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.

Mandarin Orange Cake

2 C flour
2 eggs
2 tsp soda
2 C sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
2 C drained mandarin oranges*

Put all the above ingredients in a bowl and mix til blended.
Pour into a greased 9x13 pan.
Bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Glaze:

Boil together for 3 minutes:
1 C brown sugar
¼ C butter
¼ C milk

Poke holes in hot cake and pour glaze over.

Add chopped nuts, if desired.
Serve w/a dab of whipped cream and garnish w/mandarin oranges.

* I've also made this same recipe, but substituted fruit cocktail or peaches, whatever I have on hand.

I did Google to try to figure out where this recipe originated, but although I found variations, I did not find the exact measurements or directions. Guess being exact may not be that critical.

http://www.recipetips.com/recipe-cards/t--2073/mandarin-orange-cake.asp

Best Banana Recipe

This really was amazing banana bread. I'm usually not a fan of banana bread, but this was super moist and had a mellow banana flavor and lighter texture. It also baked up nice without hollowing out or sinking in the middle.

I followed the recipe to a T, except that I replaced the sour cream with Greek yogurt. After tasting it, my daughter and I thought a little cinnamon (or maybe almond extract) might make a nice addition when we make it next.

Link to recipe:

http://www.marthastewart.com/312772/banana-bread

I didn't make the frosting. It would be an excellent addition if you wanted more of a dessert than a coffee bread.

Favorite Family Meatloaf

If you are going to make meatloaf, make a big batch! You can always freeze the other half.

2# ground beef
3/4 cups bread crumbs (or 3 slices bread, crumbed)
1 cup milk
1 egg, beaten
1 Tbsp worch (worcestershire) sauce
1/4 cup minced onion
1 1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp each pepper, dry mustard, sage, celery salt and garlic powder

Mix all of the above and place in bread pan. Bake in preheated oven at 350 for 1 1/2  or until firm and juices run clear. Slice and serve with your favorite condiments. Serves 6-8.

This recipe came from an old Lutheran church cookbook.