Hometown Christmas Gooseberry Patch Cookbook giveaway

Be sure to read to the end of this post for the giveaway

Like all Gooseberry Patch cookbooks there just isn't enough time to try all the recipes that you want to before the posted date.  The holiday season doesn't help matters much as everyone is coming and going and there is so much going on.  However, you won't be disappointed and lack a recipe if you have the new Gooseberry Patch Hometown Christmas Cookbook.  You'll have all kinds of recipes right at your fingertips to make for those get together times with family and friends.  This cookbook even has a section of heartwarming memories that folks have shared along with the normal tip or idea at the bottom of each page.

Italian Chicken Spread found under OPEN HOUSE...You're Invited.
 (p. 117; submitted by Patrice L. Lockport, IL)

This yummy recipe was a delightful change from your normal chicken salad spread.  You add 1/3 cup Italian salad dressing and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning along with 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese to 1 - 13 oz. can chicken, drained or 1 & 1/2 cups cooked chicken diced/shredded and 1/3 cup mayonnaise.  Serve with crackers or lightly toasted Italian bread slices.  Cover and chill 2-3 hrs. to allow flavors to blend.  Serve as is or bake 350 degrees until hot and bubbly.  Makes 2 & 1/2 cups. 

Mint Chocolate Chip Mousse found under the TREE-TRIMMING Treats.
 (p. 159; submitted by Krista M. Fort Wayne, IN)

My family loved this yummy treat.  My daughter said, "It's like eating a smooth milk shake with a spoon."  It is smooth and creamy.  lovely texture.  Mine did separate some after setting a day, but that didn't stop my family from eating it. It is pretty easy..mix 1- 3.9 oz. package instant chocolate pudding mix and 1 & 1/2 cups milk for 2 minutes.  Chill in refrigerator for 5 minutes making soft-set.  Add 1 teaspoon peppermint extract to 1 - 16 oz. container frozen whipped topping that is thawed.  stir well fold in the pudding and 1 cup. semi-sweet chocolate chips.
(Note:  I used a whole bag of chips-  my family didn't object.  I also used the chocolate/mint chips instead of semi-sweet chocolate) 

Blue-Ribbon Pecan Pie found under the TREE-TRIMMING Treats.
(p. 155; submitted by Gail K. Phoenix, AZ)

I made this pie for our Thanksgiving table.  When I announced to my family I had used a new recipe for the Pecan Pie they were very much disappointed...UNTIL it was served up.  Mine however did turn out to be on the runny side when served up.  I should have cooked it longer than the recipe mentioned, but if I had done that I would have risked really burning the crust.  Not exactly sure what went wrong.  My family did gobble it down though so I can't say it was a total lose. 

1- 9 in. pie crust
1/2 cup pecan halves
3 eggs
1 cup dark corn syrup
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt

• Place unbaked crust in pie plate.  Arrange pecans in crust; set aside.  
• In bowl, beat eggs well.  Add remaining ingredients; mixing well.
• Pour mixture over pecans in crust
• Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes; reduce oven to 325 degrees baking an additional 30 minutes or until center of pie is set.
• Cool completely.  Serves 8

Now how would you like a chance to win a copy of this cookbook for your own kitchen?  I'm going to make it pretty simple and easy since we are all in Holiday mode and things are pretty hectic.  Tell me one of your favorite Holiday items that find their way onto your table at this time of the year.  Treats, main dish, beverage.  I don't care.  Please I must keep this to US residents only as I will be mailing this book out myself.  Be sure to leave your email address.  I'll keep this giveaway open till Sat. Dec. 21. 

I'd like to thank Gooseberry patch for giving me the opportunity to review this book.  They provided me with a copy of this cookbook plus one for the giveaway.  I was not compensated in any other way. This is my honest review.

Princess Pie

Princess Pie (Coconut Cream Pie)
crust:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 Tbs sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans - optional

Mix and pat in an 8x8 inch pan, bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until just beginning to turn golden. Do not over bake.

Layer two:
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup whipped topping

Beat together sugar and cream cheese. Fold in whipped topping. Spread on cooled crust.

Layer three:
1 small package coconut cream instant pudding
1 1/2 cups whole milk (any milk will do, but whole milk makes pudding so much tastier)

Mix until thickened. Spread over cream cheese mixture.

Top with remaining tub of whipped topping.

Toast 1 cup coconut. Sprinkle evenly on dessert. Refrigerate.

Brownie Refrigerator cake

BROWNIE REFRIGERATOR CAKE

Ingredients:
1 box brownie mix
1 extra large egg
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
2 (8 oz.) containers whipped topping
1 (3 oz.) package instant chocolate pudding
1 (3 oz.) package instant vanilla pudding
3 1/2 cups milk
1 Hershey candy bar or chocolate syrup

Directions: Mix brownie mixes according to directions. Add egg. Bake in brownie pan. Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar and 1 container whipped topping. Put this mix on top of the cooled brownies. Blend puddings and milk together and put on top of the cream cheese mixture. Top with another layer of whipped topping. Put chocolate shavings or chocolate syrup on top. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

GrandMa's Razzleberry Cake

Mix together, but don't over beat...
1 box white cake mix
3 Tablespoons flour
1 small package raspberry jello
1 cup oil
1/2 cup cold water
4 eggs

After mixing above add 1/2 of the raspberries.  fold together and pour into sprayed 9x13 pan, or 3 round 8 in pans.  bake according to cake mix directions.  Frost cake when cool.

Icing: 
1 stick of margarine, softened
1 lb powdered sugar (about 4 cups)
1/2 of the raspberries

mix with mixer and top cooled cake

Rhubarb Dump Cake

Rhubarb Dump Cake
More like a crisp than a cake, but it doesn't get much easier or yummier than this!

Rhubarb Dump Cake

1 pound rhubarb, cut into 1/4 inch pieces (between 3 and 4 cups)
1 cup white sugar
1 (3 ounce package) strawberry jell-o
1 package yellow cake mix
1 cup water
1/4 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread the rhubarb evenly in the bottom of the baking dish. Sprinkle the sugar over the rhubarb, followed by the jell-o, and finally the cake mix. Pour the water and melted butter over the top. Do not stir. Bake for 45 minutes or until the rhubarb is tender.

Banana Nut Roll

I copied this recipe from online but forgot to save where it was I found it.  Not my original. 

Banana Nut Roll 
(may substitute pumpkin)  

Ingredients:
3 eggs (beaten 5 min.)
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
banana (pumpkin) mixture (found below)
3/4 cup flour

Banana Mixture:
2/3 cup mashed bananas
1 teaspoon banana flavoring
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Pumpkin Mixture:
2/3 cup pumpkin
1 teaspoon each of cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg

Filling:
1 - 8oz. package cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
4 Tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

 1.  Mix beaten eggs with sugar, vanilla, baking soda and salt.  Add banana (or pumpkin mixture).  Add flour and mix well.
2.  Pour into well greased and floured jelly roll pan.  Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.
3.  Turn onto a tea towel while still warm and roll up in towel.  Let cool 20 minutes.  Unroll and spread filling evenly.  Re-roll.  Wrap in plastic warp.  Refrigerate or freeze.

Filling:  Cream together well the cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter and vanilla.  Add chopped walnuts or pecans.

Peanut Butter Triffle Brownies

This recipe was in my hubby's lunch box.  Don't know where it came from but it sure was too yummy not to pass on....this is a melt in your mouth brownie.

Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies

Ingredients:
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
3 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Peanut Butter Filling:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1-3 teaspoons milk

Ganache Topping:
1/4 cup peanut butter
2 cups chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

1.  Heat oven to 350 degress F. Grease a 9x13 baking pan

2.  Brownies:  Melt butter and stir in sugar.  Beat in eggs and vanilla.  Mix in cocoa, baking powder and salt.  Stir in flour until combined.  Spread evenly in pan and bake for 25-30 min.  Cool completely in pan on a cooling rack.

3.  Peanut butter filling:  Combine ingredients and beat until smooth.  Spread evenly over cooled brownies.

4.  Ganache:  Combine ingredients in a microwave safe bowl.  Melt and mix.  Spread evenly over peanut butter filling layer.  You may refrigerate to harden quicker, but isn't necessary will harden over time. 

Chesseburger 'n Fries Casserole

So I won this book.....

I have made a few recipes from it, but my dd was looking through it and came across some helpful pages of common substitutes.  Actually there are about 6 pages.  now how cool is that I won't have to run to my computer I can just pick up my favorite cookbook company....Gooseberry Patch.  WooHoo!

Now for the recipe...I love simple things...of course I tweaked it a small bit cause I didn't have exactly what was called for. 

p. 111 of Simple Shortcut Recipes by Gooseberry Patch

Brown 2 lbs of ground beef and chopped onions, drain and place in greased 9x13 pan or baking dish. 

 Mix together 1 can of mushroom soup and cheddar cheese soup ( I didn't have cheese soup so I used cheese spread in it's place)  spread over ground beef mix.

layer package of frozen french fries on top...(as you can see I didn't have french fries so I used tator tots.)  Bake in 350 degree oven for 45-55 min. until fries are golden.

Garnish with favorite burger condiments:  catsup, dill pickles, mustard, topped tomatoes, onions, etc.  (I just set these on the table and let everyone fix theirs as they like.)
My family started off taking a bite or two on their plate plain.  Then building on it...
catchup... taste
mustard... taste
pickles...taste
The verdict....
hubby liked plain or just ketchup
dd liked ketchup and mustard
and me...  I loved the works.

There you have it folks plain, quick, simple, and yummy all rolled into one. 

also posted @:

Cheesy Chili Dog Bake

Here's another yummy dish from Gooseberry Patch....

I love Chili Dogs so this recipe caught my attention and thought I'd try it last week.  Nice Fall yummy dish.  It is so easy and quick. That is what I love about Gooseberry Patch recipes and they don't loss the YUMMY either. 

Cube 1 package of hot dog buns and put in sprayed 9 x 13 pan. Layer chopped up package of hot dogs over bun layer.

Spread two cans of chili over buns and hot dogs.  Add Chopped onions and....

top with shredded cheese. bake in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

Note:  I like mustard on my chili dogs so you can serve with a squirt of mustard and or ketchup or other condiments if you'd like. 

Mom's Mess

Ok I'm going to try to get his posted.  I'm sorry I have been AWOL .  The family has been passing around a bug and I'm getting it.  Started Sunday night and it has progressed downward since.  So between sneezes I'm going to try to post this recipe....

 

I received this book in mail yesterday and decided to make a yummy today from it so I kind of used one recipe in the book and added to it to our family's liking...My hubby right away pointed out the title to me when he saw what I was making

I browned ground beef along with onion, green pepper.  Drained grease then added a can of tomatoes with chilies, a package of taco seasoning, a cup cheese spread, and can of black beans (drained and rinsed).  Warmed through. and served with.....

I put out burrito toppings for everyone filled their warmed soft shell tortilla burrito to their liking.

Toppings included:

• tomates
• shredded cheddar cheese
• lettuce
• sour cream
• salsa

While waiting for the shells to warm we used the mix as a dip appetizer on corn chips.

Whats for Dinner????....Pizza Burgers

Pizza Burger, fries and creamy cucumbers.

ever seen a better looking burger????....Not me if I do say so myself.  Visit my review of this cookbook here.   I just can't fit everything into one post.  :/  However, last night my daughter and I tried a new burger recipe from TurboCharged Recipes....

Pizza Burger recipe found on p. 207

mix:  1/2 teaspoon of salt, black pepper and dried oregano leaves into ground beef. Make into 4 patties. 

(note:  I added one egg, diced onion, and two pieces of broken up bread to my meat also - recipe didn't call for it that is just the way I make my burgers with filler)

cook in skillet over medium heat 3-5 min. on side one

Flip burgers and cook another 3-5 min. on other side.  Topping each burger with 1-2 tablespoon(s) tomato sauce, mushrooms and mozzarella cheese and a sprinkle of parsley.  Serve on with or without a bun. 

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