DIY Kahlua: A Perfect Host or Hostest Gift

December 8, 2012 by 3 Comments

Kahlua recipe from The Laine ListThis Kahlua recipe is also from my grandmother’s recipe box. It is easy to make, and when poured into mason jars and wrapped with some pretty ribbon, it is an economical host or hostess gift.

Kahlua from Gram’s friend, Ruth Baird.

The Ingredients:

2 and a half cups of sugar (I actually use a little less)
1/2 cup of instant coffee (the granules)
2 cups boiling water
2 cups vodka
1 whole vanilla bean

The Process:

Put vanilla bean in water and heat. Combine sugar, coffee, and water. Stir until combined and cool. Add vodka and store in the refrigerator for up to 30 days. Enjoy responsibly!

Would you like to receive this host/hostess gift?

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Homemade Irish Creme, a Delicious Holiday Treat

November 30, 2012 by 4 Comments
Homemade Irish Cream over ice

Homemade Irish Cream over ice

A Facebook post from my friend Melissa, reminded me of a couple of drink recipes in y grandmother’s recipe box. This recipe, for Irish Cream, is like chocolate milk with a kick. It’s comforting and homey, and a most delicious treat to drink on a cold evening while you are wrapping your holiday gifts!
This recipe. according to my grandmother’s recipe card, is courtesy of Judy, which Judy, I’m not sure, but thank you kindly, Judy, wherever you are!

Homemade Irish Creme

The Ingredients:

  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup whiskey
  • 1 can condensed milk
  • 1 tablespoon Hershey’s syrup (I used a little more)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon cocoanut extract
  • 3 eggs

The Process:

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until…blended! Serve chilled and over ice, if that’s how you roll. Enjoy responsibly.

What is your favorite holiday drink?

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Easy Blackened Chicken

November 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment

I have been cooking all my life, but for some reason I was afraid of making blackened anything. I really thought it would turn out awful, plus I’m really not a huge fan of chili powder or cumin. But one night when I didn’t know WHAT to have for dinner, I thought, ‘why not?’ Thinking outside of the box a little, I added my own little twist to make it more palatable for me.
blackened chicken recipe

The Ingredients

  • 4-6 chicken breasts (or other protein of your choice)
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • 2 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

The Method

I actually made a rub for this with the spices and the olive oil. Mix it up, coat the chicken with the mixture, and place it in a screaming hot pan! You want this crisp, but not burned, and cooked in the middle, so don’t leave it. I did actually cover it for a short period of time in order to make sure it was cooking through, but don’t do this for long or your crust will get soggy!

So there you have it, easy blackened chicken that isn’t too spicy, and can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike!

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Grilled Cheese with Avocado, Chicken, and Cheddar

October 1, 2012 by 4 Comments

I am a huge fan of sandwiches. Fancy, plain, grilled, pannini’d. They can have just about anything on them and I will eat them. They are one of my ultimate comfort foods.

This little baby I created one night with some leftovers I had. It was such a hit my son had two! Healthy AND delicious is a big score for me.

grilled cheese recipe with avocado, chicken, and cheddar

The Ingredients:

  • whole grain bread
  • sharp cheddar cheese
  • avocado slices
  • leftover chicken
  • sliced green onions
  • olive oil

The Method

Brush one side of a piece of bread with a little bit of olive oil and put it in the pan. Layer cheese, avocado, green onions, chicken, and another layer of cheese. Add the top slice of bread, brush it with the oil, and grill to perfection!
Couldn’t be easier OR more delicious! Actually, it could. I served this with a side of homemade peach salsa. OMGYUM!

Do you have a favorite sandwich?

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Sandy’s Apple Crisp

September 27, 2012 by 15 Comments

When I was in second grade, my class put together an apple cookbook. Or, more accurately, our parents sent in recipes, the students colored an apple for the front, and the teachers did all the hard work! Regardless, here it is, 15 years later. A little battered, but still loved and used.
apple cook book
The recipe I submitted was Brown Bag Apple Pie. Yes, you cook the pie in a paper grocery bag in the oven! It’s marvelous.
The recipe I most like to cook, however, is the Apple Crisp recipe from Sandy, because it is easy and so GOOD!
In the years that followed the publication of our book, I had the chance to get to know Sandy quite well as she went from a mother of one of my peers to a co-worker and friend. Unfortunately, Sandy passed away recently from breast cancer. Here is to Sandy, who made some amazing crisp!

apple crisp

Sandy’s Apple Crisp

The Ingredients:

  • 4 cups sliced apples (I generally use a combination of a soft apple, like a Macintosh, and a harder apple, like Granny Smith)
  • 1 cup of sugar
  • 3/4 cup of flour
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 2 teaspoons of cinnamon
  • A couple of dashes of nutmeg
  • 1/3 cup of butter, softened

The Method:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the sliced apples in a buttered baking dish. Mix dry ingredients together, and then slice the butter into the bowl. Using a knife and fork, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the butter is approximately pea-sized. Bake for 40 minutes. Enjoy!

What is your favorite thing to cook in the fall?

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