Harper Beans

So Shawn's grandma makes some of the best beans that I have had. I think it is the combo of smoke and vinegar that I like. You can usually find of pot of these at family gatherings or with traditional BBQ flair.....I usually make them in a slow cooker but they can be made on the stove. We also add in 1-2 links of smoked hot sausage that has been browned and sliced and changed the Butter Beans to Black Beans. If you need a good standard bean recipe look no further!

Makes: 8-10 servings

1/2-1 lb of Hamburger, browned and drained

1/2-3/4 lb Bacon, Cut up, browned & drained

1-2 Smoked Hot Sausage Links, browned & sliced (Optional, not in original recipe)

1 C Onion, chopped

2 Cans Pork & Beans

1 Can Dark Kidney Beans

1 Can Black Beans (or Butter Beans which was the original recipe)

1 C Ketchup

1/4 C Brown Sugar

1 T Liquid Smoke

3 T White Vinegar

Salt & Pepper, to taste

Add all ingredients into a crock pot, mix gently and cook on high for about 2-3 hours or on low for 4-6 hours. Until bubbly and hot. Enjoy!

County Line BBQ's Potato Salad

We started trying BBQ places the minute we moved to Texas. One of the first places we went to was County Line (it is pretty close to where we live) anyway their BBQ was ok (Rudy's is still my fav place for BBQ), but CL potato salad was out of this world, at least by my standards. I think it is because it is dill picklel-y and not mustard-y like the deli ones can be.....I was thrilled when the local paper printed the recipe courtesy of County Line....I still have the tattered old cut out, which I must say makes a ton, so I have 1/2 the recipe, which is about 9 servings or so....you can also lighten up by using reduced fat Sour Cream and Mayo (I usually always use reduced fat sour cream).......

Serves: 9

2.25-2.5 lbs of Idaho Potatoes

1 med Onion, chopped (I only use sweet onions)

3 ribs of Celery, chopped

8 oz Dill Pickle Relish

12 oz Sour Cream

6 oz Kraft Mayo (I am a Hellmans/Best Foods girl, but do use Kraft for this recipe)

1 heaping T Coarse Black Pepper

1/2 heaping tsp Garlic Salt

1/2 heaping tsp Celery Salt

1/2 T Salt, to taste

Sprinkling of Paprika, garnish

Sprig of Parsley, garnish

Put unpeeled potatoes in a large pot salted cold water; bring to a boil and cook until tender throughout about 20-25 min. Test by inserting a knife into the potato. Refrigerate for 30 min to allow potatoes to cool. Carefully peel potatoes and cut into 1 inch cubes (or smaller), set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, blend together onions, celery, relish, sour cream, mayo, pepper, garlic salt, celery salt, and salt. Add cubes of potato and mix gently. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Orange Bars

I suppose you could call them Orange Brownies, which I think was their original name, but when I think of brownies I think of chocolate and these do not have any chocolate in them....they actually remind me a little bit of orange rolls but of course different.....My friend Brittany made these for a girls night and they were a big hit....I made them for Shawn and he loved them too....so nice to have a new dessert that does not contain chocolate, even though chocolate is probably my first love! Ha!

Makes: 13x9

1 ½ C Flour
2 C Sugar
1 tsp Salt
1 C (2 sticks) Butter, softened
4 Eggs
2 tsp Orange Extract
1 tsp Grated Orange Zest

Glaze:
1 C Powdered Sugar
2 T Orange Juice
1 tsp Grated Orange Zest

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9 x 13 and set aside. In a mixing bowl, stir flour, sugar, and salt. Add butter, eggs, orange extract and orange zest and beat with a mixer until well blended. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes, or until light golden brown and set. Remove from oven and pierce top of entire cake with a fork.

For glaze: Combine all ingredients in a bowl, stirring until smooth. Pour glaze over hot cake. Cool cake and cut into squares. Enjoy!

Almond bars

So many of you that know me, know that I LOVE the smell and flavor of Almond Extract.....I could seriously smell a bottle of it all day....I love adding it when I can and I usually add it to boxed brownies to give them a little more pizazz....anyway my friend Sarah made these for a make-up party we had at her house....she also makes this yummy punch with almond extract but I will save that for another post....anyway these Almond Bars are simple and made with ingredient most have in their pantry.....They are so tasty but of course not the healthiest but what dessert is.....anyway lots of things you could do with these, top with fruit.....So explore! I find them highly addicting just the way they are.......

Makes:13x9

4 Eggs
2 C Sugar
1 C Butter, melted
2 C Flour
2 1/2 tsp Almond Extract
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until lemon colored. Add the melted butter, flour and extract. Mix well. Spread into greased 9 x13 baking pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar. Enjoy!

Basil Goat Cheese Sliders

I love hamburgers, I seriously think I always will. I have never met a hamburger I didn't like....Well, I guess that is not true since some of the fast food joints have some pretty nasty burgers.....anyway......Sliders seem to be the big deal these days, which totally cracks me up because I remember being a kid and eating Burger Bundles from Burger King, I think you could get 6 little burgers all together or 3.......HA! This recipe is probably one of my favs simple yet different burger.....I LOVE Goat Cheese.....we use it a lot in wraps, pasta, stuff in burgers or chicken, and on crackers......I am sure there are more condiments and toppings you could have on this but I try to keep my sliders as simple as I can....these can be served on small dinner rolls or mini buns too........I just love chewy, dense, and sturdy bread which is why I use ciabatta......I am not a big fan of my bun falling apart......as usual the meat mixture can be adjusted to your tastes....

Makes: 6-8 mini burgers depending on your size

1lb Hamburger

1-2 T Fresh Basil, chopped

1 T Sweet Onions, minced

1 Garlic Clove, minced

1-2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce

Garlic Salt, to taste

Salt & Pepper, to taste

Ciabatta Bread/Rolls, Cut to the size of your burger (We toast our on the grill)

Goat Cheese, sliced

Toppings:

Basil Mayo

Arugula

Campari Tomatoes (or Romas), sliced

Preheat your BBQ Grill. Gently mix hamburger, basil, onions, garlic, Worcestershire, Garlic Salt, Salt & Pepper. Form into mini patties, gently pressing in the middle so your patties will stay more flat. Grill to your desired tastes, in the last 2-3 min of cooking add on a slice of goat cheese to warm it up. Serve on ciabatta rolls with Basil Mayo, Arugula & Tomatoes....

Basil Mayo

This goes well with many different dishes....I really like it on burgers & sandwiches for something different....Suppose if you are like the French you could dip your fries in it.....I am fry tarter sauce girl myself......Anyway.....This is super simple and I usually do not measure and is basically made to taste.....but you get the basic idea.

Makes: About a Cup

3/4-1 C Mayo (I love Hellmans\Best Foods)

12-14 Basil Leaves

Juice of Lemon

1-2 Cloves Garlic, Minced

1/2-1 T of Olive Oil

Salt & Pepper, to taste

Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend together. (I use my magic bullet, yes I have one!) Store in the fridge....Spread on your favorite sandwich, burger or whatever your heart desires!

Roasted Red Potatoes

I am always looking for good side and new ways of cooking the same old vegetables. I roast a lot of different ones, but never usually potatoes. We just do not eat a lot of potatoes. But my neighbor Heather brought these over for a BBQ and man they were good. So I recreated them and our kids loved them. You could even use this recipe for breakfast....These potatoes are finger licking good.....Thanks Miss Heather! You could add rosemary & dried thyme for more herb flavor, but I am not a huge rosemary person.....Again like all my recipes this one is super felxible but gives you the basics.....

Serves 4-6

1 1/2-2lbs Red Potatoes, diced

2-3 T Olive Oil (or flavored olive oil), just need enough to coat the potatoes

1-2 T Dried Parsley, to your liking

Garlic Salt, to taste

Pepper, to taste

Combine all ingredients in a plastic bag. Toss around to coat potatoes. Pour out onto a baking sheet and bake at 450 degrees for 30-40 min, until potatoes are tender (or crisper, depends on your tastes!).....Enjoy!

Oreo Cheesecake Squares

We love Oreo Cookies in our house. Oreo cheesecake is one of my favorites at the Cheesecake Factory. Here is a quick and easy way to make some Oreo treats that everyone will enjoy!.....These do not last long at our house, I mean who doesn't LOVE Oreo Cookies! The Recipe is divided into the amount of cookies, but all you need is 1 package of Oreo Cookies.....

Makes: 13x9 pan

30 Oreo Cookies

1/4 Butter, melted

4 8oz pkg Cream Cheese, softened to room temp

1 C Sugar

1 tsp Vanilla

4 Eggs

20 Oreo Cookies, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put the 30 Oreos into a food processor and process for 30-45 seconds, until finely ground. Add in melted butter and mix well. Press cookie mixture into a 13x9 in baking pan, set aside. In a bowl mix cream cheese, sugar and vanilla w/hand mixer (or you could use your kitchen aid) until well blended. Add in eggs and mix until incorporated & blended. Gently stir in 1 1/2 C of the chopped Oreos (leaving a small pile left for the top). Pour into crust. Sprinkle with the remaining chopped cookies. Bake for 35-40min or until the center is almost set. Cool to room temp and then refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight. Cut into squares and enjoy!

Super Simple Turkey Lettuce Wraps

We love to try new recipes and as with most of the recipes I make I always make changes to improve on what is there.....This was the first time I have made lettuce wraps and I know it will not be the last....This recipe is a great base recipe that I know I will be evolving on as I continue to experiment, I am thinking some rice wine vinegar would be a good addition and maybe some sesame oil or chili oil and possibly some garlic.....But we liked this as it too.....So wrap it up and enjoy!

Serves: 4-5

1/2 C Hoisin sauce

1/4 C Crunchy or Creamy Peanut Butter

1/4 C Miracle Whip or Mayo

1-2 Squirts Sriracha Sauce

¼ t Red Pepper Flakes

1 lb. Ground Turkey

1T Vegetable oil

Salt & Pepper

1 bunch Green Onions, finely chopped

1 head Boston Bibb lettuce, washed, dried & separated

Carrot sticks, very thinly sliced

Celery sticks, very thinly sliced

Cucumber, seeded & very thinly sliced

Mix the first 5 ingredients together. Set aside. Heat oil over medium high heat and add in turkey. Season with salt & pepper and brown until cook through, stir in onions and saute for 1 min. Reduce to medium and stir in sauce continue cooking for 5 minutes, stir frequently. Fill lettuce with meat and veggies. Enjoy!

Springtime Pesto, Pasta, Pea Salad............

This is one of our favorite Spring and Summer salads. I am betting it is because it's green, cool and sooo good. It is also one of my go to salads for potlucks and parties. When we make it at home we usually serve it with Marinated Grilled Chicken and call it a meal. My girls love this one but they usually pick around the peas....I know totally silly kiddos....The pesto recipe can be used in anything calling for pesto.....

Serves: 10-12

1 1/2 lbs of Bow Tie Pasta (or something similar)
1/4 C Olive Oil
1 1/2-2 C Pesto (recipe below)
1 10oz Package of Frozen Chopped Spinach (Defrosted & Squeezed Dry)
3 T Fresh Lemon Juice (I sometimes use more)
1 1/4 C Mayo
1/2 C Grated Parmesan Cheese, or more
1 1/2 C Frozen Petite Peas (Defrosted)
Salt and Pepper, to taste

Cook Pasta in salted water until al dente (follow directions on box). Drain and toss with the Olive Oil. Cool to room temp. Make Pesto (recipe below) Then, in a food processor puree the pesto, spinach, and lemon juice. Add mayo and continue to puree. Add pesto mixture to the cooled pasta, and then add parm cheese, peas, salt, pepper and mix well.

Pesto (makes 2 cups)
1/8 C Walnuts
1/8 C Pignolis (Pine Nuts)
3-4 Cloves of Garlic
2 1/2 Cups of Fresh Basil Leaves
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Pepper
3/4 C Olive oil
1/2 C Grated Parmesan cheese

Place walnuts, pignolis and garlic in a food processor. Process for 30 sec. Add basil, salt, pepper. With the processor going slowly add the olive oil through the feed tube, process until pureed. Add grated Parmesan cheese and process for 1 more min. Use in any recipe.

Dirt Cake....

So this one is suppose to be placed in a plastic flower pot and served with gummy worms on top and a fake plant, hence the title dirt cake....but I prefer to serve it in a trifle like dish.....my pic isn't the greatest maybe I will make it again and do a better job of evening out the layers.....the kids love this one as do I since it reminds me of my childhood....I mean you can not go wrong with Oreos and Vanilla pudding....definitely a recipe that will cause you to hit the gym after.....Not so waistline friendly!

Makes: A dish full

1 18oz package of Oreos, crushed in food processor

1/2 C Butter, softened to room temperature

1 80z package Cream Cheese, room temperature

3/4 C Powdered Sugar

3 C Cold Milk

2 Small Boxes of Instant Vanilla Pudding

1 12oz Cool Whip

In a large bowl cream together butter, cream cheese and powered sugar until smooth, set aside. In a separate bowl mix together milk and vanilla pudding, then fold in the cool whip. Add pudding mixture to the butter cream cheese mixture and combine well. Layer in a dish starting with the cookie crumbs then a layer of pudding/cream cheese mixture and then cookie crumbs again. Finishing with cookie crumbs on top. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Serve in bowls and enjoy!

Sausage & Spinach Strata

The first time I had this recipe was at my friend Erin's Wedding Shower....I pregnant with the Twins and I could not eat enough of this. It is soooo good. We eat this regularly for breakfast on the weekend with a fruit plate.....I have adapted Mrs. Larsen's recipe to our family's tastes by adding in spinach....I try to sneak veggies in when I can with the girls.....This recipe is always a big hit at brunches....You have to plan for this one since it needs to rest in the fridge overnight before being slow baked in the AM....

Makes: 13x9 pan

8-10 slices of White bread, cubed
2 C Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
1 1/2-2 lbs of Sausage Links (Could use Ground Sausage)
1 10oz box frz Spinach, thawed & squeezed dry (or fresh spinach leaves if you have them)
4 Eggs
2 1/2 C Milk

Topping: (do the morning of baking)
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/2 C Milk
3/4 T Dry Onion Soup Mix

Spray a 13x9 inch pan with non stick spray. Brown Sausage links in a skillet until cooked through. Slice into bite sized pieces. Place cubed bread in the bottom of the baking dish and top with the grated cheese, spinach, and sausage pieces. Beat the eggs with the 2 1/2 C of milk and pour over bread, cheese, spinach, sausage mixture. Cover and place in the fridge overnight. In the morning preheat the over to 300 degrees. Mix the topping ingredients together in a small bowl and pour over the top of the bread mixture. Bake uncovered at 300 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. Enjoy!

MMmmm Pumpkin Pie

I love pumpkin.....pumpkin scones, pumpkin soup, pumpkin bars....I have never met a pumpkin recipe I didn't like.....When I was little I remember my aunt use to make so many pumpkin pies for our family gatherings that each family was able to take home a leftover pie...(my mom had 9 brothers and sisters to give you an idea on how many pies she use to make).....man they were so good.....this not her recipe but one that to me tastes similar to the pies I remember from childhood.....

Makes: 2 9 inch pies

1 1/2 pints (3 cups) vanilla ice cream, softened
3 eggs
1 3/4 C pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)
3/4 C sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
2 (9 inch) unbaked pie shells (I use my homemade recipe for pie dough that I have up on the blog with my quiche recipe, but you can use store bought to save time)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place ice cream near the warm oven to soften. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs. Stir in the pumpkin puree, sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Mix in soft ice cream until smooth. Pour filling into two 9 inch pie shells. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees, and bake an additional 30 to 40 minutes, or until filling is set. Serve with homemade vanilla whipped cream on top....Enjoy!

Simple Shrimp & Corn Chowder

Shawn LOVES shrimp as do our girls so we eat it a bunch in our house. This recipe Shawn and I have been eating for years and has become a household favorite. It is super simple but yet so tasty and takes no time at all to prepare and cook.....I am sure there a plenty things to add to jazz it up but we like it just the way it is....if you can find fresh sweet corn in season, cut it away from the cob and use that, it makes it that much better....I like to serve most of my soups with crusty or toasted bread......I am so not a cracker in my soup girl.....I like dip yummy bread!

Serves 4-5

3-4 Green Onions, thinly sliced
2 C Frz Sweet Corn (White or Yellow)

1 lb Shrimp, peeled & de veined

3 T Butter

4 C Chicken Stock (1 32oz carton)

1/2 C Heavy Cream

Salt & Pepper, to taste

Melt butter in a sauce pan over medium heat. Add in green onions and cook for 3 minutes or until softened. Pour in the chicken stock and then add the corn. Stir and season with salt & pepper. Simmer uncovered for 10-12 min. Pour in the cream, stir well and then add the shrimp. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, very gently until the shrimp turn pink and begin to curl, which is usually about 5 min depending on the size of shrimp. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot!

Easy Apple Dip

So I went to a baby shower not too long ago and there were apples with homemade caramel dip. It was really good and I have no idea how they made it. So I was talking one of my friends and she was telling me about a homemade dip with cream cheese and brown sugar....I was intrigued as I love caramel dip and apples, so off to the Internet I went. Man there are tons of recipes out there for caramel dip, but I really wanted something simple and easy.....So here goes, this was super good and approved by all 3 of my girls! I suppose you could use less sugar and I may try that next time.....

Makes: Big Bowl Full

1 8oz pkg Cream Cheese, softened

3/4 C Brown Sugar, I always used the dark brown one

1/4 C Sugar

1 tsp Vanilla

Mix Cream Cheese. Add in sugars and mix well. Stir in vanilla. Serve with you favorite apples, we like Granny's, Gala's and Fuji's......Store in the refrigerator.

Sausage Dip

So the fall for us brings "Snack Saturday".......We love to eat finger foods and snacks all day while enjoying College Football....This is one of our staples.....I will warn you it is not healthy but it sure is good....I suppose most food is like that....Anyway the best thing about this dip is it is so versatile, you can change the tomatoes and the chips to tortiall or crostini....to a totally mix it up.....

Makes: A bowl full!

1 lb Ground Hot Sausage

1 14.5-15oz can of Italian Style Tomatoes (Or like I said, any of your favorite)

1 8oz package of Cream Cheese

1 BIG Bag of Stacy's Pita Chips, Simply Naked Flavor (I buy a huge bag at Costco)

In a large sauce pan over medium heat, brown up the sausage and drain off the grease. Stir in the tomatoes and simmer for 8-10 minutes. Stir in cream cheese, reduce heat. Cook until melted completely and hot throughout. Serve with Pita Chips....

Nana's Cottage Cheese Cookies

We love sweets in our house and most anything with chocolate. These cookies are a family favorite. It does sound a bit strange with cottage cheese and I had never had anything like them growing up, but at first bite I fell in love with them. I bet its the Almond Extract that I love in them.....The only problem I find with them is getting them cooked but not over cooked....there is a fine line for that with this recipe....don't forget to allow time for the chill in the fridge.....

Makes: 2 Dozen

3/4 C Butter, softened

1 3/4 C Sugar

1 T Brown Sugar

2 Eggs

1 C Cottage Cheese

1/2 T Vanilla Extract

1/2 T Almond Extract

1/2 C Unsweetened Cocoa

1/2 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Salt

2 3/4 C Flour

Powdered Sugar, for dusting cookies

Mix sugars and butter. Add eggs, extracts and cottage cheese. Beat until blended. Add all dry ingredients and mix well. Chill dough in the fridge for 1 hour then roll dough balls about size of a whole walnut. Then roll in powdered sugar. Bake on greased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 10 min. I bake mine on parchment paper. Enjoy!

My Dad's Meatballs

So my dad is an awesome cook.....I grew up eating some amazingly good food. His mom was French and that might just say it all and I believe I get my passion for cooking from him and her.....I still have cravings for those childhood favorites...."Can I get some Honey with my Dinner Roll".....But getting recipes to paper from my dad isn't always easy....and here is why, he is a natural.....he just knows the right amounts and goes with it....I too have become some what like that, I think all cooks are like that for the most part.....This is probably why I would rather cook then bake......Now why do I bring this all up now....'cause the recipe I am about to post has a few ingredients I have put the measurements as eyeball.....So good luck....These meatballs can be used in any recipe calling for them....we predominately use them in Spaghetti, my all time childhood favorite meal!.....But I have also used them in the Traditional Cocktail Meatball Recipe, you know the one with Jelly and Chile Sauce and they were great....This make a bunch, so I usually will bake them off and freeze them. Then you are all set for when you need them.....

Makes: A Hefty Amount

3 lbs Ground Beef

2 lbs Hot Sausage (Jimmy Dean or similar)

1/3-1/2 C Bread Crumbs

1/3-1/2 C Milk (equal to bread crumbs)

2 Eggs

Minced Onions, eyeball

Red Pepper Flakes, eyeball

Garlic Salt, eyeball

Salt & Pepper, eyeball

Pre-Heat Oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together. Roll out in to the meatball size of your liking. Bake for 18-20 min.

Poor Man's Mac & Cheese Bake

So my brother actually taught me this recipe while I was in college.....eventhough we LOVE Homemade Macaroni Cheese this recipe has become a pantry staple at our house.....Especially now that we have kids.....its super easy and tastes pretty good too.....Its versatile so feel free to create.....I suppose you could add some cheese on top or mix in a veggie......endless possibilities I tell you....

Serves 4-5

2 Boxes Mac n Cheese, prepared (the way you like, I use 2 T butter & 1/4 C Milk per box)

1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 lb Ground Beef

Onion Powder, to taste

Garlic Salt, to taste

Salt & Pepper, to taste

Pre-Heat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare mac n cheese to your liking. Meanwhile season and brown ground beef, with Onion Powder, Garlic Salt and Salt/Pepper. Drain the fat. Combine prepared Mac n Cheese, Cream of Mushroom Soup and Ground Beef. Mix Well. Pour into a casserole dish and bake in oven for 25-30 min, or until hot throughout. Enjoy!

Cheesy Creamy Crock-Pot Corn

So we love to eat at Rudy's 'Country Store' & BBQ especially after we go to SeaWorld. I must say they have the best cream corn, it is sooooo delicious and their BBQ is also super yummy if you are a Texas BBQ person and like lotsa Black Pepper & Heat....Anyway the cream corn inspired me to look around for good recipes....and I found a few that sounded good but just weren't exactly right, well.......I blended a few recipes and came up with this, its not traditional but it was big hit last night at dinner will all of us, including the kids.....Now the recipe calls for sugar and I must say I used super sweet corn and forgot to add the sugar......so if you are using really sweet corn you may not need the sugar.......Ok, so this recipe tastes good but it is not the best for you.....I do love throwing it in the crock pot.....I am thinking I will be using this one for the holidays!.....I am planning mixing the leftovers with some taco meat and black beans and gonna serve it as a dip with chips.....will let you know how it is.....so many leftover possibilities with this recipe....

Serves: 8-10

2 16oz bags Frozen Corn (I found a Sweet Yellow Corn)

1 8oz pkg Cream Cheese

1/2 C Butter

1-2 T Sugar

3 Slices of American Cheese (sounds weird, tastes really good)

1/4 C Whole Milk

Cayenne Pepper, to taste

Black Pepper, to taste

Throw everything into a Crock-Pot and cook on LOW for 3 hours, stirring every 30 min. The first two hours it looks like its never going to be done in 3 hours, but trust me it will be done. I wouldn't cook it on High as you wouldn't want the cheese or milk to scorch.