Cherry Dump Cake

SUPER easy!!!  SUPER yummy!!!   My favorite is Cherry, but you can substitute any other fruit pie filling of your choice.... You can even use fresh or frozen fruits like blueberries, raspberries, blackberries!

Put the ingredients into a 13x9 pan in this order:
1 Large Can Cherry Fruit Pie Filling
1 Box Yellow Cake Mix (dry)
1 stick butter, cut into slices

That is it!  Bake 45-50 minutes on 350 in oven!  Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you wish!! YUM!

Boston Market Copycat MeatLoaf Recipe

3/4 cup ketchup

2 1/2 TBS BBQ sauce 2 TBS sugar

3/4 tsp onion powder 3/4 tsp garlic powder

2 1/2 lbs ground beef

2/3 cup all purpose flour

2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper 2 eggs, beaten 1 1/4 cup italian bread crumbs

1, Preheat the oven to 400 F
2. In a large bowl, stir together the ketchup, bbq sauce and the sugar; set aside 1/4 cup of the mixture.
3. With your hands, mix in the remaining ingredients in sauce mixture.
4. Form the mixture into a loaf and placed into a greased 9 by 5 inch loaf pan. (If you don't have a loaf pan, that's ok - I use a rectangular pan and that works fine)
5. Bake, COVERED, for 35-40 mins.
6. Uncover and drain the fat from the pan, then slice the meat loaf while still in the pan.
7. Drizzle the reserved tomato sauce mixture evenly over the meat loaf.
8. Bake, UNCOVERED, for an additional 30 mins or until cooked thoroughly.

Orange Glazed Meatballs

1 lb Ground Beef
1 tsp garlic powder
1 Cup Bread Crumbs
1 egg
2 TBS oil
4 TBS Orange Marmalade
4 TBS Soy Sauce
2 TBS White Vinegar
2 Oranges or clementines
splash of orange juice

1. Prepare Meatballs and cook: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with the garlic, 2 teaspoons soy sauce, bread crumbs, and a large pinch of salt and pepper. Thoroughly combine and form into golf-ball-sized meatballs. Heat a large drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs to the pan. Cook, rotating to brown all sides, for 5-7 minutes, or until cooked to desired doneness. (can also cook in oven) Remove from the pan and set aside.
2.  Make the glaze: Wipe out any burned bits from the pan. Returning it to medium-high heat, add the vinegar, orange jam, remaining soy sauce, and a splash of orange juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Return the meatballs to the pan. Reduce until the sauce is thick and syrupy. Roll the meatballs to coat them in the glaze.

We like to serve with white rice and broccoli!  And with the 2 oranges remove skin and divide into segments and serve with it!.  The kids LOVE this!!!  

Easy Waffle Recipe

First off, I LOVE my waffle maker!  It is made by GE and makes 4 square waffles at once.  With a family of 5 this was a must for me.  This recipe makes 12 and feeds us plus a few leftover.  I always flash freeze the leftover ones and then place in a freezer bag.  Then they can get popped in the toaster for a quick breakfast, snack or breakfast sand which base :-)

This recipe came with my waffle maker and is awesome just as is.  Now sometimes I like to add blueberries, or diced apples and cinnamon or a dash of vanilla.  But 95% of the time I use this basic recipe.

2 Cups flour
2 TBS sugar
1 TBS Baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 3/4 Cups milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs

First mix dry ingredients in a large bowl, then add milk, oil, and eggs and whisk until just blended.  For my waffle maker I use 1/3 cup measuring cup to pour into each waffle square and it is perfect.

These are WAY better than any frozen store bought waffles, without any preservatives and so easy to whip up a batch.

If you want to stock your freezer you can make a few batches at once.  To flash freeze lay them flat on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper.  Stick in the freezer until hardened.  (about an hour or 2) then transfer to a gallon size freezer bag.  I think I can fit 8 in each... maybe a few more.  I do also reuse my freezer bags if no meat was in them

Homemade Breadcrumbs

Ever since I started baking homemade breads I found myself with a chunky end piece that didn't get eaten... then I would be baking another loaf an toss that few day old section in the trash.  Well as thrifty as I like to be.... that bothered me!  Sometimes I would toss into a freezer bag to feed the fish in the lake with... but especially in the winter months they would pile up.

I thought of doing croutons... but I wasn't sure how long they would keep and if I would use those up before going stale.  I still will be trying some homemade croutons in the near future but I decided to eliminate the need to purchase breadcrumbs and make my own using the day old sections.

I still will stash the end pieces in the freezer until I have enough to make a batch.  Then:

1. I cut bread into cubes
2. Set in oven on 200 degrees
3. Bake about an hour or until the bread crumbles in your hand
4. crumble all the bread, or crush using a rolling pin... or pulse in a food processor (you get the idea)
5. Store in an airtight container at room temp just like you would store bought breadcrumbs :)

Simple as that! Now you can also add seasonings but I just keep mine plain, then depending on what I am making I will add appropriate seasonings at that time

Homemade Breadcrumbs

Simply cube your old bread

Bake on 200 degrees about an hour, then crumble

Cake Batter Waffle Sundaes!

How amazing do these look!  Let me tell you how amazingly EASY these were... and how very, very excited my kids were to get to make their own!

Cake Batter Waffle Sundae

All you need is any boxed cake mix.  Prepared as instructed on the box.  We used a Chocolate Cake Mix.  The best part about this is that they are ready very quickly!  No waiting on the oven to preheat...no waiting for the cakes or cupcakes to bake, cool, etc.  And as a bonus this is something easy for kids to make themselves, with a little supervision of course :)

Preheat your waffle iron... pour batter (mine uses about 1/3 cup per waffle section)... Close and cook.... My waffle iron has a green light when finished... probably about 4 minutes or so...

Pour Cake batter in heated waffle iron.  (Mine takes about 1/3 cup per waffle section)

Once they are done, carefully transfer to a plate.  Add a scoop of ice cream, whipped cream, well... whatever your heart desires!  We happened to have some maraschino cherries and mini chocolate chips... and of course some chocolate syrup!  Imagine them with some crushed Oreo's, or some peanut butter, vanilla cake mix with colorful sprinkles and strawberries!  Oh the possibilities get me excited!  These will also be great in the summertime when it is so hot I don't dare turn my oven on!

Here is my oldest... All 3 of my kid were pretty excited about these!

I think the one box mix made about 16-18 waffles!  I really lost count cause we were eating our sundaes up :)    I flash froze the remaining waffles, once frozen, transferred them to a freezer bag.  I think there are around 10 waffles left... These will be great to have a quick and yummy dessert after dinner, or a special afternoon snack for the kids (& me :)

Bread Machine YUMMY White Bread

1 cup  warm water
2 TBS sugar
2 1/4 tsp bread machine yeast
1/4 cup veg oil
3 cups bread flour
1 1/2 tsp salt

Add water, sugar, and yeast.  Allow to proof 10 minutes until foamy.  Then add oil, flour, and salt.  Select your basic setting and press start!  Mine takes about 3 hours from start to finish.  Many times I will set after lunch and run errands.  By the time the kids are home from school it is near the end of it's cooking and we have fresh bread with our dinner!

I like to add 2 tsp of garlic, & 2 tsp parsley for an Italian Bread to serve with pasta's

By the way, I was one of those people who thought a bread machine was a complete waste of money and space...  HA! Thanks to my in-laws for picking up extra's at yard sales and giving me one!  I am so hooked now! 

Cheesy BBQ Chicken with Bacon

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
Oil (olive, canola, or vegetable)  OR cook in bacon grease*
BBQ sauce
Cheddar Cheese (shredded)
bacon (cooked crisp) about 6-8 pieces
green onions (optional)

There are several ways you can cook and assemble this yummy dish!  My kids absolutely LOVE when I make this!  Here is how I do it.

Decide how you are cooking your bacon.  You can cheat an use real bacon pieces that you can buy.  or cook in the microwave.  I like to cook my bacon in an iron skillet... Then use that grease to brown my chicken.  I know, I know... I am in the south and well bacon grease is not wasted down here LOL!

So cook your bacon or heat a few TBS of oil in an iron skillet.  Set bacon to the side...

Pound chicken thin...  (Again this is a preference, but I find it cooks quicker & makes my chicken go farther for my family of 5... and I won't lie I get to take my frustrations out while pounding away :)  To avoid any mess I like to lay a piece of plastic cling wrap on the counter, then put a couple pieces of the chicken... and another piece of plastic wrap on top... then proceed with the pounding!)

Brown each side of the chicken breasts.  Transfer the chicken to a baking dish or cookie sheet....  brush a little bbq on the top of each breast and bake on 350 about 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.  Depending on the thickness of your chicken will determine how long it needs as well.

Once cooked through flip each piece over... add BBQ to that size along with bacon.  You can a couple on each piece or break the bacon to fit... It usually just depends on how much I have on hand HAHA!  Top each piece with shredded cheddar and return to oven on broil.... just to melt cheese and lightly brown...

I like green onions on top, my kids don't.  do what you like :)

Great served with buttered noodles or rice and a veggie!

My FAVORITE cornbread

I like it sweet... (You can decrease the sugar if you don't)

1 C cornmeal
1 C flour
3/4 C sugar
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 C milk
1 egg
1/4 C veg oil

Mix all together... pour in a greased iron skillet and bake on 425 about 20-25 minutes until golden brown :)

Cheesy Potato Soup

6 tbs margarine (divided... will use 3 tbs first... then the other 3 tbs melted)
1 cup onion diced
1 tsp garlic powder
6-8 whole potatoes peeled and cubed
2 1/2 cups milk
3 Tbs flour
8 oz cheddar cheese (or parmesan) grated
Parsley (optional)
salt to taste
pepper to taste

This soup is great by itself, but also a nice way to use up leftovers as stir-ins. I have added ham, broccoli, chicken, peas, and bacon to make this a very versatile freezer staple.


Melt first 3 tbs margarine in a large pot. Add onions, cooking until soft. Add potatoes and enough water to barely cover. Cook, covered, until potatoes are tender (15 - 20 minutes).  Do not drain!  Slightly mash the potatoes, then add milk.

In a small bowl, combine 3 tbs melted margarine & flour mixture, then add to pot, stir over low heat and cook until thickened... Add cheese, and stir until smooth. Heat, but do not boil. Add garlic, parsley and salt and pepper to taste.  If you have add in's be sure to add those too.  My favorite is crisp bacon and green onions on top!

To Freeze: Allow soup to cool, and ladle into 1 gallon freezer bag. Lay flat to freeze. Or Freeze in containers as well.

To serve: Reheat in microwave or over low heat on the stovetop, stirring constantly to keep from burning. Add in any additional ingredients and heat through.

Broccoli Cheese Soup

2 tbs butter
1 whole onions chopped
1 whole garlic cloves (I use minced in the jar)
½ cup butter
1 lb. broccolli washed, cut (Or use frozen)
½ cup flour
1 qt. half & half
1 qt. chicken stock (or use chicken Base)
2 salt and pepper, to taste grated
¼ tsp nutmeg
8 oz. cheddar cheese
2 whole carrots shredded

This soup serves 6 and can be easily doubled. It is unbelievably delicious!!
time to make 55 min 25 min prep


1. Saute onion in butter. When onions are golden, stir in garlic and cook for 3 more minutes. Set aside.
2. In another pan melt the 1/2 cup of butter and stir the butter and flour (make a roux) using a whisk over med. heat for 3-5
minutes. Stir constantly and slowly add the half-and-half. Add the chicken stock whisking all the time. Simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Add the broccoli, carrots and onions. Cook over low heat till veggies are tender for 20-25 minutes. Add salt and pepper.
4. Pour in batches into blender and puree.
5. Return to pot and add the grated cheese and stir till well blended.
6. Put on low heat and stir the nutmeg.

Serve with cheese on top.... Freezes wonderfully!

Italian French Bread Machine

2 ¼ tsp yeast, active dry
7/8 cups warm water
1 TBS Brown Sugar
4 Cups flour

1½ tsp salt
1 TBS Olive Oil 

cornmeal to sprinkle on baking sheet

Put ingredients in Bread Machine.  I do mine in the order listed... You may refer to your bread machine for what they recommend as well..  Select "Dough" cycle and start.  My dough cycle is about 1 hour 30 minutes.

After the dough is done... punch down on a lightly floured surface.  Cut in half and form 2 loaves... Shape about 18 inches long... I like to twist mine then lay on my baking stone that is sprinkled with cornmeal.  Cover with a damp towel and let rise 45 min-1 hour or until doubled.


Preheat oven 375 degrees.


You may do an egg wash here... I never do but if you want a shiny look go for it :) Mix egg white with a little water and brush on.  You can also make "slits" in the loaves if you like... I don't bother with it either... Call me a lazy bread maker!

Place in oven.
Bake about 30-35 minutes until golden brown and loaves sound hollow when you tap them.
ENJOY!

Easy Pizza Dough

2 tsp active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tbs olive oil
2 ½ cup bread flour

I've tried many different pizza crust recipes and this one is not only our favorite, it's also one of the quickest to make. The pizza, from start to finish, can be ready to pop in the oven in less than 15 minutes.
(*Update* I now do this pizza dough in my bread machine and it works great!  You can do it by hand as well :)

Dissolve the yeast in the water. Add the rest of the ingredients in and mix.
Dump onto a floured surface
Knead into a smooth dough (five minutes or so).

Roll out and press down onto a greased pizza pan.
This can also be used to make Calzone or Stromboli
Add toppings. (Have fun and be creative with this! Our favorite  is pepperoni with pineapple :)


bake at 450 F. for around 12-15 minutes until the crust looks crispy and lightly browned.

Fettuccine Alfredo Sauce

1½ tbs margarine melted
3 TBS minced garlic
1½ tbs flour
2 cup milk
3 tbs cream cheese
½ cup parmesan grated
2 tbs parsley chopped fresh


In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add garlic; cook and stir 30 seconds. Blend in flour; cook and stir minute. Gradually whisk in milk. Cook and stir until mixture comes to a boil and thickens. Remove from heat; stir in cheeses and parsley until cheeses melt. Toss with fettuccine.

Serve with cooked chicken breasts too!

To Freeze: Allow to cool and ladle (sauce only) into 1 gallon Ziploc bag. Lay flat to freeze.

Serve with fettuccine noodles

Shepard's Pie

1 lb. ground beef
2 cans corn (or use frozen)
4-6 whole potatoes
1 cup cheddar cheese
salt
pepper
onion powder
¼ cup margarine
milk
1 tsp beef base
1/4 cup flour
1 cup water

Brown Ground beef.... then add flour and whisk to mix.... once mixed well add water and beef base to make gravy.
Boil potatoes; then mash with margarine, milk, salt, pepper....

Layer in a casserole dish first corn, then meat/gravy mixture, and last mashed potatoes....

Top with cheddar cheese....

***TO FREEZE: cover with foil and freeze.

***TO SERVE: uncover & heat at 350 for 45 minutes or until heated through.

***Optional instead of corn use green beans or other favorite veggies.

Teriyaki Chicken

1 lb. chicken breast
½ cup Soy Sauce
½ cup brown sugar
brewed coffee (I used leftover from my morning brew!)
1 tsp vinegar
2 tsp vegetable oil
1 tsp ground ginger shredded
1 tsp garlic minced

Stir ingredients together and pour into a gallon sized ziploc bag with 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You can freeze like this or marinate a few hours.   When ready to use, thaw and pour into a baking dish (you can also cook in a skillet, grill or crockpot!)

Bake in preheated at 350 for 35 min. Serve over rice. To turn into a stir fry, I add a bag of frozen, stir fry style veggies!

Also great on the grill with pineapple slices.

Chicken Parmesan

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast
1 egg beaten
1/3 cup bread crumbs
1 cup parmesan cheese
¾ tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp garlic powder
¾ cup Mozzerella
1 lb spaghetti
1 can pasta sauce

Pound chicken thin... Combine dry ingredients in a shallow bowl. Dip each chicken breast in beaten egg, then roll in bread crumb mixture to evenly coat. Place chicken on a greased cookie sheet. Bake in preheated 375' F. oven 10 min. Turn chicken over; bake 10-12 min. or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.

***TO FREEZE: Lay flat in 1 gallon bags

*TO SERVE: Reheat chicken in 375' F. until heated through and crust is crispy.
Spoon sauce on chicken. Sprinkle cheese over top. Broil to melt cheese.

Serve w/ spaghetti & pasta sauce