Jalapeno Popper Dip

Ingredients:
2 - 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup mayonnaise
1 - 4 ounce can chopped green chilies, drained
2 ounce can diced jalapeno peppers, drained (or 4-6 fresh diced)

1 clove of garlic
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Serve with tortilla chips, baguette, or crackers.

Directions:
1.     Stir together cream cheese and mayonnaise in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in green chiles and jalapeno peppers. Pour mixture into a microwave safe serving dish and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
2.     Microwave on High until hot, about 3 minutes OR bake at 355 for 30 minutes.

Baked French Toast Casserole with Maple Syrup

This recipe if from Food Network/Paula Deen.

Ingredients:

    * 1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
    * 8 large eggs
    * 2 cups half-and-half
    * 1 cup milk
    * 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
    * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    * 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    * 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    * Dash salt
    * Praline Topping, recipe follows
    * Maple syrup

Directions:

Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices.
Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden.
Serve with maple syrup.

Praline Topping:

    * 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
    * 1 cup packed light brown sugar
    * 1 cup chopped pecans
    * 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
    * 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    * 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.

Peanut Butter Balls

It wouldn't be Christmas without Grandma Chase's peanut butter balls!!

Ingredients:

• 6 cups powdered sugar
• 2 sticks melted butter
• 2 cups peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 12 oz. bag chocolate chips

Preparation: 

• Mix first four ingredients together like pie crust.
• Make them into 1"-1 1/2" balls.
•  Melt chocolate chips in double boiler. (Add a dollop of shortening to thin the chocolate if desired.)
• Dip peanut butter balls in melted chocolate and place on wax paper to cool.
• Store in refrigerator. 
• Makes 90-100.

Nestle Very Best Fudge

I have always been intimidated by making fudge. This recipe took my fears away. Maybe it's a bit of a cheating version, but it's delicious!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 can (12 oz) Nestle Carnation Evaporated Mild
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups miniature marshmallows
• 4 cups (24 oz) or two 12-oz packages Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preparation:

• Line 13 x 9 baking pan or 2-8" square baking pans with foil
• Combine sugar, evaporated milk, butter, and salt in large heavy duty saucepan.
• Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
• Boil, stirring constantly, for 4-5 minutes.
• Remove from heat
• Stir in marshmallows, morsels, nuts, and vanilla. 
• Stir vigorously for 1 minute or until marshmallows are melted.
• Pour into prepared pan(s).
• Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.
• Lift from pan; remove foil.
• Cut into pieces.
• Store tightly covered in refrigerator.  

Makes about 4 pounds or 48 servings (2 pieces per serving).

For Milk Chocolate Fudge:
Substitute 3 1/2 cups (23 ounces) or 2 packages (11.5 oz each) Nestle Toll House Milk Chocolate Morsels for Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels.

For Butterscotch Fudge:
Substitute 3 1/2 cups (22 ounces) or 2 packages (11 oz each) Nestle Toll House Butterscotch Flavored Morsels for Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels.

For Peanutty Fudge:
Substitute 3 1/2 cups (22 ounces) or 2 packages (11 oz each) Nestle Toll House Peanut Butter and Milk Chocolate Morsels for Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels and 1/2 cup peanuts for pecans or walnuts.

Corn Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 stick of butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup of sour cream
• 1 package of Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
• 1 can of creamed corn
• 1 can of whole kernel corn

Preparation:

Melt butter in casserole.  Beat in eggs.  Add sour cream.  Dump in muffin mix.  Add creamed corn. Add DRAINED whole kernel corn.

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

Chicken Torta

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Greek yogurt
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 12 (5 1/2") corn tortillas cut in half
• 1 (16 oz) jar tomatillo salsa
• 3 cups chopped, cooked chicken
• 2 (4 oz) cans chopped green chilies, drained
• 8 oz Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

Preparation: 

1. Combine yogurt and cream.
2. Place 1/3 of tortillas in a lightly greased 11 x 7 baking dish. Layer 1/2 each salsa, chicken, yogurt mixture, chilies, and 1/3 of cheese.
3. Place 1/3 of tortillas in baking dish; layer remaining salsa, chicken yougurt mixture, chilies, and 1/3 of cheese. Top with remaining tortillas and cheese. 
4. Cover dish tightly with foil; bake 15 minutes. Remove foil; bake 10-15 minutes or until bubbly and golden. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Earthquake Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 (18.25 oz) package devil's food cake mix
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup plus 6 T. butter, softened
• 2 (3 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 1/4 cups powdered sugar plus more for dusting cake
• 3/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour 9 x 13 baking pan.
2. Combine cake mix, water, eggs, and 1/2 cup butter in a large mixing bowl. Beat at low speed with an electric mixer just until dry ingredients are moistened. Increase speed to medium; beat 2 minutes or until batter is smooth, stopping to scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Pour batter into prepared pan.
3. Beat cream cheese and 6 T. butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; add vanilla, beating just until blended. Gradually add 2 1/4 cups powdered sugar, beating at low speed, just until blended. Stir in coconut and pecans. Dollop mixture by tablespoonsful over cake batter to withing 1-inch from sides of pan; do not stir.
4. Bake 40 - 45 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cut into squares; dust cake with powdered sugar before serving.

Shoney's Chicken Enchilada Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 medium onions, finely diced
• 1 medium-size red bell pepper, finely diced
• 1 medium-size green pepper, finely diced
• 1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels (about 2 ears)
• 2 T. vegetable oil
• 2 pounds chopped, cooked chicken breast
• 1 (12oz) can beer
• 1 (16 oz) jar medium salsa
• 2 T. ground cumin
• 2 T. chili powder
• 1 T. salt
• 1 T. freshly ground black pepper
• 2 (32 oz.) containers chicken broth
• 2 T. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 - 2 cups crushed tortilla chips
• 1 1/2 - 2 C (6 - 8 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese
• Toppings: tortilla chips, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, sliced jalapenos

 Preparation:
1. Cook onion and next 3 ingredients in hot oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic; cook 2 minutes.
2. Add chicken and beer; cook 2 minutes. Stir in salsa and next 6 ingredients. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes.
3. Stir in chips and shredded cheese; cook 10 minutes. 
4. Serve with desired toppings.

Fish Tacos with Avocado Sauce

Fish:

• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 T olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound halibut or tilapia fillets

Sauce:

• 2 medium ripe avocados, divided
• 1/4 C sour cream
• 1/4 cup mayo
• 1 T lime juice
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tsp dill weed
• 1/4 tsp ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp dried parsley flakes
• Dash cayenne pepper

Salsa:

• 1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped
• 1 small red onion, chopped
• 4 1/2 tsp chopped seeded jalapeno pepper
• 1 T minced fresh cilantro
• 1 1/2 tsp lime juice
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/8 tsp salt

Tacos:

• Flour tortillas
• 2 C shredded cabbage

Preparation:

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine lemon juice, oil, and garlic. Add the fish; seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• For the sauce and salsa, peel and cube avocados. In a small bowl, mash 1/4 cup avocado. Stir in the remaining sauce ingredients. Place remaining avocado in a small bowl; stir in remaining salsa ingredients. Refrigerate sauce and salsa until serving.
• Drain fish and discard marinade. Broil fish 4-6" from the heat for 8-10 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Place fish on the center of each tortilla. Top each with 1/4 cup cabbage, about 1 T sauce and 1/4 cup salsa.

Slow Cooker Beef Strganoff

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds beef top sirloin steak, cut into thin strips
• 3 T olive oil
• 1 C water
• 1 envelope beef stroganoff seasoning
• 1 pound sliced baby portobello mushrooms
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 3 T butter
• 1/4 cup port wine or beef broth (I used one can, about 14 oz, & it was fine.)
• 2 tsp ground mustard
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 1/2 C sour cream
• Hot cooked egg noodles

Preparation:

• In a large skillet, brown the meat in oil. Add the water and stroganoff seasoning mix, stirring to loosen the browned bits from the pan. Transfer meat and drippings to a 3qt slow cooker.
• In the same skillet, saute mushrooms and onion in butter until tender. Combine the wine, mustard and sugar; stir into the mushroom mix. Add to slow cooker; stir to combine.
• Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until meat is tender. Stir in sour cream. Serve with noodles. 
• FYI: I did mine in a 250 oven for about 5 hours and it was perfect.  I also used 1/2 the mushrooms and diced them since I'm not a fan of mushrooms. That added the flavor without noticing them in there! I didn't mess with the olive oil and butter, I just used canola for it all.