Loaded Mashed Potatoes

George requested loaded mashed potatoes for father's day so I found this recipe online. I made it the day before and it tasted great. The picture is from the website.

5 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed

3⁄4 cup sour cream

1⁄2 cup milk

3 tablespoons butter or margarine

Salt and pepper to taste

3 cups (12 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese blend divided

1⁄2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled

3 green onions, sliced

Place potatoes in a Dutch oven and cover with water; bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until tender. Drain and place in a mixing bowl. Add sour cream, milk, butter, salt and pepper. Beat on medium – low speed until light and fluffy. Stir in 2 cups cheese, bacon and onions.

Transfer to a greased 3-quart baking dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted.

Better than Almost Anything Cake

This was requested by George for father's day. Very yummy, don't make if you are on a diet!

1 box German chocolate cake mix
(water, oil, eggs as called for on cake mix directions)
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 jar (17 oz) Carmel or fudge topping
1 container (8 oz) whipped topping
1 bag toffee chips or bits (or 3 Skor bars)

Bake cake as directed on package for 13x9 inch pan. Cool 15 minutes. Poke top of warm cake every ½ inch with handle of wooden spoon, wiping handle occasionally to reduce sticking. Drizzle sweetened condensed milk evenly over top of cake; let stand until milk has been absorbed into cake.

Drizzle with caramel topping. Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours or until chilled. Spread whipped topping over top of cake. Sprinkle with toffee chips. Cover and refrigerate any remaining cake.

My Favorite Spaghetti Recipe

Brown 1lb. ground beef and then add:
1 46 oz Campbell's tomato Juice
2 8 oz (or one 16 oz) can tomato sauce
1/4 tsp Lea & Perrin Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. salt
1 whole onion with skin peeled off

Bring to a boil. Lower heat and cover. Let simmer for at least 4-5 hours, stirring occasionally. The nice thing is that it is liquid enough so you do not need to stress over the stirring.

Cook 12 oz (or a little more) spaghetti noodles. Pour sauce over noodles and mix together.

Beefy Salsa Mac

An easy, fast meal that the kids will eat! I like to serve with corn and homemade bread.

1 lb ground beef
½ to 1 cup Salsa (I only use ½ to 1 cup)
2 cups water
1 package (14.5 oz) Macaroni and Cheese
½ cup mayonnaise

Cook ground beef, drain. Stir in all ingredients. Stir to mix well. Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat to low. Cover; cook, stirring occasionally, for 7 minutes or until macaroni is tender. Remove from heat; keep covered. Allow to stand for 5 minutes. Makes 6 servings

Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Cream Sauce

This is super easy and so good. Ben LOVED it!

6 Ritz Crackers, finely crushed (I actually used one of the packages that comes inside a box)
2 Tbsp Parmesan Cheese (I used more since I used more crackers)
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (I cut it to make them flat)
2/3 cup Chive and Onion Cream Cheese Spread (this is actually a small container)
1/2 cup chicken broth

Mix cracker crumbs and Parmesan cheese in bowl. Rinse chicken with cold water, shake off excess water. Dip chicken in some melted butter, egg white, or plain yogurt (I actually used mayo-works great) and then in cracker mixture turning to coat. Place in greased baking dish and bake at 350 for about 35-45 minutes or until chicken is done. For the sauce pour 1/4 (or if your doubling 1/2) cup chicken broth and cream cheese to skillet. Cook, stirring constantly. Simmer 3 minutes or until sauce thickens. Note: this happens fast and if you let it go it gets thick and clumpy so as soon as it's all melted and slightly thick it's good to go. Serve sauce over chicken. Also very tasty served with rice.