Taco Bake

I found this recipe in a Kraft Food magazine, a couple of pages from the Shephard's Pie recipe!!! Surprisingly, it's really good & easy.

1 pkg. Macaroni & Cheese dinner
1 lb ground beef
1 pkg taco seasoning
3/4 c water
3/4 c sour cream
1-1/2 c shredded cheddar - divided
1 c Thick 'n chunky salsa

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare macaroni & cheese dinner as directed on package. While macaroni is cooking, brown meat until done & drain. Add taco seasoning & water to meat; simmer for 5 minutes. Stir sour cream into macaroni & cheese. Spoon half of the macaroni mixture into baking dish; top with meat mixture, 1 cup shredded cheese & remaining macaroni mixture. Cover & bake for 15 minutes. Top with salsa & remaining 1/2 c cheese. Bake uncovered until cheese is melted.

Jazz it up by topping with 1/2 c crushed Fritos.

Easy Shepherd's Pie

My husband runs up and down the road a lot so he's constantly in and out of fast food restaurants. He loves just about everything I cook - rarely have I made something he's turned away! One time, he made the comment that he loved Shepherd's Pie. I searched for that perfect Shepherd's Pie recipe, just as he described and found it in a Kraft Foods magazine. He now enjoys Shepherd's Pie in the comfort of his own home!

1 lb ground beef
2 c hot mashed potatoes
4 oz cream cheese, cubed
1 c shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
4 c frozen mixed vegetables, thawed (I cook my veggies in a little water until tender, but you don't have to!)
1 c beef gravy

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brown meat in large skillet until done - drain. In a medium bowl, mix potatoes, cream cheese & 1/2 c shredded cheese until well blended. (May add salt, pepper & minced garlic for added flavor!) Add vegetables & beef gravy to ground beef - mix together. Spoon meat mixture into 9x13 baking dish. Cover with potato mixture. (Does not have to be perfectly spread!) Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 c shredded cheese. Bake for 20 minutes or until heated through.

Picante Chicken

For the majority of my Junior High years, you could usually find me at Amy McAnelly's house. I know it's Amy Kuykendall now, but she'll always be McAnelly to me. It's no different for Patti Childress because she'll always be Patti Hinds and Julie Backus will always be Julie Parnell!!! Anywho...we were in like the 9th grade when she first introduced me to quick fix and I've made it ever since! It really doesn't even need anything to go with it as it's pretty good all by itself!

1 family size box - Shells & Cheese
2-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 med to large jar of Picante sauce (mild, medium or hot - depends on your taste)

Follow directions on box for shells & cheese. Boil chicken until done & drain. When cool enough to handle, cut into bite size pieces or shred with fork. Add chicken & picante sauce to shells & cheese. I add a little garlic powder & pepper to taste. Serve!

Easy as pie & satisfying!

Danish Coffee Cake

This is so easy to make & oh so good!

2 can Crescent rolls
1 c sugar
8 oz pkg. cream cheese - softened
1 tsp Vanilla
1/2 stick of butter
1/4 c sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

Unroll 1 can crescent roll onto pizza pan or jelly roll pan. Beat cream cheese, 1 c sugar & vanilla - spread over crescent rolls. Unroll the other can & place on tope of cream cheese mixture. Melt butter & drizzle over top. Mix 1/4 c sugar & cinnamon & sprinkle over top. Bake on 350 degrees for 30 mintues or browned slightly.

Can add fruit topping such as apple or cherry pie filling to top of cream cheese mixture prior to unrolling 2nd can of crescent rolls.

Baked Squash

My Mamaw Hicks used to make this for me when I was a little girl. It's comparable to what you'd get at Dixie Cafe, except hers wasn't sweet. I love it either way!!!

5-6 cups Squash
1/4 c onion, chopped
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 c milk
1 c cracker crumbs (Ritz works best)
4 Tbsp butter, melted
salt & pepper, to taste

Cook squash with onion until squash is tender - drain. Add salt and pepper to taste. In a small bowl, Mix 3 Tbsp butter, eggs & milk together. Add to squash & stir gently. Pour into 9x13 baking dish. Mix remaining 1 Tbsp butter with cracker crumbs & pour over squash mixture. Bake on 450 degrees for 20 minutes.

Easy Potato Casserole

1 bag hashbrowns - thawed
1 stick butter, melted
1 can cream of chicken soup (can use cream of mushroom)
1 (8 oz) carton of sour cream
1 tsp Salt
1 lb Velveeta, cubed
1 c onion, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Saute onion in a little butter until transparent. Mix potaotes, soup, sour cream, butter, Velveeta, salt & onion. Pour mixture in greased 9x13 baking dish. Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Bacon Wrapped Chicken with Gravy

Back in the day, I literally lived at Doug & Patty Jones' house! Patty would make this and my whole family would enjoy the feast!

4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4-6 slices of bacon (I cook in microwave until almost done)
1 can cream of mushroom soup (I don't do mushrooms, so I use cream of chicken soup)
1 (8oz) carton of sour cream
1 jar dried beef
pepper to taste

Wash & cut off excess fat off chicken. Wrap bacon around chicken breasts. Layer dried beef in bottom of greased 9x13 pan. Place wrapped chicken on top of beef. Mix sour cream & soup then pour over chicken. Pepper to taste.

Bake 3 hours on 250 degrees.

I love serving this on a bed of rice with green beans as a side.

Creamy Tacos

This is such a quick & easy recipe.

1 lb grouund beef
1 med onion, chopped
1 lb Velveeta, cubed
1/2 pkg chili or taco seasoning mix

1 can pinto or ranch style beans (optional)
1 can Rotel, drained
1 (8oz) carton of sour cream

Brown ground beef with onion until meat is done - drain. Add remaining ingredients & stir often until sour cream & Velveeta are melted.

Serve over Doritos, Fritos or Tortilla chips.

Topping suggestions: lettuce, tomatoes, taco sauce and/or guacamole.

Capitol Smokehouse & Grill Baked Potato Salad

Did I mention that I love recipes, cooking & potato salad? I am VERY picky though when it comes to eating potato salad. I used to love, love, love Dinner Bell's potato salad & they closed down shop on me! Thank goodness Mother worked out there and would make it for me when I'd come in to visit. I found this recipe on KATV's website and made it the other day & found a new love!!!

8 baking potatoes. Wash potatoes & spray with butter flavored oil. Bake at 350 degrees until tender. Cool to room temperature.

While potatoes are baking, mix the following ingredients:

1 c mayonnaise
1 c sour cream
2 Tbsp White Vinegar
1/4 c green onions, chopped
1/4 c fresh bacon bits
1/4 c chopped, chives
1/4 c chopped parsley
2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp salt
1 Tbsp garlic powder
2 tsp pepper (white or black)

When potatoes are cooled, remove skins (or not) and chop coarsely. Mix with the above ingredients, folding in gently. DO NOT OVER MIX. Put in airtight container & store in refrigerator.

Heavenly Pink Salad

This salad is indeed heavenly & definitely a keeper! It's pretty, makes plenty & tastes wonderful!

1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling
1 (15 oz) can crushed pineapple
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 c shredded coconut
2 c miniature marshmallows
1 (11 oz) can mandarin oranges, drained
1 (16 oz) container Cool Whip, thawed

Mix together cherry pie filling, condensed milk, oranges, pineapple, coconut, marshmallows & Cool Whip. Chill for several hours & top with crushed pecans, if desired.

I make this in my triffle bowl & it is beautiful! I added sliced bananas but just a word of caution...don't add them until you're ready to serve or they will turn brown.

Creamed Corn

Corn is right at the top of being my favorite vegetable. I love whole kernal, cream style, corn on the cob, corn nuggets....you get the picture? This is a super-fattening-delicious recipe that I could (and do) eat right out of the cooker!!!

2 pkgs (16 oz each) frozen whole kernal corn
4 (3 oz) pkg cream cheese, cubed
1 c milk
1/2 c butter/margarine, melted
2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp (or more) ground black pepper

Place corn in slow cooker. Top with cream cheese. In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients & mix well. Pour over corn mixture. Cover & cook on high for 3-4 hours.

Makes 8-10 servings.

Crunchy Asian Salad

Yum-O - this is so good! I get asked to bring this to potlucks a lot!

1 envelope Good Season's Italian Salad Dressing
1/2 c sugar
2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
2 pkg. Ramen Noodle (Discard seasoning pkg.)
2 pkg (16 oz each) Coleslaw blend
4 green onions, sliced
1/2 c dry roasted sunflower kernals
1/2 c sliced almonds, toasted

Prepare salad dressing mix in small bowl as directed on envelope. Stir in sugar & soy sauce.

Break apart noodles; place in a large bowl. Add coleslaw blend, onions, sunflower kernals & almonds; mix lightly. Add dressing to coat & serve immediately.

Dressing can be prepared the day ahead. Cover & refrigerate. Noodles can be crumbled the day before too - just place in a resealable back along with sunflower kernals & almonds.

You may substitute Good Season's Asain Sesame Dressing & mix or liquid Italian dressing rather than mix.

Marinated Vegetable Salad

This salad is Yummy! I make this quiet often for the staff at school. I even substitute Splenda for the sugar & you can't even tell the difference!

2 cans whole kernal corn
2 cans English peas
2 cans French Style green beans
2 bunches green onions, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped (yellow, red or green)
1 large jar pimentos

Drain all vegetables. In a large bowl, with lid, combine all ingredients.

In a medium saucepan, combine:
1-1/2 c vinegar
1-1/2 c. oil
1-1/2 c sugar

Bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Let completely cool. Pour over vegetables - add pepper (approximately 1-1/2 tsp) & stir well. Cover & refrigerate.

Best after 24 hrs. May need to drain some liquid prior to serving.

Broccoli-Cauliflower-Bacon Salad

This is one salad that I just cannot pass up, no matter what!

2 c. Miracle Whip
1/3 c grated (or shredded) Parmesan cheese
1/3 c sugar
1/4 c diced onion
1 head cauliflower, cut into bite size pieces
1 head broccoli, cut into bite size pieces
1 (16 oz pkg) bacon, cooked crisp & crumbled

Mix together Miracle Whip, Parmesan cheese, sugar & onion in a large bowl. Add cauliflower, broccoli & bacon. Stir to coat. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Best if refrigerated overnight. Serves 8

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

I love chicken salad! I found this recipe & used cranberry/pecan bread - OMG - so good!


2 c. diced cooked chicken
1 c. diced celery (optional)
1/2 c. diced green apple (optional)
3 slices bacon, cooked crisp & crumbled
1/2 c sour cream
1 c mayo
2 Tbsp lemon juice
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 8 oz whipped cream cheese
Finely chopped pecans - toasted

In a bowl, combine chicken, celery, apple & bacon. In another bowl, stir together sour cream, mayo & lemon juice. Add to chicken mixture; stir to coat. Season with salt & pepper. Cover & refrigerate 2-24 hrs.

Cut bread into different shapes, spread chicken mixture on half of bread & add top piece. Spread edges with cream cheese & coat with pecans.

ENJOY!

Meal-In-A-Mug

I got this recipe from one of my Gooseberry Patch recipe books. I made it for the staff at school & came home empty handed!

1 lb ground beef
1/4 c onion, chopped
1/4 c green pepper chopped

Combine in a large skillet & cook until meat is done. Drain.

2 c water
1 c elbow macaroni, uncooked
21 oz can Pork -n- beans, undrained
14-1/2 oz can tomatoes, undrained & cut-up
1 envelope sloppy joe mix.

Add above ingredients, except macaroni, to meat mixture. Bring to a boil & add macaroni. Reduce heat, cover & simmer 10 minutes or until macaroni is tender but not mushy! Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Serve with Fritos & shredded cheese!

Betty Turley's Cornbread Recipe

Mother gave me this recipe out of the blue about 2 weeks before she passed away.

1-1/2 c cornmeal
1/2 c all-purpose flour
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda - ONLY if you're using buttermilk
1 egg
1-1/2 c milk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Add 1 Tbsp of oil to iron skillet and place in oven while preparing mix.

In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients & pour into HOT cast iron skillet. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.

Note: Can store dry ingredients & just add egg & milk when ready to bake.

Taste of Home - Apple Streusel Muffins

These are the BEST muffins ever!!
Yield: 16 muffins

2 c all-purpose flour
3 tsp baking powder
1-1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 c sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 c (8 oz) sour cream
1/4 c butter, melted
1-1/2 c chopped peeled tart apples

Topping
1/4 c sugar
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
2 Tbsp cold butter

In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients. In another bowl, beat the eggs, sour cream & butter. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in apples. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two thirds full.

For topping, combine sugar, flour and cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle a rounded teaspoonful over each muffin.

Bake at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Serve warm.