101 things to do with Ramen Noodles

OH the cookbook for college and just married people... I decided to give it a try.

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Everyone knows tuna noodle casserole.. but can you really make it taste good with Ramen noodles?

YES you can...   I would put peas in it and add maybe more cheese , milk , some chopped red pepper, but this recipe you can have ready and on the table in 20 minutes! Add a salad to start the meal and some fruit for dessert and you have it all!

• 2 cans tuna
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup milk
• 2 eggs beaten
• 2 package's chicken ramen noodles , broken up with seasoning packets
• 10 -20 saltine crackers, crushed

In a bowl mix tuna, cheese, water, milk, eggs and 1 seasoning packet.  After mixing pour into a casserole dish. Add broken uncooked noodles. Bake 15 minutes stirring occasionally. Sprinkle crackers over top and bake 5 minutes more.

Not bad... even picky Grandson Dakota ate it... Some of the recipes in this book use just the noodles..I might have to try some other recipes...

Leftovers!!!!!

The favorite thing when you just feel like cooking nothing.. besides. ... it cleans out the fridge!!!! Back to cooking tomorrow! Nite all

Roasted Chicken , dressing with rice and peas

Okay so I KNOW how to roast a whole chicken but decided to take a recipe out of one book .

• 5 pd roasting chicken
• onion
• carrots
• basil

After washing off the bird and patting it dry. I put the onion carrots and basil inside the cavity. Cooked at 350 til the little ol timer popped out .

Dressing

• 1 lb of sausage
• 4 cups stuffing
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1 med onion
• celery
• chicken broth
• 3 eggs beaten
• 1/2 cup margarine melted

Cook the sausage drain and set aside. Put both  bread crumbs in large mixing bowl, add sausage, onion, celery and mix well.
Pour enough broth over to moisten very well. Stir in eggs and margarine, Mix well. Spray a 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Pour mixture into pan and bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

I made rice and peas so it is not thanksgiving meal just a Saturday night meal kinda day *l* Now I will have plenty for leftovers on Sunday so a day of rest of cooking...

Chili's

After our Chiropractors appts hubby treated me to a nice meal at Chili's... thanks LOVE you!

Ham and Potatoes, cabbage casserole with Darn Good Chocolate Cake

Today is National Chocolate Cake Day so you know I had to finish up the meal with chocolate cake! But before cake you need to eat your dinner.. so on that note...

I took bag of frozen hash brown potatoes, can of cream of chicken soup, 1 can of evaporated milk, 2 cups of cooked ham and 2 cups of grated cheddar cheese..  I mixed them all together and threw them into a greased slow cooker. Set it on low and let cook for 5-6 hours.

I was thinking.. what goes well with Ham? hmmm CABBAGE!!!  I took one med head of cabbage and cooked til it was tender. Reserving 1/2 cup of the cabbage broth , drained the cabbage and laid one layer of cabbage on the bottom of a casserole dish. Next I layered cracker crumbs over the cabbage, with a layer of grated sharp cheddar over that. Repeated. Then I took a can of cream of celery soup mixed it with the reserved broth and poured it over the casserole. Baked at 350 until bubbly hot.

As for the cake..I got out my Gluten-free book.  * son needed gluten free food growing up*
Grabbed a chocolate gluten free cake mix and in the mixing bowl with it put,  2 tbs of cocoa powder, 1 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup veg oil, 3 large eggs and 2 tsp vanilla extract. mixed on low til just incorporated.  Scrap the sides down and turn to med and mix 2 minutes scraping the sides down as needed. Turn off the mixer and add 1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips. Pour the batter into a bundt pan that has been misted with veg oil and dusted with cocoa powder.  Bake the cake til the center springs back when lightly pressed. 45 - 50 minutes,  Transfer the pan to a wire rack. Cook for  10 minutes. Run a knife around the pan and the edge of the cake. Shake the pan gently and invert the cake onto a wire rack to cook completely. 15- 20 minutes. Transfer cake to a serving plate and dust with confectioners sugar. 

Now you ask.. how well did my family like the meal.... I LOVED the cabbage casserole... Hubby didn't really care for it. I thought the ham and pototoes were okay.. Hubby loved them.  As for the chocolate cake... EVERYONE like it *lol*

Fried Chicken, mac and cheese with carrot casserole

After last nights lazy meal I decided to go and fix out of 3 cookbooks.  I opened up Paula Dean & Friends living it up , Southern Style..  and what is more southern then FRIED Chicken... Flipping thru I found Bert's southern Fried Chicken. You really need a well- seasoned cast-iron skillet to make this.
Be sure to season the chicken early in the day otherwise the seasonings just wont penetrate. 

• chicken 8 serving pieces. Get the kind you like, breast, thighs, wings or drumsticks I used

leg quarters and split them.

• seasonings you like, salt pepper, Cayenne ect
• 2 cups of flour
• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup milk

Season up the chicken and place in  a covered dish covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator til time to cook.

Place the flour in a plastic kitchen bag.

When ready to cook, beat the eggs with the milk and dip the chicken in the egg mixture , then place each piece in the bag. Shake until coated. Set the floured chicken on a dish while you heat the oil.

Pour enough oil into a cast-iron skillet to come only halfway up the sides of the pan. This is important as the oil rises when each piece is added.

Turn the heat to med-high; test by adding a drop of water to the oil. If it sizzles the oil is ready. It takes about 5 minutes. Place only 4 pieces in at a time. Cook about 8 to 9 minutes on one side before turning and cooking another 8. If using pieces with large bones, the legs and thighs, it may need  a few minutes more on both sides. Remove from the oil and drain on paper bags. 

It was very good.. not as wonderful as I remember my sister in law Cheryl's chicken... someday I really need to get her recipe *lol*

I decided to stay down south and pulled out Pit Stop in a Southern Kitchen with Jeff Gordon's mom Carol Gordon Brickford and Martha Earnhardt Dale Earnhardt's mom.

Ralph Earnhardt Dale's dad was a MEAT -and POTATOES man. He refused to eat casseroles but the rest of the family loved it. But the Mac and Cheese recipe  I am making was the only pasta dish he would eat.

Baked Mac and Cheese

• 1 16 ounce box of macaroni
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 pounds sharp cheddar cheese or as much as you like , shredded or cubed
• 1/2 stick butter
• 2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs

Cook macaroni and drain. Spread layers of macaroni, cheese and slices of butter until dish is full. In mixing bowl, combine egg with milk and pour over casserole. Sprinkle bread crumbs on top and bake at 300 for 1 hour.

OH MY >...... I don't care if it is a heart attack waiting to happen with all the cheese and butter.. because.. I used x sharp,  and 5 x cheddar... and it was HEAVEN!!!!!

Moving to The Blue Willow Inn  I came across their Carrot Casserole.

• 1 tablespoon grated onion
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1 teaspoon of horseradish
• 2 cups cooked sliced fresh carrots
• 3/4 cup crumbled Ritz crackers
• 1 tablespoon butter

In a med mixing bowl add the onion, mayo and horseradish. Stir until blended. Add the carrots mixing well. Put the crackers on top dotted with the butter.  Put in a 350 oven for 20 minutes.

Add a salad with some fruit for supper and  there you have it...  now that I am stuffed.. I think its time to watch alittle tv.. til tomorrow... have a wonderful night!

Lazy Wife's Dinner

Did you ever have one of those nights that you didn't feel like cooking but there wasn't enough leftovers to eat and didn't feel like take out??? Well here is the meal for you...

This is so simple...  take

• 1 cup diced raw potatoes
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup cooked meat * I used left over pot roast*
• 1 cup uncooked macaroni
• chopped onion
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup , chicken or celery soup
• 1 1/2 cups frozen vegetables * mixed or I just used corn*
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• crushed red pepper * spice up as you like*

Preheat the oven to 350. Combine all ingredients and pour into a baking dish. Bake , covered for 1 1/2 hours. It was warm and feeling and just the thing to use up the roast and a few carrots along with the half bag of corn from the other day.

SO simple and so quick.

Fettuccine Alfredo with Garlic Shrimp and Scallops

Debbie Macomber is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the poplar Cedar Cove seris of novels. She is not only a successful writer, but a accomplished cook. In her novels food and suppers play a important part, it is central to the important relationships in our lives.  I have read many of her books. I took this recipe from the novel 44 Cranberry Point.

In a large heavy saucepan over med heat I warmed 2 tbs of oil. Added 5 cloves of garlic minced. Cooked 30 sec while stirring.  I patted the scallops dry with a paper towel. * 8 ounces of bay scallops*  Added the scallops along with 8 ounces of peeled, deveined large shrimp thawed, and pepper.  Cooked stirring often for 5 minutes. Removed from heat.

I cooked 12 ounces of fettuccine pasta and reserved 1/4 cup cooking water, drained the pasta.

I melted 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Added the cooked pasta to the pan to coat with butter.  I then stirred in 1 cup Parmesan cheese, reserved cooking liquid, 1/2 cup half and half, and some crushed red pepper .  Taking a tong I placed the pasta on the plate and put the shrimp and scallops atop the pasta.

Added some green beans and a salad with homemade Tailmix bread that was still warm and dug in...

It was Delicious!!!! I will be sure and make this again. And to think I thought making it would be hard.. NO.. every easy..  Hope you all get a chance to try it!

Wings

Sunday was good ol wings and fries night... no cookbooks needed for that... schwans wings and alligers house of wings sauce...YUMMY... The cookbooks needed the night off! *lol*

Roast Beef with Tomato Ragout, Fluffy Mashed Potato's raw carrots

With the cold wind blowing making it a nice day to just lay around I took my trusty crockpot out for the day again.  I put in one large red onion, large 28 ounce can of tomato's diced. * saving alittle of the juice to make a paste. *  I seasoned my roast with garlic, salt, pepper and steak seasoning and layed it on top of the veggies.  In  a small bowl I mixed balsamic vinegar, one package of beefy onion soup mix , crushed garlic and the juice I saved to make a paste.  Poured over the roast and covered. Cooked on Low for 8 hours. I then thickened the broth to put over the meat.

I took mashed potato's and 8 ounces of cream cheese, 2 eggs, onion, 2 tbs of flour. Mixed it on low til blended and then on high until light and fluffy. Taking and putting the mixture into a 8 inch greased pan and cooking at 325 for 35 minutes. Last few minutes I added shredded cheddar cheese and some french fried  onions.

The meat was falling apart tender and the mashed potato's were heavenly... topped the meal off with a salad and fresh carrots. 

Marinated Chuck Steak with Idaho Potato Salad

Oh a cold snowy Friday I decided a walk down summer lane was in order. Taking a 1 inch chuck steak and marinating it with a mixture of water, onion, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce,rice vinegar, lemon juice, spicy mustard and steak seasonings for the day.   While that was going I made potato salad.

This salad was made with potato's, cucumber, hard boiled eggs, red onion , dill pickle mixed with mayo and pickle juice as the dressing.  Fresh ground pepper added before serving.
 And a salad and corn and there you have it.. a summer cookout!

Last night we had a installation that kept us busy so my  plan for supper went out the window. BUT not wanting to give up one day I decided to grab the  Round the world cookbook.  This cookbook tours the food, cooking and eating traditions from around the world.  US, Latin/south America, Caribbean, Africa, Spain and Portugal, France, The British Isles, Italy, Netherlands, Germany Central Europe Scandinavia, Switzerland, Greece and Turkey, Middle East Russia China, India, Japan, Indonesia , Australia and New Zealand and some Jewish Cooking..  I decided what could be better then the good ol USA!  Burgers and Fries and apple Pie... * except no apple pie.. no like apple pie * LOL.

I know before you even begin.. the first Hamburgers were made in Hamburg, Germany. German settlers probally first took the recipe to America, but American cookss have made hamburgers famous around the world.


I took the burger mixed it with Beefy Onion soup mix and Worcester sauce .  Broiled it til just alittle pink inside.. * grandma dunn's was well done.*  Took 6x sharp cheese and melted it ontop. Nice toasted bun with spring mix greens, red onions, tomato, pickles and choice of relishes like mustard, mayo, and ketchup.

Next would be the curly fries ... ohh seasoned fries.. yummy... corn for the veggie and Ice cream for dessert..  what more can you ask for?

Chili

With the craziness of the day I decided to make * Slow-Cooked Chili. This chunky chili can cook for up to 10 hours on low in the slow cooker.  Not much to it really..  2 pounds of sausage..  can use ground beef*  32 ounces of kidney beans drained and rinsed.  29 ounces of diced tomatoes undrained, 8 ounces of tomato sauce, onions, peppers, 2 cloves of minced garlic,chili powder and I put in chopped red peppers.  * more or less depending on how spicy you would like it*  You don't have to chop the onions and peppers small.  Corn bread added the finishing touches. Yummy...Had just enough left over for hubby to take to work for lunch.

Old fashioned creamed tuna in toast cups

As good as this might sound. I don't believe I will be making it again *l*.. You butter crust less bread and put them in muffin tins. Toast in a 400 degree oven for 12 minutes.  While that is toasting in the oven... melt butter in a saucepan and then add flour to make a smooth paste. Add two cups milk and stir until thick and smooth. Take off the heat and add two cans of tuna.  Stir in pepper.  Take the toast and set into a bowl  and spoon mixture over. Served with peas on the side...  and a salad.. Salad was the best thing.. *l* 

Today I thought I would try and make lunch and dinner from the cookbooks. I had pizza  dough already so I tried my hand at Tomato/broccoli/ricotta cheese pizza.  Took out some frozen broccoli to thawed and  get it well drained.  I put the dough on my stone and took a fork and pierced it a few times. Put alittle olive oil on it and put it in a 450 oven for 7 minutes. While in the oven, I put in a bowl, 1 cup of ricotta cheese, minced garlic or you can use garlic powder. some basil, black pepper and crushed red pepper.* like 1/2 tsp of each. * Mixed it all together.  When the pizza comes out spread the mixture on it and then layer the broccoli on top * I didn't use the stem part . Cut a plum tomato and laid that on top too. Sprinkled it with shredded sharp cheddar cheese.  Baked it for 15 minutes more. Keep a eye out .. it could take less time if the crust is thinner.  I let it set for 5 minutes to firm it up. Also.. if you want to cut fat and calories down use low fat cheeses.. but if you ask me.. if your going to have pizza.. might as well use the good stuff.. *l*  It was soooo good.

For supper I made Spicy chicken tenderloins in the crockpot. It was very good and along side that I made creamy hashbrown casserole.  NOW the casserole was VERY creamy. My mother in law ate a huge portion of it. And really liked it. I think it needs spice to it.. Hot sauce in the sour cream mixture would be wonderful along with peppers.. to go with the onions and corn.   I will have to try it that way next time. * if you couldn't tell by now we like things alittle on the spicy hot side.. *

Pop - up - pizza

oh my oh my... tonight's dinner has to be one of my favorites so far...
POP - UP - PIZZA!!!!!!!

It is really easy...
'I browned a pound of hamburger with red/green peppers and 2 cloves of minced garlic. Stirred in the leftover Mom's spaghetti sauce that was leftover. If you want you can just add spaghetti sauce. Let that simmer for 10 minutes. While that was simmering I beat milk, eggs and oil in a bowl for one minute. Then I added flour and beat for another 2 minutes more.

I put the hot beef mixture into a ungreased  9 x 13 casserole dish. Sprinkled it with shredded cheddar cheese.  Poured the egg mixture over the top evenly. Topped it off with Parmesan cheese.  Baked it for 25 Min's til puffed up and golden brown. I served it along side a salad and  fresh baby carrots.  YUMMY...  I will be making this again!!

Last night two of my grandkids were here and Dakota wanted to make Hugs and kisses crescents.

Now just to let you know.. that is not what I wanted to make so I will be using my Hersheys cookbook again *l*
You take a package of crescent rolls and place 2 hershey kisses at the center of the wide end of each triangle. Starting at the wide end roll up and pinch edges to seal.   Bake for 10 minutes.. sprinkle with powder sugar and serve warm..

Using Leftovers

Today I decided to see what I could make to use up alittle bit of leftovers. I was searching and in the cooking with the horse and buggy II I found a recipe that used up my macaroni and rice in ONE dish. It was called  Better than Potato Salad!  It use my rice, noodles, hard boiled eggs along with onions, and finely cut carrots. The dressing was  salad dressing,  mustard , sugar and vinegar.  Let me tell you.. it was beautiful in the bowl looking.. but as far as I was concerned.. I will take potato salad over it anyday of the week *l*.. Now dont get me wrong.. it was alright.  Just not  better then potato salad.

I also made out of the Kids Favorites made healthy ..... Honey crusted Chicken. It cooks in no time at all.  You take boneless skinless chicken breast and cut in half. Lay them in a shallow baking dish. On top you make a mixture of honey, OJ , ground ginger , and pepper.  Brush over the breasts.  Then crush up corn flakes and layer on top.. All I had was Wheaties fuel, which is cornflakes, and rice cereal together so I used that.  It was wonderful. Hubby thought it was alittle to much on the sweet side as he likes spicer things. I think if I do it again I will put maybe Cayanne pepper in the sauce to give it a kick.  

Good ol raw carrots for our veggie!

Now we are debating on making a chocolate dessert. Two of my grandchildren are here, Dakota and Dixie but they are so engrossed with the movie on while I did the dishes and wrote here that it will have to wait.. but I will be sure and let you know...

Beef Roast Execellent'e

Using a 3 lb roast from the wonderful tasting cows we raise I  put it in the slow cooker. I poured Ginger ale over the roast. The ginger ale makes it tender and tasty but don't worry it's not sweet.  Put in minced garlic and topped it with potatoes and onions that were cut into quarters. Covered it and cooked it on low all day. When ready to serve I made some gravy out of the broth and  had cauliflower and a salad with bread.

yummy spagetti

Moms Hearty Spaghetti,

 As the snow came down and made everything white I decided a nice big plate of spaghetti was in order for the day.   Using Sausage for the meat in the sauce I slow cooked all day onions, peppers red and green,  diced tomato's, crushed tomatoes beef broth and a couple cloves of garlic. I know .. beef broth you say.. yes.. it adds alot of different  flavors to the sauce.  Along with basil , oregano and parsley.  served with a salad and green beans and homemade bread...

Farm show!!

Jan 11th I took the day off of cooking. Went to the Pa Farm Show.. Got to see cows, chickens, goats, horses, pigs, sheep bunnies,  along with Yummy food that Pa produces. From potatoes, meat, mushrooms, maple syrup, veggies, wines, and many other products. We also got to watch horse pulling and racing. 

Monday's dinner

After the big meal on Sunday I went for more of a fast easy meal.

Out of my hamburger book I made Alpine Burgers.. seasoned burgers topped with krut and swiss cheese... yummy and I took the leftover rice and made fried rice to go along with it..

sunday Dinner

 Sunday dinner... does that bring back memories of going to grandmas house or to your aunt and uncles after church with a table full of food?  I gave sunday dinner a try...

 

My sunday meal was

Baked Pork steaks and Apples. To go along with that I made hash brown bake with Trisha Yearwoods Cabbage Medley. Pork and Cabbage.. how can you go wrong?  For dessert , and those that know me I dont bake so this part is always a challenge.  I settled on Pumpkin Pie Crunch.

I takes a can of solid pack pumpkin mixed with evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, pumpkin pie spices.  Poured into a  13 x 9 x 2 inch pan. On top I sprinkled dry yellow cake mix evenly over it. Topped with melted butter and baked it for 55 minutes.  Cool completely and top with whip cream.. It is better then pumpkin pie.. my favorite pie!  I think that may have to be a thanksgiving staple from now on!