Fruit Salad

Makes 4 Servings

Mix 1 small container of light yogurt (flavor of your choice) and

about 1/2 tub free cool whip

Cut up fruit of your choice such as:

Banana

Apple

Grapes

Mandarin Oranges

Pineapple

Strawberry

Mix together and enjoy!

Apple Crisp

5 medium tart cooking apples, sliced (5 cups)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats
1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Cream or Ice cream, if desired

1. Heat oven to 375ºF. Grease bottom and sides of 8-inch square pan with shortening.

2. Spread apples in pan. In medium bowl, stir remaining ingredients except cream until well mixed; sprinkle over apples.

3. Bake about 30 min or until topping is golden brown and apples are tender when pierced with a fork. Serve warm with ice cream or cool whip.

Poppy Seed Chicken and Rice

4 Large Chicken Breasts or
1 Whole Chicken,
boiled and cut into chunks
2 cans cream of chicken soup
16 oz sour cream
2 tablespoons poppy seeds

1 column Ritz crackers or crushed corn flakes
3/4 stick margarine, melted

Cut cooked chicken into chunks. In a large bowl, mix soup, sour cream, and poppy seeds. Add chicken and stir well. Put into 9x13 baking dish.
Melt margarine and mix with crackers or corn flakes. Sprinkle over top.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Serve over cooked rice.
Serves 8

Hot Dogs and Mashed Potatoes

Mashed Potatoes
Hot Dogs
Shredded Cheese
Ketchup

Make mashed potatoes the way you like them.
Take some hot dogs and slice them in half and place on a baking sheet.
Spoon mashed potatoes over each hot dog and sprinkle with shredded cheese.
Bake at 350 until warmed and cheese is melted.
Serve with Ketchup

Butternut Hash Browns

Makes 1 Serving

These are surprisingly good!

1 heaping cup shredded butternut squash
2 tbsp. chopped onion
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
dash ground cumin
dash salt
dash pepper
additional salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings: Ketchup, Salsa, Hot Sauce

Spread the shredded squash out between 2 layers of paper towels. Press down to absorb as much of the moisture from the squash as possible. Repeat if necessary.

Toss squash with all the other ingredients. Bring a small nonstick pan to high heat and generously coat with nonstick spray.
Add mixture to the pan and cook for 2 minutes. Flip shreds with a spatula and cook another 2 minutes or so until browned. Top with toppings of your choice. I love it with ketchup.

Easy Strawberry Cream Pie

Makes 8 Servings

Half of a 12oz can frozen (DOLE) strawberry-orange-banana
juice concentrate, thawed

One 8oz package Fat Free Cream Cheese

1 package (four 1/2 cup servings size) sugar free instant Vanilla Pudding mix

1 1/2 cups light Cool Whip

1 cup Strawberries, chopped

1 Reduced Fat Graham Cracker Pie Crust

1. In a blender or food processor, combine juice concentrate, cream cheese, and pudding mix. Process until smooth.

2. Transfer to large bowl; fold in whipped topping and strawberries

3. Transfer to pie crust; spread evenly. Cover and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.

Mini Pizzas

Makes 1 Serving

Slice 1 english muffin and place on a small cookie sheet
Spread some pizza sauce on each one
Top with 4 pieces each of Turkey Peperoni
Sprinkle with Fat Free shredded Cheese

Put in oven at 375 degrees until warm and cheese is "melted"
(this obviously tastes better with regular cheese if you want to use it)

Julie's Favorite Breakfast

Makes 1 serving

Dice 1 apple
boil 1 cup water
add 1/2 cup quick cooking oatmeal
add apples
cook for 1 minute

Pour into a small bowl and add:
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (or amount you want)
about 1 tablespoon milk
Stir and Enjoy!

Mom's Brownies

Melt 1/3 cup butter

In a bowl combine:
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
Mix well

Stir in melted butter and 1/2 cup cocoa
Add:
2/3 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Spread into greased 8x8 inch pan
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 35 minutes
until knife inserted in center comes out clean

Strawberry Shortcake

1 2/3 cups flour
1 TBS sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
3 TBS butter
1 egg
1/2 cup buttermilk

Stir together flour and sugar, baking powder, and baking soda
Cut in butter until mixture resembles course crumbs
Combine egg and buttermilk in separate bowl
Add to flour mixture and stir just until moistened
Drop by tablespoonful in 8 mounds on a greased cookie sheet
Bake at 450 degrees for 7-8 minutes until golden
Cool Cakes and cut each one in half

Mix 3 cups of sliced strawberries with 2 TBS sugar.
Spoon over halved shortcake
Top with Cool Whip
Place other half of shortcake on top

Serves 8

Carrot Cake

2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups oil
4 eggs
3 cups cooked, grated and cooled carrots
1 cup chopped nuts
2 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon

Mix wet and dry ingredients separately, then mix them together. Pout batter into a greased and floured 9x13 cake pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

Carrot Cake Icing:
1 3oz package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 tsp vanilla
1 pound powdered sugar
Mix well until smooth. Spread over cooled cake.

Serves 12

Weldon's Favorite Honey-Lemon Chicken and Rice

Cook 2 large or 4 small Chicken Breasts and cut into chunks

Heat oven to 350 degrees
Melt 1/4 cup butter in cake pan

In a zip lock bag mix:
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Put chicken chunks in bag and shake to coat

Place chicken in pan with the melted butter and stir to coat floured chicken with butter
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes

In a bowl mix:
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tsp soy sauce
1 1/2 tsp curry powder
(you may need to heat in microwave a little to melt the honey)

Take chicken out of the oven and pour glaze over the top.
Stir if desired.
Bake for another 15 minutes.
Serve over Rice.

Makes 3-4 servings

Chili Mac & Cheese

Cook a box of Macaroni and Cheese.
Add a can of Chili and heat through.

Quick and delicious!

Orange Julius

1 cup milk
1 (6 0z can frozen orange juice)
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 tsp vanilla
1 tray ice cubes (11-13)

Mix in blender until slushy. Serve right away.

Mom's Sweet Biscuit Muffins

Delicious!

2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
1 cup cold milk
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cups soft butter

In large bowl combine flour, sugar and baking powder. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center of the mixture and pour in milk. Stir until dry ingredients are just moistened. (Don't stir too much) Grease muffin pans well and spoon mixture into pans. Bake at 400 degrees until golden brown.

Breakfast Casserole

Makes 12 Servings

1 pound ground pork sausage
1 small onion, diced
2 1/2 cups frozen hash browns
1/4 cup diced green onions
1 cup Bisquick
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 3/4 cups milk
4 eggs
1 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

Brown sausage and onion together. Drain fat. Mix all ingredients together except 1 cup of the cheese. Spread in a 9x13 baking pan and top with cheese.
Bake at 400 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Mom's Coffee Cake

Makes 6 Servings

1/4 cup oil
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoons salt

Mix together and spread in 8x8 baking pan. Sprinkle with topping and bake at 375 degrees for 20 - 25 minutes.

Topping:
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon melted butter
1/2 cup nuts (optional)

Pumkin Cookies

1 package spice cake mix
2 cups canned pumkin
1 package chocolate chips
3 eggs

Mix well and drop on lightly greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Oreo Cookie Treat

Makes 12 Servings

You will need a 20 oz package of oreos. Set aside 10 cookies.

1st Layer: Crush oreo cookies. Mix with 1 cube melted butter.
Spread over the bottom of a 9x13 glass dish.

2nd Layer: Mix together 2- 8 oz packages cream cheese and 1 cup powdered sugar. Fold in 1 cup cool whip. (may be sticky). Spread in pan.

3rd Layer: Mix together 1 large package of instant chocolate pudding and 2 1/2 cups milk. Let it set up and then spread it on.

4th Layer: Cover the top with cool whip. Crush remaining cookies and sprinkle on the top.
Refrigerate.

Creamy Fudge

1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter
1- 5 oz can evaporated milk
1-7oz jar marshmallow cream
3 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 c walnuts, coarsely chopped (optional)

1. Lightly grease a foil lined 9x9x2 pan

2. Heat sugar, butter, milk and marshmallow cream in a 3 qt saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils.
Boil and stir for 5 minutes.

3. Add chocolate chips and vanilla, stirring until chips are melted. Stir in walnuts.

4. Immediately spread into pan and refrigerate overnight.

Easy Cheeseburger Pie

Makes 6 servings

1 pound ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup Bisquick
1 cup milk
2 eggs

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease 9 inch pie plate or 8x8 pan or pie plate. Cook ground beef and onion until beef is brown; drain fat. Stir in salt. Spread into baking dish or pie plate; sprinkle with cheese.
In another bowl stir together Bisquick, milk and eggs. Pour over meat and cheese.
Bake for 25 minutes or until knife inserted comes out clean.

Sweet Macaroni Salad

1 package (16oz) elbow macaroni
4 medium carrots, grated
1 large green pepper, diced
1 medium red onion, diced
2 cups mayonaise
1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 cup sugar
1 cup cider vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large serving bowl, combine the macaroni, carrots, green pepper, and onion.
In a small bowl wisk together the mayonaise, milk, sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper until smooth. Pour over the macaroni mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Makes 14 servings.

Mom's Scalloped Pineapple

Makes 9 Servings

4 cups packed, soft bread crumbs
1/2 cup melted butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs (beaten)
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 can crushed pineapple, with juice

Put bread in a bowl and pour butter over it. Quickly toss it good. Add sugar, beaten eggs, milk, pineapple (with juice), and stir.
Put into cake pan (9x13) and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes to 1 hour or until firm and golden brown on top.

Our Favorite Chili

Makes 8-10 servings

1 to 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, browned
2 med. onions, chopped
1 diced green bell pepper
2- 14 1/2oz cans diced tomatoes
2 cans beans (pinto or kidney)
2 -8oz cans tomato sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon dried basil
2 tablespoons brown sugar

Brown ground beef. Combine all ingredients in a crock pot. Cook on low for 4-6 hours.

Weight Watchers + 6 points per serving

Macaroni and Cheese

1 small package elbow macaroni
1/2 can cream of chicken soup
2 - 3 cups grated cheese
milk
salt and pepper

Boil macaroni noodles and drain. Put noodles back in pan and add soup desired amount of cheese and salt and pepper. Add a little milk as needed to make it creamy.

Quesadillas

4 flour tortillas
1 cup refried beans
2 cups monterey jack cheese
2 tablespoons chopped onion
1 cup chopped cilantro (optional)
1 cup shredded chicken or beef

garnish:
sour cream
salsa
guacamole

Place 2 tortillas on work surface. Spread equally with toppings. Top with remaining 2 tortillas. Spray griddle or fry pan and toast on each side. Cut into wedges and top with garnishes.
Makes 4 servings

Hawaiian Barbecue Chicken

4 to 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 cup barbecue sauce
1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon cornstarch (dissolved in a little water)

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
In a greased baking dish, place chicken breasts. Combine everything else in a bowl and pour over chicken. Cover with foil and bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Serves 4 to 6

Saucy Franks

This is unusual but, very good!

1 pound hot dogs
2 tablespoons butter
1 can tomato soup
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup water
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced

Hot cooked egg noodles

Cut hot dogs in corkscrew fashion. In a skillet, brown franks lightly in the butter. Add remaining ingredients, except green pepper and simmer, covered, 10 minutes. Add green pepper and cook 5 minutes longer. Serve over hot cooked egg noodles.
Serves 4 to 5

Mandarin Cake

1 yellow cake mix
1 can mandarin oranges (juice and all)
4 eggs
2/3 cup oil

Mix together and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes in a cookie sheet or 40 minutes in a cake pan. Cool completely.

Frosting:
1 large carton of cool whip
1 small package of instant vanilla or lemon pudding
1 small can crushed pineapple (juice and all)

Mix all together and spread on cooled cake.

Chocolate Sheet Cake

Combine:
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1/3 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

In saucepan heat:
2 sticks butter and 1 cup water until boiling
Pour over dry mix

Beat in:
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

Pour into greased cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Meanwhile, make frosting.
Spread frosting on while still hot.

Frosting:
In saucepan combine:
1 stick butter
1/4 cup cocoa
6 tablespoons milk
Heat to boiling

In a bowl add 1 pound of powdered sugar.
Pour boiling mixture over sugar and mix well.
Pour frosting over warm cake.
Sprinkle 1 cup nuts over top (optional)

Beef Enchiladas

1 pound ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
grated cheddar cheese
Enchilada sauce of your choice (either a large can, or sauce made from a powder packet)
4 to 6 tortillas

Brown ground beef in skillet. Add a packet of taco seasoning and water as directed on the package. Add a little enchilada sauce to the meat to moisten.
Take each tortilla and spoon some of the meat into it, sprinkle some cheese, and roll up. Place in 8x8 baking pan. Pour remaining sauce over the top and sprinkle cheese on top. Cover with foil.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30minutes.
Serves 4 to 6

Chicken Enchiladas

Makes 4 servings

2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can diced green chilies
1 cup fat free sour cream
1/2 cup low fat milk
1 tsp onion salt (or regular salt), more to taste
pepper as desired
1/2 pound grated mozzarella cheese
4 flour tortillas

In a bowl combine cream of chicken soup, sour cream, green chilies, milk, salt and pepper.
In a separate bowl, add cooked chicken and a little of the sauce to moisten as desired.
Take each tortilla and put 1/4 of the meat and some cheese; roll up and place in 8x8 baking pan.
Pour remaining sauce over the top and top with grated cheese. Cover with foil.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Lasagna

1 pound ground beef
1 jar premade spaghetti sauce
1 small container cottage cheese
1 beaten egg
1 can crushed pineapple, drained
grated mozzarella cheese
Lasagna Noodles

Boil lasagna noodles. Meanwhile brown ground beef in skillet. Add jar of spaghetti sauce to meat and heat through.
In separate bowl, combine cottage cheese, egg, and pineapple

In an 8x8 baking dish, pour a little of the meat sauce on the bottom. Then layer noodles, cottage cheese mixture, noodles, meat sauce, cheese, noodles..repeat until ingredients are gone ending with meat sauce and cheese on top.
Cover with foil and cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour at 350 degrees
Serves 4 or 5 (Can be doubled for a 9x13 pan)

Sweet and Sour Chicken and Rice

Makes 4 servings

1 1/2 pound cooked and cubed chicken
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1 diced green bell pepper
1/2 onion, diced
1 can pineapple chunks

Cooked Rice (1 cup dry & 2 cups water)

Drain pineapple; reserving syrup. Combine brown sugar and cornstarch; add pineapple juice, vinegar, soy sauce and salt. Cook in a skillet over low heat until thick, stirring constantly. Add cooked chicken and simmer on low for 20 minutes. Add pineapple, onions, and green pepper. Cook 2 to 3 minutes more.
Serve over rice.

Navajo Tacos

Make your favorite scone recipe, and fry up the scones.

Top with sauce:

1 pound ground beef, cooked
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1 15 oz can chili beans
Mix all together and simmer for 20 minutes

Then top with other toppings such as:

grated cheese
tomatoes
lettuce
olives
sour cream
salsa

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

1 pound ground beef
1 20 oz can pineapple chunks or tidbits
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 tablespoon ketchup
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons minced onion
5 tablespoon teriyaki sauce
2 tablespoons cornstarch (dissolved in 1/4 cup water)

Hot cooked noodles or rice

Drain pineapple; save juice and mix with brown sugar, 3 TBS of the teriyaki sauce, vinegar and ketchup.
Mix ground beef with 2 TBS teriyaki sauce and minced onion. Shape meat mixture into small balls. Brown in skillet and drain fat.
Pour sauce mixture over meatballs and simmer 10 minutes; stir gently if needed and turn meatballs after 5 minutes.

Dissolve cornstarch in 1/4cup cool water and add to skillet. Stir until coated well and thickened. Add pineapple.
Serve over noodles or rice.

Pizza Rolls

Delicious!

Make your favorite bread dough recipe. (I use the Grandma's White Bread recipe)
Roll bread dough out, like you would for cinnamon rolls, with rolling pin to be about 1/4 inch thick. Spread softened cream cheese on entire thing. Sprinkle shredded cheese on it next, then add any toppings you like, such as, pepperoni, sausage, olives, etc.
Roll it up and slice about 1/2 to 1 inch thick slices. Place on greased cookie sheets. Let rise one more time. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and bake for about 12 minutes or until golden. Dip in warm pizza sauce.

Yumy Rolls

Dry ingredients:
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 tablespoons yeast
3 cups flour
1 tsp salt

Beat 2 eggs and add to dry ingredients

Add to flour mixture:
1 cup melted butter
2 cups hot water

Work in 4 cups more of flour (dough will be very soft, but don't add anymore flour). Shape into rolls as desired and place on greased cookie sheet. (I roll the dough into small balls, or roll into ropes and tie in knots, but it can be rolled out and made into crescents as well) Bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes. Makes 3 dozen.

I half this recipe and freeze the left overs for later.

Grandma's White Bread

1 1/2 cups warm water
1 1/4 tablespoons dry yeast
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon salt
3 to 3 1/2 cups white flour

Stir the yeast into 1 cup of the warm water until it dissolves. Add the honey and within a few minutes, small bubbles will appear as the yeast ferments. Place the remaining water, flour, and salt into a large mixing bowl and then add the yeast mixture. If you have a mixer, start it on low for 1 minute, then increase the speed to medium for 4 to 6 minutes or until the dough forms into a ball in the bowl. Add more flour if it feels too sticky, but don't make it too dry.

If you don't have a mixer, slowly add the flour and salt mixture to the water, honey and yeast, stirring until you can't anymore, then turn out onto floured surface. Knead bread as you add the remaining flour. Keep kneading for 5 to 10 minutes or as long as needed (until sticky smooth)

Put dough in the large bowl and cover with a damp towel. Let rise in a warm place for 1 1/2 hours or until dough doubles in bulk.
Literally punch down the dough with your fist. Place on a flat surface and shape as desired. Place in greased bread pan. (makes one large loaf)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Let the dough rise slightly above pans. This should take between 15 and 40 minutes. Bake in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes until golden on the top.

Dessert Fruit Pizza

Joanna, this one's for you.
This is very delicious, but it is recommended to be shared with SEVERAL people, not just two!


1 tube (18 oz) refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 8oz package cream cheese
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tablespoons lemon juice

On a greased 14inch pizza pan, press cookie dough into a 12 inch circle. (be sure to leave the 2 inches around the edge) Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely. In small bowl, mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice until smooth. Spread over crust.
Arrange fruit of your choice over top and refrigerate for 1 hour.
This is good drizzled with chocolate syrup or some orange marmalade mixed with a little water.

Fruit that is good to use:
2 medium firm bananas, sliced
1 20oz can pineapple chunks, drained
1 pint strawberries, sliced or halved
2 kiwi fruit peeled and sliced
1 11oz can mandarin oranges, drained

Variation: make with chocolate cookie dough instead of sugar cookie dough

Ranch Chicken

2/3 cup crushed corn flakes
2/3 cup grated parmesean cheese
1 envelope ranch dressing mix
6 to 8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup butter, melted

Heat oven to 350 degrees

Mix cornflakes, cheese and dressing mix in a shallow bowl. Dip chicken breasts in butter, then roll in ranch dressing mixture. Place chicken in a 9x13 pan. Bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes.

Serves 6 to 8 (can be halved)

Baked Corn in Sour Cream

2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons diced onion
1/4 cup diced celery
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup sour cream
1 1/2 pounds frozen corn
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
1 tablespoon parsley

Heat oven to 350 degrees

In a large saucepan, melt butter. Saute onion and celery untill soft. Stir in flour and salt. Add sour cream gradually, stirring until smooth. Add corn, heating thoroughly. Stir in bacon, and parsley. Pour into a 9x13 pan or 3qt casserole dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 30-45 minutes.

Serves 8-10 (can be halved)

Banana Cake with Caramel Icing

1/2 cup softened butter
2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup sugar
3 ripe bananas
2 cups flour
4 TBS sour cream
1/2 cup nuts (optional)

Mix all ingredients well and pour into a greased 9x13 pan or a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool completely and frost with caramel icing.

Caramel Icing:
Melt 1/2 cup butter in sauce pan. Add 1 cup brown sugar and boil over low heat for 2 minutes stirring constantly. Stir in 1/4 cup milk and bring to boil. Remove from heat and cool to lukewarm.
Pour into mixing bowl and gradually mix in 1 3/4 to 3 cups powdered sugar. Spread on cake.

Ginger Spice Creams

These are one of my favorite cookies!
Thanks to my friend Rachel's Mom!

1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg

1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup hot water
3 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp each of ginger, nutmeg & cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream butter and sugar. Add molasses and egg. Mix well.
Dissolve baking soda in hot water and combine well with the creamed mixture. (it will look curdled) Add flour and spices. Mix well. Drop by rounded tablespoon fulls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Cool completely and frost with cream cheese frosting. Keep in the refrigerator.

Cream Cheese Frosting:
1/4 cup softened butter
3 oz softened cream cheese
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar.

Cream together butter and cream cheese. Add vanilla. Mix in powdered sugar untill smooth. Add more powdered sugar if needed. Spread on cooled cookies.

Meatloaf

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup oats
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 chopped onion
1/2 cup milk
1 egg

Mix together and put into a bread pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile mix together the sauce:
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
3 TBS worchestershire sauce
3 TBS vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar

Take the meatloaf out of the oven and pour the sauce over the top. Bake for another 45-50 minutes. Delicious!

Easy Chicken Bake

2 chicken breasts
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 envelope onion soup mix

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Arrange chicken in baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.
Mix mushroom soup and dry onion soup mix in a bowl. Pour over chicken.
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake about 45 minutes more or until done.
Serves 2

Chicken Crescent Wraps

1 whole chicken (boiled and shredded)
1 8oz cream cheese
1/2 large onion, chopped
salt
pepper
garlic powder
1/2 cube butter, melted
2 packages refrigerated crescent rolls
dry stove top stuffing

In a bowl mix together the shredded chicken, 1/2 of the melted butter, cream cheese, onion, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Separate the crescent rolls and flatten them with a rolling pin or your hand. Spoon some of the chicken mixture onto each unrolled crescent. Wrap them up and roll each one in the melted butter and then the dry stove top. Place in a casserole dish or on a baking sheet. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until the rolls are baked through. Take the foil off half way through baking.

This serves about 8 and can be halved

Shepherd's Pie

4 or 5 medium potaotes
1 pound ground beef
1 can tomato soup
1 can green beans (juice and all)
shredded cheddar cheese

Use the potatoes to make mashed potatoes to your liking (I use a couple tablespoons butter, a little milk, and seasoned salt in mine).
While the potatoes are boiling, brown the ground beef in a skillet. When the meat is cooked, add the tomato soup and the can of green beans with juice to the skillet. Salt and pepper and heat through.
Put meat mixture into an 8x8 baking dish. Scoop mashed potatoes over the top. Top with shredded cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

Fajitas

You can make these with steak or chicken.

Cut meat into strips and cook in skillet with about 1 tablespoon oil.
Meanwhile, cut 1 onion, 1 red bell pepper and 1 green bell pepper into strips.
When meat is cooked, add the vegetables and 1 packet of fajita seasoning mix and water as directed on the package.
Cook untill vegetables are crisp tender.

Serve with warm corn or flour tortillas and salsa & sour cream

Mom's Ham with Mustard Sauce

Buy a cooked, pressed ham or turkey ham. Cut into slices. (freeze what you don't need) Place sliced ham in baking dish, cover with foil, and put in oven at 350 degrees untill heated through. Dip in mustard sauce while eating.

Mustard Sauce:
Get a mug or small bowl and mix 2/3 miracle whip or mayonaise and 1/3 mustard
(this is also great with honey mustard instead of regular mustard if you have it on hand)

Sloppy Joes

Brown 1 pound ground beef with chopped onion.
Add 1 sloppy joe seasoning packet with water and tomato paste as directed on package.

Serve on hamburger buns or bread.

Taco Salad

Brown 1 pound of ground beef with some chopped onion. Drain fat.
Add 1 packet of taco seasoning mix and water as directed on the package.

Pile these things on a plate as you like:
Tortilla Chips
Meat
Shredded Cheese
Chopped Lettuce
Diced Tomatoes
Olives

Sour Cream
Salsa
Ranch Dressing
Ketchup

Could also be made with Shredded Chicken