Granny's Baked Beans

Granny's Baked Beans

Granny's Baked Beans were always made in the big yellow pyrex bowl, and much like Nana's Curry Chicken Wings, is all done by estimate. So each time they come out slightly different, but very similiar.

Get baked beans in a can.  It doesn't matter the brand.  Any will work.  Store brands generally need more molasses & brands like Bush need less.  Fill bowl so there is still at least 2.5 inches to spare.

Cook approx 3/4 pounds of bacon.  Give or take depending on your taste buds of the day.

Add to bowl. 

 Add most of a 12 oz bottle of Grandma's Molasses (Yellow label - use brand).  Mix in brown sugar (light or dark your choice) maybe 1/2 box.

Add 2 Tablespoons or so of Heinz Ketchup and 1 Tablespoon of Gulden's mustard.  Your choice really of brand and amounts.

I believe all ingredients are covered.  After stirring well, bake in oven for hours until thickened & cooked down.  Any temperature of 375 or less works.

Enjoy!

Many thanks to Ginger who wrote this down for us.

Beef Burgundy

Ingredients for Beef Burgundy  (8 Servings)

1 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6 ounces bacon, roughly chopped
3 pounds  beef brisket, trimmed of fat (chuck steak or stewing beef) cut into 2-inch chunks
1 large carrot sliced 1/2-inch thick
1 large white onion, diced
6 cloves garlic, minced (divided)
1 pinch coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons flour
3 cups red wine like Merlot, Pinot Noir, or a Chianti -- for a milder sauce, use only 2 cups of wine
2-3 cups beef stock (if using 2 cups of wine, use 3 cups beef stock)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 beef bouillon cube, crushed
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped (divided)
2 bay leaves
1 pound fresh small white or brown mushrooms, quartered
2 tablespoons butter
~12 pearl onions, optional

In a large dutch oven or heavy based pot, sauté the bacon over medium heat in 1 tablespoon of oil for about 3 minutes, until crisp and browned. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a large dish and set aside.
Pat dry beef with paper towel; sear in batches in the hot oil/bacon fat until browned on all sides. Remove to the dish with the bacon.

In the remaining oil/bacon fat, sauté the carrots and diced onions until softened, (about 3 minutes), then add 4 cloves minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Drain excess fat and return the bacon and beef back into the pot; season with 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper. Sprinkle with flour, toss well and cook for 4-5 minutes to brown.

Add the pearl onions, wine and enough stock so that the meat is barely covered. Then add the tomato paste, bullion and herbs. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the meat is falling apart.

In the last 5 minutes of cooking time, prepare your mushrooms: Heat the butter in a medium-sized skillet/pan over heat. When the foam subsides, add the remaining 2 cloves garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds), then add in the mushrooms. Cook for about 5 minutes, while shaking the pan occasionally to coat with the butter. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
Add browned mushrooms to the pot, let simmer for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, to combine.

~Thanks to https://cafedelites.com/beef-bourguignon/ 

Cheesey Potatoes on the Grill

Ingredients: 

4 slices Bacon 

3 large Baking Potatoes 

1 large Onion, sliced 

1 cup processed Cheese, cubed 

1/2 tsp. Salt 

1/4 tsp. Black Pepper 

1/2 tsp. dried Parsley 

2 Tbs. Butter or Margarine 

1 Tbs. Bacon Drippings 

Fry the bacon in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Drain the bacon on paper toweling and crumble when cool enough to handle; set aside. 

Meanwhile, peel and slice the potatoes placing them on a 9-inch by 13-inch double-layer of aluminum foil as you go. 

Separate the onion slices into rings and layer them over the potato slices. Add the crumbled bacon bits, cheese, salt, pepper and parsley. Dot the potatoes with butter or margarine and drizzle the bacon fat over the top of the mixture. 

Wrap the foil loosely around the potatoes, making sure the ends are well sealed. Cook about 4-inches from the hot coals on the grill for about 1-hour, or until tender. Turn the package often to keep the spuds from burning. Serve warm from the grill. 

Dip Mixes

Some quick dips to have with veggies or chips. Mix with soft cream cheese for a spread.

Ranch dip
 2 tsp instant minced onion
 1/2 tsp salt
 1/8 tsp garlic powder
 1 tsp parsley flakes
 add to 1 cup mayo and 1 cup sour cream

Bacon dip
 2 Tbsp bacon bits
 2 TBSP minced onion
 1 tsp instant beef bouillon
 1/8 tsp garlic
 add to 1 cup sour cream

 Onion and Cheese dip
 1 TBSP minced onion
 1 TBSP grated parmesan cheese
 1½ tsp instant beef  bouillon
 1/4 tsp garlic
 add to 1 cup sour cream

CHEESE-SOUR CREAM FONDUE

6 slices bacon 

1/4 cup minced onion 

2 teaspoons all-purpose flour

1 pound sharp process American cheese, shredded (4 cups)

2 cups dairy sour cream

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

In saucepan fry bacon till crisp; drain, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings. Crumble bacon; set aside. Cook onions in reserved drippings till tender but not brown. Stir in flour. Add remaining ingredients. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, till cheese is melted.

Pour into fondue pot. Top with bacon. Place over fondue burner. Spear dipper with fondue fork; dip into fondue. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Suggested dippers: Hard rolls, rye bread, mushrooms.

Dykeman's Tiny Tators

 Take 1 quart tiny potatoes, the smaller the better. Nickel size is good, dime size better. Clean the potates thoroughly, skins and all. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy skillet. Add potatoes, with salt and pepper to taste. cook over medium heat shaking skillet occasionally to brown on all sides. Cooking time varies 10 to 20 minutes depending on the size of potatoes.

Tiny tators are also good with a bit of onion or garlic tossed  in the pan.

And a jazzed up dish: Tiny Tators, fried with Bacon strips (like three of them) instead of butter. If you have extra Zucchini you could always dice up some and throw it in the skillet too.