Toffee Dessert

Toast 1 c. of pecans in 1 stick butter and 3/4 t salt

Sift 2 c. powdered sugar
Add 1 t cocoa
Cream with 1/2 c. butter
Add 2 egg yolks, toasted pecans, and 1 t vanilla

Fold in 2 beaten egg whites

Crush 1/2 c. vanilla wafers.
Place 1/2 c. crumbs into 8x8" pan
Add mixture to pan.

Cover w/ left over crumbs
Chill
Top each serving with whipped cream.

Nina's Sugar Cookies

Mix together and chill:
1 c oil
1 c butter
1 c sugar
1 c powdered sugar
2 eggs
1 t soda
1 t cream of tartar
1/2 t vanilla
1/2 t lemon flavor
4 1/2 c. flour

Spoon out with tsp onto ungreased cookie sheet. Sip glass into sugar and flatten each cookie. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.

Cocoroons

1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
1 t vanilla
1 1/3 c flaked coconut
1 c. graham cracker crumbs
1/4 t cinnamon

Cream butter, add sugar, cream until light and fluffy.
Add egg and vanilla.
In seperate bowl combine remaining ingredients, mix well then blend into butter/sugar.
Drop dough by tsp onto ungreased cookie sheet 2" apart.
Bake at 350 deg for 10 min.
Loosen immediately and cool 2 min before removing from pan.

Carma Lee Little's Wonder Brownies

1 c. flour
3/4 t salt
1 c sugar
1/2 t baking powder
2 eggs, beaten
2/3 c. oil
2 T cocoa
1 t vanilla

Sift flour, baking powder, and salt. Beat sugar into eggs, mix in oil, cocoa, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients
Add nuts if desired.
Bake at 350 degrees in 8x8 pan

Ahart's Brown Sugar Squares

2 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
2 T baking powder
1/2 c. butter
1 1/2 c flour
2 t vanilla

Melt butter and sugar in skillet, but do not let bubble. Cool slightly. Beat in eggs, flour and 1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional)
Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes.
Cut in squares.
When cool, shape
Very moist!

(Apparently the Aharts were some freaky next door neighbors in Garland)

Clara's Pecan Tarts

1 c. flour
3 oz cream cheese
1 stick of margarine

Mix this well and chill one hour.

Press into small muffin pans with fingers.

Filling:
1 egg
3/4 c. brown sugar
2Tmargarine
pinch of salt

Mix well and add 1 c. chopped pecans. Pour into tarts in muffin pans. Bake at 325 for 25 minutes.

Clara's Pralines

1 box brown sugar
1/8 t salt
1 T butter
3/4 c evaporated milk
1 t vanilla
2 c pecans

Mix sugar, salt, milk and butter in 2 qt saucepan. Cook and stir over low heat until sugar is melted. Add pecans and cook over medium heat to soft ball stave on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat and cool 5 minutes, then add vanilla.

Stir rapidly until mixture thickens and coats pecans lightly.

Martin Luther King Balls

You know the story...here's the recipe.

2 c. crunchy peanut butter
3 c. rice krispies
1 lb powdered sugar
1 stick butter, melted
Combine and form into 1" balls

Melt in saucepan:
1 lg pkg choc chips
1/2 bar parafin
Dip "balls" into chocolate and place on wax paper.
Refridgerate for best results.

Monster Cookies

Mix together by hand in a huge container (or bathtub)
4 c. white sugar
2 lbs brown sugar
8 t soda
18 cups oatmeal
4 c. choc chips
1 lb M&Ms

In a seperate bowl combine:
1 dozen eggs
1 lb margarine or butter
3 lb peanut butter
1-2T Karo syrup

Combine the two mixtures in a huge container using hands to blend. Roll into 1" balls place on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
This makes 15 dozen cookies.

But they're SOOOOOOOO good.

Banana Cake

2 1/2 c. flour
1 2/3 c. sugar
2 t brown sugar
1 1/4 t soda
1 1/4 t salt
sift together

Beat: 2/3 c shortening
1/3 c. buttermilk
1 1/4 c. ripe mashed bananas (3-4)
Beat 2 minutes

Add 3 eggs and 1/3 c. buttermilk (again) beat 2 more minutes

Add 2/3 c. nuts and flour mixture

Bake in greased and floured 9x13 pan for 45-50 minutes

Icing:
small cream cheese brick
box of powdered sugar
milk to consistency

Stripe It Rich Cake

1 pkg cake mix prepared and cooked in 13x9 pan

Poke holes in cake immediately when done w/ round handle of a wooden spoon about an inch apart, making fairly large holes in the cake.

Only AFTER poking holes, combine in mixing bowl:
2 sm pkgs jello instant pudding
1 c. powdered sugar
gradually add 4 c. cold milk
beat on low for 1 min

Quickly pour over warm cake to make the stripes. Allow remaining pudding to thicken slightly and spoon over for "frosting".
Chill at least 1 hour.
Keep refridgerated.
Top each serving with dollop of Cool Whip.

Obviously this is really versatile, we usually make chocolate, but here's other ideas:
white cake/vanilla pudding
yellow cake/lemon pudding
chocolate cake/vanilla pudding
white cake/chocolate pudding
chocolate cake/chocolate pudding

Wacky Cake (Its Nina's, go figure)

3 c. flour
2 c. sugar
1/3 c cocoa
2 T vinegar
2 c. lukewarm water
2 t soda
1/2 t salt
2 t vanilla
3/4 c. oil

Sift flour, soda, sugar, salt and cocoa together in 9x13 pan. Make 3 holes in mixture. Put vanilla in one, oil in another, vinegar in another.
Pour water over all and mix well with fork.
Do not beat.
Do not grease pan.
Bake at 350 degrees 35 minutes

Apricot Gelatin Cake

1 pkg yellow or white cake mix
1 sm pkg lemon jello
3/4 c. apricot nectar
3/4 c. vegetable oil
2 t lemon juice
4 eggs, seperated

Mix all together except egg whites. Beat egg whites til stiff and fold into the batter.
Bake in tube pan at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
Top with glaze: 3/4 c powdered sugar, juice of 1 lemon.

Nana's Fudge Cake

Sift together in mixing bowl:
2 c. sugar
2 c. flour
1 t soda
1/2 t salt

Melt in heavy sauce pan:
2 sticks butter or margarine
4 T cocoa
1 c. hot water
Boil and stir. Pour over dry ingredients. Mix well.
Add 1/2 c. buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
Mix well.
Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
Using a broiler pan or cookie sheet with sides.

Cool a little then ice with:

Bring to a boil: 1 stick butter or margarine
4 Tcocoa
6 T buttermilk
When boils, remove from heat and add:
1 box powdered sugar
1 t vanilla
1 c chopped pecans
Beat w/ mixer and pour over cake.

Kendra's Fruit Pizza

½ cup (1 stick) butter (or margarine)
1 ¾ cups sugar, divided
4 eggs, divided
1 cup flour
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened (the fat free doesn’t work as well-so use the “real stuff.”)
2 cups assorted cut-up fresh fruit

Mix butter and 1 ½ cups of the sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add 3 of the eggs and 1 tsp. of the vanilla, mixing until blended. Stir in flour and cocoa. Spray 12-inch round pizza pan with nonstick cooking spray. Spread brownie batter in pan.

BAKE @ 350º for 15 mins.

BEAT cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add remaining ¼ cup sugar, 1 egg and 1 tsp. vanilla, mixing until blended. Spread over brownie. Bake 15 mins. Cool. Refrigerate.

TOP with fruit.

Makes 12 servings

Per serving: 1 wedge
Calories: 270
Fat: 7 g.
Cholesterol: 75 mg.

This recipe is from a cookbook that I sent away for ye-e-ears ago from Kraft. Wa-a-ay before carbs & food processors! J

Orange Cream Cake

1 pkg lemon cake mix
1 envelope Orange Kool Aid
3 eggs
1 c. water
1/3 c. vegetable oil
2 3oz pkgs orange jello-divided
1 c. boiling water
1 c. cold water
1 c. cold milk
1 t vanilla
1 pkg (3.1oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
1 8oz carton Cool Whip

Combine cake mix, koolaid, eggs, water and oil. Beat on med. for 2 minutes. Pour into ungreased 9x13. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 min or until toothpick comes out clean.
Using a meat fork, poke holes in cake. Cool for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile dissolve one pkg of jello in boiling water. Stir in cold water. Pour over cake.
Cover and refridgerate for 2 hours.
In mixing bowl, combine milk, vanilla, pudding mix and remaining jello. Beat on low for 2 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes to set. Fold in cool whip. Frost cake with this mixture. Refridgerate.

Jean Muncey's Apple Cake

1 1/4 c. oil
2 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 t vanilla
1 t salt
3 c. flour
1 t soda

Combine then fold in 3 c. chopped apples and 1 c. chopped nuts/pecans.

Bake in bundt pan at 350 for 1 hour.

Jeanne's Oatmeal Cookies

1 1/2 c. flour
1 t soda
1 t salt
3 c. quick oats
3/4 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 t vanilla

Stir flour, salt and oats.
In large bowl, cream together butter and sugars. Beat in the eggs and vanilla.
Add flour mixture and mix well.
Pack cookie dough into five 6 oz juice cans and cover up ends with plastic wrap.
Chill overnight.

Remove one can at a time from refridgeration. Open closed end and push dough out. Cut into 1/4" slices and place a few inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Repeat with rest.

Bake at 350 deg for 10 min.

**We still don't know who Jeanne is??

Strawberry Cake

1 box strawberry jello
1 10oz carton thawed frozen strawberries
1 white cake mix
1/3 c. water
1/3 c. oil
4 eggs

Combine and beat well.
Bake according to instructions on box.

Icing:
1/2 stick softened margarine
1 box powdered sugar
1 c frozen thawed strawberries.

Strawberry Delight

Crush 1 lb vanilla wafers
Line 8x11 pan 1/2" deep bringing up on the sides
(reserve 1 cup crushed crumbs)

Cream together:
1 stick butter
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar

Spread over crumbs

Slice 1 qt of fresh strawberries and spread over
Whip 1/2 pint whipping cream and spread over

Sprinkle reserved crumbs
refridgerate over night.

Nina's Better Than Almost Anything Cake

Bake a german chocolate cake mix as directed on box in a 9x13.
Cool for 15 minutes. Poke holes in warm cake with handle of wooden spoon every 1/2 inch or so.
Drizzle with 1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk.
let stand until absorbed into cake.
Then drizzle with 1 17oz jar caramel, butterscotch, or fudge topping.

Cover and refridgerate for 2 hours. Spread with Cool Whip, then sprinkle with 1 8oz bag of toffee bits. Refridgerate covered.

Creme De Menthe Cake

Prepare a white cake mix as directed on box.
But add 1 t vanilla
1 tsp salt
and 3 T creme De Menthe
Bake the cake according to directions.

Cool cake and cover with 16 oz hot fudge sauce combine with 3 T creme de menthe. Then cover all with cool whip.

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

1/4 c. brown sugar
2 t cinnamon
1 c. chopped pecans, divided
1 pkg yellow cake mix
3/4 c. salad oil
1/2 c. sugar
1 t vanilla
4 eggs
1 c. sour cream

Grease and flour 10" tube or bundt pan.
Combine br. sugar, cinnamon and 1/2 c. pecans, set aside.

Combine cake mix, oil, sugar, vanilla, eggs and sour cream. Beat 2 minutes at med speed of an electric mixer. stir in 1/2 c. pecans. Pour half of batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle brown sugar mixture over batter. Pour remaining batter into pan. bake at 325 deg for 50-60 minutes. Allow cake to cool in pan 30 min before turning out.

7 Minute Frosting

1 1/2 c. sugar
1/3 c water
2 egg whites
1 t Karo
1/2 t salt
1 1/2 t vanilla

In top of couble boiler, mix all except vanilla.
With mixer at high speed, beat over simmering water about 7 minutes or til frosting stands in stiff flossy peaks. remove from heat.
Beat in vanilla.
Nina uses this for Angel Food cake.

Lemon Cake

1 pkg lemon cake mix
3/4 c. oil
1 sm pkg lemon pudding
1 c. water
4 eggs

Mix and bake at 350 deg about 25-30 min in a large pan
After baking, punch holes with fork and pour over:
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar, 3 T oil and 1/2 c. orange juice mixed well together.

Mom's Chocolate Cake Icing

2 c. sugar
3 T cocoa
1/2 c shortening
2/3 c milk

Mix in heavy saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and cool.
Beat with mixer until thick enough for spreading.

Banana Split Dessert

2 c. graham cracker crumbs
1 stick melted butter
Mix and make a crust in a 8x11" pan

Combine:
2 c. powdered sugar
2 eggs
1 stick butter
2 drops banana flavoring
Beat very well apx 10 minutes.

Spread over crust.

Top with 5 sliced bananas, 1 can crushed pineapple (drained) and 1 carton cool whip.
Top with maraschino cherries and chopped nuts.

Notcha Momma's Banana Pudding

2 bags Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies (or vanilla wafers)
6-8 bananas-sliced (we like to do half bananas, and half strawberries)
2 cups milk
1 (5oz) box instant french vanilla pudding
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (12 oz) container whipped topping

Line the bottom of a 13x9x2 pan with 1 bag of cookies and layer bananas on top.
In a bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix and blend well using a handheld mixer. Using another bowl, combine the cream cheese and condensed milk together and mix until smooth.
Fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture. Add the cream cheese mixture to the pudding and stir until well blended.
Pour the mixture over the cookies and bananas and cover with remaning cookies.

Chocolate Delight Dessert

Mix together and pat in bottom of 8x12 pan:
1 c. flour
1 stick margarine
1/2 c. chopped pecans

Bake 15 min. at 375 deg, cool.

Combine and spread on cooled crust:
8 oz pkg cream cheese
1 c. powdered sugar
1/2 lg carton Cool Whip

Mix together until smooth:
2 sm pkgs choco instant pudding
3 c. milk
Spread over creamed mixture and crust

Top with other 1/2 carton of the Cool Whip.
Let set 8 ours in fridge before serving.

German Chocolate Upside Down Cake

2 c. coconut
1 c. chopped pecans
1 box German chocolate cake mix
1 lb box powdered sugar
8 oz cream cheese
1 c. melted butter

Spread coconut and pecans in a 9x12" pan. Mix a German chocolate cake mix per directions on box and pour over.
Mix box of powdered sugar, cream cheese and melted butter, then pour over cake.
Bake at 325 for 50 minutes.

(Cake won't look done, but it is)

Sour Cream Pound Cake

1 c. butter
3 c. flour
3 c. sugar
6 eggs
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 t vanilla
1 t almond extract
1 c. sour cream

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time and mix well. Sift dry ingredients and add alternately to mixture with sour cream. Mix well.
Put mixture in well greased and floured tube pan.
Bake 325 deg for 1 hour, let stand 10 minutes then remove from pan.

Pig-Lickin Cake

Combine:
1 Butter cake mix
4 eggs
1/2 c oil
1 can mandarin oranges (juice and all)
Beat and bake in 3 pans at 350 degrees for 25-30 min.
Cool thoroughly.

Ice with:
8 oz coolwhip
20 oz can crushed pineapple (w/ juice)
1 small box vanilla instant pudding.

**I think "pig" is another word for fingers...don't think you're supposed to lick swine--this IS Nina's recipe though, so you never know.

Pecan Tassies

Crust:
2 sticks margarine
2 3oz pkgs cream cheese
2 c. flour
soften margarine and cheese, mix together
Add flour, and refridgerate dough for 2-3 hours.

Pinch off small balls, press out in small tins until all sides are covered.

Filling:
1 c. chopped pecans
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
2 T melted margarine
1/4 t vanilla
dash salt

Beat eggs, add sugar gradually then margarine, salt and vanilla.
Put 1/2 nuts in unbaked shells, pour rest in filling. Pour into shells half full. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 250 and bake 10 more min.

Clara's Caramel Icing

In heavy saucepan, caramelize 1/2 c. sugar.

In another larger saucepan, combine
2 c. sugar
1 T flour
1 small whipping cream
Cover over low heat until it comes to a boil

CAREFULLY combine the carmelized sugar with above mixture--this will bubble up--be careful.

Cook to soft ball stage (use a candy thermometer)
Remove from heat and add 1 t vanilla.
Beat til creamy and spread over pound cake.

**Mom was required to master this before she was allowed to marry him.

Nina's Famous Coconut Cake

Bake a white cake mix according to directions in 9x13in pan. While cake is cooling, punch holes in cake and pour one can of coconut cream over warm cake.
after cake cools, spread one lg carton of cool whip over it.
Then sprinkle with flaked coconut over all.

**There's many places Nina isn't allowed without this cake in tow.

Mom's Peanut Clusters

8 (2oz) vanilla candy coating squares, cut up.
2 2/3 c. milk chocolate morsels
1 lb salted spanish peanuts

Melt candy coating and chocolate in heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat, stir in peanuts.
Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper lined baking sheets. Freeze until firm.
4 doz.

Mom's Peanut Butter Divinity

2 c. sugar
2/3 c. karo
1/2 c water
2 stiffly beaten egg whites
1 t vanilla
Peanut Butter

Combine sugar, Karo, and water. Stir over low heat until sugar dissolves. Cook to 270 degrees. Slowly pour over egg whites, beating constantly. Add vanilla. Beat until mixture holds its shape. Roll out on wax paper.
Spread with peanut butter, then roll up jelly roll style and slice.

Pumpkin Pie Cake

3 eggs
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 large can evaporated milk
1 tsp cinnamon
Mom's recipe calls for a bit of nutmeg and ginger or you could use pumpkin pie spice)
1 16 0z can of pumpkin
MIX above and pour into 9x13" ungreased pan

Sprinkle with 1 box dry yellow cake mix, then sprinkle chopped pecans over top. Melt 2 sticks butter or margarine and pour over pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour-serve warm with whipped cream.

Blueberry Crunch

Combine:
20 oz can crushed pineapple with juice
3 c blueberries, frozen or canned

Put into 9x13" pan. Sprinkle with 1/4 c. sugar. Sprinkle 1 box yellow cake mix (dry). Cut up 1 stick butter and place over all.
Sprinkle another 1/4 c. sugar over all. And then sprinkle 1/4 c. chopped pecans.
Bake 350 for 45 minutes.

Nina's Peanut Brittle

2 c. sugar
1 c. Karo syrup
1/3 c. hot water
1 t salt
1 T butter
1 T baking soda
16oz shelled RAW peanuts
apx 3 cups

Butter 2 15x12" pans, warm
cook sugar, Karo and water in 3 qt saucepan over med heat, stir occassionally to 240 degrees.
Stir in peanuts and salt. Cook, stir constantly to 310 degrees.
remove from heat, and stir in butter and soda (BE CAREFUL-it bubbles when you add the soda)
Pour into baking dishes.
Cool, then break into pieces.

Snickerdoodles

Mix together:
1 c. soft shortening
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs

Sift together and stir in:
2 3/4 c. flour
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 t soda
1/2 t salt
Chill dough. Roll into balls. Roll in mixture of 2T sugar and 2T cinnamon.

Place 2" apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 min. until lightly browned, but still soft.

Sara Sue's Tony Tiger Cookies

Melt 1 c. chocolate chips

Stir together
1 c. butter
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 t vanilla
1/2 t salt
1 t soda
2 c. flour
3 c. crushed frosted flakes

Swirl chocolate thru batter and bake 10-12 min at 350 degrees.

Hershey Kiss Peanut Butter Cookies

2 2/3 c. flour
2 t baking soda
1 t salt
1 c. butter
2/3 c creamy peanut butter
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 t vanilla
5 doz Hershey Kiss candies

Sift flour with soda and salt. Set aside.
In large bowl, mix butter, peanut butter til well blended.
Add sugars.
Beat til light and fluffy
Add eggs and vanilla, beat until smooth then stir in the flour mixture.
Using level Tblsp. shape into 5 doz balls. Roll each in sugar.
Place 2" apart on ungreased baking sheet.
Bake at 350 for 8 minutes. Remove from oven. Press a kiss on each one. Return to oven for 2 min.

Irish Italian Spaghetti

1 chopped onion
2 T oil
1 lb gr beef
1 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1 T chili powder
1/2 t tabasco
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can tomato soup
1 8 oz pkg spaghetti
1/2 c. grated parm cheese

Brown onion in oil, add meat and seasonings. Brown lightly. Cover and simmer 10 min. Add soups and cover and simmer for 45 min.
Cook spaghetti and drain. Mix in with the sauce, add parmesean.

(def. a comfort food for us if there ever was one. Popsey's plate always had a little spoonful of onion left on the side after he was finished. Nina always lovingly cut the onion into bigger pieces so he could pick them out.)

Meatwhirl Meat Loaf

1 1/2 lb gr beef
1 c. soft bread crumbs
1 egg
2 t horseradish
8 oz can tomato sauce
6 oz cheddar, shredded

Lightly mix first 4 ingred. with 1/2 c. tomato sauce
On wax paper, pat meat into 10x14 rectangle

Sprinkle with cheese. Roll from short side as far a jelly roll, then press ends to seal.
Place loaf in pan, seam side down.
Bake 350 deg 45 min.
Pour remaining tomato sauce over and sprinkle with seasonings. Bake another 15 minutes.

Ann Lander's Meat Loaf

2 lbs gr chuck
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. bread crumbs
3/4 c ketchup
1 t Accent
1/2 c warm water
1 pkg Liption onion soup mix

Mix thoroughly by hand. Place in a loaf pan.
Cover with 3 strips of raw bacon. Pour over this 8 oz can tomato sauce.

Bake 350 for 1 hour.

Tammy's Tuna Casserole

2 c. macaroni
cook in salted water and drain

Add
1 T butter
1 c. velveeta (chunked)
1/2 c. milk
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can tuna

Bake at 325 deg for 30 min.

Charlotte's Green Chile Chicken Lasagna

2 cans rotel
1 can cream of onion soup, undiluted
2 c. cooked chopped chicken
1 small can chopped green chilies
6 green onions, chopped
chili powder to taste, optional
8 flour or corn tortillas
1/2 c. fresh chopped cilantro
8 oz reduced fat shredded cheese

Combine rotel, soup, chicken, green chilies, onions, chili powder in a large saucepan. Heat thoroughly. Tear the tortillas in peices and spread 1/3 in a 13x9 pan sprayed with Pam.
Top with 1/3 of the heated rotel mixture, sprinkle with 1/3 cilantro and 1/3 cheese.
Repeat layers, ending with cheese.
Bake at 350 deg for 35-45 minutes until bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

(Optional: use 2 cans of rotel, but one of them use the mexican style with cilantro...and do not use fresh cilantro)

Charlotte's Chicken Spagetti

8 oz cooked chicken
3 c. cooked angel hair pasta (4 1/2 oz dry)
4 oz Mex velveeta, cubed
(or velveeta with 1 sm can rotel)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 c. onion, chopped
1/2 c. bell pepper, chopped

Mix all ingredients together and put into sprayed casserole dish. Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes or until heated thru.

TIP: Heat velveeta in soup to keep from sticking.

John Marzetti

1 lb ground beef
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 t salt
1 t pepper
1 t sugar
2 cans 8 oz tomato sauce
Brown meat-add remaining-simmer for 20-30 minutes
(mom uses her homemade spagetti sauce here-meat browned with a jar of chunky ragu is good here too-chunk marinara alone makes a vegetarian sauce)

Cook and drain 1/2 pkg of egg noodles.

Combine in another bowl
1 c. sour cream
1 c. cheddar cheese (shredded)
3 oz cream cheese (softened)
3 chopped green onions

In casserole dish (spray with Pam) spread noodles.
Cover with sour cream mixture then with meat sauce.

Bake at 350 for 30-45 min. Great alternative to lasagna.

Turkey Tetrazzini

1/2 c. margarine or butter
1/2 c. flour
1 c. hot milk
1 c. hot chicken or turkey broth
1/2 t salt
1/2 t pepper
pinch of nutmeg
1/4 c. cooking sherry
3/4 c. canned evaporated milk
8 oz mushrooms
1/4 c. chopped green pepper
3 c. cooked chicken or turkey (diced)
1/2 c grated parm cheese
1 lb spagetti

Cook and drain pasta. Heat butter and stir in flour. Combine milk and broth and stir into flour mixture. Cook, stirring until sauce is smooth and thickened. Blend in spices and sherry. Stir in canned milk and remove from heat. Saute mushrooms and green pepper in 2T butter for 5 minutes. Mix half the sauce with pasta, mushrooms, and green pepper.
Place in buttered shallow baking dish. Make well in center of pasta mixture. Mix remaining sauce with chicken or turkey and place in well. Sprinkle with cheese, bake at 400 deg for 20 minutes.
Serves 6-8.

The Lady and Son's Mac and Cheese

4 c. cooked elbow macaroni (drained)
2 c. grated cheddar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 c sour cream
4 T butter, cut in pieces
1/2 t salt
1 c. milk

While cooked macaroni is still hot, add the cheddar. In a seperate bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and add to the macaroni mixture. Pour into a casserole and bake 350 degrees 30-45 min. Top with additional cheese if desired. (I usuall chunk about 1/4 lb of velveeta and stick chunks down into the casserole before I bake it-that way you get little puddles of cheese here and there)

Italian Baked Chicken Pastina

1 c. dry small pasta -cooked (pastina, or penne)
2 T olive oil
1/2 c. cubed chicken breast (1 in cubes)
1/2 c. diced onion or shallot
1 clove garlic
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes in juice
1 c. shredded mozzarella
1/4 c. feta (or other cheese)
3 oz cream cheese
1/4 c. chopped parsley
1/4 t pepper
1/4 t salt
1/4 c. bread crumbs
1/4 c. grated parm cheese
melted butter

Brown chicken in olive oil. Add onions, garlic and cook til heated thru about 5 minutes. Add chicken to cooked pasta. Add canned tomatoes, mozz, feta, cream cheese, parsley, salt and pepper. Stir.
Bake in a buttered 8x8 casserole.
In small bowl, combine bread crumbs and parmesan. Sprinkle over top and drizzle with melted butter.
Bake about 30 minutes at 400 degrees.

**Mom's secret-pour 1/2 pint whipping cream over the top before cooking.

Slumgullian

**Cara's note: I gotta say, I've had this like ONCE. I remember it being awesome, its some kind of family recipe that makes its appearance really stealth like, in the corner of the buffet table at Nina's house, people will whisper "That's the slumgullian". Its like a dirty relative or something, its killer.


Brown in skillet: 1 lb ground beef
small onion
small green pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

Add: 1 can tomato soup, 2 T sugar and cook for 2 min.
Then add cooked vermicelli or spaghetti

Top with 4-6 slices American cheese, cook til it melts.

Ina's Penne With 5 Cheeses

Combine 2 c. heavy cream
1 c. crushed tomatoes in thick tomato puree (canned)
1/2 c. freshly grated Pecorino Romano (1 1/2 oz)
1/2 c. Shredded Italian fontina (1 1/2 oz)
1/4 c. crumbled Italian Gorgonzola (1 1/2 oz)
2 T ricotta cheese
1/4 lb fresh mozzarella, sliced and chunked
salt and pepper
Cook 1 lb penne regate pasta (penne with the lines) in boiling water (salted)-drain well.

Combine penne with sauce and place in casserole, or shallow augratin dishes. Dot with 1/2 stick butter sliced and bake at 500 degrees until bubbly and brown on top. Seperate gratins will take about 10 min, casserole about 15-20 min.

Mom adds leftover seafood like fish, shrimp, etc. when she has some.

Ina's Shrimp Scampi with Linguine

Cook 3/4 lb linguine, drain

In heavy skillet, melt 3 T butter and 2 1/2 T GOOD olive oil
Add 4 cloves crushed fresh garlic
Cook just ONE minute.

Add 1 lb large shrimp (TRUST ME...use large, anything smaller turns to rubber fishing lures)
**about 16
Add 1 1/2 t salt
1/4 t fresh gr pepper
And saute until the shrimp just turn pink, about 5 min, stirring often.

Remove from heat and add 1/3 c. chopped fresh parsley
Juice from 2 lemons (and zest from 1/2 a lemon)
1/4 lemon sliced in half rounds
1/8 t hot red pepper flakes

Toss with pasta, serve immediately if not sooner!

Eggplant Parmesan

1 med eggplant, sliced thick
Dip in flour, then in 2 eggs, 1/2 c. milk (beaten)
Then roll in italian bread crumbs.

Saute in olive oil until browned.
Arrange in baking dish.
Top with slice of mozzarella.
Then top with oversized spoonful of spagetti sauce (Ragu, Prego)
to cover.
Sprinkle w/ fresh grated parmesan cheese.

Bake 400 deg 15 min.

Parmesan Chicken Tenders

One bag frozen chicken tenderloins
Add 1/2 bottle ranch dressing and marinate at least an hour (or overnight)

Toss and dredge completely the chicken in a mixture of:
1 c. Italian Style seasoned bread crumbs
1 c. freshly grated parm cheese
coarsely ground black pepper
garlic salt

Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Place chicken on prepared baking sheet or pizza stone, and drizzle with olive oil. Bake until cooked thru (apx 12 minutes)

Good hot OR cold, good made into chicken parmesean also!

Charlotte's Stovetop Veal (Or Chicken) Parmesean

1 T all purpose flour
1/4 t salt
4 -3oz thin sliced veal cutlets (1/4 thick)
2 c. marinara sauce
3/4 c. shredded mozzarella cheese (Charlotte uses skim)
2 T grated parm cheese
1/4 t freshly gr pepper

Spray a 12 in nonstick skillet w/ Pam and heat thru.
Meanwhile, on a sheet of wax paper or a plate, mix the flour and salt.
Lightly dredge the veal in flour. Transfer veal to the skillet and saute until golden brown, about 3 min, turn over and saute 1-2 min longer. Pour the marinara sauce around the veal and sprinkle the cutlets with mozz. and parm cheeses.
Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until cheese melts and sauce bubbles, and cutlets are cooked thru. About 3-5 minutes.
Sprinkle with pepper.
(You can use chicken breasts pounded w/ a rolling pen)
Serve with angel hair pasta.

Chicken Enchiladas

chicken breasts (cubed)
velveeta cheese
salsa (thicker the better)
flour tortillas (burrito size)
taco bell canned enchilada sauce
shredded cheese (mexican blend)

Brown chicken in large skillet
Add cubed velveeta and salsa, and simmer until its all melted together.
Spoon mixture into flour tortillas and roll into burritos
Set them side by side in a casserole dish
and cover with enchilada sauce. Sprinkle generously w/ cheese.

Cook for 10-15 minutes at 250 degrees you are just melting the cheese.

serve with guac, sour cream, salsa...whatever.

Mexican Chicken

1 chicken fryer (boiled and chopped)
**reserve broth for tortillas
1 diced onion
1/2 lb gr cheddar
1 can rotel
1 t chili powder
1 t garlic salt

Mix above.
In reserved chicken broth, soften 1 pkg of corn tortillas one at a time.
Line buttered broiler pan (or 9x13) with softened tortillas.
Pour in chicken mixture and top with 2 cans cream of chicken soup.
Bake at 350 deg for 35 minutes.

Top individual servings w/ salsa and sour cream.

Creamy Baked Chicken

3 c. cooked rice
8 halves-split chicken breast
8 slices swiss cheese
1 c cream of chicken soup
1/4 c. dry white wine
1/4 c butter, melted
1 c. crushed croutons

Arrange chicken over rice in greased 9x13 pan
Top with cheese slices.
Mix soup and wine, spoon over top.
Sprinkle croutons over, drizzle with melted butter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 min.

Cashew Chicken

1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
per person cut into 1" cubes

Let chicken breast sit in flour/salt/pepper for 15 minutes

Then transfer to a bowl containing: 2 eggs and 1/4 c. milk (per person)
let this sit 15 more minutes

Return to more flour/salt/pepper for a few minutes

Fry chicken in peanut oil. Pleace in greased baking dish

Cover with sauce:
3 c. chicken broth
3 t oyster sauce
3 T cornstarch

Boil until thick. Pour over chicken and bake
275 deg for 1 hour uncovered.
Top with chopped green onion and cashews.

Granny Lucy's Chicken Pie

Cook and bone chicken, saving broth
In saucepan, combine 2 cups broth with one can of creamed soup (we use celery or chicken, or mushroom)
Bring to a boil.

Lay chicken in 9x12 pan and pour soup mixture over.
Combine 1 stick oleo melted, 1 c. buttermilk, 1 t salt, 1 c. self rising flour, and 2 t baking powder
Pour this over the chicken mixture, bake at 350 deg for 25 min until crust is brown.

Marie's Casserole

8 oz noodles
(cook, and drain)

Brown:
1-2 lb gr beef
2 T butter

Add:
8 oz can tomato sauce
1 c. cottage cheese
1 c. sour cream
1 t salt
1/8 t pepper
1/4 t garlic
6 green onions, chopped
3/4 c. shredded cheddar

Combine with noodles. Bake at 350 for 25-30 min.

Freezes well.

Greene Chile Casserole

2 lbs hamburger
1 sm onion
2 cans green chilies (drained)
1/2 can rotel
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 c. half and half
2 lbs grated sharp cheddar (use 1/2 now and 1/2 later)
1 pkg corn tortillas
dash crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Brown beef and onions. Add next 5 ingredients to melt. Layer bottom of a 9x13 with 6 to 8 torn up tortillas.
Add a layer of the meat mixture. Add another layer of torn up tortillas.
Put rest of meat mixture on top of tortillas and cover the top with the other half of the cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes-1 hour or until top is as brown as you like it.

Chicken in a Basket

1 1/2 c. cubed chiken
1 1/2 c. shredded cheese (whatever you like, we like cheddar-swiss)
1 8 oz can crescent rolls
1 10 1/2 oz can cream of chicken soup
1 c. milk

Combine soup, milk, and 1/4 c. of cheese in a saucepan. Heat thru. Pour mixture into a 9x11 baking pan, or round casserole with sides.
Combine chicken and rest of cheese in a bowl.
Fill each crescent roll with a glob of the mixture and form into a basket.
Set these into soup mixture. Spoon a little of the sauce over each "basket".
Bake for 20-25 minutes til tops are golden brown.
We sprinkle a little extra cheese on top and melt for a minute.

Good with broccoli spears.

Jay Parrino Style Friday Fish and Broccoli

Lemon Butter:
8 T butter
2 T lemon juice
4 t white wine
Melt over low heat in small sauce pan-keep warm.

Fish:
2 eggs
1 c. heavy cream
4 (6 oz) fillets of sole or cod (or any white fish)
1 c. flour
4 T butter

Steam--precook a head of fresh broccoli in spears.

Fish: Whisk eggs in heavy cream in large bowl. Dredge fish in the flour, shake off any excess, then place fillets in the batter. Heat 4 T butter in a large heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat. Lift fish out of batter, allow excess to run off, then gently lay fillets in the pan. Cook turning fish once, until flaky and crush is crisp and golden, about 3 min per side.

When fish is done, place in a serving dish with the broccoli and pour lemon butter over all.

BBQ Brisket

Place brisket of beef in broiler pan.
Pour over met 3 oz liquid smoke
Sprinkle both sides of meat with onion, celery, and garlic salts.
Let set in fridge overnight.

Next am sprinkle both sides of meat w/ salt, pepper and worchestershire.

Place in oven, cover and seal with foil.
Bake 275 deg for 5 hours for 5-6 lbs of meat.

Uncover and pour on 6 oz bbq sauce.
Bake another hour.
Remove meat to platter and let sauce cool. Remove fat.
a 2T flour and 1/2 c. water (mixed) to meat sauce. Add more bbq for flavor.
Slice against the grain.

Paula Deen's Pot Roast

1-3lb chuck roast
1 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1/4 t garlic powder
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
3 bay leaves
3-4 crushed garlic cloves
1 (10 3/4 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 c. chardonnay

Sprinkle roast on all sides with seasonings. Using a skillet over high heat, sear roast until brown in oil. Important to brown well for best flavor.
Place roast in slow cooker (crock pot) and layer onions, bayleaves, bouillon cubes crushed, and garlic, soup and wine.
Cook on low for 8 hours.

Zeke Gibson's Corn

This was handed to Zeke thru his Mommy, Cara who was given this recipe by her talented Tailgating Chef of a father, David. It really travels thru the generations.

1 bag frozen corn
salt
butter

Obtain a tupperware container from your kitchen pantry as destructively as possible. Pour the frozen corn into it. (Don't worry if any falls on the floor, either your dog or sister will be by shortly to eat it.)

With your mom hanging over your shoulder try cutting the butter into slices and put them into the corn. Smoosh each piece down in there. Be sure you get up to your wrist in corn, this is the only way the butter will work.

Put the lid on the container.

Microwave on high for 4 minutes, while standing in front of the microwave watching every minute of the cooking process.

When the bell rings, scream as loud as you can so your mom can hear you. She'll come help you get it out of there.

When she takes the lid off, sprinkle the corn with salt and stir with your Spiderman spoon. (Spongebob works just as effectively here.)

Put some more butter in there and put the lid back on. (It's gonna be hot so make your mom help.)

Microwave again for a few more minutes til its done.

And you'll know its done when your mom says so.

BBQ Chicken

Marinate chicken breasts in cesar dressing for 30 minutes
Warm up your g(o)rill(a) and keep at medium to medium low heat.
Grill chicken and baste with bbq sauce while cooking.

Zeke loves with his specialty...corn.

Jim's Roll Tide Cajun Rib Rub

2 T paprika
1 T coarsley gr pepper
1 T ground cumin
1 T brown sugar
1 T salt
2 t gr coriander
1 t dried thyme
1 t gr red pepper (cayenne)
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t gr allspice

Mix and use as a rub on meat-store in tightly covered container up to 6 mo.
makes 1/3 cup.

Mom's Creme Tacos

2 lb gr beef
1 brick frozen chili
1 lb velveeta
1 can pinto beans
1 can rotel
1/2 pt whipping cream

Brown beef and drain, season to taste.
Add chili, beans, rotel. Let chili melt.
Add velveeta and melt
Then add cream. let simmer til thick.
(about 30 min)

Serve over crushed tortilla chips, top with sour cream, lettuce, tomato, ranch dressing, salsa...friggin chocolate, or just pee on it...its good whatever you do to it. Its also good as a dip.

Corn in a Crock

20 oz frozen corn
1 stick butter
8 oz cream cheese
2T sugar
6Twater

cook in crock pot high for 2 hours (low for 4 hours)

Sharon Daily's One Pot Bean-Beef Dinner

1-1 1/2 lb gr beef
3/4 lb cut up bacon
1 c. chopped onion
2- 1 lb cans pork and beans
1 can drained kidney beans
1 can drained butter limas
1 c. ketchup
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 T liquid smoke
3 T white vinegar
1 t. salt/ 1 t pepper
Dash of tabasco

Brown beef and drain, put in crock pot.
Same pan, brown bacon and onion, drain and add to crock
add remaining ingredients and stir well
Cover and cook on low 4-8 hours.

Trotter's Corn

20 oz. frozen corn
1/2 pt heavy whipping cream
1/4 c. milk
1/4 t accent
1 t salt
2 T sugar
Pepper

Mix together and cook over med heat until hot.
Mix 2 T flour w/ 2T melted butter.

Add to corn mixture and stir until thick.

Sweet Potato Goodies **Need help on this one**

2 c. sweet potatoes (cooked and mashed)
2 c. sugar
1 t vanilla
1/4 stick margarine
2 eggs, well beaten
1 lg can evaporated milk
Pour this mixture into a greased 10" corningware dish

Topping:
1 c. crushed cornflakes
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1/2 c. coconut
1/4 c. brown sugar

Place on top of potato mixture then drizzle 3/4 stick of melted margarine over all.
Bake 10 more min.


**that last part makes no sense to me!? bake 10 MORE minutes? i haven't baked it at all!?

GraJanie's Sweet Potato Crunch

3 cups cooked sweet potatoes (chunky mashed)
1/4 c. milk
1/4 c. butter
3/4 c. cugar
1 t vanilla
2 eggs, beaten

Top with 1 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. butter
1/2 c. flour
1 c. chopped pecans

Bake at 350 deg for 35 min. until bubbly

David Thulin's World Famous Corn Pudding

1-17 oz can cream corn
2 T sugar
2 beaten eggs
1 T flour
1/2 c. milnot
1/2 t salt
1 1/2 T butter

Mix and bake at 325 deg for 30 min.
Top with bread crumbs and bake another 45 min.

Scalloped Potatoes

Boil 8 potatoes in jackets
Peel and cube, then add:
1 sm carton cottage cheese
1 sm carton sour cream w/ chives
salt and pepper

Top w/ 1 c. grated cheddar

Bake at 350 deg for 30 min.

Hot Pepper Rice

Combine:
3 c. cooked rice
1-8oz carton sour cream
1-4 1/2 oz can chopped green chilies (drain)
1 jalapeno epper (or jarred chopped equiv)
Spoon half of mixture into a lightly greased baking dish.

Sprinkle with 1/2 of cheese mixture below:
1 c. shredded jack cheese
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
Repeat layers

Bake uncovered 350 deg for 15-20 min.

Mom's Garlic Cheese Grits

2 c. cooked grits
1 stick parkay
3 t seasoning salt
2 t salt
crushed garlic clove (or dash of garlic powder)

Cook until thick.
Cool then add 3 eggs, beaten and 1-12 oz bag grated sharp cheddar.

Place in bakeware, cover with foil.
Bake at 275 deg for 1 hour

Zucchini Casserole

1 stick + 1 T melted butter
Pour over 1 bag Pepperidge Farm Stuffing

Place 1/2 of mixture on bottom of casserole dish
Mix:
1 cup sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 grated carrots
2-3 grated zucchinis
1 onion, chopped

Spread over the stuffing in pan, then top with remaining dressing (creating 3 layers: stuffing, cream mix, stuffing)
Bake at 350 deg for 30-45 min.

Broccoli Rice Casserole

Saute:
2-3 T onion
3/4 c. chopped celery
3 T butter

Add 1 pkg chopped broccoli
1 can cream of chicken (or celery) soup
1/2 can evaporated milk
1 t sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 c. cooked rice
1 small jar Cheese Whiz or grated cheese

Bake covered for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Potato Casserole

2 lbs frozen hash browns
1 sm carton sour cream
1 stick butter
1/2 c. onion, sauteed
2 c grated cheddar
2 c. crunched corn flakes
salt and pepper
1 can cream of chicken soup

Melt 1/2 stick butter, add soup, sour cream, onion, cheese, salt and pepper.
Pour frozen potatoes in 9x13in greased pan.
Top with cream mixture.
Melt the other 1/2 stick butter and add cornflakes
Spread over all.
Bake at 350 deg for 1 hour

Tailgate Sandwich

1 - 12' round focaccia loaf
1/3 c. mayo
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 t juice of marinated artichokes
1/2 to 1 lb thiny sliced smoked turkey (or any lunchmeat you like)
2 roasted peppers (we used from the jar)
1/4 to 1/2 lb provolone, thinly sliced
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
2 tomatoes, thinly sliced
1 c shredded fresh spinach
Balsamic vinagrette

Slice bread in half horizontally. Combine mayo, garlic, artichoke juice.
Spread on the bread. Layer remaining ingredients on half of the bread.
Sprinkle with the balsalmic vinagrette.
Top with top half of the bread. Wrap in plastic wrap then in foil.
Refridgerate for at least two hours or overnight.
Slice into wedges and serve.

Bea Butler's Hamburger Goo

4 lbs gr beef
1 c chopped onion
14 ox bottle ketchup
1 c. water
1/2 c finely chopped celery
1/4 c. lemon juice
2 T brown sugar
1 T worchestershire
2 t vinegar
1/2 t dry mustard

Brown beef and onion and drain.
Add remaining ingredients, heat to boil, stir frequently.
Reduce heat and cover. Simmer 30-45 min.
Serve as sloppy joes or date and freeze.

Mom's Chili Burgers

2 lbs gr beef
1 pkg Williams Chili Seasoning Mix
Tomato Juice

Brown beef w/ seasoning
Simmer 10 min, drain.
Add tomato juice.
Simmer until juice is mostly absorbed, at least 30 minutes.

(Especially good after made and frozen..then reheated--best flavor)

Hasty Momma Pizza Pockets

Slather mayonnaise on one side of two pieces of bread.
Place one side mayo down on a skillet
Top with pizza sauce, mozarella cheese, and pepperonis.
Cover with another piece of bread.
Flip once, let cheese melt.

I squash mine too, the sides stay together more like a pocket this way.

Curried Tuna Sandwich

Curry powder
Prepared mustard
White meat tuna, drained

Mix together to your liking, add salt and pepper to taste.
Serve in wheat pita pockets with lettuce and tomato. I have seen it served at Jaimacan restaraunts with bits of celery in it as well.

Aunt Chiggar's Hot Ham Sandwiches

Combine
1/2 lb softened butter
4 T minced onion
4 T horseradish mustard
2 T poppy seeds
(mix and set aside)

2 lbs deli shaved or sliced ham (turkey works too)
sliced swiss cheese
brown buns (pumpernickle is our fav)
or you can use other thick breads.

Spread butter mixture thick on the buns. Pile on ham and a slice of swiss. Wrap sandwiches individually in foil. Bake at 350 deg for 20 minutes. Ok to freeze before baking.

Overnight Lettuce Salad

1 head lettuce, torn
1/2 c chopped celery
1 c chopped green pepper
6-8 green onions, chopped
1 pkg frozen green peas (don't thaw)
1 c. mayo
2 T sugar
4 oz grated cheddar
8 slices bacon, fried crisp and crumbled

layer first five ingredients in large salad bowl
spread with mayo then sprinkle with sugar
then cheese, then bacon

cover with foil, and seal

refridgerate overnight. toss well before serving

Lisa Smith's Spinach and Strawberry Salad

Combine in salad bowl
2 lb fresh spinach
1 pt strawberries, sliced

Dressing: combine in blender
1/2 c sugar
1 1/2 t minced onion
1 /4 t paprika
1/4 t worchestershire
1/2 c veg oil
1/4 c cider vinegar
Top w/ 2 T sesame seeds (toasted lightly)
and 1 T poppy seeds

Walnut Chicken Salad

2/3 c. nonfat plain yogurt
1/2 c. finely chopped celery
1/2 c. finely chopped spinach (or about 3 T drained thawed frozen chopped)
1/4 c. chopped green onions
1 T lemon juice
1 t ground mustard
1/2 t dried dill or tarragon
3 C diced cooked chicken breast
1 apple, cored and diced
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
salt and pepper

Combine and chill.
Serve on lettuce or bread, crackers, pita

Flanery's Mexican Salad

1 lb gr beef, browned and drained
Add 1 can kidney beans (drained)
Heat then add 2-3 dashes tabasco

In seperate bowl, combine
1 head lettuce, chopped
1 c. grated sharp cheddar
4 tomatoes chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
1 avacado
Thousand Island dressing, OR russian dressing.

Top w/ meats and beans, serve with chips.

Strawberry Jello Salad

2 pkgs strawberry jello
dissolved in 1 1/2 c. boiling water

Add 1 sm can crushed pineapple w/ juice
2 bananas sliced
10 oz pkg frozen strawberries

Put 1/2 mixture in a square pyrex dish. let set until firm. spread 1 small carton of sour cream over jellow mixture then pour remainder of jellow over. Chill and serve.

Lime Jello Salad

1 sm pkg lime jello
1 c. hot water
1 c. cottage cheese
1 c. pecans
1 c. crushed pineapple, drained
1 c. whipping cream

Cut 25 marshmallows. Dissolve gelatine in hot water. Mix all ingredients except cream together after gelatin begins to set. Whip cream and add just before serving.

Trees and Raisins

1 lg head fresh broccoli cut into small flowerettes
10 strips bacon fried crisp and crumbled
1/2 c. raisins
1/4 c. chopped red onion
1 c. mayo
1/2 c. sugar
1 T vinegar

Combine broccoli, bacon, raisins, and onions in a large bowl.
Blend together mayo, sugar, and vinegar
Pour over broccoli mixture and stir.
Cover and marinate at least one hour before serving. Longer is better.

Pasta House Salad

1 head iceburg lettuce
1/3 head romaine lettuce
1 c. artichoke hearts
1 c sliced red onion
1 c diced pimentos, drained
combine above, top with dressing below
mix together 2/3 c. olive oil
1/3 c. wine vinegar
1 t salt
1/4 t coarsely ground black pepper
2/3 c. freshly grated parmigiano cheese.

Whip Cream Fruit Salad

Bananas
mini marshmallows
canned fruits: pears, peaches, apricots, fruit cocktail (chunky style)
fruits: blueberries, strawberries, etc
whipping cream and powdered sugar
(or cool whip)

Whip cream adding some powdered sugar to taste (but cool whip works MUCH easier)
stir in the drained fruits, marshmallows, etc. You can use about anything. I like grapes :)

Four Point Taco Soup

believe it or not! this is a Weight Watcher's recipe

1 lb ground round or turkey
1 lg onion
1 pkg taco seasoning mix
1 pkg hidden valley ranch dressing mix
1 can pinto beans
1 can chili beans
1 can corn
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 can rotel
1 can refried beans
(all 16 oz cans)

Brown beef and onion, drain. Combine with all other ingredients and heat thru. Great for a crock pot!!

Broccoli Cheese Soup

1 1/2 lbs fresh broccoli
2 c chicken broth (divided)
3/4 c. salt
1/2 c. cornstarch
1 pint half and half
1 lb velveeta
1/2 t pepper

Steam broccoli until tender. Place half and half and 1 c. broth in top of a double boiler. Add cheese, salt and pepper. Heat until cheese is melted. Add broccoli.
Mix cornstarch with 1 c broth in a small bowl. Whisk into cheese mixture in double boiler and heat over simmering water until soup thickens. Top with shredded cheese in a bowl.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

1 lb cubed chicken breast-browned
1 can fiesta nacho cheese soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 soup can of milk
1 can rotel
1 can mild enchilada sauce
toppings: crushed tortilla chips and grated cheese

Combine all ingredients except chips and cheese.
Bring to a boil over low heat-stir constantly. (this burns quick!)

Serve with chips and cheese on top

Black Bean Soup

1 med onion finely chopped
4 med garlic cloves, minced
3 -15 oz canned black beans, undrained
1/2 - 1 t red pepper flakes
1 t ground cumin
14 1/2 oz can rotel
11 oz canned yellow corn, drained

In large stockpot saute onion and garlic about 5 min in olive oil/butter. place one can of beans in blender. add sauteed onion mixture, red pepper flakes and cumin. cover and blend until smooth. (about 3 sec)
Pour mixture back into stockpot. Place 2nd can of beans and broth into blender and puree until smooth, then add to stockpot.
Add third can of beans (NOT pureed), rotel, and corn. Bring up to a boil, then simmer 30 min to an hour.

Chicken and Noodles ALA Nina

2 cans chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 soup can water
2 big cans of chicken (or leftover chicken)
1 small pkg noodles
celery salt
salt and pepper

Cook noodles for about 5 min
Mix all together in crock pot.
Cook on low 1-2 hours
(if you are going to cook all day in crock pot, don't precook noodles)

Baked Potato Soup

Bake 4 large baking potatoes
Allow to cool
Peel and remove pulp
Cut large pieces into chunks

Melt 2/3 c. butter in heavy saucepan over low heat.
Add 2/3 c. flour
Stir until smooth, cook 1 minute, stir constantly
Gradually add 6 c. milk

Cook over low heat stirring constantly, til thick and bubbly.

Add potato and all pulp.
Add 3/4 t salt
1/2 t pepper
2 or 4 green onions (chopped)
1/2 c. cooked crumbled bacon (if desired)
1 c. shredded cheese

Cook until thoroughly heated. Stir in 8 oz sour cream.

Serve with extra chopped green onions, additional bacon crumbles, and extra cheese.

Baked Clam Chowder

1 lg onion (sauteed)
6 cans potato soup
3 cans New England Clam Chowder
2 cans chopped clams w/ juices
2 quarts half and half

Bake covered at 200 deg for 4 hours in a dutch oven.

Southwest Chicken Chili

2 c. dry white beans
1/2 c dry red beans
Bring to a boil, boil 2 min, set aside for 1 hour then drain
set aside

saute 1 lg onion
2-3 cloves crushed garlic
in 2 T olive oil
Then add: 1 can rotel
2 T cumin
1T chili powder
1 t salt
1 tsp poultry seasoning
1/2 tsp of each: cayenne pepper, coriander, and oregano
Then add
2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 cans chicken broth
2 c. cooked chicken (diced, cubed, whatever)

Mix this with the beans and place in a crock pot. simmer for 3-5 hours being sure to cook the beans fully.
we serve topped w/ shredded cheese, tabasco, dollop of cream cheese and green onion

Old Timer's Beef Stew

2 lbs stew meat
2 T oil
1 lg onion
1 clove garlic-crushed
4 c. boiling water
1 T salt
1 T lemon juice
1 t sugar
1 t worchestershire
1/2 t pepper
1/2 t paprika
1 bay leaf
6 carrots cut up/ 6 potatoes diced
1 lb small white onions
1/2 c. cold water
1/4 c flour

Brown beef well in oil. Add next 10 ingredients. Cover and simmer apx 2 hours stirring frequently. Add veggies and simmer 30 mins. REMOVE THE BAY LEAF! Mix cold water and flour in a jar. Add to stew, cook and stir constantly til thickens, allow another 5 minutes or so and serve.

Mom's Veggie Soup

1 lb stew meat
Cover with water. Add 2 bay leaves, crushed garlic clove, minced onion to taste.
(or garlic powder and onion powder to fool dad)
and celery salt. cook on low 2-3 hours.

Add 3 small cans V-8 or tomato juice.
Add 1/2 onion, chopped
2 diced potatoes
2 diced carrots
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 can mixed vegetables
1 handful of noodles or broken up spagettie
salt and pepper to taste.

Cook and simmer 1 hour.

Mom's Quick Chili

1 1/2 lbs gr beef
1 lg diced onion
2 cans tomato sauce
2 T worchestershire
2 cans pinto beans
2 T chili powder
1 T sugar
salt to taste
dash of tabasco if desired

Brown beef, push meat to one side and dip out excessive grease
Add about 3/4 c. water.
Place chopped onion where meat is not.
Cover and steam slowly until onion is tender.
Add remaining ingredients.
Simmer 1 hour.

Olive Garden Soup

1 lb browned gr beef
1 can rotel
2 cans ranch style beans
3 cans minestrone soup
3 soup cans of water

Heat together for 20 minutes

Five Hour Stew

1-2 lbs stew meat
6 carrots
6 sm potatoes
6 sm onions
1 1/2 tsp salt
3/4 c. tomato sauce
1/2 c. water
3 T instant tapioca
1 t sugar
1/2 t pepper

Place meat unbrowned in large dutch oven. Chop vegetables in same size pieces and place over the meat.
Combine remaining ingredients and pour over.
Cover tightly with foil and bake at 250 degrees for 5 hours.
DO NOT UNCOVER OR PEEK!!

Nina's Banana Bread

1 c. sugar
1/2 c. crisco
2 eggs
2 c. flour
1 tsp baking soda
3 lg bananas, mashed
1/2 c. pecans (optional)

Cream sugar in shortening. Beat eggs and add in.
Add mashed bananas and other ingredients. Mix for 1 minute with hand mixer. Bake 350 degrees for on hour--or less if making mini loaves.

Plucket Bread

2 pkgs frozen rolls (ie Pillsbury Grands) *make sure not flaky
2 sticks parkay
1 c. sugar
3/4 c. cinnamon

Stir together sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Melt parkay and add to mixture.
Cut each individual roll in half, dip into the butter/sugar mixture. Layer into a bundt pan and let rise.
Bake at 350 degrees for one hour
cool slightly and dump onto plate.

Banana Crunch Muffins

3 c. flour
2 c. sugar
2 t powder
1 t soda
1/2 t salt
1/2 lb unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 xlg eggs
3/4 c. whole milk
2 t pure vanilla extract
2 mashed ripe bananas
1 med diced ripe banana
1 c. small diced walnuts or pecans
1 c. granola
(optional 1 c. sweetened shr. coconut)
(optional dried banana chips, granola, or shredded coconut for topping)

Preheat oven to 350
Line 18 lg muffin cups with paper liners. Sift flour, sugar, soda, powder, and salt. Add melted butter and blend.
Combine the eggs, milk, vanilla, and mashed bananas, and add flour and butter.
Scrape bowl and blend well, do NOT overmix.
Fold in the diced bananas, nuts, granola (and coconut if desired). Spoon batter into cupcakes (and top with toppings if desired)
Bake 25-30 minutes. until tops are brown and toothpick comes out clean.

Oven Buttered Corn Sticks

4 T butter
2 c. Bisquick
1 can cream style corn

Melt butter in baking pan
Combine Bisquick and corn in bowl until soft dough/sitcky
May need to add a little more Bisquick
Shape into cornsticks and roll in melted butter in pan.

Bake at 450 deg for 10-12 minutes.

(These are really easy with stews and soups)

Mom's Sour Cream Biscuits

2 cups Bisquick
1 cup sour cream

Mix and knead a little.
Roll out and cut into biscuits.
Bake at 425 degrees 10 min.

All Bran Rolls

1 c. shortening
2/3 c. sugar
1 c. All Bran cereal
2-3 tsp salt
1 c. boiling water
2 eggs well beaten
2 pks yeast
1 c. lukewarm water
6-7 c. flour

Combine shortening, sugar, bran, and salt. Add boiling water. Stir until sugar melts. Cook to lukewarm.

Add eggs and yeast that has been softened in the lukewarm water.
Add 3 cups of the flour and beat well.
Add rest of flour and beat well.
Knead until smooth. Place in greased bowl, cover and let rise till doubled (about 1 hr)
Shape into rolls, then let rise again until double.
Bake at 400 degrees 10-15 min.
(Dough may be refridgerated after kneading)

Mom's Cornbread

In iron skillet, heat 1/4 c. bacon grease

In mixing bowl, beat 1 egg into 1 c. buttermilk.

Add 1/2 t. soda
1/2 t. salt
3 t. sugar
And beat together.

Add cornmeal by handfuls until creamy. (Mom says thats about 4 handfuls)

Pour into hot grease in skillet. Bake at 450 degrees for 12 min.

Alabama Biscuits

2 1/2 c. flour
3-4 T sugar
1/2 t salt
1/2 t soda
1 c. buttermilk
1 pkg yeast
4-6 T shortening
melted butter

Mix dry ingredients. Heat buttermilk to lukewarm. Dissolve yeast in warm milk. Cut shortening into dry mixture. Add yeast/milk
Knead 20-30 times then roll out. Cut with biscuit cutter. Making two layers for each biscuit. Brush in the middle and top with melted butter.
Let rise. Then bake 375 degrees for 10 min.

Egg and Cheese Souffle

7 slices white bread
2 jars sharp cheese spread

Butter bread and spread with cheese.
Layer in 9 in casserole dish
Beat 5 eggs
2 c. milk
1/2 t salt
Pour over bread.
Bake at 325 degrees in a covered casserole until almost done.
Remove lid to brown. Serve hot and fluffy just out of the oven.
It will fall if left too long.

Sausage Strata

6 slices bread
1 lb sausage
1 t. prepared mustard
1/4 lb grated swiss
3 eggs, beaten
2 c. milk
1/2 t. milk
1 t. Worchestershire

Place bread slices in greased casserole. Brown and drain sausage. Stir in mustard. Sprinkle over bread then sprinkle w/ cheese.
Combine milk, eggs, and seasonings.
Pour over casserole. Let set overnight.
Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes.

We put lots more cheese on top :)

Instant Cocoa Mix

2 c. powdered milk
dash salt
1/4 c. cocoa
1 c. powdered sugar
1/3 c. powdered non dairy creamer

Mix together and store.

Use 4 tblsp per 1 c. boiling water.

Spiced Tea Mix

1 c. instant Tea mix
2 c. orange tang
1 pkg lemonade mix
2 1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 t. powdered cloves

Use 2-3 tsp to a cup of boiling water.

Planter's Punch

Slice: 4 oranges, 2 lemons, 3 limes

Add: 1 can orange juice, 1 can limeade, 1 can lemonade, 3 cans of water (small cans)

2 cans pineapple tidbits
1/2 c. sugar
4 oz curacao (orange liquer)
small bottle maraschino cherries

Add 1 quart Jamaican Rum. Let set.

Just before serving add 1 bottle club soda.

(Nina floats a lemonade ice ring with sliced lemons in the punch bowl)

Rumaki

Chicken Livers
Water Chestnuts
Brown Sugar
Bacon

FYI: there's no written recipe, so bear with me.

Cut bacon in half
wrap each bacon half around:
1 bite size piece of liver
1 slice water chestnut
1 good pinch of brown sugar
Secure with toothpick

Place in 13x9" pan Bake until bacon browns at 350 degrees (about 30-40 min)

Make a million, they go fast!!

Little Pizzas

Brown together:
1 lb sausage
1 lb hamburger
Then add and melt
1 lb velveeta cheese

Add:
1 tblsp ketchup
dash of worchestershire
1 can pizza sauce
1 tsp oregano

Spoon onto 2 loaves party rye bread slices
(Find in the deli section--small)
Sprinkle tops with 1 can parm cheese

Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes
May be made ahead and frozen

(These are GREAT to have in your freezer, you can make them spicier w/ hot sausage and tabasco)

Sausage Balls

3 cups Bisquick
1 lb HOT Jimmy Dean sausage
2 c. grated sharp cheddar

Mix well by hand.
Shape into small balls
Place on slightly greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees 12-15 minutes.
Don't overbake, they get dry.

Hot Sausage Roll Ups

2 cans crescent rolls
1 lb hot sausage

Roll out whole side of crescent roll, spread with sausage and roll up like cinnamon rolls.
Refridgerate 2 hours. Slice and bake on cookie sheet for 10-12 min. at 400 degrees.

Joyce Hunt's Swedish Meatballs

1 lb gr beef
1/4 c. fine dry bread crumbs
2/3 c. finely chopped onion
1 tsp salt
dash of pepper
2/3 c. evaporated milk
Combine and shape into meatballs. Brown in 2 tblsp butter.

Dissolve 2 beef bouillon cubes in 1 c. boiling water, and pour over meatballs
Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 15 min.

Remove from heat, sprinkle with 1/3 c. flour and 1/2 tsp allspice.
Gradually stir in 1 cup of evaporated milk and 1/2 c. water.

Cook uncovered over low heat stirring occassionally until sauce is thickened.
Before service splash with lemon juice
(You can also "cheat" and use those frozen swedish meatballs and make the sauce )

Steffi's Salsa

28 oz Diced canned tomatoes (I use fresh chopped tomatoes from Chris' dad's garden...)
1 sml can tomato sauce
1 1/2 tblsp Fresh minced garlic
1 tblsp salt
2 sml white onions
1 chopped jalapeno (I buy them canned and just use a spoonful)
handful of fresh chopped cilantro

I put a pinch of sugar in mine too.

Lynna's Dried Beef Dip

1 jar dried beef (chopped)
1 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
2 tblsp milk
2 tblsp green onion (diced)
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 c. sour cream
2 dashes garlic powder

Mix and bake in au gratin dish 15 min until bubbly
Serve w/ crackers YUMMMM

Knorr Brand Spinach Dip

10 oz frozen chopped spinach
(thaw and squeeze dry)
Stir 1 pkg Knorr Veggie Soup mix
16 oz. sour cream
1 c. mayo
Until well blended

Stir in spinach and
1 can (8 oz) water chestnuts *chopped well
3 green onions *chopped well

Cover and chill at least 2 hours. Stir well before serving
Makes 4 cups.

Excellent served in a bread bowl w/ torn bread pieces and also good on chips, whole wheat crackers, and veggies.

Sausage Cheese Dip

1 lb sausage browned and drained (spicy or not)
*sometimes i substitute 1 can OR a brick of frozen chili
1 2lb box of velveeta
1 lg can rotel (hot or reg)
1/4 c. milk

Combine in crock pot and serve during ballgames with fritoes.

Shrimp Dip

2 cans cocktail shrimp
16 oz. cream cheese (2-8 oz pkgs)
1 c. mayo
1/2 c. finely chopped green onion
1/2 c. finely diced celery
lemon juice to taste
garlic salt to taste

Mix and chill for at least 2 hours
Serve with chips.

Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip

2 jars (6 oz) marinated artichoke hearts
1 pkg (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach
(thawed and drained)
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 c. mayo
3/4 c. grated Parm cheese
(sold with shredded cheeses, not in can)

Drain and coarsely chop the artichoke hearts and spinach. Mix with remaining ingredients.
Spoon into 8" baker. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.
Serve with veggies, crackers, bagel chips, whatever.

**Mom is proud of this one! She looked forever, it tastes JUST like they serve in the restaraunts.

Popsey's French Toast

White Bread
Egg
Milk

Mix 2 eggs and about 1/2 c. milk
Dip bread in mixture

Heat Crisco in electric skillet
When hot, add french toast.
Turn only once, browning on both sides.
Serve with Karo syrup.

Saturday Pot Roast

Purchase the least expensive chuck roast at the grocery store.

Pat roast with flour
In electric skillet, brown this roast very well in hot shortening.
Cover with water and simmer all day.

1 hour before your wife gets home, add about 6 carrots and 6 potatoes.
Add more water as needed during the day.

DON'T SEASON WITH ANYTHING! (especially not garlic!)

After about 40 minutes, make gravy by adding about 1/4 c. flour and 1/4 c. water combined.

**Popsey made this EVERY saturday that Nina worked in Garland. Mom doesn't know HOW it always had so much flavor with absolutely no seasonings. I think it must have been that he always browned the roast really well before he added the water. When he was really feeling his oats, he'd add a little coffee in place of some of the hot water.

Searching for Recipes

sheesh is this like...my fourth? in less than an hour?

good god.

anyway, i'm learning this thing. look at the upper left of the screen, there should be a search box.

you can type in the name of a recipe you're looking for, like "Milk and crackers" hit search, and if there's a post about the recipe it will find it for you.

if you don't see anything, then ask us for it!!

Milk and Crackers

Popsey's favorite...

Remove bowl from cabinet.

Remove 10-15 Premium Saltines from cracker sleeve and crush in hands.

Pour milk over crackers. (such as in making a bowl of cereal)

Enjoy. Everyday.

Chili's Shanghai Wings

I had the usual today, Chili's Shangai Wings, mom stole one. She and I immediately got online and started looking for the recipe. I think I found it....gonna try it on Saturday. We'll let you guys know when we figure it out!!
And by we I mean Mom.

Introduction

This family loves food. If you're in it, you know.

Our members have been known to spend hours on end in our kitchens. We have built homes around our kitchen design, we have raised our children to learn to cook, and at every gathering we always find ourselves around the stove discussing the "divine" new way we've discovered to make Uncle Kirk's favorite cherry pie even better.

We are foodies. Creme Tacos have become our birthright.

This blog is in addition to our yearly cookbook of the same name.

"Wouldn'ta Miss'd This Food" has become much more popular amongst us than we thought it would!

Our hope for this website is to keep this new tradition growing. Please feel free to post your old favorites that might not have made it into the books. Also if you have any new additions, great ideas for an already existing recipe, or have found something that you just know we will all love please post it here!

We can update our cookbook this way, and it can become a new gathering place for us.

These recipes are our unwritten biographies, afterall; they are our stories. We hope that by reading and submitting each one you feel a nostalgic twinge and a smile comes to your face.

My mom and I cannot wait to hear from each and every one of you with your submissions-old and new. This is our cookbook. Together we can stay in touch thru our recipes.

That is our largest hope.

We are a crazy bunch of kin, and these meals will tie us together thru miles and thru time.

With all our love (and hunger pains),

Paige and Cara