Apple Crisp

recipe from my mom

6-8 apples

water

sugar

salt

1 stick oleo

flour

cinnamon

peel and slice apples into a 9x9 baking dish 

pour a 1/2 cup water over apples

then cover with 1/2 cup sugar and a dash of salt

Topping:

1/2 cup oleo ( 1 stick ) do not melt

1 cup flour

2/3 cup sugar

mix together until crumbly (use pastry blender or fork)

pour over top of apples

sprinkle with cinnamon

Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes or until bubbly around edges and top is browned

May also use peaches instead of apples. Use less water and bake until it bubbles through the topping along the edges

**this is fantastic right out of the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Green Beans with Garlic

recipe from my mom

olive oil

FRESH green beans

garlic, the real stuff

place a small amount of olive oil in skillet

crush up a small  amount of garlic and let it start to heat in skillet with oil

add in green beans and use a medium heat, stirring often

cook green beans until desired crispiness

( I cook them until they are started to get a little burn on them)

Sweet and Sour Chicken, Grill

recipe from Heather
originally made at our cooking party

chicken breasts
12 oz pineapple juice
6 oz sweet and sour sauce
2 oz soy sauce

marinate chicken for the day
cook on the grill
it is suggested to turn them often to prevent burning due to the sugar content

marinade will make enough for up to 10 chicken breast halves
I usually cut this marinade in half and make about 4 chicken breast halves
OR
its a great recipe to make a meal for the night and throw the other half in the freezer for a later date

Mashed Potatoes

about 6 potatoes; peeled, washed, and cut up

boil until you can easily poke a fork through them

Drain the potatoes and place in a new bowl. Blend the potatoes with a mixer

add about 1 cup milk ( I warm it just a touch so it doesn't cool down the potatoes)

add about 3 Tbsp butter

sprinkle in a desired amount of salt (couple teaspoons)

finish blending until you reach the chunkiness or smoothness you prefer

I like to put it back in the warm dish I started with to keep the potatoes warm

and we like butter, so I toss a slab of butter on top to melt!

Hamburg Skillet Dinner

recipe from Eric's mom
originally made at our cooking party

1 pound hamburg

salt, pepper, and onion to taste

2 Tbsp Chili powder

1 can Fiesta corn, drained

1 package beef noodles

2 1/4 cups water

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

cook hamburg in skillet and drain. 

Mix in all the ingredients, but save the cheese for the end

Cook in skillet for about 15 minutes, or until water is absorbed and noodles are soft

Top with cheese and let it melt before serving

serve with garlic bread and a side salad

Smoothies

I am almost certain you cannot screw up a fruit smoothie combination! I usually use 2 fruits, one frozen, one fresh. (If you're only using fresh, throw in a couple ice cubes) Then I add in a couple spoonfuls of vanilla yogurt and a splash of orange juice. If I have it on hand, I toss in a hand full of fresh spinach, (the boys have no idea it's in there!)

We use a Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand blender, (but you can also use a regular blender.) We drink the smoothie right from the cup we mix it in!

strawberries
bananas
yogurt
orange juice
---
strawberries
blueberries
yogurt
orange juice
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bananas
blueberries
yogurt
orange juice
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mango
blueberries
yogurt
orange juice
---
strawberries
mangos
yogurt
orange juice

This is a favorite summer time treat for our boys!

Zatarains Rice and Smoked Sausage

recipe from "the box" :) or here

2 1/2 cups water

2 Tbsp vegetable oil (optional)

1 package Zatarain's Jambalaya Mix

1 pound, meat of your choice, we like smoked sausage

(or chicken, ham, or shrimp)

bring water and oil to a boil in 3 qt sauce pan

Stir in rice and meat of your choice, return to boil.

Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for about 25 minutes

remove from heat, let stand 5 minutes, fluff with fork

* we keep a box of this rice in the pantry and keep the sausage in the freezer. The meat thaws quickly and it's a great last minute meal!

Ham & Cheese Sandwich

recipe from Eric's mom

hamburg buns

ham, sliced for sandwiches

cheese, american or Swiss

butter

mustard

lay buns on cookie sheet, inside facing up

on the bottom half of bun, spread with a small amount of mustard

layer on a couple slices of ham and a slice of cheese

on the top half of bun, spread with butter, helps to make it crispy

place in the oven around 200 degrees, heat until cheese is just melted ( about 15 minutes )

put sandwiches together and serve with chips and a pickle