Souper Joes

My family just loves these! I love that they are quick and delicious to put together.-Sarah

1 pound ground beef
1 can cream of mushroom soup (or 1/2 recipe of cream of chicken)
1 T. onion soup mix
1 cup shredded cheddar
8 hamburger buns

• Cook beef and drain. Stir in remaining ingredients and serve in hamburger buns.

Cheesy Ham Chowder

I adapted this from a recipe that I found in a magazine. We love the flavor of this thick hearty soup.-Sarah

10 bacon strips, diced
1 large onion, chopped
2 carrots, diced
3 T. flour
3 cups milk
1 cup water
5 cups cubed potatoes
1 can (15 1/2 oz) corn, drained
2 t. chicken bouillon
2 cups shredded cheese
2 cups chopped ham

• Cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. In the drippings saute onion and carrots until tender. Stir in flour, gradually add milk and water. Bring to a boil and cook and still for 2 minutes until thickened.
• Add potatoes, corn, bouillon, and pepper to taste. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Add cheese, heat until melted. Stir in bacon.

Carrot Pancakes

These pancakes are so yummy! I love their flavor, with or without the cream cheese topping, give them a try, they are so delicious!-Sarah

1 1/4 cup flour
2 t. baking powder
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. ginger
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup milk
1 cup finely shredded carrot
1 t. vanilla

cream cheese topping
4 oz. softened cream cheese
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 T. milk
1/2 t. vanilla
dash cinnamon

• Combine the dry ingredients, in another bowl combine the remaining pancake ingredients.
• Combine the wet with the dry and mix until just mixed.
• To make topping: beat cream cheese until smooth, add remaining ingredients until well combined.
• Cook pancakes on a griddle and serve with cream cheese topping or syrup.

Scotch Eggs

I've held onto this recipe for years, it's from an old Taste of Home magazine and I just thought it sounded really good, but like nothing I've ever had before. I finally tried them and I'm so glad I did, these are so good! I served them with pancakes for a breakfast dinner.-Sarah

1 pound breakfast sausage
6 hard boiled eggs, peeled
1 egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup crushed cornflakes

• Divide the sausage into 6 patties. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and form each around an egg.
• Roll in beaten egg and cornflake crumbs. 
• Place on a rack on a baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees for 30 minutes, turning every 10 minutes. 

Mom's Banana Bread

I don't know why it took so long to get my Mom's banana bread recipe up on the blog.  This banana bread always turns out perfect!  -Kristin

3 mashed bananas

3/4-1 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 Tablespoons sour cream

1/2 cup oil

1 2/3 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

dash of nutmeg

1 teaspoon baking soda

• Beat together the bananas with the sugar till creamy.
• Then beat in the eggs, sour cream and oil. .
• In a separate bowl combine the dry ingredients and then stir into the wet.
• Put in a greased loaf pan and bake at 350 for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Slow Cooker Pinto Beans

I have been searching for a more flavorful pinto bean recipe to use on rice or tortillas.  This is it.  These beans turn out great and are great to use in place of refried beans.  We really like these beans on rice with cheese, sour cream, jalapenos and avocado.  -Kristin

1 pound dried pinto beans, rinsed and sorted and soaked overnight (directions on bag)

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 Tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon oregano

3 bay leaves

• Put bean in the bottom of slow cooker.
• Cover with water, plus 2 inches over.
• Stir in seasonings.
• Cook on low for 10-12 hours or till done.  Add more water if necessary.  
• When beans are done cooking, drain off extra liquid.
• Then remove bay leaves and stir in the following.

1 1/2 - 2 teaspoons salt, or more to your taste

1/3 cup salsa, optional

Chewy No Bake Granola Bars

I adapted this recipe from http://amy-newnostalgia.blogspot.com/  These are very good and quick to whip up!  -Kristin

4 Tablespoons butter

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup honey

2-1/2 cups dry oatmeal

1/4 cup wheat germ

2 Tablespoons ground flax seeds  

1/2 cup Craisins

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips 

• In a saucepan, begin to melt the butter and then add the brown sugar and honey.
• Bring the mixture to a boil and then lower the heat and simmer until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Add the remaining ingredients, except for the chocolate chips.  Stir well.
• Then stir in the chocolate chips.
• Press the mixture into a 9x13 pan and set in the fridge until firm, about 15 minutes.