Beignets - The Cajun Donut

     This morning I was hungry for donuts, so I decided to make beignets.  They are what I like to call the Cajun donut.  I'll admit that they aren't exactly like Cafe Du Monde's in New Orleans.

     I do have a couple of recipes for beignets.  This one was in my moms recipe box, so I thought I'd make these first.  I'll make the other recipe another time.  You can help me decide which one is best!

Mom's Beignets

1 cup flour
1 T. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1 egg
1 cup milk
1 cup powdered sugar for coating

Mix first 5 ingredients together and drop by spoonfuls into hot grease.  Batter will be a little thick.  Fry on each side 2-3 minutes.  Drain on paper towels.  Let cool a few minutes.  Put 1 cup powdered sugar in Ziploc bag.  Drop beignets in and shake well to coat.  Makes about 12 beignets.

***You could even make little ones like donut holes- the kids would love them! Putting them in the bag and shaking it up is something they can do to help-just make sure they are cool first.




           Mix all ingredients together except powdered sugar

 

 

 

                                             Fry 2-3 minutes on each side

      Put powdered sugar in Ziploc bag - add beignets and shake

 

 

 

These beignets are a good substitute for the donuts you buy at the bakery.  Especially if you don't want to leave home to pick them up...

 

Let me know what you think!

Easy Buttery Biscuits

     These are my go to biscuits when I need something in a hurry,  because they are so easy!  I am sure some of you have seen some version of this recipe.  They are a lot like Popeye's biscuits...buttery!

Easy Buttery Biscuits

2 cups Pioneer Biscuit Mix
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup 7up or sprite
3/4 stick of melted butter


Mix biscuit mix, sour cream and 7up in large bowl.  Stir until combined.  Batter will be sticky.  Sprinkle extra biscuit mix on counter or chopping block.  Cover batter in biscuit mix on floured surface.   Roll out into large rectangle.  Cut into biscuits and put on baking pan that is sprayed with cooking spray.  Brush biscuit tops with melted butter.  Whatever butter is left, pour it over the biscuits.  It will end up on the bottom of the baking pan.  Cook at 375 degrees for about 20-25 minutes.   Makes 15-20 depending on size and thickness.


I love these with blackberry jelly, but you could use whatever you have on hand. They also make a good side to go with dinner.  Delicious!


                            Start with these three ingredients

Mix them all together in large bowl

 

Batter is sticky!

Roll into biscuits.....

Brush tops with butter - pour rest of it over them!

 

 

Bake for 20-25 minutes at 375 degrees.

 

Done!

Southern People

 

 

 

I saw this posted on facebook and had to share it.  I hope it makes you smile!

 

 

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

    I know it's really early to even be thinking of Christmas, but I've been looking at easy recipes to give as simple gifts for family and friends.  Here's one that's a favorite of mine.

    Buy some small cellophane bags, tie with ribbon and you have a little something to give away.  Homemade items are always a big hit no matter how easy or complicated they are!

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

1 package almond bark - 1-1/4 pound
1 -12 ounce bag mini pretzels

Melt chocolate in double boiler until completely melted.  Put about 3/4 bag of pretzels into melted chocolate.  Stir to completely coat pretzels.  Pour over wax paper. (Try to separate the pretzels a little.) Let cool. 

 

I would recommend giving most of these away- otherwise you may be tempted to eat the whole batch in a couple of days!

 

 

S'mores in a Minute

     Do you ever get so hungry that you need a snack NOW????   You know, like when your blood sugar is dropping or it's that time of the month...That's how I felt recently and just had to have something chocolate!  So I started digging through the snack drawer and figured out a shortcut to make s'mores.  The whole process took about a minute.  What could be simpler?

This is all you need:

2 graham crackers
mini marshmallows
hazelnut spread

 

 

 

Put marshmallows on one side of a graham cracker.

 

 

                           Melt the marshmallows in the microwave for 10-20 seconds.

Remove plate from microwave and spread the hazelnut spread on the 2nd graham cracker.  Put that cracker over the melted marshmallows.  It's okay if you break the graham cracker like I did...

 

 

You end up with a gooey, delicious s'more...  This is a great after school snack the kids can make for themselves! 

Crab Stew

    
What to do with leftover boiled crabs?  Make crab stew!  It's basically a tomato gravy.  Of course, it wouldn't be Cajun without a little roux in it. 

 

Onions and bell peppers

Rest of ingredients

 

3 Tablespoon roux
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 can tomato sauce
8-12 ounces frozen tomatoes
1 chopped bell pepper
1 chopped onion
2 cups water
boiled crabs
season to taste

To prepare crabs: Take everything off of bodies like legs, shell, etc.

Brown bell pepper and onion in a little oil on medium fire.  Add can of tomato sauce and sugar.  Let cook about 15 minutes.  Add roux, water, and frozen tomatoes.  Let cook 30 minutes.  Add crabs.  Don't season until after you add crabs and taste. Gravy will be thin. 

I heat the crabs just until warm.  If you cook them too long in the gravy, the crabmeat will be mushy inside.  I prefer it to be firm meat, but either way is okay depending on your taste.  Serve over cooked rice.

Words of wisdom- there are NO neat ways to eat these crabs...  Just be prepared with PLENTY of paper towels!

Bread Pudding

     This is a wonderful way to use the extra bread you have hanging around your house.  I have used hamburger and hot dog buns, sliced bread, etc.  Of course, it is delicious with French bread.   Give it a try and see if you like it.  We even eat this for breakfast sometimes!



Bread Pudding


8-9 cups bread, cut into 1" cubes
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 cups milk (I used whole)
5 tablespoons butter
3 eggs
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
1/2 cup raisins (optional)


Cinnamon-Sugar Topping

1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon


Put cubed bread in large bowl.  Mix all ingredients together in different bowl until blended.  Pour liquid over bread as shown.  Stir until bread is covered in liquid. You can let the mix soak for about 5 minutes, but I prefer to put it right into a baking pan.  This recipe will make a 13 x 9 pan (spray with cooking spray).  Sprinkle top with cinnamon-sugar topping and bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes.  I like the top to be a little crunchy!

 

 

 

 

Bread pudding can be eaten like this or on the side  add vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or top it with a caramel sauce. 

Enjoy!