The Anderson Family Hootenanny!

Saltine Toffee Cookies

2011-12-18T20:55:00.000-08:00

Here is the recipe for the Saltine Toffee Cookies I made for the family dinner after Tommy spoke today. They were easy and we'll be making these again! (Thanks allrecipes.com, I modified the instructions here a little with my notes.)

Ingredients:

4 oz. saltine crackers (about one sleeve)
1 cup butter
1 cup dark brown sugar
2 cups chocolate chips
Optional: chopped nuts, sprinkles, candy pieces, etc.

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Then place crackers in a single layer very close together, sides touching, on the cookie sheet.
3. In a saucepan start melting the butter and add in the sugar. Bring to a boil and boil for 3 minutes. Immediately pour over saltines and spread as needed to cover crackers completely.
4. Baket at 400 degrees for 5-6 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips over the top. Let sit for 5 minutes. Spread melted chocolate and top with optional topping. Cool completely and break into pieces.

Creamy Fruit Salad

2011-11-27T20:04:00.000-08:00

I made this recipe for a family dinner today, and I had requests for the recipe. I can't take all the credit—I got the recipe from AllRecipes.com. Here's the way the recipe appears on that site:

1 (20 ounce) can unsweetened pineapple chunks, drained
1 (15 ounce) can sliced peaches, drained
1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
4 medium tart apples, peeled and diced
1 1/2 cups cold fat-free milk
1/3 cup orange juice concentrate
1 (1 ounce) package sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix
3/4 cup fat-free sour cream

In a large bowl, combine the fruit; set aside. In another bowl, whisk milk, orange juice concentrate and pudding mix for 2 minutes or until smooth. Add sour cream; mix well. Fold into fruit. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
--

I made a few changes—I used 1% milk, normal sour cream, and a normal 3 ounce package of vanilla pudding mix. I also used less milk than it calls for—I added just enough to make the sauce a good sauce consistency without being too soupy. You can just kind-of tell. (Yes, you can thank Grandma Turner for that one.)

Resurrection Rolls

2011-04-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

We did this for breakfast Easter Sunday, they were so yummy and a great little lesson as well. I just copied the original post here but got the idea from Jill, thanks Jill! I think they are going to become a new tradition for our family.

Here is what you need...

Frozen dough for dinner rolls - found in the freezer section of your grocer

Marshmallows - regular size

Melted Butter

Sugar and Cinnamon Mixture - I recommend about a 4:1 ratio. (4 being the sugar...mmmmm)

1. Thaw rolls - Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange dough balls, leaving about 2 inches between each ball. I usually plan on 3-4 rolls per person (we snack on them later in the day) so I place about 16 per cookie sheet. Spray some plastic wrap with non-stick spray (so the wrap doesn't stick to your dough) and cover them as they thaw. This will keep the dough from drying out and getting a hard crust. My house was fairly warm the day I made these and it took about 1 and 1/2 hours for them to thaw.

2. Add Marshmallow - Before the dough rises, flatten it to a 3" diameter circle. Place your marshmallow in the middle and pinch the dough closed around the marshmallow to completely cover it up. Roll the dough ball in the palm of your hand to smooth out the closure and seal it.

Amendment: A few have commented with difficulties getting their dough to stick close around the marshmallow. Before putting the butter on, put marshmallows in ALL the dough balls. If your fingers get greasy from using the butter it will easily transfer to your dough and prevent it from sticking closed around itself.

3. Roll dough covered marshmallow in butter. (Or brush it on.)

4. Sprinkle on cinnamon & sugar mixture. Or you can do like my family does and roll it on. We like them super flavorful, sweet and yummy. (By the way...I typically use raw unbleached sugar which is why mine has a darker color and a more coarse texture. You can use whatever style sugar you keep on hand.)

5. Place them on a greased cookie sheet, cover them again with your non-stick coated plastic wrap and let them rise until they double in size. This takes approximately 30-60 minutes depending on how warm the environment is. And not to worry...if they don't rise they'll still taste yummy. I'm not sure why yet...but it isn't often that I actually get my rolls to rise as they should. This particular time would be one of those times. They barely rose but left one of the better 'tombs' I've had in my rolls.

6. Don't forget to pre-heat your oven during the last 10 minutes of your rising step. When they are ready to bake, place them in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

7. When they are done baking, remove them from the pan and cool on a wire rack.

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup

2011-01-18T13:32:00.000-08:00

This is what we had for dinner last night and it was fabulous, if I do say so myself. Try it for yourself!

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup

Easy Taco Soup

2010-12-12T20:24:00.000-08:00

A little while ago, I was talking to my family about taco soup recipes, and they were interested in my recipe. It's all just opening up cans and browning hamburger, so it's really fast and easy. So, for any of you who might be interested, here's the recipe:

1 can pinto beans
1 can black beans
1 can corn
1 can mexican-style tomatoes
1 lb. ground beef, browned (I sometimes use just a 1/2 pound)
1 packet dry taco seasoning
1 packet dry ranch dressing mix

Brown the hamburger and mix all ingredients together until warmed through.

Apple Cake

2010-09-19T20:08:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago when my in-laws were visiting they brought a bag of apples and I have loved finding recipes to use them. Two Sundays in a row I have made apple cake last week's had cream cheese frosting and this one was a bundt cake. Mauri asked that I share the recipe so here it is. It was a combination of two recipes the cake portion of this one and the glaze portion of this one.

Here is my version all put together with my modifications:

Cake:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/3 cups sugar, plus 1/4 cup for the apples

1 1/2 tsp. ground apple spice blend (1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. nutmeg)

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. fine salt

4 large apples, cored and roughly chopped (about 5 cups)

3 large eggs

1/2 cups vegetable oil

1/2 cup sour cream

Juice from 1 orange (about 1/3 cup)

1 tbls. pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Generously butter and flour the bundt pan.

Whisk the flour, 1 1/3 cup of the sugar, 1 tsp. of pie spice, the baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl.

Toss the apples with the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 tsp. pie spice and set aside.

Whisk the eggs and oil together in another bowl. Whisk in the sour cream, orange juice, and vanilla. Pour the egg mixture into the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon just until combined but still a bit lumpy.

Using a slotted spoon, scatter about 1/2 cup on the apples in the bottom of the bundt pan. Put about 1/3 of the batter on top. Repeat, alternating with the remaining apples and batter, ending with the batter.

Bake the cake until it pulls away from the sides of the pan and a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Cool 10 minutes and invert onto a rack placed over a baking sheet. Cool.

Glaze:

1 stick butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tbls. whole milk

Combine butter, brown sugar and milk in small saucepan. Bring to a boil for five minutes. Pour over cake while sauce is hot.

(I need to get better at putting on a hot glaze, I guess something to practice.)

Robby is in Mexico!!

2010-09-07T14:12:00.000-07:00

Hola!

Oh my gosh, where do I begin... Ha so we arrived a week ago today in Mexico. It was so great to talk to you guys on Monday, I loved it so much, I´m excited for the next time! It is so different here. We arrived in Mexico and we were greeted by our President Sauceda, he is a really nice guy. We then drove to his house with the assistant presidents and went to his house in Guadalajara. We had dinner there and met his wife, who is way nice too. Dinner was great ha we had lasagna! But it still hadn´t really hit me yet that EVERYONE speaks Spanish ha. We stayed at the mission home over night, had a big meeting in the morning about our mission and then they told us where we were going and we left! It was so fast! 3 other Elders and myself left Guadalajara so I´m not in the city. 2 went to the same mission and one went to Colima which is way hot. I was told I was going to Ciudad Guzman. I took about an 2 hour bus ride by myself to the city. Movies were playing and it was so hard not to watch ha ha. Don´t worry I repented later for the parts I did watch(on accident). I then arrived in Ciudad Guzman´s bus station and I waited there for about 40 minutes for my companion to get there. I was talking to a guy and gave him some pass along cards when he came up to me. I live with 3 natives, including my companion. It is crazy ha, I have to speak Spanish all the time. Right when they picked me up I dropped my stuff off and went to work visiting investigators, members, and contacting. Every day here we have lunch with a member and it´s a huge lunch ha. I´m grateful for them for giving us their food. It´s so different here. A lot more poverty. I´m not in a nice part of Mexico. The insides of the houses are built out of cement and pretty dirty. But they are all so nice. We have a baptism date in a couple of weeks so that should be great! I´m not gonna lie, it all ready is the hardest thing I have all ready done and I´ve only been here a week. I don´t understand a lot that they say but I´m understanding more. Ï´m getting better. I have a lot of pictures that I want to send you! It stinks we only get like real mail here every 1.5 to 2 months. I don´t really like that but whatever. They just keep it at the mission home until zone conference or something. So email as much as you want. The food is pretty good! Different! Ha Saturday my companion and I went to have lunch and the member brought out this soup with huge pieces of corn, pork, and lettuce. It was so much I couldn´t finish. I felt bad ha. But we are cleaning of our plates and she asks if we want arroz con leche ha. I was like oh, i can´t! And she´s like just a little, so we did. I took one bite and almost lost it ha ha. And she gave us this drink that tasted like weeds blended with water ha ha. But for the most part it´s pretty good so far! The best thing i´ve had was a hamburguesa today ha ha, the closest thing to AMerican. Lots of corn tortillas! Every lunch! My companion is cool, his name is Elder Heronimo. He is great he helps me so much. There is one other American in our district named Elder Newman and he´s black so I´m the only white person in all of this city and around it ha ha. It was good to talk to an American though ha ha we talked a lot last night and it was good. Today I was having a pretty bad day, I just kept thinking that this stupid language is what´s frustrating me so much. If it was English I would be fine! I was pretty down. Then we had lunch, my hamburguesa, and I felt better for some reason ha ha. And I felt even more better when you wrote me that email mom, thank you so much for that, that all ready helped me so much. And same with your story too dad, thank you. I miss everything in America way bad. But I´m here to work and I´m excited! Chrissy don´t worry about not making it, I lost to like one of the biggest geaks in the school!! Ha and what matters for both of you is just that you have a fun time and make as many friends as you can. Well, I gotta head but it was good to talk to you guys and I miss you so much, hasta luego semana...

Elder McKell

Time Out For Women

2010-09-07T12:02:00.000-07:00

So the men are going on a guys weekend to see the BYU vs. Air Force game, so what about the ladies?
Is anyone interested in going to Time out for women? The Hobson and McKell ladies went last year and it was a blast!!! This year the presenters are:
Dallyn Vail Bayles
Virginia H. Pearce
Heidi S. Swinton
Hilary Weeks
Linda Eyre & Shawni Eyre Pothier
Brad Wilcox
Amanda Dickson
Emily Freeman
Mariama Kallon
The website for the Salt Lake Weekend is http://deseretbook.com/timeout/event/113
The date in Salt Lake City, UT

Friday, November 19, 2010

6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

9:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
If you are interested, email me at suzukiviolin@hotmail.com We can even sleep over at my house and get up early the next morning to go to all day classes! I have only heard back from Jenny and she wants to go!!!
Love, Andrea

Oakrest

2010-08-25T13:07:00.000-07:00

Thanks Aunt Nettie for hosting a FUN weekend at Oakrest! It was the ultimate hootenanny and a good time was had by all! Here are some of the pictures from the fun weekend!

Strawberry Lemonade Recipe

2010-07-29T10:08:00.000-07:00

Several asked for the recipe after Jen's shower Tuesday night. This is the original recipe and I panicked a little that I didn't make enough so I ended up adding one package of Strawberry Kool-Aid, I just made it up per the directions and added it to a double batch of the strawberry lemonade below. The strawberry lemonade is good on it's own as well.

Strawberry Lemonade
1 ½ cup sugar
4 cups water
2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled
1 tbsp. finely shredded lemon peel
1 cup lemon juice (4-5 lemons)

1. In a small saucepan combine 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of the water; cook and stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Set aside to cool.
2. In a blender combine 3 cups of the water, ½ cup sugar and the strawberries; process until smooth. Transfer to a 2-quart pitcher. Add cooled syrup, lemon peel and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Fill pitcher with crushed ice and serve.

Make-ahead tip: Prepare lemonade but do not add ice. Cover and chill up to 8 hours. Add ice and serve.

Southern Pound Cake

2010-05-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

Just posting a couple of Oxborrow family favorites (both of which I made recently for Graham's birthday!).

2 cups sugar

1/2 lb. butter

6 eggs (let sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes)

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. lemon extract or lemon zest

2 cups plain flour

Cream sugar and butter together until lemony colored. Add eggs one at a time, beat on highest speed for 100 strokes or about one minute for each egg. Add vanilla and lemon extract. Add flour a little at a time until blended well. Pour batter in a greased and floured bundt pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes and then turn down to 325 degrees for about 40 minutes more or until done. Let cool for 5-10 minutes and then turn pan over. Serve with fruit and whip cream or ice cream.

Texas Sheet Cake

2010-05-28T08:22:00.000-07:00

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup water

1/4 cup cocoa

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 eggs

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. vanilla

Frosting:

1/2 cup butter or margarine

2 tbls. cocoa

1/4 cup milk

3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1. In large bowl, combine flour and sugar.

2. In heavy saucepan, combine butter, shortening, water and cocoa. Stir and heat to boiling.

3. Pour boiling mixture over flour and sugar in the bowl. Add buttermilk, eggs, baking soda and vanilla.

4. Mix well using a wooden spoon or high speed on electric mixer.

5. Pour into well-buttered 17 1/2 x 1 inch jelly roll pan.

6. Bat at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or till brownies test done in the center.

7. While brownies bake, prepare frosting. In a saucepan combine butter, cocoa and milk. Heat to boiling, stirring.

8. Mix in the powdered sugar and vanilla until frosting is smooth.

9. Pour warm frosting over brownies as soon as out of oven.

Raspberry pie filling

2010-05-17T15:17:00.001-07:00

Here's the recipe for the raspberry pie filling. It's from the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook.

5 cups of raspberries, fresh or frozen
3/4 to 1 cup sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons finely shredded lemon peel or 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (we used the lemon peel)

In large bowl, combine sugar and flour. Stir in berries and and lemon peel. Gently toss berries until coated. (If using frozen fruit, let mixture stand for 45 minutes or until fruit is partially thawed but still icy.)

Toasted Coconut Cream Pie

2010-05-17T14:49:00.000-07:00

2 small pkgs. vanilla instant pudding

2 cups milk

1 small container Cool Whip

1 tsp. vanilla

about 2 1/2 cups coconut

Mix milk and pudding together, set aside for a few minutes. Toast coconut in the oven - spread on a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake until light brown (I did 350 degrees and just watched it carefully), let cool. Add Cool Whip and vanilla to pudding mixture while coconut is toasting. Add coconut to mixture - be sure to leave some to sprinkle on the top of the pie. Spread mixture into a baked pastry shell and top with coconut.

Makes enough filling for 2 pies.

Never Fail Pie Crust

2010-05-17T14:37:00.000-07:00

This is my mom's recipe she uses for all her pies. (see examples below)

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup shortening

1 egg

1 Tbls. vinegar

1/4 cup cold water

Blend together flour, salt and shortening until formation of big crumbs. In a separate bowl, beat together egg, vinegar and water. Add to crumb mixture and mix together.

This makes 3 pie shells (for cream pies or other) or 2 two crust pies (any berry, apple, etc.) Cut dough in amount of crusts you are making and roll out to make pastry shell.

Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Notes:

1. When making a two crust pie put a little milk on the top crust with your finger to make the crust golden brown.

2. Just because this claims to be "Never Fail" I actually failed on Saturday with one. We think it was because when doing a shell for a cream pie I didn't poke the holes through the crust good enough. Make sure the holes go all the way through.

3. My mom once told me not to knead the dough too much, that makes it less flaky and not as good. So when mixing the dough do it just enough so everything is blended/mixed well.

UPDATE (05.19.10): My mom said I should clarify a couple of things. You only poke holes in the crust when doing a single crust for a cream pie. When doing a two crust pie you cut slits in the top crust, see the raspberry and blueberry pies in the post below.

Also a two crust pie needs to be baked for 30-35 minutes.

Sorry for the confusion!

Smothered Chicken

2010-05-17T09:58:00.000-07:00

Smothered Chicken

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts {I use chicken tenders}
garlic powder and seasoned salt to taste {I use Montreal chicken seasoning}
1 T. vegetable oil
Button Mushrooms, cut in halves
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese blend
1/2 cup chopped green onions {at walmart, they sell containers of prechopped green onions!}
1/2 cup real bacon bits
1/2 cut tomatoes
1 bottle BBQ sauce

Flatten chicken to 1/4 inch thick. Sprinkle with seasonings. In skillet brown chicken in oil for 4 minutes. Cook in separate pan mushrooms and bacon until done.
Top Cooked Chicken with:
BBQ Sauce
Mushrooms
Bacon
Green onions
Cheese
Cover and cook until chicken is done and cheese is melted.
{You can put the tomatoes on with all of the other ingredients, or at the end for a fresher taste}
Serve with Garlic Mashed potatoes {With cheese, garlic and sour cream and lots of butter} and honey mustard

Honey Mustard:
I bought a bottle of Honey Mustard and added Cayenne pepper and lime juice to it for dipping the chicken in.

The Granddaughters

2010-05-17T09:51:00.000-07:00

I thought this was a pretty neat picture of all of the Granddaughters with Grandma!

Aunt Marsha Pies

2010-05-17T09:34:00.000-07:00

Dear Aunt Marsha,
would you consider doing a pie making class for those who are challenged in the pie making area? We would love to see how you make your wonderful, delicious pies sometime!
Sincerely,
The Big and Little Girls

The Anderson Family Pictures

2010-05-17T09:30:00.000-07:00

Well, yesterday was a great opportunity to get everyone together for a big group picture! We got a lot of great pictures!

Anderson Family Hootenanny!

2010-05-12T15:03:00.000-07:00

Hey Family!

You are all invited to The Anderson Family Hootenanny!

I have reserved Oakcrest for Friday and Saturday the 16th and 17th of July.

For those of you who have never been to Oakcrest get ready, your in for a treat!

Zip line, Obstacle Course, Parachute, Archery, Ping Pong, Softball, Volleyball, Hiking, and plenty of FOOD!!!!!

There are plenty of cabins for each family and we have access to the lodge and pavilions.

Put it on your calendar. Please let me know if you and your family will be able to attend.

Love ya,
Aunt Nettie

Happy Birthday Grandpa Anderson

2010-04-12T14:59:00.000-07:00

Today Grandpa Anderson would have been 92 years old! I sure miss him!! I have so many amazing memories of him in my life. I think the best memory was when I was in middle school and I went early in the morning with the young women to do baptisms for the dead. As I walked into the baptism room, the first person I saw was my Grandpa all dressed in white. He was working in the temple, in that particular area that morning. To tell my friends that this wonderful man was my Grandpa was the best feeling. To have him watch me get baptized for the dead was even better.

Grandpa also gave me my patriarchal blessing and that experience stands out in my mind. What an amazing experience to have your own Grandpa give you something that will be with you for the rest of your life? He truly was the best example anyone could ever have. I miss him, and I wish my children were able to have met him and know him. We will always try to follow in Grandpa's footsteps.

Even though he is not with us anymore, his namesake lives on through Riley; named Riley Reed Fackrell after him. His memory will never leave us as well. I looked up his obituary, and this part struck me so hard:
"Nothing gave Reed more satisfaction than spending time with his family. He loved music and especially enjoyed listening to his children and grandchildren perform. Though a sacrifice at the time, he made sure that all of his children had every opportunity available for education and music in their lives. As a role model for his wife and children, he was unsurpassed. His humble, quiet demeanor and unmiligated love was felt through all throughout his life. He was truly a man without guile.

Happy Birthday Grandpa, We love you.
Love, Andrea

Robby's Mission Call

2010-02-22T13:18:00.000-08:00

Many of you know that Robby recieved his mission call to MEXICO!!!! Here are some pictures of the night of the opening of the papers!!!

Valentines Treat

2010-02-10T08:49:00.000-08:00

I remember eating red velvet cake when I was younger and finding foiled wrapped coins inside the cake! We were so excited when we would find a coin in our cake! This recipe comes from Grandma Anderson and my mom loved to eat this cake growing up as well!
RED CAKE:
Beat together:
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs

Make into paste:
2 oz. red food coloring
2 tbs. cocoa
1/2 tsp. salt add to 1st mix

Beating alternatly:1 cup buttermilk- 2 1/2 flour

Mix together & fold in:
1 tsp. vinegar
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. vanilla

Frosting:
Cook till thick-6 tbsp. flour
1 cup milk
put lid on pan and set till cool

Add: 1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla
Beat with mixer till consistency to spread
Sprinkle with coconut

{This is the recipe my mom had in her box-it did not have a cooking time-so I guess just use 350 degrees and watch the cake!}

Happy valentines day everyone!!

Time Out!

2009-12-09T12:57:00.000-08:00

A muchly needed Time out happened before Thanksgiving! Renae, Andrea & Ashley and Jolene, Jenny & Kimmy all went to Salt Lake to attend Time Out For Women. We enjoyed a beautiful Friday night of Jenny Oaks Baker's violin, heard from Sheri Dew and elder Nielson's wife, Wendy Nielson! That was the best night!! We all stayed in a hotel across the street that night and then went to a whole day's worth of wonderful music and talks! All in all, it was an awesome weekend, but just being with my cousins was the best! Hopefully next year more of the family can join us!

time out

2009-10-11T18:15:00.000-07:00

So I am ordering tickets for:
Andrea
Ashley
Renae
Jenny

Is there anyone else who would like me to order tickets to Time out for Women?
It is going to be a great weekend, so let me know ASAP if you would like to go!
Andrea

Last Call

2009-10-06T08:44:00.001-07:00

Last Call for Time out for Women Tickets. To get a discount, I need to get the tickets by October 14th which is next week, so email me at suzukiviolin@hotmail.com if you would like me to reserve you a ticket!
So far, it is just Andrea, Renae and Ashley so if you would like to join us, let me know! I went to 1 time out for women and I left so rejuivinated and spiritually fed! This one has some amazing speakers and musicians.
Go to http://deseretbook.com/timeout/event/68
to read more about it!
Thanks,
andrea

Lion House Rolls

2009-09-19T06:46:00.000-07:00

Lion House Dinner Rolls

2 cups warm water (110 to 115� F)

2/3 cup nonfat dry milk

2 tablespoons active dry yeast

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons salt

1/3 cup butter, shortening, or margarine

1 egg

5 to 5 1/2 cup all-purpose flour or bread flour

1/2 cup butter, melted
In large bowl of an electric mixer, combine water and dry milk powder, stirring until milk dissolves. Add yeast, then sugar, salt, butter, egg, and 2 cups of the flour. Mix on low speed until ingredients are wet. Increase mixer speed to medium and mix for 2 minutes. Add 2 cups flour; mix on low speed until ingredients are wet, then for 2 minutes at medium speed. (Dough will be getting stiff, and remaining flour may need to be mixed in by hand.) Add remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, and mix again until dough is soft, not overly sticky, and not stiff. (It is not necessary to use the entire amount of flour.)

Scrape dough off sides of bowl and pour about one tablespoon of vegetable oil; work oil all around sides of bowl. Turn dough over in bowl so it is covered with oil. (This helps prevent dough from drying out.) Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise in warm place until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours. Sprinkle cutting board or counter with flour and place dough on floured board. Roll out and shape as desired. Place on greased or parchment-lined baking pans. Cover lightly with plastic wrap. Let rise in warm place until rolls are doubled in size, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Time Out For Women

2009-09-18T15:26:00.000-07:00

So I was talking to my mom about going to Time out for Women, and it occured to me that it would be SO much fun if all of the ladies in the Anderson Family went with us! I can finally go to this since it is Friday night and all day Saturday, as opposed to all week like Education Week that I just can't make from year to year! SO, here are the details:
Friday, November 13, 2009
6:30 - 9:30 PM
Saturday, November 14, 2009
9:00 AM - 3:45 PM
Salt Palace Convention Center
Fee-$57 {if 5 or more sign up in your group, you get a $10 discount each if you register by October 14th}

The speakers and guests are:
Jenny Oaks Baker {enough said!}
Mary ellen Edmunds-hilarious
Sheri Dew-amazing speaker
Hillary Weeks-amazing musician & voice
Emily Watts-hilarious writer

Check out the Time Out for Women Link:
http://deseretbook.com/timeout/event/68

So, let me know if you are interested in going. I need a commitment by
September 30th so I can reserve the tickets and get the discount. If we want the discount and we can get more than 5 people, I will just register everyone together and collect checks from everyone to make it easier.

Email me at suzukiviolin@hotmail.com if you are IN! This would be so much fun to get all of the Anderson ladies together, so hopefully we can all go and enjoy together!
Love, Andrea

BYU BOYS TRIP

2009-09-16T10:30:00.001-07:00

If your husbands are interested in traveling to the BYU vs Wyoming game the first week of November, tell them to contact my dad, Brad, or Regan. Word got out at the cousin party that this might happen, and now just check out tentrash.blogspot.com to see the status! It would be a ton of fun for all of the guys to show their true blue colors at the crazy game in Laramie!
Brad: 801-792-2401
Regan: 801-554-9622

Christmas Project

2009-09-16T10:27:00.000-07:00

I am working on a Christmas Project for Christmas, and I was wondering if the cousins that were not able to come to the party could do me a favor. Can you send me a picture of yourself and if you have kids as well to suzukiviolin@hotmail.com?
That would be great if you could help me out.
These are the people I need pictures of:
Shalene & DJ
Austin, Ethan & Andrew
Jared, Jamie & kids
David, Jill & Kids
Steven & Kristin
Maurianne
Craig & Kara
Robby
Melissa
Reed
Suzy
Thanks so much everyone!!!

Rafael's Salsa

2009-09-15T14:19:00.000-07:00

While the tomatoes are in season I stick tomatoes in the blender and crush them instead of using canned tomatoes as the recipe call for. This salsa is great fresh or bottled. If your not a cilantro fan or you just happen to be out it is still delicious.

Rafael's Salsa

5 Fresh Tomatoes
1 1/2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
1 cup (8 ounces) tomato paste
2 Fresh Bell Peppers
5 Fresh medium-hot jalapeno peppers or (1/2 cup canned in water, not vinegar).
* I use 1 small can of mild fire roasted jalapeno peppers
1/2 to 1 bunch fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons salt
1/2 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 - 2 cups water

Chop all fresh vegetables. Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan. Simmer 15 minutes, then bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let cool for about 20 minutes, add cilantro.

~ Rafael's Mexican Restaurant

Cousin Hootenanny

2009-09-15T09:03:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all of the Cousins who made it to the Cousin Hootenanny! I am so glad we all got a chance to get together and just talk! I am pretty disapointed that we weren't able to play the following games though:
1. Red Rover
2. Mother may I?
3. Statues
4. Red Light Green Light
5. No Bears are out Tonight
6. Around the World
7. Spookalley's
8. Hide & seek
9. Hypnotizying
10. Anything else you can think of?
I am also glad that the younger generation could get together and play with each other! My kids had a blast playing with all of the cousins! Let's plan a Christmas Cousin Party and play some fun games together! Thanks for coming again!!
Love, Andrea

RSVP

2009-09-08T07:31:00.000-07:00

Here is who I have heard back on for the Cousin BBQ this Monday night at 8:00
Ryan & Laura-Dessert
Suzy & Tommy-Salad
Heather & Graham-dessert
Jenny & Alan-cooke salad
Ashley & Brett-Chips & dip
Melanie & Lee-Veggie Tray
Teresa & Tyler-salad
Becky-coming after work!!

People I haven't heard from:
Maurianne
Shalene {Can Teresa or Becky let her know details?}
Craig & Kara
Kimmy
Sammy
{If any of you want to bring either sour cream, grated cheese or bacon bits for baked potatoes, that would be great!}

Here are directions to my house if you don't know how to get here!
From 1-15, get off at Bangerter and head west {go past redwood road where the bluffdale house is} get off at 13400 south and keep heading west. Turn left at smiths which is 5600 west. Go down the road and turn right on mirabella. Take 1st left which is rosaleen road, then 3rd left which is morning light. Take 1st right which is our street-maple run circle. My address is 14286 South Maple Run Circle. My phone number is 801-253-4045 so call me if you have any problems!

It should be a fun Cousin Hootenanny!!

Chicken and Cheese Chimichangas

2009-09-01T20:07:00.000-07:00

Prep Time: 30 minutes (not including thaw time)
Skill Level: Intermediate
Servings: 12

12 Rhodes Texas™ rolls, thawed and risen
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1-1/2 cups shredded, cooked chicken
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
salsa
vegetable oil for frying

salsa, sour cream and grated cheese, if desired

Sauté onion and garlic in oil. Add chicken and cook over low heat until heated thoroughly. Remove from heat and add cheese. Flatten each roll to a 5-inch square. Spread each square with 2 teaspoons salsa. Spoon 1/4 cup chicken mixture onto half of each square. Fold over the other half and pinch the edges to seal. Pour oil 2 to 3-inches deep into a small sauce pan or an electric frying pan and heat to medium high setting or 375°F. Fry each chimichanga approximately 3 minutes on each side. Serve with salsa, sour cream and grated cheese, if desired.

Variation: Instead of frying, these can be baked at 350°F 20 minutes.

Heather's note: I used a large can of chicken because I am lazy, that is what made this so easy! I also used whatever frozen rolls I had in the freezer, this recipe came from Rhodes so that is why it calls for those. Anyway we loved this and hope you do too!

Hootenanny time

2009-08-07T10:38:00.000-07:00

So after having a great time talking to my wonderful cousins at the Turner Reunion, I decided that we need to get together for a Cousin Reunion since we really don't get to talk to each other that much! SO, I am proposing a Cousin Hootenanny!!
Mark your Calendars:
Monday, September 14th at 6:00
Andrea's House-14286 S. Maple Run Cir.
Who-All Cousins! From Chrissy to Tereasa!
(if you have kids, bring them so they can play together!}
Food Assignements: Just bring a salad, veggie or fruit tray, chips & dip or dessert to the BBQ and I will provide the BBQ chicken.
Let me know if you have any questions-suzukiviolin@hotmail.com
So excited to have a fun night with all of my cousins!!!

Need More Meal Ideas??

2009-07-30T21:22:00.000-07:00

Hi family! I thought I'd let y'all know about a collaborative recipe blog that my best friend in Rochester started and which I am contributing too. This woman is a phenomenal cook (it runs in her family--her brother is a professional chef!) and has already posted all kinds of great recipes. I thought I'd let you all know about it. Maybe you will find something new to try or a quick idea for dinner. Bon appetit!

All of our Twists (on our Favorite Recipes)

p.s. Check out the blog banner. I made it and I think it's pretty cute if I do say so myself. :)

Cinnamon-Sugar Bundt Cake

2009-07-11T09:59:00.000-07:00

This is such a delicious cake. My friends love it when I make this cake!

1 yellow cake mix
4 eggs
3/4 cup oil
2 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup water
1 cup cinnamon sugar
1 pkg instant vanilla pudding (do not prepare pudding)

Mix all ingredients together and beat well for 8 minutes. Grease sides of bundt pan and coat with cinnamon-sugar. Pour half the cake mix into the pan. Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar over the cake. Then add the rest of the cake mixture. Bake for 50 minutes at 350. Let stand 8-9 minutes before turning over. Can be glazed.

Happy 30th Anniversary!

2009-07-08T15:05:00.001-07:00

Renae & Brad just celebrated their 30th Wedding Anniversary! Here are a few pictures from the Surprise Party we threw for them! Yes, that is Ashley and Angie wearing the actual wedding dress and bridesmaid dress! Skinny girls!!!

Feelings

2009-07-07T12:10:00.003-07:00

Does anyone even like this Anderson Hootenanny Blog or should we dissolve it?
Thoughts:

We will miss you Melissa!

2009-06-02T14:19:00.000-07:00

Good luck tomorrow as you go into the MTC Melissa! We are all so excited for you and you will be an amazing missionary!

{Good luck with the whole curb side drop off at the MTC-I just read that in the paper to prevent the swine flu from coming into the MTC! That is so lame in my opinion, but enjoy the curb side service!}

Memorial Day

2009-05-28T14:52:00.000-07:00

We had another great year at the Bluffdale Cemetary seeing family and listening to the same patriotic songs we have heard since I can remember. Here are some pictures of some of the graves.

On a side note, good luck to Melissa as she prepares to go on her mission and speak on Sunday! We are excited for you!

Mac and Cheese

2009-05-02T08:33:00.000-07:00

I saw this recipe on a friend's blog, it is from Oprah. It looks and sounds so good. I am definately going to try it.

Ingredients:Serves 4
1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni
Nonstick cooking spray
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 cup nonfat skim milk
1/2 cup butternut or cauliflower puree
1 1/2 cups shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese (about 8 ounces)
4 ounces (almost 1/4 cup) reduced-fat or nonfat cream cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain in a colander.
While the macaroni is cooking, coat a large saucepan with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add the oil, then the flour, and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture resembles a thick paste but has not browned, 1 to 2 minutes.
Add the milk and cook, stirring every now and then, until the mixture begins to thicken, 3 to 4 minutes.
Add the vegetable puree, Cheddar, cream cheese and seasonings and stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Stir in the macaroni and serve warm.

Crockpot Chicken

2009-04-10T13:02:00.000-07:00

Hey I am looking for a new and different recipe to do some sort of chicken in the crock pot and would love any suggestions out there! :)

The rumor is true

2009-04-03T12:39:00.001-07:00

I heard we were not have a girls hootenanny tomorrow night while the men are at priesthood session. This really saddens me because it is tradition.

I just miss seeing everyone. Is that a crime?

Here is a popcorn ball from me to all of you, to remember the good times.

Tortilla Soup

2009-04-01T09:31:00.000-07:00

This recipe is a favorite in my house...especially since I am on a quest of losing weight! It is very healthy, low fat and yummy!

4 Cooked Chicken Breasts, cubed
4 cups chicken broth
4 cups stewed tomatoes {I blend them before so they aren't chunky}
1-2 can corn
1-2 can black beans
Taco Seasoning
{Heat this mixture up in a pot until hot}

Toppings:
Lime Tortilla Chips
Squeeze of Lime
Cilantro
Cheese
Avacado, diced

Delicious on these cold snowy days in Utah! Where is our beautiful Spring days?

Melissa's Mission Call

2009-03-16T15:48:00.000-07:00

Hello! I heard that Melissa may or may not get her mission call in the mail on Wednesday! I think it would be fun if we all guessed where she is going and why, if there is a reason.

Kimmy-South Carolina {for no specific reason}
Can I have 2 votes? Of course I can, you know I am her mother. I can see Melissa living in a hut in the middle of know where with children all around teaching them that they are children of God. I also can see Melissa greeting thousands of people who come to were she is serving testifying of the restored gospel and of Joseph Smith.

1) South Africa, because she has always had a love for the South African people.

2) Nauvoo, because she loves church history and loves the people that lived during that early period of the church.

-California
Ashley-Nauvoo, Illinois mission. Or Thailand-that is where I would want to go.
Suzy-So I have always thought that Melissa would get called to Africa. I think that she has always wished that she was African. Because of that I will guess South Africa.
Jenny-I guess somewhere in the midwest. I think it would be cool if she went where Grandma served.
Annette-Can I have 2 votes? Of course I can, you know I am her mother. I can see Melissa living in a hut in the middle of know where with children all around teaching them that they are children of God. I also can see Melissa greeting thousands of people who come to were she is serving testifying of the restored gospel and of Joseph Smith.

1) South Africa, because she has always had a love for the South African people.

2) Nauvoo, because she loves church history and loves the people that lived during that early period of the church.
Jill-Hmmm. I'm guessing the Dominican Republic just for the heck of it.
Seth guesses Ohio
Joel guesses Alabama
Nate guesses a Lake
Marsha-I think that Melissa has the physical, emotional, and spiritual strength to be called on a mission to Guatemala, as well as the strong family who would support her call. But I also think she could use her strengths in any mission . . . maybe the Boise Idaho/Spanish-speaking mission . . . the Athens, Greece/Chinese-speaking mission . . . the Australia/Aborigine mission . . . the Emery, Utah mission . . . and so on. Melissa has so much going for her, she could make it anywhere!
Maurianne-England
David-Argentina

Smothered Chicken

2009-03-16T15:28:00.000-07:00

This recipe comes from Shandra Madsen (the deals to meals lady in my ward who can recreate any restaraunt recipe!) This recipe comes from Outback steak house and it is fabulous! It is one of my FAVORITE DINNERS!

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts {I use frozen chicken strips and put them across my big griddle}
Garlic powder and seasoned salt to taste {I sprinkle on Montreal Chicken Spice}
1 T. Vegetable oil
Button mushrooms, cut in halves
1 C. shredded cheddar cheese blen
1/4 c. chopped green onions
1/2 c. real bacon bits {I use real bacon crumbles in a bag to make it easier}
1/2 c. tomatoes
1 bottle BBQ sauce

Flatten chicken to 1/4 inch thick. Sprinkle with seasonings. In skillet brown chicken in oil for 4 minutes. Cook in separate pan bacon until done and bacon is crisp. Add mushrooms to bacon mixture for the last 5 minutes to soften mushrooms. Top cooked chicken with 1 T. BBQ sauce, mushrooms, bacon, green onions and cheese. Cover and cook until chicken is done and cheese is melted, about 10 minutes. Serve with garlic mashed potatoes and honey mustard.

Honey Mustard Sauce
1 c. Mayo
1 c. Dijon mustard
1/4-1/2 cup honey
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 cup lime juice
1 tsp. ginger powder
Mix. Add extra honey or lime for desired taste

Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
5 lb. russet potatoes (or red potatoes)
1/2-1 whole 16 oz. tub sour cream {depending on how much moisture you need in your potatoes}
1 cube butter {I personally don't use this}
8 oz. whipping cream or milk
fresh or dried parsley
1 clove garlic
salt and pepper
peel potatoes and cut into large chunks. Boil water and add potatoe chuncks. Boil until potatoes are fork tender. Drain majority of water from potatoes. Mash potatoes with either an eletric mixer or potato masher. Add whipping cream or milk, butter, sour cream, garlic, salt, pepper and parmesan cheese.

{You put the potatoes on the bottom, then the chicken, then a dab of the honey mustard and it is SO yummy!}
{This could be a high calorie dish, so I use fat free ingredients whenever I can, do not add butter or cream, and no oil-just spray-then it turns it into a healthier dish!}

Addresses

2009-03-16T12:32:00.000-07:00

I am still looking for the following email addresses:
Aunt Maureen
Shalene
Becky
Tereasa
Aunt Nettie
Suzy
Melissa
Kimmy
Kara
Jami
If you have any of these email addresses, please email me so I can let them know about the family blog and make them blog authors as well!
Thanks!
Andrea

Banana Muffins

2009-03-14T12:33:00.000-07:00

This is a muffin recipe I got from an old coworker. I often make it into banana bread, and it's very good.

Banana Muffins
3 c. flour
2 c. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 lb. unsalted butter, melted
2 extra-large eggs
3/4 c. whole milk
2 tsp. vanilla
4 mashed bananas (3 if they're big)
1 c. coconut

Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and melted butter in the bowl of an electric mixer and blend. Combine the eggs, milk, vanilla, and bananas, and then add them to the flour mixture. Add the coconut. Don't overmix.

Spoon into muffin tins, each cup 3/4 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

For bread, pour equal amounts of batter in two normal-sized bread pans. The cooking time is closer to 45 minutes, but I don't know exactly how long it is--just use the toothpick test, and you'll know when it's done.

Deals to Meals

2009-03-13T15:22:00.000-07:00

This morning I was on Good Things Utah! That is right, I was in the studio audience supporting my friend who is the most amazing cook I have ever met! She has this website where you can find food storage deals at the top 5 grocery stores in Utah and then turn those ingredients on sale into meals! The meals are all so yummy and I copy off the recipes every week and put them into a binder. {It also gives you the ingredient list!}

Anyway, just wanted to tell ya about my meal finder that I use all of the time!

{Side Note: I still don't have any of the Dunn Girls Emails, Any of the Mark Andersons and Brent Anderson's email addresses, so if you have them, please send them my way so I can tell them about the blog! You can post anything you want-recipes, news, anything!!}

Cheddar Bay Biscuits (like at Red Lobster)

2009-03-12T17:32:00.000-07:00

I saw a Red Lobster commercial today and my mouth started watering at those Cheddar Bay Biscuits. Yum. I decided we needed to have them with our spaghetti and salad for dinner tonight. The recipe is super simple and I don't know if anyone else really cares, but I thought I'd jump right in and share:

3 cups Bisquick® baking mix (or other similar mix)
1 cup milk
1 cup grated cheddar cheese (I like sharp)
1/4 cup butter (margarine works too), melted
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
Parsley flakes for garnish (optional)

Mix baking mix, milk and grated cheese with a fork until moistened--will be lumpy. Drop by spoonfuls onto a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 450 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until nicely browned. Generously brush tops with melted butter that has been mixed with the garlic powder (I use all the butter). Serve while hot. Good stuff. Serves about 8.

So there ya go.

Welcome to the Anderson Family Hootenanny!

2009-03-10T17:33:00.000-07:00

So, it all began today as I was talking to Aunt Nettie. She was saying how cool it would be if we had a family blog dedicated to sharing recipes! Well, I heard that and thought, yep-that is an excellent idea! So, without further delay...

Introducing the new Anderson Family Blog {Hootenanny-for those of you who like to party!}

Everyone will be an author, so post a recipe, or anything you want to whenever you want so everyone can enjoy! There are many Anderson Favorite Recipes that can be included, as well as new recipes!

Happy Blogging everyone!
Love, Andrea