Getting things done-cooking

I have a recipe rotation that I use for the family.  Cooking is hard.  Not because I don't like it, nope I don't mind it at all, and I don't mind trying new recipes.  What is hard is my family is very picky.  Neither of my boys eats vegetables at all.  Neither one of them likes anything cooked in a slow cooker.   Our son won't even eat mashed potatoes and forget anything that has touched gravy.  Our daughter (who doesn't live at home anymore) didn't eat meat and the boys love meat.  So it makes things hard.  What I look for is a recipe that I can substitute onions for onion powder and remove all the veggies.  Yes, it is horrible.  What I am going to do below is tell you some of the things my picky eaters will eat.  I have posted some of the recipes on previous blog posts, so I will link to them.  There are so good things here, they would be better if you added broccoli :), or carrots.  Use your imagination and create something new from these, or just try them for a simple dinner night.

First I will give you recipes that I have already posted (this is not all of the recipes I have posted, but they are the family's favorites.  Go to my home page and click on "recipes" on the right and you will see all that I have posted, the Doritos casserole is outstanding!!!

Chicken and dumplins-by far the easiest dumplings you will ever make.  There is not even any mixing here, just dumping.  Super easy and my husband loves it.  

Homemade Ranch dressing-so much better for you than the chemical powdered junk and cheaper than Hidden Valley.  Personally, I think it is spectacular!!!

Poppyseed Chicken-I love this one.  I love to make 2 of them and in mine, I put in broccoli...yummy!!! super fantastic

Peanut Butter Pie- this may not be the main dish, but my family loves it so much.  This used to be a recipe that Cracker Barrel used to make the most delectable pie (in the days when I worked for them).  Try this one for a surprise for your family, I think they will give you big smiles.

Now for some new recipes for you.

Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients:

Butter (softened)

10 to 12 slices of bread (take off crust)

1 to 1 and 1/2 pounds of sausage

1 and 1/2 to 2 cups mild shredded cheddar cheese

12 to 14 eggs

Milk to make eggs like scrambled eggs (about 1/2 a cup)

Salt and pepper

Brown sausage in crumbled pieces. 

Butter both sides of the bread and cover the bottom of the baking dish with the bread. 

Sprinkle sausage over the top of the bread. 

Sprinkle the cheese on top of the sausage. 

Mix eggs and milk just like you would mix to make scrambled eggs, add salt and pepper to taste and pour the mixture over the top of the sausage and cheese. 

If possible, let it sit in the refrigerator overnight. 

Bake at 350 degrees until eggs are down (slightly brown) about 30 to 45 minutes. 

King Hawaii Roll Sandwiches

Another easy recipe

I have another easy recipe for you.  This is the easiest chicken and dumplins you will ever make.

    Now my husband likeds to add cheddar cheese to this and broil the last couple of minutes, but you can do what you like. I like to add poultry seasoning to the flour mix just to give it some extra flavor.  Be creative and see what you can do with this. 

Another recipe for your quarentined days

 This recipe is from my mom and it is superb.  I have made it time and time again, with the basis of the recipe, but I often change things around to suit how I feel today.  I think it is good year round, but others prefer in cold temps, like the temps Kentucky is experiencing right now. 


 Chocolate Chili (yes, chocolate) 

1 pound ground round
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup hot water
2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with garlic, undrained
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained\
1 (14.5 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
Directions
1. Combine ground round and onion in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring,
until beef is browned, about 5 minutes.
2. Transfer cooked beef and onions to slow cooker. Stir in water, tomatoes, kidney beans, black
beans, corn, chocolate chips, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and salt. Cook on High until chili
begins to bubble, about 20 minutes. Reduce heat to Low, and cook until thick, about 2 hours.
3. I used Laura's lean beef, sub tomato juice (mine) for water, used reg tomatoes and added garlic,
also added about 1/2 c choc chips.  Did rest about the same but added spices to my taste. Made
on top of stove, not crock pot.

And the last one I found on the internet, it is super easy and super delish.

Doritos Casserole

This Doritos casserole is layers of crushed Doritos tortilla chips, ground beef, salsa and cheese, all baked together to golden brown perfection. An easy dinner option that the whole family will love!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 55 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef I use 90% lean
• 1/2 cup onion finely diced
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 1/2 cups salsa
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded cheese I used cheddar and Monterey Jack
• 4 cups Doritos chips I used nacho cheese flavor
• 1/2 cup tomatoes diced
• 1/4 cup green onions sliced
• cooking spray
• sour cream, cilantro and other taco toppings for serving optional

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 2-3 quart baking dish with cooking spray.
• Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Add the beef and cook for 4-5 minutes or until just browned, breaking up the meat with a spatula.
• Add the onion and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes or until onion is translucent.
• Stir in the taco seasoning and red salsa. Simmer for 3-4 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the sour cream.
• Lightly crush the Doritos. Spread 1/3 of the chips over the bottom of the prepared pan. Place 1/2 of the meat mixture on top of the chips, then add 1/3 of the cheese in an even layer.
• Repeat the process with another 1/3 of the chips, the rest of the meat, and 1/3 of the cheese. 
• Add the remaining chips, then the final layer of cheese. Cover the baking dish with foil.
• Bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and starting to brown.
• Sprinkle the tomatoes and green onions over the casserole, then serve. Top with additional taco flavorings such as sour cream, olives, etc. if desired.  Enjoy your home cooked meal tonight. 

Homemade Ranch

Again, since we are stuck inside and not social distancing, I wanted to share another of my recipes.


There are so many good homemade ranch dressing recipes out there, but this is the one that I use in my house.  Why make it? Oh, it tastes so much better than store-bought and you control the ingredients, you know exactly what is inside there.



First of all, I have to make some buttermilk because I never have that.  I pour about a 1 1/2  cups of milk (I rarely measure) into a bowl and add about a 1/2 teaspoon (again, eyeballing) of vinegar.  I stir it up and let it sit for a few minutes.

While waiting for that I get another bowl out and add:
 1/2 sour cream
1 cup of mayo (I use the Great Value brand)

I am sorry but I do these to taste or how I like them to be (so bad at measuring), these are all dry ingredients I keep in my cupboard:

Dill weed
Garlic Powder
Parsley
Onion Powder
guessing, I would say about 1 teaspoon to start out and see how you like it.  I like about 1/2 garlic, 1 1/2 dill, 1/4 onion,  and 1 parsley.

When I started researching ranch recipes many say to add a little lemon juice so I started adding a little bit and I admit it does give it a WOW!!! So add a little lemon juice.  You can taste test it right now...isn't that yummy?  It will taste even better after about an hour.  If it gets to thick just add a little milk (a very little).



Mix all of these ingredients with about 1 cup of the buttermilk that you made.  I store it in a glass jar, for up to two weeks, it never lasts that long.

Poppyseed Chicken

Since you are all cooped up in the house these days, trying to be "healthy at home", I am sure you are like me and going through all the recipes to see what new you can fix for dinner.  I am going to share with you one of my easy fave recipes. I did not create it, I have no idea who did, but I know it is yummy.

Poppyseed chicken

3 cups chopped cooked chicken (the rotisserie chicken at Sam's is perfect)

1 (10 3/4-oz.) can cream of chicken soup, undiluted 

1 (16-oz.) container sour cream (I don't use this much, I just add a big scoop)

3 teaspoons poppy seeds 

31 round buttery crackers, crushed 

1/4 cup butter, melted 

Preparation

1. Combine the first 4 ingredients. Spoon mixture into lightly greased 11- x 7-inch baking dish.

2. Stir together cracker crumbs and melted butter; sprinkle evenly over casserole.

3. Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Bonus: I like to add cheddar cheese to the mix because I love cheese. I add to the mix before topping with crackers.

Second bonus: It is also good if you throw in cooked broccoli in the mix when you add the cheese.

Leave out the poppyseed if you don't like it and you still have a tasty meal.

Roasted Pumpkin Soup

My favorite Carnival receipe

ROASTED PUMPKIN SOUP

From Michael Wisdom (Sous Chef)

• 2-1/2 Quarts Chicken Stock
• 1/2 Pound Onion, quarters
• 5-2/3 Ounces Leek, chunks
• 1-1/8 Ounces Garlic Clove
• 3-3/8 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1-2/3 Cups Half and Half
• 1/4 Cup Heavy Cream
• 5/8 Ounce Chicken Base
• 1-1/4 Pounds Pumpkin Puree, roasted
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• Dash Nutmeg

1. Roast onions, leeks and garlic cloves in olive oil in a preheated oven at 300 degrees Farenheit for 30 to 45 minutes. Remove and puree in blender.
2. Bring stock, pumpkin puree, pureed vegetables and chicken base to boil. Simmer for 45 minutes.
3. Add Half & Half and simmer.
4. Season with salt & pepper.
5. Finish with heavy cream.
6. Top with nutmeg.

This recipe serves 15 people.

Peanut Butter Pie

Please note I am NOT a good sharer of recipes.  The only reason I share this is because well.....I did not invent it, I just changed it to suit ME!   This started as the recipe from Cracker Barrel's own lady that made the pies, but I have changed it to suit me. Also, keep in mind I measure NOTHING!!!  So this is just a guess.

Peanut Butter Pie

Crust:

1 ¼ chocolate cookie crumbs (20 cookies)

¼ c sugar

¼ c butter, melted

Filling:

1 package 8 oz cream cheese, softened

1 c creamy peanut butter

1 c sugar

1 T butter softened

1 t vanilla

1 c heavy cream, whipped

Chocolate chips

Combine crust ingredients; press into a 9 in pie plate.  Bake at 375 for 10 minutes.  Cool.

Beat cream cheese, sugar, peanut butter, butter, and vanilla until smooth.  Add choc chips into the mixture.  Fold in whipped cream.  Gently spoon into crust.  Refrigerate. Top with whipped cream and chocolate chips...yummy.