I don't claim to be a great cook or to have any original recipes. I love collecting new and interesting recipes and I especially love all my old favorites that I have used over the years. Many recipes are from family and friends and I love them because every time I use them I am reminded of that person and/or some great memories that are attached. I am using this format to begin to put all my recipes in one place. I have attempted this in many different ways but none have been very successful. I am hoping that this will do the trick. Right now for recipes I reference a few different cookbooks, a small 3x5 card box, and a large plastic tub with loose papers. Not a great system. This is my new leaf. Ideally, every day I can put at least one of my recipes into this blog. This will make it so easy and quick for me to refer to and also to share my favorites with friends and family who ask for recipes.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Hawaiian Haystacks

1 Family size Cream of Chicken soup
2 c cooked and cubed chicken
1 c chicken broth
Mix these ingredients and heat through.

Pan of cooked rice

Toppings:
Tomatos, chopped
Green onions, chopped
Cheddar cheese, grated
Chow mein noodles
Celery, chopped
Pineapple chunks
Slivered almonds
Green pepper, chopped
Coconut

Serve the rice first then the sauce and then top with any/all toppings.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Savory Sandwich Ring

2 pkgs. 11oz. each Pillsbury French Bread Dough
1 egg white, lightly beaten
3 garlic cloves, pressed
1 tsp Italian Seasoning Mix
1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 tomato, thinly sliced
1/2 c pitted ripe olives, sliced
8 oz. thinly sliced deli meat such as: salami, turkey, ham or bologna
4 oz. thinly sliced cheese such as: swiss, american, mozzarella, cheddar or jack
2 c thinly sliced lettuce
1/4 c plus 2 Tbls Italian salad dressing, divided

Preheat oven to 350
Place dough seam side down on baking sheet.
Join ends of dough together to form on large ring.
Make 8 diagonal cuts, 1/2 inch deep on top of dough.
Combine egg white, garlic and Italian seasoning.
Brush over dough.
Bake 26-30 minutes or until deep golden brown.
Remove bread to cooling rack and cool completely.
*It can be wrapped in plastic wrap at this point and saved to be used the next day.
Cut loaf in half horizontally.
Place bottom half on a large serving platter.
Arange meat and cheese evenly over the bottom half of the bread.
Top with lettuce.
Drizzle 2 Tbls of dressing evenly over lettuce.
Top with bell pepper, onion, tomato and olives.
Brush cut side of top bread layer with remaining dressing.
Place over the bottom half.
Cut into serving sizes.

-Colleen Britt

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken

4-6 boneless chicken breasts (can be frozen)
1 pkg. cream cheese
2 cans cream soup (chicken or mushroom)
1 1/2 c milk
1 pkg ranch dressing mix
Throw in various fresh or frozen veggies. Broccoli, peas, mushrooms, cauliflower, carrots etc.

Mix together everything but the chicken and veggies until smooth.
Stir in the chicken and veggies and cook on low setting 6-8 hours.
Serve over cooked rice or noodles.

Chicken Pot Pie

2 c cooked chicken, cubed
1/3 c butter
1/3 c flour
1/3 c onion, chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 3/4 c chicken broth
2/3 c milk
1 c frozen peas
1 c cooked carrots
1 1/2 c mushrooms, quartered
2 unbaked pie crusts

Place one crust in bottom of a casserole dish.
In a large saucepan melt butter over low heat.
Blend in flour, onion, salt and pepper.
Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly.
Remove from heat.
Stir in broth and milk.
Heat to boiling, stirring constantly.
Boil and stir one minute.
Stir in chicken, peas, carrots, and mushrooms.
Pour into pastry lined pan.
Place other piecrust over filling.
Flute edges and cut slits in center.
Bake uncovered @425 for 30-35 minutes.
Cover fluted edges for the last 10 15 minutes to prevent over browning.

Note: The types of pans I have used are: 9 inch square or a deep dish pie pan.

Soft Oreos

2 boxes Devils Food cake mix
4 eggs
3/4 c oil

Mix all ingredients and roll into 80 even sized balls.
Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.

Frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 2/3 c powdered sugar

Spread frosting between two cookies.
Makes 40 cookies.

-April Homer

Fruit Pizza

1 pkg. Pillsbury sugar cookie dough
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/4 c sugar
Assorted fresh or canned fruit.
I use fresh strawberries, kiwi, bananas, and grapes

Press cookie dough into a 9x13 pan or on a round pizza pan.
Bake according to package directions.
When cool spread with cream cheese and sugar mixture.
Arrange fruit on top.

Option: Make single sugar cookies and let cool. Spread frosting on top of each individually and top with a few pieces of fruit.

Peanut Butter Cups

1 c chunky peanut butter
2 sticks butter, softened
3 1/2 c powdered sugar
12 whole graham crackers, crushed
1 bag of chocolate chips

Mix peanut butter, butter, and powdered sugar.
Add crushed graham crackers.
Spread in 9x13 pan.
Top with chocolate chips.
Bake @ 325 for 5-8 min.
Spread chocolate and cool completely