Friday, February 27, 2009

Crock Pot Potato Dinner

The theme for our recipe group this month was "Potato Dishes". I scoured over recipes. I felt overwhelemd. It all just seemed too hard. So... I made this one up. My kids LOVED it!



2 lb bag frozen "country style" or "O'Brien" potatoes
16 oz Velveeta Cheese, cubed
1 polska kielbasa sausage, cut up*
8 oz sour cream
1/2 stick (1/4 C) butter
salt & pepper, to taste


Add all ingredients to the crock pot. Stir to mix. Cook on LOW 4-6 hours. Stir well before serving. Add salt & pepper as needed.


*You can also substitute Polish Sausage or Bratwurst. Also try adding 1 can drained corn kernels.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Valentine Torte Cake

I was in the mood for some loves - but of course just being me & the kids we decided food was the way to go! We had Chicken & Noodles for dinner with cornbread, baked in a heart-shaped pan. And then we made this for Dessert. It was a great treat to end our weekly family night with.

1 chocolate cake mix
eggs, oil, and water according to package directions
2 - 8oz pkgs cream cheese, softened and divided
2 C milk , divided
1 small box instant chocolate pudding mix
1 small box instant vanilla pudding mix
1 tub Cool Whip, thawed
Chocolate shavings or Hershey syrup for garnishing, optional


Mix cake batter according to package directions. Grease and flour pans. Pour cake batter into 2 same-shape pans. Bake according to box. Let cool completely

In small mixing bowl beat 1 pkg cream cheese till fluffy. Add 1 C milk a little at a time and continue beating. Add in chocolate pudding mix, and beat till smooth. Add a little more milk if too thick. Refrigerate at least 5 minutes. Repeat same process for vanilla pudding mix. Start by spreading chocolate cream on first layer of cake. Since it is cold, you'll need to work it gently with the back of a spoon. This will help it spread more evenly. Add second cake layer and fill in gaps with pudding.
Top second layer of cake with vanilla cream.

Finally, spread layer of cool whip. Garnish with chocolate shavings or drizzle with Hershey's Syrup, if desired. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
We decided to create a "broken heart" and share with our neighbors! It was fun to take it over to them. (Plus - I snagged the cool whip from her freezer, so it was only fair!)