Put the following in blender… 4 - 5 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed 2 - 3 ounces fresh ginger root, peeled and cut across grain into thin strips and chopped _(roughly equal to the same amount of garlic) _ 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup mirin (or rice wine or saki) Blend until smooth, then add… 1/4 cup dark corn syrup 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar Blend more until smooth. In large plastic freezer bag, place the blender contents plus ...

In crock-pot place… 2 pounds fresh green beans, rinsed, trimmed, halved Water to cover beans 1 large white onion (chopped) 3 ham hocks -OR- ham bone with mean left (Christmas or Sunday dinner) Cook on LOW for 2-3 hours - beans should still be firm but not done. Remove ham hocks (or bone) from crock-pot Add… 1 1/2 pounds new potatoes (quartered) 2-3 cloves garlic (chopped) 1 teaspoon onion powder 2 teaspoons black pepper 1 teaspoon salt meat from ham hocks/bone 1/2 - 1 cup chicken broth to cover Continue cooking on LOW for 45-60 minutes or until potatoes are done. Best served in bowls as a meal. ...

Place in crock-pot… 1 bag dried black beans (16 ounces) enough water to cover beans 2 jars salsa (mild, medium or hot depending on preference) 1 can tomato sauce 1 can diced tomatoes 2 white onions (chopped) 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon onion powder 3-4 cloves garlic (chopped) Optional: green pepper Stir well. Cook on HIGH for 12-15 hours or LOW for 20-24 hours. Stirring occasionally. Note: if you soak the beans overnight, the cooking time is cut by half. ...

Set aside 8 cups flour. In 1/2 cup warm water dissolve… 1 package active dry yeast (rapid rise works best) 1 teaspoon sugar Combine yeast mixture with the following and beat thoroughly… 2 cups milk, scalded and cooled to lukewarm 1/2 cup sugar enough flour to make a medium batter (similar to pancake or waffle batter) Add and beat… 3 tablespoons soften honey butter 2 whole eggs 2 teaspoon salt Add enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough. Let rest for 10 minutes. Knead dough until smooth (about 5 minutes or so) and place in greased bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled then punch down. Let rest 10 minutes. ...

In stand mixer, add… 1 pound unsalted butter (room temperature) 1/4 cup honey 1/4 teaspoon salt Beat the ingredients on high speed until the mixture becomes light, fluffy and pale yellow.

Brown in skillet over medium heat… 1 pound lean ground beef 1 white onion, chopped 1 green pepper, chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 2 Serrano peppers, diced Drain grease and combine browned meat mixture with the following… 2 cans (15 ounce) chili beans 1 can (14.5 ounce) diced tomatoes 1 can (6 ounce) tomato paste 1 cup water 1 tablespoon chili power 1 tablespoon oregano 1 - 2 teaspoons sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Cook on “low” for approximately 4-6 hours; always better after a night in the fridge; great for chili mac! ...

Cut two (2) avocados in half; remove seed; scoop out avocado from the peel and place in mixing bowl. Using a fork, mash the avocado a few times - will be slightly chunky. Then sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon sea salt and the **juice of one small lime. ** Add the following to the mixing bowl… 1/2 cup minced red onion 2 Serrano chilies that have been sliced then finely chopped (I leave the seeds) 2-3 tablespoons cilantro leaves, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped dash of black pepper Optional: add 2 strips of bacon that have been cooked and chopped Mix thoroughly, cover with plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator for one hour before serving. Serve with tortilla chips. ...

In a medium saucepan, whisk the following over medium to high heat… 1 2/3 cups water 3 tablespoons cornstarch 5 tablespoons cocoa In a separate bowl, beat… 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk 3 egg yolks Add egg mixture to saucepan and stir constantly until thick. Remove from heat and add… 1 teaspoon pure vanilla 2 tablespoons unsalted butter Stir well and allow to cool (approximately 3-4 minutes). Then pour into a prepared 9" pie shell (store bought is fine, or try my version of Pie Crust). ...

To substitute 1 cup buttermilk… 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar plus enough milk to make 1 cup. Let stand at least 5 minutes, but preferably 15 minutes before using. Another replacement… use 1 cup plain yogurt

To substitute 1 teaspoon baking powder… 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar 1/4 teaspoon baking soda