Chocolate Covered Peppermint Patties

 We make these chocolate covered peppermint patties when the weather gets cool and the holidays are approaching. They taste so better then the ones you buy at the store, because you can add as much peppermint as you like and make them as big or as small as you want as well.

Ingredients 

3 to 4 c. powdered sugar (More or less)
2 Tbs. butter, softened
1 1/2 to 2 tsp. peppermint extract (More or less depending on how much peppermint you like to taste)
1/4 tsp. vanilla
3/4 c. sweetened condensed milk.
3 c. semisweet chocolate chips
2 tsp. shortening

Directions

In a bowl combine powdered, sugar, butter, peppermint extract and the sweetened condensed milk.  Beat with a low speed mixer until the mixture begins to hold together. Remove the dough and place onto a cutting board or counter dusted with powdered sugar. Knead the peppermint candy dough, adding more confectioners sugar as needed. You  will want a soft dough that is no longer sticky.

Form the dough into patties. There are several ways to do this.  You can pinch off some of the candy dough and form into 1-inch balls by rolling the dough between the palms of your hands. Then, place the balls on a sheet of wax paper and flatten with your fingers tips. Or you can use the bottom of a glass to flatten them. If the candy sticks to the glass, dip the bottom in powdered sugar.

Another way to flatten the peppermint candy balls is to powder the counter or cutting board with confectioners sugar. Press or pat out the dough until it is about 1/4-inch thick. Use something to cut small round circles or shapes.  Dip the cutting tool in powdered sugar to keep the dough from sticking.  

Let the patties dry at room temperature. After about an hour, turn the patties over and let them dry for another hour.

In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate with shortening, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat when the chocolate has completely melted. 

Lay a peppermint patty on the tines of a fork. Lower the fork into the melted chocolate, making sure to coat both sides with the chocolate. Tap the fork on the edge of the pan to shake off excess chocolate.  Place on a sheet of wax paper and allow to cool until set. 

Store the peppermint patties in an air tight container.

 

Hamburgers in Gravy 

This is our go recipe for times when we want to make a fast, yet comforting meal. Make extra gravy to serve with mashed potatoes and you'll have a delicious meal.  You can also use ground sausage in place of half of the ground beef in the recipe as well. This gives the hamburgers more flavor.

INGREDIENTS :

1 egg
1 onion, chopped fine
1 1/2 tsp. beef bouillon
1/4 tsp. pepper
2  slices bread
1 lbs. ground beef
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 1/3 c. milk or use the soup can to measure the milk
1 can mushrooms, drained
1 dash Worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS :

In a large bowl, mix the eggs, onion, beef bouillon, and pepper.  

Cut or tear the bread into small cubes or pieces. Add the bread to the egg mixture and allow it to soak for a minute of two. 

Add the ground beef. Mix well with your hands or a spoon. Form into 4 patties. 

Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. fry the hamburger patties until they are browned and the meat is no longer pink. Remove the hamburger patties to a dish. Drain the grease off.

Add the cream of mushroom soup, milk, mushrooms and Worcestershire sauce.  Whisk together until smooth. 

Return the hamburgers to the skillet and spoon the sauce over the top.  Over medium high heat, cook until the mixture until it begins to bubble.  Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes or until the sauce is thickened. 

Serve with mashed potatoes.

 

Oatmeal  Fudge Bars

This is a quick and easy treat for those times when you have a craving for chocolate.  

Ingredients

2 c. brown sugar
3/4 c. butter or margarine, softened
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 c. Bisquick baking mix
3 c. quick cooking oats
1 (12 oz.) pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 Tbs. butter or margarine
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. nuts, chopped
2 tsp. vanilla

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a jellyroll pan.

Beat brown sugar, 3/4 cup butter until light and fluffy.  Add the eggs and vanilla, beating until thoroughly combined. 

Mix in the Bisquick and oatmeal.  

Press 2/3's of this mixture over the bottom of the jellyroll pan.  Set the other third of the oatmeal mixture aside.

In a heavy saucepan, mix the chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, 2 tablespoons butter and salt over low heat. Stirring constantly until chips are melted, and the mixture is smooth.  Stir in the nuts and vanilla. Spread this over the top of the oatmeal mixture in the jellyroll pan.

Drop the remaining oatmeal mixture by the tablespoonful on top of the chocolate.

Bake about 30 minutes, or until it is light brown. 

Impossibly Easy Pumpkin Pie

This is one of the easiest pumpkin pies that you can make and bake. It even forms its own crust, so you don't have to do that either.

Ingredients

2 eggs
1 (15 oz.) pumpkin
1 c. sugar
3 Tbs. butter
3/4 c. Bisquick
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 (13 oz.) can evaporated milk

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°.  Grease and flour a 9 -inch glass pie dish. 

Combine eggs, pumpkin, sugar, butter, Bisquick, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and evaporated milk in a blender. If you don't have a blender, you can use one of those handheld immersion blenders. Mix at low speed for 3 minutes. Check to make sure everything is incorporated into the mixture. 

Pour into the glass pie pan.  Bake for 50 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

May use 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice in place of the ginger, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.

Savory Meatball Casserole with Chili Cheese Biscuits

Ingredients

Meatballs

1 lb. ground beef
1/4 lb. pork sausage
1/2 c. dry bread crumbs
1 1/3 c. evaporated milk
1 onion, chopped
1 Tbs. chili powder
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of celery soup
1/2 c. water

Biscuits

1 1/3 c. flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 c. shortening
1 egg
1/3 c. evaporated milk
1 1/2 c. shredded American cheese
1 Tbs. dried parsley

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°

Combine beef, sausage, bread crumbs, onion, chili powder and pepper with 1/3 cup evaporated milk.  Mix well.  Shape into meat balls.

In a heavy cast iron skillet, cook the meatballs until nicely browned. Turn the heat to medium low, cover and cook 10 minutes

In a medium saucepan, heat the cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup and 1 cup evaporated milk until steaming, but do not boil.  Pour over meatballs. 

Prepare the biscuits. 

In a bowl, add the flour, baking powder, chili powder and salt. Mix together. 

Cut in shortening until particles are fine.  

Combine egg and milk together. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the egg and milk mixture. Stir until the dough clings together. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead 10 times. 

Roll dough out to a 12 inch square. Sprinkle cheese and parsley over the top. Roll up like a jellyroll and then cut into 8 slices.  Place the biscuits on top of casserole.  

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until biscuits are nicely brownedd.

Easy Baked Beans 

 Ingredients

1/2 lb. bacon cooked and crumbled (optional)
2 cans pork and beans
1 onion, chopped fine
1/3 c. ketchup
1/4 to 1/2 c. brown sugar
2 to 3 Tbs. molasses
1 Tbs. mustard
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of Hot pepper sauce (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

 

In a medium saucepan, add the bacon, pork and beans, onion, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt and pepper. 

Place over low heat and continue to cook low and slow so the flavors have a chance to mingle and be absorbed by the beans. Remember to stir the beans to keep them from sticking on the bottom of the pot. 

 

Tips

If you don't want to cook the beans on top of the stove, you can also bake them. Preheat the oven to 

325°. Bake until thick and rich. 

 

Some of the ingredients are approximate because some people like their baked beans sweeter and some like the taste of molasses. Play around with the amounts to make it the way you like it best. 

Hamburger Pie

Ingredients

3 to 4 potatoes

3 Tbs. milk

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 c. cubed cheese (sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or any cheese you prefer)

1 can whole kernel corn, drained (optional)

1 lb. ground beef

1 (4 oz.) can mushrooms, drained

1 egg

1 onion, chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper, chopped (optional)

1/4 c. dry bread crumbs
1/4 c. ketchup
2 tsp. Worcestershire

1/2 to 1-tsp. salt

Pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400°Fahrenheit.

 

Wash and peel potatoes. Fill a pot with cold water and add the potatoes. Over high heat, bring the water to a boil. You may cover the pot if you like. Cook the potatoes until they are tender. If you want to, cut the potatoes into smaller pieces, so they will cook faster. When the potatoes are done, drain off the water.  

Put the potatoes into a bowl and mash them. Add the milk, salt, cheese, and corn. Stir to combine. The cheese does not need to melt. It will do that in the oven.  

Cover the potatoes and set aside while you prepare the meat mixture.

 

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, mushrooms, egg, onion, garlic, bell pepper, bread crumbs, ketchup, Worcestershire, salt and pepper. Don’t mix them too much or the meat mixture will be tough

Press the meat mixture into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie pan, or baking dish. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.

Remove the meat from the oven. Drain away the grease by tipping the pan, being careful to not have the meat fall out.  A handy tip is to place an empty pie pan or baking dish inside, so it rests on the meat. 

Reduce the oven temperature to 350° Fahrenheit.

Fill the meat shell with the potato mixture. Return to the oven and bake another 10 to 15 minutes.  

Remove from the oven and cut into servings.  Serves about 6 people.