Chilli Dog & Tater Casserole

There is no picture-- but this is way easy and my kids ate it up!! I was feeling a bit lazy. The kids wanted french fries and chili dogs. I didn't have any frozen french fries and I didn't want to make homemade fries :) - but I did have frozen hashbrown potatoes (the little square country style ones). So, I decided to make my own casserole. Aaron and I actually liked it too!

3 tbsp cooking oil
1/2 bag frozen potatoes
dash of salt
2 hot dogs chopped
1 can chili (I used chili with beans)
1 cup cheddar cheese- shredded
optional: mustard, chopped onion, etc...

Heat your oil through. Add potatoes. Fry until they are cooked through (we like them kinda crucnchy). Add a dash of salt. Add hot dogs. Cook until the hot dogs are cooked through. Add chili. Serve. Top with cheese, onion, mustard, etc...

Spinach Salad

Spinach Salad

1 bag fresh spinach

1 pint sliced strawberries

3 kiwi, peeled & sliced

Dressing:

2 T olive oil

2 T raspberry preserves

2 T raspberry vinegar

Mix dressing with mini mixer or whisk. Pour over salad & toss…yummy!

Salsa

This is a recipe from a friend of mine from Colorado. I hate tomatoes and I don't like salsa-- but this salsa is really yummy... It is great served with homemade whole wheat tortilla chips!!

1- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes

1 can Ro-Tel original diced tomatoes w/ green chilles

1 bunch cilantro

1 small red onion

1 tsp crushed garlic

3 roma tomatoes

a few pinches of salt

¼-whole jalapeno (depending on how hot)

(If wanted chunky, blend everything but the roma tomatoes and just chop them to desired chunkiness.)

Blend all ingredients and serve chilled.

Finally an update! Enjoy!!

I have apparently been on a long break! So... here are a few recipes! Enjoy!!

Fudgey Saucepan Brownies

Fudgey SaucePan Brownies

1 c butter

¾ c cocoa

2 ½ c sugar

1 t vanilla

½ t salt

3 eggs

1 ¼ c flour

½ t baking powder

1 c nuts (opt)

powdered sugar

Melt butter, stir in chocolate, cool slightly. Add sugar, vanilla, salt, & eggs. Add flour & baking powder. Add nuts. Spread in 9x13 pan. Bake. Cool & sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Bake 350* 30 minutes.

"Monte Cristo" Sandwich... YUM!

These sandwiches are totally changeable... use your favorite meats/cheeses. The 'monte cristo' part is just the change from the typical grilled sandwiches!

2 pieces of sliced bread
2 pieces of sliced ham
2 pieces of sliced smoked turkey
2 small (or one large) slice of pepper jack cheese
pepper jelly

Put it all together and dip it in an egg wash (2 eggs, 3 tbsp milk to make 4 sandwiches). Then grill. (about 4 min on each side) Great served with a soup or fries!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have looked forever for a good pumpkin chocolate chip cookie recipe. I have tried tons! I used to buy these cookies in Utah- and they were the best! These cookies are just like the ones I used to buy! Awesome! They are my fav!!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 ½ c all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp nutmeg

½ tsp salt

1 ½ c granulated sugar

½ c butter(1 stick) softened

1 c 100% pure pumpkin

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 12 oz bag chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350*. Grease Baking sheets.

Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in medium bowl. Beat sugar and butter in large mixer until well blended. Beat in pumpkin, egg and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Banana Sour Cream Bread

Banana Sour Cream Bread

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 cup butter

3 cups white sugar

3 eggs

6 very ripe bananas, mashed

1 (16 ounce) container sour cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 teaspoons baking soda

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Grease four 7x3 inch loaf pans. In a small bowl, stir together 1/4 cup white sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Dust pans lightly with cinnamon and sugar mixture.

In a large bowl, cream butter and 3 cups sugar. Mix in eggs, mashed bananas, sour cream, vanilla and cinnamon. Mix in salt, baking soda and flour. Stir in nuts. Divide into prepared pans.

Bake for 1 hour, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Enchilada Sauce

Enchilada Sauce

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon flour

1/4 cup chili powder

2 cups chicken stock

10 ounces tomato paste

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

In a medium saucepan heat oil, add flour, smoothing and stirring with a wooden spoon. Cook for 1 minute. Add chili powder and cook for 30 seconds. Add stock, tomato paste, oregano, and cumin. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes. The sauce will thicken and smooth out. Adjust the seasonings. Serve atop your favorite enchiladas.