Chicken and Potatoes

This recipe comes from a cookbook called "Cooking with Food Storage" by Debbie G. Harman that I adapted for my family. It is fast and easy, one of the reasons I love it!

1 can chicken chunks (I use Costco's) You can put in more if you wish
3 cups dried potato slices (I got a can at Macey's, you can also get it in the bulk section at WinCo)
1 can green beans
1/2 cup sour cream powder (I think I also got this can at Maceys in the Emergency Preparedness section.)
3 cups water
Salt and Pepper to taste

Preparation: Combine chicken, potatoes, and green beans in Crock-Pot. Add 2 cups water. Mix sour cream powder with remaining water until smooth. Pour over chicken and potatoes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. cook on high 1-2 hours or until potatoes are tender.

(You can also cook this recipe in the over 350F for one hour. Just combine all the ingredients in a casserole dish.) Enjoy!

Mom's Famous Pizza

My mom makes such good homemade pizza, I finally asked her for her recipe. She makes it every Halloween and New Year's Eve for our family parties that we have. I tried it tonight and although it didn't taste as good as mom's, it did turn out pretty good. The whole pizza was devoured by my husband and five kids. Here's the recipe:

1 cup water
1 tbsp yeast (mom likes SAF yeast)
1 tsp salt
2-3 cups flour
1 T vegetable oil (I used EVOO)


I started out by adding the yeast to the water in the measure cup.
In another bowl I put the salt and 1 cup of flour and then added the yeast mixture. I stirred it up and then started adding flour and then kneaded it with my hands till it wasn't too sticky but not over floured. I put the EVOO right in the pan and spread it around the pan. You put the dough right on it and the oil soaks in as it cooks. I used my rolling pin to roll the dough out but I think my mom just pulls it by hand till it is spread out. Then I put spaghetti sauce on the dough and added ham and mozzerella cheese. You can add whatever toppings you want and enjoy!!

Yummy Banana Bread

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1 tsp cinamon
1 tsp soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp all spice
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 banana's, mashed
1 tbsp milk

Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs and beat well. Sift all dry ingredients together. Add sifted ingredients to creamed mixture along with banana and milk. Pour batter into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350F for 50-60 min or until a sharp knife inserted comes out clean.

Chex Mix Party Mix

http://www.chex.com/recipes/RecipeView.aspx?RecipeId=6709&CategoryId=343

Chex Mix Party Mix

So I probably should have posted this yesterday before everyone's New Year's Eve parties but I enjoy this any day! I made this for our party with a little variation. Instead of mixed nuts, I just had cashews and I bought some Gardetto mix with the pretzels and bagel chips and added that. This recipe is the Original Chex Mix recipe right off their site. I really enjoy it, especially for a party. When I get the munchies, this will cure it right fast! Enjoy!

3	cups Corn Chex® cereal
3	cups Rice Chex® cereal
3	cups Wheat Chex® cereal
1	cup mixed nuts
1	cup bite-size pretzels
1	cup garlic-flavor bite-size bagel chips or regular-size bagel chips, broken into 1-inch pieces
6	tablespoons butter or margarine
2	tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2	teaspoons seasoned salt
3/4	teaspoon garlic powder
1/2	teaspoon onion powder

1.	In a large microwavable bowl, mix cereals, nuts, pretzels and bagel chips; set aside. In small microwavable bowl, microwave butter uncovered on High about 40 seconds or until melted. Stir in seasonings. Pour over cereal mixture; stir until evenly coated.
2.	Microwave uncovered on High 5 to 6 minutes, thoroughly stirring every 2 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool. Store in airtight container.
Oven Directions Heat oven to 250°F. In large bowl, mix cereals, nuts, pretzels and bagel chips; set aside. In ungreased large roasting pan, melt butter in oven. Stir in seasonings. Gradually stir in cereal mixture until evenly coated. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool, about 15 minutes. Store in airtight container.

Chocolate and Fruit Trifle

We had a family party for the Pyne's tonight and I wanted to make something festive and fun. I saw this recipe and wanted to try it and it was a hit! I am so glad it turned out so yummy! I will have to find another recipe for a trifle. I love my new trifle bowl; isn't it pretty?

1 package devil's food cake mix

1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

1 cup cold water

1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix

2 cups whipping cream, whipped

2 T orange juice

2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped

2 cups fresh raspberries

2 kiwi fruit, peeled and chopped

Prepare cake batter according to package directions; pour into a greased 15 x 10 x 1 baking pan. Bake at 350 F until done. (20-30 minutes). Cool completely on a wire rack. Crumble enough cake to measure 8 cups; set aside (will be cake leftover.) In a mixing bowl, combine milk and water until smooth. Add pudding mix; beat on low speed for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Fold in the whipped cream. To assemble, spread 2 1/2 cups pudding mixture in a 4-qt glass bowl. Top with half of the crumbled cake; sprinkle with 1 tablespoon orange juice. Arrange half of the berries and kiwi over cake. Repeat pudding and cake layers; sprinkle with remaining orange juice. Top with remaining pudding mixture. Spoon remaining fruit around edge of bowl. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Yield: 12-16 servings. Recipe from Quick Cooking magazine NOV/DEC 2000 issu

Tuxedo Cookie Bars

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup salted butter

1 1/2 cups white sugar

3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used milk chocolate)

1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract

4 Tbsp hot water

4 large eggs

1 cup (6 oz.) white chocolate chips

Yield: 18 servings

Preheat oven to 325F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan. In a medium bowl combine flour and soda with a wire wisk, and set aside.

In a small saucepan melt butter and 2 cups of chocolate chips over low heat, stirring constantly till smooth.

In a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed, beat chocolate mixture and sugar until smooth, about 5 minutes. Continuing to beat, add the vanilla, then the water, a tablespoon at a time. Scrape down sides of bowl. next, add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Gradually add the flour mixture, blending at low speed. Then add the remaining 1 cup of chocolate chips and the white chips. Blend until equally distributed throughout batter.

Spread batter in to prepared baking pan. Bake 35-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out just slightly moist.

Cool to room temperature. cover well and refrigerate until cold cute unto bars to serve.