Blondies

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/blondies/

Not bad.

Lighter Straw and Hay

this from another Pillsbury monthly:

http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/lighter-straw-and-hay/3bbabd9b-ec51-4b19-b6f1-224ee24649e1/

I used plain, dry fettuccine since I couldn't find the refrigerated, nor spinach varieties. I also used tofu instead of the ham. Jeffry liked it, but the rest of us weren't impressed.

Craig's Crazy Chocolate Cake

that name given to this recipe by my mother, many years ago...

Combine, then make a hole in the center:
3 c. flour (I've even snuck in some whole wheat)
2 c. sugar
1/2 c. cocoa
1 1/2 t. soda
1 t. salt

Into hole of dry ingredients:
2/3 c. oil
2 T. vinegar
2 t. vanilla
2 eggs
2 c. water

mix, pour into greased 9x13" pan
bake at 350 for 30+ minutes

(adjust recipe for smaller cakes, adjust time for smaller cakes and cupcakes)


This variation for my Dad's birthday cake ...
First, I made a package of cheesecake flavored instant pudding
Then I made the cake with...
1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. white flour
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. cocoa
3/4 t. soda
1/2 t. salt

in a glass measuring cup
1/2 c. applesauce
enough oil to make it 2/3 c.
2 T. vinegar (oops, it should have been 1 T.)
1 t. vanilla
1 egg
1 c. water

I mixed the cake and then added the pudding to the mixture before baking. I tried only 1/2 c. sugar, but the batter didn't taste right. I know, I know, as a Doctor's daughter, I should know better than to eat cake batter with raw eggs in it. But in this case, I think this particular Doctor will thank me later.
I can give this variation a resounding "yuck". It took over an hour to bake. There was too much pudding in it, so it turned out more like a custard. Dad appreciated it, but I thought it was no good at all.

Grandma Bette's Cheesecake

I don't have a Grandma Bette, but that's the affectionate name I use for my parent's neighbor.

Crust:
mix, then pat into cheesecake pan:
1 package graham crackers, crushed
3 T. (or more) melted butter

Cheesecake:
Beat well in medium sized bowl:
4 large eggs
gradually add;
1 c. sugar

In a separate, large bowl, blend:
24 oz. cream cheese (I actually use the Neufchatel, since it's lower fat)
1 T. vanilla
1/2 t. salt

Combine two mixtures and pour over crust

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes (it usually takes longer when I do it) until it's browning on the edges and still jiggles in the center.

Pilgrim's Pie

Thanksgiving in a pie!

I line a pie plate with pastry, then layer the leftovers inside - stuffing, squash, green bean casserole, turkey, gravy and then top it off with the potatoes.

Yum!

You've probably noticed that it's almost 2 months after Thanksgiving, so it freezes well.

Pecan Pie

from Betty Crocker:

line pie plate with pastry (I go with store made, because pastry and I don't agree on mixing and rolling out)

combine in bowl:
1/3 c. butter (melted)
2/3 c. sugar
1 c. light corn syrup
1/2 t. salt
3 large eggs

once combined, add
1 c. pecans

And just because I'm a chocolate lover and raising a chocolate lover, there were chocolate chips on half of the pie

Bake at 375 for 40-50 minutes (until set in center)

Pumpkin Bread

Modified from Aunt Delaine ...

1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. cloves
1/2 t. nutmeg
2/3 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. white flour
2 eggs
1 can pumpkin pie filling

pour into a greased bread pan
bake at 325 for 75-90 minutes

verdict: I don't remember how the oil and all white flour version tasted, so this tasted just fine.

Chili Cheese fries

Chili (adapted from Betty Crocker)

Brown:
1 lb. ground beef
1 onion (I used some fresh sweet onion, and some dried/minced)
2 cloves garlic (I used the ready-minced, jarred garlic)

Add:
1 T. chili powder
1 t. cumin
1 t. oregano
1 t. cocoa
1 t. hickory smoked salt
2 cans diced tomatoes (undrained)
2 cans beans (undrained)

I served them over French fries, with sour cream and shredded cheese. Verdict: very good.

Split Pea Soup

adapted from the many recipes in my "Fix It and Forget It" cookbook ....

In 2 T. olive oil, saute: (I actually did this the night before, in the crock pot)
1/2 a "head"? of celery, chopped
1 onion, chopped
4 carrots, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, chopped

Add:
2 c. shredded ham, and bones
2 bay leaves
1 lb. split peas
5 c. water
1 bullion cube
1 t. pepper

In the Crock Pot on Low for 8 hours.

Homemade Hot Pockets

These are from another Pillsbury monthly ....
(for 3 servings)

Cook 1 c. rice per package instructions

Refrigerated Crescent Rolls

Lightly grease a cookie sheet and place 3 of the crescent triangles flat on cookie sheet

Add to rice:
a 10 oz. package of broccoli in cheese sauce
1/4 c. parmesan
1/4 c. other cheese
salt and pepper to taste

spoon as much of this mixture onto the crescent rolls, cover with another triangle and crimp edges together with a fork.

If desired, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes


verdict: not bad; Jack ate his; I'm not huge on the broccoli stalk chunks that make it into frozen broccoli.

Last Minute Meatball Hoagies

I found a jar of pizza sauce in the back of the fridge, so decided to use it up.

I cut a loaf of French Bread lengthwise, then into 6-inch pieces.

Spread pizza sauce on top, slice meatballs in half and place on bread, cover with shredded mozarella cheese.

Heat in oven until cheese is melted.

Yum!

Skillet Beans and Penne

modified from a Pillsbury monthly cookbook ....

Cook 8 oz. pasta to desired done-ness

In a large skillet melt 1 T. butter, then add the following vegetables and cook util crisp-tender;
1 c. frozen corn
chopped onion
1 can of beans (drained)
2 medium zucchini, cut to desired size
3 chopped tomatoes

Add pasta, and;
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 c. cottage cheese (the recipe called for 1/2 and 1/2 but I didn't have any)
1/4 c. shredded parmesan

verdict: babies wouldn't eat much of it, Leesha and I liked it, Jeffry thought it was bland.

Creamy Stroganoff

This recipe originally came from my Aunt Delaine ....

To make a big batch today, (taking meals to friends who just had babies last month):

Brown:
2 lbs. ground chicken (any meat will work, this is just what I chose this time)
1 minced onion

Add:
dried parsley flakes (added mostly for "character" or color)
1 t. ground black pepper
1 pt. cottage cheese
16 oz. sour cream
28 oz. can cream of mushroom soup

Being a mushroom lover, I would have added canned mushrooms if I'd had them on hand.


Serve over prepared noodles