Oatmeal Mix

This recipe is just as good as those packages of instant oatmeal you buy, costs way less, and is a great way to use your food storage!

6 cups quick-cooking oats
1 1/3 cups nonfat dry milk powder
1 cup dried apple or other dried fruit
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENT
8 cups water, 1/2 cup per serving

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except water. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 6 months. Yield 8 cups total.

To prepare oatmeal: Shake mix well and measure out 1/2 cup oatmeal into bowl, add 1/2 cup water, and microwave for 3 minutes. Or on a stove top, in a saucepan, bring 1/2 cup water to a boil; slowly stir in 1/2 cup mix. Cook and stir over medium heat for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand for 1 minute or until oatmeal reaches desired consistency.

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies EVER!

I've been a lazy blogger and totally have been ignoring the recipe blog. I am excited to get back in there. Since the holidays are coming up I am sure we will have plenty of great recipes posted...

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies EVER:

Cream together:

1-1/2 cup shortening

3/4 cup sugar

1-1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed

ADD:

1-1/2 teaspoonful vanilla

3 eggs beaten

1-1/2 teaspoonful salt

1 1/2 teaspoonful baking soda

1 teaspoonful baking powder

Fold in 1 cup at a time 4-5 cups sifted flour

Fold in 1/2 package of chocolate chips

Bake at 375 for 7-8 minutes, do not over cook, makes 6 dozen

*For optimal results I make round balls of dough with my hands and I usually cook them for 6 min. and 30 sec.

Stuffing!!

Again horrible picture, but the best stuffing ever!! This is the recipe my mother in law uses!! My favorite, though I used to HATE stuffing...no longer :)

6 cups diced bread (I use sourdough from Costco)
2 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, diced
2 stalks celery, sliced
1/4 tsp rosemary
1/4 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp sage
3 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups vegetable stock

Preheat oven to 350 F. Spread diced bread on a cookie sheet and place in the oven for at least 15 minutes, tossing occasionally to insure its all toasted. Meanwhile, saute butter, onion and celery over medium heat until onions are translucent.

Remove bread from oven and add the onion mixture, herbs and salt. Mix well. Carefully drizzle the stuffing with vegetable stock and toss gently, if it seems to dry add a little more stock. Bake uncovered for 20-30 minutes. Enjoy!!

Zucchini Casserole

Sorry this picture is not that great, but I promise you it's delicious!! I got this recipe when I was in high school!!

Preheat oven to 350 F
Saute 1 cup chopped onion in 1 stick of margarine
Add 1 can cream of mushroom soup
Add 1 cup sour cream
Add 1 cup shredded carrots
Add 4-5 medium size sliced zucchini (I slice and the cut in half, moon shaped)
Stir everything well to combine, remove from heat.
Fold in half a box of Stove Top stuffing to the mixture. In a separate bowl mix the other half of the box with 1 stick melted butter. Pour zucchini mixture into a 9x13 baking dish, sprinkle topping mixture over the zucchini's. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until golden brown.

Sugar Cookies

I seriously LOVE these cookies!! The dough may seem a little crumbly, but I just form it into a brick like shape and chill it for about 30 minutes...you wont be disappointed!!

1 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Cream together butter and sugar until "fluffy". Add egg and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl, then add to the butter mixture. Mix well and chill for 30 minutes. Roll out dough to 1/4" and cut out cookie shapes. Preheat oven to 350 F and bake for 8-10 minutes. Makes approximately 4 dozen 3" cookies!!

Frankfurter Supper Dish

6 hotdogs
1 package frozen green beans
1 1/2 C. white sauce*
1/2 C. bread (about 2 slices) buttered
1/2 tsp. worchestershire sauce
1 C. cheddar cheese

Heat over to 375 degrees. Drop franks in boiling water and heat 5-6 minutes. Cut into 1" pieces. Cook beans 1/2 time directed on package. Make white sauce stirring in worchestershire sauce. Stir in beans and franks into white sauce. Pour into greased 1.5 quart baking dish. Spread broken, buttered bread on top and cover with cheese.

Bake 30 minutes.

*White Sauce
1 Tbsp. melted butter
1 1/2 Tbsp. flour
Mix together to make smooth. Add (while stirring) 1 C. milk. Mix and simmer until sauce is thick.

Shepherd's Pie

1 small onion, chopped
1 lb ground beef
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 can green beans
1 can (10.5 oz) tomato soup
2 C. mashed potatoes

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cook onion in oil until transparent. Add meat and cook until brown. Add seasonings, drained beans and soup. Pour into 1.5 quart baking dish. Spoon mashed potatoes over mixture. Bake 30 minutes.