Soft Breadsticks

Mandy gave me this recipe a while back and I use it all the time. You don't have to let the dough rise and they still turn out wonderful. They are very soft and full of flavor.

1 1/2 Cups warm water

1 Tbsp yeast

2 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp salt

3 1/2 - 4 Cups flour

1 stick butter (to be melted and put on the bread sticks)

Garlic seasoning

Parmesan cheese

Dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Mix all the ingredients except the butter and roll into rectangle and cut out bread sticks with pizza cutter. Spray cookie sheet with Pam. Twist breadsticks and lay onto pan. Melt butter and brush ALL the butter onto the breadsticks. Sprinkle with garlic seasoning ( I use Johnny's Garlic seasoning found at Costco) and Parmesan cheese. You do not have to let them rise, although I usually let them if I have time, but either way they are tasty. Cook at 400 degrees for 15-17 minutes.

Peachy Fruit Salad

This is a yummy salad and I love it. The neat secret is the peach pie filling coats the bananas so they do not turn brown. Most of the items are in my pantry so it is very easy.

Peachy Fruit Salad
1 20 oz can peach pie filling
1 20 oz can Pineapple (chunks or tidbits), drained
1 15 oz mandarin oranges, drained
1 pkg strawberries, frozen slightly thawed (I always just use a handful or 2 from my big Sams bag)
2-3 bananas sliced
Optional: you can also add blueberries, grapes, cherries or marshmallows

Mix all together. It is best after being chilled but can be served right when you mix it up. The strawberries should be added shortly before serving because they can get mushy

Chicken Salad Sandwich

This is a different twist on your normal chicken salad sandwich. It is sooo good and never have I served it up where the guest didn't just oooh and ahhh over it (well, except for some of my children).

1 lb chicken, cooked and chopped (I cube the raw chicken and boil it)

2 ribs celery, chopped (I don't like celery, so I leave this out)

1 C purple grapes, cut

1 apple, chopped

1 oz Parmesan

2 Tbsp chopped onion

1 C mayo

1 clove garlic, chopped

1/2 - 1 tsp dill (this is important, it gives a great flavor)

salt

pepper

Combine the Parmesan, onion, mayo, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper. Fold in the rest of the ingredients. The best is to serve them on the Costco croissants, but they are also VERY yummy on regular buns.

Chili Blanco

This is another family favorite. It gives chili a different twist. And, I like the recipe because I use beans from my food storage.

1 lb. dried small white navy beans

2 onions, chopped

1 can (48 oz) chicken broth

4 cups cooked chicken, chopped

1 can (7 oz) chopped green chilies

6 to 8 cloves garlic, minced

3 Tbsp chopped fresh oregano, OR 2 tsp dried

4 tsp ground cumin

1 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (I use much less)

3 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

Cook ll day in slow cooker set on high or cook on stove top until beans are tender. Stir in Monterey Jack Cheese just before serving. Garnish with additional cheese and corn chips.

Taco Potatoes

I have to preface this entry with the fact that yes, I am from Idaho, and we know how to eat potatoes in a million ways, but the first time I had this I was in Arizona.

Ingredients:
Baked Potatoes
Browned hamburger with taco seasoning
Lettuce
Shredded Cheese
Salsa
Sour Cream
Tomatoes
(You get the idea- any taco toppings that you enjoy)

This is an easy way to make a baked potato a complete meal. To save time I bake my potatoes in the microwave. I cut them in half and put them on a plate and cover the entire plate with saran wrap. I poke a few holes in the top to let out steam and then microwave them for about 7 minutes. For taco meat, I buy my taco seasoning in bulk at Sams Club. I like the seasoning and it is a lot less expensive than the little packets. Enjoy!

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

I got this great recipe from Jana. I made this for supper yesterday and start to finish was less then 30 minutes. It hit the spot! I buy premade meatballs from Walmart and Costco, (the price is comparable to plain hamburger meat) making this a very easy dinner. I usually double the recipe and freeze half of it for another meal.

1 8 oz. can pineapple chunks (save juice)

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 Tbsp. cornstarch

1/2 cup water

3 Tbsp vinegar

2 Tbsp soy sauce

1 1/2 tsp dry mustard

1/8 tsp cloves

1 beef bullion cube

Combine pineapple juice with the rest of the ingredients. Cook and stir over medium heat until thick. Add meatballs and pineapple if you want. Cover and simmer until ll ingredients are hot. Serve over rice.

Red Bean Soup

6 cans small red beans ( I get these at Walmart)
1 1/2 quarts chicken broth
2 tsp minced garlic
1/4 cup oil
3 bay leaves
3/4 green bell pepper, chopped finely
3 celery stalks, chopped finely
1 med onion, chopped finely
1 bunch green onions, chopped tops only
1 dash hot sauce ( I use Louisiana hot sauce)
2 tsp Tony Chachere's creole seasoning

In large stock pot saute the onions and celery in the oil till clear then add the bell peppers and garlic till browned. Add the remaining ingredients with the exception of the green onions and simmer for 1/2 hour. Using a potato masher smash some of the beans and cook an additional 20 min or until creamy. Stir in the green onion and serve over rice.

Chicken and Sausage Jambalya

Chicken Sausage Jambalaya

½ cup veggie oil

1 onion chopped

1 g. bell pepper chopped

3 tsp salt

1 ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

1 lbs smoked sausage, quartered

2 b/s chicken breast, cooked &chopped

3 bay leaves

3 cups uncooked rice

6 cups chicken broth

1 small can tomato sauce

1 cup green onions

Heat oil in large dutch oven. Over med heat add onion, and bell peppers and brown. Add all remaining ingredients with the exception of the green onions and cook until rice is cooked (15-20 min). Add green onions and let sit 5 minutes.

Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Treats

This is a super yummy treat that is quick and easy. My kids (and I) devour these!

1 cup white Karo syrup

1 cup sugar

1 cup peanut butter

5 cups Rice Krispies

chocolate chips

Bring syrup and sugar to a slow boil. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter. Add Rice Krispies. Press into a small casserole dish. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top. Wait a few minutes and the chocolate chips will melt and you can spread them all over. Treats will harden as they cool. Cut into squares and serve.

German Pancakes

Here's a yummy recipe that is Steve's favorite for breakfast because it's not all carbs and sugar leaving you with a sugar rush. It is full of protein (eggs) and stays with you a little longer.

German Pancakes

6 eggs
1/4 cup butter
1 cup milk
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt

Turn oven to 350 degrees and melt butter in 9x13 pan in oven. Meanwhile mix eggs, milk, flour then salt in bowl. Pour egg mixture into hot butter (careful not to burn the butter) bake for 25 minutes. Top with syrup, powdered sugar, jam, etc. anything you like to put on pancakes or waffles.

I usually make these for breakfast but they would be delicious for dinner too. (I like breakfast... my last post was a pancake recipe too :>) I wanted to share this one because my kids love them and I just gave them to Danielle and Spencer Black and they loved them just plain. So hears a recipe your kids (or at least 2 of them loved) Stephanie I hope y'all enjoy!!!

some good recipes to use up your Easter ham

Ham Chowder
4 cups chicken stock
2 cups cubed cooked ham
dash of rosemary
1 pound bacon, diced
1 onion, diced
1 1/2 clove garlic
3 green onions, diced
3 large potatoes, cubed
1/2 pound carrots, cubed
3/4 cup heavy cream

1. Pour stock into large pot set over medium heat, and bring to a simmer. Stir in the cubed ham and rosemary.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook diced bacon until crisp. With a slotted spoon, remove bacon, and add to pot. Drain half of the bacon grease, and return to medium heat. Stir in onions, garlic, and green onions; cook until tender, then add to pot.
3. Place cubed potatoes and carrots in pot; simmer until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes. Turn off heat, and add cream to pot.


Ham and Chicken Roll-Ups
2 cups cooked rice
6 slices ham
1 1/2 cups cooked chopped chicken
1 can cream of mushroom soup, divided
3 T butter
1/4 cup minced onion
1/4 cup minced celery
2 mushrooms, chopped
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup milk
1/4 t pepper
*1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
**French fried onions

1. Arrange rice on bottom of greased foil baking pan.
2. Saute onion, celery, and mushrooms in butter until soft.
3. Combine chicken, 1/3 cup soup, onion, celery, and mushrooms in a bowl.
4. Divide among the six slices of ham.
5. Roll up and place seam side down on top of rice.
6. Combine sour cream, milk, pepper, and remaining soup. Pour over roll-ups.
7. Cover with heavy freezer foil. Label and freeze.
8. To serve: Thaw. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes at 350*. Top with *cheese and **French fried onions. Bake 10 minutes longer.

Mozzarella Lasagna

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
1 clove garlic, minced
1 T. parsley flakes
1 T. basil
1 1/2 t. salt
1 can tomatoes
2 cans tomato paste

10 oz. lasagna noodles

3 c. cottage cheese
2 beaten eggs
1 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
2 T. parsley flakes
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
1 lb. mozzarella cheese

Directions:
Brown meat slowly. Add the next 6 ingredients. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to blend flavors. Stir occasionally.

Cook noodles in boiling water til tender, drain. Rinse in cold water.

Meanwhile combine cottage cheese with eggs, seasonings and Parmesan cheese.

Place half the noodles in 9x13 pan. Spread 1/2 of the cottage cheese mixture on the noodles, then layer with 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese. After the mozzarella layer, spread 1/2 the meat mixture. Repeat layers.

Bake @ 375 for 30 min. Garnish with remaining mozzarella & let stand 10 min. before cutting.

Easy Pork Chop Casserole

I was in the mood for mushrooms last night so I just looked up a recipe and tried it and I loved it.

INGREDIENTS
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 packet dry onion soup mix
1 (10.75 ounce) can water
1 cup mushrooms, diced
4 pork chops
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Rice

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, combine the mushroom soup, onion soup mix, water and mushrooms.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the pork chops on each side. Transfer chops to a 9x9 inch baking dish, and cover with the mushroom soup mixture.
Bake in the preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours, or until internal pork temperature reaches 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).

This recipe serves 4. Serve over rice to soak up all the sauce. Yum. I used a lot more mushrooms and it was great. I also just sliced up a pork tenderloin and used that instead of chops and it worked great.