Inside Out Lasagna, Zucchini Fritters, and Bread Pudding

Janice
Main Dish:  Inside-Out Lasagna
Source:  All Recipes.com
Ready In:  25 minutes

Comments:  I was a little disappointed in this recipe. I felt that it was a little bland and could have had a little more flavor.  If I made it again, I think I would also add maybe some ground turkey meat to it for a little more flavor also.  Overall it was not bad but it could have been better. 

Comments By Tammy:  Unfortunately this was not my favorite recipe.  I think it is more because I am picky about certain things, rather than the actual recipe itself.  This recipe had A LOT of tomatoes in it.   I really don't like tomatoes.  Especially big chunky ones :)  This also had ricotta cheese on top of it.  Sadly, I am not a ricotta fan either.  Beyond those two downfalls, the spinach and the mushrooms were yummy.    I think some people would really like this pasta, but it was not really for me.  Nothing on Mom though.  She did everything right.  The recipe itself, just wasn't very well developed.

Comments By Melissa:  True, true, no offense MOM but this recipe was very disappointing for me as well.  I too do not like tomatoes or ricotta cheese.  But other than that, it just didn't really have much flavor.  I think it needed seasonings and maybe some turkey or chicken to add variety. Personally, I wouldn't try this recipe again - but again, not Mom's fault this time, just wasn't tasty.

Tammy:

Side Dish:  Zucchini Fritters

Source:  Food Network Magazine

Ready In:  20 minutes

Comments:  Let me just say that I knew this recipe was going to totally rock.  I just had a feeling about them.  The ingredients were simple, healthy and the recipe looked super easy.  How could I go wrong?  I don't know how, but I did go wrong here.   What should have been a perfectly delicious and beautiful zucchini fritter, wound up being a salt fritter!  They were so salty!  I followed the recipe to a tee.  Add salt to get the liquid out of the zucchini and sprinkle with salt right before serving.  What is up with these recipes?  Do the people that write them, not acutally try them?  Do they not follow their own steps?  Even thought they turned out super salty, I can tell that this could be an awesome recipe without the salt. DO NOT SALT THEM BEFORE SERVING!!!  Other than that they should be fabulous!!!

Comments By Melissa: Agreed, what is wrong with people who post recipes online?  The only thing I can think is that they don't actually follow a recipe...they simply throw it together and then when they try to write the recipe down to post it, they aren't getting the measurments right.  In any case, something was really wrong with this one, the salt was too much to handle.  They had Sis pour salt in the beginning and end and it was so salty that I couldn't eat them.  I think the idea of the recipe is great, different and could work in addition to any meal, but definitely need to cut the salt in half - if not more, then add some later to taste if necessary.  Good job though Sis trying something totally new!

Comments By Janice:   The fritters were very good.  They were a little salty but that can be fixed easily.  This was a very different side dish.  Everyone knows that I am NOT a vegetable person, so I always have a preconceived notion that I will not like something.  But, I am trying to a lot of different things.  Good job!

Melissa:

Dessert:  Spiced Caramel-Apple Bread Pudding

Source:  All Recipes.com

Ready In:  3 hours

Comments:  Hahaha leave it up to me to not read the recipe all the way through, thinking it will take only 45 minutes when it really takes 2 1/2 hours! LOL  But let me tell you, this is a complete winner.  I don't necessarily like bread pudding, because the ones at restaurants are always soggy with bland flavor, but this...this was DELICIOUS!!!  I scarfed mine down so fast, it was crunchy and so flavorful.  Definitely try this one with your family, it's a hit! woo hoo, go me =)

Comments By Janice:  Great job Lissa.  I know that this took a lot longer that you though it would, but it was worth the wait.  Bread pudding is one of my favorite desserts and this I loved.  The pecans gave it a little more crunchy texture and it was really different.  The apple was another different taste.  I hadn't had bread pudding in a long time and this was a welcome treat.

Comments By Tammy:  Well, thank goodness for Lissa's 3 hour recipe.  At least one of us had a winner of a dish this time, and boy was this a winner.  I mean, can dessert really get much better than a fantastic bread pudding?  I don't think so!!!  This was so yummy and very worthy of being served at the best restaurants.  Even though it took 2 1/2 hours longer than she originally thought it was going to take :)  It was definitely worth the wait!

RECIPES 

Inside Out Lasagna:

Ingredients:
8 (ounces) whole-wheat rotini or fusilli
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 onion (chopped)
3 clove garlic (sliced)
8 ounces (about 3 1-2 cups) sliced white mushrooms
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 can (14-ounce) diced tomatoes with italian herbs
8 cups baby spinach
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
3/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

Directions:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Add pasta; cook until just tender, 8 to 10 minutes or according to package directions.  Drain and transfer to a large bowl.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.  Add onion and garlic and coo, stirring, until soft and beginning to brown, about 3 minutes.  Add mushrooms, salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until the mushrooms release their liquid, 4 to 6 minutes.

Add tomatoes, spinach, and crushed red pepper (if using), increase heat to medium-high; cook, stirring once halfway through, until the spinach is wlted, about 4 minutes.

Toss the sauce with the pasta and divide among 4 bowls.  Dollop each serving with 3 tablespoons of ricotta.



Zuchinni Fritters

Ingredients:
2 small zucchini
2 teaspoons salt
4 minced scallions
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup chopped dill
1 beaten egg
34 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup flour
1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions: 
Grate 2 small zucchini into a colander in sink; toss with 2 teaspoons salt and let sit 10 minutes.  Mix with 4 minced scallions, 1/4 cup each chopped parsley and dill, 1 beaten egg, 3/4 cup grated parmesan and 1/4 cup flour.  Pan fry spoonfulls of the mixture in olive oil, flattening with a spatula, 3 to 4 minutes per side.  Drain on paper towel and season with salt.




Spiced Carmel Apple Bread Pudding:

Ingredients:  1 Granny Smith apple (peeled and chopped)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (divided)
1/2 loaf (16 ounce) Italian bread (cut into bite-size pieces)
Vegetable cooking spray
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
1 cup apple cider
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Toasted Pecan-Caramel Sauce:
1/4 cup chopped pecans
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon light corn syrup
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 1/2 teaspoon butter

Directions:

Prepare the bread pudding:  Saute apple and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon in a lightly greased skillet over medium-high heat 2 minutes or until tender.  Stir together bread and apple mixture in a 11x7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.

Whisk together eggs, milk, apple cider, brown sugar, vanilla, nutmet, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon; pour over bread mixture in baking dish.  Cover and chill 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Bake break mixture at 350 degrees F for 45 to 50 minutes until top is crisp and golden brown.  Serve warm with Toasted Pecan-Caramel Sauce (see preparation below).

Prepare the sauce:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant.

Sprinkle sugar in an even layer in a small saucepan.  Stir together syrup and 1/3 cup water, and pour over sugar in saucepan.  Cook, without stirring, over medium-high heat 12 to 14 minutes or until sugar is dissolved and mixture is golden.

Remove from heat.  Gradually whisk in evaporated milk.  (Mixture will bubble.)  Stir in butter and toasted pecans.

It's Asian Theme!

Tammy:

Main Dish

Chicken Lo Mein

Source: Joy of Cooking - All About Pasta

Servings: 4

Comments from Tammy: Can I just say that I totally rocked on Asian Theme Night?  Is that too arrogant? Ok, well it wasn't really me that rocked, but this recipe ..... it was so awesome.  Far better than what you would lfind in a chinese fast food restaurant.  This was classy asian restaurant quality food.  This recipe was easy, fast and surprisingly delicious.  I pulled it out of a cookbook    that I don't think I have ever used.  What a shame!  That is just going to have to change.   Sometimes using a cookbook is a little scary, because you really have no indication if the recipe is good or not.  But, I need to be a little more adventurous and take somechances.  Yum!!!! Can't wait to make it again!

Comments from Melissa: Well, we cooked this so long ago and to be honest, I have the worst memory (but I think it's genetic so Mom and Sis probably have it just as bad).  But I remember this tasting very yummy.  It seemed like a safe enough recipe that I could try with my future hubby - because I don't think there is a way to mess it up =)  Good job sister! 



Comments from Mom: I love Chinese food and this was a great main dish.  I loved it!  I thought that it was a great choice to go with the other dishes we had.  It was a great meal.

Melissa:
Side Dish
Asian Chicken Noodle Salad
Source: AllRecipes.com
Submitted by: Xing Jin
Serves: 4
Ready in: 25 minutes




Comments from Melissa: All I can say is "woot woot!" Haha My appetizer turned out great =)  It was sooo delicious and it was easy but not too easy (sis).  I had heard of bok choy before but never knew what it was so I had to ask the guy at the grocery store what it was.  Then I was very nervous to be making an entire salad out of it with no lettuce or spinach.  But the noodles on top and nuts and crunchy snap peas were perfect and making my own dressing was something I have always wanted to do.  So proud of myself ;)~


Comments from Tammy: Oh my gosh!  This night was so awesome, because all of the recipes were so very good.   This was a pretty easy recipe, however, I am going to let Lissa off the hook because it tasted so darn good.   The crunchy topping that Lissa made for this salad would go great on any salad.   I should just make it and keep it on hand to throw on top of salads for lunch.  Then dressing was delicious and I actually liked the bok choy.  I am proud of you, Sis, for making your own dressing.  How cool is that?  Cooking nights totally rock!  Well, they rock when our recipes rock.  When our recipes suck .... not so much.


Comments for Mom: I thought that this salad was just great.  Good job, Lissa.  I had never heard of bok choy before, but learned what  it was.  It could have used a little more chicken, but overall yummy.  It had good texture and the dressing was delicious.  I will make this sometime.




Janice:

Dessert
Creamy Rice Pudding

Source: AllRecipes.com
Submitted by: Erica G.
Serves: 4
Ready in: 45 minutes


Comments from Janice: This rice pudding recipe was yummy.   I have never made anything like this before, so was nervous how it would come out.  It was easy preparation.  I thought that I would burn it because there was so much liquid left after cooking time.  In turn, I cooked it longer than I should have and it was a too thick.


Comments from Melissa: See, I don't remember this being of wierd consistency, I just remember it being sooo tasty!  I do remember though, Mom being really worried that it was too runny and so she just kept cooking longer and longer and longer.  Haha  She is so hillarious to watch because she doesn't care what the recipe says, she just does her own thing and then later she says "oh, I guess I should have paid closer attention to the recipe."  I don't think I have had rice pudding but one other time in my entire life - you just don't hear of it at resturaunts.  In any case, it was super yummy and with a little cinnamon on top, actually a pretty easy recipe.


Comments from Tammy: I love rice pudding.  It is one of my favorite desserts, especially when I am looking for something that is low calorie.  Mom's rice pudding was so yummy.  It will be on my list of things that I will definitely make in the future.  We sprinkled cinnamon on top and it was perfection.  Mom, was really worried that it was going to be too runny, but that was not the case at all.  She could have stuck to the recipe exactly with regards to cooking time, and it would have turned out perfect. Regardless of consistency, it tasted awesome! Great job, Mom!

RECIPES

CHICKEN LO MEIN:
Ingredients/Directions:
In a Medium Bowl Stir : 
1tsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp toasted seasame oil
Thinly cut one boneless skinless chicken breast and toss with cornstarch mixture.  Let marinate for 15 - 20 minutes. 


Place on Plate:
4 ounces cut bok choy, in 3 inch pieces
1/4 cup sliced bamboo shoots
3 scallions, cut in 2 inch pieces
1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
1 tsp finely minced garlic


In a Small Bowl Stir :
1/4 cup chicken stock
2 Tbsp oyster sauce
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp sugar


To Cook :
Cook 6 oz spaghetti according to package directions.  Drain and rinse with cold water until cool.  Toss spaghetti with 1 tsp sesame oil.


Heat wok over high heat: Pour in 1/3 cup peanut oil, heat until hot.  Then add chicken and cook lightly.  Drain in a colander.  Reheat wok and pour in 3 Tbsp peanut oil, heat until hot.  Add all ingredients on plate, stir vigourously and cook for  45 seconds.  Pour in chicken stock mixture, stir and cover and allow to steam for 1 minute.  Then add noodles and chicken.  Stir and toss about 30 seconds.    Then add in 1/4 cup bean sprouts.  Then stir for about 30 seconds.   Serve immediately


ASIAN CHICKEN NOODLE SALAD:


Ingredients


(3 ounce) package ramen noodle pasta, crushed
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup pine nuts
3 cups shredded bok choy
5 green onions, thinly sliced
1 cup diced, cooked chicken breast meat
1 (5 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained
12 pods snow peas
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/4 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a large bowl, mix the noodles, sunflower seeds, and pine nuts with melted butter until evenly coated. Spread the mixture in a thin layer on a baking sheet.   Bake 7 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, stirring occasionally, until evenly toasted. Remove from heat, and cool slightly.


In a large bowl toss together the noodle mixture, bok choy, green onions, chicken, water chestnuts, and snow peas. Prepare the dressing by blending the oil, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, and lemon juice. Pour over salad, and toss to evenly coat. Serve immediately, or refrigerate until chilled.




CREAMY RICE PUDDING:


Ingredients:
3/4 cup uncooked white rice
2 cups milk, divided
1/3 cup white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
2/3 cup golden raisins
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract


Directions:
In a medium saucepan, bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil. Add rice and stir. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. In another saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups cooked rice, 1 1/2 cups milk, sugar and salt. Cook over medium heat until thick and creamy, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup milk, beaten egg and raisins. Cook 2 minutes more, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and stir in butter and vanilla. Serve warm.

All American

It's All American Night!

Janice:

Main Dish: All American Lasagna

Time: 1 hour 45 mintues

Source: Taste of Home, Comfort Food Cookbook

Comments:  I have never even attempted to make anything like this before.  Fortunately, I had picked a very easy lasagna recipe.  When I started looking I couldn't believe how many different variations there were.  I was also concerned with the number of calories (which some were very very high in).  The recipe called for ground beef and I substituted ground turkey.  I really liked this recipe.  It was not heavy but very light and had much less calories due to using cottage cheese and mozarrella cheese.  I will try this again and it was a simple recipe to make.  I just takes a while to cook (about 1-1/2 hours).

Comments from Melissa: I don't usually eat lasagna - not quite sure why, maybe it's because everyone in the world loves it and I just have to be different, haha.  But I saw the ingredients Mom was using and I was a little worried that it called for cottage cheese LOL - I kept asking her if she read the recipe right =)  But it turned out yummy! I ate my whole slice that night and another slice the next day.  Good job Mom  - but I probably wont eat it next time if you cook it - 1st time's a charm ;)

Comments from Tammy:  Ok, don't let Mom fool you.  She used ground turkey, because she kind of had too.  I don't eat red meat.  I know Mom thinks that I am a little difficult to cook for because of that, but look at what a great substitute ground turkey is for ground beef.  I really liked this recipe. It looked pretty easy, definitely easier than traditional lasagna.  I would definitely make this for my family.  I think this is one that even the kids will enjoy.  Go Mom, Go Mom!!!!

Tammy
Side Dish: All American Corn Bread
Source: GroupRecipes.com
Time: 30 minutes

Comments:  I have to admit that this recepie was too easy for one of our cooking nights.  But, my justification is that I have never made a cornbread before.  Therefore I am going to let my self off the hook on this one :)  As far as the recipe and how it turned out?  Well, it couldn't have been any easier and it was so yummy!  Let me tell you, I have had a lot of dry cornbread in my day..... but not here. Not even close!  It was so moist and fluffy and I impressed Lissa with this one.  If I can impress Lissa then the recipe is definitely a keeper.   :)

Comments from Janice:  Our theme as you can tell was All American due to the 4th being so close to our cooking date.  The cornbread was yummy.  It was a very sweet cornbread as there are so many different kinds of cornbread.  The other difference was that this called for full kernals of corn.  The bread was sooo moist and soft and it is good hot with butter or very cold just out of the refrigerator or room temperature.

Comments from Melissa: I looooved this cornbread!  It was sooo tasty all warm and fresh from the oven - a perfect compliment to any meal and looked super easy =)  Great job Sis!  I even had a piece the next day, cold without butter and it was yuuuumy!



Melissa
Dessert: All American Apple Pie
Source: Allrecipes.com
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes


Comments: Woo Hoo!!! Go me! =) I can't believe I actually made an apple pie from scratch! I think it's something that every cook should know how to throw together (and I'm sure most of you do) but I had never attempted anything like this, especially not the crust too, and it turned out sooo tasty.  I poured just a little bit of carmel on top and served it warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream mmm mmm!  This is a definite winner!  Especially if I perfected it haha

Comments from Janice:  Yeh, Lissa.  This pie was yummy.  I will say that I am not a pie person, but I LOVED this one.  It was very sweet and tasty.  The only thing that might make it even better is to cut the apple slices even smaller, because they were a little crunchy.  Even so, great job.

Comments from Tammy:  My baby sister, who, this time last year, could not boil noodles, is making apple pie.    WHAT???????  I am very proud of you Sista!    This was a really yummy recipe and very doable.  I have made some pies with complicated crust recipes, but this crust was fairly easy.  It didn't quite stretch far enough so that Lissa could crimp the edges, but that didn't matter.  It was pretty and very delicious.  Good Job Lis!   Are you turning into a cook?  Could that be?  You go girl!

Recipes

American Lasagna:

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground turkey

1 small onion, chopped

1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes

1 3/4 cups water

1 can (6 oz) tomato paste

1 envelope spaghetti sauce mix

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 cups (16 oz) fat free cottage cheese

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

6 uncooked lasagna noodles

1 cup (4 oz) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1. In large saucepan, cook the turkey and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, drain. Stir in tomatoes, water, tomato paste, and spaghetti mix. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. In a small bowl, combine the egg, cottage cheese and Parmesan cheese. Spread 2 cups meat sauce in a 13x9 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Layer with three noodles, half of cottage cheese mixture and half of reamining meat sauce. Repeat layers.

3. cover and bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake 10-15 minutes longer or until bubbly and the cheese is melted. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.

Cornbread:

Ingredients:

2 cups biscuit baking mix

1 cup butter

1 cup half and half

1 cup yellow cornmeal

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup sugar

2 large eggs fork beaten

1, 11 oz can of sweet corn kernals, drained

Directions:

1. Warm half and half with butter to melt butter and when warm, add to remaining combined ingredients (except eggs and corn).

2. Blend well then stir in eggs and corn.

3. Pour into greased 9x13 inch pan.  Bake at 350 degrees about 30 minutes or tested done and golden.

4. Let cool then serve.

All American Apple Pie:

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 tablespoons cold milk

1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar

1 teaspoon salt

6 fuji apples, cored and sliced

3/4 cup white sugar

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup butter

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. To make crust: In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, oil, milk 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar and salt until evenly blended. Pat mixture into a 9 inch pie pan, spreading dough evenly over the bottom and up sides. Crimp edges of the dough around perimeter.

3. To make filling: Mix together 3/4 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sprinkle over apples and toss to coat. Spread evenly into unbaked pie shell.

4. To make topping; Using a pastry cutter, mix together 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup sugar and butter until evenly distributed and crumbly in texture. Sprinkle over apples.

5. Put pie in the oven on a cookie sheet to catch the juices that may spill over. Bake 45 minutes.

Fat churros

IT'S MEXICAN THEME NIGHT!

Melissa

Main Dish: Mexican Chicken Pizza with Cornmeal Crust

Source: Cooks.com

Ready in: 40 minutes

Comments:  This wasn't truly a Mexican pizza, I don't think because it was missing beans and rice =)  But overall it was an easy recipe with lots of yummy ingredients and I loved the taste.  Super yummy and I think it would satisfy all ages. 

Comments from Janice:  I really loved this pizza (although a special corner of it was made just for ME.  I am not a fan of cilantro or bell peppers, so it was left off of my piece.  It was funny though because the dough did not behave itself.  The recipe called for kneeding and Lissa did it with her hands.  We thought the dough was not going to happen because it stuck to her hands.  I stated that I thought more flour was needed, but she was afraid it would take away from the recipe.  She put it back in the mixer to kneed and then took it out again to try and do manually.  It STUCK again.  She finally worked it out and we had a pizza crust.  Those are some of the things we learn with trying different things.

Comments from Tammy:  A little comedy is always called for on our cooking nights and Lissa provided it for us this time.  I mean really, how do you knead a dough that won't come off of your fingers, even when extra flour is added.  I thought for sure this dough was going to be too hard to eat.  But, actually it turned out soft and really yummy.  I don't think I have ever had a mexican pizza.  So for a first timer, I really liked it.  I do have to agree that we needed beans, rice and Don Jose salsa to make it feel complete.  Next time we will be sure to do that.   :)  Good job Lis!

Janice
Side Dish: Sweet Corn Cake
Source: Allrecipes.com
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour


Comments:  This recipe was different than anything that I have every tried.  It was a very simple one.  I thought these little squares were very delicious and I would try it again.  It does always compliment the Spanish cuisene.


Comments from Melissa: The corncakes were very tasty.  I've always like the ones they used to serve at El Torrito and I think this was even better!  Good job mom, even though it was easy =)  But definitely one I would cook over and over with any meal. 


Comments from Tammy:  Super easy and really yummy.  Very moist and sweet.  I make something similar to this on Christmas Eve and it is always a big hit.  Made from scratch and super easy?  You can't go wrong with that, right?  Good Job, Mom.




Tammy:
Dessert: Churros
Source: Allrecipes.com

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes


Comments:  I have to say "boooo" to the churro.  I don't know, this one just did not work out like I wanted it to.  And I had high hopes.  The dough was simple enough to make, but you were supposed to put it in the pastry bag (or in my case, ziploc) while it was still warm.  Yet even after letting it cool it was still too hot for the bag and too hot to touch.  I had three bags burst on me.  Then, the recipe just said to let cook till golden brown, which I did, but the inside wasn't really cooked.   Even after putting them back in the oil to cook longer the inside was just too doughy.  I don't like a recipe that isn't specific.  Just tell me how long to cook the thing for goodness sake!  I would dump this recipe and try a new one.   It just wasn't worth all the effort.  I love the challenge though :)

Comments from Melissa: These were funny to watch Sis make.  She was second guessing the recipe the whole time and a little stressed that they wouldn't turn out.  I think they did turn out pretty well although they were short and fat - so looked kind of funny LOL.  But good try with these Sis, I thought overall the taste was perfect with the sugar - not sure how you could have made these cook better.  I'm definitely not the person to ask about that haha

Comments from Janice:  I thought the churros were very tasty.  There was a little trouble with getting them to cook all the way through.  We weren't sure whether it was caused by the oil being too hot or not.  Anyway, Tammy cooked them longer than the recipe called for and the outside was a little toastier.  They were good anyway even if some of the centers were a little doughy.

RECIPES

Janice:

Sweet Corn Cake

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/3 cup masa harina

1/4 cup water

1 1/2 cups frozen whole-kernel corn, thawed

1/4 cup cornmeal

1/3 cup white sugar

2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Directions:

1. In medium bowl beat butter until it is creamy. Add the Mexican corn flour and water and beat until well mixed.

2. Using a food processor, process thawed corn, but leave chunky. Stir into the butter mixture.

3. In a seperate bowl, mix cornmeal, sugar, cream, salt, and baking powder. Add to corn flour mixture and stir to combine. Pour batter into an ungreased 8x8 inch baking pan. Smooth batter and cover with aluminum foil. Place pan into a 9x13 inch baking dish that is filled a third of the way with water.

4. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 50 to 60 minutes. allow to cool for 10 minutes. use an ice cream scoop for easy removal from pan.

Melissa:

Mexican Chicken Pizza with Cornmeal Crust

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon sugar

1 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

1/4 teaspoon coarse salt (kosher or sea salt)

3/4 cup warm water

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/3 cup yellow cornmeal

additional cornmeal

2 cups mexican cheese blend (8oz)

1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken

1 can (14.5 oz) organic fire roasted diced tomatoes or plain diced tomatoes, drained

1/2 medium yellow bell pepper, chopped (1/2 cup)

1/4 cup sliced green onions (4 medium)

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 450 degrees

2. In medium bowl, stir together 3/4 cup of the flour, the sugar, yeast and salt. Stir in warm water and oil. Beat with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on high spead 1 minute. Stir in 1/3 cup cornmeal and remaining 3/4 cup flour to make a soft dough. On lightly floured surface, knead dough until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. cover and let rest 10 minutes.

3. Spray large cookie sheet with cooking spray; sprinkle with additional cornmeal. Press dough into 14x10-inch rectangle on cookie sheet; prick with fork. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges just begin to turn brown. sprinkle with 1 cup of the cheese blend. Top with chicken, tomatoes and bell pepper. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup of cheese. Bake 6 to 8 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and edges are golden brown. Sprinkle with green onion and cilantro.

Tammy:

Churros

Ingredients:

2 cups water

1/4 cup and 1 tablespoon white sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup vegatble oil

2 cups all-purpose flour

16 cups oil for frying

1 cup white sugar, or to taste

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine water, 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar, salt and 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Stir in flour until mixture forms a ball.

2. Heat oil for frying in deep-fryer or deep skillet to 375 degrees. Pipe strips of dough into hot oil using a pastry bag. Fry until golden; drain on paper towels.

3. combing 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon. Roll drained churros in cinnamon and sugar mixture.