Crockpot Easy Meatballs

1 jar of Grape Jelly

1 jar of Chili sauce

1 box of Frozen Meatballs

Put all three ingredients in crockpot, Stir. Cook on high about 3 hours, low about 6 hours. I used precooked meatballs so didn't take long to cook. Serve with mashed potatoes or rice and veggies.

** hint to get all the chili sauce out of the bottle, pour about a inch of water in the bottle shake then pour on the meatballs.

Spaghetti Sauce

Spaghetti   Sauce

Ingredients:

1 pound of Ground Pork

1 pound of Lean Ground Beef

2 large cans of Tomato Sauce+ 1 Small can of Tomato Sauce

1 large can of Crushed Tomatoes

1 large can of Diced Tomatoes

2 TBSP of Minced Garlic ( i like the jarred Minced Garlic )

1 TBSP of Garlic Plus  ( found with the spices )

1 TSP Cinnamon

1 TBSP Crushed Red Chilies

3 Sprinkles of Tabasco Sauce

3 Sprinkles of Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 TSP Turmeric

1/2 TSP Ground Ginger

1 can of Tomato Paste ( small can )

1/2 TSP Leaf Oregano

2 TBSP of Quick Chocolate Powder

1 cup of Finely Grated Carrots

Salt And Pepper to Taste

    FRY YOUR BEEF AND PORK IN A FRYING PAN. I USE A POTATO MASHER TO BREAK IT UP. PUT YOUR COOKED BEEF AND PORK IN YOUR CROCK-POT. NOW ADD ALL THE OTHER INGREDIENTS, STIR.COVER AND SET YOUR CROCK-POT TO LOW FOR 6 TO 8 HOURS. ( ALL DAY ON LOW ) THE LAST HOUR BEFORE SERVING REMOVE THE COVER AND CONTINUE COOKING IT HELPS TO THICKEN A LITTLE.

**VERY SPICY SAUCE

**YOU MAY ADD OTHER VEGETABLES LIKE MUSHROOMS, CELERY , GREEN PEPPERS..MY FAMILY LIKES IT JUST  PLAIN ONLY THE CARROTS. ( IF ADDING CELERY OR GREEN PEPPERS I WOULD FRY TO SOFTEN FIRST.

***FREEZES WELL TO BE STORED FOR FURTHER MEALS, CAN BE USED TO MAKE LASAGNA, OR WITH ANY TYPE OF PASTA

*****ENJOY THIS IS MY SONS FAVORITE SAUCE

 Ranch Bacon Potato Salad

Ingredients:

10 potatoes ( peeled and boiled, not to soft but not hard) choose the amount of potatoes according to the amount of servings needed.

Bottle of Kraft Ranch Salad Dressing

Bag of store bought bacon bits or pieces

Green Onions ( chopped)

Dill pickles ( i use the sandwich stackers, they are easy to chop and come in many flavors ( i have tried the garlic and the spicy both work well)

These are optional Ingredients I like to add,

Celery (chopped)

Radishes ( chopped)

Boiled egg ( chopped)

Boil your potatoes, not too soft not too hard, check with a fork. Let the potatoes cool. Then cut your potatoes into bite size pieces.

In a big bowl add the diced potatoes, chopped green onion, chopped dill pickle,bacon bits and other ingredients you choose. Amounts use your judgement you should see enough color from the ingredients, not just potatoes. The more you make it you will figure out how much veggies you like added.  Add the ranch dressing enough to coat the potatoes. Mix well. Refrigerate at least one hour.

Enjoy

**Any questions just ask, new at writing recipes

Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

For the dressing,

1/4 cup vinegar

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

1 1/4 cup Mayonnaise or Salad Dressing

1 1/4 cup Sour Cream

4 stocks of Celery ( chopped)

1 bunch of Green Onions  (chopped)

3 Dill Pickles (chopped)

3 Radishes  (chopped)

1 Rotisserie Chicken ( removed from the bones)

1. I like to take my Rotisserie Chicken let it cool, then pull all the chicken from the bones and put in a container.

2.Make the Dressing, in a large bowl mix together the Vinegar, salt, Pepper, Mayonnaise and the Sour Cream. Mix well. I like to store in a container.

3.If making a huge amount for a crowd, Chop all the chicken into small pieces and in a large bowl mix the dressing, chicken and vegetables together.

4. I like to make small batches so I take alittle of the chicken, I chop it up. I put maybe 2 celery, 2 green onions,2 dill pickles and 2 radishes. In a bowl then I add enough dressing to coat the chicken. Then make your sandwich on your choice of bread. I like white or whole wheat, I butter the bread put baby spinach instead of lettuce, then the chicken salad..Yummy

5. This way you have the remaining chicken in your fridge, and the remaining dressing to make more later. Enjoy :)

Chipotle Cheesy Bacon Penne

Chipotle Cheesy Bacon Penne

Ingredients:

4 cups of uncooked Penne pasta

1 large tomato Diced

1 can of sliced mushrooms drained or fried fresh mushrooms

6 to 8 slices of bacon diced and then fried to make fresh bacon bits ( drain off the fat on a paper towel)

2 cups of Tex Mex shredded cheese

4 green onions chopped

Sauce Ingredients:

2 teaspoons of minced garlic ( i use jarred garlic)

3 tablespoons of margarine or butter

2 tablespoons of flour

1/4 teaspoon of pepper

1/2 teaspoon of Mrs Dash Chipotle Seasoning

2 1/2 cups of 2% milk

2 cups of Tex Mex cheese shredded

1. Cook the pasta according to directions. Set aside. Cook your bacon till crispy, drain on a paper towel.In a big casserole dish mix together your pasta, diced tomato,diced green onions,bacon bits and mushrooms. Now start your sauce

2. In a sauce pan saute garlic and butter till the butter is melted, add flour, pepper and chipotle seasoning. Stir until smooth; now gradually add the milk. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium,  cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes or until thickened.Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups of shredded cheese until all melted.

3. Add sauce to your pasta mixture in casserole dish. Make sure it is well mixed. Top with tex mex shredded cheese. Cook in a 350* oven till cheese is melted, then set to broil to brown the top keep an eye on it doesn't take long.

Goes great with caeser salad and garlic bread.

If you have leftovers reheat in the oven, doesn't reheat well in the microwave.

****also if you want instead of homemade cheese sauce, i have tried a store bought alfredo sauce , its not bad

Enjoy ..this is my families favorite, we have it at least once a week. If my son has friends over for a meal this is my go to meal . Its quick ,easy and feeds a crowd.

Banana Cake & Vanilla Frosting

Here is a recipe for Banana Cake and Frosting. I found this recipe on the net.I tried it it is awesome now a family favorite.It is so easy to make.Hope you like it :)

Banana Cake and Vanilla Frosting

Cake:

1 1/3 cup sugar

1 cup sour cream

2 eggs

4 tbsp butter, softened

4 mashed super ripe bananas

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

Frosting:

4 tbsp butter, softened

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups icing sugar

To make cake: ( easily mixes with a spoon no mixer needed)

Preheat oven to 375*f   for dark metal pans.( 350*f  for glass pans ) Uses a 9X13 pan.

Cream together sugar, sour cream,eggs and 4 tbsp of softened butter. Add the mashed bananas and 2 tsp of vanilla extract. Add flour, salt, and baking soda; mix well. Pour into 9 x 13 pan. Bake for 20to 25 minutes. Until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting..

To make the frosting:

Cream butter and icing sugar together till smooth. Slowly add the heavy cream; Stir until smooth. Stir in the vanilla, stir until incorporated. Spread on cooled cake.   

Ellis Island Book By Kate Kerrigan

Just read this book today.I read it in a day the story was so engaging i could not put it down.The stoty is about the struggles of a young couple Ellie and John Hogan.It is based in the 1920's in Ireland and New York City.The author writes with such clarity that it transports you there it's almost that you can see, feel and smell the places.I would recommend this book to anyone it was a fantastic read.

New to blogging

Hi,everyone I am new to blogging. I wanted a place to share my families favorite recipes,music and thoughts.