Cooking with Hardt & Soul

By Helen Hardt

Welcome to Cooking with Hardt & Soul!

 

This eclectic collection of recipes comes from the fans and family of #1 New York Times bestselling romance author Helen Hardt.

 

What is more romantic than cooking for a loved one? Every living creature on the planet needs to eat to survive, but human beings are the only ones who combine ingredients, spices, and heat to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Cooking is an art, and our kitchens are our palette. Cooking is, at its heart, an expression of love—love for the food, love for the person you're preparing it for (even if it's a meal for one), and love for the process.

 

So from Helen and her readers to you… Bon Appétit!

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hardt & Sons
• Release date: Nov 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215441961

Helen Hardt

#1 New York Times, #1 USA Today, and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Helen Hardt’s passion for the written word began with the books her mother read to her at bedtime. She wrote her first story at age six and hasn’t stopped since. In addition to being an award-winning author of romantic fiction, she’s a mother, an attorney, a black belt in Taekwondo, a grammar geek, an appreciator of fine red wine, and a lover of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. She writes from her home in Colorado, where she lives with her family. Helen loves to hear from readers. Visit her here: www.helenhardt.com www.facebook.com/helenhardt

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BREAKFAST

BISCUITS AND GRAVY

Submitted by Stephanie M.

Ocoee, Florida, USA

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I got this recipe from my mother. She's not a big fan of sausage but when I make the gravy, it's a hit, not only with my mom and kiddo, but the guys at work love it too!

INGREDIENTS:

1 package Jimmy Dean sausage

2 tablespoons flour

2 heaping tablespoons butter

2 cups milk (adjust to desired thickness)

Salt and pepper (as desired)

1 package frozen biscuits

PREPARATION:

Brown sausage (don't drain grease)

Push the sausage to one side of the pan

Add butter and flour to make a paste

Add milk slowly and stir

Add salt and pepper to desired taste

If gravy is too thick, add a little more milk

BMAC BREAKFAST

Submitted by Brittany M.

Alliance, Nebraska, USA

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This recipe is my own.

INGREDIENTS:

1 box gluten-free dairy free pancake mix

Bacon (as desired)

Eggs (as desired)

Blueberries (as desired)

Oat milk (as desired)

1 bottle corn syrup

1 shot Crown maple whiskey

Sugar (as desired)

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

PREPARATION:

Make pancake mix (use oat milk instead of water and add an egg yolk to make extra fluffy)

Add blueberries to liking

Prepare pancakes as directed on packaging until they are done all the way through

Make bacon to liking

Make eggs to liking

Combine corn syrup, Crown maple whiskey, and sugar as desired for homemade syrup

Add vanilla extract to homemade syrup

Plate pancakes, eggs, and bacon together, and top with syrup

SLOOP

Submitted by Kim V.

Erie, Pennsylvania, USA

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I created this recipe when I needed to use stuff up, so I just kept adding ingredients to the pan. My son loves it too. We eat it for breakfast or dinner.

INGREDIENTS:

Sliced potatoes (as desired)

Mushrooms (as desired)

Peppers (as desired)

Onion (as desired)

Eggs (as desired)

Cheese (as desired)

Diced ham (as desired)

PREPARATION:

Fry potatoes, mushrooms, peppers, onion, and ham in oil or butter

Beat eggs and scramble them into the pan

Melt cheese on top

APPETIZERS

3, 2, 1 ONION DIP

Submitted by Debbie G.

Pensacola, Florida, USA

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I got this recipe from a friend. I make this delicious appetizer/finger food for parties. My mom LOVES it. Ritz crackers go best with this dip.

INGREDIENTS:

3 packages cream cheese, softened

2 cups grated parmesan cheese

1 cup mayonnaise

1 small onion (yellow or purple), grated or finely chopped

Paprika (as desired)

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 350°F

Mix all ingredients together and place in a baking dish/pan

Sprinkle with paprika before baking, if desired

Bake for 25 minutes

CHEESE BALL

Submitted by Karen A.

Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada

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This is a recipe from my husband’s side of the family. I divide the amount of peppers in half since I don’t do spicy.

INGREDIENTS:

1 brick of cream cheese, softened

2 finely diced jalapeños peppers (optional)

8 slices of bacon

1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce

1½ cups of grated sharp cheddar cheese

Crackers (any kind)

PREPARATION:

Fry bacon until crispy

Mix cream cheese in a large mixing bowl until smooth

Add Worcestershire sauce and combine

Add diced jalapeños (optional) and mix until well combined

Add sharp cheddar cheese and mix until well combined

Place mixture on cling film and shape into a ball

Place cheese ball in fridge until firm

Crumble cooked bacon into bits

Roll cheese ball in bacon bits

Place on serving plate with crackers

DILL DIP

Submitted by Anita B.

Shelby, Ohio, USA

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My best friend’s Mom shared this recipe with me fifteen years ago. I love it.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup mayo

1 cup sour cream

1 tablespoon minced onion

1 tablespoon dill weed

1 teaspoon season salt

PREPARATION:

Mix all ingredients together

Refrigerate 2 hours before enjoying

SIDES, SOUPS, AND SALADS

BARBECUED GREEN BEANS

Submitted by Bonnie W.

Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania, USA

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I made this recipe up—I figured everything tastes good with bacon! When I make these for the holidays as something different, they are always enjoyed, even by those who don't like green beans.

INGREDIENTS:

4 slices bacon

¼ cup onions, chopped

½ cup ketchup

¼ cup light brown sugar

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 16-ounce cans green beans, drained

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 350°F

Place the two cans of drained green beans in a casserole dish and set aside

Dice bacon and fry with onions until bacon is prepared to desired doneness

Add ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce

Bring mixture to a boil

Pour ketchup mixture over green beans, do not stir

Bake for 20 minutes

Stir and serve

CHILI

Submitted by Brittany M.

Alliance, Nebraska, USA

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This recipe is my own.

INGREDIENTS:

2 cans chili beans (mild or hot)

2 cans dark red kidney beans

2 cans navy beans

2 cans white beans

2 cans diced tomatoes

1 can corn

1 half diced onion

1 diced green bell pepper

1 diced jalapeño (optional)

2 pounds ground beef

Chili powder (as desired)

Salt and pepper (as desired)

Garlic powder (as desired)

1 pinch cajun seasoning

½ pinch celery salt

Oregano (as desired)

Basil (as desired)

Parsley (as desired)

1 pinch of Rosemary

2-3 cups tomato juice

Water

Shredded cheese (optional)

PREPARATION:

Add all canned goods to pot

Add all seasonings

Dice veggies and add to pot, stir

Bring to boil for 5 minutes

Bring pot down to simmer

Brown 2 pounds of hamburger and drain

Add hamburger to pot, let it simmer