#3931 - Fresh Tomato Salad Dressing

(by Shirley McNevich)

1 1/2 medium ripe tomatoes (chopped)
1/4 cup chopped onions
2 TBSP honey
6 TBSP red wine vinegar
3/4 TBSP olive oil
1 TBSP chopped fresh parsley
3 cloves garlic (minced)
3/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. fresh ground black pepper

In a blender add chopped tomatoes, chopped onions, honey, vinegar, olive oil, chopped parsley, minced garlic, salt, paprika and pepper--put the lid on and blend for 1 minute or until dressing is smooth. Pour mixture into a glass container with a lid. Refrigerate until cold before using.

#3923 - Spanish Salsa Rice

(by Shirley McNevich)

2 TBSP canola oil
1/2 of a small onion (chopped; more or less as you wish)
1 1/2 cups uncooked white rice (NOT Minute Rice)
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup chunky salsa (the higher the spice/heat level of the salsa, the more tasty the rice will be)
other spices (to your taste)

In a skillet over medium heat add canola oil and chopped onions--cook/stir until onions are tender. Add the uncooked rice--cook/stir constantly until rice starts to brown. Add the chicken broth and salsa--stir well. Turn heat back to low, cover the skillet and simmer 20-30 minutes or until rice is done and mixture has thickened (and liquid has been absorbed). Before removing from heat, taste--add other spices to your taste, stir well, and taste again.

#3922 - Skillet Polish Pigeons

(by Shirley McNevich)

2/3 cup water + extra for the cabbage
1/3 cup uncooked white rice (prepared according to package directions)
1 head of cabbage
1lb. ground chuck
1/4 cup chopped onions (more if you wish)
1 beaten egg
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
1 - 10.75oz. can Campbell's tomato soup (undiluted)
1 small can Italian diced tomatoes

Fill a Dutch oven 3/4 full with water--add 1 tsp. salt and bring to a boil. Remove the core from the cabbage (discard it) and place remaining cabbage head into the boiling water--cook it for 6 minutes, turning frequently, until cabbage leaves loosen. Remove from heat, drain, and wait until cooled enough so you can handle the cabbage. Remove the leaves one at a time until you have 8 large cabbage leaves. In a bowl add ground chuck, the cooked rice, the onions, beaten egg, salt, pepper and 2 TBSP of the tomato soup--mix well. Divide the ground chuck mixture evenly between the 8 cabbage leaves. Tuck in the end of the cabbage leaves and roll them (like an egg roll) and secure them with toothpicks. In a skillet over medium heat add the rest of the tomato soup and the chopped tomatoes. Place the cabbage rolls into the tomato mixture. Bring to a boil, then turn heat back to low, cover with a lid and simmer for 40 minutes (stirring the tomato mixture and basting the cabbage rolls with the tomato mixture every 5 minutes).

#3913 - Bacon Wrapped Meatballs

(by Shirley McNevich)

3lbs. ground chuck
3 eggs
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup 4C Italian bread crumbs
1 TBSP minced garlic
1/4 cup chopped onions (more or less to your taste)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. dried basil
other spices (to your taste)
1lb. good quality bacon
marinara sauce OR BBQ sauce

Cover a jelly roll pan (flat pan with a lip) with foil and spray the foil with Pam. In a bowl add ground chuck, eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, bread crumbs, minced garlic, chopped onions, salt, pepper, oregano and basil--mix with your hands until combined. Form the meat mixture into 12 - 2" meatballs. Open the bacon--find the middle point of the slab of bacon. Using a sharp knife start at the top/middle of the bacon and slice all the way to the bottom (vertically) to make half slices of bacon. Wrap one meatball with one half slice of bacon, then turn the meatball 1/4 and wrap with a second half slice of bacon. Place the bacon wrapped meatball (bacon seams down) on to the foil lined jelly roll pan. Repeat with all meatballs. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until meatballs are done and bacon is crispy. Carefully pour off extra grease. Serve with marinara sauce or BBQ sauce.

#3911 - Fresh Parmesan Green Beans

(by Shirley McNevich)

1lb. fresh green beans
2 TBSP chopped onions (more if you wish)
2 TBSP chopped garlic
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp. salt
fresh grated Parmesan cheese

Place the green beans in a pot--cover them with water and add the salt. Cook/stir over medium heat until boiling. Once boiling, turn heat back to low and simmer them for 10 minutes. Drain the green beans and immediately rinse them with cold water. In a bowl add chopped onions, chopped garlic, balsamic vinegar and olive oil--stir to mix. Place the cooled green beans in a serving dish and drizzle the vinegar mixture over the green beans--carefully toss to coat. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. Remove the cover and sprinkle with fresh grated Parmesan cheese to serve.

#3901 - Pork Sloppy Joes

(by Shirley McNevich)

2lbs. lean ground pork
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
2 TBSP canola oil
1 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup chopped green bell peppers
1 minced garlic clove
1 cup Heinz ketchup
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 TBSP Domino's dark brown sugar (packed)

In a skillet over medium heat add the canola oil, chopped onions, chopped green bell peppers and minced garlic--cook/stir just until onions start to get tender. Add the ground pork, salt and pepper--cook/stir until meat is browned. Add the ketchup, water, Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar--cook/stir until mixed. Turn heat back to simmer--simmer the mixture for 20 minutes (stirring occasionally) or until thickened. Serve on good quality rolls.

#3890 - Italian Bow Tie Sausage

(by Shirley McNevich)

12oz. bow tie pasta
2 TBSP olive oil
1lb. Italian sausage (casings removed; sausage crumbled)
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/2 to 1 cup chopped onions
3 minced garlic cloves
28oz. Italian style diced tomatoes (drained)
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
3 TBSP chopped fresh parsley
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
other seasonings (to your taste)

Cook the bow tie pasta in salted water according to box directions--drain but DO NOT RINSE. In a skillet over medium heat add olive oil, crumbled sausage and red pepper flakes--cook/stir until sausage is browned. Drain off any grease and return sausage to the skillet. To the sausage in the skillet add chopped onions and minced garlic--cook/stir until onions are tender. Add drained diced tomatoes, heavy cream and Italian seasoning--cook/stir about 10 minutes or until mixture thickens. Taste--add other seasonings to your taste, then stir. Remove from heat--add drained pasta and chopped parsley--stir to mix.

#3884 - Bacon and Egg Potato Salad

(by Shirley McNevich)

2.5lbs. red potatoes
1 cup mayo
5 hard boiled eggs (peeled and chopped)
6 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled; more if you wish)
1/4 cup finely chopped onions (optional)
2 TBSP French's yellow mustard
salt
pepper
1 tsp. celery seed

Wash and quarter the potatoes (your choice if you want to peel them or not). In a pot add the quartered potatoes and 1 tsp. salt. Cover them with water and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, cook until potatoes are fork tender, then drain and cool them. Cut the cooled potatoes into bite sized pieces. In a large bowl add potato pieces, mayo, chopped eggs, crumbled bacon, finely chopped onions, mustard and celery seed--mix with a spoon. Taste--add salt/pepper if necessary. If salad is too sweet, add more yellow mustard. If salad is too sour, add some white sugar. Cover and refrigerate until cold, preferably overnight.

#3868 - Green Bean Vinegar Casserole

(by Shirley McNevich)

12 slices bacon
2lbs. fresh green beans OR 2lbs. canned green beans (drained)
1 1/2 onions (chopped)
6 TBSP apple cider vinegar (more if you wish)
1 tsp. salt

Cut the bacon slices into bite sized pieces and place them in a skillet--cook/stir over medium heat until bacon is browned. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon pieces and place them on paper towels to drain. Leave the bacon drippings in the skillet. If using fresh green beans, snip off/discard the ends, then cut the green beans into 2" pieces. Place the green beans in a pot with 1 tsp. salt and cover them with water--bring to a boil over medium heat and cook 8-10 minutes or until crisp tender. Drain the green beans and place them in a greased 2qt. casserole dish. If using canned green beans, place the drained green beans into the greased casserole dish and sprinkle them with salt (to your taste). To the bacon drippings in the skillet add the the chopped onions--cook/stir over medium heat until tender. Use a slotted spoon to remove the chopped onions and sprinkle them over the green beans. Spread the bacon pieces over the onions. To the drippings left in the skillet add the cider vinegar--cook/stir just until hot while scraping the skillet to get any leftover browned bits into the vinegar. Drizzle the hot vinegar over the top of the casserole. Cover the casserole and refrigerate overnight. The next day, set the casserole on the counter until room temperature, then bake UNcovered at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes or until heated through.

#3866 - Pickled Cherry Tomatoes

(by Shirley McNevich)

cherry tomatoes (enough to fill 3 pint sized glass canning jars)
fresh dill
1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 cups water
2 TBSP salt
2 TBSP white sugar
4 garlic cloves (halved)
6 peppercorns
chopped onions (optional)

Remove stems and wash the cherry tomatoes. DO NOT peel the cherry tomatoes or you will end up with a mushy mess. Use a sharp kabob skewer to poke 3-4 holes into a cherry tomato, then place it in one of the jars. Repeat with all cherry tomatoes. Add some fresh dill to the top of the tomatoes in each jar. Optional--add some chopped onions to each jar. In a saucepan add the cider vinegar, water, white sugar, salt, halved garlic cloves and peppercorns--cook/stir over medium heat until boiling. Once boiling, cook for 3 minutes. Remove from heat--cool to room temperature. Pour the vinegar mixture into each jar--enough to cover all tomatoes. Screw on the lids tightly and refrigerate them for at least 1 day before eating. When serving, you can remove the garlic pieces and any leftover large peppercorns.

#3863 - Tomato and Vinegar Chicken

(by Shirley McNevich)

3.5lbs. boneless/skinless chicken breasts
salt
fresh ground black pepper
2 TBSP canola oil
6 TBSP butter
8 garlic cloves (peeled and minced)
1 large onion (chopped)
1 cup cider vinegar
1 TBSP tomato paste (more if necessary)
2 cups chicken broth
1 TBSP fresh chopped parsley

Salt/pepper both sides of each chicken breast (to your taste). Cut each chicken breast into 4 pieces. In a large skillet over medium heat add the canola oil and 2 TBSP butter--cook/stir until melted and hot. Add about half of the chicken pieces--cook on both sides until chicken is almost done. Repeat with any remaining chicken. When all chicken has been cooked and removed from skillet, pour off all but a TBSP or two of the fat, then add the chopped onions and minced garlic to the remaining fat. Cook/stir until until onions and garlic are soft. Add the cider vinegar and 1 cup of the chicken broth--cook/stir for 5 minutes, then add the tomato paste--stir well. Add the other cup of chicken broth--stir. Add all of the cooked chicken pieces. Turn heat back to simmer--simmer mixture for 15-20 minutes or until chicken is completely done. Remove the chicken from the sauce and place it on a serving plate. Add the other 4 TBSP of butter and the chopped parsley to the sauce--cook/stir until sauce is thickened. Taste the sauce--if needed add more tomato paste and stir well. Serve chicken drizzled in the sauce. Note: if you want more bite, add more cider vinegar than listed but you may have to cook sauce longer until it thickens.

#3860 - Crab Stuffed Chicken Breasts

(by Shirley McNevich)

6 boneless/skinless chicken breasts
6 slices deli ham
8oz. lump crab meat
1/4 cup chopped onions
1/4 cup mayo
1/4 tsp. Old Bay
a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce (to your taste)
3oz. fresh grated Parmesan cheese
3oz. Italian bread crumbs
salt
pepper

In a bowl add crab meat, chopped onions, mayo, Old Bay and Worcestershire sauce--mix carefully so lumps in crab meat stay together. Salt/pepper both sides of each chicken breast to your taste. Make a long cut sideways into each chicken breast to make a pocket. Stuff each chicken breast with the crab mixture. Grease a 9 x 13 glass baking dish. Spread the ham slices over the bottom of the baking dish. Place the stuffed chicken breasts over the ham. In a bowl add the Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs--stir to mix. Spread the crumb mixture evenly over the tops of each chicken breast. Bake at 350 degrees 30-40 minutes or until chicken is done and crab mixture is hot.

#3856 - Chipped Ham Sandwiches

(by Shirley McNevich)

1/2 cup butter
1 onion (chopped)
2 cups Heinz ketchup OR chili sauce
1/3 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup water
1 TBSP Domino's dark brown sugar
2 tsp. French's yellow mustard
2 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 lbs. chipped chopped ham
good quality rolls

In a skillet over medium heat add the butter and the chopped onions--cook/stir until onions are tender. Add the ketchup, white vinegar, water, brown sugar, mustard and Worcestershire sauce--cook/stir until mixed. Turn heat back to simmer--simmer the mixture for 10 minutes. Taste--if too sweet add more mustard and vinegar, then stir again. If too sour, add more brown sugar and stir again. Once you have the flavor you like, add the chopped ham--stir to mix, then simmer until meat is heated and sauce is bubbling. Serve on good quality rolls.

#3844 - Quick Macaroni Salad

(by Shirley McNevich)

1 box Kraft macaroni and cheese dinner (blue box)
1/2 cup mayo
1/3 cup sweet pickle relish
1/4 cup chopped onions
8 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled)
1 tomato (chopped)

Prepare macaroni and cheese dinner according to directions, then dump it into a large glass bowl. Cool to room temperature, then stir. Add mayo, relish, chopped onions--stir to mix. Cover and refrigerate overnight. When ready to serve add the crumbled bacon and chopped tomatoes--stir well.

#3819 - Italian Eggs

(by Shirley McNevich)

1 tsp. olive oil
1/4 cup sliced pepperoni
1 large onion (chopped)
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1/2 TBSP oregano
1 - 28oz. can diced tomatoes
4 eggs
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1 loaf baguette bread

In a skillet over medium heat add olive oil and pepperoni slices--cook/stir until pepperoni is cripsy. Place pepperoni on paper towels. In the same skillet add the chopped onions--cook/stir over medium heat until onions are tender. Add minced garlic and oregano--stir. Add the diced tomatoes--cook/stir until simmering. Use the back of a spoon to make 4 "nests" in the tomato mixture, then crack one egg into each of the nests. Cover the skillet and cook until egg whites are done but yolks are still runny (about 5 minutes). Sprinkle the pepperoni and shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top and let in on the stove for 1 minute or until cheese is melted. Serve mixture over crispy baguette bread. It's messy but it's good!

#3799 - Hearty Breakfast Potatoes

(by Shirley McNevich)

1/3 cup butter
6 large potatoes
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
1/3 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. paprika
6 slices bacon (more if you wish)
1 onion (chopped)

Wash and peel the potatoes, then cube them. In a cast iron skillet cook the bacon. When bacon is done, place the bacon on paper towels (but leave the drippings in the skillet). Crumble the bacon and set aside. Add the butter to the skillet over medium heat--melt the butter. Add the cubed potatoes and chopped onions--cook/stir until potatoes are golden brown and onions are tender. Remove from heat--sprinkle the potato mixture with the salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika--stir to coat. Sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the top.

#3782 - Spaghetti Pie

(by Shirley McNevich)

Crust: 7oz. raw spaghetti; 1 egg; 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Filling: 1lb. ground chuck; 1 tsp. salt; 1/2 tsp. pepper; 1/2 cup chopped green bell peppers; 1/2 cup chopped onions (more if you wish); 1 - 14oz. jar chunky pasta sauce (room temperature)

Topping: 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (more if you wish)

Cook spaghetti in salted water according to box directions--drain but DO NOT RINSE. In a large bowl add the egg--beat. Add Parmesan cheese--stir well. Add the drained spaghetti--toss to coat. Grease a 9" deep dish pie plate. Spread the spaghetti mixture over the bottom and up the sides of the greased pie plate. In a skillet over medium heat add the ground chuck, salt, pepper, green bell peppers and chopped onions--cook/stir until beef is browned. Drain off any grease, then add the pasta sauce--stir well. Spread the beef mixture over the spaghetti mixture. Spread the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top. Bake at 350 degrees 25-35 minutes or until hot. Cool for a few minutes, then slice and serve in pie shaped wedges.

#3778 - BBQ Beef Casserole

(by Shirley McNevich)

1/2lb. ground chuck
4 slices bacon (cut into small pieces)
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 onion (chopped)
1/2 cup Domino's dark brown sugar (packed)
1/2 cup Heinz ketchup
1 TBSP French's yellow mustard
1 TBSP cider vinegar
16oz. Bush's regular baked beans
8oz. cut green beans (drained)
5 deli slices American cheese
3/4 cup crushed Fritos

In a skillet over medium heat add ground chuck, bacon pieces, salt, pepper and chopped onions--cook/stir until beef is browned, then drain off the grease. In a large bowl add brown sugar, ketchup, mustard and cider vinegar--stir until mixed. Add baked beans, drained green beans and the drained beef mixture--stir well. Spread the mixture in a greased 2 qt. casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees 25-30 minutes or until hot and bubbling. Remove from oven--cover the top of the casserole with the crushed Fritos, then place the cheese slices over the top. Return to oven and bake until cheese melts (about 4-6 minutes).

#3773 - Bacon Cheeseburger Dip

(by Shirley McNevich)

1/2lb. ground chuck
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
8 bacon strips (cut into 1" chunks)
1/2 of a large onion (chopped)
4oz. softened Philadelphia cream cheese
1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
2 TBSP Heinz ketchup
1/2 cup Breakstone's sour cream
1/4 cup mayo
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

In a skillet over medium heat add the ground chuck, salt and pepper--cook until beef is browned, then drain the beef and set aside. Fry the bacon in a skillet. When bacon is done, remove the bacon but leave the drippings in the skillet. To the bacon drippings add the chopped onions--cook/stir until tender, then drain off the grease. In a large bowl add cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, mayo, sour cream and ketchup--stir well. Add drained beef, bacon pieces, onions and both cheeses--stir to mix. Spread the mixture in a glass pie plate. Bake at 350 degrees 20-25 minutes or until hot. Serve with good quality chips or crackers.

#3770 - Microwave BBQ Ham Sandwiches

(by Shirley McNevich)

10 thin slices deli brown sugar ham
3 TBSP BBQ sauce
2 TBSP chopped onions
2 hard rolls (sliced)

In a microwave bowl add the ham slices, BBQ sauce and chopped onions--toss until all ham is coated. Microwave on high in :30 second increments, stirring in between, until hot. Spread half of the mixture on each of the hard rolls.