Hot Sausage Dip

1 Pound Sausage
2 Small Onions, Chopped
2 Green Peppers, Chopped (I never add this. Yuck!)
3 Tomatoes, Chopped
8 Ounce Can Diced Green Chilies
1 Pint Sour Cream
8 Ounces Cream Cheese
Tortilla Chips

Brown sausage,onions and green peppers. Drain off excess grease. Right before serving, add the tomatoes to the mixture. Don't cook too long. You want the tomatoes to be a little firm. Add green chilies. Stir in sour cream and cream cheese. Keep warm in a crock pot. Serve with tortilla chips.

Cheese Fondue

This recipe is a fond memory for me growing up. I remember my mom having a fondue pot and I remember her getting it out and us having this fondue, occasionally. It has now become one of our family traditions to have this fondue for New Year's Eve or on New Year's Day.

1 Pound Swiss Cheese, Grated
1 Pound Mild Cheddar Cheese, Grated
6 Teaspoons Flour
1/2 Clove Garlic Cut in Half
2 Cups White Grape Juice
2 Pinches Nutmeg and Pepper
Wooden Spoon
Breadsticks (We always use the kind in the can)
Vegetables (carrots, cauliflower, celery, broccoli), cut in bite-size pieces
Raw Hot Dogs Cut in bite-size pieces

Grate cheese and place in a bowl. Toss the grated cheese with the flour. Rob the fondue pot and wooden spoon with cut garlic. Pour the white grape juice in the fondue pot. Heat, but do not boil. Add cheese. Stir until melted. Add seasonings and serve. Eat by spearing bread or vegetables on forks and dipping into mixture. YUM!

Cranberry Pomegranate Salad

I found this recipe in a ward cookbook. I love pomegranates so I loved this recipe. Seeding the pomegranate is an act of love but it is well worth it. This salad is nice and festive for this time of year.

1 Bag Fresh Cranberries
1 Cup Sugar
1 Pint Whipping Cream
1 Apple
Seeds of 1 Pomegranate

Place cranberries in a blender or food processor. Turn the blender on and off just enough to chop the cranberries. Place the cranberries in a bowl. Mix with the sugar. Let set 2 hours. Whip 1 pint whipping cream. Add vanilla and powdered sugar to flavor. Combine with cranberry mixture. Let set overnight. Just before serving, add grated apple and pomegranate seeds.

Stroganoff Sandwiches

We had this at our dinner group in October. It was delicious! She served it on individual buns so everyone could fix their own as they wanted. She also substituted sliced sirloin instead of the ground beef and that is what I do when I make this.

1 Loaf French Bread
1 Pound Ground Beef
1/4 Cup Onion, Chopped
1 Tablespoon Milk
1 Cup Sour Cream
1 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
1/8 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
Butter or Margarine to spread on the bread
Toppings of Your Choice: Tomatoes, Green Peppers, Red Peppers, Sauteed Mushrooms, Cheese

Cut bread in half lengthwise. Wrap in foil and put in the oven at 350 for 7-10 minutes.

Brown the hamburger with the onion. Drain off the grease. Stir in the sour cream, milk, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder. At this point, add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Heat.

Butter bread. Spread the mixture on each half of loaf. Arrange toppings. Bake at 350 for 5 minutes or until cheese is warm.

Hot Caramel Apple Cider

One of my favorite blogs to follow is: www.realmomkitchen.com. I look at her blog at least weekly. She had this posted and I couldn't wait to try it out. It was delicious. It was like a caramel apple in a cup!

8 Cups Apple Cider (not the kind on the juice isle but the kind in the refrigerated section)
1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1/4 Cup Caramel Ice Creaming Topping
Whipped Cream, Optional
Extra Caramel Ice Cream Topping, Optional

In a saucepan, combine apple cider, brown sugar, and caramel topping. Cook over medium low heat until simmering. Stir frequently. Simmer until heated and well blended. It will look a little separated. Serve in a mug. Put whipping cream on the top. Drizzle with additional caramel ice cream topping. Serve. YUM!

Crockpot Beef Tips & Rice

Another recipe from my favorite crockpot website. I made this one for dinner and it was a huge hit. The meat was super tender. It is super easy to make. Good and easy, it doesn't get much better than that!

2 Packages of Stew Meat
2 Family Size Cans Cream of Mushroom Soup
2 Packages Lipton Beefy Onion Soup Mix

Add all together and place in a crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve over rice. Yum!

Ovrenight Crockpot Oatmeal

I found this recipe on my favorite crockpot site. We had this for breakfast this morning. It looked a little runny. However, I gave it a good stir in the crockpot. Then once I dished it up in individual dishes, and let it sit for a few minutes to cool off, I think it sat up quite nicely. This would be super easy to make on those mornings where everyone is going a million different directions and you want something a little more filling than cold cereal.

1 Cup Regular Oats
4 Cups Water
1/2 Cup Half and Half or Milk
1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Tablespoon Butter
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

Combine in a crockpot and cook on low for 8 hours. Serve with cinnamon sugar. I doubled this recipe for our family of six.

Additional Ideas
You could add a fresh chopped apple before cooking.
You could add 1 cup raisins or dry fruit before cooking.

Crockpot Bacon Ranch Chicken

I found this recipe online. I made it the other night for my family for dinner. It was a HUGE hit.

4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
4 Tablespoons Real Bacon Bits
2 Teaspoons Minced Garlic
2 Packages Ranch Dressing Mix
2 Cans Cream of Chicken Soup
2 Cups Sour Cream
Egg Noodles, Cooked

Combine bacon, garlic, Ranch dressing mix, soup, and sour cream; mix well. Place chicken in the bottom of the crockpot. Pour mixture over the chicken. Cook on high for 3-4 hours. Take out the chicken and shred. Place the chicken back in the crockpot. Serve over cooked egg noodles.

Baked Beans

Tonight I am going to a dinner and was asked to bring baked beans. This is a recipe I received from my mom. This recipe is probably my favorite for baked beans.

1 Large Can of Pork and Beans
1 Can Red Kidney Beans
1 Can Butter Beans
1 Onion, Chopped
1 Pound Hamburger
4 Slices Bacon
1/2 Cup Catsup
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Tablespoons Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Green Pepper

Brown the hamburger with the onion. Drain off the fat. In a crockpot combine all of the ingredients, including the cooked and drained hamburger. If you like a thicker bean, drain the kidney beans and butter beans. If you like a thinner bean, do not drain them before placing them in the corckpot. Cook on low for 4-6 hours.

Berry Lemonade Iced Tea

I am not a tea drinker. I have tried several decaffeinated teas and just am not into it. My mom made this Delicious drink when I was home this summer. I fell in love with it. It is great on those hot summer days when you are wanting something other than water to quench your thirst.

3 Quarts of Water
8 Bags Celestial Decaffeinated Wild Berry Zinger Tea
3/4 Cup Sugar
12 Oz. Can Frozen Lemonade Concentrate, Thawed

In a pot, bring the water to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the tea bags. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes. Discard tea bags.

Stir in sugar and lemonade concentrate. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Serve over ice. You can garnish with lemon slices and berries if desired.

Chow Mein Dinner

1 1/2 Pounds Hamburger
2 Medium Onions, Chopped
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce
1 1/2 Cups Warm Water
1/2 Cup Uncooked Non-Instant Rice
Chow Mein Noodles

Brown hamburger with onions. Drain off fat. Add cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, soy sauce, water, and rice. Put in a large casserole dish. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Uncover and cook another 30 minutes. Take from oven and sprinkle with Chow Mein noodles. Return and bake uncovered another 15 minutes.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

We had this recipe for dinner one night at our dinner group. It was delicious!

2/3 Cup Salsa
2 Cans Black Beans (Do not drain or rinse)
2 Cans Corn
2 Cans Red Beans
1 Can Diced Tomatoes with Chilies
1 8 oz. Can Tomato Sauce
1 Small Can Diced Chilies
2 Cans Cooked Chicken Breast (Break Up With a Fork)
1 Package of Dry Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix
3 Cans Chicken Broth
Dash of Lime Juice
Cook in slow cooker for 6-8 hours on low. Serve with tortillas that are crumbled, sour cream, and grated cheese.

Creamy Salisbury Steak

I think I have been missing out on life. Salisbury steak isn't something I make hardly ever. I think I have only made it one other time during our married life. I wasn't a big fan. The other day, when planning my menus I came across this recipe. It was a huge hit at our house! YUM! It is definitely a comfort food and great for those cold winter nights.

2 Pounds Ground Beef
1 Package Onion Soup Mix
1/2 Cup Cracker Crumbs (I used Saltines. I think you could use bread crumbs.)
1 Egg
2 Packages Brown Gravy Mix
1 Cup Sour Cream
1 Small Can Sliced Mushrooms, Drained
Egg Noodles, Rice, or Mashed Potatoes (We did mashed potatoes!)

Make hamburger patties using ground beef, onion soup mix, cracker crumbs, and egg. Fry or grill patties until they are browned on both sides.

While the hamburgers are cooking, in a bowl combine the brown gravy mix, the amount of water called for on the packet, and the sour cream. Whisk together.

Grease a 9x13 pan with non-stick cooking spray. Place the patties in the bottom. Pour gravy mixture over the top of the patties.

Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

Serve the patties and gravy over mashed potatoes.

Cheeseburger Chowder

1/2 lb Hamburger, Browned
4 Cups Potatoes, Diced
3/4 Cup Onions, Chopped
1/4 Cup Flour
3/4 Cup Carrots, Shredded or Diced
8 oz Velveeta
3/4 Cup Celery, Diced
1 1/2 Cups Milk
1 Teaspoon Dried Basil
3/4 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Parsley Flakes
1/4 Teaspoon Pepper
3 Cups Chicken Broth
1/4 Cup Sour Cream

Saute onion, carrots, celery, basil and parsley in 1 T butter for about 10 minutes. Add brother, potatoes and hamburger. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, melt about 3 T butter. Add flour and cook, stirring, for about 3-5 minutes or until bubbly. Add to soup. Bring to boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add cheese, milk, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until cheese melts. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream.

Broccoli Slaw Salad

1 Bag Broccoli Slaw
1 Package Noodles, Crushed (You will not use the seasoning)
1/4 Cup Sunflower Seeds
1/4 Cup Slivered Almonds

Dressing
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil
1/2 Cup Cider Vinegar

Combine the salad mixture. In a separate bowl, combine the dressing. Toss over salad.

Chicken Quesadillas

I made this last week for dinner. It is perfect for those nights when you need something fast for dinner. I got it off of life-should-be-delicious.blogspot.com.

2 Chicken Breasts, Cooked and Shredded
1-2 Cups Montery Jack Cheese
1/2 Cup Prepared Ranch Dressing
1/4 Cup Diced Green Chilies
1 Small Can Shoepeg Corn
1/2 Cup Salsa

Flour Tortillas
Butter

Combine chicken, cheese, dressing, chilies, corn and salsa. Mix well. Butter one side of tortilla. Place chicken mixture on unbuttered side of tortilla and fold in half to seal. Place on greased baking sheet. bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown and slightly crispy. Serve with guacamole, salsa, and more ranch dressing.

I used the normal size flour tortillas and got about 10 quesadillas out of this recipe. Also, I had never bought shoepeg corn before. I googled it and found that it is a white, sweet corn. We found it on the canned vegetable isle. I do think you could probably use canned corn and it would be just fine. If you do use canned corn, I probably wouldn't use a whole can.

Pizza Casserole

My Aunt Arlene said that she makes this casserole all of the time to take to people in the ward who need a meal brought in and she always gets rave reviews. My mom made this dish while we were home for New Years. It was really good and the kids loved it.

1 Pound Hamburger
1 Can Tomato Soup
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/2 Can of Milk
1 (6 oz.) Can Tomato Sauce
1 Small Onion, Chopped
1/2 Green Pepper Chopped
1 Package Egg Noodles, Cooked and Drained
Pizza Spice or Italian Seasoning
Cheddar Cheese, Grated

Brown hamburger with the onion and green pepper. Mix the tomato soup and mushroom soup with the milk. Add soup mixture, seasoning, and noodles to the hamburger. Stir well. Place in a 9x13 casserole dish. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes. Top with grated cheddar cheese the last ten minutes.

White Bean Chicken Chili

Also, while we were home for New Year's my sister, Alyson, made this one night for dinner. It was really good.

1 Pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast, Cooked and Cubed
1 Medium Onion, Chopped
1 1/2 Teaspoons Garlic Powder
2 Cans Great Northern Beans, Drained and Rinsed
1/2 Can Chicken Broth
2 Cans Chopped Green Chilies
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Ground Cumin
1 Teaspoon Oregano
1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (My sister did a little less)

Boil and simmer for 30 minutes. Take off the heat and add 1 cup sour cream and 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream.

Sesame Poppy Seed Dressing

We went to my parents house to celebrate New Years. My mom made coleslaw while we were there and used this recipe as the dressing. I really liked it!

1/2 Tablespoon Dry Onion
3 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
1/2 Teaspoon Dry Mustard
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/3 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil
1/2 Teaspoon Sesame Seeds
1/2 Teaspoon Poppy Seeds*

Place onion, vinegar, sugar, mustard, and salt in the blender. Slowly add oil to blender to make an emulsion (not runny). Remove from blender and add sesame seeds and poppy seeds. This dressing goes wonderful as the dressing for coleslaw. It is like coleslaw with a twist!

* Celery seeds can be substituted for sesame seeds. When my mom made it she uses celery seeds. I think the celery seed went well with the coleslaw.

Chicken Manicotti

I can't believe I haven't posted this recipe yet. This is one of our family favorites. I am actually making it this weekend for dinner group. Bryon got the recipe from a teacher at school and made it for me for Valentine's Day!

2 Packages Chive & Onion Flavored Cream Cheese
2/3 Cup Milk
1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese
10 Ounce Package Frozen Chopped Broccoli, Thawed and Drained
14 Manicotti Shells
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 Can Boned Chicken

Cook manicotti shells in boiling water with two teaspoons salt. Cook for six minutes. Drain. Rinse noodles in cold water. In a separate bowl, combine milk, Parmesan cheese, cream of chicken soup, and chicken. In a sauce pan, melt cream cheese over low heat. Slowly add milk and soup mixture to melted cream cheese. Stir until blended. Remove from heat. Stuff shells using chicken mixture. Arrange in 9x13 baking dish. Pour any remaining mixture over the top. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

Caramel Apple Dessert

I had this recipe this fall at a Supervisor's meeting. It was delicious.

60 Nilla Wafers, Finely Crushed (About 2 Cups)
1/3 Cup Butter, Melted
1 Package (8 Oz)Cream Cheese, Softened
1/4 Cup Sugar
3 1/4 Cup Milk, Divided
8 Oz. Cool Whip, Thawed, Divided
2 Packages (3.4 Oz. Each) Jell-O Vanilla Instant Pudding
1/2 Cup Caramel Ice Cream Topping, Divided
1 Each Red and Green Apple, Chopped (We just used Honeycrisp Apples)
1/4 Cup Peanuts, Chopped

Mix wafer crumbs and butter. Press onto the bottom of a 13x9-inch pan. Beat cream cheese, sugar and 1/4 cup milk with mixer until well blended. Stir in 1 cup Cool Whip. Spread over crust. Beat pudding mixes and remaining milk with a wire whisk for 2 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup caramel topping. Spoon over cream cheese layer. Top with remaining Cool Whip. Refrigerate for 5 hours or until firm. Top with apples, nuts, and remaining caramel topping just before serving.

Pumpkin Trifle

My mom made this for Thanksgiving dinner this year. It was delicious! I made it again for Christmas dinner and got rave reviews. I am making it again this weekend for dinner group.

Ingredients:
1 Loaf Pumpkin Bread Crumbled -- See Recipe Below
1 Bottle Caramel Ice Cream Topping
1 Bag Toffee Bits
1 Quart Heaving Whipping Cream beaten with 1 1/2 Cups Brown Sugar and 1 Teaspoon Vanilla

Pumpkin Bread:
3 1/3 Cup Sifted Lour
4 Teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice
2 Teaspoons Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
2/3 Cup Cooking Oil
2 2/3 Cups Sugar
4 Eggs
2 Cups Mashed Pumpkin
2/3 Cup Water

Sift together flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside. Using an electric mixer, beat together sugar and oil in a bowl until light and fluffy. Add egg, one at a time -- beating well after each addition. Beat in pumpkin. Add dry ingredients and water alternating to your sugar mixture -- beating well after each addition. Pour batter into 2 greased loaf pans. Bake at 325 for 55 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and continue to cool on racks.

Trifle Method:
Create trifle by layering the crumbled bread, caramel topping, toffee bits, and whipped cream. Start by placing cubed bread in the bottom of a trifle dish. Drizzle caramel sauce of the bread. Next, sprinkle some toffee bits over the bread and caramel. Spread generously the whipped topping. Repeat the layers one more time. Garnish as desired.