Preacher's Cake

I adapted the cake from here

1 1/2 c sugar


2 c all-purpose flour 2 eggs
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 c nuts - walnuts or any that you prefer
3/4 c raisins
3/4 c coconut
1 can(s) 20 ounces crushed pineapple - undrained (i use pineapple in it's own juice)

FROSTING

1 pkg 8 ounce cream cheese - softened
1 3/4 c powdered sugar
1/4 c butter or margarine
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c nuts - walnuts or any that you prefer
2 tsp vanilla

CAKE:  Combine dry ingredients; add remaining ingredients
Bake in a 9 x 13 prepared pan at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes - depending on variables. Do not over bake or it will be rubbery, but still delicious :)

FROSTING: Mix well and spread on cake in pan while warm

* If you would like to save calories, instead of using the frosting, just sprinkle  top of cake with a bit of powdered sugar and enjoy!

NOTE:  * There is NO milk, butter, or oil in the cake.

Margie's Money Saver - Green Peppers

photo 2

I think I learned from Mrs. Mac that you could freeze green peppers.  You might already know this wonderful tidbit of information... but it never occurred to me.  But I'd like to share with you this wonderful money saver - thrifty living tip!

photo 1

Often when I cut a green pepper for veggies and dip there are some 'not so attractive' parts.  See photo 1.  or sometimes a green pepper does not get eaten in time so before it goes bad (and sometimes I have to cut out yucky spots) I cut it up and throw it in the freezer. There is always a bag going (see photo 2).

I use it for Messy Margie's (aka sloppy joes), stuffed pepper soup, chili, or whatever calls for green pepper that will be cooked down!

Waste not want not!

FYI - I also keep a bag with the taco meat we can't finish (there is usually only two of us), and there is usually a bag of strawberries or blueberries going as well that we save for smoothies!  OH and don't forget you can freeze bananas skin and all and when you've got some saved up make banana bread!  YUM!

Bread Machine Garlic Bread

I got the recipe from here.  I adapted... NOTHING!  It's so good!

1 cup warm water (70° to 80°)

1 tablespoon butter, melted

1 tablespoon nonfat dry milk powder

1 tablespoon sugar

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

4-1/2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes

2 teaspoons garlic powder

3 cups bread flour

2 teaspoons active dry yeast

Directions

In bread machine pan, place all ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer. Select basic bread setting. Choose crust color and loaf size if available.

Bake according to bread machine directions (check the dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed). 

Yield: 1 loaf, 16 slices (about 1-1/2 pounds).

Nutritional Analysis:One slice (prepared with margarine) equals 108 calories, 1 g fat (0 saturated fat), trace cholesterol, 229 mg sodium, 21 g carbohydrate, 0 fiber, 4 g protein.

Messy Margie's (my version of sloppy joe's)

Please note... all recipes are a guide.  I often follow this one 'kinda' close, however, sometimes I eyeball it.  I also almost always cook them for an hour (or more) on low in crockpot but I doubt that's necessary, it's just what I do because I'm usually taking them somewhere, but I would recommend you let them simmer for at least a good half hour to meld (is that really a word?) the flavors

For a crowd (Makes 24ish)

3 pounds lean ground turkey

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

3/4 cup chopped onion

3/4 cup finely chopped green or red bell pepper

2 1/2 cups ketchup

1/4 cup tomato paste

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons vinegar

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons dry mustard

1 teaspoon salt or to taste

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Add water if needed (I usually don’t)

24 buns of your choice

Directions

Heat a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat and add ground meat. Brown meat until it is cooked thoroughly. Carefully drain and discard fat. Transfer meat to a bowl.

To same pan, heat oil on medium heat; and add onions and peppers and cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently. When vegetables are tender, return meat to pan and add remaining ingredients. Stir frequently to cover meat with sauce. Reduce heat to low and cook for 20 to 30 minutes or until mixture thickens slightly.

For a few (Makes 8ish)

1 pound lean ground turkey

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup finely chopped green or red bell pepper

3/4 cup and 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon ketchup

1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon tomato paste

1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon brown sugar

2 teaspoons vinegar

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons dry mustard

1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Add water if needed (I usually don’t)

8 buns of your choice

Heat a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat and add ground meat. Brown meat until it is cooked thoroughly. Carefully drain and discard fat. Transfer meat to a bowl.

To same pan, heat oil on medium heat; and add onions and peppers and cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently. When vegetables are tender, return meat to pan and add remaining ingredients. Stir frequently to cover meat with sauce. Reduce heat to low and cook for 20 to 30 minutes or until mixture thickens slightly.

WHITE CHICKEN CHILI

I adapted this recipe from one of my Scarf Sisters.  Here is the original link.


4 Chicken Breasts, cooked and chopped or
1 Rotissiere Chicken, deboned, skinned and chopped
2 Med Onions, chopped
1 TBL Oil
4 Cloves, Garlic, minced
4 oz. Chopped green Chiles
2 tsp. Ground Cumin
1 1/2 tsp. Oregano or Italian Seasoning
2 (16 oz each) Great Northern Beans, drain and rinse
2 cans Chicken Broth
2 Cups Shredded Cheddar or Monterey jack Cheese.

Saute onions in oil until transluscent, add garlic, chiles and spices, cook additional 5 minutes. In Crockpot place onion-spice mixure, chicken, broth & beans, cook on low *5 hours. 10 minutes before serving, stir in  cheese  and stir thoroughly. Ladle up servings topped with additional cheese and sprinkle with crushed tortilla chips or serve with warm bread!

Baked Potato Salad

3 - 5 lb bag of redskin potatoes, cut up, and cooked (not too mushy)
1 bag of bacon bits (I get them at Aldi - they are called Real Bacon bits or something)
2 handfuls of cheese (you can determine how big your handfuls are)
5-6 green onions cut up
equal parts of sour cream and mayonaise
~2 T of dried parsley
salt and pepper

Cook potatoes.  drain.  while still warm... add bacon bits and onions.  doing this warm releases the oils in these foods and makes it in all the potatoes.

Once cooled...  mix in cheese.  Remember to be kind of gentle - potatoes are delicate

Mix together mayo & sour cream, parsley, and salt and pepper.

Mix into potato mixture

ENJOY!

Sorry this is kind of 'this and that' but that's how I cook!

Ham, Broccoli, Rice Casserole

Great leftover casserole.  Found it and adapted it...

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
1 cup cooked rice
1 cup cubed fully cooked ham
1 8oz pkg cream cheese
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted


Directions
In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Transfer to a greased 1-1/2-qt. baking dish. Toss bread crumbs and butter; sprinkle over the top. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes or until heated through.