Potato Cakes

We really like potato cakes around here. Potato cakes are not sweet or even a cake. I sometimes use left over mashed potatoes for mine. I love to add onions in ours also. Raven never knows I add onions because I grate them. It is funny how if kids can't "see" the onions in something they will eat them but if they "see" onions it is a no go. I want kids to eat everything that there is and not "pick out" what they don't like. It bugs me, crazy huh? I know... Well this is "what's cookin" tonight.

Needed:
5 pounds of potatoes-boiled and mashed
1 medium white onion-grated
2 eggs-beaten
1/2 cup all purpose flour
salt and pepper
oil

Take your mashed potatoes and add your onion, eggs, flour, salt and pepper. Mix well. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Drop potato mixture by heaping tablespoons onto oiled skillet. I usually coat the skillet with about 1/2 inch of oil. I use my Lodge caste iron skillet that was my grandmother's for this. Cook on each side until golden brown. This usually takes about 4 minutes per side. I hope you give these a try. They are really good with beans or polish sausage and cabbage.

Menus

Okay am I the only person not making weekly or monthly meal menus?? Tell me, be honest. Am I missing the boat on this one? How do I make what I make each day to eat?? I ask my husband or son or daughter or myself what we would like for dinner. Does that sound crazy??? I have been working on a printed shopping list. I loved mine on Works but now it will not print for me. Kind of ruins the idea of a "printed shopping list" when one does not print out. I figure having one would help with lists when we go shopping. I could just hang it on the fridge and as we need items it would get marked on the list to buy. We will see how that one works out. Usually I make the list and I buy everything or I send Sean to buy what I need. This works well until I decide to make something that calls for an item I do not have. Make sense or is it as clear as mud for you. See now I go back to thinking I need a weekly menu.

I found this online and am giving it a try. I will let you know if I keep up with it or if is just easier writing everything down. I think this will be a real help for me. We will see. Here is the link to list I am using right now http://www.scottcommonsense.com/Tools/GroceryList/Tool.aspx?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=7667343&iq_id=7667343 Better get mine finished and head to the store, the game of the year is on tonight, Oklahoma vs. Florida, my MIL is coming over to watch the game and I am fixing some great game food. I will post what I come up with later on.

Stacey's Goulash

This is something my mom made quite a bit while growing up. Sean really likes this one. I have another story of how families reference to a name of a recipe are different. See Sean's family calls Chili Mac Goulash and my family calls this recipe goulash. You decide which one of us is correct or neither one of us. Here is my recipe for goulash. We usually eat it with homemade hot rolls and a salad. I will post Sean's recipe later on.

Needed:
2 pounds of ground turkey (We are trying to eat better this year.)
1 large can of tomato sauce
1 can of tomato soup
1 large onion-diced
2 garlic cloves-diced
Salt and pepper to taste
2 pounds of elbow macaroni(boiled and drained)

Cooked ground turkey with diced onion and garlic until browned. Add tomato sauce. Add ground turkey mixture to your boiled and drained elbow macaroni. This is when I add my tomato soup with about 2 cups of water. Salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Sweet and Sour Pork

Let me tell you right from the start I am scared of stir frying!!! I want my Chinese food to taste like it does when I eat at my favorite restaurant and does it??? Not usually. This recipe is different. Why you ask?? Well because it is not like your usual sweet and sour. Not battered and not deep fried. This is really rather healthy. This recipe comes from one of my favorite magazines. I have NEVER HAD A RECIPE FAIL from EVERYDAY FOOD!! For real! You must give this one a try! I changed a few things here and there so my children would like it without picking out what they don't like. I do not like it when they pick. I will give the recipe exact and note my changes. This is "what's cookin" tonight on Beaty's Creek.

Needed:
1 can pineapple chunks-drained but save juice
2 T apple cider vinegar(They call for rice vinegar but I don't like rice vinegar.)
2 T soy sauce
1 T cornstarch
1/4 cup brown sugar(They don't call for brown sugar.)
salt and pepper to taste
2 T canola oil(They called for vegetable oil but I don't like the taste of vegetable oil.)
2 1/2 pounds pork loin-sliced in 1/4 inch slices(They called for pork tenderloin but I think pork loin is fine and it is cheaper per pound.)
1 yellow onion-cut into quarters and then sliced 1/2 inch thick(They called for scallions cut into 1 inch pieces.)
2 bell peppers-cut into 2 inch pieces
2 fresh broccoli heads-cut florets into 2 inch long pieces and chunk the some of the stems into 1 inch pieces(They call for frozen broccoli florets, thawed and patted dry.)
Cook rice for serving (We love steamed rice and that is what I made.)

In a bowl combine pineapple juice, vinegar, soy sauce, cornstarch, brown sugar, and 1/4 cup of water. Season with salt and pepper. This will be your sauce. You will add this last.

In a large skillet or wok(I used a wok) coat with oil. Place pork in 2 batches and stir quickly. Brown on all sides and remove. Pork will finish cooking once it is added back to skillet or wok.

To skillet or wok add onions, broccoli, and bell peppers. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook stirring until peppers are crisp tender. This should happen in 6- 8 minutes.

Add pork and any juice to veggie mixture. At this time add pineapple and whisked sauce. Simmer until all is warm and sauce is the consistency you want. Serve with rice.

Doritos Casserole

This is the easiest casserole you will ever make. I heard about this a few years ago on Good Morning America, this is a version of Charlie Gibson's Casserole. I changed a few things around to my family's likes and now you have Doritos Casserole. I am serving it tonight with corn on the cob that I froze this past summer. We eat a salad with this casserole too. Just depends on what sounds good that day. So corn on the cob it is.

Needed:
1 large bag of nacho Cheese Doritos
2 cans of your favorite canned chili with beans
1 can medium enchilada gravy
1 16 ounce container of sour cream
1 1/2 pound Colby jack cheese-finely shredded

Crush Doritos in the bag they came in. Much easier if you ask me. Add to crushed Doritos, chili, enchilada gravy and half of your cheese. Pour into a 9x13 pan and spread sour cream over entire casserole evenly and top with remaining cheese. Place in a 350' for 30 minutes or until bubbly and hot.

We really like this. Hope you will give it a try because this is "what's cookin" tonight.

Happy New Year Meal 2009

I got an email from Sal, a really good friend of mine asking "what was cookin" for the new year. Well here it is Sal and all of you.

Black-Eyed Peas ( This is a tradition in our home.)
Mustard Greens
Salt Pork
Homemade Cornbread

We cook our peas without meat in them, we like it on the side. I LOVE mustard greens anytime of year. I only eat a small bowl of peas and a huge bowl of mustard greens. I was always told that you ate the peas for good luck and greens for money in the new year. Not sure about the other items on my menu, they just go well with the peas and greens.

New Year's Eve 2008

Our New Years Eve is going to be great! Every year we have hors d'oeuvres, punch, and a little Martini & Rossi Asti Spumante for the adults. I really like planning, can you tell???
Here is what we are going to have this year. Some are kid friendly and some are for the adults. I will post recipes tomorrow and pictures as the food is made.

Stuffed Mushrooms

Needed:
2 pounds of button mushrooms with stems removed and chopped
1 cup of plain bread crumbs
2 eggs-beaten
1 stick of butter melted
1 pound of a really strong cheese (blue cheese will do but the stinkier the better)

In a large bowl combine chopped mushroom stems, bread crumbs, butter, cheese, eggs, and garlic. Once mixed well add to mushroom caps. Bake in a 425' oven for 15 minutes. Filling will be bubbling when you take them out. Serve immediately. They are so good! I like them cold too.

Stacey's Meatballs

Needed:
2 pounds ground turkey
1 cup plain bread crumbs-soaked with 1/2 cup milk that follows
1/2 cup whole milk- to soak bread crumbs in
2 t garlic powder
2 eggs-beaten
salt and pepper to taste
Spaghetti sauce for dipping

Mix turkey, soaked bread crumbs, eggs, garlic, salt, and pepper very well. Form into 1 inch balls and bake at 325' for 20 minutes. Put a toothpick in each ball and serve with warm spaghetti sauce.

Something with shrimp??

Brown Sugar Coated Bacon Wrapped Sausages (YUMMY)

Needed:
Cocktail polish sausage
1 pound bacon cut in 1/2 twice
1 pound brown sugar
Wooden toothpicks

Place bacon piece around cocktail sausage and toothpick it together. Place sausages on a PARCHMENT LINED 1 INCH SIDED COOKIE SHEET. You will be glad you listened when clean up time comes. Now spread brown sugar over sausages. Make sure you spread it evenly. Bake at 425' for 15-20 minutes. The bacon will be crisp when they are done. Remove from tray and serve hot. Very good!!!

Little Pigs in a Blanket

Needed:
Small hotdogs
Canned crescent rolls

Wrap pieces of crescent dough around hotdogs. Bake 350' for 15 minutes. Serve with mustard. Wasn't that a easy recipe???

Cheese Dip

Needed:
1 box of Velveeta-chopped into inch cubes
1 can golden mushroom soup
1 pound ground turkey-browned
1 pound turkey sausage-browned
1 jar Pace Picante Sauce

Place all of the ingredients into a Crock-Pot and heat on low until all has melted and come together. Serve with tortilla chips. This is so good! I like it with fresh veggies too.

Cheese Balls

This recipe comes from Trisha Yearwood's cookbook. It is so good that you have to try it!

Needed:
1 14 ounce package Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup buttermilk, well shaken
16 ounces cheddar cheese-grated at room temperature
1 cup pecans-finely chopped

In a bowl, combine all ingredients but the pecans. Mix well. Divide mixture into equal parts and place covered in freezer for 30 minutes. When each ball is firm roll in pecans and serve with crackers. This is really a good cheese ball.
Veggie Tray with dip

Fruit Tray with dip

Needed:
Fresh fruit of your choice( I like different apples, bananas, strawberries, and grapes
16 ounces of cream cheese-at room temperature
1 large jar of marshmallow whip
2 t vanilla

Blend cream cheese, marshmallow whip and vanilla together until very creamy and smooth. Hint, make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature. If not your dip will be lumpy. Chill for at least 1 hour and serve with fresh fruit. Everyone likes this one!



Artichoke Dip with toasted pita crisps

This also comes from Trisha Yearwood's cookbook. You have to try this. Ransome really likes this one.

Needed:
1-14 ounces can artichoke hearts-drained and finely chopped
8 ounces feta cheese-crumbled
1cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup mayo
1-2 ounce jar pimentos-drained and chopped
1 t garlic-minced

Mix all the ingredients together and place into a small casserole dish. Bake uncovered at 350' for 25 minutes or until lightly brown. I serve this with pita crisps. Can't wait to set this one!!!


I am sure there will be more items and I will add those too.