Lisa’s Cheddar Spirals

September 24, 2011 by

My friend Lisa introduced me to this great mac and cheese It’s simple and delicious—and you can easily vary it by adding some meat or veggies.

Ingredients

  • 1 package (16 oz) spiral pasta
  • 2 cups half-and-half cream
  • 1 can (10 ¾ ounces) condensed cheddar cheese soup, undiluted
  • ½ cup butter (1 stick), melted
  • 4 cups (16 oz) shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions and drain.
  2. In a 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the cream, soup and butter until smooth.
  3. Stir in the cheese and pasta.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 2-1/2 hours or until cheese is melted. Yield: 12-15 servings.

Variations

  • Make a spicier version by using Nacho Cheese soup and shredded pepper jack cheese.
  • Toss in your favorite meat: browned ground beef or sausage, sliced kielbasa or hot dogs, meatballs, or bacon crumbles. Whatever you like.
  • Saute and add some chopped onion and pepper as you brown your meat.
  • Cook and add a bag of California Blend veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots) for a cheddar primavera.

Time Required: 3 hours

Servings: 12–15

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Sausage and Lentil Stew

June 2, 2011 by

I made lentils often in Austin, where I learned to cook them from a friend, but resisted making them since because I didn’t want to stand in the kitchen, tending the pot for two hours. This recipe solves the problem simply—just throw everything in the crockpot, and you have perfect lentils in a few hours. I found my inspiration from Vocalpoint. What a delightful discovery!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound cooked sausage, sliced
  • 2 cups dried lentils, rinsed
  • 1 diced onion
  • 1 14-oz. can diced tomatoes
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • Seasonings (see Variations below)

Directions

  1. Add all ingredients to crockpot, and stir to combine.
  2. Cook on low setting for 5 to 7 hours until lentils are done, stirring occasionally.

Variations

  • Choose one of these options for the spices to add, based on the mood you’re in:
    • 1 tbsp curry powder and 1 tsp cumin
    • 2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp basil, and 1 tsp oregano (or a couple tsps of Italian seasonings)
    • 2 tsp herbes de provence
  • Match the sausage to the spices you choose. You can go with a basic brat or keilbasa for any of the options. If you’re using Italian seasonings, however, try some italian sausage. You could substituted cooked ground beef as well. Or skip the meat and go vegetarian—it’s great with or without the meat!

Time Required: 5 to 7 hours

Servings: 8

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Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs

May 29, 2011 by

Why just have hot dogs when you can have cheese-stuffed bacon wrapped hot dogs? A nice change from the norm. There are several recipes online with different versions and different ways of cooking this meal—baking, broiling, deep frying (without the cheese), frying on a griddle, or grilling. Choose whatever works for you.

Ingredients

  • 8 hot dogs (whatever brand you prefer)Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs
  • ½ cup crumbled cheddar
  • 8 slices bacon
  • 8 hot dog buns
  • Condiments

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. Grease a 13 x 9-inch glass pan or a jelly roll pan.
  3. Slice the hot dogs, leaving the last ¼" on both ends and the bottom unsliced.
  4. Stuff the crumbled cheddar into the slit you’ve made in the hot dog.
  5. Wrap with a slice of bacon, overlapping slightly.
  6. Bake 20 minutes.
  7. Switch oven to broil and crisp bacon as desired, about 3 or 4 minutes.
  8. Allow to cool 5 minutes.
  9. Serve in buns, with ketchup, mustard, onions, and other desired condiments.

Variations

  • Instead of crumbled cheddar, slices of cheese, folded into strips can be substituted.
  • The picture shows oversized ¼-lb hot dogs which required 1½ strips of bacon and larger buns. They were actually too large for everyone, but we were using the ingredients we had (hot dogs we had found on sale and frozen).

Time Required: 40 minutes

Servings: 8 <

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Corned Beef & Vegetable Skillet Dinner

September 29, 2010 by

We refer to this meal as “corned beef hash casserole,” since the meal is much like a hearty hash. The official name came from the carton of Hormel corned beef we picked up at Sam’s. It’s a filling meal and rarely leaves us with any leftovers.

Ingredients

  • Corned Beef & Vegetable Skillet Dinner ½ cup chopped onion
  • 2 Tbsp margarine or butter
  • 1 bag frozen cubed Potatoes O’Brien
  • 2 (12 oz) cans corned beef, cubed
  • 1 (10 oz) package frozen mixed vegetables, thawed & drained
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Directions

  1. If necessary, microwave frozen mixed vegetables about 3 minutes to thaw.
  2. Spray large skillet with non-stick cooking spray.
  3. Saute the onion in margarine or butter until tender.
  4. Stir in Potatoes O’Brien.
  5. Cook, stirring occasionally until potatoes are golden brown.
  6. Add corned beef, vegetables and pepper.
  7. Cook until thoroughly heated.

Variations

  • Substitute any frozen vegetables you like if mixed vegetables aren’t to your taste. . A bag of peas and carrots would work just as well.
  • If you don’t have a bag of Potatoes O’Brien on hand, use regular cubed hash browns. Just double the onion and add a ½ cup to a cup of chopped green or red pepper. Saute the onion and peppers before adding the hash browns to the pan.
  • Sprinkle individual servings with shredded cheese, if desired. We especially like the dish with Swiss cheese sprinkled on top.

Time Required: 20 minutes

Servings: 6

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Pineapple Honey-Glazed Pork with Broiled Pineapple

September 26, 2010 by

This recipe was torn from a magazine and held on the refrigerator with a magnet for years. When I moved to Texas, I wanted desperately to make it, but didn’t have the recipe. I sent an email message home with instructions on where the recipe was on the refrigerator. Mom typed it up and sent it to me. So tasty!

The recipe works well for ribs, but I’m too lazy to deal with all the bones. I typically substitute boneless pork chops (see the Variations below).

Ingredients

  • 2 slabs (5-6 lbs) pork spareribs
  • 1 (12 oz) can sliced pineapple, packed in juice
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup honey

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Place a wire rack on a baking sheet, arrange ribs on top and bake for 1 hour.
  3. Drain pineapple, retaining 1/2 cup pineapple juice.
  4. In a small bowl, stir ketchup, soy sauce, honey, and pineapple juice together.
  5. Increase the heat to 375°F.
  6. Baste the ribs with the marinade, and bake for another half hour, basting every 10 minutes.
  7. Turn ribs over and continue baking and basting for half an hour more, until ribs are dark, glazed, and fork tender.
  8. Lightly brush pineapple slices with oil.
  9. Arrange in one layer on baking sheet.
  10. Broil for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden.
  11. Cut ribs apart, and serve with broiled pineapple.

Variations

  • Substitute boneless pork chops or sliced pork tenderloin. Adjust cooking time for the size and thickness of the pork.
  • Try this Crockpot Variation, which tastes much like sweet and sour pork:
    1. Substitute boneless pork chops or pork tenderloin and cubed pineapple, packed in juice. Double remaining ingredients. You can add chopped green and red peppers as well.
    2. Cut boneless pork chops or pork tenderloin into 1" cubes, and pan fry until edges are no longer pink.
    3. Place the pork and drained pineapple (retain 1 cup juice) in a crockpot.
    4. In a separate bowl, combine retained pineapple juice, 1 cup ketchup, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 cup honey, and a cup of water.
    5. Pour sauce over pork and pineapple, stirring to coat evenly.
    6. Allow to cook 3 to 4 hours, or until pork is fork tender.
    7. Serve over rice.

Time Required: 2½ hours

Servings: 6

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Crockpot Cabbage Roll Casserole

September 7, 2010 by

Love cabbage rolls (Mama calls the dish halupki) but not the work of putting them together? This crockpot version is for you!

It has the same taste, but relies on shredded cabbage from the produce section of your grocery store. Serve the finished dish with a side of mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

  • 2 lb ground beef
  • 1 onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 bag shredded cabbage
  • 1 cup uncooked instant rice
  • 2 to 3 cans (15 ounces) stewed tomatoes

Directions

  1. Spray crockpot with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Turn crockpot on to low.
  3. Brown ground beef and onion in a medium skillet, breaking up the meat.
  4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. When meat is browned, pour water into pan and reduce heat to low.
  6. If desired, chop stewed tomatoes in blender or food processor.
  7. Pour tomatoes into prepared crockpot.
  8. Stir in instant rice.
  9. Add shredded cabbage and pour ground beef mixture on top of cabbage.
  10. Stir to combine ingredients well. The crockpot will be full, but will cook down as the cabbage wilts.
  11. Cover and cook on low setting, stir occasionally to ensure the casserole is well-mixed.
  12. Allow meal to cook 4 to 6 hours or until cabbage is tender.

Variations

  • Substitute a bag of shredded coleslaw mix (cabbage and carrots, typically) for the shredded cabbage.
  • If casserole absorbs the sauce, stir in another can of stewed tomatoes or a can of tomato sauce.
  • Sprinkle individual servings with Cheddar cheese.

Time Required: 4 to 6 hours

Servings:8–12

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Poppin’ Fresh Barbecups

September 5, 2010 by

These easy-to-serve sandwiches are a variation of a Pillsbury recipe. We prefer the lighter taste of crescent rolls, and the Manwich sauce makes the recipe even simpler to prepare. We serve our barbecups with fries or hash browns, and a green vegetable. Leftovers can be refrigerated and warmed in the microwave.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 15.5oz can Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce
  • 1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough
  • 3/4 c. Cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400° F.
  2. Spray a muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. You need 8 muffin cups.
  3. Brown ground beef in a large skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Add Manwich sauce to the ground beef, and stir to combine thoroughly.
  5. Remove skillet from heat.
  6. Place one crescent roll in each muffin cup, pressing the roll into the bottom of the muffin cup and up the sides to form a shell.
  7. Repeat with remaining crescent rolls.
  8. Fill each of these muffin cups with the Manwich mixture (about 2/3 to 3/4 full).
  9. Sprinkle evenly with Cheddar Cheese.
  10. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown.
  11. Allow to cool 5 minutes before removing from pan.

Variations

  • Use your favorite flavor of Manwich sauce—Original, Bold, or Thick & Chunky.
  • Substitute refrigerated biscuit dough for the crescent rolls, if desired.
  • Make your own Manwich sauce with 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, 1 tbsp minced onion and 1 tsp brown sugar.
  • Create your own variations by changing the sauce and cheese. For instance, try using Taco Sauce with Mexican cheese blend, or use pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Time Required: 20 mins

Servings: 4–8

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Beef and Cheese Pizza Skillet

August 31, 2010 by

Mom found this recipe on a can of corned beef years ago. The corned beef and jack cheese give the casserole a distinctive taste, and because the ingredients are simple, it comes together quickly in a single pot. A nice alternative to the traditional pasta and meatballs, this meal shows up on our table at least once a month.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/3 cups elbow macaroni
  • 4 cups hot water
  • 1 can (12 oz.) corned beef
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper
  • 1 jar (15 oz.) spaghetti sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/4 lb. Monterey Jack, sliced or grated

Directions

  1. Chop corned beef into chunks (about 1/2" cubes).
  2. Spray a large skillet with a lid or a dutch oven with nonstick cooking spray.
  3. Combine macaroni, hot water, corned beef, salt, bay leaf and black pepper in the skillet.
  4. Bring to a boil, stirring to break up meat further (or as desired).
  5. Reduce heat, cover, and boil gently for 20 minutes, stirring frequently.
  6. Add spaghetti sauce, water and garlic powder.
  7. Return to boiling, cover, and continue cooking for 10 minutes longer.
  8. Dot top with cheese, cover, and cook over low heat for about 1 minute to melt cheese.
  9. Be sure to remind family not to eat the bay leaves when you serve!

Variations

  • Stick with a sturdy pasta for this meal. Wagon wheels or ziti will work, but avoid more delicate shapes.
  • Substitute Muenster for the Monterey Jack if desired.

Time Required: 45 mins

Servings: 4–6

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Jiffy Chicken Casserole

August 18, 2010 by

This recipe originally came from a box of A&P instant rice, which has been taped inside the kitchen cabinet for over 30 years now. While we’ve varied the recipe a bit over the years, it’s remained a family favorite and is a great option whenever cold and flu season comes around.

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp margarine or olive oil Jiffy Chicken Casserole
  • 1/4 cup diced onion
  • 1 tbsp flour
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cubes chicken boullion
  • 2 tsp. sugar
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
  • dash of pepper
  • 1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen peas & carrots
  • 1 12-oz can chicken breast
  • 1 1/2 cups instant rice

Directions

  1. Jiffy Chicken CasseroleMicrowave peas and carrots according to package directions.
  2. Spray large skillet with nonstick spray.
  3. Saute onion in margarine or olive oil till golden brown.
  4. Stir in flour and blend well.
  5. Add water, chicken boullion, sugar, salt, poultry seasoning and pepper.
  6. Bring to a boil.
  7. Stir in peas & carrots, chicken, and instant rice.
  8. Cover and simmer 10 minutes.

Variations

  • Substitute or any any cooked vegetables you have on hand. A bag of mixed vegetables would create a great Calico Jiffy Chicken Casserole, for instance.
  • The original recipe called for sliced carrots, which were sauted 10 minutes before the onion is added to the skillet. Add a bag of frozen peas instead of peas and carrots if you try the original option.
  • After the casserole cooks, add 2 cups chicken broth (or more as desired) to convert the meal to a wonderful chicken rice soup.
  • Don’t have instant rice on hand? Instant brown rice is an easy substitute. Just adjust the cooking time so that rice cooks thoroughly. Alternately, add precooked long grain or basmati rice in place of the instant and simmer until rice is cooked. Be sure to add additional broth as necessary.

Time Required: 20 mins

Servings: 4–6

Rating: 5 stars (★★★★★)

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Lasagna Soup

August 11, 2010 by

Decided I was in the mood for a bowl of soup, but wanted to try something different. I knew my search was over when I found Paula Deen’s Tastes Like Lasagna Soup. Everyone in the family loves lasagna, and Paula’s recipe sounded like a fun, new variarion. My version uses a few alternative ingredients, but it’s very close to the original.

Ingredients

  • Lasagna Soup, before cheese garnish2 pounds ground beef
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 3/4 tsp granulated garlic
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 1 tbsp firmly packed brown sugar
  • 4 cups water
  • 4 cubes chicken bouillion
  • 2 (14.5-oz) cans diced tomatoes
  • 1 (15-oz) can tomato sauce
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 (16 oz.) box lasagna noodles, broken into 1″ to 2″ pieces
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

  1. Crumble ground beef in a large soup pan. Season with salt, pepper, and granulated garlic. Cook over medium heat for 3 to 5 mins.
  2. Add chopped onion and bell pepper, and continue to cook until beef is browned and vegetables are cooked. Stir occasionally.
  3. Add thyme, Italian seasoning, brown sugar, water and chicken bouillon. Stir to combine.
  4. Add diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Allow pot to continue simmering over medium heat.
  5. While pot simmers, break lasagna noodles into small pieces, approximately 2″ long or less. The pieces will look rustic and uneven.
  6. Bring to a boil, and then add broken lasagna noodles, stirring thoroughly.
  7. Reduce to low and simmer 20 to 30 mins, or until noodles are cooked. Soup will be thick, almost stew-like.
  8. Stir in Parmesan cheese and allow to simmer another 3 to 5 minutes.
  9. Spoon portions into bowls and garnish with a generous portion of mozzarella cheese.

Variations

  • Follow Paula Deen’s instructions to top the soup with broiled cheese before serving. Preheat the broiler, and scoop soup into ovenproof bowls. Sprinkle each bowl generously with mozzarella cheese. Broil soups, 6-inches from heat, 3 to 4 minutes, until melted and bubbly.
  • Add mozzarella cheese with Parmesan. Serve with a healthy dollop of ricotta and chopped green onion or parsley.
  • Vary the ingredients to suit your favorite lasagna ingredients. You might substitute some Italian sausage for some or all of the ground beef, or add some veggies like chopped carrot, spinach, or zucchini.
  • To make a vegetarian version, use vegetarian crumbles for the ground beef, vegetable broth for the water and bouillon, and add your favorite chopped veggies.

Time Required: 50 mins

Servings: 6–8

Rating: 5 stars (★★★★★)

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