Taco Salad

One of our favorite recipes and we look forward to this every summer for the 4th of July. My husband grandma came up with this recipe and it took me a little while to get his recipe for the sauce. My husband and I have also altered this recipe to fit what we like and I will put those changes in this recipe along with the original so that you can decide what you want to do.

Taco Salad

In a fry pan cook 1 lb of ground beef until no longer pink. Add taco seasoning minus 1 Tbs (set the Tbs aside.) In a large bowl combine 1 head of lettuce (chopped) 1 onion chopped. 2-3 tomatoes chopped. 2 cups of shredded cheese.

So now that you have seen that portion of the recipe. I do not add the lettuce, onion, or tomatoe. My husband and I have turned this into more of a pasta salad. I use the rotini type noodles. I cook them and let them cool and add the ground beef in. I then make the sauce...

8 oz of Thousand Island dressing
1 Tbs of dry taco seasoning
1 tsp of sugar
1 Tbs of taco sauce (Ortega)

Crush 2 cups of taco flavored doritos
Add to salad and mix altogether.
Then add Cheese and mix again.

Hashbrown Casserole

So I know everyone has a recipe for Hashbrown Casserole, and this is probably not mcuh different than the ones you have either had or that you have made. I am putting this one here so that it can be a quick place for yout o come for recipes that you want to make and also recipes that are staples to make. I will also put in here the things that I have done to change this recipe up.

Hashbrown Casserole

2 lbs frozen hashbrowns
1 stick of butter (melted)
1 pint of sour cream
1 cup of diced onions or (few shakes of dried minced onions)
8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
1 can of cream of mushroom soup (I also add a can of Cheddar Cheese soup)
2 cups of crushed potato chips

Thaw hashbrowns for about 2 hours seperate. Combine all ingredients except potato chips. Mix well. Spread mixture in ungreased 9 x 13 pan. Top with crushed potato chips. Bake at 375 uncovered for 1 -1 1/2 hours.

Chocolate Pudding Dessert

Once again compliments of my mother in-law. Very easy to make and it is a great dish to take to a party. You could also top this with M&M's.

Prepare 3 oz chocolate pudding, ad directed on the package with 2 cups of milk. Bring to just a boil. Blend in while still hot 1 package of chocolate cake mix. (batter will be lumpy) Pour into a greased 9 x 13 pan. Sprinkle over top with chocolate chips. Bake 350 for 30 to 35 minutes. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.

Strawberry Cake

You will notice that desserts are not really my speciality, but this one I really do enjoy. It is very light and tasty almost like having fresh strawberries on shortcake.

Strawberry Cake

White cake mix
2/3 cup of oil
1/3 cup of water
4 eggs
10 oz strawberries(frozen) then you thaw them before mixing.

Mix the ingredients bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Cool in the refridgerator (Check cake after 35 minutes) test with a toothpick if it comes out clean it is ready to be frosted.)

Frosting
8 oz thawed cool whip
10 oz frozen strawberries (thawed) mix and frost.

Oreo Dessert

Another recipe from my mother in-law and also my husband favorite dessert and his sisters favorite dessert. They both request this on there Birthday and rarely are there any leftovers.

Oreo Dessert

30 Oreos
1 stick of butter (melted)
Combine and pat into a 9 x 13 glass pan
1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream (softened)
Slice ice cream and place on oreo crust
Put into the freezer

Topping
4 squares semi sweet chocolate
2 Tbs butter
5 1/3 carnation evaporated milk
1 cup powder sugar
1 tsp of vanilla

In a saucepan melt chocolate and butter, Add milk, sugar, and vanilla. Bring to a boil over low heat stirring constantly. Cool. Spread over the ice cream. Return to the freezer (at least 4 hours or over night.)

De-Lish Steak

This is a recipe that I got from my mother in-law and it is my husband favorite recipe and is a treat to have because I don't make it all that often. Everytime we have it there are no leftovers. I also cut the recipe down in half because there is just the two of us, while plus Taylor but she off our plates still. It is paired great with homemade mashed potatoes.

De-Lish Steak

8 Tbs of flour
1/2 a teaspoon of salt
8 small cube steaks
5 Tbs of butter (Divided)
1 Lrg onion
1 cup of mushrooms (I usually do not add these cause my husband is not a fan of mushrooms.)
3-4 beef bouillion cubes
3-4 cups of water
3 Tbs of milk

Mix together flour and salt. Rub 3 Tbs flour mixture into the steaks. Melt 4 Tbs of butter. Add the steak brown on both sides. Put into a medium size baking dish. Add onion to the fry pan brown lightly. Spoon over the steak. Melt remaining butter add mushrooms and brown. Spoon over the steak. Dissolve bouillion cubes in water pour into the fry pan add remaining flour 5 Tbs or more to make a rue add to boiling cube mixture. Add 3 Tbs of milk simmer until lightly thickened. Spoon over meat. Cover and bake at 325 for 1 and 1/2 hours.

Cajun Chicken Spaghetti

So my husband has new found taste for recipes with Cajun in them. One of my Dad's favorite recipes is Cajun Chicken Spaghetti. Last night I asked Matt what he wanted for dinner and he told me to make the Cajun Chicken Spaghetti that my mom makes, BUT he does not like half of the ingredients in it so I had to alter it for his taste which included no peas, and no mushrooms which I love... Then I brought some to my dad and he said that is absolutely way different without all of the fixens. All in all make this recipe the way it is meant to be made.

Cajun Chicken Spaghetti

1 8oz pkg. spaghetti noodles
1 or 2 Chicken Breast cut into little cubes
1 Tbs garlic salt
1 Tbs cajun seasoning
1 Chicken bouillon cube
1 cup of chopped celery
1 cup of chopped onion
Boil all of the ingredients above with the spaghetti noodles until the noodles are tender about 15-20 minutes. Drain then put into a 2 quart casserole dish.
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 16oz can of peas
1 can of mushroom pieces and stems
1 Tbs of butter
Saute the mushrooms in a seperate pan with butter about 10 minutes
Pour cream of mushroom soup over the spaghetting noodle mixture.then drain the peas and put over the soup. Then put the sauted mushrooms over peas. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese, and parmesan cheese.
Bake in oven on 350 uncovered for 20 minutes.

Cauliflower Salad

So you have to like cauliflower for this salad obviously, but it is a great salad which we usually make during the summer for potlucks that we have at the campground up at Silver Lake.

Cauliflower Salad

1 Lrg head of cauliflower
1 10 oz pkg of frozen peas
8 oz of shredded cheddar cheese
1 pkg of dry Italian dressing
1 cup of miracle whip salad dressing

Break cauliflower into rosettes, mix peas (don't cook), and cheese, mix in the dressing and mix it all together. Let set in refridgerator for 1 hour.

Stuffed Mushrooms

If you like mushrooms, these are amazing. Since my husband does not like mushrooms I only get to have these when my mom makes them for dinner. Which is always a nice treat to spend time with my family eatting dinner together talking and laughing. My dad and I are always in a fight to the finish to get the last mushroom.

Stuffed Mushrooms

2lbs fresh mushrooms, cleaned and stemmed (save the stems)
1 1/2 lb lean bulk pork sausage
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Garlic Salt (to taste)

Chop up the mushroom stems and mix with the pork sausage. Saute the mixture until the sausage is cooked. Drain, add cheese to sausage and cook slowly until cheese is melted. Season to taste with garlic salt.

Stuff mushroom caps with the mixture and place in 2 greased baking pans 9x13 inch each. Bake uncovered, for about 30 minutes at 350.

A Recipe to Live By:

A Recipe to Live By:

Blend
1 Cup of Love
1/2 cup kindness, add alternately in small portions,
1 cup of appreciation and,
3 cups of pleasant companionship, into which has been sifted.
3 teaspoons of deserving praise, flavored with
1 teaspoon carefully chosen advise, lightly folded in
1 cup of cheerfulness to which has been added a pinch of sorrow,
Pour with tender care into a small clean hearts and let bake until well matured, turn out on surface of society. Humbly invoke God's blessing and it will serve all mankind.

Teenagers Delight

By far one of my favorite recipes growing up. I would always ask my mom to make this for me.

Teenagers Delight

1 1/2 lbs of ground beef
1/2 tsp salt
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 can of french fried onions
1/2 cup of diced onions
16 oz frozen tater tots
1/4 cup milk
1 cup grated cheese (Just use like kraft shredded cheese)

Brown meat and diced onions, season with salt, drain off fat. Put in casserole dish, layering it with tater tots and soup mixed with milk. Bake covered in the oven 350 for 1 hour. Remove cover and add grated cheese bake for 10 more minutes, remove casserole and add french fried onions and bake for 5 more minutes until brown.

Busy Day Casserole

This recipe speaks for it's self. If you are busy and in need of something that does not require to much preparation then this is your recipe.

Busy Day Casserole

1 lb hamburger (uncooked)
1 Small onion (chopped)
1 16oz can of green beans
3 medium potatoes (Sliced, and peeled) I use a mandolin slicer and it makes this process go much quicker.
1 Can of Cream of Chicken Soup

Spread raw hambuger and onion in the bottom of a casserole dish. I usally put a can of Cream of Chicken Soup on top of this too, it helps to add more flavor. Layer with green beans, and potatoes over the raw meat. Cover with Cream of Chicken Soup. Bake at 350 for 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Holly Wreaths

This is one of my holiday favorites and I look forward to making these with my daughter because they are so much fun to make. Yes I know that Christmas is done and over with but I do not want to miss getting this on here because it is by far one of my fav. things to have for Christmas.

Holly Wreaths

1 stick of butter
40 marshmellows (Regular Size) Please do not count out 40 marshmellows remember this is supposed to be about easiness. I just use 1 pkg of marshmellows.
2 tsp vanilla
2 Tbsp green food coloring
4 1/2 cups corn flakes
Cinnamon Candies

Melt the better, add marshmellows and vanilla and food coloring. Then stir in corn flakes. Drop on wax paper. Place cinnamon candies on the wreaths. These create the holly wreaths berries.

Caramel Apple Salad

Another great recipe brought to you by Happiness is Homemade "1987" I rediscovered this recipe after I met my husband, and I have found that if you are looking for something easy but a crowd pleaser to make for a potluck this is my go to Salad. It never disappoints people.

Caramel Apple Salad

1 pkg Instant Butterscotch Pudding
1 8oz carton Frozen Whipped Topping
1 can Crushed Pineapple with juice
1 cup miniature marshmellows
3 cups chopped apples with peeling
1 cup dry roasted peacnuts

Mix togther the dry pudding, whipped topping, pineapple and juice until well blended. Stir in the apples, marshmellows and peanuts until thourghly combined. Refridgerate until serving.

Potato Chip Cookies

Okay so first things first. Don't let the name of these cookies discourage you. I do not bake often because for one thing I am horrible at it and I wreck almost every kind of cookie that I make. This cookie though I have never wrecked and I never get sick of them. I will tell you though that most people when they hear of these cookies they say that they are not going to try them, but once they do they fall in love with them. My husband for many years would not touch them, but finally he did and could not deny that they were awesome.

Potato Chip Cookies

1 Cup Crisco
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Eggs
2 Cups of Flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Salt
2 Cups Plain Potato Chips (Crushed)
1 tsp Vanilla

Mix everything together. Roll in small balls, place on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten with a fork. Bake at 325 for 10 minutes.

Happiness is Homemade "1987"

So this section will be a collection of my favortie recipes from a cookbook that my mom passed down to me when I moved out. This collection of recipes includes recipes that my mom's mom (My grandma) cooked for her along with a bunch of other people from family. All in all these recipes have been around for a long time and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. I look forward to passing them down to my daughter Taylor when she moves out and can cook for her family.

"Barbecued" Chicken-and-Black Bean Burritos

This is a great recipe that is easy to make and it is also good for you. The lefovers are just as good as when you have it the first time. I got this recipe from my friend Laura.

"Barbecued" Chicken-and-Black Bean Burritos

"This dish is one that everyone--including my three children--loves, and it has plenty of good nutrients." --CL Reader

1 tablespoon olive oil
3/4 pound skinned, boned chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup bottled barbecue sauce
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese
4 (10-inch) flour tortillas
1/4 cup low-fat sour cream

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add chicken, onion, and garlic; cook 8 minutes or until chicken is done, stirring constantly. Stir in barbecue sauce and beans. Sprinkle with cheese; cook 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Warm tortillas according to package directions. Spoon about 1/2 cup chicken mixture down center of each tortilla; top each with 1 tablespoon sour cream, and roll up.

Cajun Chicken Pasta

Matt and I were looking for something to make one night having the normal conversation of what do you want for dinner, and neither of us were making up our minds, so I logged on to my facebook and found that Pennies on a Platter another blog that I am a fan of posted this recipe definitely give it a try I can't wait to make it again.

Cajun Chicken Pasta
Serves: 4 – 6

8 ounces rotini pasta
3 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cubed
2 – 3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (or to taste)
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
8 oz package sliced mushrooms
1 green onion, chopped (Did not put in the recipe)
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon fresh basil (I used dried because it is what I had in the house.)
1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper
salt, to taste
2 cloves minced garlic (I also used Powdered Garlic)
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 – 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt and pasta, then cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until al dente; drain.

Place the chicken and the Cajun seasoning in a plastic bag. Shake to coat. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet, saute the chicken until almost tender (5 to 7 minutes).

Add the bell peppers, mushrooms and green onion. Saute and stir for 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat.

Add the cream, basil, lemon pepper, salt, garlic powder and ground black pepper. Heat through. Add cornstarch until sauce reaches desired thickness. Add the cooked pasta, toss and heat through. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve.

Kristen's Cafe...

I have created this blog for people that are looking for simple yet tasty recipes. I know that there are times when I am looking for a good recipe that is quick and easy, but you have to do the trial and error thing to find out if the recipe is any good. Then you come to find out that the recipe was not nearly as good as it sounded and are left disappointed with your meal that you spent all that time cooking. Well this is the blog for you. I will only post recipes that my family and I have tried that we have found to be very tasty. Please feel free to let me know what you think of the recipes that I post.