Wendy's Chili

2 lbs. ground beef
1 can(29 oz) tomato sauce
1 can (29 oz)kidney beans w/ liquid
1 medium onion, diced
2 green chili, diced
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
2 tsp. cumin
3 TBS. chili powder
1 1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp salt
2 c. water
*Brown beef & drain. Crumble cooked beef. In large pot, combine beef plus remaining ingredients & bring to simmer over low heat. Cook stirring every 15 min. for 2-3 hours.

Tianna's Queso Dip

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1 can chili

shredded cheddar cheese

*Heat together all ingredients in saucepan and serve with tortilla chips.

Party Egg Nog

1/2 gallon peppermint candy ice cream
8 c. egg nog
2 liters 7up
2 c. cool whip
1/4 peppermint candy, crushed
*Mix ice cream, egg nog, and 7up. Float cool whip and sprinkle with candy.

Christmas Cheese Ball

2 8oz. cream cheese, softened
1 8oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
1 tbsp. worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp. parmesan cheese
2 tbsp. minced onion
2 tbsp. bacon bits
1 tbsp seasoning salt
2 c. pecans, chopped
*Mix together all ingredients except pecans and refigerate several hours. Roll in a ball. Roll ball in chopped pecans. Serve.

Christmas Ham

1 butt end smoked, precooked ham, 7 lbs
1/2 c. dijon mustard
1/2 c. orange marmalade
1 tsp. black pepper
3 cans crescent rolls
egg wash
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the ham in a roasting pan and lightly score it with a sharp knife all around. Stir the mustard, marmalade, and black pepper together in a bowl. Slather the mustard mixture all over the ham, rubbing it into the scored meat. Bake the ham for 20 minutes then remove it from the oven.
Using 2 cans of crescent rolls, unroll the dough, but don't seperate into pieces. Press the perforated pieces together to keep the dough in it's rectangular shape. Drape them over the ham pressing the edges together to cover the ham completely with the dough. Tuck any loose edges under the ham in the pan. Brush with egg wash.
Lay the last piece of dough on a cutting board and cut out some holiday shapes with cookie cutters. Arrange the shapes on the ham. Brush with the egg wash.
Return the ham to the oven and bake for another 20 minutes until the ham is heated thru and the dough is cooked and browned.

Chicken Nuggets with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

2 c. crushed sour cream and onion potato chips
1 egg
2 tbsp milk
6 cooked chicken breasts, cubed in 1 inch pieces
1/3 c. butter melted
honey mustard; recipe follows
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread chips in shallow dish. Beat together egg and milk in shallow bowl. Dip the chicken cubes in egg mixture and roll into chips. Place the nuggets on a baking sheet and drizzle with melted butter. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.

Honey Mustard:
3/4 c. mayonnaise
3 tbsp honey
2 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tbsp lemon juice
horseradish to taste
2 tbsp orange juice
*Mix well in bowl and serve on the side as dipping sauce.

Peppermint Festive Cookies

1 tub sugar cookie dough
1/4 c. flour
*Add flour to dough and roll out onto floured surface. Cut out dough with cookie cutters and bake on cookie sheets for 9 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool when done.

1/4 c. heavy cream
1/2 bag milk chocolate chips
1 tsp. peppermint extract
crushed candy canes
*Simmer cream in a saucepan and add chocolate chips. Whisk together. Add extract and mix until smooth. Pour into a bowl and frost the cookies. Add crushed candy canes on top.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

1/2lb. elbow macaroni
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp. flour
1 tbsp dry mustard
3 c. milk
1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp paprika
1 large egg
12 oz. sharp cheddar, shredded
1 tsp. kosher salt
pepper
TOPPING:
3 tbsp butter
1 c. bread crumbs
*Preheat oven to 350.
In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook pasta until done. While the pasta is cooking, in a seperate pot, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and mustard and keep it moving for about 5 min. Make sure it's free of lumps. Stir in milk, onion, bay leaf, and paprika. Simmer for about 10 min. and remove bay leaf.
Temper in the egg. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the macaroni into the mix and pour into a 2 qt casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.
Melt the butter in a saute pan and toss the bread crumbs to coat. Top the macaroni with the bread crumbs. Bake for 30 min. Remove from oven and rest for 5 min. before serving.

Almond Frosting

1 stick butter, softened
1/2 bag powdered sugar
4TBS milk
1-2tsp. almond extract

~ Beat butter until creamy. Slowly add sugar and milk until you reach a desired consistency. Add almond extract and mix well.

Sugar Gems

1c. powdered sugar
1c. sugar
1c. oil
1/2lb. real butter
2 eggs
1tsp. vanilla
5 1/2c. flour
1tsp. cream of tartar
1tsp. salt
1tsp. soda
sugar
frosting

~ Cream powdered sugar, 1c. of sugar, oil, butter, eggs, and vanilla. Add flour, cream of tartar, salt , and soda. Mix well. Roll into balls and place several inches apart on cookie sheet. Mash down with a glass dipped in sugar. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes. Frost after baking. {see frosting category}

Brine Tutorial

For any of you out there that need some help on cooking your turkey this year, I happen to have a few pointers.
I did a brine on my turkey last year and it turned out so scrumptious and moist. For those of you who are going "What the freakin crap is a brine?" That's what I said too.
A brine is a salt water mixture that you leave your turkey in overnight. It is usually 1 cup salt to 1 gallon water and let it dissolve. Then you add 1 cup of sweet substance such as sugar, brown sugar, or honey. After you've dissolved these you then add spices, whole peppercorns, garlic cloves or whatever you want. Then add your thawed, rinsed, and cleaned out turkey. Don't forget there are 2 cavities!! I only emptied out one my first year making a turkey:)
I put my mixture in a stock pot in the fridge or you can put it in an oven bag in your cooler and for all you Idaho folks just set it in the garage.
after you've brined overnight MAKE SURE YOU RINSE THE TURKEY OFF COMPLETELY before putting it in the oven. You will have a very moist and delicious turkey. You can check out a delicious brine recipe under my Thanksgiving category on the right hand side of my blog.

Lil' Smokies

2 pkg. lil' smokies
1 small jar grape jelly
1 medium size bottle bbq sauce
*Cook all ingredients in crock pot and serve with toothpicks.

Give Your Stuffing Some Spunk

When you make your stuffing, a great way to give it some pizazz is to add some Craisins( dried cranberries) to it. It gives it some great flavor.

Thankful Jar

Here's a fun little idea for the Thanksgiving table~

Find some type of jar and decorate it cute with ribbon scrapbook paper or whatever you like. Then as your guests arrive have them fill out a little piece of paper with what they're thankful for. As you sit around after dinner you can pass the jar around and have each person take out a piece of paper and read what others are thankful for.

Maple Brown Sugar Brine

4 quarts water
2c. brown sugar
1c. soy sauce
1c. maple syrup
3/4c. sea salt
8-10 whole garlic cloves
6-8 whole bay leaves
3 large sprigs thyme
2tsp. whole peppercorns

*Place all ingredients in large pot and bring to boil. Dissolving sugar and syrup. Remove from heat and allow brine to cool completely before using.

Gramma's Whole Wheat Bread

This recipe will make 5 loaves in a Bosch mixer.
5 c. warm water
3tbsp. yeast
1/2c. brown sugar
1 tbsp. salt
1/3c. oil
3tbsp. dough enhancer(you can get it at the preparedness store)
5c. whole wheat flour
7-9c. white flour
~Put warm water in Bosch bowl. Add brown sugar and yeast. Let ferment. Add salt, oil, and dough enhancer; mix. Add whole wheat flour and mix about 5 minutes. Add white flour a little at a time.
~Let dough rise in greased pans. Bake 35 minutes @ 350 or until done.

Easy Cheesy Chicken Breasts

1 stick of butter melted
1/2c. Parmesan
1/2c. French fried onions
Grated cheddar cheese
4-6 chicken breasts
*Coat both sides of chicken with butter. Mix parmesan and french fried onions together on plate. Coat both sides of chicken with mixture. Place in a greased casserole dish and cover with cheddar cheese. Bake at 375 for 45 min or until juices run clear.

Mayonnaise Chocolate Cake

1c. flour
3/4c. sugar
1/4c. cocoa
1tsp. baking powder
1tsp. baking soda
1c. mayonnaise(no light or fat free)
1c. water
frosting
*In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and soda. Add the mayo and water; mix well. Pour into greased 13x9 in. pan. Bake at 350 for 20-25 min. or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool, frost, and serve with ice cream.
FROSTING:
1 stick softened butter
1/2 bag powder sugar
4TBS milk
2 tsp almond extract

Cream of Broccoli Soup

2TBS. butter
1 onion, chopped
3c. chicken broth
8c. broccoli florets
3TBS. butter
3TBS. flour
2c. milk
*Melt 2tbs butter in stock pot and saute onion until tender.
*Add broccoli and broth, cover and simmer 10 minutes. Puree soup and return to heat.
*In small saucepan over medium heat melt 3tbs. butter, stir in flour and add milk. Stir until thick and bubbly, and add to soup. Season with pepper and serve with rolls or bread bowls from Geraldine's ( if you don't have a Geraldine's where you live, then that just sucks and you have to improvise!)

Tianna's Tropical Slush

On the stove:
Bring 6c. water to a boil.
Add:
2 1/2c. sugar
1 6oz. strawberry jello package
Boil for 3 min.
Take off heat and add:
46 oz. Pineapple juice
2/3c. lemon juice
1 qt. orange juice
*Freeze until solid. Mix with Sprite.

Feelin Hot, Hot, Hot!!

Hot soup? Throw in an ice cube to cool it down. I always use this trick for my kiddos in their mac n cheese, pasta, soups, oatmeal, etc. and it works quick and great!

Crunchy Banana Splits

2 1/2c. crushed corn flakes
5tsp. melted butter
4tsp. finely chopped nuts
5c. vanilla ice cream, softened
5 medium ripe bananas, quartered
1/2c. chocolate syrup
Whipped topping and maraschino cherries

*In a bowl, combine the cornflakes, butter, and nuts. Drop ice cream by 1/2 cupfuls into cornflake mixture and roll into a ball. Place 2 banana quarters in each dish. Top with an ice cream ball, chocolate syrup, whipped topping, and a cherry. 10 servings.

Golden Honey Pan Rolls

This recipe is for use with a bread machine!!

1c. milk (70-80 degrees)
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1/2c. veggie oil
2TBS. honey
1 1/2tsp slat
3 1/2c. bread machine flour
2 1/4tsp dry active yeast
GLAZE:
1/3c. sugar
2TBS butter or margarine, melted
1TBS honey
1 egg white
Additional honey optional
*In bread machine pan, place the first 8 ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer. Select dough setting. Check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1-2 TBS of water or flour if needed.
When cycle is complete, turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Punch down; cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Divide into 24 pieces; shape each into a ball. Place 12 balls each in 2 greased 8 inch pans. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes. For glaze, combine sugar, butter, honey, and egg white; Drizzle over dough. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with additional honey if desired. 2 dozen.

Favorite Pork Chops

1c. soy sauce
1/4c. diced green pepper
1/4c. brown sugar
4tsp. chopped onion
1/2tsp. ground ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 pork loin chops(1 inch thick)
2tsp. sugar
2tsp. cornstarch
1/2c. water
*In a blender, combine the soy sauce, green pepper, brown sugar, onion, ginger, and garlic; cover and process until smooth. Set aside 2 TBS. for sauce. Pour the remaining marinade into a large resealable plastic bag or shallow glass container. Add pork chops and turn to coat. Seal or cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight; drain and discard marinade. Grill chops, covered, over medium-hot heat for 5-8 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer reads 160-170. In a saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, water, and reserved soy sauce mixture; stir until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve over chops. 4 servings.

Easy Vanilla Glaze

Spoon out the amount of store bought vanilla frosting from its can and place it in a microwave safe measuring cup. Warm it in the microwave, stirring frequently, until it reaches the right consistency. Then drizzle on cinnamon rolls, banana bread, or whatever you like;}

Amish Breakfast Casserole

1 lb. sliced bacon, diced
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
6 eggs, lightly beaten
4c. frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
2c. shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/2c. small curd cottage cheese
1 1/4c. shredded swiss cheese

*In a large skillet, cook bacon and onion until bacon is crisp; drain. In a bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; stir in bacon mixture. Transfer to greased 13x9x2 inch baking dish. Bake uncovered, at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until set and bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting. 12 servings

Old Fashoined Beef Pot Pie

1 lb. ground beef
1 can condensed beef w/vegetables and barley soup
1/2c. water
1pkg. frozen peas and carrots, thawed and drained
1/2tsp. seasoned salt
1/8tsp. garlic powder
1/8tsp. ground black pepper
1c. shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 1/3c. french fried onions, divided
1 pkg. refrigerated biscuits

*Preheat oven to 350. In large skillet, brown ground beef in large chunks;drain. Stir in soup, water, vegetables, and seasonings;bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 5 min. Remove from heat;stir in 1/2 cup cheese and 2/3 cup french fried onions.
*Pour mixture into 12x8 baking dish. Cut each biscuit in half; place, cut side down, around edge of casserole. Bake, uncovered, 15 to 20 minutes or until biscuits are done. Top with remaining cheese and 2/3 cup onions;bake, uncovered, 5 minutes or until golden brown.

Heinz Ketchup

one 6oz. can tomato paste
1/2c. light corn syrup
1/2c. white vinegar
1/4c. water
1TBS. sugar
1tsp. salt
1/4tsp. onion powder
1/8tsp. garlic powder

*Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk until smooth. When mixture comes to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes; stirring often. Remove pan from heat and cover until cool. Chill in a covered container. Makes 1 1/2 cups.

Josh's Chicken Fajitas

*Marinade:
1 can Sprite
3/4c. soy sauce
1c. oil
1tsp. vinegar
1/2tsp. garlic powder
1/2tsp. dry mustard

1lb. chicken, cut into strips

*Marinate chicken pieces overnight. Pan-fry in skillet until cooked. Serve in flour tortillas with guacamole, sour cream, salsa, onions, green peppers, and cheese.

Sweet & Sour Chicken

3lb. chicken breasts
1tsp. garlic salt
1/2tsp. black pepper
1beaten egg
4-6TBSP. cornstarch or flour
3/4c. sugar
1/2c. chicken broth
31/2TBSP. ketchup
1TBSP. soy sauce

*Sprinkle chicken with garlic salt and pepper. Let stand for 1 hour or more. Preheat oven to 325. Dip chicken in egg, then in cornstarch or flour. Brown in hot oil. Place in baking dish.

*Cover with following sauce: Mix sugar, a little bit of vinegar, chicken broth, ketchup, and soy sauce in saucepan and heat. Pour over chicken. Bake, uncovered, for 1 hour. Turn chicken once or twice. Makes 6 servings.

Texas Fiesta Salad

1-120z. bag of salad greens
1c. cherry tomatoes
1c. whole kernel corn, drained well
1c. black beans, rinsed and drained well
1/2c. black olives. sliced
1/4c. green onions, diced
1lb. cooked, boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips
1/2c. shredded cheddar cheese
1c. tortilla chips coarsly crushed
1c. ranch
1/2c. salsa

* Combine all the salad greens in a serving bowl. Just before serving, add the cooled chicken strips on top then add the cheddar cheese and tortilla chips. For dressing, blend ranch and salsa and serve with salad.

Crockpot Pork Ribs

3 lbs. boneless pork ribs
1/2 bottle bbq sauce
3TBS. worcestershire sauce
1 can of coke
1/2 onion sliced

* Dump all ingredients in crock pot and cook until done. My crock pot cooks super fast so I only had to cook them for 3 hours. Most crock pots take 2 or more hours extra.

Blueberry Cream Pie

1c. sugar
1/8tsp. nutmeg
1T. lemon juice
1/3c. flour
2T. butter
4c. fresh blueberries
macadamia nut pie shell{recipe below}
cream cheese filling
1c. real cream, whipped
1{8oz.} pkg cool whip
1{8oz.} pkg cream cheese, softened
1tsp. almond extract
1c. powdered sugar
*mix well

*Mix 2c. blueberries with

Macadamia Nut Pie Crust

1/2c. finely chopped macadamia nuts
1c. flour
1/3c. butter
1 beaten egg

*Spread the nuts in a baking pan & toast in an oven @ 350 for 5-10 minutes or until golden, stir once or twice. Cool. In a medium mixing bowl combine flour & toasted nuts; cut in butter until mixture forms coarse crumbs. Add egg, stir until combined. Form into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to about 1/8 inch thickness. Line a 9 inch pie plate with dough. Fold edge under and flute. Prick well. Bake @ 350 for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

1c. chunky peanut butter
1c. real butter
1c. sugar
1c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2tsp. baking soda
1tsp. baking powder
1/2tsp. salt
2 1/2c. flour
1 pkg. Hershey's mini kisses

* Cream peanut butter, butter, and sugars until well blended. Add eggs, and blend in. Add the next 3 ingredients & mix until blended. Add flour, mixing well. Add mini kisses last. Roll balls of dough in sugar and slightly flatten before baking. Bake @ 375 for 10-12 minutes.

Cookie Heaven

2 1/4c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
1 c. butter flavor shortening
3/4c. sugar
3/4c. brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 lg. eggs
2 c. milk choc. chips

*Cream shortening, sugars, vanilla, & eggs. Add dry ingredients;mix well. Add chocolate chips. bake @ 375 for 7 minutes.

So Good Corn Chowder

1-8oz.tub chive & onion cream cheese
1 can cream corn
2c. milk
8oz. smoked turkey breast, chopped
1c. frozen peas
pepper

*Heat cream cheese over medium heat in medium saucepan to soften; blend in corn & milk. Add turkey & peas; heat thru.

Pat's Salsa

1 Can black beans{rinsed & drained}
1 Can corn{drained}
1 Bunch green onions{chopped}
1 Large avocado{diced}
4 Large roma tomatoes{diced}
1 Large green pepper{diced}
1 Packet Italian dressing mix

*Chop everything up & put it in a large bowl. Mix up the dressing mix according to the packet directions. Pour the dressing over the mixture & stir well.

*Best made the night before so the flavors can mix{keep the avocado out until needed}

Best Pancakes With Buttermilk Syrup

Pancakes:
1 1/2c. Flour
1 6oz. Carton yogurt {any flavor}
1 Egg
1tsp. Salt
1tsp. Soda
1/4 c. Veggie oil
Add milk to desired thickness

*Mix well. Batter will be slightly lumpy.

Buttermilk Syrup:
Bring to a boil in a large pan:
2 Cubes real butter
2c. Sugar
1c. Buttermilk
Add:
1tsp. Baking soda{ makes above mixture bubble up. Be careful so it doesn't boil over}
1tsp. Vanilla

Easy Potato Salad

7 Red potatoes;boiled & cut up
8 Eggs;boiled & cut up
4-5TBS Sweet relish
Mayonnaise to desired consistency

*Add all ingredients and enjoy:}

Good & Rich Cookies

2c. butter;soft
2c.brown sugar
2c.white sugar
4 eggs
2tsp. vanilla
4c. flour
3c. oat bran { you can get it at Winco in the bulk}
1tsp. salt
2tsp. soda
1 8oz. Hershey's bar;grated
milk chocolate chips

*Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix in flour, oat bran, salt and soda. Add Hershey Bar, choc. chips. Make golf ball size cookies. Place 2" apart and pat down just a little. Bake @ 375 for 10 min. Best if eaten fresh.