Succulent Short Ribs

Succulent Short Ribs

{Printable Recipe Here}

Cooking Spray

3-4 lbs short ribs (can also use country style ribs)

1-2 bottles Emeril's Original Essence seasoning

Olive oil

3-4 Cans Campbell’s Soup Beef Consommé

Spray the inside of a large crock pot and set aside. In a shallow baking dish pour out contents of one of the seasonings. Roll each short rib in seasonings on all sides. Heat a few tbsp of olive oil into a large skillet pan on Med heat. Once oil is hot, lightly brown ribs on all sides. Transfer Ribs to crockpot. Cook on HI 4-6 hours or on LOW all day.  Serve with rice, potatoes, or other side. Enjoy!

**The day I made these, I used pork country spare ribs (as pictured), because that is what I had in the freezer. Pretty much any type of rib is good in this recipe!

Fried Nacho Tacos

Fried Nacho Tacos

{{Printable Recipe Here}}

Three of my favorite words. Mmm... These are "Nacho" Mama's Tacos!

All kidding aside, if you are like me and love recipes with 5 ingredients (6 if you count the cooking oil, but who's counting?) or less and cooks in 20 minutes or less, then this is a must try! This recipe came about because I didn't have any motivation to cook an elaborate dinner tonight and my food storage/deep freeze is always stocked with these items.

INGREDIENTS

1 lb ground beef
1 packet taco seasonings
1/4 C. water
1 can cheddar cheese condensed soup
18 soft corn tortilla shells (white or yellow)
cooking oil

Step 1.
In small skillet brown ground beef over Med-Hi heat. Drain fat.

Step 2.
Stir in 1 packet of taco seasonings, and ONLY 1/4 C of water. (This is less than the packet instructions.) Stir until seasonings are evenly distributed.

(I know, I know - it looks like Kitty had an accident, but I promise it's sooo delish!)

Step 3.
Stir in cheddar cheese soup until well mixed. Turn off heat.

Step 4.
Heat 2-3 tbsp cooking oil in new skillet. (I love my electric skillet for this.)

Step 5.
On a plate, place a stack of about 18 tortillas and microwave about 1 minute. This helps keep the tortillas pliable and from tearing when folding.

Step 6.
Place one spoonful of cheesy-meat mixture on one-half of a tortilla shell.

Step 7.
Fold tortilla in half and fry a few minutes each side, until golden brown.

Step 8.
Placed fried tacos on a plate lined with paper towel to help absorb excess grease.

Step 9. EAT & ENJOY!!!

p.s. I love to dip mine in homemade ranch dressing. MMMMMMM!

Simple Snickerdoodles

I am not (usually) a fan of Snickerdoodles. I'm what you would call a Supertaster, meaning I have more taste buds on my tongue than the average person. It's a true thing. About 35% of women have this and even fewer men. 

I can remember as a child, the first time I had a snickerdoodle. While my brothers and sisters devoured them like street urchins, clamouring for more, I spit mine out after the first bite. What was wrong with them? I wondered. How could they eat such a nasty, bitter cookie?

Turns out it's the cream of tartar I was tasting, and while everyone else called it "tangy" it tasted bitter to me.  

That aside, I don't mind being a Supertaster. The only down side is, it doesn't come with a cape. ;) 

In general, I love tasting new foods and being able to taste the smoked paprika, hint of chili pepper, or the dash of nutmeg. And since my hubs loves Snickerdoodles, I figured I'd give this simple recipe a try and guess what- I enjoy these little gems! 

1 yellow cake mix

2 eggs

1/4 C oil

3 tbsp sugar

1 tsp. Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375°.  Mix cake mix with eggs & oil. Roll into balls. Roll into cinnamon-sugar. Place on lined pan. Press slightly with bottom of cup. Bake 7-9 min. Let sit on pan another 2 min before transferring to wire rack. 

Super Easy, Super Yummy Homemade Chili

Because I buy things like canned diced tomatoes and beans in bulk, we always have a TON in our food storage.  While 10/$10 sales are great, check price clubs and case lot sales.  Last year I got a ton of beans for like 10 cents a piece at a case lot sale on double-coupon Wednesday.  (Thanks Winegars Grocery!)  I also buy a lot of canned dice tomatoes in bulk whenever I can get them for 50 cents a can or less.  This year we also went in together with 7 other families and bought a cow.  This gave us about 60 lbs of beef for $60.  What a steal!   In essence, this chili cost me less than $4 to make and will feed my family of 6 two meals easily. Maybe even 3, depending on their appetites on any given day.

But don't worry.  Even if you haven't bought a cow recently, you can still make this pretty cheap.  Definitely healthier than store-bought or restaurant chili and much cheaper!  (Freeze leftovers.  Great over baked potatoes too!)

2 lbs ground beef (or turkey)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, chopped
3-4 small sweet peppers (or 1 bell pepper), chopped
2 tsp oregano
2 Tbsp chili powder
4 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon (yes, cinnamon!)
2 - 8oz cans tomato sauce
4 cans diced tomatoes w/ chilies
4 - 14.5 oz cans beans (any kind you like. pictured: Kidney, Black, and Navy), undrained
1 can sweet corn, undrained.

Brown meat with garlic, onion, pepper and spices.  Stir in everything else.  Heat until just starts to boil.  Cover & simmer 30-40 minutes, until ready to serve.

Note:  I drain 2 of my cans of beans and leave only 2 undrained.  Just depends on how thick or thin you prefer.  For extra thick & chunky chili, drain all beans as well as the corn.

Homemade Microwave Popcorn

I heard it before-- that one could make his or her own microwave popcorn.   I wondered if it was true.  Well, it is. Today I had a craving for popcorn, but no microwave popcorn on hand.  Then I remembered that my dad left some popcorn kernels here from the weekend.  But I don't have an air-popper or a StirCrazy and I've never made it over the stove before so I didn't trust myself to do that.  However, my kids do pack their lunches and I have a plethora of large paper lunch bags.

1 large paper lunch sack
1/4 C un-popped popcorn
2 tsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
* Add 1 Tbsp Sugar to the oil first if you want a hint of sweetness

Place popcorn, oil, and salt into paper lunch sack.  Roll sack closed two times and shake well.  Leaving sack closed, place onto a paper towel in microwave.  Microwave popcorn 1-5 minutes until 5 seconds in between pops.  Add more salt or melted butter if desired.

NOTE:  I used my microwave "popcorn" setting and it worked perfectly. 

One nice thing is that there weren't nearly as many "blunts" (seeds) left in the batch than with certain brands of microwave popcorn.  I love that this doesn't have all of the preservatives as the store-bought microwave popcorn and also, it's way cheaper than buying the store-bought microwave popcorn!  I may never buy that again.

Spaghetti Boats

If I am short on time (not even enough time to boil the pasta), I opt for Spaghetti Boats instead of regular spaghetti.  The kids love them and it seems no matter how big the "boats" are, there are rarely leftovers!  (Note down below for variations we often eat as well.)

1 large loaf French or Italian Bread

1 lb ground beef

chopped garlic, onions, peppers, oregano as desired

1 jar favorite spaghetti sauce

2 C shredded cheese (I usually use Colby-Jack or Mozzarella)

Cut the loaf of bread in half, lengthwise and then cut each half into quarters, ending up with 8 "boats".  Set aside on baking sheet.  In skillet or sauce pan brown ground beef and add desired veggies.  Drain fat and add favorite spaghetti sauce.  (Homemade or store bought.)  Mix well, and stir until heated through.  Spoon meat sauce evenly over each bread boat.  Sprinkle with cheese.  Bake in 350 degree oven 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is melted. 

Tip:  I like to line my baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easier clean-up.

Variations:  
For Sloppy Joe Boats, prepare ground beef as you would for Sloppy Joes and top with shredded cheddar before baking.
For Pizza Boats, use marinara sauce, sausage, pepperoni, etc, and top with a shredded Italian cheese blend.
For Cheeseburger Boats, saute chopped onion with the ground beef and season with a little salt, pepper and some Worcestershire sauce.  Top each with slice of favorite "cheeseburger" cheese (American, Pepper-Jack, Cheddar, Swiss, etc.)  After baking, add ketchup and mustard if desired.


Hope you enjoy these as much as we do!

Simple Sunday Chicken

This is such a simple recipe. The chicken creates its own juices and the final product is super moist!

1 small onion, optional

1 whole chicken (giblets removed)

Seasoning

Seasoning Mix:

2 tsp Salt

2 tsp paprika

1 tsp cayenne pepper **

1 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp black pepper

Chop onion and place in bottom of crock pot, if desired. Place chicken in crock pot, breast-side up. In small bowl mix together dry ingredients. Rub over top of chicken. Cook on HIGH 4-6 hours or LOW 6-8, until chicken tests done. (If using whole cut-up fryer chicken, layer smaller pieces on bottom and breasts on top, adding seasonings to both layers.)

For a Rotisserie effect, I like to then place the chicken under the broiler for 5 minutes. It's gives it just that perfect little crisp. My kids love it!

**Instead of Cayenne Pepper, I opt for Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning and omit the black pepper as well. If you have some, give it a try! You could also experiment with Lemon Pepper for a zesty flavor!

Bacon-Cheese Coleslaw

My kids don't really care for "regular" coleslaw. But when I make this, there are never leftovers. I've become quite the coleslaw snob after my family got used to eating it this way. Enjoy!

1 pkg shredded cabbage/coleslaw mix

1 1/2 C Mayo

1 C Sugar

1 Tbsp vinegar

onion salt, to taste

a few dashes celery seed, optional

6 pieces bacon, fried & crumbled

1 C finely shredded cheddar or colby jack cheese

Empty coleslaw mix into salad bowl. In small bowl, mix remaining ingredients, except bacon & cheese. Pour over coleslaw mix and toss well to coat evenly. Add bacon pieces and cheese and toss again. Store covered in fridge until ready to serve.

My shortcut tips:

I always buy the coleslaw mix because it already has the bits of carrots and I'm lazy like that. Also, I buy the package of precooked bacon and just "crisp" it in the microwave 45-60 seconds. Again, because I'm lazy like that. Haha.

I also "toss" my salad in a storage container with a lid or a gallon size Ziploc bag. Much more evenly disbursed on the dressing.

Also, I have used light Mayo and Splenda with this in the past and it was very good. I will also often substitute Apple Cider Vinegar for regular, just depending on what I have on hand. Something about the combination of the apple and bacon...Mmmm.

Applesauce Pork Loin Roast

This is a verrrrry moist and tender pork loin roast. Pan searing the roast before baking it seems to be the key to locking the juices in, so do not forget this important step. Enjoy!

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1- 3lb boneless pork loin roast

cooking spray

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 C applesauce

3 Tbsp honey mustard

3 sprigs fresh rosemary

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Rub pork with salt and pepper. Brown pork on all sides in skillet sprayed with cooking spray. Transfer to rack in shallow roasting pan. In small bowl mix together applesauce and mustard; stir well. Spread applesauce mixture over roast. Lay rosemary sprigs across top. Bake @ 350 uncovered 2 - 2 1/2 hrs or until meat thermometer tests done (inside temp about 160). Let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing. Yields approximately 12-15 servings.

Rainbow Jell-O (7 Layer Jell-O)

It is known by both names. There are many ways to make it. Some use sour cream or yogurt, but this one is made with Sweetened Condensed Milk and Knox. Personally, it's my favorite. For Easter I made these "personal" Rainbow Jell-O Cups. My kids are excited and can't wait to eat them tomorrow!

______________________

Colored Layers:

4 - 3oz boxes of any flavor Jell-O.

4 C Boiling Water

4 Envelopes (total) of Knox Gelatin

White Layers:

1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 1/2 C Boiling Water

1/2 C Cold Water

4 Envelopes Knox Gelatin

Prepare 9x13 pan or mold by spraying lightly with cooking spray. Wipe out with paper towel as you only want a very little bit of oil and yet it needs to be evenly disbursed.

Start with a rainbow/colored layer. In small mixing bowl mix 1 pkg Jell-O with 1 envelope Knox. Slowly pour in 1 C boiling water and stir for about 2 minutes or until dissolved completely. Pour into pan and refrigerate 15 minutes. Meanwhile, mix up White (milk) layer:

In larger mixing bowl mix together 4 envelopes of Knox with 1/2 C cold water. Stir slightly to moisten; let set. Pour 1 1/2 C Boiling Water over mixture and slowly whisk. Add 1 can sweetened condensed milk and stir well. Slowly pour 1 C Milk Mixture over the 1st rainbow layer. Refrigerate 15 minutes.

Repeat process, alternating between colored and white layers, making sure to refrigerate 15 minutes in between.

Note: If the milk mixture thickens up while waiting for the Rainbow layers to set, place in the microwave 20 seconds or so until it "melts" again. Whisk to smooth it out.

*If you plan to do more than 7 layers (as I did here), plan to double the White Mixture.

Creamy Funeral Potatoes

Named "Funeral Potatoes" for commonly being served as a side dish at traditional Mormon post-funeral family dinners. They are also served at large social or family gatherings in Utah or other areas with a large Latter-Day Saint population. Many of my Amish relatives make a variation of this and they are usually just referred to as "Potluck Potatoes". Funeral Potatoes basically consist of potatoes (cubed or hash), cheese, onions, cream soup, sour cream, butter and corn flakes.

I've played around with several variations myself, and this one is the one that my kids love the best. Normally I am not a fan of Velveeta Cheese, but in this recipe it helps make the potatoes that much creamier. Enjoy!

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1 lb frozen hash browns or diced potatoes

1/2 C (1 stick) butter

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 can cream of mushroom soup

2 C sour cream

2 C Velveeta Cheese, cubed

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 tsp Seasoned Salt

TOPPING:

3-4 C crushed corn flakes

1/2 C (1 stick) butter, melted

Lightly spray bottom of large 9x13 casserole and then pour in frozen potatoes and set aside. In saucepan over Medium heat melt 1/2 C butter. Add onions and saute until onions are crisp-tender. Next, add soup and sour cream and stir until blended. Add in cheese cubes and stir frequently until cheese is melted. Add seasonings stirring well. Pour creamed mixture over potatoes, turning in pan to thoroughly mix. In gallon size Ziploc bag pour 2 C of Corn Flakes. Seal beg and use rolling pin or plastic cup to finely crush. Pour 1/2 C melted butter into bag, reseal and toss to coat well. Sprinkle buttered crumbs over potatoes and bake uncovered @ 350 about 45 minutes.

Fruit Pizza

I prefer this pudding base as opposed to the more common "frosting" base. It's more of a fruit tart this way too! I like that I can reduce the sugar & fat by using SF pudding mix, low fat milk, & fat free cream cheese.


1 package refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 box instant vanilla pudding mix
1 1/2 C cold milk
1 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
Fruit- fresh strawberries, blueberries, black berries, kiwi, mandarin oranges (drained), etc.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray pan with cooking spray. Divide the cookie dough into equal sized "blobs" and space even on cookie tray. Using rolling pin or palm of hands, start to work the dough together, forming one large cookie crust. The more you work with it the easier it will spread. Once the crust is spread to the edges, place pan in oven and bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool completely. In small mixing bowl combine pudding mix and milk. Let set up about 5 minutes. Add chunks of cream cheese and then beat until smooth and creamy. On cooled crust spread cream topping. Arrange fruit into any desired pattern. Cover with plastic wrap and chill until ready to serve. Enjoy!

Supper Skillet

1 medium onion chopped

3-4 cloves garlic, minced

1 lb ground beef

1 bell pepper or other veggies as desired

4 medium red potatoes, chopped and steamed

salt and pepper to taste
other seasonings as desired (basil, chili powder, smoked paprika, etc.)

1 C shredded Cheddar (or cubed Velveeta)

3-4 eggs, prepared to liking

Lightly spray skillet with cooking spray. Saute onion and garlic. Add meat and brown, stirring often. Add in other chopped peppers or vegetables, and continue to stir fry over low-med heat. Steam potatoes in covered microwave-safe dish or in microwave steamers bags. Add to skillet, along with additional seasonings, stirring occasionally. Add cheese and stir frequently to melt. In separate frying pan, prepare eggs as desired (scrambled, sunny-side up, etc.) You can either serve eggs over the skillet or fold in.

*shown here with Mac& Cheese Toast

Cheesy Tuna Bake

I know you don't usually think of tuna as "comfort food", but this casserole is awesome, and the tuna isn't overpowering. Way simple too! My kids love this... but I don't tell my boys there is any tuna in it, tee hee!

1/2 lb uncooked pasta

1 can tuna, drained

1 C chopped broccoli, fresh or thawed & drained

minced onion, optional

1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup

1/2 C sour cream*

1/4 C milk

2 C shredded cheese, divided

Preheat oven 350 degrees. Cook pasta in pot over stove; drain and pour into 2 qt casserole dish. Add tuna, broccoli and onion (if desired). Toss well. Fold in soup, sour cream and milk, one at a time. Add in HALF the cheese. Stir well and spread evenly in pan. Bake about 25 minutes. Top with remaining cheese and bake another 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted. Serve warm.

*you may also omit sour cream and increase milk to 1/2 C.

Beef Stew

2 tbsp oil (I prefer olive or canola)

1 medium onion, chopped

2 lbs beef chunks

2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 stalks celery, finely chopped

3 medium carrots, chopped

4-5 medium red potatoes

4 tsp soup base

4 C hot water

2 C Cold Water

2 packets brown gravy mix

salt and pepper to taste

In large stock pot saute onions in oil over Med-Hi heat. Add meat chunks and Worcestershire. Stir-fry meat with the onions until the meat is browned and onion is tender. Add remaining veggies and continue to stir-fry. In separate small bowl mix soup base (or bullion cubes) with hot water. Slowly add to pot. In small bowl whisk together 2 C cold water with both gravy packets. Slowly pour into pot; stir. Bring to boil and then turn heat to low. Let simmer till meat is tender 2-3 hours (depending on thickness of meat).

*I used left over sirloin from dinner the night before. Since it was already cooked, I simply cut it up and added it to the stir-fry AFTER adding all of my veggies.

TIPS: I usually make this the night before and only let it simmer about an hour and stick it in the fridge. Then, the next morning, before going to work, I toss it in the crock pot, adding a little more water or broth is necessary, and cook on LOW all day. It also goes from freezer to crock pot well, but you will definitely want to add a little more water or broth for that. My kids LOVE eating this with Ritz Crackers or Hot out-of-the-oven corn bread.

Taco Chili

A bunch of the ladies in the hood assembled some chili gift jars a few weeks ago. I decided to make one for myself, and altered the recipe just slightly. It was soooo good! This is a fairly mild chili and my kids enjoyed it, even the one that "doesn't like chili" loved this.

2 - 2 1/2 C chili beans*

1 lb ground beef

1 medium onion, if desired

1 packet taco seasonings

1 small can tomato sauce

1 - 14 oz can diced tomatoes, with juices

1 - 10 oz can diced tomatoes with green chilies, with juices

4 - 4 1/2 C Water

1 1/2 C crushed tortilla chips

shredded taco cheese (optional)

Sour cream (optional)

tortilla chips or crackers

Place beans in large stock pot and cover with water. Bring water to boil and let boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat and cover with lid. Let stand one hour. Drain water. Rinse beans and return to pot. In separate skillet, brown ground beef with onion, then drain fat. Add meat to beans in pot. Sprinkle entire packet of taco seasonings over meat and beans. Then add tomato sauce and both cans of diced tomatoes in juices. Stir to mix well. Add 4 1/2 C water and place pot on stove over HIGH heat. Bring to boil and let boil for two minutes. Turn heat down to low, cover pot and simmer for 2 hours or until beans are tender. Add crushed tortilla chips and cook over med-high heat to thicken. Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream and more tortillas or crackers if desired.

*I like to use 1/2 C kidney beans, 1/2 C white chili beans, 1/2 C pinto beans and 1/2 C black beans.

For hotter chili, add 1 or 2 hot peppers to mixture before simmering.

Yam Crisp

Ever since a colleague of mine told me about the yam crisp his wife makes every Thanksgiving I have been craving it. I begged for her recipe only to be told, "a little of this and a little of that" type of thing. I knew in my mind how it should taste, and here is what I came up with. Thanks Ruthykins for giving me the tips on the crumb topping. When I made it, I had to make some in a little pan so we could "taste test" it at home first. It was a HIT!

*double the recipe for a 9x13 pan as shown

1 - 29 oz cut yams, drained
1/4 C butter, melted
1/2 C brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

Topping:
3/4 C Oats
1/4 C Flour
1/4 C gran sugar
1/4 C brown sugar
1/4 C butter, melted

In mixing bowl, combine yams, 1/4 C melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Beat together until well mixed and creamy, as you would for mashed potatoes. Spread in lightly greased 9 inch square pan or casserole dish. In separate, small mixing bowl combine dry ingredients for topping. Add melted butter a little at a time and continue to mix. You should end up with a moist, but still crumbly mixture. Spread crumb topping evenly over yams. Bake @ 350 for about 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve warm with ice cream or whipped topping if desired.

Easy-Peasy Cocktail Meatballs

The Blonde Duck over at "A Duck In Her Pond" was talking all things meatballs, which of course put me in the mood for some, so I made these the other night. My kids LOVE these!

Now, you COULD make your own meatballs if you have a great recipe and lots of time to roll out a bunch of little meaty balls... however, because I am a Cheat, and have very little or no time at all to cook, I buy the 2 lb bag of frozen meatballs. I wait until they go on sale for about $2.50 a bag... or get them from Costco. Anyway... without further adieu...

Easy-Peasey Cocktail Meatballs

2 lbs meatballs, cooked (can use the frozen kind)

1 - 16 oz jellied cranberry sauce (or whole cranberry sauce if desired)

1 - 12 oz bottled chili sauce (i love the "Homemade" brand)

2 tsp lemon juice

1 Tbsp brown sugar

Place meatballs in crock pot. Add remaining ingredients and turn on low 3-6 hours.

*when eating as a main dish for dinner, we like to serve them as "mini sandwiches" in Hawaiian style rolls... yummm!!!

Fish Fry!

I start with the following "fry mix" and improvise as I go. Sometimes I add seasonall or other spices. I have used this mix with Tilapia, Orange Roughy and Catfish and it was good with all of them. Oh - and by the way - 2 of my kids "don't like fish"... but they like this. I think it's the crispness that helps.

Fish Fry Mix:

cooking oil

milk or lightly beaten egg

1 C cornmeal
2 tbsp seasoned salt
1/2 tsp chili powder, more or less
2 tsp paprika
salt and pepper to taste

Depending on the size, this should be enough for 6-8 fish fillets.

Heat oil in pan. (or can use deep fryer) Mix dry ingredients together and place in ziploc bag. Take each fish fillet and quickly brush with milk or beaten egg and then turn in bag to coat. Fry in hot oil in pan a few minutes each side. Continue turning every few minutes until golden brown and desired crispness. Drain on paper towel or parchment paper.

Tips: I like to buy the individually flash-frozen fillets. I take them out of the package and rinse slightly before using. I don't even thaw them out and they are perfect. This seems to help the fish from falling apart in the pan as well. Also, covering the pan with a lid helps to cook evenly and reduces hot oil spatters.

Yummy-Mummy Halloween Calzones

We made our own Yummy Mummy calzones and they were fun! Kids enjoyed them too! Not as pretty as the ones on the recipe video, but I thought they still turned out great! Try these next year and get the kids involved. For recipe click here....Rhodes Rolls Yummy Mummies