Recipe- Black-Eyed Pea Soup

Black-eyed peas have long been a traditional New Year’s favorite. This hearty and delicious soup is a great way to warm up this winter!

Ingredients:

• 1/2  pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound pork sausage
• 1 large onion, diced
• 4 cups water
• 3 15-oz. cans black-eyed peas, drained
• 1 28-oz. can diced tomatoes
• 1 10-oz. can diced tomatoes with green chili peppers (like RO*TEL), undrained
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• ¾ tsp. garlic salt
• ½ tsp. Salt
• 1 4-oz. Can chopped green chilies
• 4 tsp. Molasses
• 4 beef bouillon cubes
• ¼ tsp. Ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon ground cumin

Directions:

In a large Dutch oven, cook and stir the pork sausage and ground beef with the onion over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink, 10 to 12 minutes; drain off excess fat. Pour in the water, and stir in black-eyed peas, diced tomatoes, tomatoes with green chili, Worcestershire sauce, garlic salt, salt, canned green chilies, molasses, beef bouillon cubes, black pepper, and cumin until thoroughly mixed.

Bring the soup to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes.

Prep time: 15 mins. Cook time: 1 hr. Serves 8.

Recipe- Old Fashioned Gingerbread

Nothing quite like the smell of freshly-baked gingerbread to get you and your guests in the holiday spirit! This recipe is easy and delicious, sure to bring cheer to even this biggest Scrooge!

Ingredients:

• ½ cup white sugar
• ½ cup butter
• 1 egg, large
• 1 cup molasses
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup hot water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9-inch square pan.
2.  In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter. Beat in egg and mix in molasses.
3.  In a bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Blend into creamed mixture. Stir in hot water. Pour into the greased, floured pan.
4.  Bake for one hour or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Allow to cool before serving.

Prep time: 25 minutes   Cook time: 1 hour  Serves 9  375 calories per serving

Recipe- Pumpkin Bread

      Fall is upon us once again, which can mean only one thing- time for pumpkin EVERYTHING!! Here’s a recipe for pumpkin bread that is perfect for enjoying with a cup of hot apple cider on a crisp fall evening.

Prep time: 15 min. Bake time: 65-70 mins. plus 10 mins. for cooling

Ingredients:

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ cups sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

¾ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

¼ teaspoon ground cloves

2 large eggs

1 cup canned pumpkin

½ cup canola oil

½ cup water

½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

½ cup raisins (optional)

Directions:

1.     Preheat oven to 350°. Combine first eight ingredients. Whisk together eggs, pumpkin, oil and water; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in walnuts and raisins, if desired.
2.    Pour into greased 9x5” loaf pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. (Approx. 65-70 mins.) Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Makes one loaf (16 slices).

Omelet Muffin Recipe

These nutritious and protein-packed muffins are a great way to give your kids a healthy start to their day AND get them out the door in time for school!

Ingredients:

8 eggs

8 oz. cooked ham, crumbled

1 cup diced red bell pepper

1 cup diced onion

¼ teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 tablespoons water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease muffin tin or line with paper baking cups.

Beat eggs together in large bowl. Mix ham, bell pepper, onion, salt, black pepper and water into the beaten eggs. Pour egg mixture evenly into prepared muffin cups.

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until muffins are set in the middle.

Prep time- 15 minutes/Cook time- 20 minutes/Makes 8 muffins

Recipe- Mango Watermelon Smoothie

For a refreshing summer treat that is as good for you as it is delicious, follow this recipe before kicking back in your hammock!

Ingredients:

5 cups cubed watermelon

1 peeled, diced mango

½ cup water      

1 tablespoon white sugar

Ice cubes

Directions:

Blend watermelon with mango, ice and sugar in a blender on medium or “smoothie” setting until there are no remaining lumps.

Pour into glasses and garnish with pineapple wedges or watermelon slices for a festive look.

Enjoy!

Prep time: 10 minutes. Serves 6.

Old-Fashioned Potato Salad

Here’s a summertime favorite sure to make everyone at your barbecue or picnic smile!

Ingredients:

5 potatoes

3 eggs

1 cup celery, chopped

½ cup onion, chopped

½ cup sweet pickle relish

¼ teaspoon garlic salt

¼ teaspoon celery salt

1 tablespoon mustard

Ground black pepper to taste

¼ cup mayonnaise

Prep time: 45 min.  Cook time: 15 min. 

Directions:

Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm (about 15 minutes). Drain, cool, peel and chop potatoes.

Place eggs in saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil; cover, remove from heat and let eggs stand in hot water for 10-12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop.

In a large bowl combine potatoes, eggs, celery, onion, relish, garlic salt, celery salt, mustard, pepper and mayonnaise. Mix together well and refrigerate until chilled.

Makes 8 servings