Tatar Tot Casserole

1 lb Hamburger sauteed with one Onion, chopped. Seasoned with Garlic Salt, Oregano, Pepper, etc. When cooked thoroughly, stir in 1 can Cream of Celery Soup and 1/2 the soup can of water. Cream together and pour into 9x13.

Layer on Tatar Tots. Top with Grated Cheese.
Bake 350 for 30-40 min. until cheese is melted and heated through.

Xander "Mmmm, this is Alicious!"

Millie "This is so hot, I better hork it down!"

I don't know who taught her that but it was really funny.

From Salad to Dessert- A Complete Meal

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to take dinner to a cute new couple in our ward who just had there first baby. (A girl! How fun) When I take dinner to someone, I like to make sure that I use dishes that they don't have to return because, that is a pain(for them)! So simply use disposable, paper, aluminum pans, etc. Make there lives as easy as possible, isn't that the main reason you are taking dinner in anyway?
So here is the menu: Chicken Almond Casserole, Layered Jell-o, Bread Sticks, Green Salad, and Cheese Cake for Dessert

Chicken Almond Casserole

3 Chicken Breasts, cooked and cubed
Make sauce with the following:
1 C. Celery, chopped 1 ½ C. Cooked Rice
1 can Cream of Chicken 1 can Cream of Celery
3 T. Onion, very finely chopped 2 T Lemon Juice
3/4 C Mayo
Butter or grease 9 x 13 casserole dish.

Combine chicken with sauce mixture and spread into pan.
Topping:
½ C Cornflakes ¾ C Almonds
Butter to moisten. Sprinkle topping on. Refrigerate overnight
(I don’t do this though the recipe says so. I just cook it without refrigerating.)
Bake 300˚ 1 hour (½ hour covered, ½ hour uncovered)
**This is also good with ham, hamburger or shrimp.**

Cutting, mixing, measuring (above)

and the final product. (below)

A Aluminum Pie Pan of casserole for them and Corelle Ware for us!Layered Jell-o

2 small boxes of Jell-o (in different or the same flavors)

2 1/2 C water, divided

1 container of Yoplait Yogurt (about 2/3 C)

Boil 1 Cup of water, stir in a box of jell-o to dissolve

(I used Island Pineapple, I also doubled this recipe)

Whisk in the yogurt (I used French Vanilla)until smooth

pour in to dishes and refrigerate until set, it takes about 30-45 minutes.

As soon as you put the first layer in the fridge, boil another cup of water and dissolve the second box of Jell-o ( I used Strawberry). After it is dissolve add 1/2 C Cold Water. Then just sit it on the back burner or on a hot pad to chill out while it waits it turn.

When the first layer is set up, pour in the second layer, since it has already cooled off it will not take nearly as long to set up. Top with cool whip or Whipped Cream and garnish!

Again this was a container they didn't need to return.

Green Salad

Romaine Lettuce, torn

Carrots

Avocado

Celery

Tomatoes

Hard Boiled Egg

Croutons
A small container of Ranch Dressing

Bread Sticks

1 T Yeast
1 ½ C. Warm Water
2 T Sugar
3 ½ C Flour
½ t Salt
Knead 3 minutes. Let rise 10 min.
Melt ¼ C Butter in 9x13 pan. Roll out dough to fit in pan, put in pan. Let rise 10 more min. Score down the middle, the long way, and then across into how ever thick you want your bread sticks. Sprinkle with Garlic Salt, Seasoning Salt & Salad Supreme.
Bake 320° for 20 min.

For them (What it looks like uncooked)

For Us (After being cooked)

Dad’s Favorite Cheese Cake

Cream Together:
8 oz Cream Cheese
1 C Powdered Sugar
1 t Vanilla

After those ingredients are mixed together very well, fold in:
1 12 oz container of Cool WhipMillie always helps in the kitchen, especially if it means she gets to lick something!Pour into 2 Graham Cracker Pie Crusts. (We always just do the store bought ones.)
I did mini ones for them.
Chill for a couple of hours. Top with your favorite pie filling.

**Dad’s is Blueberry or Raspberry.**

This was Boysenberry Pie Filling.

A meal from my Childhood

I made this a couple of nights ago but my camera battery was dead so I couldn't take pictures. It is one of my favorite meals from growing up. I made it with Chicken the other night, but the meat balls are just as delicious.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs or Chicken
1 ½ lbs. hamburger
¾ C Oats
2 Eggs, slightly beaten
½ C Onion, finely chopped
½ C Milk
1 t. Salt
Pepper
1 t. Worcestershire Sauce
Combine all ingredients- Mix well- Form into balls- Place in Casserole dish- Cover with sauce.
Sauce:
½ C Brown Sugar
¼ C Vinegar
1 t. Mustard
¼ C Barbecue Sauce
1 t. Worcestershire Sauce
Combine and Blend thoroughly. Bake 350˚ 30 min.
**Sauce also very good on Chicken- 350˚ 45 min.**

Mushroom Rice
1 C. Rice
1 Can Mushrooms
1 Can French Onion Soup
1 C. Water
2 Chicken Bullion Cubes
½ Cube Margarine or Butter

Pour all together in a 9X13 Casserole dish.
Cover and bake at 350˚ for 30 min, stir, recover bake 30 more min.

After School Snack

Sorry we made these last week, I uploaded the pictures but between kids with ear infections, sinus infection and just being tired and sick all the time I never actually posted. So here you have it:
Pigs in Blankets-Mini Baby Version
1 pkg Refrigerated Crescent Rolls
Mini Hot Dogs
and of course Ketchup

Separate rolls place one on a clean surface. Use pastry roller to roll out a little thinner and smoother. Using pizza cutter cut in half length wise. Place one mini hot dog on each piece.....

roll up. Place on cookie sheet.
Bake at 350° for 10-15 min. Oh it is hard to wait! What to do?

Millie took some pictures of Xander and of the fruit bowl.
Then decided to eat an orange.

Finally they are done enjoy!

Delicious Lasagna

Today's recipe is Lasagna. This is the best recipe I have ever tasted. When I was pregnant with Xander I craved Lasagna, I searched high and low for the lasagna that my cravings were looking for. I tried Fazolli's and Stouffers and my mom's and anywhere I was who had anything on the menu that resembled Lasagna. I would take one bite gag and switch plates with Clint. Until we went to the cabin and Clint's Aunt made the lasagna of my dreams. This recipe is hers with a few alterations because I like to add vegetables to my lasagna. Sometime I add Spinach and Carrots. Today's version I added Zucchini squash. And to all who ate it was divine!

2 T EVOO

1/2 an onion, minced

1 lb Hamburger

1 1/2 t Salt

1/2 t Pepper

1/4 t Oregano

3 T Parsley

2 1/2 C Canned Tomatoes

1/2 C Parmesan Cheese

3/4 lb Mozzarella Cheese

3/4 lb Mild Cheddar

1 lb Cottage Cheese

Lasagna Noodles.

(Important side note. I always buy Colby Jack cheese so instead of the Mozz. and Cheddar Cheese, I just use 1 1/2 lbs of grated Colby Jack)

Over med heat saute in EVOO onion, brown the beef, add salt, pepper, oregano, tomatoes, parsley. (This is also when I add any other vegetables, today I peeled, quartered and cubed a small Zucchini) Simmer for 25-45 minutes. Cook noodles as directed and lay on wax paper to drain. Stir together Parmesan Cheese, and 1 lb of the Colby Jack (or what ever cheese you are using) and cottage cheese.

In 9x13 put a small amount of sauce to coat the pan so the noodles don't stick. Then place a layer of noodles. Spread 1/2 of meat mixture, top with 1/3 of cheese mixture, then noodles, repeat. Ending with noodles on top. Sprinkle the remaining cheese covering all exposure of noodle.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes until the cheese is all melted and it is heated through. I like the cheese to brown a little bit.

Sorry I forgot to take a picture before we cut into it;)
This sauce is also very good as spaghetti sauce!!!