Steamed Artichokes

2 whole artichokes
1 clove garlic
1 bay leaf
1 T lemon juice

1. Cut stem from artichokes and discard, making sure the bottom of each artichoke is flat. Cut top 1 inch (or so) of the artichoke and discard. Snip the thorny ends from each artichoke leaf with a pair of kitchen scissors.
2. Fill the bottom of a pot* with a couple of inches of water, adding garlic, lemon juice, and bay leaf to the water. Place a steamer basket in the pot, making sure that the water does not flow over the bottom of the steamer basket.
3. Place the artichokes in the basket, resting on the flattened bottoms.
4. Bring water to a boil, cover the pot, and cook until the leaves can be easily pulled from the artichoke, 20 to 30 minutes.

*We used our rice cooker. It worked wonderfully and we will never cook these any other way again.

Thank you allrecipes.com for the idea.  http://allrecipes.com/recipe/simple-steamed-artichokes/detail.aspx

We make a simple dipping sauce which is just mayonnaise and curry powder to taste. We mixed it up ahead to let the flavors meld.

We enjoyed it so much that it was gone before we even thought about pictures. This is an ideal light appetizer before a heavy holiday meal.

Chili

1 pound hamburger or venison
Chopped onion, 1/2-1 whole
Chopped green pepper, as much of as little as you like
Chopped Jalapenos (a good handful - ¼-1/3 C)
1 large can tomato juice
2 cans chili beans (with sauce)
2 cans chopped tomatoes
1 T + Heinz 57
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp cayenne red pepper  *we used chili 9000 to substitute for cayenne
1/8 tsp paprika

You know the drill. Fry hamburger, onion and green peppers. Drain off any fat. Add the rest of the ingredients. Simmer until ready to serve.

Serve with chopped onions, sour cream, chopped cheese, noodles and/or rice.

Turkey Enchiladas

16 tortillas
16 ozs. Leftover shredded turkey (or chicken)
8 oz. cheddar cheese (or Mont Jack, Farmers or Mozz.)
4 C. sauce
2 ½ oz. cheese for garnish
3 ½ ozs. Green chilies (1 can) - I use 3 scoops of diced jalapenos instead…
Cilantro to taste, as much as you like!

Sauce:

1 can cream chicken soup
1 can water
Chili powder to taste
Oregano
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Seasoned salt

I add the jalapenos to the sauce. Then, sprinkle seasonings on top.

Warm sauce in pan large enough to dip tortillas.
Soften tortillas in sauce.
Remove tortilla to 9x13 pan (sprayed w/Pam).
Fill each tortilla w/1 oz. chicken, ½ oz. cheese and chopped cilantro as desired.
Roll.

Repeat the above (I fill and roll each one in the 9x13.) until all the turkey is used.  Pour any leftover sauce over top. Add a small amount of water to thin the sauce if necessary.

Garnish with any leftover chilies or jalapenos and sliced olives.

Bake 350 for 20 minutes covered. Cover with cheese and bake another 10 minutes until cheese is melty gooey.

Serve with Pace Picante Sauce (or your favorite salsa).
I always serve with Mexican Corn on the side.
Optional: Serve with sour cream or Greek yogurt.

Warning! Extremely wonderful, yummy and filling.

Monster Cookies

Yield:  84 cookies (48 my size)

1 C br sugar
1 C sugar
½ C butter, softened
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp light corn syrup
1 ½ C p.b.
2 tsp b. soda
4 ½ C rolled oats
1 C choc. Chips
4 oz. M & M’s (plain)

Combine in order listed.
Mix well.
Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake 350 for 10 minutes.