Frozen Fruit Salad

1 pound frozen pineapple tid bits
1 pound frozen mango chunks
1 pound frozen blackberries (or a mix of frozen berries)
1 pound frozen cherries
segments from mandarin oranges/tangerines/other sweet citrus if you have them

Toss it all together in a bowl and keep in the refrigerator for at least two hours. It will be chilly, but not frozen when you eat it.


Smoked Chicken Salad

1 pound smoked chicken meat, cut into bite sized pieces
1 1/2 pounds new potatoes, boiled, peeled & quartered
1 small red onion, finely diced
1 ear of roasted corn, kernels cut off
3 hearts of romaine, chopped
8 ounces feta, crumbled
1 pint small tomatoes, cherry type preferred (halved) or small salad tomatoes, cut into bite sized pieces

Dressing: I do this by eye and taste

lemon pepper
kosher salt
olive oil
balsamic vinegar

Toss salad ingredients together and season with dressing ingredients as you see fit. Toss again and serve for a light dinner.

Cinnamon Rolls with Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting

These are very easy to put together. The dough can be made by hand, in a stand mixer or even in a bread machine. They can also be made completely, up to the final rise, covered and put in the refrigerator, ready to be baked in the morning for fresh rolls.

Dough:
4 cups bread flour
1/2 cup sugar (I use vanilla sugar)
2 1/2 teaspoons yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1/4 cup warm water
1 teaspoon almond extract

Filling:
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 cup raisins - preferably sultanas (optional)
1 cup sliced almonds (optional)

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled, to spread on dough

Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract

Butter an 9" X 13" baking pan well. Set aside.

Mix ingredients for dough in a food processor or by hand until thoroughly combined and a soft, smooth dough is formed. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead for five to 10 minutes, until it is smooth and elastic. Allow to rise, in a warm place, covered for about an hour, until doubled in bulk. This can be done in a bread machine as well on the dough cycle.

Mix ingredients for filling in a medium bowl. Roll dough out on very lightly floured surface, to create an 18" X 24" rectangle. Brush dough with butter. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon, sprinkle over dough. Sprinkle with raisins and almonds. Roll up from long end, seal tightly and cut into 1 1/2 inch slices.

Arrange in pan. Preheat oven to 350 F. Cover rolls and let rise for 45 minutes, or cover with foil or plastic wrap and put in refrigerator over night. If you are preparing these ahead of time, pull them out of the fridge at least 60 minutes prior to baking, bake uncovered. Bake for 35 - 40 minutes. Cool rolls for 5 minutes.

While rolls are cooling, whip together cream cheese, softened butter, confectioner's sugar, vanilla and almond extracts. Spread thickly over top of cinnamon rolls and reserve some to pass with servings. Serve warm.

Funnel Cake


1 cup plus 2 tablespoons pastry flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 large egg
1 teaspoon almond extract
oil for frying

Mix everything but the oil with a fork or whisk. Heat about 3/4" oil in a heavy
skillet, we do this on med-high heat. Use a 1/2" spout funnel, close with
your finger and pour in about 1/4 C batter. Over the hot oil, remove your
finger and let batter run out in a spiral about 6" in diameter. Fry until
golden, turning once (they fry very quickly, maybe 2 minutes, tops). Drain
on rack over a pan or on paper towels, keep warm in oven. Repeat with remaining batter, stirring before pouring. Sprinkle funnel cakes with powdered sugar. You can also put some strawberry jam in a squeeze bottle and squeeze that over the cakes and top with whipped cream, go nuts!

Labels: Frugality, Homemaking, Recipes, Tales from the Kitchen