Taco Skillet

1 lb hamburger meat

1 pkg taco seasoning

2 1/4 c. water

2 c. uncooked pasta

1 1/2 c. frozen corn

1 can kidney beans, drained

1 can diced tomatoes

1/2 c. sour cream

1 c. cheese

Brown hamburger meat; drain. Add taco seasoning, water, pasta & frozen corn. Simmer 10 min. Add remaining ingredients. Cook until pasta is tender.

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

1 tbsp butter or margarine

1 can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies, drained
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, cut up and softened
2 cups chopped, cooked chicken breast
8 (8″) flour tortillas
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 pint whipping cream

Preheat oven to 350. Spray 9×13 baking dish with Pam. Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add rotel and saute 1 min. Stir in cream cheese and chicken and cook, stirring constantly until cream cheese melts. Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of chicken mixture down center of each tortilla. Roll up tortillas and place seam side down in a lightly greased 9×13 baking dish. Sprinkle with Monterey Jack cheese, and drizzle with whipping cream. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 min. Take off foil and cook for another 15 mins, or until top is golden brown.

Read more at http://www.kevinandamanda.com/recipes/dinner/creamy-chicken-enchiladas.html#ixzz18szeyFwM

Easy Black Forest Bars

• 1 box chocolate cake mix
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 t. almond or vanilla extract
• 1 c. chocolate chips
• 2 cans cherry pie filling
• 1 8 oz. container frozen whipped topping, thawed

1. In a large bowl, add cake mix, eggs, extract, chocolate chips and 1 can cherry pie filling. Stir until thoroughly combined. Pour into a greased 13×9 inch casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, until fully cooked. Cool.

2. Once bars are cooled completely, spread whipped topping on top. Then pour the remaining can of cherry pie filling on top of that. Refrigerate until serving or serve immediately.

Cheddar Ranch Dip

This is addicting!

• 1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
• 1 (1 ounce) package dry Ranch-style dressing mix
• 1 (3 ounce) pkg real bacon bits
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Mix all of the ingredients together. Serve with plain potato chips!

Cherry Chocolate Brownies

1 package Devils Food cake mix

1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling

1 tsp almond extract

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs, beaten

Mix all ingredients together. Preheat oven to 350. Grease a jelly roll pan. Bake 20-25 minutes or till toothpick comes out clean.

Icing:

1 C sugar

5 TBS butter

1/3 C evaporated milk (I've used regular milk before...if you don't want to open a can just for this)

1 C semi-sweet chocolate chips

Combine everything but chips. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute. Add chips and stir till smooth. Pour over hot cake

Hot Cider Punch

1 gallon apple cider

1 large can unsweetened pineapple juice

1 large can unsweetened orange juice

1½ cups sugar

2 sticks cinnamon

juice of 2 lemons

Combine all ingredients. Simmer...

Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 (1 ounce) package buttermilk Ranch dressing mix
½ cup “real” bacon bits
1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
4 green onions, chopped
chopped pecans

Combine cream cheese and ranch dressing mix in a bowl until smooth.
Add the bacon, cheese and green onions, stirring until well combined.
Shape mixture into a ball and roll in the chopped pecans.
Refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
Serve with crackers.

Crock Pot Seasame Chicken

2 lbs. skinless, boneless chicken thighs
1/2 c. low sodium soy sauce
1/3 c. packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1 TBS ketchup
2 TBS toasted sesame seeds

Place chicken thighs in the slow cooker. Whisk together remaining ingredients in a bowl & pour over chicken.

Cover & cook on low 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4. Serves 4-6. Serve with cooked rice.

White Chili

1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cooked
1 lb white northern beans (soaked overnight)
4 c. water
1 large onion, chopped
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 4 oz. can chopped green chilies, undrained
2 tsp. cumin
Cheese for topping, optional

Soak beans overnight with a little ginger. Remove water that beans have soaked & add 4 c. fresh water. (this helps cut down on the gas problem!) Add remaining ingredients, except cheese. Cook in crock pot on low for 8 hours. Serve & add cheese if desired.

Fiesta Chicken with Rice & Beans

15 ounces tomato sauce
29 ounces canned Petite Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies
1 cup long-grain rice (I added 2 cups)
14 1/2 ounces canned Chicken Broth
15 ounces canned pinto beans -- undrained
1 pound skinless boneless chicken thighs -- or breasts
1 1-ounce packet chicken taco seasoning

1. Combine tomato sauce, tomatoes, rice, broth, beans, chicken
and seasoning mix in CROCK-POT slow cooker; stir to blend.

2. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 6 hours. I use an extra cup of rice because I like it to be a thicker mixture for chicken burritos.

Crock Pot Dump Chicken

2-3 lbs boneless skinless chicken pieces
1 c. chicken broth
1 T. butter
8 oz Cream Cheese
1 can CONDENSED cream of Mushroom soup
1 pkg DRY buttermilk ranch dressing MIX
2 T REAL bacon bits (I used Oscar Meyer bagged type for salads)

Put chicken in crock; sprinkle dressing mix, dot with butter, add broth. Add condensed soup and cream cheese to crock and mix thoroughly with broth. Sprinkle with bacon. Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours. Stir and serve over wide egg noodles.

Crock Pot Hawaiian Chicken

6-8 boneless chicken pieces (breasts or thighs)
3 cups pineapple juice
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 TBS soy sauce
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 green pepper chopped
1 can pineapple chunks
4 TBS cornstarch
Hot rice

Place chicken, pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, onion & green pepper in crock pot. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. When cooked, add a little water to the 4 TBS cornstarch, add to the chicken mixture. Add pineapple chunks & juice. Replace lid & cook until thick. Serve over hot rice.

Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce

1 1/2 pounds ground beef, cooked
1 large onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped *optional*
1 clove garlic, chopped
2 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste
1 (15 1/2-ounce) can tomato sauce
2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup water


Put all of the ingredients in the crock pot & cook on low for 3-4 hours.

Chicken Azteca

2 c frozen corn
1 15-oz can black beans, rinsed and divided
1 c salsa
1 clove garlic (I normally use dried minced garlic)
1/2 t ground cumin
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 pkg cream cheese, cubed
Hot Cooked Rice
Shredded cheddar

Combine corn, beans, 1/2 c salsa, garlic and cumin in slow cooker. Arrange chicken over top; pour remaining salsa over chicken. Cover; cook on High 2-3 hours or on low 4-6 hours.

Remove chicken, cut into bite-size pieces. Return chicken to slow cooker. Add cream cheese and stir. Cook on High until cream cheese melts and blends into sauce.

Recipe from: http://motherswhoknow.blogspot.com/2010/02/chicken-azteca.html

Garlic Cheese Biscuits

2 c. Bisquick (or baking mix)
1/2 c. cold water
3/4 c. cheese, shredded
1/2-1 tsp garlic powder

Mix all ingredients together. drop by spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet or grease a muffin pan & divide dough into 12 muffin cups. Bake at 450° for 8-10 minutes. While biscuits are baking make seasoned butter.

Seasoned Butter:
6 TBS melted margarine, or butter
1/4 tsp. garlic

Mix & brush on biscuits immediately after taking out of the oven.

Grilled Hawaiian Chicken

6 chicken breasts, boneless
2 cups pineapple juice
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 ounces soy sauce (regular or low sodium)
2 tablespoons brown sugar

Combine all ingredients except chicken and stir. Poke about 5-8 sets of
holes in each chicken breast. Put chicken in marinade, making sure it
is covered in the mixture. Add more pineapple juice if necessary. Cover
tightly, and refrigerate for 24-36 hours. Grill when desired.

Grilled Mozza Chicken Sandwiches

1/2 c. sliced onions
1/2 c. green pepper strips
1 TBS oil
4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1/3 c. BBQ sauce
4 Mozzarella cheese slices
4 rolls, split

In a skillet, add oil. When oil is hot add onions & green pepper strips. Cok for 5 min. or until tender. Set aside; keep warm.

Grill chicken 8 min; turn over. Brush with BBQ sauce. Grill an additional 8 min or until chicken is cooked through. Turn occasionally & brush with remaining BBQ sauce.

Fill rolls with chicken; top with 1 cheese slice, onions & peppers.

Makes 4 sandwiches.

Mexican Bake

2 tubes of crescent rolls
1 pound of hamburger
1 jar of salsa
1 little can of green chilies
2 cups of cheese or more


Separate crescent rolls and spread in a 9 by 13 inch pan. So the pan has a crescent roll crust.( you will only use 1 1/2 of the tubes) With the leftover ones.....I sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar and bake.
Brown hamburger, drain, add salsa and green chilies
Put that mixture on top of the crescent rolls.
Top with cheese.
Bake at 375 for 25 minutes.

Serve with olives, sour cream, taco chips.
I also will make spanish rice.

Banana Cake

3/4 cup butter
2 1/8 cups white sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas

Frosting:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Or just add a little powdered sugar instead of the cream cheese frosting.
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Grease and flour a
9x13 inch pan. In a small bowl, mix mashed bananas with lemon juice,
set aside. In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt. Set
aside.
In a large bowl, cream 3/4 cup butter and 2 1/8 cups sugar until
light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in 2
teaspoons vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the
buttermilk. Stir in banana mixture. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into
the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven and place
directly into freezer for 45 minutes. This will make the cake very
moist.
For the frosting: I usually just use a little powdered sugar on the top instead of the frosting, but you can add the cream cheese frosting for a "dressier" cake. In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup butter and cream
cheese until smooth. Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add confectioners
sugar and beat on low speed until combined, then on high until
frosting is smooth. Spread on cooled cake.

***I have never had a banana cake not be moist, but I put this in the freezer anyway! ***

Chicken El Toro

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 small onion, diced
1 (16 ounce) jar mild picante sauce
1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
8 (8 inch) flour tortillas
1/2 cup sliced black olives
1/2 cup sour cream

Place chicken breasts in a saucepan with enough water just to cover.
Bring to a boil, and cook until meat shreds easily. Remove chicken
from water, shred, and set aside. Reserve water.

Heat oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add onion, and
cook until transparent. Add shredded chicken meat, and stir in the
picante sauce, and 1/2 cup of the RESERVED chicken water. Reduce heat
to low, and simmer 30 minutes, or until the sauce is thick. Remove
the pan from heat, and sprinkle cheese over the chicken mixture.

Serve over flour tortillas and garnish with sliced olives and sour
cream.

Cheesy Chicken & Pasta

2 lbs chicken, cut into chunks & cooked
16 oz pasta, any kind, cooked according to pkg directions
1 lb velveeta cheese
16 oz pkg frozen broccoli

Cook chicken, then add velveeta. In another pot, cook pasta, when 2 minutes from being done, add frozen broccoli. Drain. Add to the chicken mixture. Cook until coated with cheese. Serve.

Southwestern Chicken Skillet

1 Tbsp. oil
4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 lb.)
1 cup Chunky Salsa
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen corn
2 cups MINUTE Brown Rice, uncooked
1/4 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese

HEAT oil in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cover.
Cook 4 min. on each side or until cooked through
REMOVE chicken from skillet; set aside. Add 2 cups water, the salsa and corn
to skillet; mix well. Bring to boil.
STIR in rice. Reduce heat to low; cover. Simmer 5 min. Top rice mixture with
the chicken; sprinkle with cheese. Cover; simmer an additional 5 min. or
until cheese is melted.

Serves 4.

Bean & Cheese Burritos

2 16oz cans refried beans
12 8 inch tortillas
2 1/2 c. shredded cheese
1 c. sliced green onions
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 c. salsa

Preheat oven to 350°. Spread 1/4 c. beans down the center of each tortilla. Sprinkle with cheese & onions. Fold up edge of tortilla. Add to baking sprayed dish, seam side down. cover & cook 15 min. Meanwhile, mix sour cream & salsa in a bowl. Serve with burritos. Add spanish rice to this on the side.

Chicken Enchiladas

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon butter
1 onion, chopped
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green Chile peppers, drained
8 (8 inch) flour tortillas
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a small bowl mix the soup and sour cream; set aside.
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
Add onion and chili powder, and saute until tender.
Stir in the chicken, chili peppers, and 2 tablespoons of soup mixture.
Cook until heated through.
Spread 1/2 cup of the soup mixture in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Spoon about 1/4 cup of the chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla.
Roll up tortillas, and place, seam side-down, in the baking dish.
Spoon remaining soup mixture on top, and sprinkle with cheese.
Bake 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until bubbly and lightly browned.

Ham 'N' Cheese Pasta

3 cups uncooked bow tie pasta

2 tbsp butter
1 tsp minced garlic
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 to 1/4 tsp dried thyme
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 pound sliced deli ham, chopped

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter; add garlic. Stir in the flour, onion powder, pepper and thyme until blended; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat. Add cheeses; stir until melted. Stir in ham; heat through. Drain pasta; toss with cheese mixture. Yield: 4 servings.

Adapted from Simple & Delicious June 2008

Garlic Ranch Chicken

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1/4 c. milk
1/2 tsp garlic
1/4 c. flour
1 TBS dry ranch salad dressing mix
1/8 tsp pepper
Cooking spray

Flatten chicken slightly; set aside. In a shallow bowl, combine milk & garlic. In another shallow bowl or ziploc bag, combine flour dressing mix & pepper. Dip chicken in milk mixture ( I let it soak on each side for 5 min) then coat with flour mixture. In a large skillet, spray with cooking spray. Cook chicken over medium heat for 6-8 min on each side or until juices run clear.

From Simple & Delicious Magazine

Chicken Tortilla Chip Casserole

1 can diced tomatoes
about 1 cup diced cooked chicken
1 small can green chilies
1 can beans- pinto, kidney, black- whatever you have
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/4 cup sour cream
3/4 cup milk
1 1/2 cups crushed tortilla chips
1/2 cup shredded cheese
1/2 tsp Cumin
1/2 tsp taco seasoning
salt to taste

Directions:
Drain most of the liquid from the tomatoes and pour in an 9×13 baking dish. Sprinkle tomatoes with seasonings. Drain and rinse black beans and spread over tomatoes add chicken over the top of this layer.

Crush chips and layer over the black beans. Combine all liquids and mix thoroughly. Pour over the chips. Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes. Spread cheese on top and let melt in the oven for an additional 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle a few cilantro leaves on top for added flavor!

Serves 5-6.

Roast

This is in the crock pot for tonight's dinner!

4 lbs of roast
1 pkt dry onion soup mix
1 onion, sliced
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1/2 c. cola

Place the roast in the bottom of the crock pot. Combine the dry soup mix with the soup & cola pour over roast. Top with sliced onions. Cook on high for 6-8 hours.

Cream Cheese Enchiladas

3-5 chicken pieces, boiled & shredded
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
8oz block cream cheese
flour tortillas
1/2 block Velveeta cheese
1 can Rotel

In a skillet, cook onion & pepper in a little bit of oil. Cook until tender. Add chicken & cream cheese. Add mixture down the middle of 10 flour tortillas. Roll up & place seam side down in a 9x13 pan. Mix velveeta & Rotel together. Pour over the enchiladas. Bake at 350* for 1 hour.

Aunt Karla's Punch

1 can frozen pink lemonade
1 can frozen orange juice
2 large cans pineapple juice
4 1/2 c. water
2 bottles gingerale
1 1/2 c. sugar

Put sugar & water together in a saucepan & bring to a boil. Then chill. Add all juices. Add gingerale just before serving.

Hot Cranberry Punch

3 qts water (12 c.)
3 c. sugar
1/2 c. red hots
1 qt. cranberry juice
1 c. orange juice
1 c. pineapple juice
1/2 c. lemon juice
whole cloves

Heat together water, sugar & red hots until dissolved. Add remaining ingredients. Sprinkle with whole cloves & serve hot.

Fancy Angel Food Cake

1 Angel Food Cake Mix

1-10 oz can of mandarin oranges, drained
1-14 oz can pineapple chunks, drained
1/2 c. coconut
2 c. sour cream

Prepare angel food cake as directed on box. Then combine all of the other ingredients together & mix. Just before serving, tear angel food cake into chunks, add in the topping mix & stir well.

Quick & Good Morning Coffee Cake

1 c. softened butter or margarine
1 c. sugar
4 eggs
2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 can pie filling (cherry is our favorite!)
slivered almonds for garnish optional

Cream butter & sugar. Add eggs & beat. Add flour & baking powder; mix well. Spread 1/2 of mixture on the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Spread pie filling on top. Dollop remaining batter mixture in teaspoon size portions on top of filling. You can add the slivered almonds on top of the batter mixture. Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon. Bake at 350* for 35-45 min. Drizzle your favorite icing on top of the coffee cake after it is cooked. YUM!

5 Cup Salad

1 c. miniature marshmallows
1 c. coconut
1 c. mandarin orange sections, drained
1 c. crushed pineapple, drained
1 c. vanilla yogurt

Mix & refrigerate a few hours before serving.

Corn Casserole

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 (15 ounce) can cream-style corn
• 1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 (15.25 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies, drained
• 1 (8.5 ounce) package dry corn muffin mix

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F . Grease a 2 quart casserole dish.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, cream style corn, sour cream and melted butter. Stir in whole kernel corn, cheese, onion and chilies. Stir in the corn muffin mix until just moistened.
3. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for 75 minutes; or until an inserted knife comes out clean and the top is golden. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Sweet Potato Casserole

This is served at holidays on Kevin's side of the family. YUM!

Sweet Potato Ingredients
5 cups sweet potatoes, mashed
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 stick butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup milk
2 eggs

Topping Ingredients
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup flour
1 cup chopped nuts
1 stick butter, melted

Step by Step
1. Scrub and boil 5 medium sweet potatoes until tender. Cool, peel and mash. Add all other ingredients and mix well. Pour into large casserole dish or individual dishes.

2. Mix all topping ingredients together and spread evenly over sweet potato mixture.

3. Cook for 30 minutes until topping has browned. Remove from oven and serve.

Jaimee's Amazing Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are absolutely amazing!!! This recipe is written in Jaimee's words.

2 cups (1lb, 4 sticks) butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1 and 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

2 (3.4-ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix

4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinammon
5 cups all-purpose flour

4 cups chocolate chips


In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugars.

Pour in the packages of pudding mix and continue beating until completely blended.

Add the eggs and vanilla.

Next, the baking soda, cinnamon, and 2 cups of flour. Add the chocolate chips and then add the remaining 3 cups of flour bit by bit until thoroughly incorporated.

Chill the dough for 30-60 minutes and preheat the oven to 350F.

Lay a sheet of parchment paper on a cookie sheet, sticking it down with bits of dough if necessary. Using either a rounded tablespoon or a small greased ice cream scoop, scoop dough onto the parchment at least an inch apart.

Bake for 7-9 minutes, or until /barely/ golden on the bottom. Let cool and set for 5-10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to continue cooling. Cookies should be soft and chewy, but not doughy. Store in cookie jar or some other hard device--containers are best as bags will allow the cookies to be crushed and smashed very easily.

Meal Plan Monday -- Nov 22

I have been a follower of Laura's Menu Plan Monday for awhile. I have been excited about joining her on Monday's!!

Monday is Meatless Monday
Breakfast Burritos, hashbrowns, fruit

Tuesday
Pork Chops, salad, sweet potato fries

Wednesday
Chicken Enchilada Chili from $5 Dinners

Thursday-- Thanksgiving Day
Turkey, Ham
Sweet Potato Casserole
Stuffing for my hubby
Anne's Corn Casserole
Frozen Cranberry Salad
Anna Lee's Cranberry Jello
Rolls
Cherry Cheesecake

Friday
Leftovers

Saturday
Turkey & noodles
mashed potatoes

Sweet Potato Fries

In our effort to eliminate the "white" from our diet, I made these last night. They were a hit with everyone!



* 3 large sweet potatoes
* 2 T. olive oil
* 1 T. seasoned salt

Directions

1. Cut each sweet potato into slices about 1/4" thick.
2. Toss the sweet potato slices with the oil and Morton Season-All.
3. Spread out on baking sheets in a single layer.
4. Bake at 450 degrees for about 20-25 minutes, turning with a spatula as needed.

Recipe from: http://unsophisticook.com

Mexican Carnitas in the Slow Cooker

This was our dinner last night. YUM!

1.5 lb pork shoulder or loin, cubed
2 Tbsp oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and pepper
2 garlic cloves
1/4 cup lime juice or juice from 1 lime
1/4 cup water

Salsa, diced avocado, sour cream dollops to garnish


Directions

In a mixing bowl, toss the pork cubes in the oil and ground cumin. Season with a few dashes of salt and pepper. Place in the base of the slow cooker. Add the garlic, lime juice, and water. Set on low and cook for 8 hours. Remove, let cool slightly, then shred with 2 forks. ** I didn't cut my pork loin into cubes or cook it before I put it in the crock pot. I put a frozen pork loin into the crock pot, I skipped the oil & the lime, simply because I didn't have one. It still turned out yummy! **

Recipe from: $5 Dinners

Enchilada Casserole

1 lb lean ground beef
1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce
1 cup salsa
6 flour tortillas (10 inch)
2 cups frozen corn
3 (12 ounce) cups shredded cheddar cheese



1. 1 In a skillet, cook beef over medium heat until done; drain the fat.
2. 2 Stir in enchilada sauce and salsa; set aside.
3. 3 Place two tortillas, overlapping if necessary, in the bottom of a 13 X 9 inch baking pan, coated with cooking spray.
4. 4 Cover with 1/3 of the meat mixture; top with one cup of corn; sprikle with one cup of cheese.
5. 5 Repeat layers once, then top with remaining tortillas, meat and cheese.
6. 6 Bake uncovered at 350% for 30 minutes.

from www.food.com

Panera Bread Copycat Granola

Granola for Panera Bread’s Fresh Strawberry Yogurt Parfait

4 cups old-fashioned oats
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey
1/8 cup maple Syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cup raisins ( optional)

Preheat oven to 300 F. In a bowl mix the oats, pecanss, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon. In a saucepan warm the oil, maple syrup and honey. Whisk in vanilla. Carefully pour the liquid over the oat mixture. Stir gently with a wooden spoon; finish mixing by hand. Spread granola in a 15x10 inch baking pan. Bake 40 minutes, stirring carefully every 10 minutes. Transfer granola-filled pan to a rack to cool completely. Stir in raisins (optional). Seal granola in an airtight container or self-sealing plastic bag. Store at room temperature for 1 week or in the freezer for 3 months.

This is supposed to be similar to the granola that they use in their yogurt parfait & not served with milk. I won't add raisins again, if I'm making it to eat on yogurt.

Favorite Meat Marinade

Meat Marinade

* 1 tablespoon soy sauce
* 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
* 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1 teaspoon lemon juice
* 2 tablespoons brown sugar
* 2 tablespoons ketchup
* 6 pieces of meat

Put all of the ingredients in a gallon ziploc bag, add meat, squish around. Seal the bag & allow to marinate for at least 30 min.

You can use these for meat to grill or to bake.

Chicken Enchilada Soup 2

This is another recipe from, Tiffany from our small group.



2 cans cream of chicken soup

2 cans campbells fiesta nacho cheese

2 -10 ounce cans enchilada sauce

2 cans filled milk

2 cans black beans drained

2 cans corn drained or frozen corn

3-4 cooked chicken cubed or shredded

Simmer until heated through. Serve with tortilla chips & cheese

Best Breakfast Casserole

I've tried several breakfast casseroles & this one is our new family favorite.


1 pkg crescent rolls
1 lb mild sausage, browned and drained
1/2 pkg Real Bacon Bits *
8-10 eggs, beaten
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat your oven to 350. Take a 9×13 pan and spray it with Pam. Roll out crescent rolls in the bottom of the pan, pinch together so they cover the bottom. * One person in our family doesn't like sausage, so I cover part of the crescent rolls with the Real Bacon Bits & the remaining of it with cooked sausage. Pour beaten eggs over the meat, then add the cheese. Bake for 20-30 min. Until the cheese is melted & the eggs are cooked.

Everything Potatoes

* 3 pounds potatoes (about 9 medium), peeled and quartered
* 1 package (8 ounces) Kraft Philadelphia® - Cream Cheese, cubed
* 1/2 cup butter, cubed
* 1/2 cup milk
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon pepper
* 2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream
* 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
* 3 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
* 1 tablespoon minced chives

Directions

* Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Drain.

* In a large bowl, mash potatoes. Beat in the cream cheese, butter, milk, salt and pepper until fluffy. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Spread sour cream over the top.

* Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with the cheddar cheese, bacon and chives. Bake 5 minutes longer or until heated through and cheese is melted. Yield: 12 servings.

from Taste of Home

Garlic Chicken Farfalle

Garlic Chicken Farfalle

16 oz. Farfalle pasta
1 c. heavy whipping cream
3-4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
2 to 3 cloves garlic, crushed OR garlic salt (I do a spoonful of crushed garlic)
1 Tbsp. pepper*
1/2 c. butter
1 lb. bacon, crumpled or real bacon bits**
1/2 c. shredded Parmesan cheese
1 (12 oz) Lawry’s mesquite marinade with lime juice

*Seems like a lot of pepper, but it has a wonderful flavor when everything mixes together. If you’re apprehensive, do less pepper. You can always add more.

**We like to cook our bacon in the oven (400 degrees, convection). Way less messy. And it’s crispy every time. Time varies, so you just have to watch it. I think it’s usually around 30 minutes. Allow to cool and then crumple (I totally wear disposable gloves for this part - surprise, surprise).

Crock pot chicken and bottle of marinade on low for 6 hours. Pull marinated chicken out of the juices, allow to cool a little bit, and shred (I pull it apart). Set this aside. About a half-hour before serving, boil the pasta. In a small saucepan, melt butter, add garlic, whipping cream, pepper, parmesan cheese, and crumpled bacon. Whisk together on low heat for 3-4 minutes. In a large bowl, pour over cooked, drained pasta, add chicken and stir through. Sprinkle a little bit more shredded parmesan cheese on top.
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Bubble Pizza

2 cups pizza cheese
1 lb ground beef, cooked
2 tubes refrigerated biscuits
whatever pizza toppings you want
1 jar Pizza sauce


Preheat oven to 350*.

Cut each biscuits into 4 pieces. Put those into a bowl, add hamburger meat, pizza toppings, pizza sauce. Mix together. Put into an ungreased 9x13 casserole dish. Bake for 20 minutes. Then top with 2 cups cheese. Bake for another 10 min.

Crock Pot Fajitas

Crockpot Fajitas


1 pkgs Fajita seasoning
1 cup of water
1.5 lbs of Round steak cut in strips (or venison)
1 medium onion cut in strips
2 green peppers cut in strips

All in the crockpot on low for the day. Serve with tortillas, sour cream, cheese, guacamole and salsa.

Crock Pot Taco Soup

Crock Pot Taco Soup

2 lbs. ground beef
1 chopped onion—brown with beef
2-4 oz. chopped green chilies
3 cans petite diced tomatoes
1 pkg frozen corn
1 can kidney beans-drained
1 can pinto beans-drained
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1 pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix

top with shredded cheese.

Simmer till warm. I’ve done this in the crock pot… put your browned beef & onions in the bottom & top with the other ingredients; except the shredded cheese.

Crock Pot Sloppy Joes

Crock Pot Sloppy Joes

3 lbs hamburger meat
1 c. chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 c. ketchup
1/2 c. water
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. prepared mustard
4 TBS vinegar
4 TBS Worcestershire sauce
3 tsp. chili powder
hamburger buns

Cook ground beef, onion & garlic. Drain. Combine ketchup, water, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and chili powder in the crock pot, stir in meat mixture. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. Serve on hamburger buns.

Crock Pot Chicken Salsa

Crock Pot Chicken Salsa

3-4 frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I've also used boneless, skinless thighs)

1 jar of salsa

1 8oz block of cream cheese

Throw the ingredients into the crock pot. Cook on Low all day. (if your chicken isn't frozen, then you don't have to cook it all day, just 3-4 hours) Place cooked mixture down the middle of a corn or flour tortilla, add shredded cheese. YUM!

Chicken Enchilada Soup

I got this recipe from our small group leader's wife, Tracey. My boys will go back for 2nds & will gobble up all of the leftovers for lunch the next day.

Chicken Enchilada Soup

1 lb Cooked & cubed chicken (I use 3-4 boneless/skinless chicken breasts, or 5-6 thighs. I've also used a precooked chicken from the store, or you can stew your own chicken)
1 stick or 1/2 C butter/margarine
3/4 cup flour
1t onion power or 1 small chopped onion
3/4 t garlic powder
1-1/2 t paprika
1/2 t salt
1t cumin
2t seasoned salt
1 small can mild green chiles
4 reg cans chicken broth (you can add more if you like)
1 pint sour cream (I use about 1-1/2 cups)
Cheese and chips for topping soup

In large pan melt butter and saute onion. Add flour to butter and brown slightly. Add spices, broth and chiles to flour mixture. Stir as you go to avoid lumps. Stir in sour cream and chicken. Simmer about 30 minutes. Stir frequently. You can make ahead and freeze. Can reheat in a crockpot. When ready to serve, crunch chips in bottom of bowl, add soup and top with cheese. This serves 4-5 people.

I will often add about 1-1/2 large cans chicken broth to make a little more without increasing the butter and sour cream. You can double this recipe.

SW White Chicken Chili

Our friend Tiffany, brought this to our small group one Sunday night. Yum!

SW White Chicken Chili
Soup ingredients:
2 TBS Italian seasoning
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked & cut into bite size pieces
4 c. white navy beans or 2- 15oz cans, rinsed
1 small onion, chopped
2 cups chicken broth
1 pkg frozen corn
1-4oz can green chiles, undrained
1 tsp. ground cumin

Top with:
1 1/2 c. shredded cheese
tortilla chips

Dump all of the soup ingredients into a pan. Simmer for at least 30 min. Top with cheese & serve with chips on the side.

Holiday Cranberry Salad

This is a new recipe for us. It is in the fridge right now. I'll be back to give it a star rating & make notes on whether we will have it again.

Holiday Cranberry Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 small packages raspberry Jell-O
• 1.5 cups boiling water
• 1 20-oz. can crushed pineapple
• 1 can whole cranberry sauce
• 3/4 cup cranberry juice
• 1 cup pecans, chopped
• 1 8-oz. package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup sour cream

Directions:

1. Dissolve Jell-O in boiling water.
2. Add crushed pineapple (juice and all), cranberry sauce, liquid mixture, cranberry juice and pecans, reserving some pecans to sprinkle on top. Mix it all together well.
3. Mix well. Pour into a 9"x12" glass dish and refrigerate until firm.
4. Cream together cream cheese, sugar and sour cream until smooth.
5. When the first mixture is firm, spread the creamed ingredients on top.
6. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top.

Recipe from: http://unsophisticook.com

Gran's Frozen Cranberry Salad

This is a staple at holidays from my Mom's side of the family. I don't know where the recipe came from or how long it has been a tradition... I'll have to ask my Mom.

4 c. raw cranberries
2 c. peeled apples
1 c. sugar
1 lb miniature marshmallows
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1 small container Cool Whip

Grind or chop cranberries & apples. Add marshmallows & sugar. Let stand 1 hour or overnight. Mix with pecans & Cool Whip. Freeze. The empty Cool Whip container is a great container to freeze this in.

I'm going to be slowly moving my recipes over to this format. I've decided that since most of my recipes come from online, I'll type out the recipes that I use & put them here. :D