Easy Meatloaf

2 lbs ground beef / ground turkey
1 cup dry bread crumbs
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 can condensed French onion soup, undiluted OR 1 packet of french onion soup mix
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
ketchup or barbecue sauce to top (optional)

Mix all ingredients in a bowl; pack into a meatloaf pan or large loaf pan. Bake at 350° for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Spread top with a little barbecue sauce or ketchup about 5 or 10 minutes before done. Let rest a few minutes before slicing, so that it will hold its shape better.

Pinto Beans

2 cups pinto beans
6 cups water
smoked turkey parts/ham hocks (if desired)
salt & pepper to taste
chicken bouillion cubes/Ms. Dash (if no meat used)

Soak beans for 6-8 hours to soften. Drain beans. Cook smoked meat(if using) in 6 cups water. When meat is tender, add beans. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and continue to simmer 1-1/2 hours to 2 hours, or until beans are tender.

Summer Rotini(Pasta) Salad

1 sm box (12 oz) rotini pasta
4 cups Italian salad dressing
3 large cucumbers
1 head of lettuce (iceberg or romaine)
2 cups grated carrots
1 cup grated red cabbage
2 lbs of grilled chicken breast, chopped
1 cup parmesan cheese
3 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half
2 cups diced red bell pepper
Black pepper & salt, to taste

Cook pasta according to package directions. Add other ingredients, mix well, and refrigerate until chilled.

Taco Dip (Microwave Recipe)

1 can Hormel No-Bean chilli
1 8 oz box Philadelphia cream cheese
6 stalks of green onion
1 package shredded Mexican blend cheese
1 sm can black olives

In a square glass baking dish, spread the package of cream cheese. Next, pour the can on chilli and spread. Spread the sliced olives on top of the chilli. Sprinkle with cheese blend. Dice the green onion and sprinkle on top of the cheese. Microwave on HIGH for 12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serve with tortillas.

Seafood Dip

1 package imitation crab/lobster
2 8 oz packages of cream cheese, softened
5 stalks of green onion
1 lemon
black pepper to taste
Hoffman House cocktail sauce

Chop the Crab/Lobster and green onion finely. Mix with the softened cream cheese. Slice the lemon in half and squeeze the juice into the mixture. Add the black pepper. Serve with Town House Crackers and cocktail sauce.

Succotash

1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
1 lb okra
1 cup chicken broth
salt, red pepper, & black pepper, to taste

Place all ingredients in a saucepan on a medium fire. Cover and cook 30 minutes. Uncover and cook 10 minutes or until tender. Remove and serve over rice.

(Simple, yes I know)

*Alternative: Can be cooked with ham hocks, smoked turkey, or smoked sausage. Prepare meat first and once meat is tender, add other ingredients.

Mexican Casserole

1 package (16 slices) American cheese
1 package flour tortillas
1 can pinto beans
1 can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies
1 lb ground beef/turkey
1 can cream of mushroom soup

Brown ground beef/turkey in saucepan. Drain. Add pinto beans, green chilies, and cream of mushroom soup. Cook 15 minutes over medium heat. In a baking dish, layer tortilas. Spoon ground beef/turkey mixture over the tortillas, top with slices of cheese. Repeat till you are near the top of the dish, where you will spread beef/turkey mixture, and cover with a layer of cheese. Bake on 375 degrees for 20 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly. Slice and serve.

Low Carb Mock Mashed Potatoes

2 10oz pkgs frozen cauliflower
1 tsp chicken boullion
1/4 tsp white pepper
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp heavy cream

Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook cauliflower in microwave or on stovetop until it is VERY done - fall-apart fork tender. Drain well and mix cauliflower with all other ingredients except cream with a mixer. Add cream slowly and mix again. Spray an ovenproof dish with cooking spray and put mixture in. Add pats of extra butter or margarine on top if you like an extra buttery potato, and a bit of paprika sprinkled on top adds nice color as well. Bake 15 - 20 minutes until hot.
Note: For all those who don't like cauliflower, it doesnt take like cauliflower if you make it right.
I promise.

And you can also make it with turnips.
Peel and dice turnips to very small squares and boil till extremely tender (just short of mush!). Use the method above, or skip the oven step if you want since they hold their shape better than cauliflower. For a REALLY good Mock Mashed Potato, add 2 oz Cream Cheese before adding to the mixer.

Broccoli Cheese Soup

2 cans chicken broth
2 bags frozen chopped broccoli
3/4 lb American or cheddar cheese, cut into cubes
salt and pepper

Bring broccoli and broth to boil, simmer 5 minutes, and add American Cheese cubes. Heat on low until cheese melts, add salt and pepper to taste. If soup is too thick, add heavy cream to thin to desired consistency.

Buffalo Wings

24 chicken wings
1/2 cup butter
Salt and pepper
1 cup Louisiana Brand hot sauce
Vegetable oil for frying
1 Tablespoon white vinegar
Blue Cheese Dressing

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and preheat oil. Fry wings in skillet. Transfer to a tray with paper towels and let drain. Season with salt and pepper. In a saucepan melt butter. Add hot sauce, salt, vinegar and pepper. Toss wings in sauce. Roast 15 to 20 minutes. Serve with blue cheese dressing.

Low Carb Smothered Pork Chops

1 Tablespoon arrowroot (or 1/2 Tablespoon not/Starch)
1 can (14 1/2 oz.) Beef Broth
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 Tablespoons butter
6 Pork Chops, 1/2" thick (center cut or boneless)
1 medium onion, sliced

Mix arrowroot (or not/Starch), broth and pepper. Melt butter in skillet and saute chops, cooking until browned. Remove chops and set aside. Lower skillet heat a bit and add onion (add extra butter if needed) and cook until tender-crisp. Add broth mixture. Cook until mixture boils and thickens, stirring. Return chops to skillet. Cover and cook over low heat 5 minuntes or until done.

Note: For a regular carb version, substitute corn starch or flour for arrowroot.

Hershey's Kisses Butter Cookies

2 sticks butter (softened)
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups of flour (sifted)

Cream butter and sugar really well with mixer (2 min. at least) then add vanilla and mix in. Gradually add flour while still mixing...roll into small balls. Place hershey kiss on each ball and with your fingers make sure dough covers chocolate or it will burn. BAke 8-10 min at 350.
Sprinkle w/powdered sugar when cool.
Great with tea (I like green, but works with earl grey or orange pekoe (regular lipton).

Pork Tenderloin

2 whole pork tenderloins (about 1.5 lbs)
2 small cans of mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup beef broth
1 tbs. flour
Brown whole pork tend in 1/2 stk butter or marg on both sides & remove..then saute celery, onion..and then add mushrooms. To that you add 1 tbls of flour & 1/2 cube beef bouillon & let come to boil & thicken...pour that over the tenderloin & bake covered for 1.5 hrs covered..it really is delicious w/mashed potatoes or even rice.

Mexican Rice

1 cup of White rice (not 1 minute rice)
About 1 tsp. of oil
1 clove of garlic or 1 tbsp garlic salt
black pepper
salt
2 cups of water/chicken broth or 1 cup of each
1 can of tomato sauce

In skillet brown rice in oil w/garlic clove til lightly brown then add 2 cups of water/broth, also add sauce and salt/pepper, taste broth/water once its all combined to see if you need additional seasoning. Bring it to a rapid boil then cover for about 20 mins. DONT stir rice, lightly fork rice to see if done.

Salsa

1 can of whole peeled tomatoes/drained
2-4 jalapenos cut up (depending how hot you want it)
1 medium onion cut in quarters
bunch of cilantro
1 garlic clove or garlic salt for taste

Blend ALL for about 1 minute, just to chop up, you dont want it to get soupy and serve w/tortilla chips.

Peanut Butter Cup Bars

1 stick + 2 tbs. of marg or butter melted
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup peanut butter (either smooth or crunchy)
12 oz semi sweet chips

Mix margarine/butter with the next 3 ingredients using mixer.
Press that mixture into greased 9x13 glass dish. Melt choc. chips in double boiler and pour over mixture and spread evenly. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours. Take out 1-2 hours before cutting to get nice, even bars.

Broccoli Salad

1 bunch of fresh broccoli (chopped small)
1 can of water chestnuts (chopped)
1 lb of cooked bacon
1 sm. red onion (chopped small)
1 cup raisins & sunflower seeds (optional)

DRESSING (whisk together well)
1 cup mayo
1/2 cup sugar
3 tbs. vinegar

Mix top 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Add dressing and mix together very well. Chill for 2 hours and serve.

Garlic Chicken with Tomatoes over Linguini

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp minced garlic
3 tbsp olive oil
2 (sm) cans or 1 (lg) can diced tomatoes
1 sm can sliced mushrooms (optional)
Grated parmesan cheese
1 box linguini

Saute garlic & onion in olive oil. Add diced tomatoes. Add mushrooms if you like and bring to slight boil. Lower heat and simmer for 10 min. In 9x13 pan lay boneless chicken breast on bottom...pour tomato mixture over chicken. Sprinkle w/fresh parmesan cheese & bake for 1 hour. Serve over cooked linguini & add more cheese. Serve w/salad & garlic bread.

Chocolate Eclair Cake

I got this recipe from a co-worker, thanks MCZ!

1 box graham crackers
2 sm. boxes of instant vanilla pudding
3 cups milk
8oz cool whip
1 can choc. frosting

In glass 9x13 pan...lay one layer of whole graham crackers. Set aside.

In bowl mix 2 boxes of vanilla pudding w/milk. Mix with hand mixer until thick, then add Cool Whip & mix well. Spread 1/2 of mixture onto graham crackers. Then add another layer of graham crackers, the rest of pudding mixture and another layer of graham crackers on top. Last thing, heat frosting in microwave just for about 20 sec. til able to pour it (or purchase pourable frosting, like my lazy pants does)...pour entire can of frosting on the top layer of graham crackers. Refrig. 3-4 hours or overnite. Serve well chilled.

Black Bean Salsa

2-3 cans black beans (rinsed)
1 bag frozen corn
2 chopped tomatoes
1 small red onion chopped fine
1 bunch cilantro chopped fine
2 fresh limes
2 tsp white vinegar

Mix all of above together....sqeeze fresh lime juice & vinegar on entire mixture. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Serve with tortilla chips.

Broccoli Slaw

Yes, I eat healthier foods as well. This is actually one of my favorite cold food recipies.

BROCCOLI SLAW

Ingredients:

2 pkgs of Broccoli Slaw
1 bunch of diced green Onions
1 cup of Sunflower seeds (the small greenish colored, unshelled ones)
1 cup of toasted slivered Almonds (chopped mixed nuts or dry roasted peanuts can be substituted or included)
2 pkgs of crumbled Chicken Ramon Soup Noodles
1 diced Red Pepper (green pepper can be substituted)

Dressing:
1 cup of Vegetable Oil
1/3 cup Cider Vinegar
1/2 cup Sugar
2 season packets from soup

Warm vinegar a little in the microwave before adding sugar so it will dissolve. Add season packets and oil. Stir.

Add dressing and noodles to salad about a half hour before serving. Be sure to stir the dressing before adding and once or twice while it's being served. I usually mix everything, except the dressing & the noodles, a day ahead. Makes a great dish to take to a picnic.

Baked Catfish Recipe 1

I love baked catfish, as well as catfish on the grill, so this is only one of the ways I make it.

1-2 lbs catfish fillets
2 tsps lemon juice
2 tsps worcestershire sauce
salt (if you use it, I dont) & pepper
Seafood breading (for fish)

Score(poke holes in the fillets with a knife-LOL) fillets and rub with juice, sauce, salt and pepper mixture. Coat with breading and place in greased pan. Bake 15 minutes at 450 degrees to brown the breading, then reduce heat to 350 and bake for 30-40 minutes more.