Pecan Pie

Southern Pecan Pie

Recipe by Aunt Sandy

Ingredients

1-3 pie crusts (I use Pillsbury)

4 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

½ tablespoon all purpose syrup

¼ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

¼ cup unsalted butter

2 cups pecan halves

Whipped cream for topping

1 cup chocolate chips

1 tablespoon canola oil

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In medium bowl, beat eggs well with a beater or electric mixer. Add sugar, corn syrup, flour, salt and vanilla. Beat well until combined. Stir in butter and pecans mixing thoroughly. Scrape into 1 unbaked pie shell. Bake 50 minutes or until filling is set in the center.

Melt chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon of canola in the microwave in a glass bowl (30 seconds, stir, 15 seconds, stir, continue in 15 second intervals until smooth). Drizzle over the top of pie. Cool pie completely on wire rack. Serve with whipped cream.

Mini Pie Directions

This recipe will make 18 mini pecan pies. You will need 3 pie crusts. Spray muffin tins with Pam. Roll out dough. Use an extra large cup, bowl or lid to cut out circles of dough. Gently press dough into muffin tin. Fill with pie filling ¾ of the cup.

Bake 30-35 minutes or until filling is set in the center. Melt chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon of canola in the microwave in a glass bowl (30 seconds, stir, 15 seconds, stir, continue in 15 second intervals until smooth). Drizzle over the top of pie. Cool pie completely on wire rack. Serve with whipped cream.

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Pot Roast

This is my go to Pot Roast recipe.  Its simple and delicious. 

Pot Roast

recipe by Pioneer Woman

Ingredients

• 1 whole (4 To 5 Pounds) Chuck Roast
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 2 whole Onions
• 6 whole Carrots (Up To 8 Carrots)
• Salt To Taste
• Pepper To Taste
• 1 cup Red Wine (optional, You Can Use Beef Broth Instead)
• 2 cups To 3 Cups Beef Stock
• 3 sprigs Fresh Thyme, or more to taste
• 3 sprigs Fresh Rosemary, or more to taste

Preparation Instructions

First and foremost, choose a nicely marbled piece of meat. This will enhance the flavor of your pot roast like nothing else. Generously salt and pepper your chuck roast.

Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Then add 2 to 3 tablespoons of olive oil (or you can do a butter/olive oil split).

Cut two onions in half and cut 6 to 8 carrots into 2-inch slices (you can peel them, but you don’t have to). When the oil in the pot is very hot (but not smoking), add in the halved onions, browning them on one side and then the other. Remove the onions to a plate.

Throw the carrots into the same very hot pan and toss them around a bit until slightly browned, about a minute or so.

If needed, add a bit more olive oil to the very hot pan. Place the meat in the pan and sear it for about a minute on all sides until it is nice and brown all over. Remove the roast to a plate.

With the burner still on high, use either red wine or beef broth (about 1 cup) to deglaze the pan, scraping the bottom with a whisk to get all of that wonderful flavor up.

When the bottom of the pan is sufficiently deglazed, place the roast back into the pan and add enough beef stock to cover the meat halfway (about 2 to 3 cups). Add in the onion and the carrots, as well as 3 or 4 sprigs of fresh rosemary and about 3 sprigs of fresh thyme.

Put the lid on, then roast in a 275F oven for 3 hours (for a 3-pound roast). For a 4 to 5-pound roast, plan on 4 hours.

Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

This is a newer recipe that our family really enjoys.  Simple, yet very delicious.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

recipe by Six Sister’s Stuff

Ingredients:
1 envelope taco seasoning
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 (16 oz) jar of salsa

Directions:
Spray your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray for easy clean-up. Place chicken in the bottom, pour salsa on top, and sprinkle with taco seasoning. Cook on high for 4 to 6 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours.

When done, the chicken should shred easily when stirred with a fork. 

For tacos, serve the chicken with crunchy taco shells and/or soft flour tortillas, guacamole, lettuce, shredded cheese, tomatoes, olives, sour cream, and any other taco toppings you love. You could also use the chicken for for enchiladas, nachos, tostadas, quesadillas, etc, etc!

Spaghetti Casserole

Spaghetti Casserole

Recipe by Judie Burnham

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef

1 onion

1 tsp minced garlic

1 package spaghetti seasoning

1 jar spaghetti sauce

1 package spaghetti noodles

16 oz. Daisy Sour cream (not fat free or light)

1 package of Provolone cheese rounds

Grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Brown beef with onion and garlic until no longer pink.  Add spaghetti seasoning.  Add spaghetti sauce and reduce heat to simmer.

Meanwhile, boil noodles. 

Spray or butter a casserole pan, 13 x 9, put all noodles in bottom of pan.

Coat noodles with sour cream.  Layer with provolone cheese rounds.

Spoon meat mixture over cheese.

Top with grated parmesan cheese if desired.  Cook until thoroughly heated, approx. 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Enjoy!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

There are a variety of recipes for Chicken Tortilla Soup that I have tried.  This one has become our family’s favorite.  I serve it with tortilla chips, avocados and shredded monterrey cheese. 

Chicken Tortilla Soup

recipe by Pioneer Woman (slightly modified)

Ingredients

• 2 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1-1/2 teaspoon Cumin
• 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 cup Diced Onion
• 1/2 cup Diced Green Bell Pepper
• 3 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1 can (10 Oz. Can) Rotel Tomatoes And Green Chilies
• 32 ounces, fluid Low Sodium Chicken Stock
• 3 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
• 4 cups Hot Water
• 1 can (15 Oz. Can) Black Beans, Drained
• FOR THE GARNISHES:
• Sour Cream
• Diced Avocado
• Salsa Or Pico De Gallo
• Grated Monterey Jack Cheese

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix cumin, chili pepper, garlic powder, and salt. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil on chicken breasts, then sprinkle a small amount of spice mix on both sides. Set aside the rest of the spice mix.

Place chicken breasts on a baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until chicken is done. Use two forks to shred chicken. Set aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pot over medium high heat. Add onions, green pepper, and minced garlic. Stir and begin cooking, then add the rest of the spice mix. Stir to combine, then add shredded chicken and stir.

Pour in Rotel, chicken stock, tomato paste, water, and black beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 45 minutes, uncovered.

Check seasonings, adding more if needed---add more chili powder if it needs more spice, and be sure not to undersalt. Turn off heat and allow to sit for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. 

Ladle into bowls, then top with sour cream, diced avocado, pico de gallo, and grated cheese, if you have it! (The garnishes really make the soup delicious.)

Enjoy!

Taco Soup

I have been making this recipe for years.  A quick and simple soup that the family enjoys.  I usually top it with grated cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream.  Serve with tortilla chips.

Taco Soup

Ingredients

Makes 6 servings

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix

• 1 1/2 cups water

• 1 (15 ounce) can mild chili beans

• 1 (15.25 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained

• 1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

• 1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes

• 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers

• 1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chilies

• 1 (1 ounce) package ranch salad dressing mix

Directions

1. In a Dutch oven or large kettle, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add taco seasoning and mix well. Stir in remaining ingredients. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

Apple Pie (Quick & Easy)

This is a simple, yet delicious recipe for apple pie. 

Apple Pie

recipe by Allrecipes

• 1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup water

• 1/2 cup white sugar

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

• 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon

• 8 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add water, white sugar and brown sugar, and bring to a boil. Reduce temperature and let simmer.  Stir in cinnamon.
2. Place the bottom crust in your pan. Fill with apples, mounded slightly. Gently pour 1/2 the sugar and butter liquid over the apples. Cover with a lattice work crust. Gently pour the remaining 1/2 sugar and butter liquid over the crust. Pour slowly so that it does not run off.
3. Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes, until apples are soft.

Serve with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!