Smokey BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

Our family loves this delicious sandwich.  This chicken can also be done as an appetizer when cut into small, bite size pieces.  Just cut the bacon into smaller pieces as well and secure with a toothpick before dipping in the savory rub.  What a great sandwich (or appetizer) to serve to your friends this weekend!

1 package chicken breasts     
1 package bacon

Rub:
3/4 c. dark brown sugar
2 T. chili powder




In a medium size mixing bowl, blend together dark brown sugar and chili powder. 

Slice chicken breasts in half (to fit on a bun).  Wrap chicken in bacon. 

Dip bacon wrapped chicken in the Rub. 

Place on a pan lined with foil and bake at 375 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until juices in the center run clear.  

Place chicken on hamburger bun, garnished as desired, and enjoy!   

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are my husband's favorite cookie.  I enjoy making these for him on his birthday, Valentine's Day, or any other special occasion.  Hope you enjoy these treats!











3/4 c. Crisco
1 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla flavoring
1/4 c. water
1 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
3 c. oatmeal
1 c. raisins
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves

Mix first six ingredients well and then add remaining ingredients.  Mix together and drop 1/4 c. size amounts onto baking pan lined with parchment paper.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15-17 minutes. 

Chili Cheese Dip

It's Super Bowl time, and that means finger foods and friends to share them with.  Here is a quick, fairly cheap dip to share with your friends.  Enjoy!

1 pkg. cream cheese (cheaper brands are okay with this dip)
1 can Hormel chili (with or without beans)
1 pkg. shredded cheese
1 pkg. chips to dip (I like the Ritz chips in the bag)

 

Put 1 package of cream cheese in 8x8 or pie dish.  Spread evenly over the bottom using a butter knife.  Pour 1 can of Hormel chili on top of cream cheese, then 1 package of shredded cheese on top of chili. Put in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted.

South Georgia Sweet Tea

I am not a tea drinker.  So when my husband and I were married, he showed me the way he enjoyed drinking sweet tea.  (I guess you could say this is his recipe.)  The rest of my family loves sweet tea as well, so I make it a couple of times a week. Warning:  This tea is as strong as it is sweet.  So not everyone can handle the dark, sweet flavor from this beverage. 

4 family size tea bags (I use Lipton)
2 cups of sugar



In a small size saucepan over medium heat, bring the 4 tea bags to a boil.  Simmer slowly for 1-2 minutes.

Meanwhile, pour 2 cups of sugar into a gallon size pitcher.

Using a slotted spoon, Pour water from tea over sugar; careful not to bust the tea bags or drop them into the pitcher.  Run warm water over tea bags (inside pot) and drain again.  Repeat this step 3 more times. 

Stir warm tea into sugar until dissolved.  (Your pitcher will be almost 1/2 full.)  Then turn your cold water on and run strait into pitcher.  Stirring constantly until almost full. 



Let it stand for about 30 minutes before serving as to not melt the ice.  Serve over a generous amount of ice.  Enjoy!



Baked Macaroni & Cheese

2 T. butter or margarine
2 T. all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 cups macaroni noodles, uncooked 
(We prefer thin macaroni noodles.)
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
8 oz. slice American cheese

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.  Add flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.  Stir in milk and seasonings; cook, stirring frequently, until mixture boils and thickens.  Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain.  Stir cheeses into sauce.  In a 2-quart baking dish, stir together pasta and cheese sauce.  Bake 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. 

Try this dish with Beanie Weenies!

                        

Beanie Weenies

My husband requests this dish often.  When we were first married and I asked him for meal suggestions, he told me he would like Beanie Weenies and Macaroni & Cheese.  This is not your typical open a can of Beanie Weenies and boil a box of Macaroni & Cheese.  Though this does entail a little preparation and work, it is actually quite delicious.  Try this out on your family and see if you can pull off a "Beanie Weenie, Macaroni & Cheese" night yourself! 




Mix up your Sweet Baked Beans
Sweet Baked Bean Recipe

Now cut up 4 (we use beef) hot dogs and stir them into the beans.

Bake at 350 degrees uncovered for 40 minutes. 

Enjoy!

Sweet Baked Beans

55 oz. can baked beans  (I prefer Bush's original.)
3/4 c. brown sugar (I like to use dark.)
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 c. hickory smoke bar-b-que sauce  (I typically use Kraft.)

Rinse and drain the baked beans in a collandar.  Use cold water as to not mash the beans.  Place in a 2-quart baking dish; add brown sugar, cinnamon, and bar-b-que sauce.  Stir carefully as to not not mash the beans.  Bake at 350 degrees uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes or until hot and bubbly.