Garlic Fries

We are always looking for new 'comfort' foods. These taste just like the garlic fries at Red Robin. We used frozen french fries in place of the potatoes. We cooked them per the package instructions and then added the 'toppings'.

Garlic Fries

4 teaspoons oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 pounds peeled baking potatoes, cut into 1/4-inch-thick strips
Cooking spray
2 tablespoons butter
8 garlic cloves, minced (about 5 teaspoons)
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Preparation

Preheat oven to 400°.

Combine first 3 ingredients in a large zip-top plastic bag, tossing to coat.
Arrange potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 50 minutes or until potatoes are tender and golden brown, turning after 20 minutes.
Place butter and garlic in a large nonstick skillet, and cook over low heat 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add potatoes, parsley, and Parmesan cheese to pan; toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Pumpkin Cake

I have been making this recipe for over 18 years. It is a great fall recipe and easy to make. I had this on Sunday when Don's parents come over for lunch.

Pumpkin Cake

1 yellow cake mix

1/2 c butter melted

1 egg

1 large can Pumpkin Pie mix(Libby's)

2/3 c milk

2 eggs

1/4 c sugar

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice(or cinnamon)

1/4 c butter

Mix 1/2 c butter, 1 egg and yellow cake mix(take out 1 cup of this and set aside). Press into bottom of greased 9x13 pan.

Mix pumpkin pie mix, milk and 2 eggs together and pour over the crust mixture.

Take the reserved 1 cup of cake mix and add 1/4 c sugar, 1 tsp pumpkin pie mix and 1/4 c butter(NOT melted) Mix like a pie crust. Put this on top of pumpkin mixture in the pan.

Bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes. Test with a knife for doneness. Serve with cool whip.

Green Bean with Sweet and Sour Sauce

This is a different way to serve green beans that everyone loves. I think they are even better warmed up the next day! This recipe comes from my mom.

Green Bean with Sweet and Sour Sauce

2 strips bacon
1 qt green beans

1/4 c water

1/4 c vinegar

1 T cornstarch mixed with 2 T water
1/2 t onion salt
salt

pepper

Fry bacon. Take out of pan and add vinegar, sugar, water salt, pepper and onion salt. Add cornstarch and simmer to thicken. Add this to hot beans and crumbled bacon. Mix all together.

***We add the beans before the cornstarch

Taco Ring

This is an easy recipe for a quick dinner. We just served it with sour cream and salsa.

Taco Ring

1/2 lb. beef cooked, drained
1 pkg taco seasoning
2 tbs water
4 oz shredded cheese
2-8oz pkg crescent rolls

Optional
1/2 head lettuce, shredded
1 tomato, cubed
black olives, sliced
onion chopped
1 green pepper
1 cup salsa
sour cream

Preheat oven to 375. Combine cooked meat, taco seasoning, cheese, and water. Arrange rolls in a circle points outward. Scoop meat mixture over rolls. Fold in points and tuck under. Bake 20-25 min. Garnish with optional vegetables.

Wisconsin Potato Cheese Soup

This recipe comes from the 1st Assembly of God cookbook, Kenosha WI. I have MANY cookbooks and have been looking through them and finding great recipes. We all liked this soup.

Wisconsin Potato Cheese Soup

Jennifer Heiring

1/3 c chopped celery

1/3 c chopped onion
2 T butter

4 c diced peeled potatoes

3 c chicken broth

2 c milk

1 1/2 t salt

1/4 t pepper

dash of paprika

2 c shredded cheddar cheese

chopped fresh parsley

In a large saucepan, saute celery and onion in butter until tender. Add potatoes and broth. Cover and simmer until potatoes are tender, 12-15 minutes. Allow mixture to cool a bit. In batches puree potato mixture in a blender or with a hand blender. Stir in milk and seasonings. Add the cheese and heat until just melted. Garnish with croutons and parsley.

Pretzel Salad

This recipe comes from a friend in Pulaski, WI. I made it for Sunday lunch. It is easy and yummy.

Pretzel Salad

1 c crushed pretzels

1 stick butter

1/2 c sugar

Mix pretzels, butter and sugar and put in a 9 x 13 pan. Bake for 7 minutes at 400. Cool and break up.

Beat:

8 oz cream cheese

1/2 c sugar

Add: 8 oz cool whip and 20 oz can crushed pineapple, drained. Add pretzels just before serving.

Taco Salad and Chipolte Honey Vinaigrette

I am blessed that my girls have always loved salads. I grew up eating Taco Salad and we used Western Salad dressing. Kathleen found this dressing and we tried it this time and really liked it. It is not very spicy, so don't worry about that.

Taco Salad

1/2 lb hamburger, browned and seasoned with taco seasoning

lettuce

onion
cheddar cheese

tomatoes

bell pepper

kidney beans(opt)

pasta, cooked--wagon wheels is what my sister uses

Doritos, crushed(use your favorite flavor)

You can make individual plates or mix all ingredients together and serve. We usually use a Western dressing or Catalina.

CHIPOTLE HONEY VINAIGRETTE

"Can be used as a salad dressing or meat marinade."

1/2 Cup red wine vinegar
1/3 Cup honey
1 Tablespoon adobo or 2-3 chipotle peppers
2 Tablespoons kosher salt
1 Teaspoon pepper
1 Tablespoon freshly chopped oregano
1-1/2 Cups olive oil.

Mix all ingredients in blender, adding oil slowly at the end.
From: Chef, Jaime Mercado, Chipotle Mexican Grill
Source: Texas Cable News/Food