Wow, two posts in a row.

I've been trying to do really simple, easy, CHEAP meals - and these are a few I've used. The shepherd's pie is a spiced up version of Mom's meat and potato pie and it is really good! Anyway, enjoy. S1

Finally!

I decided I really needed to contribute - so since I finally made a menu, I'll share it with all of you! Some of the recipes are from you (thank you!) some are others I have collected. So, enjoy.
S1

Pork:
3 lbs pork
16 oz. bottle of chunky salsa (blended in blender so chunks are gone)
1 can coke
2 cups brown sugar

Place pork in crock pot and fill it 1/2 way up the pork with water. Cook on High for 5 hours. Drain off water. Cut pork in thirds. Mix together sauce ingredients and put on top of pork. Cook an additional 3 hours on high. Shred pork with forks. Leave it on low until ready to serve.

Rice:
3 c water
4 t chicken bouillon
4 t garlic –minced
½ bunch cilantro
1 can green chiles—or equivalent fresh
¾ t salt
1 T butter
½ onion
3 c rice (see note)

Blend cilantro, green chiles and onion together in food processor. Bring water to a boil and add all ingredients, simmer covered 30 minutes.

And for those of you who want to get brave and make the tortillas and dressing here you go:

Tortillas:
3 C. flour
1/2 C. veggie or olive oil
1 1/8 C. luke warm water
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder

Mix all ingredients and knead. If too hard to knead, add a little water but if too sticky add a little more flour. Let stand for about 10 minutes. Makes about 12 small balls. Flatten each by rolling them out and then cook them in a frying pan.

Dressing:
1 package Hidden Valley Ranch
1 cup mayo
1 cup cilantro, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
3 tomatillos - peel off paper, chop
1/3 - 1/2 cups buttermilk, to consistency you want
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)

Put in blender and mix.

Pizza Dough

3/4 C warm water
1 tb yeast
1 1/2 tsp sugar

Mix together and set aside

1 1/2 c scalded milk (3 min. in microwave)
1 tb salt
2 tb sugar

put in mixer
add 1 cup flour and then yeast combination then add 4 more cups of flour
mix for 10 min

put 1 tb olive oil in bowl, put in dough and let raise for 30 min punch down and let raise for 10 more minutes. spread flat on pizza pan

bake at 400 for 20 minutes

Pasta Factory Alfredo sauce

Pam
1 1/4 C butter
8 oz cream cheese
5 tb flour
3/4 C + 2 Tb heavy cream
2 1/2 C whole milk
6 tb grated parmesan cheese

* 1. Spray pam in saucepan
2. combine over medium heat butter and cream cheese. heat and mix
3. add flour, heavy cream, and 1 1/2 C + 2 tb whole milk. stir until smooth.
4. add grated parmesan cheese and 3/4 C + 2 tb whole milk
5. mix until desired consistency

Make sure to use whole milk and real butter other wise sauce will seperate

Cinnamon Buns 

Yield: 12 buns 

Prep Time: 25 minutes 

Cooking Time: 30 minutes 

Inactive Prep Time: 6 hours 

Difficulty: Medium 

Imported From: FoodNetwork.com 

Ingredients: 

Dough: 

  ● 1/2 cup water 

  ● 1/2 cup whole milk 

  ● 2 1/4 tsp. active dry yeast (1/4 ounce package) 

  ● 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted, plus more for the bowl  

  ● 1 large egg yolk 

  ● 1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract 

  ● 2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (13 ounces) 

  ● 1/4 cup sugar (1 3/4 ounces) 

  ● 3/4 tsp. fine salt (1/8 ounce) 

  ● 1/2 tsp. grated nutmeg 

Filling: 

  ● 1/3 cup granulated sugar 

  ● 2 tbsp. ground cinnamon 

  ● 3/4 cups (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, very soft, plus more for coating the pan 

Glaze: 

  ● 2/3 cups confectioners' sugar 

  ● 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk 

  ● 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter 

  ● 3 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice 

  ● 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 

  ● 1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon 

  ● Copyright 2007 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved  

Directions: 

    These sweet buns are way easier than you'd think. This is the perfect recipe for a 

weekend brunch. 

Filling: 

Glaze: 

Combine the water and milk in a medium saucepan and warm over low heat until it is 

about 100 degrees F (but no more than 110 degrees). Remove from heat and 

sprinkle the yeast over the surface over the liquid. Sprinkle a pinch of the sugar over 

the top and set aside without stirring, until foamy, about 5 minutes. 

Whisk the butter, egg yolk and vanilla into the yeast mixture.

Whisk the flour, the sugar, salt and nutmeg in a large bowl. Make a well in the center 

of the flour and stir in the yeast mixture with a wooden spoon to make a thick and 

slightly sticky dough. Turn dough onto a floured work surface and knead until soft 

and elastic, about 6 minutes. Shape into a ball. 

Brush the inside of a large bowl with butter. Put dough in the buttered bowl, turning 

to coat lightly with butter. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, trace a circle the size of the 

dough on the plastic, and note the time. Let rise at room temperature until doubled 

in size, about 1 hour 15 minutes. 

Turn dough out of the bowl and knead briefly to release excess air; reform into a ball 

and return to the bowl. Lightly butter a large piece of plastic wrap and lay it on the 

dough. Cover the entire bowl tightly with plastic and proof in the refrigerator for 4 

hours or overnight. 

To fill and form the rolls: Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Whisk the sugar and 

cinnamon together in a small bowl. Turn prepared dough onto a floured work surface 

and press, then roll into 10-by-18-inch rectangle, with a long edge facing you. 

Spread the softened butter evenly over the surface of the dough, leaving about an 

inch border on the side opposite you. Evenly scatter the cinnamon-sugar over the 

butter. Starting from the long side facing you, roll the dough up into a tight cylinder. 

Lightly brush the clean edge of the dough with water. Press the open long edge to 

the dough to seal the cylinder. 

Slip a long taut piece of string or dental floss under the roll, about 1 1/2 inches from 

the end. Lift and cross the string ends over the roll, then pull the ends tightly in 

opposite directions to cut a single roll. Repeat, cutting every 1 1/2 inches, to make 

12 rolls. Place the rolls cut-side-down in the prepared pan, leaving 1 inch of space 

between them. Cover the rolls loosely with plastic wrap. Set aside in a warm place to 

rise until rolls double in size, about 1 hour 10 minutes. 

Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. 

Bake buns until golden brown and the tops of the buns spring back when pressed 

lightly, about 30 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes. 

To make the glaze: Sift the confectioners' sugar into a medium bowl. Whisk in the 

condensed milk, butter, and lemon juice to make a smooth, slightly loose icing. Add 

the vanilla and cinnamon. Drizzle the icing over warm buns. Serve. 

*Cook's Note: These may be refrigerated or frozen after forming. If refrigerated 

overnight, allow buns to come to room temperature for about 1/2 hour, then proof 

fully (until doubled in size) before baking, about 2 hours. If frozen, allow buns to 

come to room temperature, about 1 hour, and then proof fully (until doubled in size) 

before baking, about 2 hours. 

Storage: Though the buns are best eaten on the day they are baked, they will keep, 

covered, for a day. They freeze well.

Grocery List

May 29 

  ● 1/2 cup  TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick 'N Chunky Salsa 

  ● 3/4 lb.  extra lean ground beef 

  ● 1 large  tomato 

  ● 1 qt.  torn mixed salad greens 

  ● 5 (5-ounce) skinless chicken breast halves (with or without bone) 

  ● 1/4 cups BBQ sauce 

  ● Iceberg or lettuce of preference 

  ● 1/2 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar Cheese 

  ● Lemon slices for garnish 

  ● Lettuce 

  ● Optional - 2 Tbsp chopped roasted walnuts or pistachios 

  ● 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard 

  ● 2 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme 

  ● 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice 

  ● 1 Tbsp lime juice 

  ● 2 Tbsp. KRAFT Light Ranch Reduced Fat Dressing 

  ● 1 avocado 

  ● 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 breast halves) 

  ● 1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick) 

  ● 1 (15 ounce) can nonfat refried beans 

  ● 2 cups canned green enchilada sauce or green salsa 

  ● 2 (4 ounce) cans chopped green chiles 

  ● 1/2 cup celery 

  ● 1/2 tsp. chipotle chile powder (less or more depending on how much heat you want) 

  ● 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil 

  ● 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro 

  ● 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves 

  ● 1 cup chopped sweet yellow pepper 

  ● 1 cup cooked BBQ pork 

  ● 12 corn tortillas 

  ● 1 cup drained canned kidney beans 

  ● 4 flour tortillas (8 inch) 

  ● 1 cup fresh snow peas 

  ● 1 1/2 cup frozen corn 

  ● 5 garlic cloves 

  ● 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 

  ● 1 tbsp. hoisin sauce 

  ● 1/2 lb medium shrimp 

  ● 2 lbs of green beans 

  ● 2 leeks 

  ● 1 lime 

  ● 1 tbsp. maple syrup 

  ● 1/4 cup of white wine vinegar 

  ● 1/2 cup orange juice 

  ● 1 cup orange marmalade 

  ● 1 lb. peeled cooked shrimp (21-25 per pound; thawed if frozen) 

  ● 2 tbsp. pickled jalapeno rings 

  ● 1/2 cup red seedless grapes 

  ● 1 cup reduced-fat shredded cheese 

  ● 1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth 

  ● 2 ripe avocados 

  ● 4 sets of hamburger buns 

  ● 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey jack cheese 

  ● 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms 

  ● 4 small slices of Monterey Jack cheese 

  ● 1/3 cup slivered almonds 

  ● 1 store bought pizza crust

- 2 - 

  ● 1 sweet apple 

  ● 2 sweet potatoes 

  ● 1 cup thinly sliced fresh carrots 

  ● 1 to 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves 

  ● 1 small to medium acorn squash 

  ● 3 medium tomatoes 

  ● 8 oz. uncooked angel hair pasta 

  ● 1 cup vegetable broth or chicken broth

Frostings

I made Sherri's 2 hour roll recipe and then decided that cinnamon rolls sounded really good so I made cinnamon rolls instead. I used two different frostings because Bob doesn't like the cream cheese frosting.

Cinnamon Roll Filling
1/4 C sugar
1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

Spread melted butter on dough
and then the cinnamon sugar mixture

Cream Cheese Frosting
3 oz Cream Cheese (softened)
1/3 Cup Butter or margarine (softened)
1 teaspoon Vanilla
2 Cups Powdered sugar

Vanilla Glaze
1/3 C Butter or margarine (melted)
2 C Brown Sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
2 to 4 teaspoons water

Suzy's Pasta Salad

1 box of Salad Pasta (cooked)
5 cans of Tuna (drained)
1 can sliced olives
carrots sliced
small cubes of cheese
frozen peas
Mayo
3 Tablespoons of Sugar

Cook the pasta and set aside to cool. In a large bowl add the tuna, olives, carrots, peas and cubed cheese. As much as desired. When pasta is cool, add to large bowl and mayo until creamy. Add in the sugar and mix all together. Enjoy.

Help Wanted...

Looking for fresh new summer salads and meals that won't weigh you down? So are we. Please leave yummy light meal ideas for me. Thanks Guys!!

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

4C Shredded Chicken
1 C Chopped Celery or Water Chestnuts
2 tsp Grated onion or chopped onion
1 20oz. can pineapple tidbits drained
1/2 C Grapes cut in half
2/3 C Mayo
1 tsp. Salt
1/8 tsp. Pepper

Mix together and serve on Croissant rolls

Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu

Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu

Bob and I really like this Recipe. It is really fast and easy,
but I think it is a lot better when I use thick sliced ham.
Serve with Green Beans

Sunday Dinner from Sherri

Meat Loaf
⅔ cup bread crumbs dry
⅔ cup milk
2 lbs. ground beef
2 eggs beaten slightly
⅓ cup onion minced
1 teaspoon salt rounded
⅛ teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon sage ground
Piquant Sauce
4 tablespoons brown sugar
⅓ cup catsup
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon dry mustard
Soak bread crumbs in milk; add meat, eggs, onion, and seasonings. Mix well. Put in loaf pan. Mix Piquant sauce ingredients together. Cover Meat Loaf with Piquant Sauce. Bake in moderate oven at 350° for 1 hour.

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
1 can cream of chicken soup, condensed
¾ cup milk
4 medium potatoes sliced
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 small onion chopped
⅛ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon pepper
Empty soup into 2-quart casserole. Stir in milk gradually. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover tightly and microwave on high 20 to 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until potatoes are tender. Let stand covered 5 minutes.

Two Hour Dinner Rolls
1 tablespoon yeast
½ cup warm water
¼ cup sugar
6 cups flour
½ cup powdered milk
1 tablespoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups warm water
Dissolve yeast, water and sugar together. Mix remaining ingredients with yeast mixture. Mix with spoon or mixer until well blended. Cover - let stand 1 hour in warm place. Roll out on floured board. Cut - put on greased cookie sheets. Let raise about 20 minutes. Bake 400° for 10-12 minutes.

Vegetable:
Green Beans, Peas or Corn

Two week menu ideas--

The two week menu ideas:

May 15th- Shrimp Pepper Skillet
I made this last night for the first time and was very happy with the results.
Shrimp Pepper Skillet:
2 teaspoons olive oil
2-3 tablespoons butter
6 1/2 ounces shrimp, de-veined, peeled and tails removed
1/3 chopped onion
1 clove garlic
Salt and Pepper, to taste
2/3 cup bell peppers tricolored, frozen or fresh
4 ounces fettuccine
2/3 teaspoon basil
1 tablespoon parmesan cheese

Cooking instructions:
In a skillet, heat oil and add bell peppers, onions, and garlic. Now add shrimp. Salt and Pepper shrimp to taste and cook until shrimp is pink. DON'T OVER COOK!! Meanwhile, cook the pasta. Drain; and toss into shrimp mixture. Add basil and butter. Serve and srinkle with Parm. cheese.
Serve with garlic bread

May 16th-Hamburgers and Corn on the Cob
May 17th-Talapia w/artichokes
May 18th-Stirfry w/beef
May 19th-Meat loaf w/mashed potatoes
May 20th-BLT's
May 21st-Navajo Tacos

May 22nd-Chicken Pockets
May 23rd-Sloppy Joes
May 24th- Grilled Veggies- Kabobs
May 25th- Chicken pasta salad
May 26th-Baked potatoes w/BBQ chicken
May 27th- Mexican Pizza
May 28th- Chefs Salad

Other options: zucchini cassorole, beef fajitas, hamberger pie, chicken and rice cassorole, hawiian haystacks