Baked Spaghetti

This recipe is one I have thrown together for our youth and children summer camps.  Instead of slaving over hot noodles in the middle of the afternoon, I prefer to prepare this dish in the cool of the morning, pop it in the fridge, and pull it out to bake at dinnertime.  Here is a cheesy twist to your favorite spaghetti... a summer hit! 

2 pounds lean ground beef  (Or deer meat!)

2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce (I use garlic mushroom)

1 pound angel hair pasta 

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1.  In large skillet, cook hamburger until brown. (I always season my meat with pepper, garlic salt, and seasoned salt while browning.)
2.  Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Mix in pasta and cook according to package directions or until al dente; drain.
3.  Mix together pasta, sauce, meat, and about 3/4 c. of the mozzarella cheese.  Pour into 9x13 pan.
4.  Cover with foil and pop in the fridge until ready to bake.  (Be sure to set it out for about 30-45 minutes before baking to take the chill off.) 
5.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Using a new sheet of foil, cover and bake for 30-40 minutes. 
6.  Uncover, top with remaining cheese, sprinkle a little parsley (for color), and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly.  (You could even turn your oven to broil at this point to make the cheese have a brown, crispy look.)

Midnight Delight

Here is a trifle I put together last weekend using pieces of different recipes.  It turned out delicious, but I advise you to only dip small portions.  After pondering a name, "Midnight Delight" seemed suitable.  CAUTION:  This is VERY rich.  Can't say I didn't warn you! 

Brownies:
1 family size (13x9) package of brownie mix  (check the back of the box for additional ingredients)
1 c. miniature size chocolate chips

Mix brownies according to package directions.  Add 1c. chocolate chips and stir.  Bake according to package directions and cool completely.
Hint:  I substitute coffee for the water on the brownie mix.  Coffee always brings out the best in chocolate!

Cream Cheese Fluff:
1 box powdered sugar
1 8oz. package cream cheese (room temperature)
1 10oz. container cool whip (do not use recuced fat or light)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until creamy.  Then add cool whip and vanilla and beat until combined.  Set aside.

Fudge Sauce:
2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk
1 stick butter
1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine all ingredients, except the vanilla, in a heavy sauce pan and boil fast for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat, add the vanilla, and beat until creamy.  Set aside to cool.


Using a trifle dish (or clear glass dish), layer ingredients in this order:  brownies (crumble using hands), cream cheese fluff, fudge sauce; being careful to end with the fudge sauce.  The last layer of fudge sauce should be simply drizzled over the top.  And you can use 1/4 cup of miniature chocolate chips to sprinkle over the top as a garnish as well.

Pimento Cheese

This is a recipe I created while working at a local coffee shop.  Since I do not eat mayo, there were people who would taste these recipes to give me ideas on what to add or take away.  After much tweaking, here is the end result.  Enjoy!

4 c. finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 1/2 c. mayo (I use Kraft)
2 jars pimentos
1/2 T. salt
1/2 T. pepper
1/2 T garlic powder

Using a glove, mix all ingredients well with your hand.  Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.  Eat on bread as a sandwich or with crackers as a dip.  Makes 2 lbs.

Fiesta in a Pocket (Salsa topped chicken)

Are you ready for a new idea to "jazz up" your chicken breasts?  Here is a great way to accomplish that tonight!  This is a simple, colorful, fun, and yummy way to enjoy dinner.

Fiesta in a Pocket
4-6 chicken breasts
aluminum foil
Corn & Black Bean Salsa
shredded cheddar cheese

Tear aluminum foil in individual sheets for each piece of chicken.  (Almost double for each piece.)  Lay chicken breast on the middle of the foil sheets.  Spoon desired amount of Corn & Black Bean Salsa over each piece of chicken.  Fold aluminum foil up and around chicken.  Place on a cookie sheet (also lined with foil - for easy clean up) and bake in a 350 degree oven for 30-40 minutes or until center juices run clear.  When chicken is fully cooked, carefully open "pockets" and sprinkle cheddar cheese on each one.  Return to oven and cook until cheese is melted.  Enjoy!

Tip:
Beautiful and delicious when served with yellow rice!  (Or arroz con pollo)

Corn & Black Bean Salsa

I've been mixing salsa this way for several years now.  It is an easy way to make your salsa go further, cut the heat, and get in your veggies! 

Corn & Black Bean Salsa
1 jar of salsa (your choice)
1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
1 can whole kernel corn (drained)

Mix these three ingredients together and POW... you have a new, exciting salsa!

Syrup Tea Cakes

If you're from the south, you've probably been to a cane grinding a time or two.  I just love the history and sense of family that comes from being a part of these events.  And if you've went to one, you've probably not come home empty handed.  More than likely, you either purchased or were given a bottle of fresh cane syrup.  Cane syrup is delicious on hoecakes, biscuits, pancakes, and waffles.  But it is also delicious when made into a soft, sweet cookie.  This recipe was passed down from a friend of my parents and is a favorite among our family.  My dad bakes these "tea cakes", as we call them, and takes them to shut-ins in our church.  And since this recipe makes more than enough for you to share and eat yourself, my children are never left out in the distribution of these amazing cookies.  So if you're in the mood for some cane syrup, pull that bottle out and get to work.  You will not be disappointed!


1 1/2 c. cooking oil
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. cane syrup
2 eggs
1/4 c. boiling water
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. mace
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
self rising flour  (don't ask how much... I don't measure)

Mix all ingredients (except flour) very well.  Using your hands, work in flour.  Roll about the size of small biscuits and place on cookie sheet.  Flatten.  (The softer the dough you can work with, the softer the cakes.  Grease your hands to roll.)  Bake at 450 degrees until brown around the edges.  (Don't ask how long... it's different for each batch.  Just turn your oven light on and peek in every now and then.)  Enjoy! 

Sloth

One animal no one should desire to be called is a "sloth".  While strolling through the zoo yesterday, I pointed out the sloth to my daughter and reminded her of why she should never desire the title of "sloth" or wish that title upon anyone else.  Sloths are slow moving mammals that hang upside down on their hooklike claws and feed on leaves, plants, and fruits.  A sloth has long, shaggy fur that harbors its very own ecosystem.  According to mongabay.com, one study found more than 950 beetles on a single sloth, living off the algae growing in its fur.  Are you disgusted yet?  
As vile we as humans may believe this animal to be, our God has been merciful to the sloth by giving him this fur.  The fur on a sloth grows away from his extremities to provide protection from the natural elements he is exposed to.  This fur also houses alge which acts as a camoflauge to protect him from predators.  Doesn't that thrill your soul?
Our Lord is so gracious to provide for each of His creatures on an individual level.  Though this sloth is lazy, eats things that are tough on his digestive system, and does things a bit backwards (hanging upside down), God still takes care of him.  He still provides for his every need.  And if our Lord will look after the sloth, how much more will he provide for you and I? 
In no way am I endorsing sloth like behavior.  Nor am I encouraging you to be lazy and just expect God to lay everything out for you.  But what I want you to see is what He showed me yesterday; that He loves the sloth, He loves you, and He loves me on an individual level.  He will provide His grace to meet us where we are.  Yes, he did provide the sloth protection from the elements.  But it did not come without a price!  Think of the heavy load this animal must carry around in his fur.  God's grace is sufficient, and He may very well shelter you from harsh elements.  But that grace was not free!  God had to sacrifice His only Son to give us the freedom we can have through Him. 
The Bible does have some examples to remind us about not having sloth like behavior.  We should take these verses and heed their warning.  However, next time you have the chance to see a sloth up close, remember where you were before grace was showered upon you and be mindful of how you must show that same grace to others.

The lazy man does not roast his game, but the diligent man prizes his possessions.  Proverbs 12:27 NIV  

The slothful hideth his hand in [his] bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.  Proverbs 26:15 KJV

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.  Romans 12: 10-13 KJV