Tomato-Oregano sandwich

This has always been our families go-to lunch in the summer since our Mom always grows tomatoes in her backyard. These are quick and simple and have lots of flavor. 

Take a slice of bread of your choice (we love whole wheat), top will slices of fresh tomatoes. Sprinkle tomato slices with salt, pepper & Oregano. Top with Muenster cheese. Broil in oven 5 minutes or until edges of bread start to crispy and cheese is melted.  

Enjoy open-faced or top with another piece of toasted bread (I prefer open-faced) 

Kitchen Port Brownies

Say goodbye to boxed brownie mixes... These ultra-rich brownies are so much better!!! 

*from Nancy Miller

1/2 c. cocoa

4 Tbs. oil

2/3 c. butter

2 c. sugar

4 eggs

1 1/2 c. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

3/4 c. chocolate chips 

nuts if desired

Combine everything except chocolate chips and blend until smooth. Stir in chips and pour into 9x13" cake pan. Cook at 350° F. for 30 minutes. Let cool then top with frosting... 

Chocolate Frosting: 

2 c. powdered sugar

1/4 c. cocoa

6 Tbs. butter

1 tsp. vanilla

small can evaporated milk

Beat sugar, cocoa and butter. Add vanilla. Add evaporated milk until you reach the desired consistency. 

Nana Jackson's Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

2 cups raisins- Soak in 1 cup boiling water

1 cup shortening

2 cups sugar

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

3/4 cup milk

4 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. allspice

1- 12 oz. package chocolate chips

1/2 to 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease muffin tins or line with paper baking cups. Soak raisins and set aside to cool. Cream together shortening and sugar. Add eggs and beat well then add in vanilla and milk. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients and slowly add to the mixture. Drain raisins and stir in along with chocolate chips and nuts if desired. Fill muffin cups about 2/3 full and bake for 15-18 minutes or until tops are lightly browned. Makes about 3 dozen.

My grandmothers original recipe says "No need to frost. They stay moist and freeze well."

Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies

aka "Nancy Cookies"
for those of you who grew up with us:)

1 can applesauce (2 c.)
4 eggs
1 c. shortening
1 2/3 c. sugar
4 c. flour
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. ground cloves
2 c. chocolate chips

*Beat together applesauce, eggs, shortening & sugar. Mix all dry ingredients in a separate bowl; add to the first & beat well. Stir in chocolate chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

*makes 4 dozen

Teriyaki Turkey Burritos

*from Alli Elggren

10 raw tortillas, cooked
1 lb. lean ground turkey
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 garlic clove minced, or 1/8-1/4 tsp. garlic powder
16 oz package broccoli coleslaw mix (my store carries smaller bags so I use two)
1 Tbsp. oil
1/3 c. teriyaki sauce (I use closer to 1/2 c.)
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

*Cook tortillas and wrap tightly in foil. Warm in oven at 325 degrees for 10 minutes. Meanwhile cook turkey, onion, and garlic in a large, deep skillet until turkey is no longer pink; drain. Pour into bowl and set aside.
In the same skillet, stir-fry the broccoli slaw mix in oil for 10 minutes. Add teriyaki sauce & pepper; cook & stir for 1 minute. Stir in cheese and turkey mixture and heat through. Spoon 1/2 c. filling in each tortilla and roll up.

*5 servings, with 2 burritos each

Cottage Cheese Pancakes

Since three of us are Type 1 Diabetics we are constantly looking for lower carb recipes. These pancakes are higher protein and lower carb than most and they are delicious! 

2 c. cottage cheese

1 c. flour

1/2 c. milk

1/4 c. vegetable oil

1/4 c. wheat germ (optional)

8 eggs 

Combine all ingredients in blender until completely smooth. Spray hot pan or griddle with non-stick cooking spray and cook until lightly browned. Serve with fruit, yogurt, powdered sugar or syrup. Makes 20-24 pancakes. 

Rumaki

We have had a few requests already for this recipe. This is a great party appetizer. If there is anything we have ever made for you that you want the recipe for please ask. We are more than happy to take requests and please give us feedback on any of the recipes you try! 

                                              

1 lb. bacon (I use lean turkey bacon)

8 oz. can whole water chestnuts

1 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. chili sauce

1/2 c. mayonnaise

Cut bacon strips in half and wrap each piece around chestnut. Secure with toothpick. Mix sugar, chili sauce and mayo. Pour over wrapped chestnuts. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Light Lemon Jello

such a deliciously refreshing summer dessert! It has become a staple at all our family gatherings. It never fails to please. 

* from Ivory Family Favorites

1 (3oz.) box lemon jello

1/3 c. sugar

1/8 tsp. salt

mix together in a bowl and add:

1 c. boiling water

1 (6oz.) can frozen lemonade,thawed

Stir until jello is disolved. Refridgerate until syrupy, about 30-45 minutes (stir every 10 to make sure it's not setting)

Beat: 1/2 pint whipping cream

fold whipping cream into jello mixture. pour into 8x8 dish and refrigerate several hours or overnight. Double recipe for 9x13, trifle bowl (pictured) or jello mold. Top with fresh berries...yummy! 

Crock-pot Chicken Burritos

My husband requests these more than anything else I make. I won't complain since they are so easy! It's a recipe I made up one day using what I had in the house already.

4-6 chicken breasts

1 jar salsa verde (green)

1 can black beans

3-4 fresh limes
uncooked-tortillas

Combine in crock pot and cook on low for 5-6 hours. Cook tortillas according to directions. Use forks to shred chicken then fill tortillas. Squeeze fresh lime on the burrito mixture then top with anything else you like on burritos (sour cream etc). Quick, easy and delicious. Don't forget the lime it is a must!

Chicken Pillows

*good hearty comfort food

2 c.  cooked chicken (cubed or shredded)

6 oz. cream cheese with chives 

2 cans cresent rolls

2/3 c. drained mushrooms (optional)

4 Tbsp. butter softened

1/2 tsp pepper
2/3 pkg. stuffing mix 

Combine chicken, cream cheese, mushrooms, butter and pepper. Separate rolls. Create a square using 2 triangle roll pieces and scoop a spoonful of chicken into each roll. Roll up into a ball securing edges tightly then roll in stuffing mix (the recipe says to roll in butter then the stuffing but I figure there are enough calories already but you can if you want) . Bake at 350 about 25 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with chicken gravy. 

Homemade Red Mango Frozen Yogurt

This has definitely been a favorite! So good!

8 c. Greek style yogurt (or plain, but I think Greek is better)
2 c. sugar
2 c. milk
1 tsp. xanthan gum (found on the baking isle, keeps the ice crystals from forming so the
consistency is more like yogurt than ice cream)

* Combine all ingredients in ice cream maker. Add ice and rock salt. My machine takes about 1 hour, then I like to keep the yogurt in the freezer for about an additional hour before I serve it.
Top with fruit, chocolate chips, coconut, and ground graham cracker.

Makes between 4-5 quarts

Chicken & Rice Burritos

*This is one of my staple meals.

2 Tbsp. butter
1 6.8 oz. box Spanish rice (Rice A Roni)
1 jar salsa (16 oz.)
3 chicken breasts, cubed
2 c. water
1 15 oz. can black beans, rinsed & drained (can substitute pinto beans)
1 c. frozen corn
10 flour tortillas (I like the uncooked Costco ones)

* Brown butter & rice in a large skillet about 2 minutes, or until golden.
Add water, salsa, chicken, and rice seasoning. Bring to a full boil.
Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in beans and corn. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.

*Serve in tortillas. Top with lettuce and sour cream. Makes 10 burritos.

Homemade Oreo Cookies

*from the Jones'

cookies:
2 boxes devils food cake mix
2/3 c. vegetable oil
4 eggs

*Mix cake mix, oil, and eggs. Scoop into balls and bake at 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes (depending on size of cookies). I do mine 1 inch and bake for about 6 minutes.

cream cheese filling:
4 oz. cream cheese (1/2 block)
3/4 cube butter
1 tsp. vanilla
3 c. powdered sugar
+ milk to consistency

*I like to put them in the fridge or freezer after frosting them to help it set better.

*Makes about 3 dozen finished oreos.

Red Lobster Cheese Biscuits

*From Chris Miles

Dough:

4 1/4 c. bisquick
1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese (I add a little more)
11 oz. cold water

Garlic spread:
1/2 c. melted butter
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. onion powder
1/8 tsp. dried parsley (or substitute dill- I like it better)

* To cold water in a mixing bowl add Bisquick and cheese, mixing until dough is firm. Scoop in 1 1/2 inch uneven scoops onto lined baking sheet. bake at 375 degrees for 9-11 minutes, or until slightly golden brown. Combine spread ingredients while biscuits bake. Brush baked biscuits with garlic spread.

Makes 2 1/2 dozen

Favorite Frosting

*From Nancy Miller

4 c. powder sugar
2/3 stick butter
2 egg whites
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. lemon extract
1 tsp. vanilla extract
canned milk

*Beat powder sugar and butter. Add egg whites and beat well. Add cream of tartar, lemon, & vanilla. Add canned milk slowly until desired consistency.

Sugar Cookies

*From Nancy Miller

1 lb. margarine
2 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. lemon extract
6 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

*Cream margarine & sugar. Beat in eggs, vanilla, & lemon extract. Mix flour, soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Slowly add into mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Roll out and cut into desired shapes. Bake at 350 degrees for 6-9 minutes, depending on size of cookies.

*See Favorite Frosting recipe for the frosting.

Flank Steak Marinade

* From Nancy Miller

1 c. soy sauce
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. oil
1/2 c. vinegar
1 Tbs. dried minced onion
1/4 tsp. lowery season salt

*Makes enough for 4 flank steaks. Can also be used for chicken. It is best is it can marinate for 1-2 days before cooking.

Loaded Carmel Apples

10 Granny Smith or green apples
2 packages carmels
1 package white chocolate chips (or 2 if you want to do all the apples)
* butterfinger, oreos, cinnamon & sugar

*Unwrap and heat carmel over stove, following package directions. Put sticks in apples and dip in carmel until well covered. Place on wax paper to cool. Melt white chocolate in microwave (you can do it on the stove, but it scorches easily). I found it is best to place in my 2 cup pyrex measuring cup because it is the perfect size for dipping and microwave. Once carmel apples are cool to the touch, dip in the white chocolate. After, roll in crushed up butterfingers or Oreo, or cinnamon & sugar. Place on wax paper.

Asian Toasted Stir Fry

10 0z. uncooked linguine or rice (depending on if you want rice or noodle bowls)

3 c. broccoli florets
3 carrots, peeled & sliced
2 tsp. oil
1 lb. steak or chicken, cut into strips
1/3 c. Kraft Asian toasted sesame dressing
2 Tbs. teriyaki sauce

*Cook rice or linguine according to package. Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet or wok. Add meat, broccoli & carrots and stir fry 4 minutes. Add dressing and teriyaki sauce and continue to cook for 4-6 more minutes, or until meat is cooked through, stirring occasionally. Serve over rice or noodles.

6 servings

Prep time: 10 minutes
Total time : 30 minutes

Easy Chicken Pot Pie

*From Julie Beynon

2 Marie Calendars pie crusts (freezer section)
1 can veg-all
2 cans cream of potato soup
1/2 c. milk
3 chicken breasts (cooked & cubed)
1/4 tsp. thyme
1/8 tsp. garlic salt
dash of pepper

*Lay one of the pie crusts out upside down on wax paper to thaw until it is flat. Cook and cube chicken breasts. Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl. Pour into pie crust. Top with thawed pie crust, pinching sides together and then pierce to vent. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Serves 4-5 people.

Snickerdoodles

1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. shortening
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs

2 3/4 c. flour
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

2 Tbs. sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon

* Mix butter, shortening, sugar, & eggs. In a separate bowl combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add to butter mixture. Shape into 1 inch balls and roll in cinnamon & sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 6-8 minutes.

Makes 5 dozen.