Pepper Steak with Potatoes

This is one of my favorite dinners paired with a side green salad and my recipe for Mayonnaise Chocolate Cake.

5 medium red potatoes, cut into 1/4 inch slices
1/2 c. water
1 lb. boneless beef sirloin steak, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 medium green pepper, julienned
1 small onion, chopped
pepper to taste
4 tsp cornstarch
1 c. beef broth

*Place potatoes and water in microwave safe bowl; cover and microwave on high for 8-10 minutes or until tender. Meanwhile, in a skillet, saute beef and garlic in oil until meat is no longer pink. Remove and keep warm; drain drippings. In the same skillet, saute green pepper and onion until crisp and tender. Return beef to the pan. Add potatoes and pepper; heat through.

In a small saucepan, combine cornstarch and broth until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Drizzle over meat mixture; toss to coat.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

For those of you that have ever eaten at The New Hong Kong here in town and have tried their sweet n sour chicken, you must make this!! It tastes the same. It's really good paired up with Aunt Pat's Fried Rice {recipe below}.

3 lb. chicken breasts
1 tsp. garlic slat
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 beaten egg
6 TBSP. flour
3/4 c. sugar
3 TBSP. vinegar
1/2 c. chicken broth
3 1/2 TBSP. ketchup
1 TBSP. soy sauce
*Sprinkle chicken with garlic salt and pepper. Let stand for 1 hr or more. Preheat oven to 325. Dip chicken in egg and then in flour. Brown in hot oil. Place in baking dish.
Cover with following sauce: Mix sugar, vinegar, chicken broth, ketchup, and soy sauce in saucepan and heat. Pour over chicken. Bake uncovered for 1 hr. Turn chicken once. Makes 6 servings.
* I like to reserve a little sauce for dipping afterwards:)

Aunt Pat's Fried Rice
3 TBSP. vegetable oil
4 c. cooked rice
1 c. diced ham {or shrimp, chicken, etc.}
1 c. green peas
1/2 c. chopped green onion
4 eggs-broken, fired and chopped up
2 TBSP. soy sauce
salt to taste
*Heat oil in wok or skillet until it sizzles. Add rice and slat stirring constantly so rice doesn't stick. When rice is thoroughly heated add ham, peas, egg slivers, and soy sauce. Stir well. Toss in green onions, mix and serve.

White Chili w/Chicken

{This recipe is courtesy of Whats Really For Dinner}

3 T olive oil
1 large diced onion
2 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
2 cloves minced garlic
2 cans white kidney/navy beans, drained and rinsed
3 cups cooked, diced chicken
1 C frozen corn
1 can diced green chilies
2 C chicken broth
1/4 tsp salt
2 T softened butter
1 1/2 T flour
Pepper
3-4 T half-and-half (optional)
Grated cheddar or monterey jack

Warm oil in large, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and saute, stirring constantly until cooked through. Add chili powder, cumin, oregano, and garlic and saute another minute. Stir in chicken, beans, corn, chilies, broth, and salt. Bring to gentle simmer and simmer, partially covered, for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine butter and flour until creamy. Add flour mixture to chili and stir until thickens, about a minute. Add more salt and pepper to taste.
If broth to thick, add more chicken broth, if too thin add half and half to thicken.
Serve chili topped with grated cheese.

I served this with cornbread that I made from a box:)

Donna's Sloppy Joes

Not a single person in my house would touch a sloppy joe until my friend Donna brought these over. They are DEELISH!! I usually freeze my leftover meat for those busy nights when I don't have enough time to get dinner made so I can just pop it out of the freezer and serve on buns or slices of bread.

1 lb. ground beef, cooked
1 c. ketchup
1/4 c. water
2 TBSP. brown sugar
2 tsp. worcestershire sauce {why couldn't they shorten that name?}
2 tsp. prepared mustard
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. salt
4 hamburger buns, split {you'll only want to split your buns because this is a hearty sandwich and you get full off a half}
cheese slices

* Stir ketchup, beef, water, br. sugar, worcestershire, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve on buns. Broil with cheese for 3 minutes.

BBQ Chicken Pizza

I came across this awesome cookbook while visiting my fabulous in laws in K-Ville. My sister actually knows the lady that wrote it and we took a little cooking class at her home. This pizza will not last 60 seconds in your house. I couldn't even get a final picture of it when I was done because my hubby already started digging in!! Here's what you'll need:
2 cups cubed cooked chicken{my chicken isn't quite cubed yet}

2TBS. olive oil
1c. BBQ sauce
1 small can crushed pineapple
2 c. mozza cheese
1/2 c. red pepper
1/2 c. sun dried tomatoes
1/2 c. red onion slices
pre baked pizza crust

*Add BBQ sauce and pineapple juice from crushed pineapple to cubed chicken in skillet and heat through.

Spread on pre-baked pizza crust

Sprinkle with 1 cup of cheese, remaining toppings, then remaining cheese.Bake 15 minutes at 425.

Grilled Chicken

This marinade recipe was from my husband's Fabulous Aunt Pat.
Here's what you'll need:
1 c. soy sauce
1 c. 7up
1/2 c. oil
1/8 tsp. horseradish sauce
*Add ingredients to a large Ziploc bag and add meat. Marinate for a few hours then throw meat on the grill until done. Serve with my recipe for Potato Salad and you have a delish summer dish!

Pizza Divine

Ok. So sorry I don't have pics. I'll get better. Here's a delish and super easy pizza to make that I learned at a cooking class.
Ingredients:
Italian pizza round
Onion dip{I like the Lipton brand that mixes w/sour cream}
Toppings
Mozzarella cheese
*Preheat oven according to pizza round instructions. Spread onion dip. Add toppings and sprinkle w/cheese. Bake until cheese is bubbling and starting to brown.

Super Easy Boneless Ribs

Looking for a super easy dinner? All you need is 4 ingredients and a crock pot! Let's get started...

What you'll need:
Boneless Pork Ribs
BBQ Sauce
Few splashes of Worcestershire Sauce
Brown sugar

*Dump first three ingredients in the crock pot, sprinkle brown sugar on top, and set on low for about 7 hours. Tah Dah!! There you have it! Melt in your mouth super yummo ribs:)

*Leftovers for the next night can be shredded, place on tortilla, and add black beans, corn, sour cream, and cheese for sweet pork burritos!!

Succulent Baby Back Ribs

Use only baby backs because spareribs don't have as much meat and will cook to death!!

*Put ribs on a rack in a broiler pan{make sure you tin foil the bottom and spray the pan with cooking spray}. Cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour at 350.

*Drain the grease and put ribs on greased cookie sheet. Baste with Rib Sauce{Below} and cover with tin foil.



*Turn oven down to 325 and coat both sides with Rib Sauce. Cook for 1 hour, turning over at 30 minutes.
*Turn oven down again to 300. Re-baste, drizzle with honey and cook for 1 hour more. Turning over at 30 minutes again.
*I like to baste my ribs more than this recipe calls for, but it's totally personal preference.

RIB SAUCE:
2 c. ketchup
2 c. bbq sauce
1/4 c. vinegar
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. molasses
1 tsp. chili powder
dash of garlic salt
salt and pepper to taste
1 TBSP worchester sauce
1 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. onion chopped, sauteed
dash cayenne pepper

Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

* 1 tablespoon canola oil
* 1 large onion, chopped
* 3 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 (14-ounce) can low-sodium tomato sauce
* 1/4 cup tomato paste
* 1/2 cup water
* 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
* 5 tablespoons molasses
* 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
* 1 whole rotisserie chicken, skin removed, meat shredded into thin strips (about 4 to 4 1/2 cups)
* 6 whole-wheat hamburger rolls
* 6 large green lettuce leaves

Directions

Heat the oil in a large saute pan over a medium heat. Add the onions and cook until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, vinegar, molasses, pepper and liquid smoke and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes. Add chopped chicken, return to a simmer, and cook an additional 10 minutes.

Split rolls. Place a leaf of lettuce on each roll, then pile on 3/4 cup of the chicken mixture onto the roll.

Easy Chicken and Dumplings

1 whole store-bought roast chicken (about 2 pounds)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 container (7 ounces) chopped onions
6 cans (14 ounces) low-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
1 container (14 ounces) pre-cut carrot sticks, chopped
1 container (14 ounces) pre-cut celery sticks, chopped
1 roll (16.3 ounces) golden buttermilk biscuit dough
1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed chicken gravy
Directions

Remove skin from chicken and shred meat into large pieces. Set aside.

In a small frying pan, add vegetable oil and heat over medium heat. When oil is hot, add chopped onions and saute until soft.

In a large pot or Dutch oven, add broth, poultry seasoning, salt, pepper, carrots, celery, and sauteed onions. Bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer for about 10 minutes to soften vegetables, and then add shredded chicken. Continue to simmer while making dumplings.

While stew is simmering, prepare dumplings. Open can and remove biscuits. On a lightly floured surface, roll each biscuit to 1/4-inch thick. With a knife, cut each biscuit into 4 pie-pieces. Set aside.

Skim surface for any scum that has risen to top. Stir in chicken gravy.

With the stew still simmering over low heat, stir in dumplings a few at a time. Once all dumplings are in to pot, cover with a tight fitting lid and cook for 10 minutes.

Ladle into bowls and serve piping hot.

Chicken Pesto Pizza

1 italian prebaked bread round
parmesan
2 cooked, diced, chicken breasts
1 jar pesto sauce
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 red onion, sliced
1/2 jar sun dried tomatoes
*preheat oven to 425 degrees. Butter crust and sprinkle with parmesan. Add pesto, chicken, onions, tomatoes, and cheese. Bake for 15 minutes or until cheese starts to bubble and brown.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.