New Year Blackeyed Peas Recipe

Why not try your black-eyed peas in a Homemade Southern Hoppin John with Rice recipe?

Total time: 3 hours

Yields: 8 servings

Ingredients:

½-pound black-eyed peas, dry

1 cup cooked ham, chopped

1 onion, diced

½ can whole tomatoes

Pinch of garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Black Eyed Peas Directions:

1 Place black-eyed peas in a medium pot and add enough water to cover it by 1 inch.

2. Stir in diced onions, ham, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

3. In a blender or food processor, blend tomatoes until liquefied. Add tomatoes to pot. Bring all ingredients to boil.

4. Cover the pot with a lid, and simmer on low heat for 2 ½ to 3 hours or until the peas are tender.

While these tasty black-eyed peas should always be there on your New Year’s Day menu, there is no reason not to savor them all year long.

Pair these Black Eyed Peas with Cornbread!

Our Skillet Cornbread recipe is the perfect accompaniment for this dish.

You can also make slow cooker black eyed peas and start them in the morning and they will be done in the evening. Let us know if this New Years Recipe: Traditional Black-Eyed Peas brings you good luck!

For more easy meals on Stagetecture, click here.

If you love desserts, take a look at our desserts recipes on How To Make a Burlap Wreath website too!  The new redesigned site has more than just wreaths. Look to the new site for ways to celebrate, decorate and organize.

19 Of Our Best Holiday Cake Recipes

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1. Holiday Cake: Turtle Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

Starting off this holiday cake recipes list with a sweet and succulent cake that will have you and your guest begging for more.Oh who doesn’t love rich goodness of cheesecake? And how many of us like cheesecake that carries extra goodies on top, bottom and inside? If that is you then this holiday cake recipe is made for you. Turtle Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe, has all of the usual ingredients but has a mixture of pumpkin spice as an additional flavor. Not to mention chocolate and caramel sauce drizzle on top along with toasted pecans. Make your tongue say “Mmm-hmm.” Go ahead and make this holiday cake recipe a family favorite this season. We also like this Brandy Cheesecake Recipe.

2. Sugar-Free Dessert: Applesauce Cake Recipe

Now not all cakes have to be sugar filled like this next recipe for example. Typically, being on a sugar-free diet is not a part of the holiday plan. However, just because something is sugar-free doesn’t mean that it can’t be just as flavorful as a sugary delight. Try this Sugar free dessert: Applesauce Cake Recipe. This cake is completely simple to make and there are only a few substitutions that will only add to the deliciousness. Plus, when eating this cake you can still appease those sweet tooth cravings without feeling any guilt or heaviness when you’re done. Go ahead try it out!

3. Brown-Sugar Bourbon  Bundt Cake

You can’t have a true holiday without a bundt. And here is one bundt cake recipe that you can’t miss out on. Ladies and gentlemen, now introducing the Brown-Sugar Bourbon Bundt Cake recipe. Who doesn’t remember when you were in the kitchen and your grandmother or mother was filling the bundt pan with batter right before sliding the mixture into the oven? From this recipe you get the wonderful goodness of the maple brown-sugar emersed with a little liquor to enhance the sweetness of the entire cake that the family will adore.

4. Holiday Cake Favorite: Ambrosia Coconut Cake Recipe

Thanks to Southern Living, the Ambrosia Coconut Cake recipe is at our fingertips. This exotic cake recipe not only gives the sweet and refreshing flavors that everyone will love but can also serve as wonderful décor. It only takes a few easy steps to make and even better to taste, it is sure to quickly become a holiday tradition.

The holidays are a great time of the year. And what better way to celebrate it than with a baking recipe that will help to bring the entire family together. And these holiday cake recipes are just a small few of what you and your family can create. Don’t be limited and see what you all can come up with. Also, Stagetecture readers, do you have any recipes that you would like to share for the holidays?

15 Blogger Friends Holiday Cake Recipes

1. Holiday Rum Cake
2. Cranberry Orange Cake Recipe
3. Eggnog Bundt Cake Recipe
4. Tropical Christmas Cake
5. Cinnamon Roll Layer Cake
6. Gingerbread Bundt Cake With Vanilla Glaze
7. Gingerbreak Cheesecake
8. Ferrero Rocher Cake
9. Old Fashioned Jam Cake
10. Cranberry Pumpkin Upside Down Cake
11. Butter Crunch Cake
12. Cranberry Upside Down Cake
13. Simple Chocolate Peppermint Cake
14. Spiced Chocolate Eggnog Cake
15. Fresh Cranberry Cake Recipe

Do you want a chocolate cake recipes for the holidays?

Try this Moist Chocolate Cake Recipe!

Looking for more yummy desserts? Take a look through our dessert recipes category.

Gingerbread Waffles with Chocolate Syrup Recipe

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Gingerbread Waffles Ingredients:

1 cup light molasses
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups boiling water
1 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons butter

Gingerbread Waffles Ingredients:

1.    In a small saucepan, heat molasses and 1/2 cup butter until almost boiling. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Stir in baking soda, milk and egg.
2.    In a large bowl, sift together flour, ginger, cinnamon and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the molasses mixture. Mix until smooth.
3.    Spray preheated waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray. Pour mix onto hot waffle iron. Cook until golden brown. Serve hot with chocolate sauce.
4.    To make chocolate sauce: In a saucepan, combine water, 1 cup sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and add vanilla and 2 tablespoons butter; stir until smooth.

Looking for more holiday recipes? Try our holiday cakes recipes!

For more holiday recipe ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

How to Make Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe

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Mushroom Soup Recipe Ingredients:

• Ingredients
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• ¼ cup of butter
• 1 chopped medium white onion
• 1-2 bay leaves
• 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, snipped
• 1 ½ pounds coarsely chopped button mushrooms
• 2 14 ounce cans vegetable broth
• 2 cups whipped cream
• A little olive oil for serving

Soup Recipe Directions:

1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, the bay leaves, the minced garlic and the rosemary to the pan and cook for about 5-6 minutes, until the onion becomes tender.
2. Add the mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and let the ingredients simmer for 5 – 10 minutes without covering the pan, until the mushrooms become tender. Take out the bay leaves and let it cool a little bit.
4. Little by little blend the ingredients in a blender until smooth, but not completely smooth, you can leave a little portion of chunky ingredients for texture if you like. When you have blended the soup, pout it again into the pan and add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Bring the soup to a boil and whisk in the whipping cream; let it all heat through.
5. Serve the soup individually, drizzling a little olive oil over it and sprinkle with a few snipped rosemary leaves.

This easy yet elegant soup will give your dinner a perfect kick off. Add a few wild mushrooms to the button mushrooms when cooking for giving the soup an even earthier taste or add some more minced garlic to spice things up. Serve the soup with some crispy croutons or bread sticks to round the dish up and you will have the perfect Thanksgiving Side.

Thanksgiving Dinner: Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy

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Total Time: 30 minutes preparation + 2 hours cooking

Yields: 8 cups

Turkey Gravy Ingredients:

6 turkey wings

2 medium size onion, peeled and quartered

1 cup fresh water

2 quarts chicken broth, divided

¾ cup carrot, chopped

½ teaspoon dried thyme

¾ cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons butter

Pinch of ground black pepper

Gravy Recipe Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F or 200 degrees C. In a large roasting pan, arrange a single layer of turkey wings. Scatter the onions on the top. Roast for 1 hour, 15 minutes or until wings turns brown.
2. In a 5 quart stockpot, place browned wings and onions. Add water to roasting pan. Stir, while scraping up any brown pieces on the bottom of the pan. Pour the water from the pan into the stockpot. Mix in 6 cups broth, thyme, and carrot. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1 to ½ hours.
3. Remove wings from the stockpot and place on a cutting board. Separate the skin and meat when they are cool. Discard the skin and keep the meat for another use. Strain contents from the stockpot using a large strainer into a 3 quart saucepan. Press on the vegetables to take out remaining liquid, if any. Remove the vegetables and skim the fat off the liquid. Bring the contents in the pot to boil.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk all-purpose flour into remaining 2 cups of chicken broth until smooth. Slowly whisk the flour mixture into the simmering turkey broth. Let it simmer for 4-5 minutes or until the gravy has thickened. Add butter and pepper. Serve immediately or refrigerate for later use.

Successful turkey gravy is more about the technique than ingredients. Producing it at the thickness you prefer and free of lumps takes a bit of practice. So, we recommend, it’s still time for Thanksgiving Dinner. Make it at least once before the big day.

Need more Thanksgiving Make Ahead Recipes?

We’ve got you covered with these 22 Make Ahead Thanksgiving recipes.

For more Thanksgiving recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

Vegan Fresh Peach Cobbler Recipe

 

Fresh Peach Cobbler Ingredients:

½ cup of Raw Sugar or Other Sweetener
2 tablespoons of Cornstarch or Arrowroot Powder
4 cups of Fresh Peaches, sliced
1 cup of Water
Ground Cinnamon
1 cup of Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
2 tablespoons of Sugar
1 ½ teaspoons of Baking Powder
¼ teaspoon of Salt
3 tablespoons of Margarine
½ cup Soymilk or Water

Optional Ingredient: Vanilla Soy Ice Cream

Peach Cobbler Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Combine the sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan, then stir in the peaches and water.  Bring the mixture to a boil for 1 minute, watching and stirring it constantly.
3. When the boiling is done then pour the mixture into a 9” square baking dish and sprinkle with cinnamon.
4. In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.  Cut in the margarine until the mixture resembles cornmeal.  Then stir in the soymilk until mixed with the previous mixture, then drop by spoonfuls onto the hot fruit.
5. Then put the pan into the oven and bake for about 25 minutes or until the dessert is golden brown.  Then take out of the oven and let it cool and enjoy!

Note: Add a scoop of vanilla soy ice cream to the top of the pastry for extra sweetness!

For more dessert recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

Christmas Dessert: Marshmallow Treat Wreaths

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Prep Time: 90 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Yield: 36-48 mini wreaths

Marshmallow Treats Ingredients:

½ cup butter

10 ounces marshmallows

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

6 cups plain cereal (Rice or corn will work perfectly.)

1-1 ½ teaspoons green food coloring

1 jar of red cinnamon ball candies

Christmas Dessert Directions:

1. Line 3-4 baking sheets with parchment paper. (Note: Parchment paper is truly necessary. Otherwise the treats will stick.)
2. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over low heat.
3. When the butter is melted, add in the marshmallows. Stir everything together until the marshmallows are completely melted and a sticky paste forms.
4. Turn off the heat to add in the vanilla extract and green food coloring. Put the food coloring in a little at a time so you can control the shade. Then, return it to low and stir to combine.
5. Once you’re happy with the color, stir in the cereal until everything is mixed together.
6. Working in batches, dump ¼ cup of the mixture onto the parchment paper. Use greased hands to form it into a round, wreath shape.
7. When all your wreaths are formed, decorate them with the cinnamon candies. Arrange the candies in groupings of three so they look like holly berries.
8. Transfer your completed wreaths into the refrigerator and allow them to set for at least and hour.
9. Remove the wreaths from the parchment paper, using a knife to release the edges, if necessary.

Our favorite feature of this Christmas dessert is that it can be easily adapted to fit your needs. Wrapping a few of these up in a box would make the perfect DIY holiday gift. If you’re short on time and hosting a crowd, go ahead and make one big wreath instead of the mini ones pictured here. If your family doesn’t celebrate Christmas, you can easily use white food coloring to create snowman-shaped treats instead. Just be sure to make extra because, whatever shapes you create, your loved ones will be vying for second helpings.

What are your favorite holiday desserts? Are you trying out any new seasonal recipes this year? Tell us all about it in the comments.

For more holiday recipes, head on over to Stagetecture’s archives.

Who doesn’t love a classic Christmas cookie recipe? Having holiday cookies for your Christmas holiday is essential! It’s something that everyone loves to take a bite.  If you’re planning to serve a delicious cookie for your guests, try this Snowflakes Christmas Cookie recipe. This is so quick to prepare and easy to bake.

 Snowflake Christmas Cookie Recipe

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Christmas Cookie Ingredients:

    2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
    2 cups sugar
    2 large eggs
    2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
    2 teaspoons salt
    5 cups all-purpose flour sanding sugar or colored sprinkles, for decorating

Christmas Cookie Directions:

1. Divide dough in half. Roll out each half between two pieces of parchment paper to about 1/8 inch thick. Transfer each half to a baking sheet; cover tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours or overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, with racks on upper and lower thirds. Remove one sheet of dough from refrigerator, and let stand 1 minute. Using a 3-inch snowflake-shaped cookie cutter, cut out shapes. Place shapes 2 inches apart on parchment- lined baking sheets. Gather together scraps, and re-roll as above; chill until firm, 10 to 15 minutes, then cut out more shapes. Repeat process with second sheet of dough.
3. Decorate cookies with sanding sugar or sprinkles, as desired.
4. Bake cookies in upper and lower thirds of oven, switching positions of sheets halfway through, until golden around the edges and slightly firm to the touch, about 15 minutes. Let cool on baking sheets 1 minute; transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Store in airtight containers at room temperature, up to 5 days.

Take the first bite and you will definitely love its sumptuous taste. Make sure that you set the right oven temperature and follow the procedure as stated. Feel free to be creative with its shapes to blend with the holiday season.

Need more Christmas Cookies recipes?

We think you’ll love our 20 Christmas Cookies Recipes from our favorite Foodie Friends!

For more holiday Christmas cookie recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

Entertaining Round Up: Our Best Holiday Dinner Recipes

Pork Roast with Currant Sauce

Let’s start this list off with a bang. The pork roast with currant sauce recipe has the sweet and savory flavors that everyone will love especially during the holidays. Not only would this dish be a centerpiece to the table but will become a holiday classic in your household. With the pork roast filled with rich saltiness while the currant sauce adds a touch of sweetness and if you want to kick up the flavoring to the sauce then add in a tablespoon of chili. For the best results for the sauce let it cool for a while, this will help it to thicken and become more of a glaze.

Image via: Cuckooking

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Holiday Spinach and Gruyere Gratin Recipe

Here is a recipe that you can make ahead to avoid any headaches and save a lot of time during this holiday season. The spinach and gruyere gratin recipe is a wonderful recipe that requires little effort and it will be even better to enjoy. Plus, you don’t have to worry about eating the dish all in one-night because it can be re-heated and served again. The Gratin recipe is filled with so much goodness that the family and guests will adore it.

Image via:  The Foodie Physician

Baked Turkey Stuffed with Apples Recipe

Here is a traditional dish that has been a welcomed “member” of the family since the beginning yet with a twist. Baked Turkey Stuffed with Apples Recipe. Typically, most roasted or baked turkeys are stuffed with a variety of different peppers, onions, and breads however for this holiday dinner recipe will have stuffing mixed with apples to do the trick. Thanks to Taste of Home, this recipe has been simplified and fit to be an appetizing dish to the holiday table. With the use of apples instead of the usual stuffing will help to give a unique complimentary flavor to the turkey to make it a family favorite dish.

Image via: Recipe Great

Provencal Potato Gratin Recipe

How about another stress free dish that they entire family can enjoy? With this holiday dinner recipe you have a slew of options, where you can substitute or short cut ingredients to your heart’s desire. The Provencal potato gratin recipe brings the not only flavorful but colorful additions to the table for the holidays. Thanks to food network, this holiday dinner recipe can be made ahead of time and is meant to be an easy-make with a great taste. And since it is a gratin recipe you can re-heat the dish for more enjoyment.

Image via:  Cooks Country

The holidays bring so much festivities and great food, and here are just a few of the great food recipes that everyone can enjoy. But I am so sure that you Stagetecture readers, have some holiday dinner recipes of your own. If so don’t hide them because we’d love to hear about them.

Holiday Brunch: Maple-Glazed Meatballs Recipe

Image via: DKS Cooks

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Ingredients

For the Glaze

• ¼ cup of real maple syrup
• ¼ cup of apple butter
• 1 tsp of Dijon mustard

For the Meatballs

• ¼ tsp of pepper
• ½ cup of finely chopped apple (sweet-tart)
• ½ tsp of salt
• ½ kilogram of ground pork
• ¾ tsp of fennel seeds (crushed)
• 1 shallot (finely chopped)
• 1 egg
• 1 slice of whole wheat bread (Crushed into fine crumbs with food processor)
• 2 tsp of fresh sage leaves (chopped)

Directions

• Heat your oven to 400⁰ Use foil to line a cookie sheet and spray it with cooking spray.
• Mix the meatball ingredients in a large bowl using your hands or a wooden spoon.
• After the ingredients are well combined, make small (1-inch) meatballs.
• Place the meatballs on the cookie sheet. Set them 1-inch apart.
• Bake them for 10 minutes or until they are no longer pink in the center.
• Mix the glaze ingredients until they are well combined.
• Brush the meatballs with half of the glaze and bake them for 3-5 more minutes.
• Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and place it on a rack to cool.
• Trickle the remaining glaze over the meatballs before serving.

Image via: Betty Crocker

The festive season is the best time to embrace the weekend tradition of having brunch. People spend more time at home and aren’t in a rush to get outside. If you love waking up to a crisp cool morning and looking in the fridge for clever culinary inspirations, you’ll enjoy making this holiday brunch recipe. The ingredients are easily available in fall and you may discover you have them all in the house.

What holiday recipes will you be serving up this season?