The Mystical Kitchen

Happy Halloween

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:36:00 +0000

Halloween & Samhain Blessings to all of our Mystical Kitchen readers.

Pumpkin Waffles

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:27:00 +0000

Posted on Mystic Ramblings, visit here.

Absolutely Yummy!

Ingredients:
• 2 large eggs
• 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 cup half and half
• 4 Tbsp. butter, melted, cooled
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1/2 Granny Smith apple, pared, cored, cut into small dice
• 1/3 cup chopped toasted walnuts

Directions:
Whisk eggs and brown sugar together in mixing bowl. Add half-and-half and butter and whisk until blended.
Mix flour, baking powder, salt, and pie spice in another bowl. Add to egg mixture and stir just until blended. Stir in pumpkin, then fold in apple and walnuts.
Heat waffle iron as directed and make waffles, using generous 3/4 cup batter for large iron.

Pumpkin Chili

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:45:00 +0000

2 pounds ground beef
1 large onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 (15 ounce) cans kidney beans, drained
1 (46 fluid ounce) can tomato juice
1 (28 ounce) can peeled and diced tomatoes with juice
1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 cup sugar

In a large pot over medium heat, cook beef until brown; drain. Stir in onion and bell pepper and cook 5 minutes. Stir in beans, tomato juice, diced tomatoes and pumpkin puree. Season with pumpkin pie spice,
chili powder and sugar. Simmer 1 hour.

Halloween Cupcakes

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:02:00 +0000

1 1/2 cups Original Bisquick® mix
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk or water
2 tablespoons shortening
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 egg
1 tub Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy vanilla or butter cream ready-to-spread frosting
8 fudge-dipped flat-bottom ice-cream cones
Betty Crocker® Fruit Roll-Ups® strawberry chewy fruit snack rolls
Shredded whole wheat cereal biscuits, crushed
Assorted candies, such as candy corn, red string licorice and small gumdrops
32 candy eyes
1 tub Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy chocolate ready-to-spread frosting
48 large black gumdrops
Black shoestring licorice, cut into 4-inch pieces

1. Heat oven to 375ºF. Place paper baking cup in each of 16 regular-size muffin cups, or grease and flour muffin cups.
2. Beat Bisquick mix, sugar, milk, shortening, vanilla and egg in large bowl on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on medium speed 4 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Fill muffin cups about half full.
3. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Immediantly remove from pan; cool completely. Frost and decorate cupcakes as directed below for Scarecrows and Hairy Spiders.

Scarecrows: Frost 8 cupcakes with vanilla frosting. Decorate each ice-cream cone with bow made with fruit rolls. Place ice-cream cone upside down on each cupcake for hat. Arrange crushed cereal on cupcakes for hair. Use candy corn for nose, red licorice and small gumdrops for mouth and candy eyes for eyes.

Hairy Spiders: Frost 8 cupcakes with chocolate frosting. Squeeze large black gumdrops, one at a time, through garlic press to form hair; arrange on cupcakes. Insert black licorice pieces into cupcakes for legs. Place candy eyes on large black gumdrops for eyes.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft) Use paper baking cups. Increase milk to 2/3 cup. Bake 20 to 25 minutes.

Roasted Root Vegetables

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:43:00 +0000

Thank you Paula Deen! This side dish is a perfect match for you Halloween, Harvest or Thanksgiving celebrations!

INGREDIENTS:

4 shallots, halved
3 parsnips, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 turnips, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 rutabaga, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 1/2 teaspoons salt

INSTRUCTIONS:
1.Preheat oven to 425˚. Line a rimmed baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil.

2.In a large bowl combine shallots, parsnips, turnips, and rutabaga.

3.In a small bowl, combine honey, oil, thyme, and salt. Pour over shallot mixture, tossing gently to coat. Spoon onto prepared baking sheet.

4.Bake 30 to 40 minutes, or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.

Pumpkin Facts

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:28:00 +0000

Everything you ever wanted to know about pumpkins

Pumpkins are fruits. A pumpkin is a type of squash and is a member of the
gourd family (Cucurbitacae), which also includes squash, cucumbers,
gherkins, and
melons.

Pumpkins have been grown in North America for five thousand years. They are
indigenous to the western hemisphere.

In 1584, after French explorer Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence
region of North America, he reported finding "gros melons." The name was
translated into English as "pompions," which has since evolved into the
modern
"pumpkin."

Pumpkins are low in calories, fat, and sodium and high in fiber. They are
good sources of Vitamin A, Vitamin B, potassium, protein, and iron.

The largest pumpkin ever grown was 1,140 pounds. It was grown by Dave Stelts
of Leetonia, Ohio, in 2000.

Pumpkin seeds should be planted between the last week of May and the middle
of June. They take between 90 and 120 days to grow and are picked in October
when they are bright orange in color. Their seeds can be saved to grow new
pumpkins the next year.

The largest pumpkin pie ever baked was 350 pounds and five feet in diameter.
(as of October 2003, that is)

author unknown

Cream Cheese Marbled Brownies

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:27:00 +0000

Cream Cheese Marble Brownies

Ingredients
• Nonstick spray for baking
• 1 3-ounce package cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 6 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 3/4 cup butter, cut into small pieces
• 2-1/4 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a 13x9x2-inch baking pan with heavy foil, extending foil 2 inches over edges of pan. Lightly coat foil with nonstick spray for baking; set aside.
2. In a small bowl, combine cream cheese and the 2 tablespoons butter. Beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until mixture is fluffy. Gradually add the 1/4 cup sugar, beating until light. Beat in the 1 egg and the 1 tablespoon flour just until combined. Set aside.
3. In a small bowl, combine the 1 1/4 cups flour, the baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
4. In a medium saucepan, combine chocolate and the 3/4 cup butter. Cook and stir over low heat just until melted. Transfer to a large bowl. Gradually add the 2 1/4 cups sugar, beating on low speed until combined. Add the 4 eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Beat in milk, vanilla, and almond extract. Gradually beat in flour mixture.
5. Spread the chocolate batter in the prepared baking pan. Spoon cream cheese mixture in mounds on top of chocolate batter. Using a table knife or narrow metal spatula, gently swirl the cream cheese mixture into the chocolate batter to marble. Sprinkle with pecans.
6. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs attached. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Use the foil to lift uncut brownies out of pan. Cut into brownies. Store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Makes 42 servings.

Lavender Mint Tea Punch

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:57:00 +0000

6 Tsp. Dried Mint
6 C. Boiling Water
1 Tbsp. Dried Lavender Blossoms
1 Liter Ginger Ale
1 C. Purple Grape Juice
Ice Cubes w/fresh mint leaf frozen in each

~~Brew the mint in the water in a teapot for 10 minutes. Add the lavender blossoms to the pot. Allow tea to cool. Strain the tea & add the ginger ale, grape juice & ice cubes.

Optional:
Serve in punch bowl and float w/lavender buds and mint sprigs on top.

Homemade Butter in a Jar

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:46:00 +0000

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

•Heavy cream
•A Jar with a lid

Preparation:

1. Fill a jar halfway with heavy cream (baby food jars work great for small batches), and screw the lid on tight.

2. Shake the jar up and down until the cream thickens and begins to stick together.

3. Then, open the jar, and pour any remaining liquid into another container; this is the buttermilk. Everything else is butter.

4. Knead the butter under cold running water for several minutes to work out any remaining buttermilk (otherwise the butter will spoil quickly).

5. Knead in salt, if desired.

6. Refrigerate.

Colorful Chicken Croissants

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 19:28:00 +0000

2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1/4 cup diced celery
1/4 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup sliced almonds
3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons chopped red onion
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 croissants, split

In a bowl, combine the first nine ingredients. Spoon about 1/2 cup into each croissant

Applebees Clubhouse Grill Sandwich

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 19:27:00 +0000

Applebee's Clubhouse Grill Sandwich

Pita Bread (2 or 3 whole)
1 10 oz. pkg frozen spinach
1/3 cup nutritional yeast
1 med onion
5 or 6 plum tomatoes
8 oz pkg fresh mushrooms
4 clv garlic

1 tsp each of the following spices:
basil, parsley, cayenne pepper
1/2 to 1 cup rice milk
4 tbl flour

* Thaw spinach completely, press out all water. Heat milk in saucepan, when hot but not boiling stir in flour. Stir until sauce begins to thicken, turn heat down. Add nutritional yeast and spinach. Stir constantly until thick and gooey, only about 3-4 min. In separate pan, saute onion, garlic, until onion is tender. Stir in tomatoes, mushrooms, and spices. Saute until just done. Preheat oven to 425. Using a very sharp bread knife, split each pita bread so that you have two round flat pieces instead of one thick one.

* Place each piece of bread on a cookie sheet or pizza pan. Spread spinach sauce over each. Top with tomato mixture, being careful to avoid the juice.

* Bake for 5 to 7 min. Watch closely so that the edges of the pita don't burn.

Black Cat All Hallow's Eve Cupcakes

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 19:15:00 +0000

If a black cat crosses your path, we hope it's one of these cute chocolaty creations. This time-saving recipe relies on a boxed cake mix and a can of prepared frosting jazzed up with simple cookie and candy decorations.
SERVINGS: 24
TIME: Prep: 15 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Ingredients:
1 package (18-1/4 ounces) chocolate cake mix
1 can (16 ounces) dark chocolate frosting
12 chocolate cream-filled sandwich cookies, quartered
48 yellow jelly beans
24 black jelly beans
24 pieces black rope licorice

Directions:
Prepare and bake cake mix according to package directions for cupcakes, filling paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Frost tops of cupcakes. Insert two cookie pieces into each for ears. Add yellow jelly beans for eyes and a black jelly bean for nose. Cut each piece of licorice into thirds, then in half; place three halves on each side of nose for whiskers. Yield: 2 dozen.

Blooming Lasagna

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 19:09:00 +0000

12 lasagna noodles
4 cups leaf spinach lightly packed
2 cups ricotta cheese
1 cup grated Mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup Hidden Valley® The Original Ranch® dressing, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 jar (26 ounces) pasta sauce, divided

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain and cool. Mix spinach, cheeses, 1/4 cup of Ranch and seasonings in large bowl.

Set 1/2 cup of pasta sauce aside. Pour remaining sauce into greased shallow casserole dish at least 10 inches in diameter.

To assemble flowers, spread 2 to 3 tablespoons of cheese mixture on each noodle and roll up. Place flowers, curly side up, in casserole dish. Mix remaining Ranch with pasta sauce; drizzle over each flower.

Cover and bake for 30 minutes or until heated through.

Serves: 4 to 6

Quick, Easy & Tasty Summer Salad

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:57:00 +0000

1 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup Cool Whip
1 (15 1/2 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice
2 2/3 cups 2% fat cottage cheese
1 (1 ounce) package sugar free pistachio pudding mix

Put everything in a bowl and mix.
Let stand 5 minutes before serving for pudding to set up.

First Harvest Apple Carrot Muffins

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:55:00 +0000

1 3/4 cups raisin bran cereal
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup canola oil
3/4 cup tart apples -- finely chopped,
-- peeled
3/4 cup carrots -- grated
1/4 cup walnuts -- chopped

In a bowl, combine the first six ingredients. In a small bowl, beat the
egg,buttermilk and oil. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in
apple, carrots and walnuts. Fill paper-lined muffin cups or cups
coated with nonstick cooking spray three-fourths full. Bake at 400 F. for
20-23 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes
before removing from pan to a wire rack. Serve warm.

Makes 1 dozen

Breakfast Bars

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:54:00 +0000

1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 cup chocolate flavored cereal puffs
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons dry milk powder
1/4 cup warm water
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Directions
1 Melt butter in baking pan.

2 Melt the milk in the water.

3 Mix the ingredients with the butter in the following order: sugar,
oatmeal, vanilla extract, eggs, flour, baking powder, cereal and milk. Pat
into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan.

4 Bake at 325 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 15 minutes or until golden
brown. Slice into desired sizes.
__._,_.___

Italian Cresent Roll Casserole

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:52:00 +0000

1 1/2 lbs. hamburger
1/4 c. minced onion
8 oz. tomato sauce
1 pkg. spaghetti sauce mix
8 oz. sour cream
2 c. Mozzarella cheese
1 can crescent rolls (8 slices)
2 tbsp. melted butter
1/3 c. Parmesan cheese
3 c. cooked pasta

Layer cooked pasta (your choice) in bottom of 9 x 13 inch pan. Brown and drain hamburger. Add onion and spread over pasta. Spread tomato sauce on meat layer and sprinkle with spaghetti mix. Spread sour cream over all and top with Mozzarella cheese. Unroll crescent roll dough on top. Dribble with butter and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees.

Honey Grilled Pork Chops

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:57:00 +0000

Yield: 4 Servings

A quick and easy grill recipe for a summer evening. You could make a little extra of the marinade and put in on zucchini slices while they grill as a side dish.

4 Boneless Pork Chops
2 T Honey
1/4 c Worcestershire
1/4 t Black Pepper
1/4 t Garlic Powder

In a shallow glass dish or bowl, mix together honey, Worcestershire sauce and spices. Add pork chops and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for no more than 4 hours to marinate. Lightly oil grill and preheat to medium. Remove pork chops from marinade. Grill until cooked through, 20 to 30 minutes, turning often.

Per Serving:
179 Calories
20 g Protein
6 g Total Fat
2 g Saturated Fat
1 g Polyunsaturated Fat
3 g Monounsaturated Fat
12 g Carbohydrates
0.1 g Fiber
100 mg Sodium
500 mg Potassium
48 mg Cholesterol

Diabetic Exchanges
0 Starch
0 Fruit
0 Milk
0.5 Other Carbohydrates
0 Vegetable
1 Lean Meat
2 Very Lean Meat
0 Fat

All Day Ravioli Stew

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:43:00 +0000

All-Day Ravioli Stew

2 cups carrots (sliced)
1 cup onions (chopped)
2 (14 oz.) cans chicken broth
2 (14 oz.) cans Italian-style diced tomatoes (undrained)
1 (19 oz.) can Cannellini beans (drained)
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 (9 oz.) package refrigerated sausage filled ravioli

In large crock pot, combine all ingredients except ravioli; mix well. Cover; cook on low setting for 6 hours or until vegetables are tender. At serving time, increase heat to high setting. Add ravioli; cook an additional 8 minutes or until ravioli is tender.

Taco Dorito Casserole

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:16:00 +0000

Family Size bag Doritoes
1 1/2 lb. gr. beef
1 pkg. dry Taco Seasoning
2 cans Rotels ( I use 1 can original, 1 can mild)
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken
1- 2 cans beef or chicken broth
(depends on how dry you want it)
1 can Ranch Style beans with liquid (if you don't use
beans, use hominy instead)
1 small can corn (or hominy) (optional)
8 oz. grated Colby Jack cheese
green onions, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 375. Spray 10 x 14 baking dish with non-stick spray.

2. In skillet, brown ground beef with Taco Seasoning and chopped onion.

3. In 10 x 14 dish, place about 2/3 bag of Doritoes. Crush Doritoes slightly to fit better in dish.

4. Over the Doritoes : place browned beef mixture, Add chopped bell pepper on top of this. Sprinkle on corn. Sprinkle on some of the grated cheese.Then put some more Doritoes on top.

5. In sauce pan, mix Rotels, mushroom soup, beans with liquid, and broth. Heat till bubbly , then pour over the beef mixture.

6. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes, remove from oven, then sprinkle with more grated cheese. Return to oven for a few minutes to melt cheese.

Get Your Fruit On - Tropicana FREE OJ

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:33:00 +0000

The first 5000 people to take the "Get Your Fruit On" pledge with Tropicana will receive a coupon for a FREE carton of Tropicana OJ!

In addition, for each pledge, Tropicana will contribute 16 fruit servings (1 64oz carton) to the USDA School Breakfast Program to help children jumpstart their day's fruit goals.

http://www.tropicana.com/#/trop_home/home.swf?/trop_getyourfruiton/getyourfruiton.swf

Anise Biscotti Cookies

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 06:13:00 +0000

1 pkg. yellow cake mix
3/4 cup oil
5 eggs
2 Tbsp. anise seed
1/2 teaspoon anise extract
1 cup chopped almonds
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup finely ground almonds

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a jelly roll pan with nonstick baking spray containing flour and set aside.
Combine cake mix, oil, and eggs in large mixing bowl and stir to blend. Beat two minutes at highest speed of mixer. Add anise seed, extract, and chopped almonds and blend well. Spread batter in prepared pan.

Bake for 20-30 minutes until golden brown and bars begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Cut dough into 3 strips lengthwise, then cut each strip across into 12 bars, making 36 bars total.

Place bars, cut side down, on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake bars at 350 degrees F for 8-12 minutes until cut sides begin to brown, turning over once during baking time.

While bars are baking, on shallow plate, combine powdered sugar and ground almonds and mix well. Remove cookies from cookie sheet and immediately drop into powdered sugar mixture; roll to coat. Place on wire rack and cool completely. Store loosely covered at room temperature.

36 biscotti cookies

Just like Lawry's, Make Your Own Season Salt

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 06:07:00 +0000

Lawry's Seasoned Salt

2 Tbsp salt
2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp cornstarch

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.

Pour blend into an empty spice bottle to store.

Makes: 1/4 cup

Crockpot Beef Gyros

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:35:00 +0000

Beef Gyros

1 slow-cooker liner (we used Reynolds)
2 lb boneless beef chuck steak, about 11⁄4 in. thick
1⁄4 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp dried oregano
1⁄2 tsp salt
1⁄4 tsp pepper

Yogurt-Dill Sauce
1 cup Greek yogurt
1 cup diced seedless cucumber
1 Tbsp snipped fresh dill
1⁄4 tsp salt
5 pocketless pita breads

Accompaniments: leaf lettuce, sliced tomatoes and red onions

1. Line a 3-qt or larger slow-cooker with liner; place beef in liner.

2. Mix oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper in small bowl. Pour over beef, turning to coat. Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours until meat is tender.

3. Meanwhile, make Sauce: Stir ingredients, cover and refrigerate.

4. Remove beef to cutting board; slice. Return beef to juices in slow-cooker to keep warm. Warm pitas as package directs; top with sliced meat. Serve with accompaniments and yogurt sauce.

Free Oscar Mayer Jumbo Beef Franks Via Coupon

sales@lunawolfsmysticalessence.com (LunaWolf) — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:52:00 +0000

Free Oscar Mayer Jumbo Beef Franks Via Coupon

Kraft is giving away coupons for $1 million worth of Oscar Mayer Beef Franks.

http://kraft.promotions.com/ombeeffranks/front.do