Brunch Casserole

"Brunch Casserole" is not what we usually call this. It is usually called..."You know, Mom, that breakfast thing with the hash browns." I am getting ready to make out my June menu. Yeah, I know, tomorrow is June 1...I should be much further than I am on my planning. Ever had one of those months that there is so much going on that it is difficult to figure out what to do? That is the situation for this month! Procrastination...that is what I really think it is.

Well, here you go...enjoy this for brunch....or for dinner!

Brunch Casserole

1/2 lb. sliced bacon

1/2 chopped onion

1/2 cup green pepper

12 eggs

1 cup milk

1 pkg. (16 oz.) frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed

1 cup (4 oz.) shredder cheddar cheese

salt and pepper to taste

In skillet cook bacon until crisp. Drain; reserving 2 tbl. drippings Crumble bacon and set aside. In same skillet saute onion and green pepper in drippings until tender. Remove with slotted spoon. In a large bowl, whisk egg and milk. Stir in hash browns, cheese, salt, and pepper, onion mixture, and reserved bacon. Transfer to a greased 13 x 9 inch pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.

Have a great day! Thanks for stopping by...

Four Layer Dessert

I AM SO SORRY! I can not believe how long it has been since my last blog. Things here have been crazy. I have two young adult children looking for jobs....a wonderfully crazy church schedule....wow! Tonight we are celebrating my son's 18th birthday. It has been so much fun hearing the laughter of friends and family. Tonight's birthday dessert is...

Four Layer Dessert

1 cup flour

1 cup chopped nuts

1 stick oleo

Mix and pat into 9x13 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Second Layer:

1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese 1 cup powdered sugar 1 cup Cool Whip

Mix ingredients and spread evenly over completely cooled crust.

Third Layer:

1 large or 2 small pkg. instant chocolate pudding 3 cups milk

Mix according to pkg. directions and spread over the second layer.

Fourth Layer:

Spread Cool Whip on top.

I hope you enjoy this dessert....we certainly have!

Cheddar Garlic Biscuits

If you ever need a side to go with your meal, and want something a little different...cheddar garlic biscuits are a great idea, just not a great idea for my hips! Moderation, right?

Cheddar Garlic Biscuits

2 c. biscuit mix (Jiffy, Bisquick...)

2/3 c. milk

1/2 c. shredded cheese

2 tbl. melted butter

1/8 tsp. garlic powder

Heat oven to 450 degrees. Mix first three ingredients to form soft dough. Drop by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes. Mix butter and garlic powder, brush over warm biscuits. Enjoy!

Zesty Italian Ziti

I found another "hidden treasure." Found this recipe stuck in a cookbook...I really need a better filing system. A dear friend of mine and an excellent cook made this for my husband. She is one of those cooks that you look forward to whatever she brings to the church potluck.

Zesty Italian Ziti

1 lb. Italian sausage links, cut into 1/2 inch chunks

1/4 c. Hunts tomato paste

16 oz. pkg. penne, cooked according to directions and kept warm

1 medium onion, cut into strips

1 medium green pepper, cut into strips

1/4 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

2 14 oz. cans diced tomatoes

Cook sausage until meat is no longer pink. Remove from pan and add the onions and peppers, cook until the onion is soft and transparent. Remove from pan and drain off the excess grease. Return the sausage, onion, and peppers to the pan. Blend in tomotoes and tomato paste. Heat until hot. Toss with the cooked penne and top with the mozzarella cheese. Let cheese melt and serve.

Seems like I have not blogged in a while. Things are busy here with the preparations for my son's graduation and open house. I will be in touch again soon!

Pizza Grilled Cheese

Do you ever feel like you are stuck in a rut with the same menu ideas over and over and over? I plan our meals monthly; often going back to previous months for ideas. A different twist on a grilled cheese sandwich....that helped out my menu making. These are easy sandwiches to make on those hurried ballgame or church nights...or a night you would rather not spend a lot of time in the kitchen!

Pizza Grilled Cheese

Make these same as you would a regular grilled cheese..substitute mozzarella cheese slices, pizza sauce (or tomato sauce with some added spices), and pepperoni for your inside. Very easy to make and is something fun for the kids to help assemble.

Hope you enjoy!

Open House Menu

My son graduates from high school this year. We have been working on the menu for his open house. Here in Michigan it is common to have a party for the graduate. You invite a ton of people, feed them, and they will often bring a gift for the graduate. It is a fun time to get together with family and friends. For a year Phillip has had his menu planned. Pizza and skittles! I am expanding on that menu...and am planning on seeing if I can get a discount on pizzas since I am ordering a lot. I am also going to have some sandwiches and salads. Maybe a pasta salad? I have about a month to get my act together. For the next few days I think I will do a variety of salad recipes. Let me know what you think about them. If you have a salad recipe that stretches...feeds a lot and is not too expensive, please feel free to share it with me.

This is a recipe that I got from my sister-in-law, Vicki. Definitely one of my favorites!

Coleslaw Salad

2 bags coleslaw

1 pkg. ramen noodles (use just uncooked noodles-no sauce)

1 c. slivered almonds

1 c. oil

1 c. sugar

1/2 c. apple cider vinegar

2 tbl. soy sauce

Mix last 4 ingredients and toss in coleslaw. Lightly saute broken ramen noodles and almonds in butter. Toss into salad mixture right before serving. Very easy and delicious!

Don't forget to send me your salad recipes!

April Recipe Challenge

When I challenged myself to a "recipe a day" I did not think I could do it, but I did! It has been fun and exciting to see your comments. I am going to keep blogging recipes-just every few days. I will let you know when something new is posted. No recipe today...We did enjoy church, a simple lunch, and I got in a nap! Tomorrow is back to our busy, regular weekly routine. Oh, I do have a breakfast date with my husband before we begin our week.

Keep in touch...and thank you all for your words of encouragement!