French Chili - a New Twist on an Old Favorite for Fall - Beef or Turkey Chili with Wine!

Make with lean ground turkey for a lighter version or lean ground beef for a traditional Chili.

Ingredients -

1 Lb. Ground Turkey Breast

1 Medium onion finely Chopped (Vidalia)

1 Green Bell Pepper

1 Red Bell Pepper

2 Cloves of Garlic Minced

1 Chili seasoning packet

½ cup of Vegetable stock

1 Can of Crushed tomatoes (Fire Roasted gives more flavor)

1 can of kidney beans drained

1 can of pinto/black beans drained

¼ to ½ cup Red wine (Pinot Noir preferably)

Dash of salt to taste

Grated low fat cheese for topping as needed.

Brown the ground meat in a skillet, drain fat, then add garlic pepper onion and seasoning packet.  Add stock, and stir under medium heat for about 4-7 minutes.  In a separate stock pot place crushed tomatoes, red wine, salt and both cans of drained beans.  Combine all ingredients into stock pot bring to boil and reduce heat to warm.  Allow to simmer to consistency of your liking. 

(Image Courtesy - DigitalArt)

Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter truffles - with a Crispy Twist

                                                       Ingredients -

1 stick of butter

3 cups of confectionery sugar

2 cups of chunky peanut butter (best quality results in a better truffle)

3 cups of crushed rice crispies

1 bag of chocolate morsels (minis will melt quicker)

½ stick of paraffin wax (for shine and stability of chocolate)

Melt Butter, add peanut butter and mix well.  Add crushed crisp rice cereal and confectionery sugar in alternating amounts until all is mixed well.  Scoop and roll the truffle center batter into balls.

In a separate either double boiler or sauce pan gently melt the chocolate and paraffin wax.

Roll out parchment paper on a flat surface for drying and setting up Truffles.  Take peanut truffle ball and roll in melted chocolate and place on parchment paper to cool and set.  Allow air dry on parchment on a flat surface – avoiding placing in refrigerator, this will for white moisture and not allow the chocolate to dry properly.

(Photo Courtesy - Simon Howden)

Blueberry Muffins - Jordan Marsh Style

Jordan Marsh Style Blueberry Muffins

From a special friend who knew the Marsh family and their once well known Boston Department Store.  These are authentic crusty with sugar coating and virgin white cupcake dough.

½ Cup Butter

2 Cups Un-sifted Flour

1 Cup Sugar

½ Cup Milk
2 Eggs

2 Tsp Baking Powder

½ Tsp Salt

2 ½ Cups Blueberries (Wild or Non-Wild)

2 Tsp Sugar for Topping

1 Tsp Vanilla

On low speed, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, mix until fully blended. In a separate Bowl sift dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture alternating with milk.  Once blended add berries stirring gently by hand. 

Grease muffin tins well with butter, grease top flat surface of pan as well.  Pile batter high in the muffin cups, sprinkle sugar over the tops and bake at 375 Degrees F for 30 Minutes.

Cool in pan at least for 30 Minutes before removing from pans.

(Photo Courtesy - EverystockPhoto)

Traditional Scottish Oat Cakes - Delicious Treat on a Dreary Day!!

This wonderful recipe is makes a delicious traditional Scottish cracker like cakes are wonderful served warm with butter as a tasty snack alone or with tea.  Recipe based on a New Hampshire Inn ...

Scottish Oat Cakes

These traditional Scottish crackers like cakes are wonderful served warm with butter as an appetizer. 

Ingredients -

1 cup Flour

2 Tbsp Sugar

1 Tsp. Baking Powder

½ Tsp Salt

2 Cups quick Rolled Oats

1.2 Cup Softened Butter

½ Cup Milk

Sift Flour, Sugar, baking powder, and Salt together.  Mix in rolled oats cut in butter thoroughly… gradually add milk, stirring until dough is well formed.  Roll out onto a lightly floured surface to approximately ¼ to 1/8^th inch.

Place on a greased and floured baking sheet. (or Silicon Silpat pad).

Bake at 375 Degrees F for 12-15 Minutes until slightly browned.

Serve warm or lightly re-heated.