A Bakers Basket

I would like to talk about Gift Baskets; my daughter recently went to a local school play at Southwestern Central in Western New York.

She won this beautiful gift basket, and when I saw it I just knew that had to write about it.  On the tag, they call this a Cupcake basket, but I call it A Bakers Basket. I don’t know who made this basket because I would love to give them credit. This is just such a unique gift basket.

I have a passion for gift baskets, as I made and sold them when I was out of work. I thought what a great idea if you have somebody in your family or a good friend that just loves to bake.

Gift Baskets are so versatile, and really not difficult to make at all, you can create a themed basket for any occasion. All you need to do is buy the products and supplies and you’ll be off and be creating a wonderful gift.

This is the tag that was on the outside of this beautiful gift basket listing all of the contents. 

If you're not sure of how to make a gift basket the following video will help you get started. Making gift baskets is creative, fun and not hard to do at all.

 So what are you waiting for? Be creative, have some fun, and make somebody happy with your beautiful creation.

As always Thanks so much for stopping by

So many options for gift basket supplies. Here are just a few.

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CakeSupplyShop Bundleofbeauty Extra Large Cellophane Bags Gift Basket - 30Mighty Gadget (R) 1 LB White Crinkle Cut Paper Shred10 x 7 x 2 1/5 Bamboo Gift BasketSet of 8 Elegant Pull Bows with 35" Long RibboneZthings Decorative Designer Fabric Ribbons for Home Craft Projects andCraft and Party Super Clear Cellophane Wrap Roll (40" XPatterned Specialty & Event Boxes - Chevron Chic Gift BasketSet of (3) Elegant Shrink Wrap 24" X 30" (Clear)

The Classic Reuben Sandwich

This Reuben sandwich served with a salad and some fruit makes a great lunch or dinner. I call this classic because it was made with Corned Beef, Swiss cheese, Sauerkraut, and creamy Thousand Island dressing,

My daughter made these and served them with a nice salad, some grapes and strawberries. Well I ate the Reuben and a few grapes, the kids had Mac and Cheese and fruit. The Reuben is not difficult to make, and you can serve it cold or toasted, we made ours toasted, that’s the way I like it.

This is what you need:

• 6 or 8 slices of Corned Beef
• 6 Slices of Swiss Cheese
• 1 bag of sauerkraut
• 1 bottle of thousand island dressing
• 6 slices of marble rye bread
• Some butter

Here is all you need to do:

1. Brown the sauerkraut in a skillet
2. Heat up your griddle to medium heat, butter one side of a slice of bread and place it butter side down on the griddle.
3. Now begin to build your sandwich, place 1 or 2 slices of cheese, and then the slices of corned beef, now heap on the sauerkraut.
4. Butter another slice of bread and place it on top, now all you need to do is grill your sandwich to perfection.
5. Now open it up and pour on the dressing and serve. This was enough to make 3 delicious sandwiches.

 As always thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you enjoy it!

Granitestone Blue Nonstick 10.5” Griddle Pan/Flat Grill with Ultra Durable Mineral and Diamond Triple Coated Surface, Stay Cool Stainless-Steel Handle, Oven & Dishwasher Safe, 100% PFOA Free…Annie's Thousand Island Salad Dressing, Certified Organic, Non-GMO, 8 fl oz

 

How to make Homemade Pizza

This mouth-watering homemade pizza recipe is handed down from my grandmother. My grandma Liz made the best pizza in the world. Whose grandmother didn't?

When I was a kid and knew she was making pizza I would make a dash for her house, which was easy because she only lived two blocks away.

Oh, the wonderful smell and the anticipation of waiting for it to come out of the oven. This is my recipe for homemade pizza; it's probably not as good as my grandmother's but close and besides it's homemade what more could you ask for?

Here is what you need to make the dough:

· 2 pkg. active dry yeast

· 2-1/4 cups of warm water, not too hot

· 1 tsp salt

· 3 tbsp of Crisco or oil

· 5 to 6 cups of all-purpose flour

This is how you make the dough:

1. In a measuring cup, add the yeast to the warm water and let it stand.
2. In a large bowl or your KitchenAid mixing bowl, add the flour, Crisco or oil, salt.
3. By now the yeast should have mostly dissolved in the water. So pour it into the bowl with the flour.
4. Mix by hand, or set your KitchenAid mixer on the low setting using the dough hook
5. Mix until the dough is smooth, and let the dough rise for one hour

This will yield about 3 pizzas 12” to 14” depending if you like thick crust or thin. I like thin crust.

Mixing the dough in my KitchenAid

Now we can make the sauce:

· 2 Can (28Oz.) of crushed tomatoes

· 2 or 3 tbsp of light olive oil or vegetable oil

· 1 glove of garlic Finley chopped (you can also add garlic powder)

· 1 Tsp. of oregano or Italian Seasoning

· 1 Tsp. salt - a little pepper

I like to cook my sauce first. Pour the tomatoes into a 1-quart pot, add all of the ingredients. Stir and bring to a boil, not a roaring boil, as soon as you see it start to bubble turn off the burner.

My pizza sauce on the stove

Preheat your oven the 450 degrees, spread the dough in your pizza pan, add your sauce, and sprinkle some Italian seasoning and Romano cheese. I bake two pizzas at a time for about 20 minutes, one pizza on the middle rack and one on top. After 9 or 10 minutes switch the racks.

Now you'll notice that I don't have any other topping on my pizza because this is the way my grandmother made it and I like it this way. 

The greatest thing about pizza is that there are so many toppings. Here are some that I do like to add sometimes:

Pepperoni, Mushrooms, Italian Pork Sausage, Anchovies (not my favorite), Green Peppers, Hot Peppers, Mozzarella Cheese. To add your toppings shorten your bake time by about 2 minutes, take them out and add your favorite topping, and put them back in the oven for 2 minutes.

As always Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you enjoyed my recipe.

KitchenAid KSM3311XAQ Artisan Mini Series Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, 3.5 quart, Aqua Sky BlueBaking Sheet Set, 3-Piece Cookie Sheet Set with Silicone Handles, Steel Baking Pans Set, Durable Baking Sheets for Oven, BPA Free Cookie Sheets for Baking Nonstick Set, Sheet Pan - Black Baking Pan

 

Roasted Pheasant or Rabbit

Walking through the open fields on a cool fall day, or a snowy winter morning, in the fall the grass has grown tall and turned an amazing amber color.

In the winter you'll be walking through the fresh lily-white snow. This is small game hunting season in Western New York.

This is a recipe by Mary Jane Rumbaugh, now handed down to her family. I'm just lucky enough to work with Mary Jane’s son Randy and have tasted delicious dishes myself.

 This is a family of hunters, Mary Jane included, Mary Jane; took great pride in her cooking, especially when it came to her family and friends.

So if you're a hunter, like Mary Jane and her family you have to give this recipe a try, I'm sure you're going to like it.

Photo By: CAFREL, Thank you for the use of your photo, you can view more of her work by following this link.

http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=21405947%40N04&q=Pheasant%20with%20mushrooms

Here is what you need:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup red cooking wine
• 1 stick of butter, divided in half
• 1 medium sweet onion chopped
• Garlic cloves or garlic powder
• Black pepper to taste
• Pheasant or rabbit cut into pieces

 Here are your Instructions: 

1. Melt 1/2 sick of butter in a frying pan or electric skillet, stirring in olive oil, garlic, and pepper.
2. Add the pheasant or rabbit to the pan and brown
3. Fill a roaster pan with 1/4 cup of water, and carefully place the browned meat in the roaster
4. Add chopped onion, garlic cloves, and the remaining butter cut into slices
5. Pour the remainder of the oil mixture from the skillet over the meat
6. Bake at 350 degrees until done, the meat is ready when the liquid in the bottom of the pan is caramelized
7. Check frequently during the baking, and baste as needed
8. Now pour the wine over the pieces cover and turn off the heat
9. Leave in the oven for 20 minutes to allow the absorption of the wine.

As Always thanks for stopping by, and Happy Hunting

Raspberry and White Chocolate Cheesecake

What a delight, raspberry white chocolate cheesecake. This makes my mouth water and taste buds tingle just saying the words.

This raspberry white chocolate cheesecake recipe is my son's creation. Sammy developed this recipe by experimenting with the ingredients and different ways to make it. He made this several times until he was satisfied with the results.

He has brought this recipe to perfection, and that makes it his own. This is a very complicated recipe so I've divided the ingredients and instructions by the three aspects of the recipe.

Don't let this scare you off, just take your time because this baked raspberry white chocolate cheesecake is oh so delicious and well worth the time.

I hope you find it easy to follow. Although time-consuming and complicated you'll be very happy when you taste this delicious dessert.

Here is what you'll need for the chocolate crust:

• 12 to 15 Whole chocolate gram crackers
• 1/2 stick (4 tbsp) of cold butter, cut into small pieces
•  

White Chocolate Cheesecake Raspberry Sauce:

• 1 bag frozen or 2-3 pints of fresh raspberries
• 1/3 cup of sugar
• 2 tsp. of cornstarch, mixed with 1 tsp. of water

Filling:

• 3-8oz. packages of cream cheese softened
• 1/4 cup of sugar
• 1 tbsp. of cornstarch
• 3 large eggs
• 1/3 cup of sour cream
• 1/2 tsp. of vanilla
• 8 oz. package of white bakers chocolate, melt to pkg. instructions

Here is what you have to do: 

1. For the crust: Break the graham crackers in a plastic bag, cut the butter into small pieces and add to the bag, smash until you have crumbs.
2. Spray your pan with nonstick spray, push the crumb mixture over the bottom and up the sides of the pan.
3. Raspberry Sauce: In a small pot add raspberries and the 1/3 cup of sugar (Save some raspberries for the garnish later)
4. Bring to a boil for 10 to 15 minutes, strain and return mixture to the pot
5. Heat over medium heat and mix in the cornstarch and water, keep stirring until this thickens and set aside for later use.
6. Filling: Beat cream cheese sugar, and cornstarch in large bowl on medium speed, while scraping down the sides, beat until smooth.
7. Beat in eggs 1 at a time until blended. Now beat in sour cream, vanilla, and melted white chocolate until blended.
8. Pour the filling into the crust. Drop evenly spaced puddles of the raspberry sauce on top of the filling.
9. With a sharp knife swirl through the puddles of raspberry sauce in a circular motion.
10. Refrigerate the remaining raspberry sauce to serve later with the cheesecake
11. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees and reduce heat to 250 degrees. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes, Until the center, jiggles
12. Turn the oven off and leave the door closed for another hour. Remove from the oven to a wire rack and let it cool completely.
13. After cooled remove from the pan by running a knife around the edges, and place on a serving plate.
14. Now you can add the raspberries you saved on top for garnish. Refrigerate for 4 hours and serve.   

As Always Thanks for Stopping By and I hope you enjoy.

Here are some handy tools for your baking needs

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KitchenAid KHM512ER 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer, Empire RedFarberware Classic Wood Rolling PinNorpro Nonstick 3 Piece Springform Cake Cheesecake Tart Quiche Pan

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Beef and Sausage Chili

This sausage beef chili recipe is the perfect cold weather day warm-up. I’ve made chili plenty of times, and always used the standard chili kit that you find in the grocery store.

Jamie has been making this award-winning chili for a few years now. This chili recipe is amazing, and Oh so good. I thought it was time to put it all down in writing and share it with you.

This is a meal the whole family is going to enjoy.  We make this often during football season, it's a great game-day treat.

Are you ready? Here is what you need:

2 lbs. of ground beef (80/20)

1 lb. bulk Italian Sausage

2- 16oz. can of Red Chili Beans (In Medium chili sauce)

2- 16oz. can of Red Chili Beans (In Hot sauce)

2- 6oz. cans of tomato paste

2- 28oz cans diced fire-roasted tomatoes (with juice)

1 large yellow onion (chopped)

2 green chili peppers (seeded and chopped)

2 Green Bell peppers (chopped)

1 Red Bell pepper (chopped)

2 Jalapeno peppers (chopped)

10 slices cooked bacon (chopped)

4 cups beef bouillon

½ cup beer (optional)

¼ cup chili powder

2 cloves of garlic minced

1 tbs. Worcestershire Sauce

1 tbs. dried oregano

2 tsp. ground cumin

2 tsp. Tabasco sauce

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. white sugar

For the garnish:

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Sour Cream

Frito corn chips or crackers

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, add your meat and cook it until it’s browned.
2. Now drain the grease from the pot.
3. Add everything else into the pot, bring this to a slight boil, and then set it on simmer.
4. Cook this for 2 hours, adding more seasoning to your taste.
5. Top off your hearty bowl of chili with some shredded cheddar, and sour cream for a nice cold-weather warm-up.

As always thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy.

Heuck 36003 4 Piece Stainless Steel Stock Pot SetKOVOT Set of 4 Speckled Ceramic Soup Bowls With SpoonsTotally Bamboo Original Bamboo Cutting & Serving Board 3 Piece

Keurig One Cup Brewing System – My Review

First let me tell you, that I never review a product unless I own it and use it. At Sam's Place, you will find my honest experience with the product, good or bad.

We sure do love our coffee, and our Keurig one cup brewing system makes it easy to enjoy a nice hot cup of coffee anytime in about 30 seconds.

 Yes, we have your typical 12 cup drip coffee maker but there are many times when you just don't want to make a full pot of coffee.

We were shopping around for a Keurig one cup brewing system, but our good friend Verna beat us to it, she bought us one as a gift.

This is a great one cup brewing system and exactly what we wanted. Now we can have a single cup of coffee anytime we want to without having to make a whole pot.

 You will find so many delicious choices of K-Cups.  Keurig really knew what they were doing when they engineered the one cup system.

At the end of the day, after a full day of work, or taking care of the kids, and the house sometimes you just need to sit and relax with a good cup of your favorite coffee or tea. You can also buy hot chocolate in a K-Cup.

We’ve had our Keurig for better than 2 years now, and only had one problem. It clogged and wouldn’t make coffee.

We called the Keurig service number, and they walked us right through how to unclog the system. After that, it works as good as new.

I recommend following the cleaning frequency instructions in the manual. So if you like coffee, especially, flavored coffee, I would recommend the Keurig One Cup System.

The Keurig Brewing System along with a 40-count variety of flavored K-cups. As always Thanks for stopping by.

Keurig K-Select Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker, Vintage RedKeurig K-Mini Plus Single Serve Coffee Maker, with 5-inch Brewer, 6 to 12 Pounds Brew Size, K-Cup Pod and Cord Storage (Black)

 

How to Make Alfredo Sauce

Alfredo sauce for your favorite pasta is really easy to make, and it’s OH so delicious. Our daughter whipped this Alfredo sauce up just the other night for this amazing Tortellini Alfredo.

I’m showing the fresh parsley as optional because our grandson doesn’t like anything green in his food. But I do recommend using parsley for this Alfredo Sauce.

This recipe will be enough for 1 pound of your favorite pasta.

Here is what you need:

1/2 Stick of butter

1 1/2 cups of Parmesan Cheese (grated)

1 cup of heavy cream

1 clove of garlic (minced)

½ cup of fresh chopped parsley (optional)

This is what you do:

1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter with the garlic, and then add the cream.
2. Bring this to a simmer while stirring, and add the grated cheese.
3. Continue to stir until you bring it to a slight boil
4. Pour over and mix with your favorite pasta, garnish with the fresh parsley, and enjoy a simple pasta Alfredo dinner.

 As always Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you enjoy it

Easy Light Lunch or Dinner

This is a quick and easy idea for a light lunch or dinner, with some leftovers that you may have in the refrigerator.

I call this mini crescent roll chicken salad sandwich, with broccoli salad. If you have some leftover chicken this is a delicious way to use it up.

Make your favorite chicken salad, I like a little crunch to my chicken salad, so I add some chopped-up celery and chopped almonds.

Pick up some Pillsbury Crescent Rolls and bake them according to the package instructions. (I know that I didn’t really have to tell you that, but just in case!)

Now how to make the Broccoli Salad:

8 cups of broccoli (Chopped Very Fine)

1 cup Miracle Whip Light Dressing

6 slices of bacon (cooked and crumbled)

½ cup of red onion (Chopped Very Fine)

3 tbsp. sugar

3 tbsp. white vinegar

Mix the Miracle Whip, sugar, and white vinegar until it’s blended. Now in a large bowl add the remaining ingredients, pour in the dressing, and mix.

Refrigerate this for about one hour and it’s ready to serve. Slice your crescent rolls and fill them with that delicious chicken salad and enjoy.

As always Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed this recipe.

Pepperoni Bread a Family Favorite

I enjoy family recipes passed down from generation to generation. Pepperoni Bread is another family recipe from my grandmother’s kitchen that we all loved when we were kids.

 She always used sliced pimento cheese to make this, but today I have a hard time finding pimento cheese, so you can really use any cheese that you like (slices or shredded).

This bread is really easy to make and makes a great snack or serve it with a nice salad before your main dish.

Okay let’s make some dough first; here is how you do it.

Ingredients:

·         5 to 6 cups of all-purpose flour

·         3 tbs. of Crisco or light olive oil

·         2 packages of dry yeast

·         2 ¼ cups of warm water (Not too Hot)

·         1 tsp. of salt

·         1 tsp of sugar (optional)

Instructions:  
 

1.      Dissolve the yeast in the warm water

2.      While you’re waiting add the flour, oil, salt, and sugar to a large bowl

3.      Add the water and yeast to the bowl and begin to mix. (I hope you washed your hand first)

4.      Knead until the dough is smooth and forms a ball, cover the bowl with a cloth, and let this rise for about one hour.

This dough recipe will make at least 3 Pepperoni Breads.

I use my Kitchen-Aid Stand mixer it makes the job really easy. Just add everything and attach the dough hook, and mix on low speed until the dough forms a ball.

Now get the ingredients ready to make that pepperoni bread. Here is what you need.

Ingredients:

· 1 or 2 eggs

· 1 package of sliced pepperoni (7oz. will make more than one)

· A package of sliced pimento cheese cut into 1/2-inch stripes

· A Sprinkle of paprika.

Instructions:  

1. Crack the egg in a bowl, and beat the egg until mixed. Set this aside for later
2. Spread the dough in a pizza pan (you don't have to go all the way to the edges)
3. Brush the dough lightly with the beaten egg
4. On of the dough place your slices of pepperoni, and cheese (not too much, just enough to cover)
5. Fold the dough over 3 or 4 times, until you have a loaf.
6. Be sure to pinch the ends of the loaf and the seam to minimize the ingredients from running out.
7. Lightly brush the top of the loaf with the beaten egg
8. Sprinkle some paprika on the top of the loaf.
9. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes (until golden brown)

I hope you enjoyed another family recipe, and give it a try. As always Thanks for stopping by.

KitchenAid 5-Qt. Tilt-Head Stand Mixer KSM150PSBM Artisan Series, 5 Quart, Black MatteBaking Sheet Set, 2-Piece Cookie Sheet Set with Silicone Handles, Steel Baking Pans Set, Durable Baking Sheets for Oven, BPA Free Cookie Sheets for Baking Nonstick Set, Sheet Pan - Black Baking Tray