Thursday, August 27, 2009

Cinnamon Rolls

SWEET DOUGH:

1/2 cup milk, room temp
1 egg, beaten
1 Tbsp butter or margarine
1 3/4 cups flour
3 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp yeast

MIX all ingredients for Sweet Dough and put in bread machine. Set to Dough Cycle. When done, remove dough from pan, cover, and let rest 5 minutes.

COMBINE 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, and 3 Tbsp soft butter or margarine.

ROLL out dough on lightly floured surface fro 12 x 9 sized rectangle. SPREAD brown sugar mixture evenly over dough. ROLL up tightly from long side. Pinch edges together to seal. CUT roll into 12 slices (I always cut it in half, then halves again, then those in thirds.....this makes it the most even).

Place in larged greased muffin pan. Cover. Let rise in warm place until doubled in size (about 45 minutes). BAKE at 375 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden. Turn pan upside down and leave 5 minutes, then remove rolls from pan. Cool slightly before serving.

Parsley Pesto Spaghetti - MAKE AHEAD MEAL

Place the following ingredients in a large gallon size bag, and store until ready to use:

2 1/2 cups spaghetti noodles, broken into smaller pieces
1/3 cup dried parsely flakes (this is a little too much for our family, we only use about 2 tsps instead)
1/2 cup blanched almonds, chopped (optional)
1/4 tsp + 1/8 tsp dried minced garlic
1 cup parmesan cheese

TO USE: In a medium skillet, place above mix and 2 1/2 cups water. Over medium to high heat, bring mixture to a boil, stirring often. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until thickened and the noodles are tender, stirring often. Stir in 1/2 cup butter.

Oatmeal Cinnamon Pancakes - MAKE AHEAD MEAL

Place the following ingredients in a large gallon size bag and store until ready to use:

2 cups oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups flour
1 Tbsp + 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup instant dry milk
2 1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cream tarter

TO USE: In a large bowl, mix the above mix with 2/3 cup vegetable oil and 4 eggs. Add 2 cups water. Pour 1/4 cup batter for each pancake onto lightly greased griddle. Cook on both sides until golden brown.

NOTE: You can also prepare and cook these, and THEN place in freezer bag to freeze. To unthaw, microwave for about 1 minute.

BBQ Meatballs - MAKE AHEAD MEAL and CROCKPOT

MEATBALLS:
3 lbs ground beef, uncooked (the leaner the better)
5 oz can evaporated milk
1 cup dry oatmeal
1 cup cracker crumbs (I like to buy Club Crackers, then smash them up)
2 eggs
1/2 tsp garlic powder, OR 1-2 garlic cloves minced
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp chili powder

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Shape into desired-sized balls. Place on cookie sheet lined with wax paper and place in freezer, UNcovered. When frozen, remove meatballs from cookie sheet and place in freezer bags until ready to use. NEVER UNTHAW MEATBALLS! THEY WILL BE GOING DIRECTLY FROM THE FREEZER TO THE CROCKPOT!

TO USE: Place FROZEN meatballs in crockpot. Pour desired sauce over meatballs (spaghetti sauce, cream mushroom soup, cream chicken soup, BBQ sauce, OR use the homemade BBQ sauce recipe below). Cook on high 1 hour, stir, then on low 6 to 9 hours.

BBQ SAUCE:
2 cups ketchup
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp liquid smoke
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Chicken Noodle Soup - MAKE AHEAD MEAL

2 Tbsp dried minced onion
2 tsp celery flakes
4 cups wide egg noodles
2 Tbsp chicken bouillon granules
1 tsp pepper
cooked chicken

Mix above ingredients together in a large Ziploc bag. Label and store on shelf until ready to use.

When ready to use, bring 10 cups water to a boil and add soup mix. Add cooked chicken, breaking it up well with a fork. Simmer 12 to 15 minutes or until noodles are tender.

Chicken Enchiladas - MAKE AHEAD MEAL

Chicken, cooked and cubed
1 cup sour cream
1 small can diced green chilis
grated cheese
1 can cream chicken soup
1 pkg tortillas

Mix soup, sour cream and chilis. In a 9x13 pan, layer tortillas (cut into strips or pieces), then sauce, then chicken and cheese. Repeat layers until done. Cover and freeze. To use, bake at 350 degrees until done, OR thaw before cooking, then bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Creamy Swiss Steak - CROCKPOT

(from Fix It And Forget It cookbook, page 91)

1 1/2 lb round stick
2 Tbsp flour
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 med. onion, sliced
10 oz can cream mushroom soup
1 carrot, choppped
1 celery, chopped

Cut steak into serving size pieces. Combine flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge meat in flour. Place onions in bottom of slow cooker. Add meat. Spread soup over meat. Top with carrots and celery. Cover. Cook on low 8-10 hours, or high 3-5 hours.

Breakfast Casserole - CROCKPOT

(from Fix It And Forget It cookbook, page 22)

6 eggs, beaten
1 lb little smokies, OR 1 1/2 lbs bulk sausage (browned and drained)
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
8 slices bread, torn into pieces
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dry mustard

In slow cooker, mix together all ingredients except cheese. Sprinkle cheese over top. Cover and cook 2 hours on high, then 1 hour on low.

This is GREAT served on tortillas as a breakfast burrito!!!!

Rice Pudding - CROCKPOT

(from Fix It And Forget It cookbook, page 239)

1 1/2 cups white uncooked rice
1 cup sugar
8 cups milk
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
cinnamon
1 Tbsp honey (optional)

1. In slow cooker, mix together rice, sugar, and 8 cups milk. Cook on high 3 hours.
2. Beat together eggs, 1 1/2 cups milk, vanilla, and salt. Add to slow cooker and stir. Cook on high 25-30 minutes.
3. Sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg, and/or add honey, and serve warm.

Easy Teriyaki Chicken - CROCKPOT

(from Fix It And Forget It cookbook, page 178)

2-3 lbs skinless chicken pieces
20 oz can pineapple chunks
dash of ground ginger
1 cup teriyaki sauce

Place chicken in slow cooker. Pour remaning ingredients over chicken. Cover. Cook on low 6-8 hours or high 4-6 hours.

Wanda's Chicken and Rice Casserole - CROCKPOT

(from Fix It And Forget It cookbook, page 173)

1 cup long-grain rice, uncooked
3 cups water
2 tsp chicken bouillon
10 oz can cream chicken soup
2 cups chicken pieces
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on high 3-4 hours.

Lemon Garlic Chicken - CROCKPOT

(from Fix It And Forget It cookbook, page 181)

1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp seasoned salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 lbs chicken pieces, boneless skinless
2 Tbsp butter or margarine
1/4 cup water
3 Tbsp lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp chicken bouillion granules

Combine oregano, salt, and pepper and rub over chicken. Melt butter in large skillet and brown chicken. Transfer to slow cooker. Place water, lemon juice, garlic, and bouillon cubes in skillet. Bring to boil, loosening browned bits from skillet. Pour over chicken. Cover. Cook on high 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or on low 4 to 5 hours.

Cowboy Casserole - CROCKPOT

1 onion, chopped
1 1/2 lbs ground beef, browned and drained
6 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
16 oz can kidney beans (we like black beans, so we use black beans)
10 oz can tomato soup OR cream mushroom soup OR cream chicken soup (we like cream chicken)
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Layer onions, ground beef, potatoes, garlic, and beans in slow cooker. Spread soup over all. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover. Cook on low 5-6 hours or until potatoes are tender.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Baked Apple French Toast

This is a Lion House recipe that we LOVE at our house!

Ingredients:
1 loaf French bread, sliced in 1½ inch slices (I use regular bread, stacked 3 slices high)
6 eggs
1½ cups milk
1 tbsp. vanilla
6 medium apples, peeled and sliced
1½ tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
3 tbsp. packed brown sugar
Caramel Sauce (see below)

The night before serving, coat a 9X13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Layer bread slices on the bottom of the pan. Combine eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl, beat well and pour over bread slices. Place apple slices on top of bread. Sprinkle apples with cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake, covered, about 50 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 minutes more. Serve toast hot, topped with Caramel Sauce.

Caramel Sauce
Ingredients:
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
¼ c. flour
½ c. butter, melted
1½ c. milk
2 tsp. vanilla

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until thick, stirring constantly.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Cake Mix Cookies

1 box cake mix, any flavor
1/2 cup oil
1 Tbsp water or milk
2 eggs

Add oil, water or milk, and eggs to HALF the cake mix. Blend well. Add remaining mix. Blend well. Drop by teaspoons onto greased cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

If desired, you can add nuts, coconut, or chocolate chips to the batter.

Corn Chowder - Crockpot OR Stovetop

1 lb bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
6 Tbsp butter
2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp basil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 (14 oz)cans chicken broth*
6 medium potatoes, skinned and diced
1 (14 oz) can corn
4 cups milk*

STOVETOP:
1. Add butter to large saucepan and turn on low. Stir in garlic until butter melted.
2. Add flour, salt, pepper, and stir until mixed well. Add chicken broth. Stir until thick.
3. Add potatoes. Bring to boil and stir occassionally until potatoes tender.
4. Stir in bacon, corn, and milk. Heat until hot, not boiling.

CROCKPOT:
- Complete steps 1 and 2 above, and add to crockpot. Add potatoes, and cook on high 30 minutes. Reduce heat to low, and add bacon, corn, and milk. Cook on low 3-4 hours, or until potatoes tender.

NOTES:
* Instead of 2 cans chicken broth, I like to mix 4 cups water with 2 chicken-flavored seasoning packets from Top Ramen Noodle soup.
* You can add any vegetables you like to this: carrots, celery, etc.
* If you want a creamier taste, substitute canned evaporated milk instead of regular milk.

Chicken Cacciatore - CROCKPOT

(from Fix It And Forget It Cookbook, page 179)

4 chicken pieces (I use about 3.5 lbs of boneless skinless chicken breasts)
15 oz can tomato or spaghetti sauce (I didn't have either, so I used tomato soup, and it was yummy!)
4 oz can sliced mushrooms, drained (YUCK! I hate mushrooms, so I left this out)
1/2 cup water
1 tsp dry chicken broth granules (I didn't have this either, so I used a chicken seasoning packet from Top Ramen Soup, and it was SO yummy!)
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
2-3 garlic cloves, minced

Place chicken in slow cooker.

Combine all other ingredients together in a bowl. Pour over chicken.

Cover. Cook on high 3-4 hours, or on low 6-8 hours.

Serve over rice or noodles. (We served it over plain white rice. We put the rice in a bowl, then added some chicken, then spooned some of the sauce in the crockpot over the top of the rice and chicken in the bowl until moistened. YUMMY!)