Pop Pop's Sour Cream Salad

My father-in-law George loved to eat good food. However, he was a very finicky eater when it came to a few things. One of the things he wouldn't touch was sour cream. He would even go as far as having my mother-in-law boil potoatoes for him when she was making mashed potatoes because he didn't want her sneaking sour cream into the potatoes. One Sunday not long after Nathan and I got married, I brought this fruit salad to our family dinner. George LOVED it and I think probably ate three servings. Afterwards he was always asking me to make "that salad" for family functions. Months later as we were eating together and George was on his second helping, his daughter Natalie said, "Dad, you know that salad is made with sour cream." He never ate it again.

Pop Pop's Sour Cream Salad

1 can mandarin oranges

1 can pineapple chuncks

2 cups mini marshmallows

1 cup flaked coconut

6 ounces sour cream

Mix together and cover an put in the refrigerator. Even better if you let it sit in the fridge overnight.

Bangin' Spanish Rice

As I was looking through the Safeway sales circular yesterday I noticed a coupon for Mission flour tortillas for just $1.29/pack. Time to stock up (they can be frozen)! My kids love tortillas and eat them right out the package for a snack. We also use them to make tacos, enchiladas, burritos and quesadillas. And for a quick desert we put them in the microwave with some butter, sugar and cinnamon.

I thought today I would post a great side dish that would be fantastic with whatever you decide to make with your tortillas. I looked a long time to find a Spanish rice dish that I liked and was easy to prepare. When I found this recipe my search was over. My bonus daughter Alexandra loves this rice. She always tells me that it is bangin'. I hope you like it too.

BANGIN' SPANISH RICE

2 TBS oil

1 small onion, chopped

1 1/2 cups uncooked white rice

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup chunky salsa

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in onion, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Mix rice into skillet, stirring often. When rice begins to brown, stir in chicken broth and salsa. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes until liquid has been absorbed. Fluff with a fork and serve.

Chicken Stroganoff

As a working Mom my crockpot is one of my best friends. It is so nice to be able to walk into the door after a busy day and have dinner waiting for us. This recipe is so simple and tastes SO good. This is comfort food at its best.

Chicken Stroganoff

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cubed

1/8 cup butter

3 TBS water

1 (.7 ounce) pkg dry Italian style dressing mix

1 (8 ounce) pkg cream cheese

1 (10.75 ounce) can cream of chicken soup

Put chicken, butter, water and dressing mix in slow cooker. Mix together and cook on low for 6 hours. Add cream cheese and soup. Mix together and cook on high for another 1/2 hour or until heated through. Serve over egg noodles, pasta or rice.

VARIATIONS:

Use fat free cream cheese and low fat soup

Cut the dressing mix by half if you are watching your sodium intake

Add a little bit of milk and/or sour cream to make a thinner sauce

Add a can of drained mushrooms while adding sauce ingredients

***You can also put frozen breasts straight into the crockpot. Just omit adding the water and you will have to shred your chicken at the end of cooking time.***

Brown Sugar Meatloaf

Meatloaf...you either love it or hate it. I happen to love it. This recipe is really good and is always moist and delicious. Don't be scared of the ginger. You won't taste it but if you leave it out the meatloaf just isn't the same.

Brown Sugar Meatloaf

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup ketchup

1 TBS Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 small onion, chopped

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1 cup seasoned bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a loaf pan. Mix sugar, ketchup and Worcestershire together in a bowl and set aside. Combine remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly. Shape into a loaf and place in pan. Spread ketchup mixture over the top. Bake in oven for 1 hour or until juices run clear.

Spicy Bow Tie Pasta

This is one of Sophia's favorite. You can adjust the "heat" by adding more or less red pepper flakes. I also like to add about a cup of frozen peas to the sauce before adding the pasta to make a great one pot meal.

Spicy Bow Tie Pasta

1-12 ounce pkg bow tie pasta

2 TBS olive oil

1 lb sweet italian sausage, casings removed and crumbled

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced

1-28 ounce can diced tomatoes

1 1/2 cups cream, milk or evaporated milk

1/2 tsp salt

3 TBS minced parsley (optional)

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil. Cook pasta for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain.

While pasta is cooking, heat oil in deep skillet over medium high heat. Brown sausage with onion, breaking up any large pieces of sausage. Drain any extra grease. Add garlic and pepper flakes. Stir in tomoatoes, cream or milk and salt. Simmer until mixture thickens about 8 to 10 minutes. Stir cooked pasta into sauce and heat through. Sprinkle with parsley.

Grocery Shopping Tip

Did you know that Safeway will double any manufacturer's coupon up to$.99? That means if you have a coupon for an item that is for $.75 off, if you use it at Safeway the total savings would be $1.50. Overall Safeway is usually quite a bit more expensive than other stores, however if you buy only items on sale and use your coupons you can save more than shopping at Walmart. Superfresh also runs TRIPLE coupon promotions on occassion. Smart shoppers scan the circulars weekly and plan meals around what is on sale and in season.

Baked Apples

So I ran into Walmart yesterday morning on my way to work and apples were on sale for just $.75 per pound. WOW! That's a deal. I am not one to usually make a lot of desserts because I usually don't have the time and second they are usually expensive to make. However with apples this inexpensive, any budget can afford a dish of baked apples. Your home will smell AMAZING while these are in the oven.

Baked Apples

6 apples, peeled, cored and sliced

1/2 cup white sugar

3 TBS all-purpsoe flour

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp cloves

1/2 cup raisins (optional)

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

1/2 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 2 quart casserole dish with cooking spray or butter. Place apples in large bowl. In a small bowl mix together sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Put spice mixture into a large ziploc bag and add apples. Shake to coat all the apples evenly with spice mixture. Add raisins and waluts. Pour into prepared dish. Pour milk over apple mixture. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes or until soft and bubbly. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Variations:

Instead of raisins, use craisins or cranberries

Dot a few tablespoons of butter and brown sugar on the top before baking

Serve with ice cream or whipped cream

***Can be cooked in a slow cooker***