Butter Pecan Bread

My friend Bette made this for a quilt day once when we lived in the St. Ansgar/Osage, IA area.
You'll love it!


Butter Pecan Bread

1 butter pecan cake mix

4 eggs
1- 3.4 oz instant coconut cream pudding
1 c hot water
1/2 c oil

After beating this mixture..then fold in:

1/2 bag Hershey's english toffee bits

Using the smaller bread pans...bake for 15 min at 325 deg.

Makes three loaves

Strawberry Pretzel Salad (or Dessert)

Who woulda thought. I went to a potluck of just 6 quilters not long ago. One person was to bring dessert and one a salad..guess what? We had strawberry pretzel salad and then strawberry pretzel dessert :). No matter..I loved them both !

I promised I'd post the strawberry version of the salad I posted earlier...


Strawberry Pretzel Salad

2 cups crushed pretzels

3/4 cup butter, melted
3 tablespoons white sugar
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 (3 ounce) packages strawberry flavored gelatin
2 cups boiling water
2 (10 ounce) packages frozen strawberries



1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees F 

2.Stir together crushed pretzels, melted butter and 3 tablespoons sugar; mix well and press mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.

3.Bake 8 to 10 minutes, until set. Set aside to cool.

4.In a large mixing bowl cream together cream cheese and 1 cup sugar. Fold in whipped topping. Spread mixture onto cooled crust.

5.Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Stir in still frozen strawberries and allow to set briefly. When mixture is about the consistency of egg whites, pour and spread over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate until set.

Pretzel Salad

I recieved this recipe after a potluck lunch when I worked at Gunderson-Lutheran Home Care and Hospice in La Crosse, WI. The Hospice Volunteer that helped me in the office brought it. Thanks Virginia Amendt for sharing it!

Pretzel Salad

1 c. crushed pretzels
1 stick butter, melted
1/4 c. sugar
Mix and spread on cookie sheet or cake pan and bake at 350 deg. for 5 min.

Cream together:
1/2 c sugar
8 oz. cream cheese
1-20 oz can crushed pineapple-drained
1 8 oz cool whip
Mix altogether and add pretzels just before serving.

Smothered Chicken

This recipe came to me a couple of days ago from the people at Taste of Home Magazine. Tried it for dinner tonight.. All three of us liked it!  I changed how I  prepared it from theirs due to time factors...

Smothered Chicken

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (I actually used bone-in breasts)

1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
8 bacon strips
1 medium onion, sliced
1/4 cup packed brown sugar ( I used about two T. instead & it was plenty)
1/2 cup shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese

Directions

Sprinkle chicken with salt and lemon-pepper. In a large skillet, cook chicken in oil for 6-7 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer reads 170°; remove and keep warm. (I sprinkled them and then just put them in the oven at 350 for an hour)

Cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels; drain, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings.

In the drippings, saute onion and brown sugar until onion is tender and golden brown. Place two bacon strips on each chicken breast half; top with caramelized onions and cheese. Yield: 4 servings.
 
We agreed that next time I'll use two onions. I put the cheese on top of the chicken as I took it out so that it melted and then added the bacon and onion.

Tuna Burgers

First had these at my aunt's house when I was a child. Have made them ever since. Great for lent for those of you who need fish type meals, but wonderful anytime. Can be made ahead so just before mealtime, you pop them in the oven.

Tuna Burgers

Boil 4 -5 eggs...cool , peel and chop
add 2 cans drained tuna
add a little onion to taste
mix in 1/2-3/4 c. grated or chopped cheese (American or Velvetta work good)
dump :) in 1 T. pickle relish (my aunt uses sweet or lime pickles chopped if she has any left from the year's canning )

Mix with enough mayo to hold it all together.

Fill hamburger buns with mixture. Wrap each hamburger (or hotdog) bun in tin foil and place in oven on a baking sheet until heated thru and cheese is melted.YUM.

5 Cup Salad

Ever need a really fast something to take to a potluck or to add to a meal? I try to keep the ingredients for this salad on hand at all times. It's one of my favorites! Maybe you'll enjoy it too.

5 Cup Salad

3 cans mandarin oranges (drained)
3 cans chunk pineapple (drained)
2 c. coconut
3 c. mini marshmallows
2 c. sour cream
Mix it all together in a large bowl. Chill.
  Serves 15 people.

Pulled Pork (or Beef)

I first got this recipe when I went to my first quilting class about 25 years ago, in Swea City, IA. Have made it ever since.

Pulled Pork (or beef)

1 (5-6 lb.) roast
1 can tomato soup
1 small bottle ketchup
1 c. drippings from roast (or water)
2 T. Worchestershire sauce
2 T. brown sugar
1/2 tsp dry mustard (I just throw in a blob :) of yellow mustard)
1 onion, chopped
2 T. lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste

I cook my roast in the crockpot for 8-10 hours on low which usually yields plenty of drippings (but if you don't have enough, you can use water or part drippings and part water).
Let it cook and then shred apart with two forks.
Combine all ingredients except meat and simmer 1/2 an hour (or I just combine with meat and put back in crockpot to simmer). Stir in meat. Serve on buns with dill pickles.

Loaded Mashed Potatoes

I needed to take mashed potatoes to a Thanksgiving meal at church. I didn't wanna take just plain ol' mashed...so...

Loaded Mashed Potatoes

5 lbs. potatoes, peeled and boiled.


Drain.

Whip in 1/2 stick butter and 1/2 c milk with mixer.
Add 1 1/2 c. french onion (chip) dip,
1 1/2 tsp. salt,
1/4 tsp black pepper,
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese,
and 1/4 c fried, crumbled bacon pieces.
I put it all in my crockpot and topped with more shredded cheddar and some more bacon pieces.
even good with gravy over.

Cream Puffs

After being at a silent auction where 8 huge cream puffs went for almost $300.00, I decided it was time to make my own again...
This recipe came from my friend, Barb O. Enjoy and the next time you have to furnish something for a silent auction..make these :)

Cream Puff's

1 c. water

1/2 c. butter or margarine
1 c. flour
4 eggs

Heat oven to 400º. Heat water and butter to a rolling boil in saucepan. Stir in all the flour at once. Stir vigorously with wooden spoon until mixture leaves the pan and forms ball (about 1/2 minute). Remove from heat. Beat in eggs thoroughly, one at a time, with mixer. Beat mixture until smooth and velvety. Drop from spoon onto ungreased baking sheet, forming eight mounds three inches apart. Bake 45-50 minutes. Allow to cool slowly, away from drafts. Cut off tops with sharp knive. Scoop out soft dough. Fill with one of the following:


1. Vanilla ice cream, put top on, drizzle with hot fudge sauce
2. Vanilla or Chocolate pudding
3. Custard (recipe below)

Custard Filling
1/2 c. sugar
1/3 c. flour
1/2 t. salt
2 c. milk
4 egg yolks (or 2 eggs), beaten
2 t. vanilla

Mix sugar, flour, and salt in saucepan. Stir in milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring until it boils. Boil one minute. Remove from heat. Stir a little over half of mixture into egg yolks. Then blend this mixture into hot mixture in pan. Bring just to a boil. Cool and blend in vanilla. Fill shells, put top on, frost with chocolate frosting.

Or..make them smaller and use with tuna salad, egg salad or chicken salad for a special lunch.

Snicker Bars

A friend once made these and then gave me the recipe. One of my sons has asked for these and I've not gotten around to making them for him...I will do it...one of these days :)

Snicker Bars
2 c real chocolate chips


1/4 c butter

1/2 c peanut butter

1 1/2 c. dry roasted peanuts

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 c milk

2 T. water

20 caramels

1/4 c peanut butter

1 c. marshmallow creme

1/2 c butterscotch chips

1 c sugar

first layer: melt 1 c choc. chips, 1/4 c butterscotch chips, and 1/4 c peanut butter..spread in buttered 9 x 13 pan. cool.

2nd layer: boil 5 min: the sugar, milk and butter. add marsh. creme, 1/4 c peanut butter and vanilla. pour over first layer. sprinkle peanuts on.

3rd: melt caramels iwth water and spread on

last layer..

repeat the first layer.

Pizza Burgers (Just like Algona Schools used to make)

For those of you who went to school in Algona, IA...remember the wonderful pizza burgers? YUM! I've recreated them...maybe those will be on the menu tonight for something different.

Pizza Burgers

1 lb. hamburger, browned with one small onion, chopped
1 tsp salt
1 T. sugar
1/2 can spam, ground
1 c water
1 sm can Italian flavored tomato paste
1 tsp worchestershire sauce

Mix all and spread on a hamburger bun 1/2. Top with a slice of american cheese.
Bake at 350 deg until heated thru and cheese melts.

Kelsey's E Z Banana Bread

I have a couple of bananas that need my attention today...so..
I got out this recipe from Kelsey, a 4H girl, who won first place...it's sooo easy and sooo good

EZ Banana Bread

3/4 c sugar

1/4 c shortening
2 eggs
1 c. crushed very ripe bananas
1 pkg Jiffy ( or martha washington) biscuit mix


Cream sugar and shortening. Add eggs and bananas. Mix with pkg of biscuit mix. Stir until well mixed. Pour into greased bread pan and bake for 50-55 min at 350 deg.

Crockpot Salisbury Steak

Do you all use your crockpots as much as I do? It's always nice to have dinner ready when your family is ready to eat.


Crockpot Salisbury Steak
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 (1 ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix
1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup
1 (1 ounce) packet dry au jus mix
3/4 cup water

In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, onion soup mix, bread crumbs, and milk using your hands. Shape into 8 patties.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dredge the patties in flour just to coat, and quickly brown on both sides in the hot skillet. Place browned patties into the slow cooker stacking alternately like a pyramid. In a medium bowl, mix together the cream of chicken soup, au jus mix, and water. Pour over the meat. Cook on the Low setting for 4 or 5 hours, until ground beef is well done.
 
I sometimes throw potatoes in around the meat or I serve with mashed potatoes..the gravy is ready for ya! (Might have to thicken just a little).

Wanita's Fudge Stripe Salad

My friend, Wanita, is almost sure to have this salad at any "doings". It's so sweet and creamy, you could also serve it as a dessert!
What? Of course it's healthy...why it has fruit and milk products in it...:)

Wanita's Fudge Stripe Salad
Mix one pkg instant vanilla pudding mix with two cups buttermilk.
 Let set until "soft set".
Add one carton cool whip.
Mix in two cans (11 0z each) mandarin oranges,drained.
Now crush a whole pkg of fudge striped shortbread cookies, (coarsely crushed) and mix into the mixture. Chill until set.

Aunt Dorothy's Fat Free Pie

For those of you whose new years resolution to lose weight, here's a special valentines treat to make for your family for tomorrow. You'd never know it's fat free!!

Dorothy's Fat Free Key Lime Pie
   (or any flavor)

1 pkg sugar free lime jello (or any flavor)

1/4 c boiling water

Dissolve jello in boiling water (may have to reheat to get dissolved completely)
Stir in two cartons reduced fat key lime yogurt (or flavor to match or compliment jello)
add one carton ( 8 oz) fat free cool whip

pour into graham cracker crust and refrig. until firm (aprox two hours)

YUMMMY! And without guilt!
Of course, you can make this using full fat ingredients (or regular caloric values) too.

1-2-3 Mexican Pasta Salad

One time I needed to make a salad to take to a potluck and was combing thru my extensive bunch of cookbooks and happened upon this recipe. I had everything on hand to make it so...I did and it was wonderful!

Mexican Pasta Salad

1 (16 oz.) pkg. of macaroni

1 1/2 cups chunky salsa
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. salt
ground black pepper to taste
1 (6 oz.) can sliced black olives, drained
minced onion
shredded cheddar

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes or until al dente; rinse under cold running water, and drain.
In a large bowl, combine the salsa, mayonnaise, green pepper, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and olives; mix well. Pour pasta into mixture, and stir to coat thoroughly. Cover, and refrigerate at least one hour before serving.

Makes: 10 servings

Margaret's Brownie Caramel Pie

Valentines Day is coming, why not treat your loved ones to this very special pie. What is better than chocoalte and caramel together? My friend Margaret brought this to a quilter's meeting. Oh boy, it's to die for!


Margaret's Brownie Caramel Pie



1- 9 inch unbaked pie shell
1/2 c walnuts
20 caramels (I use the "new" caramel bits by Kraft-no unwrapping caramels!)
1-14 oz Eagle brand sweetened conds. milk
1 egg, beaten
2 T. margarine or butter, melted
1-6 oz semi sweet chocolate chips,melted

Preheat over to 325 deg. sprinkle nuts into pastry shell. In small saucepan,or double boiler, over low heat, melt caramels with 2/3 c eagle brand milk. spoon over walnuts. In mixing bowl, combine egg, margarine, and remaning eagle brand. mix well, stir in chips. Pour chocolate mixture over caramel layer. Bake 35 min or til center is set. cool and serve. Refrigerate left overs.

Banana Split Dessert

Now isn't that a tempting title? I received this recipe after tasting this at a church function. It was made by my friend, Sharon McElwee, I post this in memory of her.

Combine and beat 15 min., 1 c. butter (or margarine), 2 eggs, 1 lb. powdered sugar. Set aside.


Now combine 1/2 c butter(melted) and 2 c . graham cracker crumbs.
 Pat this into a 9 x 13 pan that has been sprayed.

Spread the filling that you'd set aside, on top

Slice 4-5 bananas over and pour on 1 can (drained) crushed pineapple.
Top with a large coolwhip. Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.

I have also added a layer of fruit (thawed and drained) such as raspberries, strawberries, etc.

Bryan's Chicken Tortilla Soup

My son, Bryan, served this to us at our family Christmas this year. Yummy! I thought it might be an easy, yet delicious, way to feed your family on a busy Monday. Hope you enjoy it!

Bryan's Chicken Tortilla Soup


2 cans nacho cheese soup
1 can cheddar cheese soup
chicken- two breasts (or any chicken)
1 soup can milk (less if wanting a thicker soup)
1/2 can beer (opt)
green chilies or jalepenos to taste

Bryan cooks the chicken and then shreds it with two forks. (Great use for leftover chicken or maybe cook a whole chicken and divide it up for different meals).
In your soup pot, stir together the three cans of soup and the milk. Add the beer (opt), the chicken and the jalenpenos or chilies. Simmer, letting the flavors blend and serve with tortilla chips and a dallop of sour cream.

If it's thick, you can eat it with tortilla chips such as you would a dip or you could also cut 4-6 flour tortillas and add to the soup and simmer until cooked before serving.

Creamy Olive Dip

Quick, you still have time to whip this up before the guests arrive or before you head out the door to the big party... (or before you hide away in your sewing room , like me, while the others watch the game)!




2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 (4.25-ounce) can chopped black olives
1/2 cup chopped pimiento-stuffed olives
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
Crackers or pita chips

Stir together first 6 ingredients and, if desired, salt. Serve with crackers.

Note: To make ahead, place spread in an airtight container, and chill for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 2 weeks. Thaw in refrigerator. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes, and stir before serving.

Bacon Dip

Oh my goodness, who doesn't LOVE bacon? I once "heard" one of my son's say it was a food group. :)
I couldn't help but share this one more appeitzer for tomorrow's parties.


Bacon Dip

2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, cubed
4 cups (16 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup half-and-half cream
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried minced onion
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
16 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
Tortilla chips, crackers or French bread slices

In a 1-1/2-qt. slow cooker, combine the first six ingredients. Cover and cook for 2 hours or until cheeses are melted, stirring occasionally. Just before serving, stir in bacon. Serve warm with tortilla chips, buttery crackers or bread. Makes 4 cups.

Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread

Oh wow, make this one...a little different from the usual fare, again but oh so wonderful!!!

Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread


1 (12 ounce) package fresh cranberries
1 cup white sugar
1 cup apricot jam
1 cup chopped pecans (opt)
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese


Preheat  oven to 350 degrees 

Combine cranberries with sugar in a 2 quart baking dish with a lid, stirring well to coat all the berries. Bake in the preheated oven, covered, for about 30 minutes, until the cranberries pop and release their liquid.

Remove from oven and stir in the apricot jam and pecans. Refrigerate overnight to blend the flavors. To serve, allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature, and pour dip over the block of cream cheese on a serving dish. Serve with buttery round crackers or small pretzels.

Cucumber Spread

Looking for something a little out of the ordinary hum drum taco dips etc for the big game party? Try this.
This one is refreshing and just makes such a fresh/cool taste for winter.


Cucumber Spread

1 cucumber, peeled and seeded, grated and drained

1-8oz pkg cream cheese

1/2 c finely chopped onion

1 T. dill weed

Dash of garlic powder

Mix inged. and chill. Serve on slices of party bread.

Tuna Dip

How about some super bowl appetizers? Claudia's tuna dip is from a friend and is the most delicious..yum. I even had to go buy cooking wine to make it :). (They don't card you for that.) lol.

Tuna Dip


2 cans of tuna with oil (we've tried it with water and it doesn't work!)

2 lg cream cheese

2 T lemon juice

2 to 8 T wine wine

parsley

dill

1 or 2 T soy sauce

Mix it all up and serve with crackers or raw veggies

Stroganoff meatballs

Monday morning is here again. And guess what? It's snowing AGAIN here in NW Iowa! Enough already!!
How about some meatballs is a comforting creamy sauce over mashed potatos or rice to warm the inards of your family tonight?

2 lbs ground beef

1 small to med. onion, chopped
1 sleeve of soda crackers, crushed
2 eggs
salt , pepper and garlic powder to taste
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 c. sour cream
Preheat oven to 350 deg.

Mix first 5 ingred and make into meatballs. Place in greased cake pan. Thin soup with 1/4-1/2 can water and pour over. Bake for approx. 45 in or until done.Remove from oven and stir in sour cream.

Serve over noodles , potatoes or rice.