Meal Ideas - Meatless Edition

Dumplings with cream of chicken
Spaghetti Pie
Pizza (optional meat)
My homemade spaghetti sauce

Meal Ideas - Breakfast Edition

Special:
French toast
waffles / pancakes
Sausage gravy / biscuits
Ham biscuits
Blueberry muffins or braid
Cinnamon rolls / orange rolls
Breakfast casserole

Quick / Easy:
oatmeal
grits
eggs
bagels or breakfast sandwich
pop-tarts / toaster strudel
yogurt
fruit
waffle / toaster stix
gravy
bacon / sausage / sausage links /  country ham /bologna
cereal - frosted flakes, apple jacks, mini wheats, raisin bran, cheerios, cinnamon toast crunch

Meal Ideas - Sandwich Edition

Egg salad or fried/scrambled egg
bologna
ham
rotisserie chicken
steak - um
pimento cheese
tuna salad
grilled cheese
PB&J
BLT
chicken salad
meatball

Meal Ideas - Soups

Taco Soup
Chili
Vegetable Soup
Chicken stew
Potato soup
Chicken and dumplings
Tomato soup

Meal Ideas - Sides Edition (Specials)

Sweet potato casserole
hash brown casserole
baked rice
broccoli rice and cheese casserole
mixed vegetable casserole
baked beans
green bean casserole
squash casserole or souffle
fried squash
baked macaroni and cheese

Meal Ideas - Easy Sides Edition

Everyday / Easy sides:

corn
steamed broccoli
green beans
easy baked beans
green peas
hominy
rice
pasta, rice or potato side dish
carrots
macaroni and cheese
roasted red potatoes
fried potatoes
baked potatoes or twice baked potatoes
creamed potatoes

Meal Ideas - Assorted

Pizza or baked mini pizza
Meatballs
Hot Dogs
Steak
Roast
Ham
Salmon Patties
Cubed Steak
Pork Chops
Laurie's Beef Stroganoff
Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff
Smoked sausage with parma rosa sauce
Smoked sausage with potatoes and green beans
Pasta alfredo with shrimp
Ham / swiss tarts
Cornish Hens
Quiche
Grilled shrimp (teriyaki or pesto)
Tilapia
Stew beef with potatoes
Beef Stew

Meal Ideas - Chicken Edition

Chicken Enchiladas aka "Gringos"
Chicken pie with veggies
Italian cream cheese chicken
Baked Chicken pie (pie crust version)
Shake/Bake
Chicken casserole
King Ranch Casserole
BBQ chicken
Italian chicken (marinade for grill)
Poppyseed Chicken
Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken Tetrazzini
Deluxe Chicken / Chicken Cordon Bleu
Chicken Divan
Chicken Stew
Crescent Chicken
Chicken Ring (Pampered Chef)
Baked Chicken and Rice
Chicken Salad
Rotisserie Chicken Sandwiches
Baked chicken (bone in variety)

Meal Ideas - Ground Beef Edition

I have a master list that contains a lot of the frequently used meals broken down into categories so I am going to attempt to duplicate it here.

Hot Tamale Pie
Hamburgers
BBQ cups
Meatloaf or Italian Meatloaf
Salisbury steak
Spaghetti
HB helper
Kim's Pasta Salad
Cowboy Beans
Cheeseburger Casserole with French fries
Manwich
Hobo Dinner
Tacos
Taco Ring
Lasagna
Hamburger steak
Taco Soup

BBQ Cups

I have made these for many years.  The recipe came from a "4-ingredient" cookbook I bought at the Biltmore House several years ago.

1 pound ground beef, browned and drained
1 package (10 count) canned biscuits (I use Hungry Jack flaky layers)
BBQ sauce of your choice ( I use KC Masterpiece)
Cheddar Cheese

To browned ground beef add BBQ sauce until the consistency of sloppy joes.  Flatten each biscuit slightly and place each one in a greased muffin tin.  Spoon in meat mixture and top with cheddar cheese.  Bake according to biscuit directions. 

These are also good as leftovers.

Note-While typing this post the thought occurred to me to use pizza sauce instead of BBQ and top with mozzarella cheese.  I might try that some time.

Happy Things

Oh so pretty painted screen to hang on the front door.

Monogrammed flag

Finally got the patches sewn on the banner for his upcoming birthday.

Monogram decals for the car.

Easy Quiche

I am making a new recipe tonight from my new friend Courtney.  It looks and smells great at this point.

1 refrigerated pie crust
1 package Knorr vegetable soup mix
4 eggs
3/4 cup milk
I 1/2 cup cheese (she used swiss so did I)
1 cup ham
10 oz. package frozen chopped broccoli or spinach (thawed/drained)

Place crust in pan. Mix all ingredients and pour into crust.
Bake at 375 for 1 hour.

Update: It was yummy and it was done in my oven in about 45-50 minutes.  

Do You Bunco?

I am curious if you play Bunco?  I have thought about starting a group and I am looking for ideas and themes, etc. 

Road Trip - Amish Store

Since I am changing jobs to a normal schedule (HOORAY!!!!) I thought I would venture out today on my own to do some things I enjoy.  I went to Shiloh General Store which is in Yadkin County North Carolina and about a 45 minute drive for me.  Since I have never lived near the Amish community and after reading several books about them my fascination continues.  This store sells dry goods and baked items as well as sandwiches made to order.  I had a sandwich and a cherry fried pie that was still warm.  I also brought some yeast rolls (again still warm) and another package that was frozen for later.  I also bought some dried soup mixes and sliced breads.  With bread being made all the time this place smells heavenly.

I also went to an upscale consignment store that I like to browse call Etc.  They have home goods, clothing, jewelry and accessories.  I bought a few items and then headed home.  I cannot wait to be normal again and not be at work when everyone else it at home, but I enjoy some little places on my own to just enjoy being me.

Banana Pancakes

I make my banana pancakes a little different than most people and I think they are sooooo good.  Instead of adding bananas to the batter I slice them and add them while in the pan while you are waiting on the bubbles to form.  When you turn them they cook into the batter and they have a yummy flavor that is out of this world.  I sometimes add blueberries or chocolate chips to them too.

Egg in a Frame

We call this "egg in a frame" but some people call them "cowboy toast" and many other names.  Melt butter in pan.  Cut hole in bread with glass or cookie cutter.  Place bread in butter to start browning and then crack egg in middle.  Turn and cook until browned. I cook the "hole" too and use it to dip my egg.  Yummy!

Easy Lunch

Boil desired amount of noodles and drain.  Mix with a can of cream of chicken soup.  This makes a quick creamy noodle comfort food.  I had a friend make it when I was over for a sleep over when I was 15 (forever ago) and I have made it off and on ever since.

Sandies Cookies aka Wedding Cookies

1 cup butter
2 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 t. vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup sifted powdered brown sugar

Mix butter with mixer and add half of the flour, sugar, vanilla and 1T. water. Add remaining flour and then stir in pecans.
Shape into 1 inch balls or crescent shapes. Place on cookie sheet and bake at 325 for 20 minutes.  Cool on wire rack. Gently shake cookies in ziploc bag with powdered sugar. Makes approximately 36.

Peanut Butter Cookies

1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. vanilla
sugar to coat


Mix margarine and peanut butter with mixer. Add 1/2 cup of he flour, sugars, egg, baking soda and powder and vanilla. Add remaining flour. Cover and chill until easy to handle.
Shape into 1 inch balls. Roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet and flatten with a fork in criss cross manner. (Wet fork with water between cookies if needed.)
Bake at 375 degrees for 7-9 minutes and cool on wire racks.

5 Minute Marinara

I have not tried this recipe yet, but I had been keeping my eyes open for an easy sauce to put together and this seems to fit the bill.   I think I will add Green Pepper and Onions to it.

2 T. EVOO
3 cloves crushed garlic
1/2 t. red pepper flakes (crushed)
1 T. tomato paste (optional)
32 oz. can chunky crushed tomatoes
1 t. Italian seasoning
1 t. parsley (dried)
salt/pepper

Add the EVOO to pan over medium heat then add garlic and crushed pepper. When the pepper snaps and the garlic sizzles, add the tomato paste, cook for a minute, then stir in the crushed tomatoes. Add seasonings except parsley. Cook for five minutes and stir in parsley.

The best invention since sliced bread...

This thing is simply amazing.  It will get off scuff marks and stubborn stains from anything.  If you have not used one, you cannot imagine how it will change your life.

Yummy Mini Pizzas

Today with the snow and ice I made taco soup in the crock pot and a homemade pound cake, but I knew the best little snack involved these little gems.  Take out desired number of rolls and place on EVOO laced pan and allow the rolls to rise for about 30-45 minutes in a warm kitchen.  Spread with pizza sauce, cheese and then desired toppings.  Bake until brown.

Jean's Peanut Butter Fudge

My mother in law's wonderful fudge recipe.

1 1/2 c. sugar
pinch of salt
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup milk
2 T. butter
1 t. vanilla
1/2 c. peanut butter


Combine first four ingredients and cook to soft ball stage (240 degrees). Remove from heat and add remaining ingredients.  Stir in peanut butter until melted. Beat 2 minutes. Pour on platter covered with wax paper. Cool. Cut into squares.

Mexican Chicken Soup

I believe this was in a Southern Living magazine a few years ago.

1 small onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 T. oil
2 32 oz. cans chicken broth
1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed
1 15 oz. can kidney beans, rinsed
1 14 1/2 oz can diced tomatoes (I use petite diced)
3 cups chopped cooked chicken (could use rotisserie)
1 cup frozen corn
1/2 t. cumin
2 T. freshly squeeze lime juice

Garnish: sour cream, cheese, tortilla chips

Saute onion and green pepper in oil for five minutes. Stir in chicken broth and next 8 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and add fresh lime juice.  May add cilantro if desired.

Jeans Baked Beans

This was my mother-in-law's recipe for baked beans.  I had never had any with hot dogs in them, but now that she has passed I make these from time to time to keep her memory alive.  They remind me more of "beanie weenies."

6 red hot dogs
1/2 c. ketchup
1/2 c. chopped red onion
1 T. chopped green pepper
4 large T brown sugar
3 pieces cooked bacon, crumbled
large can pork-n-beans


Mix all ingredients except hot dogs. Please sliced hot dogs on top. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Baked Rice

1 cup uncooked rice
1 can beef broth
1 can consomme
1 stick margarine
1/2 diced onion

Preheat oven to 350. Place margarine in dish to melt. Add remaining ingredients and bake for 45 minutes.

New Years Food - Southern Style

I have always lived in the south and I remember my mom always making a traditional meal on New Years Day.  There are variations on the folklore, but basically the meal consists of collard greens, black eyed peas, pork, and corn bread.  The meal is said to represent wealth and prosperity for the new year.  I always HATED this as a child and had to choke it down hoping it would work, but now as an adult I craved that meal all weekend while I was working.  It is kind of funny to think that I never seemed to care that prosperity never actually happened as a result of this meal, but it was a memory of what makes living in the south truly special because we value tradition.  I still have not eaten this yet, but I plan to this week.