Carrot and Rice Casserole

Tonight is Recipe Party!  I've missed the last two months and I'm determined to go this time.

Our theme is Holiday Favorites.   Of course it wouldn't be Christmas without pulla, but I've already made that for them.  And we always have rice porridge and I've already done that for them.  So, when I asked my Mother what her holiday favorite is she named this casserole.  Of course there are other casseroles and many sweets too that are traditional and favorites.  I can hardly wait to make the Joulu Torttuja (prune tarts), but since I only make those once a year, so I'm not doing them yet!  Many of you listed your favorites on my Facebook page too.  I appreciate that.  I hear I need to try and make divinity for example and other candies. 

While my family gets frozen lasagna, I'm making this carrot and rice casserole for the ladies tonight.  Well, I hope I get it done in time!  I'm way behind schedule because I'm on the computer selling Scentsy as a fundraiser for our boys's gymnastics during the holidays!  

Title: Porkkana Laatikko (Carrot and Rice Casserole)

Description:

This is the traditional Finnish Carrot and Rice Casserole served at Christmastime in Finland.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs. carrots, peeled and sliced

1/2 cup uncooked rice

1 cup half and half

1 egg, beaten

2 tablespoons brown sugar

salt to taste

2-3 Tbs. chopped almonds

Directions:

Boil carrots in salted water until done. Drain and save the water. Remove carrots from pan and add enough water, if necessary, to make 1 1/2 cups pour rest of of liquid back into the pan and let it come to a boil. Stir in uncooked rice. Cover and steam on low for 20 minutes. Meanwhile mash cooked carrots. Add half and half, beaten egg, and brown sugar, mixing well. When rice is done, stir into carrot mixture, adding salt to taste.  Pour into a well greased 1 1/2 quart casserole dish.

A great compliment for meat dishes, especially ham. Freezes well.

Number Of Servings: Serves 6-8.

Preparation Time: Boil carrots for 20 minutes. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

Pumpkin Pancakes

Made these for Halloween breakfast this morning!
Pumpkin Pancakes

2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons vinegar

Mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil and vinegar. Add brown sugar.  Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger and salt.  Stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake making bats, pumpkins, witch hats, jack'olanters, etc.  Use chocolate chips for eyes and teeth.  Brown on both sides and serve hot. Serve with heated cinnamon applesauce and maple syrup.  You may add whipped cream too.  Use your imagination.  Serves 6.

Mummy Dogs and Pumpkin Shakes

Last night we had a kids Halloween party and I served mummy dogs and pumpkin shakes.  Sorry no pictures -- missing camera, bummer for the holiday.

Mummy Dogs (Serves 8)
8 Hot Dogs or Veggie Dogs
1 Package breadsticks in a can
Mustard and Ketchup
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Spray a cookie sheet.  Pop open the can of breadsticks.  Separate them into 8 pieces.  Wrap one long piece of dough around 1 hot dog.  Leave a space for the face of the mummy.   Repeat until all 8 are wrapped.  I let each wrap their own.  Bake and when the hot dogs are cool, dot the ketchup and/or mustard with a toothpick and make eyes on the face.  Serve.


Pumpkin Shakes (Serves 2)
1/2 Cup Pumpkin (I used canned)
1 Cup Rice, Almond or Cow’s Milk
Pinch Cinnamon
Pinch Nutmeg
1 Tbsp Agave Nectar
1. Place all the ingredients in a blender.
2. Puree until smooth.
3. Serve.

Thanks to Weelicious for this recipe.

Unique Cake Mix Cookies

Tonight for Family Home Evening I made another cookie recipe from a cake mix.  This recipes is also credited to Stephanie Ashcraft from 101 "Things to Do with a Cake Mix"!  I promise not to make all 101 recipes and they aren't all cookies.  They are bars and mostly cakes. 

Unique Cake Mix Cookies

2 eggs

1/3 cup honey

1/3 cup margarine

1/2 cup flour

1 cake mix, any flavor (I used fun flavor ORANGE today!) 

Blend eggs, honey, margarine, flour and 1/2 cake mix.  Beat until fluffly, mix in rest of cake mix.  Roll into small balls and bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees.  Makes 2 dozen.

Cake Mix Cookie

I needed a fast dessert and remembered Stephanie Ashcraft's cookbook my Mother gave me entitled "101 Things to do with a Cake Mix" and pulled it out and pulled off a quick cookie in under 30 minutes!  Give it a try!

Cake Mix Cookies
1 cake mix, any flavor (I used chocolate today)
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup chocolate chips
3/4 oil
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix together cake mix, brown sugar, oil and eggs.  Stir in chocolate chips after dough has formed.  Cook on ungreased cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.