Hot Cocoa Mix

Rich and soothing. Authentic chocolate flavor!

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Hot Cocoa Mix

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 c. dry milk
• 2/3 c. powdered sugar
• 1/4 c. cocoa powder

Directions:

1. Mix together ingredients. Store in a jar or container until ready to serve.
2. Use 1/3 c. mix to 3/4 c. hot water.
3. Top with marshmallows and sip (or gulp!) away!!

*If you like to experiment with flavor, you can add a 1/4 c. of any powdered (non-dairy) creamer. We do without since we do not have creamer on hand.

Meat Trick!

By applying this simple technique, you're putting money in the bank!
Seriously--Ordering out pizza can be expensive! So, plan ahead for that rush hour!
This is perfect when you're in a pinch!
Saves time and money!

Directions:

1. Brown multiple pounds of ground beef or sausage in an extra large pan.
2. Remove fat.
3. Scoop out 2 c. each and fill in freezer zip lock bags. (1 lb. = approx. 2 c. browned meat)
4. Freeze. (Lasts in freezer for 2-6 months.)
5. Take out and use when ready or needed!

*Just pull it out of the freezer and place the frozen meat into a sizzling soup or spaghetti sauce! Or zap it in the microwave for a few seconds to add to a casserole or pizza...


Recipes:

• Autumn Soup
• Crock-Pot Italian Sausage Quinoa Soup
• Crock-Pot Pizza
• Pizza Bake
• Skillet Chili and Chips
• Taco Chili

Just A Little Food for Thought...

In All Am I All In?

Are we ALL IN? In ALL am I ALL IN? I know these words look a little jumbled, but really meditate and question yourself: Am I ALL IN in my walk with Christ who is my savior, redeemer, and friend? Would I be willing to give ALL I have, love, and own to God if he asks me to? Do I live in such a way that others look at me and realize that I am ALL IN no matter the circumstance? In Luke 21:4, it references how this poor widow in her penury (or extreme poverty) cast IN ALL the living that she had--only 2 mites! Now, this was the smallest amount in use among the Jews! I know it may not seem like a whole lot to us, but to her it was ALL she had! Would I be able to do that? Would you?
...just a little FOOD for thought!

Blueberry Crumble

Scrumptious and seriously simple to make!

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Blueberry Crumble

Makes one 9x13-inch pan

Ingredients:

• 2 c. flour (I do 1 c. white + 1 c. whole wheat)
• 2. quick-cooking oats
• 1 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 c. butter, softened
• 5 c. blueberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1/2 c. sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar and salt; cut in butter until crumbly. (I use an electric-mixer.)
3. Press half of the mixture into a greased 9x13-inch pan.
4. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.
5. Combine the blueberries and sugar; sprinkle over crust. Top with remaining oat mixture; press down gently.
6. Bake 35 minutes longer or until golden brown .
7. Serve warm with ice cream if desired.

Pumpkin Pancakes

We just can't resist making this so-called-fall-time recipe! It's just too good to only have once a year!

...Add chocolate chips for even more sweetness!!!

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Pumpkin Pancakes

Makes 20-24 pancakes

Ingredients:

• 1 c. white flour
• 1 c. whole wheat flour
• 1/4 c. sugar
• 1 Tbsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/4 c. milk
• 4 Tbsp. butter, melted
• 3/4 c. pumpkin
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

1. Heat electric skillet or griddle to 375 degrees or medium-high. (Let it heat up until a drop of water sizzles on surface.)
2. Whisk ingredients together in bowl.
3. Pour a bit of oil on skillet and spread around evenly.
4. Put approximately 1/4 c. batter in large electric skillet for each pancake. (add chocolate chips now)
5. Flip to cook other side when the top starts to bubble.
6. Serve and enjoy!!

Raspberry Squares

Simply delightful! Indulge!

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Raspberry Squares

Makes one 9x13-inch pan

Crust:

• 2 c. graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 c. melted butter

Mix crumbs and butter. Press into 9x13-inch pan. Bake for 8 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool.

Filling:

• 16 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 c. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 8 oz. Cool Whip

Beat together cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Fold in Cool Whip. Spread mixture over cooled crust and refrigerate.

Sauce:

• 1/4 c. cornstarch
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 1/2 c. water
• 12 oz. frozen raspberries

Whisk cornstarch, water, and sugar. Add raspberries and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Pour over filling when cool. Refrigerate.

Crock-Pot Pizza

When your cravings for pizza kick in...consider making this wholesome recipe!!

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Crock-Pot Pizza

Serves: 8-12 people

Ingredients:

• 2 lb. ground beef, cooked
• 1 lb. sausage, cooked
• 1/2 package pepperoni (optional)
• 1/2 onion, chopped (or minced)
• 1 (14 oz.) jar pizza sauce
• 1 (24 oz.) spaghetti sauce

Directions:

1. Combine ingredients in order listed into a crock-pot.
2. Cook on low for 4 hours. 
3. Serve on any choice of bread.
4. Can sprinkle Parmesan or mozzarella cheese on top and enjoy!

*Shake in Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or onion powder for even more flavor!

**Often we make this on the stove top and serve immediately for supper!

Cinnamon Red Hot Popcorn

Introduced by my Aunt Janet, this sweet, salty, Red Hot popcorn has been a Valentine tradition for years!

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Cinnamon Red Hot Popcorn

Ingredients:

• 6 qt. popped popcorn (or 2 batches using a stir crazy)
• 1 c. butter
• 1/2 c. Karo Syrup
• 2 c. Red Hots (or one 9 oz. package)
• 1/2 tsp. salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
2. Pop popcorn to make 6 quarts (or two batches if using a stir crazy.)
3. Place butter, syrup, Red Hots, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
4. Boil and stir for 5 minutes.
5. Pour over popped popcorn in huge tin bowl.
6. In a large, greased "turkey tray", bake for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes.
7. Remove from pan. Enjoy!

Bread Machine Bread

Perfect paired with any soup, toasted with jelly and butter, or used as a base for a spaghetti meat sauce--this homemade bread is the way to go!

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Bread Machine Bread

Makes: one large 2 lb. loaf

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 c. warm water
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp. dry milk
• 2 Tbsp. oil
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• 4 c. bread flour (or 2 c. whole wheat + 2 c. bread flour)
• 1 1/4 tsp. active dry yeast

Directions:

1. Remove bread pan from bread machine. Attach kneading blade onto the shaft. 
2. Warm water to around 105-110 degrees. Too hot of water will kill yeast, and the bread will not rise!
3. Add ingredients to pan in the order listed.
4. Run on basic cycle.

No-Bake Oatmeal, Peanut Butter, and Chocolate Cookies

These are my all-time favorite cookies hands down!!

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No-Bake Oatmeal, Peanut Butter, and Chocolate Cookies

Makes: around 20 cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c. butter
• 1 c. sugar
• 1/2 c. milk
• 1/4 c. cocoa powder
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 c. peanut butter (I like to use "crunchy")
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 3 c. quick-cooking oats

Directions:

1. Add first 5 ingredients (through the salt) into a large pan.
2. Bring to a rapid boil for one minute.
3. Remove from heat.
4. Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla until evenly mixed, then add the oats.
5. Use a medium cookie scoop (or 2 tablespoonfuls) and drop onto parchment paper. Press down.
6. Let cool until set for about 30 minutes. Store in airtight container at room temp (or in the refrigerator) for up to 2 weeks.