Frozen Mocha

Best if you have a Vita-Mix. Second best is probably a Kitchen Aid blender.

Mocha Loca
1 envelope sugar-free cocoa
1/4c non-fat powdered milk
1-2T sugar free Hershey's chocolate sauce
ice (about 1 1/2c)
water (1 cup plus more to reach desired consistency)

Makes two 16 oz servings.

Make Your Own Taco Seasoning

This recipe is so good I had a little panic attack when I thought I lost it!

Taco Seasoning
8T chili powder
6T cumin
6T paprika
4T onion powder
3 1/2T garlic powder
1t cayenne
up to 4T salt

Optional:
dry minced onion
dry crushed red pepper
dry minced garlic
oregano
cornstarch

Onion Soup Mix

This is a copy cat recipe that works wonderfully sprinkled over a roast in the crock pot.

Onion Soup Mix
3/4c dry minced onion
1/3c beef bouillon powder
4t onion powder
1/4t celery seed, crushed
1/4t sugar

Combine and use 5T to equal 1-1.25oz package of Lipton onion soup mix.

Custard

This is not the way I was taught to make pudding in high school home ec. It is even better! Great in custard cups topped with bananas, blueberries, pears...

Custard
Mix together in saucepan:
1/4c cornstarch
1/2c sugar (or brown sugar)

Whisk in:
2 eggs

In another saucepan, heat to scalding (185 degrees or at least steaming but not boiling)
2c milk

Slowly pour milk into egg mixture, whisking as you pour. Return to heat and cook, stirring constantly, until thick. It takes a while and then happens fast.

Stir in:
1/2t vanilla extract
1/2t coconut extract
1t lemon zest

Spread on plate to allow to cool if you in a hurry. Serve hot or cold!

Pear Tart
For a really great dessert, spread cooled custard over a cooked pie crust. Top with sliced pears and drizzle with warm apricot jam.

Pie Crust

Ben's Pie Crust
Cut shortening into dry ingredients with pastry cutter:
1c shortening
2c flour
2T sugar
dash salt

In seperate bowl, mix wet ingredients well. Add to dry ingredients, stirring with fork just until well combined:
1 egg
1T cinder vinegar
2T cold water

Form into a ball, divide in half and roll out each half on a floured board. This recipe makes enough for a top and bottom crust. If prebaking crust, poke with fork, place dry beans in crust to hold shape better, protect edges with foil. Bake at 450 degrees 10 minutes.

Marinated Beef

London Broil, flank steak, round steaks, and any tough cut of meat can be improved by marinating it a few hours to overnight.

Grandma Sires' Marinade
1 1/2lb beef
1/4 c lemon juice
1/4c soy sauce
1 onion, sliced
1t ginger
2t garlic, minced
salt
pepper
Optional: 1 beer

Grandma Becky's Marinade
1 1/2lb beef
1/4c soy sauce
2T vinegar
1/4c vegetable oil
3T honey
1 1/2t garlic powder
1t ginger
3 green onions
4t garlic, minced

Combine everything in a Ziploc bag. Turn to coat all sides. Marinate 2 hours to overnight; turn occasionally. Preheat grill/broiler. Remove meat from marinade; discard marinade. Grill over med-high heat until done to your liking, 15-25 minutes. If baking in oven, heat oven to 450 degrees. Wrap meat in foil and cook in oven until done to your liking. Cut into strips and serve.

Enchiladas

Chicken or beef, cheese and onion, ground or shredded! Sour cream, pico de gallo, and guacamole. I like canned enchilada sauce. But sometimes I like to mix my own.

Karen's Enchilada Sauce
14 oz tomato sauce
2 packages dry turkey gravy
3T chili powder
1 can green chilies

Simmer 10 minutes.

Enchilada Sauce
28 oz tomato sauce
1t chili powder
4 oz diced green chilies
Pinch cayenne
Pinch salt
Optional: 1/2c onion, 1 clove garlic, 1t cumin, 1/2t pepper

Simmer 10 minutes.

Enchiladas
Corn tortillas
Chicken or other filling
Refried beans
Cheddar and/or mozzarella cheese, grated
Green onions
Sauce
Toppings: sour cream, salsa, avocado

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lay tortillas out flat. Divide chicken and beans among them. Top with half of the cheese and onions. Roll up and place in baking dish seam down. Drizzle with remaining sauce and sprinkle with remaining onions. Bake until cheese and sauce is bubbly, about 25 minutes. Serve with toppings.

Cooking Bacon

If you don't like the smell of bacon lingering from pan frying it, try it this way.

Oven
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Cook bacon in jelly roll pan; turn once.
Drain and serve.

Broiler
Heat broiler to high.
Place bacon on broiler pan rack or jelly roll pan (line with foil for easier clean up).
Cook a few inches away from broiler; turn when crispy (if making it for me).
Cook second side and serve.

Pico De Gallo

This salsa recipe makes a big batch!

Pico De Gallo
8 Roma tomatoes, minced
3 jalapenos, seeded and minced (wear gloves)
4 garlic cloves, minced
½ bunch cilantro, chopped
1 yellow onion, minced
1 bunch green onions, sliced
1 can tomato paste
1t salt
½- 1t pepper
2t chili powder
Juice of 1-2 limes
2 T olive oil

Optional: other peppers, garlic powder or garlic salt

Toss and allow to sit a few hours if you have time.

Cheese Fondue

Cheese Fondue

Rub the inside of saucepan with:
Smashed garlic clove

Add and bring to a simmer over medium heat:
1c dry white wine
1T fresh lemon juice

In separate bowl, combine:
1/2lb smokey Gruyere cheese
1/2lb Swiss cheese
3 1/2t cornstarch

Add cheese a handful at a time making sure each batch is completely melted before adding more. Do not boil. Season with:
1T kirsch (optional)
nutmeg
pepper

Serve with:
Gherkins sweet pickles
Vegetables
Bread cubes

Great Grama Gabelein's Prune Cake

Prune Cake
Cream together:
1 egg
1/2c sugar

Mix together in small bowl:
1c flour
1t baking powder
1/4t salt

Combine in another bowl and add to creamed mix alternately with flour mix:
1/4c milk
3T melted butter
1/4t lemon extract
1/2t vanilla

Pour in a greased 9" x 9" pan, cover batter with:
Italian prune halves

Sprinkle with:
Cinnamon sugar

Bake at 375ºf or 30 minutes or until cake tests done.

Cobbler
Spread in the bottom of 9" x 13" pan
4c fresh fruit

Cream together:
1c sugar
3/4c butter
1/8t salt

Combine in small bowl:
1 1/2c flour
1 1/2t baking powder

Add flour mix to creamed mixture alternately with:
3/4c milk

Combine and sprinkle over batter:
1c sugar
1T cornstarch

Pour over all:
1c boiling water

Bake 45 minutes at 375 degrees or until top is golden. Best served hot with ice cream but pretty darn good cold, too.