One of my favorite Fall traditions...

http://www.delspopcorn.com/

It's Caramel Apple season at Dell's!! 

Fall is knocking on our door...

Well Southern Illinois is cooling off.  Yesterday the high was 93 degrees.  Today the high was 63 and the low tonight is predicted to be in the 40's....YES, I think FALL has arrived.
Since it was cool and rainy, something hot was necessary for dinner.

3 cups of diced cooked chicken  (this time I sauteed 3 boneless breasts and cubed them)
3 cups of chicken broth/stock
4 cups of Great Northern Beans (canned and rinsed or dried and soaked)
1 onion diced
2-3 cloves of garlic diced
1/4 cup green chilies (canned works fine, throw in juice also)
paprika, cumin, salt, pepper (to taste)
1 diced jalapeno


Combine all ingredients. Cook in crock pot on low for 5 or 6 hours. Or cook on stove top for 2 or 3 hours on low.
ENJOY!!

A great Sunday dessert...Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Pineapple upside down cake has always been one of my favorites.  It was one of the first cakes I made  from scratch many many years ago.  lol  I have no idea where the recipe came from but this is the only one I use now.

Basic Yellow Cake

2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Sift together into a small bowl.

Cream 1/2 cup butter with 1 1/4 cup sugar
Mix in 2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1 teaspoon vanilla
Mix all together well.

Add in sifted ingredients and mix well.

Topping

1 stick of butter (1/2 cup)
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 can pineapple cubes/crushed/rings...I used cubes

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.  Put one stick of unsalted butter in 10 or 12 inch cast iron skillet. 
Put skillet in the oven for 2 or 3 minutes to fully melt the butter.
Remove skillet from oven and pour in brown sugar, mixing with the butter to make a 'carmel type' of sauce that coats the bottom of the skillet evenly.
Place pineapple in the pan.
Carefully pour in cake batter.
Bake for 30 minutes.  Cake will be golden.  Let cool about 5  minutes and then flip onto serving plate.

ENJOY!!

The Seasons are changing and an Onion Ring Recipe

Happy Labor Day to all of those that celebrate.  True to being the unofficial end of Summer, the weather dropping 30 degrees in two days had made it actually feel like Fall is here. 
I love all of the seasons I really do.  Each has their own joys, treats and beauty.  Fall is my favorite though.  I LOVE FALL!!  Followed closely by Winter. 

For me September is my month to get organized and to purge myself of all the things that no longer should have a spot in my home and my life.   I don't know exactly why I feel this way every September but I do.  I go through everything, every closet, every drawer, every cabinet.  I think since Fall and Winter symbolize for a me a time of cocooning, spending time with friends/family and Lot's of holidays and entertaining I like to be prepared and I like things to be pulled together.

Since I've been so busy today with projects around the house I wanted to keep dinner simple.  Bacon Cheeseburgers and Onion Rings.  This recipe for the Onion Rings is delish.  Even though I haven't made them it years it's quick, easy and delish!!


Batter
1 1/2 cups flour

3 tablespoons cornmeal
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons paprika
1 1/2 cups milk
1 egg
1/2 cup water

Mix all ingredients together well.
Dip sliced onions in better, drip off excess, dredge through all purpose flour.
Fry them up either in fryer or cast iron/heavy skillet in about an inch of oil.
Lay on paper towel and sprinkle with salt while still hot.

ENJOY!!

Peppers are popping out like CrAzy...YAY