Roasted Brussel Sprouts

I remember having a family dinner at our priest's home as a child and he served us brussel sprouts. To be polite my brother and I tried them, but didn't like them.  As an adult they are becoming one of my go-to vegetables. They are so easy to roast and my husband likes them as much as I do!

What you will need:
Brussel Sprouts, olive oil, salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Rinse the sprouts and cut in half.  Tear off any leaves that are wilted or brown.  Toss the sprouts in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Throw them on a cookie sheet and roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes.  Serve warm.

Cheesy Potato and Ham Bake

What you will need: 28 oz frozen hash browns, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 8 oz. sour cream, 1 1/4 cup milk, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 cup cubed ham, 2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, salt and pepper to taste.

Mix all ingredients together. Place in a 9x13 pan. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for one hour.

You may also freeze. Thaw before baking.

You could also add in onion and green pepper.

Blueberry Muffins or Chocolate Chip Muffins

I'm expecting a baby in 20 days!  I've decided to stock the freezer and am starting with muffins. A quick breakfast we can pull out the night before.  This basic recipe can be used for many different kinds of muffins-just mix in what you like. I've tried blueberries and chocolate chips. If you don't have wheat flour, use 3 cups white. If you don't have Greek yogurt, use regular or even sour cream.

What you will need: 2 cups flour, 1 cup whole wheat flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt, 2 large eggs, 1 stick butter (melted and cooled), 1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen) or 1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375. Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl.  In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and yogurt.  Fold the eggs and yogurt into the dry mixture.  Then fold in butter. Then fold in your mix in (blueberries, chips, banana, etc). Use an ice cream scoop to place batter in muffin tins lined with paper liners or greased. I sprinkled raw sugar on the top as well. Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean.

Oatmeal Banana Muffins

Don't let the word 'muffin' throw you off here. With no flour in this recipe, it really doesn't produce a muffin.  I felt they were more like a bowl of oatmeal with banana and chocolate chip mixed in, but in a handy muffin shape.  Great for on the go breakfast.

What you will need: 3 ripe mashed bananas,1 cup milk, 2 eggs, 1 tbsp baking powder, 3 cups oats, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 3/4 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix all ingredients except the chocolate chips together; let sit while you prepare the muffin pans. Spray a muffin pan with non-stick spray or line with cupcake liners. Stir the chocolate chips into the oatmeal mixture.  Fill the cups to the tops and bake 20-30 minutes.  I have been storing these in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.

Experiment and add in other favorites like walnuts, raisins, cinnamon, or whatever else you like.

Cheesy Quinoa Bites

This is a perfect recipe for a summer day.  You have to start the oven, but they go well with a salad and you have a meal.

What you will need: 2 cups cooked quinoa, 2 large eggs, 1 cup shredded carrot, 1 cup shredded zucchini, 2 stalks green onion, 2 cloves garlic, minced , 1/2 cup grated cheddar, 2 Tbs all-purpose flour , 1/2 tsp seasoning salt , 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together quinoa, carrot, egg, green onion, garlic, zucchini, cheese, flour, salt and pepper.
3. Distribute mixture into a greased mini muffin tin, filling each cup to the top (1 heaping Tbs each).
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Before baking.

Notice the carrot and zucchini were in big shreds. I used my food processor. Next time I will use a grater so they are smaller.



We dipped these in ranch dressing, but I'm sure they'd be good with almost any summer time dip. This is a perfect compliment to a salad as you get your protein from the quinoa.

Chicken Tacos

These were super easy and delicious!

What you will need: 4-6 chicken breast, 1 cup salsa, 1 can fiesta cheese soup, one envelope of taco seasoning.

Get out your slow cooker!  Put the chicken breast in the slow cooker. I threw mine in frozen.  Pour the salsa, soup, and seasoning on top. Stir it together. Set on low for 6 hours.  Serve with your favorite taco toppings.

I also use my own taco seasoning, which is 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp cumin, 1 tbsp paprika, 1tsp garlic, 1tsp salt.  I usually add a little extra cumin because I like it so much.

Pork Chop and Potato Bake

I apologize for not posting recently. Here is a recipe from one of those old time church cook books.  An easy one dish meal. Who doesn't love that?

What you need: 6 pork chops (I used 4), seasoning salt, vegetable oil, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 package (24oz) hash brown potatoes-thawed, 1 can Frenches fried onions, 1 can cream of celery soup, 1 cup shredded cheddar, salt and pepper.

Heat a little amount of oil in a skillet and brown the chops.  Sprinkle with seasoning salt and set aside.  Combine milk, sour cream, soup, salt and pepper.  Stir in the potatoes, 1/2 cup cheese and 1/2 can of french fried onions. Place mixutre into a 9x13 baking dish. Arrange the pork chops on top. Bake, covered, at 350 for 45 minutes or until chops are done.  Top with remaining cheese and onions; bake uncovered for 5 minutes.