Sloppy Joes

1 lb. ground beef
1/2 c. chopped onion
1/2 c. ketchup
1/2 c. water
1 T. vinegar
1/2 t. chili powder
1 T. mustard
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1-2 T. flour

Brown meat and onion.  Add ketchup, water, vinegar, chili powder, mustard, salt, pepper and flour.  Simmer together 10 minutes.

Pasta and Broccoli Recipe

I love this and my kids love it, Kenneth not so much.  It is a quick and easy meal and a good way to get your kids to eat  broccoli.  Try it, you might like it.

12 oz. uncooked pasta
6 1/2 cups fresh broccoli florets, no stems
5 cloves garlic, smashed and chopped (I don't use that much garlic)
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
salt and pepper

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  When water boils, add pasta and broccoli at the same time and cook according to pasta instructions for al dente.  When pasta is almost done cooking, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water and set aside.  Drain pasta and broccoli.

Return the pot to the stove and set heat to high; add 1 tbsp olive oil, when hot, add garlic.  Cook until golden, reduce flame to low and add pasta back to the pot.

Mix well, add remaining olive oil, grated cheese, salt and pepper to taste mixing well and smashing any large pieces of broccoli to break up.

Add 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water and mix well adding more if needed.

Serve in pasta bowls with additional grated cheese on the side.

Macaroni and Cheese

This is our very favorite mac and cheese recipe.

4 cups dried macaroni
1 whole egg beaten
1/4 cup butter
2 1/2 cups whole milk
2 heaping tsp of dry mustard, more if desired
1 pound cheese, grated (we like sharp best)
1/2 tsp salt, more to taste
1/2 tsp seasoned salt, more to taste
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
optional spices:  cayenne pepper, paprika, thyme (i have never tried these)

Cook macaroni until very firm.  Macaroni should be too firm to eat right out of the pot.  Drain.
In a small bowl, beat egg.
In a large pot, melt butter and sprinkle in flour.  whisk together over medium-low heat.  Cook mixture for five minutes, whisking constantly.  Don't let it burn.
Pour in milk, add mustard, and whisk until smooth.  Cook for five minutes until very thick.
Reduce heat to low.
Take 1/4 cup of the sauce and slowly pour it into beaten egg, whisking constantly to avoid cooking eggs.  Whisk together till smooth.
Pour egg mixture into sauce, whisking constantly.  Stir until smooth.
Add in cheese and stir to melt.
Add salt and pepper.  Taste sauce and add more salt and seasoned salt as needed!  DO NOT UNDER SALT.
Pour in drained, cooked macaroni and stir to combine.
Serve immediately (very creamy) or pour into a buttered baking dish, top with extra cheese, and bake for 20to 25 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.  (we don't bake it)

Japanese Stir Fry

I found this in moms recipe book and we love it!  It is a quick and easy meal.

1 package frozen Japanese style stir fry veggies
1-2 cups cubed, cooked chicken

Teriyaki sauce:
1 Tbsp oil
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1 Tbsp vinegar
3 Tbsp soy sauce
3 Tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 cup water

Stir fry veggies according to package directions.  Add chicken, then teriyaki sauce and cook until thick.  Serve over hot rice.

Baked Chimichanga

1 1lb chicken, shredded
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp. chili powder
Taco seasoning to taste
3/4 c. shredded cheese
1 4 oz. can green chiles
1/2 c. chopped cilantro
Fresh spinach, chopped (optional)
Green peppers, diced (optional)
1 can black beans (optional)
1/2 large flour or wheat tortillas

Brown meat, add onion, garlic, chili powder, and taco seasoning to taste.  Drain any liquid.  add cheese, chili peppers, and cilantro (and any optional ingredients).  Assemble like a burrito and place side by side in a baking dish.  Sprinkle cheese and cilantro on top for garnish.  Bake at 400 degrees for about 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Beef Stew

2 lb. stew meat
1/4 cup flour
salt
pepper
1 1/2 cup beef broth
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
1 garlic clove
1/2 tsp paprika
3 sliced carrots
3 diced potatoes
1 onion, chopped
1 celery stalk with the leaves, chopped
1 bay leaf

After meat is in the crockpot, add flour, salt and pepper and stir until the meat is coated.  Add everything else and stir.  cover and cook on low for 8 to 10  hours.  Remove the bay leaf and stir before serving.  Serve with warm cornbread and honey.

Zucchini Soup

I call this leprechaun soup around my kids because it is green colored.  It sounds a little different, but we really enjoy it with a side of warm bread.  It is a great way to use up your garden zucchini.  I made 4 batches and froze them for later.  Leave out the half and half if you are going to freeze and add it after the soup has been thawed and reheated.

1/2 lb onions

2 tsp butter

1 1/2-3 lbs. zucchini

3 cups chicken broth

 1/2 cup half and half

1/8 tsp black pepper

1/8 tsp nutmeg

1/8 tsp salt

pinch cayenne pepper if desired

Chop onion and saute with butter until clear and soft but not brown.  Wash and slice zucchini, combine with onion and chicken broth.  Bring to boil, simmer until squash is tender.  Add seasonings and puree in blender.  Return to saucepan; add half and half.  Reheat, do not boil.  Serve immediately.  Garnish with white cheddar cheese.

Use as much zucchini as you would like.  The more you use, the thicker your soup will be.

Mediterranean pork

This is one of my kids favorite, mostly because they are in love with the couscous.

1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup chicken broth
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp paprika
1 Tbsp garlic powder
2 1/4 tsp sage
1/4 tsp rosemary
1/4 tsp marjoram
1/4 tsp thyme
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
4 thick cut boneless pork chops
salt and pepper to taste

Cut small slits in each pork chop then pour mixture over the top.  Slow cook on high for 4-6 hours.  Pull apart and serve over couscous.

Korean Beef

1 lb. ground beef
1/4-1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 Tbsp sesame oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2-1 tsp red pepper flakes
salt and pepper
1 bunch green onions, diced

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and brown hamburger with garlic in the sesame oil.  Drain most of the fat and add brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger, salt and pepper and red pepper flakes.  Simmer for a few minutes to blend the flavors.  Serve over steamed rice and top with green onions.

Chicken Lentil Casserole

This is a healthy-vegetarian dinner.  But, my family actually really likes it, Kenneth was surprised he liked it. It is a little different but it is quick and easy and I like throwing it into the mix every now and then.

3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
3/4 cups lentils
1/2 cups brown rice
3/4 cups onions, chopped
1 tsp italian seasoning
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
1-2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 cup grated cheese, cheddar or mozzarella

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Mix all ingredients except cheese in a 8x8 baking dish.  cover with foil and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Remove the foil, add the cheese and bake for an additional 20 minutes.

Honey-Lime Chicken Enchiladas

We LOVE this recipe.  It is one of our very very favorites and we get so many compliments.  I will usually double the recipe and freeze half of it for later.  I also love to make this for compassionate service dinners.

6 Tbsp honey
4 1/2 Tbsp lime juice
1 Tbsp chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 lb cooked chicken, shredded
flour tortillas
monterey jack cheese, shredded
2 10 oz. can green enchilada sauce

Mix first 4 ingredients together and toss with shredded chicken.  Let it "marinate" for at least a half hour.  pour some green enchilada sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 pan (just cover the bottom, about half a can or less).  Fill flour tortillas with chicken and shredded cheese.  Pour the rest of the can of green enchilada sauce over enchiladas then sprinkle with more cheese.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.  Put it under the broiler for the last couple of minutes to make the cheese brown and crispy on top.

Crock pot honey sesame chicken

2 1/2 lbs. chicken
salt and pepper
1 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
4 Tbsp diced onion
4 Tbsp ketchup
2 Tbsp canola oil
2 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
4 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 6 Tbsp water
Sesame seeds

Season both sides of chicken lightly with salt and pepper, put into crock pot.  In a small bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, onion, ketchup, oil, garlic and pepper flakes.  Pour over chicken.  Cook on low for 3 hours or just until chicken is cooked through (do not over cook, I have accidentally burnt it a couple of times in the crock pot, it really only needs a couple of hours).
Remove chicken from crock pot, leave sauce.  Dissolve cornstarch in water and pour into crock pot.  Stir to combine with sauce.  Replace lid and cook sauce for a few more minutes until slightly thickened.  Cut chicken into bite size pieces then return to pot and toss before serving.  Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve over rice.

Sweet and Spicy Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

This is a great recipe for freezing.  I usually double it and freeze half for later.  Let it thaw in the refrigerator over night and reheat in a saucepan on the stove.

1 lb. chicken

1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Place the chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker.  In a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, brown sugar and red pepper flakes.  pour over the chicken.  Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 8-9 hours.  

Remove the chicken to a cutting board and shred with two forks.  Return to the slow cooker and mix the chicken with the juices left in pot.  Season with salt and pepper.  Serve in flour tortillas with lettuce, sour cream, cheese, avocados, etc.