The Craig Secret

Moonlight mac and cheese (best ever!)

2011-08-29T13:55:00.000-07:00

So this one is truly from the Moonlight cook book. For those that don't know about Moonlight, it is a bbq place in Brent's hometown of Owesboro KY. Pres Clinton flew in a helicopter just to eat there. By far the best bbq I have ever had. This mac and cheese recipe is bar none the best. Just try it.

1 1/2 cup milk

2 cups raw elbow macaroni

1 cup grated velveta

1 cup grated cheddar

8 cups water

1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons salt

pinch pepper

1/4 cup butter

In a large saucepan add water and salt. Bring to a boil. Add macaroni. Cook until tender. Do not overcook. Drain macaroni and add butter. In a baking dish add a layer of macaroni then a layer of cheese. Layer remaining cheese and macaroni ending with a layer of cheese. Add 2 cups milk letting seep through but do not stir. add pepper to taste. Bake at 350 until cheese is brown and bubbling.

Seriously this is the best ever!

Enjoy!

Rosie's Chicken Stuffing Casserole

2011-02-03T12:51:00.000-08:00

Okay this one is so stupid simple and yet my family loves it. (especially Brent!)

1 box stuffing
1 pound cooked chicken in chunks
1 can cream of mushroom soup (we use cr. of chicken)
diluted with a little milk.
Cheese (optional)

Ok so prepare the stuffing by the box directions, put in the bottom of square pan. put chicken on top. pour soup mixture on top of that. bake 350 until bubbly
add cheese for last 5 min to melt.

That's it and if you have a picky family like me, you will love this one;)

The Fabulous Dene Brooke Recipes

2010-03-17T16:50:00.000-07:00

The next three are all from Dene. She is one of the most talented baker/chef ever. Oh my goodness I love when she bakes for me.

Credit: Dene Brooke

Chocolate Crunch (Elk Droppings)

1 Bar chocolate (almond bark)

1 Can peanuts

4 cups peanut butter captain crunch

Melt Chocolate in a double boiler or microwave. Once melted, stir in peanuts and cereal. Spoon on to aluminum foil. You make little clusters of them. They set up real quick

Pumpkin Bread

1 1/2 cups flour

1.2 tsp. salt

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs beaten

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 allspice

1/2 cup chopped nuts

1/4 cup water

Preheat oven to 350. Sift together flour, salt, sugar, and soda. Mix pumpkin, oil, eggs, water and spices together, then combine with dry ingredients- but do not mix too thoroughly. Stir in nuts. Pour into well-greased loaf pan. Bake 50-60 min. reduce baking time if using small loaf pans. Turn out of pan and cool on rack.

Apple Crumb pie

2/3 cup sugar

2 tbsp. flour

3/4 tsp. cinnamon

5-6 large apples, peeled, cored and sliced

1 9 inch unbaked pie shell

1/2 cup flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter

Combine first 3 ingredients. Stir into apples. Turn into pastry shell. Combine remaining flour and sugar; but in butter til crumbly. Sprinkle over apples. Bake at 400 for 45-50 min. or until golden brown on top.

These are all absolutely AMAZING

Enjoy next three are all from Dene. She is one of the most talented baker/chef ever. Oh my goodness I love when she bakes for me.

Kristy's chicken salad

2010-03-17T16:35:00.000-07:00

So this one I made for my friends baby shower. It was a big hit. Now I must warn that the servings on this dish are for a ward!! So I will add the serves 4 recipe as well.

Credit: Kristy Craig

Serves 120

30 pounds of chicken (cooked)

6 1/4 lbs. cheese

1 gallon of mayo

2 1/2 lbs. thinly sliced celery

2 lbs. sunflower seeds

2 1/2 Tbsp. salt

2 1/2 Tbsp. pepper

4 1/2 lbs. seedless red grapes

Mix everything the night before except the grapes and sunflower seeds. Then add just before serving. May serve inside crescent rolls or scoop salad on the side. Place lettuce inside.

Serving for 4

2 cups cubed chicken

1 cup cheddar cheese

1 1/2 cup seedless red grapes

1/2 cup mayo

1/4 cup celery

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

Follow directions from above.

When you multiply the serves 4 recipe it actually makes more than you think it will.

Enjoy

Maria's Chicken and Rice

2010-03-17T12:25:00.000-07:00

Okay so wow it's been a while since I updated this blog! WOW. But this one is a sure hit. Excluding Hunter since he doesn't like rice or chicken! Ha. Oh well

Credit: Maria Craig

2 pounds cooked chicken shredded or cubed. (I just cut it up)

2 Cups Cooked rice

2 cans cream of chicken

1 1/2 cup sour cream

1 1/2 rolls of RITZ crackers

4 tbsp. butter (melted)

poppy seeds

Okay super easy.

Cook your chicken and cut up.

Spray a 9x13 with pam

put the chicken in the pan

cook rice, while that is cooking, mix up your cr. of chicken and sour cream.

Add rice to mixture and pour over the chicken

While you have the crackers in the roll. pound them with a meat tenderizer (the kids love this part) They need to be broken but not crushed.

Sprinkle them on top of the rice mixture.

pour the melted butter on top of the crackers

add poppy seeds on top.

Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 35-40 min (or until it is bubbly)

My kids love this one! Sure hit!

In the interest of Christmas

2009-12-20T13:55:00.001-08:00

So in the interest of Christmas, and the 3 older kids say so, I must add my sugar cookie recipe to my blog for anyone at Christmas time.

This is all coming about because Santa decided to leave a note last year stating that while mom's chocolate chip cookies are good, her sugar cookies are Santa's favorite. Abbey being my social child, said that everyone should be able to leave Santa his favorite cookies, and I shouldn't keep the recipe a secret anymore.

So here you go Santa....Thanks a lot.

1/2 cup butter (not margarine)
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. Baking soda
1 cup sour cream
3 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
4 cups flour

Cream the butter and the sugar together. Add the soda to the sour cream (it is important you do this before adding to the creamed mixture. It makes the cookies stay soft). Add the sour cream to the mixture. Add the eggs and the vanilla. Mix together. Add 1 cup of flour at a time to the wet ingredients. Chill for 1 hour and roll onto a floured surface, and use cut out. Bake on Greased cookie sheet for 8-10 min on 350.

This is a family secret recipe and I will probably here about it. But I just couldn't argue with 3 very interested kids.

Enjoy!

Marinated Cheese

2009-03-24T16:10:00.000-07:00

Okay so this has got to be one of the best appetizers I have ever had. My friend Kayla brought this to my super bowl party and I think I ate most of it myself

Credit: Kayla Renner

Marinated Cheese:
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
3 tbs chopped fresh parsley
3 tbs minced green onions
1 tsp sugar
3/4 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (2ounce) jar diced pimiento, drained
1 (8 ounce) block sharp cheddar cheese, chilled
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, chilled
3 tbs small capers (optional)

*Combine first 10 ingredients in a jar; cover tightly, and shake vigorously. set marinade aside

*cut block of cheddar in half lengthwise. cut crosswise into 1/4 inch thick slices; set aside
repeat with cream cheese..stand cheese slices on edge in a shallow dish, alternating
pour marinade over cheese, cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hrs

enjoy!! :)

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2009-03-24T16:06:00.000-07:00

I know everyone has one but these are my friend Nadines. They are absolutely amazing

Credit: Nadine Bailey

1 cup margarine
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 1/2 - 4 cups flour
1/ -3/4 package semi sweet chocolate chips

Cream margarine and sugars well. Add eggs, vanilla, and soda. Add flour until dough starts to pull away from edges of bowl. Stir in chocolate chips.
Bake 350 for 8-10 until bottom of cookies just start to trun brown.

Hootinany Pancakes (german)

2009-03-02T05:47:00.000-08:00

This one has been in my family since Pennie and Kelly got married. Always a hit to have the kids watch

Credit: Yvonne Parkinson

1 cube butter
1 1/3 cup milk
1 1/3 cup flour
8 beaten eggs
1 1/2 tsp salt

melt the butter in a 9x13 pan. mix all other ingredients together and pour on top of the melted butter. Mix slightly. Bake @ 425 for 25 min.

The pancakes rise to the sides and the scrambled eggs are in the bottom of the pan. Breakfast all in one pan!

Cheeseburger Rice

2009-03-02T05:41:00.001-08:00

This is a sure hit with my family. Even Tip eats this one

1lb. hamburger
1 onion (optional)
1 1/2 cups of water
1/2 cup katchip
2 tbl. mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 pepper
1 1/2 rice
1 cup cheese ( but we do more, we like it cheesy)

Brown meat and onion. Stir in water, ketchup, mustard, salt and pepper and bring to boil. Stir in Rice, Cover and remove from heat. Let stand 5 min. Sprinkle with cheese.

Hearts Delight Torte

2009-02-07T17:12:00.000-08:00

Since I have this recipe and I always make it before Love day, I thought you might like to make it for that special someone too.

1/3 cup shortning
1 cup sugar
1 egg
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour
1/3 cup cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 salt
2 cans cherry pie filling
1 cup whipped topping
2 tbsp. chocolate chips

Cram together the shortening and sugar. Add the egg, buttermilk and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients and gradually add to the creamed mixture. Pour into a greased heart or round pan and bake at 350 for 30-35 min, cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan. split cake in half and place 1 layer on a serving plate. Spread 1 can of the cherries on top, and place top layer on cherries. Pipe the whip cream around the edges and place chocolate chips in the cream. Place the remaining cherries int eh center of the cake and refrigerate.

Turkey in a croc pot.

2009-02-07T16:11:00.000-08:00

Okay so I know this sounds funny but it really is a great meal. You must plan ahead for it though since you need to put it in the night before you want to eat it.

Credit: Jill Locke

1 Frozen turkey breast
1 Can chicken Broth
1/3 Cup soy sauce
2 squirts of lime juice bottle
1 Tbsp. crushed rosemary
1 Can Squirt soda

Place frozen turkey in croc pot. (take the gravy packet off first) discard gravy packet

add all other ingredients to the croc pot. Shake rosemary onto the turkey (gives a kick)

Place croc pot on low and leave overnight.

Note: it is very important you do not lift lid to croc. Just let it be. When you are ready to eat it the next night for dinner, it will fall apart for you. We serve it with fresh rolls, and baked potatoes.

Cheese Enchaladas

2009-02-07T16:10:00.001-08:00

This has been a family favorite on my side for years. My sister Pennie always has this as her bday dinner.

Credit: Aunt Joyce

Have all chopping and all cans open before starting so you can add the ingredients quickly when you start! Be sure to keep mixture covered as you go through the steps to keep flavors together.

oil to cover bottom of huge sauce pan
3 bunches of green onions.....finely chopped
1 small yellow onion....finely chopped
1 large can of chopped chilies (I use 1 sm can of hot chilies as well) l.......DO NOT DRAIN THE JUICE....it adds integrity to the sauce!
3 teaspoons of finely chopped garlic (if using fresh use 1 to 2 cloves)

Saute all the above until the onions are soft

Add 2 packages enchilada sauce

Immediately add to the mixture above the following

2 (12 ounce) cans WHOLE tomatoes
2 (12 ounce) cans tomato PASTE
2 (15 ounce) cans tomato SAUCE

Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for at least 2 to 3 hours stirring often. REFERGIRATE OVERNIGHT so all the flavors combine with each other!

Shredded med sharp or sharp cheese

Flour tortillas I buy 24 tortillas

Put mixture in tortillas Spray pan with cooking spray (or you will have a huge mess to clean up) Cover with foil and bake

I bake them at 350 degrees for at least 30 minutes.......check to make sure they are hot all the way through (cheese is melted)

Add shredded cheese on the top and recover with the foil so the cheese will melt

Magic Cobbler

2009-02-05T17:46:00.000-08:00

Okay so this one is really fun and the kids love to help

Credit: Rosie Craig

4 cups of what ever fruit you are using plus the syrup it comes in.
If you are using fresh fruit, boil the fruit with 1 cup of water for 10 min to get syrup
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cup self rising flour
1 1/2 cup milk
1 stick butter

Melt butter and place in bottom of 9X13 pan

Mix sugar, flour, and milk together, Mix well

pour over butter

Spoon fruit over the top.

Now the magic begins...
bake at 350 for 30-35 min
About half way through the dough will rise to the top and finish cooking. I don't know how it works, but it does every time and with every fruit I have tried.

Enjoy.

Spaghetti Shrimp

2009-01-29T19:47:00.000-08:00

This one my sister Debbie gave me years ago but we still love it.

Credit: Debbie Oakeson

1 stick butter
2-3 cloves garlic
16 oz angel hair pasta
1lb. shrimp cleaned & deviened
1/3 cup parmesean cheese
1-2 Tbsp. Dill weed
1 tsp. Salt

Cook pasta according to package directions. Melt butter in saute pan. Saute garlic in melted butter until light brown. Add shrimp. Saute until heated through. Drain pasta and put back in pot. Add shrimp, butter, and garlic mixture. add parmesean cheese, salt, and dill. Mix together and serve.

We eat this with french bread.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

2009-01-29T19:39:00.000-08:00

This one is a great hit at parties or just at home. We eat it with rice. The sauce is great to serve over anything.

Frozen Meatballs
1 Can Coke
1 Bottle Ketchup
1 Cup Brown Sugar.

Place all ingredients in a crock pot, heat on high for 2 hours. DO NOT STIR OR MIX IN
Stir after 2 hours and reduce heat to low for 5 hours.

Coconut Cake

2009-01-29T19:26:00.000-08:00

So for my first post I am not even putting one of my own recipe on here how lame huh? Oh well this one is just to good to be true.

Credit: Cristy Clayton

1 Box White Cake Mix
Coconut Extract
1 Can Coconut Milk or Cream
1 Can Sweetend Condensed Milk
1 Small Pkg. Coconut
1 16 oz. Carton Heavy Cream
Powdered Sugar

Mix cake mix according to direction on box adding 1 tsp. Coconut Extract to the batter. Bake in a 9X13 pan or in layers according to direction on box.

While cake is baking, mix together cocnut milk (shake before opening) & sweetend condensed milk. Set aside.

You can go ahead and mix your topping if you'd like and keep it in the fridge until ready to frost. To do so, combine heavy cream with 2 tsp. coconut extract and 5 tbsp powdered sugar. Use you mixer on high until stiff peaks form on beaters.

Back to the cake. Remove from oven when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. While cake is still hot, poke holes all through out using a toothpick or wooden skewer. Do not allow cake to cool. next, pour coconut milk/sweetened milk mixture over cake. Let soak in. Once most of the mixture has been absorbed, place the cake in the refrigerator. Check on it whenever to see if all the mixture has absorbed. Once it has ,you can frost it and top it with coconut.

The cake is best refrigerated for 8 hours or overnight before serving. Sprinkle the top with coconut either plain, toasted, or a combo of both. I prefer toasting or a como. I haven't tried it plain, but I'm sure it is good plain. To toast coconut, put it on a jelly roll pan in a 350 degree oven. Keep lose eye on it, shaking to redistribute as needed. Should take about 10 min. Enjoy!