Broccoli Beef

What you need:

2 lbs. sirloin steak thinly sliced across the grain (I have my butcher cut it for steak "sandwiches" and it's perfect for this recipe.)
1 bag frozen broccoli florets
2 T olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 t cornstarch dissolved in 1 T water

For the beef marinade:
  4 t soy sauce
  4 t rice vinegar
  1 t sesame oil
  2 t cornstarch
  1/2 t ground black pepper

For the sauce:
  4 T oyster sauce
  2 t rice vinegar
  2 T soy sauce
  1/4 C chicken broth

How to make it:

Marinate the beef: Mix the marinade ingredients in a gallon ziplock bag, add the beef and marinate 30 minutes.
Prepare the sauce: Stir together the the sauce ingredients ina small bowl.
Cook the broccoli in the microwave for 5 minutes on high heat, set aside.
Heat a large frying pan or wok over high heat, add the oil and swirl to coat. Add the beef and immediately spread it out over the surface of the pan. Let the beef fry, stirring occasionally until no longer pink. Pour in the sauce, add the broccoli, and bring to a boil. Pour in the dissolved cornstarch and cook, stirring, until the sauce boils and thickens, about 30 seconds.
  

Cowboy Dip

What you need:

1 can chicken, drained
1 can corn, drained
1 can Rotel, diced tomatoes with green chilis
4oz. cream chese, softened
1/2 C mayo
1/2 C sour cream
1/2 C shredded cheddar

How to make it:

Mix all ingredients in a large casserole dish, bake uncovered at 350 for 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Serve hot with corn chips.

Simple Southern-Style Baked Beans for a Crowd

Serves up to 18 (but more like 12!)

What you need:
8 slices bacon, halved
1 medium onion, cut into small dice
1/2 medium green pepper, cut into small dice
1 #10 can baked beans
3/4 cup barbecue sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

How to make them:
Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees.
Fry bacon until partially cooked and released about 1/4 cup drippings. Remove bacon from pan and drain on paper towels.
Add onions and peppers to drippings in pan and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes.
Mix beans, onions & peppers and remaining ingredients in a large dutch oven or casserole dish. Top with bacon, then bake, uncovered, until beans are bubbly and sauce is the consistency of pancake syrup, about 2 hours. Let stand to thicken slightly and serve.

Ranch Pasta Salad

What you need:

    1 (16 ounce) package medium seashell pasta

    1 1/2 cups Ranch dressing

    3-4 green onions, chopped

    2 tomatoes, chopped

    1 pound sliced bacon

How to make it:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, and cook according to package directions. Drain, and rinse under cold water to cool.

In a large bowl, stir together the Ranch dressing, onion, and tomatoes. Mix in the cooled pasta. The pasta will absorb some of the dressing, so don't worry if it seems like too much. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Meanwhile, cook bacon for bits.

Crumble bacon over the top just before serving.

Tart & Tangy Potato Salad

Original recipe from Schwan's, adapted for my family.

What you need:

1 bag Roasted Baby Bakers prepared, cooled and quartered

1/4 cup rice vinegar

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 cup green onion

           

How to make it:

Add onion to potatoes in large bowl.

Mix vinegar, oil, sugar, salt and pepper.

Drizzle half of dressing over potatoes and refrigerate.

Stir remaining dressing into potatoes just before serving.

Tip: Crumbled bacon adds extra flavor. (Bacon makes everything better!)

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Thank you Kim Maurer for introducing this to our family! We love it!
(Original recipe from Allrecipes.com) York, PA 2013

What you need:

    2 (10 ounce) cans chunk chicken, drained

    3/4 cup pepper sauce (such as Frank's Red Hot®)

    2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

    1 cup Ranch dressing

    1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

    1 bunch celery, cleaned and cut into 4 inch pieces

    1 bag tortilla chips

How to make it:

Mix chicken and hot sauce in the crock of your slow cooker heat in the microwave 2-3 minutes, until heated through. Add in cream cheese and ranch dressing, stirring until well blended, heat for another minute in microwave if needed, until warm. Mix in the shredded cheese, and place the crock in the slow cooker. Cover, and cook on low setting until hot and bubbly. Serve with celery sticks and tortilla chips.

Super Yummy Zucchini Planks

What you need:
1 small zucchini per person
Johnny's Garlic Seasoning
Parmesan cheese
cherry or other small tomatoes
olive oil

How to make it:
Preheat oven to 375. Spray a foil lined baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Wash and cut off ends of zucchini. Slice zucchini in half length wise (cut off the bottom of the boat to make a plank if desired for stability). Place zucchini on baking sheet and spray or brush with olive oil. Sprinkle with garlic seasoning powder and parmesan cheese. Slice tomatoes and lay them on top of the zucchini then sprinkle with more parmesan. Bake 20-30 minutes or until desired tenderness.