Monday, December 8, 2008

Thanksgiving at Grandma and Grandpa's

This year for Thanksgiving, my family came to visit! We had so much fun with Grandma and Grandpa, the Guins, and the Curls!

Here's Mercedes with her Thanksgiving Feast! The food was AWESOME!!!

Grandma was Radiant! She sure knows how to throw a swingin' party!

This is Grandpa, resting his eyes after such a wonderful meal!

Don't take my picture!

This was so funny! A few weeks ago, one of the chickens jumped up on Mercedes twice! The flapping wings and pecking freaked her out, and ever since then she's been a little leary of them. Well she's over here in the yard playing, and a rooster starts pecking towards her so she jumps up on the lawn mower to get a way. Except there's one small problem. Christina, who is almost the same size starts waving her arms trying to push Mercedes off and keeps yelling "Go way! Go way!" Finely, Christina got up and left.

Here's Kinsley! My girls have so much fun playing with her!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Spaghetti Seasoning

1 T. dehydrated onion
1 T. parsley flakes
1 T. cornstarch
1 T. salt
1/4 t. garlic powder
1 t. sugar
1 T. dried green pepper
1/4 t. basil
1/4 t. thyme
1/4 t. sage
1/4 t. marjoram
1/4 t. oregano

Equivalent to 1 pkg. seasoning.

Chili Seasoning

1 1/2 t. flour
1 T. dehydrated onion
3/4 t. chili powder
1/4 t. dried red pepper
1/4 t. minced garlic
1/2 t. seasoning salt
1/4 t. sugar
1/4 t. cumin

Equivalent to 1 pkg. of seasoning.

Sloppy Joe Mix

1 T. dehydrated onion
1 t. salt
1/2 t. garlic powder
1/4 t. dry mustard
1 t. salt
1 t. cornstarch
1/4 t. celery seeds
1/2 t. chili powder

Equivalent to 1 pkg. seasoning.

Taco Seasoning

For a milder taco seasoning, reduce the red pepper.

1 Tbs. dehydrated onion
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. dried red pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. ground cumin

Equivalent to 1 pkg. seasoning.

Krystal's Taco Soup

Remember, the more chili powder and red pepper used, and longer simmering times will increase the heat of this recipe.

1 lb. hamburger, browned (season with salt, pepper and onion)
2 cans beans, any type, undrained - I prefer kidney and pinto
2 cans corn, undrained
1 can diced tomatoes*
1 can tomato sauce*
1-2 Tbsp. dehydrated onion (if using fresh, use more)
1 tsp. salt
1/2-1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. oregano
1/2-3/4 tsp. ground cumin
crushed red pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients and boil. Simmer if you want for as long as you want. If you cook this in a crock pot, don't use as much chili powder and red pepper because the long cooking time intensifies their flavors, unless you want it hot. If you don't want it hot, add them the last hour. (Depending on who I'm cooking for, I'd rather make it real mild and spice it up in the end, then cause indigestion).

*When it comes to tomatoes in this soup I have played around with different things: tomato sauce and paste, crushed/diced tomatoes, tomato juice, and even tomato soup - which makes it a little creamy. Use what you have and try different things to see what you like.

Michelle's Taco Soup

1 lb. ground beef, browned
1 pkt. taco seasoning
1 can cream of potato
1 can corn, undrained
1 can kidney beans, undrained
1 can tomato sauce
1 can diced tomato, undrained
6 baby carrots, chopped (optional)
2 stalks celery (optional)

Mix and simmer until beans are soft.

Jenni's Taco Soup

1 lb ground beef, browned
1 onion, chopped
2 cans pinto beans, undrained
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
2 cans corn, undrained
1 pkt. taco seasoning

Mix and simmer 20 minutes.

One Pan Lasagna Toss

1 lb. lean ground beef
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped (I use garlic powder)
1 jar (26 oz.) spaghetti sauce
1 2/3 c. water
1/4 c. Italian dressing
12 oven-ready lasagna noodles, quartered*
1 c. shredded cheese
bell pepper to taste

Brown meat and drain. Add garlic, spaghetti sauce, water, and dressing. Boil. Stir in noodles and bell pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, 10-15 minutes, or until noodles are tender. Remove from heat and sprinkle with cheese. Let stand 5 minutes to melt cheese and enjoy!

*If using regular lasagna noodles, brake into small pieces, increase water to 2 c., and cook 30 minutes.

Chicken Divan

Mix:
3 c. chicken, chopped and cooked
1 lb. broccoli (fresh or frozen-if frozen, thaw and drain water)
1 can cream of chicken
1 can cream of mushroom
1/2 c. evaporated milk
1 c. mayonnaise
1 Tbs. lemon juice or vinegar
dash of pepper

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Top with bread crumbs and dot with butter. Bake 10 more minutes.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles

1 pkg. (8 squares) Baker's semi-sweet chocolate
1/2 c. peanut butter
1 (8 oz.) tub Cool Whip, thawed

Topping ideas:
  • powdered sugar
  • crushed nuts
  • flaked coconut
  • grated semi-sweet or white chocolate
  • finely crushed cookies
  • etc...

Microwave chocolate on high 1 minute, stir. Continue microwaving and stiring until chocolate is melted. Stir in peanut butter until well blended. Cool to room temperature and add Cool Whip. Refrigerate 1 hour. Roll into 1 inch balls and roll in choice of toppings, if desired. Store in refrigerator.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Grandma Densley's Marshmallow Brownies

Cream:
1 c. butter
1/2 c. cocoa
2 c. sugar

Mix in 4 eggs, one at a time

Add:
1 1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. nuts, optional

This batter is really thick! Bake at 350 degrees for 22 minutes* in a well greased cookie sheet. When done, cover with marshmallows and place back in oven for 3 minutes. Let cool and frost.

For frosting, cream together:
1/2 c. butter
1 2/3 c. powdered sugar
1/3 c. cocoa
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 c. milk

*If you are not going to melt marshmallows on top, cook 23 minutes.

Hints and Tips for Vegetables

Fresh lemon juice will remove onion scent from hands.

Pour all leftover vegetables and water in which the are cooked into a freezer container. When full, add tomato juice and season to create a soup.

Instant potato flakes or baby cereal are a good soup thickener.

Three large stalks of celery, chopped and added to about two cups of beans (nave, brown, pinto, etc.), will make them easier to digest.

When cooking vegetables that grow above ground, boil uncovered.

A lump of sugar added to water when cooking greens helps vegetables retain their fresh color.

Never soak vegetables after slicing; they will lose much of their nutritional value.

Fresh vegetables require little seasoning or cooking. If the vegetables is old, dress it up with sauce or seasoning.

To cut down on odors when cooking cabbage, cauliflower, etc..., add a little vinegar to the cooking water.

To avoid tears when cutting onions, remove all skin and try cutting them under cold running water or briefly place them in the freezer before cutting.

Perk up soggy lettuce by soaking in a mixture of lemon juice and cold water.

Vinegar can remove spots caused by tomatoes. Soak the spot with vinegar and wash as usual.

Egg shells can be easily removed from hard-boiled eggs if they are quickly rinsed in cold water after they are boiled. Also, add a drop of food coloring to help tell the cooked eggs apart from the raw ones in your refrigerator.

Keep beans sprouts ind jicama fresh and crisp up to five days by submerging them in a container of water before refrigerating.

Your fruit salads will look perfect when you use and egg slicer to make perfect slices of strawberries, kiwis, or bananas.

Super Easy Wheat Bread

Combine:

4 c. very hot water
2 tbsp. yeast
1 tbsp. salt
1/2 c. oil
1/2 c. honey

Add 9-10 c. flour

Knead until smooth. Let rest 5 minutes. While resting, butter 2 5x9 inch bread pans and flour table. Butter hands, knead dough slightly, and form into 2 loaves. Let rise 10 minutes. Place in cold oven and set temperature to 350 degrees and timer for 50 minutes. Remove from oven. Turn out of bread pans to cool. This is AWESOME bread!

The woman who gave me this recipe said it could also be made into four smaller loaves and cooked 40 minutes, but I've never done that.

Easy Pumpkin Cookies

1 pkg. spice cake mix
1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin
1 (6 oz.) bag chocolate chips

Mix ingredients and bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.

Gingersnaps

2 c. flour
1 Tbsp. ginger
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1/4 c. molasses

Mix all ingredients, roll dough into small balls, and roll around in sugar. Bake 350 degrees for 12 minutes.

Fall Apple Dip

1 pkg. cream cheese (room temperature)
3/4 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. chopped salted peanuts
4-6 apples or other fruit of choice
1/2 c. orange juice for dipping fruit in

Blend first four ingredients. Wash and slice fruit, dip in orange juice to keep from browning, and serve with dip.

BBQ Fajitas

1 Tbsp. oil
1 lb. meat, cut into strips
1 onion, halved and cut into strips
2 peppers, any color, cut into strips
1/2 c. original BBQ sauce
8 to 10 flour tortillas

On medium-high heat, cook meat in oil for 3 minutes. Add peppers and onion and cook 3 to 4 minutes or until meat and vegetables are done. Stir frequently. Reduce heat to medium-low and add BBQ sauce. Heat through and enjoy on tortillas with a side of rice.

Easy Chinese Stir-fry

1 tsp. oil
1 lb. pork tenderloin, cut into thin slices
3 carrots, sliced
1/3 c. Balsamic vinaigrette
2 Tbsp. hoisin sauce - an Asian sauce found near oriental foods in supermarkets
2 green onions, thinly sliced

Heat oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add meat and carrots; stir-fry 5 minutes. Stir in dressing and hoisin sauce; stir-fry 7 minutes or until carrots are crisp-tender. Add onions; cook 1 minute. Serve on pasta or rice.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Cranberry Turkey Breast

1 turkey breast
1 (15 oz.) can whole berry cranberry sauce*
1 env. dry onion soup mix
1/2 c. orange juice
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

Place turkey in slow cooker. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over turkey. Cover and cook on low 6 - 8 hours. Serve with cranberry stuffing or mashed potatoes and your favorite vegetable.

Note: After the turkey has cooked, pour juices and remaining glaze from you Crockpot to a sauce pan and make gravy. Add a little flour or corn starch, stir constantly, and boil until thickened.

*Do not use jellied cranberry sauce as it creates too much juice

Potato Cumin Soup

1/4 c. butter
1 med. onion, chopped
2 clove fresh garlic, crushed
1/4 c. flour
6 c. chicken broth
6 med. potatoes, cut into 1/2 in. cubes
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. fresh ground pepper
1 tsp. salt
2 c. whole milk
3 c. medium cheddar cheese, grated
1 (7 oz.) can chopped green chilies
2-3 dashes hot pepper sauce

Sauté onion, garlic, and butter. Onions are sautéed when they appear translucent. Add flour and stir for 2 minutes until dissolved. Add broth, potatoes, cumin, salt, and pepper. Simmer on low for 20 - 25 minutes. Potatoes should be cooked thoroughly. Add cheese, milk, chilies, and hot sauce. Soup will thicken slightly. Serve with your choice of bread.

Krystal's Thanksgiving Casserole

This whole thing was made of Thanksgiving leftovers poured in a bowl, mixed 'till they looked good, and popped in the oven. That sounds gross, but it was really yummy!

Stir together:
  1. Turkey
  2. Turkey Gravy
  3. Mixed Vegetables
Pour in buttered baking dish and sprinkle stuffing on top. Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes.