Bran Muffins-Grandma Homberg (update)

(originally posted this recipe earlier this year.  Today I made it but substituted applesauce for the shortening,  1/2 c. applesauce for 1 c. shortening.  Same great flavor as I remember with Grandma's just a little healthier approach.)

Refrigerator Bran Muffins

 

1 c. boiling water
1 c. Nabisco 100% Bran or Kellogg’s Bran Buds
½ c. shortening
1 c. sugar
2 c. buttermilk
2½ c. flour, sifted
2 t. soda
½ t salt
2 c. Kellogg’s All bran

Combine boiling water and add 1 c. bran and let cool.  Cream shortening, add sugar gradually and beat until blended.  Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.  Add buttermilk and cooled bran mixture and blend.  Sift flour with soda and salt; add remaining bran to creamed mixture, stirring just until all dry ingredients are moistened.  Bake or store in covered container in fridge and bake as needed.  (Batter will keep for 1-2 months)  To bake, fill greased muffin tins 2/3 full and bake in preheated 400 oven for 25 minutes.  Makes 2 ½ dozen muffins.

(Grandma Holmberg had these at her home all of the time when we would visit her.  They also freeze very well)

 

Buttermilk Syrup

Buttermilk Syrup  (Been looking for this one for quite awhile)

1 cube of butter
1 c. sugar
2 T. corn syrup
1/2  c. buttermilk
1 t. vanilla
1/4 t. baking soda

Melt butter, add the sugar, corn syrup, and buttermilk.  Stir until sugars are dissolved, bring to a boil and cook for 2-3 mins.  Do not over cook.  Remove from the heat and add vanilla and baking soda which will cause the syrup to foam and expand.  Serve warm. 

Rainbow Cake-1st birthday magic

This little girl doesn't know how "lucky" she is.  Her talented Mommy created this rainbow cake to celebrate her 1st birthday.  Can't believe that Grandchild number 11 is already a year old. 

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Tex-Mex Tortilla Soup

2 whole large chicken breasts, skinned  and boned,                                   

2 c. water                                                                                     
1 14.5 oz. can beef broth                                                  
1 14.5 oz. can chicken broth                                             
1 14.5 oz. can tomatoes, cut up                                                     
½ c. onion, chopped                                                                       
½ c. green pepper, chopped                                               
1 8 &2/4 oz. whole kernel corn, drained                                       
1 t. chili powder
½ t. cumin
1/8 t. black pepper
Tortilla chips, 3 c. coarsely crushed
4 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, about 1 c., grated
1 avocado, peeled, pit removed and cut up
 

Cut chicken into 1 inch cubes; set aside.  In a large saucepan combine water, chicken broth, beef broth, undrained tomatoes, onion, and green pepper. Bring to boiling.  Add chicken; reduce heat.  Cover and simmer for 10 mins.  Add corn, chili powder, cumin, and pepper. Simmer, covered, for 10 mins more.  To serve, place crushed tortilla chips into each bowl.  Ladle soup over tortilla chips.  Sprinkle with cheese, avocado, and cilantro if desired.  Serve with lime wedges, if desired.  Makes 6 servings.

 This is one of my favorite go to recipes because I have all of the ingredients in my pantry 98% of the time and because literally everyone in my family loves this soup.  I make a double batch because it is great for leftovers and or freezes really well, minus the cheese, for another time.

St. Spencer's Day (Patricks)

One of my favorite things to do for St. Patrick's Day is to add the green food color to change up normal foods.  When I did waffles the first time, when my children were quite young, was to do add the green to the waffles, the bacon is a family favorite as it cooks right along the batter.  Note the bacon must be the one sided kind, sliced super thin in order to completely cook.  My oldest daughter refused to eat the waffles and to drink the green milk, she was convinced that it changed the flavor as well.  We have also had really green Shepherds pie, pot pie, pancakes and waffles to name a few things.  Since my second grandson made the 17th his day it has become St. Spencer's Day in our family.  Happy St. Spencer's Day.

Copy Cat - Peanut Butter Cups

Peanut Butter Cups

1 pkg. graham crackers

2 c. peanut butter
4 c. powdered sugar
2 sticks softened butter, not melted
1 pkg. chocolate chips.

Mix together graham crackers, peanut butter, powdered sugar and softened butter, blend well.  Form into balls or place in mini cupcake holders.  Melt chocolate chips and spread over the peanut butter mixture. 

(Grandpa Smith really loved these for special treats.)