Kara's Broccoli Salad

This is the salad that I am always begging Kara to bring and if I'm craving it and she isn't coming over, I am begging her to send me the recipe... again.  We brought it to the BBQ we went to this weekend and everyone was in love with this salad, even the broccoli haters fell in love.  So give this a try, even if you are one of the broccoli haters and you may find yourself falling in love with this despised vegetable.

A few heads of broccoli, cut into bite sized pieces
Celery, chopped (we always forget this ingredient)
1/2 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 C honey roasted peanuts
1 C mayonnaise
1/2 C sugar
2 Tbsp white vinegar or rice vinegar
1/2 Tbsp curry

Mix bacon, peanuts, mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, and curry until smooth.  Add to broccoli and celery.  Mix thoroughly.

Brett's Garlic Cheese Bread

I have been in love with this bread since the day my brother made it.  I have tried other recipes and they just weren't the same.  Love this yummy bread with homemade spaghetti!

Loaf of French bread, sliced lengthwise
1/2 C butter, softened
1 C mayonnaise
1 C colby jack cheese, shredded
1 C mozzarella cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 350*
Mix ingredients thoroughly and spread on slices of french bread.  Sprinkle with garlic seasoning.  Place on baking sheet and bake 8 minutes.  Then place under broiler for 2-3 minutes, until cheese is golden and bubbly.

Grape Salad

This has got to be one of the easiest and yummiest sweet salads I have made.  I took it to the lacrosse party and had everyone asking for the recipe.  This is the perfect summer salad.
FYI: I used light cream cheese and light sour cream


2 lbs red grapes
2 lbs green grapes
8 oz softened cream cheese
8 oz sour cream
1/2 c sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 c crushed pecans
1/2- 1 c brown sugar (I only used 1/2 c and it was still very sweet)

Mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, and vanilla.  Add in grapes.

Toast pecans and brown sugar in hot oven for 7 min, stirring every few minutes.  Sprinkle over grape mixture.

Chicken and Artichoke Casserole Bake

We loved this dinner.  I just have to thank my neighbor for giving me that huge jar of artichoke hearts!  I was disappointed that it wasn't the artichoke dip, but the things I have made with this jar of artichoke hearts makes it all better... Not to mention the artichoke dip that I baked up the other day!
We served this on a bed of fried spinach and it was like heaven on a fork.  Yum!

14 oz artichoke hearts, well drained and chopped
1/2 cup motzerella cheese
1/4 parmesan cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise (western family canola oil mayo = soy free)
1/4 cup sour cream
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Preheat oven to 375*.
Salt and pepper chicken breasts and place in an 11 x 7 greased baking dish.
In a bowl, combine cheeses, mayonnaise, sour cream, and garlic;  mix well.
Spread mixture over chicken breasts.
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until chicken juices run clear.

Cheese and Garlic Drop Biscuits

A favorite at our house.  Very easy recipe for those nights you are rushed to get dinner on the table.

1 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp cream of tarter
1 Tbsp sugar
1/8-1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup cheddar cheese
2 Tbsp melted butter
1/8 tsp garlic powder

Preheat oven to 425*
Combine flour, salt, baking powder, cream of tarter, sugar and garlic into mixing bowl.
Cut in butter with a pastry blender or fork.
Mix milk and cheese into mixture.
Drop by large spoonfuls onto greased baking sheet.
Bake for 10-12 minutes.
Mix butter and garlic powder and brush on warm biscuits.

Mac and Cheese

This recipe is the same recipe my Mom served to my brothers and I, and that my Grandma served to my Mom and her brothers.  Okay, well not exactly the same, because we like ours with a bit more sauce, which means you need more cheese.  This is comfort food for me and now for my family.
We served this at one of our BBQ's and the guests weren't too sure because it is not just your basic mac n cheese, but I had people asking for the recipe after they dared to try this simple dish.












4 cups dried macaroni noodles
2 cans tomato soup
1/2 can milk
4 cups chedder cheese

Cook macaroni according to directions on package.
In 2 qrt casserole dish, mix together soup, milk, and cheese.
Drain noodles and add them to cheese mixture.
Cook in microwave on high for 4 minutes, stir, and continue to cook for an additional 4 minutes.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

I've been craving spinach artichoke dip for weeks now and finally made it this weekend.  How could I not when my neighbor dropped off a humongous bottle of artichoke hearts.  I must use them for something yummy and this fit the bill.  I'm afraid it ruined our appetites for dinner (but it got me out of making said dinner), but it was so good right out of the oven.  Hey, we'll just say it was a healthy dinner, I mean heck, it had spinach, diary, artichoke hearts, all of these things are healthy. 

2 cups parmesean cheese
10 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed
14 oz chopped artichoke hearts
2/3 cup sour cream
1 cup cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup mayonaise (Western Family canola oil mayo = soy free)
2 tsp minced garlic

Preheat oven to 375*.
Mix ingredients in 9 x 13 size pan and bake for 20 - 30 minutes.
Serve with crackers, tortilla chips, or bread.