caramel breakfast rolls....one of my favorites

Caramel Breakfast rolls
12 frozen Rhodes rolls
1 stick butter or margarine
1 small pkg. vanilla or butterscotch pudding NOT INSTANT
½ c. brown sugar

Place rolls in a well greased pan. Melt butter. Roll frozen rolls in butter, then pour excess over frozen rolls. Mix in a small bowl the pudding, and brown sugar. Pour sugar evenly over the rolls. Cover pan and let rise in fridge 10-12 hrs. Bake at 350 for 30 min.

Pumpkin Cobbler

This is one of our fall favorites. Merritt likes it cold, I like it hot, and ice cream is a must!

Follow the instructions for pumpkin pie on the back of the can of pumpkin. Put in a 9x13 pan. Melt one stick of butter and mix with a white or yellow cake mix. Crumble cake/butter mix over pumpkin. Follow baking directions on can for pumpkin pie.

I like to mix up a large can of pumpkin (the size that makes 2 pies) and then I freeze half of it. The next time I want cobbler it is super easy!

Six Can Chicken Tortilla Soup

Delicious and EASY zesty soup recipe that uses only 6 canned ingredients!
Serve over tortilla chips, and top with shredded Cheddar cheese. Throw away the cans and no one will know that it is not from scratch! (I actually have not used this recipe YET! but am planning to, it looks so easy and good!) I can't remember where I found it either, somewhere on the internet.

Prep Time: approx. 5 Minutes
Cook Time: approx. 15 Minutes
Ready in: approx. 20 Minutes
Makes 6 servings
Printed from Allrecipes, Submitted by Terryn

1 (15 ounce) can whole kernelcorn, drained
2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
1 (10 ounce) can chunk chicken
1 (15 ounce) can black beans
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers, drained

Directions: Open the cans of corn, chicken broth, chunk chicken,black beans, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Pour everything into a large saucepan or stock pot. Simmer over medium heat until chicken is heated through.

Oreo Pops

If you go to the sugardoodle recipe link on the right under "Favorite Cooking Websites", then choose "Treats" under Mel's categories list, the first recipe/instruction is for the Oreo Pops. I thought this would make a fun teacher present this year for Christmas.

Hershey's Kisses

This isn't a recipe, but a link:

http://www.hersheys.com/kisses/crafts/index.asp

to a very cool website that has lots of craft ideas for what to do with Hershey's Kisses. My favorite is the Flower Pot Bouquet. Enjoy!

Poppyseed Chicken

From my friend, Trisha Headman, Rochester, Illinois

I made this last week when Bryan's parents were here and they loved it! It was delicious and easy to make.

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup sour cream
1 Tbsp Poppyseed
1 sleeve of Ritz crackers
5 Tbsp butter or margarine

Mix chicken, soup, broth and sour cream together. Pour into casserole dish. Crumble crackers in the sleeve. Melt butter and mix together with crumbled crackers and poppyseed. Pour this mixture over the top of the chicken mixture Cook at 350 degrees until bubbly about 20-25 minutes.

Hamburger Stroganoff

From "Hometown Favorites, A Collection from the Waverly Community" - A neighboring town here in Illinois.

This is my kids all time favorite meal besides pizza and shepard's pie. They love it...

1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup chooped onion
1 cup drained, canned, mushroom stems & pieces
1 can cream of celery soup
1/2 cup beef broth
1/2 cup sour cream

In fry pan, brown ground beef and onion. Drain. Stir in mushrooms, soup and broth. Cover and simmer for 15 - 20 minutes. (This is when I make my rice). Stir in sour cream. Heat through, but do not boil. Serve over noodles, rice, chow mein noodles or potatoes.

Shepherd's Pie

This is my version of Shepherd's Pie. I have tweaked it over the past three years and it's one of the top three meals our kids request.

1 lb ground beef, crumbled and cooked
1 can cream of celery soup
1/2 cup of beef broth
2 1/2 cups frozen veggie mixture (the one with corn, beans, peas, carrots, etc.)
mashed potatoes (the ones from the church cannery), usually about 4 cups water, 2 cups potatoes
shredded cheese

Combined ground beef, cream of celery soup and beef broth in 2.5 quart casserole pan. Spread evenly on the bottom of the the casserole dish. Sprinkle the frozen veggie mix over the top. Mix a handful of shredded cheese in with the mashed potatoes. Spread potato mixture over the top of the veggie layer. Cook at 375 for 20-25 minutes until gravy is bubbly around the potato mixture.

Note: I usually just use whatever veggies I have - canned corn, canned beans, frozen veggie mixture. It doesn't matter because the kids will eat it sandwiched between the meat and potatoes.

Banana Bread

From "Logan River Neighborhood Cookbook 2000", contributor: Amy Price

1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
4 bananas (2 cups mashed)
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups flour
1/2 cup nuts, chopped (optional)

Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs, bananas and milk. Sift together: salt, soda and flour. Add to mixture. Bake in 2 large or 4 small, greased loaf tins at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes.

Yummy Ranch Dressing/Dip

From Dana Madson's mom, Carolyn Winterton, who is an awesome cook.

2 tsp onions, dried
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp parsley, dried
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp accent

For dressing: Mix dry ingredients with 1 cup buttermilk and 1 cup mayonaisse.

For dip: Mix dry ingredients with 1 cup sour cream and 1 cup mayonaisse.

White Chili

Betty Crocker

1/4 cup butter
1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
4 cups cubed chicken or turkey
4 cups chicken broth
2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (I used dried)
1 Tbsp dried basil leaves
2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp ground cloves
2 cans (15-16 oz each) great northern beans, undrained
1 medium tomato, chopped (3/4 cup) - I have used Rotel or petite diced tomatoes or whatever I have at the moment
Tortilla chips

Melt butter in Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic in butter, stirring occasionally, until onion is tender. Stir in remaining ingredients except tomato. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. (After I cook the onion and garlic, I put it along with all the other ingredients into my crock pot on high for an hour and then low for 3-4 hours. I stir in the tomatoes about 15 minutes before I am going to serve it)Serve with tomato and tortilla chips - YUMMY!

Grandma DaBell's Potato Salad

This is a recipe that Grandma gave me a long time ago.

1 cup miracle whip
2 tbsp vinegar
1 ½ tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
¼ tsp pepper
4 cups cubed potatoes (5-6 medium)
1 cup sliced celery
½ cup onion (chopped)
2 hard-cooked eggs, chopped

Combine the first five ingredients. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover; chill.

(If the dressing is too thick, you can always add 1 tsp of milk at a time until it’s creamy). I also have added pickles and/or chopped olives to this recipe.

Ramen Noodle Salad

From my friend, Teresa Walling aka Sister Brown in the Michigan Detroit Mission

1 bag chopped coleslaw
1 package chicken flavored ramen noodles
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup slivered almonds
1-2 cups shredded chicken, optional
green onions, chopped

Sauce:
¼ cup oil
3 Tbsp vinegar
3 Tbsp sugar
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
2 tsp Accent
Season packet (from Ramen noodles)

Mix dressing together and pour over coleslaw, crushed noodles and nuts. Chill for 1-2 hours.

Ideas and Variations for Pizza

1. Sometimes I add a couple of tablespoons of Italian Seasoning to the flour before I make the dough.

2. Chicken pizza – I use Alfredo sauce, parmesan cheese and cut up chicken. Add mushrooms, peppers and fresh tomatoes and cover with mozzarella cheese.

3. Taco pizza – I brown 1 lb of hamburger with taco seasoning and make taco meat. Cover dough with a thin layer of refried beans. Use normal taco toppings such as olives, green peppers, onions, cheese, etc. After it is cooked, you can top with cut-up lettuce, taco sauce/enchilada sauce, and sour cream.

4. Cheese pizza – use different kinds of cheese, shredded parmesan cheese, mozzarella, Colby, cheddar, etc.

5. Another chicken pizza - buy Salsa Ranch Dressing at Walmart (I think it's SaladMate Brand). Cover the pizza with the dressing, cheese and with grilled chicken, peppers, onions and tomatoes.

6. Our favorite chicken pizza - BBQ sauce, grilled chicken, bacon bits, onions, peppers and pineapple.

Homemade Pizza Dough

1 package active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (105° - 115°)
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 ½ cups flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in remaining ingredients. Beat vigourously 20 strokes. Let rest about 7-10 minutes.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cook in oven for 7-8 minutes on pizza plate. Take out and make pizza. Cook on rack for 10-12 minutes. Yummy!

Makes two pizzas.

7-Layer Dip

From my good friend, Dana Madson

1 (16 oz) can of refried beans
1 (16 oz) package of sour cream
½ cup chopped onions (any kind)
3 avocados (mashed, sometimes I mix a bit of sour cream and salsa with)
2 cups shredded cheese
1 (4 oz) can of sliced olives
4-5 roma tomatoes, chopped.

Spread beans in a 9x13 pan. Next spread sour cream over beans and then chopped onions. Pipe the avocado mixture over sour cream and onions. Layer the cheese, olives and tomatoes in that order evenly over each ingredient. Chill for 30 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips.

Clam Chowder

From my friend, Denean Vreeland, Pawnee, Illinois

3 cans condensed New England Clam Chowder
3 cans cream of potato soup
1 can cream of celery
2 cans minced clams
3 cups whipping cream (1 ½ pint)
Fresh group pepper (to taste)
Parsley flakes (to garnish)

Mix above ingredients in crock pot and cook for a couple of hours.

Pumpkin Cake & Cream Cheese Frosting

From my good friend, Jennifer Seamons, Smithfield, Utah

4 eggs
1 2/3 cup sugar
1 cup oil
2 cups pumpkin (16 oz)
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
½ tsp cloves (ground)
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg

Beat eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin until fluffy. Add dry ingredients. Cook in 15x10x1 pan, ungreased at 320° for 25 minutes.

Frost as soon as cool.

Cream cheese frosting

3-4 oz cream cheese
½ cup butter (1 stick)
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Bring butter and cream cheese to room temperature. Beat ingredients together.

Taco Chicken

This is a favorite Weight Watchers Recipe.

1 lb chicken breast or tenders (can be frozen or thawed, doesn’t matter)
1 can of chicken broth
1 package of taco seasoning mix
1 (4 oz) can of green chilies

Place chicken in crock pot. Pour in taco seasoning mix and green chilies. Pour in chicken broth, covering chicken, but not too much if frozen chicken because it will become soupy. Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours. Chicken will shread apart with fork. Can serve in enchiladas, tacos, salads, etc. This is a yummy and low-fat recipe.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

From Michelle Bowman

2 ½ cups flour
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup sugar
¾ cup butter
1 large egg
1 cup pumpkin (8 oz)
1 tsp vanilla
chocolate chips
nuts

Cream sugars and butter. Add egg, pumpkin, and vanilla. Then dry ingredients.

Add another ¼ - ½ cup of flour if double.
Cook at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

Banana Bars

This yummy recipe comes from Grandma DaBell. No matter where I take it, my pan is always empty when it's time to come home.

½ cup butter or margarine
1 ½ cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon soda
1 cup ripe smashed bananas (2-3 bananas)

Cream butter, sugar, eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Stir flour, salt and soda together. Add to creamed mixture. Fold in bananas.

Spread in cookie sheet pan. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. Frost with soft cream cheese frosting.

Note: I have used buttermilk in place of the sour cream and it works well.

Revel Bars (Yummy Yummy Yummy)

From our good friend, Julene Williams, Blackfoot, Idaho

1 cup butter
2 cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 ½ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups quick rolled oats (I use just a little less)
1 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk (1 ¼ cups)
1 12 oz package semi sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon vanilla

Set aside 2 tablespoons of butter. In a large mixing bowl beat the remaining butter for 30 seconds, add brown sugar and beat in eggs and vanilla. In another mixing bowl stir together flour, baking soda and rolled oats. Stir dry mixture into beaten mixture. Press dough into a large baking pan. (I use the large cookie sheet) In a medium saucepan combine the 2 tablespoons butter, chocolate chips, and sweetened condensed milk, melt over low heat. After chips are melted remove from heat, stir in walnuts and 2 tsp vanilla and spread over dough. Bake in 350 oven for 25 minutes or until top is lightly browned. (I usually cook a little less or they are dry) Maybe check your altitude and make adjustment.

Little Sausages

1 pkg. of little smoked sausages, (not hotdogs)
1 pkg. of bacon
½ c. brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees for at least 10 minutes. While the bacon is cold and solid, cut it into thirds from top to bottom, so you will have three sections of short strips. Wrap one short bacon strip around each sausage. Put wrapped sausages into an 8” square cake pan. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake for 30 minutes.

Tortellini

From my friend, Debbie Landrey, Pawnee, Illinios

1 Bag of Tortellini’s (Prepare as directed on bag under boil)

IN SKILLET--- DO NOT BOIL!

stick of butter
½ pint of heavy whipping cream
cup of cooked peas
cup of parm. cheese
mushrooms to taste
¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper, & garlic

Mix together and serve immediately.

Breakfast Casserole

From my friend, JoAnn Hefer, Auburn, Illinois - When I worked at United Community Bank, JoAnn would bring this every time we had a potluck. It is so yummy :)

1 lb sausage, cooked & drained
8 – 10 eggs
2 tablespoons butter
½ cup half & half
½ lb American cheese, grated and divided
Salt and Pepper

In 9 x 13 inch pan, melt butter and coat pan. Sprinkle with grated cheese. Break eggs over cheese. Break yolks with fork. Spoon cream over eggs. Add salt and pepper. Arrange sausage over layer. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes.

Barbequed Meatball Sauce

2 cups ketchup
1 ½ cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons liquid smoke
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ cup minced onion

I buy a bag of frozen meatballs, cook according to directions in oven. I then mix up the ingredients for the sauce. I then place both sauce and meatballs in crockpot, bring to a boil and then turn to low. They are ready to serve and delicious.

Texas Hash Casserole

Recipe from my friend, Samme Camerer, Waverly, Illinois

3 medium chopped onions
1 lb ground beef
2 cups canned tomatoes
½ cup cooked rice or 2 cups uncooked noodles
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon pepper
Dash A-1 sauce
Dash Worcestershire sauce

Cook ground beef and onion. Drain. Stir in remaining ingredients. Pour into greased 8-inch casserole pan. Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour. Remove cover last 15 minutes. Top with cheddar cheese.

When I make this, I boil the noodles/rice (only cook for 30 minutes, and then 10 to melt the cheese on top) and also add 4 ounces of velveeta cheese cubed.

Gooey Butter Cake

Another Illinois recipe...

Makes a 16 x 11 inch cake

3 cups cake flour
1 ¾ cups sugar
⅓ cup dry milk powder
2 ½ teaspoons baking powde3r
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 eggs
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla

Topping
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 pound powdered sugar

Sift together cake flour, sugar, dry milk, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Add melted butter, eggs, and vanilla. Beat together to make a thick batter. Spread into greased 16 x 11 inch jelly roll pan.

Prepare topping by beating cream cheese until creamy; add eggs and vanilla. Blend in powdered sugar. Spread topping on cake batter. Bake at 350°for 25-30 minutes until top is golden brown. Cool and cut into 2-inch squares.

An 18 ¼ ounce yellow cake mix, without pudding added, may be substituted for dry cake ingredients. Reduce melted butter to ½ cup and omit vanilla. Prepare cake batter by combining cake mix, melted butter and eggs.

Horseshoes

This is native to the Springfield, Illinois area.

4 Servings

½ cup butter or margarine
¼ cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups light cream or half & half
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, sharp or mild

Melt butter in saucepan. Blend in flour and cook over low heat until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Remove from heat; stir in salt, pepper, cream, cayenne, and cheese. Return to heat, stirring constantly to make a smooth thick sauce. Keep warm until sandwiches are assembled.

8 slices Texas Toast Bread, toasted
sliced or shaved ham or turkey; chicken breast, pork filet, or cooked ground beef patty
cooked French fries

Place 2 slices of toast on serving plate; top with meat of your choice and cover with cheese sauce. Mound French fries on top. Serve immediately.

A smaller sandwich, using only 1 slice of toast, is a Ponyshoe