Oatmeal Scones - YUM!

Oatmeal Scones
3 c. Oatmeal
2 c. flour
1 c. sugar
1 t. salt
1 t. soda
1 c. sour cream
1 c. melted butter

Mix dry ingredients together, then add sour cream and butter.

There are a couple ways you can bake these. Both use a round baking stone and are baked at 420 degrees.

1st - Grease the stone and pat all the dough out on the stone in a large circle that is about 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick, cut the dough into 12 pie shaped pieces and seperate the sections by 1/2 inch. They will bake back together, but if you skip this step, you will have doughy scones. Bake for 20 minutes.

2nd - Grease two baking stones, use the large pampered chef scoop and scoop out 12 individual scones per stone, 9 around the outside circle and 3 in the center. Makes 2 dozen scones. Bake for 15 minutes.

Mexican Lasagna

I know it has been ages since I have updated this blog, but I am back!

Here is what we had for supper last night, it is one of "Jana's Creations."  That is what my husband calls it when I cook with out a recipe, using the ingredients from the fridge and the cupboard. I am sure there are many recipes for similar dishes, but the great thing about cooking this way, is you can use what you have. Next time, you can make something similar, but change it up, you could add chicken or beef, possibilities are endless!

Mexican Lasagna
1 can refried beans
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 19 oz. can enchilada sauce ( I used mild, you could use medium for more kick)
2 c. frozen corn, thawed
2 roma tomatoes, diced
4 c. shredded cheese (I used a mix of Monterey Jack and Colby, you could also use cheddar)
6 flour tortillas (10 inch)
   Spray a 9x13 inch pan with non stick spray. Cut 3 of your tortillas into quarters. In a medium bowl mix the refried beans, black beans and 1/2 of the enchilada sauce. Put down your first layer of tortillas in the pan, use 4 quarter pieces with the points into the corners and one whole tortilla in the middle of the pan. On top of this smooth out 1/2 of the bean mixture, sprinkle with cheese. Put down another layer of tortillas, smooth out the second half of the bean mixture, sprinkle the corn evenly over top of the beans and then sprinkle with some more cheese. Top with the 3rd and final layer of tortillas, pour the last half of the enchilada sauce on top of the tortillas, sprinkle the diced tomatoes evenly on top and then add more cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or so. 
*For faster cook time, I heated the bean mixture in the microwave and soaked the corn in warm water, then strained it. I baked it at 400 for 20 minutes.*

Tortilla layout

Ready to bake

 Just out of the oven

Plated and ready to enjoy!

Bran Muffins

Here is a great recipe for bran muffins that doesn't use bran cereal. All 'whole' ingredients, for those who want to stay away from processed foods!

Bran Muffins
1 c. bran
1/2 c. flour
1 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 c. wheat germ
1 1/4 c. buttermilk
1 1/4 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. applesauce
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 T. oil
1 t. vanilla

Mix dry ingredients together, add remaining ingredients, mix well. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Makes 12 muffins.

BBQ Beef Brisket

Here is a recipe requested by a friend from work. I will be making this in a few days for our annual Halloween bash, so I can add pictures then. This recipe is from my husbands step-grandmother, it is great!

BBQ Beef Brisket
1 3-7 lb. beef brisket
5 oz. lite soy sauce
2 - 10 oz. cans beef consomme soup
1 T. cider vinegar
3 T. liquid smoke
2 T. Worcestershire sauce
1 t. garlic powder

Combine marinade ingredients, trim brisket, marinate in covered dish for 24 hours, you can also use a gallon ziploc bag. Flip brisket at about 12 hours to redistribute marinade. Place brisket and marinade in a covered pan, bake for 3 hours @ 300, slice and return to pan for another 2 hours. Serve with beef juices, you can make a thin gravy with it if you like.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars

Mmmmm. I have made these a couple of times now, great bars! Pictures will be added soon.

1 c. butter
2/3 c. sugar
2/3 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
2 t. vanilla
1 c. flour
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
2 c. oatmeal
2 c. chocolate chips
Cream shortening and sugars, add eggs and vanilla, add dry ingredients, add oatmeal and chocolate chips. Bake at 350, 20-25 min. for a 10 x 15 pan, or 35-40 min. for a 9 x 13. I like the 9 x 13.

Carrot Cake

I have no pictures for this one, I am putting the recipe out there for Mary Anne R. My mom made this cake, it is great if you like raisins in your carrot cake, I do not.

2 1/2 c. flour
2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
2 t. cinnamon
1 c. lightly packed brown sugar
1 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. butter, softened
3 eggs
2 t. vanilla
3 c. grated carrots
1/2 c. crushed pineapple, drained
1 c. raisins
1 c. walnuts, chopped
Mix all ingredients together, begin with dry, add liquids, then fruit and nuts, pour into two 9 in. rounds and bake @ 350 for 60-70 minutes.
Icing:
6 oz. cream cheese, soft
1/2 c. butter
1 T. lemon juice
2 t. vanilla
3 c. powdered sugar

Cheesey Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Soup

4 c. water
2 c. chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 12.5 oz. can chicken, with water
1 12 oz. bag frozen broccoli florets, chopped
1 8 oz bag shredded cheese, cheddar or colby
2 c. cooked rice
1 t. onion powder
1/2 t. basil
1/2 t. parsley

Combine, bring to a boil and then simmer for 5 minutes, stirring often, cheese and rice sink to the bottom and stick!