Baked Chicken

This will work whether you are baking a whole chicken, chicken breasts, or tenderloins. Great flavor and very moist.

Chicken
Garlic powder
Salt
Pepper
Bay Leaves
Paprika
Basil
Onion

Place foil in a baking dish; spray with cooking spray. Place chicken in the dish and season with the garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika, and basil- to taste. Add 2 bay leaves. Slice 1 onion into rings or chunks and arrange around and on top of the chicken. Add 1/2 cup of water. Check throughout baking to see if more water is needed.
Bake at 375:
Whole Chicken: approx. 2- 2 1/2 hours
Split Chicken Breasts: approx 1 1/2 hours
Tenderloins: approx. 30minutes

Chicken is done when tender and juices run clear

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

This bread is oh-so-soft, a beautiful deep chocolate color, and has excellent taste and texture. I love it! It was a big hit with my husband and kids, too. If you prefer to make it more like traditional zucchini bread, I've included those notes below, as well. The recipe makes 2 loaves, so it is great to make one for your family, and one to share with a neighbor or friend!
Enjoy!
~Kari

2 cups shredded fresh zucchini
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup all-purpose flour flour
1 cu whole wheat flour (I like to use King Arthur Whole Wheat flour)
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 c. cocoa
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

Shred zucchini; place in strainer and press or squeeze with hands to get rid of some of the extra liquid. In a mixing bowl beat eggs, sugar, and oil together. Stir in the flours, baking powder, soda, cinnamon, salt, and cocoa, mixing just until all ingredients are combined. Add vanilla; mix; Add drained zucchini. Mix well. Pour into 2 greased and floured 8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch loaf pans. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes at 350°, or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.


Notes for non-chocolate version.
Simply omit the cocoa.
You could also add about 1/2- 3/4 c. raisins and/or walnuts or pecans, if desired

Peach Blueberry Muffins

For me, one of the wonderful things about summer is enjoying lots of fresh fruit in many different ways. These muffins, for instance, are bursting with fresh summer fruits- peaches and blueberries!

~Kari

1 egg

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup vegetable oil

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup wheat flour

1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup chopped fresh peaches

3/4 cups fresh blueberries

In a bowl, beat egg; add milk and oil; mix well. Add flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; stir into the egg mixture just until moistened. Stir in the peaches and blueberries. Fill greased muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake at 400° (375 for dark pans) for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in a muffin comes out clean. Cool for 5-7 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Yield: 10 muffins-12 muffins

Big Batch Birthday Brownies

Here is a great dessert for a large family, like ours! This was Adam's (age 4) birthday dessert this year. The made-from-scratch icing really makes this easy dessert extra special.

Brownies:
3 boxed brownie mixes (9x13 size ea.)

Lightly grease a 12x18in. sheet pan (i know that might be a harder-to-find size- but if you have a large family, it is a great pan and would be worth the purchase..find it here)


Prepare and bake brownies according to package directions

Allow to cool completely

Chocolate Butter Cream Icing:
1 stick margarine, softened to room temperature
1/4 cup milk
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 pound (about 4 cups) confectioners sugar
6-8 T. cocoa
2 T. margarine, softened
Dash of salt
Milk

Place 1 stick margarine, 1/4 c. milk, 1/4 tsp.salt, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Cover with about 2 cups of sugar. Begin mixing slowly- add the other 2 cups of sugar and slowly mix until sugar is moistened. Increase mixing speed and mix until blended and fluffy.
In a small bowl, mix the cocoa, 2 T. margarine, and dash of salt. Add this to the prepared butter cream mixture and mix well. Add milk a Tablespoon at a time until frosting reaches spreading consistency (approx. 1 or 2 Tbs.)
Spread over cool brownies

Topping:
1 large bag of M&Ms

Immediately after icing the brownies, sprinkle with your choice of M&Ms.

Serves approx: 30 people

Caramel Squares

This is usually the dessert our second son, Tim, requests for his birthday. These bars boast a soft short-bread like bottom, gooey caramel in the middle, and rich chocolate to top it off. What's not to like!?

Crust:
3/4 c. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
2 c. flour
3/4 c. confectioners sugar
1 1/2 Tbs. milk

Cream butter, gradually adding sugar. Add vanilla, milk and salt. Blend in flour; mix well. Press into bottom of a 9x13 pan. Bake 20 minutes at 350.

Filling:
28 caramels
1/4 c. butter
1 c. chopped pecans
1/4 c. evaporated milk
1 c. confectioners sugar

Combine caramels and milk in top of double boiler. Heat until caramels melt, stirring occasionally. remove from heat and add butter and sugar. Mix well. Add nuts. Spread over crust.

Icing:
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 c. evaporated milk
2 Tbs. butter
1/2 c. confectioners sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Combing chips and milk- melt. Stir in remaining ingredients and mix well. Drizzle over the caramel. Cool. Cut into squares before serving.

Potato Casserole

Even when making 2 batches of this yummy casserole, there is rarely any left! It is great for breakfast, brunch, or as a side dish at dinner. (this recipe can be found in Homemade with Love: Treasured Family Recipes of Marilyn Boyer )

2 lb. frozen hash browns
3/4 c. melted butter, divided
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1pint (16 oz.) sour cream
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
2 c. crushed corn flakes

Thaw potatoes. In a large bowl, combine potatoes, salt, pepper, onion, soup, 1/2 c. of the butter, sour cream, and cheese. Place in a 3 qt. casserole dish. Mix remaining butter and corn flakes. Sprinkle over the potato mixture. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. YIELD: 12 servings.
* To prepare ahead of time, cover with foil and store in the refrigerator. Allow more time to bake if cold.

Light Whole Wheat Bread

This is an excellent recipe for a good wheat bread. I make it often
~Kari

In bread machine combine the following ingredients:

1 1/4 c. water
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3 Tbs. honey (or sugar)
1 1/2 Tbs. butter
1 1/2 Tbs. dry milk
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. yeast

Set bread machine on dough cycle. When completed, lightly knead and form into a loaf. Place in a greased loaf pan. Let rise in a warm place (30minutes- 1 hour) Bake at 350 until done (approx. 25-30 minutes)

Snow Cream

In Virginia, we have had a LOT of snow this year. In our home, for many years now, when it snows, that means lots of sledding and it also means Hot Chocolate and Snow Cream! We reserve a nice clean patch of snow with the promise of this treat in mind. We made the recipe up when our oldest boys were little. Everyone looks forward to when Dad cooks up this special treat. Give it a try!
~Marilyn

1 1/2 to 2 c. sugar
2 Tbs. vanilla
2 c. milk
2 eggs
3 qt. clean snow

Combine sugar, vanilla, milk and eggs in saucepan. Boil until sugar is dissolved (about 5 minutes). Cool completely; set pan outside in snow to chill. When cold, combine syrup and snow. Mix thoroughly. Serve immediately.

Browse them all

Browse all Holiday Recipes
http://boyerfamilyrecipes.blogspot.com/search/label/Holidays

Chocolate Chip Cheeseball

1 8 oz. Cream cheese
1/2 c. butter
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 c. confectioners sugar
1 pkg.. mini chocolate chips, divided

Beat first 3 ingredients together.
Add sugar and 3/4 chocolate chips

Form mixture into a ball
Chill
Once chilled, roll in remaining chocolate chips

Serve with Wheat Thins or Graham Cracker Sticks

Some Good Christmas Recipe Links

I thought I'd give you some links to some tasty recipes that I use for Christmas.

Holiday Poke Cake
This first one is the recipe for the cake that we always called the "Jesus Birthday Cake". Mom only made it at Christmas, and we would put candles on it and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. It's a very pretty cake with the red and green http://brands.kraftfoods.com/jello/recipe.aspxs=recipe&m=recipe/knet_recipe_display&wf=9&recipe_id=53185

Orange-Chip Cranberry Bread
Here is a tasty bread recipe that is perfect for this time of year- complete with cranberries and walnuts, and a little orange zest for an added flavor. This is a good recipe to bake in small bread loaves and give as gifts to neighbors and friends.
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Orange-Chip-Cranberry-Bread?refurl=&_mid=44500&_rid=44500.1236102280.26370

Easy Oreo Truffles
http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/easy-oreo-truffles-95085.aspx

Cherry Jello Salad

I always make this jello salad to go along with Christmas Eve dinner with my side of the family
~Kari

1 can (20oz.) crushed pineapple, drained (save juice)
3 c. boiling water
1 c. pineapple juice
1 can cherry pie filling
2 (small) pkg. cherry jello

Add boiling water to jello- stir to dissolve
Add reserved pineapple juice (note: if pineapple juice doesn't amount to 1 cup- add water to equal 1 cup)
Refrigerate until thickened, but not congealed
Add filling and pineapple
Refrigerate until set

Topping:
8 oz. cream cheese
8 oz. sour cream
8 oz. cool whip

Cream together sour cream, vanilla, and cream cheese
Fold in whipped topping
Spread gently over set jello.

Refrigerate

Pilgrim Hat Cookies

1 cup vanilla frosting

7 drops yellow food coloring

32 miniature peanut butter cups

1 package fudge-striped cookies

32 pieces orange mini- Chiclets gum (we used colored M&M's instead)

1. In a small bowl , combine frosting and food coloring. Remove paper liners from peanut butter cups.

2. Holding the bottom of a peanut butter cup, dip top of cup in yellow frosting. Position over center hole of a cookie, forming the hatband and crown. Add a buckle of gum or M&M. Repeat with remaining cups and cookies.

Fall Snack Mix

I make this snack mix for my family each fall. We all love it. The sweet and salty flavors of these ingredients really taste great together. It's fun to make- the kids could help- and looks like fall, too, with all the oranges and browns!
~Kari




Reese Pieces
Raisins
Honey Roasted Peanuts
Candy Corn

Mix all these ingredients together in a large bowl you can seal up tightly, to ensure freshness. (you choose the portions)

Lever House Macaroons...great for Fall!!

My Mom made these cookies frequently, but when we would have parties at school, she would make them larger and insert straws in them so we could hold them like a lollipop. They were a favorite with all the kids. Sometimes she'd put candy corn on them for eyes, nose and mouth.
The cookies have a really good taste!
~Marilyn...from Marilyn's cookbook Homemade with Love

1 c. shortening
3/4 c. firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 c. granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 unbeaten eggs
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
1 1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. soda
3 c. rolled oats

Combine shortening, sugars, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, and eggs. Beat thoroughly. Stir in walnuts. Sift together flour and soda. Add to shortening mixture and blend. Stir in oats. Place dough by tablespoons on greased cookie sheets, leaving a little space between. Press with a fork. Bake in 350 oven for 12 to `4 minutes. Cool about 2 minutes before removing from sheet.
YIELD: 5 1/2 dozen
VARIATION: For Lollipop Cookies prepare dough as directed above. Just before baking, insert a lollipop stick, paper drinking straw, or wooden skewer into each mound of dough with sticksparallel to the sheet to make it look like a lollipop. Decorate with facial features. (use Candy corn, M&Ms, gumdrops, raisins, etc.) Bake as directed.

Calico Beans

A good meal on a chilly day. Serve with hot fresh bread or rolls!
~Marilyn......From Marilyn's cookbook Homemade with Love

2 c. pinto beans, cooked and drained
2 c. Northern beans, cooked and drained
2 c. red kidney beans, cooked and drained
1 qt. pork and beans
1 lb. ground beef
1 1/2 onions, cut up
3/4 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. salt
1 clove garlic
1/2 c. vinegar
1/2 c. ketchup

Preheat oven to 325. Combine beans in a large casserole dish, reserving liquids. Fry the ground beef and onions briefly. Add the brown sugar, salt, garlic, vinegar and ketchup. Cook 5 minutes and pour over the beans. Bake, uncovered, 1 1/2 hours, adding additional liquid if beans become to dry. YIELD: 10 to 12 servings

Taco Dip

16oz. sour cream
8oz. cream cheese
1 packet taco seasoning

Add all ingredients to mixing bowl. Mix on high speed until blended well. (there may be some small lumps of cream cheese remaining)

Refrigerate.

Serve with Tortilla chips

My Favorite Bread Machine Pizza Crust

This is a great and quick pizza crust. I use wheat flour, also, adding to the nutritional value.
My husband gobbles this pizza up, and he said he didn't used to like homemade pizza!
~Kari

1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. wheat flour
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. active dry yeast
1 c. water
2 Tbs. canola oil
Sprinkle in garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes, oregano to taste.

1. Combine all ingredients into bread machine pan
2. Select dough setting
3. When dough is finished, remove and set on greased 12x15 jellyroll pan ( or cookie sheet)
4. Preheat oven to 400
5. Spray hands with cooking spray, to make it easier to work with the dough
6. Press dough evenly into the pan

7.Top with:

1 jar pizza sauce
8 oz. bag pizza cheese or mozzarella cheese
1/2-1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Chopped Canadian Bacon
(or any topping of your choice)

8. Bake 15-20 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly
9. Allow to sit for about 5 minutes before serving.

Christa's Cinnamon Rolls

These cinnamon rolls are our daughter, Christa's, specialty. Every year when we go to the beach, she makes these in advance and we all look forward to eating them. They are also wonderful paired with a good hot soup in the winter.
~Marilyn

Note: These also work great, using the bread machine to make the dough. Just add the ingredients as directed for your bread machine, set on the dough setting, and then proceed with step 4

1 T. Yeast

1c. Warm Water

1/3c. Sugar
1/2c. Butter of Margarine

1t. Salt

2 Eggs

4c. Wheat Flour

1. Dissolve yeast in water, the add sugar, salt, soft butter and two cups flour; mix well.

Beat in eggs and then add rest of flour.

2. Knead approx. 8 min. (I just put it on highest setting of Bosch, kitchen aid would be fine too.)

3. Let rise until doubled

4. Roll out onto floured surface and spread with 1/4c.butter and then cinnamon mixture. (see below), roll into log and cut into 1in pieces.

5. Bake in greased pans @ 400 for exactly 10 minutes.

6. Ice while hot.

1c. Brown Sugar

3T. Cinnamon

Icing

1/2c. Soft Butter or Margarine

1 1/2c. Powdered Sugar

1oz. Cream Cheese

2T. Half and Half

1t. Vanilla

Pinch of salt ( I use a large pinch )

Caramel Frosting

Chocolate caked topped with this frosting is a popular favorite at the Boyer house- especially yummy when it is still a little warm!

1/4 c. marg
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1 1/4 c. powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. vanilla
2 Tbs. milk

Melt margarine in saucepan. Stir in brown sugar. Cook 2 minutes over low-medium heat while stirring constantly until it comes to a boil. Remove from heat and gradually stir in confectioners sugar, vanilla, and milk; stir well.
Yield: Frosts a 9x13 sheet cake. (to frost a layer cake, you'll need to double the recipe)