Carrot Cake

I have been searching for the perfect carrot cake recipe and got this one from a friend.  It is delicious, not dry and not soggy...and the frosting is amazing!  -Kristin

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

2 1/2 cups grated carrots

1 small can of crushed pineapple

1 cup coconut or chopped walnuts (optional)

FROSTING:

1 stick of butter, soft

8 ounce cream cheese, softened

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups powdered sugar

• Mix the sugar, eggs and vegetable oil well.
• Mix in remaining ingredients.
• Bake in a lightly greased 9x13 pan at 350 for 45-55 minutes.
• Cool completely.
• For frosting:  Beat the butter first until smooth.
• Then add the softened cream cheese and beat until smooth.
• Add the vanilla and powdered sugar and beat until smooth.
• Frost completely cooled cake.

 

Open Faced Italian Sloppy Joes

I adapted this recipe off of this blog Once a Mom Always a Cook.  This was a huge hit!  -Kristin

1 # ground beef

2-3 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 onion, chopped finely

1 green pepper, chopped finely

8 oz sliced mushrooms, optional

15 oz. tomato sauce

6 oz. tomato paste

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon basil

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 tsp red pepper flakes (or to taste)

1-2 Tablespoons honey

salt and pepper to taste

A loaf of French bread

8 oz. shredded mozzarella

Parmesan cheese

• Brown ground beef with the garlic, onion and green pepper.
• When beef is almost done cooking add the mushrooms if desired and continue cooking till done.
• Drain grease.
• Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, garlic salt, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, honey and salt and pepper.
• Bring to a simmer for a few minutes.
• Cut the french bread equally down the middle.  Then hollow out the middle.
• Cover a baking sheet with foil and place the hollowed out french bread on there.
• Fill with the meat mixture.
• Sprinkle with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.
• Bake in a 350 oven until cheese is melted good.

Cheesy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

This is a meal I have made several times.  It is awesome!  I have used all brown rice for the rice before and it was still awesome!  

3 Tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
3 carrots, diced
1/2 Tablespoons garlic, minced
2 cups cooked chicken, diced
2 cups steamed white rice
2 cups wild rice
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour
1 cup broth
3-4 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

• Preheat oven and lightly grease a lasagna pan or a 9x13 casserole dish.
• Cook your rices.
• Heat oil in large pan and add onion, celery and carrots.  Saute for about 8 minutes.  Cover the pan and cook for awhile longer until desired tenderness of the carrots. 
• Uncover the pan and add the garlic.  Saute a minute or two more.
• In a separate pan melt the butter.
• Add the flour to the butter.
• Slowly whisk in the broth and cook until smooth on low heat.
• Sprinkle with garlic salt, salt and pepper.  Stir in 2 cups of the cheese.
• In a large bowl or pot stir the rices, chicken, veggies and cheese sauce together and then place into your baking dish.
• Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes.

Cheesy Polenta with Meat Sauce

This is a great recipe I got from a friend.  My whole family loved this dinner!  It is easy and tasty!  -Kristin

1# ground beef

1 jar spaghetti sauce

32 ounces tube plain polenta (I got the one called 'corn mush' in the refrigerated section at Meijer)

8 ounce shredded Italian blend cheese

• Lightly coat 9x13 casserole dish and preheat oven 350.
• Brown beef and drain. 
• Stir int he spaghetti sauce.
• Slice the polenta into 1/2 inch slices and place in the bottom of the 9x13 pan.
• Sprinkle 1 cup of the cheese over the polenta.
• Pour sauce mixture over the polenta.
• Bake about 35 minutes. 
• Remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining cheese.  Put back in the oven for a couple minutes until it is melted.