Cowboy Beans

This is a really easy, get done quick meal that everyone likes here. I can never seem to make enough. Unfortunately due to allergies I have to omit the onions. If you ask me, they make this taste a LOT better.

small onion, diced
1/2 - 1lb bacon (optional but YUM)
2 pkgs hotdogs,
9 cans pork and beans

Cook bacon and set aside
In bacon grease, sautee onions until soft and clear
Slice hotdogs lengthwise and then into slices (making half "coins", quarter if you have little ones that can choke)
Add hotdogs to onions and cook until hotdogs are browned
Drain grease from pan
Combine all ingredients in pan and cook until heated through and flavors are combined, about 20mins

Scalloped Potato Soup

This is a variation of my cream of potato soup I make. It tastes just like my mom's scalloped potatoes which means it's even better the 2nd day!

Makes 8qts and is very forgivable

1 to 2 qts water
8 bouillon cubes (each cube = one cup broth)
1 or 2 sticks butter or margarine (I prefer 2)
3-5lbs potatoes, peeled and cut up
1lb bacon or ham
2 to 3 Tbsp dehydrated onions
3 cans cream of mushroom soup
milk
salt
black pepper

In 8qt pot add water, bouillon, butter, bacon/ham and potatoes...boil until potatoes are very tender...about 30mins
add in soup, mix well
stir in milk until desired thickness
heat until hot but not boiling
remove from heat
add salt and pepper to taste
serve

Scalloped Potatoes

I hope I can write this out correctly as this is generally a throw everything in a pan willy nilly type of dish. When my mom makes this she slices the potatoes thinly and layers everything neatly in the bowl...but I'm not my mom.



Makes 2 11x17 lasagna pans.

6 20oz bags Hash brown potatoes
6 10.5oz cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
2 sticks of butter
2/3 c flour
salt
pepper
milk
onion, chopped (optional but highly recommend)

Thinly sliced potatoes is what's originally called for. I find the hash browns quicker and they were on sale. If you use sliced potatoes you'll have to increase your cooking time (by about an hour, I'm guessing)

Mix potatoes, onions and cream of mushroom soup
spread in pan
drop pats of butter over top of potatoes
sprinkle flour over potatoes
mix a little milk into potatoes until they are loose
add more milk over potatoes until it reaches the top of the potatoes
add salt and pepper

Bake about 2hrs. Top will be golden and crispy. Potatoes will be soft.

Notes...
* Due to an onion intolerance (and onion haters) I make one with onion and one without.
* If you like a "soupier" dish decrease flour and/or increase milk.
* Use caution or protect the bottom of your oven as this dish can boil over if the pan is too full.

Broccoli Soup

Makes 8qts

water
6lbs frozen broccoli
1/2 lb butter/margarine
12 chicken bouillon cubes
milk
1/2 - 1pt sour cream (optional)

Fill the 8qt pan with 1 - 2 inches of water
add butter, bouillon and broccoli
cook 20 - 30 mins until broccoli is soft
stir and mash occasionally
at end of cooking time mash until desired consistency (smooth or chunky)
add milk to taste (I usually add enough to make the pot full)
add some hot soup to sour cream to thin out,
stir sour cream into soup and heat for another minute or so
serve

Macaroni and Cheese

3lbs macaroni (or pasta of choice)
3 cans evaporated milk
1 cup butter
onion powder (can use real onions but we have allergies)
garlic powder
salt
pepper
3lbs cheese (I use seriously sharp, monterey, colby)
1 cup parmesan cheese

Cook macaroni according to directions
Add rest of ingredients to saucepan and heat over med heat stirring frequently until cheese it melted and incorporated
Add cheese sauce to cooked macaroni
If you like it creamy serve as is. If you like it dry, cover and heat in 350 degree oven for 15-20 mins.

Corndog Chili Casserole

Mirz/Michelle posted the Corndog Casserole recipe on LOK's Household Tips Board. She also posted a chili cheese dog casserole recipe. I took elements from both recipes and made the corndog chili casserole.

Makes a 11" x 17" Lasagna pan
Oven 400°F

4 15oz cans chili with beans (will use homemade in the winter)
4 pkgs corn muffin mix (I've used both jiffy and store brand successfully)
3 pkgs (12-16oz) hot dogs
1 pkg real bacon bits (can use imitation or omit entirely)
onion powder (can't use real onions due to allergies)
4 eggs
1 1/3 cup milk

Spread chili evenly on the bottom of the pan
Quarter hot dogs lengthwise and dice into bite size pieces
Mix one pkg of hot dogs into chili
Make corn muffin mix according to directions (with egg and milk)
Mix in remaining hot dogs, bacon bits and onion powder to muffin batter
Gently spread batter over chili
Bake 20-30mins until golden brown and done in center

Lasagna Rollups

Makes approx 22 - 24 rolls

Cook lasagna noodles according to directions and cool

Melt:
3 Tbsp margarine

Add to margarine then cook till bubbly:
1/4 cup flour

Mix and microwave 2 min:
1.5 cup milk
1 scored bay leaf
pinch nutmeg

Whisk warmed milk into margarine flour mixture. Cook until boiled.
Allow cream sauce to cool.

To the cream sauce add in...

3 eggs, beaten
2-3 pounds cottage cheese
1-2 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 lb grated mozzarella
1/8 tsp nutmeg
cooked spinach (I used one can, drained well)

Mix well to combine

Dump one can (26oz) of spaghetti sauce into a large lasagna pan (think mine is 16")

Lay out a lasagna noodle on the table and and spread filling on noodle (estimate about 1/4c for each noodle, didn't measure, just scooped with my hand). Roll noodle short end to short end. Place rolled up noodle in pan. When pan is full dump another can of sauce over the top. Add 1/2 can of water over the top and jiggle pan to incorporate. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese (about 1 pound I just grabbed handfuls out of a 5lb bag).

Bake for 1 hour in a 350° oven

Kids were asking to try a meat version...probably add some italian sausage next time

Sloppy Joes

4lbs Ground Beef
1 small green pepper, diced
shake of dried minced onions (can use fresh...we have allergies here)
4-5c Ketchup
2 Tbsp Yellow Mustard
1/4-1/2c Brown sugar
1 Tbsp garlic powder

Brown ground beef with green pepper and minced onions added.
Add rest of ingredients and simmer about 20mins

Serve on rolls. Makes about 2 dz hearty sandwiches