Eggplant Patties

The Dish Washer grew up eating these.  This was my first time to attempt to make them and they were so good.  I grew up eating Eggplant Casserole and basically this tastes like that...only fried!!  What can be bad about that??  :)

Eggplant Patties

1 medium eggplant

20 Ritz crackers

1-1/4 c. shredded cheddar cheese

2 slightly beaten eggs

2 Tbsp. parsley

2 Tbsp. green onion

garlic powder to taste

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

2 Tbsp. cooking oil

Peel eggplant, chop, cook, drain and mash.  Combine all other ingredients except cooking oil.  Shape into 3 inch patties and cook in oil over medium heat, 3 minutes on each side.

Baked Ziti

This was an interesting baked ziti recipe that I came across, because instead of traditional ricotta cheese it called for a cream cheese mixture.  Yummy!

Baked Ziti

2 lbs. ground beef
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. salt
2 (15 oz.) cans tomato sauce
2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese
2 c. sour cream
12 green onions, including green parts, chopped
16 oz. noodles
2 c. grated mozzarella cheese

In a skillet, brown meat.  Add garlic, salt and tomato sauce, simmer about 10 minutes. 

Soften cream cheese and blend thoroughly with sour cream.  Add green onions and set aside. 

Boil noodles until 3 minutes before package directions, drain.

In a 9x13 or (2) 8x8 pans, layer noodles, cream cheese mixture, and meat sauce.  Repeat layers.  Sprinkle cheese on top.

To freeze:
Spray foil with non-stick cooking spray and cover casserole prior to baking.  Freeze. 
Thaw in refrigerator when ready to bake.

To serve:
Bake uncovered at 350 for 30 minutes.

Baked Eyeballs

Picture from Pilsbury website

The second part of our weekend consisted of My Buddy and Skittle coming into town to celebrate Halloween.  Several years ago, I picked up a Pillsbury Halloween cookbook from the grocery store and always thought the ideas inside were fun.  The Dish Washer gave me a hard time about this one, but it is all about children using their imaginations!  I thought it was fun.

Baked Eyeballs

Caramel-Pecan Tart

There was a lot happening this weekend in our house!  We started the weekend by The Dish Washer and I celebrating our anniversary with a special trip out to dinner.  I made this special treat for The Dish Washer's parents who came in to babysit.  It's pretty rich, so one small piece will go a long way.  It is from Southern Living and my mom made it several years ago, and I have kept a copy for a long time just waiting to make it.  Now was the perfect time.

Caramel-Pecan Tart

3-1/2 c. coarsely chopped pecans

2 c. all-purpose flour

2/3 c. powdered sugar

3/4 c. butter, cold and cubed

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. honey

2/3 c. butter

3 Tbsp. whipping cream

Arrange pecans in a single layer on baking sheet.  Bake at 350 for 5-7 minutes or until lightly toasted.  Cool on wire rack 15 minutes or until completely cooled.

Pulse flour, powdered sugar, and 3/4 c. butter in a food processor 5 to 6 times or until mixture resembles coarse meal.  Pat mixture evenly on bottom and up sides of a lightly greased 11 inch tart pan with removable bottom.

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.  Cool on a wire rack 15 minutes or until completely cooled.

Bring brown sugar, honey, 2/3 c. butter, and whipping cream to a boil over medium-high heat.  Stir in toasted pecans, and spoon hot filling into prepared crust.

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until golden and bubbly.  Cool on wire rack until completely cooled.

John's Apple Dumpling Delight

This is one of the most decadent desserts you will EVER eat!  It is absolutely delicious and super easy.  I made it while my family was in town visiting for Halloween.  If you like apples, you will not be disappointed.  How could you with 1-1/2 sticks of butter?  It's the one dessert that my father in law, John, knows to make for himself.  :)

John's Apple Dumpling Delight

2 Granny Smith apples
2 cans crescent rolls
1-1/2 sticks butter, melted and still warm
1-1/4 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 (8 oz.) can of lemon lime soda (Sprite, 7up, Mountain Dew)

Cut each apple into 8 slices.  Remove core and peel.  Lay slices in a dish and microwave for 1 minute and 20 seconds.  Separate rolls into 8 triangles with each can.  Roll apple slice - one in each triangle, beginning at the large end rolling down and press sides to close.  Place in 9x13 dish.

Add sugar and cinnamon to melted butter and stir.  Spoon on top of each dumpling.  Pour drink all around.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.