The Casserole Queen

06/03/2023

SUMMERY SPLENDOR WITH LAVENDER SHEET CAKE

Culinary lavender is cultivated from English lavender and has less oil than other kinds of lavender, so it is not quite as aromatic as those used in perfumes and lotions.

Oven to 350 degrees

Soak 2 tsp dried lavender in 1-1/4 c milk for 15 minutes or do it the day before allowing it to infuse in the refrigerator.

Sift 2-1/4 c cake flour, 1 tbs baking powder and 1 tsp salt into a bowl. In another mixing bowl, beat together 3/4 c unsalted butter and 2 c sugar until light and fluffy. In a large measuring cup, strain the lavender from the infused milk then add 4 egg whites, 1 tsp vanilla and 1 tsp lavender extract to the milk. Turn mixer to low and alternate wet and dry ingredients mixing together. Pour into prepared glass casserole. Bake for 25-30 minutes depending on the type of casserole you're using.

Once the cake is baked and cooled, turn it upside down out of the casserole. Using a toothpick, make 12 tiny holes in the cake by poking it. Brush the cake with lavender syrup (heat 1/2 c water, 1/2 c sugar and 2 tsp dried lavender in sauce pan and heat until sugar dissolves then allow to cool and strain dried lavender from the syrup).

For the lavender cream cheese frosting, whip on high until fluffy 1/2 c unsalted butter, 8 oz cream cheese, 3 c powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp lavender extract and 1/2 tsp vanilla. When the cake has cooled, spread a layer of frosting across the top. Decorate with edible flowers (dried culinary lavender, pansies, nasturtium).

Recipe from Sugar and Charm

06/03/2023

BUFFALO CHICKEN CALZONE

Oven to 425 degrees - lightly grease baking sheet or casserole and set aside

Combine 2 c shredded cooked chicken and 1/4 c buffalo hot sauce in sauce pan with 1/2 tbs white vinegar, 1 tbs butter, 1/2 tsp garlic and onion power and salt to taste. Heat just until seasonings blend.

Separate prepared pizza dough into 2 pieces. Roll and press dough to form circles. Add 1/4 c mozzarella and 1 c of chicken to bottom center of dough. Top with 1/4 c mozzarella. Fold over and seal edges with fork dipped in water. Cut a few vents in the top of the dough and brush dough with egg wash. Sprinkle with garlic powder, oregano, parsley and salt to taste.

Bake 15-20 minutes until browned and inside is bubbly. Let cool. Serve with marinara, ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.

Recipe Modified from Food Fanatic

06/02/2023

06/02/2023

ENJOY THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF APPLE CIDER VINEGAR BY CREATING YOUR OWN SIMPLE VINAIGRETTES

1) CUCUMBER APPLE SALAD - chop 2 cucumbers and 2 red apples. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tbs honey, 1/2 tbs apple cider vinegar, 1 tbs lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Pour over chopped cucumbers and apples and mix well. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours to allow vinaigrette to pe*****te.

2) TOMATO AND CUCUMBER SALAD WITH MINT AND BASIL - peel 2 cucumbers and slice then slice again in half. Add 2 c halved grape tomatoes and one small red onion thinly sliced. Set aside. Whisk together 3 tbs apple cider vinegar, 1 tbs honey and 1 tbs lemon juice. Mix in 2 tbs fresh basil, 2 tbs fresh mint and salt and pepper to taste. Toss together with vegetables. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours to allow vinaigrette to pe*****te.

06/02/2023

SALTY SAND AND ATLANTIC BEACH PIE

Oven to 350 degrees

Stir together 1-1/2 c finely crushed saltine crackers with 6 tbs melted butter, 3 tbs granulated sugar and 1 large egg white slightly beaten. Transfer to glass casserole lightly sprayed with PAM. Firmly press to form a crust and freeze for 10 minutes. Remove from freezer and bake 12-15 minutes until lightly browned. Cool for 10 minutes.

For pie filling, whisk together one 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk with 4 large egg yolks until smooth. Mix in 1/4 c lime juice and 1/4 c lemon juice. Pour into warm crust and bake until center is just set (about 15 minutes). Cool on wire rack for 1 hour then chill for 2 hours.

Beat together 1-1/2 c heavy whipping cream and 1/4 c powdered sugar until stiff peaks form (about 2 minutes). Spread whipped cream over chilled pie. Garnish with lemon and lime zests.

Recipe from Southern Living

06/02/2023

TUNA STEAKS WITH CREAMY DIJON TURMERIC SAUCE

*Tuna steak consists of a thick piece of steak ideally from the back of the Tuna

Oven to 450 degrees

For the sauce, combine 1/4 c mayonnaise, 1 tbs chopped parsley, 2 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp honey and 1/2 tsp ground turmeric.

Cut parchment paper in 16 x 12 squares for the number of tuna steaks you will be baking. Form packets by folding the parchment paper in half by the short sides. Open. Place 1/2 c thinly sliced Yukon Gold potatoes on each parchment packet and sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper. Top with 1 c chopped kale and 4 oz tuna steak (1" cut). Season tuna with 1/4 tsp salt and pepper. Brush with Dijon turmeric sauce. Close the packets and seal with small tight folds. Place in a large casserole or on a large baking sheet. Bake 10-15 minutes or until fish is just cooked through. Let stand 3 minutes. To serve, place each packet on an individual plate and cut the top of each packet open in an X pattern. Carefully fold open to serve.

Recipe from Eating Well

06/02/2023

BE A STAR WITH NO-BAKE ECLAIR CAKE

Mix two 3.4 oz packages of French Vanilla pudding with 3 cups of milk. Fold in 8 oz whipped topping. Cover the bottom of a 9x13 casserole with graham crackers breaking as needed to cover the casserole with a single layer. Spread half the pudding mix over the graham crackers. Top with another layer of grahams topped with pudding. Add a final layer of graham crackers. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Microwave a tub of chocolate frosting on medium for 15 to 20 seconds to make it easier to spread. Stir the frosting. Remove cake from refrigerator and pour chocolate frosting over the top spreading into an even layer. Cover and refrigerate 6 hours or overnight.

From Crayons and Cravings

06/02/2023

ENGLISH MUFFIN BREAKFAST BAKE

Breakfast for dinner, anyone?

Oven to broil - lightly spray glass casserole with PAM

Cut English muffins in half. Lay in casserole crumb side up and brush with 6 tbs melted butter. Broil until just crisp and browning (watch carefully - this goes fast). Remove from oven and cool slightly. Lay 1 slice of Havarti cheese and 1/2 slice of cooked bacon on muffins. Cover with muffin tops. Broil until just crisp and lightly browned. Remove from oven and turn muffins bottom side up. Broil once again until just crisp and lightly browned. Set aside.

Reduce oven to 375 degrees

In a medium bowl combine 2 eggs (or egg makers), 1/4 c cream, 1/2 tsp garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste. Whisk until well combined. Add 1/4 of a yellow bell pepper diced, 8 cherry tomatoes sliced in half, 2 celery sticks chopped, 2 green onions diced and 2 tbs fresh chopped parsley. Set aside.

Lightly spray another glass casserole with PAM. Pour in enough egg/vegetable mixture to just cover the bottom of the casserole. Lay muffin sandwiches on top. Pour remaining egg/vegetable mix over the muffins. Top with 1/2 c shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake 30-35 minutes (at reduced heat of 375 degrees) until eggs are cooked and cheese is golden brown. Remove from oven and let sit 10 minutes. Garnish with thyme.

Recipe from KinnickKinnick

06/01/2023

COCONUT MACADAMIA PANCAKES

Oven to 425 degrees

Combine 3-1/2 c buttermilk pancake mix with 1/2 c shredded coconut. Stir in 2 c of low fat milk. Let stand 10 minutes. Lightly coat a glass casserole with PAM. Spread batter into casserole and sprinkle with 1/4 c coarsely chopped macadamia nuts. Bake 15-20 minutes until puffy and golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes. Top with 2 sliced bananas and serve with butter and syrup.

Recipe from Taste of Home

06/01/2023

BREAKFAST BANANA SPLITS - 2 SERVINGS

Cut one banana crosswise in half then split each section in half lengthwise. Top each serving with 1/2 c vanilla yogurt, 1/4 c blueberries, halved seedless grapes, peeled and sliced kiwi fruit and halved fresh strawberries. Sprinkle with 1/4 c granola with fruits and nuts and a maraschino cherry.

05/31/2023

The Casserole Queens Says: I think I've found one of my ancestors making the largest omelet with bacon strapped to her feet (1931). I will say she has a mad sense of fashion for an omelet maker!