Versatile Recipes

I have several recipes that can be used multiple ways. Just thought I'd share...

Hamburger Mix

1 1/2 Lb. Hamburger

1 Pkg. (6 0z.) Stove top Stuffing mix for Chicken

1 C Water

3/4 C Onion-chopped

1/4 C Ketchup

Combine all ingredients together.

Meatloaf

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place mixture into large loaf pan. Top with 1/2 cup ketchup.

Bake 55-65 min. or until internal temp. reached 160 degrees F. Sprinkle top with 1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese and bake 2 min. more.

Salisbury Steak

Spray large skillet and set to medium heat. Form hamburger mix into patties, cook in skillet until browned and cooked thoroughly, flip once. Remove from pan and set aside, add into pan brown gravy (follow directions), once thickened add in 1 cup sliced mushrooms (canned is ok). Cook until mushrooms are softened. Plate up steaks and top with gravy/mushroom mix.
**I have heard that using bbq sauce instead of brown gravy is also tasty!

**You can also use the hamburger mix for meatballs.**




Creme Brulee Mix

I love creme brulee, and I found that the mixture can be used in a variety of ways.
1 Quart Heavy Cream
1 C Granulated Sugar
1 Vanilla Bean, split in half (or 1 Tbsp. Pure Vanilla Extract)
8 Lg. Egg Yolks
Combine cream, 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla in pot over medium heat. Bring to low boil, whisk until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat.
In seperate bowl whisk yolks and remaining 1/2 cup sugar. Slowly incorporate hot cream mixture into yolks, whisk until smooth. Pour back into cream pan. Strain through cheese cloth or something fine to catch any egg pieces. Let cool completely.
Creme Brulee
Fill 8, 60z. custard cups with cooled creme brulee mixture. Place in water bath (large pan containing water, water should go half way up the sides of the ramekins), and bake at 300 degrees for approx. 45 min. Cool, refrigerate at least 4 hrs. before serving. At service, sprinkle tops with granulated sugar and carmelize with kitchen torch or in oven using the broiler setting.
Bread Pudding
6-8 C Cubed dry bread (I prefer french but any firm bread will work)
Creme brulee mix
Place bread in bowl, pour brulee mixture over top, you will probably need a full creme brulee recipe for this. Place bread brulee mixture into large ramekins (or you can bake all the filling in a 9x9 baking dish). Top mixture will 1 Tbsp. butter. Place in water bath (see creme brulee recipe for procedure), bake 350 degrees for 30 min covered. Remove lid and continue to bake until tops turn golden. Serve warm.
**Variations**
Add in mini chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, chopped pecans or walnuts into pudding before baking. When done baking drizzle tops with caramel sauce, now you have Rocky Road Bread Pudding!
Add in pineapple pieces, coconut flakes, chopped macademia nuts and a splash of rum before baking, for a Tropical Bread Pudding.
Combine blue berries and lemon zest into mixture before baking. At service drizzle tops with white chocolate sauce.

French Toast

Use creme brulee mixture as the batter for french toast.

I like to make stuffed french toast for breakfast. You take 1 C softened cream cheese and sweeten with 1/3 c powdered sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla extract (add more sugar if not sweet enough). Chill til firm. Place 3-4 Tbsp. cream cheese mixture between two pieces of bread, place in freezer 5 min. Heat up skillet. Place stuffed french toast in brulee mixture until coated, cook in skillet until golden on both sides. Top with sliced strawberries and whipped cream.



Vanilla Simple Syrup

1 Quart Water

3 C Granulated Sugar

2 Tbsp. Vanilla Extract

Combine water and sugar in large pot, stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Cool, add in vanilla extract.

Whipped cream

1 Pint Heavy Cream, let sit out at room temp. before using
2 Tbsp. Vanilla Syrup

Whip until peaks form. With excess, put in fridge and use later. It may soften up, so just re-whip until desired firmness.

Coffee Sweetner

Use in coffee instead of sugar, also this is the same syrup that you buy in the store in the coffee aisle and the same stuff the barista's put in your coffee at the expensive coffee shops.
**You can make your own syrup by adding another flavor instead of vanilla.**