Blondies

1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
1 cup unsalted butter
2 1/4 cups self rising flour
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups butterscotch or semisweet chocolate chips
chopped walnuts or pecans

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Melt butter and stir into sugars.  Cool to room temp.
Then add eggs and vanilla.  Stir in flour, then chips and nuts.  Spoon into a greased 9 x 13 inch dish.  Bake until light brown around the edges and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 20-25 minutes.  Cool slightly and cut into squares.

Baked Potato Spears

Potatoes
miracle whip lite
onion salt
garlic powder
Parmesan Cheese
salt & pepper
Parsley

Heat oven to 375 degrees.
Cut potatoes into wedges.  Put in large bowl of ice water for a few minutes.  Drain on paper towels.  Put back in large bowl.  Mix with miracle whip lite (just enough to lightly coat), and all the seasonings, along with the Parmesan Cheese.
Spray baking sheet and pour potatoes onto tray.  Bake for 25 minutes.  Turn potatoes over and bake for another 20-25 minutes.  Serve with ketchup or honey mustard sauce.

Kaitlin's Slow Cooker Chicken Caesar Sandwiches

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs and breasts
1/2 to 1 cup Caesar dressing
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley or 2 tsp. dried parsley
1/2 tsp. ground pepper
Romaine lettuce leaves
hamburger buns

Cook chicken in slow cooker with 1 cup water and 1/4 -1/2 cup Caesar dressing on low 4-6 hours.
Remove chicken and drain most of the liquid from slow cooker.  Shred chicken and place back in the cooker and pour dressing over.  Add Parmesan cheese, parsley, and pepper.  Stir until mixed evenly.  Cover and cook 30 minutes on high or until mixture is hot.
Spoon mixture onto bun. Top with extra Parmesan cheese, lettuce and more Caesar dressing.

Refrigerator Pickles

8 cups 1/2 inch thick sliced cucumbers
1 medium sweet onion, sliced 1/4 inch thick
coarse salt
1  & 3/4 cups sugar
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon celery seed
1 teaspoon mustard seed

In large bowl, toss cucumbers, onions, and 1 1/2 tsp salt.  Set aside.
In small bowl,  combine sugar, vinegar, celery seed, and mustard seed until sugar is dissolved.
Divide cucumber mixture into clean jars or airtight containers, and pour vinegar mixture over.  Refrigerate at least 8 hours (or up to 2 weeks).

Fried Baked Potato

Heat 1 teaspoon. butter or olive oil in pan.  Add chopped onions and bell pepper.  Saute.  Add 1-2 diced leftover baked potatoes.  Stir and heat on medium for a couple of minutes.  Add a tsp. of worchestershire sauce, salt and pepper.  Cook until starting to brown.  Add fresh minced garlic and 1-2  tbs. more butter.  Cook and stir.  Add 1 more tbs. butter and 1-2 tsp. brown sugar.  Cook for 1-2 more minutes.  Add sliced american cheese and/or cheddar cheese.  Top with chives and parsley.

Cheesey Corn Casserole

2 cans whole kernel corn, drained
2 cans cream corn
1-2 tbls flour mixed with 1/4 cup cold water
8 oz. cream cheese
4-6 oz. velveeta cheese
1/4 cup brown sugar
salt & pepper (optional)

Mix the cheeses, brown sugar, and flour mixture on stove until melted and sugar disolved.  Mix in with the corn.  Pour into baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes to 1 hour.  Let stand for a few minutes before serving.

Chicken (or tuna) Broccoli-Rice Casserole

(I have been making this dish for as long as I can remember, way before Brian and I were married!)

1-2 cans chicken or tuna, drained
1-2 bags frozen broccoli florets (cooked & chopped)
2 small cans cream of mushroom soup
1 small can cream of chicken soup
chopped onion
2-3 cups cooked white rice
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 stick melted butter
1 tube ritz crackers
salt & pepper

Mix first 6 ingredients along with 1 1/2 cups cheese, salt and pepper.  Spread into baking dish.  Sprinkle on remaining cheese.  Crush crackers into melted butter and add to top  Bake for 35 minutes at 375 degrees.

Sloppy Joe Nachos

(My mom used to make this often when I was growing up, and now I make it for my family.)

Brown 1 lb. browned hamburger meat with chopped onions  Drain.  Add 1 large can Manwich sauce and 1 regular can kidney beans (drained).  Heat.
Layer on individual plate:
tortilla chips
shredded lettuce
chopped tomatoes
sliced black olives
taco cheese
meat mixture
taco sauce
sour cream
cilantro

Enjoy!

Chicken Nachos

5 chicken breast cooked and shredded
mild taco season pkg
chopped red pepper & green pepper
chopped onion
2 cans sliced black olives
2 diced tomatoes
olive oil
1/3 cup water

Saute onions and peppers in olive oil.  Saute shredded chicken in pan with seasoning and water.
Assemble nachos on individual plate.
Top with cheese, sour cream, and cilantro.

Outback Quasadillas

chopped cooked chicken
can of mushrooms
chopped onion & red bell pepper sauted in olive oil
montery jack cheese
sharp cheddar cheese
bacon pieces
honey mustard sauce

Assemble and cook on quasadilla maker (brushed lightly with oil) for 3 - 5 minutes.
Serve with honey mustard dipping sauce.