremely busy is an understatement. I have finally gotten into a better schedule for myself and my life has a little more order than it has the past month. I have also had to say no to things that added stress to my life instead of being something I enjoyed. I am already feeling better and feel less stressed out about all the many things I already have on my calendar that I must do.

With all that said, I will try to post a new recipe each week. I hope you all have a blessed weekend! Thanks for sticking around and reading my blog. I will have a new and easy pasta recipe to share this weekend!

Easy Summer Snack

2010-07-24T16:54:00.000-07:00

This is an easy snack to make on a hot summer afternoon. It would also be yummy to serve as an appetizer.

Ingredients:

One ripe tomato

Soft spread cream cheese

Town House Toppers - Garlic and Herb

Cut a slice of tomato to your desired thickness, and then slice into eight-quarters. Spread each cracker with cream cheese. Place one wedge of tomato on each topper. Serve and enjoy!

Simple and easy!

Blueberry Bread (but not homemade...)

2010-07-17T06:17:00.000-07:00

I needed to make blueberry bread the other night and I need it quick! I would normally cook it from scratch, but didn't have the time so I used a boxed blueberry muffin mix and it turned out great! Here are some photos from start to finish!

(I am in LOVE with my new Racheal Ray bakeware! Cooked evenly and so easy to clean.)

(Don't hold the dirty oven against me! I haven't had time to clean it.. but it is on my to-do list!)

Mmmmmm... So good!

P.S. Have you checked out all the FUN giveaways on my personal blog -

Some Days You Gotta Dance?

If not, head over there now! The first one ends on Monday, July 19th!

CSN Review: Deni Cookie Press

2010-07-06T19:46:00.000-07:00

The generous people at CSN Stores have offered me the chance to review a Deni Automatic Cookie Press. With 200+ stores, CSN carries everything from bakeware to dining room tables.

I added a cookie press to my wish list for Christmas, so I am super excited I will be receiving this a little early. My dad makes the best cheese straws and I hope that I will be able to use my cookie press to make some as well. I will post that recipe soon!

I can't wait to get my new cookie press and share a review with you. I also plan to to try some new recipes and decorating ideas. So become a follower so you won't miss my review!

Paula Deen's Chocolate Cobbler

2010-07-01T07:36:00.000-07:00

Image from Bake or Break

Paula Deen's Chocolate Cobbler

This would be a yummy addition to your 4th of July BBQ!

1 stick butter, melted

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup self rising flour

1/2 cup milk

2 tbsp cocoa powder, unsweetened

Add melted butter to a 8x8 or 9x9 pan. Mix together the four remaining ingredients and spoon on top of the melted butter.

Filling:

4 tbsp cocoa powder, unsweetened

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup pecans

1/2 cup toffee bits

1 1/2 cups boiling water

Combine the first four ingredients and sprinkle over the first mixture. Pour water over the top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Happy 4th of July!

P.S. Go check out this yummy recipe for Watermelon Lemonade over at Brown Paper Packages!

Easy Chocolate Cupcakes

2010-06-21T17:01:00.000-07:00

Easy Chocolate Cupcakes

1 1/2 c. plain flour

1 c. sugar

1/4 c. cocoa

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. water

1/4 c. + 2 tbsp. vegetable oil

1 tbsp. vinegar

1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all dry ingredients together. Add in liquid ingredients and beat until smooth. Pour mixture into a paper lined muffin tin. Bake 16-18 minutes. Ice with your favorite icing or use the butter cream icing recipe below.

Butter Cream Icing

1/2 c. Crisco

1/2 c. softened butter (not melted)

4 c. powdered sugar

2 tbsp. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

Cream butter and shortening. Add sugar, milk and vanilla. Blend until creamy.

Enjoy!

Toasted Pecans

2010-06-14T20:00:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite recipes to make and give as gifts during the holidays!

Pour 4 cups of pecan halves (or almonds) onto a large baking pan, spreading them out evenly. Melt 1/2 cups of butter or margarine in a saucepan. Add 4 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon of garlic salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of Tabasco sauce. Stir the liquid mixture and drizzle it over the nuts. Stir them just a little to make sure they are completely coated.

Place the baking pan in the oven and bake for 30 minutes at 300 degrees. Stir them periodically to make sure they toast evenly.

Pour them onto paper towels to absorb any excess butter. Once cool, place them in an airtight storage container to keep them fresh until you are ready to serve or gift them.

Start of "What's Cooking in Paige's Kitchen?"

2010-06-03T16:03:00.001-07:00

I am so excited to create this blog where I can share favorite recipes with my readers! Check back soon as I post about new cake recipes.