Key Lime Bars

As you can see this was made a little "extra" green. Why you ask? Because this was a perfect St. Patrick's Day dessert. A light and zingy flavor profile to welcome or this year coax spring into coming..

     *For the shortbread crust

• 1 c flour
• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1/4c powdered sugar
• 1 c sugar 

• For the Key Lime Filling

• 14 ounces (1 can) sweetened condensed milk
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup fresh squeezed key lime juice
• 1 teaspoon fresh grated key lime zest

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray an 8x8 inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.

In an electric mixer, combine flour, powdered sugar, and butter until crumbly and the butter is evenly distributed throughout. Press the dough evenly into the pan with your hands, making sure to go up the sides slightly. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. 

In a large bowl, whisk together 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk and 2 large egg yolks until fully combined. Add 1/2 cup key lime juice and 1 teaspoon key lime zest and whisk until smooth. Pour filling into the cooled crust, using a rubber spatula to carefully spread evenly across the pan.

Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the custard is set. BE CAREFUL NOT TO BAKE — the outside of the custards should be firm, but the center should still be jiggly. The bars will continue to set outside the oven. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely, before chilling for at least 2 hours before serving.

Cut into 2 inch squres. Top with whip cream!! Sprinkles just for fun!!

Cinnamon Sugar Scones

Scones:

2 cups flour

4 tablespoons sugar

3 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 1/4 cups heavy cream

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (by hand). Pour in heavy cream. Mix or knead by hand, just until combined. Mix will be sticky. Flour surface. Divide dough into two sections and pat into two rounds, each approximately four inches. Note: Score each round first with a knife into 4ths , then 8ths. Then cut and put on a greased large cookie sheet. Bake 9 to 11 minutes. Let cool five minutes, then glaze.

Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon heavy cream

1 tablespoon butter

Scald the cream and butter. (usually scalded at a roaring boil, or a min. in the microwave)

Mix together until icing consistency is like you like it. Drizzle over the warm scones. if you are not getting the consistency you want little more cream or powdered sugar depending on the thickness of the glaze you like.

Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole

Yields 9 x 13-inch pan

• 1.5 pounds ground beef
• 1 can sloppy Joe sauce
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 package tater tots
• half a small bag of frozen mixed vegetables
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Brown hamburger and drain off the grease.
3. Add back to the pan and pour in sloppy Joe sauce, vegetables and garlic salt. Cook until warmed.
4. Pour meat into a 9 x 13-inch pan, sprinkle with shredded cheese and top with frozen tater tots.
5. Bake for about 20-30 minutes until the tater tots are crispy and cooked.

Biscuit and Gravy Casserole

INGREDIENTS

2  cans large, flaky biscuits (such as Grands)

1  pound ground breakfast sausage and or bacon

6 Tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cracked black pepper (best if it comes from a grinder)

5 cups milk

1/4 teaspoon ground sage

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees (F).
2. Prepare a small casserole dish (approximately 9x13) with cooking spray. Set aside.
3. Open biscuits, and cut biscuits into quarters.
4. Layer half of the quarters in prepared pan.
5. Bake for 10 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, prepare gravy.
7. In a heavy skillet, brown the ground breakfast sausage over medium high heat until fully cooked.
8. Sprinkle the cooked sausage with 3 Tablespoons of flour.
9. Use a wooden spoon to stir flour into sausage until completely absorbed.
10. Lower heat to medium, and cook flour/sausage mixture for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently.
11. Add milk, and stir to combine.
12. Add sage, salt and black pepper.
13. Stir frequently until mixture comes to a slight boil.
14. Taste, and adjust seasonings as desired. (I usually add more black pepper)
15. Constantly stir your gravy with a wisk to keep out the globs.. If the gravy is too thick, add a bit more milk. 
16. Pour gravy over the
    cooked biscuits.
17. Layer the remaining uncooked, quartered biscuits over the gravy.
18. Place casserole dish on a baking sheet, and bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
19. Serve immediately.
20. Enjoy!