Pickles, drinks, appetizers, add quesadillas, tacos?,sauces

 

 

Olive Dip

 

 

2 small cans chopped olives

1 (¼ lb) stick softened butter    Mix in the food processor.

8 oz. cream cheese, softened              Refrigerate but let come to room

1 minced garlic                                    temperature before serving.

pepper

¼ tsp. crushed anise seed

2 tsp. chicken stock base

 

Serve with crackers

 

 

Ice Cream Aleksandr’s                                                                         Serves 2

 

 

1 jigger brandy                                    Combine brandy, cream de cocoa and

¾ jigger cream de cocoa                     ice cream in blender.  Mix well.

4 scoops vanilla ice cream

 

 

   Serve in frosted glasses topped with a sprinkling of nutmeg.

 

 

                       This is sort of a Christmas “opening presents” time drink.

 

Kahlua

 

1 quart bottled water                                        Bring water to a rolling boil

12 generous tsp instant Yuban coffee              Add coffee and sugar; simmer 30 min, stirring often.

3 c. sugar                                                          Cool

 

3 tsp vanilla                                                      Add vanilla and vodka.          

1/5 vodka                                                           Bottle

 

 

         When Alek was born my parents were celebrating at a restaurant and friends at another table ordered "Black Russians" to be sent to my folks table.   That was the beginning of my "favorite drink" -- but Kahlua was expensive so I made it from this recipe for years -- it's good.

 

Hot Buttered Rum

1 lb. dark brown sugar            

1 lb. pwd sugar                       

1 lb. butter                               Mix together to make "goop"!

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1 quart vanilla ice cream, softened

 

      Add 1-2 scoops of "goop" to a glass, jigger of rum and boiling water. This "goop" will last in the refrigerator a year -- or freezer longer.

 

        When we were first married this was a popular recipe -- it was  great at a lake skating party in Ohio.

 

Christmas Punch                                                                                  Serves 50

 

2½ c. cognac or brandy

3½ c. unsweetened pineapple juice (frozen is best)

1½ c. sugar                             

2½ c. Riesling wine                                                     Combine all and let set several hours

1 c. lime juice ("Real" lime is okay)

1½ Tbs. Angostura bitters

 

2 bottles of champagne                                               Add ice and champagne just before serving

 

Liberty Pickles  

 

    Wash pickles and pack in jar.  Pour over a strong hot brine and let stand 5 days.  Drain-cover with boiling water.  Let stand over night.  Cut in pieces and cover with boiling water and alum the size of walnut.  Cover with radish leaves and let stand overnight.  Drain and cover with boiling water.  Let stand until cool.  Drain and cover with the following:

 

     8 c. sugar to 2½ quarts vinegar

     1 Tb celery seed

     stick of cinnamon

 

      Pour hot mixture on pickles.  Drain and reheat 4 different mornings.

Seal in jars.  The first jar means a crock.

 

           This is my grandmother Breselow's recipe for pickles.  She would give me a quart of pickles for my birthday or Christmas.  I  would eat the whole quart at once.  Even though I didn't feel very good afterwards it was always worth it!  They were the best!  Although I have made other 14-day pickles I have never made this recipe, probably because the recipe isn't "exact", tho I'm sure it was to her.

 

Champagne Peach Punch

 

 

½ c. granulated sugar (can dissolve in a little water)  Mix together

1 c. Grand Mariner

1 pkg frozen peaches                                                                          Refrigerate overnight

1 bottle (4/5's quart) dry white wine

 

2 bottles Champagne (pink is okay)

 

  Pour molded ice in punch bowl and add Champagne.  Serve.

 

 

     I put cherries (red and green) or peaches in a ring mold.  Pour a little water over the bottom.  Place in freezer.  When frozen add more water up to top of ring. Freeze.   Unmold and store rings in plastic bags in the freezer .

 

Sangria 

 

1 fifth good red wine              

1 large lemon, thinly sliced                 Combine wine, lemon, orange, sugar and ice in a

1 orange thinly sliced                          large glass pitcher.

1 small tray ice cubes

2 tsp sugar (or to taste)

 

7 oz. carbonated water, chilled           Add carbonated water.  Stir well.

 

     Peaches or other fruits in season (except melon) can be added.  Can add 4 Tbs. brandy to each pitcher for a little "extra".

 

Swiss Cheese Fondue  *                                                                                  6-8 appetizer servings                                                                                                                                                             

1 garlic clove                                             Rub a heavy sauce pan with garlic

                                               

3 Tbs. Kirsh or Cognac                             In a cup mix Kirsh and cornstarch until dissolved.  Set aside

1 tsp cornstarch

2 c. dry white wine                                   Pour in wine, cook over moderately high heat.    

 

½ lb. Swiss cheese, shredded When wine begins to form bubbles add cheese gradually, stirring

½ lb. Gruyere cheese, shredded          constantly with wooden spoon; never allow it to boil.  When you feel

                                                            a slight resistance to the spoon add Kirsch mixture.  Continue to

                                                            cook until fondue begins to thicken.   

 

½ tsp salt                                             Add to taste, salt, nutmeg, pepper, paprika

Nutmeg, white pepper, or paprika       Quickly transfer to Fondue dish and serve.

 

1 loaf French bread, cut into bite size pieces, so that each piece has a bit of crust.

 

    With bread on a folk stir pieces through the cheese in a figure 8 or cross.  If fondue becomes too thick, stir in a little warm (never cold) wine.  Can use Emmenthaler cheese in place of Swiss.

 

         Fondue (meat and cheese) were very popular at one time -- it was very social to gather around the fondue  pot

 

Hot Crab Spread                                                                                                                            

 

 

2  pkg. (8 oz) cream cheese    

4 c. crab meat

½ c. mayonnaise                                 Mix and heat in double boiler

2 tsp. mustard                                     

2 tsp. pwd. sugar                                 Add salts sparingly

1 tsp. onion pwd.

Garlic salt to taste

 

¼ c. sherry                                           Add sherry

 

     Serve in a chafing dish over hot water.  Can add 1 tsp. horseradish or dash of Tabasco.  Serve with Triscuits. 

 

 

                                      This was always a "winner".  The more modern version adds artichoke hearts.

Hot Dogs In Bourbon 

 

1 lb. small hot dogs

1 c. ketchup                             Simmer over low heat one hour

½ c. bourbon

3/4 c. brown sugar

1 small onion, grated

 

     Serve in a fondue dish or in a ceramic bowl on a heated tray with toothpicks on the side.

 

 

            It's  hard to stop with one.  Can be made ahead and reheated.

 

Oyster-Nut Roll

 

8 oz. cream cheese, softened             

Mayonnaise                                               Mix together thoroughly

Garlic salt                                                  Form into a ball

Parsley flakes (opt)

One can smoked oysters (cut up)

 

Chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts)  about 1-2 cups.

 

    If desired incorporate some nuts in the oyster mixture.  Pour rest of nuts on wax paper.   Roll ball around on nuts to coat.  Refrigerate several hours or overnight.  Serve with Triscuits.

 

 

Black Bean Nachos 

 

1 - 15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed           Mash beans

 

1 c. chunky salsa                                                         Stir in salsa and garlic pwd

Garlic pwd to taste

 

Bag of big round tortilla chips                                     Spoon mixture onto tortillas

 

2 c. cheddar/jack cheese, shredded                            Top with cheese

 

 

     Microwave by the plate or bake at 350° until cheese melts.

 

 

Herbed Salmon Ball

 

1 can (15½ oz) or fresh cooked salmon

 

1 - 8 oz. cream cheese, softened                                

1 clove garlic, minced

½ c. small curd cottage cheese           Blend all and add to salmon

¼ c. onion, minced

1 tsp. dried herbs                                 Form a ball and refrigerate 3 hours

 

1 c. parsley

½ c. walnuts, chopped             Mix parsley and walnuts together

 

     Roll salmon in parsley and walnuts.  Can be made ahead.  Serve with crackers.

 

Clam Broth Puffs  (Filling on back of page)                                                                                         Bake @ 400°

 

1 c. clam broth (from filling) or water   Heat liquid in saucepan

½ c. butter, unsalted                                Add butter and bring to a boil

 

1 c. flour all-purpose, sifted                    Add flour and salt all at once and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon

½ tsp salt                                               over low heat until mixture leaves the sides of the pan and forms a ball.

                                                               Transfer to mixing bowl.

4 eggs at room temperature                   Add eggs, one at a time and beat thoroughly after each addition until

                                                               thick dough is formed.

 

1 egg

½ tsp milk                                                Beat egg and milk together

 

    Place level teaspoons of batter on ungreased baking sheet about 1" apart.  Brush tops with egg/milk mixture.  Bake at 400° for 10 min.  Reduce heat to 300° without opening oven door and bake for 20-23 min.  Cool, cut in half and fill with clam filing  (filling recipe on back of page).  Replace tops.  Freeze on a flat tray.  When firm, pack in a freezer bag.  On serving day: heat @ 400° for 15 min.

 

Clam Filling   

                                               

   2 cans (10½ oz) minced clams, drained (use liquid to make puffs)

   12 oz. cream cheese, softened

   ¼ c. chives, finely chopped

   ¼ tsp. pepper                                        Mix all together thoroughly.

   ½ tsp. seasoned salt                          

 

 

   These take some time and effort but because they can be made ahead and because they taste so good they are worth the effort.

 

Water Chestnut Hors d'oeuvre                                     Makes about 16           

 

1 can (5 oz) whole water chestnuts, drained

¼ c. soy sauce                                                             Marinate chestnuts in soy for 1 hour

 

¼ c. sugar                                                                    Roll chestnuts in sugar

 

4 slices bacon, cut into about 2½" slices                     Wrap cut piece of bacon around chestnut and secure

                                                                                    with a toothpick.

 

      Arrange wrapped chestnuts on a rack in a shallow pan.  Bake 20 min. @ 400°.  Drain on paper towels.

If made ahead reheat @ 350° for about 5 minutes before serving.

 

Pork/Chicken Skewers

 

2 lbs. boneless pork or chicken cut into 1" pieces

 

½ c. chutney                            Puree until smooth

¼ c. ketchup

 

1 tsp. soy sauce                       Add soy, pepper and oil to chutney/ketchup

4 drops liquid hot pepper       

2 Tb. salad oil

 

3/4 c. salted peanuts, chopped

 

      Add chicken/pork to marinade and marinate overnight.  Put meat under broiler and broil until done.  Immediately roll in peanuts.  Then put on skewers and serve.

 

Chili Con Queso 

 

8 oz. of taco sauce

1 can chili peppers

1 Tb. sugar

1 Tb. vinegar                                       Simmer together 1½ hours

1 Tb. Tabasco

1 bunch cut-up scallions

½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp pepper

3 cloves garlic, chopped

2 tsp paprika

 

2 lb. Velveeta cheese                          Mix together with sauce

 

1 lb. ground beef, cooked                    Mix in.  Keep warm in chafing dish.  Serve with tortilla chips.

 

                                         This is another "old" favorite that I haven't made in years.

                                         Chili Con Queso used to be a staple of cocktail parties.

 

Chex Party Mix                                                                                                            Bake @ 250°   

 

6 Tb. butter/margarine                         Melt butter in oven on a large cookie pan

1 tsp seasoned salt                              Stir in salt and Worchestershire sauce

4 tsp Worchestershire sauce

 

1½ c. Corn Chex cereal

1½ c. Rice Chex cereal                        Add cereals, nuts, pretzels. 

1½ c. Wheat Chex cereal                    Mix until all pieces are coated

¾ c. salted mixed nuts(or just peanuts)  (can also add cherrios)

1½ c. pretzel sticks

 

 Heat for 45 minutes at 250° .  Stir every 15 min. 

 

                                     The date on this recipe was 1979 -- one of its popular years.

 

Layered Bean Dip

Bean dip or one drained can of black beans, "smushed"

Guacamole

   2 ripe avocados (the secret to good "guac" is a very ripe, but not too ripe avocado)

   1 tsp. dried minced onion

   ½ c. sour cream

Sour cream

Salsa

Chives, cut up

Cheese (cheddar/jack, longhorn or jalapeno jack), shredded

Lettuce, shredded

Black olives, drained and cut up

Tomatoes, cut up

 

      In a decorative shallow bowl or glass pie pan spread bean dip/beans on the bottom, then guacamole, sour cream, salsa, chives, cheese, lettuce, olives, and tomatoes layered on top.  Refrigerate.  Serve with chips.

 

            This recipe includes the "K's standard recipe for guacamole served with sauce and chips.  In this recipe just avocado is okay - no need to make guac since it includes sour cream.  Kris was always the best guac maker, cutting the avocado in half and squeezing the meat out so it was already "smushed" when it landed in the bowl.  Can add a bit of lemon juice to keep the guac from turning brown.

 

Carrot Dip

 

Carrots, cooked until slightly soft        

Olive oil

Jalapeno

Garlic cloves

 

     Mix all in the food processor until smooth.  Adjust oil and Jalepenos and garlic according to taste.  Serve with corn chips.

 

                                  Most people never guess this is made with carrots -- healthy.

 

Spinach Dip

 

1 pkg chopped frozen spinach Cook with salt.  Drain and squeeze dry.

 

½ c. fresh chopped parsley

1 tsp salt

dash of pepper

½ c. finely chopped onion

1 c. mayonnaise

½ c. sour cream

 

     Mix all the ingredients together and chill.  Serve with a vegetable tray, crackers or chips.

 

Seafood Cocktail Sauce                                              Makes ½ Cup

 

1/3 c. chili sauce                                  Combine ingredients

2 Tb. lemon juice

1½ Tb. horseradish                              Chill thoroughly                                  

¼ tsp grated onion

1 tsp Worchestershire sauce               

2 drops Tabasco sauce

Salt to taste

 

  Serve with chilled shrimp.

 

Artichoke Dip

 

 

1 can artichoke hearts (4-5 hearts)

2 tsp. olive oil                                      Blend all together in a blender

1 garlic

1/3 c. parmesan cheese

salt/pepper to taste

cayenne

 

     Serve with veggies or bread or crackers.  Don’t increase the garlic or it will overpower the flavor.