My New Year's Day Menu (Update: Pictures Added 1-6-11)

New Year's Day Menu
(I'll post the pictures after I make the food)

Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole
Macaroni and Cheese
Collards
Black-eyed Peas
Yeast Rolls
Corn Bread
Fried Okra
Ham
Layered salad
Turtle Pie
Cheesecake


I'm lazy this year and I'm not making the desert myself. Everything is pretty much the usual preparation.


The collards will be washed and cooked in a pot of water, with a tablespoon of salt, half a teaspoon of sugar, a slice or two of bacon or salt pork and a dash of liquid smoke (only a dash). Liquid smoke can add an extra punch of flavor if used sparingly, but it can also completely ruin your special dish if you use too much.


I'm only using my crock pot for this one recipe:

Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole

I put the crock pot in the oven for about 5 minutes to brown the top

Layer in a 9×12 greased pan

2 lbs thawed frozen has browns
1/2 c melted butter
1 t salt
1/2 t pepper
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 pint sour cream
2 c grated cheddar cheese

For the topping:

Mix 2 cups crushed cornflakes with 1/2 cup butter.

Combine potatoes, 1/2 cup butter, onion, soup, sour cream and cheese. Stir well.

Spoon mixture into a buttered ovenproof 2 1/2 quart casserole.

Place corn flakes into a small Ziploc bag and crush them until fine using a rolling pin or the back of a large spoon. Stir in the remaining butter and corn flakes. Sprinkle over potato mixture.

Cook in crock pot for 3 to 4 hours or bake in a pre-heated 350°F oven for 50 minutes.


Easy Yeast Rolls
(This is a Paula Deen recipe)

My husband made the comment that my daughter must have made these. He never likes my bread.

Ingredients

• 1 (1/4-ounce) package active dry yeast
• 3/4 cup warm water (98 to 105 degrees F)
• 2 1/2 cups plus 1/2 to 1 cup prepared biscuit mix
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Dissolve the yeast in the water. Put the 2 1/2 cups of biscuit mix in a large bowl; stir in the sugar. Add the yeast mixture, stirring vigorously. Sprinkle the work surface generously with the remaining 1/2 to 1 cup biscuit mix.

Turn the dough out onto the surface and knead well, 15 to 20 times. Shape the dough as desired. (I shape heaping tablespoons of dough into balls). Place on a lightly greased baking sheet, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.

Just before putting into oven, brush rolls with melted butter. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Brush the rolls again with melted butter while they're hot.

Layered Salad

In a medium fancy dish, place a layer of lettuce or salad mixed greens,  then chopped onion, then some sliced boiled eggs, then some sliced cucumber and then another layer of lettuce. Sprinkle some thawed frozen green peas throughout as you prepare each layer.


Topping: Mix 1 teaspoon of sugar with 3/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise and spread over the top. Sprinkle some black olive and shredded cheddar cheese over that.


Happy New Year! I hope your feast is magnificent!