Million Dollar Macaroni & Cheese

1 lb cellentani pasta (may sub rigatoni, penne or mararonni)
4 tbs butter
1/4 C all-purpose flour
3 C milk
1 12oz can evaporated milk
1 Tbs cornstarch
1 Tbs Dijon mustard
1 Tbs chicken bullion
1 tsp ea: onion powder, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
4 C freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
6-8 slices provolone cheese
1 C sour cream
1 C freshly grated parmesan cheese

Panko Topping (optional)
3/4 C panko breadcrumbs
2 Tbs butter
1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil

Cook pasta just until al dente according to pkg directions; strain & rinse with cold water.

Preheat oven to 350; lightly grease 9X13 baking dish; set aside

Melt 4 Tbs butter in large skillet over medium heat then whisk in four. Cook, while stirring for 2 min. turn heat to low then gradually whisk in milk. Whisk cornstarch into evaporated milk and gradually add to skillet followed by Dijon mustard and all remaining spices/seasonings.

Bring to a boil, whisking constantly then reduce heat to med & simmer, whisking occasionally until thickened (but not overly thick). Remove from head and whisk in sharp cheese until melted.  Add pasta and toss until evenly coated (it will seem like a lot of extra sauce which is a good thing.

Pour half of the macaroni & cheese into prepared baking dish. Layer macaroni evenly with provolone cheese followed by an even layer of sour cream. Pour remaining macaroni & cheese over sour cream and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle w/ 1 c parmesan cheese. (or more to taste)

Panko topping (optional) Melt butter in olive oil over medium heat in a medium skillet. Add panko and stir to coat. Continue cooking until crumbs become golden brown. Evenly sprinkle over macaroni & cheese.

Bake 25-30 min or unil bubbly & inside provolone is melted. If no topping w/ pankl, broil until Parmesan is golden. Cool 10 minutes to set before serving.

Corn Salad with Cilantro

2 lb bag frozen white sweet corn
6 green onions, chopped
1 bunch cilantro, chopped fine
4-7 jalapenos, chopped fine

Dressing:
1/2 C Mayonayse
1/2 C Miracle Whip
1 Tbs sugar
1 Tbs lemon juice
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
garlic salt, to taste

Heat corn in water until almost boiling. Take out and drain.

Mix dressing ingredients together and let set. You can make this ahead of time and put in refrigerator until needed.

Mix corn and dressing and serve. This is best after it's set for a while for the flavors to meld.

Pimento cheese casserole

8 slices white bread trimmed
2 t butter
2 eggs
2 cups shredded cheese
1 small jar chopped pimentoes
Dash salt
Dash pepper

Mix all together put in greased 8X8 pan.
Bake at 350 for 30-45 mins until golden brown
Double for 9X13 pan.

Artichoke Dip

1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup Parm. Cheese
1 can of diced chilies
1 can artichoke hearts, drained

Blend above ingredients in blender. Bake 350 for 30 mins Serve with diced bread toasted in oven, crackers or rye bread.

Patti's Salsa

1 16 oz. can tomatoes
1/4 c. jalapenos
2 t. garlic salt
2 t. cumin
1 1/2 t. salt

*you can use garlic powder instead of garlic salt just add the salt
*you may not want to add the salt unless you use garlic powder
*use salt according to taste
*no jalapenos! just double the recipe and use 1 can ro-tel and 1 can of diced tomatoes

***I mix salsa and sour cream together -- yummy

Meatballs

3 lbs ground beef
1 can Rotel, drained
1 C grated cheddar cheese
2 eggs
1 can Italian bread crumbs
garlic powder to taste
dash basil
dash cumin
dash oregeno
dash hot sauce

Mix all ingredients in large bowl. Shape mixture into balls. Place meatballs on cooling rack over a jellyroll pan so the grease can cook out of the meat and drain away. Cook on 375F for 40 minutes.

After they're cooked I like to place mine in a crock pot and pour spaghetti sauce over them and serve over noodles.

Black Eyed Pea Salsa

Dressing:
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup white wine (or regular) vinegar
2 to 3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon celery seed
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper
Veggies:
3 stalks celery,
finely chopped 3 green onions,
sliced1 red bell pepper,
chopped1 cucumber,
peeled, seeded, and chopped1 jalapeno (optional),
seeded and chopped1 cup (more if desired) chopped cilantro
2 cans black eyed peas, drained.
Mix together dressing ingredients. Set aside.Combine all vegetables (except cilantro) with black eyed peas. Pour dressing over the top and gently stir together. Add cilantro and stir gently.Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.

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

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.

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.

Chicken Buffalo Dip

Chicken Buffalo Dip

3 chicken breast
2 - 8 oz. cream cheese (set out ahead to get soft)
1 cup buffalo sauce (Frank's)
2 cups. shredded cheddar cheese
8 oz. ranch dressing

Boil chicken, let cool and shred chicken. Then add buffalo sauce to the chicken. ( This can be done a day ahead) Spray 9 X 13 pan with Pam and spread cream cheese on bottom of pan. Then put chicken on top of cream cheese. Then spread ranch dressing over chicken and top with cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 - 30 min.

Southwest Ranch Dip

8oz cream cheese, softened
8oz sour cream
1 packet Ranch dressing mix (1oz)
1 can RoTel with green chilies, well-drained
2 Tbs cilantro
1 Tbs lime juice

Process all ingredients in food processor until smooth and well blended.
Serve with fresh vegetables or tortilla chips.

makes about 2 1/2 cups