Tuna Melts

Ingredients:

5oz tuna
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 whole jalapeño, diced
2 whole hard boiled eggs, chopped
6 whole swert gerkins, chopped
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons dijon mustard
Splash of pickle juice
Salt and pepper to taste
6 whole English muffins, split
12 slices swiss cheese

Directions:

Combine tuna with onion, bell pepper, jalapeño, eggs, and gerkins. Stir in mayonnaise, dijon mustard, and pickle juice. Add salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Place English muffin halves on a large cookie sheet. Place a large spoonful of tuna salad on each of the muffin halves. Use spoon to spread/flatten. Put pan into oven for 5 minutes, then briefly remove and lay a slice of cheese on each muffin. Return to oven and turn on broiler. Watch carefully to avoid burning; bake until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove and serve immediately.

Homemade Corn Tortillas Chips

Ingredients:

5 corn tortillas
Olive oil
Salt

Directions:

Cut corn tortillas in half and then in half again. You will cut those in half again making 2 triangle pieces. Each tortilla will make 8 triangles. Place on cookie sheet and spray with oil. Sprinkle with salt. Bake 10-12 minutes at 350.

5 corn tortillas fill a cookie sheet so you can do as many as you want.

Meatloaf

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 cup cracker crumbs
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 large egg, beaten
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup tomato sauce

Topping:

3/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons mustard
2 tablespoons vinegar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325.
In a large mixing bowl combine ground beef, cracker crumbs, salt, pepper, egg, onion, and tomato sauce. Mix lightly. Shape into a loaf and place in 9x13 baking dish.

In a small mixing bowl combine the ketchup, brown sugar, water, mustard, and vinegar. Brush the loaf with this mixture.

Place meat loaf in oven and bake 1 1/2 hours, basting occasionally with sauce.

Chinese Marinated Carrots & Celery

Ingredients:

1/2 lb carrots
1/2 lb celery stalks
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons cider vinegar
Pinch of cayenne pepper

Directions:

Cut celery and carrots into 2 inch slices and season with salt and let sit for 10 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.

Mix all other ingredients and pour over vegetables and toss to coat. Refrigerate for 30 minutes and serve.

Bourbon Street Chicken

Ingredients:

2 lbs boneless chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
1/4 teaspoon ginger
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup apple juice
1/3 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch

Directions:

Heat oil in a large skillet.
Add chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned. Remove chicken and drain. Add remaining ingredients, heating over medium heat until well blended and dissolved. Add chicken and bring to a hard boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes uncovered. Serve over hot rice.

Pizza Sandwich (Quick Fix)

Ingredients:

Bread
Sliced cheese
Pepperoni
Ham

Directions:

Basically you are making a grilled cheese just adding pepperoni and ham.

Butter one side of each bread. Place butter side down on pan. I added 3 rows of 3 pepperoni and a piece of sliced ham. Add a slice of cheese and top with other slice of buttered bread (butter side up). Lightly brown on one side and flip and do same thing until cheese is melted.

Jalapeño Cream Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Ingredients:

6 chicken breast halves, defrosted and fat trimmed
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 jalapeño peppers, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz package cream cheese
1/4, cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 359 degrees F. Coat a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. In each of the chicken breasts, cut a slit horizontally without going all the way through to the other side.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add jalapeños and garlic and cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes.  Add cream cheese to skillet and stir until cheese is melted. Add cheddar cheese and stir until melted.
3. Divide the mixture between the 6 breasts and spoon into openings. Seal the ends and secure with toothpicks. Place the chicken in the prepared baking dish and bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Remove toothpicks and serve warm.

Jagerschnitzel (German)

Ingredients:

1 cup bread crumbs
1 tablespoon flour
Salt and pepper to taste
1 egg, beaten well
1 medium onion, diced
8 oz sliced mushrooms
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup sour cream
4 pork steaks, pounded thin

Directions:

In a shallow dish mix together the bread crumbs and flour. Season with salt and pepper. Place the egg in a separate dish. Heat oil in a large skillet, over medium-high heat. Dip pork steaks in egg and then coat in bread crumb mixture. Fry in the hot oil until browned on both sides and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.

Remove the meat and place on platter and keep it warm. Add onions and mushrooms to the skillet and cook until lightly browned. Pour in beef broth and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir together the cornstarch and sour cream; add to the skillet. Cook over low heat until thickened but do not boil. Spoon over the pork and serve immediately.

Stuffed Hamburgers

Ingredients:

Hamburger meat
Onions
Mushrooms
Jalapeños
Shredded cheese
Grape tomatoes

Directions:

Make a hamburger pattie pretty thin. Once made add diced vegetables listed above to the center and top with cheese. Make another thin hamburger pattie and place on top. Press edges together as if you were sealing it. Cook. Enjoy.

Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli (Chinese)

Ingredients:

1 pound boneless beef roast, cut into strips
1 cup beef broth
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons cooled sauce from the crockpot after being cooked
Fresh broccoli florets, as desired

Directions:

Place beef in a crockpot.

In a small bowl combine broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, oil, and garlic. Pour over beef. Cook on low 6-8 hours.

In a cup stir cornstarch and sauce from the crockpot until smooth. Add to crockpot. Stir well to combine.

Add broccoli to the crockpot. Stir to combine.

Cover and cook an additional 30 minutes on high (sauce has to boil for it to thicken).

Serve over hot cooked rice.

'Sonic' Cherry Limeade

Ingredients:

12oz (1 can) Sprite
3 lime wedges
1/4 cup cherry juice (Juicy Juice)

Directions:

Fill a 16oz glass with 2/3 ice. Pour sprite over ice. Add 3 lime wedges (squeezing one wedge). Add cherry juice and serve.

Few Freezables

There are a few things you can freeze for cooking...

I always have jalapeños, celery, and mushrooms in my deep freeze already cut.

If you have a store locally that puts out clearance produce keep an eye out. Our local store puts produce bags of jalapeños for 99 cents so, sliced I can get a gallon and same with celery.

Chocolate Quesadillas

Ingredients:

Flour tortillas
Chocolate chips
Cinnamon
Sugar

Directions:

Place one flour tortilla in bottom of skillet and turn on low heat. Sprinkle in chocolate chips to your desire. Then sprinkle cinnamon and sugar, again to your desire. Add another flour tortilla on top. Cook on one side until lightly browned and then flip until chocolate melts.

Baked Ham & Swiss Sandwiches

Ingredients:

1 (12 pack) of King's Hawaiian rolls
1lb deli ham, shaved
1lb swiss cheese, thinly sliced
1 1/2 sticks butter
3 tablespoons dijon mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons worchestershire sauce
3 teaspoons poppy seeds (optional)
1 onion, chopped

Directions:

Heat oven to 350. Melt butter and mix in mustard, worchestershire sauce, onion, and poppy seed.

Cut each roll in half.

In greased, lipped, pan place bottom half of rolls and spread 1/3 of the onion mixture over the bottom of the rolls followed by ham and cheese.

Place the top of the rolls and spread the remaining onion mixture over the top.

Cover and bake 15-20 minutes.

Taco Seasoning

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1½ teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. Store in an airtight container. Season to taste.

**Notes**

I like to make 3 or 4 times what the recipe calls for so I can season to taste and save some in a jar for next time. For 1lb of ground beef, I added 2 TBSP of the taco seasoning mix and it was just the right amount of flavor and kick.

Mozzarella Sticks

Ingredients:

16 string cheese, removed from wrappers

1/2 cup flour

2 eggs

3 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes

Canola oil, for frying

Marinara sauce for dipping

2 cups panko bread crumbs

Directions:

Slice string cheese in half for a total of 32 pieces.

Place flour in a small bowl.

In a separate bowl whisk eggs and milk.

In another separate bowl, combine panko bread crumbs with parsley flakes.

 

TO ASSEMBLE:

One by one roll mozzarella sticks in flour, then dunk in egg/milk mixture, then place in panko crumbs. Use your hand to sweep crumbs all over the mozzarella stick. Gently remove and place on a tray or cookie sheet. Repeat until all mozzarella sticks are coated.

**Place tray in freezer for 20 to 30 minutes to flash freeze**

TO COOK:

Heat 1 1/2 inches of canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When hot, add mozzarella sticks 8 at a time. Watch closely and turn over to evenly brown, cooking less than 2 minutes. Do not allow cheese to bubble and leak.

Remove to a paper towel-lined plate.

Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce.

Garlicky Baked Shrimp

Ingredients:

• 
  
• 1  pound  peeled and deveined medium or large shrimp
• 4  cloves garlic, sliced
• 2  tablespoons  white wine
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 1/4  cup  softened butter
• 1/4  cup  panko bread crumbs
• 2  tablespoons  chopped parsley

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 425º F. In a baking dish, combine the shrimp, garlic, white wine, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
2. In a small bowl, combine the butter, bread crumbs, and parsley.
3. Sprinkle over the shrimp and bake until the shrimp are opaque throughout, 15 to 18 minutes.

"Olive Garden" Salad Dressing

Ingredients:

1 packet Good Seasonings Italian Dressing
(Ingredients needed to make dressing; oil, water, vinegar)
½ tsp. dried Italian Seasoning
½ tsp. table salt
¼ tsp. black pepper
½ tsp. sugar
¼ tsp. garlic powder
½ tbsp. mayonnaise (no Miracle Whip, please)
¼ cup olive oil
2 tbs. white vinegar
1 ½ tbs. water

Directions:

Prepare Good Seasonings Italian Seasonings Dressing as it states on back of package. Once prepared pour it in a medium bowl, then add additional ingredients listed above (starting with dried Italian Seasoning).

Using a whisk, mix all ingredients until mixed thoroughly combined. Serve with your favorite salad fixings.

Store unused dressing in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks. Be sure to give the bottle a good shake before using.

Smoked Sausage Quesadillas

This recipe doesn't give a lot of details because it's more based on how much/little you want of each thing in your quesadilla. 

Ingredients:

Smoked Sausage

Onions

Bell Peppers

Mexican Style Shredded Cheese

Flour Tortillas 

Salsa

Jalapenos (optional)

Directions:

Dice the onions and bell peppers and saute them in a little oil. Remove from pan. Dice up the smoked sausage. Place flour tortilla in pan on medium heat and add shredded cheese (to your desire), then sprinkle on the onions and bell peppers, then the smoked sausage, and then finally a little more cheese. Once all your ingredients are in the pan add another flour tortilla to the top. Cook until lightly browned on one side and flip. Cook until lightly browned on other side and remove from pan.

I used a pizza cutter in cut into 4 slices.

Salsa for dipping.

Meaty Cheese Manicotti

Ingredients:

1 (8oz) package manicotti pasta
1/2 lb hot italian sausage
1/2 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 cups whipping cream
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 (14 1/2oz) can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic,  and oregano,  drained
2 cups (8oz) mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup shredded parmesean cheese

Directions:

Cook pasta according to package directions; rinse in cold water. Drain. Place on wire rack in single layer.

Cook Italian sausage, ground beef, and onions in large skillet,  stirring until meat crumbles and is no longer pink. Drain and set aside.

Add wine to skillet, stirring to loosen browned bits; bring to a boil. Add whipping cream and next 3 ingredients;  reduce heat, and simmer, stirring often, 15 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat, cover and set aside.

Combine meat mixture, tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese. Spoon mixture evenly into 12 manicotti shells;  arrange shells in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish.

Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 20 minutes.  Uncover and pour cream mixture evenly over shells; sprinkle with parmesean cheese. Bake, uncovered,  at 350 for 10 more minutes. Broil 5 1/2 inches from heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese is lightly browned.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked rice
3 cups cooked chicken,  chunks
6 slices swiss cheese
10 slices cut-up ham
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream
10 saltine crackers
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon parsley

Directions:

Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Spread 2 cups cooked rice in bottom of baking dish.

Arrange 3 cups cooked chicken pieces over top of rice.

Layer 6 slices swiss cheese on top of chicken.

Then layer 10 slices cut-up ham on top of swiss cheese.

In separate bowl mix together both cans of cream of chicken soup, milk, and sour cream and spread on top of ham.

In another bowl crush 10 saltine crackers and add paprika, garlic salt, and parsley and mix together and sprinkle on top of soup mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Easy Beef Enchiladas

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs hamburger meat
1 cup chopped onion
1 package taco seasoning
1 cup jarred salsa
2 cups shredded cheese
1 (10oz) can enchilada sauce
7 large flour tortillas

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Spray a 9x13 baking dish lightly with cooking spray.
3. Cook chopped onions and ground beef in larfe skillet.
4. Add taco seasoning,  salsa, and 3/4 cup shredded cheese.
5. Pour a small amount of enchilada sauce onto a rimmed plate or baking sheet.
6. Dip flour tortilla into the sauce. Spread a large spoonful of meat mixture onto tne tortilla.
7. Fold ends and then roll up and place in 9x13 baking dish.
8. Continue with remaining tortillas,  adding more sauce as you go.
9. When tortillas are filled and rolled, pour remaining enchilada sauce over the enchiladas.
10. Bake for 20 minutes.
11. Remove dish from oven and top with remaining cheese.
12. Return to oven until cheese is melted.