Taco Soup

1 package of powdered ranch dressing mix
1 15oz can black beans (undrained)
1 15oz can pinto beans (undrained)
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1 15oz can corn ( undrained)
1 4oz chopped green chilies
1 15oz diced tomatoes (undrained)
1 lb ground beef, browned
1/2 onion, diced, cooked with beef
1 package of dry taco seasoning mix
Brown ground beef and diced onions in a large skilled
Throw skillet contents and remaining ingredients into a crock pot and cook for at least 4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low.
Serve with corn chips, sour cream and grated cheese.

recipe from zupas.com

I have tired a lot of taco soups and this one is a fav!

Won Ton Salad

(I got this picture from the Internet because my camera stinks, but the recipe came out of my grandma's book. It looks exactly like this)

1 head of lettuce
1 head of iceberg lettuce
1 bunch green onions
3 or 4 chicken breasts cooked with salt and shredded or cubed...I like shredded
Won tons fried until light brown in oil. It only takes a few seconds to be done. Don't over cook they will burn easily and taste like it.
Crumble won tons over greens and add just before serving 1/8 cup sesame seeds.

DRESSING:
4 TBS sugar
1 tsp accent
1/4 cup oil
1/2 tsp salt
4 tbsp vinegar
Mix together and add to above ingredients. Serve immediately


I sent this to work with John for a work dinner and they LOOOOOVVVEED it! It is for sure a family favorite!

Yummy Potato Soup

2-3 potatoes baked
3 T butter
1 cup onion chopped
2 T flour
4 Cups chicken broth
2 cups water
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup instant mashed potatoes
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp basil
1 cup half and half... or can do 1/2 cup one percent milk and 1/2 cup evaporated milk
Melt butter and saute onions until brown. Add flour to onions and cook 1-2 mins add broth, water, cornstarch, mashed potatoes and spices. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 mins. Cut baked potatoes in half scoring into cubes... I like to mash mine. Scoop out the cubes into the soup. Add milk and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 mins. Top with cheese, green onions, bacon and sour cream... of course if you want to =)

recipe from Just Another Day in Paradise

Oreo Truffle Balls

Okay ya'll here it is the recipe you have all been requesting. I share the recipe now so that I don't have to make them for you next year hahah LOL just kidding.

1 bag of Oreo's ( not double stuffed)

1 8oz cream cheese

3 symphony candy bars ( the 6.8 oz)

1 bag of peppermint candy melts

In a food processor grind the Oreo's into a fine powder...yes the whole Oreo

in a bowl combine powder Oreo's =) and cream cheese until moist. Roll into balls and put in the freezer for a couple of hours. Melt candy cars and roll Oreo balls until coated then drizzle melted candy melts on top. You can keep these in the freezer or in the fridge although I can almost guarantee they won't last long.

Enjoy =)

Buttermilk Cookies

This is a very light cookie...LOVE THEM!

1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups of flour
1/2 tsp salt
Cream sugar, shortening, and eggs. Mix flour, salt, and soda together. Add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Roll in cinnamon and sugar. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

Bottled Chicken

I'm going to warn you this requires a pressure cooker =) So if you don't know how to use one let me know and I can come help you.

All you need for this recipe is chicken breast and 1/2 tsp salt.

Put 1/2 tsp kosher salt into each jar. Cut chicken breast into chunks and fill the pint jar (just to the bottom of the jar, do not go up into the lid. Do not add water. Wipe off the top of your jars when you are done filling them. Boil lids for just a few seconds then place lid on and the screw top right away do the same with the rest of the jars. Process in a pressure cooker at 10 pounds pressure for 1 hour and 5 mins ( have a good book since you can't leave it unattended) =) this is soooo handy for cooking meals. It goes great in soups, casseroles, sandwiches and whatever else you want to use it for.

BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

Put some chicken in the crockpot with your favorite BBQ sauce..ours is Sweet Baby Ray's. Cook on high for 4 to 6 hours. Then shred with a fork

We used sourdough bread from Costco and sliced it put the shredded chicken on the slice and topped it with Havarti cheese. Butter both sides and toast just like you would a grilled cheese. OH SOOOO GOOD =)

Chicken A'lorange

Dust 2lbs chicken with 1/2 cup flour. Head 4 tbs oil in a heavy frying pan and brown evenly on all sides. Place in a baking pan, pour sauce Al'a'orange (see recipe below) over chicken and cover with foil. Bake at 300 for 1 hour, or until chicken is tender. Garnish with orange slices and serve with rice.

Sauce:
Defrost 1 6oz frozen Oj . Saute 3oz can mushrooms ( I use fresh) and 1 slice onion chopped in oil until tender. add a pinch of pepper, oregano, basil, rosemary, 1 tsp salt, oj, and a 1/4 cup of water. Simmer 5 minutes. Pour over browned chicken. This is a Sunday favorite.