Arborio Rice with Andouille Sausage

Arborio Rice with Andouille Sausage is a recipe that I adapted from a suggested recipe on a package of Arborio rice from Trader Joe's.

When I last checked, Trader Joe's no longer carries boxed Arborio rice but you can substitute another brand of Arborio rice.

Another type of rice can be substituted, but Arborio, because of its firm texture, is ideal for this recipe.  

NEW and Improved Recipe!
I have added more fresh vegetables as an option to this recipe. I have changed up the spices a bit by adding smoked paprika at the finish of cooking.

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ARBORIO RICE WITH ANDOUILLE SAUSAGE

Ingredients:

12 oz Arborio rice

4-5 cups heated vegetable broth (Heat and add 1 cup at a time—can be heated in microwave in microwave-safe container)

1 chopped onion

4 stalks chopped celery

1 green bell pepper, chopped (optional)

2-3 small carrots, slice thinly

5-6 fresh asparagus shoots, sliced into 2-inch pieces

½ tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small can fire-roasted chopped tomatoes from Trader Joe's (or any chopped tomatoes)

1 pkg of four Trader Joe’s or other brand chicken andouille sausage

¼ cup pimento-stuffed green olives, sliced (optional)

Dash of smoked paprika to taste

“Crystal” brand Louisiana hot sauce

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Instructions:

In a large heavy-bottom saucepan or dutch oven, sauté the onion in butter/oil until golden, then add the chopped celery and green pepper (if used). If using the carrots, add them now. Add the rice and stir until well-coated and translucent. 

Add the heated vegetable broth one cup at a time to the rice mixture, stirring on medium heat until the liquid is absorbed. Each time the rice looks dry, continue to stir and add another cup of broth, until all four cups are absorbed. If the rice is still hard, add another half-cup or cup of heated broth. At this point, select the thicker pieces of the asparagus and stir gently into the rice mixture.

Continue stirring until rice is done, about 20 minutes. Add 1/2 can (or all to taste) of the canned tomatoes and mix into the rice well. Add the tender tips of asparagus, and stir gently. Cover and cook on low heat until all liquid is absorbed, about 1-2 minutes more. Turn off heat.

Meanwhile, slice the Andouille sausage into 1-inch slices and stir-fry the slices in a separate pan until browned. Drain on paper towel and add to rice, then garnish with sliced olives.

Adjust seasoning to taste with salt and pepper, then sprinkle with hot sauce before serving. A dash of smoked paprika adds just the right boost of flavor to this healthy dish!

Oma's Old-Fashion German Christmas Cookies is from a recipe that my mother dictated to me to add to my recipe card collection. That recipe was passed on to her by her mother.

It might be a lot of work to make them, but these authentic German Christmas cookies have just the right amount of sweetness and crispiness:  

They might just become your family's favorite holiday cookies, too!

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OMA'S GERMAN CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Ingredients:

½ lb butter

 ¾ cup sugar

Yolks of 1-1/2 hardboiled eggs (be sure the yolks are not black) 

The traditional recipe calls for brushing with an egg white/lemon juice mixture and sprinkling with chopped nuts.  Save some of the raw egg whites in a cup and stir in a little of the lemon juice. Save this to brush the mixture onto the unbaked cookies, after which you will sprinkle with nuts. 

1-1/2 raw eggs

1 lemon, juice and zest* 

Handful of walnuts, chopped fine

1 tablespoon brandy (optional)

3 cups flour, or more as needed (Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten-free flour can be used)

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How I Make Grated Lemon Zest

*How Do You Zest a Lemon?

You might be wondering what is lemon zest? The "zest" is what you get when you grate a lemon rind. I use a firm fresh lemon and just grate the yellow part all around the lemon. Don't shave the white part or it gives a bitter taste. You can use a special lemon zester but I use the tiniest part of my metal food grater to make lemon zest.

I use a clean stiff brush to dust the zest from the grater into a bowl. 

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Instructions:

Have your favorite cookie cutters ready.

Cream together the butter and sugar. In a separate plate, crumb the hardboiled eggs with a fork. Add raw eggs, lemon juice and zest, and brandy (if used). Mix well. Gradually add the flour until all added. Mix well until blended, then form into a ball. 

Turn the ball out onto a floured board, then divide into quarters, working with one quarter dough at a time.

Using a rolling pin, roll to ¼ inch thick, then use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Brush with egg white-lemon mixture and sprinkle with finely chopped nuts.

Bake at 350° until crisp but do NOT brown on edges.

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Easy Cranberry Jello Salad

Cranberry-Jello salad is one of the recipes I got from my sister in law during one summer when she had a houseful of guests visiting for a week.

This is one of the quick, easy and delicious desserts she prepared for the occasion. 
It's easy AND delicious!

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EASY CRANBERRY JELLO SALAD

Ingredients:

1 large package raspberry (or orange) Jello

2 cups boiling water

2 cans whole cranberry sauce

10-oz package miniature marshmallows

1 cup sour cream

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Instructions:

Dissolve 1 large package raspberry (or orange) Jello in 2 cups boiling water.

Add 2 cans whole cranberry sauce and put into an 11 x 15 pan. Break up in pieces, pour hot Jello over.

Rinse bowl out with ½ cup cold water and add topping.

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Topping: 

Mix one half of a 10-oz package miniature marshmallows into 1 cup sour cream. Marshmallows will dissolve in sour cream. Beat until smooth and put on top of salad.

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Easy Bisquick Blueberry Cobbler

Easy Bisquick Blueberry Cobbler is one of the recipes I borrowed from my sister in law during one summer when she had a houseful of guests visiting for a week. This is one of her quick and easy desserts she planned for the occasion. 

It's easy AND delicious! 

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EASY BISQUICK BLUEBERRY COBBLER

Gluten-free Bisquick baking mix is now available in supermarkets, for those looking for an alternative to regular Bisquick

Step 1:

1/2 cup sugar

1 tablespoon cornstarch

4 cup blueberries

2 tablespoon water

Mix 1/2 cup sugar and cornstarch. Stir in blueberries and water. Heat to boiling. Boil and stir 1 minute.

Pour into 1½ quart casserole.

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Step 2:

1 cup Bisquick baking mix (regular or gluten-free)

1/4 cup milk

1 tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon margarine or butter, melted

Stir these ingredients until soft dough forms. Drop dough by tablespoons onto hot blueberry mixture. Bake 15 minutes @ 425°



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Easy Caramel Corn Recipe

This easy caramel corn recipe is from my sister, who works full time as a computer programmer.

With a homemade caramel corn recipe this easy, you don't have to buy processed prepared caramel corn when it's this easy!

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EASY CARAMEL CORN RECIPE

2 cup brown sugar

2 sticks margarine or butter

1/2 cup white Karo syrup

1 teaspoon salt

8 quart popcorn

1 teaspoon baking soda—ADD LAST!

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Mix ingredients except popcorn and baking soda and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add baking soda. Pour over popcorn and spread on greased cookie sheets.

Place in 200° oven for one hour.

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Authentic Filipino Chicken Adobo

This authentic Filipino chicken Adobo recipe is a favorite of our family, based on a traditional recipe from the Philippines. 

Chicken adobo is a very popular main dish at our work gatherings and pot lucks.

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AUTHENTIC FILIPINO CHICKEN ADOBO

Ingredients:

2-1/2 lb young chicken

2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic

5 tablespoons vinegar

2 bay leaves, whole

1-1/2 tablespoons salt

4-5 peppercorns

Water to cover

2 tablespoons oil

½ c. thick coconut milk (optional)

Soy sauce

Tomato sauce (optional)

1 cinnamon stick (optional)

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Instructions:

Clean the chicken and cut into 2-in pieces. Add the oil and fry the garlic lightly, then add and fry the chicken until it is brown. Combine chicken, vinegar and seasonings. Add enough boiling water to barely cover chicken, cover and simmer until the water has almost evaporated.

Serve hot with rice, with or without coconut milk.


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The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

This chocolate chip cookie recipe  is adapted from an internet chocolate chip recipe that was popular in the late 90s. My daughter used this recipe, and found that she ended up with 112 cookies!

If you plan to make cookies for a large group, this is an excellent recipe to use.

You can substitute gluten-free flour if you are on a gluten-free diet regimen.

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RENEE'S ULTIMATE INTERNET CHOCOLATE CHIP RECIPE

2 cup butter

4 cup flour (or substitute Bob's Red Mill 1:1 GF baking flour)

2 teaspoons soda

2 cup sugar

5 cups blended oatmeal— measure oatmeal and put in blender, blend to fine powder

24 oz. chocolate chips

2 cups brown sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 - 8 oz. Hershey bar (grated)

4 eggs

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons vanilla

3 cups chopped nuts (optional)

Recipe makes 112 chocolate chip cookies!

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Cream butter and both sugars. Add eggs and vanilla; mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder and soda. Add chocolate chips, Hershey bar and nuts.

Roll into balls and place two inches apart on a cookie sheet. Bake for 10 min. @ 375°.


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Delicious Thai Rice Noodles with Shrimp (Pad Thai)

Delicious Thai rice noodles with shrimp is probably Thailand's most famous dish, known as Pad Thai. This is our favorite version of the dish from my friend Eleanor.


This dish is fun when you make it with friends, so you have a lot of help with the various stages of preparation.

Allergy warning: Contains peanuts

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PAD THAI WITH SHRIMP

Ingredients:

1 pkg (7-8 oz) flat rice stick noodles, broken in half

8 oz shelled and deveined medium shrimp

¼ cup fresh lime juice

¼ cup Asian fish sauce

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

2 garlic cloves, crushed

¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

6 oz fresh bean sprouts (about 2 cups), rinsed

2 tablespoons unsalted roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped

3 green onions, thinly sliced

½ cup loosely packed cilantro leaves

Fresh lime wedges

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Instructions:

Since there are so many ingredients and you don't want to overcook the noodles, it's important to follow these cooking instructions exactly. You might find it helpful to prepare this dish with friends or family helping with the steps!

1. In large bowl, soak rice stick noodles in hot tap water to cover 20 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, cut each shrimp horizontally in half. In small bowl, combine lime juice, fish sauce, and sugar.

Assemble all remaining ingredients before beginning to cook.

3. Drain noodles.

4. In nonstick wok or 12-inch skillet, heat vegetable oil over high heat until hot but not smoking.

5. Add shrimp, garlic, and crushed red pepper and cook, stirring, 1 minute.

6. Add eggs and cook, stirring, 20 seconds or until just set.

7. Add noodles and cook, stirring, 2 minutes.

8. Add lime juice mixture, half of bean sprouts, and half of green onions, cook, stirring, 1 minute.

Do not overcook the noodles!

Transfer pad thai to platter; top with remaining bean sprouts, peanuts, and green onions. Sprinkle with cilantro leaves. Serve with lime wedges.

Makes 4 main-dish servings.

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Gluten-free Black Bottom Cupcakes with Cream Cheese

Easy black bottom cupcakes is one of the recipes I borrowed from my sister in law during one summer when she had a houseful of guests visiting for a week.

This is a version of the Just Desserts black bottomed cupcake recipe, but I'm substituting gluten-free flour.   Absolutely delicious!

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GLUTEN-FREE BLACK BOTTOM CUPCAKES

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cup gluten-free flour (I use Bob's Red Mill)

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup cocoa

1 teaspoon soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup water

5 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 tablespoon vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Add: 
6 oz chocolate chips

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Filling:

Beat together:
8 oz cream cheese, 

1 egg, 

1/3 cup sugar.

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Instructions:

Stir flour, sugar, cocoa, soda, salt. In another bowl, beat water, oil, vinegar, vanilla. Gradually add to dry ingredients, blend. 

Fill 18 paper cupcake cups half full. Top each with 1 tablespoon filling and 1/2 teaspoon walnuts. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.


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Simply Scrumptious Easy Pineapple Cake Recipe

Pam's "simply scrumptious" easy pineapple cake recipe is a favorite dessert recipe for family gatherings or a delicious treat for every day.

I have provided gluten-free options to substitute for flour in the original recipe. I also prefer to substitute butter for margarine in the original recipe.

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HOMEMADE PINEAPPLE CAKE

Cake:

2 cups sugar

2 cups flour

For gluten-free, substitute Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten-free flour, also available in supermarkets.

2 eggs

2 teaspoons baking soda 

1 cup chopped walnuts

1-15 oz can pineapple with juice (crushed)

In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients except crushed pineapple and nuts. Beat with electric mixer for 2-3 minutes. Fold in pineapple and nuts; pour into greased 9 x 13 pan. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Cool and add frosting.

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Frosting:

1- 8 oz pkg cream cheese

1 stick margarine or butter

2 cups powdered sugar

Vanilla to taste (usually 1 tsp)

Combine in bowl, beat with electric mixer. Cake is best made one day before use.



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Pam's easy baked calico beans with bacon recipe is a recipe that I borrowed from my sister in law during one summer when she had the family visiting for a week.

This is one of Pam's quick and easy main dishes prepared for the occasion. It's hot, hearty, AND delicious! 

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CALICO BEANS WITH BACON

Chop and then fry until crispy:

1/2 lb bacon  

Next, add 1 onion, chopped well, to the bacon grease and sauté until clear.

Remove the bacon and onion from pan to drain on a paper towel.

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Next, combine the following ingredients.

3 kinds of beans: Kidney, lima, and one 12-oz can pork and beans

Mix:

2 tablespoons vinegar

1/2 cup catsup

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup white sugar

Salt and pepper

Add the bacon and onion to the mixture and put all into a covered bean pot or baking dish.

Bake covered at 350 degrees for 2 hours.

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Fresh Fruit Pizza Recipe

Easy delicious fresh fruit pizza is one of the favorite  recipes I borrowed from my sister in law during one summer when she had family visiting for a week.

This is one of the quick and easy desserts she planned for the occasion.

It really is easy AND delicious!

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EASY DELICIOUS FRESH FRUIT PIZZA

For a gluten-free option, Immaculate Naturally Delicious gluten-free sugar cookie mix can be used to substitute for the prepared Pillsbury brand. Follow package directions for use.

Preparation:

On a pizza pan that is covered with aluminum foil, flatten out to edges the Pillsbury sugar cookie dough (or gluten-free cookie dough) you have prepared.

Put pan with pizza dough in oven and bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Remove pan from oven and allow to cool.

In a bowl, mix 2 cups Cool Whip (or real whipped cream) and 1 cup sour cream, then spread onto cooled cookie dough but not on the edges of the crust.

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Arrange various kinds fruit on top of the crust:

Kiwi slices

Whole green and red apples

Nectarines

Strawberries and blueberries


Put in refrigerator and allow to cool before serving. 

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Easy Hot and Hearty Ham Sandwiches

Pam's Hot and Hearty Ham Sandwiches is a recipe that my sister in law made during one summer when she had a houseful of family visiting for a week.

This is one of her quick and easy meals she planned for the occasion.  It's easy and super yummy.

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HOT HAM SANDWICHES

Gluten-free rolls are available in place of hamburger buns for this recipe, or you can use your favorite gluten-free bread.

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 teaspoon poppy seed

1 teaspoon  sesame seed

1/4 cup chopped onion

2 tablespoon catsup

2 tablespoon  mustard

1 lb ham slices

Swiss cheese, 6 slices, cut in half

12 buns (use gluten-free rolls or your favorite bread if desired)



Wrap in aluminum foil, and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes in oven.

Makes 12 sandwiches.

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Japanese Cucumber Seaweed (Namasu) Salad with Clams

Japanese Cucumber Seaweed Salad with Clams is a favorite dish of my friends from Hawaii.

It's easy to make and tastes so "ono" (delicious). This recipe is adapted from my friend, Eleanor.

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CUCUMBER NAMASU SALAD WITH CLAMS

2 cucumbers, sliced very thin

1 small carrot, sliced thinly

1 stalk celery, sliced thinly

Dried wakame seaweed, torn into small pieces

1 can baby clams in salted water

½ cup vinegar

½ cup sugar

½ teaspoon salt

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First, sprinkle some salt on the thinly sliced cucumber in a bowl, mix, and allow to stand for a few minutes. Then, after washing hands, squeeze the cucumber mixture well and discard the liquid. 

Next, add the thinly sliced carrot, celery, seaweed, and clams. Sprinkle the vinegar, sugar, and a little salt.

Mix well and refrigerate.


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Hawaiian Sweet-Sour Spareribs with pickled Daikon-Carrot Relish

Hawaiian sweet-sour spareribs with pickled daikon-carrot relish is a favorite of our friends from the islands, and everyone else, too! This recipe is from my friend, Wes.

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SWEET-SOUR SPARERIBS

Ribs:

½ - 1 lb spareribs

1/3 cup flour (can substitute gluten-free flour)

1/3 cup shoyu (soy sauce), OR gluten-free soy sauce or tamari *Check label*

1/3 cup vinegar

1-1/2 cup water

½ cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon oil

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 one-inch piece ginger, crushed

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Chop spareribs into small pieces. Mix flour and shoyu and soak spareribs in mixture for ½ hour. Heat oil in frying pan, then add garlic and ginger. Brown the ribs, then add vinegar, water, salt, and sugar. Allow to simmer for about 1 hour. Serve over pickled daikon and carrots.

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PICKLED DAIKON AND CARROTS

1 med. Daikon (white radish)

1 med. Carrot

1/2 tablespoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1/4 cup water

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

Peel and cut daikon and carrot into very thin slices. Add ½ tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon sugar and mix well. Let stand for 30 min, then press out excess liquid.

Add ¼ cup water and 2 tablespoons rice vinegar and allow to stand for 30 minutes. Drain and press out excess liquid.

Place daikon-carrot mixture in serving dish and pour hot spareribs over vegetables.

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