Extra Filling Lemon Bars

In most people’s opinion, the Lemon Bar is the ultimate cookie experience.  It is an act of love to go to all the effort to make them, and then it takes great patience to not cut into them until the filling sets just right.  These bars have about double the filling of a standard lemon bar, plus it’s silky smooth and doesn’t liquify when cut & served.

I pinned these a long time ago on Pinterest, and waited to make them until I purchased a large bag of lemons at a ridiculous price at a warehouse store.  Truly - making lemon bars will help you climb the social ladder, but these will make you into a ROCK STAR.

Lemon Bars were the trendy cookie when I was growing up - (kind of like every sweet treat today using salted caramel).  They were only served at very special events, and I remember almost losing my life once when I inhaled a little whiff of the powdered sugar topping as I took a bite.  Small price to pay though for such a great dessert experience.

I learned a few things as I made these.  First off, use parchment paper to line your pan.  This makes slipping them out of the pan and cutting them into neat little triangles a breeze.  Next - don’t combine the filling ingredients until you take the crust out of the oven.  If you mix it too soon and let it stand very long - the acidity of the lemon juice begins to “precook” the eggs before it’s put in the oven, making it a little less wonderful (but not to worry if you forget, like I did!)

Don’t attempt cutting the bars until they are completely cool, and use a wet knife or bench scraper to make clean cuts.  Cleaning off and/or rinsing your knife in warm water occasionally will keep too much of the filling from sticking and “dragging” as you cut through.   I made triangles by cutting first into large squares, then diagonally after.

For the recipe, go to:
www.changeabletable.com
   

Thanksgiving Salad

Interesting how a very simple recipe can become so draped in memories by the simple act of showing up at a holiday meal.  About 40 years ago - cream cheese, whipped cream, cherries, & nuts were kind of rare at a normal meal.  That’s why this salad was so special.  Thanksgiving was just not the same without it.

I had to document this recipe for my family so we don’t lose it.  Most people nowadays would not think this is anything out of the ordinary - as “extreme” ingredients are all the rage.  It’s rosy pink color (which I didn’t achieve because I chose not to include the juice from the cherries) - was always so pretty on a Thanksgiving table.  

My mother made this for as long as I could remember.  We always had it at Thanksgiving, and sometimes for Easter dinner as well.  When Mom made it for Easter, she portioned it into individual “bunny” molds.  First, though, she melted chocolate chips and poured them into the impressions at the bottom that looked like little bunnies.  Then she spooned this creamy jello salad over the top.  Each of us had our own small round, chocolate bunny-topped salad nestled into a leaf of lettuce.  Those were great memories!

For some reason though - my kids never developed a taste for pecans, walnuts, or even maraschino cherries.  So it’s alive only in my memory, as well as my sisters’.  It’s really a delicious salad (more like a dessert though).  I brought it to my sister’s home for Thanksgiving dinner this year - and we all had a little trip down memory lane.

The pictures here aren’t stellar - but you get the idea.  We had too much fun eating that day - great photography wasn’t a priority.

For the recipe, go to:
www.changeabletable.com

Roll On...

Have you ever listened people talk about Thanksgiving, and what their favorite food is?  It seems that the conversation skips around the planet kind of like this:  

dark meat - vs - white meat, whether you like (or hate) yams, whole or jellied cranberry sauce, stuffing (or not), was the gravy just right, should the mashed potatoes be lumpy or totally creamy, your favorite pie, the (in)famous green bean casserole, cheese-stuffed celery (weird, I know - but that's a requirement in my husband's family), and then....

Finally...

The Rolls.

They are spoken of in hushed and reverent tones.  And there's usually one family member that is given that job (kind of like a badge of honor).  

In Utah, everyone talks about Lion House Rolls.  The Lion House was the home of Brigham Young, second prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints (the Mormons).  The recipe is all over the internet, in several cookbooks published locally, and in most Ward Cookbooks.  

Yet, with all that information floating around - it's still a big mystery just HOW they get them to roll up so perfectly.  So - as my Thanksgiving offering to those who might be reading - here is the "secret".

It's about a 4 minute video - and don't blink, or you'll miss it.  Genius.  I need to try it with the gajillions of roll recipes I've tried over the years.  You'll find my favorite roll recipes in the labels at the bottom of the page entitled "rolls" and "breads".  I'm sure you have a favorite roll recipe too (and that's why you are that person of honor who gets to bring the rolls)

Here are a few of our favorites...  (and have a memorable Thanksgiving!)

Sometimes the easiest rolls come from my favorite bread recipe.
Here's the LINK (from one of my early attempts at posting years ago...)

A great all-purpose roll that can be made into a sweet roll, OR a dinner roll.
Conference Crescents

Freezable Cool Rise Rolls - always turn out.
(from my son-in-law's mother, this is what I'm making this year)

Texas Roadhouse Rolls
Especially good when they are HOT from the oven.

Sour Cream Rosettes - another roll that freezes well.

Maddox House Rolls (and General Conference is here!)

It's no secret to those who read this blog that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (a "Mormon")  Every six months I have posted about the food traditions my family enjoys during General Conference.  There are getting to be many of these posts - and the food is great.  Here's how you find them (easily)...

Hope you enjoy this General Conference Weekend.  If you've never listened before, give it a try.  There is something for everyone to uplift, encourage, inspire, and bless you and those you love.

(By the way... if you have young children and need a fun project to keep them engaged in General Conference - check out this idea - link included below...)

"General Conference Center"
found HERE.

Now... on to (yet) another recipe that will come in handy on this really full weekend.

Many restaurants employ the tactic of serving unlimited rolls to their customers - bringing them back over and over again.  Maddox Ranch House figured this out long ago.  Although they are famous for other items on their menu - it’s the rolls that keep everyone coming back.  This is what they serve along with their legendary raspberry butter.

Maddox Ranch House is a restaurant in Perry, Utah (along the legendary “Fruit Way”) - still run by the Maddox family today.  They are known for their steaks from local ranchers, as well as other items that have been on the menu for over 70 years.  I took my mother and daughters recently and we loved these rolls - made even more irresistible drenched in raspberry butter.

The thing I love about the recipe is that it’s a “no-knead” variety of roll.  The dough is very sticky and you literally POUR it into the muffin tins.  Somehow that results in a light, airy roll that has a heavenly aroma hot from the oven.  

These took only an hour and a half start to finish - not bad when you’re in the mood for hot bread.  They get even better after standing a day or two - developing a softer texture as they get older.  Great when warmed in the microwave as leftovers for days to come.

This is the perfect recipe for a busy Sunday, hectic Saturday, or rolls any day of the week.

The recipe for Maddox House Ranch Rolls is found at:
www.changeabletable.com

General Conference - It's Not ALL About the Food.

Every six months the LDS (Mormon) faith holds it's semiannual Worldwide General Conference.  It's being held this coming weekend - March 31st and April 1st - and it's broadcast around the world.  

It's one of only two Sundays a year that we don't attend our 3-hour Sunday block of meetings.  Instead of teaching lessons, serving in callings, and mingling with our fellow ward members - we listen to messages from our prophet and leaders in our own homes by television, radio, or internet.  If you (members & nonmembers are all welcome) are fortunate enough to obtain tickets to attend in person, you attend the beautiful Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Being together as families for an entire day with no church commitments is a rare opportunity, and most Mormons enhance that experience with favorite food traditions.  For the past 3 years I've posted some of our favorite foods that we enjoy during General Conference weekend.  Below you'll find links to those posts.  

Kipper - he has to like me (I'm the only one here...)

This April Conference it will be me, myself, and I (and of course, Kipper - my faithful lap dog).  My five married kids won't make it home this time - and my youngest son only has 8 months to go on his mission.  So it will be fairly quiet, and that's a good thing (sometimes).  If someone shows up to raid the refrigerator, I'll let you know what I made...


Get-Out-of-Bed Breakfast Ideas: 
When you don't have to be dressed in your Sunday best on this weekend, sometimes it takes outright bribery to get people out of bed and to the breakfast table before the start of the 10:00 AM session.  Here you'll find some of our best-loved breakfasts.

Favorite Cinnamon Rolls:  

In our family, no Conference is complete without at least ONE kind of cinnamon roll.  Here you'll find links for several.

Between Sessions Lunch Ideas:
What to fix during the "Noon Dash" - where you have two hours to get things done before the second session begins at 2:00 PM.  Several ideas that you can make ahead to put on the table in a hurry, with all the prep work done so you can relax & listen.

Stay Awake Snacks:
Some fun foods to snack on that keep you from nodding off when you get comfortable on the couch...

"Girls Night" Cooking & Crafts:
Things to make while the men (12 and older) are attending the Priesthood Session on Saturday night.  This has turned into a fun tradition for we girls (young and somewhat old-er).

Conference Sunday Dinners:
It's heaven to relax in front of the TV while I can smell one of our favorite Sunday meals getting closer to setting on the table after Conference ends.  Lots of ideas here (including our lazy way to make mashed potatoes in the crockpot).

Conference Sunday Dinners

*(This is the final day of five posts about General Conference food traditions - keep scrolling to see prior posts)


Things can't get any better by Sunday afternoon of General Conference weekend.  After listening to inspired counsel from our Prophet & leaders for two wonderful days, it's almost a let-down to have it end.  When my children and grandchildren come to stay, it's tradition to finish this special weekend off by enjoying one last meal with at least a few of our family favorites.  


Some families opt to have their larger Sunday meal in between the morning & afternoon sessions.  My crew is usually still very satisfied after a great breakfast either before, or while we listen to the Sunday morning session.  So, while the little guys run around the yard or take a walk - my kids (now they are adults) are more than happy to help me in the kitchen as I get dinner ready.  (Oh... and did I mention the NAPS?  That's required...)  


We have our last meal of the day after the afternoon session ends.  Then we usually play games and visit about what talks we loved the most till late into the evening.  It's sad to see the weekend come to a close, because we know it will be six long months till it comes around again.


Usually I have to decide if I'm going to simplify this meal, or enjoy making something a little more involved (with their help).  We have fun either way.  Our family favorites usually win out, but we still enjoy trying something new occasionally.  It's heaven to relax in front of the TV while I can smell one of our favorite Sunday meals get closer to setting on the table.  


Hopefully you've found something in this past five days of General Conference food traditions that you want to try sometime.  I'd love to hear what your favorites are (send me a link?)

Sunday Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Start these in the morning, and you won't
have to worry about them again until it's time for dinner.
Mash them right in the crockpot, (and no boiling over!)

Fall Apart Sunday Roast
A classic in our family.
This is a required skill before you get married...

Judy's Meatloaf
I'm so glad my son-in-law twisted his mother's arm
so we can enjoy her legendary homestyle meatloaf too...
(Thanks Judy!)

Mini Berry Pizzas
Instead of wrestling with a large fruit pizza, we find
it's much easier to serve when assembled on our favorite sugar cookies.

Sunday Spuds
These are a great alternative when I'm tired of my "usual" potato dishes.
They are even better when made with red potatoes.

Brownie Pudding
This is a "Lazy Mom" dessert for Sunday dinner
that everyone enjoys and nobody will complain about.
(and did you know you can hide zucchini in it?)

Unrolled Cordon Bleu Bake
I think this is even better than the traditional
Chicken Cordon Bleu - and it's lightning fast to make.

Conference Crescents
This is a great recipe because it doubles as a
sweet cinnamon roll, or a wonderful dinner roll.

Waterless Carrots
These are a favorite of my grandkids (can you believe that?)
I've never seen kids race to take more carrots - until I made them this way.

Superb Salisbury Steak
Another very simple main dish that seems special.
It also mimics a great restaurant Salisbury Steak.

Ultimate Cream Filled Chocolate Cake
My neighbor (Toni) taught me how to make this cake - it's the best!
I changed it by substituting the cake mix for "Counterfeit Chocolate Cake"
(you'll never believe one of the ingredients is a pureed can of beets...)

Whipping Cream Potatoes
These decadent potatoes are so simple to make
from frozen Southern Style Hashbrowns (and guess what else?)

3 or 4 Packet Roast
Save this recipe for when getting off  the couch
after General Conference is not your priority...
It's been around the internet (and back) because it's so easy.

"Girls Night" Cooking & Crafts

*(This is the fourth day of five posts about General Conference food traditions - keep scrolling to see prior posts)


Saturday evening - after the first two sessions of General Conference earlier in the day - is the General Priesthood Meeting for men & boys over the age of 12 who hold the Priesthood.  This meeting originates in the Conference Center also, and is broadcast from there to meetinghouses throughout the world.  It has become a tradition for fathers, sons, and brothers to go out for dinner or ice cream after the broadcast.  


We women (mothers, daughters, sisters) look at this as an opportunity to have our own chance at starting traditions.  Depending on the age of who is at home, we've done just about everything.  Sometimes we go shopping at a craft store for a project that only takes one night.  We've played games & made new recipes together.  One year we spent the evening at Gardner Village (a quaint shopping center in Midvale, Utah).  If it's just my daughters - we go out for dinner or ice cream - and maybe a movie.  When the grandkids are here with their moms - we try to do a kid-friendly project with them at the same time (which is a bit trickier, but possible!)  One year we watched "Gone With the Wind" - start to finish (sigh).  


Since the men are usually enjoying ice cream - we've made all kinds of delicious things to enjoy that night (or the next day for dessert).  It's always more fun cooking with your daughters.  Here are a few recipes/crafts we've had fun with on "Girls Night" in years past...

The Fazookie
It's as good as it looks.  Really.

  

Mason Jar Lanterns
This was a favorite of both the grandkids (and their mothers)
Canning season is usually still underway in October,
so mason jars are always on hand to use.

Death by Chocolate
Women + Chocolate = pure happiness.
This is an easy cake recipe that can be made ahead,
then warm up the chocolate & caramel toppings for the finishing touch.

Night Owl S'mores
The grandkids thought these were great.
Simple to put together, and even more fun to eat.

Butterfinger Mini-Cheesecakes
My daughter Whitney loves all things Butterfinger.

Oreo Black-Eyed Susans
Reeses Peanut Butter Cups for your shallow "pot"
and the "petals" are made from lemon drops & candy corn.

Blackberry Lemon Cloud
Similar to Pavlova, this light & sweet treat
is simple and delicious to make as a group.

Punkin' Snack Bags
Filled with Muddy Buddies, these are just the thing
for the grandkids to give to their friends, teachers, etc...

Kit Kat Squares
Using common crackers, this tastes really close to the real thing.

Stay Soft Playdough
For those little hands that are just NOT a lot of help
as you are trying to work on a craft project.

Smokeless S'mores
These are fabulous.
Enough said.

Freeze-Ahead Peach Pie Filling
Peaches are still in season during October Conference.
This is a way to focus on Preparedness,
while still having fun together.

Food Storage Fudge
Yes - made from pinto beans.
But you won't believe it when you taste it.

Red Velvet Cheesecake
This takes some time to assemble, but it
makes a memorable dessert for Conference Sunday.

Chocolate Tuxedo Bowls
Use inflated balloons to make these edible chocolate bowls.
Later fill with rich chocolate cake cubes & white chocolate mousse.

Donna Lee's Buttermints
These take a group effort in pulling and cutting.
Kind of like Pioneer Taffy Pulling (but better!)

*Check back tomorrow for best-loved "Conference Sunday Dinners".