Potato Soup

2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup flour
7 cups milk
5-6 large potatoes (baked, peeled, cubed)
4-6 green onions (chopped)
12 bacon stripes (cooked crisp and crumbled)
1 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup sour cream
salt and pepper to taste

Melt butter in pot, add the flour. heat and stir until smooth. Gradually add milk stirring constantly until it is thickened. Add potatoes and onions. Bring to boil stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 min. Add bacon, cheese sour cream, salt and pepper. stir until cheese is melted.

**I have also used just a yellow onion about a 1/4 cup, (since that is what I generally have on hand)**
**I also like to add a little celery if I have it about 1/2 cup**

Ranch Potatoes

2-3 lbs of red potatoes washed and cut
1/4 cup oil
1 dry ranch packet (I like to use the hidden valley brand)
gallon bag


Place potatoes in a gallon-size bag and add oil seal bag toss to coat. Add salad dressing mix and toss again until coated. Bake in ungreased baking pan at 450°F for 30 to 35 minutes or until potatoes are brown and crisp. I also like to cover mien for the first 20 min then take cover off for the last 10-15 min.

Raspberry Meat Sauce

3/4 cup raspberry jam (for variety try strawberry, peach, or blackberry)
1/4 cup + 2 TBSP orange juice
3-4 TBSP white vinegar

Mix well. Is what I do is double the recipe then, I add it to the last hour of cooking. I even make a batch to dip meat in while we eat. If there is left overs from the dip just freeze it for next time.

**I use this for pork but I would think you could add it to other meats as well.**

Green Chip Dip

1 can diced green chilies
6-8 strands of cilantro
about 2-3 T Jalapeno
1 dry ranch packet
1 16 oz sour cream

Add first four ingredients to a blender and blend very well, fold into sour cream. serve with tortilla chips. If you want it more spicy add more jalapenos, or if you like lots of cilantro add more. this is just what I like.

Citrus Punch

5 quarts of water
4 cups sugar
2 T Lemon Ext
2T Citric Acid
3-4 each of lemon and lime (cut in slices)
ice

Mix first 4 ingredients, mix well add sliced lemons and limes. Then add the ice.

Peach Pineapple Smoothie

1/2 of large peach
2 pineapple rings
1/4 cup frozen orange juice
1/4 pineapple Juice
1/4 sugar
2 tsp vanilla
ice

blend fruit and juice together in a blender, then add as much ice as you want to make it as thick or thin as you like. I like to add about 2 1/2 cups. blend well and enjoy. serves one. this is one of my favorite smoothie recipes, I have made up/

Cheesy Pasta Salsa Skillet

1 lb. Ground beef

1 jar (16 oz.) Salsa

1-1/2 cups Water
2-4 TBL taco seasoning or more if you like it more spicy

3-4 cups sea shale macaroni (uncooked)

1 can whole kernel corn, (drained)
1 can green beans, (drained)

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese


brown meat in large skillet; drain. add salsa and water; stir. Bring to boil. Stir in macaroni. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover. Simmer 15 minutes or until macaroni is tender.

add the corn and green beans and cheese; cook until cheese is melted and mixture is heated through, stirring occasionally.

***For a different twist instead of using the shredded cheese use one jar of the ragu double cheese*** (I think this is how I will do it from now on)
**this last time I cooked this I cooked the macaroni like normal then added to the rest of the ingredients, if you do it this way then dont add the water.**

Microwave Brownie

2 Tbs vegetable oil
2 Tbs water
1/2-1 tsp vanilla extract
A dash salt
3 Tbs granulated sugar
2 Tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
2 Tbs all purpose flour

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a 12 oz coffee mug, mix water, oil, salt, and vanilla Whisk well.
2. Add cocoa powder, whisk well. Add sugar, whisk well. Add flour, whisk well.
3. Microwave for 60-75 seconds: 60 seconds for a molten bottom, 75 for uniformly done. I normally choose 60.
4. Enjoy with a spoon and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Careful, brownie will be hot.

Edible Peanut Butter Play Dough

Equal Parts of

Peanut butter
Honey
Powdered milk

Mix very well, add a little flour if needed to help with consistency. This will come in handy if your play dough turns out to be not quite firm enough for sculpting into shapes. supply your with several cookie cutters. A few raisins, Cheerios, Rice Krispies, or M&Ms wouldn’t be a bad idea either. This will help your kids experiment with different textures, while having fun and getting creative with snack time! Your preschool-age children are sure to enjoy this special activity/snack. Store the play dough in an airtight plastic bag or container in the refrigerator, that is, if there‘s any left!

Zucchini Bread

3 Eggs
1 c. oil
1 c. sugar
2 c. shredded zucchini
3 tsp vanilla
Mix and add
3 c. flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp soda
3 tsp cinnamon

Mix all together very well. Makes two loaves. Bake 325 1 hour.

Carmel Brownies

From Mandi Hales...

1 box German chocolate cake mix

1/3 c evaporated milk

1/2 c butter,melted

14 oz package of Kraft caramels (50)

1/3 c evaporated milk
1 cup milk chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir together dry cake mix, butter, and 1/3 evaporated milk. Press half of this mixture into bottom of a 9x13 inch pan. Bake for 6 minutes.

2.Melt caramels with 1/3 c evaporated milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Set aside. (I just melt this together in the microwave)

3.Sprinkle chocolate chips over baked crust. Drizzle caramel over chocolate chips. Spoon or sprinkle the other half of the cake mixture on top. Bake for 16-18 minutes. Refrigerate approximately 30 minutes to set. Cut and serve.

Poppyseed Bread

3 cups flour
1 1/2 tea baking powder
1 1/2 salt
2 1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cup milk
1 1/3 cup oil
3 eggs
1 1/2 tea vanilla
1 1/3 tea almond
2 Tbl poppy seed

Mix well beat for 2 min pour into greased bread pan and bake at 350 for 1 hour

Glaze
1/4 cup O.J.
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 tea vanilla
1 1/2 tea almond

mix well pour over warm baked bread

Pumpkin Bread

1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
1 cup pumpkin
1/3 cup water
1 1/4 cup white flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 tea baking soda
1 tea salt
1/4 tea baking powder
1/2 tea allspice
1/4 tea ground cloves
1/2 tea cinnamon
1/2 tea nutmeg
1/2 cup raisins (opt)
1 cup choc chips (opt)

Mix all ingredients very well put in greased bread pan, bake at 350 for 55 min - 1 hour
double recipe will make 7-8 small loaves.

Banana Nut Bread

3 large bananas
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1/2 tea soda
1/2 tea salt
1/2 cup nuts chopped (opt)

Mash bananas add rest of ingredients and mix well, put into greased bread pan and bake at 350 for 45min-1hour.

Spinach Salad

1 pkg baby spinach
1 head lettuce
1 lb bacon
1/2 lb sliced mushrooms
1 lb grated swiss cheese
1 small red onion chopped very thin

Dressing
1 1/2 cup oil
2/3 cup vinegar
2/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 tea slat
2 Tbl dry mustard
2 Tbl sliced red onion
put in blender mix well then stir in 2 Tbs poppy seed

wash spinach and lettuce. shred lettuce, cook and break up bacon into bit size pieces. add sliced mushrooms, grated cheese, and red onion. add dressing just before serving.

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Mallow Bars

1 pkg devils food cake mix
1/2 cup butter melted
2/3 cup cold milk
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 7oz jet puffed marshmallow cream
1/2 cup salted peanuts
6 squares bakers semi sweet chocolate (chopped) (or I like to use milk choc chips)

mix dry cake mix, butter and 1/3 cup milk until blended, press two thirds on the bottom of a 9x13 pan. bake at 350 for 12-14 min or until center is almost set cool for 3 min. mix peanut butter and remaining milk, spread on to crust. top with spoonfuls of marshmallow cream and remaining cake mixture. sprinkle with nuts and chocolate, press gently into cake mixture. bake for 18 min. cool before cutting into bars.

Potato Salad

12 red potatoes peeled and boiled
12-18 eggs boiled eggs
1 large onion
7-8 celery slakes

Dressing
2 cups miracle whip
2 TBL mayo
1/4 cup milk
2 TBL mustard
1/2 sugar
1 TBL pepper
1 tea salt

dice very small cooked potatoes, eggs, onion, and celery. mix dressing in a a separate bowl. add dressing to salad. refrigerate till chilled and serve.

Raspberry Butter

1/2 cup butter softned
1/3 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
2 tablespoons powered sugar
dash lemon juice

Combine and mix all ingredients. serve immediately and refrigerate leftovers.

Zucchini Muffins

1 cup flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 tea baking powder
3/4 tea ground cinnamon
1/2 tea salt
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup butter melted
1 cup shredded zucchini
1 cup chopped walnuts (opt)
1/2 cup raisins (opt)

In a large bowl combine the first six ingredients. in another bowl whisk the eggs, milk, and butter stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. fold in the zucchini, and walnuts and raisins if desired. fill greased muffin tins 3/4 fill. bake at 375 for 18-20 min or until a toothpick comes out clean. cool for 5 min. before removing from pan.

Homemade Pumkin Pie

cut rhine off of pumpkin or boil with skin for about 14 min. until tender and skin comes off.
1 cup sugar
1.5 tea ground cinnamon
1 t ground cloves
1 t ground allspice
1/2 t ground ginger
1/2 t salt
4 large eggs
3 cups pumpkin glop
1.5 cans of evaporated milk

mix well using a hand blender or mixer, blend pumpkin till smooth. once pumpkin is blended add the rest of the ingredients. blend very well. the pie mix will be very very runny. add to pie crust. bake at 425 for 15 min turn the temp down to 350 bake for 50-60 min until a KNIFE inserted into the center comes out clean.

Vegetable Dip

1 ranch dip pkg
1 sour cream
2 t dill seed
1-2 t bon appetit seasoning

mix all together well. refrigerate for one hour. serve with vegetables

Fruit Dip 2

1 pkg cream cheese
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup white sugar
2-3 t vanilla (opt)

Beat all ingredients together, and refrigerate for 1 hour. serve with fresh fruit.

Fruit Dip

1 pkg cream cheese
1 7oz marshmallow cream
1 tbl vanilla
1/4-1/2 cup powdered sugar (or more or less depending how sweet you like it)
1/2 cup any flavor yogurt (opt)

Beat all the ingredients in a large bowl and refrigerate for 1 hour. serve with fresh fruit

Pumpkin Bread

1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
2 large eggs beaten
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/3 cup water
1 1/4 cup flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1t baking soda
1t salt
1/4 t baking powder
1/2 t allspice
1/2 t ground cinnamon
1/4 t ground cloves
1/2 t ground nutmeg
1/2 cup seedless raisins (opt)
1 cup chocolate chips (opt)
1 cup chopped nuts (opt)

preheat oven to 350. mix all of the ingredients together and pour mixture into a greased bread pan. bake for 55 min or until toothpick comes out clean.

Pudding Cookies

1 cup Bisquick baking mix
1 small pkg instant pudding any flavor
1 large egg
1/4 cup vegetable oil
sugar

Preheat oven to 350. in a large bowl mix everything but the sugar. roll the batter into golf ball size balls and place 2 inches apart on a nonstick cookie sheet. flatten the cookies with a fork and sprinkle with sugar. bake 12 minutes or until golden brown.