Italian Pepperoni Pasta

One of my twins loves pasta!  He could eat it all day , each and every day.  Now that I think about it, I think he does have it at once a day.  This is perfect for the summer as it doesn’t need to be refrigerated.  I’ll be making this one  a lot.  

Mexican Corn ..You know, like in the can

Mexican Corn.  Do you remember your precious Mama making it out of the can for you?  Well, I do!  I always loved it.  Now, I love this a lot more.  Simple and so flavorful!

Sweet Potato Puffs

Oh, do I have a favorite holiday sweet potato dish for you!  Dessert or side, you decide.  It's an old one but a great one!  Cook as many sweet potatoes as you wish.  Sweeten to your taste with either brown or regular sugar.  Add vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, nuts....whatever you want to make it your own.  There really isn't a set amount of anything.   It's your old sweet potato casserole rolled up in a ball with the marshmallows hiding inside!!!

Lime Pineapple Jello Salad

My precious Mama would always make this congealed salad, especially holidays.  We all loved it and now my family does, too.  The only difference?  I don't wait for special occasions to make and enjoy. 

I noticed this looked a little thin and commented about it to hubby.  He told it may be because he ate about half of it, still in the bowl, while I was getting the boys ready for bed!  ~smile~ 

Cheesy Alfredo Bacon Ranch Potatoes and Onions

Alfredo, cheese, ranch and bacon on buttery potatoes and onions.  Loving every bite!

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Broccoli Corn and Cheese Jiffy Mix Casserole

I have seen casseroles made with Jiffy Mix for some time now.  Heck, forever!  I finally made one with the popular mix and Oh, My, Goodness!  I love it.  Hubby loves it!  They  (don’t like broccoli) My oldest son loves it!  Easy to make with whatever you have on hand.  Mix and bake, yep, I love that, too! 

Potatoes and Ham Soup

This brings back memories of my precious Mama cooking newly dug potatoes from the garden.  I would have to wash the dirt off and place them on dry grass to dry, turning them over to ensure even drying.  There is nothing better than fresh potatoes that have simmered on the stove, either with a cream sauce..Potatoes and Cream Sauce, or with a hunk of leftover ham.  Mama always put a lot of pepper in her potatoes and would sometimes but garden peas in with the cream sauce.   I started out not making this to write down and just added a little here and more there.  Adjust the recipe to suit.  Do you have a potato memory?  ~smile~

Tomato Casserole

This is an easy and economical side or main dish (double recipe.)   Add your favorite herbs, meats and cheeses or leave it plain.  Any way you make it is going to be a hit!

Spinach Squares

I love spinach but it wasn't until recently that I decided I did.  I despised it as a child and would refuse to eat it, turning up my nose and closing my lips tightly.  Now, I eat it weekly baked or raw, I want it!   One of my twins eats it raw..he loves salads!  The other two boys, well I'm working on them.  Trying new ways.  They'll come around..in time.

Roasted Rosemary Turnip Roots

When I was younger, you couldn't get me to eat turnips for nothing!  Nope, nothing!  No way, no how!  Fast forward a gazillion years...I love them!  I cook them with ham seasoning but my very favorite way to eat them is roasted.  Oh. My. These are so good!  I could grab and eat them right out of the oven.  Yes, I love them that much now.   So much so, I cooked them twice, in two days, in my Lodge  15" Seasoned Steel Skillet.  This is perfect to roast vegetables in!  I roasted 1 pound and could easily fit another pound in.  The larger ones were quartered, the smaller halved.  Simply seasoned yet robust in flavor.  Try them...I know you will love them also.  Oh,  just in case you hadn't heard.....I am very honored to be hosting a giveaway sponsored by Lodge Manufacturing.  It's for their amazing 15" Seasoned Steel Skillet.  I have cooked in it every day and l just love the ease of cooking from stove top to oven to grill.  It is large enough to accommodate food for my growing boys and much more.  Perfect!  The giveaway will start sometime in the next two weeks.  Stay connected with me so you won't miss out on this fantastic skillet.

Smashed Potatoes

Oh, these are so good!  You really don't need a recipe.  Boil, Smash, Bake, Eat!  Use your favorite toppings and there ya go!  Enjoy!

Smashed Potatoes

small potatoes 

olive oil

salt, optional

pepper, optional

ground garlic, optional

sour cream, optional 

chives, optional

parsley, optional

parmesan cheese, optional

cheddar cheese, optional 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease baking sheet(s).  Scrub potatoes and boil until fork tender.  Smash with something heavy.  My yukon gold potatoes were on the big size so I cut them in thick slices and then smashed!  It's fun to work out the frustrations of the day.  ~wink~  Place on a greased baking sheet.  Drizzle or spray with olive oil.  Sprinkle with your favorite seasonings, I used salt, pepper and garlic.  Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until they start to lightly brown.   You can top with cheese the last few minutes.  Top with your favorite toppings and Enjoy!
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Sweet and Crunchy Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes for breakfast you may ask?  There isn't any reason not to eat them, right?  We eat them baked, sliced and roasted and boiled.  Whole, sliced or mashed we love them. They are healthy and taste great just as they are.  When topped with homemade granola and homemade maple syrup, they are wonderful! .  Eat them for breakfast, a side or even dessert.  These are perfect sliced, mashed or whole.  Cut down the middle lengthwise of whole sweet potatoes,  push the two sides together, top with granola and drizzle with syrup and/or melted butter/margarine.  Boil, drain , mash and top.  Any way you make them, top with granola and maple syrup and you have a new fav!

Sweet and Crunchy Sweet Potatoes 

sweet potatoes

homemade granola

homemade maple syrup
sea salt and white pepper to sprinkle on top, optional

Scrub sweet potatoes and prick with a fork.  Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick spray.  

Bake sweet potatoes in a preheated 400 degree F oven for 35-45 minutes,

 depending on size. 

They are done when they can be gently squeezed

Let cool.  Peel and slice.

Or, split down the middle with the bottom intact.

Top with homemade granola and drizzle with homemade maple syrup.  

Broccoli Chicken and Rice...The Easy Way

It has been a long time since I made chicken and rice.  I don't know why because we love it!  Well, hubby and I do anyway.  The boys can be picky at times and not exactly happy about what is cooked.  They eat..anyway.  ;D

My boys have been sick with the flu since Saturday.  Temperatures have been as high as 104.5 degrees with my younges and a steady 103 for 24 hours, for my oldest.  It was bad.  Thank the good Lord, the fevers are gone.  With their passing they left coughs, aches, sore throats and snuffy/runny noses.  Even so, I am glad.  I'll take those any day in the place of frightful fevers.

Back to the rice.  Hubby bought a rotisserie chicken yesterday, since I have been feeling bad myself and oh so tired,  but nobody felt like eating it.  I decided to make chicken and rice with it.  It couldn't be easier!  Take the meat off the bones and throw them, and the skin, in a pot, cover with water and Ta Da...easy chicken broth.  The next time you buy a whole cooked chicken...save the skin and bones to make a big pot of chicken and rice.  Enjoy!  <3 and hUgs!

Broccoli Chicken and Rice

1 whole rotisserie chicken, skin and bones removed, meat chopped

1 1/2 cups brown rice

1 12oz bag broccoli, chopped, fresh or frozen

1 to 2 teaspoons seasoning salt or kosher salt

pepper to taste

Take meat off the bones.  Save the bones and skin.  

Put in a stock pot and cover with water.  Bring to a boil and simmer at least 30 minutes.  

Remove skin and bones from pot and strain broth.  De-grease if needed.  

Return broth to pot and bring to boil.  Add rice and broccoli.  Cook 20 minutes or until rice is tender.

Labor Day Suggestions

Happy Labor Day!  I hope and pray Each of you has a Safe and Wonderful Day!  Eating with family and friends and making Beautiful Memories as the Summer Comes to a Close.  But, not in Florida!  It will be hot here for quite some time.  

Here are links to some of our favorites.  Take your pick and enjoy...the choices are all yours!  <3 and Hugs Dear Ones!

Meats....

Ted's Pulled Pork

Crock Pot Pork Chops

Brined Roasted Chicken

Stuffed Hamburgers

Inside Out Chili Dogs and Cheese Dogs

Peppered Lemon Pork Loin

Sides

Tortellini Salad

Ranch Potato Salad

Potatoes In Cream Sauce

Tater Bugs

Sweet Beans and Ham

Fried Potatoes, Onions and Peppers

Creamed Corn and Bacon

Rice and Tomatoes

Appetizers.... 

Refrigerator...Pantry Dip

Mini Bacon and Cheese Fritattas 

Chili Bean Salad Dip

Fruity Bacon Jam

Bread...I only have one.  Think I need to work on this one.  :D

Buttermilk and Corn Cornbread

Desserts...

Grandma's Blueberry Cake

Banana Cake

Tropical Pineapple Pops In A Cup

Ice Cream In A Bag

Brownie Peanut Butter Pie

Refrigerator Lemon Cake  (pictures are good but the cake is GREAT!)

Gooey Brownie Pecan Pie

I'll try to add some more in a bit.  

Tortellini Salad

I found this recipe about 20 years ago and make it all the time.  My Boys just love it and we hope you do too.  ~Hugs~

My twins made this Tortellini Salad!  <3 p="">