Homemade Chili

This is my M-I-L's recipe that I've made a few variations to. It's very yummy and easy!

1 sm. onion chopped (opt.)

1 can water
1 can chili beans in sauce

1/4 tsp. pepper
1 lb. hamburger

1 can chili
2 cans pureed tomatoes

1 can kidney beans
1 beaten egg

1 tsp. salt

1 can tomato soup

For extra zing: 1 tsp. chili powder, 1-2 tbsp. chili packet seasoning, 1 tsp. dry mustard

Combine onion, chili beans, hamburger, tomatoes, and egg and fry until hamburger is browned. In a crock pot add hamburger mixture with rest of ingredients. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. You can also do this on the stove in a large pot. Makes 10-12 Servings.

Banana Cream Pie Salad

This one is for all of you that like EASY!!

1 box JELLO instant banana cream pudding

Graham cracker crumbs ( you can buy these in box)

Cool whip

bananas

make your jello pudding and let set up for an hour or so. Then layer banana pudding, bananas, cool whip and then graham cracker crumbs. Can do one layer of each or several layers. Easy and yummy!!

BY: MEG

Luke's Heart-Attack Chicken

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts

onion

mushrooms

bacon

shredded cheese

1. Grill chicken breasts

2. Saute onions and mushrooms together

3. Cook bacon

4. Layer chicken breast with onions, mushrooms, and bacon. Add cheese on top, and melt in microwave.

5. Enjoy!

Now you see why it's a heart attack meal?? But, mmmm..... so delicious!

Chocolate Mint Brownies

Prepare one box of brownie mix and put into a 9x13 inch baking dish. When cooled, spread creamed mixture over top and refrigerate for approx. 20 minutes. Then spread chocolate mixture over top. Keep refrigerated.

Mint-cream mixture:
3 cups powdered sugar
1 (3 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 tbsp. milk
1/4 tsp. mint extract
3-4 drops food coloring: green, red, or blue (The red makes a great pink color for events such as baby girl showers, as well as the blue for baby boy showers)
-Cream together and spread over cooled brownies.

Chocolate topping:
1 cup chocolate chips
6 tbsp. butter
-Melt them together and then spread over cream cheese topping.

Slow cooker pork chops

4 boneless pork loin chops
Salt and pepper
seasonings (Italian seasoning, poultry seasoning, Essence, etc.)
1 can cream of potato soup
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1 tbsp. tomato paste
3 tbsp. dry sherry (or substitute apple juice)
2 tsp. butter
1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 tbsp. fresh chopped parsley leaves (or couple shakes of dried parsley)

Season pork chops with s&p, and other seasonings. Place in slow cooker.

In a small bowl combine potato soup, Dijon mustard, tomato paste, sherry, and seasonings. Pour over chops.

Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

In a saute pan over medium-high heat, melt butter. When butter is melted and foam subsides, add bread crumbs and stir constantly until toasted. Serve pork chops with bread crumbs and parsley sprinkled on top.

Smothered Green Peas

2 slices bacon, diced
1/4 cup diced ham
1/2 cup diced yellow onion
1 tsp. minced garlic
4 cups fresh or frozen green peas
1 cup chicken stock
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Heat a saucepan over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until fat begins to render and turn golden brown, about 4 minutes. Add the ham, onion and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the peas, stock, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer until the peas are tender, 8-10 minutes. Drain and transfer to a warm dish for serving.

(This is one of Emeril Lagase's recipes. My family aren't huge fans of peas, but this recipe made them kicked up a notch and very tasty!)

Garlic Chicken Alfredo Pizza

If you're feeling pretty domestic you can use this delicious Alfredo recipe, or make your life easier and just use a store-bought kind. Although, the homemade stuff is pretty easy and really tasty!

Alfredo Sauce:

1 pint Heavy Whipping Cream

1 stick butter or margarine

2 tbsp. cream cheese

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1 tsp. garlic powder

Simmer in a saucepan the whipping cream, butter, and cream cheese until its melted and mixed well. Add the Parmesan and garlic powder. Simmer on low for about 10 minutes. Add a little of pepper if you like.

Garlic Chicken Pizza:

1 can Pillsbury refrigerated pizza crust dough

1 cup Alfredo sauce

2 cups shredded Italian 5-cheese blend

1/4 cup onion, sliced

grilled chicken breast strips (I bought a pkg. of Tyson pre-cooked chicken and used about half)

4 roasted garlic cloves (I just used garlic powder, tasted good enough for me!)

1/4 cup shredded Parmesan

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

Preheat oven to 425*F. Lightly spray baking sheet with cooking spray; set aside. Carefully unroll dough and place on prepared baking sheet. Press out dough with fingers to form 13x9-inch rectangle. Bake in preheated oven for 7 minutes, or until crust just begins to brown. Remove crust from oven and top as directed. Return to oven for 8-10 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Everyone needs a good chocolate chip cookie recipe. This is mine. I have made this so many times that the recipe is engraved on my brain. Enjoy!!

1 cup shortening

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar- I use a little less than a 1/2 cup

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

-Cream together, then add:

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

Stir in one bag chocolate chips. I like to do half a bag of semi-sweet and half a bag of milk chocolate. I personally think semi-sweet makes a better cookie, but it's personal preference.

-Bake at 350* for approx. 11-13 minutes, depending on your oven.

Parmesan Potatoes

2 1/2 cups chicken broth (you can use a couple cans or 32-oz. carton)

4 large potatoes, peeled, finely chopped

1 tsp. salt

1/4 cup butter

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped (I used 1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic from the container)

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and Pepper to taste, if desired

1/2 cup Italian style bread crumbs

1. Heat oven to 375*F. Lightly butter 2 qt. casserole dish. Pour broth into a large saucepan. Add potatoes; stir in 1 tsp. salt. Heat to a boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until potatoes are tender. Place colander over medium bowl; drain potatoes, reserving broth.

2. Rinse and dry saucepan. In saucepan cook 2 tablespoons of the butter and the garlic over low heat 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Return potatoes to saucepan with butter and garlic; mash with potato masher.

3. Add 1 cup of reserved broth to potatoes; mix until smooth. Stir in remaining 2 tbsp. butter and 1/4 cup of the cheese. Adjust seasoning to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon potatoes into baking dish. Top with remaining 1/4 cup of the cheese and the bread crumbs.

4. Bake about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Creamed Corn

1 cup whipping cream
1 cup milk
4 cups frozen corn
6 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt

-Bring to a boil.

Mix together:
3 tbsp. flour
3 tbsp. melted butter

Add to the corn mixture. Simmer until thickened.
(If too thick, add more milk. If too runny add more flour!)

YUMMY!!