Tony's grandma's Sweet Potatoes

Tony's maternal grandmother makes these for him every Thanksgiving and I finally got the recipe! I would have never guessed they were so easy...and so yummy! I actually like these as a dessert!

1 can carnation evaporated milk
fill that can with regular milk
1 cup sugar
around 1 tsp of vanilla
1/2 stick of butter

Bring all to a boil
Reduce heat and add cut up sweet potatoes-not too small
Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are soft/done

Yummo!

My homemade bread!

This is such a yummy bread. I have not experimented yet on adding different things. I want to make wheat and maybe some cinnamon rolls with this. If you don't like your bread sweet, you can cut down on the sugar; but don't eliminate it completely, it feeds the yeast. This is yummo! I have made 4 loaves already this week for Thanksgiving!

2 cups of warm water (very warm tap water)too hot will kill the yeast, trust me :)
2/3 cup white sugar
2 small packages of active dry yeast
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup veggie oil
6 cups bread flour

In a large bowl, dissolve sugar in warm water. Stir in yeast. I mix this together with a hand mixer.
Allow to proof. (about 10 minutes, the top should be covered with a white foam)
Mix the oil in the yeast
Mix in flour 1 cup at a time. I used the dough hooks on my mixer for this. Add the salt somewhere in between the flour. If you add it straight to the yeast, it may kill it.
Once all flour is mixed in (it should be doughy but still a little tacky) transfer to a lightly floured counter.
Knead dough for about 10 minutes. Get that gluten working! :)
Place in a well oiled bowl and turn dough to coat with the oil.
Cover bowl with plastic wrap and a damp towel. Allow to rise for about 1 hour until doubled in size.
Punch dough down to deflate. Knead a few minutes more.
Divide in half and shape into 2 loaves. (you may freeze at this point)
place into two loaf pans.
Allow to rise for 30 minutes more
Bake on 350 degrees for 30 minutes

Last but not least, put a little flour on your nose! You put in some hard work!

Pineapple Casserole

My sister-in-law, Kim makes this dish and it is absolutely divine! I never would have thought that cheese and pineapple would be so delish together! Yummo!

1 cup sugar
6 Tbs flour
2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 (20 oz) cans pineapple chunks, drained (drain really good)
1 Tbs reserved pineapple juice
1 cup Ritz cracker crumbs
1 stick of butter, plus extra for greasing the pan

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Grease medium sized baking dish

Stir together sugar and flour. Gradually stir in the cheese. Add the drained pineapple chunks, and stir until combined.
Pour into dish

Combine cracker crumbs, butter, and pineapple juice. Spread on top of pineapple.

Bake 25-30 min or until golden brown

Spaghetti Salad

I first had this salad back about 8 years ago at a covered dish lunch at work. I just had to have the recipe. It is so simple yet so yummy! My mom just loves it! I also love this dish because I make it the night before!

1 (16 oz) package of spaghetti-broken in half
some grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
1 diced cucumber
1 diced green pepper
1 diced red onion
1 (10 oz) bottle of Italian salad dressing (I use Kens)
1 tsp poppy seeds
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp celery salt
1 tsp sesame seeds
1/2 tsp garlic powder
pinch of salt

1. Cook spaghettie noodles according to directions, rinse in cold water and drain
2. Mix together spaghetti and vegetables
3. In a separate small bowl, mix together remaining ingredients
4. Toss all ingredients together
5. Refrigerate overnight
6. Toss before serving

Week of 5/18/2009

Monday: Zesty Chicken Packs
Tuesday: Frozen Chicken Enchiladas
Wednesday: Hotdogs
Thursday: Aly's soccer cook-out, oreo balls and broccoli slaw
Friday: Small group
Saturday: Homemade pizza with the girls

Broccoli Slaw

My mommy-in-law, Brenda makes this and it is soooooo yummy!

2 bags of broccoli cole slaw
2 packs of ramen noodles
1 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup slivered almonds
4 chopped green onions

Boil ramen noodles according to package directions, drain

mix all ingredients

In a small bowl, mix 3/4 cup vegetable oil, 1/2 cup sugar, and 2 Tbs vinegar.

Mix with slaw mixture

Yummo!

Oreo Balls

My sister-in-law made these at Christmas and they were so stinkin yummo!!! I am going to make the for Aly's soccer cook-out. Her team colors are red, white, and black. So I am going to drizzle them with red and black icing. If I were to get real courageous, I could decorate them like soccer balls.....but I seriously doubt that!

8 oz cream cheese
one pack of oreos
white almond bark
me: red an black icing in a tube

mix cream cheese and crushed oreos together until mixed well.
roll into small balls (you can use a melon baller)
place on wax paper and chill for an hour
dip in melted white chocolate, allow to cool
drizzle with icing if desired

you can make them different colors for holidays and occasions. Also really good with mint oreos. Yummo!