Creamy Sun-dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce

1/4 c. butter

1 c. heavy cream

1 clove garlic (crushed)

1 1/2 c. freshly grated parmesan cheese

1 oz. sun-dried tomato, reconstituted

2 tsp. black pepper, coarse ground

Melt butter in sauce pan over medium low heat. add cream and simmer for 5 mins. add garlic, cheese, sun-dried tomato and pepper. whisk quickly heating through.

I personally serve it over spinach and tomato spiral noodles. they work well together. its a big hit in my house!

Rosemary Bread

1 package dry yeast

1 cup warm water

2 tbsp.  chopped fresh rosemary leaves

1 tsp. granulated sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 1/4 c. whole wheat flour

1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour

olive oil

1 egg (beaten)

In a large bowl add yeast to warm water. add sugar. let sit until foamy. (around 5-10 mins.) add rosemary, salt, whole wheat flour, and 1 c. all-purpose flour. stir until mixed and it forms a loose sticky ball. add remaining flour, then turn it out onto a floured surface kneed about 10 mins. 

Place in a oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, let rise until it has doubled in size. (about an hour.) Kneed briefly to remove the air. shape into slightly flattened ball. place on lightly oiled baking sheet. brush loaf with oil. let rise for 45 mins until it has doubled again.

Brush with beaten egg. bake at 375 deg. until top is browned, around 45 mins. should sound hollow when you tap it. let cool and serve.

Note: My friends and i really like this with cut pieces of Avocado, which are lightly salted. just a thought.

Naan Bread

1 c. warm water

3 tbsp. milk

1 egg (beaten)

1/4 c. butter (melted)

1 tea. salt

1 (.25 oz ) package yeast

1/4 c sugar

4 1/2 cups bread flour

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Leave for 10 mins. Should look frothy. Stir in milk, sugar, egg, salt and enough flour to make a soft dough. Knead dough for 6-10 mins on floured surface. Place dough in a well oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and set aside. Leave for 1 hour, it will rise to twice it's size.

2. Punch dough down and knead. Pinch off small handfuls of dough (golf balls) roll in to ball and place on tray. cover with a towel. Let sit for around 30 mins until it again has doubled its size.

3 Preheat Grill to the highest heat. Roll dough out into a thin circle. Lightly oil grill. Place dough on grill, cook for 2 to 3 mins, or until puffy and lightly browned. Brush uncooked side with butter, and turn over. Brush cooked side with butter, cook until browned, another 2-4 mins. Remove from grill. Repeat with rest of balls of dough.

Note: Another thing i like to do.. is add fresh rosemary to the dough. you don't have to but it gives it an exotic taste.

Thai Peanut Vegetables (served with Naan Bread)

1 1/2 Cups creamy peanut butter

1 can Coconut Milk (i like Goya)

1 tbsp. Hot sauce

1 tbsp. Fresh Ginger Root (minced)

3 cloves garlic (minced)

2 Yellow Squash

1 Zucchini

1 Red Bell Pepper

1 Green Bell Pepper

1 tsp. sesame oil

1 bag Mixed Vegetables (i usually get the mix that has snow peas in it)

 Cut squash, zucchini, peppers into 1/2 inch squares or slice ... i prefer slicing them in 1/2 inch slices, my family likes the squares. In large sauce pan, Saute the vegetables. (not the mixed bag) add the coconut milk, simmer for 10 mins. sesame oil, ginger, peanut butter, stir until peanut butter is mixed in add bag of vegetables. let simmer for 30 mins on low heat. Serve over naan bread. (see above recipie for Naan Bread)

Curried Veggies (Served with White Rice)

1 tbsp. Olive Oil

1 Onion (chopped)

1 Clove Crushed Garlic

3 tbsp. Curry Powder

1- 14 1/2 oz. can of Diced Tomatoes

2 tbsp. Tomato Paste

1 Package Frozen Mixed Vegetables

1 Yellow Squash (diced)

1 Zucchini (diced)

1 c. Water

Salt and Pepper to taste

In sauce pan (i use the largest one i have) saute the onion and garlic until golden brown. Stir in curry powder and tomato paste, along with the diced tomatoes. cook for 4 mins. add vegetables, squash, zucchini, and water. Cook over medium heat until vegetables are soft. Serve over rice.

Brown Sugar and Honey Glazed Ham

1c. Brown Sugar (packed)

1/2 c. Honey (i like to get it fresh from the apiaries in the area)

1/4 c. Ham Fat

Shank Ham (i like to use 5-10 lbs depends on how many in your family)

1 can Peach Halves

1 tsp Butter

 Place meat in deep kettle and cover with water. Simmer, do not boil, about 50 mins per pound, or until tender. Remove from water. Place in baking pan. Start oven at moderately 400 deg. Combine Brown Sugar, Honey, and Ham Fat. Spread it over scored, skinned ham bake for around 15 mins or until the top is glazed and very hot. Saute the peach halves in butter and 1 tsp. honey. Garnish and serve.

Home Made Corn and Potato Chowder..

1c. Heavy Whipping Cream

3c. Milk (i use 1%)

4c. Mixed Frozen Veggies (Carrots, Peas and Corn)

4c. Diced Potatoes (i like the baby reds, leave the skin on)

1/2 tsp. Pepper

1/4 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper (HOT!!) i sometimes use more depending what i am in the mood for)

1 2/4 c. Water

1/2 c. Minced Onion

3 tsp. Salt. (more to taste.)

2 tbs. Butter 

My grandmother said never boil it.. i do.. it comes out fine. she is insane. but you add all the ingredients and then ... i usually boil it for about 45 mins. during which i stand over it and stir it every five min. so the milk doesn't get thick on top.  i never can wait to eat it.. but G-Ma Norma all ways left it to sit over night and reheated it the next day, i do agree it is better when it sits over night.. but who wants to wait that long?  and btw.. REFRIGERATE over night if you have the patience.