STRAWBERRY FREEZER JAM

Super, super easy freezer jam.  That's all I have to say about that!

Strawberry Freezer Jam

3 cups crushed strawberries
5 cups sugar
1 pkg pectin (I used Sure-Jell)
1 cup water

Rinse and remove stems from strawberries.  Crush with potato masher.  Add sugar to 3 cups crushed berries. Stir.  Let stand 20 minutes.

Dissolve pectin in boiling water - boil for one minute.  Add to berries, and stir for two minutes.

Immediately pour into jars and put in freezer.

Recipe from Granny (Elva Jessen) and Faye Whitfield

Notes:  The mixture isn't hot by the time you get done stirring, so you should be able to put your jars into the freezer right away. 

The jars in this picture are 2 pint jars and several smaller ones. 

WHOPPER CAKE

Whopper cake??  Oh, yeah!  This cake recipe is worth posting.  My daughter sent me this recipe knowing our love for malted milk balls and malts.  The cake is one that is better the second day.  Oh, my!  I need to make it again and soon!  Enjoy!

Whopper Cake

1 milk chocolate cake mix
1 1/2 cups malted milk powder, divided
1 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 8-oz whipped topping (cool whip)
1 cup Whoppers malted milk balls

Preheat oven to 350*.  Grease and flour (or use Baker's Joy spray) 9x13 pan.  Combine cake mix with 3/4 cups malted milk powder.  Add eggs, oil and water.  Stir until combined.  Pour batter into pan.  Bake 38-40 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean).  Cool completely before making topping.

 

Topping:

Combine whipped topping with 3/4 cup malted milk powder.  Stir until completely incorporated and no longer grainy.  Spread on top of cooled cake.  Crush 1 cup Whoppers in a ziplock bag with rolling pin or mallet.  Sprinkle on top of cake.

 

Recipe from:  Tiffany Brown

 

Notes:  The original recipe calls for Chocolate flavored malted milk powder.  I had the original flavor on hand, so that's what I used.  We loved it! 

 

The crushed Whoppers  on top don't "melt" after being refrigerated as some toppings do.

 

Tortellini Carbonara

Can't believe I haven't posted this recipe yet.  Super quick meal if you use prepared cooked bacon pieces.  Here goes:

Tortellini Carbonara

4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley (optional)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
1 package (9 oz) refrigerated cheese tortellini

In a large saucepan, combine the bacon, cream, parsley and cheese; cook until heated through.  Meanwhile, prepare tortellini according to package directions; drain and transfer to a serving bowl.  Drizzle cheese sauce over tortellini and toss to coat.  Serve immediately.

Yield: 4 servings.

Notes:  I usually use the dry three cheese tortellini found in the pasta section.  Just figure out how much you need, and adjust your sauce accordingly.  I usually cook the bacon in the microwave to save time and mess, but you can use the pre-cooked bacon bits or pieces.

Original recipe calls for 8 bacon strips.

Reheating leftovers works better if you add a little milk and heat it on the stovetop. 

Garlic Cheese Dip

Here I am again with another "unpictured" post.  With the big game coming up Sunday, I know some of you are looking for great snacks to take with you as you gather with your friends.  Well, here's a new recipe to us.  My husband had a "food day" at work and discovered this wonderful dip.  He made it as part of our Christmas goodies, put it in a bowl, and it looked more like a cheeseball on steroids.  It really needs a sturdy cracker, so we used the Town House Original FlipSides Pretzel Crackers.

GARLIC CHEESE DIP

Blend the following ingredients together and chill:

16 oz sour cream
16 oz mayonnaise (not Miracle Whip)
3 Tb chives
2 Tb minced garlic
6 cups shredded Three-cheese blend cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan-Romano blend cheese

Serve with crackers or raw vegetables.

Recipe from:  Lisa Kuhn

Notes:  We used the dried chives found in the spice section, and we used the minced garlic found in the jars in the produce section.  As I mentioned above, we used the Town House Original flavor FlipSides Pretzel Crackers.