Recipe for the day ~ Coconut Cream Pie

Coconut Cream Pie

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

**My sons and dads FAVORITE**

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 tspn salt

3 cups milk

4 egg yolks

3 TBspns butter

1 1/2 tspn vanilla extract

1 cup flaked coconut

1 (9-inch) pie shell, baked

Directions:

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, flour and salt over a medium heat

Gradually stir in milk

Cook and stir over medium heat until the mixture is thick and bubbly

Reduce heat to low and cook 2 minutes more

Remove the pan from the heat

Place a strainer over a clean mixing bowl

Set aside

Beat the egg yolks slightly

Gradually pour 1 cup of the hot custard mixture into yolks, whisking constantly

Return the egg mixture to the saucepan and bring the entire mixture to a gently boil

Cook and stir 2 minutes before removing the pan from the heat

Immediately pour the custard through the strainer

Stir butter, vanilla and coconut into the hot mixture

Pour the hot filling into the baked pie crust

Cool and refrigerate until set, about 4 hours

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is like an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.”― Mahatma Gandhi

Recipe for the day ~ Bird's Nest Breakfast Cups

Bird's Nest Breakfast Cups

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

**Makes 24 cups**

1 (30 ounce) package frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed

2 1/2 tspns salt

1 tspn ground black pepper

2 1/2 TBspns olive oil

2/3 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

12 eggs

2 TBspns water

8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled-divided

1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, divided

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425

Grease 24 muffin cups

Mix hash brown potatoes, salt, black pepper, olive oil and 2/3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese in a bowl

Divide mixture between prepared muffin cups 

Use your fingers to shape potato mixture into nests with hollows in the middle

Bake in the preheated oven until hash browns are browned and the edges and cheese has melted (about 20 minutes)

Remove the hash brown nests

Reduce oven temperature to 350

In a bowl, whisk eggs and water until thoroughly combined

Season with salt and pepper

Pour equal amounts of egg mixture into each nest

Sprinkle with bacon crumbles and 1 tspn Cheddar cheese

Bake in the oven until eggs are set (about 15 minutes)

Let cool in pans and remove by sliding a knife between potato crust and muffin cup

**FOOTNOTES**

You can also experiment with ham, sausage, and veggies to make them your own

You can also try chicken-Asiago sausage

Excellent for a quick breakfast for the weekdays

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.” ― Pope John Paul II

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “It takes a very long time to become young.” ― Pablo Picasso

Recipe for the day ~ Raspberry Coconut Poke Cake

Raspberry Coconut Poke Cake

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 (15.25 ounce) package white cake mix (such as Pillsbury®)

1 cup water

1/3 cup vegetable oil

3 eggs

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 (10 ounce) jar raspberry preserves

1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 (3.5 ounce) packages sweetened flaked coconut

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish

Mix cake mix, water, oil and eggs together in a bowl until batter is smooth

Beat with an electric mixer for 2 minutes

Pour batter into the prepared baking dish

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean (about 40 minutes)

Poke holes into the cake using the handle of a clean wooden spoon

Drizzle sweetened condensed milk over the top of the warm cake, ensuring the holes get filled

Refrigerate cake for 1 hour

Spread raspberry preserves over the cooled cake

Refrigerate until cool (set), about 10 minutes

Spread whipped topping over the raspberry preserves layer and sprinkle coconut over the top

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “A woman, especially if she have the misfortune of knowing anything, should conceal it as well as she can.” ― Jane Austen

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care” ― Theodore Roosevelt

Currently Reading

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5973073-spider-touched

Recipe for the day ~ Striker's Potatoes O'Brien

Striker's Potatoes O'Brien

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

6 large russet (baking) potatoes

1 large green pepper, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1 large red pepper, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1 large onion, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1/4 cup vegetable oil

Directions:

Place the potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water

Bring to a boil over high heat

Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for about 10 minutes

Drain, then set aside until cook

Once cool, cut into 1/2 inch pieces (after cutting rinse potatoes again to prevent sticking when baking)

Combine the potatoes, green pepper, red pepper, and onion in a mixing bowl

Drizzle with vegetable oil 

Gently stir until evenly coated

Spoon the mixture into a resealable freezer bags

Store mixture in the freezer

When ready to cook

Cook frozen mixture in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until crispy and golden brown, stirring occasionally (about 20 minutes)

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.” 
― Margaret Mead

Recipe for the day ~ White Chocolate Mud Pie

White Chocolate Mud Pie

(Courtesy of Pillsbury™)

Ingredients:

1 Pillsbury™ refrigerated pie crust, softened as directed on the box

1 box (4-serving size) white chocolate instant pudding and pie filling mix

1 3/4 cups milk

3/4 cup white vanilla baking chips

1 container (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed

Miniature semisweet chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450

Unroll pie crust into 9-inch pie plate, pressing against side and bottom of the pie plate

Fold excess pie crust under and press together to form a thick crust edge

Flute edges

Prick bottom and side with fork

Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until light brown

Cool completely

In a medium bowl, beat pudding mix and milk with a whisk for about 2 minutes

Refrigerate while crust is cooling

When crust is cool, go ahead and stir white vanilla baking chips into the pudding mix

Spread pudding into cooled crust

Place plastic wrap over the top of the pie, touching the surface of the pudding

Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until pudding is completely set

Spread whipped topping over the pudding

Sprinkle miniature semisweet chocolate chips on top of the pie

**TIPS**

You can use chocolate curls instead of mini chocolate chips on top

You can substitute the frozen whipped topping with sweetened real whipped cream

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Only a generation of readers will spawn a generation of writers.” ― Steven Spielberg

Recipe for the day ~ Bacon Potato Pancakes

Bacon Potato Pancakes

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

4 slices bacon

4 Idaho potatoes, peeled and shredded

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 eggs

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 TBspn chopped fresh thyme

salt and ground pepper to taste

vegetable oil for frying, or as needed

Directions:

Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp (3 to 5 minutes)

Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain

Let cool then crumble

Reserve bacon drippings in skillet

Combine crumbled bacon, potatoes, flour, eggs, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper in a large bowl

Pour vegetable oil about 1/4 inch deep into the skillet with the bacon drippings and place over medium heat

Heat until the oil and bacon drippings shimmer

Gently drop potato mixture by heaping tablespoon into hot oil and flatten potatoes into small patties (about 3 inches in diameter)

Cook until browned (about 3 minutes each side)

**NOTE**

Keep pancakes warm in oven at 275 degrees

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation.” ― Walter Cronkite

Recipe for the day ~ Lucky Charms™ Rainbow Dessert Pizza

Lucky Charms™ Rainbow Dessert Pizza

(Courtesy of  Betty Crocker™)

Ingredients:

**Crust**

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker™ sugar cookie mix

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 egg

1 cup Lucky Charms™ cereal (without the marshmallows)

**Topping**

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 container Better Crocker™ Rich & Creamy cream cheese frosting

Green food coloring

Lucky Charms™ cereal marshmallows

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375

Spray 2 large cookie sheets with cooking spray or baking spray

In a large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter and egg until dough forms

Stir in the cereal

Press dough onto cookie sheets into a rainbow shape about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch thick

Bake for about 15 minutes or until edges are golden and center of dough is set

Cool completely

In a large bowl, beat whipping cream with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form

Carefully stir in frosting and food coloring

Use an offset spatula to spread the frosting over cooled crust

Top with cereal marshmallows in color-coded rows

**TIPS**

If desired, use 2 cups frozen (thawed) whipped topping instead of the heavy whipping cream

Its best to use the large box (20.5 oz) of Lucky Charms™ cereal to make sure you have enough marshmallows

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.” ― Robert Frost

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.” ― Maya Angelou

Recipe for the day ~ Corned Beef and Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast

Corned Beef and Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

6 slices thin-sliced cooked corned beef

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

6 slices bacon

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup

1 (8 ounce) container sour cream

1 head broccoli, broken into florets (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325

Wrap 1 corned beef slice around each chicken breast

Wrap a slice of bacon around outside of corned beef wrapping

Secure with toothpicks, if needed

Arrange wrapped chicken in a deep baking dish

Arrange broccoli florets around each chicken breast

Stir cream of mushroom soup and sour cream together in a bowl

Pour the mixture over the chicken and broccoli to completely cover

Cover baking dish with aluminum foil

Bake for about 1 1/2 hours or until chicken is no longer pink in the center

Remove foil from the dish

Return to oven

Bake until bacon browns (about 30 more minutes)

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” ― Nelson Mandela

Recipe for the day ~ Strawberry Cobbler

Strawberry Cobbler

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup white sugar

1 TBson cornstarch

1 cup water

3 cups fresh strawberries, hulled

2 TBspns butter, diced

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 TBspn white sugar

1 1/2 tspns baking soda

1/2 tspn salt

3 TBspns butter

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400

Butter a 2 quart baking dish (I used a 9x13 baking dish)

Combine sugar, cornstarch, and water

Cook over medium heat

Stirring constantly, until thick and hot

Stir in strawberries

Remove from heat

Pour into the baking dish 

Dot with 2 TBspns butter

Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt

Blend in 3 TBspns butter

Stir in cream

Mixture should be fairly soft

Spoon on top of berries

Bake for about 30 minutes

**Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream**

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Only a generation of readers will spawn a generation of writers.” ― Steven Spielberg

Currently Reading

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3420361-ghostland

Recipe for the day ~ Steak and Irish Stout Pie

Steak and Irish Stout Pie

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

2 pounds round steak, cut into 1/2 inch cubes

1 TBspn all-purpose flour

3 ounces lard

8 slices bacon, finely chopped

5 small onions, minced

1/4 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced (optional)

1 (12 fluid ounce) bottle Irish stout beer (such as Guinness®)

1 TBspn chopped fresh parsley

1 TBspn raisins (optional)

1 tspn brown sugar

1 (15 ounce) package double-crust pie pastry, thawed

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325

Place steak cubes onto a plate and sprinkle with flour

Place lard and bacon in a large skillet over medium heat

Heat until lard melts and bacon begins to sizzle

Stir floured steak cubes into bacon and hot lard and cook, stirring frequently, until steak and bacon are browned (about 15 minutes)

Transfer steak mixture to a large casserole dish

Cook and stir onions and mushrooms in the same skillet over medium heat until onions are lightly browned and mushrooms are tender (about 10 minutes)

Transfer to casserole dish with steak mixture

Stir Irish stout beer, parsley, raisins and brown sugar into steak mixture

Cover dish tightly with aluminum foil

Bake for about 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally and until gravy has thickened and steak is tender

Remove casserole dish from oven and increase temperature to 400

Line a deep-dish 9-inch pie plate with a pie crust and bake until crust is partially cooked and lightly brown (about 10 minutes)

Spoon cooked steak filling into the partially baked pie crust

Cover steak filling with second pie crust

Pinch the top crust again the bottom crust to seal tightly

Bake pie until top crust is golden brown (about 15 minutes)

**FOOTNOTES**

If the gravy becomes to thick while baking in the casserole dish then add a little water and stir to thin it out again

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” ― Aristotle

Recipe for the day ~ Walnut Banana Bread Pudding

Walnut Banana Bread Pudding

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, divided

1 (16 ounce) loaf day-old French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes

1 cup chopped walnuts

4 eggs

1 cup heavy cream

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 (14 ounce) can coconut milk

1 cup brown sugar

4 tspns vanilla extract

1/2 tspn ground cinnamon

1/4 tspn ground nutmeg

1/4 tspn ground allspice

1 pinch salt

4 very ripe bananas, mashed

Directions:

Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with 1 TBspn butter

Place remaining butter in a saucepan over low heat and melt the butter

Spread the French bread cubes out onto the greased baking pan

Drizzle the melted butter over the bread

Place the walnuts into a dry skillet over medium-low heat

Cook and stir until the walnuts turn a light golden brown and give off a toasted fragrant smell (about 2 minutes)

Watch carefully so they don't burn

Remove from heat 

Transfer walnuts into a bowl immediately to cool

Set walnuts aside

In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs lightly just to break the yolks

Mix in the cream, condensed milk, coconut milk, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and salt

Whisk to thoroughly combine until smooth

Stir in mashed bananas and 3/4 cup of walnuts

Pour the banana mixture evenly over the bread cubes and push bread cubes into the mixture to coat well with the custard

Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup of walnuts

Cover the dish with plastic wrap 

Refrigerate for about 12 hours or over night

Preheat oven to 350

Remove plastic wrap and cover dish with foil

Bake for about 15 minutes 

Remove the foil and return to the oven until the top is browned and edges are pulling away from the pan (about 45 minutes more)

Allow to cool before serving

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” ― Confucius

Recipe for the day ~ Chef John's Corned Beef Hash

Chef John's Corned Beef Hash

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds potatoes, peeled and quartered

1 1/2 pounds cooked corned beef, finely chopped

1 bunch green onions

salt and ground black pepper to taste

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 TBspn butter

1/4 cup roasted tomato salsa

Directions:

Place potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water

Bring to a boil

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until almost tender but firm (about 15 minutes)

Drain and finely chop

Cook beef in a large cast iron or non-stick skillet over medium heat until fat begins to render

Stir in green onions, salt and pepper into beef

Add garlic and butter

Cook and stir until butter is melted and garlic is fragrant (1 to 2 minutes)

Stir in potatoes, salsa and a pinch of salt into beef mixture

Pat mixture down in the skillet with a spatula and divide hash into 4 sections

Cook without stirring, until a crust forms on the bottom (about 5 minutes)

Flip sections and cook until a crust forms on the bottom again (about 5 more minutes)

Repeat cooking and flipping process, flipping every 5 minutes, until hash stays together and has a golden crust (about 10 to 15 minutes)

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “I hold an old-fashioned notion that a happy marriage is the crown of a woman’s life.” ― Beatrix Potter

Recipe for the day ~ Shamrock Shakes

Shamrock Shakes

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

2 cups vanilla ice cream

1 1/4 cups milk

1/4 tspn mint extract or more to taste

9 drops green food coloring

2 TBspns chocolate syrup or to taste (optional)

2 TBspns whipped cream or to taste (optional)

1/2 tspn green decorator sugar or to taste (optional)

Directions:

Blend ice cream, milk, mint extract and food coloring together in a blender until smooth

Drizzle chocolate syrup around inside walls of 2 tall glasses

Pour shakes into glasses

Top with whipped cream and green decorator sugar

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “Any fool can know. The point is to understand.” 
― Albert Einstein

Recipe for the day ~ Fried Irish Cabbage with Bacon

Fried Irish Cabbage with Bacon

**Great side dish for your St. Patrick's Day dinner**

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 (12 ounce) package bacon

1/4 cup bacon drippings

1 small head cabbage, cored and finely chopped

ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

Cook bacon in a deep skillet over medium heat until crisp (5 to 7 minutes)

Remove bacon from skillet and drain on a paper towel-lined plate

Reserve 1/4 cup drippings in skillet

Cook and stir cabbage in hot bacon drippings over medium heat until cabbage wilts (5 to 7 minutes)

Crumble bacon over cabbage

Stir and simmer until bacon is warmed (2 to 3 minutes)

Season with black pepper

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~

“Seven Deadly Sins
Wealth without work
Pleasure without conscience
Science without humanity
Knowledge without character
Politics without principle
Commerce without morality
Worship without sacrifice.” 
― Mahatma Gandhi

Recipe for the day ~ Irish Sweet Bread

Irish Sweet Bread

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs, beaten

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tspn baking soda

1 tspn cream of tartar

1 pinch salt

1 cup sour cream

1 cup raisins

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth

Beat in the eggs, one at a time

Stir in the sour cream

Sift together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt

Stir into the sour cream mixture until just blended

Fold in the raisins

Transfer the batter to the loaf pan

Bake for about 1 hour or until a small knife inserted into the crown comes out clean

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.” ― Elbert Hubbard

Recipe for the day ~ Chocolate Mint Dessert Brownies

Chocolate Mint Dessert Brownies

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups chocolate syrup

1 cup all-purpose floour

2 cups confectioners' sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 TBspns creme de menthe liqueur

6 TBspns butter

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish

In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup butter until smooth

Beat in eggs one at a time

Stir in the chocolate syrup

Stir in the flour until just blended

Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan

Bake for about 30 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly touched

Cool completely in the pan

In a small bowl, beat confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup butter and cream de menthe until smooth

Spread evenly over the cooled brownies

Chill until set

In a small microwavable bowl, melt remaining 6 TBspns of butter and the chocolate chips, stirring occasionally until smooth

Allow to cool slightly

Spread over the top of the mint layer

Cover and chill for at least 1 hour before cutting into squares

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “The only true gift is a portion of thyself.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Recipe for the day ~ Slow-Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

Slow-Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

4 large carrots, peeled and cut into matchstick pieces (I just buy the matchstick pieces already in a bag)

10 baby red potatoes, quartered

1 onion, peeled and cut into bite-size pieces

4 cups water

1 (4 pound) corned beef brisket with spice packet

6 ounces of stout beer (Guinness ®)

1/2 head cabbage, coarsely chopped

Directions:

Place the carrots, potatoes, and onion into the bottom of a slow cooker

Pour in the water

Place the brisket on top of the vegetables

Pour the beer over the brisket

Sprinkle the spices from the packet

Cover and set cooker on HIGH

Cook the brisket for about 8 hours

An hour before serving, stir in the cabbage and cook for 1 more hour

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~ “To forgive is not to forget. The merit lies in loving in spite of the vivid knowledge that one that must be loved is not a friend. There is not merit in loving an enemy when you forget him for a friend. ” ― Mahatma Gandhi

Recipe for the day ~ Irish Tea Cake

Irish Tea Cake

(Courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2 tspns vanilla extract

1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 tspns baking powder

1/2 tspn salt

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Grease and flour a 9-inch round pan

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing thoroughly until fully incorporated

Stir in the vanilla

Combine the flour, baking powder and salt

Stir into the batter alternating with the milk

If the batter is to stiff, add an extra tablespoon or two of milk

Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan

Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean

Cool in the pan on a wire rack

Turn out onto a serving plate

Dust with confectioners' sugar right before serving

Thought for the day

GOOD MORNING ~ Thought for the day ~“The consequences of every act are included in the act itself.” ― George Orwell