Rocky Road Chocolate Squares

This is a very simple recipe. It is always a hit at our family gatherings.

Rocky Road Chocolate Squares

1 (12 oz) package semi sweet chocolate chips

1 (10.5 oz) mini marshmallows

1 (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

2 cups dry roasted peanuts

2 Tbsp butter

In double broiler, or microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate morsels, butter and condensed milk. In large bowl mix peanuts and marshmallows. When chocolate is melted, let cool slightly. Mix into nut mixture, coating throughly. Spread into wax paper lined 9 x 13 pan. Refrigerate one hour. Remove from pan. Cut into bite sized pieces, serve.

**I like them a little sweeter, I use milk chocolate chips when I make them.

Sweet Chicken Bacon Wraps

This recipe is one my mom sent me. It is supposed to be an appetizer, but works just as well as part of your meal.

Sweet Chicken Bacon Wraps

1 1/4 Lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, (about 4 breasts)

1 Lb bacon

2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 Tbs. chili powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut chicken into 1 inch cubes. Cut bacon into thirds. Wrap bacon around chicken pieces, secure with toothpicks. Mix brown sugar and chili powder in small bowl. Dredge the wrapped chicken in mixture. Use non stick pan or spray baking sheet with non stich spray. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, until bacon is crispy.

**I have also done these kabob style. Instead of toothpicks, after dredging I put chicken on skewer, (be sure you go through the bacon to keep it on the chicken). Fill your skewer leaving a tiny bit of space between pieces.

Slow Cooked Italian Beef (for sandwiches)

This is another crock pot recipe. I made this for the first time last week. It was really good. Nice and tender and juicy.

Slow Cooked Italian Beef (for sandwiches)

3 cups water

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. oregano

1 tsp. onion salt

1 tsp. dried parsley

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 Bay leaf

1 (.7oz) package dry Italian salad dressing mix

1 (5Lb) rump roast

Combine everything but roast in sauce pan. Stir well, bringing to a boil. Put roast in crock pot. Pour mixture over meat. Cover and cook on low 10-12 hours. (Or on high 4-5 hours). When done, remove Bay leaf. Shred meat with forks. Serve on buns or hoagy rolls.

**I also added some sliced hot peppers.

Crock Pot Cubed Steaks

I love crock pot recipes. Just throw it together and don't worry about it until dinner time. This one is one that my mom passed on to me. It is so tender it falls apart.

Crock Pot Cubed Steaks

1/3 cup all purpose flour

6 cubed steaks (app. 1 1/2 Lbs.)

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1 large onion, sliced, separate rings

3 cups water, divided

1 envelope brown gravy mix

1 envelope mushroom gravy mix

1 envelope onion gravy mix

Coat steaks with flour. Lightly brown in skillet in the vegetable oil. Transfer to the crock pot. Add onion and 2 cups of water. Cover and cook 8 hours.

In bowl whisk all three gravy mixes with the remaining cup of water. Add to cooker, cook for 30 minutes.

**This goes great with mashed potatoes.

**Hint for tomorrows meal. Make beef and noodles. Boil your noodles, add a can of roast beef that is in gravy. Add the extra gravy from the cubed steaks.

Switch It Up!!

Even if you have only a dozen meals in your rotation you can switch it up. For instance, if you always put American cheese on your sandwiches, use Swiss, or any other slice cheese. Instead of ketchup and mustard on your burger, use dressing, a little Ranch or 1000 Island.

Add some broccoli to your Beef and Noodles. One of my husbands favorites, add crumbled bacon (or bacon bits, real bits not the imitation bits) to your Macaroni and Cheese. Don't just have Spaghetti, add some shredded Mozzarella and bake it.

Switch up your dipping sauces. Bar-B-Que seems to be the norm, use some Ranch, or Sweet and Sour. Dip your fries in Ranch instead of ketchup.

Instead of crackers in your Meatloaf, use Seasoned Croutons. Switch up your breads, there are lots of choices on the bread aisle. Instead of a plain bun, use a Kaiser Roll. Make a breakfast sandwich with an English Muffin or even a Bagel.

Salt and Pepper are not the only seasonings. Check out your spice aisle. There are all types of blends, for salads, burgers, pork, chicken, just give them a try. How about marinades, they have a nice selection to choose from.

Frisco Burger

This is my knock off recipe of a popular restaurant sandwich. The restaurant version has two patties, mine only has one.

You will need your burger patty. Two slices of sourdough bread. One slice of American cheese, and one slice of Swiss cheese. And the special Frisco sauce.

The sauce is simply four parts 1000 Island Dressing and three parts French Dressing. I use a tablespoon for measurement. So four Tbsp. 1000 Island and three Tbsp. French. (This is enough for a couple sandwiches.)

Cook your patty until done. Butter one side of each slice of bread. Stack in a pan the following order, butter side down bread, spread with small amount of sauce, American slice, burger patty, Swiss slice, add small amount of sauce, second bread slice butter side up. Toast the sandwich on both sides, melting cheese.

**Add a couple strips of cooked bacon if desired.

**Can also be done easily on a Panini press.

**I have seen several knock offs of this recipe. However, they are making it harder then it has to be. I worked for the restaurant that carries the Frisco Burger. I worked on the food prep position on the weekends. I made the Frisco sauce. So yes, it really is this simple.

Cake Mix Cookies

This isn't a dinner recipe. But everyone needs a quick and easy snack. These are so simple to make.

1 box cake mix, whatever flavor you are in the mood for

2 eggs

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 tub frosting (optional)

Mix all ingredients until well blended. Spoon onto cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes. The tops will start to crack when ready.

**You can also drop the spoonful of dough in powered sugar before putting on cookie sheet

Bourbon Street Chicken

The first recipe I am going to share was given to me by my sister Tami. The first time I made it, it was a little sweet. After talking to Tami, she said sometimes when she makes it, it tastes a little different depending on the brand of ingredients she uses. But it is always good!

Bourbon Street Chicken

2 Lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces.

1/2 Tbsp. olive oil

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 clove garlic, crushed

2 Tbsp. ketchup

1/4 tsp. ginger

1 Tbsp cider vinegar

3/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup apple juice

1/3 cup soy sauce

Heat oil in large skillet. Add chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned. Remove chicken and set aside. Add remaining ingredients to skillet, heating over medium heat until well mixed and dissolved. Add chicken and bring to a hard boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve over hot white rice.

Makes 4 servings

What's for Dinner?

The kids ask "Mom, what's for dinner?" In comes the husband "Honey, what's for dinner?" That seems to be a question in most households on a nightly basis. Of course if you ask "What would you like?" Seems they respond I don't know, or I don't care. Then they are not happy with what you make. Or they comment "didn't we just have this?" Seems like lots of families are in the dinner rut.

I was in a dinner rut for a long time. I had a dozen or so meals that were in my rotation. Lucky for me, my husband is not a picky eater. Hopefully this will help others get themselves out of the dinner rut.

I will be sharing several recipes that I have found, and tried. Hopefully you will find some that are new to you. Some that will start getting you out of the dinner rut.