Family Recipe File

It's like your mom's recipe index card box, but digital.

Author: Chef

  • Chicken Wing Sauces

    Ingredients

    • Teriyaki: soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, honey, and grated ginger
    • Cilantro Lime: lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, garlic, and cumin
    • Chili Garlic: soy sauce, olive oil, chili garlic sauce, and lime juice
    • Honey Dijon: olive oil, soy sauce, whole-grain Dijon, and honey
    • Balsamic: balsamic vinegar, honey, whole-grain mustard, garlic, and red pepper flakes
    • Paprika: olive oil, rice wine vinegar, garlic, paprika, and thyme

    Instructions

    1. Choose one sauce variation.
    2. Whisk the listed ingredients together until combined.
    3. Toss with cooked wings or use as a glaze near the end of cooking.

  • Pinto, Black, and Red Bean Salad with Grilled Corn and Avocado

    Description
    A hearty bean salad with grilled corn, charred onion and jalapeno, cilantro, lime, and avocado.

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup halved grape or cherry tomatoes
    • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
    • 3 ears corn, shucked
    • 1 medium white onion, sliced
    • 1 jalapeno
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1/3 cup chopped cilantro
    • 1/3 cup lime juice
    • 1 can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
    • 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
    • 1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
    • 2 avocados, diced

    Instructions

    1. Sprinkle the tomatoes with half the salt and let stand 10 minutes in a large bowl.
    2. Brush the corn, onion, and jalapeno with the olive oil and grill until lightly charred.
    3. Cut the corn from the cob, chop the onion, and finely chop the jalapeno.
    4. Add the grilled vegetables to the tomatoes.
    5. Add the remaining salt, cilantro, lime juice, and all three beans and toss well.
    6. Top with the avocado before serving.

  • Dinner Salad

    Description
    A simple side salad with chopped vegetables, ranch, cheddar, and croutons.

    Ingredients

    • 1 bag 50/50 salad mix
    • Ranch dressing
    • Carrots, chopped
    • Celery, chopped
    • Croutons
    • Salt and pepper
    • Grated cheddar cheese

    Instructions

    1. Add the salad mix to a bowl.
    2. Toss with the carrots, celery, ranch, salt, and pepper.
    3. Add the cheddar and croutons just before serving.

  • Homemade Carrot Cake

    Description
    A moist carrot cake with pineapple, optional pecans and raisins, and cream cheese frosting.

    Ingredients

    • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
    • 2/3 cup light brown sugar
    • 1 cup vegetable oil
    • 1/2 cup buttermilk
    • 4 eggs
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 1/2 cup crushed pineapple
    • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 2 1/2 cups finely grated carrots
    • 1 cup chopped pecans, optional
    • 1 cup golden raisins, optional
    • For the frosting: 16 ounces cream cheese, 4 ounces butter, 2 teaspoons vanilla, and 3 to 4 cups powdered sugar

    Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and prepare two or three round cake pans.
    2. Beat together the eggs, sugars, oil, buttermilk, vanilla, and pineapple.
    3. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and nutmeg.
    4. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
    5. Fold in the carrots, pecans, and raisins.
    6. Divide the batter between the pans and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 25 to 40 minutes depending on pan size.
    7. Cool completely.
    8. Beat the frosting ingredients together until smooth and spread between the layers and over the cake.

  • Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Description
    Classic chocolate chip cookies from the family notes.

    Ingredients

    • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup butter, room temperature
    • 1/2 cup white sugar
    • 3/4 cup light brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 eggs
    • Chocolate chips

    Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
    2. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
    3. Cream the butter with the white sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
    4. Beat in the vanilla and eggs.
    5. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a smooth dough forms.
    6. Fold in the chocolate chips.
    7. Bake about 12 minutes for chewy cookies or up to 15 minutes for crispier cookies.

  • Cinnamon Bacon Cookies

    Description
    Sweet-salty cookies made with bacon fat, peanut butter, and cinnamon sugar.

    Ingredients

    • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1/4 cup salted butter, room temperature
    • 1/4 cup bacon grease, cold
    • 1 1/2 cups sugar, plus 2 tablespoons for topping
    • 2 eggs
    • 1/2 cup peanut butter
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 2 teaspoons cinnamon

    Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
    2. Mix the cinnamon with the topping sugar and set aside.
    3. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
    4. Cream the butter, bacon grease, and sugar until combined.
    5. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the peanut butter and vanilla.
    6. Add the dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
    7. Scoop tablespoon-size portions, roll into balls, and coat in the cinnamon sugar.
    8. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake 8 to 10 minutes until golden.

  • Slow Cooker Coffee Cake

    Description
    A cinnamon-streaked coffee cake made in the slow cooker with a simple glaze.

    Ingredients

    • 2 1/2 cups flour
    • 3/4 cup sugar
    • 1 1/4 cups brown sugar, divided
    • 2 teaspoons cinnamon, divided
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
    • 2/3 cup vegetable oil
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 1/3 cups milk
    • For the glaze: 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

    Instructions

    1. Whisk together the flour, sugar, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, salt, and baking soda.
    2. In another bowl whisk the oil, eggs, and milk.
    3. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
    4. Mix the remaining brown sugar and cinnamon together.
    5. Grease the slow cooker and pour in half the batter.
    6. Sprinkle with the brown sugar-cinnamon mixture, then add the rest of the batter.
    7. Cover with a clean dish towel under the lid and cook on high about 2 1/2 hours, checking around 2 hours.
    8. Whisk the glaze ingredients together and drizzle over the finished cake.

  • Campfire Oreo Cookie Skillet

    Description
    A campfire skillet dessert with cookie dough, Oreos, and marshmallows.

    Ingredients

    • 1 package chocolate chip cookie dough
    • 10 Oreos, broken
    • 1 cup mini marshmallows
    • Ice cream, optional

    Instructions

    1. Set a grate over a campfire.
    2. Combine the cookie dough, Oreos, and marshmallows in a cast-iron skillet.
    3. Cover with foil and cook about 9 minutes until the edges are deeply golden.
    4. Let it cool slightly and serve, with ice cream if you like.

  • Fiesta Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa

    Description
    Lime-marinated chicken finished with a fresh avocado, tomato, and jalapeno salsa.

    Ingredients

    • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon lime juice
    • 1 tablespoon lime zest
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
    • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
    • Salt and black pepper
    • 2 avocados, diced
    • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
    • 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
    • 1/2 jalapeno, finely chopped
    • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
    • 2 tablespoons lime juice for the salsa
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil for the salsa

    Instructions

    1. Whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
    2. Coat the chicken in the marinade and refrigerate at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours.
    3. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and lightly grease a baking dish.
    4. Bake the chicken 20 to 25 minutes until cooked through.
    5. Meanwhile combine the avocados, tomatoes, red onion, jalapeno, and cilantro.
    6. Whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper and toss with the avocado mixture.
    7. Let the chicken rest briefly, then serve with the avocado salsa spooned over the top.

  • BBQ Drumsticks

    Description
    Oven-and-broiler barbecue drumsticks served with cauliflower mash and slaw in the source notes.

    Ingredients

    • 8 drumsticks
    • 2 scallions, chopped
    • For the spice rub: kosher salt, black pepper, sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne
    • For the sauce: ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, mustard, white vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, and sriracha

    Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
    2. Mix the spice rub ingredients together.
    3. Toss the drumsticks with a little oil and coat with about 3 tablespoons of the spice rub.
    4. Bake 25 minutes.
    5. Meanwhile simmer the barbecue sauce ingredients for 3 to 5 minutes.
    6. Brush the chicken generously with sauce and broil 5 to 8 minutes until charred in spots.
    7. Garnish with scallions and serve.

    Notes

    • The original source includes cauliflower mash and slaw on the side; this recipe focuses on the drumsticks themselves.