Tortilla Soup

2 cans Rotell Tomatoes (or Tomatoes with green chilies)

1 can pinto beans

1 can white beans

1 can kidney beans

1 can corn

1 pkg. taco seasoning

1 pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix

1 med. onion chopped

1 chopped green pepper

2 cans water

1 1/2 lbs cooked beef or chicken (or skip!)

Dump all of the ingredients (un-drained) into large pot. Bring to boil then simmer until time to eat.

~Nicole 

I think I make this soup anytime we have company! It is so easy. I vary the amounts depending on what I have.

Rice Pilaf

1/2 cup butter
8 oz. Mushrooms sliced (Optional. I know that for the most part, our family doesn't ever put the mushrooms in).
1 onion, chopped
4 Coils or nests of vermicelli broken into small pieces (angel hair pasta works nicely, too).

Saute the above four ingredients until the onions are transparent.
In a casserole dish (or rice cooker) add the the mixture plus:

2 cups rice
2 1/2 cups water
2 tsp. chicken granules or bouillon
1 1/2 tsp. basil
1 1/2 thyme
1/2 tsp pepper
Salt to taste.

Cover with lid or foil and bake at 325 for one hour. For large amounts, increase the cooking time.

If you're cooking it in a rice cooker, Mom says to "mix all the ingredients and then add water to my first knuckle on my thumb - from the level of the rice." This may vary, seeing as some of us have larger hands than others. Pretty much, just go with what looks good to you - that's my personal motto. ;) ~Anna

"This is Matt and Rachel's favorite pilaf - only I leave out the mushrooms. I really like it without the mushrooms too." ~ Tawna

Wassail

2 quarts apple cider
1 ½ cups 100 percent orange juice
¾ cup pineapple juice (1 small can)
1 tbsp. brown sugar
½ tsp. lemon juice
2 cinnamon sticks (3 inches)
1 dash ground cinnamon
1 dash ground cloves


In a large saucepan (I use the crockpot) combine all of the ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Discard cinnamon sticks. Serve hot in mugs.


~Tawna

Stuffed Mushrooms

25-30 fresh mushrooms
1 lb. country-style sausage
8 oz. cream cheese
parsley
1/2-1 tsp garlic powder
salt & pepper to taste

Wash and remove mushroom stems.  Cook sausage.  Drain extra grease.  Crumble and mix with other ingredients.  Form into a ball and place in each individual mushroom (where you've removed the stem). 

Cook at 350 for 15-20 minutes.

~Analyn

Cocktail Sauce

Mix together:


3/4 c. catsup
1 1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp. horseradish
1 tsp. grated onion
Drop of Tabasco sauce


My favorite sauce. A friend shared this recipe with me while living in Germany long ago.


~Phyllis Clyde

Homemade Hummus

1 can garbanzo beans with reserved juice
2 T Tahini sauce
Sprinkle of garlic powder
Salt and Pepper
Juice of one lemon
At least 1 T of reserved bean juice

Add into a food processor and blend until smooth!

Super easy and very, very delicious!

:)Mitra

Clam Chowder

2 - 6 ounce cans minced clams

1 cup diced onions

1 cup diced celery

2 cups potatoes (pealed and chopped)

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp sugar

1 T. wine vinegar

Pepper

Drain clams and pour juice over vegetables in saucepan. Add water to barely cover. Simmer over medium heat covered until tender.

Prepare white sauce:

3/4 cup butter

3/4 cup flour

1 qt half and half

Add un-drained vegetables and clams to white sauce, sample and add more salt and pepper to taste. Serves 8.

~Janelle Thomas (Nicole' s Mom)

Notes: This soup is best the next day.  

Phyllis and I made this soup for New Year's Eve 2010

Buttermilk Sugar Cookies

Cream together:

1 cup butter

1 1/3 cups sugar

Add:

3 eggs

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. vanilla

2 tsp. baking powder

Mix together in a two cup container (the buttermilk will grow!):

1 cup buttermilk

1 tsp. soda

Add: 

above buttermilk mixture

5 1/3 cups flour

*** Alternate adding the flour and the buttermilk ***

Cover dough and chill. Roll out on floured surface to 1/4 inch and cut into desired shapes. Bake for 8 - 9 minutes at 375 degrees. Don't over bake if you want soft cookies. 

Cream Cheese Frosting (makes enough for 2 batches):

8 oz. cream cheese - softened

1/2 cup butter - softened

1 tsp. vanilla

1 bag of powdered sugar

milk 

Cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Add powdered sugar and then milk to desired texture.

~Tawna

Christmas Toffee

1 cup butter  (only use butter)

1 1/8 cups sugar (= 1 cup + 2 Tbsp.)

dash salt

1 1/2 cups roasted and chopped almonds or pecans

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Butter cookie sheet and sprinkle with half of the chopped nuts.

Melt butter partially in a heavy saucepan. Add sugar and salt.  Cook on HIGH heat while stirring constantly. Continue until mixture is the color of a brown paper sack or coffee with cream. Immediately pour the mixture over the nuts. Sprinkle with chocolate cups. After about 3 minutes spread chocolate with a knife and then sprinkle with nuts. It will need a day or so to completely set up. Best if stored in cool room. Break apart with the tip of a butter knife.

~Tawna

Sloppy Joes

2 lb. lean ground beef

1 onion, chopped

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 Tbsp. prepared mustard

3 Tbsp. brown sugar

3 Tbsp. vinegar

Dash of Worcestershire sauce

Dash of garlic salt or onion salt

1 can of tomato soup

Brown meat and  onion. Add other ingredients. Serve on hamburger buns. This makes 2-3 dinners and  can be frozen. ** add celerey, garlic, green peppers, quick oats ** for more bulk if necessary.

~Tawna

Chocolate Chip Cookies

¾ cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter or margarine
2 eggs
1 ½ tsp. vanilla
3 1/3 cups of flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
1 ½ cups chocolate chips

Cream sugar and butter. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients together and add to creamed mixture. Add chocolate chips.

Bake @ 375 degrees for about 10 minutes. If you don’t overcook them they will be soft .


~Tawna