Broccoli - Cauliflower Salad

This recipe comes from my husbands grandma.  He adores broccoli salad so this is one of his all time favorites any time of year.


1lb broccoli-bite size
1lb cauliflower-bite size
1lb bacon-cooked & cut up
1 sm red onion-diced
1 rib celery-diced
8oz shredded cheddar cheese

DRESSING:
1 c mayo
2 Tbs vinegar
1/2 c sugar
sunflower seeds

Mix salad ingredients in large salad bowl.
in a sm bowl mix together all the dressing ingred except the sunflower seeds
Combine the dressing with the salad & mix well.
Chill until ready to serve
Sprinkle top with sunflower seeds if desired

Pasta Primavera

I found this recipe shortly after Len & I got married.  At first I thought "hmm, this looks interesting" and tossed it into the box.  It wasn't long before I was digging for that recipe because we were running out of money & I had to come up with some wild concoction for supper that would fill him up, but that I should have on hand!  It instantly became a favortite that has continued to bail me out over all these years. 

Serves 4 (which in our house means triple since everyone loves spaghetti any way they can get it!)

1 can (10 3/4oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 c water
3 Tbs grated Parmesan cheese
1 Tbs lemon juice
1/2 tsp basil leaves, crushed (dried is best)
1/8 tsp EACH garlic powder & pepper
1 bag (16oz) frozen california blend (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots)
4 c hot cooked spaghetti

In a lg pan, bring water to boil & cook spaghetti according to pkg.
While the water is coming to a boil & you are cooking the spaghetti, in a lg skillet, mix soup, water, cheese, lemon juice, basil, garlic powder, pepper & veggies.  Over med heat, bring to a boil.  Cover & cook over low heat for 5 min or until veggies are tender, stirring occasionally.
Toss with spaghetti
We like to top each serving with a little more freshly grated Parmesan cheese but that is up to you.

Cheesy Beef & Rice Casserole

This is one of my wild inventions that came out of desperation & amazingly, it is one of our family favorites.  An exchage student that lived with us for a bit said it was wonderful comfort food...that sealed it up in the vaults of "prized meals" for us :)

4 c cooked rice
1 lg can cream of mushroom
1 sm bag of broccoli, frozen or cooked
1lb browned ground beef
2 c shredded cheese (we like Mexican but you can use any you like)
1 Tbs tarragon

Mix all ingred. together excpet 1 c cheese. 
Pour into greased 13x9 dish
Top with remaining cup of cheese
Cover & bake at 350 for 35-45 min or until heated through.

Our kids love this kind of dish served with the ice cold cranberry sauce...

Chicken Stuffing Bake

My grandma would make this up from time to time when I was little.  Always a fantastic meal on a cold & blustery day anytime of the year!  Since it includes veggies, meat & stuffing, dinner can easily be a one dish meal...if you feel you want to add something to it, our kids go nuts over cranberry sauce ice cold from the fridge!

says it serves 6

1 (12oz) can Evaporated Milk
3 Tbs butter
1 (7oz) box herb seasoned stuffing mix
1 can cream of mushroom
2 c diced, cooked chicken
2 c shredded swiss cheese
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 c broccoli (cooked)
1/2 tsp thyme

In saucepan, blend 3/4 c milk and butter to scalding. 
In a bowl, pour milk over stuffing, toss to mix well.  Pat 1/2 stuffing into buttered 13x9 dish.
In another bowl, stir soup, remaining milk, chicken, 1 c cheese, celery, broccoli & thyme until well mixed.
Spoon evenly over stuffing, topping with the remaining stuffing from the bowl.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until hot through.
Sprinkle with remaining cheese & cook till melted.

Fantastic dish to use up leftover chicken & broccoli from a previous nights grilled dinner!  We have used cornbread stuffing in place of the herb too & both are just as delicious!

Rice & Beef Casserole

So, this is one I def. made up when I looked in the cupboards & panicked!  Turns out, its a pretty good "comfort food" for those times when a tummy could use some settling & everyone is in need of something warm & "cozy".  I like to serve it with some canned cranberry sauce that has been good & chilled.

4 cups (or more) of cooked rice
1 lb of browned ground beef
1 pkg frozen broccoli
1 2c pkg of shredded cheese
1 lg can cream of mushroom soup
1 t tarragon
1 t cayenne

mix everthing except 1c cheese together in a big bowl (or pan) then pour into a greased 13x9 (if it feels too thick, add some milk) & top w/the rest of the cheese.  Cover, toss into the oven at 375 for about 30 min, uncover & finish baking till its hot through (about 15 more minutes.