Homemade Salsa (Fresh)

This is Jim's fresh salsa recipe he learned on his mission. This recipe is an estimate of the amounts we usually do.

1/2 Onion, chopped
4 Tomatos, chopped
2 Jalapeno peppers, chopped small (usually the smaller the spicier so choose accordingly at the store)
lemon juice
salt (more than you think)

It's better chilled. Yummy!

Jim's Wahoo's Chicken

We call this Wahoo's Chicken. But, I've never eaten this at the actual restaurant. It is something you might find there, the same styleat least. All the credit goes to Jim on this one. This is his recipe.

You take a bowl and put white rice in it (or cilantro-lime rice). Then, you put on top: this chicken, shredded lettuce, salsa (we like fresh, homemade salsa-see separate recipe) and black beans (see below). Try to not over-eat!

To make the chicken, put your chicken pieces (4 boneless, skinless breasts usually serves 4-5 adults + 1 kid) on a very well pam-sprayed broiling pan. If some of the pieces are thick I cut them in 1/2. Then, generously sprinkle on the following:

Cayenne pepper (don't skimp too much)
Salt
Pepper
Onion (salt or powder)
Garlic (salt or powder)
a double-dose of Cumin (it smells stronger than it tastes)
*Is you are using onion or garlic SALT, be careful how much regular salt you put on

The chicken should be pretty "dirty" on top when its has enough flavor. Broil chicken on low, checking on it and turning it once. When it is done, cut it into bite-size pieces.

Black beans

Open can (we usually do 2), put in microwave-safe bowl. Add garlic salt. Lots. Warm up in microwave.

Chicken Salad

I fell in love with chicken salad when I was pregnant with Eric, and still eat it about once a month! This isn't an exact recipe - make the sauce and add whatever else you want! The sauce recipe is courtesy of the Crofts cousins.

Sauce:
1/2 C mayo
1/2 C sour cream
1/2 t dry ranch dressing
1 T lemon juice
2 T chopped parsley
1/2 t salt
1/2 t pepper
1 C chopped green onions

mix, then add whatever you want of the following:
-a can or 2 of cooked chicken, drained or some cooked chicken, cut into bite sized pieces
-cooked pasta (I like the tube shapes or corkscrew or smaller pastas - NOT spaghetti)
-can pineapple, drained
-can mandarin oranges, drained (add very last, they fall apart if stirred for long)
-2 C grapes, cut in 1/2 (we prefer purple)
-apple, cut into bite-sized pieces
-celery, cut into small pieces
-nuts

Serve as is (with or without pasta), on a croissant or bread, or on lettuce. It is best cold, and within the first 24 hours or so.

Overnight Orange French Toast

WAY good! It was even just as good a day later. I made a batch for J to take for his bday, and one for the boys and I -- we needed 2 batches just for our family, it was that good! I found the recipe online, it is from Bechtel Victorian Mansion Bed & Breakfast Inn. (www.bbonline.com and search recipes - they have lots of different ones!)

8 slices French or Italian bread
1/4 C butter/margarine
1/2 C brown sugar
1/4 t cinnamon
1 t grated orange rind (I used 1/2 an orange)
4 eggs, slightly beaten
2/3 C orange juice

Melt butter/margarine in 9X13 pan. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and orange rind and sprinkle evenly over melted butter. Mix together eggs and OJ. Dip bread slices in liquid, and place in prepared pan. Pour any leftover liquid over bread slices. Sit, covered, overnight in the fridge (or you COULD just cook now...). Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
If you bake it too long, sugar will carmalize. Turn out of pan immediately. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. (I just served it straight out of the pan) You don't need syrup, it is way good without it.

Enjoy!

Dinner Rolls (1 1/2 hours)

1 can evaporated Milk
1 can Water (fill the evaporated milk can)
Heat until quite warm

In mixer add:
4 c. Flour
3/4 c. Sugar
1 c. Shortening
1 T. Salt

Add warm milk to ingredients in mixer. While mixing, add 2 Eggs, and 1 1/2 T Instant Yeast. Add 4 more cups of Flour or just until it pulls from sides of bowl (not sticking on fingers). Knead 10 mins in mixer. Make into loaves or rolls. Place in warm oven for 30 mins. Bake 30 mins at 350 degrees. (About 20 huge rolls)

I put 24 in one cookie sheet. They are kindof Sweet but pretty good and nice that it is fast.

Enjoy!

Best-ever Brownies!

These brownies are from Sister Wade, Jim's seminary teacher. We went to a reunion, had these, and I left with the recipe. They are seriously the best-ever! I don't even bother making any other brownies anymore, they're just not as good. I like to slightly underbake them so they are perfectly gooey, and with the frosting as the finishing touch, I eat them with a fork. Yummy!

Brownies:
2 squares and 2 T margarine or butter
2 C sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 C flour
1 t salt
4 T cocoa
1 t vanilla

Melt butter, add sugar. Beat eggs, add and mix well. Add flour, salt, and cocoa. Mix, then add vanilla and mix. Put into a greased 9 X 13 pan. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes.

Frosting:
1 square margarine
4 T cocoa
2 T canned milk
1/4 C milk
1 box (4 1/2 C) powdered sugar
1 t vanilla

Melt margarine, add cocoa and canned milk. Mix, then add milk and mix. Add sugar, mix, then add vanilla. Spread onto warm brownies. Let cool and cut into squares. Serves 24 (theoretically, at least).

**Let it cool completely - the hardest part. The frosting seems runny at first, but give it time.

French Toast Souffle

An overnight french toast that you don't need any extra syrup with.. IT IS GOOD!

• 3/4 to 1 loaf Texas Toast or French Bread
• 9X13 greased pan.

Squish the bread to fit in the pan.

Combine

• 6 large eggs
• 1/2 c. half and half
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Pour over the bread and put in the fridge.

NEXT DAY

Mixrowave ofr 30 seconds so it is easier to stir

• 5 Tbsp. Butter soft
• 1/2 c. + 1 big Tbsp. Brown Sugar

Mix in 2 Tbsp. Corn syrup

Spread past over bread

Bakd uncovered at 305 degrees for 40 min. until puffy & golden brown