Baked Potato Soup

4 large baking potatoes
2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
12 slices bacon, cooked, crumbled, and divided
4 green onions, chopped and divided
1 (8-ounce) carton sour cream

Wash potatoes; prick several times with a fork. Bake at 400 degrees for 1 hour or until done; cool. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise; scoop out pulp, and reserve. Discard shells.
Melt butter in a Dutch oven over low heat; add flour, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly.
Stir in potato, salt, pepper, 1 cup cheese, 1/2 cup bacon, and 2 tablespoon green onions; cook until heated (do not boil). Stir in sour cream; cook just until heated (do not boil). Sprinkle servings with remaining cheese, bacon, and green onions. Yield: 10 cups

Southwestern Chicken-and-Rice Soup with Tortilla Strips

1 medium onion, chopped
1 Large carrot, peeled and chopped
1/2 medium-size red bell pepper, chopped
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
3/4 cup uncooked white rice
2 medium plum tomatoes, chopped
1 to 2 Tbsp. chopped pickled jalapeno slices
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. black pepper
8 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves, chopped
juice of 1 lime (about 2 Tbsp)
1 ripe avocado, chopped
Tortilla Strips

Saute first 3 ingredients in hot oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat 7 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add garlic; saute 1 minute.
Stir in chicken and next 5 ingredients. Stir in chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until rice is tender. Stir in cilantro and lime juice. Serve with chopped avocado and Tortilla Strips.
Makes about 6 servings.

I use olive oil instead of vegetable oil.
I do not cook the jalapeno in the soup i let people add it if they want to.

Coconut Chess Pie

1 stick butter
1 1/2 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 c. coconut
2 tsp. vinegar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
pie crust

In a saucepan heat butter and sugar until melted. Combine rest of ingredients. Pour into unbaked pie crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 min. Cool and Refrigerate until serve.

Rich and Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Andrea made this for me and it was sooooo good that I am posting it here so that I don't forget it. Enjoy!!!

4 tomatoes - peeled, seeded and diced
4 cups tomato juice
14 leaves fresh basil
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup butter
salt and pepper to taste

Place tomatoes and juice in a stock pot over medium heat. Simmer for 30 minutes. Puree the tomato mixture along with the basil leaves, and return the puree to the stock pot.
Place the pot over medium heat, and stir in the heavy cream and butter. Season with salt and pepper. Heat, stirring until the butter is melted. Do not boil.

"The secret to the richness of this soup is to use real butter, fresh basil leaves, and heavy cream. Please do not substitute, or you will not have the same high quality end result."

PREP TIME: 10 Min
COOK TIME: 35 Min

Pumpkin Crisp

1 box moist yellow cake mix
1 can pumpkin
1 12 oz. can evaporated milk
3 eggs
1 1/2 cup sugar
4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c chopped pecans
1 c. melted butter

Combine pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, pumpkin spice, and salt. Pour into greased 9x13 pan. Top with cake mix, sprinkle pecans over cake mix and pour melted butter on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 min. (I like to serve it warm with vanilla ice cream) Thanks to Lauren for the recipe.

Beef Ravioli in Basil Cream Sauce

1 (24 oz) pkg. frozen beef ravioli
2 T. butter
1 (8oz) pkg fresh mushrooms
3 green onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 t. dried Italian seasoning
1 (10oz) can diced mild tomatoes and green chilies, drained
2 T. chopped fresh basil
1c. whipping cream
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese

Prepare ravioli in a large Dutch oven according to pkg. directions; drain and keep warmMelt 2 T. butter in Dutch oven over med.-high heat. Add mushrooms and next 3 ingredients; saute over me-high heat. Heat 6 mins. or until mushrooms are tender. Stir in dice tomatoes, green onions, basil and cream; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer. Stirring occasionally, 5 mins. Stir in Parm. cheese; add salt. Stir in ravioli, tossing to coat.

Red Cabbage with Apple

3 bacon strips, diced
1 med. onion, chopped
1 med. apple, peeled and chopped
1 small head red cabbage, chopped
1 c. water
1/4 c. white wine vinegar
1 T. sugar
1 t. salt

In a Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels to drain.

In the drippings, saute onion and apple until tender. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 mins. or until tender. Stir in reserved bacon.

Harvest Pumpkin Soup

Serves 6 to 8
1 small sugar pumpkin, halved, seeds and stringy fibers removed and reserved
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cups homemade or low-sodium store-bought chicken stock
3 cups water
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 small parsnip (about 4 ounces), peeled and coarsely chopped
1 small Yukon gold potato (about 6 ounces), peeled and coarsely chopped
1 small turnip (about 4 ounces), peeled and coarsely chopped
2 small shallots, minced (about 1/4 cup)
1/2 cup dry white wine
3 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon packed light-brown sugar
2 teaspoons coarse salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place pumpkin halves, cut sides down, on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until soft, about 50 minutes. Scoop out flesh, and puree in a food processor (you should have 2 cups).
Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add reserved seeds and fibers from pumpkin, and cook for 4 minutes. Add stock, water, and thyme, and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 9 to 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, melt remaining 5 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add pumpkin puree, parsnip, potato, and turnip, and cook for 5 minutes. Add shallots, and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Add wine, and cook until liquid has reduced by half.
Strain pumpkin-seed mixture, reserving broth and discarding solids. Add broth to pumpkin-wine mixture. Bring to a simmer; cook 20 minutes. Let cool.
Pass soup through a food mill into a clean saucepan, or puree in a food processor in small batches until smooth. (If soup does not reach desired consistency using a food processor, press it through a fine sieve to remove any remaining lumps.) Heat soup in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in cream, sugar, salt, and pepper, and serve.

I got the recipe from Andrea and it is so good that I don't want to forget about it so I am posting it here....Thanks Andrea for the recipe

Crab Soup

1/2 c. flour
1 T. butter
on med. heat brown the flour and set aside, then: the following is all added together gradually

Saute:
2 c. carrots, chopped
1 c. chopped celery
1 c. chopped onion
1/4 c. chopped red bell pepper
1/4 c. green bell pepper
1 garlic clove, minced

Add: cook 1 min.
1 T. bay seasoning
1/4 t salt
1/4 t. pepper
1/4 t. thyme

then add:
1 bay leaf
4 c. clam juice
1 1/2 c. whole milk

then add:
flour to the pot and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 10 mins. and add 1/2 c. half and half--cook 4 mins

then add:
1 lb. crab meat
1/3 c dry sherry
cook for 5 mins.

This soup is worth all the work!!! Thanks to Teresa for this recipe!

Spicy Vegetable Soup

1 lb. ground beef
1 c. chopped onion
2 garlic cloves
cook the above and drain, then add the following:

1 30 oz. chuncky spag. sauce
10 1/2 oz. beef broth
2 c water
2 c. celery
1 t. sugar
1 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
1 10 oz. ro-tel
1 16 oz frozen mixed veg.

Portabella Mushroom Gravy

2 Portabella Mushrooms , chopped
2 T. butter

saute mushrooms with butter and then add:

3/4 c whipping cream
7 T. Vermouth Wine
2 pkg. peppercorn gravy mix
2 c. chicken broth

Bring to a soft boil

Serve with Meat!!! Thanks to Teresa for this recipe!

Bran Muffin Mix

Bran Muffin Mix
2 c. Grape Nuts cereal
2 c. boiling water
2 1/2 c. sugar
1 c. oil
4 eggs
5 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
5 tsp. soda
4 c. All Bran cereal
1 quart buttermilk
1 pound raisins (optional)
Combine boiling water with Grape Nuts - set aside. Cream sugar, oil and eggs (1 @a time). Combine dry ingredients (except All Bran) and add alternately with buttermilk to creamed mixture. Add All Bran and cooled Grape Nuts. Add raisins and whatever else you want. Mix thoroughly and store in a tight large container covered in the refrigerator for up to 8 weeks. When ready to use, DO NOT STIR - Scoop mix from the bottom (incase raisins have settled) into greased muffin tin or muffin cups. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes. YUM!

Thanks Karen for this recipe. I am posting it here so that we can get to the recipe easier.

Chili Corn Bread Salad

Chili Corn Bread Salad
Taste of Home
SERVINGS: 12
CATEGORY: Salads
METHOD: Baked
TIME: Prep: 20 min. + chilling Bake: 20 min. + cooling
Ingredients:
1 package (8-1/2 ounces) corn bread/muffin mix
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies, undrained
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
Pinch rubbed sage
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
2 cans (15 ounces each) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
2 cans (15-1/4 ounces each) whole kernel corn, drained
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 cup chopped green onions
10 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
Directions: Prepare corn bread batter according to package directions. Stir in chilies, cumin, oregano and sage. Spread in a greased 8-in. square baking pan. Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream and dressing mix; set aside. Crumble half of the corn bread into a 13-in. x 9-in. dish. Layer with half of the beans, mayonnaise mixture, corn, tomatoes, green pepper, onions, bacon and cheese. Repeat layers (dish will be very full). Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. Yield: 12 servings.

Chicken Spaghetti

2 C cooked chicken
2 cans Cream of Mushroom soup
2 C grated sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 C finely diced green pepper
1/2 cup finely diced onion

1 4oz jar diced pimentos, drained
3 C dry spaghetti, broken into 2" pieces
2 C reserved chicken broth from pot
1 tsp cayenne pepper
salt & pepper to taste
1 additional C grated sharp cheddar cheese

Cook 1 cup up fryer and pick out the meat to make 2 cups. Cook spaghetti in same chicken broth until al dente. When spaghetti is cooked, combine with remaining ingredients except additional 1 cup cheddar cheese.

Place mixture in casserole pan and top with remaining sharp cheddar. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes until bubbly.

Will freeze up to six months or will refrigerate up to two days.

Meat Balls

3 lbs Hamburger meat
1 can evaporated milk
1 c oatmeal
1 c cracker crumbs
1/2 c onion
2 minced garlic cloves
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 tsp. chili powder
2 eggs

Mix together and form into balls. Put on a cookie sheet and either freeze them or bake them. If you freeze them, put them in a freezer bag or container once they are frozen.

Sauce for meatballs:
2 c ketchup
1 c brown sugar
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 onion

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes then pour sauce over and bake 15 more minutes.

On the meatballs I do 1 lb of hambuger meat and 2 lb of ground turkey meat.

Asian Noodle Salad

Salad Ingredients
1 packages linguine noodles, cooked, rinsed, and cooled
1/2 to 1 head sliced Napa cabbage
1/2 to 1 head sliced purple cabbage
1/2 to 1 bag baby spinach
1 red bell pepper, sliced thin
1 yellow bell pepper, sliced thin
1 orange bell pepper, sliced thin (if available)
1 small bag bean sprouts (also called “mung bean sprouts”)
3 sliced scallions
3 peeled, sliced cucumbers
chopped cilantro—up to one bunch
1 can whole cashews, lightly toasted in skillet

Dressing
Juice of 1 lime
8 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons sesame oil
6 tablespoons soy sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons fresh ginger, chopped
2 cloves chopped garlic
2 hot peppers or jalapenos, chopped
chopped cilantro—LOTS

Mix together salad ingredients.
Whisk together dressing ingredients and pour over salad.
Mix with tongs or hands and serve on platter.
*Dressing keeps up to three days before serving, WITHOUT cilantro.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie

1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell
2 large eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup (6 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1 cup chopped pecans
Serve with ice cream (optional)

Preheat oven 325 degrees F.
Beat eggs in large mixer bowl on high until foamy.
Beat in flour, granulated sugar and brown sugar. Beat in butter.
Stir in morsels and nuts and spoon into pie shell.
Bake for 55-60 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Serve warm.

Tomato Basil Soup

8 to 10 tomatoes, peeled, cored, and chopped, or 4 cups canned whole tomatoes, crushed
4 cups tomato juice or part tomato juice and part vegetable or chicken stock
12 to 14 fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
1 cup heavy cream
1 stick butter, softened
salt to taste
black pepper to taste
garlic to taste
handful of parmesan cheese

Combine tomatoes and juice in a large saucepan over medium heat. Simmer 30 minutes. In a blender combine tomato mixture and basil leaves. Blend until smooth.

Return blended mixture to saucepan and place over low heat. Stir in cream and butter, then season with salt, pepper, and garlic. Continue stirring over low heat until heated through. Add a handful of grated parmesan cheese.

Pepper Jelly

1 1/2 c. red wine vinegar
6 c. sugar
1/2 c. bell pepper (ground)
1/2 c. hot pepper (ground)
1 c. white raisins
1 box sure gel

Grind the peppers and raisins in a blender before cooking the pepper jelly--you need 1/2 c. of each kind of pepper once they are ground

In a sauce pan mix vinegar and sugar. Cook until sugar dissolves, then add the peppers, and raisins and bring it to a boil--then add the sure gel and cook for 3 mins.

approx. 7-8 small jars (decorative) per batch

You can use any peppers you want depending on how hot you want the pepper jelly. I use some sweet peppers and some hot peppers. (bell peppers, green or red, for the sweet and any pepper that is hot for your hot peppers)

What we eat our pepper jelly with:
***beans
***meat
***pour a jar over a block of cream cheese and serve it with crackers (a great appetizer)

Macaroni & Cheese

8 oz small elbow macaroni
2 C lg curd cottage cheese
1 C sour cream
1 egg lightly beaten
3/4 tsp black pepper
2 tsp Dijon mustard
2 1/2 C sharp cheddar cheese

Cook macaroni according to package instructions.
Meanwhile, in large bowl combine remaining ingredients except 1/2 C of cheese.
Drain macaroni thoroughly and toss with cheese mixture in bowl.
Turn evenly into buttered 8X8X2 baking dish.
Top with remaining cheese and bake uncovered at 400 for 30-35 minutes.

Chicken Curry

3 1/2 lbs chicken (boiled)
3/4 C butter
2 lg chopped onion
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbs ginger
2 Tbs cumin
1 tsp tumeric
1/4 tsp red pepper
1/4 tsp coriander
1 Tbs curry
2 chopped tomatoes
3-4 chopped carrots
2 chopped green peppers
1 C water (more if required)

Melt butter in large skillet; add onions and cinnamon.
Cooke rover med. heat until onions are brown; add remaining spices, tomatoes, carrots, and green peppers.
Stir constantly until vegetables are cooked.
Add chicken (boiled) and water.
Mix well to evenly disperse spices.
Simmer at least an hour.
Keep covered.
Serve over rice.

Condiments: peanuts, coconut, cashews, bell pepper

Chicken and Pineapple Rice

4 chicken breast halves cut in 1/2 " strips
16 oz pineapple tidbits
3/4 C uncooked rice
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 C chopped green pepper
1 C finely chopped gingersnaps (20 cookies)
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg
1 Tbs water

Drain pineapple, reserving juice. Set pineapple aside.
Add enough water to pineapple juice to make 1 3/4 C.
Stir together juice mixture, rice, 1/2 tsp salt.
Bring to a boil; reduce heat; simmer covered for 18 minutes.
Remove from heat; stir in pineapple & green pepper.
Let stand, covered for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, lightly coat a 15X10X1" baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
In a shallow dish combine gingersnaps and 1/4 tsp salt
In another bowl, use a fork to combine egg & 1 Tbs water.
Dip chicken pieces into egg mixture then into gingersnap mixture to coat.
Arrange chicken in a single layer in prepared baking pan.
Lightly coat chicken with nonstick cooking spray. Bake, uncovered, 18 minutes at 400.
Serve chicken strips with rice.

Cheesy Chicken Roll-Ups

8 large chicken breast halves
6 oz cheddar cheese
1 C crushed cheddar cheese crackers
4 1/2 tsp taco seasoning
1/4 C butter, melted

Pound chicken in to 1/4" thickness. Place cheese on each chicken breast half. Fold long sides of chicken over cheese. Combine crackers and taco seasoning. Dip chicken in melted butter then roll in cracker mixture. Place in greased 9X13 dish. Cover and bake at 400 for 40-45 min.

Chicken au Champagne

4 chicken breast halves
1/4 C flour/chopped pecan mixture
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 C butter
1/2 lb sliced mushrooms
1 C light cream
1/2 C champagne

Flatten chicken breasts.
Mix flour, pecans, salt, and pepper; roll breasts in mixture.
Brown chicken in butter over medium heat.
Add mushrooms, cover, and cook on low heat for 10 minutes.
Drain off butter, add cream, and simmer for another 10 minutes.
Transfer chicken to serving platter.
Add champagne to liquid in skillet.
Bring to a rapid boil and stir until creamy. If sauce becomes too thick add a little milk.
Pour champagne liquid over chicken and serve.

Pineapple Bake

1 cup butter
1 3/4 cup of sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 lb. 4oz can of pineapple tidbits or crushed-drain most liquid off
4 1/2 to 5 1/2 cup torn bread

Cream butter and sugar well. Beat eggs and milk together then mix all ingredients. Put in a 9x9 pan. Cook at 350 for 1 hour. (If double put in a 9x13 pan)

Pulled Pork BBQ

PORK
4 lbs boneless pork loin roast
1 can (14.5 oz) beef broth
1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup Frank's Redhot sauce

Place roast in slow cooker. Combine broth, Worcestershire and Redhot sauce. Pour over roast. Cover and cook on high-heat setting 5 hrs or until roast is tender. (or 10 hrs on low-heat setting)

SAUCE
1 cup ketchup
1 cup molasses
1/2 cup mustard
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
4 TBS Franks Redhot sauce

Combine all ingredients in large bowl; set aside.

Transfer roast to large cutting board. Discard liquid. Coarsely chop roast. Stir into reserved sauce. Spoon pork mixture on large rolls.

Banana Cookies

1 1/2 c. shortening
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
4 ripe bananas
1/2 t. salt
2 t. baking soda
31/2 cups flour

Cream shortening, sugar, eggs, and bananas. Add the dry ingredients. Spoon onto greased cookie sheet and cook at 375 for 10 mins.

Frosting
6 T. brown sugar
4 T. butter (room temp.)
4 T. milk

Enough powdered sugar to make the right consistency. Spread on the cookies.

Keep the cookies refrigerated.

Marinated Baked Chicken

2 c. sour cream
1/4 c. lemon juice
4 t. Worcestershire
2t. celery salt
2 t. paprika
1 clove garlic mashed
1T. salt
1 t. pepper
12 chicken breast
1 1/2 cups ritz cracker crumbs
1 1/2 cups soda cracker crumbs
1 c. margarine

Combine first eight ingredients. Add the chicken, coating well. Let it stand in the refrigerator overnight. Remove the chicken from the sauce. Roll in the crumbs and arrange in a shallow pan. Melt the margarine. Spoon half of it over the chicken. Bake at 300 degrees for one hour. Spoon the rest of the margarine over the chicken and bake 45 mins. more. Serves 12

Crispy Chicken and Rice Casserole

1c. uncooked long grain rice
2c. chopped cooked chicken
1 (101/2 oz.) cream of mushroom soup
1 (8oz.)sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 (3 oz) sliced mushrooms, drained
chopped celery
3/4 c. mayo.
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 c. sliced almonds
1 T. lemon juice
1 t. salt
1c. crushed frosted flakes

Cook rice according to pkg. stir together the rice and next 19 ingredients in a bowl. Spoon into lightly greased 13x9 pan. Sprinkle with cereal. Bake 350 for 30 mins. or until warm all the way through.

Fruit Cocktail Cake

1 1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
2 c. flour
2t. baking soda
2 eggs
1 can fruit cocktail and juice (14-16 oz.)
1 tsp. vanilla

Topping:
On the stove bring to a boil. Then add the vanilla--pour onto the cake
1 stick butter
1 c. white sugar
3/4 c. can milk
1t. vanilla

Mix dry ingredients together. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir. Put into greased pan and top with little less than 1/2 cup of brown sugar and 1/2 cup pecans. Cook at 350 for 20-30 mins. or until done. Pour topping over the cake as soon as it comes out of the oven. The cake can be served warm or cold.

Apple Dumplings

Apple Dumplings
2 Granny Smith apples
2 cans crescent rolls
2 sticks butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoons vanilla,cinnamon
1 small can Mountain Dew
Peel and core apples. Cut apples into 8 slices each. Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll. Place in a 9 x 13 buttered pan. Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir. Add vanilla, stir, and pour over apples. Pour Mountain Dew around the edges of the pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve with ice cream, and spoon some of the sweet sauces from the pan over the top.

Grilled Ginger Chicken

Marinate chicken (breast 6 or tenderloins) in the following for 4 to 6hrs. (or overnight)

1/3 c soy sauce
1 c. water
1 clove garlic, minced
1 T. sugar
2 T. dry sherry or lemon juice
3 T. grated ginger


grill the chicken basting it with 1/3 c reserved marinade

Romaine Salad

8 cups Roman lettuce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees- Bake 6 TBS Olive Oil and 10 Gloves of Garlic for 30 minutes.
Food Process- 2 TBS Honey, 2 TBS Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 TBS Dijon Mustard, 2 TBS Apple Cider, Add Minced Garlic and Oil, Fresh Ground Pepper.

Toss Salad with blue cheese or Gonzales cheese and Salad Dressing. Top with Sweet-and-Spicy Texas pecans.

Sweet-and-Spicy Texas Pecans
1/2 pound pecan halves
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper

Cook on stove top and let cool on wax paper.

Chicken Rice Broccoli Casserole

1/4 Onion
1/2 stick butter
1 pkg (16 oz.) frozen broccoli
1/2 cup cheese whiz
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup water
1/2 cup milk
2 cup rice
2 large boiled chicken breast

Saute onions in butter. Mix the cream of chicken/ mushroom soups, cheese whiz, water, milk, rice, broccoli and chicken all together. Pour into a casserole dish.
Bake at 350 for 45 to 6o minutes. This can be frozen. Make sure to thaw before you bake.

Chicken Tetrazzini

6 large chicken breast
2 medium-sized onions
8 oz. spaghetti
1/2 lb. butter
1 scant cup flour
1 qt. part of broth and milk
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 lb. American cheese
1/2 lb. old english cheese
cracker crumbs

Boil chicken and cut up into small pieces. Saute onions in butter.
Make cheese sauce of 1/2 lb. butter, one scant cup flour, and one quart part of broth and milk. Grate 1/2 lb. american and 1/2 lb. old english cheese. Make sauce in large pan. Add grated cheese and let blend. Add one can mushroom soup. Fold in chicken and spaghetti. Have bottom of two large square or oblong casseroles covered with crushed and buttered cracker crumbs. (I put only on top) Pour in chicken mixture. Cover top with buttered crumbs.
Bake 30 to 40 minutes until brown. Don't cook or brown until time to serve, as it needs to be served hot. If this is frozen, be sure to take out and thaw before time to cook and serve.

Pumpkin Bars

INGREDIENTS 4 eggs 1 2/3 cups white sugar 1 cup vegetable oil 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon salt ICING 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a medium bowl, mix the eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Stir into the pumpkin mixture until thoroughly combined. Spread the batter evenly into an ungreased 10x15 inch jellyroll pan. Bake for 25 minutes in preheated oven. Cool before frosting. To make the frosting, cream together the cream cheese and butter. Stir in vanilla. Add confectioners' sugar a little at a time, beating until mixture is smooth. Spread evenly on top of the cooled bars. Cut into squares. keep refrigerated

Banana Bread

INGREDIENTS
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas



DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

Cranberry Salsa

1 pkg cranberries
2 lg ribs celery
1 sweet (vidalia) onion
1 jalapeno ( opt)
1/4 - 1/2 C cilantro
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 C sugar
1 tbs lime juice

Chop all very fine. Make a day ahead. Serve with scoop chips.

Cinnamon Cream Syrup

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup (Karo)
1/4 cup water
1/2 to 3/4 tsp. cinnamon (or more if desired)
1/2 cup evaporated milk

In a small saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, water, and cinnamon.
Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
Cook and stir 2 minutes more.
Remove from heat and cool 5 minutes, stir in evaporated milk.
Serve warm.
Refrigerate leftovers.

(thank-you Karen S. for this recipe)

Breakfast Burritoes

Make Ahead Breakfast Burritos

1 lb lean sausage meat
6-8 eggs, depending on size eggs
1 tablespoon minced onions (optional)
1/4 cup picante sauce
1/4 lb monterey jack cheese, shredded
12 flour tortillas
1 pinch salt and pepper, to taste

Spray a non-stick skillet with vegetable oil. Crumble sausage and
brown slowly. Drain in white paper towels. Wipe grease from skillet
with paper towels, leaving a thin layer of oil.
Beat eggs with minced onion and picante sauce.Scramble eggs in skillet until done.
Toss sausage, eggs and cheese together. Spoon into tortillas and wrap, folding sides to middle and then rolling to make burrito. Can be frozen.*
Freeze ahead directions:.
Place on parchment/wax paper-lined cookie sheets; freeze until solid.
Then wrap individually in paper towels, and package in zipper-lock freezer bags.
When ready to use remove burrito from Ziploc and microwave burrito in paper towel 2-3 minutes or until hot.

Note: may use bacon in place of sausage

Coconut Cranberry Chews

These wonderful cookies won 1st place in a cookie contest. The orange rind is the ingredient that gives them the special touch, I think

1 1/2 cups butter
2 cups sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon freshly grated orange rind
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
1 1/2 cups sweetened dried coconut


With a mixer on medium speed, beat butter, sugar, egg, orange rind and vanilla until smooth.
In another bowl mix flour, baking powder and salt.
Add butter mixture and beat on low speed for about 5 minutes.
Stir in cranberries and coconut.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on buttered baking sheets.
Bake in a 350° oven for 8-11 minutes, depending on your oven. I needed 11.
Remove from oven and let cookies cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then cool on rack.

Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Recipe

32 ounces shredded hash browns, thawed
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 pint sour cream
1 (10 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup finely chopped onions
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4-1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups crushed corn flakes
1 1/2 teaspoons butter, melted


In a large bowl mix grated cheese, soup, sour cream, onion, 1/4 cup butter and salt and pepper. Mix well. Fold in hash potatoes.
Turn mixture into a greased 9 x 13 dish.
Melt 1 1/2 teaspoons butter in small frying pan. Add 1 1/2 cups of crushed cornflakes and saute for 5 minutes.
Sprinkle over top of casserole.
Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 60 minutes or until golden brown.

Greek Salad

I don't have measurements but I love to make this salad with my Italian dishes...

*Roman Lettuce
*Sliced black olives
*Cucumber
*Red bell pepper
*Feta cheese
*Ken's Greek dressing