Potatoes for Potluck!!

Whenever we go to a potluck of some sort, there is always someone who has brought their version of funeral potatoes/hashbrown casserole/schwartzies potatoes....

Schwartzies Hash Browns

2 lbs frozen hashbrowns
1 500ml carton sour cream
2 tins cream of mushroom soup
¼ cup melted butter
Grated onion and salt to taste
(I do not add salt as the soup is salty enough)
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
Parmesan cheese

Thaw potatoes slightly for easier mixing. Mix first 6 ingredients in a 9”x13” baking dish.
Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.
Bake at 350 – 375 for 1 to 1 ½ hours.

Taco Dip

Great for a quick party snack....my family loves it...

Brown 1 lb of hamburger. Once cooked, add 1 jar of salsa. Layer in casserole type dish. Mix some taco seasoning into 500ml sour cream. Spread over top of the hamburger mix. Top with grated cheese (I use marble)...Serve with tortilla chips.

Baked Beef and Pasta

I found this in The Big Cook cookbook I was referred to via a friend on facebook..I immediately went to Chapters and after a 5 min browse I was hooked and bought the book. My family all wanted seconds of this one...and my husband said it was even better the next day as leftovers for lunch

One of the things I loved about this cookbook is that they provided you with options for 1 meal, 4 meals, 6 meals, 8 meals and the complete measures etc for all...I'm only going to provide the info for the 1 meal one today. As well they provided complete freezer preps and grocery lists for doing freezer meals too...

Baked Beef and Pasta
The Big Cook cookbook

1 lb lean ground beef, browned
1.2 cup chopped onion
1 cup frozen sliced carrots
1 1.2 cup frozen peas
2 minced garlic cloves
1 tsp thyme
1/2 cup red wine
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
1 1.2 cups macaroni
1 cup provolone or romano cheese, grated

Cook beef. Add onion, carrots & peas. Combine garlic, thyme, red wine & tomatoes. Mix thoroughly and add to beef mixture.

Cook pasta for about 13 minuts in boiling water until tender but firm. Add to beef mixture in oven safe casserole. Bake at 350 Covered for 1 hour. Sprinkle cheese just before serving.

This can also be done in the slow cooker... 2 - 3 hours on high or 4 -5 hours low, combine cooked pasta in just before serving.

I used marble cheese and the frozen carrots/peas mixture and it was awesome..

Apple Crisp

This is one of my favorite desserts to make and eat! It is so easy and is soooo yummy!!!

6 apples, peeled & sliced
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup flour
1 cup quick cooking oats
1 cup sugar
1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, cut into small bits

Place apples in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Combine melted butter, flour, oats, sugar and cinnamon until crumbly. Sprinkle on top of apples. Dot with bits of butter. Bake at 350º for 50 minutes. (I love cinnamon so I usually sprinkle some on the apples and then over the top after it's assembled.)

Salsa

While I love salsa made with fresh ingredients, this is still yummy, and I usually have everything on hand to make it. :)

1 (14 1/2 oz) can tomatoes and green chilies
1 (14 1/2 oz) can diced tomatoes
4 teaspoons jalapenos (canned, diced) - optional
1/4 cup yellow onions, diced
1/2-3/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon sugar

Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse just a couple times to mix everything. Chill for an hour before serving.

Corn Salsa

This is great with chips or quesadillas.

1 pkg Italian dressing
5 tomatoes, diced
2 avocado, diced
3 green onions, sliced
2 T cilantro, chopped
1 can corn, drained
2 cans beans, rinsed & drained (kidney, black or one of each)
salt/pepper to taste

Make the Italian dressing according to the packaged. Toss with remaining ingredients and serve.

Low Fat Fruit Dip

While I love my fruit dipped in a cream cheese/marshmallow fluff mixture, this dip is still good and much healthier!

2 cups cool whip
1 small container yogurt, any flavor

Mix together and serve with fruit. My favorite flavors to use are raspberry or strawberry.