HASH BROWN & SAUSAGE BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

This recipe is from the Southern Lady Cooks facebook page over a dozen years ago.  I like it because it goes together quickly and you can go on about your business while it bakes.  You can also make it the night before; cover and refrigerate it then bake it the next morning.  If you refrigerate overnight, you may need to add a few additional minutes of baking.

2 lbs. frozen hash browns, regular or Southern style
1 onion chopped
1 green pepper chopped
2 lbs. sausage or ham (could also use bacon or smoked sausage or any meat you like.
10 eggs beaten
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, Optional
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Oil for cooking hash browns
Heat oil, add hash browns, onion and peppers. Cook till potatoes begin to brown. Spray 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray. Spread potato mixture in pan, top with cooked sausage or ham. Pour beaten eggs over all and season with salt and pepper and garlic. Gently stir to coat all ingredients with eggs. Sprinkle with cheese. Can refrigerate overnight and then bake.
Bake uncovered at 375 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Makes 8 servings.  Enjoy.

Note: You can make half this recipe, too. You can use any kind of meat you like.

AMAZING ZITI

1 lb extra-lean ground beef

2 medium carrots shredded
2 cans (10 3/4-oz) reduced-fat condensed tomato soup
2 1/2 cups water
8-oz ziti
2 tsp basil
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Cook the ground beef and carrots in a 4-quart Dutch oven over medium heat until beef is no longer pink; drain off fat.  Add the soup, water, ziti, basil, onion and garlic powders to the Dutch oven.  Bring to a boil and reduce heat.  Cover and cook approximately 25 minutes until the ziti is tender; stir occasionally during cooking.

Stir in the mozzarella cheese.

When serving, sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.

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GRILLED BLACK BEAN-TURKEY BURGERS

1 lb ground turkey

1 can (15-oz) black beans, drained, rinsed and lightly mashed

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 pkg (1-oz) dry onion soup mix

8 hamburger buns, toasted

Desired toppers

Preheat outdoor grill to medium-high heat.

Gently stir together turkey, beans, cheese, breadcrumbs, egg and soup mix in a large bowl. Shape mixture into 8 patties.

Oil grill grates. Cook patties, turning halfway through cooking, 8 to 10 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into centers, reads 165-degrees. Serve on the hamburger buns with your choice of toppings.

photo JoyBauer.com

TINY CHOCOLATE CREAM TARTS

10 to 12 (3-inch size) prepared tart crusts

1 can (14-oz) sweetened condensed milk
2 tbsps orange-flavored liqueur or orange juice
2 tbsp cold water
1 pkg (4-serving size) instant chocolate pudding mix
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup whipping cream, whipped

In a large mixer bowl, beat the milk, liqueur or juice, and cold water until blended; add pudding mix and cocoa powder.  Beat mixture until smooth.  Fold in the whipped cream.

Spoon equal portions of the pudding into the tart crusts.

Chill until set.

Garnish with fresh fruit, nuts, or whipped cream if desired.

Leftovers should be refrigerated.

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TROPICAL CRUNCH SNACK MIX

Perfect for munching or for gift-giving.

1 can (12-oz) honey-roasted peanuts
1 can (10-oz) salted cashews
10-oz dried banana chips
8-oz dried pineapple pieces
6-oz coconut chips

Combine all the ingredients together in a large bowl, stirring to mix well.  Serve immediately or store in an air-tight container.  To give as gifts, put mix in cellophane bags and tie with curly ribbon.

Yield: 11 cups mix 

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KIWI-MELON COOLERS

Since some of us are flirting with summer, we will soon be looking for cool, refreshing drinks. Here is one you might want to try.

1 1/4 cups light apple juice, chilled

2 cups chopped honeydew melon, frozen

1 kiwifruit, peeled, chopped, and frozen

Honeydew and Kiwi wedges optional, to garnish

In a blender, combine apple juice, honeydew and kiwi. Cover and blend until smooth.

Pour into two glasses and garnish with the fruit wedges, if desired.

 

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PAULA DEEN'S QUICK AND EASY CHICKEN POT PIE

2 (10 3/4-ounce) cans cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (1-pound) package frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 1/2 cups Bisquick baking mix
1/2 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 13x9x2-inch baking dish.

In a large bowl, combine soup, and next 6 ingredients. Stir in vegetables and chicken. Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish; set aside.

In a small bowl, combine baking mix and cheese. Add milk, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Drop biscuits by heaping tablespoonfuls evenly over chicken mixture. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until biscuits are browned and pot pie is hot and bubbly.

recipe and photo from an old Cooking with Paula

Deen Magazine.

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CHICKEN PESTO PIZZA

1 12-inch prepared pizza crust

1 tsp olive oil

1/2 cup purchased basil pesto

1 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

1 jar (6-oz) quartered artichoke hearts, drained

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 

1 cup shredded Tontina cheese

Fresh basil leaves for garnish, optional

Preheat oven to 425-degrees. Lightly grease a 12-inch pizza pan.

Place prepared pizza crust on pizza pan and brush with the olive oil. Spread pesto in an even layer over the crust leaving about a 1-inch border. Top evenly with chicken, artichoke hearts and tomatoes. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with the basil leaves, if using.

Cut into 8 slices to serve.

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RANCH OYSTER CRACKERS

3/4 cup salad oil

1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
1/2 tsp dried dill
1/4 tsp lemon pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 pkg (12-16 oz) oyster crackers

Whisk together the first 5 ingredients.  Pour over the crackers, stirring to coat well.  Place on baking sheets and bake at 275 degrees for 15-20 minutes.  Store in airtight container.

Recipe from my late cousin Jeannie who has always served the best food at parties.

EASY BEEF STROGANOFF

1 lb boneless round steak, 3/4-inch thick

2 tbsp butter, divided
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 cup sour cream
Hot cooked noodles for serving
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Additional paprika for garnish

Slice the beef across the grain into thin strips.

In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, melt the butter and cook the beef and onion until beef is no longer pink and onion is tender.

Stir the soup and paprika into the beef mixture; heat through while occasionally stirring.  Remove from heat.

Stir in the sour cream.

Serve the stroganoff over the hot noodles.

Garnish by sprinkling with the chopped parsley and a little paprika.

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