Ranch Style Chicken

This isn't my picture, nor is it my recipe... but when I saw it posted on The Pioneer Woman earlier this week, I just knew I had to try it. I made it this evening, and it's just as delicious as it looks!

I also made the Fluffy New Potatoes lurking there at the back of the plate. They were really good, too!

Y'all try it!

Glazed Apple Cookies

Glazed Apple Cookies
(adapted from Amish Country Cookbook)
Cookies pictured were baked by Laura.

1/2 cup shortening
1 1/3 cups brown sugar
1 egg
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup apple juice or milk
1 cup chopped raw apples

Beat sugar, shortening and egg, cream well. Add 1/2 dry ingredients and apples. Blend in juice or milk. Add remaining flour mixture. Mix well. Drop on cookie sheet and bake in 400 degree oven. Spread with glaze while cookies are hot.

Glaze
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons apple juice or milk
1 tablespoon butter
salt
vanilla

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Hot Cheese and Bacon Dip

Hot Cheese and Bacon Dip

(adapted from the Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook)

16 slices bacon, diced
2 8-oz. pkgs. cream cheese, cubed and softened
4 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
1 cup evaporated milk
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. dried minced onion
1/2 tsp. salt
2-3 drops Tabasco

Brown and drain bacon. Set aside. Mix remaining ingredients in slow cooker. Cover. Cook on Low 1 hour, stirring occasionally until cheese melts. Stir in bacon. Serve with fruit slices or French bread slices.

Karla's Notes: I served it with carrot and celery sticks, and bread-machine bread slices. We found it a little salty for our tastes. Since it has the other seasonings, I would just leave out the salt all together next time.

Easy-Does-It Spaghetti

Easy-Does-It Spaghetti

(adapted from a recipe in the Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook)

2 pounds ground beef, browned and drained
1 cup chopped onions
2 cloves garlic, minced
26.5-oz. can spaghetti sauce
3 14.5-oz. cans Italian diced tomatoes
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
16-oz. dry spaghetti broken into 4-5" pieces
grated Paremsan cheese

Combine all ingredients except spaghetti and cheese in a 4-quart (or larger) slow cooker. Cover. Cook on Low 6-8 hours, or High 3-5 hours. Turn to High during last 30 minutes and stir in dry spaghetti. (If spaghetti is not fully cooked, continue cooking another 10 minutes, checking to make sure it is not becoming overcooked.) Sprinkle individual servings with Parmesan cheese.

Karla's note: Lyle rated this a 2, because he said, "It needed something." I had to laugh at him. What it needed was salt! I had added salt to my plate and thought it was delicious. It doesn't occur to him that salt enhances the flavor and is usually "the thing it needs." He almost always adds pepper to his plate, but rarely salt. I think he thinks if he adds salt then it will taste salty. Next time I would probably use 2 teaspoons of salt rather than 1 1/2.

Taco Soup

Taco Soup with Pork and Beans
(adapted from a recipe in the Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook)

1 lb. ground beef
half a small onion, finely diced
1 envelope dry taco seasoning
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/8 tsp. red cayenne pepper
15-oz. can kidney beans, undrained
15-oz. can whole kernel corn, undrained
15-oz. can pork and beans
15-oz. can diced tomatoes
taco chips
shredded cheese
sour cream
sliced jalepenos (optional)

Brown beef in skillet. Drain. Place in slow cooker. Stir in onion, taco seasoning, brown sugar, and pepper. Add beans, corn, pork and beans, and tomatoes. Mix well. Cover. Cook on Low 4-6 hours. Garnish individual servings with taco chips, cheese, dollop of sour cream, and a slice or two of jalepenos, if desired.

Karla's Note: We had this Tuesday night. Lyle rated it a 4. I have made a very similar taco soup on the stove top for years. Just thought I would try this one to see how it turned out in the crockpot and see if I could improve on my original recipe. I didn't think it needed the brown sugar. I won't add that if I make it again.

Tangy Pork Chops

Tangy Pork Chops

(adapted from a recipe in the Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook)

4 1/2-inch thick pork chops
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
2 medium onions, chopped
1 large green pepper, sliced
14.5-oz. can stewed tomatoes
1/2 cup ketchup
2 Tbsp. cider vinegar
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 beef bouillon cube
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 Tbsp. water

Place chops in slow cooker. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add onions, celery, pepper, and tomatoes. Combine ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and bouillon. Pour over vegetables. Cover. Cook on Low 5-6 hours. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth. Stir into slow cooker. Cover. Cook on High 30 minutes, or until thickened. Serve over rice.

Karla's Note: We had this Monday evening. Lyle gave it a 3.5 on a scale of 1-5.