Ranch Chicken Casserole

Well its that time of year..... time for parents to get back on schedule...time for early bed times....and most importantly time for a lil bit of quiet (all my kids are in school this year, my baby is on preschool :( so I am lonely) This recipe is great for busy nights of homework. Its quick & simple :) 1 (about 29 oz) can chicken 1 pkg (16 oz) rotini noodles (or whatever you have on hand) 1 pkg. (16 oz) frozen peas & carrots 2 pkgs dry ranch mix 1 cube butter Cook noodles until there halfway done. In a big pan add butter, noodles, veggies, ranch, & chicken. Cook until veggies & noodles are done. Serve warm. Easy huh. This is one of my kids' favorites. Yields: about 5 servings

Cucumbers & Onions

Yes I am doing another garden recipe :) This is a old family favorite, if you haven't tried this and your not sure you'll like it then go buy a bag of salt & vinegar chips and try them. That's the closest thing I could tell you it compares too!!

2 cucumbers peeled & sliced
1 onion sliced
1 c. vinegar
1 c. water
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Mix all together except veggies. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add veggies. Let sit overnight. You can use as many cukes & onions you want.

-*- DRAWING -*-

Hey people its that time again! So we have been sitting a little over 80 people for awhile now but once we hit 125 FOLLOWERS were doing another great drawing. Were asking for your help, and of course i'm sure you need a little persuasion right!?! So here is the thing we need you to tell your peeps about our blog and than have them comment on this post and mention who sent them. An now for the best part we will hook up the winner with some super fabulous gifts! We will be posting a pic soon but we can tell you now the gifts come from Somnad, Shelf Reliance and, Grunged Glittered n' Branded (swainstonvinylanddezign.blogspot.com) your sooo gonna want a shot at this! So lets get this giveaway started cause we cant wait to give another person an awesome gift! So on your mark... get set...go...

Zucchini Boats

How many of you are growing a garden? Ok, any of you have more zucchini than you know what to do with? I do I do! Well this is a great recipe my family LOVED!!!

2 med. zucchinis about 8 inches each

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef

1/2 pkg bacon cooked & cut up

1 onion chopped

1 c. mushrooms chopped

1 green pepper chopped

8 oz shredded mozzarella

2 cans cream of chicken soup

parmesan

salt & pepper

butter

Slice zucchini in half lengthwise. Scoop out all pulp but 1/2 inch. Spread with butter and sprinkle with parmesan. Cook for 2o mins. @ 350* Cook everything else together except cheese & soup. When its all cooked add soup. Put all in cooked zucchini and bake @ 350* for 25 mins. covered. Top with cheese and cook for an additional 5 mins.

Sweet Potato Fries & Avocado dip (cooking channel's - Ingrid Hoffman) - adapted by Carolyn

Ok so after much begging Carolyn is going to contribute to the blog here and there when she can by providing us with some great recipes so im going to post a few that she sent me after she made 1 of our sisters lunch that ended up getting shared with quiet a few people in the office. So since so many people asked for the recipe there she figured it would be a great thing to share on the blog so i hope all of you that have tried or will be trying this let us know what you think.

SWEET POTATO FRIES:

2 large sweet potatoes (peeled or unpeeled) cut into 4in. long & 1/4-1/2 in. thick fries

2 TBS olive oil

1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp ground coriander

coarse ground rock salt, and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Preheat your oven to 450* F Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and set aside

Place the sweet potatoes in a lg bowl and toss with olive oil until the sweet potatoes are coated. Add the paprika, chili powder, coriander, salt, and pepper; toss to distribute evenly. Arrange the coated fries in a single layer on the prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes on the lower rack until the sweet potatoes soften. Transfer the pan to the upper rack of the oven and bake 10 minutes longer, until fries are crispy. Serve with avocado dip.

AVOCADO DIP:

1 avocado

1/3 c. mayo

1/3 c. cream cheese

1 jalapeno, seeded & chopped

2 scallions, white & light green part only, chopped

1 lime juiced

salt & freshly ground pepper

Place the avocado, mayonnaise, cream cheese, jalapeno, scallions, and lime juice into a blender or small food processor. Blend for 1 minute or until you have a smooth paste. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve as a dip for the Sweet Potato Oven Fries.

Hope you all enjoy these recipes & again please leave your comments, questions or remarks.

Grilled Red Cheesy Potatoes- Rhonda B.

I am the kind of gal that's all about summer grilling, along with anything that is fast & easy & these potatoes are so quick & easy but yet so good!! NOTE: This makes a lot of Potatoes you may want to cut back

10 lbs of RED potatoes
1 1/2 Cubes of Butter
1/3 C.California Style Coarse Grind Blend
Salt & Pepper
1 LG Block Velveeta Cheese

Take two pieces of tin foil to double the strength & make a grilling bag. Take your desired amount of Potatoes wash thoroughly DO NOT PEEL & dice them up into medium sized chunks, place all the chunks into grilling bag, add all butter & as much California Blend & Salt & Pepper as desired. Cook on Low/Med Heat for about 1/2 hour maybe 45 Min Open grill bag & check Potatoes to see if they are soft all the way through. When soft cut Velveeta in LARGE chunks and place over top of Potatoes & reclose bag until cheese if fully melted. Serve up Potatoes.

Good Eating!!!

~YadaMae~

Cool Cucumber Dip -Robin B.

I don't know about you guys but I could live off chips & dips & snacky foods during the summer. Some nights are just toooo hot and busy to bake. This dip is so cool & refreshing its perfect!!

2 cucumbers peeled & diced
1/2 c. onion or jalapeno chopped
24 oz. Cottage cheese
1 c. mayo
1/4-1/2 tsp. Accent (or salt)
1/4 tsp garlic salt
Pepper to taste

Mix all together & chill. Serve with chips or veggies

Chicken Salad Sandwich

I have had many friends that have asked me for a chicken salad sandwich recipe. This has always been my go to recipe for reunions, camping, showers, etc. It goes great on any kind of bread. I usually serve it on croissants but I had this loaf of everything french bread from walmart so I thought why not right?!?

1/4-1/2 tsp garlic salt
1(approx. 27 oz) can chicken
2 c. sliced grapes (I used green this time but any work)
1 1/2 -2 c. mayo
1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
you can also put celery in it if you prefer


Mix all together and serve on bread or eat plain. Goes great with chips & salsa. Good eats :)