Spiced Up Green Beans

Posted by Lori:
Looking through green bean recipes today, I found one that used Italian dressing.  Since I didn't have any, I came up with this version of Spiced Up Green Beans.  If you prefer a less spicy type of food, add another can of green beans or use less of the Italian dressing seasoning packet. 

My family - especially the three boys - really liked these just like they're posted.  One of them said, "They're amazing!"  And that, coming from my oldest son, is definitely a compliment.  He tells exactly what he thinks about the food he eats :).

Spiced Up Green Beans

3 cans green beans
1 package (0.7 ounce) Italian Salad Dressing & Recipe Mix
1 teaspoon beef base (found by bouillion cubes)
1/2 Tablespoon brown sugar

Place all ingredients into medium saucepan.  Boil until liquid is reduced to desired amount.  The sauce will thicken a bit and form a glaze to the green beans.
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Wacky Cake

Posted by Lori:
A friend took this cake to the high school teachers during Parent/Teacher Conferences last week.  They were all excited that she did because it's a favorite of many of them. 

I've never made Wacky Cake myself, but my mother-in-law and this friend both do quite often.  This is my mother-in-law's recipe.

"Wacky Cake" got its name because it contains no eggs or dairy products, which is very unusual for cakes.  It's origin is dated to the Depression when cooks came up with many recipes that were cheaper to make. But don't worry,  even without eggs or dairy products, this cake tastes terrific!

WACKY CAKE

2 tablespoons vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 cups water
2 cups sugar
6 tablespoons cocoa
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In large mixing bowl, combine all wet ingredients.  Add dry ingredients and mix well.  Pour into greased and floured 10 x 15 x 1 inch pan.  Bake for 30 minutes (or until toothpick comes out mostly clean).  Ice cake while still warm with the following icing:

1 stick butter or margarine
6 tablespoons milk
4 tablespoons cocoa
1 pound powdered sugar (3 1/2 - 4 cups)
1 teaspoon vanilla

In small saucepan, bring butter or margarine, milk, and cocoa to a boil stirring frequently.  Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat with electric mixer on high until well blended.

On this Gratituesday, I am grateful for tried and true recipes such as "Wacky Cake".  And, the fact that it's easier on the pocket book will make us all grateful!

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!
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Guilt-Free Banana Pudding

Posted by Donna:

A few weeks, Kimberly shared this recipe with me. I was having a "sweet tooth attack," so I fixed this. It was very satisfying. Larry even liked it---which I was a little surprised about.

1 pkg. fat free instant vanilla pudding

bananas

fat free whipped topping

graham crackers or vanilla wafers

Mix the pudding according to the directions. Either crumble graham crackers in the bottom of a bowl or place one vanilla wafer in the bottom of the dish. Layer the vanilla pudding, sliced bananas, and crumbled graham crackers/vanilla wafers. Top with the whipped topping. This is so quick. It really did satisfy my "want" for something sweet. I didn't feel quilty at all eating this.

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Cream Dip

Posted by Donna:

For all you dill pickle lovers out there, this is a very good dip to serve with lime chips.

1 envelope ranch style dressing
1 cup salsa
1 cup sour cream
Mix the three ingredients together and serve with lime chips.

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Barbecued Pork Ribs

Posted by Donna:

I can't take credit for this recipe. It was given to me by my beautician, who got it from my neighbor that lives two doors down from me. Anything this particular neighbor makes is good. She's one of the best candy makers I know.

Barbecued Pork Ribs

I used 3 lbs. pork loin ribs for Larry and me.

Cut the ribs apart and layer them in a crock pot, putting chopped onion between each layer. Pour one bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce over the ribs/chopped onions. I used the original Head and Country barbecue sauce. Cook on low until tender. These can also be cooked in the oven at a very low temperature. I made them for the first time last weekend, and we really liked them.

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Pasta Salad

Posted by Donna:

I would love to know what makes us crave certain foods. For the past few weeks, I've been "craving" pasta salad. I haven't made one as of yet, but that's what sounds satisfying to me. This recipe was given to me my last year of teaching. It's been a while since I've made it; but, I was so glad to re-acquaint myself with it last week. I see this salad sitting on my table in the very near future.

Pasta Salad

1 pkg. spaghetti

After boiling and draining the spaghetti, season it with garlic powder. Nest, add 1 bottle of Zesty Italian dressing.

Add: broccoli, red pepper, green onions, and black olives. Refrigerate.

The longer the pasta salad sits, the better it tastes.

Optional additions to the pasta are: slivered almonds, apples, and grapes.

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Easy Crescent Roll Sandwiches

Posted by Lori:

We got home late after a football game today, so I came up with a quick, new recipe to make hot sandwiches for our family.  They turned out great and would make great appetizers, as well.  Some people might prefer to have some kind of a dip for these (honey mustard or something like that), but we liked them just fine plain.

Easy Crescent Roll Sandwiches

3 cans (8 ounces each) crescent rolls
1/2 pound thin sliced ham (or your choice of deli meat)
8 slices swiss cheese (or your choice of cheese)

In 10 x 15 x 1 inch pan (jelly roll pan) press 1 and 1/2 cans of crescent rolls into the bottom to form bottom crust. 

Layer ham across crescent rolls, followed by Swiss cheese. 

Top with remaining 1 and 1/2 cans of cresent rolls, pressing together the perforations and all the way to the edges. 

Bake for 20 - 25 minutes at 350 degrees...until golden brown.
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