Ham & Cheese Pockets

2-3 cups chopped turkey ham

2-3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

2 tubes large refrigerated flaky biscuits (I use the reduced fat kind)

Flatten half the biscuits into 4-inch circles. Place on a cookie sheet or large baking dish sprayed with non-stick spray. Spoon 1/4 cup ham into each biscuit. Sprinkle with cheese. Flatten the rest of the biscuits into 4-inch circles and place on top and pinch edges to seal tightly. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Yield: 8 servings.

Spinach Souffle'

3 eggs - Slightly beaten
8 ounces of cottage cheese
1 cup of diced cheddar cheese
¼ cup of butter
3 tbs of flour
¼ cup of buttermilk
½ package of frozen spinach
Mix all ingredients together and bake
At 350 for 45-60 minutes.
(Insert a toothpick in center to insure that it's not soupy)


This is a recipe my mother made for my daughter
when she was about 5 years old. My daughter has
continued to make it every Thanksgiving
and randomly throughout the year.
It is delicious - even if you don’t like spinach - and
I don’t. But you can substitute broccoli if you
feel the need to.

Bean Burrito Soup

I figure if there can be a taco soup, there sure as heck can be a bean burrito soup.

Ingredients

2 cans fat free refried beans

1 can tamato sauce (or diced tomatoes, if you prefer)

8-10 ounces Chicken Stock

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Onion Powder

2-3 corn or flower tortillas

In Large Saucepan or medium pot, heat beans and tomato sauce just until boiling. Pour in Chicken stock and cheese. Reduce heat and wait for cheese to melt. Add onion powder.

Meanwhile cut tortillas into strips and bake on cookie sheet, 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Serve with soup. Optional: Serve with sour cream and additional cheese.

Ballpark Breakfast Burritos with Creamy Cheese Sauce

Here's a recipe I came up with while cleaning out my fridge. I had some turkey dogs, turkey bacon and whole wheat tortillas that needed to be used. Here's what I came up with:

Ingredients:

6 eggs

Small amount of milk

3-4 turkey dogs

5 strips of turkey bacon

Tortillas

1-2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese

About 6-10 ounces of Chicken Stock (I didn't measure, but if it's too runny, add more flour, if it's too thick, add more stock)

1/2 cup flour

Chop bacon and hot dogs. Cook in medium skillet until done. Whisk eggs in bowl, add small amount of milk. Add to skillet and stir constantly. You may need to reduce heat. When eggs are done, remove from heat and begin making cheese sauce.

In small saucepan, heat chicken stock to boiling. Add flower and stir until smooth. Reduce heat. Add cheese and cook until melted, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and serve on burritos.

Enjoy!!

Alluring Halter Top--Pattern

I've knitted this before, but instead of going all the way to the neck I got lazy and quit before then. Then I just crocheted a cord to tie behind the neck. It's cute either way. Just thought I'd share the pattern. If you use a different yarn than the pattern specifies, like I did, it's really hard to find a yarn that will match the gauge. But it's a simple enough pattern it's not too hard to figure out how big to make it. Anyway, enjoy!



Photo courtesy of Knitting pattern central.com

http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/patterns/alluring_halter_top.php

Knitting Instruction??

I don't know how many people actually read this blog, but if there's anyone who would like to be taught how to knit, please comment and let me know. I would be happy to offer some instruction and some easy patterns to get you started. I'm sure my sister, Betty would be happy to help as well. If so, I'll post some easy knitting stuff in here, otherwise I'll just put patterns that will interest my sister and I. I would like to see this blog become more than another recipe blog. I would also like to post things about the various other crafts that interest me. If my sisters would be interested in posting other things besides knitting and cooking, please do so. Any craft or art is fine.

Anyway, let me know if you'd like to learn.

Fudgy Cocoa Brownies

Here's the recipe you were asking about, Jenn

1/2 cup ( 1 stick butter or margarine)
1/3 cup cocoa
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts(optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8X8 in. pan In a medium sauce pan, melt butter or margarine. Remove butter or margarine from heat. Add cocoa and stir until well blended. Add sugar and mix well. Add eggs, one at a time and beat well. stir in vanilla, flour and salt. Do not over beat. Fold in nuts and bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Peach Cobbler

I decided to post this recipe since my Sisters haven't yet. I got this recipe from my Mom and it is so good! I just had to share it.

Batter
1 Tsp. Vanilla
1 Cup Flour
1 Cup Sugar
1/2 Tsp. Salt
2 Tsp. Baking Powder
3/4 Cup Milk
Mix-Pour in greased 9X13 in pan.

Fruit Mixture
2 Cups canned peaches
2 Tbs. Butter
1 Cup Sugar
Mix and boil-Pour over batter.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 min.
(If you are using fresh fruit, use 2 cups water for fruit mixture.)

The Best Meat Loaf Ever!

Don't like meatloaf? Don't worry, you will as soon as you try this. There's also a lower fat variation if you're watching what you eat, like me.

Ingredients:

2 eggs (beaten)

2 lbs ground beef

1 pkg. Stove Top chicken flavor stuffing mix

1 cup water

1/2 cup barbeque sauce (divided)

6 (or more) strips uncooked bacon

1-2 cups shredded cheese (you can pretty much add as much or as little as you like)

1-2 sheets Wax Paper

LOW FAT ALTERNATIVE

Instead of ground beef, I like to use either 2 pounds of turkey burger, or 1 pound turkey burger and 1 pound turkey sausage. Instead of bacon I use turkey bacon. You can also use a lower fat cheese than cheddar, or you can leave the cheese out, but it won't taste near as good.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a small bowl, beat eggs lightly with a fork. Place ground beef, stuffing mix, water, beaten eggs and 1/4 cup barbeque sauce in large bowl.

Mix all ingredients just until blended. Form into oval shape, lay on wax paper. Roll out or press into flat long oval shape. Sprinkle cheese over mixture, roll up in a loaf shape, put in pan. Lay bacon over top and spread remaining barbeque sauce over top. Bake 45 min. to an hour.

Wanna Learn How to Knit?

I found some really basic knitting instructions in case anyone reading this would like to learn. It's a shame more people don't knit...in 20 years or so it might just be a forgotten art. And it really is addicting even if you normally don't like to sit in one spot for hours trying to figure out why the needles don't have hooks on them...because believe me you WILL wonder that. Anyway, here's the link. Have fun!

http://www.learntoknit.com/instructions_kn.php3

~Homemade Cleaner~

I know this isn't exactly food, but it's made with food so I'm posting it.

This stuff rocks! And it's really easy. All you do is take a spray bottle (any size) and fill it half full with vinegar. Then fill it the rest of the way with water. You can also add a little bit of lemon juice if you prefer. Vinegar makes a really good cleaner and there are no chemicals. I think it works better than Windex on glass and it's a disinfectant too. You can use it on just about any surface except marble. I have a glass table and it works great on that. I'm almost all out of mine, so it's about time to make some more.

Turkey Meatballs with Peanut Butter Sauce

Meatballs:

1 pkg ground turkey
1/2 pkg Ritz crackers
1 egg
1/4 c soy sauce
1/4 c Worcestershire sauce
Italian seasoning (to taste)
Onion powder
Garlic salt
1 tsp Ceyenne pepper
2 or 3 splashes Tobasco

Mix all ingredients together in large bowl. Use an ice cream scoup or large spoon to form meatballs. In a 375 degree oven, bake for 20-25 minutes or until done.

Peanut Butter Sauce:

1 c packed, dark brown sugar
1 small can tomato sauce
1 c peanut butter
Italian seasoning (to taste)
Worcestershire sauce (to taste)
Soy sauce (to taste)

Mix tomato sauce, brown sugar, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire, and soy sauce in a small sauce pan. Heat to a low boil, add peanut butter, stir briskly. When mixed thoroughly, pour over meatballs. Serve and enjoy!!

This one is really good. My husband invented this one, and we love it so much I just had to share.

Taco Enchilada Casserole

1 1/4 lb. ground turkey
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1 can olives, sliced
1 pkg. shredded cheese (any kind you like)
1 can tomato sauce (you can also use spaghetti or pizza sauce)
6 tortillas
Garlic salt
Onion salt
Italian seasoning
Ceyenne pepper
Salsa (optional)
Sour cream ( optional)

Brown meat and taco seasoning. Heat tomato sauce and all seasonings over medium heat until warm. (I don't measure so just season to taste.) Cut tortillas into quarters, (you will use 2 per layer). In a medium cake pan or casserole dish, begin layering shells, 1/3 of the cheese, 1/2 of the olives, sauce, and meat. Make another layer in the same way, reserving some cheese to put on top. On the last layer, use up the rest of the shells and sprinkle on the rest of the cheese. Bake in a 375 degree oven for about 40 minutes, or until cheese melts and the top layer of shells are golden brown. Top with salsa and sour cream, if desired. (I like to put Ranch dressing on mine.)

I hope this makes sense. I kind of came up with this one on my own, so it is my first time making up a recipe.

Taco beef soup

This is a favorite at our house.

1/2 lb ground beef ( I use a pound)
1 1/2 c. water
1 (16 oz) can kidney beans ( I use 3 to 4 cans)
1/2 env. taco seasoning mix ( I use a full packet)
shredded Cheddar cheese
sour cream
1/4 c chopped onion(Optional)
1 (16 oz.) Can stewed tomatoes
1 (8oz.) tomato sauce
1 chopped avocado(optional)
In a large saucepan, cook beef and onion until meat is browned. Drain off fat. Add water, undrained tomatoes( cut in small pieces), undrained kidney beans, tomato sauce and taco seasoning. Simmer covered for 15 minutes. Serve and pass cheese, chips, avocado and sour cream to add to your own bowl. Makes 6 servings.
Note: I always drain my beans. We don't get as gassy that way. You may need to add extra water. If you want to make 6 servings don't follow the amount that I use. I make a huge pot of it.

Enchilada Casserole

2 Lbs. Lean Ground Beef
1 med. onion, chopped. ( I use dehydrated onions or onion powder)
1 clove of garlic, minced (I use 1 tsp garlic powder)
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
2 to 3 tbsp chili powder or to taste
Salt and Pepper
8 flour tortillas
1 can cream of chicken soup
3/4 c. Milk
2 c. Cheddar cheese, shredded

Brown beef, onion and garlic. Add tomato sauce and chili powder; salt and pepper. Heat thoroughly. Spray crock pot with cooking spray. Line with 2 tortillas. Cover with 1/3 of meat mixture and cheese. Layer 2 more times beginning with tortillas, meat mixtureand cheese. Top with 2 more tortillas. Combie soup and milk. Pour over top of tortillas. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours. ( Can also be baked in casserole dish in oven at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Recipe--Ham & Cheese Noodle Soup

Ingredients:

2 packages Ramen Noodles, chicken flavor.
1 package sausage flavored gravy mix (2 cups)
2 cups chopped turkey ham, or 5 strips of bacon
1/2 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
16 oz. (Half a box) Chicken Stock

In large saucepan cook noodles according to package directions, except drain the water when noodles are done. Do not add flavor.

Meanwhile, cook bacon and prepare sausage gravy mix in small mixing bowl by stirring mix with milk.

Add stock to noodles and reduce heat. Next add gravy/milk mixture and stir. Bring to a boil.
Add 1 packet of chicken seasonings. Save the other for another time.
Stir in ham or bacon and cheese. When cheese is melted, let simmer on low for 5-10 minutes.