Taco salad

Fritos chips or tortilla chips
One pound of ground beef/turkey
taco seasoning mix
lettuce
tomato, salsa, or picante sauce
sour cream
black olives
shredded cheddar cheese
refried beans
guacamole

Brown ground beef or ground turkey and drain.  Add taco seasoning mix and specified amount of water.  Simmer.  On an individual plate add chips, meat, and cheese. Then add your choice of toppings.   You can add other ingredients, too.  This is a simple meal that can be served more than once that week.

Banana Bread

1/2 c. butter (1 stick) softened
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
3 very ripe bananas (mashed)
2 c. flour
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1/2 c. chopped walnuts (optional)

In a large bowl, beat with mixer butter, sugar, eggs, bananas, and "only" 1/2 c. flour.  Then add 1 1/2 c. flour, baking soda and salt.  Walnuts may be folded in.  Pour in a greased bread pan and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in the top comes out clean.  Cool on wire rack.

Spiral Ham

One spiral ham and contents

Bake ham according to package directions.  I use a 9 X 13 glass baking dish and cover tightly with foil.  Bake to a temperature of 160 degrees, being careful not to over bake.  When adding the glaze, you may turn the ham over on a separate plate and coat between individual slices, also. Continue baking.

This is an easy meat dish that may seem too expensive, but will provide leftovers and ham sandwiches.

Cherry Fluff

1 can of cherry pie filling
1 -  8 oz. container of whipped topping
2 cups of marshmallows

Combine all ingredients in a serving bowl and chill.

Apple Crisp

5 Granny Smith (or tart) apples
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter (softened)
1 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
Cinnamon

Grease 9 x 9 square baking dish with butter.  Slice apples thinly then sprinkle with cinnamon. Place in dish.  Combine the remaining ingredients and place on top of apples.  Press mixture slightly.  Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, then bake uncovered for 45 minutes.

*You may use fruit pie filling (cherry, peach, apple, etc.) in place of apples.

Apple-Strawberry-Banana Salad

Two apples (any kind)
One pint of fresh strawberries
Two bananas
Lemon juice or powdered fruit preservative

Wash apples and strawberries, then cut them into bite size pieces.  Do not skin apples.  Place in large bowl and sprinkle a little lemon juice or "fruit fresh" type powder on the fruit to keep it from browning. Slice bananas and fold in just before serving.

*If served as a dessert, top with whipped topping.

Rhubarb-Strawberry Jam

5 c. chopped rhubarb
3 c. sugar
1 3 oz. pkg. strawberry jello

Combine rhubarb and sugar, then boil for 5 minutes.  Remove from stove and add jello (dissolve).  Pour into containers with a measuring cup and allow to cool in the refrigerator.  Cover and freeze until needed.  You can freeze in coffee mugs, bowls, jars, or disposable containers. If using a jar with a lid, then make sure to leave plenty of space between jam and cap.

Cold Vegetable Pizza

2 cans of crescent rolls
3/4 c. miracle whip
1/2 c. sour cream
2 - 8 oz. pkgs. cream cheese (softened)
1 - 10 oz. pkg. ranch dressing
Suggested Toppings:
Chopped broccoli, cauliflower, green onion, green peppers
Shredded cheddar cheese
Shredded carrots
Diced tomatoes
Sliced black olives

Spread crescent rolls like crust on a large, greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 7-8 minutes.  Combine miracle whip, sour cream, cream cheese, and powdered ranch dressing in bowl.  When crust has cooled, spread on mixture.  Top with your favorite toppings.  Keep chilled.

Thick Chili

1 to 1 1/2 lbs. of ground beef
1 T. dried, minced onion
1 large can of vegetable juice
1 can of chili beans
1 can of chili ready tomatoes, or diced tomatoes
1 to 2 t. chili powder (your preference)
Dash of salt & pepper

Brown beef and onion, drain.  Combine all of the ingredients together in a large pot and simmer together for 30-45 minutes.  Stir occasionally.  Serve with saltine crackers.

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Bars

One box of Rice Krispies
1 c. sugar
1 c. light corn syrup
2 c. creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 c. milk chocolate chips
1 c. butterscotch chips

Put 6 cups of Rice Krispies in a large bowl.  In a sauce pan, constantly stir and bring to a boil the sugar and corn syrup.  Once boiling, remove from heat immediately and stir in peanut butter.  Pour mixture over Rice Krispies and combine.  Press into an ungreased 9 x 13 pan with the back of a large serving spoon.  In a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and butterscotch chips together for 1 minute.  Check and stir.  Microwave an additional minute or two until smooth.  Check frequently to avoid burning them.  Spread over the top.  Chill until set.  Leave bars out at room temperature.  Cut at room temperature, also.

Ice Cream Crunch

2 1/2 c. Rice Chex cereal (crushed)
1/2 c. flaked coconut
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
2/3 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. butter (melted)
1/2 gallon of vanilla ice cream (slightly thawed)

Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl.  Press mixture on the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking pan. Open up sides of ice cream carton and cut large slices about 1 1/2 inches thick and place strategically over the mixture.  Freeze.  Servings may include a drizzle of chocolate syrup over the top.

Baked Beans

4 - 16 oz. cans of pork 'n beans (undrained)
1 T. dried, minced onion
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 c. ketchup
1 t. mustard
2 t. Worcestershire sauce

Combine all of the ingredients and place in a 9 x 13, greased baking dish.  Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.  Remove foil and bake for an additional 45 minutes.  Any juice remaining will settle when cooling.

Fudge Striped Cookie Salad

1 large pkg. instant vanilla pudding
1 pint of buttermilk, or 2 c. milk with 1 T. lemon juice
12 oz. container of whipped topping
1 large can of mandarin oranges (drained)
1/2 pkg. of fudge striped cookies (break into pieces)

Whip pudding and milk choice together with wire whisk.  Fold in container of whipped topping.  Add oranges and cookies.  Chill.

Crockpot Roast

One beef or venison roast (3-4 lbs)
1 can of beef broth
Lawry's salt
Emeril's Original Essence seasoning

Thaw roast.  Sprinkle Lawry's salt and Emeril's seasoning lightly on all sides of roast.  Place broth in crockpot and add the roast.  Cook on low setting all day.  Internal temperature of 160 degrees.

*Cook in covered baking dish in oven for approximately 2-3 hours at 350 degrees.  Check for an internal temperature of 160 degrees.

Sloppy Joes

1 pound of ground beef
1 T. dried, minced onion
1 can of tomato soup
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
1 t. vinegar
1/2 t. mustard
1 T. brown sugar
1/2 c. water

Brown beef and onion together and drain.  Add the remaining ingredients and simmer on low heat for 15-30 minutes.  Serve on hamburger buns.

Cherry Pie Salad

1 large can of mandarin oranges (drained)
1 large can of pineapple tidbits or chunks (drained)
1 can of cherry pie filling
3 bananas

Thoroughly drain fruit and combine with pie filling.  Chill.  Slice bananas and fold into salad just before serving.

Corn Casserole

1 can of whole corn (undrained)
1 can of cream style corn
1 cup of uncooked spaghetti (break into 1 inch pieces)
1 T. dried, minced onion
1 c. Velveeta cheese (cubed)
1/4 c. butter (cubed)

Combine ingredients in large bowl.  Place in greased 9 x 9, square baking dish and cover with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 min.  Uncover and gently stir top half with fork.  Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.

*Double the recipe and bake in a 9 x 13 dish.

Vegetable Casserole

1 16 oz. bag of frozen broccoli, carrots and cauliflower

1 can of cream of mushroom soup

1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1/3 c. sour cream

1/4 t. pepper

1 small can of french fried onions

Partially or completely thaw vegetables, then combine with all ingredients except 1/2 can of onions.  Place mixture in a greased 9 x 13 dish.  Cover with foil.  Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.  Remove foil and top with remaining onions.  Bake for 5 more minutes.  

Runza Bake

2 containers of crescent rolls

1 pound of ground beef

1 can of cheddar cheese soup

1 small bag of shredded cabbage or cabbage mix

1 T. dry, minced onion

Brown beef, onion and cabbage on medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Drain.  Add soup.

Grease 9 x 13 dish lightly with cooking spray, and spread one can of rolls on the bottom. Add mixture on top.  Carefully spread the other can of rolls on top.  The dough doesn't need to be sealed.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.