Apple Pie Moonshine Marshmallows

3 3/4 teaspoons gelatin

1/3 cup water

3 tablespoons moonshine

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup plus two tablespoons light corn syrup

1 pinch salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/4 cup confectionary sugar

Pour 1/3 cup water into bowl and sprinkle gelatin over top. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes. If there are still dry spots on top, add a few drops of moonshine.

Spray a 9x9 baking pan with non stick cooking spray or line with parchment paper.

Add sugar, corn syrup, 2 tablespoons water and 1 tablespoon moonshine to small sauce pan set over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally at the beginning of cooking. Once combined, do not stir. Heat to 240 degrees (use a candy thermometer to check temperature).

In the bowl of a stand mixer (using whip attachment) add softened gelatin and 2 tablespoons moonshine.

With mixer turned off, add hot sugar mixture. Start mixer at low speed for 30 seconds gradually increasing speed to high. Beat at high speed 10-12 minutes, or until mixture is smooth and holds medium peaks. Add cinnamon towards end of mixing cycle.

Transfer mixture to pan and (quickly) smooth with a greased offset spatula (use non stick cooking spray).

Let stand at room temperature at least 3 hours, or preferably overnight.

Sift together cornstarch and confectionary sugar and dust marshmallows to prevent sticking. Cut into 1 inch squares, dusting as often as necessary.

Chicken Cacciatore

I know I make this all the time-but have never posted the recipe.

1 pound boneless chicken breast

Olive oil for frying--about 3-4 tablespoons

Garlic, at least 3 cloves-depending on taste

2 Bell Peppers, chopped

2 cans diced tomatoes

Oregano-1/4 to 1/2 tsp.

Basil-1/4 to 1/2 tsp.

Salt-to taste

1 pound cooked pasta

Pound chicken thin with a meat tenderizer. Saute with garlic and oil. Once cooked, add remaining ingredients (not the pasta) and cook until peppers are soft. Cook pasta of choice per package directions. Combine with chicken mixture and serve. Crushed red pepper and grated cheese just make it that much better!!

Dog/Squirrel Treats

This recipe was originally intended for dogs--but most people don't have squirrels around the house.

2 c. whole wheat flour

1 Tbs. Baking powder

1 c. peanut butter (regular creamy, store bought kind)

1 c. milk

1/2 c. oatmeal

Mix all and pat into a 15 x 9 pan. Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes. Remove from pan and cut into 1 inch squares and return to oven to dry. Feed to your critters!!

Bacon, Beer & Cheddar Waffles

I thought I would simplify a recipe I had for waffles by using a mix.

4 slices bacon (cooked and chopped)

1 1/3 cup beer or milk

2 tbs. oil

1 egg

2 cups pancake/waffle mix (ex. Bisquick)

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Whisk together all ingredients until combined.

Use batter as recommended by the manufacturer's guidelines for your waffle maker. To make pancakes, reduce liquid by 1/3 cup and add an additional egg.

Flourless Chocolate Cake

3 large eggs

3/4 cup sugar

4 oz. semisweet chocolate

1 stick butter

1/2 cup cocoa powder

pinch salt

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Whisk eggs and sugar together until light and foamy. Melt semisweet chocolate and butter over double boiler. Once melted, mix with egg/sugar mixture and remaining ingredients. Grease 8" cake pan and dust with cocoa powder.

Bake in 300 degree oven for 30 minutes. Loosen edges of cake and let cool for 15 minutes.

If you have difficulty removing from the pan--freeze for about 20 minutes.

*Any type of cocoa powder will work, however I used dark.

Sausage Bread

Pizza Dough/Sausage Bread

Ok--made my pizza dough and used 16 oz. to make the sausage bread. Here goes:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

1 lb. cooked sausage (I used hot--and the "uncased" kind.)

3/4 lb. grated mozzarella cheese (whole milk)

1/4 cup grated parmesan

1 bell pepper (not really, but that will work--I had peppers in the freezer)

Garlic powder

On 11 x 17 parchment paper (dusted with flour)--roll out dough to about 9 x 14. If it sticks--gently peel the dough up and dust with more flour.

Spread the sausage, peppers and cheese within 2" from the edges. Sprinkle with garlic powder.

Wet all edges with water. Starting on the left side--fold the dough over by 1", repeat on right side. Pull up bottom side (gently) and stretch up towards the top side. Should go past the middle.

Pull top side down to meet the bottom. Pinch all sides together to seal. Carefully roll the bread over so the "seam side " is on the bottom.

Bake in 450 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.