Layered Southwest Salad

This is incredibly delicious. I make it almost weekly. At home, I usually keep the ingredients separate and then prepare-to-order. It never lasts more than 2 meals! I made it recently as a layered salad--I would recommend adding the Tortilla Chips only on the top at the last minute so they don't get soggy.

Layer in this order (bottom to top):

Romaine Lettuce (rinsed, dried, and chopped into bite-size pieces)
Black Beans (from a can, drained and rinsed)
Corn (from a can, drained and rinsed)
Salsa (I prefer Sam's Choice Medium at Walmart)
Kraft Three Cheese Crumbles (this specific kind makes a big difference)
Ranch Dressing (I prefer Kraft)
Tortilla Chips (put in a ziptop bag and crush into small pieces)

Cheesy Rotel Chicken Casserol

This Recipe is so yummy & easy!

Ingredients:
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can of original Rotel (I usually use about 3/4 because I don't like mine too spicy)
1 Large bag yellow rice
1 pack chicken (usually 3-4 boneless breasts)
1 bag cheddar cheese (2 cup size)

Cook rice according to directions. In 9 x 13 dish, spray pam, and mix the following: soups, rotel, and cooked rice. Boil chicken on the stove. When cooked, cut into small pieces and mix into soup mixture. Top with bag of cheese. Cook on 350 for 30 minutes or until it is heated thoroughly and bubbly on edges.

Enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

Ingredients
1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
1 (16-ounce) package pound cake mix, divided
1 (8-ounce) container sour cream
1/2 cup milk
2 large eggs
Streusel Topping

Preparation
Stir together chocolate morsels and 1 tablespoon cake mix; set aside.
Beat sour cream, milk, eggs, and remaining cake mix at low speed with an electric mixer 30 seconds or until blended. Increase speed to medium, and beat 3 more minutes.
Spoon half of batter into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch pan; sprinkle morsel mixture evenly over batter. Spread remaining batter on top. Sprinkle Streusel Topping evenly over batter.
Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

Streusel Topping Recipe:
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine

Recipes from Jennifer Harbison

Chicken Enchiladas
2 large cans chicken breast ( or use regular chicken breasts)
1 16 oz sour cream1 can rotel ( I used mild)
1 16oz medium salsa
2 packs shredded cheese ( save ½ of one package for topping)
1 cream of chicken souponions- chopped ( I used one)
1 pack 10 tortillas
Mix all ingredients except tortillas in a 9 x 13 pan. Spread mixture to cover bottom. Put some of the mixture in each tortilla. Make as many that will fill you pan. Put some of the mixture on top of the tortillas.Bake covered @ 350 for 1 hour and 15 minutes ( just needs to be heated through) Top with remaining cheese and bake uncovered 15 more minutes.
The beauty of this recipe is that you can have as much of each ingredient as you like. Add whatever else you like to suit you.


Easy and Delicious Chicken and Rice Casserole
1 cup uncooked white rice
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 7/8 cup of water
1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread rice in the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish. Rinse chicken and pat dry; arrange chicken pieces on top of rice. Mix soup and water together and pour over chicken and rice. Sprinkle dry onion soup mix on top. Cover and seal TIGHTLY with foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 to 1 ½ hours. ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mexican Rice
2 c cooked rice
1 c chopped green peppers
1 c diced tomatoes
½ c chopped onion
1 c corn
1 ½ c cheddar cheese (shredded)
1 tbsp butter
½ c bread crumbs

White Chicken Chili

Ingredients:
1lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 1/2 boxes chicken broth
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 med onion, chopped
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp Tastefully Simple Garlic Garlic (optional)
2 cans (15 oz each) great northern beans, rinsed and drained
2 cans (4 oz each) chopped green chilis
Salt
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
8 oz sour cream
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions:
Place chicken in large deep sauce pan and cover with broth. Cook covered on med-high heat for 30 minutes, flipping once. Check for doneness, then place on a cutting board to cool. Reserve the broth to the side.

In same pan, on med-high heat, add 1 tbsp EVOO and swirl. Add onions, garlic powder, and Garlic Garlic. Saute until onions are tender. Add 2 cups of the reserved broth and scrape all the bits around the bottom of the pan. Add the beans, chilis, and remaining seasonings.

Dice cooled chicken and chop in food processor. Add to pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. Remove from heat then stir in sour cream and whipping cream. Serve immediately.

Dinner Idea from Jennifer Harbison

4-6 cubed steaks
2 cans of green beans ( drained)
can of cream of mushroom soup


Put cans of green beans ( drained) into crockpot. Put meat on top of beans. Put soup on top of meat. Stir, Cook on low for 8-9 hours or high 4-6 hours. This sounds very simple ( and it is!) but it is very good!!! I made it for dinner tonight and plan to cook some of Joanne’s creamed potato casserole to go along with it.

Comfort Food

All the rain has made me want comfort food. Here are 2 of my favorite comfort food recipes. Hope you enjoy! -Joanne

Brown Sugar Meatloaf

1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 C ketchup
1.5 lbs lean ground beef
3/4 C milk
2 eggs
1 1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1 onion, chopped
3/4 C crushed saltimes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease 5x9 loaf pan.
Put half brown sugar and half ketchup in bottom of pan.
Mix everything but brown sugar and ketchup together and put in pan.
Top with remaining brown sugar and ketchup.
Bake 1 hour.


Creamed Potato Casserole

6 potatoes, peeled and boiled until tender
2/3 C milk
1/2 C butter
8oz cream cheese
1 C sour cream
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 C green onion
1 C shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix ingredients potatoes to green onion.
Place potatoes into 2 quart casserole dish.
Top with cheese.
Bake for 30 minutes.

Peanut Butter Pie

I haven't made this pie yet, but it looks really yummy...and just how wrong can peanut butter and hot fudge really be???

Prep time: 15 minutes Refrigeration time: 2 hours Makes: 8 servings

Pie:
· 1 prepared chocolate piecrust
· 1 cup creamy peanut butter
· ½-cup sugar
· 8 oz. cream cheese (at room temperature)
· 12 oz container whip cream, thawed & divided
· 1 jar (11.75oz) Smucker’s Hot Fudge Topping, divided

Drizzle:
· 2 Tbsp. Smucker’s Hot Fudge Topping
· 2 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter


Combine in a medium bowl, the peanut butter, cream cheese and sugar. Gently fold in 3 cups of whip cream. Spoon mixture into the pie shell and using a spatula, smooth mixture to edges of pie. Reserve 2 tablespoons of hot fudge topping and place remaining hot fudge into microwave safe bowl or measuring cup. Microwave for 1 minute. Stir.

Spread hot fudge topping over pie to cover the peanut butter layer. Refrigerate until serving time. Just before serving, spread the remaining whipped topping (1 ½ cups) over hot fudge layer, being careful not to mix the two layers, Place the 2 Tbsp. hot fudge topping in a small plastic bag and knead for a few seconds Cut a tiny hole in the corner of the bag and drizzle over pie. Do the same with 2 Tbsp. peanut butter going in the opposite direction of the hot fudge topping.

Warren Recipe's

Here you go Joy...a few more recipes for the blog. Hope you all enjoy, and Happy Eating!!

Italian Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

· 1 box KRAFT Tangy Italian Dinner (you will be using the herb mix and parmesan cheese)
· 1 can mushroom soup
· 1 small can mushrooms. Optional
· 2-3 Tbsp flour
· 1 soup can of Milk
· l cup diced chicken, cooked
· 1 cup celery
· 1 cup onion,
· 1 cup bell pepper
· 1 stick butter

1. Bring water to a boil in large pot for noodles. Add noodles and stir as needed. Cook as directed.
2. While noodles cook, sauté celery, onion and bell pepper in butter until tender. Stir in soup, milk, flour, herb mix packet & ½ packet parmesan cheese. Toss in chicken and keep warm until noodles are ready.
3. Drain noodles well and then combine them with the chicken sauce. Top with remaining parmesan cheese. Bake at 350° until bubbly.

Pineapple Casserole

1 cup sugar
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups grated sharp cheddar
2 (20-ounce) cans pineapple chunks, drained, and 6 tablespoons pineapple juice reserved
1 sleeve cracker crumbs (recommended: Ritz)
8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted, plus extra for greasing pan

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease a medium-size casserole dish with butter.
In a large bowl, stir together the sugar and flour. Gradually stir in the cheese. Add the drained pineapple chunks, and stir until ingredients are well combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish.

In another medium bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, melted butter, and reserved pineapple juice, stirring with a rubber spatula until evenly blended. Spread crumb mixture on top of pineapple mixture. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Come on Ladies

We need some more recipes! I've got Lacy's in the crock pot and the ingredients to make Joanne's. We need some more. I know you all have that recipe or two or three that people love, so share 'em!!

Stew/Vegetables in Crock Pot from Lacy Rice

I had this at Lacy's house the other night and it was delicious!!

Stew/Vegetables in Crock Pot

Cut up potatoes (I will use a can of sliced new potatoes sometimes)
Baby carrots (I will use can carrots sometimes)
Stew meat- washed
Can of cream of mushroom soup
½ can water
Package of dry onion soup mix (can use dry beefy onion soup mix)

Cook:
½ day on high or whole day on low

Eat over rice.

Pecan Pie Muffins

I got this recipe from the newspaper a few weeks ago. A local restaurant serves them. They are quick and easy and very good. Great for Sunday School Breakfast.

1 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. plain flour
1 c. chopped pecans
2/3 c. soft butter
2 eggs, beaten
Combine br. sugar, flour, and pecans. Mix until crumbly. Beat eggs and butter until smooth. Stir into dry mixture until creamy. Pour in greased and floured muffin tins. Bake at 350* for 20-25 minutes.

Makes 12 regular size muffins or 2 dozen mini muffins

Fabulous Side Dishes

Hey Girls,

I'm always on the hunt for great new sides to go with grilled chicken or steak. These are my two favorites. I promise you will love them too!! Enjoy - Joanne

Roasted Asparagus

Ingredients
1 bunch of fresh asparagus
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons butter
4 teaspoons soy sauce
2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

Preheat oven to to 400°.
Snap off bottoms of asparagus. Arrange asparagus in a single layer on baking sheet; coat with cooking spray. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake at 400° for 12 minutes or until tender. (less time if asparagus is really thin.)
Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat; cook for 3 minutes or until lightly browned, shaking pan occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in soy sauce and vinegar. Drizzle over the asparagus, tossing well to coat. Serve immediately.

Baked Green Beans

Ingredients
3 cans whole green beans
4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 cup butter
1/2 brown sugar

Drain green beans and put in a 2 quart casserole dish. Sprinkle bacon on top. Melt butter in microwave. Stir brown sugar into hot butter until sugar is melted and mixture is thick. Pour butter/sugar over green beans. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes. Stir before serving.

Beach cake

1 box yellow butter recipe cake mix
1 jar caramel ice cream topping
1 jar Eagle Brand Milk
1 large Cool Whip Tub
1 Butterfinger (crushed)

Prepare cake like box instructions. After baking, make holes in the top of the cake (I use the opposite end of a wooden spoon). Pour caramel ice cream topping and Eagle Brand Milk on the top of the cake. Top with Cool Whip and crushed Butterfinger. Refrigerate.

It's SO yummy!

EASY Cookies---Little Helper Alert!!

Lacy Rice told me how to make these and they were a HUGE hit and immediately eaten at all my Holiday gatherings. THey are super easy and I love that little hands can help. Well, if I had little hands around, but YOU DO!!

Purchase break and beak chocolate chip cookie dough at your local grocer (or peanut butter cookie dough) and Hershey's kisses (or Peanut Butter Cups if using peanut butter cookies). Bake the cookies in a mini-muffin pan. When cookies come out, let cool in the muffin tins for 2-3 minutes then put a Hershey kiss or PB cup in each cookie in the muffin tins. Your cookies will look like mini-muffins with a sweet treat in the middle. Oh, so easy and very good!!

Chicken Divan

You'll need:
*2-3 cooked chicken breasts cut into strips (or just a bunch of cooked strips)
* Bag of frozen broccoli
*1/2 cup of mayo
* 1 can of cream of chicken soup
* 1 tsp of lemon juice
* shredded cheddar cheese
* Bread crumbs or crumbled Ritz crackers.

While you are cooking the chicken (I just boil it), cook your frozen broccoli according to the directions (I throw it in the microwave). While those are cooking, I stir together the mayo, cream of chicken soup, and lemon juice in a small bowl. When your broccoli is done, spread it in the bottom of a baking dish. Spread your cooked chicken on top of the broccoli. Sprinkle with cheese, then spread out your soup mixture on top (no need for it to be pretty). Lastly top with more cheese and then your bread crumbs or crackers. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until heated through. Bon Apetit!!

Welcome!

Feel free to post recipes to share to your heart's content. I'm hoping to get lots of new things to cook!!