Easy Peasy Bourbon Baked Beans

This is a cheater recipe that is perfect for when you decide to make baked beans at the last minute and don't have the chance to soak beans overnight :D

3 cans baked beans (I like the maple ones)
2 cans white kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 onion, diced
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup vinegar
1/2 cup bourbon
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tbsp fancy molasses

optional:
1/4 cup brown sugar (I don't find you need this if you buy the maple beans, but it might be needed if you bought the ones in tomato sauce.)

Combine all ingredients in a crockpot or dutch oven. If using a crockpot, cook on high for 6 hours and then switch to keep warm until ready to serve. If using the oven, cover and bake for 1.5 hours at 350F, stirring occasionally. Enjoy!

Maple Chipotle Pulled Chicken

I am posting the instructions for this recipe made in the oven but it would also be fantastic if you tossed the chicken in a crockpot for the day, pulled it apart, and then added the sauce. This recipe is also great for freezing or making ahead and reheating :D

Pulled Chicken

1 whole chicken, skinned
Spice rub (I use same combo of spices I use for my pulled pork found here)
1 bottle beer
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

Heat your oven to 300F. Rub your skinned chicken liberally with spice rub and place the in a heavy bottomed pan with a tight fitting lid (a dutch oven is perfect.) Poor the beer and apple cider vinegar in the pot, place the lid on it, and bake for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is fall off the bone. When cooked, remove from liquid and carefully pull apart the chicken, discarding bones and any remaining skin. Be careful, some of the chicken bones are very tiny! Now make the BBQ sauce...

Maple Chipotle Barbeque Sauce

3 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves chopped garlic
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cups plain tomato sauce
1/2 cup maple syrup (I used Jim Beam pancake syrup I found at Sobeys)
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1-2 canned chiplotles (I found 1 enough for us but this recipe would also be tasty with a little more heat.)
1 tsp fancy molasass
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp ground dry thyme
1 tsp salt

In a small saucepan, slowly saute onions and garlic in olive oil until they soften and start to caramelize. Add remaining ingredients and simmer slowly for about 20-30 minutes or until reduced by about 1/4 the initial volume, stirring ofhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.giften. When cool, puree in a blender or food processor until smooth.

Now all you have to combine the pulled chicken and the BBQ sauce, pop it back in the 300F oven to warm up a bit (about 30 mintutes or so) and serve!

This tastes great served on buns with Coleslaw and Bourbon Baked Beans.

Reese's Peanut Butter Bars

Ingredients

1 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
4 tablespoons peanut butter

Directions

In a medium bowl, mix together the butter or margarine, graham cracker crumbs, confectioners' sugar, and 1 cup peanut butter until well blended. Press evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan.

In a metal bowl over simmering water, or in the microwave, melt the chocolate chips with the peanut butter, stirring occasionally until smooth. Spread over the prepared crust. Refrigerate for at least one hour before cutting into squares.

Irish Cream

1 1/4 cups Irish Whiskey
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups whipping cream
2 tbsp chocolate syrup
2 tsp instant coffee
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract

Mix in blender until smooth. Store in fridge and use within a few days.

Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

1 3/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
Rind from 1/2 lemon
1/2 cup vegetable oil
6 eggs, separated
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup cold water
1/2 tsp cream of tarter
4 tbsp poppy seeds

Stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and lemon rind. Add in oil, egg yolks, lemon juice, and water. beat until smoother. Add poppy seeds. In a separate bowl beat cream of tater and egg whites until stiff. Gently fold egg whites into batter and pour into a 10" tube pan. Bake at 235F for 55 minutes and 350F for another 10.

Kate's Flank Steak

This is a recipe that my SIL used to make regularly... a great way to cook a less expensive cut of meat :D

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp pepper
1 1/2 lb flank steak

Mix together marinade in a tupperware container or ziplock bag. Add steak and refrigerate for 6-8 hours. Grill to liking, slice, and serve on buns :) Fantastic with sauteed peppers and onions.

Mexican Wedding Cake

2 cups flour
4 tbsp sugar
1 cup butter
3/4 cup ground alomonds
pinch of salt

Cream butter and sugar. Add flour and nuts and gently combine being careful not to over beat as it will toughen the cookie. Form into a log and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. Slice 1/2" thick at bake at 325F until edges are a light golden brown (8-10 minutes.) Cool and dust with icing sugar.

Streusel Cake

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp flour
3 tbsp butter

Cream 1/2 cup butter, sugar, and egg. In a seperate bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, and salt. Alternating adding dry ingredients and milk to the cream mixed and mix just until combined. Pour into a greased 9" x 9" pan. Mix brown sugar, 3tbsp butter, and flour and drop by spoonfuls onto batter. Bake at 375F for 35 minutes.

Crockpot Tamale Pie

3/4 cup cornmeal
1 cup milk
1 beaten egg
1 lb cooked ground turkey
14oz jar salsa
16oz can corn, drained
2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
Shredded cheddar
Sour cream

Mix everything except cheese and sour cream in a crockpot and cook on low for 4-5 hours. Serve topped with cheese & sour cream.