My Recipes Blog

Berry Smoothie

2012-01-12T08:27:00.000-08:00

For this recipe you will need:

1/2 cup 1% milk
1 cup plain lowfat yogurt
1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
1 Tablespoon Vanilla Syrup
3/4 Cup Mixed Frozen Berries (strawberry, blackberry, rasberry mix)
1/4 banana
a few ice cubes

Place ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. You can add more sugar to taste. Strain liquid into a strainer to remove some of the seeds. Serve and Enjoy!

Homemade Cocktail Sauce

2012-01-09T08:33:00.000-08:00

For this sauce recipe you will need:

Ketchup
Refrigerated Prepared Horseradish

Put some ketchup in a bowl, mix in teaspoons of Horseradish until it is the desired consistency. That's it!
Enjoy with Shrimp!

Black-eyed Peas Seasoned with Bacon

2012-01-08T08:13:00.000-08:00

I cooked this in a slow cooker crockpot

For this recipe you will need:

A bag of dry black-eyed peas (I used a 12 oz bag)
4 slices of smoked bacon
1 cube knorr chicken bouillon plus a cup of water
enough water to cover peas
1/2 chopped onion
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon shortening or bacon fat

Wash and soak dry peas in a bowl overnight. The next day, rinse peas and place in the crockpot. Now in a skillet cook bacon on medium heat until there is some grease in the pan but not until it is crispy. Pour this over the peas. In a glass measuring cup add a cup of water and the chicken bouillon cube, microwave for 1 1/2 minutes....now stir this until chicken bouillon cube is dissolved, pour this in the crockpot, add salt, shortening or bacon fat and chopped onion. Cover with water and cook in crockpot on high for around 4-6 hours or on low for around 6-8 hours.
Serve with Cornbread (See recipe archives in sidebar for my cornbread recipe)
Enjoy!

Nacho Cheese Dip

2012-01-06T08:07:00.000-08:00

I use a crockpot to cook this in
For this recipe you will need:

Large block of Velveeta Cheese (I believe it is 2 pounds)
1 can of Rotel
1 can cream of mushroom soup

Chop the velveeta into cubes, and place in crockpot, pour rotel and cream of mushroom soup over the cheese. Stir together. Set the crockpot to low temp and cook stirring occasionally until it is melted. it will take about around 30 mintues to an hour or so. Pour into serving bowls and serve with tortilla chips.
Enjoy!

Pigs in a Blanket

2012-01-05T07:51:00.000-08:00

For this recipe you will need:

Package of Cocktail Smokies (tiny sausage wieners)
2 packages Refrigerated Cresent Rolls

Preheat oven to 375 degrees or according to your cresent roll cooking directions...Unroll package of cresent rolls, and cut into pieces that will fit around the cocktail smokies. Wrap the cocktail smokies, place on a baking sheet and cook for about 8-10 minutes or according to the cresent roll cooking instructions.
Enjoy!

Sand Tart Cookies

2012-01-04T08:06:00.000-08:00

For this recipe you will need:

2 1/4 cup self-rise flour (sifted)
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup margarine
1/4 cup granulated sugar
box of powdered sugar
2 t. vanilla flavor
1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Cream butter, margarine and sugar together until smooth, slowly add flour until smooth, add pecans and vanilla flavoring. Shape into 1 inch balls. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 275 degrees for 1 hour. Yes, you read it right 1 hour. When done, dip the cookies in powdered sugar when they are still warm and again when the cookies cool. Note: I use a zipper bag for my powdered sugar to make it easier and faster to coat the cookies.
Enjoy!

Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew

2012-01-04T07:49:00.000-08:00

For this recipe I used a crock pot
For this recipe you will need:

1 1/2 Pounds of Stew Beef Meat
4 Medium Potatoes (peeled and chopped into cubes)
1/2 Onion (chopped)
2 Carrots (peeled and chopped)
1 Can Stewed Tomatoes (optional, sometimes I add stewed tomatoes and sometimes I don't, it's good with or without them)
1 Can Corn (undrained)
1 Can Green Beans (drained and rinsed)
1 package McCormick's Beef Stew slow cooker seasoning pack
1/4 cup barley (optional)
3 cups water

Wash meat and put it into the crock pot, add potatoes, carrots, onion, stewed tomatoes (if adding them), corn, green beans, and barley (if you are adding it) then in a large measuring cup, mix water with the seasoning pack and pour it into the crock pot. Stir together. Cook on high for 5-6 hours, or on low for 6 to 8 hours.
This is an economical and easy way to feed a crowd.
Serve with Garlic Bread or French Bread
Enjoy!

Cocktail Meatballs

2012-01-01T09:46:00.000-08:00

For this recipe you will need:

Ground Beef (1 to 2 pounds depending on how many people you will be serving)
12 oz. bottle of Chilli Sauce (found in the condiment section of the grocery store, near the ketchup ect)
2 cups of Grape Jelly
Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Dried Onions

Put the ground beef in a large bowl, generously sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried onion. Mix together and then form the ground beef into 1 inch round balls. Place them in a skillet, cook on medium heat until they are well browned and no longer pink inside. Remove from skillet and drain on a plate. Now, in the same skillet, add the bottle of chilli sauce and grape jelly. Stir these together until they are melted and are mixed well. Put the meatballs back into the skillet and gently stir them in the sauce. Simmer covered on low for a couple of hours, stirring occasionally....the longer they cook the better flavor they will have. Serve these warm with toothpicks nearby.
Enjoy!

Fried Chicken Strips with Honey Mustard Sauce

2011-12-27T11:52:00.000-08:00

For this recipe you will need:

Boneless skinless Chicken Strips (enough for your size family, I use a little over a pound for 4 people), flour, egg, milk, vegetable oil, your favorite seasonings, I used garlic powder, seasoned salt, chicken seasoning and soul seasoning, (whatever seasonings that you have and like will be fine)

Directions: Wash chicken strips, shake off excess water and set them on a plate, place some flour in a gallon size plastic zip bag, set aside, Beat the egg and about a

Tablespoon of Milk in a wide shallow bowl or deep plate, set aside, season chicken strips generously with seasonings, and dip them in the egg/milk mixture, now put a few in at the time in the zipper bag of flour, zip and coat chicken strips, then place on a plate until ready to fry. Now put enough vegetable oil in a deep skillet, to fill it about 1/3 of the skillet (see my pics and judge how much oil to put in the skillet, you don't want to put too much oil, because adding the chicken is going to make the oil rise and you don't want the oil to overflow at all). Now heat oil on Med-high heat for about 5-7 minutes until it's hot enough to fry in....you can test the grease to see if it's ready to fry in by placing a pinch of flour in the skillet after several minutes of heating, when the flour sizzles, it's hot enough to fry in. Note: As a safety precaution, never turn your back on grease or leave it unattended, it can get hot quickly. Now, carefully place each chicken stip in the grease, once they are all in, time it and cook it 3 minutes on each side for approximately 12 mintues or until no longer pink. After a few minutes of cooking on Medium-high heat, You can reduce the heat to medium, if the grease seems to be getting too hot.

Drain on a paper towel lined plate

Serve with Honey Mustard Sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.

My sweet oldest son came up this Honey Mustard recipe himself years ago, when he was only around 14 years old...he came up with this, because we could never buy one that we all really liked....I thought he was so smart to think this up, and I must say that it's the best we have ever had, and I make it all the time. Special thanks to my precious 21 year old son, for inventing this recipe for us to enjoy and for always being such a joy to us all of these years that have seemed to have flown by. If we knew how, we'd bottle your honey mustard, and market it, and sell it with your name on it, but the best I can do is give it honor here on my blog for all to enjoy! It will always have your name on it "Austin" Son. Love you :)

For this Honey Mustard Recipe You Will Need:

~2 Heaping Tablespoons of Mayonnaise (just use a spoon from your regular silverware drawer)

~2 Heaping teaspoons of Mustard (just use a spoon from your regular silverware drawer)

~1 to 2 Tablespoons of Honey (add Tablespoon to taste until desired sweetness)

~Sprinke Seasoned Salt and Pepper to taste

Mix ingredients together in a small bowl, serve as dipping sauce for chicken strips.

NOTE: For an optional different twist on this sauce, I sometimes add about a 1/2 teaspoon of prepared Horseradish to the honey mustard to give it a kick, I'm the only one in the family that likes it with a kick though lol.

Enjoy!

P.S. Sorry for the format of this posting....I would rather it be more organized, by number and not centered, but I could not get the alignment to change for me....sometimes it just won't change.

Powdered Sugar Donuts

2011-12-22T09:38:00.000-08:00

For this recipe you will need:
~ A Can of Refrigerated Biscuits
~ Vegetable Oil
~ Powdered Sugar
~ A Top to a water bottle or drink bottle

You'll be using this bottle top, down below to cut the donuts...Let's get started...Seperate the biscuits, you'll cut the center of the biscuits and save the centers too, these are your donut holes...

After you cut a hole in center of each biscuit with the bottle top....set them aside, you are going to fry them...

Pour some powdered sugar into a gallon size plastic zip bag......Now, pour some vegetable oil into a skillet, fill the skillet a little less than half full, remember the donuts will make the oil rise in the skillet and you don't want that oil to overflow. Let oil heat for about 3-5 minutes on med-high heat, stay near the oil, (note: as a safety precaution, never turn your back on oil, it can get hot quick), after a few minutes of heating the oil, test the oil to see if it's hot enough to cook in, you can do this by sprinkling a little pinch of the powdered sugar into the oil, it should sizzle when it's ready,this is how you will know that the oil is ready and hot enough to add the donuts. Now, gently add the donuts to the oil (note: when you first add the donut, if the donut doesn't begin immediately cooking and bubbling, your grease isn't hot enough, take it out and wait a little longer before adding the donuts) after adding the donuts, be ready to turn them with thongs or a fork, because they will brown on bottom quickly. You can turn down the heat to medium now...

Flip the donuts once they are golden brown on bottom, they won't take long to cook maybe 20-30 seconds to brown on each side. You'll want to stay right there with them and keep a close check on them....Drain them on paper towel lined plates....

Now cook the donut holes....and drain...

Then immediately put donuts and donut holes in the powdered sugar that you have ready in the gallon sized plastic zip bag. Zip the bag and shake until well coated. You can do this in batches, I usually coat half of them and then the other half....the sooner you can get the donuts in the bag of powdered sugar, the better the coating will stick...

They will look something like this when they are done...

Enjoy!

Special thanks to my beautiful mama for cooking this for me when I was a child and for passing this easy recipe down to me, so that I could fix it for my family too....these donuts have always been a favorite...the kids love it.

Potatoe Salad

2011-12-18T08:14:00.000-08:00

You will need:

6 Potatoes... peeled, washed and diced into small cubes and cooked until tender. (I use 1 potatoe for each person that I'll be serving, then I usually add one more just for good measure) To cook the potatoes, I put the diced potatoes in a large saucepan, cover them with water, and add 1 tsp. Salt, bring them to a boil, on medium-high heat, and boil them uncovered for 12 minutes or until fork tender.

3 Boiled Eggs..... cooked, peeled and diced (To cook the eggs, I put eggs in a medium saucepan, cover them with cold water, bring the eggs to a boil on medium-high heat and then boil them on medium high heat, timing them for 12 minutes. After they are done, I put the pan in the sink and run cold water over them for a couple of minutes. I immediately peel the eggs while they are still a little warm, so that the peeling doesn't stick to the eggs.
NOTE: To save time....If you have a big enough saucepan, you can cook the boiled eggs together with the diced potatoes, just make sure to put the potatoes and water in the saucepan first, then carefully add the eggs so you don't crack the eggs, and be sure you have enough water to cover it all.

2 Tablespoons Sweet Pickle Relish

1/4 of a yellow onion, chopped into tiny pieces

1/4 tsp. yellow mustard, you can add a little more to taste

Sprinkled Black Pepper to Taste

Seasoned Salt to Taste

Mayonnaise, you'll use about 3-5 Heaping Tablespoons of mayo, just add the mayo until it is the desired consistancy and creaminess that you like.

Mix all of the ingredients above in a large bowl, adding black pepper and seasoned salt to taste.

Serve with Barbecue and Baked Beans
Enjoy!

Baked Pork Chops

2011-12-17T07:51:00.000-08:00

This is easy easy, line a cookie baking sheet with foil and grease it.
You will need:

Thin Center Cut Pork Chops
Worcestershire Sauce
Seasoned Salt
Garlic Powder
Black Pepper

Wash pork chops, then put them on the pan, carefully pour worcestershire sauce over each pork chop, sprinkle one side with seasoned salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.

Bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven uncovered for about 30-40 minutes. Timing will really depend on the thickness of the porkchops. For this recipe I like to use the thin pork chops, they turn out so tender and just right.

I like to serve these pork chops with green beans and mashed potatoes topped with saurkraut. You can find these two side dish recipes here on my blog, by continuing to scroll down the blog page.
Enjoy!

Saurkraut with Mashed Potatoes

2011-12-16T07:20:00.000-08:00

Here's what you will need below:

~Homemade Mashed Potatoes are used for this recipe, you can use your own favorite recipe or you can get my recipe for Homemade Mashed Potatoes by seeing the archived recipe post in the sidebar of my blog it's labeled  "Homemade Mashed Potatoes" or get to my recipe by simply clicking HERE and then scrolling down the page, you'll see that recipe.
~ You'll also need, 1 Can of Saurkraut (drained, but I don't drain all of the juices off of the saurkraut, I like to leave a little. I drain the can just by leaving the opened lid of the can on the can and then simply draining the liquid off into the sink)
~3 Smoked Bacon Strips
~ 1/2 teaspoon Salt
~Sprinkled black pepper

Place bacon strips in medium saucepan, cook on med-high heat until there is some grease in the pan, but "not" until the bacon is crispy. Add slightly drained saurkraut, salt, and sprinkled pepper to the saucepan, then cover with water. Bring to a boil, then cover pan with lid, and reduce heat to low to med-low and cook for an hour or so.

Use a large spoon to spoon saurkraut and juices over homemade mashed pototoes.

Enjoy!

Special thanks to my sweet German Mother-In-Law, who has always cooked this during the holidays and she finally got me to try this a few years ago. I'm glad I got brave and decided to give it a try. I had been missing out on such a delicious combination of food...I'd never even wanted to try saurkraut before, and who'd have ever thought in a million years that mashed potatoes would be great with saurkraut? I sure would have never thought that I would like it, but I love it and it is one of my favorite dishes. I cook it all the time. I can thank her for giving me a love for this tasty side dish.
Though, I believe she uses a different pork meat in her recipe, I'm not sure about that, but I used bacon (if you've looked much at my recipes....I use bacon to season a lot of my vegetables and foods)
Thanks again MIL for sharing your heritage and your love for Saurkraut.

Green Beans seasoned with Bacon

2011-12-15T07:10:00.000-08:00

You will need:
~ 1 Can Green Beans (drained and rinsed)
(use the amount you need for your size family, 1 can feeds 3 people)
~Slice of Bacon
~1/2 teaspoon Salt
~1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
~Sprinked Pepper to taste
~teaspoon of white vinegar (optional)

In a saucepan, cook the bacon on medium-high heat until there is some grease in the pan, but "not" until the bacon is crispy. Add the green beans, and salt, sprinked pepper, white vinegar (optional) then cover with water. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low and cook for about 30- 45 minutes.
Enjoy!

Tender Brussel Sprouts seasoned with bacon

2011-12-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

You will need:

A family size bag of Frozen Brussel Sprouts
2 slices of Smoked Bacon
1 teaspoon Salt
Enough water just to cover them in the pan

In a medium sauce pan, place bacon slices on med-high heat, and cook them a few minutes, until you have some grease in the pan, but not until bacon is crispy, then add the brussel sprouts to the pan, add salt and enough water just to cover the brussel sprouts. Stir. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to med-low and cover with a lid. Cook until desired tenderness. I like mine real tender, so I cook them for about 20-30 minutes.

Enjoy!

Cheesy Veg-all Casserole

2011-12-13T05:49:00.000-08:00

You will need:

3 cans Veg-all Vegetable Medley mixed vegetables
please note: I usually don't recommend a certain brand for my recipes, but for this recipe, I do recommend using the Veg-all brand, because I have tried regular canned mixed vegetables in this recipe and it doesn't taste the same, and to me it isn't as good made with other brands)
1 cup Mayonnaise
4 oz. Mozarella Cheese (fresh grated)
4 oz. Cheddar Cheese (fresh grated)
1/2 a stick of Margarine
1 roll of Ritz Crackers (that you have crushed, I put mine in a large zip bag and crush them)

Grease a 13 by 9 inch casserole dish or baking pan. Drain the juices from 2 of the cans of veg-all, you'll need the juice from one of the cans, so don't drain one of the veg-all cans. Put it all in a mixing bowl. Add Mayo, and both grated cheeses. Gently stir it all together, put it in the pan, then put the crushed Ritz crackers on top. Slice margarine and put it randomly all over the top of the crackers.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Enjoy!

Sweet Potatoe Casserole

2011-12-12T06:31:00.000-08:00

Grease a 13 by 9 inch casserole dish or baking pan this recipe will be a two step...a filling and a topping

For the filling you will need:

~4 cups Cooked mashed sweet potatoes....
I used 6 medium sized sweet potatoes, I washed and dried them, then greased them with cooking oil, then I baked them in the oven, on a foil lined cookie sheet at 400 degrees for an hour, then let them cool. Then I pulled the skins off and placed them in a medium mixing bowl and mashed them with a pototoe masher)

~1/2 cup to 1 cup Sugar
Start with 1/2 cup, then just taste it and judge the amount you want to add by how sweet you would like to make this dish

~ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

~1/2 cup milk

~2 eggs (beaten)

Mix ingredients together in a bowl until mixture is smooth, put it in the greased baking dish and make the topping now

For the topping you will need:

~1/2 cup melted buttter or margarine plus a tablespoon more

~1/3 cup flour

~2/3 cup brown sugar

~1 cup chopped pecans

Mix ingredients and spread over and top the casserole...

~Important Note: You will also need a Bag of Miniature Marshmallows for this recipe, you will not need the whole bag though, and remember not to top the casserole with the marshmallows until it's almost done cooking.

Bake in preheated oven 350 degrees for 30 min. then take it out of the oven and top with miniature marshmallows, then cook an additional 5 minutes or so until the marshmallows are golden brown. You'll need to keep an eye on it, you know how fast marshmallows can burn.

Enjoy!

Special thanks to my friend Ann for sharing this recipe with me in 2004..... I've been fixing this during the holidays, every year since then and my family and I love it.

Homemade Buttercream Frosting

2011-11-22T12:12:00.000-08:00

For this recipe you will need:

* 4 1/2 cups Powdered sugar...plus a little more depending on the desired spreading consistency of the frosting (I actually buy a large bag to have on hand, but you will not need that much)

*1/2 cup Butter or margarine softened

*1 tsp. vanilla extract

*3 Tablespoons of Milk or a little more depending on desired consistency

In a large bowl, hand mix together softened butter or margarine, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth, gradually add milk and stir it until smooth and creamy. You can add more powdered sugar or milk until you get it to the desired consistency for icing a cake.

Frost the cooled cake, decorate and enjoy!

Oatmeal Cookies

2011-11-05T13:05:00.000-07:00

You will need:

1 cup butter (or 2 sticks) softened to room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. salt
2 cups Self-rising flour
2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats

Preheat oven to 375 degrees, Lightly grease baking sheets. In large bowl, cream butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until mixed and creamy. Add the eggs, on at a time and mix well. Stir in vanilla. In another bowl mix flour and salt together. Now, add and beat the flour mixture into the creamed mixture. I mixed everything by hand using a large spoon. Stir in the oats. Drop by heaping Tablespoons 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown. Use a spatula and remove the cookies from pan and set on wire racks to cool.
Enjoy!

Baked Ham Steak with Pineapples

2011-11-03T10:56:00.000-07:00

This is an easy meat to serve if you are in the mood for some baked ham, but you don't want buy a big ham. It tastes good and it is inexpensive. I do buy the big spiral hams during the holidays and for times when I am having a lot of company over, but this little Ham Steak is great for any day of the year, especially if it's for serving a couple or a small family of 3 or 4.

I personally like this Country Ribbon brand, because it's boneless, but Cook's Brand is also good.

All you do is line a baking sheet with foil and put the ham steak on it, pour the juices from the Ham on the pan too, (If you buy a bone in the Ham Steak such as Cook's Brand, I'd wash the Ham Steak first before cooking it, because with that brand, I've noticed that it has a gritty feel to it due to the bone being cut) and pour a can of diced pineapples over the top...Bake in 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes....that's it.

I like to serve it with dried lima beans and fried cornbread (recipes for these are in the sidebar of this blog) and I also like a baked sweet potatoe. By the way, for beginners on cooking I'd like to mention that Baking a sweet potatoe is simple too, just wash it good and rub olive oil on the outside of it, bake it on a foil lined baking sheet for 400 degrees for 1 hour or a little longer...until tender.
Enjoy!

Dried Lima Beans

2011-11-03T10:36:00.000-07:00

For this recipe I used:

*24 oz. bag of China Doll Large Dried Beans

*2 Knorr chicken bouillon cubes

*Garlic Glove Chopped

*1/2 Onion Chopped
*9 Cups Water
*2 Tablespoons Bacon Grease
*1 teaspoons Salt
*Sprinled Black Pepper
*4 Slices of Bacon

First Soak beans in a bowl of water overnight, then rinse them the next day and put them in a crockpot along with all of the ingredients above. Cook on High all day about 6-8 hours.

As they cook they will look like this above...

I serve them with cornbread (my fried cornbread recipe can be found in my sidebar) Ham steak with pineapples and Baked Sweet Potatoe.

Enjoy!

Rice Krispy Treats Desserts ~ All Treats No Tricks...Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T12:45:00.000-07:00

For this Yummy AND Easy Favorite Treat....You'll need:

1/4 cup Butter or Margarine
1- 10oz. Bag of Marshmallows
6 Cups Rice Crispies Cereal (or any store brand will do)

Melt margarine or butter in a large pan over med heat. Add marshmallows and stir constantly until melted. Remove from heat. Add rice crispy cereal and stir until well coated. Using a buttered spatula or waxed paper, press mixture evenly into a greased 13 by 9 inch pan or casserole dish. Cut into squares when cooled.

Enjoy!

Note: Recipe courtesy of Campfire Brand Marshmallows. This recipe is on most boxes of rice crispy cereal or bags marshmallows...but there once was a time that I bought all my ingredients and I got home and found that the recipe wasn't on my bag of marshmallows or box of cereal....and I didn't have it anymore. It had been a long time since I'd made it too....so I'd forgotten the recipe exactly. I found it again on the back of some marshmallows.

I don't have to worry about having it on hand in my kitchen now.... because it's here on the internet, at my recipe blog.... I won't have to remember the recipe off the top of my head and I won't have to try finding it in my recipe cards either...that's always a good thing. This blog sure comes in handy for me....it's funny, when I first thought of making this blog....I initially thought I was creating it for my kids to use ...but I'm finding that I've been using it quite a bit myself these days...to come look up stuff I can't find or have forgotten about ....just gotta love the computer and internet I tell ya :)

Easy Baked Chicken Drumsticks

2011-10-26T07:34:00.000-07:00

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees, then line a baking sheet with foil and spray it with non-stick spray. Wash Chicken legs and put them on the prepared baking sheet.

Sprinkle generously with your favorite seasonings, I used Chicken Seasoning salt, Season All, Soul Food Seasoning, Black Pepper, and Garlic Powder. I sprinkle on one side bake about 45 mintutes and then take them out and turn them sprinkle with seasonings on the other side and bake them for about another 45 minutes. Don't be afraid to cook these for about an hour and a half total time...because I have found that they are perfect then...not rubbery at all, like baked chicken can often tend to be... if it isn't cooked long enough.

After you take them out of the oven be sure to let them stand for about 10-15 minutes...they are just better if you do this... By allowing the meat to stand a little while before serving allows the juices, (which have been driven to the center of the meat while cooking) to redistribute and be reabsorbed. The meat will be more juicy, tender, a better texture (not rubbery).

Serve with your favorite side dishes and...
Enjoy this carefree and "easy" as it gets dish!
Queenie

Easy Baked Apples

2011-10-04T14:58:00.000-07:00

This is a perfect recipe for fall

All you will need is some apples, honey, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon and butter or margarine....

Lightly grease a casserole dish, wash and core the center of the apples, place them in casserole dish, sprinkle the inside of each apple with a generous amount of honey, then pack in some brown sugar and sprinkle the tops with cinnamon and then cut slices of butter and put them on the tops. Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes depending on the size of the apples you are using. This makes a nice presentation for a fall desert and if you'd like to, you can eat these with shortbread cookies or they are delicious all by themselves.

I like to cut them into quarters, (as I did in the photo below).... I then take the sauce that's in the dish and I spoon it over the apples and then I bake them an additional 5-10 minutes until they reach desired tenderness, the sauce thickens over the apples and this makes them extra yummy.

Enjoy!

Queenie

Old-Fashioned Dressing Recipe Great- Grandma's Southern Recipe

2011-09-13T11:52:00.000-07:00

A special post...This is a 5th generation recipe. It has been a tradition in our family for many years...and I'm sure it will be for many more years to come. Now Great-Grandma never had an official recipe that she followed, she just had it in her mind and knew what to do from watching it made over the years probably by her mama, but as the years went by, my Grandma T. wanted her children and grandchildren to be able to make this recipe in the years to come, when she could no longer make it for us anymore, so she managed to come up with a written recipe for us to follow.

I know at first glace of this post and recipe, It may seem like a lot of trouble to make, but it is well worth the effort. If you don't have a traditional recipe to cook every single holiday, that everyone loves, I encourage you to find one, start one and to let a tradition begin with you. Everyone needs a little tradition in your life. I love tradition...there's something about it that warms the heart and soul. Maybe my Great-grandma's recipe might become yours if you don't already have a favorite.

Special Note: Please read the entire recipe before you begin, ther are things you can do ahead of time to save you time later. Make sure to plan on several hours for this recipe.... way before your guests are expected to arrive, because it does take some extra time, not because it is hard, but because there are several steps that take additional time...like the boiling of the chicken for the broth and boiling your eggs, and making the egg bread for the dressing. If you want to you can make some preparations (like the egg bread) ahead of time, you can make it the night before, and refrigerate it. I usually don't do this, but that's what some of my family members do who fix this recipe. That saves you time the next day... when other foods are needing to be made in the kitchen. Especially if you are having a lunch gathering and are pressed for time. I usually have an evening gathering so I do all of my work the same day. Well, I think I've rambled on long enough and I have thought of everything I can to help you with this recipe. Now on with the fun...

**First you will need to cook (boil) a chicken, or hen in order to get some good broth to cook in the dressing.

What you will need to do first is wash chicken pieces. In a large dutch oven pot put a whole chicken, hen or cut up chicken pieces and cover with water, salt and pepper and bring to a boil, reduce heat and slow boil it on medium heat until it is done, about 30 minutes to an hour depending on the size of the chicken or pieces. It's done when it's poked with a fork and the juices run clear. Remove the chicken from broth and SAVE THE BROTH, you will need the broth for the dressing recipe. You can cut up the chicken meat and save it to eat with the dressing or just save it and use the it for a different chicken recipe, that's what I do when I am cooking a holiday ham or turkey, it's up to you, you will need the broth for sure so be sure not pour it out.

Now it's time to "Make the Egg Bread"

For this you will need:

1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 eggs beaten well
1 cup of buttermilk
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspon baking soda
1 1/2 Tablespoons baking powder
1 Tablespoon oil
1 Tablespoon butter
white cornmeal such as Hoover's Fine milled. Note: I wouldn't subtitute yellow cornmeal for white, because I'm sure it will not taste the same. Special Note: You will not be using the entire bag of cornmeal, you will just use a portion of it, you will be add it in the bowl until you get the right consistency which I'll explain more later.

First melt butter in a skillet add chopped onion and celery, cook on med low heat until tender stirring occassionally.

Note: Divide the cooked celery and onion mixture in half and set it aside... save this other half for the second part of the recipe.

In a mixing bowl hand mix buttermilk, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and oil and beaten eggs. Mix well and now add enough corn meal, a little at the time, to make this as thick as when you are making muffins, then add half of the cooked onion celery mixture. Now, Pour in a greased iron skillet or 8 inch by 8 inch baking pan. Bake in a preheated 450 degree oven around 15 minutes, or until golden brown, keep an eye on it.

It will look like this when it's done. Let it cool and then crumble this up into a large mixing bowl so you can stir in the other ingredients that follows:

2 slices of white bread crumbled
2 beaten eggs
salt and pepper generously sprinkled
1/2 stick of melted butter
2 chopped boiled eggs
other half of cooked celery and onion mixture
chicken broth that you saved,slowly pour in enough broth to make the mix soupy, if you don't end up with enough broth to make it soupy, water can be added.

Pour it in a greased 13 inch by 9 inch baking pan or casserole dish and bake it in a preheated 450 degree oven about 15- 20 minutes or until golden brown.

It will look like this before it goes in the oven...and

It will look like this when it's done

Serve with chilled cranberry sauce and your favorite meat and side veggie..... this time mine so happens to be roasted chicken legs and green beans....but during the holidays it will be turkey and ham and every other side veggie you can think of.

I hope that you enjoy this old-fashioned southern dressing recipe! If you should have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment and I will reply back to you.

Enjoy!

Before I close, I wanted to add .... a scanned picture of my Great-Grandma (on the left), with her daughter, My "Grandma T." (on the right), the baby is my uncle. This picture was taken I think in the 1950. It's the only one I have of them together. I'm so honored to have it and so proud to be able to post it with the recipe.

Homemade dressing cooked in my kitchen always takes me back in time and it brings back wonderful times spent with family. This post is a tribute to all the grandma's out there... For YOU are so special, more special than you know. God Bless you all..... for you have done great things. You've passed down your cooking skills and so so much more. Thank you :)

Note to Self for ME to read:
No matter how many times you make this recipe, it will never be as good as grandma's was. It just won't. Don't know why. On her written copy, surely she left out a secret ingredient. Or did she? The world may never know, but no matter how many times you are told this tastes just like grandma's tasted, never mind it.... you know better, hers will always be the best in the world to you. Yep, grandma's are just that special.

Cucumber, Tomatoe and Green Onion Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

2011-06-23T14:14:00.000-07:00

You will need:

Small pickling cucumbers washed, peeled and sliced
Tomatoes washed, peeled and sliced
Green Onion washed, and sliced
Balsamic Vinaigrette (I used Traditional Blends brands purchased at The Dollar Tree Store)
Salt and Pepper sprinked to taste

Purchase the amount of vegetables you think you will need for your party size or family size.

Mix all of the ingredients and refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve in indivual pretty bowls, delicious served with vegetable crackers.

This is easy and so refreshing on those hot summer days. Perfect for a side dish or appetizer or just a snack.

Enjoy~ Queenie :)

*A Special Thanks to my Mama for sharing this delicious treat :)

Pototoe Soup~ Cold Comfort Foods

2010-11-01T07:51:00.001-07:00

You will need:

9 potatoes pealed and diced
1 onion diced
2 carrots diced small
1/2 stick butter
2 tablespoons flour
4 cups milk
2 chicken bouillon cubed dissolved in 1/2 cup hot milk
1 cup half and half
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 slices bacon cooked crispy and crumbled
grated cheddar cheese

In a large pot melt butter, add onion and carrots until both are tender. Stirring frequently. Once they are tender. Whisk in flour and stir well, cooking for a minute, then add potatoes, milk and dissolved bouillon cubes. Cook over med heat until potatoes are soft about 20 minutes. Stir occassionally. When pototoes are soft, Add the half and half, salt and pepper. Cook for an additonal 15 mintutes and simmer until ready to serve. When ready to eat, serve in bowls and Serve with crumbled bacon and grated cheddar cheese on top.

Enjoy!
Queenie

Homemade Chilli For Hot Dogs

2010-10-17T09:02:00.000-07:00

To make this chilli you will need:

1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 tsp. sea salt (season more to taste later)
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
sprinkle of red pepper
sprinke of black pepper
dried bay leaf
1 tsp. seasoned salt
1 tsp. dried onion
2 tsp. chilli powder
Your favorite brand of hot dogs and buns

Cover the ground beef with water in a small pot, use a spatula to crumble the ground beef. Add all of the other ingredients and bring it all to a boil, continue stirring and crumbling up the ground beef with the spatula. Reduce the heat and cook for about 30 min.or longer...the longer it simmers the more flavor it will have. Using a slotted spoon to drain the chilli onto each hotdog and bun.... and add your other favorite condiments like mayo mustard, ect.... This is enough chilli for 8 hotdogs.
Enjoy!
Queenie

Delish Chocolate Frosting For Rich Chocolate Cake

2010-10-11T10:24:00.000-07:00

This chocolate frosting is so rich and delish. I used a Pillsbury Devil's Food Cake for the cake part and for the frosting, it is home-made.
For the frosting you will need:

1 Stick of Butter or margarine (I used butter)
2/3 cup Nestle's Powdered Cocoa
3 cups Powdered Sugar
1/3 cup Milk
1 tsp. vanilla flavoring

Melt butter or margarine in a medium bowl in microwave, then stir in cocoa powder. Then alternately add powdered sugar and milk until well blended and until it is spreading consistency. Add the vanilla flavoring. Add more powdered sugar or milk if need. Makes about 2 cups. Spread on your favorite chocolate cake recipe and Enjoy : )

Queenie

Southern Style Stewed Cabbage with Bacon

2010-10-03T10:01:00.000-07:00

What you will need:

Head of Cabbage
4 Slices of Bacon
1 Tablespoon of vegetable oil
1 Cup of Water
2 Teaspoons Sea Salt

Slice the head of cabbage, wash cabbage, and set aside. In a large dutch oven pot add bacon and oil and cook for a little while about 5-10 minutes on medium high heat until it starts to cook, but not get crispy. Add the salt, cabbage and water to the pot and cover, let it come to a boil, stirring often for a couple of minutes, reduce heat to med-low and cook covered until tender. (I like my cabbage very tender, so I cook it about an hour or so). Stirring ocassionally. After it has cooked season to taste with more salt if desired. This cabbage is tender and tasty, it tastes even more flavorful, after it has been removed from the heat and been allowed to sit uncovered for a while, after it is done. It seems that the longer it sits the more tasty it is, because it soaks up the bacon juices.

Enjoy :)

Queenie

Easy Oven Baked BBQ Boneless Chicken Breasts with Onion and Bacon

2010-09-26T09:43:00.000-07:00

This is so easy....

This will feed a family of 4

What you will need is:

1 lb. package of boneless skinless chicken breasts
Your favorite BBQ Sauce (I used Sweet Baby Rays Honey Barbecue Sauce)
Chicken Seasoning Salt (I use the Spice Treasures Brand at Dollar General)
Garlic Powder
Ground Black Pepper
1 Sliced Onion
4 Slices of Bacon

Spray a 13 by 9 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray. Wash the chicken and lay them in the pan, sprinkle generously with spices on both sides, place onion slices on top of the chicken, then lay bacon slices on top also. (For a nicer presentation, you could wrap each chicken breast with the bacon). Pour barbecue sauce on top. Cook at 350 degrees covered with foil for 45 minutes then uncover for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is done and no longer pink inside.

Enjoy :)

Queenie

Pot Roast with Carrots, and Thyme

2010-08-23T10:15:00.000-07:00

You will need:

2 Pounds Chuck Steaks (cut into bite size pieces)
2 Yellow Onions sliced
6 Slices Bacon
5 Carrots Peeled and sliced into chunks
2 Tablespoons Flour
6 Dried Prunes
1 teaspoon Thyme
1 Cup Beef Stock
12 oz Can of beer of choice

In a large pot, cook bacon on medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon, let it cool, chip it up and save it for later. Add onions, salt and pepper to taste and cook over med-low heat until carmelized about 20 min. Remove onions, leaving the grease in the pot. Wash meat season with salt and pepper, now brown the meat in the grease. Once the meat has all been browned on all sides, add all of the cooked ingredients together back to the pot, then stir in the flour, Cook for a couple of minutes then add the beer. Stir well then add the beef stock, thyme and dried prunes. Stir well again, and then transfer the ingredients to a 13 by 9 inch baking pan, cover pan with foil. Cook in the oven at 325 degrees for 2 to 2 1/2 hours until tender.
Serve with Mashed Potatoes and Enjoy! Queenie

Baked Pork Chops with Crushed Tomatoe Sauce

2010-08-21T10:33:00.000-07:00

You will need:

Large package of boneless pork chops, (about 2 pounds)
1 Tablespoon Veg. oil
1 Can crushed whole tomatoes
1/2 Cup Ketchup
1/4 Cup light brown sugar
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 Tablespoon Mustard
Salt and Pepper

Put oil in a skillet, wash the meat put the meat on a plate and then sprinkle the meat with salt and pepper, brown the meat on both sides, then place the meat on a greased baking pan. Mix the remaning ingredients together in a mixing bowl and pour it over the pork chops. Bake uncovered for 45 min. to 1 hour until tender.
Enjoy! Queenie

Easy Homemade Cheesecake

2010-08-20T07:05:00.000-07:00

You will need:

2 (8oz) pkgs. cream cheese

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 eggs

ready made graham cracker pie crust

Let cream cheese sit out at room temperature until soft, cream together the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla with electric mixer until blended well. Add the egss and mix well. Pour into pie crust and bake at 350 degrees for about 40 min. Refrigerate several hours or overnight before serving.

Serve with fruit toppings if desired..... I like mine "plain" just like it is.

Enjoy! Queenie

Southern Fried Rice with Bacon, Ham, and Carrots

2010-08-19T07:05:00.000-07:00

This quick Recipe is courtesy of my Mother in Law....my version varies a little from hers because there is not really a recipe. The reason I say this is because she just throws it all together.... I was given no real measurements, but I have watched her years ago, and saw how she made this and this is what I came up with. Of course, I think it's not as good as her version, but it's pretty yummy. This is a recipe that you can season to taste and add what you like to it, .....you can vary the ingredients according to your taste buds seasoning with salt and pepper to taste on this. Rice is so versatile.

What you will need:

1 Box of Success Brown Rice (this is the boil in the bag rice and you will be using 2 of the 4 bags that the box comes with). Cook Rice according to the package directions and set aside
4 Tablespoons Butter or Margarine
2 Slices Bacon
1/2 Vidalia onion chopped
1 Carrot peeled and grated
2 Small Slices of cooked smoked ham, (I used some hand-sized left over ham, but you can purchase ham steaks)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Cook boil in the bag rice according to package directions, (boil about 8-10 min. and drain) set aside.

Cook bacon in a skillet on medium heat until it is done, (slightly crispy), remove bacon from skillet, and after it's cooled, chip it up and set aside for later. Add butter to the bacon grease along with the onion, and carrots, saute' until they are tender, about 10-15 minutes, then add the cooked ham and cook for an additional 5 minutes until it is warmed. Add cooked rice and cooked bacon back to the skillet, stir and salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat to low, cover for about 5-10 minutes until ready to serve, stirring occasionally.

I serve this as a side dish with grilled meats or barbecue dishes and baked beans, but since their is meat in this dish you can always add more meat to the rice and serve it as a main dish.

Enjoy !

Queenie

Cream Corn Casserole With Old-Fashioned Southern Taste

2010-08-18T08:54:00.000-07:00

This will feed a crowd and the ingredients will fill a 13 by 9 Casserole Dish, (sorry for the picture showing just half of a casserole dish...I forgot to take the picture, until we'd eaten half of it).

You will need:

2 Cans Cream Style Corn
1 Can Whole Corn (do not drain)
Jiffy Cornbread Mix
8 oz Sour Cream
1 Stick of butter or margarine melted

Grease 13 by 9 inch casserole dish, mix all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl , pour in the baking dish, cook uncovered for 45 min. to 1 hour, at 350 degrees until light golden brown around the edges.
That's it. This is so easy and fast, tastes sweet creamy and delicious...I've been told that this tastes similar to the fresh cream corn grandma used to fix in the iron skillet.
Enjoy! Queenie

Icebox Lemon Meringue Pie

2010-07-25T08:03:00.000-07:00

You will need:

1 Ready made Graham Cracker Pie Crust
1/2 Cup Bottled Lemon Juice
14 oz. Can of Sweetened Condensed Milk (such as Eagle Brand, just make sure you don't accidentally pick up evaporated milk)
2 Eggs Separated
4 Tablespoon Sugar

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Crack eggs and separate the yolks from the whites in two small bowls. You will need the yolks for the filling and the whites for the meringue topping. Now, In a med. bowl, combine lemon juice and canned sweetened condensed milk and stir well with a spoon or hand whisk, add yolks, stir and pour in the pie shell. Now in another bowl beat the eggs whites with an electric mixer until they start to get fluffy,(keep mixing it takes a little while) gradually add the sugar and continue beating until the whites are stiff, and will hold a peek, but not dry. Pile this on top of the pie filling. Bake at 325 degrees until lightly browned about 10 minutes. Cool Completely and then refrigerate for several hours until chilled well before serving.
Enjoy!
Queenie

Easy Chicken Salad for Spreading on Crackers

2010-07-18T13:39:00.000-07:00

You will need:

12.5 oz. Can of Great Value Chunk Chicken Breast in water fully cooked (drained and crumbled)
4 Heaping Tablespoons Mayo (I used Kraft)
3 Boiled Eggs chopped
1 Heaping Tablespoons Sweet Pickle Relish
Seasoned Salt and Pepper Sprinkled to Taste

Mix ingredients together in a bowl, put in the refrigerator until chilled, serve in individual bowls with the crackers of your choice (I used Townhouse Crackers). This is good spread on bread for chicken salad sandwiches also.
Enjoy!
Queenie

Southern Stewed Squash

2010-05-19T08:32:00.000-07:00

Start with 3 Large Yellow Squash, sliced (this amount of squash will fill the skillet)

You will also need:

Small yellow onion sliced
1-2 slices bacon
1 cup water
salt and pepper
3 Tablespoons veg. oil

In a large skillet add veg. oil, bacon, onion, sliced squash, and water. Salt and Pepper generously. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat cover with lid and stew on low-med heat til tender, stirring occasionally. Once they are tender in about twenty minutes, uncover and cook about thirty minutes more or until a lot of the juice has cooked out. Serve with fried cornbread or serve as a side dish.
Serves 4

Enjoy!
Queenie

Mexican Enchilada In a Skillet

2010-05-11T09:56:00.001-07:00

You will need:

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup Water
1/2 cup of your favorite Salsa (I've used both Chi Chi's brand and Pace brand before)
1 can tomatoe soup
small chopped onion
4-6 oz. grated cheddar cheese for the topping
10 Mission Brand soft yellow corn tortillas (6" size) cut into 1-2 inch pieces
Salt, pepper, garlic powder sprinkled
can of Old El Paso Enchilada Sauce

Brown the ground beef in a skillet with chopped onion, sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder, drain fat and return to skillet. Add the water, salsa, tomatoe soup and cut up corn tortillas bring to a boil and stir, then cover and reduce heat to low for about 5-8 minutes stirring occasionally. Top with grated cheese and cover until melted. Put on serving plates and drizzle the skillet enchilada with heated enchilada sauce on each individual plate. Serve with chips and salsa, chips and guacamole dip (click HERE for my recipe for guacamole dip), refried beans or rice.
Serves 5
This recipe is about as easy as it gets, when you need something quick! This was a Campbell's Kitchen Recipe I found in a magazine....I changed a few things to suit my taste...like adding the enchilada sauce, onion, salt, pepper and garlic salt.
I hope you Enjoy it!
Queenie

Hamburger Chowder Soup~ Cold Weather Comfort Food

2010-03-03T08:44:00.001-08:00

You will need:

1 POUND GROUND CHUCK
1 CUP CHOPPED ONIONS
1 CUP CHOPPED CELERY
1/2 CUP GREEN PEPPER
1/2 tsp. SALT

Cook above in a small amount of cooking oil in skillet until vegetables are tender and meat is done. About 10 minutes, stir frequently. If there seems to be alot excess grease, spoon some of it out with a large spoon.
Next you will need:

1 CAN BEEF BROTH
2- CANS OF TOMATOES
1- CAN OF KERNAL CORN (undrained)
1/2 tsp. Black pepper
1/4 tsp. Garlic powder
1 teaspoon Seasoned Salt and more to taste
4 PEELED AND CUT UP POTATOES
1 CAN OF GREEN BEANS (drained)
1/2 BAG OF A BAG OF FROZEN LIMA BEANS OR A SMALL PACKAGE OF FROZEN LIMA BEANS

Put the above in a soup pot and add meat and vegetables. Bring to a boil and simmer for about and hour. The longer it simmers the more flavorful it will be. Soup will thicken like a chowder.
Serve with garlic bread
Enjoy! Queenie

Recipes For Fudge and Divinity....These Are Christmas Traditions At Our Home!!

2009-12-09T14:06:00.001-08:00

Fudge

3 cups sugar
3/4 c. butter or margarine
2/3 c. evaporated milk
1 jar 7 0z marshmallow cream
1 pkg. 12 oz semi-sweet morsels
1/2 c. chopped nuts
1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring

Stir together butter, sugar, and milk in a medium size heavy pot, bring to a boil, stir constantly. Boil 5 minutes, (be sure to set a timer) and cook over medium heat. Remember to stir constantly. Remove from heat, gradually stir in remaining ingredients. Pour into a 13 by 9 inch pan that has been foil lined all the way over the sides and sprayed lightly with cooking spray. Cool at room temp. When cooled lift from the pan and cut into bite size pieces. This recipe makes 3 pounds, plenty to share.
Enjoy!
Divinity

2 cups sugar
1/3 c. white karo syrup
1/2 c. hot water
pinch of salt
2 egg whites, well beaten
1/2 c. chopped pecans

Beat the egg whites in a large bowl until they are foamy, set aside, leaving the mixer handy. In a small saucepan Mix and boil sugar, syrup, hot water and salt on about medium to medium high heat. Hold a candy thermometer in the pot while you stir with a spoon...there are candy thermometers with hooks to hook on the side of your pot, but I don't hang mine on the pot, I hold on to mine and keep it lifted in the liquid, making sure that it doesn't touch the bottom of the pot. If you hang it on the side of the pot and it touches the bottom of the pot and that is not good. You don't want to be taking the temp of the bottom of the pot, you want to take the temp of the liquid itself. Just thought I'd throw that little tip in there for you. Trial and error, learned tip from experience. Cook this mixture until it reaches the hard ball stage on a candy thermometer. This is very important. Stir it the whole time that it boils. This will take quite a while, I'd say longer than 15 minutes usually, it will start to feel like it's taking forever, but keep watching the thermometer while you stir and just keep stirring. When it reaches the hard ball stage quickly but carefully remove it from the heat, and carefully pour it slowly into the beaten eggs as you mix it with the mixer. This mixture is extremely hot, so be very careful. You will now mix it with the mixer on medium for a while, it will seem like it's not going to hold it's shape, but just keep mixing it until it holds it's shape . When it begins to hold shape, then quickly drop by teaspoon onto wax paper and let them cool.
Extra Tip: I've heard people say not to make divinity on rainy days, but I have made at in all kinds of weather and it turns out beautifully as long as your candy thermometer is working right.
Enjoy!

Sour Cream and Chives Bite Sized Baked Chicken....Wonderful Party Appetizer

2009-12-09T13:43:00.000-08:00

You will need:

Boneless chicken breasts or strips ( I buy 1 and 1/2 pounds of boneless chicken breast to feed our family of 4, we eat this chicken served as a meal, and I serve 2 veggies and bread with it.) You can adjust the amount of chicken and other ingredients based on the size of people you are feeding. I'd say for appetizers this amount here would feed probably 6-8 people if you are serving other goodies to go with them.
Bag of sour cream and chives potatoes chips and a gallon size zipoc bag for crushing the chips
2 eggs
2 Tablespoons Milk
1/2 stick of butter
nonstick cooking spray

Line a cookie sheet with foil and spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
Rinse chicken breast and cut them into bite size pieces, (if you'd like to save yourself the trouble of doing this step, you can buy boneless breasts that have been sliced into chicken strips.
Mix the egg and milk in a bowl, and add chicken and stir
Open bag of chips and put them inside of a ziploc bag and crush them with your hands until they are in tiny pieces. This is your breading for your chicken.
Now add your chicken to the bag to coat the chiken well, then them on the prepared pan one by one.
Melt butter and drizzle over the top of the chicken
Cook in a 350 degree preheated oven for about 35 -45 min. until golden brown. The size that you cut your chicken into will determine the cooking time. Be sure the inside is no longer pink.

Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce, honey mustard tastes great!
Tips: You can use whatever kind of chips you like, for a different variation on this recipe, I also love to use crushed cornflake crumbs sometimes too.

Mashed Pototoes, and Broccoli, with Stew Beef and Gravy ~ Beefy Moutain

2009-10-20T08:20:00.000-07:00

Here's what you will need for this recipe:

1 Pound of Stew Beef
1 Package McCormick's Stew Beef Seasoning, (found in the gravy and seasoning packette section at the grocery store).
160z. package of frozen broccoli and cauliflower mix
Enough all purpose flour to coat stew beef in
2-3 Tablespoons of Vegetable oil
1/2 of a chopped onion
salt, pepper and garlic powder
Homemade Mashed Potatoes (if you don't have your own favorite mashed potatoe recipe mine is in the sidebar of the blog)

Wash the stew beef, put it in a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, coat with flour. Put the grease in a dutch oven or large part, add the floured stew beef to the grease and brown on all sides. Then add the stew beef seasoning package and 3 cups of water, and the chopped onion, bring to a boil and then let it simmer until meat is tender usually for about 3 hours. Stir occasionally and then add more water as needed so that it does not become too thick. You want this to be the consistency of gravy when it's done. While this is cooking make your Homemade Mashed Potatoes, and set aside and cook the frozen broccoli cauliflower according to directions and until tender and drain.
When the meat has cooked long enough to become tender, you are ready to layer your meal. Put the mashed potatoes on the plate first, then the broccoli/cauliflower, then the stew beef and gravy.
This is a delicious combination of foods and so easy too. My family loves it. My oldest son came up with the name of this recipe "Mashed Potatoe, Broccoli Beef Mountain" I thought it was a great name! It feeds about 5-6 people. Now enjoy! Queenie
Edited: As a variation in flavor for the recipe, you can use 2 packages of McCormick's Mushroom Gravy instead of the Stew Beef Seasoning Package and use the amount of water stated on the gravy package directions, you can add more water as needed as it cooks, and if it gets too thick. Add water as needed for desired gray thickness.

Delicious Spinach Manicotti

2009-09-21T07:52:00.000-07:00

You will need:
1/2 Onion chopped
3 Garlic cloves chopped
1 T. Vegetable oil
1-1/2 cups Ricotta cheese
1 cup (4oz. Grated Mozarella chese, divided)
4 oz. Cream cheese, softened
6 Tablespoons Grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
1 Package (10 oz.) Frozen Chopped Spinach, thawed squeezed dry. Then put in a food processor or a blender to chop it finer, (you don't have to do this step, but I do because I like my spinach chopped up finer)
8 Manicotti shells, cooked according to package directions, and drained
1 Jar 26oz. Great Value Tradtional Spaghetti Sauce, (or your favorite brand spaghetti sauce)

In a small skillet add oil, onion, and garlic, saute this for several minutes. Set aside.
In a mixing bowl, mix ricotta cheese, 4 Tablespoons parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup mozarella cheese, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Beat smooth. Stir in the onion mixture, and spinach. Spoon this cheese mixture into a large gallon size freezer bag, and seal the bag, squeeze the mixture to one corner of the bag and then cut a small hole at the corner edge of the bag. Pipe the cheese mixture into the manicotti shells. Set aside. Grease a 13 inch by 9 inch casserole dish, and pour half of the spaghetti sauce in the bottom of the dish. Lay the stuffed manicotti shells on top, then pour the rest of the spaghetti sauce over the manicotti. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with remainder of the mozarella and parmesan chese. Bake 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Makes 4-5 servings.
Serve with salad and texas toast
Enjoy!

Blackberry Pudding Tarts~ A Summer Favorite Dessert at Our Home

2009-08-10T15:48:00.001-07:00

These delicious treats have been a summertime tradition since the year 2000. It's hard to believe that for 9 years we have made these....but we have.

Here's what you will need to make these:

2 (10 pkg. frozen tart shells)
2 quarts fresh blackberries (2 ~16 oz packages of frozen thawed can be substituted) but I always use the fresh, because we can pick them ourselves and they are available in our area
1 cup water
1 3/4 cups sugar divided
1/2 cup self-rising flour
1/4 cup butter or margarine
2 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract, divided
1 cup whipping cream
garnish with fresh blackberries, mint sprigs if desired

1. Bake tart shells according to package directions; cool completely.
Bring Blackberries and 1 cup water to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes or until blackberries are soft.
2. Mash blackberries with a fork; pour through a wire-mesh strainer into a 4-cup liquid measuring cup, using back of spoon to squeeze out 2 cups juice, discard the pulp and seeds. (Boil the juice to reduce to 2 cups if necessary.)
3. Combine 1 1/2 cups of sugar and the flour in a saucepan; gradually add blackberry juice, whisking constantly until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat, and simmer 3 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in butter and 2 teaspoons of vanilla.
4. Spoon filling into prepared tart shells. Cool Completely.
5. Beat whipping cream at high speed with an electric mixer until foamy; gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Fold in remaining vanilla. Important Note: Do not beat in the vanilla, it will make the whipping cream break down and fall apart. I've done it before and had to run back to the store for more whipping cream.
Place a dollap of whipping cream on each pudding tart, then put in the fridge, until chilled.

Enjoy!

Queenie~

Summer Treat...Orange, Banana, Strawberry Smoothie

2009-08-03T07:06:00.001-07:00

You will need:
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup strawberry yogurt
1/2 banana
5 ice cubes
Mix this all together in a blender
This makes 2 delicious summer treats. You can change it around to suite your own taste and add fresh fruit to the mix, if you'd like to. (I just used what I happened to have on hand in the fridge).
Now enjoy!
Queenie~

Easy Strawberry Cheesecake Parfaits

2009-04-05T08:43:00.000-07:00

You will need:
1 pkg. (8 oz.) Cream Cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups milk
1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) Jello vanilla instant pudding
1 1/2 cups thawed cool whip divided (save 1/2 cup of cool whip for finishing touch on top of parfait)
24 vanilla wafers coarsely crumbled
1 1/2 cups strawberries
Beat cream cheese with mixer until creamy. Gradually beat in milk. Add dry pudding mix; mix well. Mix in 1 cup cool whip.
Layer half each of wafers, strawberries and pudding mixture in 4oz. parfait glasses. Repeat Layers. Garnish tops of parfaits with the remaining 1/2 cup of cool whip and chopped strawberry.
This will yeild about 10 (4 oz.) parfaits
Chill, serve and enjoy!
Queenie~

Easy Tator Tot Casserole

2009-03-23T04:00:00.000-07:00

You will need:

1 lb. ground beef

1/2 yellow onion chopped

garlic powder

salt and pepper

1 can Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup (Store brand does change the taste of this recipe, so I recommend Campbell's)

Ore-ida Tator Tots

1/2 of the soup can filled with water and 1/2 can of milk

80z. shredded cheddar chese

8oz. shredded mozarella cheese.

Brown ground beef in a skillet with the chopped onion, sprinkle a generous amount of garlic powder, salt and pepper. After it is brown, drain and return to the pan.

Add the can of cream of mushroom soup to the meat, then add the milk and water. Bring to a boil.....remove from heat.....

Pour it in a greased oblong casserole dish.........top with the grated cheeses......

Then top with the tator tots, sprinkle the top with salt.....

Cook at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes until golden brown.

Let it stand for about 5-10 minutes before serving. Yummy....just look at that gooey cheese!

Serve it with a side salad, and your favorite bread .....I like texas toast. Enjoy!

P.S. My boys like the tator tot casserole with ketchup, but I like it just like you see it pictured here! Hold the ketchup on mine, Pleeaase.....

Queenie~

Queenie's Salsa Recipe

2009-03-17T08:43:00.000-07:00

This is such a delicious and easy recipe, and it tastes like fresh tomatoes are used, but they are canned...

You will need:

1 can Rotel tomatoes and diced green chiles (I used great value brand)

1 Large can of petite diced tomatoes (I believe this one I used was a 32oz.) The amount will equal about 2 regular sized cans. I used great value Wal-mart brand.

1/2 chopped onion

chopped garlic clove

1 -2 Tablespoons of fresh chopped cilantra

1/4 to 1/2 cup (depending on your taste) of white vinegar

Sprinkle of Salt

1 tsp. sugar

1/4 tsp. black pepper

1 tsp. taco bell mild sauce

Tortilla Chips for dipping

Note: If you like your salsa smooth (which I do) you'll need a hand held blender to blend the tomotoes. I have never tried this recipe without blending them, so I recommend doing so. I use a Durabrand hand held Emmersion Blender ($10.00 at Wal-mart) to blend salsa to desired consistency, I like it smooth.....not chunky. The hand held blender makes this a snap.....you blend it right in the saucepan.

In a medium sauce pan, bring the vinegar, onion, and garlic to a boil. Remove from heat and add canned tomatoes, rotel, and other ingredients. Now, blend with the hand held Emmersion Blender.... right in the pot. Once blended to desired consistency, return to heat and bring to a boil and then simmer for about 10 minutes on low heat. Let cool and serve with Tortilla Chips. Great for an appetizer or serve with a mexican style dinner......like my taco recipe in the post below.

** Leftover salsa can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for about 2 weeks.

Enjoy!

Queenie~

Queenie's Tacos

2009-03-17T08:01:00.000-07:00

You will need:
1 lb ground chuck
1/2 chopped onion
small peeled pototoe quartered
chopped garlic clove
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantra
2 tsp. white vinegar
1 pkg. McCormick Taco Seasoning mix (see what package looks like below)
enough water to cover the meat in a saucepan
Salt and Pepper to taste

Put the ingredients in a medium saucepan and cover with water, bring to a boil.....then reduce heat and cover....cook for about 30 minutes or longer for more flavor.....

Other ingredients you will need:
Taco shells
Monterey jack cheese grated
Shredded lettuce
Diced tomatoes
Sour cream
Homemade Salsa

This is what the meat ingredients will look like as it cooks....

(McCormick's Taco Seasoning Mix)

When the meat is done, spoon it into a bowl and salt and pepper it to taste, then stuff the tacos shells that have been heated according to package instructions.

Top with your favorite toppings..... I like to use Monterey Jack Cheese, Shredded Lettuce, Diced Tomatoes, Sour Cream....and sometimes I add some of my homemade salsa too. Serve with Refried Beans topped with cheese, serve tortilla chips and salsa as an appetizer or to eat with the taco meal.

These tacos are so delicious.....the meat is very moist....I had always browned my meat in a skillet before, but I decided to try boiling it instead, and what a delicious difference it makes. Hope you enjoy!

Queenie~

Easy Honey-Glazed New Potatoes

2009-03-02T05:01:00.000-08:00

For this recipe you will need:
* 2 1/2 pounds new potatoes, cut into quarters
* 1/2 cup butter or margarine
* 1/4 cup water
* 2 Tablespoons honey
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven cover potatoes with water and add some salt. Bring water to a boil and cook until potatoes are tender; about 12-15 minutes; drain.
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in water, honey, salt, and pepper. Stirring occasionally, cook potatoes single layer at the time for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly brown. When the sauce becomes thick it will be done. Before serving.... salt it to taste, if desired.
This is a delicious side dish. Hope you enjoy it.....
Queenie~

Poor Man Dinner~ Easy Recipe with Ground Beef~

2009-02-22T10:54:00.001-08:00

This Recipe has been around for as long as I can remember, It's a winner in my book, ( I first stumbled upon it over 20 years ago)......I especially like it because it's tasty, easy, economical, and the clean up is a cinch. You cook it all in aluminum foil in a pan in the oven. Now for the recipe....You will need

Ground Beef or Ground Chuck (enough for your size family, I used 1 pound)
Chopped potatoes
Chopped carrots
Chopped onion
Salt, I like to use McCormick's Seasoned Salt, or Mrs. Dash Garlic and Herb.
Pepper
A Side dish of your favorite Green Veggie

You first line a shallow pan with foil (get enough foil so that it can be wrapped over the top and closed on the edges), then make patties from the ground beef, season with plenty of pepper, salt (you can use Mrs. Dash or seasoned salt too) Add chopped onion to the top.....(Tip: you can use this cooking method for pork chops, chicken pieces also, and you can add your favorite veggies in to the mix....like bell peppers, or green beans...what ever you like to make it your own).

add chopped carrots and potatoes and more onions to the top....season generously with salt and pepper....

Now, over lap the foil over the top and then seal the edges rolling them closed. Cook in the oven at 350 degrees for 1 hour, then open up the foil carefully (it will be very hot) fold it back and cook uncovered for about 10 to 15 minutes longer.

It will look like this when it is done.....

I like to serve with a green veggie for a side dish ....I chose broccolli and cauliflower with cheese. The clean up is so easy with this meal....just throw the aluminum foil in the trash and you are practically done. Enjoy.....

Queenie~

Easy Chicken and Dumplings Soup~ Delicious Comfort Food

2009-02-04T07:22:00.001-08:00

This recipe is easy and delicious.....great on a cold winter day.....

For this recipe you will need the following:

*4 chicken pieces ( Sprinkle chicken generously with salt and pepper. Cover the pieces with water in a large pot (I used a dutch oven pot). Then bring them to a boil, reduce heat, cover and cook on med to med-high heat for about 45 minutes to 1 hour or until juices run clear when a fork is inserted. Remove from broth, Cool~ Debone~ and Chop) Note: Save chicken broth you will need it

*Saved chicken broth from the water that you boiled your chicken in.

* 1 can of Cream of Mushroom Soup (Campbell's)

* 1 can of Cream of Chicken Soup (Campbell's)

* 1 can of 10 count big country jumbo biscuits (I used Great Value brand buttermilk )

* 4 boiled eggs (bring them to a boil and slow boil for about 13 minutes, then peel and chop)

After the chicken has been removed from the water that you boiled it in...do not pour out the water (broth)... save the broth and add more water if needed to have about what I have here in this large pot (dutch oven) Add the soups to the broth and stir well...bring it to a slow boil on med-high heat.....

While you are waiting for the broth and soups to come to a boil... get the biscuits ready. Take them out of the package one at a time and flatten them with a rolling pin. I use the back of a corelle flat plate to roll them out on....because it doesn't stick to it and I don't have to clean up a countertop.....it makes it easy.

Cut each biscuit in small pieces like this.....you can do this as you go, you will have time because you add the pieces one at a time.....

Once the broth mix has begun slowly boiling.....you drop the biscuits in piece by piece.....just drop them in one at a time and then stir ocassionally. After all of the biscuit pieces have been added....cook a few minutes on a slow boil.....between med to med-high heat....stirring occasionally to keep them from sticking......

Then add the chopped boiled eggs and chicken and stir...

Now, that everything has been added to the pot.....Cook on med. to low heat for about 30 to 45 minutes....or longer.....it just gets better the longer you cook it. TIP: You just want the soup to slowly boil....be sure to stir it occasionally to prevent sticking.....

It will look like this as it cooks......

This is what it looks like when it's done. You'll probably need to salt and pepper to taste now, ....it's delicious wonderful comfort food.....this is a recipe my Mother-in-law shared with me many years ago....hope you enjoy it....

Queenie~

Easy Homemade Guacamole Dip

2009-01-27T11:56:00.000-08:00

This is such an easy dip, and delicious served with tortilla chips. This is a wonderful appetizer when you are serving tacos or burritos.....

All you will need is 2 avocados (make sure that they are somewhat soft to the touch, when you are choosing these), a garlic glove, (chopped fine), a sprinkle of garlic power, and salt and pepper to taste.....

halve the avocados, and remove the seed.....

Scoop the flesh out of the shell into a small bowl and mash it well, with the back of a fork .....mix in other ingredients and salt and pepper to taste....

Serve with tortilla chips.... serve right away or chill in the fridge if you'd like it cold. This is best eaten fresh the same day that it is prepared....because.....I will tell you... that if this isn't eaten the same day as it is prepared.... the next day it will have turned a not so appetizing darker green on top. I have tried using lemon juice mixed in with the dip and this doesn't help....it always turns dark green the next day. This is best served fresh, the same day that it is prepared.....fix it just before serving.

2 Avocados yeilds enough dip for about 4 people as an appetizer. By the way you can add a dash of lemon or lime juice for added flavor if you'd like to. I sometimes do, if I have it on hand. This time I did not. Sometimes a cook has to improvise right? I didn't add any and we didn't taste the difference. Hope you will like this dip..... we really enjoy it.

Queenie~

Homemade Chicken Pie Recipe~ Great Comfort Food On A Cold Day

2009-01-19T11:33:00.000-08:00

For this recipe you will need:

4 chicken thighs boiled and deboned,(reserve some of the chicken broth for later)
3 boiled eggs
1 can Veg-all vegetables drained, (I used great value brand vegetable medley)
1 can of cream of chicken soup, (I used Campbell's because it does make a difference)
1 can of cream of celery soup, (I used Campbell's)
1/2 of a can of the reserved chicken broth
1 cup milk
1 cup mayonaise
1 cup self-rising flour (don't forget the self-rising flour, I didn't show it in the photo, oops)

Grease an oblong casserole dish with grease or Organic Pam spray, Lay the cooked deboned chicken in the bottom of the dish, add the chopped boiled eggs, then the can of drained veg-all, evenly over the top. Now, in a small bowl, mix the cream of chicken, and cream of celery soup with a half of a can of chicken broth. Pour this mixture on top of the chicken mixture and mix around lightly.
Next, in a small bowl mix up 1 cup of milk, 1 cup of mayonaise, and 1 cup self-rising flour, until mixed well. Now, pour this evenly over the top, and Do Not Stir, Lightly smooth it over the top....this is your chicken pie crust. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.....
and it will look like this.... when it's done....nice and golden......

This can be a complete meal in a casserole dish, or serve it with your favorite green vegetable......This is easy and so delicious.....great comfort food on a cold day.......
Queenie

Homemade Chilli~ Easy Recipe~ Cold Weather Comfort Food

2009-01-14T04:00:00.000-08:00

You will need a pound of ground chuck or hamburger meat, half of a yellow onion chopped, garlic glove chopped, can of Del Monte Italian Stewed Tomatoes chopped, can of light red kidney beans drained, 1 Tablespoon white vinegar, small can of tomatoe sauce, 2 Tablespoons of McCormick Chilli Powder, You can serve Bisquick garlic cheese biscuits from the package, or Jiffy sweet cornbread with the chilli, or crackers.....whichever you prefer. I like the Garlic Cheese Biscuits the best........

Brown the hamburger meat with the chopped onion and garlic on med-high heat.......

When it's browned, drain it in a colander.....return it to the pot,

Then add all of the other ingredients to the pot........bring to a boil and then simmer it for about 30 min. to an hour......cook your garlic cheese bisquick biscuits or corn bread while the chilli is simmering........

then when it is done, it will look something like this.

Now, serve it ....and enjoy......

Queenie~

Chocolate Cream Cheese Cake~Time for Something Sweet~

2009-01-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

For this recipe you will need:

1 box of devil's food cake
4 eggs divided
1/2 cup of butter or margarine (I used smart balance) softened to room temp
3 1/2 cups sifted confectioner's sugar (powdered sugar)
1 (8oz) package of cream cheese softened

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, combine cake mix 2 eggs, butter: beat 2 min. (this will be thick) Spread in a greased 9 x 13 glass baking dish......

Now, in a small bowl beat 2 eggs, cream cheese, and confectioner's sugar, until smooth ........

Spread this mixture over the cake batter. Bake 35-40 minutes or until the cake begins to pull away from the sides of the pan.....

Cool completely, before serving.....

This recipe makes about 12 servings......Enjoy......

Queenie~

Skillet Herb Roasted Chicken With Scalloped Potatoes From Scratch

2009-01-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

Start with a package of boneless chicken strips, (I used about 1 and 1/2 lbs), 3 Tbsp. of flour, 1/4 tsp. of thyme, 1/4 tsp. of ground sage, salt and pepper sprinkled on the chicken, 2 Tbsp. of Smart Balance 50/50 Butter or margarine, 1 can of cream of mushroom soup, and 3/4 cup of water......

Wash the chicken strips, then salt and pepper them. Combine the flour and spices and coat the chicken strips with the flour mixture. Melt the butter in the skillet on med-high heat....add the chicken strips and cook them until they are no longer pink and until they are a golden brown......it won't take but about 10-15 minutes or so.....You can reduce the heat some if it seems too hot......

If your pan gets a little dry you can add some more butter to the skillet......

They will look like this when they are done......they are good just like this, but I make the mushroom soup sauce to go over them.......

Add the can of cream of mushroom soup and the 3/4 cup of water, and some salt and pepper to the skillet that the chicken was cooked in......mix it up and cook until heated. Pour this over the chicken, as you serve it, on your plate, or you can add all of the chicken to this sauce and simmer it for a short while.

Now, onto the side dish recipe.....Scalloped Potatoes from scratch.... this was my Grandma T.'s recipe and she taught me how to do this one, a long time ago......

You will need about 4 potatoes, some milk ....I used 2%, but you can use whole milk if you'd like to, stick butter, I used about 6 Tablespoons total (I used smart balance 50/50 butter), and self rising flour and 3 slices of bacon.........spray a round casserole dish with Organic Pam or grease it.....Peel the potatoes.......

and slice them into the casserole dish as you layer them......this is what your first layer will look like......

Now, take a Tablespoon and sprinkle the potatoes with flour, until you get enough on them to look something like this, you will use a couple of heaping Tablespoons per layer.......

then sprinkle it with salt and pepper and cut off slices of the butter and evenly add to the tops of the potatoes and flour.....then repeat the potatoe layering process two more times or until you get the potatoes about 1 and a 1/2 inches from the top of the casserole dish......

Now, you will top it with 3 slices of bacon, (I use hickory smoked) and then pour the milk into the casserole dish from the edge of the casserole dish....until it is filled up about 1 1/2 inch from the top. Now cook in a 400 degree oven for an hour or until fork tender. (Note: if you want to prevent a mess in the oven, line the bottom of your oven with some foil in case it boils over during cooking, sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't)

This is what it looks like when it is done.......

Serve this with some green beans or other green veggie and you have yourself a delicious meal, that's quick and easy. All of my recipes feed a family of 4.

Queenie~

Broccoli Salad~

2009-01-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

You will need 3 crowns of Broccolli, cut off of the stems and chopped, 6 cherry tomatoes halved (optional) 1/4 of a Red Onion, 4 slices of cooked Bacon, (I use the Oscar Meyer fully cooked microwaveable, to save time), 1/2 box of snack size raisens, 1 cup of grated Medium Cheddar Cheese , 1/4 cup of Sugar, 1 cup of Mayonaise, and 2 Tablespoons of White Vingegar.......

Mix it all up in a medium sized bowl and then transfer it......

to a serving bowl......

or indivual bowls......makes a colorful appetizer or side dish....

Queenie~

Baked Beans and Easy Oven Baked BBQ Chicken

2009-01-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

For the baked beans, I used 2 cans of pork & beans, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1/4 of a small onion chopped, 1/4 cup ketchup, dash of worcestershire sauce and 3 slices of smoked bacon for the top. I usually add a few thin slices of bell pepper too, but I didn't have any this time.....if you have it add it....it makes these beans taste extra good........

Spray a 8 1/2" x 12 " glass casserole dish with Organic Pam and mix all of the ingredients together.......

Top with the slices of bacon and bake uncovered at 350 degrees for about 40-45 minutes.......

It will look like this when it is done.....

For the chicken, I buy an already cut up chicken, (I wash it) and sprinkle it with salt, pepper, and garlic powder on all sides and then smother it with about 3/4 of a bottle of Sweet Baby Ray's Honey Bar-B-Q Sauce in a 14"x 10" glass casserole dish that's been sprayed with Organic Pam......

Cover it with foil and cook at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes, then remove the foil and cook it for another 15 minutes uncovered.......

It turns out so tender and delicious and it looks like this when it is done. Besides being delicious....what I really love about this meal...... is that the chicken and the beans cook at the same time.... which leaves me a with a little bit of free time, while my oven does the work.......

Serve with onion rings or french fries and you have yourself an easy meal that doesn't take a whole lot of effort. If you remember to spray your casserole dishes before hand...clean-up will be a snap too......

Queenie~

Spinach Cornbread~Delicious & Easy

2009-01-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

Start with a package of defrosted chopped spinach..... I defrosted it in the microwave, and was careful to squeeze all of the water out of it..... add 2 eggs beaten, 1/2 stick of butter or margarine melted (I used smart balance), 1/2 a small yellow onion chopped , a box of Jiffy corn muffin mix, 3/4 cup of lowfat cottage cheese or reg. cottage cheese, and 1/3 cup of buttermilk......

Mix it all together in a medium sized bowl.....

Pour it in a square 8 x 8 baking pan, sprayed with Organic Pam, or greased with oil, and bake in a pre-heated 400 degree oven, Bake for 25- 30 minutes or until golden brown.

and here's what it looks like, when it is done......I cooked this about 5 minutes too long, but it still turned out good.....just a little more golden than usual.....

Now, I realize that some people are a little squeemish when it comes to the thought of spinach, and to be honest with you....I don't eat spinach by itself........ but cooked in this sweet cornbread.....it's delicious . A great way to get your veggies......

Queenie

Southern Style Country Fried Steak with Gravy From Scratch

2009-01-01T09:36:00.001-08:00

I started with a package of cubed steak, some flour and salt and pepper

Cut it into indivual serving pieces......

Salt and pepper it on a plate and flour.....

Coat all sides well....drop it by the piece into a skillet with 2 cups of grease.....that's been heating on high for about 2 and a half minutes. (never leave grease unattended).

After the meat is in the grease turn down heat to med-high and let it cook undisturbed for about 30 seconds, then turn the meat over and continue turning over, about every 30-45 seconds. They will be done when no more pink comes from the meat and they are brown. It takes about 3 -4 minutes to cook depending on thickness of meat......

Remove meat from grease and drain on paper towels on plate....then move grease to a heat proof bowl .....

Leave a little bit of the grizzle in the skillet, this will make the gravy taste good......

Now, add 3 Tablespoons of the grease back to the skillet and.....

Get a full glass of cold water ready......

Turn grease to high and add about 5-6 Tablespoons of flour and begin quickly stirring......sprinkle salt and pepper......bring to a boil stir about 20-30 seconds....then pour in the full glass of water.....this will steam up, but just keep your face away from over the skillet, and keep stirring......

After you get all of the lumps out, and the gravy becomes smooth, you can reduce the heat and add a little more water if it thickens too much.....after it reaches desired thickness, which will only take a few minutes.....

You can add your country fried steak to the gravy in the skillet, and let it cook on low for about 20 min. to soak up the gravy or.......

You can serve it right away, with the gravy on top....this is delicious with mashed potatoes.....

Queenie~

Side Dishes~ Homemade Mashed Potatoes~ Turnip Greens with Southern Fried Cornbread

2008-12-31T14:25:00.000-08:00

Side Dish Tips : For making any frozen vegetable taste great

I season them southern style with bacon ....I take about 3 slices of bacon and put it in the pot with about a teaspoon of oil. Cook the bacon until it starts to bubble, but not until it's crisp......then add water to the pot, about a half a saucepan of water, just enough to cover the turnips....any frozen turnips will do...I use a family size bag.

Add about a heaping teaspoon of sea salt, you can add more to taste when done, (you can use regular salt, I just like to use sea salt in all of my cooking).....bring it all to a boil and then reduce the heat, cover and cook at a slow boil on medium low heat for about an hour .

The longer they cook, the more yummy flavor they will have. Now that they are done, you can season them to taste with more salt, pepper or hot pepper sauce, if desired. I personally don't add hot pepper sauce to my turnips, but a lot of southerners do.

Now, onto the cornbread. In the south, turnips just wouldn't be the same without that....

In a small bowl mix about a cup of cornmeal and add about 3/4 cup of water and a little over 1/4 teaspoon of salt....

It should be about the consistency of muffin mix.......

Heat 2 cups of oil in a skillet.....I heated it on high for 3 min. (Do not ever turn your back on grease),

Carefully add the cornbread by heaping tablespoons to the hot grease quickly turn the heat down to about med-high. Cook about 30 seconds without disturbing and then start turning about every minute.........

Until they are golden brown.....like this.....

Remove from grease and drain on paper towels on a plate......

Now, for the "Homemade Mashed Potatoes", I used 5 medium russet potatoes. This will feed about 5 -6 people.

Peel, wash, and cube the potatoes.....

Then put them in a pot with about a teaspoon of salt and cover them with water. Bring them to a boil and once they begin boiling, cook them for about 12- 15 min. on a timer until they are fork tender....

After they are tender, drain them in a colander, and put them back in the pot. Add 6 tablespoons of butter or margarine, and mash with potatoe masher, after butter is melted, add some milk, a little at the time, and keep mashing. I ended up using about a cup of milk, just start with a little and add more until the potatoes reach your desired consistency. Now Add a heaping teaspoon of Mayonaise. Now Add more salt and pepper to taste.

When they are mashed they look like this below...

By the way, you can use a hand mixer if you want extra smooth mashed potatoes....sometimes I do, but I usually use a metal hand masher.

Eat these delicious sides with your favorite meats and Enjoy!
Queenie

Cream Cheese Ball~ Appetizer Recipe

2008-12-30T06:41:00.000-08:00

This is such an easy recipe~ You will need 8 oz. softened cream cheese, about a cup a grated medium cheddar cheese, some green onion (put the amount you want according to your taste), a dash of worteshire sauce, and about 1/4 teas. of garlic powder......

Mix it all together in a bowl, use the back of your spoon to mash it together.... after it's mixed well......Then form a ball with your hands.....

and it will look like this when you are done....serve it with your favorite crackers.....(I like to use Townhouse crackers or Ritz crackers) and you have yourself a wonderful appetizer and party favorite.

Queenie~

Queenie's Pot Roast with Gravy, Carrots, and Onions

2008-12-28T09:23:00.000-08:00

I started with about a 2.28 lb. chuck roast, Dale's Marinade Sauce, some flour, carrots, onion sliced, and about 1/4 cup of oil. Wash roast and marinade it about 30 min. in Dale's Marinade Sauce. Then add salt, pepper. After Marinating......

Heat Oil in skillet over med-high heat and brown roast on all sides...Remove from skillet and place in 9 by 13 inch baking dish...I used a glass one.......and then make the gravy.......

Add about 3 heaping tablespoons of flour and sprinkle salt and pepper to the oil in the skillet, keep stirring, have your glass of water handy now, and when your flour turns brown.....

add your glass of water and stir quickly....turn up the heat and let it thicken.....get another 1/2 glass of water and pour as needed to keep it from being too thick......

Turn heat to low now, and get your carrots and onions put around the roast

Pour gravy from skillet onto roast and carrots, cover with foil and cook at 350 degrees for about 3 1/2 to 4 hours checking it for tenderness.

When it's done ......

It will look something like this.......

Serve with your favorite mashed potatoes recipe and an extra veggie and rolls and you have yourself a delicious meal. Hint: If you wish to, you can cut up your pototoes with your carrots and cook them in the oven with the roast, so that you can save time and have an all in one entree. I must admit that I love mashed potatoes and always serve my roast with them. I will be adding recipes as I cook.....so come again soon.

Queenie~