Roasted cauliflower or brocolli

1 head cauliflower
2 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper

In lower third of oven place rack.
Preheat 450
Cut col. Or brocolli into 3/4 inch thick.
Place on baking sheet and toss with oil and seasoning. Bake until slightly brown and tender turning with spatula once or twice 25 to 30 mn. Serve with vinaigrette.

Roasted asparagus

1 1/2 lb asparagus
2 tbsp. Olive oil
1 tsp. Salt
1/2 lemon opt.

Preheat 450
Trim bottom asparagus. Place in baking dish. Drizzle olive oil and toss. Sprinkle with salt and toss. Bake 7 to 10 mn for thin stalks, 10 to 12 for thick ones. Sprinkle with lemon juice.

Pulled pork

1 bone in pork butt ( 5 to 6 lbs)
Salt and pepper
3 c. Chicken broth
1 tbsp. Liquid smoke
4 cups barbeque sauce, home made or store bought.
1/2 c. Apple cider vinegar optional
Sliced rolls for serving
Coleslaw

Preheat to 350
Place pork in large pot with lid and season. Pour broth around pork till 1 /4 way up side of meat. Add liquid smoke. Cover and put in oven. Meat is done when falling apart 3.  1/2 to 5 he's. Use fork. Let sit in pot for 20 mn. Remove pot and discard cooking liquid. Shred pork into small pieces. Place in large bowl. Warm barbeque sauce in small pot over med. High heat. Mix with meat. If pork needs more zing add apple cider vinegar to taste. Serve on roll, with coleslaw.

Beef stew

1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 c. Bacon
2 lb boneless beef chuck, brisket or round cut up into 1 inch cubes
Salt and pepper
1 onion chopped
2 carrots
2 ribs celery
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp thyme
2 cups beef broth or more.

Brown beef about 5 mn. Salt and pepper. Pour off all but 1 tbsp fat from pot. Reduce heat and add onion, carrot, celery,garlic. Thyme. Until veges soften about 3 mn. Add broth, beef, bacon. Simmer. Reduce to medium low and cover pot. Simmer for about 2 hours adding more broth or water if too dry.

Quesadillas

8 Flour tortillas
2 cups cheese

Preheat broiler
4 tortillas under broiler on rack
Until golden brown 2 to 3 mn.
Take out and sprinkle with cheese
Add fillings - olives brocolli asparagus zuchinni squash beans tomato onion bell pepper scallion
Place 4 uncooked on top of the filling. Place under broiler abt. 3 mn.
Slice into triangles. Serve with salsa, sour cream, guacamole

Simple fresh mozzerella pasta casserole

16 oz dried pasta
1 jar - 24 oz. Or 3 cup tomato sauce.
1 lb mozzarella
Parmesian cheese optional

Preheat to 400
Cook pasta until almost all dante
Return to pot add sauce and cheese
Bake till bubbly 20 to 30 mn

Skillet cheesy beef and macaroni

2 lbs lean ground beef
1 tbsp oil
1 cup bell pepper
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped onion

1 tbsp. Minced garlic
1 tsp. Basil and 1 tsp. Oregano

2 cans at 28 oz crushed tomato in juice
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp. Chili powder
Salt and pepper
3/4 lb elbow macaroni
2 cups - 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese

Heat very large skillet over med. High heat. 12 inch, deep skillet.cook beef until brown 5 mn. Strain beef and set aside. Wipe skillet. Add oil heat over medium heat. Add peppers,carrot , onion, garlic, cook until tender  5 mn. Re turn beef to skillet. Add basil, oregano, tomatos., Worcestershire sauce,chili powder,2 cups water.salt and pepper to taste. Increase heat to high let come to a simmer.add elbow macaroni. 8 to 10 mn. Sprinkle chedder on top then cover skillet and cook until cheese is melted abt. 1 mn. Serve.

Tacos

Taco filling for tacos

1 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cornstarch
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp. Paprika
1/2 tsp black pepper
Pinch of cayenne
2 lbs ground beef

Blend in bowl
Cook beef
Browned 5 mn.
Drain
Add spice mixture
1 minute mix
Add 3/4 c. Water till evaporated and evenly cooked and a little liquid left - 4 mn.

Transfer meat to a bowl.

Other toppings
Lettuce
Salsa
Cheese
Sour cream
Tomato's
Avacado

Guacamole

2 avacados
1/3 cup minced onion
1 med. Ripe tomato abt. 2/3 cup
Kosher salt and pepper
2 tsp. Fresh lime juice
1 tsp. Jalapeño pepper
1 tsp. Fresh cilantro

Mash all ingredients together. Serve with chips!
Make only 1 to 2 hr ahead of time. Store in fridge with plastic wrap directly on it. Stir before serving.

Chickpea poppers

2 cans (15oz.) Chickpeas rinsed and drained.
2 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 tsp. Salt

Can store in container for 5 days
Preheat 375
Spray sheet
Pat chickpeas dry then toss with olive oil and salt
Bake until golden brown and shrunk, 35 to 40 mn. They will harden and crisp as they cool so don't overbake. Taste for seasoning.

Pumpkin seeds

2 cups rinsed and dried pumpkin seeds ( large pumpkin) use colander to rinse. Dry on towel for 20 mn. Or pat dry.
1 tbsp oil
Salt to taste
Opt. Butter, cinnamon, sugar

Preheat to 350
20-25 mn.
Shake once while cooking. Let dry on sheet.

Beef Enchiladas

These are yummy and easy to make and the ingredients couldn't be any more accessible or straight forward. Too bad the price of beef keeps going up. Everyone has to have their beef fix once in a while. My favorite way to eat beef is in a taco. So here ya go!

Beef Enchiladas

• 1 packet of Enchilada seasoning mix
• 1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
• 2 cups water
• 1 Ib ground beef
• 8 flour tacos
• 2 cups shredded cheese

Brown and crumble 1 pound of ground beef. Drain fat.

In separate pan blend enchilada seasoning mix with 1 can of tomato paste and 2 cups of water. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer 15 mn. stirring occassionally.

With tongs (or hands!) dip each flour tortilla into sauce.

Place 1/4 cup of beef mixture into each tortilla. Top with 1 cup of cheese. Roll tightly. Put seam side down in 7x11 baking dish. Top with remaining  sauce and 1 cup of cheese.

Bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Peanut Butter Granola

Granola can be expensive at the store! Lets not even mention the price of cereal. With a hungry husband who could eat an average sized box of cereal in 2 days I am constantly trying to find ways to "get the most bang for my buck" when it comes to breakfast cereal. Sometimes that means mixing raisin bran with cheerios, or life cereal with granola, whatever the combination this recipe is SO easy and delicious and cheap, it makes me look forward to breakfast in the morning. Plus, I know all the ingredients in it.

The most expensive thing is the honey. The way I look at it, i'm still saving money on this granola rather than buying it at the grocery. Do the math. You could also substitute maple syrup or anything "sticky" with honey. It's all up to you! Honey is always the healthy option.

Peanut Butter Granola

• 2 tbsp. creamy peanut butter
• 2 tbsp. honey
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup. oats

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Grease cookie sheet. Combine peanut butter and honey in a bowl and microwave until peanut butter melts (approximately 20 seconds). Stir.

Stir cinnamon and vanilla into peanut butter and honey mixture.

Add oats and stir until oats are completely covered in peanut butter mixture. Spread out mixture onto prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes or until granola is slightly brown. Let cool until granola is crunchy. 

Sugar Cookies

I've never been a big fan of sugar cookies, but these are the exception. Good during holidays of coarse!

Sugar Cookies

• 2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup butter - softened
• 1 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375

In a small bowl combine flour, baking soda, baking powder.
In large bowl cream together butter & sugar until smooth. Beat in egg & vanilla. Gradually blend in dry ingredients. Roll rounded teaspoons full of dough into balls and place on baking sheet.

Bake 8-10 minutes in oven or until golden. Let stand on cookie sheet 2 minutes before removing to wire rack.

Apple Pie By Grandma Ople

This is an apple pie recipe that I found on the internet that has been my go-to for the past five years. It wont let you down :) Just typing this out gets me excited for fall and all things cinnamon-y & nutmeg-y. Not too long from now.

Apple Pie By Grandma Ople  

• 1 crust for a 9 inch double crust pie (see below) 
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup backed brown sugar
• 8 yellow apples (any type) peelled, cored, sliced.
• cinnamon & nutmeg to taste (the more the better!) 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add water, white sugar and brown sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce temperature and let simmer.

Place the bottom crust in your pan. Fill with apples. Cover with a lattice work crust. Gently pour the sugar and butter liquid over the crust. Pour slowly so it does not run off.

Bake 15 minutes in preheated oven. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking for 35-45 minutes. I sometimes cover the crust edges with aluminum foil to prevent it from burning.

#1 Pie Crust

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled, cut into small pieces
• 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening, chilled, cut into small pieces
• 4 tablespoons of ice water (more or less)

Blend the flour, sugar, salt. Add the butter and shortening; pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. Drizzle 4 tablespoons of ice water  over mixture. Process just until moist clumps form, adding more water by teaspoonfuls if dough is dry. Gather dough into a ball and split into 2. Flatten into a disk. Wrap in plastic. Chill 1 hour.

Roll out the both disks on a lightly floured work surface into a round. Transfer the dough to a 9-inch diameter pie dish. Fold the overhang under. Crimp edges decoratively. Pierce bottom of crust all over with a fork. Freeze crust for 15 minutes. Put pie filling inside and cover with 2nd layer of crust. Cook at 425 for 15 minutes and reduce to 350 for 35-45 minutes.

Nessa's Mint Chocolate Oreo Balls

When we lived in Rexburg, Idaho at the end of our college years my Sister in law Vanessa lived literally a block away from us. It was so much fun hanging out with her and her husband, we were all just complete goof balls. What can I say, us Brown's love to eat... this was one of the recipes Vanessa made quite often. Me posting this is a tribute to those special times we shared...we miss them way too much.

These make great holiday treats. Reason being is that this is not something you want to make just for you and your family! ;) 

Be careful not to burn the chocolate - we did this a few times. Make sure the pan you are using is good quality and thick. I think that was the trick for us.

Nessa's Oreo Balls

• 1 bag of oreos
• 1 8 oz package of cream cheese
• 1 bag andes mint chocolates

Mix cream cheese with mashed Oreo's (use a blender, or put in plastic bag and crush using hands but the last option is more time consuming).  Roll cream cheese/oreo mixture into balls (fairly small since these are pretty rich).

Melt chocolate on the stove top at low temperature. Dip balls into melted chocolate and place on wax paper sheet or paper plate until dry.

Salsa Chicken & Rice

 5 stars! This one tastes restaurant worthy. It's really easy too. The secret ingredient in this recipe is the cilantro - don't leave it out!

Salsa Chicken & Rice

• 1.5 Ibs. chicken breasts
• 1 - 16 ounce jar salsa
• 1 - 15 ounce can black beans, drained
• 1 - 15 ounce can corn
• 1 tbsp. chili powder
• 1/2 tbsp. cumin
• 1/2 tbsp. minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• cracked pepper to taste
• 2 cups dry rice
• 8 ounce shredded cheddar cheese
• cilantro

Add everything except the rice, cheese, and cilantro to slow cooker or pot along with 1/4 cup water. Give everything a good stir and make sure chicken is covered in the mixture.

If using slow cooker cook on low for 8 hours.

Near end of the cooking time, cook 2 cups of rice. stir with a fork and shred chicken (it should be super tender and shred easily). Build the taco bowls by placing rice on the bottom, then the taco chicken mix, shredded cheese and fresh cilantro.

Chocolate Oatmeal

If you are like me, you dread even the idea of a mushy bowl of oatmeal in the morning. Anything else sounds better. Until this. If you are looking for a way to get more fiber into your diet without punishing yourself this is the recipe for you. In fact, this recipe almost tastes like a no bake cookie - what?! But it's not! Completely healthy ;) So go on a make yourself a nice heaping bowl of chocolate oatmeal you will not regret it!

Chocolate Oatmeal

• 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 banana chopped
• 1 1/2 tbsp. cocoa powder
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp. brown sugar (or any type of sweetener) I go by taste. 

Combine everything except sugar/sweetener. Cook over medium high heat for 5-7 minutes. When it bubbles stir occasionally. Add brown sugar at the end to taste. 

Go ahead and indulge!

Taco Soup

This recipe can be altered in so many ways! I always call it "poverty soup" because honestly, I just use what I have available in my house and throw things together. It never tastes the same twice. This is why I figured I would post the actual recipe on here so I can go off of the real thing now and then. Sometimes I use tomato paste if I want more of a chili-like or spaghetti sauce texture to throw on top of pasta, and sometimes I just use cans of stewed tomatoes. It all varies. The actual soup, if the recipe is actually followed, always tastes THE best. YUM yum yum!! I would have to say this is my favorite meal of all time....you just can't go wrong with a bowl of Taco Soup!

Taco Soup

• 1Ib (I always do less) ground beef
• 1- 15 ounce can stewed tomatoes (any flavor)
• 1 - 15 ounce can stewed tomatoes (Mexican flavor)
• 1 - 15 ounce can stewed/diced tomatoes (any flavor)
• 1 large onion (chopped)
• 1 - 1 1/4 ounce package of taco seasoning
• 1 - 1 1/4 ounce package ranch dressing mix
• 1 - 15 ounce can hot chili beans
• 1 - 15 ounce can pinto beans
• 1 - 15 ounce can whole kernel corn
• 1 can green chilis

Brown the meat and onions together and drain. Mix the taco seasoning mix and ranch dressing mix into the meat (optional). Add all other ingredients without draining. Simmer for about an hour (if you can't wait this long turn up the heat, just don't let the bottom burn!)

Serve hot, topped with sour cream, cheese, avocado, nacho chips (all optional!)

Your tummy will thank you. 

Home-made Egg Noodles

Home-made goodness! These go great in a chicken noodle soup. The BEST thing about this recipe is that it is drop dead simple. Right up my alley. Any one can make them. They do wonders in bulking up any type of soup, and on a budget.

If I lived on a farm with chickens and the economy were to tank and grocery stores ceased to be this is the one product I would be able to make without difficulty. Adding this to my (very short) list of survival skills.

Home-made Egg Noodles

• 2 eggs - beaten
• 2 tbsp. milk
• 1 tsp. salt
• Flour

Mix first 3 ingredients together. Then add enough flour to make dough just stiff. Roll out on floured board. Cut into strips. Let dry. Add to soup.

Sweet simplicity! 

Buttermilk Whole Wheat Pancakes (without buttermilk!)

Now these are pancakes you can't get from a box. They are so good, and guilt free because they are whole wheat! I always try to go light on the syrup so as to not ruin a good thing. One quirky thing about my pancakes is that I cannot go without peanut butter on them! I blame my husband and his family for this. Like I need to put even more calories into pancakes than they already have. Well no going back now. Good thing is you have the option of leaving the peanut butter off of this recipe if you would like :)

Buttermilk Whole Wheat Pancakes (without buttermilk!)

• 1 egg (beat)
• 1 cup of buttermilk (1 cup of milk, and 1 tbsp. of white vinegar. Let sit for a couple minutes until it starts to curdle a bit). 
• 2 tbsp. butter - melted
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla
• OPTIONAL: OATS**, Blueberries, almonds, peanuts, chocolate chips, cinnamon - whatever floats your boat!  

**I always add oats, it just makes it taste that much better!

Beat egg. Add remaining ingredients in order. How Simple! Put on the griddle or stove top and cook until done.

Creamy Garlic Pasta

This one is a 5 star dish. It's easy, and lasts quite a long time. In my opinion it tastes exactly like those alfreado pasta dishes you get at Applebees or Johnny Carino's. Yup, it's that good!

This is actually a doubled recipe. I always find it more convenient to use up more of the cream and the entire package of pasta that way I don't have leftovers. You can always halve it though.

Creamy Garlic Pasta

• 4 tsp olive oil
• 8 cloves garlic, minced (I use one whole medium sized garlic)
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 6 cups (48 ounce) chicken stock
• 1 |b of spaghetti
• 2 cup (I use alot less) mozzarella cheese
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or any herbs)
• OPTIONAL: Vegetables/chicken

In pot, bring olive oil to medium-low heat. Add the garlic and stir, allowing it to cook for 1-2 minutes. Mix in the butter until melted. Add the salt, pepper and chicken stock. Raise the heat to high and let it come to a boil.

Once it is at a rolling boil add the pasta and cook for as long as it takes. Reduce the stove to medium heat and mix in the mozzarella cheese until completely melted. Turn off the heat and stir in the cream and parsley. Serve immediately. 

No Yeast Pizza Dough

While I wouldn't necessarily give this recipe a 5 star rating, I do give it a 5 star rating when it comes to ease. You really can't tell there is no yeast, and you can't beat a pizza dough that takes less than 5 minutes to put together! If you are a busy person with a hungry stomach but don't have the money to order out this one is for you! Plus, it's fun and easy for the kiddos!

No Yeast Pizza Dough

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp  dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup Milk
• 1/4 cup butter, melted 

Preheat oven to 425

Butter 1 large baking sheet

In large bowl, combine flours, baking powder, dried oregano and salt. Pour in milk and butter; stir with a fork until soft dough forms. Turn out onto lightly floured surface and knead a couple of times just until smooth. Roll or pat dough onto a baking sheet.

This dough may also be split in half or thirds for people with different topping preferences!

Add your toppings. 

Bake for 12 to 15 min or until crust is golden, toppings are hot and cheese is bubbling.

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting (Easy!)

In the past i've tried making butter cream frostings, but unfortunately due to my bad luck or inexperience they came out a complete disaster. I was really nervous about putting this one to the test but it came out magnifico! It is seriously addicting and the easiest frosting you could ever make. I don't want to lose it. I'll be using it for everything. Below is a photo of my very first cupcake. Oh my, what have I started? A new addiction!

EASY Vanilla Buttercream Frosting (3 ingredients)

• 1 cup (8 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
• OPTIONAL (food coloring)

Using the wire whisk attachment of your stand mixer, whip the butter for 5 minutes, stopping to scrape the bowl once or twice.

Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar. Once all of the powdered sugar is incorporated, increase the speed to medium-high and add the vanilla, mixing until incorporated. Whip at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping the bowl as needed.

You may have to refrigerate it to stiffen it up a bit before decorating.

Store any unused buttercream in the fridge or freezer and let come to room temperature before using again.