SUGAR PLUMS RECIPES & INFORMATION

SUGAR PLUM RECIPES

1 cup raisins
1 cup bite-size pitted prunes
1 cup dates
1 cup currants
1 cup candied cherries, dried cherries, or dried cranberries
1 cup walnuts
1/2 to 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
granulated sugar

Using a meat grinder or a food processor,
grind the fruit and nuts and mix well.
Work into the mixture as much confectioners' sugar as it takes to form 1-inch balls.
Roll in granulated sugar, then place on a rack to dry for 24 hours.

*For crunchy Sugarplums, preheat oven to 350 degrees, place Sugarplums on cookie sheet,
Bake 15 minutes, remove from oven and cool for 15 to 30 minutes.




The following are some Sugarplum definitions passed down through the years :
sugar coated coriander
plum compote with chocolate coating
a small round or oval piece of sugary candy
plums preserved in sugar
an actual fruit, called the sugarplum
small confections, often consisting of fruit such as dried cherries and apricots,
surrounded by fondant.


Sugarplum "trees" were also a big hit in Victorian England. Small cones were pierced with toothpick laden sugarplums to create a vision of a tree flowing with sugarplums.


The idea of sugarplums have been around for sometime now,

dating back to at least 16th century England where a

sugarplum cookery quote called for cooks to:

"Take your apricocks or pearplums, & let them boile one walme in as much clarified sugar as will cover them" and then "let your fruits boile leysurelie 3 or 4 walmes,

then take them foorth of the syrup"
*cookery quotes courtesy of Elinor Fettiplace's Receipt Book
dated 1604








SUGARPLUMS
recipe:courtesy of kid chef

Ingredients
2 cups whole almonds -- toasted, chopped fine,
1/4 cup honey
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon,
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup dried apricots, finely chopped
1 cup dried black mission figs, finely chopped


Directions:
Combine honey with spices.
Stir into chopped fruit and nuts that have been
processed in a food processor.
roll into balls.
roll in powdered sugar.


about 2 dozen sugarplums

CAJUN CHICKEN BAYOU BEANS and RICE & BISCUIT FLATBREAD RECIPES

CAJUN CHICKEN , BAYOU BEANS and RICE & BISCUIT FLATBREAD RECIPES

CAJUN CHICKEN RECIPE WITH HOMEMADE CAJUN SEASONING

4 boneless chicken breasts
small amt of oil for frying
cajun seasoning (you can use bottled)
large onion
bottle of italian dressing


Home made Cajun seasoning:
3 tb Salt
1 tb Paprika
1 tb Onion powder
1 tb Garlic powder
1 tb Cayene pepper
1/2 ts White pepper
1 1/2 ts Whole thyme
3/4 ts Black pepper
1/2 ts Whole oregano


-Place 4 boneless chicken breasts in a bowl with enough Italian dressing to coat;
allow to marinate at least 30 minutes in refrigerator.
I leave mine overnight.
-Grill marinated chicken in a lightly oiled pan,
10 minutes before being done, add sliced onion to pan,
-sprinkle chicken and onions with cajun seasoning.
cook until chicken and onions are done.

variations:
After chicken is done -
can be topped whole with monteray jack cheese
can be cut into strips and placed over pasta
can be cut into 3/4 pieces and used in chicken quesadillas








BAYOU BEANS and RICE RECIPE
courtesy: 'The Little Mountain Bean Bible Cookbook'

* 2 cups red beans
* 1 onion, diced
* 2 cloves garlic
* 2 teaspoons seasoning salt
* bay leaf
* pinch sugar
* cayenne pepper, to taste
* ham hocks
* cooked rice
* smoked sausage, optional

Wash beans, soak overnight and drain.
Cover beans and all ingredients with cold water.
Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer until done.
Serve over rice.

variation:
Large link smoked sausage, added at the last 30 minutes of cooking
gives delicious seasoning. Makes a complete meal with the beans and rice
simply add a side salad and your meal is complete.





CHEESE 'N BACON BISCUIT FLATBREAD
courtesy: Darla & Steve

1 (12-oz.) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1/2 cup pasteurized process cheese sauce or Chez-wiz
10 slices bacon, cooked and chopped fine
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Heat oven to 400 degrees
Lightly grease cookie sheets.
Separate dough into 10 biscuits.
Place one biscuit in the center of
greased cookie sheet.
Arrange remaining biscuits in circle, edges
slightly overlapping, around center biscuit.
Gently press out into a 10-inch circle.
Spread with cheese sauce; sprinkle with bacon.

Bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 13 minutes or until biscuit edges
are golden brown. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Serve warm.