The Best Apple Cider

My friend Joanna and I were talking about her post for the Advent series over at A Knotted Life.  She mentioned to me that she is in possession of the  best apple cider recipe, a beaut that was handed down from her grandmother. 

And she offered to share it with me and my readers.  So yay for us!

Ingredients:

2 quart cider
1 quart cranberry juice
1 C orange juice
1 C sugar
1 tsp whole allspice
1 tsp whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks, broken in half

Also needed: cheesecloth and stock pot

Directions:

In large stockpot combine cider, juices, and sugar.
Place allspice, cloves, and cinnamon sticks in cheesecloth.  Wrap and tie into a bundle.
Place cheesecloth bundle in stockpot and bring the cider to a boil.
Simmer for approximately 45 minutes to let the spices do their magic.

Can be stored in fridge and enjoyed warm or cold.

Homemade Casey's Breakfast Pizza

I married a man with a thing for Casey's Breakfast Pizza.  I hate to admit it, but the stuff actually is pretty good. 

Last weekend he decided that he would make his own breakfast pizza at home and it was a triumphant success. 

So, so, so good.

 Ingredients:

pizza crust (see recipe below)

1 small can Frito's cheese dip

1 lb sausage

6 eggs

2 C shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

- Preheat oven to 350

- Prepare crust.

- Brown sausage and drain fat.

- Scramble and cook eggs.

- Assemble pizza: Spread 1/2 the Frito cheese dip on the pizza crust.  Spread the cooked sausage and eggs on top of the cheese.  Cover with the shredded cheese.

- Bake for 10 minutes.

- Enjoy the awesome.

My pizza crust recipe:

3 cups flour (can use 1c whole wheat)
1 package fast-acting yeast
1 cup very warm water
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt

-In a large bowl combine 1c flour and the yeast. Add the water and stir.
-Add the oil, sugar, salt and remaining flour, blending it until it forms a ball. (You may need to add more water, oil or flour depending on the texture and humidity in the air. It should moist but not sticky.)
-Turn it out on a lightly floured surface and knead 8 - 10 times, form it into a ball. 
- Roll dough into disc and let rise in warm space.

Pizza Pasta Casserole

Simple.  Yummy.  Filling.  Everyone loved it.  It does not get better than that.

Here's my "I-slapped-this-together-for-dinner" recipe.

1/2 box rigatoni (or similar pasta), cooked to al dente
pepperoni slices
1 C shredded mozzarella
1/4 C shredded Parmesan cheese
red sauce (recipe below)

Red sauce
1 small can tomato paste
1 can diced tomatoes
1-2 Tbsp sugar
1 scant Tbsp basil
1 heaping Tbsp minced garlic
bit of pepper
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 1/2 tsp oregano
 Cook til thickened.

In deep casserole dish layer pasta, sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, parm cheese.  Put in microwave for 3 mins for cheese to melt.

Eat awesome.

chocolate crinkles

Per Joanna's request:

Chocolate Crinkles

1/2 C vegetable oil
4 sq unsweetened chocolate, melted
2 C sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 C flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 C powdered sugar
Mix oil, chocolate, and sugar.  Blend in one egg at a time until well mixed.  Add vanilla.  In seperate bowl mix flour, baking powder, and salt.  Add to oil mixture.  Chill several hours or overnight.

Heat oven to 350.  Shape teaspoonsful of dough into balls and drop into powdered sugar.  Roll in sugar.  Place about 2" apart on greased baking sheet.  Bake 10-12 min.  Do not overbake!

Cool on cookie sheet a couple of minutes; cool completely on wire wrack.

Pour a glass of milk and indulge.