Chicken and Rice

This is a favorite meal for two of my grandchildren, Syd and Bella. They always ask for it!


4-6 Chicken breasts or 10-12 chicken tenders.
3 Cups cooked rice.
1 Can cream of chicken soup
1 Cup shredded cheese.


Cook the rice. 
Put it into a medium casserole dish. Mix the cream of chicken soup with the rice.
Cut the chicken breasts or tenders into strips. Lay strips on top of rice/soup mixture.
Bake in 350 degree oven or 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked.
Spread shredded cheese on top and return to oven until cheese is melted. 

Fruit KaBob

These fruit kabobs are coming out of a watermelon! This isn't my recipe but it was so good looking and good tasting I had to put it on my blog in case anyone is looking for a great idea! The fruits are strawberries, pineapple, blueberries, watermelon, grapes, muskmelon, etc. This was at my grandson's graduation open house.
The fruit dip is delicious too. In fact, the name of it is 
Fabulous Fruit Dip!
1 lb marshmallow cream
1 lb cream cheese, softened
Mix with 2 Tbls orange juice.

Ham Gravy

I've been told you can't make ham gravy. Well, I didn't know that and apparently neither did my mother! She taught me how to make it and we love it! Soooo......

Bake your ham in a very low oven  250 to 275 for probably three hours, depending on how big it is. Most hams are pre-cooked. Be sure to read the instructions on the ham.
Make sure the juice from the ham doesn't burn, keeping the oven low should work..
Remove the ham.
Add water to the juice.
While it's heating to a boil, make a flour/water paste. (Like for other gravy)
Pour the flour/water paste into the slowly boiling juice.
Stir, stir, stir.
No salt, it's salty from the ham.
It should make a beautiful tan gravy.
Hmmm, so tasty. So easy.
Try it...you'll like it!

Acorn Squash

I love acorn squash and my son-in-law, Gene! He stopped at the store and bought a couple to add to our dinner of roast beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions.
Here is his recipe:

Cut the squash in half, clean out seeds and strings.

Cover squash with Saran, preferably a piece folded in half so it is a double layer covering the squash.

Nuke on high 8 - 10 minutes depending upon the size of the squash and if you put both pieces of squash in the microwave....best results one at a time.
Be careful when removing squash from microwave, and ESPECIALLY when uncovering the Saran and scraping out the meat.  Lots of steam and heat.

Scrape meat out of shell with tablespoon and put into a bowl.  Form empty shells back into shape so they cool into a presentable shape.

Mix in 1/2 Tbs 'butter' and 1/2 Tbs Splenda brown sugar per half (more or less to taste).  If nuking 1 piece at a time, go ahead and nuke the bowl of squash meat to bring back to a reasonable serving temperature.  O.K. to have 'yellow stuff' and the Splenda brown sugar already mixed into the squash meat.

Spoon heated meat back into emptied shells and serve.


Hmmm Hmmmm. It's so good...and easy! Thanks, Gene!

Healthy Spice Cake

1 spice cake mix
1 single can pumpkin
1 teas cinnamon, optional


Mix together these two or three ingredients. Bake according to direction on the box.


Frost before serving with Lite Cool Whip.


This very good and very healthy spice cake recipe came from my daughter, Pam.
It can also be used with a chocolate cake mix.
No oil and no eggs.
It's delicious, nutritious, easy.

Sugar & Spice Coffee Cake

This delicious coffee cake can be made at the last minute and is so delicious. My sister-in-law, Marion, gave this recipe to me years and years ago!

Mix together 3/4 c sugar and 1/2 c butter.
Add             1 egg
                    1 c sour milk  (1 1/2 T vinegar and milk to make 1 c.)
                    1 teas, soda
Add             2 c flour
                    2 teas baking powder
                    1/2 teas salt

Topping        1/2 c sugar
                    1 teas cinnamon
                    1/2 teas nutmeg

Grease 8 x 8 cake pan.
Spread alternately cake mixture and topping making 2 layers of each. End with topping.
Bake 35 - 40 minutes at 350. Serve warm! Delicious!

Honey-Glazed Carrots

This is so good and so easy, I had to share it here.
This only serves two but you can double or triple or whatever!
It came from a Microwave Cookbook for One or Two.

1-1/2 cups sliced carrots (1/2 inch thick)
1/4 cups water
2 teaspoons butter or margarine
Dash ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons honey
1 Tablespoon chopped pecans

1. Wash, peel, & slice carrots.
Combine with water in 1 quart casserole with lid.
Cover & microwave on high 8-9 minutes stirring after 4 minutes.
Let it stand covered for another 2 minutes.
2. Drain, stir in butter and cinnamon. Drizzle with honey; mix gently.
Cover & microwave on high for 30 seconds.
Sprinkle with pecans.

Enjoy...it really is delicious!!!

Cheese Ball

I have another recipe for a delicious cheese ball. It's so simple to make.

3 packages cream cheese
1 c cubed ham
1/4 c minced onion
1 T Worcestershire Sauce
Mix together, form into ball, set in refrigerator until ready to use.
Spread on your favorite cracker.
Delicious!

Very Good Meat Loaf

Here is a very good meat loaf recipe that's also simple to make.

2 lbs lean ground beef. (I use ground round.)
1 or 2 eggs.
1 c milk.
1 c finely mashed corn flakes.
3 Tbs Catsup.
3 Tbs Worcestershire sauce.
1 medium onion, chopped.
Salt
Pepper.

Mix thoroughly.
Place in loaf pan.
Bake at 375 at least an hour. Make sure it's done in center.

It makes a wonderful dinner with baked potatoes.
Then leftovers make very good cold sandwiches later.

Roast Beef

This is one of the easiest meals to fix and yet it's a dinner when it's done! I've been sick all week but still had company for the weekend, I needed to fix an easy but good meal to come home from church to. This was it. Try it...you'll like it!

1 pot roasting beef
Several carrots
2 whole small onions
6 sm red potatoes

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
I spray Pam over the bottom of my roasting pan.
Brown roast on both sides.
Add water almost to the top of roast.
Peal and add carrots.
Peal onions and add with carrots.
Wash potatoes and add with the rest.
Cover roasting pan with a tight lid.
Place in oven. It needs to be in the oven for 2-3 hours, depending on size of roast. Sometimes I turn the oven down to 250/275.
Go to church and come home to a wonderful aroma the minute you drive into the garage!
Dinner is ready!

Five Cup Salad

This is a delicious fruit salad that is so attractive. I like to make it when kids are coming for dinner because it looks so good and is good. My friend, Janice, from way back in junior high and high school, gave this recipe to me when we both had little kids running around. Now, we're both grandmas.

1 c pineapple tidbits
1 c sour cream
1 c colored miniature marshmallows
1 c angel flake coconut
1 c mandarin oranges

Mix together and let it set in refrigerator. Enjoy!

A Recipe for a Scrupmtious Year!

I think I should write a little about this recipe, like where I got it. I didn't write such a good recipe. I think I should give credit where credit is due, right? It was on a birthday card I received last October. I just ran across it again yesterday so I decided with the new year I should post it. It was on a Leanin' tree card.

A dash of adventure
Generous portions of laughter
A pinch of mischief
A heaping cup of good company
An assortment of decadent treats
2 teaspoons of contentment
Season with your favorite spices

Stir with love until it's warm through and through.
Enjoy to your heart's content!

Problem!

Oh dear! I have a problem. I can't find Kraft Roka Blue Cheese any where in town! I want to make my cheese ball (Last blog recipe), I have everything I need but not roka blue cheese. I've been Meijer, Wal-mart, Gordon's, Glenn's, Kroger. No one has it! What to do!!! If you see it and think you might want to make this cheese ball later you'd better buy it now. It comes in a small glass, like a small juice glass.

MY PROBLEM IS SOLVED! I FOUND ROKA BLUE CHEESE AT KROGER'S. I wasn't even looking for it (because I gave up) but I happened to see it! It's now November of 2010! I bought two and I may buy more next time I go grocery shopping. It does keep as long as it's not opened. This is a delicious cheese ball and with holidays coming you might want to try it.

Cheese Ball

This is a really delicious cheese ball. The recipe was given to me by my friend, Sally, many years ago. She had given me a cheese ball for Christmas and then gave me the recipe. Now I've made it many times and have given it as a Christmas gift several times. I make it every year. My family loves it. Try it, you'll like it!

3 8oz. Philadelphia cream cheese
2 jars Kraft Old English cheese
1 jar Kraft Roka Blue cheese
3 TB. garlic red wine vinegar
1/4 teas. garlic salt
Mix it all together well. Form it into one large ball or into two balls.
Roll it in crushed pecans so it's completely covered.
Let it set in the refrigerator.

Spread onto your favorite crackers and enjoy!

Festive Layered Jello

I was asked to make this layered jello for a supper we went to last week. You can see the different layers, but I do wish I had taken a piece out so you could see the layers better. Just click on the picture to bring it up closer. It's very festive and tasty. The recipe is on this blog, just scroll down, way down!

Thanksgiving Dinner - Roast Turkey

It's time to make plans for Thanksgiving dinner. I'm a traditional person, so we always have turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes/gravy, candied sweet potatoes, salad, cloverleaf rolls, pumpkin and/or apple pie. MMMmmmm! Makes me hungry just thinking about it. This picture was from last year, it was a small turkey, about 12 lbs. If you look closely you can see that I left it in the oven too long. The meat has pulled away from the leg bones. But the color of the turkey is very nice. It was still very juicy and moist.

I'll start with my turkey recipe. I always roast my turkey in foil. It takes a hotter oven but a shorter time. I always try to buy a turkey with a peg that pops out when it's done.

Thaw turkey in refrigerator, time depends on size. Plan on a couple of days.
Wash turkey, take out neck & giblets.
I cook the neck and giblets and use the broth for gravy later.
Preheat oven. 450 degrees.
Brush the turkey with shortening.
Loosely fill the cavity with stuffing.
Cover the legs and wings with small squares of foil.
Tear off long piece of foil and place in roasting pan.
Tear off another piece to cover the bottom of the pan.
Place turkey on foil, breast side up.
Bring foil together over turkey and fold together loosely.
Wrap turkey but not airtight.
Place in oven.
When the turkey is almost ready, turn back the foil so the turkey will brown nicely.

I've been roasting my turkey's in this way for all my married life. It's a sure way to have a beautiful, moist turkey. I've never had one turn out bad...yet.

This year my turkey is small, about 12 lbs. so it'll only take a little over 2 hours to roast.

Beef & Vegetable Soup

Once a month we have a Senior Luncheon or Supper or Dinner at our church. Tomorrow it's a Soup/Salad Luncheon. I'm making two soups. This recipe for Beef & Vegetable Soup is very good. It's a recipe by our good friend, Herb, but it was made and brought to us after one of Jerry's surgeries by our friends, Sam & Julie.

1 1/2 # Beef (round steak or lean chuck) cut into 1/2" pieces
5 c water
1 med onion, chopped
1/2 c barley (not instant)
2 T instant beef bouillon
1/4 t thyme
1/4 t marjoram
1/4 t black pepper
1 bay leaf
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
4-5 medium carrots - sliced
1/2 # fresh green beans, cut
1 c celery

Brown meat in pan (keep drippings)
Add water, onion, barley, bouillon, thyme, marjoram, pepper, & bay leaf.
Cover & cook slowly for 1 1/4 hours.
Remove bay leaf.
Add carrots, green beans, celery, & tomatoes.
(My grocery store only sells instant barley so I'm putting it in about a half hour before serving.)
Bring to slow boil & continue cooking (covered) for 3/4 - 1 hour.
or until veggies are cooked.

Taco Soup

This recipe is hand written on a note paper by some one but I don't know who! I just made it for a soup/salad luncheon and it's delicious! If you recognize this as yours, please let me know!

2 lbs ground beef
2 lg cans tomato sauce
2 lg cans crushed tomatoes
2 pkg Taco seasoning
2 cans corn with juice
1 Sm can chopped chillies

Heat through
Add 1/2 to full pkg Velvetta Cheese

Serve with sour cream
shredded cheese
& tortilla chips

Mashed Potato Pancakes

I think everyone knows how to make mashed potato pancakes but we just ate them last evening and they were so good I thought I'd put the recipe here even just as a reminder of another way to fix potatoes.

Left over mashed potatoes or fix some from instant mashed potatoes.
Stir in an egg.
Season with salt & pepper

Pour a small amount of olive oil in the bottom of a frying pan, just to cover the bottom.
Drop scoops of mashed potatoes on the hot olive oil.
Brown on both sides.
Flip over like a pancake.

Broiled Chicken Breasts

I learned to fix chicken in the broiler from a distant cousin, Mona, in Chicago.
It's so simple to fix, delicious to eat, and healthy for the body!
It only takes about 20 minutes total to cook the chicken through.

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Olive oil
salt & pepper

Lay chicken breasts in shallow pan
Season
Sprinkle dots of olive oil and spread over breasts with pastry brush.
Place in broiler until light brown
Turn breasts over
Season
Sprinkle with dots of olive oil, spread oil with pastry brush.
Place back in broiler until light brown and cooked through.

Country Fried Steak

This is Sunday dinner, as my mom taught me how to make years ago. I still make it today.
It's even one of Jerry's favorite meals.

Round steak
oil
flour
water
potatoes
carrots
onions

Pour small amount of cooking oil in roasting pan (I use olive oil).
Cut the swiss steak into portion size pieces and coat them with flour.
Put meat in hot oil to brown.
Take meat out of pan, set aside.
Mix flour with the oil for a thick base.
Add water (or milk)
Stir to make thin gravy. It will thicken as it bakes.
Put the meat into the gravy in the pan.
Potatoes, carrots, and onions can be added but are optional,
because mashed pototoes go well with this dinner. Hmmm!
Cover tightly.
Bake in 250 degree oven for two to three hours.
Dinner's ready!

Vernor's Salad

This is such a delicious salad and was given to me by a former sister-in-law.
Vernor's Ginger Ale gives a zing that everyone loves! I don't know if other brands of ginger ale will work. I understand Vernor's is a Michigan brand.

2 boxes lemon jello
1 pt Vernor's Ginger Ale
1 c hot water
1 can pineapple tidbits, drained
1 c red grapes
marchino cherries

Put it together and let it set in the refrigerator. Enjoy!

Baked Beans

These are the best baked beans I've ever eaten! The recipe was given to me by my daughter, Christy, and it was given to her by her mother-in-law, Caroline. Try it...you'll like it!



2 lg cans Bush's original baked beans, mostly drained

1 can pineapple tidbits, drained

1 lb bacon, chopped & cooked

1 bell pepper (opt)

1 lg onion, chopped

1 c brown sugar

1 TB Worcestershire Sauce

1 Sm bottle catsup



Bake at 250 degrees for three hours.

Refrigerator Bread & Butter Pickles

This recipe came out in our newspaper and was sent in by my friend, Joan. It was given to her by one of our former pastor's wives, Margaret. It's very easy to make. No cooking. Keeps for weeks in refrigerator.

4 c sugar
4 c vinegar
2 teas tumeric
2 teas celery salt
2 teas ground mustard
2 Tbs salt

Mix syrup mixture in jar and tightly pack in sliced cucumbers.

Vel's Right From The Garden Cucumber Salad

We were visiting my mom. my brother, Bill, and his wife, Vel, last spring. Vel had me help her put this salad together. I told her I don't care for cucumbers but Jerry does. At dinner I decided to be a good guest and eat a little of everything. Oh my, I loved these cucumbers! I asked her for the recipe and I've made them for us! It's very simple and very delicious!

4 long cucumbers, peeled and sliced thinly.
16 oz jar mayonaise (real)
Vinegar to taste (less than 1/4 c.)
1/2 onion, chopped
1 TBS prepared mustard
2 TBS sugar
1 TBS milk

Mix all ingredients except cucumbers and onions.
Mix well.
Stir cucumbers and onions into dressing, until well blended.
Chill 24 hours.
Serves 10.

Chili

One cool morning last week Jerry and I made a crock pot of chili. We always make it together and that makes it taste even better! With just the two of us it lasts several days. We each had a soup mug of it for lunch today and it was so good I decided I need to add this to my favorite recipes!

Chili

1 lb ground beef (I use ground round)
1 large onion, chopped
1 large can diced tomatoes
1 large can Brooks hot chili beans
Chili powder to taste.
Salt & pepper to taste.

Fry the ground beef and onion together and drain any grease.
Put all ingredients into crock pot.
Let it simmer all day.
It is sooooo good!

Swiss Snack

This recipe was given to me by my wonderful Chinese friend, Mr Chow, who is now in heaven. No, it's not Chinese food! I think it's like a quiche. It's very good as an appetizer or for a luncheon.

Herb Crust

1 1/4 c flour
1/4 t salt
1/4 t basil, crumbled
1/2 c shortening or oleo
1 Tbs butter
1/4 c cold milk

Combine flour, salt, & basil.
Cut in shortening and butter.
Sprinkle with milk, adding just enough milk to make a stiff dough.
Roll out, fold, & carefully lift into a 9x13 pan
Trim edges even with top of pan.
Make edge like a pie crust.

Ham & Swiss Filling

1 c chopped, cooked ham.
1 c chopped, cooked chicken or turkey.
1/3 c chopped green onion.
8 slices process Swiss Cheese
6 slices crisp cooked bacon.
4 large eggs
1/4 t salt
1/8 t white pepper
1/8 t dry mustard
1 1/4 c milk
2 Tbs grated Parmesan cheese
1/8 t paprika

Prepare crust, sprinkle with chopped ham and turkey, then onion.
Cover with cheese slices.
Crumble bacon over cheese.
Beat eggs with salt, pepper, & mustard. Stir in milk.
Pour carefully over filling.
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese mixed with paprika.
Bake on lowest rack in 400 degree F oven 25 - 30 minutes or until center is set.
Makes 8 dinner servings or 16 appetizer strips.

Ham & Cheese Omelet

Tim made omelets for us one day when he came home for a visit. I've been making them ever since! Thanks Tim!

1/4 c. Ham, diced, or less.
1 Tbs. Onion, chopped
1/4 c. mild Cheddar Cheese, grated
2 Eggs, stirred
1/4 c. Milk, or less.

Stir eggs, add milk.
Pour into small frying pan, sprayed with Pam. Make sure the eggs cover entire bottom of pan.
Add chopped onion.
Add ham to one half side of eggs.
Add cheese on top of ham.
When egg sets, fold empty side over on top of cheese.
Turn omelet over once.
When it's done it should be light golden brown on both sides.

This is for one omelet. I usually make a double one for Jerry and me and cut it in two. So if you're making one for two of you, just double the recipe, using a regular size frying pan, and cut it evenly in two pieces.
This is very easy to make and tasty!

McArcher Sandwiches

McDonald's Egg McMuffin was the inspiration for my McArcher sandwiches.
Thank you, McDonald's. We love my home made version.

1 slice of ham or 1 slice of bacon, cut in two pieces, fried, and drained.
1 egg, fried hard in Pam.
1 slice cheese
1 English muffin, toasted.

Put together as a sandwich. Enjoy!

Breakfast Casserole

This breakfast recipe came from my former pastor's wife, Julie. Several of us made this breakfast casserole for an early morning breakfast at the church. It's very good.

6 slices bread
1 lb sausage, bulk
4 eggs
2 c milk
1/2 t salt
1/2 t dried mustard
1 c cheese, grated

Grease (I always use Pam) 9 x 13 cake pan
Place bread on the bottom.
Cook sausage, drain, & crumble over bread.
Beat eggs.
Add milk, salt, & mustard to eggs.
Mix well and pour over sausage.
Sprinkle cheese over top.
Bake at 325 degrees F. 1 hour.