Nov112009

Forgozo Bread

Here’s a delicious side, and there’s nothing to it.  It’s loaded with flavour and would taste good with any pasta dish, or anything Italian. It’s one of those easy dishes where you’ll want to have all the ingredients handy for those nights you need a side and can’t think of one.  Make, Bake, and Enjoy! Read More »

Nov032009

Spinach Casserole Side Dish

I thought this would be a good time to submit this recipe with the holidays coming up.  This recipe is loaded with flavor, and my kids love it too.  You pretty much can’t go wrong with all of the sour cream involved, as well as the cheese.  Your kids may say “there’s spinach in here”?  Well, maybe not.  But, it does really taste good and we usually serve this with beef, but would be perfect for Thanksgiving day, if not Christmas.  I hope you like it. Read More »

Oct282009

Ham and Broccoli Quiche

This is a quick and easy recipe, and it was from Pillsbury so they would like it if you bought one of their crusts BUT I think it tastes even better if you make your own.  You can make that choice, but I have to tell you, it’s good to know how to make your own crust.  I make 2 at a time, rolling them out, folding them into quarters (just like Pillsbury does) wrapping them and freezing them.  So when I need one, it’s already made which obviously cuts a huge chunk of time out of your dinner prep.  Anyway, I’ll leave it up to you.  If you need a crust recipe you can refer to most cookbooks, or your grandmother.  I just use one out of my old reliable Betty Crocker cookbook that was given to me at one of my wedding showers.  I will post it at the end for you in case you need one.  Be patient.  Learning to make crust can take a little practice, but it’s worth the trouble.

HAM AND BROCCOLI QUICHE Read More »

Oct262009

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Hello everyone!  A friend of mine sent in a delicious sounding recipe so I thought I’d share it with you just in time for the up-coming holidays.  Now, I am giving you the recipe without the “light” options, but you can use the light versions of the sour cream, the cheese, and the milk.  Take a look, and let me know what you think!  Thanks again for the recipe, Tricia!!

TWICE BAKED POTATO CASSEROLE

5 lbs potatoes, peeled and quartered, 1/2 stick butter, 6 oz shredded cheddar, 1 C milk, 1 C sour cream, 2 eggs, 1 C sliced green onions or scallions, 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 t pepper.                                                                                                                                                         Cook then mash potatoes along with the butter.   Stir in 1 1/4 Cups of the cheese.  Add the milk, sour cream and eggs until well blended, then add 3/4 C scallions, 1/2 the bacon, salt and pepper.  Place in a 13×9.  Add the rest of the cheese and bacon on top.  Bake uncovered at 350 for 40 min or until top is lightly browned.  Top with remaining scallions.  Yields 12 servings.

Oct222009

Parmesan Chicken

Hello Daaaahlings!!  Well, I am just beat, too tired to get busy in the kitchen, so tonight I’m just going to whip up something easy, but of course, delicious.  All you have to do is thaw out as many chicken breasts as you want.  Take 1 Cup of Mayonnaise and mix it with 2 tsp oregan and 1/2 C parmesan cheese.  Mix together and spread over the chicken and bake at 375 for 45 minutes.  That’s that!  You could serve it with my earlier post today or noodles and a veggie.  Mustn’t EVER forget the veggie.  We need to build up our tolerance against the flu that seems to be everywhere.  Don’t discount old home remedies such as good nutrition to ward off infections.  They work!

Oct222009

Mandarin Orange Salad

Hello one and all!  Sorry I’ve been so negligent, but I’ve had much to do these past couple of weeks so I haven’t posted much.  But I’m back now and I’ve got some good recipes coming up, so continue to stay tuned.  I did have a recent request to put some good side dishes on since the holidays are just around the corner (can you believe it?).  So those will be up and coming as well.  Today I’m giving you a recipe for a salad that is actually quite common, and is found in most church recipe books!  I had ladies over to lunch this week and made this salad and it went over well, so if you’ve got it that’s great, if not, then that’s even greater!!  Hope you enjoy it.

MANDARIN ORANGE SALAD

1/2 C Sliced Almonds, 3 tsp sugar, 1/2 head Iceberg lettuce, 1/2 head romaine lettuce, 1 C chopped celery, 2 green onions, chopped,  1 (11 oz) can mandarin oranges, drained.

Dressing:  1/2 tsp salt, pepper to taste, 1/4 C vegetable oil, 1 T parsley, 2 T sugar, 2 T wine vinegar, Dash Tabasco (about 3-4 shakes)

Cook almonds and sugar over medium-low heat, stirring constantly.  Now I’ll admit, this can be tricky.  The sugar tends to stick to your spatula, leaving nothing for the almonds, so use a non-stick spatula if you’ve got one.  Make sure you then cool them in a plastic bowl or they’ll stick to the pan like mine did.  What a mess!  Mix lettuce, celery, onions and oranges: put in serving bowl.  Mix and shake dressing.  Pour over salad last minute and sprinkle almonds on top.

Oct152009

What does Amy Vanderbilt have to say about your next luncheon?

I have Amy Vanderbilt’s Complete Book of Etiquette which was published in 1952, mind you, and I am pretty sure you’ll get a kick out of what she has to say.  Keep in mind, this is addressing members of high society.  Here’s what she says about INFORMAL LUNCH: Read More »

Oct142009

Spaghetti Pie

Hello there everyone!  Wow, please accept my apology as I have been quite neglectful of my site.  Life has taken over!!  While I’ve got your attention, I’d like to remind everyone that this isn’t all about me.  (That probably comes as a shock to those of you who know me well).  If you’ve any recipes you’d like to share of your own, please send them in and I’ll post them for you.  I have already started doing this, and I have just as much to learn from you!!  I too need fresh ideas from time to time.  Moving right along. . . . .  let me say that this recipe that we’re making today is so great for big groups, and it’s safe as well, in other words there’s nothing weird in it for picky eaters.  It’s perfect for big groups, too as it serves quite a few, at least 12.  So, give this one a try and let me know how you like it.  It’s one of those dishes that we refer to as “comfort food”.  So, go get comfy in your kitchen!! Read More »

Oct092009

Vegetable Beef Soup with Cloverleaf Rolls

Well, soup weather is finally here, for some of us that is.  I’ve been making this soup since I was a young married, so about 21 years now.  I just had 6 people for dinner the other night when I made this, and we still had leftovers for lunch the next day.  It tastes good, and is healthy too.  You can use whatever veggies you want, too, but I like these best.  Oh, I pretty much just use frozen veggies when making this soup.  The rolls are a perfect accompaniment.  I hope your family enjoys every bite.

VEGETABLE BEEF SOUP

3# Beef Chuck, 4 C water, 4 cubes beef buillon, 1 Tbls Chili Pwdr, 3 Med Potatoes, 1 C chopped Celery, 1/3 C sugar, 32 oz. V-8 (or any tomato juice), 8 oz froz peas, 8 oz gr beans, 8 oz sweet corn, a handful of barley (more or less), 1 large marge can of diced tomatoes with the juice (28 oz)

Cut meat into large pieces and place in your soup pot.  Bring meat, water, buillon, and chili powder to a rolling boil, then simmer covered about 1 1/2 hours or until meat is tender.  Take meat out and dice.  Return to broth.  Dice potatoes & celery, add to broth with remaining ingredients.  Simmer another hour.

CLOVERLEAF ROLLS

1 pkg active dry yeast (or 1 1/4 tsp), 3 Tbls sugar, 1 1/4 cups warm milk (110-115 deg) 1/4 cup butter softened, 1 egg, 1 tsp salt, 4 to 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour, additional butter melted.

In a mix bowl, conbine yeast, sugar and milk; beat until smooth.  Add butter, egg and salt; mix well.  Add 3 C flour; beat until smooth.  Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.  Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes.  Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top.   Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.  Punch the dough down and divide in half.  Divide each half into 36 pieces and shape into balls.  Place three balls each in greased muffin cups.  Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.  Brush with butter.  Bake at 375 deg for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned.  Remove to wire racks.  Serve warm.  Yield: 2 doz.  Remember, you can make ahead and freeze!

Oct052009

Broccoli Cheese Soup

This is by far the best broccoli cheese soup I’ve ever made.  I threw out my other recipe.  What I also love about it is that it’s all inclusive.  It’s full of vegetables so I just usually serve it up with some crusty bread and you’ve got dinner.

BROCCOLI CHEESE SOUP

1 large cubed potato, 2 C chopped fresh broccoli, 2 C sliced carrots, 4 buillon cubes, 1 chopped onion.  Cook all in 3 C water (or chicken stock if you’ve got it).  In another pan, melt 1/2 C butter.  Add 1/2 C flour, 1/2 t salt (or another buillon cube).  Stir together and add 4 C milk.  Cook til thick and bubbly and add 1 lb chopped velveeta.  Once the cheese is melted into the rue you may add it to the vegetable mixture.  Stir and serve.