Wednesday, April 29, 2015

5 Delicious Dishes for Cinco De Mayo {Blast from the Past}

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!! 


(is just around the corner) 

Easy and Terrific...a crescent roll crust makes this tasty dish a breeze to make.
SO family-friendly! 





Such a simple recipe...begin with frozen chicken if need be. Put everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you...Top with cheese and chips...




A Baker family favorite for over 40 years. Not really tacos...but 
oh so good.  Just open cans and heat...add cheese and melt..
serve over chips. Makes enough to feed a crowd too. 





Kinda like 'fried ice cream' only without the mess..make ahead and freeze until ready to serve.  This is fabulos-o! 




A simple side dish, perfect alongside any Mexican dish...delish! 


Mexican Rice



Tuesday, April 28, 2015

HOW TO MAKE A CAKE MIX TASTE LIKE A BAKERY CAKE

It really IS the simple things in life that matter most.

You know...like taking shortcuts and having great results! ;-}

This is a simple 'recipe' for improving the taste of a boxed mix.

Try it, you'll like it. 


HOW TO MAKE CAKE MIX TASTE HOMEMADE 

Look at the directions on the cake mix.
Add one more egg (or add 2 if you want it to be very rich).
Use melted butter instead of oil (and double the amount).
Use whole milk instead of water.
 Mix well and bake for the time recommended on the box.

You might also like these other 'homemade' recipes...










Print Friendly and PDF

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Cheesey Loose Meat 'Sammies'

Oh you are gonna love me for sharing this one. You cook up a buncha burger....season it....let it simmer, then make a buncha sammies, or cool and chill...then use whenever you want one or two 'sammies'. 

Recipe can easily be cut in half. 

This meat is seasoned so nicely, and it freezes well. It may seem like there are a lot of seasonings to add, but it's simple to do that, and the end result will be SO worth it!

I added cheese, then warmed in the microwave.  It helps keep that loose meat together. Top with ketchup and/or mustard if desired. 

You can serve this in plain ole buns, or you can add the "WOW" factor and use Hawaiian rolls.  Did you know they now have a 'sub roll'...that's what I used here....and they're already sliced.

My hubby doesn't like BBQ but he REALLY loves this special sandwich. 
This is NOT BBQ. 

If you want to feed a crowd, you can make 12 - 24 sandwiches at once.

This is an awesome recipe from Christy at Southern Plate...I adapted her recipe just a little.  She and her mama both RAVE about these special sandwiches. 



CHEESEY LOOSE MEAT 'SAMMIES' 

3# lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped 
(or 1/3 c. dried minced onions)
3 c.water
2 Tb. cider vinegar
2 Tb. brown sugar
2 Tb. worcestershire sauce 
2 Tb. soy sauce
1-1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
(I used a tad less)
1/2 - 1 tsp. (fresh) ground pepper
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 beef bouillon cubes
2 chicken bouillon cubes
24 Hawaiian rolls

In a very large skillet (I used my Dutch oven) add ground beef and onion, along with the water. (Strange I know...but stick with me here..) Chop the beef really fine while bringing it to a boil over medium high heat. (Adding the water makes this easier to do). Cook, chopping and stirring, until meat is no longer pink. 

Before adding all the spices, I drained about 1/2 c. water. When all the seasonings are added, let cook, uncovered, until mixture gets thicker, about 
15 - 20 minutes. 

With slotted spoon, mound beef onto cut Hawaiian rolls. Add your favorite cheese (or not); add top bun. (I cover with a paper towel and microwave about 15 seconds to warm the bun.) Add ketchup or mustard if desired.  (My hubby loved it without either). 

Yield: 24 Hawaiian roll sandwiches, or 12 Hawaiian sub rolls. 

Leftovers freeze well - and I think would be great in spaghetti or goulash. 


Linked to Weekend Potluck
GBP Roundup - Father's Day
You might also like these sandwiches...







Print Friendly and PDF

Friday, April 24, 2015

Crockpot Beans 'n' Kraut Stew & Weekend Potluck #167

WELCOME TO WEEKEND POTLUCK!! 
(Oops - I had a typo...guess we COULD call it POT-LICK too huh? lol)

SO glad you've stopped by to spend some time with us, sharing or
getting new ideas!! 

AND....


When I share something worth sharing...again...


Get ready for rants and raves when you serve this tasty dish. 
So filling and comforting too! A real crowd pleaser!



Now, let's take a quick peek back at last week...

The recipe with the most clicks was ~


Kentucky Hot Brown by Spicy Southern Kitchen

Recipes that caught our attention ~


Do Nothing Cake by Cake’s Cottage


Barbecue Beef Tater Tot Casserole by Melissa’s Southern Style Kitchen

And, a personal favorite ~


Tropical Fruit Salad by Served up with Love

Your hostesses ~

Remember that when you link up, it shows on all FIVE blogs. Plus…

We TWEET. We PIN. We LIKE.

Linky Guidelines:

If you wish to be a featured recipe or for us to promote your recipe either on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, you MUST follow these instructions.
  1. Please link up to your exact post and not the main page to your blog.
  2. LINK BACK HERE from your post so that others can find the fun. (Need help linking back? Read this or watch this great instructional video Please use a direct link within your post.
When you are kind enough to follow our guidelines, we work hard to get you as much exposure as possible so that your time here is well invested. We want this to be a fun and rewarding experience for everyone!






Wednesday, April 22, 2015

3 Bread 'n Biscuit Recipes {Blast from the Past}

Such wonderfully moist and delicious bread.
Great for gift giving...(Lighter Options here too)



This recipe got so many positive reactions and comments at my post...it's oh so tasty and the butter makes a crispy crust that's outta this world. 


If you love the cookie, you're surely going to love this awesome bread! 



Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Balsamic Roasted Brussel Sprouts (Copycat Whole Foods)

I've been trying to eat 'cleaner' than usual...so when I saw this easy recipe at my friend Arman's The Big Man's World I had to try them.  I keep balsamic vinegar on hand and don't use it much, so I was up for the 'challenge'. 


These were tasty and I ate the whole batch myself! I hate to admit it...
but...I've never been to a Whole Foods Market...I don't know that I've ever seen one either...but I do hear and read much about them. 

I'm sure these are an item available in their prepared foods section. 

And they are YUMMY-LISCIOUS! 

I always like experimenting with options.  We really enjoyed these Ritzy Brussel Sprouts..baked in a cream sauce, topped with cheese, cracker crumbs and nuts.  This recipe for Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Caramelized Onions are a real hit anytime they're served! 

If you've never tried roasting veggies, you should know it brings out the SWEETNESS in them!!  Try it, you'll like it....


BALSAMIC ROASTED BRUSSEL SPROUTS
(COPYCAT WHOLE FOODS) 

2# washed & trimmed brussel sprouts
1/4 c. olive oil
2 Tb. balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. black pepper
(I used fresh ground garlic pepper - MMM)

(After the first 20 minutes of roasting, I drizzled a little bit of a balsamic glaze I've had forever over them...I think it made them a bit darker...and surely very tasty!)


Preheat oven to 350. Cover cookie sheet/tray with non stick foil. 

In lg. bowl, mix olive oil and balsamic vinegar, then add brussel sprouts, stirring until well coated. 

Place brussel sprouts onto foil; sprinkle with salt & pepper. Roast for 20 minutes, stir until loosened and bake another 20 minutes, or until nice and brown, and tender...thus, caramelized.  

Remove from oven and serve after cooling a few minutes. 

Linked to Weekend Potluck
               Meal Plan Monday




Other 'green' veggies dishes you might like...














Print Friendly and PDF

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Easy Snickerdoodles (from a cake mix)

While we were on vacation in Florida, I saw this simple recipe from Cindy at Skip to my Lou. Since I already had a yellow cake mix on hand...I couldn't resist making these.  I have a real love for making something other than cake from a cake mix. Cindy found this one on the side of a Duncan Hines cake mix.

(Believe me when I say...I took a real break in the kitchen during the 2 months we enjoyed FL. I baked about 4 times (have you ever tried baking in an 18-qt. electric roaster?  I'm amazed at how nicely that works!) and made a meal about 3 times. NICE!)

These had a bit different texture than traditional snickerdoodles, but they were gobbled up quickly.  I don't think it mattered to my taste testers. 

(Update: You can add 1/2 tp. cream of tartar to give these tasty 
cookies a little 'tang' that is common in Snickerdoodles!) 

When you need something quick, I'd suggest you try these tasty cookies. Other delicious cake mix creations I love are Gooey Bars3 (or 4) ingredient (Jello) Cake mix cookies  and Luscious Lemon Sheet Cake..more links below



EASY SNICKERDOODLES 

1 (18 ozs) yellow cake mix
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar, optional
1/3 c. oil
2 eggs

5 Tb. granulated sugar
1-1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly spray cookie sheet.

In large bowl, combine yellow cake mix (and cream of tartar if using) with oil and eggs. (I stirred by hand...no mixer needed). Roll into 1" balls.  In small bowl, mix together  sugar and cinnamon. Roll balls into cinnamon and sugar mixture until evenly coated. Place balls on cookie sheet; slightly flatten with the bottom of a glass dipped in cinnamon sugar mixture. Bake for about 8 minutes. Let stand about a minute; remove to cooling rack. Enjoy!

Linked to Weekend Potluck


You might enjoy these other desserts using a cake mix...





















Print Friendly and PDF

Friday, April 17, 2015

German Chocolate Zucchini Bread & Weekend Potluck #166

WELCOME TO WEEKEND POTLUCK! 
So glad you joined us today...pour yourself some coffee and sit a spell....
We're always happy you stopped by to party with us today!


AND....


When I share something worth sharing...again...

If you like coconut and chocolate....
This is the 'ultimate' in zucchini breads



Now, let's take a quick peek back at last week...

The recipe with the most clicks was ~


Bacon and Egg Pasta Salad by With a Blast

Recipes that caught our attention ~


Pistachio Crusted Salmon by Running in a Skirt


Crock Pot Chicken Tacos by Kleinworth & Co

And, a personal favorite ~


Peanut Butter Cup Mini Muffins by Everyday Mom's Meals

Your hostesses ~

Remember that when you link up, it shows on all FIVE blogs. Plus…

We TWEET. We PIN. We LIKE.

Linky Guidelines:

If you wish to be a featured recipe or for us to promote your recipe either on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, you MUST follow these instructions.
  1. Please link up to your exact post and not the main page to your blog.
  2. LINK BACK HERE from your post so that others can find the fun. (Need help linking back? Read this or watch this great instructional video Please use a direct link within your post.
When you are kind enough to follow our guidelines, we work hard to get you as much exposure as possible so that your time here is well invested. We want this to be a fun and rewarding experience for everyone!




Wednesday, April 15, 2015

3 Awesome Crockpot Desserts {Blast from the Past}


As delicious as it looks...moist and fudgy!  Company-worthy dessert!! 







Oh I am so impressed with this simple recipe that turns out an amazing dessert.
Serve with ice cream and get ready for OOHHHs and AAHHHs....






Bakes while you're at church...appropriately named.
A simple and amazing dessert ready when you are...






Print Friendly and PDF

Printfriendly