Taco Pasta Casserole :)

A super tasty dish!!!  1lb ground beef 1pkg taco seasoning 1 tbs butter 1 large onion:chopped 1 large green pepper: chopped 1 large (16oz) box shell pasta or elbow macaroni 2 cans stewed tomatoes or regular whole tomatoes 2 cups cheddar cheese:grated salsa and small can sliced olives. In large skillet over med heat, brown ground beef and drain. Add taco seasoning and stir to blend. In same skillet, saute' onions and green pepper in 1 tbs butter until tender.Add tomatoes and optional ingredients. Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed and drain. Mix well- add cheese on top until melted. Optional method: Layer taco meat mixture and pasta and salsa and cheddar cheese in 9 by 13 baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for aprox. 20-30 min until heated through and cheese is melted.( Source: Recipe4Living)

Sensational Sloppy Joes :)

A family favorite- 1 lb hamburger, 1 large onion- cut fine. Cook hamburger,drain add onion and cook together. Add 3/4 cup catsup 1 tsp salt 1 tBsp vinegar 1 tsp sugar 1 tBsp mustard 1/4 tsp worcestershire sauce 1/4 tsp tabasco. Combine all ingredients-simmer 30 min. Optional recomendations- Cook in slow cooker  on low all day then top sloppy joes with grated cheddar cheese or omit cheddar cheese. Great with potato rolls.

Cooking Tip

Keep rolls or breads warm at the table with this OLD trick: Line your bread basket with foil, shiny side out. Drape a towel over that over that, and snug the bread inside. ( Source: King Features -G.R. in Wisconsin)

To all of my viewers :)

Thanks to all of you for tuning in to my blog. If you see a happy face next to a recipe it means that it has been prepared and I feel that the recipe tastes good. I value your input and your feedback. If you have any recipes( pics are fine too), tips or ideas for my blog-please email me at katcramat@live.com  Thanks, Kathy

Baking Tip

Here's a fun way to spend a weekend morning  :)  Making pancakes or waffles!!  Make a double( or triple, or more) batch, and make several varieties- blueberries, chocolate chips, bananas, walnuts, strawberry, even pumpkin! Lay them out in layers and let cool.  Stack separated with freezer paper in the freezer.  They can be microwaved or toasted in min. for an easy weekend breakfast. (Source: King Features)

Baking Tip

Self-rising flour or all- purpose? There's actually a pretty easy way to tell which is which. Self-rising flour has baking soda added to it, which tastes salty. If you're facing a canister of flour and the recipe calls for all-purpose, give it a taste. If it's self-rising, omit any baking soda added to your recipe.( Source: King Features)

Texas Hash :)

A family favorite!!!  My husband Craig wrote this recipe because he likes to cook it!! My mom used to make it also. (Cortesy of Betty Crocker)   1 lb ground beef, two medium or large green,red, or yellow peppers, or you can mix them up(it just matters upon your taste). Two medium or large white-yellow-or red onions( again mix them up if you like- depending on your taste). Two-three tbsps chili powder (depending on your taste) If you like it with a kick put a little more in after you taste it, that's what my wife, Kathy does.  2 cans 14.5 oz each- stewed tomatoes( any kind you want preferably something that will go with the seasonings we are using.) 1/2 cup uncooked white rice. Brown the hamburger, now while the hamburger is browning, I always put a little extra chili seasoning in it that I don't have mentioned in the recipe, often the meat is browned, drain it and discard the oil in garbage. Put everything except the rice and meat in the fry pan and saute with some of the chili seasoning until cooked but still firm then add the stewed tomatoes, stir until hot. Put in the meat add the rice if not enough liquid add a 1/2 cup of tomato liquid and cover for 20 min and simmer until rice is done. Baking in the oven is optional. Bake at 350 degrees in an ungreased 2 qt casserole dish. Cover and bake 1 hr Makes 4-6 servings