Quesadillas

This recipe is from the Food Network show Quick Fix Meals. These quesadillas are absolutely delicious!

Cooking spray
2 cooked chicken breast halves
8 (6 to 8-inch) flour tortillas
1/2 cup chopped red onions
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup sliced roasted red peppers (from water-packed jar)
1/2 cup sliced artichokes (from water-packed can or jar)
1/4 cup shredded Monterey jack or pepper jack cheese, for each quesadilla

Coat a large skillet or griddle with cooking spray. Set pan over medium heat to preheat. Using a fork, pull chicken meat in shreds.

Arrange tortillas on a flat surface. Top 1 side of each tortilla with an equal amount of chicken, mushrooms, red peppers, and artichokes. Top vegetables with shredded cheese. Fold over tortillas, making a half moon. Place quesadillas in (or on) prepared pan and cook 3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cheese melts.

**I mixed the chicken and vegetables in a bowl (see photo) and then placed on tortilla. It was much easier.

Sausage Souffle

Our family has this every Christmas morning for breakfast. Mmm, mmm good! You make it ahead and pretty much just stick it in the oven in the morning.

2 1/2 cups milk

2 cups grated cheese

8 slices of bread, cubed

3/4 tsp dried mustard

1 1/2 cup milk

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 1/2 lb sausage, browned

4 eggs, beaten

Butter a 9x13 pan, Add the following three ingredients: bread cubes, cheese, and sausage. DO NOT STIR.

Mix together 2 1/2 cups milk, mustard, and beaten eggs. Pour over bread, cheese, and sausage. Let stand over night in refrigerator.

Next day: Mix 1 1/2 cups milk and mushroom soup. Pour over top of mixture. Bake 1 1/2 hours at 300*. Bake covered with foil until last 15 minutes.

(It always seems to take longer than this to cook for me. I know longer at lower temps is better for this, but last time I made this, it took about 2 hours at 350*.)

Serves: about 12 (but keep in mind that you'll want seconds and the leftovers are great too!)

Mexican Lasagna

The recipe was given to me back in my Elem Ed days by my friend Jana. I like this meal because it's nice every once in a while to have a meal without meat. :)

In a frying pan add:

1/2 chopped onion

1 chopped green pepper

1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes

3/4 cup salsa

2 cloves garlic

2 tsp ground cumin

Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in two 15 oz cans of black beans (drained and rinsed). Lightly "pamize" 9x13 pan and layer the frying pan mix, tortillas (flour), and Monterrey Jack cheese. Bake at 350* for 35-40 minutes.

Can top after cooking with lettuce, tomatoes, and black olives.

I saw Rachael Ray make something similar once where she added ground beef and used flavored tortillas instead of flour.

Banana Bread

2 c. sugar

1/2 c. shortening

4 ripe bananas, mashed

4 eggs, well beaten

2 1/2 c. flour

(we use wheat and it still tastes good)

1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 c. chocolate chips (optional)


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together sugar and shortening. Add bananas, eggs, & vanilla. In a seperate bowl, mix flour, salt, soda, &cinnamon. Blend wet & dry ingredients, being careful not to overmix. Bake in 2 greased and floured loaf pans for 45 -50 minutes (stick a toothpick in the center and make sure it comes out clean).


This banana bread is very moist and tends to come out with a flat top. After cooling, keep covered to retain it's moisture.

Layered Raspberry Delight

2 cups crushed pretzels (sticks)
3 Tbsp. sugar
¾ cup melted butter

Mix pretzels and sugar. Combine with butter. Spread in ungreased 9 x 13 pan. Bake 400˚ for 7 minutes. Set aside.

Cream cheese
1 cup sugar

Beat together and set aside.

2 cups water
1 large package raspberry Jell-O
Frozen raspberries
8 oz. can crushed pineapple
1 small tub of Cool Whip

Boil water. Add 2 cups of water to Jell-O until dissolved. Add raspberries and pineapple with juice. Stir and refrigerate, but don’t set.

Spread cream cheese on pretzel crust.

Add ¾ tub of Cool Whip to Jell-O mix. Spread over cream cheese. Refrigerate until set. Spread the remaining Cool Whip on top.

Caramel Brownies

Nell's mom's recipe... "These are a yummy, very rich, treat!"

14-oz. package caramels
1/3 cup evaporated milk

Microwave caramels and evaporated milk until caramels are melted (approximately 3 minutes). Stir at 1 minute intervals. Set aside.

In a large bowl mix:

1 package german chocolate cake mix
3/4 cup margarine (melted)
1/3 cup milk
1 cup chopped nuts
1/4 cup flour

Stir until dough holds together. Spread half the dough in bottom of floured and greased 9x13 cake pan. Bake for 6 minutes at 350 degrees. Pour caramel mixture and 6-oz package of chocolate chips on baked dough. Spread remaining dough on top. Bake for another 15 minutes. Let cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting.

Grilling Vegetables

Directions from Jeff via Nell... :)

All grilling times based on a grill preheated to medium-high.

For 8 Ears of Corn
Serving Size: 4
Preparation: Soak 15 minutes, then remove silk (leave husks on) or remove husks and silk
Seasoning: Brush with 1 tablespoon oil
Grilling Time: 45 minutes with husks on or 20 minutes, turning occasionally, if husks and silk have been removed

For 4 Medium Red or White Onions
Serving Size: 4
Preparation: Cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices and secure with toothpicks
Seasoning: Brush with 4 teaspoons oil
Grilling Time: 12 to 14 minutes per side

For 2 Bunches of Small Green Onions
Serving Size: 4
Preparation: Trim
Seasoning: Toss with 4 teaspoons oil
Grilling Time: 2 to 4 minutes, turning several times

For 4 Red, Green, or Yellow Peppers
Serving Size: 4
Preparation: Cut lengthwise into quarters
Seasoning: None
Grilling Time: 10 to 12 minutes per side

For 4 Medium Zucchini or Yellow Squash (8 Ounces Each)
Serving Size: 4
Preparation: Cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
Seasoning: Brush with 4 tablespoons oil
Grilling Time: 5 minutes per side

For 4 Medium Tomatoes (8 Ounces Each)
Serving Size: 4
Preparation: Cut crosswise in half
Seasoning: Brush cut sides with 2 tablespoons oil
Grilling Time: 14 to 17 minutes per side

For 1 Pint of Cherry Tomatoes
Serving Size: 4
Preparation: Thread onto skewers
Seasoning: Brush with 2 teaspoons oil
Grilling Time: 5 to 7 minutes, turning several times