Anyone who knows me, or has been in my kitchen, knows I love Pampered Chef. This is one of the recipes out of the Season’s best catalogs. I made these for a party. I have been told that this is the BEST Peanut butter cookie recipe ever, but you need a cookie press. Buy one, they are a good investment—Call Wanda, she’ll get you one.Easy Peanut Butter Cookies (And they are Jay approved!)

Easy Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup peanut butter (Creamy)

Preheat oven 350.

By Hand: Mix sugar and egg until creamy. Add peanut butter, do not overmix.

Put in cookie press, and put them on stone cookie sheet. Bake 12-14 minutes.

Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheet. Remove to cooling rack.

This is one of my favorite casseroles, and it can be made the day before, though it takes an hour to cook if it's cold, if you have someone to put it in the oven an hour before dinner time, it's perfect. OR have all the stuff measured out (and burger cooked ahead), and dump in when you get home. It's really yummy!

Cheeseburger Casserole

2 cups cooked macaroni noodles
8-oz cheddar cheese shredded
1 lb. hamburger (brown)
1 Can of French onion chips
1 Can of cream of mushroom soup
1 Can of tomato soup


Combine cooked macaroni, hamburger, mushroom and tomato soup.
Layer 1/2 batter, 1/2 cheese, 1/2 French onion chips.
Pour rest of batter.
Top with rest of cheese.

Bake @ 350 for 30 minutes (if cold then 60 minutes)
When fully cooked add the rest of the French onion chips, bake for 5 additional minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving

This is a Pampered Chef recipe, it ended up being one of Phyllis's favorites, great for brunch, a sleepover. Anytime. I always kept the ingredients on hand because you never know when a kid would spent the night. Simple. And Yummy!

Phyllis’s Favorite Cinnamon Rolls

1 can (8oz) Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
2 T butter or margarine, softened
2 T sugar
½ t ground cinnamon
2 T raisins (optional)
¾ c powdered sugar
2-3 t milk

Preheat oven to 350. Unroll crescent roll dough into one large rectangle. Pinch seams of crescent rolls.

Mix sugar, cinnamon, and butter. Spread over crescent roll dough.

Top with raisins. Starting at longer side (width) roll the dough, seal edges.

Cut into 8 slices. Bake in preheated oven 20-25 minutes. Cool slightly.
Glaze: Mix milk and powdered sugar until smooth. Drizzle over warm cinnamon rolls.

Cornflake Chicken

7 cups of Cornflakes cereal, crushed to 1 3/4 cups

1 egg

1 cup milk

1 cup all purpose flour

½ teaspoons salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

3 pounds of chicken

3 Tablespoons margarine or butter, melted

Preheat over to 350 degrees.

Place crushed corn flakes in shallow dish or pan. Set aside.

In a small mixing bowl, beat egg and milk slightly. Add flour, salt, pepper. Mix until smooth. Dip chicken in batter. Coat with crushed cereal. Place in single layer, skin side up in a foil-lined shallow baking pan. Drizzle with melted margarine.

Bake about 1 hour if chicken parts (breasts, legs, thighs, wings), if boneless skinless breasts, bake 30-35 minutes.

In a million years if you told me I would eat cornflakes on chicken, I would have told you that you were nuts (I don’t even eat cereal with milk for breakfast). Aunt Shell and her family invited Phyllis and I over for dinner, that’s what we were having, Cornflake chicken, Poppa Don was making it. It was awesome! Phyllis to this day loves it, I love it, and I cannot make it without thinking of him, and all the love he had for us.

In honor of holiday dinners everywhere... and my Gram...

Gramma Marge's Orange Jello Salad

1 small pkg of orange jello
1 small pkg of lemon jello
1 tsp of Knox gelatin
2 Cups boiling water
1 8 oz can crushed pineapple
1 can mandarin oranges, drained

Combine jellos and gelatin with boiling water.
Stir 2 minutes.
Add Oranges and pineapple (with juice), and add softened orange sherbet.
Chill for 4-6 hours

S'ghetti Mush

This is a different variation of spaghetti. My g-friend's mom got sick of plian ole spaghetti because that's was her brother's staple food...so she came up with this...

1 Jar of spaghetti sauce
1 pound of ground beef (I use turkey)
1 pkg of egg noodles
1 cup of cheddar cheese

Cook Egg noodles as directed. Drain.

Brown meat, add spaghetti sauce, cook through. Add cheddar cheese. Add noodles. Mix.

Serve.

Yum!

Apple Pie Bars

Filling
4 cups (1 1/2 pounds) thinly sliced, peeled tart cooking apples (I use Macintosh)
1 6 oz can apple juice
1 t ground cinnamon
1/2 t ground nutmeg
1 T cornstarch
1/2 c sugar

Crust
3 cups all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 t baking powder
1 cup butter, softened
2 slightly beaten eggs

Preheat oven 375

For filling:
In a large saucepan combine apples, apple juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook over medium heat until boiling, stirring occasionally. Combine cornstarch and the ½ cup of sugar. Cook until thick and bubbly, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, cool slightly.

For Crust:
In a large mixing bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Add margarine and eggs. Mix on low speed until the mixture is blended and crumbly. Press 2/3 (3 1/2 cups) into greased 15 x 10 x 1 inch pan.

Spread apple mixture evenly over crust. Sprinkle remaining crumbs over apples.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool. Cut into bars. Makes 48

I decided that I will start sharing my Christmas cookie recipes. Some are cookies I only make at Christmas time, some are tried and true cookie recipes like choc chip, or peanut butter... Here is my Choc Chip cookie recipe. Enjoy!!

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks, 1/2 pound) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated [white] sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups (12-ounce package) NESTLE TOLL HOUSE Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 cup chopped nuts

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl.

Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in large mixer bowl. Add eggs one at a time (yeah right, who does this except in cheesecake!!), beating well after each addition; gradually beat in flour mixture.

Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE in preheated 375* oven for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Just in time for Thanksgiving! I don't even like Sweet Potatoes and I loved these!!

Sweet Potatoes

6 med sweet potatoes (or 3 large)
¼ c water
½ t salt
½ c light brown sugar
¼ c chopped pecans
¼ c butter
mini marshmallows

Cook potatoes, peel after cooked/cooled. Slice and place in baking dish.

Preheat oven to 350*

Combine butter, salt, sugar, and water. Stir over low heat until butter melts & sugar is dissolved. Boil uncovered. Pour over sweet potatoes and cover with butter mixture. Top with mini marshallows.

Bake 15-20 minutes until bubbly

Scalloped Broccoli

2-10 oz pkg chopped broccoli
1/2 lb Velveeta
1 sleeve ritz crackers (crushed)
1 stick of butter, divided in two

Cook broccoli, drain well. Mix in 1/2 stick of butter and Velveeta. Place in buttered casserole dish. Mix crackers with remaining 1/2 stick of butter and sprinkle on top of broccoli mixture. Bake at 350 for about 15-20 minutes until bubbly.

Peanut Butter Bars

2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup butter, melted
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar

In a medium bowl, stir together graham cracker crumbs, confectioners' sugar, peanut butter and melted butter. Press firmly into the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan. Melt chocolate chips over a double boiler or in the microwave, stirring occasionally. Spread melted chocolate over the crumb crust. Chill for about 5 minutes, then cut into bars before the chocolate is completely set, then chill until ready to serve.

I always make this for Michelle (my boss) for her birthday. It's so yummy, so easy, and so good!!






Death by Chocolate!!

1 (19.8 ounce) package brownie mix
2 (3.9 ounce) packages instant chocolate pudding mix
1 (16 ounce) package frozen whipped topping, thawed
3 (1.4 ounce) bars chocolate covered English toffee or Reese's Cups

DIRECTIONS

Prepare brownies according to package directions. Let cool.
Mix pudding according to package directions.
In a glass punch bowl, layer in the following order: 1/2 of the brownie, crumbled; 1/2 of the pudding; 1 toffee bar, crushed; 1/2 of the whipped topping.
Repeat layers in the same order. Save the last toffee bar to crumble and sprinkle on top before serving.

Refrigerate. Best if made the day before you serve it.

Sloppy joes...

I just had to laugh, I was on All Recipes.com and i get a lot of recipes from there really good, and some... well...

But I am making Sloppy Joes, and so I decided to go on the web page and look up recipes... I laughed... I love to cook... but... measure out a ton of ingredients or dump in a can.

Dump in the can.

1 lb meat (ground beef or turkey)
1 can sloppy joe mix.

Dinner is done.

AMEN

Cheesecake Brownies

1 (19.8 ounce) package brownie mix
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 egg
1/3 cup white sugar


DIRECTIONS
1. Prepare the brownie mix as directed by manufacturer. Preheat oven to temperature indicated on box. Grease a 9x13 inch pan.
2. Spread the brownie batter evenly into the prepared pan. Using an electric mixer, beat together the cream cheese, egg and sugar until smooth. Dollop the cream cheese mixture on top of the brownie batter. Swirl together using a knife or skewer.
3. Bake according to manufacturer's instructions. Brownies will be done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in the pan, then cut into bars and serve.

I got this recipe from Kraftfoods.com, I always made Dirt cups instead of cupcakes for Phyllis for birthdays... This recipe is a take off of that. I have put in Kraft's picture and mine... can you guess who's is who's??

Ghosts in the Graveyard

15 OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, crushed.
3 cups cold milk
2 pkg. (4-serving size each) JELL-O Chocolate Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
1 tub (12 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
Assorted Decorations

POUR milk into large bowl. Add dry pudding mixes. Beat with wire whisk 2 min. or until well blended. Let stand 5 min. Gently stir in 3 cups of the whipped topping and half of the cookie crumbs. Spread evenly into 13x9-inch baking dish; sprinkle with the remaining cookie crumbs.

REFRIGERATE at least 1 hour. Meanwhile, decorate creme sandwich cookies with decorating gel to resemble tombstones. Set aside until ready to use.

INSERT decorated cookies into top of dessert just before serving. Add candies. Drop large spoonfuls of the remaining whipped topping onto dessert to resemble ghosts. Cover and store leftover dessert in refrigerator

I got this recipe from Tom aka Bruiser from work (it's his mom's recipe), since I make like 14 different kinds of cookies for Christmas, he & Jason (another guy from work) asked if I would make these. They are also known as 'Buckeyes' but in UofM or MSU territory, you never say anything resembling "oh how I hate Ohio State"...

1 lb peanut butter (that's 16 oz)
1 1/4 stick of butter
1 lb Powder sugar (16 oz)
1/2 bag of semi-sweet choc chips

Melt together peanut butter and butter. Add sugar, mix well.

Make into small balls (about 1"). Put on cookie sheet in freezer for 30 minutes.

Melt choc chips. Dip balls with tooth picks to cover 3/4 of ball.

Place on wax paper or parchment paper until set (I usually stick them in the fridge).

Keep them in the fridge until you are ready to serve.

This is a great meal if you are having a group of people over. Put it together and just pop it in the oven.


Spaghetti Casserole

1 – 1 ½ pounds ground beef (I use ground turkey OR you can replace with zucchini or spinach or mushrooms)
1 jar spaghetti sauce
¾ box macaroni, shell, or mostacolli noodles
1 can Durkee onion rings
8 oz mozzarella cheese


Preheat oven 375*

Brown ground beef, drain fat. Add spaghetti sauce.

Cook noodles.

After noodles are cooked, add to meat/sauce mixture.

Put half mixture into casserole dish

Spread half can of durkee onion on top of mixture

Sprinkle half of the cheese on top of mixture

Repeat layers.

Bake until cheese melts and onions get brown (15-20 minutes)

Artichoke Dip

1 cup thawed, chopped frozen spinach

1 can artichoke hearts

8 ounces cream cheese

1/4 cup sour cream

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/3 cup grated Parmesan

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Heat cream cheese in microwave for 1 minute or until hot and soft. Stir in rest of ingredients and serve hot.

I know some of you have seen this recipe before... but I wanted to put it on here... it's so yummy and easy!!

I got the recipe from Rachel Ray 30 minute meals... I have updated the recipe with my adaptations...

Shephard's Pie

1 lb potatoes, such as russet, peeled and cubed
3 T sour cream
3 T butterSalt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive
1 pound ground turkey
1 onion, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup beef stock or broth
2 teaspoons Worcestershire
~1 cup frozen mixed veggies (usually I pull them out when I am cooking so they thaw a little)

Boil potatoes in salted water until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain potatoes and pour them into a bowl. Add the butter & sour cream mixture into potatoes and mash until potatoes are almost smooth.While potatoes boil, preheat a large skillet over medium high heat.

Add oil to hot pan with turkey or beef. Season meat with salt and pepper. Brown and crumble meat for 3 or 4 minutes. Drain if necessary. Add chopped onion to the meat. Add mixed veggies with meat 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

In a second small skillet over medium heat cook butter and flour together 2 minutes. Whisk in broth and Worcestershire sauce. Thicken gravy 1 minute. Add gravy to meat and vegetables. Preheat broiler to high.

Fill a small rectangular casserole with meat and vegetable mixture. Spoon potatoes over meat evenly. Broil 6 to 8 inches from the heat until potatoes are evenly browned.

Sorry for the picture, but I thought it was hilarious!!


I believe this is a Paula Dean Recipe, it's one of my tried and true. People love it!! If you take it anywhere, take copies of the recipe too!

It's better than punkin pie


Ooey Gooey Punkin Cake

Cake
1 pkg yellow cake mix
1 egg
8 T butter, melted

Filling
1 8oz pkg cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla
15 oz can punkin
3 eggs
8 T butter, melted
16 oz powdered sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg

Preheat 350*
Cake: Combine cake ingredients and mix well with electric mixer. Pat mixture into bottom of lightly greased 13 X 9 baking pan
Filling:In large bowl, beat the cream cheese and pumpkin until smooth. Add eggs, vanilla, and butter, beat together. Next, add powdered sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and mix well. Spread punkin mixture over cake batter and bake 40-50 minutes, be sure not to over bake, center should be gooey.

Italian Wedding Soup

INGREDIENTS
1/2 pound extra-lean ground beef (I use ground turkey)
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
5 3/4 cups chicken broth
2 cups thinly sliced escarole (or 10 oz pkg of chopped frozen spinach, thawed and liquid squeezed out)
1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
1/3 cup finely chopped carrot
DIRECTIONS
In medium bowl, combine meat, egg, bread crumbs, cheese, basil and onion powder; shape into 3/4 inch balls.
In large saucepan, heat broth to boiling; stir in escarole, orzo pasta, chopped carrot and meatballs. Return to boil, then reduce heat to medium. Cook at slow boil for 10 minutes, or until pasta is al dente. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.

Oreo Cheesecake
1 pkg. (1 lb. 2 oz.) OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, divided
1/3 cup butter, melted
3 pkg. (8 oz. each) Cream Cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup Sour Cream
1 tsp. vanilla
4 eggs

PREHEAT oven to 350°F if using a 9-inch silver springform pan (or to 325°F if using a dark nonstick 9-inch springform pan). Finely crush 30 of the cookies. Coarsely chop remaining 15 cookies; set aside. Mix crushed cookies with butter. Press firmly onto bottom and 2 inches up side of pan; set aside.

BEAT cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended. Gently stir in chopped cookies. Spread into prepared crust.

BAKE 55 minutes to 1 hour or until set. (If necessary to prevent top from overbrowning, tent with foil during last 15 to 20 minutes of baking time.) Cool completely on wire rack.

REFRIGERATE at least 4 hours. Run knife or metal spatula around side of pan to loosen cake; remove side of pan before serving.

Cheesecake


1-3/4 cups HONEY MAID Graham Cracker Crumbs
1/3 cup butter, melted
1-1/4 cups sugar, divided
3 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
2 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs
1 cup Sour Cream
1 can (21 oz.) cherry pie filling or frozen strawberries - thawed (optional)

PREHEAT oven to 350°F if using a silver 8- or 9-inch springform pan (or to 325°F if using a dark nonstick 8- or 9-inch springform pan). Mix graham cracker crumbs, margarine and 1/4 cup of the sugar. Press firmly onto bottom and 2-1/2 inches up side of pan; set aside.

BEAT cream cheese, remaining 1 cup sugar and the vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on high speed until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended. Add sour cream. Pour into crust.

BAKE 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes or until center is almost set. Turn off oven. Leaving door slightly ajar, leave cheesecake in oven 1 hour. Remove from oven; cool completely. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Remove side of pan; top with pie filling. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator.

Taco Chili

1 can black-eyed peas
1 can black beans
1 can chili with kidney beans
1 can garbanzo or pinto beans
1 can stewed tomatos (used Mexican style if you like)
1 can corn
1 pkg taco seasoning
2 tsp red pepper
1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
2/3 cup TVP (Soy meat crumbles)

Combine all ingredients, bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer on low for 1 – 1 ½ hours.

This can also be put in the crockpot!!

Serve with Salsa, corn chips, and sour cream

I got this recipe from Angie Sturgeon, a good friend of mine who is a vegetarian. It's super yummy. I also make the leftovers and add rice and cheese to it.