Bow Tie Lasagna

This is a quick and easy meal to throw together that your family will really like. It is a good idea to keep these ingredients on hand for those nights when you do not have much time to put dinner together. -Kristin

1 pound ground chuck

16 oz. bow tie pasta
26 oz. spaghetti sauce
1 t. salt
1/2 t. garlic powder
1 t. Italian seasoning
1 c. mozzarella
1/2 c. sour cream

• Fry the ground beef. Drain and rinse.
• Cook the noodles according to directions.
• Mix all together and heat a bit more.
• Enjoy!!!
• Serve with Parmesan cheese if desired.

Coffee Toffee Bars

OH MY!!!!  These are just too good for words!  These bars are delicious and a bit chewy like toffee.  They are good warm but I think they are even better a bit chilled in the refrigerator.  YUM!  -Kristin

1 c. softened butter

1 c. brown sugar

1 t. almond extract

2 T. instant coffee granules

1/2 t. baking powder

1/4 t. salt

2 1/4-1/2 c. flour

1 c. chocolate chips

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Cream together the butter and brown sugar.  
• Add in the extract, coffee granules, baking powder and the salt. 
• Add in the flour gradually until a stiff dough forms.
• Press dough into a 9x13 pan.
• Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes.
• Cool completely.  Store in the refrigerator.

Sweet Potato Pancakes

My family loves sweet potatoes, including these delicious pancakes.-Sarah

1 1/2 cups flour
1 T. sugar
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. cardamom
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. salt
1 cup sour cream
1 cup cold mashed sweet potatoes
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
3 eggs, separated
3/4 cup chopped pecans

• Combine dry ingredients. Whisk together wet ingredients including egg yolks. Stir wet ingredients into dry.
• Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
• Fold egg whites into batter. Batter will be very thick, spoon onto greased pan and spread batter out into shape of pancake. Brown lightly and flip,cooking both side.

Pizza Dip

This is a combination of a couple of recipes. We used tortilla chips to dip it with, but pita chips would be great too. This dip has tons of great flavor.-Sarah

8 oz cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup mayo
1 t. oregano
1 t. basil
1/4 t. garlic powder

1 cup shredded mozzarella

6 oz. chopped pepperoni

3/4 cup pizza sauce

• Mix cream cheese and mayo until smooth, mix in seasonings. Stir in cheese and pepperoni.
• In a deep dish pie plate spread pizza sauce.
• Spoon dip over sauce and spread. Bake at 350 degrees about 20 minutes until melted. 

Oven-Fried Chicken

I've held onto this recipe that I cut from a magazine for quite some time. I believe it's from a Martha Steward magazine, but I could be wrong. I've never made the real deal fried chicken before, the oil kind of scares me, and it just sounds like a big mess. This recipe was great. We all loved the flavor of the chicken and thought the skin was super crispy, it's a recipe I'll use again for sure! -Sarah

2 eggs, beaten
3 T. hot sauce of your choice
2 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
About 10 pieces of chicken (I used legs and thighs)
1/2 cup sifted flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 1/2 t. kosher salt
1/2 t. paprika
1/4 t. cayenne
oil for brushing

• Mix eggs, hot sauce and garlic. Marinade chicken in mixture for about 8 hours.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place a rimmed baking sheet on center rack in oven to preheat.
• Mix the flour and remaining dry ingredients.
• Remove chicken from marinade and roll each piece in the flour mixture. Place chicken on preheated baking sheet.
• Bake for 20 minutes, lightly brush each piece of chicken with oil. Bake, brushing tops every 10 minutes until chicken juices run clear. About 30 minutes more. (I moved mine to a lower rack in the oven to keep from over browning) 

Java Cream Drops

These cookies are soooo yummy! -Sarah

2 T. instant coffee granules
1 T. half and half
1 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 t. vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour, divided
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

• Combine coffee and cream. Cream butter, sugar, brown sugar till light and fluffy. Beat in egg, vanilla and coffee cream.
• Combine 2 1/4 cups flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually add to creamed mixture, mixing well.
• Divide dough in half. To one portion add baking cocoa and pecans. To the other portion add remaining 1/4 cup flour and chocolate chips.
• Lightly press 2 lump of dough together and bake at 375 degrees about 8 min.

Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

I've made this wonderful sauce recipe a few times and it turns out great every time. So nice have a hot meal without much work. And it makes a lot and freezes well. -Sarah

2 pounds ground beef
1 med onion, chopped
8 garlic cloves, minced
3, 14 oz. cans diced tomatoes, undrained
2, 15 oz. cans tomato sauce
2, 6 oz. cans tomato paste
1/3 cup sugar
2 T. dried oregano
1 T. dried basil
1 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper

• Cook and drain beef.
• Place all ingredients in a 4 quart slow cooker. Mix well.
• Cook on low for 8 hours.
• Serve over pasta.