Nacho Mac 'n' Cheese

This recipe is from Taste of Home Quick Cooking Annual Recipes 2008. i will probably put is a shade less taco seasoning, since the kids don't like spicy, but it was very very good the way it's suposed to be.

3 c. uncooked spiral pasta
1 lb. ground beef
2 c. chopped sweet red pepper
1/4 c. butter, cubed
1/4 c. flour
1 env. taco seasoning
1/4 t. pepper
2 & 1/4 c. milk
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese (i used sharp, b/c i didn't have any reg.)
1 c. frozen corn, thawed (i used one can, drained)
1 c. coarsely crushed tortilla chips

cook pasta as directed. meanwhile in dutch ovan, cook beef and red peppers over medium heat until met is done, drain. stir in butter, flour, taco seasoning and pepper until blended. gradually stir in milk, bring to a boil, cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. remove from heat add cheese and corn, stir until cheese is melted. add drained pasta. sprinkle with chips.

now that i am rereading the recipe i used 1 lb pasta, that might be more than 3 c. but i don't know.

Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake

i've never accually made this, but i've had it a couple times and it is deeeeelish.

Filling:
3 c. rhubarb (cut in 1/2" pieces)
2 c. strawberries, mashed
1 T. lemon juice
1 c. sugar
1/3 c. cornstarch

Cake:
3 c. flour
1 c. sugar
1 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
1 c. butter
1 t. salt
1 c. buttermilk
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla

Topping:
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. flour
1/4 c. butter

Prepare filling: cook rhubarb and strawberries for 5 mins. covered on medium heat. mix sugar and cornstarch and gradually stir into fruit. cook until thickened and glossey. cool. (this part can be frozen for later use.)

Prepare cake: mix flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder. cut in butter and salt. beat together buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla. add flour/butter mix to buttermilk mix, stir to blend. grease 9x13, spread 1/2 cake mixture. cover with cooled filling. spoon remaining cake mixture over filling and carefully spread to cover.

Prepare topping: mix sugar and flour. cut in butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. sprinkle over cake.

bake 350 for 50 mins.

Mint Sundae Brownie Squares

this was a mess on sunday, but still good. but suprizingly it was much better frozen.

1 pkg. fudge brownie mix
3/4 c. walnuts, chopped
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 t. peppermint extract
4 drops green food coloring
2 c. heavy whipping cream, whipped
1/2 c. mini semisweet chocolate chips
hot fudge ice cream topping
salted peanuts, chopped

prepare brownie mix according to package. stir in walnuts. pour into greased 9x13 pan. bake 325 for 23-27 mins.

combine milk, extract, and food coloring. fold in whipped cream and chocolate chips. spread over brownie layer. cover and freeze for several hours or overnight. drizzle with hot fudge ice cream topping and sprinkle with peanuts.

i got this from taste of home simple and delicious mag.

Unique Lettuce Salad

1 head lettuce
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
1 pkg. mozzarella cheese
cashews
1 c. oil
3/4 c. sugar
1/3 c. vinegar
1 t. poppy seeds
dash salt
1 t. mustard
1 t onion flakes

break lettuce into bowl. toss with oranges, cheese and cashews.
poppy seed dresssing: put rest of ingredients into blender except oil. while blending slowly add oil. store in fridge. toss into salad before serving.

the best mac n cheese ever

i got this recipe from better homes and garden. it had gruyere cheese, but just added extra asiago. it is deffiently worth the work.

1 box penne noodles
3 T. butter
2 c. milk
1/2 t. salt
3/4 lb. sharp cheddar
1 c. asiago or parmesan cheese
3 T. flour
1/2 t. onion powder
1/8 t. cayenne pepper

grease 2 qt. pan. cook penne for 6 mins, then drain. in large bowl mix cheese, set aside. melt butter in medium sized pan over medium heat. whisk in flour until smooth and bubbly. in a thin stream whisk in milk. stir in onion powder, salt and cayanne pepper. boil over medium/high heat. reduce heat and simmer for 3 mins. remove from heat, whisk in 1/2 of the cheese mixture, then pour into drained pasta. stir. pour 1/2 pasta/cheese mix into pan. sprinkle with 1/2 of the remaining cheese. repeat. bake 350 for 20 minutes.

another GREAT cheese ball

I haven't made this one yet, but I will be this afternoon. This is the recipe for Family Fare's amazing cheese ball; the one that Mom always brings to coffee at Grandma's.

1 lb. softened cream cheese
1/3 lb. deli Ham
a couple shakes garlic powder
sour cream...Just a touch
a little grated onion
some green onion cut up real small
Mix together with hands & sprinkle with shredded cheese.

Peanut Butter!!!

Because K-sister was sick of seeing her Pesto post I though I better add my peanut butter pie that I made a few Sunday's back. It is SO easy! And I think we could all agree that we thought it was SO good. I bet you will never guess where I found this recipe...Taste of Home Simple and Delicious Magazine.

Peanut Butter Pie
3/4 cup peanut butter
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
8 oz cool whip
1 9" graham cracker crust
salted chopped peanuts

In a large bowl, beat the peanut butter, cram cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped topping; pour into prepared crust. Sprinkle with nuts. Chill until serving. Refrigerate leftovers (like there will be any leftovers...ha!)