Chili

1 lb ground beef, browned
1 onion, chopped
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 can tomato paste
1/2 tsp oregano
3/4 tsp cumin
2 Tbs Chili powder
2 large cans kidney beans
3/4 tsp salt
1 can diced tomatoes

Simmer at least 1 1/2 hours, best if simmered all day.

Doughnut Snowmen

I love this idea found at the idearoom

Pumpkin Cream Pie

Ingredients

• 1 9-inch (6 oz.) prepared cookie crust (gingersnap, Nilla wafer or graham cracker)
• 1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin puree
• 1 pkg. (5.1 oz.) vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 1/2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed
• Whole pecans for garnish
• Whipped topping for garnish

Directions

Add pudding mix, evaporated milk and pumpkin pie spice in large mixer bowl; beat till combined and add pumpkin. Blend until well mixed.  Fold in whipped topping. Pour into crust. Freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm. Let stand in refrigerator for 1 hour before serving. Garnish with whipped topping and pecans, if desired. Serve immediately.

Adapted from this recipe at verybestbaking.com

Pumpkin Muffins

Cream Cheese Filled Pumpkin Muffins Recipe via Little Birdie Secrets


Muffins
2 1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. coriander
2 eggs
2 c. sugar
1 c. pumpkin
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1/2 tsp vanilla

Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and coriander in a blow. Set aside. In another bowl, mix eggs, sugar, pumpkin, oil, and vanilla. Mix well. Mix in dry ingredients, stirring until moist.

Filling
6 oz. cream cheese
1 egg
1 Tbsp. sugar

Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add egg and sugar. Beat until well mixed.

Topping
3/4 c. coconut
1/2 c. finely chopped pecans
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Combine all topping ingredients together. Spoon batter into 12 muffin cups (about half full). Spoon about 1 tablespoon of filling on top. Fill muffin cups with remaining batter (it will come up to the top). Spread batter to edges of cups. Sprinkle generously with topping.

Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean. Yields 12 muffins.

Spooky Meatloaf

Make recipe for Meatloaf,

Press into shaped pan or mold using your art skills.

(I used the Wilton skeleton ice mold. If using an intricate and hand wash only pan, start by lining it with plastic wrap, then press the meat in firmly.  Once molded, remove meat, place on baking sheet, and of course, remove the plastic wrap. )

Make the sauce and set aside for garnish.

Bake meatloaf according to directions. Remove from oven and layer with slices of your favorite white cheese to resemble bandages. Place in the oven to soften the cheeses. I left this one in too long, and the bandages turned to an oozey goo. Still spooky!

Remove once cheese is melted and garnish with olives or cherry tomatoes for eyes.  Serve with Meatloaf Sauce on the side.

Here is a link to Family fun and their version, which has properly melted cheese!

Meatloaf

Beat together in a large bowl:
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1 tsp salt
1 dash pepper
2/3 cup finely crushed saltines (I use 16 crackers)
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 tsp rubbed sage

Add 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef, mix in well. Shape into loaf and put in an ungreased shallow pan. (A large bread pan or 8 inch round pan works well)

Combine: 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp worchestershire sauce.  Pour on top of loaf. Bake at 350 for 60-65 minutes, or until internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.

Slimey Bog Punch

I concocted this recipe using things I had in my pantry.

Dissolve 6 oz lime gelatin in 1 quart boiling water

Mix 5 cups cold water and 3 scoops (or 3/4 cup) orange drink mix (Tang)

Combine and add 4-6 liters of citrus or lemon lime soda. (Chill soda or serve over ice)

Black Lagoon Punch

This one came from AllRecipes it comes out brownish, but will look darker in a colored serving bowl. This one is particularly effective for showing off ice molds.

1 (.13 ounce) envelope unsweetened grape soft drink mix
1 (.13 ounce) envelope unsweetened orange soft drink mix
2 cups white sugar
3 quarts cold water
1 liter ginger ale

Beef Stroganoff

Brown 1 lb ground beef and saute 1/2 cup onion.  Sprinkle with 2 Tbs flour, heat for 3-5 minutes.

Mix together and simmer:
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can beef broth

Add 1/2 cup sour cream, mix with beef & onion, and serve over rice or mashed potatoes.

Ice Cream Cooke Pie

Oh Betty, you know how to make life sweet.  Check out this recipe:


2        pints mint chocolate chip ice cream, slightly softened
1        package (6 ounces) ready-to-use chocolate-flavored pie crust
1 1/4  cups crushed chocolate-covered mint cookies
1        cup chocolate fudge topping


Spread 1 pint of the ice cream in pie crust. Sprinkle 1 cup of the crushed cookies over ice cream. Cover and freeze 1 hour.


Spread remaining pint of ice cream over cookies. Cover and freeze about 3 hours or until firm.
Let stand at room temperature about 10 minutes before cutting. Serve with fudge topping; sprinkle with remaining cookies. Cover and freeze any remaining pie.


Variation: S’mores Ice-Cream Pie!
Put a spin on this ice-cream pie by using a graham cracker crust, chocolate ice cream and chocolate-coated marshmallow cookies.


*Is your ice cream too hard to scoop? Soften it in a flash by heating it in the microwave on Low for about 20 seconds.

Nutrition Information:
1 Serving: Calories 345 (Calories from Fat 180 ); Total Fat 20 g (Saturated Fat 8 g); Cholesterol 30 mg; Sodium 200 mg; Total Carbohydrate 38 g (Dietary Fiber 1 g); Protein 4 g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 4 %; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 10 %; Iron 6 % Exchanges: 
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Tropical Fluff Salad

1 (8 oz) tub of whipped topping, thawed

1 ½ - 16 oz containers of cottage cheese

1 can crushed pineapple, drained

1 small (3 oz) package Tropical Fusion Jell-o *

Fold together in a bowl, refrigerate a few hours or overnight - this allows the Jello to dissolve and flavors to blend. 

* This salad is good with a variety of other flavors, including pineapple or lime.

Teriyaki Chicken

½ cup soy sauce
1 ½ tsp ginger
4 Tbs brown sugar
3 Tbs honey
2 tsp oil
1 clove garlic
2-3 lbs raw chicken, cut up

Mix ingredients and add chicken. Marinate in refrigerator-the longer the tastier! Cook on grill or in frying pan.

Special Dietary Needs

I have more and more friends and family members discovering they have Celiac disease, lactose intolerance, egg allergies, etc.  I have done lots of searches for specialty recipes I can take to get-togethers that will be safe for everyone to eat.   I will use this post as a place to collect links to good recipes & resources.  Please, let me know of any good sites I am missing.


http://www.gicare.com/diets/gluten-free.aspx has a great list of things that do, may, and do not contain gluten.

Sloppy Joes

{This recipe is a work in progress. It is good as is, but I am always tweaking things for more oomph. let me know if you make it, I love suggestions}


1 lb beef
1/2 large onion, chopped
1/2-1 tsp minced garlic - to taste
1 can tomato sauce
1/3 cup ketchup
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp season salt

optional:
1/2 cup water
3 Tbs quick cook oatmeal
(I am going to try a new filler next time I make this recipe, using 1-3 cups finely shredded cabbage. Inspired by this recipe, which received RAVE reviews. )

Brown beef. Add onions and garlic to pan and saute until translucent
Mix in remaining ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes. Serve on buns and enjoy.

Shortcut Bread Bowls

Frozen loaf bread dough- Place in sprayed cake or bread pan cover with sprayed saran wrap, place in fridge overnight, or thaw according to package directions.
 

Cut loaf into halves. (Thirds for smaller bowls.) Form  into balls by tucking under the cut edges. Place on sprayed baking pan. Baste with 1 egg, beaten with 1 Tbsp water. Cover with sprayed plastic wrap and let rise until double. Remove wrap and bake at 350 for 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Once cool, slice top and remove the soft center.  Great for serving soups & dips.

Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cream together:
   1 cup sugar
   3/4 cup margarine
Add
   1 egg and blend well

Mix dry ingredients in separate bowl:
   2 cups flour
   1 tsp salt
   1/2 tsp baking soda
   1/4 tsp nutmeg
   3/4 tsp cinnamon

Mash bananas with a fork to make 1 cup mashed bananas.

Alternately blend dry mix and bananas into cream mixture.  When done, fold in
   6 oz chocolate chips (1/2 a regular bag) and
   1 3/4 cups quick-cooking oatmeal

Drop by teaspoonfuls on lightly greased cookie sheet

Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes. Edges should be light brown.

Eat one from each batch as you remove them to cooling rack. Hide a few to eat for breakfast tomorrow.

Peanut Butter Bars

Cream together
1 cup butter/margerine
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar

mix in 3 eggs

then add 2/3 cup peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
mix then add 2 cups of quick cook oatmeal

Spread in greased pan and bake at 325 for 18-22 minutes, or until the middle is light golden brown (the edges will be darker) cool and then frost with frosting, cut before serving.

Chocolate Frosting
1/2 cup softened margarine
1/3 cup milk
1/4 cup cocoa
2 tsp vanilla

Mix and add
1lb + powdered sugar until desired consistency

Coconut Macaroons

2 large egg whites

Pinch of salt

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

3 teaspoons imitation vanilla

4-5 drops almond flavoring

2 bags shredded sweetened coconut (14-ounces each)

·    In a medium bowl, whisk egg whites and salt until frothy, about 2 minutes. Stir in condensed milk, almond flavoring, and vanilla. Using a rubber spatula, fold in coconut until well combined.

·    Heat oven to 300 degrees.

·    Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats. Use a cookie scoop to form macaroons into 1 1/4-inch mounds about 1 inch apart.

Bake until macaroons are golden brown, about 20-30 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack; let cool completely.  Drizzle with semi-sweet chocolate.   

Bon's Dinner Rolls & Cinnamon Rolls

1 cup warm water
½ cup sugar
2 Tbsp Yeast
2 Tbsp Sugar
1 cup warmed milk
2 eggs
2 tsp salt
½ cup butter or margarine
6 ½ cups flour
(optional, ½ cup mashed potatoes)

Combine milk, ½ cup sugar, salt, and butter in mixing bowl.
Dissolve yeast in warm water with 2 Tbsp sugar, let start to rise. Then add yeast mixture eggs, and 2 cups flour to milk mixture. Beat until smooth. Add remaining flour and knead to soft dough, about 5-8 minutes.

Let rise until doubled.

Shape into dinner rolls or for cinnamon rolls, roll dough out into rectangle and brush with softened butter, coat with brown sugar and sprinkle with cinnamon.
Roll up and cut. Dental floss works best.
Place on greased pan. Let rise till double, about 30 minutes.
Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

GLAZE:
¼ butter, softened
Approximately 2 Tbsp imitation vanilla
Approximately ¼ tsp almond extract
2-3 Tbsp milk
Powdered sugar
Mix together milk, vanilla, almond extract and butter. Add powdered sugar to thicken to desired consistency.

Creamy Beef Enchiladas

Begin with your favorite enchilada sauce. (Canned, packet, or homemade)Make as directed
Whisk in 1 can cream of mushroom soup
Brown 1 lb ground beef
Saute 1 small onion, chopped
Grate  cheddar cheese to make 2 cups

Spread 1/2 the sauce in a casserole dish
Spoon meat/onion mixture into tortillas, sprinkle with cheese and roll.
Place in dish with seam on the side, then roll till seam is down. Place next enchilada touching the saucy side of the one before, this should prevent the enchiladas from sticking together.
Continue till pan is full.
Pour the remaining sauce over the tortillas and sprinkle with cheese,

Bake in a 350 deg oven for 15 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
Serve with sides of rice, corn, sour cream, etc.

Chocolate Frosting

1/4 cup butter
3 Tbs milk
2 Tbs cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla
powdered sugar - 1/2 lb or till desired thickness

Leftovers? Spread between graham crackers for a guilty pleasure!