Fiesta Time!!!

We have a family tradition of the way we make tacos! We have used this method of tacos for a long time, and we have Taco Tuesday every week.

Taco Meat:

1 lb.- Ground Beef

2 cans- Chili (you can use your favorite kind)   

Directions: Cook ground beef until brown and drain. Add chili and smash the beans with a potato smasher.

Toppings:

Shredded Lettuce

Tomatoes

Shredded Cheese    

Sour Cream

Hot Sauce                                                   

Sliced Olives

Guacamole

* Serve with corn shells or flour shells*

Erin's Amazing Enchiladas:

1 can- Chili

1 jar- Pace Salsa (We use Medium Heat)

3 cups-Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 teaspoon- Onion Salt

1 can- Corn

1 box- Rice A Roni (We use chicken flavor)

Directions:

1- Preheat oven to 425 F 

2- Mix together Chili, Salsa, and 2 cups of Cheese

3- Spoon mix into flour tortillas and roll up (make sure you leave half the mixture left over)

4- Place enchiladas in a greased 9x13 pan

5- Pour the rest of the mix over the top of the enchiladas and sprinkle with the other cup of cheese

6- Make Rice A Roni following directions on box

7- Add corn when you add the water and seasoning to the rice

8- Cook Enchiladas and Rice A Roni for 15 min. and serve!!!

Rise and Shine it's PIZZA TIME!!!!

Finding the perfect pizza dough is one of the most important ingredients to making a perfect pizza every time! Not only is this wonderful dough excellent for pizza, but also for making our one of a kind cheesy garlic bread sticks. What we love about this dough is that you can make thin, hand-tossed, or deep dish pizza out of one recipe, and it turns out just right every time! Our pizza sauce is made from scratch using our freezer tomato juice from previous posts.

Mama Ter's Pizza Dough: makes 2 pizzas

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 Tbsp. yeast
1 Tbsp.sugar
1/2 tsp.salt                                                

3 Tbsp. oil
4 cups flour

Pizza Dough Directions: Dissolve yeast in warm water, and add a little sugar at a time until foamy (don't stir and let it sit for 5 min.) Add salt and oil to yeast mixture, and beat for a few minutes until smooth. Add 2 cups flour ,and beat until smooth. Add the rest of the flour, and add more as needed. Mix by hand until the dough is soft, non sticky, and all blended in. Knead for about 5 minutes, place in clean greased bowl. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let the dough raise for 1 hour. Meanwhile pre-heat oven to 425 F. Sprinkle a pizza stone with cornmeal or spray a pizza pan and then sprinkle cornmeal on it. Roll out dough, and then cover with sauce and pizza toppings. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

* For a variation you may substitute 1 Tbsp. of honey for 1 Tbsp. of oil for a sweeter crust. Another variation is you can spread butter on pizza dough before adding toppings for a richer buttery taste.

Teri's Rich Pizza Sauce:Makes enough for 4 pizzas

Ingredients:
1- 12 oz. can tomato paste
1- 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 tsp. oregano
1 1/2 Tbsp. parsley flakes
1/4 tsp. onion salt
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
2 cups tomato juice(fresh tomato juice is the best)

Pizza Sauce Directions: Mix in a sauce pan, and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes.
 ( this sauce can also be frozen for future uses)


Garlic Cheese Bread Sticks:

Ingredients:
1 stick softened butter
Garlic Powder (sprinkle to desired taste)

1 cup parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Enough pizza dough to cover 1 rectangle cookie sheet

Directions: Roll out dough on greased cookie sheet, spread softened butter evenly on dough. Sprinkle with garlic powder and cheese.Bake at 425 F for 10-15 min, until outside edges of crust are golden brown.

* Use pizza sauce for dipping sauce for bread sticks*

Comforting Home style Soups

During winter time one of our favorite family traditions is to gather around a big crockpot of our favorite soups,with an added touch of fast and easy breadsticks or moist homemade cornbread.

Creamy Chicken Soup Recipe-

Ingredients:

4- Boneless and Skinless Chicken Breasts 

1/2 cup- chicken granules ( or 4 cubes)             2- stalks of chopped celery

4- peeled potatoes (diced)

3- peeled carrots diced

1- green onion cut finely

2- 10.5 oz. cream of chicken soup

1- cup sour cream

1- cup velveeta cheese

Directions:

-In a large pot of water add chicken breasts,1/2 cup chicken bouillon, and celery

- Boil until done

- Remove cooked chicken and put aside

- Add to chicken broth carrots, and green onions 

- Boil for 5 minutes, and add potatoes

- Boil until potatoes and carrots are tender

- Turn heat on low, and wait until soup stops boiling

- Add chopped chicken, sour cream,cream of chicken soup, and velveeta cheese

- Stir occasionally until sour cream and velveeta cheese are melted

- Transfer to crock pot set on warm and enjoy!

Notes: 

*Several of the ingredients in this chicken soup recipe can be made ahead , and kept in your freezer for those last minute meal ideas

*As shown in the picture large amounts of chicken can be cooked ahead of time with the chicken bouillon and celery. After chopping chicken into pieces place in freezer bags or containers

 (sprinkle additional chicken bouillon in bag with chicken, then place in freezer)

* You can melt velveeta cheese and cream of chicken soup in a saucepan ahead of time (stirring frequently until melted) Put in freezer containers and place in freezer

Fiesta Taco Soup-

Ingredients:

1 lb- hamburger

1/2 cup-onion finely chopped or 2 teaspoons onion salt

2- 16 oz. cans kidney beans drained

3- cups water

2- 8 oz. cans tomato paste

1- large can stewed tomatoes chopped or 2- 16 oz. cans diced tomatoes

1~ 2- packages of taco seasonings (to taste)

1- large can of corn

1- can sliced olives

Garnish with sour cream, corn chips, and grated cheese                             

Directions:

1- brown hamburger with onion and drain
2- add hamburger to crockpot

3- add kidney beans, water, tomato paste, tomatoes, and seasonings

4- set on low for 8 hrs.

5- stir occasionally

6- serve with chips, sour cream, and cheese

Quick and Easy Breadsticks-

Ingredients:

1- loaf rhodes bread dough

1- stick butter

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or garlic salt    

1/2 teaspoon basil

2 cups parmesan cheese

Directions:

1- Remove Rhodes dough from freezer and place in plastic bag in fridge over night

2:- In the morning take dough out of fridge and place on counter to let raise

3- Roll out dough on greased surface in a rectangle shape

4- Slice dough in half horizontally and cut in strips vertically

5- Take a 9x13 pan and place on stove top on low, melt butter

6- Add garlic powder and basil

7: Remove from stove and take each bread stick and dip in melted butter 

8: Place in the same 9x13 pan 

9: Sprinkle with parmesan cheese on top

10: Let breadsticks raise for 1 hr ( cover with greased plastic)

11: Bake at 375 F for 15- 20 min, or until light brown on top

The BEST cornbread around-

Ingredients: 

1 1/4 cups flour

3/4 cup corn meal

1/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 egg beaten

1/2 box yellow cake mix (made as directed on box)

Directions:

1- Mix above ingredients and add 1/2 box cake mix (made up as directed on package)

2- Mix together well (stirring only)

3- Pour into greased 9x13 baking pan

4- Bake at 400 F for 20-25 min. or until light brown

5- Drizzle with melted butter on top

The Ultimate Cake Brownie Recipe

When it comes to Brownie making, we are very picky! After many years of trying several recipes, we have come up with the ultimate best brownie recipe around!

Cake Brownie Recipe: ( makes 1- 9x13 pan)

Ingredients:

1 1/2- cups butter
3/4 cups cocoa

Directions: Melt butter and cocoa on low in sauce pan on stove top ( let cool slightly)

6 eggs
2 1/2 cups sugar                                  
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups flour
(nuts optional)

Directions:
1: mix eggs, sugar, salt together and add flour a little bit at a time
2: pour in melted butter and cocoa mixture, beat well
3: spray a 9x13 pan
4: add batter to pan
5: bake at 350 F for 25 min.
6: when cool may spread with frosting (recipe follows)

 Frosting:

Ingredients:

1 stick- softened butter
2 lbs. confectioners powdered sugar
1 teaspoon - vanilla extract
add whole milk or evaporated milk ( to desired consistency)

Directions:
1: beat well

Variations: substitute the 1 teaspoon vanilla for 1 teaspoon mint extract ( add green food coloring for mint color)
Spread on cool brownies and refrigerate for 1 hr.
Meanwhile on stove top melt stick of butter and 1 package- 12 oz. of semi-sweet chocolate chips
Pour on top of frosting and refrigerate until ready to serve

Variations: for a milk chocolate frosting make above frosting recipe, but decrease confectioners powdered sugar by 1 cup and add 1 cup cocoa

*BE SURE AND CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS BLOG FOR MORE UPCOMING 2015 RECIPES! WE ENJOY GETTING FEEDBACK ON ALL THESE RECIPES YOU TRY, AS THEY BECOME YOUR OWN FAMILY'S FAVORITES!!!!

No Fail Butterflake Roll Recipe

This recipe had been a long time standing favorite in our family for years and years. This recipe is our favorite, because they come out fluffy and light every time.

Butterflake rolls: Makes 4 dozen rolls

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups- Evaporated Milk
1 cup- hot water
2 Tbls- yeast
1/2 cup- warm water
2 eggs
6 cups- flour (approximately)      
1/2 cup- sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon- salt
1 stick- softened butter

Directions:
1: dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water
2: Mix with evaporated milk and 1 cup hot water
3: beat 2 eggs and add to mixture
4: mix well
5: add flour, sugar, and salt
6: knead well
7: roll out to 1/2 in. thickness
8: spread with 1/4 stick of softened butter, fold dough in half
9:  repeat rolling the dough out, spreading butter, and folding dough 4-5 times
10: cut with a round cookie cutter ( cut all the same direction)
11: Place with fan side up in greased muffin pans (push down bottom of roll, so roll fans out)
12: let raise 1 1/2- 2 hrs.
13: Bake at 400 F for 10 min or until top is light brown

More award winning casseroles!!!!

If you are looking for an award winning Christmas potluck casserole, this is the perfect one! We always make our chicken casserole around this time of year, because everyone loves it so much! The best part about this recipe is that it can be made the night before or morning of your gathering.

 Chicken Casserole Recipe:

Ingredients-

2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 tsp. curry powder or poultry seasoning  

1/2 cup milk
2 or 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
4 or 5 cups of cooked chicken
2-16 oz. frozen broccoli & carrots package (we like to use we like to use fresh broccoli,carrots, and cauliflower)

*if using fresh veggies, make sure to boil the carrots on the stove until almost done*



Topping ingredients-

3 cups bread crumbs or panko bread crumbs
1 Tbsp. butter
1 tsp. sage
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup parsley flakes
1/4 tsp. pepper

Directions-

1: cook chicken until tender and done
2: boil carrots and broccoli
3: mix together mayo chicken soup, curry powder, milk, broccoli, carrots, and cheese
4: add chicken
5: saute onion in butter
6: add bread crumbs, sage, parsley, and pepper
7: sprinkle on top of casserole
8: Bake at 350 F for 45 min. (cover loosely with foil)

* LOOK FORWARD TO DELICIOUS BROWNIES AND ROLLS NEXT WEEK*

Bringing the warmth of tasty casserole dishes to your home!

With the winter months upon us, and family gathering close in. We want to share with you our tried and tested casserole dishes that are sure to be crowd pleasing, that will leave your guests raving about your dish for years to come.

Years ago, our grandmother Hazel Bertoch came up with an easy-does-it spaghetti. This actually was made by adding uncooked spaghetti in the pan, which would soften as it cooked. We have included her recipe, but modified it by creating our own updated recipe called: All in one spaghetti casserole

EASY-DOES-IT SPAGHETTI CASSEROLE (GRANDMAS):

2 Tbsp. oil
1 lb. hamburger
1 Tbsp. onion chopped
1 cup chopped mushrooms
3 1/2 cups tomato juice
1/4 tsp. all spice
1/4 tsp. pepper
4 oz. package uncooked spaghetti
1- 8oz. tomato sauce
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. dried mustard
1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1: brown hamburger with the oil
2: add onion and seasoning
3: arrange broken spaghetti over meat in layers
4: add tomato sauce, mushrooms,and tomato juice
5: cover and simmer for about 30 min. or until tender
6: put in a frying pan

ALL IN ONE BAKED SPAGHETTI CASSEROLE:

2 lbs. ground beef
1/2 cup onion chopped
1- 4 oz. can sliced olives
1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)  
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. oregano
4 cups tomato juice
1- 8 oz. can tomato paste
1-8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1 cup mild cheddar cheese
1 large package of spaghetti noodles

1: cook spaghetti as directed on package (drain well)
2: brown ground beef until done, drain
3: add onion, seasonings, olives, and mushrooms simmer until onions and mushrooms are soft
4: add tomato juice,sauce, and paste
5: simmer on low for  20 min.
6: arrange in casserole dish
7: half of the spaghetti noodles, half of the meat sauce, 1 cup of both cheeses
8: repeat layers with cheese on top
9: bake in 350 F oven for 30 min.



The next casserole we will introduce is a favorite with adults and children alike, featuring the award winning Tater-tot Casserole!

TATER-TOT CASSEROLE

1 package tater-tots (seasoned is the best)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp onion salt
2 cans of cut green beans                                  
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1-8 oz. sour cream
2 lbs. ground beef
1 Tbsp. worcestershire sauce

1: brown the ground beef and drain
2: add cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, seasonings, and worcestershire sauce
3: heat through until sour cream is melted on low
4: In a 9x13 casserole dish layer green beans, hamburger mixture, and tater-tots on top
5: cover with foil bake at 375 degree oven for 1 hour