Meal Planning - Part 3 - Some of our favorite recipes
As promised, here are a few of our favorite recipes. These are pretty simply, and we usually have enough for a second meal.
Recipe 1 - Tator Tot Casserole
This will feed 4-8 people
This is a simple recipe.
Preheat oven to 350.
Need:
1 lbs. hamburger
1 can cream of mushroom soup
4- 1/2" wide slices of velveta cubed
2 large potatoes - cubed and cooked
1 can(pint) of your favorite vegetables(mixed works well)
1 16 oz. bag of tator tots
1. peel, and cube potatoes. Cook as you normally would, until tend.
2. While potatoes are cooking, brown hamburger. You can add in any spices, peppers or onions if you wish.
3. Slice velveta cheese and cube.
4. In a large mixing bowl, add all ingredients EXCEPT tator tots. Mix well.
5. Use a cooking spray to prep a 9 x 13 pan, and pour the mix in.
6. level out the mixture, and top with tator tots.
7. Bake for 40-50 minutes.
Recipe 2 - Spaghetti
This recipe will feed 4-6 people. Can double it and freeze the left overs in an air tight container.
Need:
1 lbs. hamburger
1 lbs. angel hair pasta
1 quarts(jar) spaghetti sauce
1 pint(can) stewed tomatoes
1. Brown hamburger in a medium sauce pan, add whatever spices you prefer, can add onion and peppers too.
2. Fill a large pan half full of water, and bring to a boil.
3. Put pasta in boiling water, and boil until tender.
4. Once hamburger is brown, add in sauce and stewed tomatoes, let simmer until pasta is ready.
5. Once both pans are finished, mix together in larger of 2 pans.
Pairs great with your favorite vegetable, and a loaf of homemade bread.
Recipe 3 - Loose hamburger, veggie and potatoes
This will easily feed 4 people.
This is one of my favorites. It's super easy!
Need:
2 lbs. Hamburger
2 lbs. potatoes
2 lbs. corn, creamed would be the equivalent of what our self preserved corn is.
1. Peel and dice potatoes. Put into large pan and boil until tender.
2. Brown hamburger, add in your favorite spices.
3. In a smaller pan, warm up corn.
4. Once potatoes are tender, drain. Put into mixing bowl with 1 stick of real butter, 1/4 c. of milk(may need more for creamer potatoes), and mash.
5. Fix your plate!
Recipe 4 - Homemade Pizza
This is a recipe we use regularly. My homemade pizza crust also makes a great loaf of bread!
This recipe will make about 1 large to extra large size pizza.
Crust:
3 3/4 C. Unbleached flour (any all purpose flour will work)
2 TBS. Olive Oil
2 TBS. Honey
2 TBS. Yeast
1 1/2 C. Warm water
1 tsp. salt
1. Mix yeast, honey, olive oil, and warm water. Mix well and let sit for 5 minutes.
2. Slowly mix in salt and flour, until mixed well. Let sit another 5 minutes or until you are ready to add toppings.
3. Roll out dough to fit your pan. I use a 11 x 17 pan.
4. Begin topping with your favorite ingredients. We love sausage browned with peppers and onions, pepperoni, mushrooms, pepperchini, and cheese. It takes about 1 can of prepared pizza sauce, before the toppings are added.
Bake at 350 until the crust and cheese have browned some. Usually about 30-45 minutes.
This pizza crust recipe is a great bread recipe also. Instead of rolling out for pizza, roll out to about 1/2 inch thick. Then fold into thirds, set in a warm place and allow to rise, I try to let it triple in size. Then bake until it browns slightly or if it sounds hollow when flicked.
Recipe 5 - My Chili
This will feed 6-8 people or can be froze in air tight container. Left overs can also be used to make Chili Pasta Bake.
Need:
1 lbs. Meat - We love venison burger, or hamburger
3 cans of kidney beans
3 cans of chili beans
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 half gallon of tomato juice
1 chili seasoning packet
1. In a large pan, brown meat with spices. We add onions and green peppers while it cooks.
2. Add remaining ingredients, and stir well. Let simmer for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow spices to thoroughly infiltrate the soup.
You can add so many goodies to a bowl of chili - jalapenos, cheese, and sour cream are great!
Recipe 6 - Chili Pasta Bake
This will fee 4-6 people.
Need:
Your left over chili from above.
1 lbs. pasta of your choice - we like penne, or spiral
shredded cheese
1. Cook pasta until tender, and drain.
2. prepare a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray.
3. pour pasta in bottom and top with chili.
4. mix carefully!
5. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and bake at 350 until the cheese has melted and browned a little.
Now, a few of our favorite desserts! Usually, I don't get our cakes frosted before they are all eaten. However, I will include a frosting for my cinnamon rolls.
Recipe 7 - Chocolate Coffee Buttermilk Cake
This is a great recipe! I have substituted the coffee in this recipe for espresso, and it is amazing! I never get this cake frosted before it's gone!
Need:
3 C. flour
2 1/2 C. sugar
4 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 C. cocoa
1 1/3 C. olive oil**
1 1/2 C. buttermilk**
3 large eggs
1 1/2 C. hot coffee**
1 tsp. vanilla
** these can be substituted. Vegetable can be used, in the place of olive oil, but olive oil is healthier.
Buttermilk can be made - 1 1/4 C. of milk and add vinegar to complete the other 1/4 C.
Hot coffee - can substitute hot espresso for a richer coffee flavor.
1. In a large mixing bowl-mix flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa.
2. Slowly add in olive oil, buttermilk, eggs and coffee.
3. Add vanilla last and mix well.
4. Prepare a 11 x 17 jelly roll pan with cooking spray.
5. pour mix in pan and bake.
350 degrees for about 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Recipe 8 - My Cinnamon Rolls
This recipe will make about 2 dozen rolls.
1. Mix 3 1/2 C. warm water, 3/4 C. sugar, 1/2 C. olive oil, and 6 TBS. yeast. Mix well and let sit for 15 minutes.
2. Then add: 1 TBS. salt, 3 large eggs, and 10 C. flour. NOTE: add flour slowly! It will make a huge mess! Mix together for 10 minutes. and let sit for 10 minutes.
3. Oil your work surface. DO NOT USE FLOUR!
4. Divide dough in half and press first half into a rectangle. Roll out to about 1/4 -1/2" thickness.
5. Spread with soft butter(about 1 stick per half). Top the butter with 1 c. sugar, 1 TBS. cinnamon.
6. Begin making roll. Always roll towards you. Slice the roll into 1/2" slices and place on lipped cookie sheet about 2" apart. Set aside and let rise.
7. Repeat steps 5&6 with second half.
8. Leave both halves to rise for about 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
9. To bake: 400 degree preheated oven, for 12-15 minutes.
Recipe 9 - My cinnamon roll frosting
2 lbs. powdered sugar
4 tsp. maple extract
1 c milk
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. coffee
1/4 tsp. salt
Mix well until creamy, and drizzle over warm rolls.
Recipe 10 - Easy maple pecan fudge
Need:
2 c. brown sugar
5 oz. evaporated milk
1 c. butter
2 c powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp maple extract
1 c pecan pieces
In a sauce pan, combine brown sugar, evaporated milk, and butter. Bring to a full boil over medium heat.
Reduce heat slightly, and boil additional 10 minutes, stir constantly.
Remove from heat and add powdered sugar, vanilla and maple.
Use hand mixer to beat together for about 3 minutes or until smooth and glossy.
Pour into a greased 8 x 8 pan, and let cool.
Allow 12 hours of cooling before cutting.
There you have it. A few of our budget friendly recipes.
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