Lazy Daisy Lasagna

Ingredients:

1 bag (25 oz.) frozen ravioli (cheese, meat, or cheese & spinach)
1 lb. ground beef
3 cans (15 oz.) of diced or crushed tomatoes 
Fresh or dried basil
1 Tablespoon of Italian Seasoning
2 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon of onion powder
4 cups grated cheese (mozzarella, or a mixture of your favorite cheeses)

Directions:

1. In a Dutch oven or large sauce pot, brown ground beef -- drain fat.
2. Add tomatoes and spices (except for basil).
3. Using a 6-quart slow cooker -- cover the bottom with your tomato/beef mixture.
4. Place a layer of ravioli over sauce. Sprinkle in basil.
5. Then add a layer of cheese.
6. Continue to layer in this fashion until ravioli is used up (usually 3 layers).
7. End with a layer of sauce and a sprinkling of cheese.
8. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours.
9. Turn off crock pot and allow your lasagna to rest for 15-45 minutes.
10. Delicious served with crusty bread and tossed salad for a quick & easy meal that looks like you spent hours on it! 

HOMEMADE DAILY SHOWER CLEANER SPRAY

Ingredients:

1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide
1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
1 tablespoon liquid dish soap
3 cups water
5-6 drops of essential oil (optional)

Directions:

Pour the peroxide, rubbing alcohol, dish soap and rinse aid into a spray bottle of at least a 32 oz size.  Slowly add the 3 cups of water.  

Put the top back on the spray bottle and then slowly tip the bottle back and forth to mix the ingredients.

To use:  After showering, mist the spray on the walls of the shower and you’re done.  There’s no need to wipe.

Louise's Easy Pizza Bread

Ingredients:

2 lbs of Pizza Dough (I use Hannaford's multi-grain dough, but the canned kind is okay too)
2 cups Mozzarella cheese, grated (or your favorite pizza cheese)
1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon parsley flakes
1/3 cup olive oil
1 – 8 oz package of pepperoni
1 lb ground beef
1 teaspoon of fresh garlic or garlic powder
1 tablespoon chives (fresh or dried)
10 links of brown and serve breakfast sausage

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Brown ground beef with garlic and chives - drain & cool.
3. Cut pizza dough into bite sized pieces add oil and toss so that the oil is spread evenly on each piece of dough.
4. Cut the pepperoni and sausage into smaller pieces.
5. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
6. Transfer into a large greased bunt pan. (I usually have enough for a loaf pan also).  
7. Bake for about 30 minutes (or until the top is brown and the center is thoroughly cooked).
8. Be sure to check it in the middle before you pull it out. If the middle is still not cooked thoroughly - leave it in another 5 minutes at a time until it's done.
9. Flip over on to a plate while it's still hot.
10. Serve with a side of red sauce and enjoy!

Note: This is simple and works great for pot luck meals or small family get-togethers.

Louise's Iced Coffee

Ingredients

• 1 cup boiling water
• 3 tablespoons Instant Coffee Crystals
• 1/2 cup sugar or to taste
• 2 cups cold water
• 1/2 cup half-and-half, milk or coffee creamer
• Ice cubes
• Whipped cream

Directions

1. POUR boiling water over coffee crystals in glass bowl or pitcher. Add sugar. Stir until completely dissolved. Blend in cold water and half-and-half. Chill until ready to serve.
2. POUR over ice in tall glasses. Top with whipped cream, if desired. Serve immediately.
3. VARIATION
4. BREWED ICED COFFEE: Brew 1/2 cup Roast Coffee in coffeemaker using 1 1/2 cups cold water. Combine hot coffee and sugar in glass bowl or pitcher. Stir until completely dissolved. Blend in 1 1/2 cups cold water and half-and-half. Chill. Serve as directed above.

Louise's Stuffed Shrooms

2 Lg portabella mushrooms
4 oz. low fat cream cheese
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 C Shredded Mozzerella

Directions:

1. Cut stems out of washed mushrooms.
2. Mix softened cream cheese with parmesan cheese and garlic salt.
3. Fill mushroom caps with mixture.  Top with Mozzerella Cheese.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender.

SO yummy and good for you too!

Sauteed Kale with Bacon and Balsamic

Serves 2
Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

1 large bunch of kale (about 3/4 pound)
2 bacon slices, chopped
2 teaspoons Balsamic vinegar, or to taste

1. Cut stems and center ribs away from kale leaves and coarsely tear leaves. 
2. In a large heavy saucepan of boiling salted water cook leaves 5 minutes and drain well in colander. 
3. In pan cook bacon over moderate heat, stirring, until crisp. Pour off all but about 1 tablespoon fat from pan. Add kale to bacon and sauté over moderately high heat, stirring, until heated through.
4. Toss kale with vinegar and season with salt and pepper.

Chocolate Chip Cookies (Made with Coconut Oil)

• 1/2 Cup Coconut Oil
• 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1/4 Cup White Sugar
• 1 Egg
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
• 1&1/2 Cups Flour
• 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 3/4 Cup Chocolate Chips

1. Cream together oil & sugars.
2. Add egg & vanilla -- beat well
3. Stir in dry ingredients.
4. Fold in chocolate chips -- batter will be thick.
5. Drop by teaspoons onto a greased cookie sheet leaving about 1" between cookies. 
6. Bake @ 350° until edges have browned (about 15 minutes).

Wild Rice Turkey Casserole

Wild Rice Turkey Casserole

 Recipe By: Louise

 Serving Size: 8   

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1      package       (6 oz.) long grain and wild rice mix—cooked as

Directed

    3 ½ cups          cubed, cooked turkey

    1-½ cups          chopped celery

      ½ cup           chopped onion

    1      can           (10 ¾ oz.) cream of mushroom soup

1      can           (8 oz.) water chestnuts, drained and slice—reserve

Liquid

    1      can           (4 oz.) mushrooms, drained—reserve liquid

      ¼ cup           soy sauce

      ¾ cup           soft breadcrumbs

    2      Tablespoons   melted butter or margarine

Preheat oven to 350.  Add water to reserved liquids to make 1 cup.  Combine

All ingredients except breadcrumbs and butter.  Spoon into a 3-quart baking

Dish.  Sprinkle with mixture of crumbs and butter.  Bake, uncovered, about 1

Hour.  Makes about 8 servings.

 

Meatloaf

Meatloaf
Recipe By : Louise

Serving Size : 8

Categories : American, Beef, Main Dishes

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1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
3/4 pound bulk sausage

1 1/2 cups bread crumbs

1 pkg Vegetable soup mix
2/3 cup milk
1/3 cup ketchup (or BBQ sauce)

2 eggs -- beaten

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1. Combine all ingredients and pack into 9 x 5 loaf pan. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 1-1/2 hours.

Cookies Your Way

Cookies Your Way
------------------
Recipe By : Louise
Serving Size : 48
Categories : Cookies, Dessert
--------------------------------
1 package cake mix -- *see note
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
---Choice of following---
6 ounces chocolate chips -- miniature
6 ounces butterscotch chips
6 ounces peanut butter chips
1/2 cup coconut -- shredded
1/2 cup raisins
1 apple -- grated
1 cup nuts -- chopped
1/2 cup dried apricots -- chopped fine
-------------------------------------
Note: *Use a versatile cake mix that allows you to add ingredients of your choice to create a unique cookie. Don't use a cake mix with pudding in it. Use one or more of the ingredients listed.
-------------------------------------
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine the cake mix, eggs, and oil. Mix well, then add the optional ingredients and blend in. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 9-12 minutes.

Pizza Burgers

Pizza Burgers
Recipe By : Louise
Serving Size : 6
Categories : Meats, Sandwiches, Quick And Easy Meals
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1 pound lean ground beef
15 ounces pizza sauce -- canned
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 Tablespoon chives
1/2 green bell pepper
1 ounce pepperoni slices
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese -- shredded
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
6 hamburger buns -- split
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1. In a skillet, brown ground beef; drain. Stir in pizza sauce and oregano. In a food processor, chop pepper, pepperoni; add to beef mixture. Simmer 20-25 minutes.
2. Spoon onto buns, top with cheese and mushrooms. Serve immediately.
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Serving Ideas : Make these for school pot-luck meetings -- kids love them.
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NOTES : The sauce can be made ahead and reheated when needed. It will freeze well, up to three months.

Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Easy Scalloped Potatoes
Recipe By : Louise
Serving Size : 4
Categories : Side Dish
-------------------
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic Powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
4 large potatoes -- sliced
1 can cream of celery soup -- & water
1/4 cup margarine
parsley flakes
------------------------------------------
1. Prepare Casserole pan by spraying with nonstick spray.
2. Slice potatoes and arrange in pan.
3. Sprinkle with spices.  Thin soup with a little water and pour over potatoes.  Dot with margarine.
4. Sprinkle with a little parsley flakes and bake for 1-2 hours at 400.  Serve

Buttermilk Biscuits

Buttermilk Biscuits

Recipe By : Louise

Serving Size : 16 Large

Categories : Side Dish

--------------------------------

1 1/2 quarts all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons double-acting baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups butter -- cold
2 egg -- slightly beaten
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
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1. Sift dry ingredients together. Cut butter into tablespoons and, with a pastry blender, blend into dry ingredients until mixture resembles cornmeal.
2. Stir 1/2 cup buttermilk into beaten egg and add mixture to flour mixture. Stir quickly, adding remainder of buttermilk as necessary until dough forms a ball.
3. Turn onto floured surface and knead once. Let dough rest for a minute, then roll out to 3/4' thickness.
4. Cut into 2' rounds. Place biscuits on buttered baking sheet, 1" apart. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
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NOTES : For cheese biscuits: When kneading dough, knead in 1/2 cup grated cheese.
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Split Pea with Ham Soup

Autumn Brings Soup!

Split Pea with Ham Soup
Recipe By : Louise
Serving Size : 8
Categories : Soup
-----------------
1 cup ham cubes -- meaty
2 cups split peas -- green or yellow
1/2 cup onion -- chopped
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon celery seed
1/4 teaspoon marjoram -- dried
1/8 teaspoon thyme -- dried
2 quarts hot water
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1. Combine all ingredients and simmer until peas are tender.

Strawberry Dream Cake

Strawberry Dream Cake
Recipe By : Louise
Serving Size : 12
Categories : summer, dessert
-------------------------------
1 angel food cake (large)
2 Pkg. Cool Whip
1 Pkg. strawberry jello -- (6 oz.)
1 pkg frozen strawberries
---------------------------------
1. Make jello using 3/4 cup boiling water and 3/4 cup cold. Fold in frozen strawberries and let jello set to consistency of egg whites.
2. When jello is at right consistency, add to Cool Whip and fold together.
3. Take cake and tear in bite size pieces. Layer cake with jello-cool whip mixture.
4. Chill until set -- then serve.

NOTE: This was my son's favorite cake recipe -- he asked for it every year for his birthday!

BROWN SUGAR MEATLOAF

BROWN SUGAR MEATLOAF
Recipe By : Louise
Serving Size : 4
Categories : Meats
----------------------------
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup cracker crumbs
2/3 cup milk
1 beaten egg
3 tablespoons onion or chives -- minced
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons brown sugar -- packed
1/3 cup ketchup or BBQ sauce
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon dry mustard
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1. Crumble beef into large bowl. Add salt. Sprinkle with crumbs and milk. Let stand a few minutes until crumbs are soft. Blend together and mix in egg and onion, sage, thyme, nutmeg, and pepper -- mix well. Shape into 4 loaves. Place on foil lined baking sheet about 3 inches apart. Mix brown sugar, ketchup, ginger, garlic salt, soy sauce and mustard. Spread mixture over top of loaves. Bake 350 for 35 minutes.

Deep-Dish Pizza

Deep-Dish Pizza
dedicated to Kim & Al
Categories: Entree
Yield: 4 servings
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1 lb Ground turkey, beef, or sausage
1 ts Oregano leaves; dried
2 c All-purpose flour
1/2 ts Basil leaves; dried
2 ts Baking powder
 1/2 ts Salt
1/2 ts Baking soda
1/2 c Green bell pepper; chopped
1/4 c Margarine or butter
1/2 c Sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 c To 3/4 c skim milk
1/4 lb Mozzarella cheese or 1 Cup, grated
6 oz Can tomato paste
-------------------------
1. Preheat the oven to 425 F. Cook the ground meat in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until cooked through. Stir occasionally.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, and margarine in a bowl. Cut themargarine into the flour with a fork until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add enough milk to make a soft, elastic dough (like biscuit dough). Press the dough into the sides and bottom of an 8-inch square baking pan.
3. Combine the tomato paste and seasonings and spread over the dough.  Crumble the ground meat over the sauce. Sprinkle on the green pepper, mushrooms and cheese. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the crust is brown and crisp. Cut into four squares to serve.
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Bar-B-Que Sauce

Bar-B-Que Sauce
by Louise
Categories: Sauces, Bar-b-que
Yield: 6 servings
-----------------------
1 c Catsup
1/2 c Onion; finely chopped (dried or pulverized with a food proccessor is best!)
1/3 c Water
1/4 c Butter or oil
1 tb Paprika
1 ts Brown Sugar; heaping
1/2 ts Salt
1/4 ts Pepper
1/4 c Lemon juice or vinegar
1 tb Worcestershire sauce
1 dried chipotle pepper (optional)
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1. Heat all ingredients except lemon juice and worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil.
2. Add lemon juice and worcestershire sauce and heat until hot. Makes about 2 cups.
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Substitutions I make: 1 Can Tomato sauce + 2 T. sugar. Slightly less butter, or none at all. The cooked critter seems to produce enough of it's own fat to make up for leaving any out.
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Suggestions for use: Pour over Skinned and cleaned Chicken.  Cook in crockpot for about 6-8 hours on low. 4-6 hours on high.

Louise's No-Bake Cheesecake

Louise's No-Bake Cheesecake
Recipe By: Louise
Serving Size: 8
Categories: Desserts Cakes
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1 Envelope unflavored gelatine
1/2 c cold water
1/2 c Sugar
1 c Boiling water
2 pk (8 oz ea) cream cheese-softened
1 t Vanilla (opt)
1 9-inch graham cracker crust
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1. In a large bowl, mix the unflavored gelatine and cold water.  Set aside to soften for about 5-10 minutes.
2. Add sugar; add boiling water and stir until gelatine is completely dissolved. With electric mixer, beat in cream cheese and vanilla until smooth. Pour into prepared crust; chill until firm, about 2 hours. Top, if desired, with fresh or canned fruit.
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72 No-Bake Dessert Recipes Cookbook for Delicious & Simple Desserts

Apple BlackBerry Cobbler

Apple BlackBerry Cobbler
Recipe By : Louise
Serving Size : 12
Categories : Dessert, crisps, cobblers
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1 can apple slices -- canned (or applesauce)
1 5/8 cups blackberries, frozen or fresh
3/4 cup sugar
3/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 package yellow cake mix
3/8 cup walnuts

1/2 cup margarine -- melted

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1. Spray Cake Pan

2. Arrange undrained apple slices in the bottom of pan

3. Sprinkle with blackberries, Sugar, nutmeg, cake mix, & nuts -- in that order.
4. Drizzle melted margarine over mixture.
5. Bake at 350 degree oven for 1 hour. Serve

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Sweetness and Light: A Book of Desserts