Taco Salad

FUN Family Night Dinner!

2 lbs. ground beef browned and seasoned with taco mix according to pkg. directions.
tortilla chips
salad mix
black beans
corn
black olives, sliced
shredded cheddar cheese
sour cream
salsa
onions, chopped

Place ingredients in bowls or divided dishes and let everyone layer to taste on their own plate.

Sloppy Joes

2 lbs. Ground Beef
lg. can Manwich
hamburger buns

Brown ground meat and prepare according to Manwich directions.

Sweet Pork for Burritos

Sooooo good!

Ingredients:
3 pounds pork shoulder roast
2 cups bottled salsa (NOT chunky)
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle cola-flavored carbonated beverage
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 (1.27 ounce) packet fajita seasoning
2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix
1 (7 ounce) can chopped green chilies

Directions:
Place pork roast in the crock of a slow cooker, and add 4 cups water. Cook on High for 5 hours.
Remove pork from the slow cooker and drain liquid. Cut the pork into 4 pieces, and set aside. Combine the salsa, cola, brown sugar, fajita seasoning, taco seasoning, and green chilies in the crock of the slow cooker. Add the pork, and cook on High for an additional 2 hours.
Remove the pork, and shred with 2 forks, return shredded pork to crock and stir into sauce, cook an additional 1 hour.

Serve with black beans, lettuce and sour cream in flour tortillas.

Can also be served on top of "loaded" baked potatoes.

Peanut Butter Fudge

This is Aaron's favorite Christmas treat!

Ingredients:
3/4 cup (5oz. can) evaporated milk
2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons butter
1 1/8 cups peanut butter
1 jar marshmallow creme
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
Grease an 8x8 inch dish.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, sugar and butter. Bring to a rolling boil, and let boil 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter, marshmallow creme and vanilla until well incorporated. Spread into prepared dish. Let cool completely before cutting into squares.

Brownie Trifle

Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, yum!

Ingredients:
1 (19.8 ounce) package brownie mix
2 (3.9 ounce) packages instant chocolate pudding mix
1 (16 ounce) package frozen whipped topping, thawed
3 (1.4 ounce) bars chocolate covered English toffee

Directions:
Prepare brownies according to package directions. Let cool.
Mix pudding according to package directions.
In a glass punch bowl, layer in the following order: 1/2 of the brownie, crumbled; 1/2 of the pudding; 1 toffee bar, crushed; 1/2 of the whipped topping.
Repeat layers in the same order. Save the last toffee bar to crumble and sprinkle on top before serving.
Refrigerate. Best if made the day before you serve it.

Chicken Divan

Becky and Tim Swanson were the first people to invite us over for dinner after we moved to Yakima, Washington and started attending West Side Baptist Church 1997.

In 9x13 casserole layer:
3-4 c broccoli (fresh or frozen/thawed)
3-4 c chicken/turkey cooked and cubed

In medium bowl mix:
1 can cream of chicken soup 1/2 c milk
1/2 c mayo 2 t lemon juice
Pour mixture over chicken and broccoli.

Prepare 1 pkg. stuffing mix according to directions and spread over top of casserole pressing gently.

Melt 1/4 c butter and drizzle over stuffing.

Bake uncovered @ 350^o for 30-40 min.

Tator Tot Casserole

Laurie Bender brought this meal to us December 31, 1998. Was it coincidence I went into labor with Noah that night? I don't know, but I love this recipe! West Side Baptist Church, Yakima, Washington.
Brown 2 lbs. ground meat with 1 small chopped onion and salt & pepper to taste.
Drain 2 cans green beans, saving 1/2 c juice.
In medium bowl mix:
1/2 c juice from beans 1 can cream of mushroom soup
In 9x13 casserole dish layer ground meat, soup mixture, green beans and top with a layer of tater tots.
Bake uncovered @ 350^o for 30-40 min.

Chicken Enchiladas

Karla Schut brought this meal to us after Aaron was born. West Side Baptist Church, Yakima, Washington 1998.

8 tortillas
Set aside 1 c of shredded cheddar/jack cheese

In medium bowl mix:
2 c cooked, shredded chicken 3-4 green onions, chopped
1 c sour cream 1 can cream of chicken soup
4 oz. can diced green chilies 2 c shredded cheddar/jack cheese

Spray a 9x13 casserole dish with Pam.

Spread portions of mixture in tortillas and roll. place in baking dish in a single layer. Top with set aside cheese.

Cover and bake @ 350^o for 30-40 min.

Fruit Dip 2

1 pkg. cream cheese
1/2 c brown sugar
1 T vanilla

Mix well.

Fruit Dip 1

Someone brought this to one of our singles group BBQs and I've been making it ever since. Washington Heights Baptist Church Ogden, Utah 1994.

1 jar marshmallow fluff
1 pkg. cream cheese

Mix well.

Fruit Dip 3

Peggy Holt told me about this dip and it is yummy. Pocatello, Idaho 2005

1 can sweetened condensed milk

Remove label from can, place can in a small sauce pot and fill pan with water. Boil 2 hrs., turning can every 30 min. and refilling water when necessary. Let can cool and pour caramelized milk into serving bowl.

Original Kellogg's Rice Krispies Treats

This is David's favorite treat.

3 T butter
1 (10oz.) pkg. regular marshmallows or 4 c mini marshmallows
6 c Rice Krispies

Melt butter in large sauce pan over low heat, add marshmallows and stir until completely melted.
Remove from heat, add Rice Krispies, stir until well coated.
Spray a 9x13 pan and a spatula (or your hands) with Pam, press Krispie mixture into pan.
Let cool and cut into squares.

Cheese Sauce for Potatoes

Shauna Cox brought this to one of our TLC Group BBQs. I think it was the same day the guys put together our swing set. West Side Baptist Church, Yakima, Washington 1999.

7-8 medium potatoes, peeled, chopped, boiled until tender

In medium bowl mix:
1 c sour cream 2 c cheddar cheese, shredded
1 can cream of chicken soup 1/4 c melted butter
1/2 can cream of mushroom soup salt & pepper to taste
3 green onions, chopped

Place potatoes in a 2 qt. casserole dish, pour mixture over and stir.
Bake uncovered @ 350^o for 30-40 min.

Variation: Make sauce and pour over strips of chicken and egg noodles.

Melt Sandwiches

I remember liking these when I was a child and my kids like to make them now.
English muffins
sliced cheese: American, Swiss, Provolone
tuna salad
lunch meat: turkey, ham
sandwich condiments
Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil and preheat oven to 350^o.
Put your favorite condiments and sandwich meat on one half of and English muffin, cover with a slice of cheese and bake until cheese is melted.
Variation: use pizza sauce, pepperoni & shredded mozzarella to make mini pizzas.

Snicker Salad

Thank you Becky Swanson! This is so yummy, I take it to every BBQ and everyone loves it! West Side Baptist Church, Yakima, Washington 1997.
5 green apples
6 Snickers bars
16 oz. Cool Whip
2 boxes instant vanilla pudding
2 c milk
In large serving bowl combine dry pudding and milk, stir until pudding starts to thicken, fold in whipped cream.
Cut apples and Snickers into bite size pieces, add to bowl, toss.
Serves a large group.

Creamy Hashbrown Casserole

Recipe courtesy of Paula Deen

2 T butter
1/2 onion, chopped
8 oz. sour cream
1/2 can cream of celery soup
4 oz. shredded cheddar/jack cheese
1/4 t garlic powder
1/2 pkg. frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
1/2 t salt
1/4 t black pepper
1 c crushed potato chips
Preheat oven to 375^o. Lightly spray a small casserole dish with Pam.

In a small skillet, melt butter, add onions and cook 3-4 min.

Pour onions into a large bowl, add sour cream, soup, cheese, garlic powder, salt, pepper and hash browns, stir well.

Pour mixture into prepared casserole dish, top with crushed chips and bake for 45 min., or until hot and bubbly.

Sweet Sausages

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

1 pkg. smoked sausage
3/4 c maple syrup

Cut sausage into rounds.

Place sausage into skillet, add maple syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 min. Serve piping hot.

* Sausages can be cooked in a crock-pot on low for 2 hours.

Cheesey Eggs

The kids prefer their eggs scrambled this way.

6-8 eggs
1/4 c milk
1/2 c shredded cheddar/jack

Crack eggs into medium bowl, add milk and beat with fork until well mixed.

Spray skillet with Pam, pour in eggs and cook over medium heat.

When eggs start to cook add cheese and stir constantly until cooked through.

Cocktail Meatball Sauce 2

1 c pineapple preserves
1 c bbq sauce

Mix ingredients in slow cooker, add pre-cooked frozen meatballs and toss. Cook until warmed through.

Cocktail Meatball Sauce 1

1 (8oz.) can jellied cranberry sauce
3/4 c chili sauce
1 T brown sugar
1 1/2 t lemon juice

Mix ingredients in slow cooker, add pre-cooked frozen meatballs and toss. Cook until warmed through.

Cocktail Weiner Sauce 2

1 (8oz.) jar grape jelly
1/4 c chili sauce
2 T brown mustard

Mix grape jelly, chili sauce and mustard in sauce pan or slow cooker, add Lil' Smokies and toss. Cook until warmed through.

Cocktail Weiner Sauce 1

1 (8oz.) jar cocktail sauce
1 (8oz.) jar grape jelly

Mix cocktail sauce and grape jelly in sauce pan or slow cooker, add Lil' Smokies and toss. Cook until warmed through.

Ranch Cheese Ball

2 (8oz.) pkgs. cream cheese
1 (1oz.) pkg. ranch dip mix
2 1/2 c shredded cheddar

Soften cream cheese and mix all ingredients together.
Form into a ball.

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

1 (8oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1/2 c butter (no substitutes)
1/4 t vanilla extract
3/4 c powdered sugar
2 T brown sugar
3/4 c miniature semisweet chocolate chips
graham crackers
Soften cream cheese and butter, mix with vanilla until fluffy. Gradually add sugars; beat just until combined. Stir in chocolate chips.
Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
Form into a ball and refrigerate another hour.
Serve with graham crackers.

Sausage, Potatoes & Peppers

This is a great throw together recipe.
2 T olive oil
1/2 bag Schwan's Baby Bakers quartered
1 pkg. smoked sausage or kielbasa cut into 1/4" slices
1/2 red pepper roughly chopped
1/2 green pepper roughly chopped
1/2 large onion roughly chopped
salt & pepper to taste
Heat olive oil over medium heat, add all ingredients to pan and fry until vegetables are tender and meat is seared and warmed through.

Cinnamon French Toast Bake

I tweeked this Pillsbury recipe to fit our taste and it is super yummy.

1/4 c butter, melted
2 cans refrigerated cinnamon rolls
6 eggs
1/2 c heavy whipping cream
2 t ground cinnamon
2 t vanilla
maple syrup

Heat oven to 375^o

Pour melted butter into ungreased 13x9 glass baking dish.

Separate both cans of dough into 16 rolls, set icing aside. Cut each roll into 8 pieces, place pieces over butter in dish.

In medium bowl beat eggs, beat in cream, cinnamon and vanilla until well blended; gently pour over roll pieces.

Bake 20 to 28 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, remove covers from icing; microwave on Medium (50%) 10 to 15 seconds or until thin enough to drizzle. Drizzle icing over top or just serve with maple syrup which is what we prefer.

French Fries

These are so good, the extra step is worth it, and the sugar soak seems to keep the potatoes from soaking up to much oil or maybe just crisps them up faster, I don't know but, YUM.

6 medium potatoes cut into fries
5 c cold water
2/3 c sugar
oil for frying
salt

Stir sugar into water until dissolved.
Soak potatoes in sugar water about 30 min.

Preheat oil to 350^o.

Pat potatoes dry and fry for 2 minutes, remove to paper towels to cool.
Place potatoes back into oil and fry a second time until light brown and crispy.
Season to taste.

Smotherd Fries

 I'm sure these are making our cholesterol go through the roof, but they are sooo good.
1 batch of French Fries (Side Dishes)
2 pouches Schwan's Diced Beef Tips and Gravy
1/2 onion chopped
2 T butter
1 c shredded cheddar cheese
yellow mustard
Heat beef tips and gravy in microwave.
Saute onions in butter until soft.
Place fries on a plate, smother in beef tips and gravy, onions, cheese and mustard.

Tuna Mac

This is our ultimate comfort food. It's fast, warm and satisfying.
2 boxes macaroni & cheese prepared according to pkg. directions in large pot.
Add:
1 can peas
2 cans tuna
1 can cream of mushroom soup
Stir well over low heat until warmed through.

Taco Mac

Ingredients:
4 boxes Kraft Mac & Cheese
2 lbs. ground chuck
1/2 C taco seasoning
1 1/2 C water
2 cans corn
1 C butter
1 C milk

Directions:
Brown ground meat, add taco seasoning and water, mix well, simmer 10 minutes. While meat is cooking bring 4 quarts of water to a boil and add macaroni noodles, return to a boil and cook 7-9 minutes, drain and return to pot. Add butter, milk and cheese powder, mix well. Add corn and meat, mix well.

Hot Dog Mac

Ingredients:
2 boxes kraft Mac & Cheese
4 hot dogs sliced
1 C frozen peas
1/2 C milk
1/2 C butter

Directions:
Boil 4 quarts water over high heat, add macaroni noodles, sliced hot dogs and peas, return to boil and boil 7-9 minutes or until macaroni is done. Drain, add milk, butter and cheese powder, stir until mixed well.