Life's uncertain. Eat dessert first.

Strawberries'n'Cream Trifle

2011-05-02T17:35:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
Small sponge cake, pound cake, or lady fingers
Large box of Jell-O Vanilla pudding
Tub of Cool Whip or 1 quart of whipped cream
Fresh strawberries cut into slices
Whole strawberries for garnish
Red jam of your choice

Make vanilla pudding following the instructions on the box. Put in medium sized mixing bowl. If it's the cook and serve, chill in the fridge. Add half the cool whip/whipped cream to cooled pudding. Break cake up into bite size pieces. Line a trifle dish* with cake bits. Drop a thin layer of jam on top of cake. Drop on a layer of pudding on next. Layer strawberry slices on top of pudding. Repeat layers until dish is full. Finish with a generous layer of whipped cream and garnish with whole strawberries. Serve immediately.

*We made individual servings in iced tea glasses since we do not have a trifle dish.

Cottage Pie 2

2011-05-02T17:29:00.000-07:00

From Lara

1 1/2 pounds of mashed potatoes (whipped with milk, cream, sour cream, however you like)
2 TB canola oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 carrots, peeled and sliced small
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 1/2 ground beef (or ground lamb for traditional shepherd's pie)
1 1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of pepper
2 TB flour
2 TB tomato paste
1 cup chicken or beef broth
1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons freshly chopped rosemary leaves*
1 teaspoon freshly chopped thyme leaves*
1/2 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
1/2 cup fresh or frozen peas

While potatoes are boiling before mashing, make beef filling.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Place canola oil into a 12 inch saute pan and set over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add onion and carrots and saute until they begin to take on color, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and stir to combine. Add ground beef (or lamb), salt, and pepper and cook until browned and cooked through. Sprinkle meat with flour and toss to coat, continuing to cook another minute. Add tomato paste, broth, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, and thyme and stir to combine. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer slowly 10 to 12 minutes or until the sauce is thickened slightly.

Add the corn and peas to the meat mix and spread evenly into an 11 by 7 inch glass baking dish. Top with mashed potatoes, starting around the edges to create a seal to prevent the mixture from bubbling up, and smooth with a rubber spatula. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 25 minutes or just until the potatoes begin to brown. Remove to a cooling rack for at least 15 minutes before serving.

*I didn't have these herbs fresh, so I just used a dash of the dried herbs.

Doctored Cake Mix Recipe

2011-04-27T22:01:00.000-07:00

These tweaks make a cake-mix cake denser, moister, and more like a pound cake. Perfect for carving or stacking for fancier cakes.

Cake mix
4 eggs
1 1/4 cup milk (whole milk will give best results)
1 TB oil
1 small box (4 serving) of powdered pudding mix of a complimentary flavor.

Mix ingredients together. Pour into greased cake pan and bake at 300-325 for a little longer than recommendations based on the cake mix instructions. Just check with a tooth pick every 10 minutes longer than the recommended time.

Delicious!

Roasted Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Spicy Coconut Curry Peanut Sauce

2010-12-23T14:12:00.000-08:00

Coconut Curry Sauce

Ingredients:

2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup Lite coconut milk
1/3 cup orange juice
Juice of 1 lime
2 tbsp honey
1-2 tbsp red curry paste
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp fresh minced ginger
1/2 tsp garlic

Method:

In a medium sized bowl whisk together peanut butter, coconut milk, orange juice, lime juice, and honey. Add curry, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic.

Mix until smooth and even and set aside.

Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:

1 Rotisserie chicken, shredded or sliced
1 pint red, orange, and yellow mini bell peppers, thinly sliced
2-3 cups matchstick carrots
1 oz can water chestnuts, drained and chopped
3-4 green onions, sliced
2 oranges; skins removed and thinly sliced
Zest from 2 oranges
1 head of lettuce leaves rinsed and patted dry
Chopped peanuts
Snipped cilantro
Wonton strips (optional)
Lime wedges

Method:

In a sauté pan over medium heat, pour desired amount of curry sauce over sliced chicken. Heat for 1-2 minutes, or until sauce starts to bubble. Remove from heat.In a sauté pan over medium heat, pour desired amount of curry sauce over sliced chicken. Heat for 1-2 minutes, or until sauce starts to bubble. Remove from heat.

To assemble wraps:

Place curry chicken inside lettuce leaf, top with carrots, chestnuts, peppers, cilantro, green onions, peanuts and wonton strips. Squeeze lime juice over top, if desired.

Makes 4-6 servings

Amy Richardson Studio 5

Royal Icing

2010-12-15T20:17:00.000-08:00

3 egg whites
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 tsp. almond extract or white vanilla extract

Place all ingredients in bowl and beat on medium high for a full 10 minutes. Icing will become thick and glossy but will not increase in volume. Keep covered with damp cloth while using, removing small portions to bowl as needed. Tint if desired. To thin, add a few drops of water. Royal icing hardens with a nice sheen.

Gingerbread

2010-12-12T23:12:00.000-08:00

4 cups of flour
1 cup of sugar
2 TB baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp clove
1 1/2 tsp ginger
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup shortening
2/3 cup molasses
2 eggs

Mix together. Grease and flour pan; use either a large sheet cake pan, or divide dough and make thinner gingerbread in two cookie sheets. Press/roll into pan. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. If using the smaller cookie sheets, reduce baking time to 18 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes. While gingerbread is still warm and soft, cut out shapes for the gingerbread house. Cool on rack. Assemble with royal icing when cool.

Turkey Tetrazzini

2010-11-29T19:56:00.000-08:00

From Connie Zierke, a favorite of Justin's using leftover Thanksgiving turkey.

3 cups of wide egg noodles
2 cups (or however much you have) of diced turkey leftovers
1 yellow onion, diced small
1/2-1 cube butter
2 small cans of mushrooms
1 can of turkey/chicken broth, at least
At least 1 can of evaporated milk
Ground sage
Salt
Pepper
Flour for thickening

Boil egg noodles. Put in a 9 x 13 casserole dish sprayed with cooking spray. Stir in turkey.

In a large sauce pan, sautee onions in at least 1/2 cube of butter (add more butter for desired taste/calories). When they are almost finished, add drained mushrooms and sautee. Slowly stir in evaporated milk. Add broth. If you desire more sauce, add more milk and broth, keeping the ratio about 1 to 1. Make a thickening paste with flour and water. Thicken until a gravy-like consistency. Add salt, pepper, and sage to taste. Pour over noodles in casserole dish.

Bake at 350 until sauce bubbles, about 30 minutes.

Praline Cheesecake

2010-11-29T19:45:00.000-08:00

Crust
1 1/2 cups of Nilla Wafers, crushed (about 50)
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted

Praline
1 cup chopped pecans
1 1/2 cups of butter
1 cup of brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Cheesecake filling
3 pkgs (8 oz. each) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
3 eggs lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla

In a small bowl, combine wafer crumbs, sugar, and butter. Press into the bottom of a greased 9-inch spring form pan. Sprinkle pecans evenly over crust.

To make praline: In a saucepan bring butter and brown sugar to a boil over medium heat stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Pour over pecans and crust. Refrigerate while making the filling.

To make filling: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs. Beat on low speed just until combined. Pour on top of crust.

Place pan on a cookie sheet with an edge/lip (some butter from the praline will melt out while baking). Bake at 325 for 50 minutes. Turn off oven. Leave cheesecake in oven for 30 more minutes. Do NOT open oven at all during baking or the cooling off period. This helps prevent cracking. Remove and let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Loosen edge of crust with a knife. Cool 1 hour. Refrigerate overnight.

Cutting tip: Run knife under hot water to heat the metal. Wipe dry and make one slice. Clean the blade, run under hot water, dry, and make second slice. This make all the slices pretty and smooth.

Sweet Potatoes

2010-11-23T21:46:00.000-08:00

Sweet Potatoes:
3 cups mashed sweet potatoes (canned)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 T. vanilla
1/2 cup melted butter
Mix then pour in 1 quart pan. Add topping:
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1 cup chopped nuts (pecans or almonds)
1/3 cup butter (don't melt)
Mix with fork then sprinkle crumbs on top of potatoes
Bake @ 350 for 30 minutes
Double for a 9 x 13 pan. Enjoy!!

Taco Soup

2010-10-31T15:04:00.000-07:00

1 lb. ground beef
1 onion
2 cans of diced tomatoes
2 cans of beans - any you like (kidney, black, chili, etc.)
1 (8 oz) can of tomato sauce
Taco seasoning mix - as much as you like (I use about 3/4 a packet)
Salt and pepper to taste

Shredded cheddar cheese
Tortilla chips
Sour cream

Brown ground beef and chopped onion in a skillet on the stove. Mix all ingredients in a crock pot. Let warm up. Dish into bowls and top with shredded cheese, crumbled tortilla chips, and a dallop of sour cream.

Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

2010-07-15T21:51:00.000-07:00

3 Tbsp. olive oil
1 c. minced white onion
1/2 cup chopped zucchini
1/2 cup frozen cut Italian green beans
1/4 c minced celery (about 1/2 stalk)
4 tsp. minced garlic (about 4 cloves)
4 cups vegetable broth (do not use chicken broth)
2 15 oz. cans red kidney beans, drained
2 15 ounce cans small white beans or great northern beans, drained
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup carrot, julienned or shredded
2 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 t. dried basil
1/4 t. dried thyme
3 cups hot water
4 cups fresh baby spinach
1/2 c small shell pasta

1 Heat 3 Tbsp. olive oil over medium heat in large soup pot.
2. Saute onion, celery, garlic, green beans, and zucchini in the oil for 5 minutes or until onions begin to turn translucent.
3. Add vegetable broth to pot, plus drained tomatoes, beans, carrot, hot water, and spices.
4. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer for 20 minutes
5. Add spinach leaves and pasta and cook for an additional 2o minutes or until desired consistency.
6. Makes about eight 1 1/2 cup servings.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

2010-07-15T21:43:00.001-07:00

1 c. plain bread crumbs
2 T. flour
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
1 c. milk
8-10 chicken tenders
2 c. dry bowtie pasta
2 T. butter
3 T. olive oil
2 t. garlic crushed
1/2 c. white table wine
1/4 c. water
2 T. flour
3/4 c. half and half
1/4 c. sour cream
1/2 t. salt
1/8 t. basil leaves
3/4 c. asiago cheese

Garnish:
8 broccoli florets and 4 mushrooms that have been lightly steamed
1/4 t. crushed red pepper flakes

Prepare pasta according to package directions. Cook to al dente and drain the pasta.

Wash and drain (dry) chicken trips. Mix bread crumbs, flour and Parmesan cheese together. Place milk in a small bowl for dipping. Dip chicken first in the bread crumbs, then the milk and back in the bread crumbs.

Add the oil to a skillet and heat to medium. Add the chicken strips and fry to golden brown. Remove from pan and drain chicken.

In a sauce pan, melt butter and add olive oil. Whisk in flour and stir until blended. Add garlic and stir in wine. Immediately add half and half, water and sour cream. When mixture is smooth and blended, add the asiago cheese. Stir in the basil and remove from heat.

To serve: Place 2 cups pasta in individual dishes. Spoon 1/2 to 3/4 c. sauce over pasta. Add broccoli and mushrooms. Place Parmesan chicken on pasta and sprinkle with the red pepper.

Chicken Cheese Soup

2010-07-15T21:38:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
6 chicken breasts or whole chicken
2-3 celery stocks sliced
2-3 potatoes diced
2 lb. Velveeta cheese
4-5 diced carrots
salt and pepper to taste
2 cubes chicken bullion

Directions:
Cook chicken breast in 2 quarts of water with celery, salt and pepper. Remove chicken from broth, add carrots, potatoes, and chicken bullion to broth and cook until tender.
Return chicken to broth, cut Velveeta cheese into cubes and slowly add to mixture and simmer until cheese is melted. NOTE: when adding cheese into soup turn temperature down to low to prevent cheese from curdling, do not boil.

Makes 8-10 servings

Chicken Tortilla Soup with a kick

2010-07-15T21:30:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
1 pack Bear Creek Tortilla soup mix (dry)
2 chicken breasts (cooked & shredded or cut into small pieces)
1 Lg. can diced tomatoes
1 small package frozen corn
1 15 oz can black beans (do not drain)
1 c. chopped fresh Cilantro
1 large jar salsa
1 sm can green chili salsa
1 large fresh zucchini cut into small pieces
1/2 c pepper and onion relish
1 1/4 cups wild rice (uncooked)
Tortilla strips or crushed tortilla chips for topping
Shredded jack cheese for topping
1 sliced avocado for topping
Sour Cream for topping

Directions:
1. Make tortilla soup mix according to directions. Add all ingredients except avocado, tortilla chips, and cheese.
2. Simmer Soup until squash is soft, but not too soft.
3. When served add chips, cheese, avocado, and sour cream

White Chicken Chili

2010-07-15T21:25:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:
One pound boneless, skinless, chicken breast cubed (Or one rotisserie chix torn into small pieces)
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 15.5 oz cans of Great Northern Beans, drained
1 14 oz. can chicken broth
1 7 oz can green chilies chopped
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (omit if you don't want the heat)
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 cup whipping cream

Directions:
In a large pot saute chicken, onion and garlic powder in vegetable oil, cook until chicken is no longer pink (or if using rotisserie chicken, cook until chicken is heated all the way through). Add beans, broth, chilies and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer uncovered for approximately 30 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in sour cream and whipping cream. Serve immediately. Top with cheese, green onions, and sour cream.

Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup)

2010-07-15T21:13:00.001-07:00

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 c. chicken broth
2-3 cups coconut milk
10 slices of fresh galangal (similar to ginger)
4 stalks lemongrass, smashed and cut into 2" lengths
6 green Thai chiles, cut in half crosswise
8 kaffir lime leaves
1/2 tsp of sugar (omit if you want to)
1/2 c. drained canned straw mushrooms
1/2 c. sliced bamboo shoot
3 T. fish sauce
1/4c. fresh lime juice, or to taste
1/4 c. cilantro
2 c. cooked jasmine rice

In a large pan, combine chicken, stock, coconut milk, sugar, galangal, lemongrass, chiles, and lime leaves. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce and simmer for 20 min. *Strain soup and place back in sauce pan. Add mushrooms and bamboo shoots, stir well. Raise heat to high and bring to boil. Add fish sauce, lime juice and then taste to adjust seasoning. Ladle into bowls filled with jasmine rice and garnish with cilantro.

*the galangal lemongrass and lime leaves are meant for flavoring and are too tough to eat, so you can just strain the soup. However, you can skip this step and just leave it in if you like.

Funeral Potatoes

2010-07-15T21:06:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

1 can cream of chicken
1 cup shredded cheese 1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. sour cream
1/3 c. onion or 2 Tbsp minced onion
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 32 oz. package of frozen hash browns
1/2 c. crushed cornflakes

Mix all ingredients together except the cornflakes Put in a 9X13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Remove from oven, stir and add cornflakes on the top. Bake for an additional 20 minutes.

Grasshopper Cake

2010-07-05T13:31:00.000-07:00

**Taken from Whitney's blog**

Hey Amy! Here's that cake recipe:

1 package mint sandwich cookies (Oreo or store brand)
Reserve 1/3 of the crumbs for sprinkling

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 container Mint Moose Tracks Ice Cream

1 large container of Cool Whip

1 Symphony bar with almonds and toffee pieces, chopped

1 jar of hot fudge sauce

Instructions:

Mix 2/3 of the crushed cookies with 1/4 c. melted butter. Press mixture into the bottom of a greased spring form pan or a 9X13 pan

Scoop out half of the container of ice cream and spread over crust using your scoop (your hands will melt the ice cream)

Layer the remaining 1/3 of the crumbs on top

Layer remaining ice cream on top of this, leveling out with your scoop

Layer the Cool Whip on top

At this point you may want to put the cake in the freezer for a while as it will be kind of melty at this point.

Now pour the chocolate syrup over the top. If you heat up the jar of chocolate sauce, it will cause the cake to melt a bit (it still tastes good though). A couple of other options are to use some Hershey Chocolate Syrup, or make a home made sauce that can cool and still be runny enough to pour over the top.

Now sprinkle the crushed Symphony Bar over the top and put the cake back in the freezer until ready to serve.

Cottage Pie

2010-05-27T19:14:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 onion, diced
3 carrots, diced
2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1 Tbsp. tomato paste
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 lb. shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. To make meat filling: Place a large skillet over medium heat. Crumble in ground beef and saute 1 minute. Add onion and carrot, then continue to saute until meat is no longer pink and onion begins to brown, about five minutes. Mix in flour, cinnamon, mixed herbs, and parsley.
3. In a small bowl, combine beef broth and tomato paste. Mix together, then add to beef mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste. Lower heat and simmer mixture for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until almost all of liquid has been absorbed. Spoon mixture into a 9 inch pie plate.
4. To make potato topping: Place diced potatoes in a medium saucepan. Cover with water and place over high heat. Allow to come to a boil. Boil for 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Drain.
5. Mash potatoes until smooth, then add butter or margarine, followed by milk. Whip until fluffy. Add salt and pepper to taste. Spread potatoes over beef filling. Sprinkle with grated cheddar cheese.
6. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes, until top is browned and cheese is bubbly.

(Alternate instant potatoes for steps 4 &5 for a quicker preparation)

Hot fudge sauce (mom's)

2010-05-27T19:09:00.000-07:00

1 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. cocoa
1/2 c. canned milk
2 Tbsp. butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Stir sugar and cocoa together in a sauce pan on stove over low heat. Don't let it melt! Add milk and butter. Bring to rapid boil for 2 minutes. Take off heat and add vanilla.

Yield: 2 cups

See's Fudge or Powdered sugar fudge

2010-05-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

2 eggs well beaten
3 cups powdered sugar
pinch of salt
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 c. butter (one and a half cubes)
1 1/2 c semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Melt together: butter and chocolate chips.

Mix together: eggs, powdered sugar (one at a time), vanilla, and salt.

Add chocolate and butter mixture to egg mixture.

Pour into greased 9X9 pan and regrigerate 3-5 hours.

German pancakes

2010-05-27T19:03:00.000-07:00

6 eggs
1 cup flour
1/2-1 cube margarine
1 cup milk
1 1/2 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Put margarine in 9X13 pan. Put in oven to melt. Don't burn butter. Remove pan when buter is melted. Place eggs in mixing bowl and whip with an electric mixer. Add milk. Gradually add flour and salt. Continue to beat until oven reaches 425. Then pour quickly into pan. Put in oven for 20 minutes. Cut in squares and sprinkle with powdered sugar and syrup.

Mom's buttercream frosting

2010-05-27T19:02:00.001-07:00

3 c. powdered sugar
1/2 cube butter
pinch salt
1 tsp vanilla or almond
4 Tbspt canned or regular milk as needed

Cafe Rio Tomatillo Dresing

2010-05-03T16:37:00.000-07:00

1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix
1 C Buttermilk
1 C Mayo
1 Tomatillo
1/2 Bunch of Cilantro
1 Clove of Garlic
1/2 Limes Juice
1/2 to 1 Small Jalepeno, seeds removed. For a little spicier add some of the seeds.

Blend all ingredients well in a food processor & refrigerate.

Pork Barbacoa (Cafe Rio)

2010-05-03T16:33:00.000-07:00

If you throw all of this into your pressure cooker and cook for about 1.5 to 2 hours then it's much faster than using the crock pot the way this recipe suggests.

2 lbs. Pork
3 Cans of Coke or Dr. Pepper (not diet)
1/4 C. Brown Sugar
Dash of Garlic Salt
1/4 C. Water
1 Can Sliced Green Chilies
3/4 can Red Enchilada Sauce (I use whatever color sauce I have on hand and just use the whole can, it always is fine)
1 C. Brown Sugar

Put pork in a heavy Ziploc bag to marinate. Add a can and a half of coke and 1/4 C. of brown sugar. Marinate for a few hours or overnight.

Drain Marinade and put pork, 1/2 can of coke, water, & garlic salt in crock pot on high for 3-4 hours (until it shreds easily, but don't let it get too dry). Remove pork from crock pot and drain liquids then shred pork. In a food processor or blender, blend 1/2 can coke, chilies, enchilada sauce, & 1 cup of brown sugar. If the mixture is too thick add more coke little by little until desired consistency is reached. Place shredded pork and sauce back in crock pot and cook on low for 2 hours.

Serve however you like. I like it in a tortilla with cilantro and any other yummy goodness I have on hand like salsa, beans, rice, cheese, tomatoes, etc.

Marsala Cream Sauce (Macaroni Grill)

2010-05-03T16:26:00.000-07:00

I recommend doubling this recipe. I found it barely made enough sauce for two generous servings. I ended up back in the kitchen trying to whip up another batch real quickly as we had dinner guests.

Ingredients
1 Shallot -- minced
1 tb butter
1 c Dry marsala wine
1 t Fresh thyme
1 c Heavy cream
2 tb butter -- cubed
Salt and white pepper -- to taste
1/2 c Grated parmesan (use the expensive stuff, you won't be sorry)

Instructions
Saute shallot in the butter, covered, for 5 min.
Add wine and thyme and reduce until only about 2 tbsp of liquid remain.
Add cream and simmer until reduced by half.
Add butter and stir continuously until fully emulsified.
Season with salt and pepper.
Stir in parmesan.
Keep warm until ready to serve. Serve over whatever kind of pasta you like.

I added sundried tomatoes and some sauteed orange and yellow peppers. So good!

Pasta Milano (Macaroni Grill copycat)

2010-05-03T16:23:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

12oz. bowtie pasta
1 Tbs unsalted butter
8oz. sliced mushrooms
1 1/2 cups fat free half & half* (regular half and half will make for a creamier sauce)
1 pkt. (1.6oz) Knorr garlic herb sauce mix
6oz. grilled chicken breast strips
1/3 cup sliced sundried tomatoes
1 Tbs grated parmesan
2 Tbs chopped parsley

Directions:

- Cook pasta
- Melt butter in large skillet. Add mushrooms, saute 5 minutes. Remove when tender.
- Add half & half and sauce mix to skillet. Bring to boil stirring often. Reduce heat and simmer 3 minutes until thickened.
- Stir in remaining butter, chicken, mushrooms, parmesan, tomatoes; heat through.
- Add pasta to sauce, top with parsley and serve.

Cheese Soup

2010-05-03T16:19:00.000-07:00

In one pot:
4 Cups cubed potato
2 Cups celery
2 cups carrots
1 1/2 cup onion (chopped)
3-4 cups water
Simmer 20 min.
Boil then put on med-low

In a separate pot:
3 c cold milk
1 sq. maragarine/butter
6 chix bouillon cubes
1 Tbsp. dry mustard
1/3 c. flour
salt and pepper
2lbs. Velveeta cheese
Cook on Medium heat until cheese melts and sauce thickens

Add sauce and vegetables together (Do not drain veggies)
Add a package of frozen broccoli
Cook until hot and vegetables are tender.

Apple Puffed Pancake

2010-03-29T20:56:00.000-07:00

Apple Puffed Pancake

This is my a recipe I got from my sister's cooking blog. Jordan and Afton loves it. I try to make it a lot for Sunday breakfast, it is kind of easy. I find that a blender does work the best.

Yummy...I usually tweak the butter & sugar in this recipe. Here's the original.

6 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour
1 TBSP sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
pinch grated nutmeg
1/2 cup butter
4 apples peeled & thinly sliced
1 TBSP brown sugar

Preheat to 425 degrees
Combine eggs, milk & vanilla in a blender
Add flour, granulated sugar, salt, cinnamon & nutmeg
blend
Place butter in 9x13 pan put in oven until melted
Place apples in baking dish & cook for 4 mins
Pour batter over apples & sprinkle brown sugar
cook for 20 mins

Irish Soda Muffins

2010-03-29T18:32:00.000-07:00

I made this for St Patty's dinner last week, and Lara requested that I post it. This a really good every day muffin too, I love the flavor that the sour cream gives. Remember this recipe only yield 6, so you might have to double or triple it. Enjoy!

I got this from Taste of Home magazine Fed/Mar 2007 issue

Irish Soda Muffins

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar divided
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons beaten egg
1/3 cup raisins

In a small bowl, combine the flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, whisk the sour cream, oil and egg; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in raisins.

Fill six greased or paper-lined muffin cups half full. Sprinkle with remaining sugar. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Serve Warm. Yield: 6 Muffins.

Mushion Pork

2010-03-28T17:27:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

4 pork chops
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 onion, chopped
2/3 cup water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Season and sear pork on stove (optional)
3. Place pork chops in a 9x13 inch baking dish. In a medium bowl combine the soup, onion and water. Mix well and pour mixture over pork chops. Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove cover and bake for another 15 minutes.

Amount Per Serving Calories: 197
Total Fat: 8.3g
Cholesterol: 65mg

*************************************************
Seriously easy and quite tasty. Nothing too spectacular, but a definite addition to the easy dinner repertoire. There will be some gravy left, so cook up a serving of rice or mashed potatoes.

- Lara

Meat Loaf (Mom's Recipe)

2009-09-01T18:14:00.001-07:00

1 egg beaten
1/4 cup milk
1 1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 tsp pepper
2 lbs ground beef
2 TB minced or chopped onion (fresh tastes best)
2 tsp salt
1 small can of tomato sauce

Mix together, reserving about 1/4 of the tomato sauce. Put in greased loaf pan. Spread the remainder of the tomato sauce on top. Bake 1 hour at 350.

Zucchini Cake

2009-08-27T20:02:00.000-07:00

1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup oil
1 1/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cup flour
4 TB cocoa
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp soda
2 cups shredded zucchini
Chocolate chips on top

Put in a greased and floured 9 x 13 pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake at 325 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Let cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Cheesy Chowder Soup

2009-08-27T19:56:00.000-07:00

Boil these ingredients until tender:
1/2 onion, chopped
2 cups of water
1/4 tsp. salt
1 carrot grated
4 potatoes, diced
1/2 cup celery, chopped

In a small pan melt:
4 TB butter
Add: 1/4 cup flour
2 c. milk
2 (8 oz.) cheez whiz

Add above to vegetable mix and add in 1 can creamed corn

French Toast Splendor

2009-07-08T18:33:00.000-07:00

1 loaf of French Bread (gently tear into pieces)
8 oz. Cream Cheese (cut into squares)

Place pieces of french bread in a greased casserole pan. Scatter the squares of cream cheese throught the pieces of bread.

Mix in a bowl:
8 eggs
2 1/2 cups of milk
6 TBL melted butter
1/2 cup of maple syrup

Blend and pour over the bread and cream cheese pieces. Gently squish the bread down until it has soaked up the egg mixture. Cover and let sit 2-4 hours. (Best if prepared the day/night before--it usually needs to cook bit longer too.)

Cook:
325 degrees for 35-40 min. uncovered. (check @ 35 minutes, bottom of the pan needs to be stiff and knife should come out clean.) Remove from oven and let sit for 20 minutes before serving.

Sauce:
1 cup apple juice
1 T. lemon juice
1/2 tsp cinnamon
4 T. cornstarch
1/2 cup sugar
2 T. butter

Cook over stove on medium heat until thick. Add in butter until mixed well and melted. May add more apple juice to dilute the sauce until your perfect consistency is reached.

Enjoy with sauce, or sauce + syrup.

Chicken Piccata

2009-06-11T19:07:00.000-07:00

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 egg
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/4 cup butter
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon powder
1/2 cup boiling water

DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl, beat the egg together with 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice. Set aside.

In a shallow bowl or dish mix together the flour, garlic powder and paprika. Dip the chicken in the egg/lemon mixture, then in the seasoned flour.

In a large skillet, melt butter/margarine and brown the coated chicken pieces (make sure chicken is a deep golden brown so the breading will stay on better).

Dissolve the bouillon in the boiling water, then add the remaining 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.

Pour liquid into skillet. Cover and let simmer for 20 minutes, turning chicken pieces after 10 minutes, until chicken is tender. Garnish as desired and serve.

Variations:
Add white wine to the buillion mix. Add cornstarch to the buillion mix for thicker sauce. Triple sauce amount and serve over pasta or mashed potatoes. Add capers. Add minced garlic. Pound chicken first.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

2009-04-26T11:03:00.000-07:00

From the kitchen of Stephanie Anne Frederick

2 c cooked diced chicken
2 c cooked diced ham
2 c instant rice (instant brown rice will take a little longer to cook)
2 c sour cream
2 cans of Cream of Chicken soup
2 c grated Swiss cheese
1/2 to 1 cup of milk

Mix together in a 9" x 13" casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Simple Whole Roasted Chicken

2009-04-26T10:47:00.000-07:00

Easy and tasty, this chicken has a sweet and savory flavor that is irresistable. Be sure to drizzle the drippings like sauce over your chicken.

4 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoon white sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (4 pound) whole chicken
2-5 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 sliced onion (optional)

In a bowl, mix the salt, sugar, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Rub the chicken with the mixture. Cover chicken, and place in the refrigerator for 24 hours.*

Preheat oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).

Stuff the chicken cavity with the garlic and onion. Place the chicken, breast side down, on a rack in a roasting pan.

Roast 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce heat to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C), and continue roasting 15 minutes. Baste chicken with pan drippings, reduce heat to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C), and continue roasting 30 minutes, to an internal temperature of 180 degrees F (85 degrees C). Let stand 20 minutes before serving.

We didn't have time to do this and the chicken turned out SO FABULOUS, so I wouldn't worry about this step. We didn't use a rack in the roasting pan and it was fine. We added just a bit of water to the bottom of the pan.

Banana Bread

2009-04-20T22:35:00.000-07:00

KATHY’S BANANA BREAD (Normandie Hays)

4 cups of flour
2 cups white sugar
1 ½ tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup of shortening
1 square of butter or margarine (softened)
6 ripe bananas, mashed (to equal 2 cups)
4 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla flavoring
1 cup of chopped walnuts if desired

Mix dry ingredients together with electric mixer. Add shortening & butter and mix until completely blended. Blend in eggs and bananas. Add vanilla. Mix well and add walnuts.

Grease & flour 2 - 8”x4 ½”x2 ¼ “ loaf pans.
Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes. Test with cake tester or toothpick. Bake until tester come out clean.

Cool in pans for 10 minutes then empty pans onto a wire rack.

Roasted Garlic Alfredo Sauce

2009-02-25T16:53:00.000-08:00

I saw this on Rachel Ray's show. We have really enjoyed this recipe. Here is the recipe off of her website.

3 tablespoons EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 head garlic
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup (2 handfuls) flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
1/2 cup Parmigiano

Slice the top half-inch off the top of a head of garlic. Place it on a piece of aluminum foil, drizzle with a little EVOO and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper. Wrap the foil around the garlic and place in the oven and roast for 45 minutes, until the garlic is soft and the flesh is golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool. When cool enough to handle, squeeze out all the flesh from the cloves onto a cutting board and, with the side of your knife, mash the garlic into a smooth paste.

Add the paste to a small saucepot over medium heat along with the cream and whisk to combine. Bring up to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook until the cream has reduced by half.

Place a large pot of water over high heat and bring up to a boil to cook the fettuccine. Add some salt and the pasta to the water and cook according to package directions to al dente. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Add the roasted garlic cream, 1/2 cup Parmigiano and parsley, toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Jeweled Jello

2009-02-25T16:46:00.001-08:00

This is a fun Jello recipe I found on another blog site (Gourmet mom on the go). We made it to take to our Super Bowl party tonight.

Here is the recipe:

Jeweled Jell-o
Ingredients:
4 small boxes of jello, different colors
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
water

Directions:
Dissolve each box of jello separately, into one cup of hot water. Pour into individual containers (small tupperware works well) and chill overnight.
Ready a 9×13 pan.
Cut flavors of jello into small blocks.
Mix together carefully in pan.
In a separate bowl, dissolve 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin in 1/4 cup cold water. Add dissolved gelatin to 1 3/4 cup hot water and condensed milk. Cool.
Pour cooled milk mixture over jello and chill overnight. Cut into 1" pieces and serve. This is a fun dish to serve at a party. You can color theme it for a holiday or a party. Have fun.

Swiss Chicken Cutlets

2009-01-08T14:50:00.000-08:00

SWISS CHICKEN CUTLETS by Normandie Hays

5 chicken breasts, skinless, boneless
Or use chicken tenders
2 beaten, eggs
1 -2 cups of fine dry bread crumbs
¼ cup cooking or olive oil
3 Tbl. butter or margarine
¼ cup flour
½ tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. white pepper
2 ½ cups milk
1 cup grated Swiss cheese ( jack, or mozzarella works too)
Avocado slices & tomato wedges for garnish (optional)

Place each breast between wax paper, membrane side down, and pound to ¼ in thick. Season with salt or seasoned salt and dip into eggs and then bread crumbs. In skillet heat 2 Tbl. oil. Brown chicken cutlets, a few at a time, two minutes on each side. Add more oil as needed.

In a saucepan, melt butter; blend in flour, ½ tsp. salt and the pepper. Gradually add milk. Cook and stir until bubbly and thickened. Pour half of the white sauce in bottom of 13 X 9 X 2 inch dish. Arrange cutlets on top then cover with the remaining sauce. Cover and bake in 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes (until bubbly). Or cover and chill overnight and bake for 50 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle with cheese (garnish with avocado slices and tomato wedges if desired). Bake 2 minutes more until cheese melts.

You can add cooked red potatoes to the sauce before baking. First cut the raw potatoes in half or fourths, then place them in a covered dish in the microwave oven and cook until almost tender. Arrange the potatoes with the chicken cutlets, top with the sauce and bake all together for allotted time.

Almond cookies

2009-01-07T22:59:00.000-08:00

This is mom's traditional Christmas cookie.

Cream together:
2 c. butter (softened)
2 C. sugar
1 tsp. almond flavoring

Mix together in a separate bowl:
4 c. flour
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. clove
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

Add the dry mixture to the creamy ingredients, also alternating adding 1/2 c. sour cream. (Add a spoonful of sour cream, a scoop of the dry ingredients, and so on.)

Add 1/2 c. almonds (If you don't like nuts, like me, you can omit the almonds. If you want a little crunch though, just add some heath candy, it's really yummy)

Refrigerate batter until it is firm enough to mold. Then roll it onto wax paper in 2inch diameter rounds. Refrigerate until hard. Cut into 1/4 inch slices and place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 7-9 minutes, until lightly golden on top.

Layered Mocha Cheesecake

2009-01-01T10:59:00.000-08:00

This is one of Jordan and Cindy's favorites

Crust:
1 1/2 cups cream filled chocolate sandwich cookie crumbs
1/4 cup butter

Filling:
2 TB plus 1 1/2 tsp instant coffee granules
1 TB boiling water
1/4 tsp cinnamon
4 pkgs (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup flour
4 eggs lightly beaten
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups (12 oz) of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Glaze:
1/2 c semisweet chocolate chips
3 TB butter
Chocolate covered coffee beans (optional)

Combine cookie crumbs and butter and press into the bottom of a greased 9 inch springform pan. In a small bowl combine coffee granules, water and cinnamon; set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and flour until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in vanilla. Divide batter in half. Stir melted chocolate into one portion; pour over crust. Stir coffee mixture into the remaining batter; spoon over chocolate layer.

Place pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 16 in square). Securely wrap foil around pan. Place in a large baking pan; add 1 in of hot water to larger pan.
Bake at 325 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until center is just set and top appears dull. Remove springform pan from water bath. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight.

In a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and butter; stir until smooth. Spread over cheesecake. Remove sides of pan. Garnish with coffee beans if desired. Yield: 16 servings.

Pumpkin Pie Cake

2008-12-23T20:54:00.000-08:00

This recipe is a new tradition in the making for us. Both Justin and I have English heritage. On Christmas Eve, English families make a traditional English pudding with thirteen ingredients representing Christ and the twelve apostles. Everyone in the house takes a turn and stirs the batter from east to west, signifying the journey of the wise men seeking the baby Jesus, and makes a wish. I wasn't fond of the traditional Christmas pudding recipe, so I figured this would work - just count each of the eggs as an individual ingredient and you have thirteen ingredients. :) It's yummy with vanilla ice cream.

1 (29 ounce) can pumpkin puree
1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
3 eggs
1 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 cup butter
1 cup chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 9 x 13 inch pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves. Mix until smooth and pour into a 9x13 inch pan.
Sprinkle dry cake mix over pumpkin mixture, then sprinkle chopped nuts and pat down gently. Melt butter or margarine and drizzle over cake.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for approximately 45 to 60 minutes. (Be sure to check the cake after 45 minutes because oven temperatures vary.)
After cake cools, turn it upside down so the top of the cake will be the crust. Remove the parchment paper. Top with dessert topping (optional) before serving.

Bacon Wrapped Chicken

2008-12-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/2 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, sliced
4 slices bacon
1 teaspoon chopped fresh chives
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pinch salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
Pound the chicken breasts until flat. Put a slice of cream cheese and 1 teaspoon chopped chives in the middle of each breast and roll up. Wrap each rolled breast with 1 slice of bacon and secure with toothpicks. Place in a 9x13 inch baking dish.

In a medium bowl, combine condensed soup, mayonnaise, milk, lemon juice, pepper and salt. Mix until smooth, then pour over chicken.

Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, or until no longer pink and juices run clear.

Notes: This was delicious! If you prefer your bacon on the crispier side, cook it before wrapping the chicken. I did not have chives so I used green onions. I did not have cream of chicken soup, so I used cream of mushroom. These substitutions were seemless and our dinner was very yummy.

Bûche de Noël/Yule Log Cake

2008-12-05T20:15:00.000-08:00

This cake comes from the tradition of the yule log, which people burned in the hearth all night for Christmas Eve or during winter solstice during pagan times. It was thought to ward off lightning and bring good luck. In more modern times when fewer people had wood burning stoves or fireplaces, the French turned the yule log into a dessert called Bûche de Noël (Christmas Log) and crafted it to look like a yule log. You can play with any flavor of sponge cake and filling you like. You'll want the frosting to be brown so it looks like bark.

Chocolate Sponge Cake

1/2 C flour

1 tsp baking powder

4 egg yolks

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/3 c granulated sugar

4 egg whites

1/2 c granulated sugar

sifted powder sugar

Grease and flour a 15x10x1-inch jelly roll pan.

Stir together flour and baking powder; set aside.

In a medium mixing bowl beat egg yolks and vanilla with an electric mixer on high speed for 5 minutes or until thick and lemon colored. Gradually add the 1/3 c granulated sugar, beating on high speed till sugar is almost dissolved.

Thoroughly wash beaters. In another bowl beat egg whites on medium speed till soft peaks form (tips curl). Gradually add the 1/2 c granulated sugar, beating till stiff peaks form (tips stand straight). Fold egg yolk mixture into beaten eggs whites. Sprinkle dry mixture over egg mixture; fold in gently just till combined. Spread batter evenly in the prepared plan.

Bake in a 375 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes or till cake springs back when lightly touched. Immediately loosen edges of cake from pan and turn cake out onto a towel sprinkled with powdered sugar. Roll up towel and cake, jelly-roll style. Cool on a wire rack.

Filling:

1/2 pint whipping cream

4 oz cream cheese

granulated sugar

1 tsp vanilla

You can use whatever kind of filling you like. I used whipped cream mixed and cream cheese with a dash of vanilla and sugared to taste. Another idea is to add a teaspoon of dissolved coffee granules to give it a mocha flavor. You can use fruit jam or jelly.

Chocolate Frosting:

3 cups powdered sugar, divided

2/3 cocoa

1/2 c (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened

5 to 6 TB milk, divided

1 tsp vanilla

When cool , unroll cake and remove towel. Spread cake with filling to within 1 inch of edges. Roll up cake. Cut ends off at a 45 degree angle to make look like a log. You can make two cakes and add a branch or use one of the cut off angles from the end to create a knot on the log. Frost with chocolate frosting. Drag a fork through frosting to make it look like bark.

Optional details:

Dust with powdered sugar for snow

Make mushrooms with marzipan or with meringue

Roll out green gum drops to make holly leaves and use red gum drop for holly berries

Get creative!

Keep refrigerated.

Pumpkin Soup

2008-11-22T21:11:00.000-08:00

INGREDIENTS
6 cups chicken stock
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
4 cups pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
5 whole black peppercorns
DIRECTIONS
Heat stock, salt, pumpkin, onion, thyme, garlic, and peppercorns. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes uncovered.
Puree the soup in small batches (1 cup at a time) using a food processor or blender.
Return to pan, and bring to a boil again. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for another 30 minutes, uncovered. Stir in heavy cream. Pour into soup bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.

Quick Pumpkin Cookies

2008-11-21T11:11:00.000-08:00

Quick Pumpkin Cookies

1 box of spice cake mix
15 oz of canned pumpkin (or 1/2 of a 29 oz. can)
1 whole egg (or 1 egg white for lower fat)
1 tsp. of pumpkin pie spice or 1/2 tsp.
cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. cloves, nutmeg & ginger.

Stir together till completely moistened
add 1 to 2 cups of chocolate chips
Optional: chopped walnuts or pecans

Place by spoonfuls on greased cookie sheet
Bake at 350 degrees for about 12 minutes

yield: about 3 dozen

Can be baked in muffin tins, baking time will be longer.

Chili Jack Sandwiches

2008-11-02T17:35:00.000-08:00

4 chicken breasts (or enough chicken tenders to make 4 sandwiches)
1 can diced green chilies
4 slices pepperjack cheese
mayo (optional)
Romain lettuce
Tomato, sliced
Cream cheese (optional)
Buns
Butter (optional)

Season and grill chicken.

Butter and toast buns, if desired. Place hot, cooked chicken on buns and put a slice of cheese on top, so it will melt. Spread a teaspoon of green chilies on top of cheese. Top with a slice of tomato and a leaf of lettuce. Spread mayonnaise or cream cheese on the top bun.

Chicken Cacciatore

2008-11-02T17:26:00.001-08:00

2 to 2 1/2 lbs meaty chicken pieces (breasts, thighs, drumsticks)
2 TB olive oil
1 medium onion, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
One 7 1/2 oz can tomatoes, cut up
One 6 oz can tomato paste
3/4 c water
8-10 fresh mushrooms, sliced (may substitute 4 oz drained can of mushrooms)
2 TB fresh parsley
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dried rosemary, crushed
1/2 tsp dried thyme, crushed
1/4 tsp dried oregano, crushed
Hot, cooked spaghetti (optional)

Skin and rinse chicken. Pat dry. In a 12 in skillet cook chicken in hot oil about 15 minutes or until lightly browned, turning to brown evenly. Add onion and garlic the last 5 minutes of cooking. Drain off fat.

Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl combine undrained tomatoes, tomato paste, water, mushrooms, parsley, sugar, salt, rosemary, thyme, oregano and 1/2 tsp pepper. Pour over chicken in skillet. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 35 to 40 minutes or till chicken is tender. Turn once during cooking. If desired, serve over hot cooked spaghetti. About 6 servings.

Roasted Potatoes

2008-11-02T17:19:00.000-08:00

Great for breakfast or at dinner.

1 lb. new potatoes, quartered (about 4 medium sized, or 10 tiny sized)
3 TB olive oil or melted margarine or butter
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp paprika

Place potatoes in a greased 9x9x2 inch baking pan. Combine oil and seasonings. Drizzle over potatoes, tossing to coat. Bake, covered, in a 325 degree oven 45 minutes. Stir potatoes. Bake, uncovered 10 - 20 minutes more till potatoes are tender and brown on edges. Makes 4 servings.

Tip: To speed it up, roast potatoes uncovered in a 450 degree oven 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Chipped Beef on Toast

2008-11-02T17:09:00.000-08:00

This is a quick, delicious, and filling recipe (not to mention starchy!). I always have a couple cans of dried beef in my pantry, so this is always a great last minute meal because I always have all the ingredients.

1 can dried beef
3 TB butter or margarine
3 TB all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt (taste first)
dash pepper
1 1/2 c milk
4-6 pieces of toast

Open dried beef. Cut into small, bite size squares. Set aside.

In a small saucepan melt butter or margarine. Stir in flour and pepper. Stir in milk all at once. Cook and stir over medium heat till tickened and bubbly. Makes 1 1/2 c of sauce. Stir in dried beef. Taste. Add salt if needed (the dried beef is pretty salty as is. If it is too salty, rinse it before cutting it up).

Serve over warm pieces of toast.

Hawaiian Haystacks

2008-11-02T15:54:00.000-08:00

White Rice
Cooked chicken cut into bite size pieces
Chicken Gravy (combine 1 can of chicken broth with 2 cans of Cream of Chicken soup. Simmer)

Toppings:
Chow mein
Pineapple chunks
Chopped green onion
Chopped green pepper
Shredded coconut
Chopped celery
Diced tomatoes
Sliced water chestnuts
Slivered almonds

Put rice on your plate, then chicken. Cover with gravy and top off with any of the above toppings.

Candied Apple Pie

2008-11-02T15:42:00.000-08:00

This recipe prompted my mother-in-law to deem me a better cook than her mother. Wow!

1/2 c unsalted butter
3 TB all purpose flour
1/4 c water
1/2 c white sugar
1/2 c packed brown sugar
2 TB butter
1 tsp cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
dash of salt
8 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add water, white sugar, adn brown sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce temperature and let simmer.

Combine cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Coat apple slices with cinnamon mixture. Mount in crust. Dot with butter. Cover with a lattice work of crust. Gently pour the sugar/butter liquid over the crust. Pour slowly so it does not run off.

Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce heat to 350 degrees. Continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes, until apples are soft.

Tips: You can also pour the sugar/butter liquid directly onto the apples, then cover with the crust, and add more to the top. Be sure to use tart apples as they really compliment the sweet caramel-like topping.

Walnut Cranberry Butter

2008-11-02T15:39:00.000-08:00

3/4 c butter, softened
2 TB brown suger
2 TB honey
1 c chopped fresh cranberries
2 TB chopped walnuts, toasted

In a small mixing bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and honey until fluffy - about five minutes. Add cranberries and walnuts; beat five more minutes or until butter turns pink.

Transfer to a sheet of plastic wrap. Roll into a log. Refrigerate until chilled. Place on a butter dish.

Basic Pie Pastry

2008-11-02T15:33:00.000-08:00

Makes two 9" pies or one with top crust

3 c flour
1 tsp salt
1 c shortening
4 to 5 TB cold water

Mix flour and salt. Add half the shortening and blend until mixture looks like corn meal. Then add the remainder of shortening and mix in but be careful not to overmix. Mixture should look like small peas. Sprinkle one TB water over mixture at a time until all is moistened. Gather with fingers, form a ball. Divide for upper and lower crusts and form each into a ball. On a lightly floured surface (Mom uses wax paper on top and bottom) flatten and roll until 1/8" thick. If edges split, pinch together. Fit lower crust into pie plate. Put prepared fruit/filling on top of crust. Trim lower crust edge even with pie plate. Moisten the edge. Add top crust and trim 1/2" beyond edge and tuck it under edge of lower crust. Slash upper crust to release steam. Bake as directed on pie recipe.

Chicken and Dumplings

2008-11-02T15:27:00.001-08:00

3 lbs meaty chicken pieces - breasts and thighs
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
3 stalks of celery, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, chopped*
2 dried bay leaves*
1 tsp dried thyme
2 tsp coarse salt (table salt works fine, too)
4 sprigs of parsley*
1/2 tsp black pepper
dash cayenne pepper

Dumplings:
1 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 TB butter/margerine
1/2 c milk

Place chicken, carrots, onion, celery, and spices in a dutch oven or large pot. Add enough cold water to cover. Bring to boil, then reduce heat. Simmer until tender, about an hour. Remove chicken and let rest until cold enough to handle. Remove bay leaves from broth and discard. Skim fat from broth. Skin and bone chicken, leaving meat in large chunks**. Heat broth to a steady boil.

For dumplings, combine dry ingredients. Cut in butter. Stir in milk to make a soft dough. Drop by spoonful into broth. Add chicken. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting lid. Serve.
*I don't always have these seasonsings on hand. The meal is delicious even if I leave them out.

**I use chicken that is already boned and skin and I cut it into manageable pieces while still raw, so I remove this entire chicken step.

Plum Bundt Cake

2008-11-02T15:12:00.001-08:00

3 eggs
1 c cooking oil OR 2 cubes melted margarine/butter
16 oz. plum/prune baby food (applesauce will work if you can't find the baby food)
2 1/4 c flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
2 c sugar
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp salt
chopped nuts (optional)

Beat eggs, add sugar, oil, and plums/prunes. Mix all dry ingredients separately and slowly spoon into egg mixture. Add nuts.

Pour into greased and floured bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. When done, immediately turn onto a plate, poke holes with a knife and pour Brown Sugar Frosting on.

Brown Sugar Frosting

2008-11-02T15:10:00.000-08:00

Boil for 2 minutes:
3/4 cube butter or margarine
1 c brown sugar
3 TB milk

Add 1/2 c powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Mix well with wire wisk. Pour onto warm cake.

Tuna Noodle Casserole

2008-11-02T15:04:00.000-08:00

6 oz. medium width egg noodles (3 1/2 c dry)
1 can tuna
1/2 c mayo or Miracle Whip
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 c sliced celery (optional)
1/3 c chopped onions
1/2 c milk
1 c grated cheese
1 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Boil water in a sauce pan. Add noodles. Boil until tender. Drain.

Blend soup and milk. Heat in a sauce pan. Add onions, celery, and half the cheese.

Drain the can of tuna. Mix tuna, noodles, and mayo together in a casserole dish. Add soup mix to noodles. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and cover with foil. Bake for 20 minutes, or microwave until thoroughly heated.

Perfect Apple Pie

2008-11-02T14:59:00.000-08:00

6 or 7 tart apples
3/4 to 1 c sugar
2 TB flour
1/2 to 1 tsp cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg
Dash of salt
2 TB butter

Makes 2 pies.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Peel apples and slice thinly. Combine sugar, flour, spices, and salt. Mix with apples. Line a 9" pie plate with pastry, fill with apple mixture. Dot with butter. Adjust top crust making sure to cut air holes into the crust for steam to escape. Brush crust with milk or egg yolk or egg white, then sprinkle sugar on top for sparkle.

Bake in hot oven 50 minutes or until done.

Pumpkin Cookies (Aunt Lorrie's recipe)

2008-11-02T14:55:00.000-08:00

Cream:
2 c shortening or 1 c shortening and 1 c of applesauce
2 c sugar

Stir:
1 lb canned or real pumpkin
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla

Sift:
4 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda

Stir into cream mixture and add 3 c chocolate chips (no less). Drop 2 TB balls on ungreased cooking sheet.

Bake at 370 degrees for 10 minutes. Open oven door and bake 5 more minutes.

Homemade Suckers

2008-11-02T14:53:00.000-08:00

2 c sugar
3/4 c Karo syrup
1/2 c water
1 tsp oil flavoring
food coloring

Bring sugar, Karo, and water to a boil. Must be 300 degrees or hard crack (use a candy thermometer). When mixture gets to 300 degrees, add flavoring adn food coloring. Pour into molds.

Makes about 20 suckers.

No Bake Cookies

2008-11-02T14:51:00.000-08:00

2 c sugar
1/4 cocoa
1/2 c milk
1 cube margarine
1/2 c peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla
3 c oatmeal

Bring sugar, cocoa, milk, margarine to a boil for one minute. Remove from heat. Add peanut butter, oats, and vanilla. Drop by spoonfuls on waxed paper. Let harden for 15-20 minutes.

frosting

2008-11-02T14:50:00.000-08:00

3 c powdered sugar
3/4 cube margarine, softened
2 tsp vanilla
2-4 TB milk

Substitue shortening for margarine for white frosting. Add cocoa for chocolate frosting. Add flavor extracts and food coloring for different kinds of frosting.

Bubble Pancakes/German Pancakes

2008-11-02T14:46:00.000-08:00

6 eggs
1 c milk
1 c flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 - 1 cube butter or margarine

Heat oven to 425 degrees. While oven is heating, place butter in 9x13 pan and melt in oven (check so it doesn't burn). Remove. Also while oven is heating, place eggs in bowl and whip with electric mixer. Add milk, then gradually add flour and salt. Continue to beat mixture until oven reaches 425 degrees (very important). Pour into pan with melted butter. Place in oven for 20 minutes.

Cut into serving size squares. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and syrup.

Garlic mashed potatoes

2008-11-02T14:42:00.000-08:00

6 small new potatoes, diced 9no need to peel)
1 TB milk
2 TB sour cream
2 TB butter
garlic salt

Boil new potatoes until tender. Blend for about 20 seconds with a hand mixer. Add milk. Blend thoroughly. Add sour cream and butter. Blend thoroughly. Add more milk to get desired consistency. Add garlic salt to taste.

Dilled New Potatoes

2008-11-02T14:38:00.000-08:00

1 pound (8 to 10) small new potatoes, quartered
2 c froezen peas (optional)
1 12oz. jar Heinze Homestyle Chicken or Turkey Gravy
1/2 c light sour cream
1 tsp dried dill weed

Cook potatoes in 2 quart saucepan in lightly salted water 10-15 minutes or until tender. Add peas. Cook 1 minute. Drain well. Combine gravy, sour cream, and dill. Heat (do not boil), stirring occasionally.

Makes 4 cups, about 8 servings.

Meat Loaf

2008-11-02T14:36:00.000-08:00

1 egg, beaten
1/4 c milk
1 1/2 c bread crumbs
1/4 tsp pepper
2 lbs ground beef
2 TB fresh chopped onion
2 tsp salt
1 small can tomato sauce

Mix ingredients together, reserving about 1/4 of tomato sauce. Put in a loaf pan. Spread the rest of the tomato sauce on top. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Super Playdough

2008-11-02T14:31:00.000-08:00

In a heavy aluminum pan combine:
3 c flour
1 1/2 c salt
6 tsp cream of tartar
3 c water
3 TBL cooking oil
Food coloring

Blend all ingredients together. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until dough pulls away from side of pan (about 5 minutes). Store in a plastic bag in a canister. Stays soft a long time.

New York Cheesecake

2008-11-02T14:24:00.000-08:00

15 graham crackers crushed, 2 TB melted butter

4 8oz. pkgs cream cheese
1 1/2 c white sugar
3/4 c milk
1 c sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 c all purpose flour
4 eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Greas a 9" springform pan. In a medium bowl mix cracker crumbs and butter. Press into bottom of springform.

In a large bowl beat cream cheese, sugar, just until smooth. Blend in milk by hand then eggs one at a time by hand, mixing just enough to incorporate. Stir in sour cream, vanilla, and flour by hand until smooth. Let filling sit for apx 30 minutes. Pour into crust.

Bake in oven for 1 hour in water bath. Tun oven off and let cake cool with door shut for 5-6 hours. Don't check on cake at all. Chill in refrigerator overnight and until serving.

Tips: Letting the cheesecake mixture set for 30 minutes is a luxury that will help remove excess air. If you don't have time for this, that's ok. Wrap springform pan with at least two sheets of tin foil before putting in the water bath. Bake for 1 hour, then turn off the oven and let cool for several hours. Do not even open the door once, as this will cause the cake to crack.

Clam Chowder

2008-11-02T14:18:00.000-08:00

1 c finely chopped onion
1 c finely chopped celery
2 c diced potatoes
3-4 6oz. cans chopped clams and juice
1 1/2 squares of butter
3/4 c flour
4 c milk or half and half (half and half makes this oh so delicious!)
1 1/2 tsp salt (taste first)
1 TB Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp sugar
pepper

Simmer vegetables in clam juices until barely tender - add water if needed.

Melt butter. Add flour, stirring constantly. Add milk, stirring constantly. Add veggies, clams, and then seasonings.

Swedish Pancakes/Crepes

2008-11-02T14:17:00.000-08:00

6 eggs
1 1/2 c flour
2 TB sugar
2 c milk
1 tsp salt

Mix in blender or with a hand mixer. Fry very thin pancakes in butter until lightly brown on each side. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and fruit or jam.

Connie's Macaroni Salad

2008-11-02T14:13:00.000-08:00

I don't have exact measurements on these. Just adjust ingredients to taste.

Hard boiled eggs
Sugar
Miracle whip
Mustard
Salt
Pepper
Milk
Sweet pickls, diced small
celery
onion
Salad macaroni

Boil macaroni until soft. Peel and slice hard boiled eggs. Add other ingredients to taste.

Clam Dip

2008-11-02T14:05:00.001-08:00

8 oz. cream cheese, softened.
1 can minced clams
onion or garlic salt (I prefer garlic)
1 TB worcestershire sauce
minced onion

Whip cream cheese with a hand mixer. Slowly add juice from canned clams.
Add garlic/onion salt to taste.
Add worchestershire sauce and about a TB of minced onion. Add clams. Mix thoroughly. Let sit so minced clams will soften.

Serve with potato chips.

Orange Julius

2008-11-02T14:03:00.000-08:00

1 6oz. can of frozen orange juice concentrate
1 c milk
1 c water
1/3 c sugar
1 tsp vanilla
7-8 ice cubes

Blend all ingredients until smooth.

Banana Bread

2008-11-02T14:01:00.000-08:00

2 c flour
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c butter
1 c sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
4 small mashed bananas
1 c chopped walnuts

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Stir until mixed. Stir in mashed bananas and fold in dry ingredients. Pour into a 9x5x3 bread pan and bake for 55-60 minutes at 350 degrees.

Lemon Bars

2008-11-02T13:58:00.001-08:00

This is a creamier take on traditional lemon bars.

1 white cake mix
1/2 c soft margerine
1 egg
2 8oz. pkg cream cheese
1 c powdered sugar
1 TB lemon juice
3 c milk
2 pkgs vanilla or lemon instant pudding

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix cake mix, margerine, and egg until it resembles cookie dough. Press into bottom of ungreased 9x13 pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes. Cool. Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon juice until creamy and smooth. Spread over crust. Mix pudding and milk. Spread on top. Chill and serve.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

2008-11-02T13:53:00.001-08:00

This recipe is tripled

Cream Together:
3 c granulated sugar
1 1/2 c brown sugar
2 c shortening
3 tsp vanilla

Add 6 eggs well beaten

Sift together:
7 c sifted flour
3 tsp salt
3 tsp soda

Slowly blend into wet ingredients.

Add:
3 c semisweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 c walnuts (optional)

Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes

Chicken Salad

2008-11-02T13:43:00.000-08:00

I don't really have exact measurements for this, just kind of add ingredients to the taste and consistency you prefer.

Cooked chicken (canned works fine, too)
Mayonnaise
Garlic salt
Chopped green onions
Chopped celery
Cashews or slivered almonds
Grapes chopped in half

Mix together. Serve on rolls or in cantaloupe halves.

Chicken Enchiladas

2008-11-02T13:29:00.000-08:00

1 cooked chicken (deboned)
Flour tortillas

Mix together:
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/2 can mlk
lrg. sour cream
1 can diced green chilies (optional)
2 c grated cheese and olives

Put in a greased 9x13 pan. Put filling in flour tortillas and cover with additional filling. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Cranberry Jell-O Salad

2008-11-02T13:25:00.000-08:00

2 large pkgs cherry jell-o
1/2 c sugar or splenda
1 1/2 c boiling water
1 c orange juice
1 c pineapple juice
2 c fresh ground cranberries
20 oz. crushed pineapple
grated rind of an orange

Boil water. Remove from heat. Add jell-o and sugar. Stir until dissolved then add orange juice and pineapple juice. Add cranberries and other fruit. Pour into 9x13 pan and refrigerate for at least 8 hours.

Hot Cocoa Mix

2008-11-02T13:21:00.000-08:00

6 1/2 c powdered milk
5 oz non-instant chocolate pudding
1 c powdered drink mix
1/2 c powdered nondairy creamer
1/2 c confectioners sugar
1/2 c unsweetened cocoa powder

Combine until all ingredients are smooth and evenly distributed. Will keep for about a year in an unsealed mason jar. Add 1/3 cup of mix to 1 cup of hot water and enjoy.

Yields apx. 4 pints.

Beef Stroganoff

2008-11-02T13:17:00.000-08:00

1 lb hamburger
1 onion
3 1/2 c dry noodles*
1 can mushroom soup
1/2 c sour cream

Fry hamburger and onions, drain. Boil noodles until tender, drain. Heat soup and sour cream in a sauce pan. Add beef and onions to soup. Heat. Serve over noodles*.

*Can also be served over baked potatoes.

Fruit Pizza

2008-11-02T13:14:00.000-08:00

Crust:
1 c soft butter
1/2 c powdered sugar
2 c flour
dash of salt
Combine and mix. Press into a greased pizza pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes until golden brown.

Filling:
1 envelope Dreamwhip
1/2 c sugar
1 8oz pkg of cream cheese
Mix and spread onto crust and chill.

Top with fruit - strawberries, kiwi, banana, berries, etc.

Sharp Bread Stuffing

2008-11-02T12:50:00.000-08:00

4 c unseasoned dried sour dough bread cubes
1 1/2 c chopped celery
1 1/3 c sliced mushrooms
1 lb mild Italian sausage
3 TB chopped red onion (optional)
1 c butter or more
1 1/2 tsp Bell or other poultry seasoning
Hot chicken broth or hot water to moisten

Put bread cubes in a large pan, add seasoning. Cook sausage, drain, and pour over bread. Cook celery in butter and add to mix. Cook mushrooms in butter and add to mix. If using onion, cook in butter and add last. Mix ingredients, taste, and if necessary add more poultry seasoning. Add broth or hot water to keep stuffing together. This makes enough to stuff a 4-5 pound chicken. Double for a 10 pound turkey. If not using as stuffing, cook in oven at 350 degress for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Baked Chicken and Rice

2008-11-02T12:48:00.001-08:00

1 1/2 c rice
1/2 c dried onion soup mix
1 can liquid (water, chicken broth)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
5 or 6 chicken pieces

Sprinkle rice and onion soup mix in a baking pan sprayed with Pam. Lay unseasoned chicken on top. Mix soups and liquid together adn pour on top of chicken pieces.

Baked covered at 375 degrees for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Jalapeno Popper Spread

2008-11-02T12:37:00.000-08:00

2 8oz. packages cream cheese
1 c mayonnaise
1 4oz. can chopped green chilis, drained
2 oz canned or fresh diced jalapenos
1 c grated parmesan cheese

Stir together cream cheese and mayo in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in green chilies and jalapenos. Pour mixture into a microwave serving dish. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Microwave for 3 minutes.

For a browned crispy top, add bread crumbs with parmesan cheese. Bake in oven at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes instead of microwaving.

Serve with dried sour dough bread cubes or tortilla chips.

*Tips: I've found that the canned jalapenos are spicier than freshly chopped jalapenos. If you want the browned crispy top but don't want to bake for 30 minutes, microwave the dip for 3 minutes, add the parmesan and bread crumbs and broil in the oven for about 3 minutes. Be watchful as it can burn rather quickly.

Party Cake

2008-11-02T12:27:00.000-08:00

1 white cake mix
1 8 oz. tub of Cool Whip or whipped cream
1 8 oz. package of cream cheese
1 large (6 oz) instant vanilla pudding
2 c milk
1 15 oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
coconut for top

Mix cake as directed. Bake in jelly roll pan until light brown.

Beat cream cheese and fold in Cool Whip.

Add milk to pudding, beat for 1 minute. Fold into cheese and Cool Whip mixture. Frost cooled cake. Top with drained pineapple and coconut. Let set up.

Keeps for several days in the fridge.

Chicken with Scalloped Potatoes

2008-11-02T12:24:00.001-08:00

1 cut up chicken or 4-5 breasts
6 c thinly sliced potatoes
2 c water
1/2 tsp salt
4 slices raw onion
1 can cream of celery or mushroom soup
1 c evaporated milk (add regular milk for more sauce)

Season chicken and brown in olive oil. Add onions and brown along with chicken. Cook potatoes in water for 6 - 8 minutes. Drain well. Place in a 9x13 baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Pour sauce over potatoes. Arrange browned chicken on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes covered with foil or a lid. Remove covering and bake 15 more minutes.

Hot Fudge Sauce (Mom's old recipe)

2008-11-02T12:22:00.000-08:00

1 c sugar
2 TB cocoa
stir over low heat for 10 minutes

Add:
1/2 c canned-evaporated milk
2 TB butter

Bring to boil. Boil for 2 mintues. Tak off heat. Add one tsp of vanilla.

Hot Fudge Sauce (Mom's new recipe)

2008-11-02T12:19:00.000-08:00

2 3/4 c canned milk
12 oz. semisweet chocolate chips
4 c powdered sugar
2 cubes of butter (1 cup)
1 tsp vanilla

Melt chocolate chips and butter together. Add milk and sugar. Boil 8 to 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add vanilla as it cools.

See's Fudge

2008-11-02T12:16:00.000-08:00

Mix together:
2 eggs well beaten
3 c powdered sugar (1 at a time)
1 tsp vanilla

Melt together:
1 1/2 cubes of butter
1 1/2 c bittersweet chocolate chips
Stir into above mixture. Add chopped nuts if desired. Place in a greased 9x9 pan and refrigerate for 4 hours.

Pork Chops and Rice

2008-11-02T12:09:00.001-08:00

4-6 Porkchops (boneless sirloin is best)
2 eggs
Seasoned flour, bread crumbs, or Winco chicken coating
Splash of olive oil
1/2 green pepper, chopped (optional)
1/2 medium onion, diced
1 c rice
2 cans consumme soup
1/2 can of water
1 carrot, grated
dash of pepper

Dip pork chops in egg and coat with seasoned flour, bread crumbs, or Winco chicken coating. Brown in olive oil. After removing chops from pan, add green pepper and onion and brownin oil.

Place 1 c of rice in a 9 x 13 casserole dish. Add 2 cans of consumme soup and 1/2 can of water. Stir in grated carrot and a dash of pepper. Lay chops on top and bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Chili Con Carne

2008-11-02T12:00:00.001-08:00

1 ½ dry red or kidney beans*
1 onion, chopped
1 pound ground beef
1 one pound can (2 cups) diced tomatoes
1 green pepper, chopped (optional)
1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
1 can tomato paste
1 to 1 & ½ Tbl chili powder
1 & ½ tsp salt
1 bay leaf

Rinse beans; then add to 1 & ½ quarts cold water and let stand overnight. Add 1 teaspoon salt to beans and soaking water; cover, and simmer until tender, about 1 hour. Drain, reserving bean liquid.

Spray pan with cooking spray and brown ground beef, then drain off any fat. Add onions and green pepper to ground beef and cook until onions are tender. Add beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, seasonings, including a dash of cayenne pepper & dash of paprika.

Cover and simmer 1 ½ hours, adding reserved bean liquid or water as needed. Makes 6 servings.

*Or use two 1 pound cans (4 cups ) red or kidney beans. Drain beans, add to meat mixture with tomatoes and etc.

Ham and Bean Soup

2008-11-02T11:54:00.000-08:00

Thoroughly wash 1 pound dry navy beans, or great northern, pinto, or baby lima beans. (all are very good)
Add 2 quarts cold water and soak overnight. (Or simmer 2 minutes, then soak 1 hour.) Don’t drain. Add 1 meaty ham bone or diced up ham meat, ½ tsp salt, 6 whole black peppercorns, and 1 bay leaf. Cover; simmer about 3 to 3& ½ hours adding 1 chopped onion the last hour.

Remove ham bone. Mash beans slightly if you like soup more mushy with potato masher. Cut ham off bone, return ham to soup. Season to taste. Makes 6 servings.

French Dips

2008-11-02T11:13:00.000-08:00

4-6 French sandwich rolls
8-12 slices of swiss cheese
1 lb. deli precooked sliced roast beef
Au Jus mix
8-12 slices of swiss cheese (optional)
Half an onion (optional)

Split sandwich bread and spread with butter. Place on cookie sheet and broil in oven, watching closely so they don't burn. Remove when toasted. If desired, sautee mushrooms in butter on the stove. Heat roast beef in the mircowave. Spread roast beef on toasted sandwich bread. Add sauteed onions and two slices of swiss cheese. Broil in oven to melt cheese and heat sandwiches. Make au jus while sandwiches are broiling. Cut sandwiches in half and serve with 1/2 cup of au jus for dipping.