Crock O' Brats

20 oz. package bratwurst
5 potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 tart apple, peeled and cubed
1 onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
27 oz. sauerkraut, drained
sugar

Brown bratwurst in a large skillet over medium heat; reserve drippings. Slice into one-inch pieces; set aside.

Combine remaining ingredients in crock pot, sprinkle small amount of sugar over ingredients. Cook on high setting for 4 to 6 hours, or until potatoes are tender. Serves 6.

*My Notes:*
-This was a great meal! The apple just added enough sweetness and the sauerkraut added a touch of sour....so good!
-I only needed 4 hours for mine, I think it would have been too over done if it would've been left on longer.
-This recipe originally came from a Goose-Berry Patch cookbook.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins

2 cup flour
2-1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Dash ground all-spice
1 egg
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
2/3 cup milk
3 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

In a large bowl, combine first 7 ingredients.

Combine egg, brown sugar, pumpkin, milk, butter and vanilla in another bowl. Stir wet into dry ingredients, just until moistened. Stir in Chocolate chips.

Fill greased or paper lined muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake at 375 degrees for 18-22 minutes or until toothpick come out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to wire rack.

*My notes:*
-Thanks Andrea!

Pumpkin Waffles

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup pumpkin
2 tablespoons butter, melted

In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, pumpkin and butter. Stir into dry ingredients.

Bake in preheated waffle iron until golden brown.

Yield: 4 waffles

*My Notes:*
-Thanks Andrea! This is perfect for the fall season!
-As you see, I have been on a waffle kick...the new iron is defiantly broken in!
-These are supposed to be very moist and soft I can't wait to try them this weekend!

Grandma's Waffles

3 tablespoons sugar
3 egg yolks
1 stick butter, melted
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
3 egg whites, beat until stiff peaks form

Mix sugar, egg yolks, and butter together. Set aside.

Mix flour, baking powder, and salt together. Alternately stir mixture with milk.

Mix butter mixture and flour mixture together. Fold in egg whites.

Place on waffle iron until golden and cooked all the way through.

*My notes:*
-This is my grandma's recipe. So far I am the fifth generation to make these! If they have lasted this long in the family, it has to be good!

Practical Uses: Vinegar

Not only are there many different types of vinegar (from the well known White Vinegar to Coconut Vinegar and Seasoned Rice Vinegar), but there are also many everyday remedies and uses for vinegar. Here are a few that I found that might help!

Laundry:
1. Stain remover- For stains caused by grass, coffee, tea, fruits, and berries, soak clothing in full strength vinegar.

2. Getting rid of underarm marks - Marks can be eliminated by soaking them with vinegar before laundering. To remove solid residue left by deodorants, soak area in white vinegar until saturated then wash. This will also remove odor!

3. Fabric Softener - This is great for those times your run out of fabric softener. Just use white vinegar as you would fabric softener. And don't worry about the smell, the vinegar spell disapates before your laundry is done.

4. Prevent colors from running - Use white vinegar when washing something that might bleed. Pour vinegar in washer while filling with cold water and then add detergent and cloths.

5. Prevent fading of colored towels and quilts - Add 150 Ml of vinegar to the laundry to prevent fading. Handmade quilts can be soaked in lots of cold water using 275 Ml of vinegar on the first time laundering.

6. Cleaning the base of an iron - Make a paste of vinegar and baking soda to clean sole plate of iron. It will not harm any surfaces ( according to the book).

7. Deodorise a wool sweater - This is a great tip. Wash the sweater, then rinse in equal parts of vinegar and water to remove odors.

*My Notes:*
- I found these tips in "Vinegar 1001 Practical Uses" by Margaret Briggs

Velveeta Dip

1 lb. (16 oz.) Velveeta Cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 can (10 oz.) Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, undrained
1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 lb. ground beef, cooked, drained

Mix all ingredients in a microwaveable bowl.

Microwave on high 5 minutes or until Velveeta is melted, stir once while its cooking! Garnish with green onions (optional).

Serve with yummy restaurant style tortilla chips!

*My Notes:*
-This recipe is from hip2save.com and is going to be on my list of appetizers for my birthday this year!

Whole Wheat Muffins

2 eggs
1/2 cup yogurt (used strawberry)
1/4 cup applesauce or vegetable oil
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 bananas, mashed
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup frozen or fresh strawberries mashed

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease 12 large muffin cups, or line with paper liners.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, applesauce/oil, yogurt, brown sugar, vanilla and bananas. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg; Stir into the banana mixture until moistened. Stir in the strawberries until evenly distributed.

Spoon batter into muffin cups until completely filled.

Bake for 20-25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the tops of the muffins spring back when pressed lightly. Cool before removing.

*My Notes:*
-I got this recipe from hip2save.com . They look so good! I will let you know when I try them!

Strawberry Bread

1-1/2 cups fresh strawberries
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour (can use 3/4 cup wheat & 3/4 cup white)
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup yogurt (strawberry or vanilla)
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
2 eggs, beaten


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter one loaf pan.

Slice strawberries, and place in medium-sized bowl. Sprinkle lightly with sugar, and set aside while preparing bread mixture.

Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt and baking soda in large bowl and mix well. Mash strawberries with your fingers or a fork. Blend oil, yogurt, vanilla extract and eggs into strawberries.

Add strawberry mixture to flour mixture, blending until dry ingredients are just moistened. Place batter into the loaf pan.

Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes. Turn loaf out, and cool completely.

*My Notes:*
-I found this recipe on hip2save.com. I can't wait to try it out!

Granny's Spaghetti Sauce

Saute - 1 onion, cut into small pieces
1 sprig of celery leaves, cut into small pieces
1 heaping tablespoon parsley flakes
1 stick margarine

Add- 1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
1 (8 oz.) can tomato soup
1-1/2 tablespoons sugar

Mix well and let simmer on low heat for 1/2 hour. Mix often.

*My Notes:*
-During my travel to Florida, I visited some family that I haven't seen in a long time. One night my aunt made all 19 of us a huge (I mean gigantic!) pot of this sauce...needless to say it is the best spaghetti sauce I have ever tasted! It is also simple and quick to make!

Real Strawberry Milk

3 cups fresh, hulled strawberries
1-1/2 low-fat or fat-free milk

Blend until smooth. Garnish with Strawberry if desired.

*My Notes:*
- I found this in Parenting Magazine and can't wait to try it!

Oatmeal Brickle Cookies

1 cup butter, at room temp
1 cup sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1-1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
3 cups rolled oats
2 cups golden raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 6-oz pkg. brickle chips

Preheat oven to 350.

Lightly grease several cookie sheets.

In large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light & fluffy. Beat in eggs &vanilla.

In medium sized bowl, combine flour, salt & soda; blend into creamed mix. Stir in oats, raisins, walnuts & chips, mixing well.

Drop by level tablespoons 2"apart on prepared sheets.Bake in oven 13-15 minutes or just until golden brown. Do not over bake.

Cool cookies on sheets 1 minute then remove to wire racks

*My Notes:*
-Thanks Peg!
-Brickle chips, if you are wondering like I was, are found in the same row as chocolate chips. They are usually toffee chips....why brickle? Toffee would be easier.

Oatmeal S'more Cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup miniature marshmallows

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, shortening and sugars. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.

Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in the oats, chocolate chips and marshmallows.

Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 1-2 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes about 6 dozen.

*My Notes:*
-This is a great way to use the left over Peeps from Easter!
-Thanks Peg!
-Recipe source: A_L_I_ACookingCorner yahoo group, submitted by Jackie Austin

Spinach Lasagna Roll-Ups

12 lasagna noodles
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2-1/2 cups ricotta cheese
2-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 pkg. (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
Spaghetti sauce

Cook noodles; drain. In a bowl, combine the eggs, cheeses, spinach, salt, and pepper. Spread 1/3 cup cheese mixture over each noodle. Carefully roll-up.

Pour 1 cup spaghetti sauce into an ungreased 13 inch x 9 inch x 2 inch baking dish. Place roll-ups seam side down over sauce. Top with remaining sauce.

Bake, uncovered at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.

American Pierogie

1 cup elbow macaroni (cooked)
3 medium potatoes (cooked and mashed)
¼ pound American cheese (grated)
1 onion, chopped
1 stick margarine

Melt margarine. Add onion and saute until golden brown. In ungreased baking dish, lay macaroni, potatoes, and cheese. Pour melted margarine on top.

Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

Grandma's Macaroni and Cheese

3/4 block NY Extra Sharp White Cheese
2 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups milk
Macaroni noodles

Cook noodles according to package directions.

Grate cheese onto paper towel. Add flour and mix together.

Pour milk in pot and heat until warm. Add cheese mixture until milk thickens. Pour over macaroni and serve.

*My Notes:*
-My grandma always made this for me as a kid....not only is it much healthier than the boxed macaroni, but it tastes really good!
-This is something easy to make and is definately worth it!

Homemade Applesauce

4 apples
¼ cup sugar or honey
1/3 cup water
Cinnamon

Wash 4 apples, and cut into quarters. Cut out apple cores and seeds.

Peel each apple quarter.

Put the apples and 1/3 cup water into a pot.

Cover the pot and set on the stove on low heat for 15 minutes.

Stir occasionally and add water if you think it is burning.

Add the sugar or honey. Serve warm or cool.

Sprinkle with cinnamon before serving.

Blueberry Cobbler

1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3 pints blueberries
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3/4 cup cooking oats
1/2 cup cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
4 tablespoons cold butter, cut-up small

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Have a shallow 2-quart baking dish ready.

Mix sugar and cornstarch in large bowl. Add blueberries and lemon juice; toss and coat blueberries. Spread into the baking dish.

Wipe bowl clean; add cooking oats, brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Stir to mix well, then work butter in until coarse crumbs form. Sprinkle over blueberries.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until top is browned and blueberries bubble.

Cool on a wire rack.

Serve with vanilla ice cream or Cool Whip.

Crock Pot Hamburg Vegetable Soup

1 pound ground beef
1 can tomato soup
2 cans (small) beef broth
1-1/4 cup water
10 oz. frozen mixed vegetables
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 envelope onion soup mix
14 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
Potatoes

Brown ground beef and drain, mix in the onion soup mix. Use fresh potatoes, par boil.

Add all ingredients to crock pot. 7-8 hours low or 5-6 hours high.

Can serve with noodles.

*My Notes:*
-Thank you Sharon!

Cottage Cheese Cookies

1 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 c. cottage cheese
1/2 c. cocoa, unsweetened
2 3/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 c. chopped nuts
Powdered sugar

Cream together first 5 ingredients then add cottage cheese and cocoa; mixing well. Set aside.

Sift together dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture, stirring well. Stir in nuts. Chill dough in freezer 1-2 hours.

Roll dough into balls the size of walnuts. Then roll in powdered sugar. Bake on lightly greased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.

*My Notes:*
-Yield: 6-7 dozen
-they are soft, cakey, moist and delicious!
-Thanks Peg

Ice Popsicles

1 (6 oz) box Jell-O (any flavor)
2 large pkgs. Kool-Aid, same flavor
4 cups boiling water
2 cups sugar
4 cups cold water

Mix together, and freeze.