Monday, September 24, 2012

Pumpkin Squares



Pumpkin Squares
1 cup flour
½ cup quick oats
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup oleo, melted

2 cups pumpkin
1 13 oz can evaporated milk
2 eggs
¾ cup sugar
½ tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. ginger
¼ tsp. cloves

½ cup nuts, chopped
½ cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp. melted butter

Mix first group of ingredients together.  Spread in 9x13 pan and bake at 350 for 15 minutes.  Combine second group of ingredients.  Pour on crust; bake 20 minutes.  Combine last group of ingredients.  Sprinkle over top and bake additional 15-20 minutes. 

Optional:  Top with Cool Whip to serve.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Peasant Bread

I received a bread machine for Christmas last year.  There's nothing like warm, freshly baked bread when you know what goes in it.  When I lived back home, we had a tradition competition of getting up and slicing the top off right after it finished baking.  I went on a bread making kick the last few weeks with my very own machine, and we fell in love with the peasant bread recipe.



I usually make one large loaf like pictured above, but I'll post the other size recipes too. I baked this on the sandwich setting and to a light temperature.

*Please place the ingredients in the machine in the listed order*

Large (2-2.5 pound loaf):
1 1/2 cups water
2 tsp. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3 cups bread flour
1/2 - 3/4 cup ground flax (I never measure, just eyeball whatever amount looks good)
2 tsp. bread machine yeast

Add ingredients to the machine, adjust the settings if necessary, and wait about 2 1/2 - 3 hours for delicious homemade bread.

Medium (1.5 pound loaf):
1 cup water
1 1/4 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 cups bread flour
1/2 cup ground flax
1 1/2 tsp bread machine yeast

Small (1 pound loaf): Halve the ingredients for the large loaf


Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Gyro Burgers

This burger recipe puts a nice twist on the traditional gyro sandwich. I love Greek food, but don't seem to make it often enough.  I absolutely cannot wait to have these soon.


Gyro Burger with Garlic Feta Fries


2 tablespoons plain yogurt
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
½ teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
¼ teaspoon salt
1 pound ground lamb or pork
4 pita breads, halved
Sliced cucumbers
Tzatziki sauce (Greek cucumber and yogurt sauce)

In a bowl, combine yogurt, garlic, rosemary, lemon-pepper, and salt.  Crumble meat over mixture; mix well.  Shape into four oval patties.  Grill, covered, over medium heat for 6-7 minutes on each side or until meat is no longer pink.  Serve in pita bread with sliced cucumber and sauce.

Tzatziki sauce

1½ cups Greek yogurt
Juice of half lemon, or 1½ Tbsp
½ - 1 garlic clove, chopped
1 medium cucumber, seeded and diced
1½ tsp kosher salt (to salt cucumber)
1½ tsp chopped fresh dill (or mint leaves)
Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste

Peel cucumber, cut in half lengthwise, and use a spoon to scoop out seeds.  Slice cucumber, salt, and place in a strainer for 30 minutes to let liquid drain out.  Drain well and wipe dry with paper towel.  In a blender, add cucumber, garlic, dill, lemon juice, and a little pepper; blend well.  Stir mixture into yogurt.  Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.  Let refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving so the flavors can meld.