Category Archives: Recipe

Ham/Cheese Casserole

Ham and Cheese Biscuit Casserole, Slow Cooker

Leave a reply

If you have never tried Gouda cheese this is a great recipe to whet your taste buds. Aldi generally carries Gouda cheese and at a very good price. We haven’t tried using smoked Gouda but I think it would be awesome.

Ham/Cheese Casserole
Print Recipe

Ham and Cheese Biscuit Casserole, Slow Cooker

Course: Main Course
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 1 can Pillsbury Grands Homestyle refrigerated biscuits
  • 8 oz ham diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 4 each green onion thinly sliced, white and green parts separated
  • 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 1/2 cup Gouda cheese shredded (6 ounces)

Instructions

  • Spray 5 quart slow cooker (I just used the big one) with cooking spray. Separate dough into 8 biscuits. Cut each biscuit into 6 pieces; place into slow cooker.
  • Mix 1 cup of the ham, the green onion whites and whipping cream; toss to coat. Spread mixture evenly in bottom of slow cooker on top of biscuits.
  • Sprinkle cheese and remaining 1/4 cup ham over top, leaving 1 inch border (around the edge of the cheese) so cheese doesn't touch slow cooker insert.
  • Cover top with large kitchen towel. Then place slow cooker lid on top to towel. This will prevent condensation from dripping onto biscuits and cooking. Cook on LOW heat for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Sprinkle with green onion greens and serve warm.
Taco Casserole

Recipe for Easy to Make Frito Pie

Leave a reply

This taco casserole recipe is surprisingly easy to make, full of flavor, and somewhat healthy to boot. You can use a commercially produced Taco Seasoning Mix or make your own.

Taco Casserole
Print Recipe

Frito Pie

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pound ground beef we use 1 pound, can also use ground turkey
  • 1/2 medium onion diced
  • 1 package Taco Seasoning Mix
  • 16 oz can pinto beans drained and rinsed
  • 15 oz can tomato sauce
  • 11 oz can Mexican-style corn drained, can also use whole kernel corn
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 cup Frito chips
  • sour cream (optional)
  • 2 each green onion sliced (optional)
  • 1 cup lettuce shredded (optional)
  • 1/2 cup tomato chopped (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large skillet on medium-high heat saute onion in a bit of oil until translucent. Add ground beef or turkey, break into small pieces until cooked through. Drain most of the fat.
  • Stir in Taco Seasoning Mix, beans, tomato sauce, and corn. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Spoon into 2-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese and Frito chips.
  • Bake in 400° oven for 5 to 10 minutes until cheese is melted.
  • To serve, put a few Frito chips in the bottem of a bowl and spoon in the baked taco casserole. Top with your choice of sour cream, green onions, lettuce, and tomatoes.
  • This casserole can be frozen. Place in freezer BEFORE adding Frito chips and cheese. Allow frozen mixture to thaw, place in large pan and bring to a boil, spoon into 2 quart baking dish, add Frito chips and cheese and bake in 400 degree oven until cheese is melted.
Person with baked goods

Sticky Pull-Apart Bread-Even a Kid Can Make

Leave a reply

This recipe is courtesy of the Pillsbury Doughboy’s Kids Cookbook. It comes from my daughter’s first cookbook and has become a family favorite at Thanksgiving and other holidays. It is easy and has never failed to satisfy.

Person with baked goods
Print Recipe

Sticky Pull-Apart Bread

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 16

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar firmly packed
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 package hot roll mix
  • 1/3 cup raisins or dried currants
  • 1 medium egg
  • 1 cup water heated to 120 to 130 degrees F
  • 2 TBL butter softened
  • flour
  • shortening
  • ¼ cup butter

Instructions

  • Measure, level off with spatula and place sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon in small bowl. Stir together and set aside. In a large bowl, place flour and yeast from box mix, currants or raisins and stir until well mixed. Add beaten egg to flour mixture and stir. Measure and add hot water and 2 TBL butter. Stir until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
  • Place dough on lightly floured surface and with greased or floured hand, shape dough into a ball and knead for 5 minutes. Cover dough with large bowl and let it rest for 5 minutes. While waiting, generously grease a 12 cup Bundt pan with shortening. Melt ¼ cup butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Set aside.
  • With a knife, cut dough into 4 even parts and then cut each part into 8 pieces. You’ll have 32 evenly sized pieces when done. Form each piece into a ball. Dip each ball into the melted butter, then in the sugar-cinnamon mixture. Place balls in greased Bundt pan. Sprinkle any remaining mixture on tip.
  • Cover dough with sheet of plastic wrap and cloth towel. Place pan in warm place (80 to 85 degrees) to let the dough rise for 30 minutes. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. When dough has finished rising, bake in oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and immediately turn it upside down onto serving plate. Remove pan.
Cake mix cookie bars

Holiday Inspired Cake Mix Cookie Bars

Leave a reply

This recipe is simple and easy and tasty to boot. They can be enjoyed warm with a scoop of ice cream or just as a snack.

Cake mix cookie bars
Print Recipe

Cake-Mix Cookie Bars

Course: Dessert

Ingredients

  • 1 box yellow cake mix can also use a white cake mix
  • 2 large egg
  • 1/2 cup butter softened or melted
  • 1 1/2 cup M&M's
  • 1/2 cup chocolate or white chips Optional

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray your 9×13 baking pan with cooking spray. Then line it with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the sides. This will help you lift out the cookie bars easily once they are baked.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, and butter. Mix until everything is well combined and forms a smooth batter.
  • Fold in the 1 cup of M&M’s and optional chocolate or white chips (if using), ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter. Spread the batter into the prepared pan using a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup M&M's on top of the batter. Can also use some sprinkles if you wish.
  • Bake of 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown on the edges. Allow to cool slightly before lifting out using parchment overhand and cutting into squares

Notes

  • Don’t over-mix.
  • Store in refrigerator in airtight container for up to 5 days.
  • The finished and cut bars can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Peanut Butter Brownie

Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies, who knew it could be so easy!

Leave a reply

This recipe uses a brownie box mix and adds peanut butter and who doesn’t like peanut butter and chocolate? This is very simple to put together and never fails to please. My grandsons loved them and so did my German class attendees.

Peanut Butter Brownie
Print Recipe

Peanut Butter Brownies

Ingredients

  • 1 box Pillsbury™ Chocolate Fudge Flavored Brownie Mix
  • 1 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

  • HEAT oven to 350°F. Coat bottom of 13 x 9-inch baking pan with no-stick cooking spray.
  • PREPARE brownie mix batter according to package instructions using oil, water and eggs. Spread evenly in prepared pan.
  • MICROWAVE peanut butter in medium microwave-safe bowl on HIGH 30 seconds. Add powdered sugar. Whisk until smooth. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto brownie batter and gently swirl with tip of knife.
  • BAKE 29 to 32 minutes or until set in center. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.
Rhubarb Freezer Jam

Another Use for Rhubarb, Freezer Jam

Leave a reply

This recipe came to us from a friend to whom we offered extra rhubarb. We tried it and loved it. Simple and tasty. Give it a try.

Rhubarb Freezer Jam
Print Recipe

Rhubarb Freezer Jam

Course: Misc

Ingredients

  • 8 cup rhubarb chopped into small pieces
  • 4 cup sugar
  • 3 oz Strawberry jello box

Instructions

  • Combine the chopped rhubarb stalks and sugar and allow to sit overnight.
  • Add the 3 ounce box of strawberry jello. Mix well. Add to a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
  • Put in jars and freeze.
Almond flavored cupcake

Almond Flavored Cupcakes using Olive Oil

Leave a reply

This recipe sounded weird to me. Use olive oil to make a sweet almond cupcake. Well, I was very surprised – couldn’t taste the olive oil and the flavor is similar to the more expensive box mixes.

Almond flavored cupcake
Print Recipe

Almond Flavored Cupcakes

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cupcake
Servings: 6 cupcakes

Ingredients

  • ½ cup flour plus 3 TBS
  • ½ cup sugar plus extra for topping
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp baking powder
  • 1/8 tsp baking soda
  • 6 TBL olive oil extra virgin
  • 6 TBL milk
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ tsp citrus zest lemon or orange
  • 2 TBL citrus juice from the same citrus fruit as the zest
  • ¼ tsp almond extract
  • ¼ cup almond sliced

Instructions

  • Preheating your oven to 350°F. Place paper baking cups into 6 cups of a muffin pan.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Ensure all ingredients are well combined.
  • In a separate measuring cup, whisk together the wet ingredients: olive oil, milk, egg, citrus zest, citrus juice, and almond extract.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Using a spatula, gently stir the mixture just until combined. Don't overmix the batter.
  • Divide the batter evenly between the prepared muffin cups. Each cup should be about three-quarters full. Evenly top each muffin with the sliced almonds. Then, lightly dust the tops with extra sugar.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs clinging to it. Remove the muffin pan from the oven and let the muffins cool slightly in the pan for about 5-10 minutes. Can be served cold or warm (warm is better).
Creamy, Parmesan Risotto

Creamy, Parmesan Risotto in the Instant Pot

Leave a reply

Once you have tried this recipe you’ll never go back to making Risotto on the stove top. The Instant Pot makes this so simple. While the risotto is cooking in the Instant Pot you can go about making the remainder of your meal.

Creamy, Parmesan Risotto
Print Recipe

Instant Pot Parmesan Risotto

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Keyword: Risotto
Servings: 2

Ingredients

  • 2 TBL butter could use Olive oil
  • ½ to 1 small onion
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ¾ cups Arborio rice
  • 2 cups chicken broth divided (or 2 cups Veg broth and 2 tsp chicken bouillon)
  • 4 TBL Parmesan cheese grated
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp pepper

Instructions

  • Press the sauté button on the Instant Pot. Add and melt the butter. Add the onion and stir fry for 3-5 minutes until onions are translucent. Add garlic and rice and cook for an additional minute. Add ½ cup broth and stir for 2-3 minutes until it is absorbed by the rice.
  • Add the remaining 1 ½ cups broth, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Lock lid.
  • Press Pressure Cook and adjust time to 10 minutes. When timer beeps, let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. Quick release any additional pressure until float valve drops and then unlock lid.
  • Another recipe adds a swig of white wine
Grape Salad

Easy, Peasy Creamy Grape Salad

Leave a reply

This dish has become a family favorite at holiday gatherings. The recipe is easy to pull together and never fails to satisfy.

Grape Salad
Print Recipe

Creamy Grape Salad

Course: Dessert, Side Dish
Keyword: Grapes
Servings: 10

Ingredients

  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/6 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/3 pound red grapes seedless
  • 1 1/3 pound green grapes seedless
  • 1 1/2 tsp brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp pecans chopped

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream, sugar and vanilla until blended. Add grapes and toss to coat.
  • Transfer to a serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate until serving time. Sprinkle with brown sugar and pecans just before serving.