Sunday Spinach Dip

Mix it all up
~1 pkg frozen chopped spinach, thawed
~16 oz of sour cream (regular or light)
~1 cup of mayonaise (Miracle Whip has more flavor)
~1 pkg of vegtable recipe mix (Knorr)

Listen closely
1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Refrigerate for approx. 2 hours.

Variations:
+ Pour dip into a sourdough bread bowl
+ Add water cheasnuts for a crunchy texture
+ I eat the dip with Wheat Thins or Triscuts

BBQ Crockpot Ribs

Fall of the bone good

~A rack of your favorite ribs
~1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce

I don't think you can mess this up
1. Place ribs in crockpot you may need to cut them into sections
2. Pour BBQ sauce over ribs
3. Turn crockpot on low, cook for 7-8 hours

More Variations
+Ummm, add onions?

Raise your forks!
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Sausage Egg Bake

Great to wake up to

~1 lb ground sausage, browned
~6 eggs
~2 cups milk
~1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
~1/2 cup chopped onion
~3 1/2 pieces of white bread, tear into squares
~dash of salt and pepper

Make the night before
1. In a mixing bowl scramble together eggs and milk.
2. Stir in cheese, sausage, onion, bread squares, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour ingredients into a lightly buttered 9x9 pan.
4. Cover pan place in fridge overnight.
5. In the morning preheat oven to 325, bake for 1 hour or until browned.

More Variations
+ Change up the meat, ham or bacon
+ Play around with different seasonings, dry mustard or paprika
+ Of course, add you favorite veggies

Raise your forks!
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Tuna Noodle Casserole

A classic

~1 can cream of mushroom soup (98% fat free)
~1/2 cup of milk
~2 cans of tuna drained
~1 cup of cooked peas
~1/2 cup chopped onions
~2-3 cups cooked egg noodles
~1/2 cup crushed potato chips

Toss it all together
1. In a 9x9 pan mix soup, milk, tuna, peas, onions, and noodles.
2. Place in 400 degree oven for 20 minutes, stir.
3. Sprinkle on potato chip crumbs and cook for 5 more mintues.

More Variations
+Use whatever pasta you have in your cabinet, linguini or macaroni
+Not a fan of mushrooms? Use cream of celery soup
+Change up or add more veggies. Green peppers, celery, or carrots

Raise your forks!
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Lean Mean Meatloaf

Yes, ground turkey

~1 lb ground turkey (93/7)
~1 egg
~1/2 cup bread crumbs
~1/4 cup ketchup
~5 shakes worcestershire sauce
~1 clove garlic, smashed
~1/4 chopped onions
~1/4 cup chopped green pepper
~dash of salt, pepper, and parsley

Make a loaf
1.Mix all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.
2.Pour into lightly greased loaf pan.
3.Place in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

More Variations
+Add spinach for some extra nutrients
+Top with ketchup of BBQ sauce

Raise your forks!
the.informal.cookie.

Dreamy Chocolate PB Fudge

Easy as pie

~1 box of Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie mix
~2 cups canned pure pumpkin
~2 tbsp peanut butter

Thick and creamy...
1. Mix brownie mix and pumpkin together in a mixing bowl.
2. Pour mixture into a lightly greased 9x9 pan.
3. Spoon peanut butter on top of mixture, swirl with a knife.
4. Place in 350 degree oven for 35 minutes.
5. Let cool, cover with foil and place in fridge for 2 hours.
6. Induldge

More Variations
+ Not dieting? Add 1/3 cup of chocolat chips into mixture
+ Not a peanut butter fan? Leave it off

Raise your forks!
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Sizziling Squash and Zucchini

Never thought I would eat zucchini

~1 sliced zucchini
~1 sliced summer squash
~1/4 cup sliced onion
~1 clove of garlic, smashed
~2 tablespoons of butter

I can taste it...
1. Toss all ingredients in a pan.
2. Sizzle till desiered texture, I like the veggies to be extremely tender (when they start to fold in half)

Some Variations
+Toss in some sliced green or red peppers

Raise your forks
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Dad's Hearty Stuffed Shells

For the love of italian

~20 Jumbo Shells
~1 lb lean ground turkey or beef
~2 cloves garlic, crushed
~1 container (15 oz) Ricotta or cottage cheese
~1 cup (4 oz) shredded Mozzarella
~1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
~1 egg
~1 jar (26 oz) spaghetti sauce,divided

Stuff away
1.Preheat oven to 350.
2.Cook meat and garlic in large skillet over medium heat.
3.Cook shells according to directions on box.
4.Combine Ricotta/cottage cheese, Mozzarella, 1/2 cup Parmesan and egg on medium bowl.
5.Stir in beef/garlic mixture.
6.Spread about 1 cup of spaghetti sauce in 13x9 baking dish.
7.Spoon meat/cheese mixture into each shell (enough to fill shell) about 1/4 cup.
8.Arrange the shells in a single layer in baking dish.
9.If there is any remaining filling sprinkle it over the shells.
10.Top with the remaining spaghetti sauce and sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
11.Cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove foil when 5 minutes remain.

Some Variations
+ Get veggiefied! Add 1/4 cup of chopped onions, green peppers, or even mushrooms.
+Throw some extra tomatoes on top of your stuffed shells before placing them in the oven.
+ Change up the meats, chicken or italian sausage.




Raise your forks!
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Pecan Crusted Tilapia

Stick on those pecans

~1/2 cup pecan halves (pulverized)
~4 (6-oz.) fresh tilapia fillets
~1 tsp salt
~1/2 tsp garlic powder
~1/4 tsp pepper
~3 tbsp butter

Here's to fish!
1.Process pecans in a food processor until finely chopped.
2.Sprinkle fish fillets with salt, garlic powder, and pepper.
3.Dredge fish in finely chopped pecans.
4.Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add fish, and cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until well browned and fish flakes with a fork.

Some Variations
+Add some green onion for some extra flavor

Raise your forks!
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Dad's Chicken and Noodles

Throw it in the crockpot

~2 cups sliced carrots (about 4 medium)
~1 1/2 cups chopped onion (3 medium)
~1 cup chopped celery (2 stalks)
~2 tablespoons snipped fresh parsley
~1 bay leaf
~11/2 -2 pounds boneless, skinned chicken breast partially cooked
~2 10.75-ounce cans reduced fat condensed cream of chicken soup
~3/4 cup water
~1 tsp dried thyme, crushed
~1/4 tsp black pepper
~8 oz dried wide noodles
~1 cup frozen peas
~dash of salt and pepper

Put it in the pot...

1.Place carrots, onion, celery, parsley, and bay leaf into the crockpot.
2.Cut chicken into small pieces and place chicken on top of vegetables.
3.In mixing bowl stir together soup, water, thyme,and dash of pepper and salt.
4.Pour over chicken and veggies in cooker.
5.Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or on high for 4-4 1/2 hours.
6.Cook noodles according to package and drain.
7.Stir peas and noodles into soup mixture.
8.Discard bayleaf before serving.

Some Variations:
+ Garlic, garlic its good for the heart.
+ The more veggies the better and some corn when adding peas.

Raise your forks!
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Mason-Dixon Mashed Potatoes

A little of the north with a big southern twist

~ 5 medium sized potatoes, cubed ( I leave the skins on, wash good!)
~ 1/4 cup of milk
~ 1/3 cup of sour cream ( I use fat free)
~ 1/3 cup of Miracle Whip
~ Heaping tablespoon of butter
~ A few shakes of salt and pepper

Mix it all up
1. Boil potatoes in water until a can poke with a fork and remove easily.
2. Drain potatoes.
3. Add milk, sour cream, MircaleWhip, butter, salt and pepper.
4. Mix with hand mixer.

Some Variations
+ Add garlic, to give the potatoes a hearty flavor
+ Use red potatoes instead of russet

Raise your forks!
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Marinated Tuna Burgers

Just like crab cakes

~2 cans of tuna, drained
~1 cup cheddar cheese
~1/2 cup ranch salad dressing
~1 egg, lightly beaten
~1/4 cup chopped onion
~1/4 cup chopped green pepper
~1 cup bread crumbs
~1 tbsp olive oil

Make the patties
1. Combine tuna, 3/4 cup bread crumbs, cheese, egg, ranch dressing, onion, and pepper.
2. Form patties coat each side with the remaining bread crumbs.
3. Heat olive oil in a small pan on stove.
4. Cook each patty 3-5 minutes on each side.

Some Variations:
+ You may leave out the veggies or add others of your favorites.
+You may need more olive oil.

Raise your forks!
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Mom's Apple Coffee Cake

Something to wake up for.

~ 1 box of yellow cake mix
~ 1 can of apple pie filling
~ 3 eggs
Topping
~ 1/4 cup margarine,melted
~ 3/4 cup brown sugar
~ 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
~ 2 tsp. cinnamon

Here is your breakfast
1. Beat eggs in large bowl and stir in cake mix.
2. Then add apple pie filling, stir.
3. Pour into greased 13x9 pan or 2 round pans.
4. Stir all topping ingredients together and spoon on top of cake batter.
5. Swirl with a knife to evenly distribute the topping.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.

Some Variations:
+ Get nutty... add a 1/2 cup of pecans or walnuts.
+ Switch up the fruit, cherry or peach pie filling.

Raise your forks!
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Fiesta Chicken Casserole

You need a really big mixing bowl

~ 1 pkg refrigerated pie crusts (2 crusts)
~ 16 oz chunky salsa
~ 1 can Cream of Chicken soup
~ 1 cup sour cream
~ 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
~ 1 pkg frozen whole kernel corn
~ 2 cans (9.75 oz. each) Chunk Chicken Breasts in water, drain
~ 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

Mix it all up:
1. Stir salsa, soup, sour cream, cheese, corn, chicken, and beans in a large bowl.
2. Pour mixture into a 13x9 baking dish.
3. Roll out pie crusts to form a rectangle. Approx. 14x10. Place on top of chicken mixture and cut slits in crusts.
4. Bake 40 minutes at 400 degrees or until crust is golden brown.

Some Variations:
+My husbands adds extra heat with Texas Pete.
+Not a chicken fan? Add in shredded pork or cooked ground beefor turkey.
+Pour in 1/2 cup of rice to add more texture.

Raise your forks!
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Crockpot BBQ Meatballs

Halfway easy...


~1  lb ground turkey or beef
~1/4 cup chopped onion
~1/4 cup green pepper
~1/4 cup rolled oats
~1 egg, beaten

Sauce
~1/2 cup ketchup
~2 tbsp brown sugar
~2 tspprepared mustard

Roll em'
1.Combine first five ingredients for meatballs.
2.Shape balls and brown in skillet. Drain off fat; place in slow cooker.
3.Mix sauce ingredients and pour over meatballs.
4.Cook for 4 to 6 hours on low.

Some Variations:
+Use breadcrumbs insteard of oats
+Not crazy about veggies? Leave them out.
+Italian? Use your favorite spaghetti sauce instead of the BBQ sauce

Raise your forks!
the.informal.cookie

Modern Day Chocolate Chip Cookies

Scrumdiddlyumptious!

~1 cup of slivered almonds
~1 cup dried cranberries
~12 oz semisweet chocolate chips
~2 cups rolled oats
~2 cups all purpose flour
~1 tsp baking powder
~1 tsp baking soda
~1/2 tsp salt
~2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
~1 cup packed dark brown sugar
~1 cup granulated sugar
~2 eggs
~1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

I can smell them already...
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2.In a large bowl combine cranberries, chocolate chips, and oats, and set aside.
3. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, and set aside.
4. In large mixing bowl, beat butter until creamy. Add sugars and beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, beat until well combined.
5.Add dry ingredients, beat on low speed.
6.Add cranberries, chocolate chips, oats,and almonds. Using a sturdy spoon, mix well by hand.
7. Spoon cookies out onto a cookie sheet.
8. Bake for 12-14 minutes

Some Variations:
+Want to go into a chocolate coma? Add an extra 4oz of chopped bittersweet chocolate.
+Need som tartness? Add cherries instead of cranberries.

Raise your forks!
the.informal.cookie.

Italian flavored Pork Chops

As easy as 1,2,3... with the help of a crockpot

~ 4-6 bonless pork chops
~ 6 medium red potatoes or 3 russet potatoes sliced thickly
~ 1 pkg of Italian dressing mix
~ salt and pepper

The way to the pork chops:
1. Place potatoes in bottom of crockpot mix with salt and pepper.
2. Lay chops on top of potatoes and sprinkle with Italian dressing mix.
3. Turn crockpot on low for 7-9 hours.

Some Variations:
+ Want more flavor? Add in onions, carrots, or celery
+More zest? Toss the potatoes with chopped up garlic.

Raise your forks!
the.informal.cookie.

Tuna Roll

No this is not sushi.

~2 cans of drained tuna
~ mayo (however much you like)
~1/4 cup chopped celery
~1/4 cup chopped onion
~1/3 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
~ a dash of salt and pepper
~ a couple shakes of dill (if you don't like it or don't have it no big deal)
~ 2 pkgs of crescent rolls

The way to the Tuna Roll:
1. Mix all ingredients in a medium sized bowl...except the crescent rolls :)
2. Lay out crescent rolls on a lightly greased cookie sheet
 
 
 






3. Spoon tuna mixture onto crescent ring.
 










4. Wrap crescent rolls over tuna mixture.












5. Place in 350 degree oven for approx. 12 mintutes or until golden brown.

Some variations:
+ I only use 1 pkg of crescent rolls to save on calories from bread.
+You do not have to use all the veggies, my brother only uses tuna, mayo, and cheese for the filling.

Raise your forks!
the.informal.cookie.

White Chicken Chili

This is my husband's favorite.


~2(8 oz.) cans of white chicken meat packed in water
  or 2 cups of shredded cooked white chicken meat
~2 cans of cream of chicken soup
~1-2 soup cans of milk (how thick do you want your chili?)
~1/2 of onion chopped (1/2 cup)
~2 cans of Northern Beans
~1 package of white chicken chili mix


Just a couple of steps:
1. In a large pot mix all ingredients together.
2. Simmer on stove for 45 minutes, stirring frequently to insure that the chili does not stick to the bottom of the pot.
3. Ready to serve

Some Variations:
+Eat your chili with the assistance of tortilla scoops.
+Sprinkle on some cheddar cheese before you induldge
+Add in some sour cream for a smoother, creamier version

Hope you all enjoy. This is a great comfort food and an inexpensive dish... with leftovers.
Raise your forks!
 the.informal.cookie.