CAT LOAF

This is my standard meatloaf recipe, you can use ground beef or sausage, but I prefer ground turkey. My sister in law shapes the meat to look like a cat's face, using carrots and green peppers for eyes and whiskers. They call it CAT LOAF. My girls call is squirrel loaf, because no one wants to eat cat. :)


1 pound ground turkey
2 eggs
1 cup bread crumbs
3/4 cup ketchup
1 Tb Mrs Dash
1/2 cup diced onion


Mix all until well blended. Shape and place in baking pan lined with foil. Bake 1 hour @ 375.
Top with 1/2 cup bbq sauce mixed with 1/2 cup ketchup.
Serve with homemade mashed potatoes :)

BANANA BREAD

I grew up eating banana bread at my Grandma's house. I have been baking her recipe for over 20 years. They key is to use OLD bananas. They have more flavor and are easier to smoosh up.

2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

* you can also make this recipe for banana bars...simply pour into a 9 x 13 glass baking dish.

PUMPKIN PIE PLAYDOUGH

This is our standard PLAYDOUGH recipe. We use this alot when it is raining or too cold to play outside. It is a favorite when the cousins are over too. Plus it smells so good!!

5 1/2 cups flour
2 cups salt
8 tsp cream of tartar
3/4 cup oil
1 container pumpkin pie spice

food coloring

Cook and Stir all ingredients over medium heat
When combined, dump on counter and knead until smooth
Play Play Play!!

CASHEW SALAD

I first had this salad at my sister's baby shower. I never knew I would like the nuts with swiss cheese....but surprisingly, they fit together great!!

1/3 cup white vinegar
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons prepared mustard
1 teaspoon grated onion
Dash salt
1 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon poppy seeds
1 head romaine lettuce
1 cup cashews

1/2 bag shredded Swiss cheese

Combine the vinegar, sugar, mustard, onion and salt;

(I use a stick blender, works wonderfully!)

Mix until well blended.

Stir in poppy seeds.

In a salad bowl, combine the romaine, cashews and Swiss cheese

Toss with dressing right before serving

*regular mustard tastes MUCH better than brown mustard

HomeMade Pancakes

This is our homemade pancake recipe. We love 'breakfast for supper' I usually make eggs, bacon, and sausage free gravy with toast on those nights. A favorite of ours!!

1 cup flour

1 tbsp sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 beaten egg

1 cup milk (or buttermilk)

2 tbsp oil

1 cup blueberries or chocolate chips if desired

The key to making pancakes fluffy: Mix all ingredients until just moist...don't overmix.

Spoon over hot griddle ( we use a large electric griddle, that way you can make 8 pancakes at the same time ) I have to eat pancakes "piping hot" Wes loves Maple Syrup with his.

OATMEAL COOKIES

I found a great recipe for Oatmeal cookies. They are crisp on the edges and chewy in the middle...thanks to an addition I came up with: coconut

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 cups quick cooking oats

* you can add 1 cup coconut if desired

Bake 350 10-12 minutes on parchment paper.

I leave out the cinnamon, and the original recipe only called for 2 eggs, but I have been adding an extra egg to give the cookies a bit more body. I also add another 1/4 cup or so of flour.

Yum Yum

CHICKEN N DUMPLINS

I got this recipe from Wes' Grandma years ago. It has turned into a family favorite. My sisters LOVE it!!

Fill a stock pot with either a whole chicken or a few chicken breasts
add some chicken boullion
add some Mrs. Dash
Bring to a boil and simmer for a couple of hours (or until chicken is soft)

Remove chicken and place on a plate to cool
Bring chicken stock to a boil
Get a package of Butter Tastin Biscuits (Pillsbury brand) and pinch off little bits, throw them into the boiling stock. They will puff up, then cook down. Stir constantly, sometimes they stick.

Reduce heat, cook 6-7 minutes until dumplins are no longer doughy in the middle.

Tear up chicken into bite size pieces and add back to the pot.

Salt and pepper to taste.


*You can also put in celery and carrots for more color
*You can use any kind of refrigerated biscuit, we like the flavor of the butter biscuits the best
*Serve as a soup, or (our favorite) over mashed potatoes!!!