Tomato Herb Pork Chops

1 can (14.5 oz.) Italian diced tomatoes
1/2 medium onion, cut into thin chunks
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
4 pork chops

Garlic Powder or chopped fresh garlic

Oregano

Pepper

Place all ingredients in a large skillet. Add garlic, pepper, and oregano to taste. Cook on medium heat until pork chops are no longer pink; about 20 minutes.

*My Notes:*
-This recipe was very tasty, and was perfect for a quick meal! The original recipe called for many more spices, but trust me, it didn't need it.
-I made mashed potatoes with this. The juices left over tasted wonderful over them!

Butter and Herb Tilapia

Tilapia, thawed
Butter or margarine, melted
Garlic powder
Oregano

After tilapia is thawed, place into a glass baking dish. Pour enough butter over so that it coats fish and covers bottom of pan. Sprinkle generously with garlic powder and oregano.

Bake at 350 degrees until fish flakes off. The time will depend on the thickness of the fish.

*My Notes:*
-Although this sounds really simple, it is so good! My roommate who doesn't like fish to much even loved it!
-Watch out for bones in the fish!

Creamy Chicken and Dumplings

2 tablespoons flour
12 oz. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 tablespoons margarine or butter
1 stalk celery
1 medium carrot, cut into pieces
2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 onion, cut into wedges
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 (1o 3/4 oz.) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Oregano, to taste
Garlic powder
Quick biscuit mix

Place flour in plastic bag. Add chicken pieces and shake until coated.

In a large pot cook chicken, celery, carrot, onion, and potatoes; sprinkle with garlic powder. Cook in hot margarine for 2-3 minutes or until chicken starts to cook.

Stir in broth, soup, pepper, garlic, and oregano. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer, covered until chicken and vegetables are cooked.

While chicken mixture is cooking, prepare quick biscuit mix according to package directions.

Return Chicken mixture to boiling. Add biscuit dough by tablespoons over chicken mixture. Cover and cook until a toothpick inserted into biscuits come out clean.

*My Notes:*
-This is a great meal for the upcoming chilly weather!
-It is much creamier than normal chicken and dumplings, but oh so good!
-Be careful, the biscuits on top keep the chicken mixture really hot.....we learned the hard way.

Chicken Pot Pie

1 pkg. (16 oz.) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
1 cup cut-up cooked chicken
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
Garlic powder to taste
Chicken bouillon powder to taste
1 cup quick biscuit mix
1/2 cup milk
1 egg

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix vegetables, chicken and soup in ungreased 2-quart casserole dish.

Stir remaining ingredients in a small bowl with fork until blended. Pour over chicken mixture.

Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown.

*My Notes:*
-For the garlic powder and chicken bouillon, I just added a little bit. The original recipe seemed like it would end up kind of bland. The small amount added just enough flavor!

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.