An Apple A Day

We have some really good neighbors.  My hubby had an accident back in November and badly damaged both of his shoulders.  We were in need of a new mattress and when we brought the mattress home earlier this month, one of our neighbors helped us get it off the truck and up the stairs.  He and his wife enjoy desserts as much as we do. Tonight I made an apple cake and took them half of it while it was still warm.  Of course I forgot to take a picture before it was cut.  Below is the piece that is left.  This cake would be extra good with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!

Apple Cake

1 stick of butter

2 cups of sugar

2 eggs

2 cups of self-rising flour

1/ tsp. cinnamon
1-2 drops Cinnamon Essential oil

4 cups of peeled and diced apples

1 cup of chopped pecans, optional

Mix butter, sugar, essential oil, and eggs.  Add in flour, cinnamon, apples, and nuts.  Bake in a bundt pan for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes at 325 degrees.

Say Cheeeese!

     I was looking through my file and found this recipe for cheese balls.  The only thing I don't like about cheese balls is when I try to cut a piece off to spread onto a cracker, it's always awkward.  Plus it holds up the guests behind you.  I came up with a solution for this problem.  I took this recipe and rolled it into 6 dozen individual cheese balls!  Now the guests can put one on their plate and not inconvenience anyone.

     I have a baby shower and a jewelry party coming up soon. This recipe made enough little cheese balls for both events.  They'll look beautiful once they're on a platter!  I can't wait to share with you the other things I'm making for the shower.  The shower is in 2 weeks, so stay tuned!

Cheese Balls

2 - 8 oz. pkg. of cream cheese

16 oz. sharp cheddar, shredded

16 oz. mild cheddar, shredded

1 lb. Velveeta

1 Tb. Worcestershire sauce

1 medium onion, finely chopped

Pecans and parsley, finely chopped and mixed together

Let cheeses reach room temperature.  I put on plastic gloves and squished it all together until creamy.  Add Worcestershire sauce and onions.  Mix well.  You can either divide the mixture into 4 large cheese balls or make 6 dozen miniature cheese balls.  Roll cheese balls in the pecan and parsley mixture.  They can be stored in the refrigerator for two weeks or in the freezer for 2 months.

Another Version

Here is another version to the Funeral Sandwiches I posted the other day.  These are called Ham Delights.  They're not as sweet as the Funeral Sandwiches, but equally delicious.  I'll make them sometime and post a picture.

Ham Delights

1 tin of twin rolls

1/3 lb. Mozzarella or Cheddar cheese (or both)

½ lb. deli ham lunch meat (thinly sliced)

1 stick of butter, melted

1 Tb. dried minced onion

1 ½ Tb. mustard

½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 ½ Tb. poppy seeds

Mix onions, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and poppy seeds in a bowls and set to the side. 

 Slice rolls through the middle and lay the top to the side.  Brush the inside of the bread with butter.  Brush mustard mixture on top of the butter.  Lay the ham on top of the bottom half of the rolls.  Top the ham with cheese.  Place the top layer of bread back on top of the ham and cheese.  Cut the rolls.  Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.

Good Friends, Good Food

Over my Christmas Break, I attended a party with some of my school friends. One of the many delicious foods that was shared was something called Funeral Sandwiches.  I have no idea why they would be called that, but they were really good.  My friend said she found the recipe on Pinterest.  Of course she did.  She finds EVERYTHING on Pinterest ... don't you Jennifer?  Everything she finds is fabulous.  I made them tonight for tomorrow night's dinner.  What I like the best is that you can make them the night before, put them in the refrigerator, and pull them out the following night.  Then you just have to pop them in the oven for 15 minutes.  It's as good as using the crockpot!  I'll post the picture tomorrow night.

Funeral Sandwiches

1 package of King's Hawaiian Rolls

1/2-1 lb. good ham deli meat

Swiss cheese, thinly sliced

1/2 c. butter, melted

3 T. Worcestershire sauce

2 T. mustard

2 T. brown sugar

dash of onion powder

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut the rolls in half and line the bottom of a baking pan with the bottoms of the rolls. Layer the ham slices, then cheese and place the top half back on.  Mix the butter, Worcestershire, mustard, brown sugar and onion powder together. Pour the mixture over the buns, covering each one well. Cover with Saran wrap and marinade between  4 to 24 hours.  Bake for 15 minutes, uncovered, or until cheese is melted and bun tops are a bit golden.