Ham Rolls

We were headed to a friends to watch Football and were told to bring our favorite snacks for watching football.  I love these Ham Rolls and they are fairly simple to make and travel very well.  I cut them when we arrived and they went over very well.

Hope you enjoy!

Ham Rolls
1 dash onion salt
2 dashes garlic salt
2 Tbl pickle relish
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp dry mustard
8 oz cream cheese
Boiled ham slices, think

Soften cream cheese and mix all but ham together.  Spread on ham slices and roll up along the longest side of the ham.  Wrap in plastic wrap (I do 3 to a piece) and chill until serving.  Cut about 1" think and serve with toothpicks.

Beef Enchiladas

I usually try to cook on Saturday and Sunday nights something that takes a while because I have the time to put into cooking.  During the week I am trying to shove food down everyone throats as fast as possible before we head out for the nights running.  I asked what sounded good and my hubby said something Mexican.  I was surprised.  I haven't made anything Mexican lately because he mentioned he wasn't too big on Mexican.  So, I've been cooking everything but.  I LOVE Mexican and love enchiladas especially.  I asked chicken or beef and was told beef.  I don't normally make beef enchilada so I decided to make what I used to make all the time when we first were married. 

I knew the younger two were not going to be willing to try this and we had plenty of left overs for them to forge on.  My oldest wanted tacos.  I told her I would compromise and there would be a little left over to make her tacos with.  Well, I forgot and she actually liked these.  I made them up quickly and left for a parent meeting.  Hubby was in charge of putting this in the oven for me while I was gone.  So, I didn't get a great photo.  I remember to take a photo after I had put my sour cream on my enchiladas.  Since I was late (meeting ran way over) that was all that was left was my two. 

Beef Enchiladas
1 lb hamburger
2 (10oz) cans enchilada sauce
1 cup shredded cheese
8 tortillas

Brown hamburger and drain.  Add 1 1/2 cans enchilada sauce and cheese to beef.  Stir to combine.  Pour remaining 1/2 can of enchilada sauce in 9x13 baking dish and spread to coat.  Fill tortillas with 2 spoonfuls of beef mixture and roll up placing in baking dish seam side down.  Once all tortillas are filled, use remaining beef mixture and pour over enchiladas.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Serve with sour cream and chopped tomatoes.

Rice Pilaf

Here is one of my all time favorite side dishes and I got the recipe out of the original "Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook".  I got the cookbook at one of my bridal showers from a friend of my then future Mother-in-Law.  It has proven to be an excellant resource for my kitchen. 

I LOVE cookbooks.  I have too many of them and cleaned some out recently.  But this one is still there and has lots of recipes that I refer to time and time again.  It also has explanations on what the cuts of meats are called and substitution list.  I would not have survived our first years of married cooking without it.  Or my hubby would have starved.  I am super lucky he is not picky and willing to try anything.  I don't know what I would do with a "meat, potato, veggie, bread" man every night of the week.  It would be ugly.  I love trying new recipes and casseroles are my favorite :)

Hope you enjoy this healthy side that comes together quickly for weeknights.

Rice Pilaf
1/2 c chopped onion
1 jar (4oz) sliced mushrooms
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tbl margarine
1 1/2 c water
1 c white rice
1 beef bouillon cube
dash of pepper

In a saucepan cook onion, mushrooms and garlic in margarine until tender.  Add in water, uncooked rice, bouillons and pepper.  Bring to boiling and reduce heat.  Cover and simmer about 15 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is all absorbed. 

Lil Cheddar Meat Loaves

I had gotten this recipe from friend years ago when they brought us dinner when my husband was going through chemo.  My family loved it and so did my mom.  She bugged me until I finally got the recipe from her.  It is a standard recipe that I make but I have to leave off the sauce for my oldest.  It is so good with the sauce but she is odd about some things like that.  I think the sauce gives it that extra kick but hey I am the mom.  What do I know :)

I have made this with as little as 1 pound of hamburger and they are OK but super cheesy that way and don't make as many.  Still taste good though.

Hope you enjoy!

Here is my meat loaf on my plate :)

Lil Cheddar Meat Loaves
2 lbs of hamburger
1 egg
3/4 c milk
1 c shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 c quick oats
1/2 c chopped onion
1 tsp salt
2/3 c ketchup
1/2 c packed brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp mustard

In a bowl, beat the egg and milk.  Stir in cheese, oats, onion and salt.  Add beef and mix well.  Shape into eight loaves and place into a greased 13x9 baking dish.  Combine ketchup, brown sugar and mustard; spoon over loaves.  Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. 

Italian Chicken Casserole

I have been wanting to try this recipe that I found on Pinterest.  I finally had the chance and dug through my pantry to find we had all the ingredients.  I love pasta casseroles.  The cheese just bakes into the noodles and gives it that extra something that I love.  I should have known when I put 2 cans of tomatoes in this that it was going to be a battle with my son.  He does NOT like tomatoes or onions.  I could remind him until I am blue in the face that he LOVES ketchup and spaghetti sauce and they both come from tomatoes.  But it doesn't matter.  He tried it but picked it ALL apart.  My oldest ate 4 bites and my youngest complained the ENTIRE time that she wasn't going to even try it.  Thank goodness I bought a loaf of bread and they filled up on that.  Hubby and I really enjoyed it and it was even better the next day for lunch.   

Hope you enjoy it better than my children did!

Italian Chicken Casserole
2 Tbl olive oil
1 c onion, chopped
1 tsp garlic powder
3 c cooked chicken, cubed
2 cans (14oz) diced tomatoes
1 c heavy cream
1 pkg (3oz) cream cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
8 oz fettuccine

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Meanwhile in a large skillet, heat olive oil  and add onion and garlic; cook 3 minutes, or until tender. Stir in chicken, tomatoes and cream. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Add cubed cream cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese; cook, stirring constantly until cheeses are melted. Add the cooked pasta, tossing gently to coat. Spoon into a greased 13x9 baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with remaining cheese. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Serve with warm bread and a salad :)

Louisiana Hot Crab Dip

I wanted to try this dip for our 3rd Pinterest Craft Night.  I LOVE seafood and thought with Lent coming it would be something fun and new to try.  I loved it.  But my friends didn't eat too much.  I guess I never realized that they don't like seafood.  That is so hard my hubby and I to imagine.  We love all seafood and living in the midwest makes it hard to get fresh.  But we have learned to adjust with whatever we can get.

Louisiana Hot Crab Dip
1/2 pound jumbo lump crabmeat
1 (8oz) package cream cheese
1/2 cup mayo
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
3 tbl minced green onions
2 large garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbl fresh lemon juice
1 tsp hot sauce
1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all of the ingredients in a casserole dish and gently stir until thoroughly mixed. Adjust seasoning to taste. Bake at 325 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes until lightly golden on top. Serve hot with crackers.

3 Cheese Chicken Bake

This is one of my favorite chicken casseroles and is super easy to make.  I love the crunchiness of the exposed noodles on the top.  My kids not so much.  I have to plan ahead to make this because I never buy cottage cheese unless I am going to make this or lasagna. 

I hope you enjoy!

3 Cheese Chicken Bake

1/2 c chopped onion
1/2 c chopped green pepper
3 Tbl butter
1 can (10 3/4oz) cream of chicken soup
1 can (8oz) mushrooms, drained
1/2 tsp dried basil
1 pkg (8oz) noodles, cooked & drained
3 c diced cooked chicken
2 c ricotta or cottage cheese
2 c shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 c grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 c butter bread crumbs

In a skillet, saute onion and green pepper in butter until tender.  Remove from heat.  Stir in soup, mushrooms and basil; set aside.  In a large bowl, combine noodles, chicken and cheeses; add mushroom sauce and mix well.  Transfer to a greased 9x13 baking dish.  Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until bubbly.  Sprinkle with crumbs and bake 15 more minutes.

Chicken Marinade

My favorite marinade for chicken has to be Italian dressing.  Its quick, always in the pantry and gives the best flavor to the meat.  I threw this together last minute for dinner last night and it was so simple that I had to share.  I fixed it with my Oven Roasted Potatoes which you can find here. It was so moist and I keep thinking I should freeze the chicken with this marinade so I have it ready for dinner again next time.  Its on my list for the next cooking day for sure. 

Chicken Marinade
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/2 bottle of Zesty Italian dressing

Place chicken breasts in a ziplock bag (or plastic container for freezing) and add dressing.  Shake to coat and let marinate for 4 hours until time to eat.  Grill and serve.  I grilled mine on the indoor George Foreman because hubby hates grilling with snow on the ground.

Hope you enjoy these as much as I did.

Clark's Carmel Corn

Our friends made this for "Back to School Movie Night" and I totally had to steal the recipe.  I haven't had a chance to get around to making it but I did for the Super Bowl party for today.  It was so easy to make and wonderful too.  I think I made too much popcorn but it's fabulous.  My son was excited to eat it again.  I think I ate the most that night at the Movie Night.  It was the perfect snack.  I think the biggest compliment that I can give someone is to ask for the recipe.  So, I did and here it is.  I am giving credit where it's due because I love Carmel corn and now have a recipe to make it.

Clark's Carmel Corn
Popped popcorn
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup margarine
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder

Pop enough popcorn to fill a large brown paper bag 3/4 full.  In a pan bring brown sugar, margarine, corn syrup and salt to a boil.  Once boiling, add the baking powder.  This will get foamy as you stir.  When all the baking powder is mixed, pour over the popcorn in the brown paper sack.  Stir well.  Make sure you get every piece covered. 
Blast in the microwave for 60 seconds and then shake the bag.  Blast for another 60 seconds in the microwave.  Let sit 10 minutes and then hit the sides of the bag to break up the chunks. 

Enjoy!!!

And a huge THANK YOU to the Clark's for sharing!!!

Spinach & Artichoke Dip

I decided to make my favorite Spinach & Artichoke Dip to take to our friends house for the Super Bowl tonight.  It is a recipe that I always used to take everywhere.  We both got tired of it and I haven't made it in ages.  Ever since I found Pinterest and started this blog, I have been trying new recipes and not making my own.  I decided I should be making some of my favorites and add them to here as well.  I can't believe how well this has been going.  3K hits last month.  Crazy! 

Hope you enjoy this dip as much as I plan to while watching the Ravens (hopefully) win.  One of the players is from our hometown and high school so I have to cheer him and his team on!!!


Spinach & Artichoke Dip
1 pkg frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

This is before it's been cooked!

1 (14oz) can artichokes, drained & chopped
1/2 c mayo
1/2 c sour cream
1 tsp garlic salt
3 oz grated Parmesan

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, mix artichokes, spinach, sour cream and mayo.  Add garlic salt and cheese and mix well.  Transfer to a small greased baking pan.  Bake 20-25 minutes.  Serve with crackers or veggies.