Dairy Casserole (or Corn Casserole)

This apparently is a PA Dutch casserole since it's quite common around here but most of my friends from out of the area never had it. It is one of my quick & easy casseroles I often use when short on time. It is SO good!

1 lb. ground beef, fry & drain
1 pt. corn
1 C uncooked macaroni-cook before adding
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, diced
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 C milk
salt & pepper to taste
Mix all together & put in large casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 min. Stir well before serving.

Zesty Red Potatoes

I believe I got this recipe from Taste of Home or Quick Cooking. It is very easy-the red pepper adds great flavor to the potatoes. Great way to use up your potatoes from your garden.

6 medium red potatoes, halved & thinly sliced
1 small onion, halved & thinly sliced
1/2 C butter, melted
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
salt to taste

Arrange potatoes & onions in an ungreased 9 in. square pan. Combine butter, pepper flakes & salt; drizzle over potatoes & onion. Cover & bake at 400 degrees for 25 min. Uncover & bake 15-20 min. longer or until potatoes are tender.

Skillet Spaghetti

I got this recipe from my mother-in-law. Hubby isn't fond of spaghetti but he loves this.

1 lb. ground beef
1/4 C chopped onion
5 C tomato juice
3/4 C ketchup
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp garlic salt (or powder)
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 C brown sugar
8 oz. (I usually use 10-12 oz.)

In a large skillet, cook ground beef & onions until browned. Pour off fat. Except for pasta, add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Add pasta & simmer until tender, about 20 minutes.

Crockpot Baby Back Ribs

This is the best way to make ribs- so easy & the meat just falls off the bones. The flavor is fabulous! I got this recipe from my dear friend, Wendi! Thanks girl!

1/4 C spicy chili rub (recipe below)
1/4 C dark brown sugar
4 racks (1 lb each) baby back ribs (I use any ribs that are on sale, often it is boneless ribs)
1/4 C barbecue sauce

Mix spicy blend & brown sugar; rub on ribs. Curl racks, meaty side out; stand upright on thick ends in 5-6 quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 3-3 1/2 hours, or until meat is very tender. Doing them slow is best. (IMO)
Remove ribs to cutting board, let rest for 5 min. and brush with barbecue sauce.

Spicy Chili Rub

1 T ground black pepper
1 T ground white pepper (I use black pepper)
2 tsp cayenne pepper
2 T chili powder
2 T ground cumin
2 T dark brown sugar
1 T ground oregano
4 T paprika
2 T salt
1 T sugar
Mix & store in regrigerator.
Makes 1 cup.

Pumpkin Apple Streusel Muffins

I made these for the first time last year. I had some ladies over for brunch & served these & they loved them.

2 1/2 C flour
2 C sugar
1 T pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 C pumpkin
1/2 C vegetable oil
2 C peeled, finely chopped apples

STREUSEL TOPPING:

2 T flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 C sugar

TOPPING: Combine in small bowl. Cut in 4 tsp butter until mixture is crumbly.
MUFFINS: In a large bowl, combine first 5 ingredients; set aside. In a medium bowl, combine eggs, pumpkin and oil. Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients; stir just until moistened. Stir in apples. Spoon batter into greased or paper lined muffin pans, filling 3/4 full. Sprinkle with streusel topping over batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 min. or until toothpick inserted in muffin comes out clean.

Hearty Maple Beans

These beans are great to put in the crockpot for a cookout.

6 bacon strips, diced
1/2 lb. fully cooked kielbasa or sausage, sliced
1/2 C chopped onion
1 can (16 oz) baked beans
1 can (16 oz) kidney beans, rinsed & drained
1 can (15 1/2 oz) butter beans, rinsed & drained
1/2 C maple syrup
3 T vinegar
3 T prepared mustard
3 T ketchup

In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove bacon & place on paper towels. Drain, reserving 1 T drippings. In the drippings, cook the sausage & onions over medium heat until sausage is lightly browned. Stir in the bacon & remaining ingredients. Transfer to an ungreased baking dish. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 25-30 min. or until bubbly. Makes 8 servings.

Chocolate Shoofly Pie

I never had or heard of Chocolate Shoofly pie until I met my husband-it is his favorite kind of pie, so I decided I better learn to make it. I got the recipe from his mom. It is quite simple to make.

Note: This recipe makes 4 pies!!

Cream together:

2 C brown sugar
1 C butter flavored Crisco
2 eggs
4 T cocoa

Then add:
2 C molasses
2 C hot water
2 tsp soda
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
4 1/2-5 C flour

Chocolate Pudding:

2 C sugar
2 T cornstarch
2 T flour
3 T cocoa
2 C water
2 eggs (beaten)
1 tsp vanilla
2 T butter

Mix first 6 ingredients in saucepan & cook until thickened, then stir in vanilla & butter until melted. Pour in bottom of 4 pie crusts. Then pour other mixture on top of pudding. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 min. or until done.
Makes 4 pies.

Ham Roll-ups

A friend of mine served this when she had a group of friends over for supper. It is delicious & very easy to make. Kinda like having a Thanksgiving meal in one pan. :)

6-8 slices bread, cubed
4 eggs
2-3 C milk
Mix together.

Simmer the following:
1/4 C butter
3/4 C celery, chopped
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 onion, chopped
Add 1/4 C water with saffron into this.

Mix everything together and bake in a 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 min. When cool cut into 20 strips. Place slice of swiss cheese on a slice of turkey ham and filling strip on top. Roll up, place in pan, seam side down. Pour any kind of gravy over the wraps & bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until heated through.

Pizza Hut Dough

I first had pizza made with this dough at a friend's house several years ago. It was one of the BEST homemade pizzas I've ever had.

2 T yeast
2 tsp sugar
2/3 C warm water

Mix together & let set for 5 min. till bubbly.

_____________________________________

2 C cold water
3 T oil
2 T sugar
1 T salt
1/2 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp garlic salt
3 C flour

Beat in mixer until smooth. Beat in yeast mixture. Add about 5 C flour & work in. Let rise until double. Oil pan generously. Let rise in pan 10-15 min. (I usually make 2 bar pans & 1 round) Bake at 375-400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Colorful Grilled Veggies

These are so good & perfect to serve with a good grilled steak! They smell so wonderful & taste even better.

10 cherry tomatoes, halved
2 celery ribs, thinly sliced (I often skip these)
1 med. green pepper, sliced
1 med. red pepper, sliced
1 med. red onion, sliced & separated into rings
1 C sliced mushrooms
1 T red wine vinegar or cider vinegar
1 T olive oil
1 tsp lemon juice
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Divide the vegetables between 2 pieces of aluminum foil (about 18 in. square). In a small bowl combine the remaining ingredients, drizzle over veggies. Fold foil around the veggies & seal tightly. Grill, covered over medium heat for 10-15 minutes or until veggies are crisp-tender. Yield: 6 servings

Cheesy Mexican Chicken

I got this recipe from a co-worker when I still worked at a daycare & it is so simple but very good. My children love it & so does hubby.

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I use boneless, skinless chicken tenders, enough to fill up the dish)
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) cream of chicken soup
1 pkg. (8 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 C milk
1 pkg. (1 1/4 oz.) taco seasoning mix
3 C corn chips, crushed

Place chicken in 9x13 baking dish.
Mix soup, 1 1/2 C shredded cheddar cheese, milk & seasoning mix. Spoon over chicken. Top with chips; cover.
Bake at 375 degrees for 30 min. Remove cover; top with remaining cheese. Bake uncovered 10 min. or until cheese is melted. Serve with rice. I usually stir it all together with the cooked rice and make a casserole type thing. :)

Lazy Lasagna or Crockpot Lasagna

This is a very simple & easy way to make "lasagna". It is SO good!

1 1/2-2 lb. ground beef
1 jar spaghetti sauce
velveeta cheese (shredded)
1 16 oz. bag wide egg noodles
1 stick margarine or butter
1 16 oz. bag shredded mozzarella

Fry meat. Cook noodles; drain & stir in butter until melted. Layer in crockpot; start with sauce, hamburger, noodles, velveeta. Layer to fill & then top with mozzarella. Cook on low for 4 hours.

Tandykakes

I got this recipe from my sister-in-law. They are so yummy & so much better than Tastycakes. :)



4 eggs, beat until thick

2 C sugar

~Beat well~



Then mix in the following:



1 C milk

1 tsp. vanilla

2 C flour

2 tsp baking powder

pinch of salt

Mix well. & spread in a greased jelly roll pan (13x15) and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 min. While hot spread with 1 1/2 C peanut butter. Cool or freeze until peanut butter is hard then melt 1 1/2 C chocolate chips with 1/4 -1/2 C margarine or butter. Spread over peanut butter. When set, cut into squares.

Barbecue Chicken Sauce

My hubby makes some of the best chicken bbq I've ever had and this is his recipe for the sauce. It is enough for 80 lb. of chicken thighs.

1 C water
2 C vinegar
2 lb. butter
1/4 C salt
1/4 oz. worcestershire sauce
Combine all ingredients in saucepan & bring to a boil. Spread on chicken on outdoor grill. (Charcoal gives it a much better flavor than a gas grill) Spread on chicken each time you turn the chicken.

Then mix the following in a bowl (I usually double this portion)
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp pepper
2 T paprika
4 T brown sugar
6 T ketchup
2 T lemon juice

Mix together & stir in with the butter sauce (above) and use on chicken in the last 1/2 hour of grilling.

Chunky Pizza/Spaghetti Sauce (to can)

This is the best spaghetti sauce I have ever had. I got the recipe from a friend several years ago. I stopped in at her house when she was making it & it smelled SO wonderful I had to have the recipe. I've been making it ever since & everyone that I serve it to or give a jar to loves it.

1/2 bushel tomatoes
3 lb. onions, chopped
3-5 hot peppers, chopped (remove seeds)
6 bay leaves
1 red pepper, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
2 C vegetable oil
2 C vinegar
4 12 oz. cans tomato paste
1 1/2 C sugar
4 tsp. paprika
4 T basil
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 C salt
4 T oregano
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp red pepper
4-8 (I use 10-12) heaping T cornstarch, to thicken as desired

Cook & juice tomatoes. Chop onions & peppers & saute until soft. Add to juice. Add oil, vinegar & tomato paste. Mix together sugar, spices & cornstarch. Add to juice mixture. Cook until thick. Ladle into jars & cold pack 5-10 minutes. Yield: 26 pints

Fresh Peach Salsa

I had this at a friend's house Saturday evening & it was absolutely wonderful. Hoping to make it for the weekend.

4-6 medium tomatoes, diced
4-6 peaches, diced
1 large red onion, diced
1 large green pepper, diced
2 jalapeno peppers, chopped
2-3 chili peppers, chopped
juice from 1 lime
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt

You can adjust the heat by adding or taking away the jalapeno peppers or spices. Flavor is best if you wait 24 hrs. before eating.

Peach Danish (to can)

I got this recipe from a friend & I had some minor issues when I first made it but I think I figured it all out now & it turned out okay. It is delicious by itself or you can make a thickened fruit salad with it by adding pinapples, grapes & any other fruit you desire.

4 packs orange kool aid

7 quarts of water

5 C sugar

Mix in large saucepan & heat to boil. Boil until kool aid & sugar is dissolved. Thicken with 3 1/4 C Thermflo or Clear Jel (cook type) (Do NOT use instant clear jel!!) and 4 C water.

Stir in with kool aid mixture.

Then add 2 C orange, peach or apricot jello (I used 1/2 orange & 1/2 peach)

Mix 10 quarts of sliced or diced peaches with 1/3 C lemon juice then add to above mixture.

Put in canning jars & seal with lid & ring. Put in canner before water boils & then bring to boiling & boil 1 minute. Turn burner off & let set in canner for 15 minutes & then remove jars.

Mini Cheesecakes

I've been making these for years. They are very simple & my children love to help by putting the wafers in the bottom of the cupcake papers. :)

Vanilla wafers
3 (8 oz. each) cream cheese
3 eggs
3/4 C sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Cherry pie filling(or any flavor)

Place wafers, flat side to bottom in mini or large cupcake papers in muffin pan. Beat together cream cheese, eggs, sugar and vanilla until blended. Fill papers 2/3 full with mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand 15 minutes to cool. Top with pie filling. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving. Makes 24 large cupcakes. Store in refrigerator.

Fresh Salsa

I've had this recipe for so long, I don't remember where I got it. But it is so delicious made with fresh veggies from the garden. It's not a real spicy salsa like canned salsa can be but it is still full of flavor.

3 lg. tomatoes- diced
1 can chopped green chilies (sometimes I substitute fresh jalapeno peppers)
1/2 C chopped onion
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp oregano
1/8 tsp pepper
2 T lemon juice

Mix well and refrigerate several hours before serving.