Cheesy Potatoes

These potatoes are perfect for a potluck or a side dish any night of the week. The optional topping really rounds out the flavor (I did not use the topping in this picture). Enjoy!

2 pound bag frozen shredded hashbrown potatoes, thawed
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
dash pepper
2 green onions chopped

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Stir together all ingredients until well mixed
3. Spoon into an ungreased 13x9 baking dish
4. Bake for 1 hour, until golden brown

Optional Topping
1 cup cornflake crumbs - can be found with the bread crumbs or put cornflake cereal in the food processor
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1. Combine cornflake crumbs and cheese
2. After 45 minutes of baking, sprinkle on top
3. Bake for remaining 15 minutes.

Mongolian Beef

This is a Pinterest recipe that I revamped. The flavor is AMAZING!!!! It apparently mirrors PF Chang's but I have never ordered it there. Enoy!

Serves 4

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound flank steak, cut in thin strips againts the grain
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
2 large cloves garlic, grated
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 large red pepper, cut into strips
1 medium red onion, cut into strips
4 servings cooked rice

1. Heat oil in a frying pan or wok on high heat
2. Pat steak with towel until dry. Toss with cornstarch until evenly coated and add to hot oil. Stir frequently and cook until no pink remains
4. In a small saucepan, whisk together ginger, garlic, water, soy sauce and brown sugar. Cook over high heat for 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and set aside.
4. Add red pepper and red onion to meat. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
5. Add sauce and cook for 2 minutes. Sauce will thicken as it cooks.
6. Serve over rice

Individual Apple Cobblers

These are easy to make and great for your family or entertaining. Enjoy!

Serves 4

2 large granny smith apples
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup light brown sugar
2 tablepsoons cold margarine

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut apples in half and scoop out core and seeds. Sprinkle each apple with cinnamon and sugar.

In a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar and margarine with a fork. Spoon mixture onto each apple. Place apples skin side down in a muffin tin. Bake for 25 minutes.

Safe to Eat Egg Free Cookie Dough

Sometimes I crave a big scoop of cookie dough. This recipe will satisfy that craving without the dangers of uncooked eggs. Enjoy!

Makes approx. 2 1/2 cups

1/2 cup margarine
6 tablespoons sugar
6 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon water
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup M&M's or milk chocolate chips

With a hand mixer, beat together margarine, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract and water until creamy. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt with a spoon until smooth. Fold in M&M's or chocolate chips. Store in the refrigerator.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookie Bars

You are looking at the first dessert I have put on this blog. This recipe is easy and delicious!

Makes 2 dozen bars

1 package Devil's Food cake mix
2 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup peanut butter chips

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Spread into an ungreased 13x9 pan
3. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes. They are done when middle is soft but not doughy
4. Slice once cooled

Garlic Dill Boiled Potatoes

This is a very simple recipe with huge flavor. Enjoy!

Serves 4
4 medium red skinned potatoes, cut into 1 inch pieces
1/2 tablespoon salt
1/2 tablepsoon garlic powder
1/2 tablespoon dried dill weed
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons margarine

1. Put potatoes, salt, garlic powder, dill and black pepper in a large pot. Add enough hot water to just cover potatoes.
2. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, until fork tender. Do not overcook.
3. Remove potatoes with a slotted spoon into a serving boil. Do not use a colander.
4. Place 1/4 cup cooking liquid in a small bowl. Add margarine and heat in microwave for 30 seconds, until melted.
5. Pour sauce over potatoes and toss gently. Serve immediately.

Scalloped Potatoes

Comfort food at its best. Enjoy!

Serves 4
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons margarine
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/14 cups milk
3/4 cup shredded cheddar
3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into this slices
**Optional: Add cooked ham or bacon to make a meal.

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9x9 baking dish and set aside
2. In a saucepan over medium heat, saute onion and garlic until tender. Do not allow to brown.
2. Stir in flour, salt and black pepper.
3. Add milk and whisk until smooth. Cook on medium-high heat until bubbly.
4. Whisk cheese into bubbly sauce until melted. Remove from heat.
5. Place potatoes and sauce in a large bowl. Stir until potatoes are evenly coated. (**Add optional meat at this time)
6. Pour potatoes into baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour.
7. Remove foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes.

Country Green Beans

This is not a figure friendly recipe. It's okay to indulge from time to time. Enjoy!

Serves 4
1 16 ounce package frozen green beans
1 stick margarine
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 strips bacon, cooked and chopped - Reserve bacon fat
salt and peppe to taste

In a large pot add all ingredients, including bacon fat. Add enough hot water to cover beans. Bring to a boil and cook on high, uncovered for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Cheesy Cauliflower Soup

This is a really good on a cool night. Don't let the cauliflower scare you away. The other ingredients do a great job of flavoring this soup.

Serves 4

1 large head of cauliflower, staulk removed and florest chopped into large pieces
8 cups chicken broth
4 tablespoons margarine
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
dash salt and pepper
3 tablespoons flour
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1. In a large pot, bring cauliflower and chicken broth to a boil over high heat. Cook for 15 minutes. Spoon cauliflower into a boil and chop with fork, do not mash. Reserve cooking liquid.
2. In a medium saucepan, heat butter on medium heat. Add carrots, celery, onion, salt and pepper. Saute for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add garlic and saute for an additional 2 minutes. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
3. Add saute mixture and half of caulflower back into broth. Bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes, whisking often.
4. Add cheese and whisk until blended.
5. Add remaining cauliflower and serve.

Taco Seasoning

This recipe is very simple and cuts back on the sodium that prepackaged seasonings contain. Add a few tablespoons to your cooked ground beef or chicken for your favorite mexican dish or tacos. Enjoy!

 Makes approximately 1/2 cup

3 tablespoons chili powder
3 tablespoons ground cumin
1 1/2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
Dash black pepper

Mix together and store in a container with tight fitting lid.