Italian Baked Penne

8 oz. penne, cooked and drained

1 28 oz. jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce

2 eggs

16 oz. cottage cheese

10 oz. frozen, chopped spinach-thawed and drained

1 cup cheddar cheese

1 1/2 cup Mozzarella

1/2 cup shredded parmesan

1 tsp. Italian Seasoning

Cook noodles.  In a large bowl beat eggs and add cottage cheese,spinach and italian seasoning.  In a 9 x 13 baking dish layer 1/3 of the sauce.  Then layer 1/2 the noodles, 1/2 the egg mixture and 1/2 of the cheese. Repeat one more time finishing with sauce on top.  Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

I used my homemade sauce (see lasagna, but added a small 8 oz. can of tomato sauce to it)

Oven Fried Chicken Legs

2 sticks melted butter

2 Tbs. dijon mustard

1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs

1/2 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. thyme

1/4 tsp. garlic salt

1 tsp. salt

16 chicken drumsticks (skin on)

Melt butter in microwave and mix in Dijon mustard.  In separate bowl add rest of ingredients. Dip chicken in butter mixture and then cover with breadcrumb mixture.  Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. ( If you don't have parchment paper make sure to spray a little pam on it.)  Cook on 400 degrees for 55-60 min.  and golden browned.

Now this is not the most healthy recipe.  It would probably be healthier if the skin was removed and egg was used instead of butter.  

Pumpkin Surprise Cake

1 Box yellow cake mix: reserve 1 cup and set aside 

CRUST: MIX TOGETHER

Remaining cake mix

1/2 cup butter

1 egg

mix well, press into a 9x13 pan

BATTER: MIX TOGETHER

30 oz. can pumpkin

3 beaten eggs

1 tsp. cinnamon

2/3 cup evaporated milk

3/4 cup sugar

Pour batter on top of crust

TOPPING:  MIX TOGETHER

1 cup remaining cake mix

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 Tbs. melted butter

1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Crumble mix on top of batter.  Bake 425 for 15 minutes.  Reduce heat to 350 for 30 minutes. Let cool and serve with whipped cream.

Awesome Sausage, Apple and Cranberry Stuffing

• 1 1/2 cups cubed whole wheat bread
• 3 3/4 cups cubed white bread
• 1 pound ground turkey sausage
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 3/4 cup chopped celery
• 2 1/2 teaspoons dried sage
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 Golden Delicious apple, cored and chopped
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
• 1 cooked turkey liver, finely chopped
• 3/4 cup turkey stock
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degree F (175 degree C). Spread the white and whole wheat bread cubes in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes in the preheated oven, or until evenly toasted. Transfer toasted bread cubes to a large bowl.

2.  In a large skillet, cook the sausage and onions over medium heat, stirring and breaking up the lumps until evenly browned. Add the celery, sage, rosemary, and thyme; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes to blend flavors.

3.  Pour sausage mixture over bread in bowl. Mix in chopped apples, dried cranberries, parsley, and liver. Drizzle with turkey stock and melted butter, and mix lightly. Spoon into turkey to loosely fill.

I of course did not put in the chicken liver.  I guess I am just a wimp!  Still tasted great.

Guacamole

2 ripe avocados

2 Tbs. finely chopped onion (red or white)

1/2 tomatoes, finely chopped

1 tsp. chopped cilantro

1/2 lime, juiced

Salt and pepper to taste

Smash avocados in a bowl.  Stir in rest of ingredients and season with salt and pepper.

Mom's Rice Pudding

Place 4 eggs, 1 cup sugar and 1/2 tsp. salt in baking dish and stir will with whip.  Scald (bring to almost boiling point) 4 cups milk.  Stir milk into egg mixture and add 1 tsp. vanilla.  Stir in 3 cups cooked rice.  Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg over surface.

Place baking dish in a larger pan or dish filled with water to about 1" high.  Bake at 350 degrees for 60-70 minutes or until knife inserted 1-2" from edge comes out clean.  The soft center will set as it cools.

This is one of Travis's favorites.  He eats it for breakfast!  My mom adds raisons as well sometimes, but I am not a raisin fan.

Caramel Sauce

1 c. butter

1 c. brown sugar

1 c. light corn syrup

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp vanilla

 

Combine all ingredients in a heavy sauce pan and bring to a boil.  Drop a tsp of caramel into a glass of cold water, when caramel first starts to hold together, it is done.

We made this a few years ago for Christmas baskets.  Apples and caramel for dipping.  What could be better? It is fantastic!

Sugar Cookies

Cream:

1 C. sugar and 1/2 cup butter

Then add:

1 egg 

1 tsp. vanilla

Combine in a bowl:

2 tsp. baking powder

3 1/2 C. flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

With 1/4-1/2 cup milk, alternate pouring the flour mixture and the milk into other ingredients till well blended. Mixture should not be sticky.  Roll to 1/4" thick and bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 min till set. Do not cook till golden or they will not be soft.  

Pumpkin Bars

Cream together:
4 eggs
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 C. oil
1 16 oz. can pumpkin

Then stir in:
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 C. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda

Bake in a 15x9 pan at 350 degrees for 25 min.

Icing
8 oz. cream cheese
3 Tbs. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2-3 cups powder sugar