French Dip Sandwiches

This was a SUPER easy recipe I got from my mom...good leftover too!

French Dip Sandwiches

1 eye of round roast
2 cans beef broth (I used Campbells)
1 can chicken broth (I used Campbells)
Seasonings to taste
Crock Pot (I cooked it with a liner in my crock pot...love those....no clean up!)

Wash off roast. Put in crock pot. Season well with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder (really whatever you like to season meat with).

Pour cans of broth over meat. Cover and cook in crock pot on low for 6-8 hours.

Slice roast thin with electric knife. Serve sliced meat on toasted rolls, with provolone cheese, a little mayo, and juice from the crock pot to dip the sandwich in.

Amish Friendship Bread

Several of us have been making this lately, so I thought it would be nice to have the recipe easily accessible. I have included variations that I have made at the end of the recipe...the chocolate and the strawberry were both really good.

Amish Friendship Bread
Rules:
Do not refrigerate
Do not use a metal bowl
If air gets in the bag, let it out.
It is normal for the batter to rise, bubble, and ferment

Schedule:
Day 1 - receive the starter (the recipe for the starter is below)
Day 2 – mash the bag
Day 3 – mash the bag
Day 4 – mash the bag
Day 5 - Add 1 cup each flour, sugar and milk.
Day 6 – mash the bag
Day 7 – mash the bag
Day 8 – mash the bag
Day 9 – mash the bag
Day 10 - Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Divide into 4 zyploc bags, with 1 cup each for three of your friends and 1 cup for yourself. Give friends the instructions for Day 1 through Day 10 and the following recipe for baking the bread.

Recipe:
After removing the 4 cups of batter, combine the remaining cup of Amish Friendship Bread starter with the following ingredients in a large bowl:
1 cup oil
3 eggs
½ cup milk
½ tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 large box of vanilla instant pudding

Using a fork or spoon to beat by hand until well blended. You can add 1 cup raisins and 1 cup nuts (optional). Grease two loaf pans. (It is also good if you sprinkle the greased loaf pans with a cinnamon/sugar mixture (3T sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon) before baking.)

Bake at 325 degrees F for 45 minutes to 1 hour (individual oven temperatures vary). Cool 10 minutes, remove from pans. Makes two loaves of Amish Friendship Bread.

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Chocolate Amish Friendship Bread

Recipe:
After removing the 4 cups of batter, combine the remaining cup of Amish Friendship Bread starter with the following ingredients in a large bowl:
1 cup oil
3 eggs
½ cup milk
½ tsp. vanilla
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 small box chocolate instant pudding
1 T cocoa
1/2-1 cup milk chocolate chips

Using a fork or spoon to beat by hand until well blended. Grease two loaf pans.
Bake at 325 degrees F for 45 minutes to 1 hour (individual oven temperatures vary). Cool 10 minutes (VERY IMPORTANT TO LET THIS COOL IN PAN AT LEAST 10-15 MINUTES OR IT WILL STICK!), remove from pans. Makes two loaves of Chocolate Amish Friendship Bread.

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Strawberry Amish Friendship Bread


Recipe:
After removing the 4 cups of batter, combine the remaining cup of Amish Friendship Bread starter with the following ingredients in a large bowl:
1 cup oil
3 eggs
1 cup milk
½ tsp. vanilla
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 small box strawberry jello
at least 1 cup sliced strawberries, fresh or frozen (I used a little more)

Using a fork or spoon to beat by hand until well blended. Grease two loaf pans.
Bake at 325 degrees F for 45 minutes to 1 hour (individual oven temperatures vary). Cool 10 minutes (VERY IMPORTANT TO LET THIS COOL IN PAN AT LEAST 10-15 MINUTES OR IT WILL STICK!), remove from pans. Makes two loaves of Strawberry Amish Friendship Bread.

Need Lunch Ideas

I am looking for some new lunch ideas.

Here are a few websites I found that may be helpful to those tired of the same-ole same-ole

bentolunch.blogspot.com

tothemoonandback143.blogspot.com

michellesjournalcorner.blogspot.com

Sweet Grilled Chicken Waldorf Salad

I found this chicken marinade recipe on recipezaar and I thought it went well with this easy waldorf type salad. The flavor combination was really good; I wanted to post so I could recreate it. It's a keeper!

Chicken Marinade (this makes a sweet flavorful chicken)

1/4 C apple cider vinegar

3 TBS ground mustard

3 cloves minced garlic

1 lime, juiced

1 lemon, juiced

1/2 C brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp salt (I use sea salt)

6 TBS olive oil

ground black pepper

4-6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

1. In a large bowl whisk together ingredients beginning w/ cider vinegar through salt.

2. Then whisk in olive oil & pepper.

3. Place chicken in the mixture--cover & marinate in fridge for a few hours

4. Remove chicken from marinade & grill it up--while it cools, make your salad & then chop up chicken to add to salad.

Waldorf Salad

bag of salad, whatever kind you prefer

2-3 apples cored & cut into bite size chunks

chopped pecans

craisins or mixed dried fruit

crumbled Feta cheese

Raspberry Vinaigrette (Kraft makes one that is Light and really good!)

For the salad, just toss all of the ingredients together in the bowl adjusting amounts to your preference. I like lots of pecans & dried fruit in mine. This is a great summer salad; it's really sweet but the feta cheese helps balance that and also the lemons & limes you use in the chicken marinade.

Enjoy!

Grilled Vegetables

This goes great with the Marinated Beef Kabobs recipe!

Whatever combo of veggies you choose.

I used:

strips of red, yellow, & orange pepper

asparagus, cut into 2" lengths

zucchini, sliced diagonally about 1/3" thick

red onion chunks

portobello mushrooms, cut in 1" cubes

Marinade: (enough for about 8-10 cups of veggies)

1 T Worcestershire sauce

3 T balsamic vinegar

1/8 cup olive oil

1/4 cup Zesty Italian dressing

1 T fresh minced rosemary

1 T fresh minced thyme

1 t dried basil (i didn't have fresh)

salt & pepper to taste (a little salt & a lot of pepper)

Put veggies and marinade in ziploc bag. Marinate 2-3 hours.

When ready to cook veggies, preheat grill pan about 5 minutes (i use a grill pan that looks like a skillet but has holes). Grill should be medium-high heat. Pour drained vegetables in pan and cook for 10-15 minutes, turning often, until veggies are starting to soften and barely starting to brown.

Marinated Beef Kabobs

this recipe is courtesy of KaylnsKitchen.com (an awesome website that I visit several times a week!!)

3-4 lbs petite sirloin or other lean cut of beef

Marinade:

1/4 cup red wine or beef stock

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1/8 cup Worcestershire sauce

1/2 cup olive oil

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp. steak seasoning (any brand)

2 tsp. Penzey's Bay Leaf Seasoning (contains powdered bay leaf, garlic, rosemary, thyme, basil, black pepper, onion, and oregano) i didn't have this but just sprinkled in some of the listed ingredients instead

Cut meat into same size pieces slightly less than 2" square. Put meat and marinade into ziploc bag and marinate 6 hours, or longer if you are using a tougher cut of meat.

When ready to cook, preheat grill to medium-high. Put meat tightly on skewer so they don't "spin" when you put them on the grill. Grill kabobs about 15 minutes for medium, turning often and basting with the leftover marinade if desired.

Stuffed Portobello Mushroom

This was a great side dish for the grilled steaks we had this weekend. Easy and yummy!

Portobello Mushroom caps (large size ones)
Baby spinach
Grated mozzarella cheese
Season salt to taste

Take Mushroom cap and lay several pieces of baby spinach on the the underside of it (where the stem would be attached). Use enough to make a good layer with spinach leaves overlapping.

Cover the spinach layer with grated mozzarella cheese (use a lot).

Sprinkle cheese with seasoned salt (I used my new Taste of Home Seasoned Salt)

Bake on a cookie sheet at 350 for about 20 minutes.

Country Green Beans

I hardly ever make fresh green beans since my kids prefer to eat a can of Del Monte, but Kroger had them on sale this week and this recipe for them was a hit! Everyone ate them (and Scott ate seconds and thirds)!

Country Green Beans

1 to 1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and snapped
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped ham
1/4 cup butter
1/2-1 cup water (enough to just cover the beans)
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp salt (although I think I might leave this out next time since the ham adds that salty flavor)
1/4 tsp pepper

Simmer on medium heat approx 20 minutes or until beans are tender.

Taco Soup

I just made this for us to have for dinner tonight. I've made it a couple of times and it is super easy and delicious.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lb ground beef
1 medium onion chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
1.25oz taco seasoning
2 15oz. cans diced tomatoes with juice
1 15oz. can kidney beans drained
1 15oz. can pinto beans drained
1 15oz. can black beans drained
1 15oz. can whole kernel corn drained
1 15oz. can chicken broth

Brown meat, onion and garlic. Drain if needed. Stir in everything else. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes uncovered.

I like to add a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, but it makes it pretty spicy. You could also add green chiles or use rotel for your diced tomatoes. Bake some jiffy cornbread and you have yourself a meal.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!!!!
Amy

Snickerdoodles

I have this recipe out (I am making cookies right now for preschool program night tomorrow) so I decided to post it. Snickerdoodles are one of the only kinds of cookies Sam will even think about eating, so naturally, they get made fairly frequently around our house.

Snickerdoodles (my mom's recipe)

1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
2 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

2 TBSP. sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Beat sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs. Mix well. Add flour, cream of tartar, salt, and soda. Mix until well blended.

In small bowl combin 2 T. sugar with cinnamon.

Make tsp size cookies in ball. Roll in cinnamon/sugar mixture. Place on cookie sheet.

Bake at 400 for approx 8-9 minutes.

Makes about 4 dozen (although I usually make my cookies a little larger than that so then less than that!)

Can't Miss Fish

Another Paula Deen Recipe...this time for fish. It calls for Red Snapper, but we like it on any mild white fish.

4 (8 oz) red snapper fillets (approx 1/2 inch thick)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
1 cup chopped onions
1 chopped green pepper
1/2 cup butter
1 cup fresh grated parmesan

Season fish with salt & pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Spread onions and peppers in a 9x13 pan and place fish on top. Dot fish with butter. Bake in 350 degree oven for 8 minutes then baste with pan juices. Cook for 8 more minutes, baste again. Bake for final 8 minutes. Cover fish with parmesan cheese and place under broiler until cheese browns. To serve, spoon vegetables over fish.

(Change/variate cooking times based on thickness of the fish you select)

Baked Spaghetti

This is a really basic, but very good, baked spaghetti recipe. It is from the The Lady & Sons, Too cookbook by Paula Deen. Enjoy!

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Paula Deen Baked Spaghetti

2 cups canned diced tomatoes
2 cups tomato sauce
1 cup water
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 1/2 teaspoons House Seasoning, recipe follows
1 1/2 teaspoons seasoning salt
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
2 small bay leaves
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
8 ounces uncooked angel hair pasta
1 cup grated cheddar
1 cup grated Monterey Jack

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a stockpot, combine the tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, onions, peppers, garlic, parsley, seasoning mixtures, sugar, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil over high heat, and then reduce the heat and let simmer, covered, for 1 hour.

Crumble the ground beef in a large skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until fully cooked, with no pink color remaining. Drain the fat from the meat, and then add the ground beef to the stockpot. Simmer for 20 more minutes.

Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Cover the bottom of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan with sauce. Add a layer of pasta and then a little less than 1/2 of each cheese; repeat the layers, ending with the sauce.

Bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Top the casserole with the remaining cheese, return it to the oven, and continue to cook until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 5 more minutes. Cut into squares before serving.

House Seasoning:

1 cup salt

1/4 cup black pepper

1/4 cup garlic powder

Cream of Mushroom Soup

This soup is really really good, although rich and not super good for you! I found it in The Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook.
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Cream of Mushroom Soup

3 (8 oz) pkgs sliced fresh mushrooms
1 med onion, finely chopped
3 T. butter, melted
1/2 cup all purpose flour
2 (14 oz) canned ready-to-serve chicken broth
3 cups whipping cream
1/4 cup dry white wine (or you can add more chicken broth to substitute)
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dried tarragon
1 tsp. worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp. fresh ground pepper

Coarsely chop mushrooms, if desired. Saute mushrooms and onion in butter in large dutch oven over medium heat about 10 minutes or until tender. Add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook 1 minute, stir constantly.

Stir in broth and remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-high. Cook 20 minutes or until thickened. Stir often!

Guacamole Sauce (for Fish Tacos, etc.)

All of Kevin's talk about Brandon's yummy fish tacos this weekend made me want to make some for us. This is a great sauce to add to your tortilla on a fish taco. We had extra so I put some on my turkey sandwich today at lunch and it was good for that too! Enjoy!

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Guacamole Sauce

3 small to medium ripe Haas avocados, pitted and scooped from skins with a large spoon
1 lemon, juiced
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, eyeball it
1 cup plain yogurt
1 teaspoon coarse salt, eyeball it

Blend together all ingredients in food processor or blender.