Not So Dirty Rice with Sausage 

Sausage with seasoned rice and tomatoes.  This meal goes together fast and is served up in just one pot.

Ingredients

1 lb. ground sausage or use half sausage and half ground beef
2 sweet bell peppers, chopped
1 onion, chopped
3 coves garlic, minced
1/4 c. flour
2 tsp. Cajun seasoning
1 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp. thyme
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
2 bay leaves
2 c. rice
3 c. beef or chicken broth
1 (15 oz.) can diced tomatoes with chilies

Directions

In a large Dutch oven, cook ground meat until browned and the meat is no longer pink.  Crumble the meat as it cooks with spoon or spatula.

Add sweet bell peppers, onion, and garlic. Cook for 4 minutes.  

Stir in flour, Cajun seasoning, basil, salt, black pepper, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes. 

Mix in rice, and bay leaves.

Pour in the broth and add in the diced tomatoes.  Bring the mixture to a boil.  Lower heat and cover the pot with a lid.  Simmer for about 24 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed. Fluff rice with a fork.  Remove bay leaves and serve.

Homemade Cowboy Caviar 

This is an easy-to-make side dish/salad that everyone will love.  It uses black-eyed peas, black beans and Roma tomatoes, combined with a kick of jalapeño peppers.

Ingredients

1 (14 - 15.5 oz.) can black-eyed peas, drained
1 (14 to 15.5 oz.) can black beans, drained
1 1/2 c. sweet corn
1 onion, chopped
2 sweet peppers, different colors
1 1/2 c. chopped Roma tomatoes
1 to 2 jalapenos, chopped
1/2 fresh parsley, chopped (or 1/4 c. dry parsley)

Dressing

1/3 c. olive oil
3 Tbs. white wine vinegar
1 tsp. chili powder
1/4 c. sugar, more or less to taste
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. basil
1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes

 Directions

In a large bowl, combine olive oil, white wine vinegar, chili powder, sugar, salt, oregano, basil and red pepper flakes. 

Stir in black-eyed peas, black beans, sweet corn, onion, sweet peppers, Roma tomatoes, and jalapenos.  

Add fresh parsley.  Cover and chill until it is time to serve.

Chicken And Rice Casserole

Growing up, we didn’t have a lot of money coming in. My mother knew how to make satisfying meals that didn’t cost a lot. She made meals from ingredients she had on hand, and they were quick and easy to do. This is her version of Chicken Rice Casserole.

Ingredients

2 c. uncooked white rice
1 onion, chopped
2 c. milk
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup or cream of celery soup
1 package dry onion soup mix, divided
1 (3 lb.) chicken, disjointed
1 c. water

Directions

Preheat oven to 325°.  Grease or spray a large casserole dish or a 9 x 13-inch pan.

Put minute rice and chopped onions in the prepared casserole dish or a 9″x13″ pan.

In a small saucepan, heat the milk, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup and half a package of the dry onion soup mix. When warmed and smooth, pour over the rice.

Place chicken pieces on top of the rice and soup mixture.

Pour water into the casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining dry onion soup mix over the top. 

Cover with foil or a lid.  Bake at 325° for 2 1/2 hours to 3 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked, and the rice is tender.

Notes

Sprinkle some grated cheese over the top.

You can add vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or corn. They can be layered over the top of the rice, or mixed in with the rice.

This meal can go in the oven at around 180° and bake for most of the day. I will assemble the chicken rice casserole in the morning before I start my work from home job. Place it in the oven where it bakes for 8 to 10 hours, depending on how many hours I have scheduled to work or if I just need to relax after taking calls.This can also be made in the crock pot.

Creole Seasoning

 This seasoning blend is the perfect way to perk up your meals. It is great for seasoning rice, soup, stews, or meats.

Ingredients

6 Tbs. paprika
2 Tbs. black pepper
2 Tbs. garlic powder
2 Tbs. onion powder
2 Tbs. oregano
2 Tbs. basil
2 Tbs. salt
1 Tbs. thyme
1 Tbs. cayenne pepper

Directions

In a mixing bowl or a jar, combine paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, salt, thyme, and cayenne pepper.  Mix thoroughly until well blended. 

Store in an airtight jar or container.

Old Fashioned Pumpkin Bread

This is a recipe that has been passed down through the generations.  It is as good now as it was then. This pumpkin bread is moist, tender with just the right amount of sweetness. The aroma that fills your house as this bread bakes in the oven is enough to whet appetites and bring your family together.

Ingredients

3 c. sugar
3 1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. ginger
1 c. chopped pecans
1 c. salad oil
4 eggs, beaten
2 c. pumpkin or 16 to 17 oz. can

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease and flour two 8-inch bread pans or 1 angel food cake pan.

In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour, soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg together, pumpkin pie spice, cloves, and ginger.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. 

Add nuts, salad oil, eggs, and pumpkin into the well. Mix thoroughly.  Pour into prepared loaf pans.

Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool about 5 minutes, then invert the loaf pans onto a wire rack.  Serve warm or cold. Store in an airtight container when the loaves are completely cool.

Strips of Beef Casserole With Sour Cream Puffs

 Ingredients

1 to 1 1/2 lb. steak or roast
2 Tbs. cooking oil
1  onion, chopped
2 Tbs. flour
1 c. water or beef stock or broth
1 c. tomatoes
1 (6 oz. can) tomato paste
1 Tbs. sugar
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste
1 c. mushrooms
1 c. sour cream

Sour Cream Puffs Ingredients

1 1/4 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. shortening
3/4 c. sour cream
sesame seeds (optional)

Directions

Oven temperature set to 400°. 3-quart casserole

Cut steak or roast into strips 1/2-inch strips.  

In a heavy cast iron skillet, heat oil.  Brown the strips of meat in the hot oil until browned.  You may have to work in batches to do this.

Add onions and cook until they are lightly browned and tender. 

Stir in flour, water or beef stock, tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Cover and simmer for 90 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add mushrooms and sour cream.  Simmer for 5 more minutes.  Spoon mixture into  a casserole dish or leave it in the cast iron skillet if it is oven safe. Set aside as you make the Sour Cream Puffs.

In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in shortening with two table knives held together in your hand, or a pastry cutter, until the shortening is the size of small peas. 

Add sour cream and mix well. 

Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Pat the dough out, so it is 1/2 inch thick. Cut into 6 or 8 biscuits using a biscuit cutter, or a glass.

Place the biscuit puffss over the top of the beef mixture.  Sprinkle the tops of the puffs with sesame seeds.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the biscuit puffs are browned and done.

Easy Old-fashioned Apple Crisp

This is the time for apples. The seasons are changing and getting cooler.  Time to start baking again. Apple crisp is an easy dessert to make, and it will delight your entire family.
 

Ingredients

6 apples, peeled and sliced
2 Tbs. sugar
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. lemon juice (optional. It just keeps the apples from turning brown)
1 c. brown sugar
3/4 c. oatmeal, old-fashioned
3/4 c. flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 c. cold butter or margarine

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°.  Lightly spray or butter a baking dish or an 8 x 8-inch baking dish. 

Place the sliced apples in a bowl.  Add 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and the lemon juice.  Mix to combine. Transfer the apples into the prepared baking dish. 

In another dish, combine, brown sugar, oatmeal, flour, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.  

Cut the butter in to the flour mixture using a pastry cutter, or two table knives held together in your hand.  The butter should be about the size of small peas. 

Spread this mixture evenly over the top of the apples.  

Bake 45 minutes, or until apples are tender and the topping is golden brown.