Ham & Potato Casserole

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

1 chopped onion
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
dash of pepper
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
6 cups cooked, cubed potatoes
1 1/2 cups of milk
2 cups of cooked cubed ham

Sautee onion and butter until tender; add flour and seasonings until thick. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly until thick and bubbly. Add 1 1/2 cups of cheese stirring until cheese melts. Add potatoes and ham and cook on low heat for about ten minutes. Spoon mixture into a shallow casserole dish. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake for 5 minutes longer. Enjoy!

Stir Fry Beef & Broccoli with Oriental Sauce

This is a great way to make a second meal with left over steak...

From Volume II of Cooking With Mickey:

approx. 1 lb steak sliced against the grain into 1/2 inch slices
approx. 2 cups of broccoli tops
1 cup mushrooms (optional)
2 tsp. sesame oil
Oriental Sauce (see recipe below)
1 tblsp. toasted sesame seeds

As you are preparing the oriental sauce, heat oil in a skillet or wok. Add sliced beef if uncooked or broccoli 1st if using leftover beef. Beef should be browned on all sides. Vegetables should be cooked until hot. Add oriental sauce and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds (optional).

Oriental Sauce:
1/3 cup soy sauce
2 cups water
2 tsp. brown sugar
2 tblsp. honey
1 tsp. ginger
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 chx bouillon cube
3 tblsp. cornstarch dissolved in 1 tblsp. water

Mix all ingredients together in a small saucepan, except cornstarch. Bring to a simmer on low heat. Whisk cornstarch into simmering sauce. Continue simmering until sauce thickens, plus an additional 2 to 3 minutes.

Nice if served over white rice... Enjoy!

Chili

Paul's favorite Chili:

Approximately 2 cups of New England Baked Beans (see recipe below).
2 cans of kidney beans, rinsed thoroughly, (one can can be substituted with black beans)
28 oz can of whole tomatoes (this can be substituted for stewed tomatoes)
12 oz tomato paste
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
pinch of crushed red pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tblsp. worchestshire sauce
1 lb of hamberg browned with one chopped onion

(Measurements are estimations and to taste, use as a guide only...)

Mix all ingredients together in a crock pot and let the flavors run together for several hours. If you like it spicy, as Paul does, add a few hot cherry peppers (halved) and a bit of the juice...

Yummy with shredded cheddar cheese over the top! Enjoy!

Carolyn's New England Baked Beans

This recipe is my combination of several recipes. The measurements are an estimation, as I don't measure and the beans always come out differently, so think of this as more of a "guide." The key to good baked beans is slow cooking and an old fashioned bean pot.

1 lb dry, small white navy beans soaked overnight
1 chopped onion
2 tsp. butter
1 clove minced garlic
4 strips uncooked bacon
2 tblsp. brown sugar
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
4 tblsp. molasses
1/2 cup ketsup
1 tblsp. dry or prepared mustard
1 tsp. curry powder
1 tsp. salt
1/4 cup maple syrup

Boil soaked beans with onion on low rolling boil for 1 hour. When beans are soft, strain most of the excess water. You want to keep some so that the beans don't dry out while they bake and it's smart to keep a reserve to add to the pot if the beans do start to dry out. Next add all the other ingredients into the bean pot. Bake at 275 degrees for 5-7hrs. Check occasionally and stir. If drying, add reserve broth. If they are cooking too slowly, raise the temperature as the time to serve gets closer. Enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

From Better Homes and Gardens

1/2 cup Crisco shortening
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups chocolate chips

Beat shortening and butter together w/ an electric mixer. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar and baking soda; beat until combined. Beat in eggs and vanilla until combined. Add flour and beat again. Once flour is well blended, add chocolate chips. Bake for 8 minutes at 375 degrees.

Hint: Even if the cookies don't look done after 8 min. THEY ARE!!. Take them out. They continue to bake as they cool. If you over cook them they will become crispier, (still delicious)!

Banana Bread

Banana Bread as modified from Volume II Cooking with Mickey:

2 sticks of butter
2 cups of sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. water
2 cups of mashed bananas
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Sift together flour, salt and baking soda.
Melt butter on stove. Mix butter and sugar until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each. Add bananas and vanilla. Mix in flour until well blended.

Grease two loaf pans and divide batter equally. Bake for one hour or until center is firm. Allow to cool for about ten minutes & then glaze the top with vanilla frosting. Enjoy!

Steak Marinade

Better than Teryaki Steak Marinade:

5 Tblsp. of sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 minced garlic cubes
2 tblsp. of ginger

Mix ingredients, tenderize meat, let marinade for several hours, (overnight for best flavoring). Grill & Enjoy!

Broccoli Salad-Gail O'Hara's Recipe

Dressing:
Mix together:
2 cups mayonaise
1/2 cup sugar
4 tablespoons wine vinegar

Mix all of the ingredients below together and add the dressing. Chill until ready to serve.

Chop two heads of Broccoli
Cook until crisp one pound of bacon
Dice one red onion
Shred eight ounces of orange cheddar cheese

Blueberry Muffins

Blue Berry Muffins from the kitchen of Nancy Lamothe:
3 cups flour
1 cup sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
1/2 cup veg. oil
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups blue berries

Mix all ingredients together with a beater and fold in blue berries. Pour into greased & floured muffin tin or use paper cupcake liners.

Topping:
1/4 cup melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour

Mix together w/ fingertips & sprinkle over the top of the muffins.

Bake at 400 degrees for ten minutes and then reduce the oven to 350 degrees and continue to bake for 10-12 minutes. Allow the muffins to cool before removing. Enjoy!

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Rebecca's Spinach & Artichoke Dip

Ingredients
1 pkg of frozen chopped spinach
1 jar or can of marinated artichoke hearts
1 pkg of cream cheese
3/4 cup mayo
1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp minced garlic

Instructions
Thaw your spinach and squeeze out the excess water.
Warm your cream cheese (nuke it for about 30-40 seconds).
Strain your artichokes and chop up to smaller pieces.
Toss all other ingredients into the bowl and mix well.
Use a casserole dish with non-stick spray and pour mixture in (should be a few inches thick).
Sprinkle some garlic powder/salt over the top and cook for 60 minutes at 350 degrees.
Serve with nacho chips or in a bread bowl with pita chips.

Pumpkin Bread

From the kitchen of Jeanette MarcAurele:

Mix together & set aside:
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. Cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground cloves

Separately mix together:
4 eggs (beaten)
2 cups sugar
2 cups pumpkin
1 1/4 cups oil
(optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts or raisins)

Mix dry ingredients and second mixture together thoroughly. Pour into two greased bread pans & bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes, then add a layer of vanilla frosting to the top of each loaf. Cool until bread is ready to be removed from pans & enjoy!

Chicken a' la' King

Recipe modified from the kitchen of Sandra Schaier:

1/2 cup butter
1 green pepper(chopped)
fresh sliced mushrooms (1 1/2 cups)
1 small onion (chopped)
3 cloves of garlic (diced)
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 cups milk
cooked chicken
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cup chicken broth

Melt butter and add peppers, mushrooms, onion and garlic. Season with salt & pepper. Stirring constantly, add flour. Slowly add milk and broth. Heat until boiling, stirring constantly. Stir one minute while boiling. Add chicken. Simmer for approximately 5 minutes. Serve over rice & enjoy!

Macaroni and Cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

2 Tblsp. Butter
2 Tblsp. Flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dry mustard
2 1/2 cups of milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 to 3/4 lb. American cheese
1 package of pasta (macaroni, large shells, rotini... etc.)

Optional topping (adults like it, but children often don't):
1/4 cup buttered bread crumbs
paprika

While pasta is cooking...

In sauce pan melt butter. Remove from heat and blend in flour, salt and mustard. Add milk and heat on medium low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Add in 1 1/2 cups of cheddar cheese and the American cheese, heat until melted. Combine the cooked pasta and sauce in a casserole dish. Add remaining 1/2 cup of cheese and the optional bread crumbs. Sprinkle with paprika.

Bake uncovered at 375 degrees for about 25 minutes & enjoy!

Shephard's Pie

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Prepare Mashed potatoes:

4-6 medium potatoes: boil with two or three garlic cloves
When soft mash with 1/4 cup of butter
Add 1 tsp. onion powder
salt and pepper to taste
Beat with a hand mixer and slowly and milk until you get the right consistency.

Prepare hamburg:

1 1/2 lb Hamburg
1 onion (chopped)
2 cloves of garlic (diced)
3 tblsp. of sugar
1/8 cup soy sauce
1 tblsp. ginger

Brown hamburg, onion and garlic. As the meat is browning add the other ingredients. Drain excess fluid once the meat is browned.

In a casserole dish layer the ground beef, top with one bag of frozen corn (thawed), then the mashed potatoes and finish with 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese.

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for about 1/2 hour & Enjoy!

Molasses Sugar Cookies

Molasses Sugar Cookies from the kitchen of Nancy Lamothe:
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees

3/4 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
2 tsp. baking soda
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix together and beat well: shortening, sugar, molasses & egg.
Combine & sift the dry ingredients then add to first mixture (Beat until well mixed).
Roll into 1 inch balls (chill if necessary), then roll in sugar.
Bake for 8-10 minutes.

Enjoy!

Chicken Piccata

Paul's favorite...

4 chicken breasts
Salt & Pepper
2 tblsp. extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup dry white wine, (I have occasionally substituted red wine if I'm desperate)
2-3 cloves of garlic minced
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 tblsp. lemon juice
1 tblsp. capers drained (I usually use more like 3 tblsp. as my family likes capers...)
2 tblsp. butter
Fresh lemon slices

Tenderize chicken breasts, season with salt & pepper and dust with flour.
Spray skillet or saute' pan with cooking spray and add 2 tblsp. of extra virgin olive oil.
Saute' cutlets until browned on both sides. Remove cutlets from pan and keep warm on a plate covered with foil.
Deglaze pan with wine and add minced garlic. Saute' garlic for several minutes.
Add chicken broth, lemon juice, butter and capers & then return the chicken to the pan. Cook on each side for several minutes.
Remove Chicken again and pour the sauce over spaghetti or angel hair pasta. Then serve the chicken with fresh lemon slices over the pasta. Fresh parsley is a nice garnish.

Steak Marinade

This is one of my favorite beef marinades from the kitchen of Helen Collins. I believe it was made for us as a congratulatory dinner upon Paul and my engagement if I remember correctly...

1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup chili sauce
1/4 cup water
1 tblsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp. chili powder
1 tblsp. dried parsley
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/8 tsp. dry mustard

Tenderize steak with a fork. Mix above ingredients together and marinade steak for at least 2-4 hours (in refrigerator), (I prefer to let it sit overnight). Turn steak half way through marinade process. Grill steak and enjoy!

- Carolyn

Cheesy Garlic Bread

Cheesy Garlic Bread (per Jessie Flaherty's request)

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees...

1 large loaf of fresh Italian bread sliced lengthwise (so it opens like a sub roll)
1 stick of butter melted

Add 1-2 tsp. of garlic powder to the melted butter (dependent on your personal love for garlic)
Spread garlic butter evenly on both sides of the open bread

Sprinkle a healthy portion of grated mozzarella cheese onto one side of the bread(1-2 cups dependent again on your personal taste).

Lightly sprinkle the cheese with parsley and sweet basil.

Close the bread and wrap it in tin foil. Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until all cheese is melted. Slice & Enjoy! - Carolyn

Tommy's Favorite Pancakes

From Cinnamon Stick Farm Bed & Breakfast

1 1/4 cups sifted flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tblsp. sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 beaten egg
1 cup of milk
2 tblsp. vegetable oil

chocotate chips mixed in to batter or dropped into pancakes - quantity to your tastes...
Mix and fry on a greased skillet or griddle.

see www.bbonline.com for more bed and breakfast recipes.



Enjoy!

Aunt Candy's Dill Dip

Mix together and chill overnight...

1 cup mayonaise
2 cups sour cream
2 tsp. Lawry's seasoned salt
3 tblsp. Dill Weed
2 tsp. onion powder
3 tsp. dried parsley

Serve in a bread bowl with veggies & Enjoy!

From the kitchen of Candy Marcaurele

Chunky Marinara Sauce

The following is the base I use for any marinara or meat sauce. I find a great modification is to run carrots, zucchini, eggplant etc. through the food processor and add it to the base of the sauce after you saute' your garlic. This sneaks in some veggies for the kids and particularly the eggplant adds a nice flavor.

For a hearty meat sauce use a mix of ground meats that you prefer. I tend to use 1/2 lb of hamburg and 1/2 lb of ground sweet Italian sausage. However, alternative meats can be used. If you are adding meat, do so during the saute' process.

2 celery stalks diced
1 medium onion
3 cloves of garlic diced
1/8 cup of extra virgin olive oil
12 oz. tomato paste
12 oz tomato puree
48 oz canned whole tomatoes cut in half (include juice)
1/2 tsp. of salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. sweet basil
1/2 tsp. oregano
1 1/2 bay leaves
1/4 cup of sugar
Dash of each: thyme, chili powder, rosemary, paprika, mint

Saute celery, onion and garlic in olive oil. Add other vegetable and meats and cook until meat is browned and/or veggies are glossy. Simmer for 1-2 hrs, (I usually leave the sauce on the majority of the day or move it to a crock pot). Taste and correct seasoning if necessary. ENJOY!!

Hint: Make a double batch and freeze some. It's a great quick meal in a pinch and great base for lasagna, baked ziti, eggplant or chx parm.

- Carolyn Flaherty

Tony's Italian Meatballs

This is from my favorite cookbook, Cooking with Mickey Volume II:

Oven 350 degrees...

1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1/2 lb sweet Italian sausage
1/4 cup onions
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs.
3/4 cup water
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp.. black pepper
2 tsp. oregano
1 1/2 tsp. garlic
2 tsp. parsley flakes
1 egg
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. caraway seeds
2 tsp. sweet basil

Combine ingredients thoroughly. Form into meatballs. Place on a cookie sheet and cook for about 15-20 minutes. ENJOY! - Carolyn

Mexican Rice

Mexican Rice
From: Aimee (Lamothe) Reiner

Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 package of low sodium taco mix
1 jar of salsa
1 bag of frozen corn
1 15.5 oz can of black beans
1 15.5 oz can of kidney beans
6 servings of Uncle Bens white rice or 1 box (about 5 servings) of yellow rice
1 bag of Mexican cheese
Instructions
Make rice per directions (can also use the new Uncle Ben's microwave rice bags - use the Spanish or Mexican flavor - its just as good).
Drain ground beef when almost browned.
Add taco mix after draining beef (per directions add a bit of water too).
Drain and rinse black beans and kidney beans.
Rinse frozen corn under hot water in a colander to thaw a bit.
In large casserole dish, mix cooked beef, cooked rice, beans, cooked rice, corn, some cheese, and salsa.
Sprinkle more cheese on the top.
Bake covered for 30 minutes at 350.

Chicken Divan

Chicken Divan
From: Jeannette Lamothe

Ingredients
· 2 cans creams of chicken soup
· ½ teaspoon curry
· 1 cup mayonnaise
· 1 teaspoon lemon juice
· 2 packages frozen broccoli (or 1 lb fresh)
· 2-3 cups cooked chicken breast
· Sherry
· ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese.
· ½ cup bread crumbs.
Instructions
Mix together and set aside first four ingredients.
Cook 2 packages frozen broccoli (or 1 pound fresh).
Arrange broccoli in single layer of flat 13x9 in casserole dish.
Cover vegetables with cooked chicken breast.
Salt and pepper.
Sprinkle with sherry.
Pour sauce mixture over chicken.
Sprinkle with shredded cheddar and bread crumbs.
Bake at 325 for 60 minutes.

Pepperoni and Broccoli Calzone

Pepperoni and Broccoli Calzone
From: Alison Cicero Lonstein

Ingredients
· Pizza dough
· 1 bag of frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
· Pepperoni slices
· 1- 8 oz. bag of shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions
Let pizza dough sit out for approximately an hour at room temperature.
Thaw broccoli in sink, or defrost in microwave for a couple minutes.
Spray a large cookie sheet w/Pam and roll the dough out in the shape of a rectangle.
Pile broccoli in the center of the dough.
Season with garlic and black pepper if desired.
Add shredded mozzarella.
Layer generously with pepperoni.
Fold and seal the dough, flipping the dough so that the broccoli is on top.
Brush with olive oil or egg whites, if desired, and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
Allow to cool, slice and enjoy!

Chop Suey

Chop Suey

Ingredients
· ¼ cup butter
· 2 cups cooked meat (chicken, pork or beef)
· 1 cup onion, chopped
· 1 teaspoon salt
· 1 can beat sprouts
· 2 cups celery, chopped
· 1 ½ cups hot water

Flavoring
· 2 tablespoons cold water
· 1 tablespoon Lachoy sauce
· 2 tablespoons cornstarch
· 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
Melt butter in hot skillet.
Add onions and fry 3 minutes.
Add celery, salt, pepper, hot water.
Cover for 5 minutes.
Add bean sprouts and meat (5 minutes).
Add flavoring.
Cook 1 minute more.

Serve over white rice & enjoy!