Italian Stuffed Shells

1 box shell pasta
1 1/2 lb. ground chuck
garlic and onion powder, to taste
1 26 oz jar spaghetti sauce
1 15 oz. container ricotta cheese
1 egg
1 cup parmesan cheese, divided
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Cook pasta shells according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Brown ground chuck with onion and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper. Drain and
set aside.In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, 1/2 of parmesan cheese and 1/2 of mozzarella.
Stuff each pasta shell with a little of the meat and cheese mixture. Spoon a layer of spaghetti sauce into a 9x13 baking dish. Place a layer of the stuffed shells over this. Pour remaining pasta sauce over shells. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for 5-10 minutes.

Chicken and Dumplings

This is not an exact recipe and you can adjust it
to your taste.

3 cups cooked, shredded chicken (may use rotisserie)
4 cups chicken broth (may use chicken granules and water)
1 can cream of chicken or cream of celery soup
1 package frozen dumplings
Seasonings such as poultry seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder,
salt and pepper to taste.

Place chicken in large pot and add broth.  Season as you like with garlic powder, onion powder,
or poultry seasoning. Use whatever spice you like. Add creamed soup.  Simmer on medium and bring to a boil.  Add frozen dumplings, one at a time. Stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer until dumplings are tender, about 30-40 minutes. Adjust seasonings.

Apple Cake

2 cups shredded, peeled apples
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease 9 inch round pan and lightly dust with flour.  Place apples in a bowl and mix with sugar. Let set for about half an hour.  Blend in egg and oil. Mix dry ingredients together in separate bowl and add to apple mixture.  Blend in vanilla and nuts. Pour batter into the greased baking pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes. 
Delicious served warm with ice cream.

Alabama White Barbecue Sauce

1 cup real mayonnaise
1/2 c apple cider vinegar
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
few dashes cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
pinch sugar

Mix all ingredients together and store in a
covered container in the refrigerator.
Baste on chicken or pork after grilling
or serve with barbecued pulled pork
or chicken.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

1 boneless pork loin or pork roast (about 3 pounds)
2-3 tablespoons of your favorite pork rub
(I like Stubb's and Emeril's)
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar

In a slow cooker, add the pork.  Stir together other ingredients and pour
over pork. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
Take pork out of crock pot and shred with 2 forks. Place meat
back in slow cooker and stir.  Serve on rolls or as a main dish with sides.

Serves 8-10

Pumpkin Spice Latte

2 tablespoons canned pumpkin
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
2 tablespoons sugar
2 cups whole milk
2 shots espresso or 1/2 cup strong hot coffee

Heat pumpkin and pumpkin spice in pan until heated.  Stir in sugar. Add milk and vanilla. Heat until hot, but do not boil.  Divide coffee between 2 mugs.  Add milk and pumpkin mixture.  Top with Whipped cream andmore pumpkin spice if desired.

Sausage Balls

3 cups baking mix
2 cups shredded cheddar jack cheese
or sharp cheddar cheese
1 lb bulk pork sausage, mild or hot

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix ingredients thoroughly.  Roll into small balls and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 7-9 minutes or just until they start to brown a little. Store leftovers in refrigerator in airtight container.

Broccoli Salad

1 head broccoli, washed, drained and chopped
5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/3 cup diced red onion
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tsp red wine or apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
A few tablespoon of mayonnaise, to taste
1 tablespoon sunflower kernels, optional
3-4 cups torn spinach, optional
In a large bowl, combine broccoli pieces with bacon, onion, raisins, and cheddar
cheese.  In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, vinegar and mayonnaise.  Mix into
broccoli mixture. Refirgerate. Toss with sunflower seeds and spinach before serving, if desired.

Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball

2 packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup real bacon pieces
1 package buttermilk ranch dressing mix
2-3 green onions, diced
1/2 cup sharp shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup chopped almonds or pecans
Minced parsley, if desired

Mix cream cheese together with ranch dressing mix, bacon pieces, cheddar
cheese and onions until well blended. Form into a ball. Roll in nuts and
minced parsley if desired. Serve with crackers.

Cheddar Biscuits

2 cups baking mix
1/2 cup water
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp dried parsley

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Mix baking mix, water and cheese together.  Roll out onto floured surface and cut
with biscuit cutter or form into balls with hands.  Place on greased baking sheet.
Mix melted butter with garlic powder and parsley. Brush onto biscuit tops and
bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Make 6-8 biscuits, depending on how big you make them.

As a variation, you may add chopped chives or rosemary to the biscuits.

Waldorf Salad

2 cups apples, peeled, cored and diced
1/2 cup celery, diced
1/2 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup raisins
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 cup grapes, sliced
drizzle of honey
dash of pepper

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate.
Serve over lettuce or with crackers.

Chocolate Chip Pudding Recipe:

2 can Jumbo biscuits...
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup butter
1 cup chocolate chips. (May add more if you like)

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and beat until creamy.
Add vanilla. Cook 2 cans of southern style jumbo biscuits according to package directions (about 10 or 12). Cool and crumble into greased casserole dish. (about a 3-1/2 quart dish) Add hot tap water until soppy but not thin. Add the above mixture of butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla and chocolate chips.Bake at 375 for 30 or 45 minutes. Serve warm with hot chocolate syrup and cool whip if desired. Delicious.

Corn and Black Bean Salsa

1 can black beans, drained
1 can corn, drained
1-2 green onions, diced
1/2 jalapeno pepper, diced and seeded
juice of 1 small lime
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained
1/2 orange bell pepper, diced
few dashes cumin and chili powder
2 tbsp. chopped cilantro
salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and cover.
Refrigerate for a couple of hours or longer before serving.
Add spice as needed.  Serve with corn or tortilla chips.