Chicken Fried Steak and Gravy

Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy

Prep Time: 15 minutes. Start to Finish: 45 minutes. Serves 4

Ingredients:

¾ cup vegetable oil

1 ½ pounds beef round, trimmed and cut into 4 equal pieces

Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper

3 eggs, beaten with 2 tablespoons water

2 cups milk

14.5 ounce can of sausage gravy

Directions:

Add the oil to a large heavy bottomed skillet, over medium heat

Meanwhile, prepare the beef by pounding each piece to tenderize
Put 1 1/4 cups of the flour in a shallow dish and season well with salt and pepper, to taste
Add the egg mixture to a shallow dish and season with salt and pepper, to taste
Dredge the steaks in seasoned flour, shaking off any excess, then dip them in the egg mixture and back into the flour
Once oil is hot, add the steaks and fry until golden, about 3 to 4 minutes per side
 Be sure to not overcrowd the pan and do in batches, if necessary
Remove the fried steaks to a paper towel lined dish and set aside
Heat up gravy is sauce pan and serve over steaks

Chicken and Garden Vegetables

Chicken and Garden Vegetables

Prep Time: 35 minutes. Start to Finish: 35 minutes. Serves 4

Ingredients:

8 slices of bacon, cut into ½ inch pieces

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 ¼ pounds)

½ teaspoon garlic salt

¼ teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

¼ cup water

½ pound green beans, trimmed, but left whole

1 medium yellow bell pepper, chopped

2 medium plum roma tomatoes, cut lengthwise in half, then slices (about 1 cup)

½ cup balsamic vinaigrette dressing or Italian dressing

Directions:

In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook bacon over medium heat 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp

Sprinkle both sides of chicken with garlic salt and pepper,  add chicken to bacon in skillet

Cook 3 to 5 minutes or until browned on both sides, discard excess bacon drippings if necessary

Add water and green beans to skillet, cover and cook over medium-low heat 8 minutes

Stir in bell pepper, cover and cook 3 to 5 minutes, turning and stirring vegetables occasionally, until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (170°F)

Stir in tomatoes and dressing, cook uncovered about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes are thoroughly heated

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cookie Pizza

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cookie Pizza

Prep Time: 15 minutes. Start to Finish: 1 hours 30 minutes. Serves 8

Ingredients:

1 roll (16.5 ounces) refrigerated chocolate chip cookies

1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened

½ cup creamy peanut butter

1 cup powdered sugar

¼ cup milk

1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed

¾ cup hot fudge topping

¼ cup chopped peanuts (optional)

Directions:

Heat oven to 350°F
 In ungreased 12-inch pizza pan, break up cookie dough, with floured fingers, press dough evenly in bottom of pan to form crust
Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown, cool completely, about 30 minutes
Meanwhile, in medium bowl, beat cream cheese, peanut butter, powdered sugar and milk until smooth than fold in whipped topping
Spread 1/2 cup of the fudge topping over cooled crust, spread peanut butter mixture over top
Drizzle with remaining 1/4 cup fudge topping, sprinkle with peanuts, refrigerate at least 30 minutes or until serving time, cut into wedges or squares

Banana Cream Pie

Banana Cream Pie

Prep Time: 15 minutes. Start to Finish: 5 hours 30 minutes. Serves 6

Ingredients:

Cookie Crunch:

1 cup all-purpose flour

¼ cup packed brown sugar

½ cup cold butter or margarine

½ cup crushed peanuts

Filling and topping:

1 box (4 serving size) banana instant pudding and pie filling mix

2 cups cold milk

3 ripe medium bananas, sliced

1 container (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed (3 cups)

Directions:

Heat oven to 400 in large bowl, mix flour and brown sugar
Cut in butter, using pastry blender (or by pulling 2 table knives, through ingredients in opposite directions), until mixture is crumbly, and stir in peanut
Press mixture evenly on bottom of ungreased 9-inch square pan; Bake about 15 minutes or until lightly brown; than stir to break up; Cool completely, about 1 hour (to cool quickly place in larger pan in freezer)
In a large bowl, make pudding mix as directed on package, using 2 cups milk
In 2-quart serving bowl, layer half of the cookie crunch, pudding, bananas and whipped topping, repeat layers, or place in single layer in 8x8 baking dish
Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, top with additional peanuts if wanted, store covered in refrigerator

Salisbury Steak

Salisbury Steak

Prep Time: 20 minutes. Start to Finish: 40 minutes. Serves 18

Ingredients:

1 egg

¼ cup chili sauce

1 medium onion, finely chopped about ½ cup

¼ cup crushed butter-flavor crackers

½ teaspoon peppered seasoned salt

2 cups cubed ½-inch unpeeled russet potatoes

1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 12-ounce jar beef gravy

Directions:

In medium bowl, beat egg
Stir in chili sauce, onion, crushed crackers, peppered seasoned salt and ground beef
 Shape mixture into 4 patties, 1/2 inch thick
Spray 12-inch nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat until hot
Add patties; cook 4 to 6 minutes or until browned on both sides; Drain if necessary 3 In medium bowl, combine potatoes, tomatoes and gravy; mix well
Pour over patties than bring to a boil than reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 15 to 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender and beef is thoroughly cooked, turning patties and stirring once

Piggy Succotash

Piggy Succotash

Prep Time: 35 minutes. Start to Finish: 15 minutes. Serves 6

Ingredients:

4 slices thick-cut slices bacon

1 12-ounce small ham steak, diced

2 cups fresh corn kernals (2 to 3 ears), or 1 10-ounce bag frozen corn thawed

1 pound fresh lima beans in pods, shelled (1 ½ cups), or 1 10-ounch bag frozen baby lima beans, thawed

1 bunch scallions, cut crosswise into 1/3-inch pieces, white and pale green parts separate

1 red bell pepper diced

1 orange bell pepper diced

Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Directions:

Cook the bacon in a 10-inch skillet over moderate heat, flipping once until crisp, about 5 minutes

Transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain, leaving the fat in the pan

Add the ham and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes

Add the corn, lima beans and white parts of the scallions and cook, stirring about 2 minutes

Add ½ cup water, scraping up the brown bits on the bottom of the pan

Simmer until the vegetables are tender and most of the water has been reduced

Stir in the bacon, scallion greens and season with salt and pepper

Lemon Pie Cookies

Lemon Pie Cookies

Prep Time: 20 minutes. Start to Finish: 1 hour 20 minutes. Serves 18

Ingredients:

2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature

3 cups confectioners’ sugar, divided, plus more for sprinkling if desired

½ teaspoon salt

2 lemons zested and juiced, divided (about 2 tablespoons zest and 2 tablespoons juice)

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

Directions:

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter, 2 cups of the sugar and salt until smooth. Add all of the lemon juice and half of the zest. On a low speed, add the flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until just incorporated. Turn the cookie dough out onto a board and roll it into a log. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Remove log from the refrigerator and cut it into thin 1/4-inch thick discs. You should cut 36 cookies out, in order to make the 18 cookie sandwiches. If using 1 baking sheet, bake the cookies in batches. Arrange the discs on 2 silicone or parchment lined baking sheets, 1-inch apart, and bake until the edges are just golden, about 20 minutes. Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Meanwhile, using stand mixer or hand mixer, mix cream cheese with the remaining 1 cup confectioners' sugar and remaining half of the lemon zest.
Top half of the cookies with the cream cheese mixture and cover with another cookie to make a sandwich. Dust the top of the cookie sandwiches with confectioners' sugar and serve.

Lasagna Pasta Pies

Lasagna Pasta Pies

Prep Time: 20 minutes. Start to Finish: 1 hour. Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 cup uncooked rotini pasta

1 pound ground Italian sausage

1 ½ cup tomato pasta sauce

¾ cup ricotta cheese

1 can (16.3) Pillsbury grands refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Jumbo cupcake pan; ungreased

Directions:

Heat oven to 375

Cook and drain pasta as directed on package

Meanwhile in skillet, cook Italian sausage until no longer pink and than drain

Stir in pasta sauce, ricotta cheese and pasta; cooking together for 2 minutes

Separate dough into 8 biscuits;  and press each biscuit into each round, firmly pressing so it goes down and up the sides pretty well, forming a ¼ inch rim

Fill sausage mixture and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese

Bake 28 to 32 minutes or until golden brown

Cool for 1 minute before removing from pan

Grilled Taco-Spiced Chicken

The chicken after grilling and basting

We made ours into shredded taco meat!!!

Grilled Taco-Spiced Chicken

Prep Time: 25 minutes. Start to Finish: 30 minutes. Serves 4

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix

1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 ¼ pound)

1 tablespoon olive oil

¼ cup barbecue sauce

2 tablespoons chili sauce

½ teaspoon ground cumin

Directions:

Heat gas or charcoal grill

In shallow bowl, mix taco seasoning mix and oregano, brush chicken with oil and sprinkle with seasoning mixture

Place chicken on grill over medium heat, cover grill and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, turning once, until juice of chicken runs clear when center of the thickest part is cut (at least 165 degrees)

Meanwhile in a small microwaveable bowl, mix barbecue sauce, chili sauce and cumin

Cover and microwave on high 30 to 50 seconds or until hot and serve over chicken.

TO MAKE IN OVEN: follow all the same seasoning steps and bake in 375 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes

Bon Bon Delights

Bon Bon Delights

Prep Time: 1 hours. Start to Finish: 2 hours. Serves 8

Ingredients:

1 package oreo cookies

8 ounce cream cheese

1 package almond bark white chocolate or milk chocolate

Toppings such as sprinkles

Directions:

Crush by hand or with a food processer if available the whole package of oreos to a fine “dust”

Mix with cream cheese till even mixed

Start rolling teaspoon-tablespoon (depending on what size you want) size balls with the mixture till gone (If need be put in the freezer to aid in this process, it will help harden it so its easier to roll) placing it on a wax paper covered baking sheet

Melt squares of almond bark in microwave or on stovetop in a small sauce pan, than roll the balls until well coated in the chocolate, taking care because it will be hot, try using a fork to aid or candy dipping tools if possible; than place them on the wax paper again to harden

If using sprinkles, sprinkle them right away before the chocolate has a chance to harden, or if you do what I do and use both chocolate types, you can drizzle the tops at your leisure

Keep in an air tight container in the fridge for storage

Burrito BLT Wraps

Burrito BLT Wraps

Prep Time: 15 minutes. Start to Finish: 15 minutes. Serves 6

Ingredients:

½ pound cooked and crumbled bacon

2 cups bite size lettuce

½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 large tomato, chopped (1 cup)

1/3 cup mayonnaise or ranch dressing

6 burrito size tortillas

Directions:

In a medium bowl, toss all ingredients except tortillas

Dive bacon mixture evenly among tortillas

Fold up bottom third of tortillas; roll up to form cone shape with folding end at bottom

Scooby Snacks

Scooby Snacks

Prep Time: 15 minutes. Start to Finish: 30 minutes. Serves 12

Ingredients:

9 cups corn chex/rice chex/wheat chex/chocolate chex or mixture of whatever of those

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

½ cup creamy peanut butter

¼ cup butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

Into a large bowl measure cereal and set aside

In a 1 quart microwaveable bowl; combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on high for 1 minute and stir. Microwave for 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth

Stir in vanilla, and then pour over cereal, mixing and stirring until evenly coated

Pour mixture into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag

Add powdered sugar and seal bag; shaking until well coated

Spread on wax paper and cool for about 15 minutes

Store in air-tight container in the refrigerator

Best-Ever Banana Bread

Best-Ever Banana Bread

Prep Time: 15 minutes. Start to Finish: 2 hours and 40 minutes. Serves 8

Ingredients:

1 box yellow cake mix (can be gluten free)

1 ½ cups mashed very ripe bananas (3 medium)

½ cup butter, softened

3 eggs

½ cup chopped nuts if desired

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 and grease the bottom of 9x5 or 8x4 inch loaf pan with shortening or cooking spray with flour

In a large bowl, beat cake mix, bananas, butter and eggs with electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, than on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally; then pour into the prepared pan

Bake loaf pan 55 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on pan size; until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean

Place a sheet of foil over loaf to prevent overbrowning, if necessary

Cool for 10 minutes than loosen sides of loaf; remove from pan to cooling rack

Cool about 1 hour before slicing

Cassie's Disgustingly Rich Brownies

Cassie’s Disgustingly Rich Brownies

Prep Time: 15 minutes. Start to Finish: 1 hour and 15 minutes. Serves 8

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar

1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour

4 eggs

¾ cup cocoa (regular or dark)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup butter

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray 8 or 9 ounce baking pan with cooking spray with flour

Melt butter over low heat, careful not to let to burn

In a large mixing bowl, stir together the cocoa and sugar than the melted butter

Add the vanilla and eggs and stir again

Add the flour and salt and mix until just smooth, if you are adding walnuts than now is the time

Spread the mix into an even layer in the prepared pan

Bake until brownies just begin to pull away from the sides of the pan, or until a tooth pick comes out of the center clean; about 40 to 50 minutes

Cool for at least 15 minutes before cutting

David's Barbecue Sauce

David’s Barbecue Sauce

Prep Time: 30 minutes. Start to Finish: 30 minutes. Serves 6

Ingredients:

1 cup ketchup

½ cup brown sugar

2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

6 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

2 teaspoon lemon juice

4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

¼ cup water

1 teaspoon paprika

2 tablespoon honey

Directions:

Heat all the ingredients in a small sauce pan till mixed thoroughly

Use to your liking!!!

Cajun Fetticcine Alfredo

Cajun Fettuccine Alfredo

Prep Time: 10 minutes. Start to Finish: 30 minutes. Serves 4

Ingredients:

½ pound fettuccine pasta

1 tablespoon olive oil

8 ounces of smoked andouille sausage links, sliced

½ cup sliced onions

½ cup sliced red bell pepper

½ cup sliced green bell pepper

1 pound uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 tablespoon Cajun seasoning

1 jar Alfredo sauce

1 medium tomato

½ cup parmesan cheese

Directions:

Prepare pasta according to package directions; drain

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat

Add sausage, onions and peppers, sauté until onions are softened (about 5 minutes)

Add in shrimp and Cajun seasoning

Saute until shrimp is pink and cooked

Add in Alfredo sauce and simmer until heated through

Toss with pasta, tomatoes and parmesan cheese