Honey Mustard Chicken

This is a great recipe and easy to throw together. My hubbie did a fantastic job cooking the chicken...a great sunday meal!

1/2 cup of miracle whip
2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 tbsp. honey

Mix together. Baste on grilled chicken.

Ingredients: Miracle whip, Dijon mustard, honey

Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies have long since been a tradition in my house, especially at Christmas time. My favorite past time was getting to help my mother ice and decorate then entire counter full of beautiful cookies. As I have grown I have enjoyed carrying on this past time to my children and have even enjoyed getting together with my sister and her children and doing this together! It seems like quite a project but is always SO SO worth it. I love this recipe! It makes the most incredible soft cookies and (my sister will laugh) makes the "nicest" dough! I always double this so we have plenty for the holidays to share. They freeze really good as well! Enjoy!

1 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
4 cups flour
1 cup sour cream
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

Mix and chill. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Icing:

1/2 stick butter
1 oz. cream cheese
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. milk/evaporated milk

Mix all three and add vanilla and evaporated milk.

Ingredients: shortening, sugar, eggs, vanilla, salt, flour, sour cream, baking soda, butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, evaporated milk

French Silk Pie

I can recall a certain thanksgiving where I had the most incredible pies and I wanted to be sure and record the recipe for these pies! This is a very strong and rich chocolate pie. No cooking and quick to assemble!

4 (1oz) sq. unsweetened chocolate
3/4 c. butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
4 eggs
1 (8 inch) crust
Whipped cream and chopped nuts

Melt chocolate; let cool. In small mixer bowel, cream butter. Add sugar, melted chocolate and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. (don't worry if mixture is still a little gritty with undissolved sugar). Add eggs. Beat about 3 minutes until smooth and thick. Pour into baked shell. Chill thoroughly. Trim with whipped cream and nuts.

Ingredients: Unsweetened chocolate, butter, sugar, vanilla, eggs, crust, whipped cream and nuts

Poppy Seed Bread

I have enjoyed baking lots of breads lately and remember this bread as one of my favorites. I thought I would post it!

3 cups flour
2 1/3 cups sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups cooking oil
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. butter flavoring
1 1/2 tsp. almond extract
2 tbsp. poppy seeds

Put all ingredients in mixer and blend thoroughly. Grease and flour bread loaf pans. Bake 1 hour at 325 for 2 reguar size loaf pans or bake 40-45 min at 325 for 5 small loaf pans.

Icing:
1/4 cup orange juice (after made)
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. almond extract
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. butter flavoring

Cook in microwave to dissolve and pour over cooked bread.

Ingredients: flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, eggs, milk, cooking oil, vanilla, butter flavoring, almond extract, poppy seeds, orange juice

Chicken Pot Pie

This is an easy recipe to prep early in the day and pop it right in the oven just before dinner time. I did not have celery seed so I added some garlic and season all in the chicken. I also used a frozen bag of vegetables to save time rather than the fresh. I also added a couple bouillon cubes to give it all a little more flavor. A great and easy recipe that my family loved!

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cooked and cubed
2 cups mixed vegetables
2 cups diced cooked potatoes
1/2 cup sliced celery
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon celery seed
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
2/3 cup milk
2 (9 inch) pillsbury unbaked pie crusts

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C.)
2.In a saucepan, combine chicken, carrots, peas, and celery. Add water to cover and boil for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, drain and set aside.
3.In the saucepan over medium heat, cook onions in butter until soft and translucent. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, and celery seed. Slowly stir in chicken broth and milk. Simmer over medium-low heat until thick. Remove from heat and set aside.
4.Place the chicken mixture in bottom pie crust. Pour hot liquid mixture over. Cover with top crust, seal edges, and cut away excess dough. Make several small slits in the top to allow steam to escape.
5.Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Ingredients: Pie crust, chicken, carrots, celery, peas, butter, onion, milk, chicken broth, flour, salt, pepper, celery seed

Best Banana Bread

I got this recipe from a lady I serve in the Primary presidency with. It makes a wonderful banana bread and is SO SO easy!

1/2 cup margarine
3 ripe bananas
2 eggs
2/3 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
Optional: Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Mix liquid ingedients together. Beat in the dry ingredients. Grease bread pans. Bake 375 degrees 55-65 minutes for large 9X5 loaf pans or 25-30 minutes for mini loaf pans. You can also double the recipe which makes 3 really big loaves or lots of mini loaves.

Ingredients: margarine or butter, bananas, eggs, sour cream, sugar, flour, soda, salt and walnuts

Strawberry Cake *Happy Mother's Day*

I am especially grateful this Mother’s Day for my little Payton’s good health. My little helper helped me make this super easy Strawberry Cake. We got this recipe from a friend.

1 Strawberry flavored cake mix
3 eggs
One can of strawberry pie filling
*Top with fresh strawberries

That's right, No water, No oil. I said it was really easy. Just mix the cake mix, eggs and pie filling until moist-I use my mixer. Pour batter into well greased Bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees- approx 40-45 minutes (use knife blade stick into cake and when blade comes out cake is done. If knife is a little doughy bake 10 more minutes and test again)

Frost with Strawberry canned frosting already mixed and ready to go. You can also use this same recipe with different flavors-whatever pie filling (say lemon and lemon cake mix with lemon frosting)

Baking note: Cake doesn't rise much since it is more of a dense cake.

cake mix, pie filling, icing, eggs

Hawaiin Haystacks

Hawaiian Haystacks has always been a family favorite. I have great memories of making this recipe as a family at our Grandpa's Cabin.

Step 1. Cook the chicken in either a crock pot or presto cooker. Shred chicken. The amount of chicken depends on how large of group you are feeding. My family size of 4 I usually make about 2 lbs of chicken so that we can have leftovers.

Add the following to the chicken and let simmer:
1-2 cans chicken broth
2-3 chicken bouillon cubes
1/2 to 1 cup of water if needed to extend the amount of liquid.
1 to 2 cans of Cream of Chicken Soup if you need to thicken (optional)

Step 2. Prepare a large pot of white rice (not minute rice)

Step 3. Prep for the following toppings of your choice. Here are some different ideas....

Chow Mein noodles
Pineapple chunks
Water chestnuts
Green peppers
Regular or green onions
Tomatoes
Mushrooms
Bean sprouts
Boiled eggs
Coconut
Shredded Cheese

Serve in the following order, rice on the bottom, chicken with broth and then, toppings of your choice.

Ingredients: chicken, chicken broth, chow mein noodles, pineapple, water chestnuts, green peppers, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, bean sprouts, eggs, coconut, cheese

Fruit Tray

I took a fruit tray to the school today for Teacher Appreciation Week. I used:
1 Pineapple (reserving the bottom for the dip)
2 lbs Strawberries
3 Mango's
1 Watermelon
Green Grapes
Red Grapes
2 Large Oranges
4 Kiwi's

Dip: 1 pkg cream cheese mixed with 1 jar marshmallow creme and a couple Tbsp's of juice from the pineapple mixed with red food coloring.

Grilled Chicken Salad and Grilled Chicken with Rice

*1 to 2 lbs Chicken Breasts or Tenders
*1 pkg of McCormick Grill Mates Tomato, Garlic and Basil(mixed with: Dijon mustard, lemon juice, water, olive oil)
*Lettuce
*Veggies of your choice to top
*Dressing of your choice

Here is another meal idea that my family likes Grilled Chicken Salad. I like to marinate chicken prior to grilling it. Our favorite is the McCormick Grill Mates; Tomato, Garlic and Basil. I use the alternative suggestion of adding the Dijon mustard and 1 Tbsp. of lemon juice, as well as the called for 1/4 cup water, and 1/4cup olive oil. The longer that you marinate it the better flavor it has. I marinate in a large Ziploc bag in the fridge for 3 to 4 hours.

After marinating, grill the chicken and serve over your favorite lettuce. Top with your favorite veggies and dressings. My personal favorite is Brianna's Poppy seed.

I usually make the salad for my husband and myself and for the kids serve the chicken with rice as another meal option.




Ingredients: McCormick Grill Mates, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, olive oil, lettuce, veggies, dressing, chicken

Southern Beef Roll

This is our Mom's Southern Beef Roll recipe. It serves 5-6 people, so I would recommend doubling it and making 2 Rolls, especially if you would like left overs. This is one of those recipes that you need the chopped green pepper for the great flavor. Usually I am one that will leave out the peppers, but it just won't taste the same without it. I completley blend the peppers so that my kids cannot even tell they are in there.

1 lb. cooked ground beef
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
2 tsp. minced onion
2 Tbsp. Chopped green Pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 cups Flour
2 tsp. baking powder
3 Tbsp. Shortening
1/2 cup milk

Step 1. Brown ground beef with onion, green pepper, salt and pepper and then add the cream of mushroom soup to the mixture. Step 2. In a mixing bowl; stir together flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in shortening. Add milk and stir until mixture holds together. Knead for 1/2 minute, then roll dough into a rectangle about 1/3 inch thick. Spread beef mixture on dough and roll up like a jelly roll. Place on greased cookie sheet and bake uncovered @ 425 degrees for 30 minutes. Serve with cheese sauce (recipe is below). My oven cooks fast and cooked after about 18 minutes. Cook until lightly brown and until you can see that the dough is cooked through.

Cheese sauce:

2 Tbsp. melted butter or margarine
2 Tbsp. flour
1 cup milk
1 cup grated cheese

In a sauce pan; melt butter, blend the flour in the butter and then, add milk and grated cheese, cook until thick. Season with salt and pepper.

Ingredients: ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, onion, green pepper, shortening, milk, grated cheese.

Pasta with Bolognese Sauce

I got this recipe from a friend and decided to make a few minor changes to make it easier. When I decided to cook this tonight, I didn't realize that you need to let it simmer for 1 1/2 hrs. Prepare some extra time if you make this recipe. It was very good and my family really liked it and I would definitely make it again.

Pasta with Bolognese Sauce
4 TBSP unsalted butter, divided
2 TBSP olive oil
1 lb. ground beef
1 yellow onion, chopped or dried onion
1 carrot, peeled, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Nutmeg, to taste
1 (14.5 oz.) can of diced tomatoes
5 fresh sage leaves
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup white wine
2 cup chicken stock
1/3 cup cream
1 lb. fettuccine
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

In a large skillet over medium-low heat, melt 2 TBSP of the butter with the olive oil. Add the onion and sauté until just starting to crisp, about 3 minutes. Add the carrot and celery and sauté until very lightly golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Cook the ground beef in a separate pan, cook until the meat is lightly browned, drain any grease, season with salt and pepper, and add a generous pinch of nutmeg. Add the ground beef to the carrot mixture and increase the heat to medium heat. Add the wine and simmer until it is almost evaporated.

Add the chicken stock and cook until reduced by half. Add the tomatoes, sage and bay leaf. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 1 1/2 hours. If the sauce seems thin, cook it, uncovered, until thick and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Add the cream. Taste and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper. Remove the bay leaf and discard.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Generously salt the water, add the pasta and cook until according to the package. Drain and transfer the pasta to a warmed large, shallow bowl. Add the remaining 2 TBSP butter and 2 TBSP of the cheese. Toss until the butter melts. Add the sauce and toss gently. Serve immediately. Serve with the remainder Parmesan cheese. Serves 6 to 8.

Ingredients: Ground beef, onion, carrot, celery, nutmeg, diced tomatoes, sage leaves, bay leaf, white wine, chicken stock, cream, fettuccine, parmesan cheese

Three Packs and a Roast

I love anything that I can cook in my crock pot. I got this good crock pot roast recipe from a good friend. You can throw in some carrots and potatoes if you want. The gravy I made with the juices was excellent too! I actually put the 3 packets and water in a large Ziploc bag with the roast the night before and let it marinate in the fridge overnight. It gave it extra good flavor.

1 beef roast
1/2 envelope Ranch salad dressing mix
1 envelope Italian salad dressing mix
1 envelope brown gravy mix
1 1/2 cups water

1. In a small bowl combine all 3 seasoning mixes.
2. Place roast on a plate. Sprinkle half of the seasoning mixture evenly over roast and pat on like a dry rub.
3. Place roast in crock pot with the seasoned side down. Sprinkle remaining seasoning mixture over roast.
4. Add some vegetables or potatoes, if desired. Pour water over roast.
5. Cover, cook on low 7-9 hours.

If desired, thicken cooking juices for gravy.

Gravy
Remove meat to a warm platter, then strain and skim the fat from the cooking juices. Measure out 2 cups of juices and place in a saucepan. Combine 6 tablespoons flour and 2/3 cup cold water, then add to saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, until the gravy is thickened.

Ingredients: Beef Roast, ranch packet, italian salad dressing packet, brown gravy packet, veggies desired

Taco's and Nachos with leftover Pot Roast

Taco's
I turn my leftover pot roast into tasty taco's. I shred the meat, add some black beans, rice, guacamole, sour cream and cheese and fold into a flour tortilla and top with sour cream. They’re great.

Nacho's
Use your leftover pot roast for tasty nacho's as well. Shred the meat on top of tortilla chips and cheese. Warm in the microwave to melt the cheese.

Ingredients; lefttover pot roast, rice, beans, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, tortilla chips (for nacho's)

Kentucky Fried Cole Slaw

I tried this cole slaw and actually really enjoy this recipe! It is so easy to make in advance and goes well with many main dishes.

1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 tbsp. white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
2 1/2 tsbp. lemon juice
1 16oz. bag of cole slaw

In a large bowl combine the sugar, salt, pepper, milk, mayonnaise, buttermilk, vinegar and lemon juice. Whish until smooth. Add cole slaw and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. I like to add craisins (dried cranberries) to the cole slaw right before serving!

Ingredients: sugar, salt, pepper, milk, mayonnaise, buttermilk, white vinegar, lemon juice, cole slaw

This is a very easy Sunday recipe and has become a favorite in our house.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Pork Loin Roast
Mustard
Brown sugar

Put the pork roast in crock pot and add approximately 1 cup of brown sugar and 1 cup of mustard. Let the roast cook for about 4 to 5 hours. Shred the pork and stir. Add additional mustard and brown sugar to taste.

We had this meal with homemade coleslaw which I will add the recipe and baked potatoes! Another favorite in our house is "doctored" up sour cream. My hubbie just adds salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion salt to sour cream. It makes your baked potato tasty!

Ingredients: Pork loin roast, mustard, brown sugar, buns

Crockpot Chili

This is my very simple Crock pot Chili Recipe. I have learned with soup recipes that it is best to add whatever your family likes and will eat.

1 lb. Ground Beef, browned w/ onion. Then, Mix with 1 package(envelope) chili powder

Transfer Ground Beef to your Crock pot and add the following...

2 cans Black Beans (Drained and rinsed)
2 cans Dark Red Kidney Beans (Drained)
1 can pinto beans (Drained)
1 large can crushed tomatoes
1 small can tomato sauce

*Add extra chili powder if desired.

Our Mom always made a good Chili recipe as well, she adds a Large can of Tomato Juice and lots of ketchup in lieu of the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce.

Cook in the Crock pot on low for 5-6 hrs.

Top with Cheese, Sour Cream or Fritos.

Ingredients; ground beef, onion, packet chili powder, black beans (2), dark red kidney beans (2), pinto beans (1), crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce