SunDANCE Thanksgiving Recipe Favorites

In celebration of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday we thought we would share some of our favorite recipes during the holiday season!

Morgan’s Honeycrisp Apple Sangria

Ingredients:
3 cinnamon sticks (plus more for garnish)
2 honeycrisp apples, chopped
1 orange, thinly sliced
1 (750 ml) bottle red wine (I suggest a light-bodied Spanish variety)
1 and 3/4 cups apple cider*
1/2 cup brandy
1/4 cup orange juice (or juice from 2 medium oranges)
juice from 1 lemon
club soda, to taste

Directions:
Place the cinnamon sticks, apples, and orange slices in a large pitcher. Add wine, apple cider, brandy, orange juice, and lemon juice. Allow to sit in the refrigerator for 6 - 24 hours. Taste; if you’d like it to be sweeter, add 1-2 Tablespoons granulated sugar, honey, or agave.

If you’d like a cinnamon-sugar rim (highly recommended), simply moisten the rim of your glasses with water, turn the glass upside down and dip it into a mix of cinnamon and sugar. Pour in the sangria with fruit* and add a splash of club soda (this unsweetened fizz is wonderful with the sangria!). Garnish with a cinnamon stick, if desired. Cheers!

Michelle’s Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip

Ingredients 1 (8oz) pkg Neufchatel cream cheese
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice
1 (8oz) tub cool whip

Instructions With a handheld mixer and large bowl, beat the cream cheese with the powdered sugar until smooth.
Mix in the pumpkin puree and pie spice.
Beat in the cool whip until mixed thoroughly and the beaters leave ripples in the dip.
Optional: Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice.
Serve with apples, pretzels, vanilla wafers or your favorite dipper

Tyler’s Oatmeal Pie
Ingredients: 1 9″ ready-to-bake deep-dish pie shell
2 Tbsp flour
1-1/3 cups quick-cooking oatmeal
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
4 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/3 cup molasses
3 Tbsp melted butter
1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Preparation: Place the oven rack on the lowest position of the oven and preheat to 350°F.
Whisk together the flour, oatmeal, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium-size bowl. Set it aside.
Whisk together the eggs, sugar, corn syrup, molasses, melted butter, vanilla in a medium-size bowl until well mixed.
Pour the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients and whisk until the mixtures are evenly incorporated. Pour the batter into the unbaked pie shell.
Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until golden brown and a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. Best served at room temperature.

Emily’s Leftover Delight

{Ingredients}

1 8oz can crescent rolls
Thanksgiving leftovers: cranberries, stuffing, and turkey
1 egg, beaten
Leftover gravy for dipping {optional}
{Step by Step}

Preheat oven to 375
On a cookie sheet, separate crescent rolls into 4 large rectangles and press together the preforations
Flatten enlarge the rectangles slightly {optional}
On one end of each rectangle, stack turkey, stuffing, and cranberries Fold other end of the rectangle over mixture and press the edges with a fork to seal.
Brush the top of each calzone with beaten egg
Bake 15-20 minutes until golden
Heat leftover gravy for dipping or drizzling {optional}
Let the calzones cool for a few minutes, and then serve & devour!

Dyan’s Pear and Manchego Salad with Walnut Dressing

  • 10 cups mixed baby lettuces
  • 2 red Bartlett or other red skinned pears, sliced into wedges
  • ¼ cup walnut halves, toasted and roughly chopped
  • 1 ounce Manchego cheese, thinly shaved
  • 3 tablespoons walnut oil
  • 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds

Divide lettuce, pear wedges, walnuts, and cheese among 4 plates

In a small bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, water, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. On each salad drizzle 1 ½ tablespoons dressing, then sprinkle ½ tablespoon pomegranate seeds on top.

 

National Banana Lovers Day

National Banana Lovers Day

Its National Banana Lovers Day! Did you know the average person eats about 33 pounds of bananas a year? That’s about 100 individual bananas a person!! Bananas are high in fiber and potassium. They can help prevent calcium loss, ulcers, high blood pressure, and certain kinds of cancer. Banana peels are also great for cleaning the scratches off those overused DVDs. The banana tree is actually an herb and the banana is the fruit of this herb.

National Banana Lovers DayBanana Boat Recipe

  • 4 medium unpeeled ripe bananas
  • 4 teaspoons miniature chocolate chips
  • 4 tablespoons miniature marshmallows
  • Cut banana peel lengthwise about 1/2 in. deep, leaving 1/2 in. at both ends. Open peel wider to form a pocket. Fill each with 1 teaspoon chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon marshmallows. Crimp and shape four pieces of heavy-duty foil (about 12 in. square) around bananas, forming boats.
  • Grill, covered, over medium heat for 5-10 minutes or until marshmallows melt and are golden brown. Yield: 4 servings.

National Banana Lovers Day

1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups cold milk
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (16 ounce) package vanilla wafers
14 bananas, sliced

  1. In a large mixing bowl, beat pudding mix and milk 2 minutes. Blend in condensed milk until smooth. Stir in vanilla and fold in whipped topping. Layer wafers, bananas and pudding mixture in a glass serving bowl. Chill until serving.

What will you do to celebrate National Banana Lovers Day?

National Pie Day 2014

pie dayHappy National Pie Day!!

National Pie Day is a special day that is set aside to bake, cook, and most importantly eat all of your favorite pies. The American Pie Council created this day simply to celebrate the pie.

We thought we would share with you some of our favorite pie recipes for you to celebrate!

Dyan’s Cornish Pasty from My Gramma Ada Hoar

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound beef sirloin tip steak, diced

1small white onion, thinly sliced

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Dash nutmeg

PASTRY:

4 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons salt

Pinch baking powder

1 cup shortening

2 tablespoons butter

2/3 cup cold water

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream

In a large bowl, combine the beef, potatoes, onions and seasonings; set aside. For pastry, in a large bowl, combine the flour, salt and baking powder. Cut in shortening and butter. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball.

Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Divide dough into 12 pieces; roll each into 6-in. circles. Moisten edges with water. Place about 1/2 cup filling on half of each circle. Fold other half over the filling; press edges together with a fork to seal.

Cut several slits in each pastry. Place on a baking sheet. Combine egg and cream; brush over pastry tops. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350° and bake 40-45 minutes longer or until golden brown. Yield: 12 servings.

Hilary’s Cherry Pie

Ingredients

Pastry:

2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons shortening

4 to 6 tablespoons cold water

Filling:

1 1/3 cups sugar

1/2 cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

6 cups sour cherries, pitted

2 tablespoons butter or margarine, if desired

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 425°F. In medium bowl, mix 2 cups flour and the salt. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until particles are size of small peas. Sprinkle with cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry almost leaves side of bowl (1 to 2 teaspoons more water can be added if necessary).

2. Gather pastry into a ball. Divide pastry in half; shape into 2 rounds. Wrap flattened rounds of pastry in plastic wrap; refrigerate about 45 minutes or until dough is firm and cold, yet pliable.

3. Roll pastry on lightly floured surface, using floured rolling pin, into circle 2 inches larger than upside-down 9-inch glass pie plate. Fold pastry into fourths and place in pie plate; or roll pastry loosely around rolling pin and transfer to pie plate. Unfold or unroll pastry and ease into plate, pressing firmly against bottom and side and being careful not to stretch pastry, which will cause it to shrink when baked.

4. In large bowl, mix sugar and 1/2 cup flour. Stir in cherries. Spoon into pastry-lined pie plate. Cut butter into small pieces; sprinkle over cherries. Cover with top pastry that has slits cut in it; seal and flute. Cover edge with 2- to 3-inch strip of foil to prevent excessive browning; remove foil during last 15 minutes of baking.

5. Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until crust is golden brown and juice begins to bubble through slits in crust. Cool on cooling rack at least 2 hours before serving.

Michelle’s Chocolate Layered Pie

Ingredients:

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

1 (5.9 ounce) package instant chocolate

pudding mix

2/3 cup milk

2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions:

1. Mix together pecans, melted butter, and flour. Pat into the bottom and up the sides of a 9 inch pie plate. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) until lightly browned. Remove from oven, and set aside to cool.

2. In a mixing bowl, blend 1 cup whipped topping, cream cheese, and confectioners sugar until creamy. Spread into cooled crust.

3. Whisk together pudding mix and milk. Spread evenly over cheese layer, and the spread remaining whipped topping on top. Chill 1 1/2 to 2 hour

 

Eric’s Peanut Butter Pie

Ingredients:

1 cup Jif Creamy Peanut Butter, plus 2 tablespoons, divided

1 (8oz) package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1 (12oz) container (4.5 cups) frozen whipped topping thawed & divided

1 prepared chocolate pie crust

1 (11.75oz) jar Smucker’s Hot Fudge Spoonable Ice Cream topping, divided

Directions:

1. Beat together 1 cup peanut butter, cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer until well combined. Gently mix in 3 cups whipped topping until thoroughly combined. Spoon mixture into pie crust. Using a spatula, smooth mixture to edges of pie.

2. Reserve 2 tablespoons of hot fudge topping in the corner of a resealable food storage bag; set aside. Microwave remaining topping on HIGH for 1 minute. Stir. Spread topping over pie covering entire peanut butter layer. Refrigerate until set. Spread remaining whipped topping (1.5 cups) over hot fudge layer, being careful not to mixt the two layers.

3. Cut a small corner from bag containing topping. Squeeze bag to drizzle topping over pie. Place remaining 2 table spoons peanut butter in a resealable food storage bag; cut bag corner and squeeze to drizzle in opposite direction from topping. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Favorite Christmas Recipes

Nothing says Merry Christmas like having the family together with delicious home cooked yummies. We thought we would share with you some of our favorite Christmas recipes to cook during the holiday season!

Hilary’s Frozen Pink Velvet Salad

Serves 14-16

1 can (16 ounces) cherry pie filling

1 can (13 1/2 oz) crushed pineapple

1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

1 container (13 1/2 oz) whipped topping

2 cups miniature marshmallows

1 cup pecans (optional)

In a large bowl, mix all of the ingredients together (in the order listed). Transfer to a 9-by-13 baking dish, and freeze.

 

Michelle’s Winter Apple Cheesecake

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup crushed graham cracker

½ cup pecans, chopped finely

3 tablespoons white sugar

½ teaspoon cinnamon powder

½ cup unsalted melted butter

8 ounces softened cream cheese

½ cup white sugar

2 eggs

½ teaspoon vanilla

4 cups thinly sliced apples, cored and peeled

1/3 cup white sugar

½ teaspoon cinnamon powder

¼ cup pecans, chopped

PROCEDURES:

  1. Stir together the crushed graham, ½ cup chopped pecans, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, 3 tablespoons sugar, and melted butter in a large bowl. Mixed together until it well blended. Press the mixture into a 9 inch baking pan. Preheat oven to 360 degrees Fahrenheit and bake it for 10 minutes.
  2. Combine cream cheese and ½ cup sugar in a large bowl. Mix moderately until it smooth. Beat eggs one at a time and mixed thoroughly after its addition. When it finish the last egg, add the vanilla and mix together then scrape each surface at the same time to make the mixture perfect. Pour it into the graham crust.
  3. In another container, mix together the 1/3 white sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder. Toss the apple into the sugar-cinnamon mixture and coat well. Arrange the apple mixture into the fillings and sprinkle with a ¼ chopped pecans.
  4. Bake for 70 minutes. When it’s done, let it cool into the rack and use the knife to loosen the cake from rim of pan. Refrigerate it before serving.

 

Kali’s Boston Cream Pie

Ingredients:

Cake Mix

Vanilla Pudding Mix

Chocolate Icing

Preparations:

1. Follow box instructions for cake and bake cake. Line the pan with some flour for easy cake removal.

2. Follow box instructions for pudding and make pudding. Set aside.

3. Once the cake has cooled, remove it from the pan and onto serving dish. Use handle end of the spoon to poke holes into the cake.

4. Spread vanilla pudding over the top of the cake and let seep into the holes.

5. Spread chocolate icing over the cake.

 

Eric’s Sausage Balls

Ingredients:

1 lb shredded cheddar cheese

1 lb sausage (spicy or regular)

2 1/4 cups bisquick

 

Directions:

1. Mix ingredients

2. Roll into 1 inch balls

3. Bake at 350 until done