Yummy Aldi Fruity Dessert

Strange title I know. I got this from my mother-in-law who learned it from a fellow shopper while the waited in the check-out at Aldi. It's simply called fruity, because you can pick which fruit. Two summers ago Cooper helped me make this after an eventful grocery shopping trip, which included him taking a bite out of an apple and then putting back.

2 cans of fruit drained
(I prefer 1 can pie filling, 1 can fruit)
1 box Jiffy yellow cake mix
1/2 stick of butter, maybe more

Drain fruit, put in 8x8 pan.
Sprinkle Jiffy mix on top.
Add sliced, pats of butter all over the top.
Bake at 350 until browned.

I know it sounds weird, but the butter does melt across the top, mixing with the powder.
Simply double this for a 9x13.
It's fun to think of different combinations like cherry pie filling and a can of apricots.
It's quick to make and very cheap!

Italian Sausage and Potatoes

One pan, one cutting board, one happy lady!

1 lb. Italian sausage (mild or hot, mild if you're Dutch like me)
1 lb. small red potatoes cut bite size pieces
1 onion cut in bitty pieces
1 red pepper cut in strips
1 yellow pepper cut in strips
1 T. olive oil

Preheat oven to 450.
In a 9x13 combine all ingredients.

I usually put the potatoes and oil in first to get them cooking, and I add the other ingredients as I get them sliced.
If you shop at Aldi, buy the stoplight of peppers, and use the green one to make Chicken Ala King with Ramen.

Guacamole

1 guacamole
1/4 cup sour cream
2 T. salsa
salt to taste

Peel avacado. Remove seed. Mash with fork.
Stir in sour cream and salsa.
Add salt.

Dan (my husband) and I really love this guacamole more than the ones with onions and other stuff. The simpler the better.

The amounts are a bit of guess. I've made it often enough that I don't measure.

Taco Salad

Great for the hot work days without air!

1 medium head chopped lettuce
1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained
8 oz. grated cheddar cheese
1 package taco chips (Doritos)
1 package taco seasoning
4 tomatoes
1 onion (optional, I don't)

Dressing:
8-12 oz. Thousand Island dressing
1/3 c. sugar
1 T. taco seasoning (from package listed above)
1 T. salsa

Brown meat, add taco seasoning (keep 1T. for dressing).
Layer salad ingredients (or just mix it all up).
Toss salad with dressing and the taco chips just before serving.

The longer it marinates all together, the better. Sometimes I make it the day before.

My guacamole dip is a great starter for this.

Gooey Butter Cake with Drunken Berries

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup butter
1 (18.5 ounce) package yellow cake mix
3 eggs

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners' sugar

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease one 9x13 inch cake pan or several (about 8) creme' brulee' cups for individual servings.
2. Melt the butter or margarine. Stir melted butter or margarine along with 1 egg into the cake mix. Press into prepared cake pan.
3. In a large bowl mix cream cheese, vanilla, confectioner's sugar, and the remaining 2 eggs beat for 3 minutes with an electric mixer set on medium high speed. Spread over top of cake mixture.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 to 50 minutes (a little less for individual cakes) and until browned on top. Allow cake to cool before cutting.
5. Top with drunken berries (see below) just before serving.

DRUNKEN BERRIES:
Three types of berries (I use blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries), about 2-3 cups
A few fresh mint springs
A dash of sugar
About 1/2 cup Amaretto liqeuer

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and allow to sit in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours. Stir occasionally to ensure all berries absorb the flavors.

mmmm....

Spinich salad

2 lbs fresh spinich
1 lb bacon diced and fried
1 carton cherry tomatoes halved


1. rince and drain spinich
2. fry bacon reserving the grease
3. toss bacon, tomatoes, and spinich
4. right before you serve pour the hot bacon grease over the top, toss and serve.


yeild: 4 servings.

Too hot to cook!

It's been over 100 degrees this week, before the heat index.
I refuse to turn the stove on therefore, you will not be getting any new recipes from me.
To help you over this hump, here is a website that can give you outstanding recipes.

http://www.cookingbynumbers.com/frames.html

Baby Carrots

These are a favorite side dish.

1 1/2 lb ready-to-eat baby-cut carrots
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel

1. In 2-quart saucepan, heat 1 inch water to boiling. Add carrots. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer uncovered 6 to 9 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain and set aside.
2.In 12-inch skillet, cook remaining ingredients over medium heat, stirring constantly, until bubbly.
3.Stir in carrots. Reduce heat to low. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until carrots are glazed and hot.

Crab Puffs

1 cup plus 1 T. water
1/2 cup butter
1 T. ground mustard
1 t. salt
1 t. ground cumin
1/8 t. hot pepper sauce
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs
2 cups (8 oz.) shredded Swiss cheese
1 can (6 oz.) crabmeat, drained, flaked, and cartilage removed

1. In a large saucepan, bring the water, butter, mustard, salt, cumin and hot sauce to a boil.
2. Add flour all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms.
3. Remove from heat; let stand for 5 minutes.
4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Continue beating until smooth and shiny.
6. Stir in the cheese and crab.
7. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls (a melon baller makes them look pretty) 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets.
8. Bake at 400 degrees for 23-26 minues or nutil golden brown.
9. Remove to wire racks. Serve warm.

Yield: about 4 dozen

I plan to use 2 cans of crab next time.

Herbed Cornish Hens

The entire family (yes even the boys) love these!

6 Cornish Hens 3/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 cup lemon juice 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 cup melted butter or margerine 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/8 teaspoon pepper
3/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1. place hens on a wire rack in a large roasting pan
2. season with salt and pepper. Combine remaining ingrediants and pour half of the mixture over the hens.
3. bake, uncovered at 375 for 30 minutes
4. baste with remaining mixture and bake an additional 30 minutes or until juices run clear

Serves 6 (easy to cut in half)

Busy Day Pork Chops

This is a favorite in our house. I can throw it in the oven and forget about it.

1 cup ketchup 1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup water 4 thick center cut pork chops
3/4 cup brown sugar, lightly packed

1. preheat oven to 250
2. combine ketchup, water, brown sugar, and lemon juice
3. place pork chops in a 2-quart baking dish and pour the sauce over them
4. bake, uncovered, 2.5-3 hrs

Serves 4