Pumpkin Cheesecake

So, this was a hit at our Thanksgiving celebration.  Recipe requested more than once.  (I didn't serve it with the Bourbon Sour Cream...though I'm sure it would have been good.)  Here is the recipe.

Sweet or Savory?

The crepe is a staple chez Dills.  The adults like to start dinner with a savory one: peppered turkey, provolone, tomatoes, grilled asparagus (caramelized onions are also yummy) with a sprinkle of oregano on top.  You can really fill them with whatever is loved at your own abode.  For dessert we like orange syrup, a variety of fruits (thawed from the freezer) and whipped cream.  Mix and match.  Sweet or Savory.  Please everyone.

Hello Ladies!

Sorry about those two posts! Im a little new to blogging! A friend sent me a link to a fun little website where you "see what your children will look like". Kind of cheesy, but fun =) I had no idea it would post them on here! I'll make up for it with a fabulous recipie post sometime soon.

Thanks for the patince with my lack of blogging know how!

Calling all Pie and Chili Recipes

Since no one has posted anything recently I'll post again. Here's the recipe for the pie the got second place at the Ward Halloween party. I want some of the other recipes from that night also.

Gingered Pear Pie with Golden Raisins

3/4 c golden raisins
1 tsp ginger
3 lbs ripe pears (about 7), peeled, cored, sliced 1/2" thick
1/2 c sugar
3 TBSP butter, melted
2 TBSP quick-cooking tapioca
1 TBSP fresh lemon juice
1 1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
pastry for a 2 crust pie
2 tbsp milk

Combine raisins and ginger in a small saucepan. Add enough water to just cover. Simmer over low heat until liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Cool completely.

Combine pears and next 6 ingredients in bowl. Stir in raisin mixture.

Pour into pie pan lined with crust. Put a couple of teaspoons of butter on the filling and then top with the other crust. Pinch edges together in a pretty pattern. Trim off excess. Use leftover dough to make a pretty shape for the top (I do a pear). Make several slits in top. Brush top of crust with milk and sprinkle with sugar. Bake pie at 400 degrees until crust is golden and juices bubble through the slits, about 1 hour. Cover loosely with foil if crust browns too quickly during baking. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

I use the crust from the better homes or Betty Crocker cook book. Remember: to make a pie crust flaky, use cold ingredients and handle it as little as possible. (I'm not so good at this but I'm getting better.)


White Chili

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cooked, boneless chicken breast half, chopped
2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
2 (4 ounce) cans canned green chili peppers, chopped
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
5 (14.5 ounce) cans great Northern beans, undrained
1 cup shredded Monterrey Jack cheese

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and saute for 10 minutes, or until onions are tender. Add the chicken, chicken broth, green chili peppers, cumin, oregano and cayenne pepper and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to low. Put 2 cans of the beans in a blender to make the chili thicker then add to the pot with the remaining beans. Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, or until heated thoroughly. Pour into individual bowls and top with the cheese.

Spice things up

Sometimes you need to add some spices to kick-up your food a notch. Here are my two favorite.

Taco Seasoning Mix (your tacos will be hot and spicy)

2 t. dried minced onion
1 t. salt
1 t. chili Powder
1/2 t. cornstarch
1/2 t crushed dried red pepper
1/2 t dried minced garlic
1/2 t. dried oregano
1/2 t. ground cumin

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl until evenly distributed. Spoon mixture onto a 6-inch square of aluminum foil and fold to make airtight. Label and store in a cool, dry place. When ready, add to 1 pound ground beef already browned, plus 1/2 cup water. Simmer till the liquid is mostly gone and presto you're done.


My mom used to use these spices when making Cornish hen but I prefer boneless, skinless chicken breast. It's just so much easier to eat.

Chicken spices

Salad Supreme
Season Salt
Garlic Powder
Black Pepper
Poultry Seasoning
Sage (ground)
Chili Powder

My mom didn't know how much of any of this to add; so just sprinkle the spices on till they look good. Add more if you like a certain spice to be stronger. Pour in soy sauce till there is about an inch in the pan and let it marinate for a couple hours. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes or untill cooked through. Serve over rice and it's wonderful.

Chicken Chili Soup

Now that it's fall it's time to break out those soup recipes. I love making soup because most of mine come from the can and are supper fast.

Chicken Chili

1 1/2 lbs. cubed chicken

1 medium onion, minced

1 16 oz. can tomatoes

1 15 oz. can of chicken broth

1 15 oz. can of pinto beans

1 15 oz. can chili beans (chili starter)

1 10 oz. package frozen corn

1 can tomato soup

1 T. chili powder

1 tsp. cumin

Top with sour cream and cheddar cheese

Cook chicken until browned. Remove from pan. Add onion to pan and cook until translucent. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Serves 6-8.

If You're in the Neighborhood

While in Daytona yesterday, we discovered a "hole in the wall" type of pizza place.  It seats, maybe 18.  But, the owner (see above) is actually the cook (or is the other way around?)  Anyhow, he makes almost everything from scratch, none of this Sysco frozen stuff you get at the chains.  In fact, he brought out the pan in which he made our pizza's sauce, still remnants at the bottom.  Perhaps not a five star restaurant, but definitely one worth returning to over and over.  (Location:  201 Seabreeze Blvd, Daytona Beach)