Spring Salad

Last weekend was Lee's grandma, MeMe's, birthday. We went to Ruston for dinner and I was in charge of the salad. It is very easy to throw together with few ingredients and taste great!! Hope you enjoy!


1 bag of spring mix
1-2 avocados, chopped
1/2 - 1 can of artichokes, sliced
3 green onions, chopped
pepper
zesty Italian dressing


Mix all ingredients together. Lightly toss with Italian dressing.

Mac N Cheese

This is a VERY good recipe!! Sabrina (loulousucre) gave me this and I have no complaints! It has a rich flavorful taste and you cannot take just one bite. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. Shredding your own cheese is what makes this dish so if you have the time, I would recommend shredding.

3 c uncooked macaroni (I used penne)
1 stick of butter
1 onion (I used 1/2 large onion), chopped finely
6 T flour
1-2 T of Dijon mustard (depending on if you like mustard taste)
1 qt of warm milk
Dash of nutmeg
Dash of thyme
1 bay leaf, optional
salt/pepper/garlic powder
8 oz block of sharp cheddar cheese, shred
4 oz mont jack cheese, shred
2 oz Gruyere cheese, shred (can use mozzarella if you can't find this cheese)
Parmesan cheese for topping
1 t Tabasco
1 T Worcestershire sauce

Cook macaroni. Melt butter and saute onions until lightly brown. Mix flour in well and cook a minute or two. Add mustard. Pour/whisk in warm milk and simmer. Add nutmeg, thyme, salt, pepper, garlic powder, bay leaf and cook 15 mins. Add cheddar, mont jack, and Gruyere; let melt. (I added a little Parmesan too). Add Tabasco and Worcestershire. Remove bay leaf and sprigs of thyme (if you used fresh). Add macaroni and mix well. Shred Parmesan cheese on top and cook at 350 until bubbly (approx 35-40 mins).

ENJOY!!

Slow Cooked Beef Stroganoff

Last week I made some beef tips and rice (recipe to come) and I had a package of stew meat left over. I wanted to make something different but everywhere I looked for recipes were either stews, soups, and beef tips... I thought about beef stroganoff b/c I have always been a fan of hamburger helper! So I thought I'd try to make it my self. I found this base recipe on AllRecipes.com and made a few alterations. I served over egg noodles with a salad and garlic bread.  And it was VERY good!!

BEFORE

1 to 1 1/2 lbs of tenderized stew meat

salt and pepper to taste

1 onion sliced

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup

1 (8 ounce)  package of fresh mushrooms

1 small bunch of green onions, chopped

2 clove garlic, minced

1 T Worcestershire sauce

1 can beef broth

1 cube beef bouillon

1/4 cup red wine

1 T all-purpose flour

1 T cornstarch

1 (8 oz) container sour cream (may use fat free)

4 oz cream cheese

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 package Lipton Onion soup mix
Egg noodles, cooked

Place beef in a bowl and pour some red wine... I let the meat get room temp while sitting in wine. The recipe didn't call for this but it turned out really good!!

Place the beef in the bottom of a slow cooker, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Place onion on top of beef.  Add mushrooms. In a bowl, mix mushroom soup, beef broth, and Lipton Onion Soup mix; add to crock pot. Top with green onions, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and bouillon.

In a small bowl, mix together the wine with the flour and cornstarch. Pour over the beef mixture.

NOTE: May use the beef broth in place of wine. Use the can to pour a little over meat and save 1/4 a cup for flour and cornstarch.
Cover, and cook on high for 1 hour then low for 6 to 7 hours. Stir in the sour cream, cream cheese, and parsley. Continue cooking for 1 hour.  Serve over egg noodles.

AFTER



ENJOY!!

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Happy Tuesday everyone. I have this dip that will make your rainy day better. My friend, Heidi, made this a few times over the past month. It was a hit every time! So I thought I'd share it with you. It is PERFECT for game day, potluck, or any occasion really. Enjoy!

Preheat oven at 350.

1 roasted  chicken, pulled apart OR 2 cans of chicken, drained

approximately 1/2 bottle of Frank's buffalo sauce

approximately 1/2 bottle of ranch dressing

8 oz of cream cheese, softened

8 oz bag of sharp shredded cheddar cheese

Mix chicken and buffalo sauce. Layer in a glass baking dish. Mix ranch and cream cheese and spread on top of chicken then sprinkle cheese on top.

Bake @ 350 for approximately 30 minutes, until cheese is bubbly. Serve with wheat thins or Ritz crackers.

Apple Pork Chops

Hey everyone! Here is an easy recipe that my friend Cat made for me one night. She got it from Kraft foods. It is so easy and very good! I have never liked anything by Stove Top Stuffing. EVER. But when I had this... I changed my mind. All the flavors go so good together!! Give it a try...

1 pkg. (6 oz.) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken

1 can  (21 oz.) apple pie filling

6 boneless pork chops (1-1/2 lb.), 3/4 inch thick (can substitute chicken breasts)
Pepper/Garlic powder or any seasoning for chops

Preheat oven to 375ºF.
Prepare stuffing as directed on package. Spread pie filling onto bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with chops (seasoned) and stuffing. Cover and bake 40 min. or until chops are done (160ºF), uncovering after 30 min.