Festive Ham and Cheese Spread
(Taste of Home Dec/Jan 97)
2 (8 oz. each) pkg. cream cheese, softened
2 T. dry onion soup mix
1 c. chopped fully cooked ham (I generally just buy the can of Hormel chunk ham that looks like a tuna can)
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
¼ c. chopped fresh parsley (optional)
In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sour cream, and soup mix until smooth. Stir in ham and cheese. Form into a ball (I usually just put it into a dish). Sprinkle parsley on top. Refrigerate. I like to serve it with Triscuits or whole wheat crackers and grapes. It also makes an excellent sandwich spread.
Freezer Breakfast Burritos
(Maddymoo)
Here is a great recipe to make in bulk and keep in your freezer. This recipe makes 24 breakfast burritos that you can freeze and use as a quick and easy breakfast. ( I only get 12 out of it and I use whole wheat low carb tortillas now)
12 to 16 eggs, beaten
1 lb. ground sausage, cooked ( I use Jimmy Dean light)
1/2 c. chunky salsa
2 c. cheddar cheese (or Monterey Jack), shredded
24 large flour tortillas (I use 12 burrito size)
Extras: (These ingredients are optional--I use green peppers, onions, green chilies).
1 green pepper, finely diced
6 potatoes, shredded and fried
jalapeno, sliced or diced
1 can chopped green chilies
1-2 clove garlic, finely minced
1 onion, finely diced
1 tomato, peeled and chopped
2 green onions, sliced with tops
Scramble eggs in large skillet until cooked. Stir in cooked sausage. Add any of the extras you choose. Save the salsa and shredded cheese. Wrap the Tortillas in a damp paper towel and warm in the microwave until they are warm (about 1 minute). Place 1/2 cup of scrambled egg mixture into a tortilla. Then add a little of the shredded cheese and a spoonful of the salsa. Then roll burrito-style.
To Freeze:
Wrap each burrito in foil and freeze in single layer on a cookie sheet. When fully frozen transfer wrapped burritos to large zip-top freezer bags and freeze.
To Serve:
Remove foil and wrap in a paper towel. Cook for about 2 minutes in the microwave. Cook times may vary depending on how much power your microwave has.
You can vary the additions to this recipe. Add onions or frozen hash brown potatoes, omit the salsa, try using different types of cheese or flavored tortillas. The possibilities are endless!
Fudgy Oatmeal Bars
(my mom got this from an old newspaper clipping)
These are like oatmeal chocolate chip cookies with a hot fudge layer. Yummy!
Dough:
2 c. packed brown sugar
2 sticks margarine, softened
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
2 ½ c. all purpose flour
1 t. baking soda
½ t. salt
3 c. oats (quick cooking or regular)
In large mixing bowl, cream together sugar and margarine. Add eggs, beat well. Gradually add in remaining dough ingredients. Blend well. Press 2/3 of batter into an ungreased cookie sheet.
Filling:
12 oz. pkg. semisweet chocolate chips
14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
2 T. margarine
1 c. chopped walnuts
1 t. vanilla
½ t. salt
In large saucepan, combine chocolate chips, margarine, and milk. Cook until thickened and smooth, stirring constantly. Add walnuts, vanilla, and salt. Pour filling over dough layer in pan. Use rest of dough to sprinkle over chocolate layer. It will not cover the whole thing. Just try to space it evenly. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. Cool. Cut into bars.
Fiesta Rice Casserole
(Taste of Home)
1 lb. ground beef
1 onion, diced
1/4 c. or 1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
1 1/4 c. water
1 t. ground cumin
1 t. salt
14 1/2 oz. can stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 can whole kernel corn
1 1/2 c. minute rice, uncooked
2 c. monterey jack cheese, shredded
Cook and drain ground beef and onion. Add corn, tomatoes, water, and spices. Bring to boil. Add rice. Simmer 5 minutes or until rice is done. Top with cheese and heat until cheese is melted.
French Onion Pork Chop Casserole (salsarose)
6 Pork Loin Chops (3/4 inch thick)
1 T. vegetable oil (I use olive oil)
1 10 3/4 oz. can cream of mushroom soup (I use light soup)
1/2 c. milk (I use 2 % milk)
1/2 c. sour cream (I use light sour cream)
1/2 t. seasoned salt
1/4 t. black pepper
24 oz. frozen hash brown potatoes
1 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 can (2.8 oz) French-fried onions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In 12 inch skillet brown chops in hot oil. Remove chops; set aside.
In same skillet combine soup, milk, sour cream, seasoned salt and pepper.
Stir in potatoes, 1/2 cup of the cheese and half (3/4 cup) of the fried
onions. Pour mixture into a 3 quart rectangular baking dish. Arrange
browned chops on top. Bake, covered, for 40 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with the remaining cheese and fried onions. Bake for 5 minutes more or until cheese is melted.
Yield: 6 servings.