Meal Planning with Connie

New Year’s Dip "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." ~C.S. Lewis, Author New Year’s Dip I wanted a dish that would incorporate black-eyed peas and greens for a New Year's dish this morning for our Sunday school fellowship time. I threw this together with items I had on hand. It was well received by the class. I thought it turned our pretty good too! Please play around with the ingredients and find a combination that you like best! Happy New Year to all!!! 4 ounces softened cream cheese ½ cup mayonnaise ½ packet dry ranch dressing ½ shredded cheddar cheese 3 – 4 green onions, chopped (The onion tops were my greens!) 1 can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed 1 can Mexicorn, drained 1 can Rotel tomatoes, slightly drained 1 cup sausage, browned and drained Tortilla chips Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a small baking dish with cooking spray. Combine cream cheese, mayo, dry ranch mix and cheese. Add drained veggies and sausage, stirring g...

My sweet friend, Rachel, recently bless us with a delicious bag of homemade granola! It was wonderful and disappeared quickly. I decided to try my hand at making a batch, using items from my pantry. We thought it turned out great. Granola keeps really well in an airtight container. It makes a great gift and is yummy sprinkled over yogurt, ice cream or eaten with milk like cereal. It's great by the handful too! Pantry Granola This time of year, we are all needing little gifts for the various teachers in our kids' lives. This granola makes a great happy! Spoon into a plastic freezer bag, a clear jar (For safety reasons, use a plastic jar, if a child is delivering gift!) or cover the oats container with pretty paper and use it. I found this cute canning tag HERE . I thought it worked fine for the granola too! Pantry Granola Tip from Rachel: To insure granola browns evenly, pull the granola from the edges of the pan toward the middle when you stir the granola because the edg...

Larry and I attended Off Square Book’s Thacker Mountain Radio production last week, where Martha Hall Foose read from her new cookbook, A Southerly Course . Martha’s first cookbook, Screen Doors & Sweet Tea , garnered her a James Beard Award! Both books are delightful reads, as Martha includes tales about her family and our beloved state of Mississippi, along with, of course, great recipes and gorgeous photos. If you haven’t obtained copies of Martha’s cookbooks yet, I highly recommend you do so. Autographed copies are available at Square/Off Square Books in Oxford . For those of you familiar with our area, Martha, a French culinary school trained pastry chef, opened the Bottle Tree Bakery in Oxford and the Mockingbird Bakery in Greenwood. Martha's other credentials include being a former executive chef of the Greenwood Viking Cooking School and serving as the food stylist for the movie The Help , which is based on the novel of the same name. Congratualtions to Martha! We Miss...

For behold, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone. 'The flowers have already appeared in the land; The time has arrived for pruning the vines, And the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land. 'The fig tree has ripened its figs, And the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance. " Song 2:11-13a It is absolutely beautiful here in Pontotoc today!  The yellow bells are blooming. The birds are chirping.  The air is crisp and clear!  Oh, the wonder of God's handiwork! I made this breakfast casserole for Sunday school fellowship time. It got good reviews! Sausage Roll Breakfast Casserole Sausage Roll Breakfast Casserole This casserole is a fun, quick breakfast casserole to make!  1 package sausage-stuffed rolls (such as Sister Schubert’s), thawed 8 large eggs 1 teaspoon dry mustard 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon white or black pepper dash of cayenne peppper 4 cups whole milk or half-and-half 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated Coat a 9x13-inch...

I made Mocha Bars for Sunday School this week! We all thought they were yummy! Mocha Bars The tasty combination of chocolate and coffee give these moist little bars their name! Serve them with a hot cup of Joe for breakfast, dessert or as an afternoon snack! 1½ cups baking mix 1 cup packed brown sugar ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 tablespoons instant coffee granules 1 cup chocolate chips 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans ½ cup water 2 tablespoons melted butter 1 egg Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar 1 tablespoon melted butter 1 to 2 tablespoons cold brewed coffee or milk Heat oven to 350°F.  Coat a13x9-inch pan with a baking spray, such as Baker’s Secret. In medium bowl, combine first four ingredients until well blended.  Make a well, and add wet ingredients. Stir just until moistened. Spread batter into prepared pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. In small bowl, mix glaze ingredients until smooth and thin enough to drizzle. Drizzle ...

Brother Ken is sharing a series of sermons from  1 John. This is a wonderful book! Here was my favorite verse from today's message: 1 John 3a See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are! How incredible! God has shown Christians His great love in allowing us to be called “his children” and that is not just what we are called, but what we are! I carried these to Sunday School today. I hadn't made these little squares in ages!  I really forgot how good they are! Chili-Cheese Sausage Squares Chili-Cheese Sausage Squares These squares are very moist and tasty! You can omit the green chilies, if you like! We like them both ways! Although these are great for breakfast, they make a great appetizer for anytime of day! 1½ cups baking mix 1 cup milk 4 tablespoons mayonnaise, divided 1 pound pork sausage, browned and drained 1 egg 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese 1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chilie...

My blogging buddy, Mub , asked about substituting butter for the shortening in my Square Biscuits recipe from Tuesday. Mub hails from “up North” and now lives way over in the Netherlands. So, bless her heart, I am sure she has no idea how much controversy this innocent question can spark amongst a group of Southern cooks! You may ask, is there really a big difference in using one fat over the over? In a word, yes. It is all about texture versus flavor. Shortening = tender, crisp and dense biscuits Butter = flaky, flavorful and light biscuits What accounts for the difference in texture? Water! Butter is about 17% water. Shortening contains no water. So, what did a little water ever hurt? The more water there is in dough, the more active gluten created. The more gluten present in dough, the tougher the dough. Again, it is really a trade off: Butter = Flavor Shortening = Tenderness There are generally four camps in the Butter vs. Shortening in Biscuits Debate: Camp One: These folk...

Our family, like many other Southern clans, enjoys having breakfast for supper. We usually do this once a week, especially during the winter months. I rarely cook a full breakfast during normal breakfast hours, so we all look forward to eating these dishes at night. There are several benefits to the breakfast-at-night meal. Not only are these foods tasty, they are generally fairly economic and easy to prepare. We keep it simple. Most nights Larry makes omelets, and I make a pan of Weeknight Square Biscuits, which we enjoy with a bit of butter alongside our omelets and as “dessert” with jelly or syrup. My Weeknight Square Biscuits are quick and easy to make. There's no rolling or cutting out required! And, there's no leftover dough scraps! Pat dough into a square on lightly floured surface.  Use a large spatula to lift dough into prepared pan.   Cut dough into squares. Brush hot biscuits with melted butter!   Weeknight Square Biscuits The secret to baking ligh...

Sausage Ranch Squares Sausage Ranch Squares I made these for Sunday school last Sunday. I created them with things I had in the fridge. I thought they were pretty good! Everyone said they really liked them! 1 tube refrigerated pizza dough 1 pound ground sausage, browned and drained ½ cup ranch salad dressing 2 cups grated pizza blend cheese Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat an 15x10-inch pan with cooking spray. Press dough into prepared pan. Combine sausage and ranch dressing. Spread over dough. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Cut into squares.

Little Smokies and Apple Sauce Little Smokies and Apple Sauce This dish is full of flavor and so easy to make. They were a hit at Sunday School and at home!

 2 pounds Little Smokies 
Sausages 1 cup applesauce 
 2/3 cup brown sugar 
 1 small white onion, finely chopped 

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine applesauce, brown sugar and onion. Add sausages to sauce and toss to coat. Pour into prepared dish. Bake, uncovered, for about 45 minutes, stirring once. This recipe can also be made in the Crockpot. Cook on low heat for 3 hours.

Keep me as the apple of your eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings. Psalm 17:8 Applesauce Breakfast Cake   This little cake was well received in Sunday School this morning. It was a snap to put together and had a nice, moist texture. I will add the photo when I find my cord. Unfortunately, it is still missing! Topping: 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar 2 tablespoons butter ½  teaspoon cinnamon ½ cup chopped pecans Cake: 2 cups self-rising flour 1 cup sugar ½  teaspoon cinnamon ½ cup chopped pecans 2 eggs 1/2 cup cooking oil 1 cup applesauce 1 teaspoon vanilla Optional Glaze: 1¼ cups confectioners' sugar 1 tablespoon melted butter 3 tablespoons milk or apple juice Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Make topping by mixing together the brown sugar, butter and cinnamon. Stir in nuts and set aside. For cake, whisk together flour and sugar.  Stir in nuts, tossing to coat well. Add well-beaten eggs, ap...

I have missed sharing recipes with you guys the past few weeks. I will be posting sporadically for a while, due to continued family obligations. I appreciate all your sweet thoughts and prayers. Sausage Crescent Squares Sausage Crescent Squares I made this for Sunday School this morning, and everyone said it was good! The kids ate the leftovers and also gave the dish a thumbs up! This recipe can be assembled the night and placed in the fridge. Just pop it in the oven the next morning!  1 (8-ounce) can crescent rolls 1 pound sausage, browned and drained 2 cups shredded cheese (your choice) 6 eggs ¾ cup milk or half-and-half ¼ teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Press crescent dough into prepared baking dish, pressing firmly to seal perforations. Sprinkle with sausage over dough. Sprinkle cheese over sausage. Whisk together milk, eggs, salt, and pepper.  Pour egg mixture over cheese. ...

Ham-and-Swiss Croissant Casserole I made this for Sunday school this past Sunday, and everyone seemed to like it! I will definitely make it again! Ham-and-Swiss Croissant Casserole 6 large deli croissants 2 cups chopped,cooked ham 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese 12  large eggs 2 cups half-and-half 1 tablespoon dry mustard 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon  pepper Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Slice croissant open, sandwich-style. Cut each half into 4 to 5 pieces. Scatter croissant pieces into prepared baking dish. Top with ham. Sprinkle with cheese. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, half-and-half, and seasonings. Pour egg mixture over mixture in baking dish, pressing croissants down to submerge in egg mixture. Cover tightly with foil, and chill 8 to 24 hours. To bake, preheat oven to 325 degrees/ Bake, covered, for about 35 minutes. Uncover and bake 25 - 30 minutes or until golden brown and set. Let stand 10 minutes before serv...

Blueberry-Banana-Pecan Bread I made this for Sunday school last Sunday, and everyone said it was really good! Of course, they are all way too kind to say otherwise! ; This bread is very moist! It was a great way to use up some bananas that were needing to be used. I was also able to put to use some of the locally-grown blueberries and pecans I have in my freezer, which need using, as well. This recipe makes two large loaves. Be sure to share one! Blueberry-Banana-Pecan Bread 1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen) 1½ cups (3 sticks) butter, softened 1½ cups granulated sugar 4 eggs 3 large ripe bananas, mashed 1½ cups sour cream 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt 1 cup chopped pecans Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Coat two 9-inch loaf pans with cooking spray. If using fresh berries, rinse and drain. Do not thaw frozen berries. Cream beat the butter and sugar. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing just until in...

 Smoked Sausage and Texas Toast Breakfast Bake This recipe was another result of my freezer clean out. The Sunday school class gave it a thumbs up!     Smoked Sausage and Texas Toast Breakfast Bake 1 (13.5 oz.) box frozen Texas toast with cheese, thawed (I used New York Brand's Five Cheese Texas Toast) 1 pound smoked sausage, chopped 1 chopped onion 1 cup chopped green peppers 4 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese, divided 8 eggs 2 cups milk 1 teaspoon dry mustard 1 teaspoon salt Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cook spray. Sauté chopped smoked sausage, onions and peppers, until sausage is lightly browned and veggies are tender. Cut thawed bread slices into cubes. Layer half of cubes into prepared dish. Top bread cubes with half of sausage mixture. Sprinkle two cup of the cheese over the sausage. Repeat layers. In a mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, mustard and salt; pour over layers. Cover with foil and refrigerate for several hours, or overnight. Place c...

Spinach and Bacon Quiche Straightening my freezer and fridge, I found a few items that need using: a pie crust left from the holidays, a box of frozen spinach and half a package of bacon. This quiche was a great way to use all of them!  Spinach and Bacon Quiche 6 - 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled 1 (10-ounce) frozen spinach, thawed and drained well 4 chopped green onions, sautéed in bacon drippings 2 - 3 tablespoons chopped pimentos or roasted red peppers 5 eggs, slightly beaten 1 cup cream, half-and-half or milk 1 cup cheese of your choice, shredded salt and freshly ground pepper to taste dash of cayenne pepper Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine ingredients. Spoon into unbaked pie crust. Bake for 35 minutes or until middle is set. Tent quiche with foil if crust becomes too brown before quiche is fully cooked,

 Overnight Buttery Baby Buttermilk Biscuits “The hot biscuit runs a poor second to cornbread, but is considered of higher social caste. We abrogate and deprecate cornbread when we have guests, but we should consider ourselves deficient in hospitality if we served a company meal without hot biscuits.” ~ Majorie Kinnan Rawlings , Cross Creek (1942) These little biscuits are great for brunches, morning receptions and teas, and Sunday school! Kids think they are fun anytime! Of course, you can cut this dough into "regular-sized" biscuits, too. Preparing this dough the night before makes baking hot, fresh homemade biscuits a snap the next morning!  These are heap more tasty than the frozen variety - and a lot cheaper, too! Overnight Buttery Baby Buttermilk Biscuits 2 cups self-rising flour (I use White Lily. If you prefer Martha White, go for it! Do use a brand of soft, Southern flour.) 1 teaspoon baking powder 6 tablespoons Butter-flavored Crisco ¾ cup buttermilk 2 ta...

  Sausage Bundt Bread  I made this for Sunday school. I just kind of combined several recipes that the class has liked, threw it all in a Bundt pan, and this was the result. It got very good reviews!  I used 3/4 cup of milk, but I adjusted it to 1/2 cup in the recipe. It batter seems a bit too thick after adding sausage and cheese, just add a little more milk at that point. I've noted this in the recipe, too!  If you try this, let me know. Also, if you can think of a better name for it, let me know that, too! Sausage Bundt Bread 1 pound sausage 2 cups grated Swiss cheese ¼ cup Asiago cheese (Parmesan would be good, too!) ½ cup milk 2 eggs, beaten 3/4 cup mayonnaise 3 tablespoon parsley flakes 1 teaspoon onion powder ½ teaspoon sage 2 ½ cups Bisquick mix Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a Bundt pan with cooking spray. Brown sausage; drain. Whisk together milk, eggs, mayonnaise, parsley flakes, onion powder and sage. Combine Bisquick and milk mixture...

Baked Bacon and Cheese Frittata As I was thinking through my meal plan for the week, I had a couple of  things to come up that really affected the plan. First, I found out (unexpectedly) that we’d not be eating at home a couple of nights this week. Then, I knocked the eggs out of the refrigerator as I opened the fridge door. Not sure how I did that, but I was happy that there were only 6 eggs left in the carton. Although they all cracked a bit, they remained inside the carton and were still usable. I decided to try this frittata recipe for our supper. We all liked it, and it proved to be a good lesson not to cry over spilled milk - or cracked eggs, as the case may be! Baked Bacon and Cheese Frittata 6 eggs 1 cup milk 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted salt and pepper to taste 3 - 4 chopped green onions 6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 8x8-inch pan with cooking spray. Whisk together eggs, milk,...

  Buttermilk Breakfast Pound Cake   Buttermilk Breakfast Pound Cake I made this for Sunday School this morning, and everyone seemed to like it. It's a Southern Living recipe that I tweaked a bit. Be sure to coat your Bundt pan well with cooking spray. Mine stuck a bit, but I globbed the glaze over the worst of it, and we ate it just the same! A bit of glaze or frosting can cover a multitude of mistakes! This cake would work great as a dessert, too!  Cake ingredients: 1  tablespoon granulated sugar 1 box white cake mix 1  cup buttermilk ½  cup butter, melted 5  large eggs ¼ cup light brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ cup finely chopped pecans Glaze ingredients: 1 cup powdered sugar 1 tablespoon butter, melted 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 - 2 tablespoons buttermilk Cake Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat Bundt pan well with cooking spray and sprinkle with granulated sugar....