Mel's Gingerbread

I usually double it. My mixer can take most of the dry ingredients, and then I knead in the last of it by hand.

Mix all the dry ingredients. Set aside.
5--5 1/2 c. flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
2 t. ginger
2 t. cinnamon
1 t. nutmeg
1 t. cloves

Cream together wet ingredients then add the dry ingredients.

1 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1 1/4 c. molasses
2 eggs

I knead the last bit of flour in by hand out on the counter until it's in a nice big ball.
Keeps two weeks in the fridge wrapped in plastic.

Bake at 375*. For soft cookies, only cook about 5 minutes. (They'll puff a little...take them out even though they don't look fully done, they'll keep cooking on the sheet for a few minutes) For house pieces, I pretty much cook them to death....12 minutes or more.

Icing for cookies.... Just powdered sugar, milk, and lemon extract....keep it thick (like toothpaste)!

-Melanie Wilkes

The PERFECT Sloppy Joe

Sloppy joe, slop sloppy joe!

It's DI! I have my own kitchen, I'm cooking again, so I'm BAack!
Early in my marriage, my husband asked if I would make Manwich over rice for him. Eh? That sounded so disgusting to me! I had never had Manwich before, and I didn't even know what it was! I soon learned that sloppy joes were a favorite of his. I have tried over the years to perfect the elusive joe to no avail. Seriously, it's either too sweet, or not sweet enough, too spicey, flavorless, etc. I tried adding bell peppers, celery, carrots, even red beans, and it was never very good. Manwich has chopped up pickles in it, and it tastes like a tin can. NO WAY!
Lo and behold, I picked up my favorite magazine, Cook's Illustrated at Costco, and it had a recipe for sloppy joes! This magazine is so awesome because they write an article on each recipe explaining the many experiments they did to perfect it. They also recommend different brands of products and offer many cooking tips. I have never been disappointed by their recipes. So, without further ado:

The PERFECT Sloppy Joe!

2 T Vegetable oil (I used Olive oil)
1 medium onion chopped fine
Table salt
2 medium garlic cloves minced
1/2 t chili powder
1 lb. 85% lean ground beef (this percentage keeps it flavorful and less greasy, but just use what you have)
Ground black pepper
1 t. brown sugar
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1/2 c. ketchup
1/4 c. water
1/4 t. hot sauce like Tabasco
4 hamburger buns (the recommend Pepperidge Farm Bakery rolls, but I got the whole wheat buns, still good!)

Heat oil in skillet on medium heat, add onions and 1/2 t. salt. Cover and cook stirring occasionally for 10 minutes. If they start to brown, turn down the heat.
Add garlic and chili powder and cook about 30 seconds.
Add beef and break down with wooden spoon, until just pink.
Add 1/4 t. pepper, brown sugar, tomato sauce, ketchup, water, and hot pepper sauce. Simmer until mixture is slightly thicker than ketchup, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve on buns.

You won't be sorry!

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Carmel Apples

Happy Fall! To get into the mood for fall, we made these deluxe goodies in mommy's group. I just melted a bunch of Kraft carmels in the crockpot but I put one of those crockpot covers in so there was no mess to clean up! We dipped the apples in the carmel and then rolled them in chopped pecans, peanuts, toffee bits, and coconut. We drizzled white and dark chocolate over the top. My absolute favorite is the carmel apple dipped in white chocolate and then rolled in cinnamon and sugar. It tastes like apple pie! This was so much fun and it would be a blast to do with the kiddos or for FHE or something. I tied a bunch up in celophane bags and gave them away. People were shocked at the 'gourmetness' which made me feel all proud (hey no one has to know how easy it is right?!). Have a happy delicious fall!

-Starving in Seattle
(Em)

Messy Meals Tag

So Jerica tagged me awhile back for a messy meal. I wanted to come up with something awesome, maybe like eating spaghetti off a tarp with no utensils, but I couldn't come up with anything good. So here's a few homemade goodies for the kiddos and one fabulous enchilada recipe that will leave your kitchen messy. Happy cooking!

-Starving in ALASKA
(Em)

Oh don't forget....Mandy still wants your favorite pasta/sauce recipe! Happy 4th!

Fingerpaint
2 c water
¼ c cornstarch
food coloring

Bring water to a boil. Add a small amount of water to the cornstarch to make a paste. Add paste to the boiled water and stir well. Bring to a boil again. Remove from heat and add food coloring for your choice. Cool before painting.

Edible Playdough
¾ c peanut butter
½ c powdered milk
½ c sugar

Mix ingredients together and knead well.

Beef Enchiladas - Emily Bohman
1 lb ground beef
1 onion diced
1 tsp crushed garlic
chili powder
1 small can tomato sauce
1 large can red enchilada sauce
1 small can diced chilies
1 packet taco seasoning
1 can kidney beans
12 burrito size tortillas
shredded cheddar cheese
1 small can chopped olives

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Brown meat with onion and garlic. Season with chili pepper, salt, and pepper. Add tomato sauce, ½ can enchilada sauce, taco seasoning, chilies, and kidney beans. Simmer until all flavors combine. Fill tortillas and lay in a greased casserole pan. Cover enchiladas with the rest of the enchilada sauce, cheese, and olives. Bake for 30 minutes. Serve with fresh avocado and sour cream.

Caramel Popcorn (Beth)

1 cup butter
1 cup light Karo syrup
1 can sweetened condensed milk
3 1/2 cups light brown sugar

Bring to a boil over medium heat and let boil for 5 minutes.
Add 1/2 cup miniature marshmellows and 1/8 teaspoon baking soda.
Stir until marshmellows are melted, then pour over 4 bags of popped microwave popcorn (or pop 2 cups popcorn kernels).

This makes a lot!!! And it stays soft for days!!! Just be sure to follow the instructions exactly! And watch out when you add the baking soda, it foams up and may boil over.

If you don't have all of this stuff, my husbands family does a simpler version.

PEANUT BUTTER POPCORN

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup maple syrup
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Bring to a boil and let simmer for a couple of minutes. Pour over 2 bags popped microwave popcorn.

April Fool's Sushi, Smutz, and Fruit Dip

This is probably not the best thing to make for Enrichment but I think it would be super fun to do with your kiddies!
It's just green fruit roll-ups, gummy worms, and warm rice crispy treats! Cute huh?!

Anyways, I realized as I searched for a recipe for Beth that I too am lacking in the appetizer area so I hope some more of you post some lovelies to try! This is a recipe that my mom's sister made when we were kids. I always liked it.

Smutz
1 Cup Diced Celery
1 Cup Diced Onion
1 Cup Diced Green Peppers
1 Cup Shredded Cheese (Mild Cheddar)
1 Cup Frozen Peas
¾ Cup Bacon Bits
1 Cup Mayonnaise

Combine all the ingredients and let sit in refrigerator for at least 4 hours. Serve with nacho cheese flavored Dorito brand tortilla chips.

I'm not sure what type of ladies are in your group...mine would go through 5 or 6 bags of Nachos! Yours might like this light fruit dip/crepe filling a little better!

Fruit Dip/Crepe Filling
Berry flavored cream cheese
Cool whip
Powdered sugar

Good Luck Beth!

-Starving in Seattle
(Emily)