{Our Favorite} Cheeseball

Cheeseballs have been a New Year's Eve tradition in our family for as long as I can remember.  They start appearing at Thanksgiving, at my Grandma's house, and then again at Christmas, and making one final debut for the year on New Years Eve. Are you a cheeseball lover?  I sure am, but especially for this particular recipe. 

What New Year's Eve snack do you have each year? 

I've only tried store-bought cheeseball a few times, I've never been super impressed with them.  The ones I've tried taste like that have easy cheese or something too soft and too fake for me.  This cheeseball is inspired from my Grandma King's recipe.  She has told us she does it a little different each time, so we've tried over the last few years to nail down what we love, and I think we've got it.  

Leesh and I love cheeseball.  We don't live very close - about 10 hours away from each other.  But when we were together right before Christmas you better believe that cheeseball was involved.  We love this cheeseball so much in fact - we might have cleaned off an entire block of cream cheese just by ourselves while we were chatting and snacking after our kiddos were in bed.

The recipe is simple - and comes together in 10 minutes or less.  The blue cheese can be optional but it's what "makes the cheeseball" for us.  We are blue cheese lovers!  Our kiddos even love it!  We serve it with crackers.  I'm a huge fan of Wheat Thins and Triscuits. But it will work on any kind of cracker you love too!

We hope this is something you'll try out for your New Year's Eve party this year.  

Try it and then tell us about it.  We with you a Happy New Year.

Cheeseball

Printable Version {Click Here}
Ingredients:

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2 blocks cream cheese (full or less fat), softened to room temperature

½ cup crumbled blue cheese, more or less to taste (optional, but recommended)

2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon McCormick Bon Appetit seasoning salt blend (see *note* below for substitute) OR 2 tablespoons ranch powder

8 ounces sharp or extra sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated

1 cup nuts, chopped (optional) I prefer pecans or almonds

Directions:

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*Note* - you can use ¼ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground celery seed, ½ teaspoon onion powder in place of the McCormick Bon Appetit seasoning salt.

Chop nuts fine and leave in a small plate or dish for rolling the cheeseball in

In a medium size mixing bowl mix the cream cheese, blue cheese, worcestershire sauce, and seasoning of choice together.  Once mixed thoroughly add the shredded cheddar cheese and mix until incorporated. Roll into a ball (I like to wear plastic disposable gloves so I don’t have to clean it all off my hands), and then roll into ball (or you can simply put it in a serving dish without it being a ball) and then roll to coat the outside in the chopped nuts.  If you are going to serve immediately place on a serving dish with crackers.  If you aren’t going to use til later, wrap in plastic wrap and put in the fridge until ready to serve.

Recipe Source:

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Inspired by our Grandma Kathy King’s famous cheeseball.

Merry Christmas

We wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas!  We hope you have a wonderful holiday and that you get to spend it with those you love, and that you get to eat lots of good food!  

Thanks for supporting us in our blogging adventure this past year. We're almost at year 4 of sharing recipes here at Leesh & Lu's Recipe Box.  It's been a fun few years! We hope you have enjoyed the recipes we've shared.  We enjoy sharing them with you!  Having followers makes this fun!  We love good food and can't help but share it! 

We are thankful for all we have. For our family, friends, and most important our Savior Jesus Christ.  Christ is the most wonderful gift of the season.  

Merry Christmas from Leesh....

 and Merry Christmas from Lu! 

Merry Berry Salad

Isn't this salad pretty?  I love how pretty it is!

This is one of my favorite salads and it's perfect for the Holidays. My mom has been making this salad for several years now. If I remember right she first made it to take the their annual Christmas party that they do with their college friends.  I love that they still keep in touch!  I think it's so awesome. But since this salad made it's first debut in the family, it's been coming back again and again.  

It really could be made year round, but it seems seasonal with the dressing that is loaded with fresh cranberries. Isn't the color wonderful? It's not only beautiful, but super delicious.  

It comes together rather fast.  You can buy a pre-bagged salad mix or wash and prepare your own.  We enjoy it with Romain and red/green lettuce.  The apples (or strawberries or blueberries) really add some pretty color to the salad, and so do the dried cranberries.  I'm a fool for fruity salads! The dressing is easy to whip up. It calls for fresh cranberries and some thawed apple juice concentrate. We've found that buying it in the handy Langer's brand bottles makes it easy to use a small amount at a time and save (it comes in a clear plastic bottle with screw on lid). 

I hope you will enjoy this salad this holiday season!

Merry Christmas!

  

Merry Berry Salad

Printable Version {Click Here}

Ingredients:

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1 head of romaine or green leaf lettuce, washed, and chopped

1 honeycrisp or other sweet apple, diced into bite size pieces

1 green apple, diced into bite size pieces

½ - ¾  cup Parmesan cheese, grated

½ cup dried cranberries

½ cup sliced or slivered almonds, toasted

(you can also use other berries, like strawberries and blueberries if you don’t want apples)

Dressing:

½ cup fresh cranberries

¼ cup white sugar

¼ cup apple cider or red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons thawed apple juice concentrate

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground mustard

¼ teaspoon onion powder

½ cup canola oil

Directions:

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In a small skillet heat over medium heat and add almonds. Toast by stirring them constantly until slightly browned, 3-5 minutes. Set aside to cool before placing on the salad.

Wash and spin salad and place in a large serving bowl.  Top with grated parmesan cheese, as much as desired (½ - ¾ cup about).  Next you’ll arrange the other salad toppings in rings around the bowl. Chop apples  (toss in a small amount of lemon juice if you won’t be serving soon, to prevent browning) and arrange in a ring around the outside or the bowl (see picture in post), then arrange the cranberries around the bowl just inside the apples. Next place the almonds in the center.  Wrap with saran wrap and place in the fridge if not ready to eat right away.

With an immersion blender or regular stand blender. Add all the dressing ingredients except the oil and blend til smooth, slowly add the canola oil in a small drizzle to the mixture and blend til smooth and creamy looking.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.  Toss salad with dressing before serving.  

Recipe Source:

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Slightly adapted from Diana K., who got it from allrecipes.com

Creamy Pumpkin Coconut Curry Pasta

I shared this recipe on Landee Lu a few weeks ago.  This is the perfect pasta for fall and winter!  I feel like there are a few flavor combinations that are meant to be together.  Some of my favorites, to name a few, are: apple and cinnamon,  coconut and chocolate,  peanut butter and chocolate. Would you agree?  Have you ever tried this combo?  Pumpkin, coconut and curry? If you love Indian food you probably have.  I'm a big fan of this flavor combo - and couldn't resist the thought of these flavors combined with pasta.  This is great with or without chicken.  And if you use gluten-free pasta, you can have a gluten-free meal. It's also dairy free for those with allergies.  Pasta is something my whole family enjoys! The results of this creation have been enjoyed by us all. 

So, enter Creamy Pumpkin Coconut Curry Pasta.  If you don't want the chicken, this is a one pot meal. Which I am a huge fan of! Please tell me I'm not the only one who strives for less dishes. When we make this we like to grill the chicken on our outdoor grill, which also equates to less dishes.  Cooking is fun for me on most nights, but I dread the clean up, so I cheer loud and hard for meals with less dishes!

This dish is full of flavor!  The coconut flavor is soft and subtle, and the spices keep you coming back for just one more bite.  I hope this will warm you up this Fall and Winter season!

Happy eating!

-Lu

Creamy Pumpkin Coconut Curry Pasta {with or without chicken}

Printable Version {Click Here}

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons coconut oil
1 yellow onion, finely diced
1 pound pasta (I used penne)
1 (13.66 oz) can unsweetened full-fat coconut milk, separate cream from milk
3 - 3 ½ cups chicken broth (can use water with 3 teaspoons chicken base or 3 bouillon cubes)
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon salt
¼ - ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (choose your spicy scale)
1 teaspoon yellow curry
⅛ teaspoon turmeric
a pinch of cinnamon (I use Saigon cinnamon)
1 ½ tablespoons dried parsley flakes
More red pepper and parsley for garnish (optional)
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For the chicken:
1 pound chicken breast, pounded thin
Olive oil
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon yellow curry
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon dried onion (or ¼ teaspoon onion powder)

Directions:
If you want to add chicken to the pasta, start by preparing the chicken.  Combine black pepper, salt, curry, red pepper and the dried onion/onion powder in a small bowl.  Pat chicken dry and brush with olive oil and rub with the seasoning mix.  Grill or pan cook until cooked thoroughly.  Set aside and slice into strips to top the pasta.

For the pasta: In a medium size saucepan or 12-inch deep dish skillet add the coconut oil and onion, and saute over medium heat until translucent, about 4-5 minutes.  Open the can of coconut milk and separate the cream from the milk. Set the cream aside. Place the milk in a 4 cup measuring cup. You’ll need 4 cups of liquid, so use chicken broth or water and bouillon/chicken base to make 4 cups liquid.   Add the liquid to the pot with the onion, along with the pumpkin, salt, red pepper flakes, curry, turmeric, cinnamon and parsley.  Bring mixture to a boil and boil for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until pasta is done to your liking and most of the liquid is absorbed.  You’ll be left with nice pasta and sauce left.

Top with chicken if desired and serve hot. 

Notes:
Reheat leftovers on the stove or in the microwave with  little extra water or broth added (1-2 tablespoons) and stir to incorporate.

Source: Created by Lu from leeshandlusrecipebox.com - inspired by my favorite Pumpkin Coconut Curry Soup and this pasta. Originally posted on the Landee Lu Blog.

Creamy Mushroom & Wild Rice Soup

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you were able to spend it with those you love!  As we get ready for the busy and festive Christmas season, I thought you might enjoy this soup on a cold night to warm you up.  

This recipe comes from my friend, Becky.  She sent my husband home with a big jar of it around this time last year when I had my third baby.  I was so excited for some fresh homemade soup when we got home from the hospital!  And I may or may not have hid the leftovers for my lunch! Talk about yum! There is something about this soup that just reminds me of home, comfort, love, and I don't know, I can't nail it, but something sentimental. I couldn't get enough.  This is comfort food to me! And it's and it's loaded with all sorts of good nutrition. That's a win-win for me. Thanks for the great recipe, Becky!

I have had a serious mushroom obsession lately!  I can't get enough! Seriously though! It's crazy to me that I love them so much because I didn't' really like them as a kid.  There are so many things I love to eat them in, stroganoff, an omelet, on pizza, in salad, fried in butter, and especially in soup.  My mouth is watering!

You have to admit that mushrooms are pretty weird looking, maybe that's why some kids don't like them.  My 4 year old always sees them and says "ewww".  However, she really loves to help me cook and she did all the stirring while we made this soup. She was so proud of her self as she cooked the onion, garlic, and celery til it was tender and yummy. She kept saying, "it's smelling good, mom, what does it smell like?"  We both love garlic.Then she saw me cutting up mushrooms and more mushrooms and even more mushrooms.  I dice them pretty small since I like them that way and becasue I think they are better disguised that way from certain 4 year olds. And she loved this soup, and there were no comments about mushrooms while she ate. She just gobbled it up, so did my one year old! It was a success! I love it when the kids gobble up dinner.  It makes my life happy! No whining at the dinner table is my favorite!

I hope you enjoy this soup too!  I'll be sharing some more mushroom favorites in the future! 

Stay tuned!

-Lu

Creamy Mushroom & Wild Rice Soup

Printable Version {Click Here}

Ingredients:

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4 tablespoons butter (or olive oil)

½-1 yellow onion, diced fine

3 cloves garlic, minced

3-4 ribs of celery, diced fine

4 carrots, finely chopped or grated (I like grated, easier to eat for the my 1 year old, and I like little chunks)

1 teaspoon thyme

16 ounces mushrooms, chopped (I chop them fine so my 4 year old doesn’t say “eww”, and then she eats them)

½ cup wild/brown rice mix

5 cups chicken stock (or water mixed with 5 teaspoons chicken base or 5 chicken bouillon cubes)

1 cup water

Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup half and half (with 2 tablespoons cornstarch for thickening if needed, I haven’t need it)

2-3 tablespoons butter (optional)

Directions:

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In a large stock pot melt butter over medium heat and add onions, garlic, celery, carrots and thyme.  Cook for 5-7 minutes stirring occasionally until they are soft, add mushrooms and cook until they are soft and cooked well.

Add chicken broth, water and rice.  Bring to a boil and reduce heat until you have a gentle simmer. Simmer at least one hour, until rice is cooked (but you can for a few if you want to start early), adding more liquid if desired, to reach create the desired consistency.  

Just before you are ready to eat add 1 cup of half and half  (you can mix in 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to the cold half and half before adding if you want to thicken the soup, I haven’t needed to do this) to the soup and mix. Bring it to a gentle simmer again until it’s as thick as you want.  Add salt and pepper to taste - and if you didn’t use butter to cook the vegetables stir in a few tablespoons to add a rich flavor.  

Serve hot and enjoy!  

Recipe Source:

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Slightly adapted from my good friend, Becky N.

Pumpkin Roll {with step-by-step picture tutorial}

I love the way food brings family together.  And speaking of together, this exact Pumpkin Roll recipe was the one that was served at my parents wedding reception (see pictures below) back in 1984, we they were brought together forever.  Both my grandmothers and my mom helped make tons of these to serve at the wedding reception.  This recipe is meaningful to me because of that, but not only is it sentimental it tastes divine.  

Have you ever had a pumpkin roll?  If not, let me just tell you what they are all about.  The cake-y layer is made up of a moist spiced cake made from scratch.  Then it's filled with creamy rich cream cheese frosting and rolled up.  It's very elegant looking and it sure to please the kids and adults.  My 4 year old daughter loves anything spiral, becasue she think it looks cool.  I have to admit, I love that too.  There is something about that swirly look that gets you and you just want to eat it around in the spiral.  Kind of like Cinnamon Rolls are for me.  I like to save the center for the late bite becasue it's the most tender.  Mmmm.  

I've included step-by-step instructions on how to make this. It's different than any other dessert I make, but it's not hard.  

I think these are perfect to serve in the Fall and Winter.  And in case you aren't a pie person or want something special besides pie for Thanksgiving, this should do the trick. 

I just had to include some pictures from my parents wedding day.  I love these pictures! I'm so glad my parents are together forever!  Love you Mom & Dad!

The recipe is down below.  Here is a handy picture tutorial.

After mixing the cake batter you'll generously sprinkle powdered sugar on a clean flour sack towel. 

 

You'll grease the pan with butter and line it with parchment leaving a inch or two over hang on both ends. Butter the top side of the parchment as well. This cake is not going to stick. :)

 When the cake is done, you'll immediately turn it over onto the powdered sugar towel.  

 Then you'll lift the pan off, being careful not to burn yourself. 

Then carefully peel the parchment off, it shouldn't stick really, you had lots of butter on that pan and on the parchment paper.

 

Then you'll start rolling up the cake with the towel on one of the short sides . Fold the end over before you start. 

 Keep rollin'.

 Once it's all rolled up let it sit for 10 minutes. 

During those 10 minutes add the powdered sugar, butter, cream cheese, vanilla and dash of salt in a medium size bowl.

Using a hand mixer whip the frosting until smooth and creamy.

 When the 10 minutes are up start carefully unrolling the towel.  

 Once it's all the way unrolled you'll see that it has some shape to it from cooling in a spiral. 

 Dollop the frosting on top. 

 And spread evenly all the way across the cake.

 And start rolling it back up again.

Place the beautiful pumpkin roll on some waxed paper or parchment paper and roll up. This will help it not stick to the wrapping. 

 Then wrap in foil.

And put it in the fridge next to your jalapeno pepper and let it chill for at least a few hours. It also freezes well if you want to make it ahead of time and take it out to thaw. 

Sprinkle additional powdered sugar on top if you desire. Cut by tying with dental floss in the size sections you want. And enjoy!

Pumpkin Roll

Printable Version {Click Here}

Yield: 1 pumpkin roll

*Notes: You can bake this in a 10x13 jelly roll size pan or in an 11 x 17 half baking sheet size.  The directions below indicate the bake time and temp for an 11 x 17 - if you want to do the jelly roll size - follow all the same instructions but bake at 375 for about 12-15 minutes. This also freezes great if you want to make ahead and then thaw before serving.

Ingredients:

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3 eggs

1 cup white sugar

⅔ cup pumpkin puree

1 teaspoon lemon juice

¾ cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon nutmeg

2 teaspoons cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ginger

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6 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature

4 tablespoons butter, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla

dash of salt

Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Directions:

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Preheat oven to 350 degrees (see note above).  Grease a 11 x 17 baking sheet with butter and line with parchment paper so that it overhangs on the short ends a few inches on each side. This will make for easy removal.  Butter the top of the parchment as well.

In a medium size mixing bowl beat 3 eggs. Add the sugar, pumpkin and lemon juice and mix until smooth.  

In a separate bowl combine the flour, soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt and ginger; whisk until combined well.  Gradually add to the wet mixture and stir until combined, taking care to not overmix. Pour mixture into the well greased and lined baking sheet and smooth evenly.  Bake for 12-14 minutes or until you can insert a toothpick and only a few moist crumbs.  While the cake is baking lay a clean flour sack towel on your counter and sprinkle generously with powdered sugar in an area that is as at least as big as the pan. After the towel is ready start prepper the cream cheese filling.  

In a medium size bowl combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, vanilla and salt.  Whip with hand mixer until smooth and creamy and set aside.  

When the cake is done immediately dump it onto the coated towel and start rolling up on one of the short ends.  Let it set for 10 minutes.  After the 10 minutes unroll the towel gently and spread the entire cake with the filling and start rolling it back up on the same end you started with before.  

Once it’s rolled place it on wax paper or parchment and wrap it up, and wrap again in foil. This helps it so it won’t stick to the foil for easy serving. For best results; chill for several hours or overnight.  When ready to serve remove from wrapping (sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired) and tie with dental floss to cut. Enjoy!

Recipe Source:

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Lightly adapted, from my Grandma, Kathy K, made changes to baking temp and time and pan size.  This was served at my parents wedding reception.  

Gourmet Green Beans

I feel a bit bad that I've been holding out on you guys by not sharing this sooner.  These beans are perfect for a Thanksgiving side. That's why I'm sharing them now.  But really we enjoy them all summer long when fresh beans are in abundance, but they are just as good with frozen beans too, so really they should be enjoyed all year long!

I first tried these beans several years ago when staying at my Uncle DJ & Aunt Lisa's. I almost feel weird calling them my uncle and aunt, because they are only a few years older than me, and more like my peers. :)  When I tried these beans, I was instantly converted to having this kind of bean from then on.  No more canned string beans for me!  These are so easy to fix and come together in a flash, that they are practically as easy as canned beans. 

Aunt Lisa (she's gonna love that), didn't really give me a recipe, but told me how she does this.  So I've made them several times, more times than I can count.  I wrote down what I did after following her instructions so I can share this goodness with the world.  Aunt Lisa says that they are also super good with bacon added in. Um, hello! I think that would be fabulous! And also some caramelized mushrooms!    She says she usually adds the bacon and/or mushrooms for special occasions, like say, Thanksgiving or a Christmas dinner. If you want to keep it simpler for a regular week night you can forgo the bacon and mushrooms and just do the beans and almonds, whatever floats your boat! Super yum!  

I have to say this is probably on my top 5 favorite vegetable dishes of all time.  I'm probably holding out on your more since I haven't shared all of those, but one of my other favorites is this Zucchini Sauté. I'll try to get on that, and share some more. In the meantime, enjoy these gourmet green beans!

  

Gourmet Green Beans

Printable Version {Click Here}

*Notes:

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I don’t give any specific amounts here - I never measure anything when I make these. I just lightly sprinkle the seasonings below until I think it looks like enough. And you can do as many or as little almonds as you like (I usually make enough for 4 servings of beans and use about ¼-⅓ cup of almonds).  Also you can use any kind of almond you have. I usually always have whole ones, and you can chop those up. Or buy slivered or sliced almonds. Use what you’ve got.  

Ingredients:

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1-2 tablespoons olive oil

Fresh or frozen green beans, ends snipped off the fresh ones and washed

Kosher or regular salt to taste

Black pepper to taste

Garlic powder to taste (or fresh minced garlic)

Almonds (chopped, sliced or slivered - I’ve used them all 3 ways and they are all good)

Bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)

Caramelized mushrooms, (optional) - to caramelize just saute in a pan with some olive oil til cooked, soft and some brown spots

Directions:

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In a 12-inch skillet heat oil over medium heat until hot.  Add beans and sprinkle with the seasonings (as much as desired).  Cook beans stirring frequently until they are hot and until the sides are browned a little; you want them mostly cooked, but still with a nice little crunch in the middle. Add the almonds the last 2-3 minutes.  If you use fresh minced garlic add it at the end with the almonds and cook it in one little section of the pan for about 30 second and mix it up in the rest of the mixture.  

Serve hot, and enjoy!

Recipe Source:

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Inspired by the beans my aunt Lisa makes! She didn’t give me a recipe, so I’m not sure if this is exactly how she does it, but it is more or less. :)