Pecan Pie Crust

 

Ingredients:

1 C. chopped pecans
1 C. flour
½ C. butter, softened

Directions:

1. With a fork, mix together ingredients until crumbly.
2. Press into 9" pie plate.
3. Bake in preheated 300° F oven for 25 minutes.

Note:  This crust works well for chocolate cream, butterscotch. caramel or no-bake cheesecake fillings.

Beefy Shells

 

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef

1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 C. beef broth

1 C. heavy cream

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes

2 C. shell pasta

1 C. shredded cheddar cheese

1 T. olive oil

1 t. dried basil

1 t. dried oregano

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. 
2. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion is translucent.
3. Add ground beef to the skillet, cooking until browned. Drain any excess fat.
4. Stir in beef broth, heavy cream, diced tomatoes, dried basil, and dried oregano. 
5. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
6. Add shell pasta to the skillet, stirring to combine. 
7. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
8. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and well incorporated. 
9. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Queso Chicken Tacos

 

Ingredients:

2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 packet taco seasoning

1 can (10 oz) Rotel tomatoes with green chilies

1 block (8 oz) cream cheese

1 C. shredded cheddar cheese

½ C. chicken broth

12 small taco-sized tortillas

Directions:

1. Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
2. Sprinkle taco seasoning evenly over the top.
3. Pour the Rotel tomatoes (undrained) and chicken broth over the chicken.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
5. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.
6. Stir the cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese into the slow cooker until melted and smooth.
7. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and mix to coat it in the cheesy sauce.
8. Warm the tortillas, then spoon the queso chicken mixture onto each tortilla.
9. Add your favorite toppings and serve immediately. 

Pasta Cream Sauce

 Ingredients:

2 C. heavy cream
½ C. Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
salt to taste

Directions:

1. Heat the cream in a pan over low heat, but do not let it boil. 
2. Take pan off the heat and whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. 
3. Taste the sauce and add the salt as needed. 
4. To dress the pasta with the cream sauce, add the pasta directly to the pan with the sauce and gently shake the pan to coat the pasta with the sauce. 
5. Add up to ⅓ cup of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. 
6. Serve immediately. 

Spicy Pork Noodles

Ingredients:

1 (1-lb ) pork tenderloin, thinly sliced

1 T. oil

¼ C. brown sugar

½ C. soy sauce

1 to 2 T. chili garlic sauce

3 (3-oz) packages ramen noodles, any flavor

3 green onions, sliced

Directions:

1. Open ramen noodles and discard flavor packets. 
2. Cook ramen noodles in boiling water for 3 minutes; drain and set aside.
3. While noodles are cooking, heat oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. 
4. Add pork tenderloin and cook until starting to brown.
5. Add brown sugar, soy sauce and chili garlic sauce to skillet. Stir. 
6. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
7. Add cooked noodles to skillet and toss to coat. 
8. Sprinkle with green onions.

Hamburger Sauce

Ingredients:

½ C. mayonnaise

2 T. dill pickle relish 

1 T. finely minced onion

2 T. ketchup

2 t. yellow mustard

1 t. white vinegar

1 t. granulated sugar

½ t. paprika

¼ t. salt

¼ t. garlic powder

¼ t. onion powder

Directions:

1. Place all of the ingredients in bowl and stir to combine. 
2. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. 
3. Shake or stir before serving. 

Will keep for up to 2 weeks.

Pickled Beets and Eggs

 Ingredients:

6 eggs

1 (15 ounce) can sliced beets with liquid

½ C. white vinegar

½ C. white sugar

½ C. water

Directions:

1. Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. 
2. Bring water to a boil and immediately remove from heat. 
3. Cover and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. 
4. Remove from hot water, cool, and peel. 
5. Place eggs in a glass or plastic container.
6. Combine beets, vinegar, sugar, and water in a saucepan. 
7. Bring to a boil; stir until sugar is dissolved. 
8. Pour over eggs.
9. Cover and chill for 4 hours to overnight.