Family Favorite Recipes

PLEASE READ ALL DIRECTIONS FOR RECIPES included in this blog: for ingredient lists, method and baking/cooking directions before beginning. 

A Christmas Brunch Buffet Favorite. Orange Cranberry Coffee Cake...My son, Matthew, wanted this while on his mission and I have since shared the recipe with fellow coworkers as well.

ORANGE CRANBERRY COFFEE CAKE

1 pkg yellow cake mix
16 ounces orange flavored yogurt (2 cups)
2 eggs
1 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup sugar
1 grated orange peel from one orange.

Mix together cake mix, yogurt, eggs and cranberries. Put into greased and floured 8" round cake pans. Mix the 1/4 cup sugar and grated orange peel. Sprinkle the orange mixture over the cakes. Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes.


SWEDISH PANCAKES

You will need a round cast iron skillet with low sides and a long metal spatula like those used to frost cakes.

3/4 C flour
1/2 tsp salt
3 eggs
1 C milk
1/2 C water

In a mixing bowl, using a wire wisk, beat eggs with 1/2 cup milk then add all the flour and salt. Beat until smooth. Then add rest of liquids. Put a tsp margarine in the griddle. Pour 1/4 C batter to thinly cover the griddle. May need to tilt the griddle to cover the entire pan. Flip pancake when bubbles have popped and edges are a little crusty. Cook on both sides. Makes approx. 8 pancakes. Serve with berries or jam.

Note: Do not use an electric mixer, it makes the batter too frothy and it won't turn out...I learned from experience.

JELL-O POKE CAKE

1 pkg yellow cake mix
1 pkg vanilla INSTANT pudding (dry)
1 cup water
1/4 cup oil
4 eggs

Combine and mix 4 minutes. Grease & flour 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake 350 for 35 minutes then let cool for 15 minutes .

Strawberry Jell-o Poke Cake

1 3 oz box  jello any flavor, I used strawberry
1 cup boiling water,
l cup cold water

Poke holes in cake and pour jello over the top.
Refridgerate for 2 hours.

Frost with Whipped Topping and berries. Keep cake refridgerated.

Note: Omitting the pudding mix will result in soggy cake. You must add this to get the right texture.


TACO SOUP (one of my family's favorites for Fall)

Two large cans of diced tomatoes (or diced tomatoes with jalapeno)
One can of drained and rinsed red kidney beans
One can of drained and rinsed pinto beans
One can of corn
One whole onion chopped
One package of taco seasoning
One - Two pounds of ground beef browned and broken up
Salt, Pepper, Cumin to taste...

Dump all the ingredients in a large dutch oven. Bring to a boil and lower the temp to simmer for 30 minutes. Could also add this to a crock pot and let simmer on low for 6-8 hours.
Add your favorite toppings, cheese, sour cream, olives, avocado, etc. Serve with tortilla chips. Could also freeze this soup.


ALFREDO SAUCE

They say you shouldn't freeze cream sauces...but this is a recipe I got from a friend of mine who worked at a upscale restaurant in Salt Lake City...so upscale, that I can't even afford to eat there!

1/2 tsp chicken base
1/2 pint of heavy cream
one Parmesan triangle

Bring heavy cream and chicken base to a simmer. Then grate all of the Parmesan cheese triangle. Slowly fold in the cheese to the cream mixture. Freeze and reheat and serve with chicken and your favorite pasta.