MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU!!!!

I wanted to take a few minutes to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!

I would also like to thank each and everyone of you for stopping by to visit. I have enjoyed reading all of the wonderful comments you have left for me, and I hope you have enjoyed reading my posts. I will get better at this and learn more of the technical end of things (I hope)! I have only been blogging since November and I feel like I have made so many new and wonderful friends. I treasure you all.

I know I haven't been posting much lately , the holidays are kind of rough this year. I am finally working my way through losing mom and picking up the pieces and getting on with my life. I know this is what Mom would want me to do, and I know she is in a much better place too.

I have a lot of hopes and dreams for the new year and for my blogs. I hope you will all come along for the adventure. I would sure enjoy your companionship along the way.

Merry Christmas to you all!
God Bless you all on this Special Day!
Love,
Brenda

Alfredo Noodles Mix--Jar Mix--TNT

Alfredo Noodles Mix

1 c. Instant Nonfat Dry Milk
2 tsp. Grated Romano or Parmesan Cheese
1/3 c. Dried Minced Onion
1 t. Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. White Pepper

Measure all ingredients into a large ziplock bag, seal and shake to combine.

To Use:
Combine 1/4 c. Noodles mix with 2 tbsp. melted butter and 1/4 c. milk.
Toss with pasta.

Enjoy!
Brenda

Hamburger Helper Mix--Jar Mix-TNT

Hamburger Helper Mix

2 cups nonfat dry instant milk
1 cup corn starch
1/4 cup unsalted chicken or beef bouillon powder
2 tablespoons onion flakes
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 tablespoon garlic powder

1)Mix the ingredients together and store in an air tight container.
2)use the above "Helper" mix as a base for the following dinners. (Each serves four to six people.

Chili Tomato Mac
Brown one pound ground beef or turkey and drain off the fat. Add one cup water, one and one-half cups of uncooked macaroni, two 15-oz cans chopped tomatoes, one tablespoon chili powder and one-half cup of the "Helper" mix. simmer covered 20 minutes or until macaroni is tender.

Ground Beef Stroganoff
Brown one pound ground beef or turkey and drain off the fat. Add 2 cups water, one-half cup "Helper" mix and two cups uncooked egg noodles and stir. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat and simmer covered for 15-20 minutes or until noodles are tender. Top with one-half cup "light" sour cream or plain yogurt.
Serve immediately.

Hearty Potato Casserole
Brown one pound ground beef or turkey and drain off the fat. Add three-fourth cup water, six peeled potatoes (sliced very thin), one cup of frozen mixed peas and carrots and one-half cup plus 1 tablespoon seasoning mix. simmer covered 20-30 minutes or until potatoes are tender. stir, uncover and cook until excess water is evaporated.

Skillet Lasagna
In a large skillet, brown one pound of lean ground beef, crumble. Drain off the fat and add: one-half cup of the Homemade Ground Beef Helper Mix, one chopped onion, two cups water, 16 ounces of tomato sauce, three cups dry noodles and one-fourth cup Parmesan cheese. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring until thickened. Top with two cups of mozzarella cheese five minutes before serving; turn off heat, stop stirring and allow cheese to melt .

**Note**

I've tried most of these and they are really good!

Enjoy!
Brenda

Flavored Rice Mix---Jar Mix

Flavored Rice Mix---Jar mix

3tbsp. Beef or Chicken Bouillon Granules
3tbsp. dried Parsley Flakes
1tbsp. dried Celery Flakes
1tbsp. dried Minced Onion
1tbsp. Sugar

Mix all ingredients together well and store in air tight container, up to 6 months.
Yield 3 batches ( about 3/4 cup total).

Additional Ingredients:

1c. uncooked Long Grain Rice
2tbsp. Butter
2c. Water

To Prepare Rice:

In a saucepan, saute' rice in butter until lightly browned.
Add Water and about 1/4 cup of seasoning mix.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat.
Cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until rice is tender.

Yield: 4-6 servings

** I mix up a batch of each so I have a choice of beef or chicken depending on the meal!

Enjoy!
Brenda

Casserole Sauce/Cream Soup Mix---TNT

Casserole Sauce Mix--Replacement for cream soups in recipes!

2c. Instant Nonfat Dry Milk
3/4c. Cornstarch
1/4c reduced sodium Beef or Chicken bouillon
1/2tsp. dried crushed Thyme
1/2tsp. dried crushed Basil
1/4tsp. Pepper

Combine all ingredients using blender.
Store in airtight container.

To substitute for 1 can soup stir together-- 1/3c. dry mix and 1c. water--in saucepan. Cook and stir until thickened.

Yield: equivalent to 9 cans soup.

** Note ** I use a little more than a 1/3 cup of the mix for a creamier soup!

Enjoy!,
Brenda

Hot Cocoa Mix ---TNT

Hot Cocoa Mix

2c. Powdered Milk
1c. Sugar
1/2c. Cocoa
1/2c Non-Dairy Creamer Powder
1-dash Salt

Combine all ingredients mix well.
Store in tightly sealed container.

Makes about 4 cups mix.

Directions:
Add 3-4 Tbsp. mix to a mug and fill with hot water.
Stir to blend.
Miniature Marshmallows or Cream , optional

* I make this all the time and it is very good!

Enjoy,
Brenda

French Vanilla Cappuccino Mix --- TNT

French Vanilla Cappuccino Mix

1- 9.6oz. Nonfat Dry Milk
1- 16oz. Powdered Sugar
1- 15oz. Chocolate Drink Mix for Milk
1- 11oz. Non-Dairy Creamer Powder
2- 8oz. French Vanilla Non-Dairy Creamer Powder
1/2 cup Cocoa
1/4 cup Instant Coffee

Mix all together thoroughly.

To make 1 cup ----

Use 3 Heaping Teaspoons Mix add boiling water , stir well.
** amount of mix may be adjusted according to taste!

Enjoy,
Brenda

Lime Jello Mold

Lime Jello Mold

1 Package lime jello
1-1/2 c. boiling water
3/4 small can crushed pineapple
Handful of mini-marshmallows or 10 Lg. marshmallows cut up
1 Small package Philadelphia cream Cheese

Soften cream cheese before starting.
Pour boiling water over jello and dissolve.
Cut cheese in large chunks and add to jello.
Add marshmallows.
Using spoon work jello until cheese is in small chunks and marshmallows are dissolved.
Let cool in refrigerator and then add pineapple.
Refrigerate again until mold is set.
Turn out of mold onto plate and refrigerate for several hours or overnight before serving.

Enjoy!
Brenda

Cream Cheese Bars--TNT

Cream Cheese Bars

Mix:
1 yellow cake mix
1 stick butter
1 egg
1 cup chopped nuts
Pour into 9x13 pan

Cream together:
1 pkg. cream cheese
2 eggs
1# confectioners sugar
Pour over batter.

Bake at 350º for 25 minutes then 325º for 30 minutes.

I got this recipe from a friend many years ago and it is still a favorite!

Enjoy!
Brenda

Banana Split Cake--TNT

Banana Split Cake

2 c. graham crackers finely ground
2 sticks butter
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. powdered sugar
2 c. pineapple, drained and mashed
2 sticks butter
1 Large tub Cool Whip
4 bananas, sliced
Walnuts & cherries for topping

Melt 2 sticks of butter and mix with ground graham crackers in 9x13 oblong pan.
Beat 2 eggs, vanilla, sugar, and 2 sticks butter NO LESS than 20 minutes.
Cover crackers with creamed mixture, mashed pineapple and then sliced bananas.
Spread cool whip over bananas .

Top with nuts and cherries.

Chill 24 hours before serving!

This is so good .....of course it doesn't have any calories Ha Ha!!

Enjoy!
Brenda

Peanut Butter Crunchies--TNT

Peanut Butter Crunchies

1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c. shortening
1/2 c. chunky peanut butter
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 egg well beaten
1/2 c. milk

Sift flour, add baking powder, soda and salt.
Cream together shortening and peanut butter.
Gradually blend in sugar and brown sugars. Add egg and mix thoroughly.
Stir in flour mixture alternately with milk, mix well.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake in moderate oven 375º about 12 minutes.

cool on rack

Yield: about 3 dozen.

This was the peanut butter cookie recipe mom always made when I was growing up.

Brenda

Mom's Sour Cream Cookies--TNT

Mom's Sour Cream Cookies

3 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. soft butter
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 c. dairy sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla

TOPPING
1/2 c. sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon mixed.

Mix flour, baking powder, soda and salt, set aside.
In large bowl on med. speed mix butter, sugar and egg until light and fluffy.
At low speed beat in sour cream and vanilla until smooth.
Gradually beat in flour mixture until well combined.
Refrigerate 1 hour.

Meanwhile preheat oven to 375º.
Lightly grease cookie sheets, drop batter by slightly rounded tbsp., 2" apart.
Sprinkle topping on unbaked cookies.
Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown, cool.

yield 6 Dozen

Mom made these quite often. Reading this and seeing her hand writing really brings back a flood of memories. She had written in the corner... Brenda very good!

Great-Grandma's Coffee Cake--TNT

Great-Grandma's Coffee Cake

1 c. mashed potatoes
1 pt. liquid (use potato water)
3/4 c. melted lard
1 c.sugar
2 tsp. salt
1 cake yeast in 1/4 c. lukewarm water & 1 tsp sugar
Flour enough to knead.
Bake in moderate oven.

* My grandmother wrote her recipes down with the assumption you knew what you were doing LOL!!

Roscoe's Leather Bread--TNT

Roscoe's Leather Bread

2 1/2 c. sifted flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
Milk to moisten about 1/2 c.

Mix together with hands.
Knead until smooth.
Roll out to about 1/2"-1" thick.
Cut with biscuit cutter.
Fry in hot bacon fryings until done and lightly browned. ( Doesn't take long to fry).

Serve warm

Roscoe was my Step-dad and had been a cook in the Navy. Leather Bread was one of the favorites he was asked to make. It is so good!!

Great-Grandma's Cream Puffs and Custard Filling--TNT

Cream Puffs
1 c. flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c. melted shortening
1 c. water
3 eggs unbeaten

Sift flour and salt into bowl. Melt shortening in a pan with the water and boil. When this reaches a rapid boil pour into flour and stir well. Add 1 egg at a time and beat well. Drop by tsp. on ungreased baking sheet and bake in pre-heated oven 450º for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 350º and bake an additional 30 minutes.
Cool and fill with custard filling.

Custard Filling
1 pint milk
1 tbsp. butter
1/4 c. flour
1 or 2 eggs beaten ( I use 2)
1 tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla.

Stir all ingredients together and boil to a thick cream,
Stir very often.

Agnes 1888-1974

I usually double the custard...it is delicious!!

Welcome to My Cookbook

I have decided to start a new blog just for recipes. I think it will keep things a little more organized.

The recipes will be old family recipes, recipes from friends and recipes that mom and I have collected over the years.

The recipes that I know have been used and are good will be marked with "TNT"(Tried and True) in the title.

The rest of the recipes will be ones that I have found that sounded good but have yet to be tried, they will be marked "TNT" when they pass the taste test!!!

This will be a long, on going slow project as I sort through a huge collection of recipes that have piled up from family members over the years.

I hope you all enjoy the recipes!

Blessings,
Brenda