Hearty Meat Spaghetti sauce

This spaghetti sauce is super good, and much better than just a bottle of Prego! It calls for a lot of ingredients but nothings beats that homemade taste! (Chaelin I hope you like this, let me know!)

1 pound ground beef
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
8 garlic cloves, minced (I used bottled, minced, garlic. 1 1/2 Tbsp)
3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) Italian diced tomatoes, drained
2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce
2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon dried basil (I use this IF I have it on hand)
2 teaspoons dried marjoram (I never use this)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Hot cooked spaghetti

1-In a large skillet over medium heat, cook beef and sausage until no longer pink; drain. Transfer to a 5-qt. crock pot

2-Stir in green pepper, onion, garlic, tomatoes, tomato sauce, paste, sugar and seasonings; mix well. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until bubbly. Serve over spaghetti.

*You do not have to let this simmer for 8 hours if you don't have the time. All it does is let the flavors soak in together.

Witches Brew

My mother-in-law Kathy always makes really fun food on Halloween this is her recipe. It is so yummy AND festive!

2 1/2 quarts water

1 1/2 c. sugar

5 whole cloves

1 small can frozen o.j.

1 small can frozen lemonade

1-Mix and boil

2-Bring to a simmer, and add cinnamon sticks.

3-Serve warm in mugs

7 Layer Salad

This is my sister-in-laws recipe. I look forward to family parties, because I know Jurene will be bringing this every time! This is a MUST try!

1 head of lettuce, washed, coarsely chopped

1 c. celery

4 hard boiled eggs, sliced

1 pkg. (10 0z) peas

1/2 green pepper

1 small red onion

1 lb. bacon, cooked, crumbled

Dressing

2 c. real Mayo

2 Tbsp. sugar

1-In a LARGE glass bowl take the first 7 ingredients and layer one on top of the other. In between each layer spread with dressing (You may need to double or triple the dressing depending on how much you like)

2-Top with grated cheese, serve chilled

Perfect Pie Crust

I can't remember where I picked this recipe up, but it is great. I call it my "never fail pie crust" Because it has never failed me. I use this recipe for EVERY pie I make. Better yet, it's so simple!

4 c. flour

1 Tbsp. sugar

2 tsp. salt

1 2/4 c. SHORTENING

1 Tbsp. vinegar

1 egg

1/2 c. COLD water

1-Sift dry ingredients, cut in shortening w a pastry cutter until crumbly.

2-Combine vinegar, egg and COLD water, gradually add to dry mixture to form dough.

3- Roll out of lightly floured surfaced, place in pie dishes.

*This recipe makes 2 double crusts

*For the holidays, I make up about 4 batches of these, then freeze them. That way when I need to make a pie for a get together or party, I already have the crust done! Just be sure to allow 12 hours to un-thaw!

Deviled Eggs

I love deviled eggs. I usually make them mostly around Easter (because of all the left over painted eggs) But I also make them for holiday get together's for a little appetizer. Try these at your next party!

6 hard boiled eggs, cut in half, yolk removed

2 Tbsp. butter

2 Tbsp. miracle Whip

1/4 tsp salt

2 green onion sliced small

dash pepper

dash onion slat

1/4 tsp. mustard

add enough canned milk to make creamy

paprika (optional)

1- Place egg yolks, butter, miracle whip, salt, pepper, onion salt mustard, and canned milk in a small bowl, and beat with a hand mixer until dreamy.

2-Fold in green onions

3- Place mixture inside halves of egg whites, and garnish with paprika!

*The trick to a PERFECT boiled egg, is to boil it for 15 minutes, when it is done boiling immediately drain off the hot water, and add cold water to the pan. Let the egg sit for approximately 5 minutes and peel! Perfect every time! :)

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

This is super easy, and very yummy! Not to mention cheaper than Stevens hot chocolate (although that stuff is great!) Give this a try. I will mix this up and put it in a Tupperware when we go camping. It can very easily be cooked in a kettle dutch oven style! Enjoy!

10 c. instant powdered milk

1 c. instant non-dairy creamer

1 c. powdered sugar

2 lbs. Hershey's Instant or Nestle Quick

1-Store in covered container

2-mix 1/3 to 1/2 cup mixture to 1 cup hot water.

*Mix it up! Top with whipping cream, add crushed candy cane, Andes mint baking chips, or crushed Skor bar for a toffee flavored hot chocolate!* Have fun!

*Let the kids help make this fun homemade treat. They have so much fun measuring all the ingredients out!

Clam Chowder

I actually DO NOT like clam chowder, but my hubby LOVES IT! His Mom used to make this for him every Halloween, so of course when we got married, I had to carry on the tradition! This is her recipe. I serve this in bread bowls, with cheese for garnish!

1 can chopped/minced clams (It calls for 2 cans, but my hubs likes it better this way with just 1)

1 c. chopped celery

3/4 c. butter/margarine

1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. finely chopped yellow onion

2 1/2 cups potatoes, cooked, cubed

1 quart half and half cream

dash of pepper

3/4 c. flower (If you need more to thicken the soup, go ahead and add as much as you like)

1-Cook your potatoes in a large pot, drain, let cool; return to pot

2-Place veggies in a sauce pan

3-Drain clams, and pour juice over veggies. Then add enough water to cover the veggies. Simmer until veggies are tender.

4- In another pan, melt butter, gradually add flour, and half and half. Cook until mixture is thick and bubbly (This will be your white sauce)

5-Place your veggies in your large pot with your potatoes, and add your white sauce, stir well to coat, add pepper and salt (if needed.)

*Serve warm in bread bowls with cheese on top!

Pumpkin Bread

I love pumpkin bread. Especially this time of year. It just hits the spot! This is a tried and true recipe I have tweaked many things to try and get it "just right" Hope you enjoy it as much as we do :0) And don't feel bad having a piece for breakfast! (I do it all the time!)

1 1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. oil

2 eggs beaten

1 c. pumpkin

1/2 c. water

1 1/2 c. flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. soda

3/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cloves

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1-Cream oil, sugar and eggs.

2-Add pumpkin and water

3-Add dry ingredients, mix well

4-Spray 3 small loaf pans with Pam

5-Bake at 350 degrees for 45 min.

*All oven temps vary, be sure to check on your bread periodically. If it looks like it is getting to brown on the top, insert a toothpick in to the center to see if it is done. Ii so, take it out. If not, reduce the oven temp. and cook at five min. intervals, checking it often.

Loaded Baked Potato Salad

This is my Grandma's recipe. It is so delicious! If you like baked potatoes "with the works" you will love this twist on making it in to a salad.

5 lbs, small, UNPEELED, red potatoes, boiled, cubed

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 pound sliced bacon, cooked, crumbled

1 med. Vidalia or sweet onion, chopped

1 c. mayo

3 dill pickles chopped

1 tsp. salt

8 hard boiled eggs, chopped

2 c. (8oz) shredded, cheddar cheese

1 1/2 c (12 oz.) sour cream

2-3 tsp. prepared mustard

green onion (optional)

1-After your potatoes have cooked and cooled, place them in a large serving bowl. Add eggs, bacon, cheese, onion and pickles.

2- In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, mayo, and mustard; pour over the potato mixture and toss to coat. Garnish with green onion. Serve immediately.

Holiday Wassail

I love wassail. Especially this time of year I always make this at Halloween and Christmas and even better I LOVE how it makes my house smell!

2 quarts apple cider
1-1/2 cups orange juice
3/4 cup pineapple juice
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
2 cinnamon sticks (3 inches)
Dash ground cinnamon
Dash ground cloves

1-In a large saucepan, combine all of the ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Discard cinnamon sticks.

2-Serve hot in mugs. Yield: 10-12 servings (2-1/2 quarts).

Pull Apart Monkey Bread

I LOVE cinnamon rolls, but I don't love how long they take to make. This is a great alternative, and I love letting my kids help with these. To make them more like cinnamon rolls I pull mine out of the oven while they are still warm, and pour homemade cream cheese frosting over the top and let it melt down in. SOOOOOO Good!

4 cans refrigerated biscuits (10 count each)
1/4 lb butter, melted
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup finely chopped nuts (optional)

1-Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2-Roll each biscuit into a ball.
3-Combine sugar, cinnamon and nuts in a small bowl.
4-Dip each biscuit ball in melted butter and then roll in sugar mixture.
5-Layer balls in a greased bunt or tube pan.
6-Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until golden brown. Tip out onto a serving plate and pull apart what you want!

*My cream cheese frosting recipe is found under the frosting's label.

Andes Mint Cookies

I LOVE Andes Mints, so I bought a package of their baking chips at the store the other day, and this is their recipe that's on the bag. Try them they are delish :)

1/2 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

1 package Andes Creme de Menthe Baking Chips

2 2/3 cups flour

1 handful chocolate chips

1-Cream together butter and sugars. Add baking soda, baking powder, vanilla and eggs. Stir until mixed well.

2-Add Andes Baking Chips, chocolate chips and then flour. Chill for approximately 1 hour (I don't do this).

3-Drop by spoonfuls onto baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.

Cranberry Raspberry Salad

Now let me just say that this salad contains Jello. I know, I know all the jokes about Mormons and Jello but..... this is super good! I actually don't like jello, and this is probably one of the VERY FEW things I eat with jello in it. Give it a try! This is my Aunts recipe.

1st layer:

1 large pkg. cherry jello

1 can cranberry sauce

1 small can crushed pineapple, NOT drained

1 1/2 c. water

* Set up, and then spread with 1 pint sour cream

2 nd. layer:

1 large pkg raspberry jello

1/2 c. walnuts, chopped

1-2 pkg frozen raspberries

2 1/2 or 3 cups water

*Pour over 1 st layer, set up and spread with fresh whipping cream or Cool Whip

Broccoli Salad

There are so many versions of this salad out there,but after taking 2 or three I made this one up myself, and I like it best! I love the bacon, and the sweetness of the dressing it is delicious and always a crowd favorite. My kids really like this as well.

1 large bunch broccoli, washed, cut in florets

1 small red onion, chopped

1/2 lb. bacon, cooked CRISP, crumbled

1/2 small bag mozzarella cheese

2 Tbsp. sunflower seeds

1 handful raisins

Sauce:

1 Tbsp. vinegar

1/2 c. mayo

1/4 c. sugar

1- Add your broccoli florets, crumbled bacon, chopped onion, cheese and rasins to a large serving bowl.

2- In a small mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients for the sauce and mix well. The texture of this will be "grainy" because of the sugar.

3- Pour dressing over your broccoli mixture, stir well to coat

4- Sprinkle sunflower seeds and over the top.

5- Cover and refrigerate, serve chilled.

Kathy's Waffles

My mother-in-law makes really good home made waffles. I love every time we go an visit this is what she makes! You can pick your toppings, but I am a butter and syrup kinda girl :)

2 eggs, beaten

2 c. buttermilk

1 tsp. baking soda

2 c. flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

6 Tbsp. shortening

1-Mix all ingredients in a large bowl or your Kitchen Aid and mix well until smooth.

2- Choose your toppings: Fresh raspberries, strawberries, whipping cream, butter, syrup, caramel syrup and pecans...... Whatever you like!

Easy Chili

I have a few recipes for chili, and they include a lot more ingredients that this one does but I love this one because it is quick and easy. And even better you can brown the hamburger, and throw everything in the crock pot and your ready to go! I serve this with homemade cornbread and honey butter! Yum!!

1 lb hamburger, browned

1 small yellow onion, diced

1 can diced tomatoes

1 can green chilies

1 can kidney beans

1 can Hormel chili w/ beans (I use whatever Chili I have)

1/2 c. ketchup

1/2 tsp. pepper

1- Brown hamburger and onion in a medium skillet until onion is tender and meat is cooked thoroughly

2- Place meat and onion in a crock pot

3- Add diced tomatoes, green chilies, kidney beans, chili, and pepper

4- Set on low heat and cook for 6 hours or high heat and cook for 4 hours

*I ALWAYS double this recipe, because my hubby likes this leftover for the next day.

*If you don't want to cook this in the crock pot, you can put in in a big pot on the stove, and just heat up and serve. I put it in the crock pot because it lets all the flavors soak in really good.