Avoid Holiday Weight Gain continues

Today I found another article on avoiding weight gain during the holidays. I certainly need to take note because I love to nibble during the holidays or really any time. So here's the link to avoiding that weight gain during the holidays. These are similar to the first post.

Main Dish -Mexican Chicken

Today I have found many clippings that I saved from the newspaper. This would be a great one for a Christmas party bring a dish occasion. This recipe is a little different from the other main dish recipe that I posted earlier.

MEXICAN CHICKEN

1/2 sticks margarine

2 (5-ounce) cans chunk breast of chicken

1 can enchilada sauce

1 can chopped green chilies

1 cup Monterrey Jack cheese

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1 medium sack of Doritos, broken into bite-size pieces

1 large onion

Saute onion with chicken pieces. Add all other ingredients and pour into casserole dish. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes. Add more grated cheese on top and bake again until melted.

Vegetable -Squash Casserole

This squash casserole is a little different from the other one that I posted first. See which one you might perfer. I love squash any way it is prepared.

SQUASH CASSEROLE

2 pounds yellow squash

1 stick margarine

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 onion, finely chopped

1 bell pepper, chopped

2 cups sweet milk

1 pan baked corn bread

Cook and drain squash. Saute onions, bell pepper and celery in margarine. Crumble baked corn bread in milk. Mix all ingredients and pour into greased casserole dish and bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Sprinkle grated cheese on casserole and bake 5-10 minutes longer or omit cheese if preferred.

Bread -Norwegian Carrot Bread

I suppose since I have been baking the Amish Friendship Bread so much when I see a bread recipe I get excited. Come to think of it when I see any good recipe I get excited. This was in a newspaper clipping that I had in my recipe collection.

AUNT GENEVA'S(not my aunt)NORWEGIAN CARROT BREAD

3 eggs

1/2 cup oil

1/2 cup butter

3 cups sugar

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon each cinnamon, salt, baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup crushed pineapple drained

2 cups grated carrots, firmly packed

1 cup chopped nuts

Combine eggs, oil, butter and sugar in mixing bowl. Mix flour and soda with spices in separate bowl, then add to first mixture and beat well. Stir in vanilla, pineapple, carrots and nuts. Pour into 2 well-greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Yield:2 loaves

Dip -Corn Relish Dip

This is another corn dip that I found that is a bit different for the other corn recipe that I have posted.

CORN RELISH DIP

2 cans Mexican corn, drained

2 jars Jalapeno slices, chopped (Some use 1 jar)

1 can green chilies, drained (Some don't use a whole can)

10 oz. grated cheese

2-3 green onions

1 c. Hellman's

1 c. sour cream

Mix ingredients together. This dip is better the next day.

Dessert -Saltine Candy

During Christmas we are always in search for something quick, easy, and good to make for our friends to enjoy. See what you think about this recipe that I consider one for a Christmas occasion.

SALTINE CANDY

Preheat oven 400 degrees

Line a large cookie sheet with foil

Spray the cookie sheet with Pam

Line the cookie sheet with saltines. About 40 crackers

Melt 2 sticks (1 cup) of butter. (Some use real butter)

Add 1 cup of brown sugar to the saucepan

Bring to a boil and boil for 3 minutes, stirring often

Pour the butter mixture over the saltines. Place in the oven for 5 minutes

Remove from the oven and sprinkle 1 cup of chocolate chips(Some use milk chocolate) over the hot saltines. Let the chocolate melt and spread

Sprinkle with chopped nuts of your choice

Place the candy in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Now, break or cut into squares

Put on a pretty Christmas plate and watch it disappear as your guest or you enjoy.

Christmas Ideas

I found some Christmas ideas presented by Southern Living. The link for Christmas ideas is here. It's that time of the year once again. Wonderful tips are offered in many places and I hope you will look here again as I search for special decorating ideas and recipes for Christmas.

Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

Okay, this search is for me, but thought it might be helpful to others. I really made it past Thanksgiving without gaining weight, I can't believe it. I have found some tips for keeping off the weight during the holidays. Avoid holiday weight gain ideas here. I will be adding more links in the future.

Neiman Marcus-Christmas Catalog

Many years ago Neiman Marcus would send me their catalog of Christmas goodies. I don't get their catalog now, and wonder if they still do the Christmas one. Here you'll find a link so take a look here at Neiman Marcus store online.

Dessert -Neiman Marcus Cake

My aunt gave me this recipe so many years ago. I haven't made it in a very long time. I wonder why they named it Neiman Marcus Cake.

NEIMAN MARCUS CAKE

1 box yellow cake mix

1 egg

1 stick oleo melted

1 cup pecans

Mix above together and put in a 9x13 pan

1 8 oz cream cheese softened

3 eggs

1 box powdered sugar

1teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon butter flavoring

Mix together and pour over first mixture

Bake 45 min. at 350 degrees

Dip -Spinach Dip

This spinach dip is a favorite and very easy to put together. I usually put the little vegetable thin crackers with this dip.

SPINACH DIP

1 pkg. frozen chopped spinach

After it thaws squeeze out and chop

1 cup sour cream

1 cup mayonnaise

1 pkg. Knorr-Swiss Veg. Soup Mix

1 can sliced water chestnuts

3 or 4 green onions or onion juice

Mix together and serve with crackers

Appetizer -Sausage Balls

Now starts the Christmas parties as we look forward to December. I found this Sausage Ball recipe in my recipes this morning. It might be just what you are looking for too.

SAUSAGE BALLS

3 c. Bisquick Mix

1 lb. sausage

1 lb. grated sharp cheese

Mix and roll into balls

Bake 400 degrees for 10-15 min.

Main Dish -Chicken Dorito Pie

Chicken Dorito Pie is a favorite. I know that some of my friends serve it on Christmas eve or Christmas day instead of the usual menu. I may have it one day this week if the weather continues to stay the way it is now.

CHICKEN DORITO PIE

1 large pkg. Doritos

1 chicken, boned and cooked

grated cheese

1 can Cream of Mushroom soup

1 can Cream of Chicken or Celery soup

1 1/2-2 soup cans of water

1 small can chopped mild chili peppers

4 tblsp chopped onion

1/4 tsp tobasco sauce (optional)

1/2 tsp chili powder (optional)

black pepper

Mix together soups, water, chili peppers, onions, tobasco sauce, chili powder and black pepper.

Crumble Doritos in 9x13 pan, and cover with chicken. Pour soup mixture over this, top with cheese and bake about 45 minutes at 350 degrees until bubbly.

Drink -Christmas Spice Tea

Christmas is our next big cooking event. Spice Tea is one drink that I have enjoyed at parties when it is chilly outside and at home bundled up in front of the fire place. Take a look at this recipe and let me know if you have a different version.

CHRISTMAS SPICE TEA

2 cups Tang

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup lemon instant tea

1/2 cup instant tea

1 & 1/2 t. cinnamon

1 & 1/2 t. nutmeg

1 & 1/2 t. cloves

You can add more ingredients to taste

Main Dish-Paula Deen's Mexican Chicken

After all this turkey and dressing it's about time for a change. This Paula Deen Mexican Chicken dish looks like it has my name on it for tomorrow's meal.

MEXICAN CHICKEN

One 10 3/4 -ounce can cream of chicken soup

One 10 3/4-ounce can Cheddar cheese soup

One 10 3/4-ounce can cream of mushroom soup

One 10-ounce can Ro-Tel tomatoes

1 whole chicken, cooked, boned, and chopped, or 4 cups leftover cooked chicken(I wonder how leftover turkey would be?)

One 11 1/2-ounce package flour tortillas

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

In a large bowl, stir together the three kinds of soup and the tomatoes. Stir in the chicken. In a greased 13x9-inch pan, layer the tortillas and the chicken mixture, beginning and ending with tortillas. Sprinkle the cheese over the casserole and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Soup -Cheese Soup

Soup is one of my favorites to have with a sandwich or salad. This cheese soup was tucked away in my drawer of recipes.

CHEESE SOUP

Boil: 1 pkg. boneless, skinless chicken breasts in 3 cups of water

When done, cut into small pieces and set aside

Add to chicken broth:

1 c. grated carrots

1 c. sliced celery

1 T. dried minced onion

1 stalk broccoli (optional)

Cook until almost done then add 1 cup diced potatoes

In microwave heat until very hot 1 lb. Velveeta Cheese and 1 cup milk

When potatoes are done, add hot cheese mixture and chopped chicken to vegetables.

Ready to serve!

Day After Thanksgiving-To Shop or Not

I just don't have the want to today to go get in that crowd of shoppers. I don't care at the moment if they are giving it away as I drive to the door and they bring it to the car. This shopping can wait for me as far as I am concerned so if anyone gets a good bargain, let me know. Then I will probably change my thoughts and wish that I had met the force of the crowd.

Happy Turkey Day

Wishing all a wonderful Thanksgiving. Let me know how your meal turned out good or bad. What will you do different next year? What tips if any do you want to share for the next big holiday cooking day?

Made in the USA

I have started looking at everything I pick up in the store just to see where it is made. I am amazed at my findings. Made in the USA is not on the top of the list. I am starting a website list of made in the USA products in the column to the right. If you have found a site with made in the USA items email me the URL and I will add it to the list or you could place it in a comment. I am on my search for made in the USA because I was born in the USA and thankful every day.

Thanksgiving Recipes

Cooking is going on now during the Thanksgiving holidays. In the column to the right I have a category for some Thanksgiving recipes filled with lots of favorites. You will find a turkey/chicken dressing recipe, a mincemeat pie recipe, a layered salad, a sweet potato fluff, a pumpkin cake from Paula Deen's recipes, plus several more. So take a look in the right column, under labels, find and click on Thanksgiving recipes. Enjoy this time with those you love and here's to good cooking during Thanksgiving.

Dessert -Paula Deen's Ooey Gooey Pumpkin Cake

Here's a recipe that was posted to a chat board. It is one of Paula Deen's recipes. Looks good.

PAULA DEEN'S OOEY GOOEY PUMPKIN CAKE

Cake:

1 (18 1/4-ounce) package yellow cake mix

1 egg

8 tablespoons butter, melted

Filling:

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

8 tablespoons butter, melted
1 (16-ounce) box powdered sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well with an electric mixer. Pat the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 13 by 9-inch baking pan.
To make the filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and pumpkin until smooth. Add the eggs, vanilla, and butter, and beat together. Next, add the powdered sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and mix well. Spread pumpkin mixture over cake batter and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Make sure not to overbake as the center should be a little gooey.
Serve with fresh whipped cream.
Variations: For a Pineapple Gooey Cake: Instead of the pumpkin, add a drained 20-ounce can of crushed pineapple to the cream cheese filling. Proceed as directed above.
For a Banana Gooey Cake: Prepare cream cheese filling as directed, beating in 2 ripe bananas instead of the pumpkin. Proceed as directed above.
For a Peanut Butter Gooey Cake: Use a chocolate cake mix. Add 1 cup creamy peanut butter to the cream cheese filling instead of the pumpkin. Proceed as directed above.

Soup -Vegetable Chowder

I love soup on a cool day and even love it on a warm day. This is one made in a crockpot. A friend prepared it and shared the recipe with me.

VEGETABLE CHOWDER

2 cans of chicken broth

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 lg. velveeta

Pour all above ingredients into crockpot. Cook on low until creamy

Add:

1 pkg. frozen Pictsweet Seasoning Blend(diced onion, bell pepper)

1 lg bag frozen cut broccoli

1 lg bag frozen crinkle cut carrots

salt and pepper to taste

Let cook in crockpot 1-2 hours(Can cook on stove top faster)

Things that are good to add in for a larger portion or main meal:

chopped Eckridge sausage

2-3 diced potatoes

Bush's Garbanza Beans

Dessert -3 Layer Delight

This recipe is from a friend that shared it with me. It is easy to prepare and great to eat.

3 LAYER DELIGHT

First Layer

Mix and bake 20min @350 degrees and cool

1 cup flour

1 stick margarine

1 cup chopped nuts

Second Layer

Mix together and spread on first layer

1-8 oz cream cheese

1 cup powder sugar

1-12 oz whip cream(cool whip)

Third Layer

Any pie flavor filling 1 or 2 cans

Chill 30 minutes before serving

A Yummy Place to Shop

Yesterday I went to the Christmas Corner at Maude Cobb in Longview, Texas. It will be going on today and Sunday. I really had fun looking at all the things different vendors had to offer. One booth caught my attention because I spotted food. The booth was Laura's Cheesecake and Bakery from Mt. Pleasant Texas. The samples were delightful and I purchased a loaf of their sweet bread. I had to move quickly away because you know I am watching what I put in my mouth and the temptation was powerful. I have posted a link in the right column under featured places to dine or shop. They really have some wonderful goodies to delight in.

Dessert -Butter Pecan Banana Cake

Newspaper clipped recipes are sometimes wonderful additions to our recipe collections. This is another one clipped from my local paper years ago.

BUTTER PECAN BANANA CAKE

1 yellow butter cake mix

4 eggs

1 cup mashed ripe bananas(some have over-ripe bananas, frozen, they just peel them and put them in a freezer bag and it's convenient to pull them out of the freezer, thaw slightly and use them in cooking)

3/4 cup cooking oil

1/2 cup granulated sugar(some cut this to 1/4 cup)

1/4 cup milk

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 cup chopped pecans

Place all ingredients except nuts in large mixing bowl and beat for 2 minutes on medium speed. Stir in nuts and pour into tube, Bundt, or 9-inch-by-13-inch pan, either greased and floured or sprayed with pan spray. In tube or Bundt pan, bake at 325 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes or until tests done with toothpick. For 9-inch-by-13-inch pan, bake for about 45 to 50 minutes. Cool completely. Frost with either a cream cheese frosting(as some do) or the following:

1 container vanilla frosting

1/4 cup butter

1 cup chopped pecans

Mix and spread on cake.

Vegetable -Sweet Potato Fluff

Thanksgiving cooking is on my mind so I am searching for recipes. I came across this one clipped from the paper and thought I would share it with you. If you have a great sweet potato recipe, send it to me and I will post it.

SWEET POTATO FLUFF

4 to 6 medium sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed ( or two 15 -ounce cans sweet potatoes, drained)

6 tablespoons butter (or margarine)

About 36 large marshmallows

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix potatoes (need to be hot), butter, 24 marshmallows, brown sugar and vanilla. Beat with mixer until light and fluffy. Place in a buttered 2-quart casserole dish. Top with remaining marshmallows. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until bubbly. Makes about 6 to 8 servings.

Vegetable -Green Bean Casserole

Green beans are my favorite vegetable. This recipe was in the paper and was clipped out and saved to make. I hope you enjoy it!

GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

2 tablespoons margarine, melted

2 tablespoons flour

1 tablespoon sugar

8 ounces sour cream

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

2 (15 ounce) cans green beans, drained (any style will do, but some like French-style best)

8 ounces grated milk cheddar cheese

1 can French fried onion rings

Add flour and sugar to margarine. Stir until flour is absorbed. Stir in sour cream. Add seasonings. In a 3-quart casserole, layer beans, sauce and cheese. In that order. Repeat layers, and top with onion rings. Bake for about 40 minutes or until bubbly. Makes six to eight servings.

Salad -Hot Fruit Salad

I had never heard of hot fruit salad until I found this recipe in my mother's file. I can't say that I have tried it, but thought I would share it with you. If you venture out and make it share your comment.

HOT FRUIT SALAD

1 #2 can fruit for salad

1/2 cup marchino cherries

1 c. black pitted cherries

1 c. pineapple chunks

2 bananas cut in large chunks

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tsp curry powder

2 T cornstarch

1/4 cup melted oleo

Cut and drain fruit. Combine dry ingredients and sprinkle over the fruit. Pour oleo over all and bake 40 min. at 350 degrees. Serves 6

Emeril Lagasse

Today I have added Emeril Lagasse to the list of fun television personalities that delight us with wonderful recipes. Check out his site by going to the very bottom of this page and clicking on his name.

Dessert -Cowboy Cookies

Cookies are not only fun to bake, but delicious to eat. I love warm cookies with a steaming cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk. ENJOY making and eating the cookies made from the recipe below. Let me know how they turn out for you. Clipped this out of the newspaper too.

COWBOY COOKIES

1 cup butter

1 and 1/2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups flour, sifted

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

12-ounce package chocolate chips

2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal

7 ounces coconut

1 cup chopped pecans

Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs, mixing well. In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking soda and salt together and gradually add to sugar mixture.

Stir in chocolate chips, oatmeal, coconut and pecans. Drop by teaspoonful onto lightly greased or sprayed cookie sheet, or line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven and cool on wire racks. Makes 48 to 60 cookies.

Appetizer -Mini Pizzas

Pizza! Pizza! Anyone want some pizza? This is a shared recipe and I am wondering if it wouldn't be best for a party appetizer. You be the judge and jury on that. Here's the recipe:

MINI PIZZAS

1 lb. hamburger

1 lb. spicy sausage

1 and 1/2 lb. Velveeta

1 and 1/2 t. Italian seasoning

salt, pepper to taste

3 mini loaves French bread, sliced from the Deli

1. Brown salt and peppered hamburger and sausage together. Drain

2. Add Velveeta and seasoning. Stir till cheese is melted.

3 Let cool. Spread onto sliced bread

4. Put under broiler till cheese is bubbly.

Note: This can be frozen in Tupperware, layered with wax paper

Salad -Layered Salad

I really enjoy making and eating a great salad. Here is a recipe that is very simple to put together and looks pretty in a trifle bowl.

LAYERED SALAD

1 head lettuce-chopped

1 bell pepper-striped

1 onion or 1 bunch green onions-chopped

1 c. celery-chopped

1/2 c. carrots-shredded or chopped

1 c. green peas-drained

2 c. chicken-chopped

Add salt and pepper. Then cover with 1 pint mayonnaise, 2 T sugar, 2 c. grated cheese, bacon crumbs from 2 slices of cooked crisp bacon or bacon bits.

Dessert -Dirt Cake

This is a fun cake to serve at a party for children or even a summer time garden party.

DIRT CAKE

1/2 cup margarine

8 oz. cream cheese

1 cup sugar

3 & 1/2 cups milk

2 small pkg. French vanilla Instant Pudding

12 oz. Cool Whip

1 large bag of Oreo cookies

Cream together margarine, cream cheese and sugar. Set aside. Mix together milk and pudding mixture. Add to margarine, cream cheese and sugar mixture. Crumble oreos. (food processor works best) Place large crumbs on the bottom of an 8 inch plastic flower pot. Layer the large crumbs and pudding mixture ending with fine oreo crumbs on the top. Refrigerate overnight. Place silk flowers in the center. Serve with a small spade.

Paula Deen

Paula Deen is another favorite cooking personality I have chosen today. Her link has been added at the very bottom of this page. I hope you like her too! Take a look at her site for ideas.

Rachael Ray

Do you enjoy watching cooking personalities? I do, and will post links to their sites. Today I placed a link to Rachael Ray's show site at the very bottom of the page. Watch that space as it expands with each addition.

Thanksgiving Decorations Continues.......

Searching for Thanksgiving links to decorating ideas again this morning has been fun. Here are some links I have checked out for now. First Link Thanksgiving Centerpiece Ideas and Second Link Thanksgiving Centerpiece Ideas I hope this will help you with your Thanksgiving decorations.

Dessert -Crunchy-Nut Mincemeat Pie

I know I have a weakness for desserts. That's why I am on a diet or watch what I am putting in my mouth these days. Since it is getting near Thanksgiving I need to work harder on the exercising and watch the food intake so I can enjoy what I eat on the big day and not have a quilty feeling with each bite. The next recipe I am posting was also from the paper claiming it was another very old, very favorite recipe for Thanksgiving (or any time of the year). I know I will bake it to just see because I have never put red wine or grape juice in a mincemeat pie or coconut. Now that I think of it, have I made a mincemeat pie before? This may be my first and I hope you will give it a go too. GOBBLE, GOBBLE

CRUNCHY-NUT MINCEMEAT PIE

1 package mincemeat

1 and 1/2 cups water

3/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons flour

1 apple, chopped

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/4 cup sweet, red wine or grape juice

1/2 cup raisins

Mix all ingredients in saucepan and cook over medium heat until mixture begins to thicken. Remove from heat and pour into unbaked crusts (1 large 10-inch, or 2 small 7 or 8-inch crusts).

Top with the following:

1 cup flour

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup coconut

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 stick melted margarine

Mix until crumbly and sprinkle over this mincemeat. Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes or until topping is golden brown.

Main Dish -Turkey/Chicken Dressing

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and what better time to start digging out those recipes to start cooking. I found this turkey/chicken dressing recipe in the collection of newspaper clip outs. Some cooks make and freeze their dressing before the big day.

TURKEY/CHICKEN DRESSING

2 quarts chicken or turkey broth

1 large onion, chopped

2 large ribs celery, chopped

2 tablespoons chicken bouillion granules(some use a bouillion paste, instead of the granules)

2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon celery salt

1 recipe corn bread (mix or homemade cooked)

6-8 slices white or whole wheat bread

4 eggs

Bring broth to boil. Add onions, celery and seasonings. Simmer for about 1 hour. Add breads, and cool slightly. Beat eggs and stir into cooled mixture. Pour into casserole dish (4 quart), or into cavity of turkey. Cover, if using dish, and bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour. This makes a lot. It may also be cooked in the microwave for a total of 12 minutes, turning dish every 4-5 minutes.

Dessert -Citrus-Glazed Sweet Potato Poundcake

This poundcake was found in the newspaper too. I really am thinking about giving it a try during Thanksgiving. I am on a diet, but maybe a small nibble would be allowed. If anyone bakes it soon, post a comment and share your taste test with us.

CITRUS-GLAZED SWEET POTATO POUNDCAKE

This poundcake is made in a food processor. The orange glaze adds a lot of flavor to this moist cake.

For the cake:

3 cups cake flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, or to taste

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup(2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

2 cups granulated sugar

2 cups cooked sweet potatoes or 1(16 oz) can sweet potatoes, drained and mashed

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

5 eggs

For the citrus glaze:

1 cup confectioners' sugar

2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

1 tablespoon grated orange zest

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a bundt or tube pan, tapping out excess flour. Set aside.

To make the cake: In a bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. In a food processor, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the sweet potatoes and vanilla and puree. Add the eggs, one at a time, pulsing to mix thoroughly after each addition. Slowly add the flour mixture, pulsing to combine. Transfer the batter to the pan. Bake 60-75 minutes, or until golden brown on top and a tester inserted near the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a rack, then invert cake onto rack. Transfer cake to serving plate.

To make the glaze: In a bowl, combine sugar, orange juice and zest. Drizzle glaze over cake.

Makes 12 servings

Vegetable -Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potatoes are good all year and many include them in their Thanksgiving menu. Here's a recipe that I cut from the paper.

SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

For the casserole:

2 eggs, lightly beaten

2 cups cooked sweet potatoes, mashed

6 tablespoons unsalted butter or margarine, melted

plus extra for greasing the baking dish

1 & 1/4 cups granulated sugar

1 cup milk

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

For the topping:

6 tablespoons unsalted butter or margarine, softened

1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

3/4 cup cornflakes

1/2 cup chopped pecans

To make the casserole: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease an 8-by-8-inch baking dish or other casserole dish and set aside. In a large bowl, lightly beat eggs. Add sweet potatoes, butter, sugar, milk, nutmeg, and cinnamon and blend well. Pour into baking dish and bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until center is almost set but still jiggles.

To make the topping: In a bowl, mix the top butter and brown sugar until smooth. Gently mix in cornflakes and pecans. Spread evenly over baked casserole. Return casserole to the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.Makes eight servings. Preparation time is 20 minutes and cooking time is 35-40 minutes.

Fitness-Using resistance bands

Okay, I ate too much last weekend and I am going to hit my exercise hard today. I found this link that you might want to look at about resistance band exercises. If you scroll down to the bottom of the page that I give you the link to, you will find some exercises with the bands. I hope you will find this link helpful- Resistance Band Exercises Link

Appetizer-Swiss Bacon Pleasers

This is another appetizer that a friend shared when we had a brunch.

SWISS BACON PLEASERS

Also good for a breakfast dish

1 (8 oz) can crescent rolls

6 slices bacon, fried and crumbled

3 slices Swiss cheese

1 tablespoon parsley flakes

3 eggs, slightly beaten

3/4 cup milk

1 tablespoon minced onion

Separate dough into four rectangles. Place in the bottom of an ungreased 9x13x2-inch glass baking dish. Press over bottom and 1 inch up the sides of the dish. Place cheese slices over dough. In a small bowl, combine eggs, milk and onion. Pour over cheese slices. Sprinkle with bacon and parsley flakes. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes until crust is golden. Cool before cutting into squares.

Yield:24 squares

Appetizer -Spinach Cheese Squares

I uncovered this appetizer today and wanted to share with you.

SPINACH CHEESE SQUARES

4 tablespoons butter

1 pound Monterey Jack cheese, grated

3 eggs

2 (10 oz) packages chopped spinach, thawed and drained

1 cup plain flour

1 cup milk

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter in 9x13x2-inch glass baking dish. In large bowl, beat eggs. Add flour, milk, salt, and baking powder. Mix well. Add cheese and spinach. Pour into buttered baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool one hour to set. Cut into bite-size pieces.

Yield:60 squares

Dip -Corn Dip

This dip recipe was given to me by a friend. I have enjoyed it and even made it. Hope you enjoy making and having this dip with some of your friends!

CORN DIP

2 (11 oz) cans Green Giant Mexican Corn (drain)

1 c. Hellman's mayonnaise

1 c. sour cream

2-3 green onions, tops and all

10 oz. grated cheddar cheese

1 jar jalapenos, cut up (can use 1 more jar if you like it hot!)

Mix and refrigerate overnight

Vegetable -Rice Dressing

This was a recipe that was printed in the newspaper. It was entered as one of the recipes that taste just like mom (or dad) used to make. I haven't made it, but it may be one I'll try in the future.

RICE DRESSING

2 cups rice, cooked

1 large pan corn bread

1 can cream of chicken soup

5 boiled eggs

1 medium onion, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

Mix together all ingredients and cook until lightly browned at 350 degrees. Serves 5 to 6.

Appetizer -Ham and Cheese Ball

Well, what better snack to have before a meal, while watching football on television, or entertaining friends during the holidays. This is easy to make and I like easy recipes that my friends share with me!

HAM AND CHEESE BALL

2 cans Tender chunk ham

10 oz. cream cheese

1/4 c. mayonnaise

1/4 t. Tabasco

1/4 t. mustard

1/2 c. nuts, chopped

Cream softened cream cheese. Add next 5 ingredients. Refrigerate 4 hrs. or until firm. Roll into a ball and then into chopped nuts.

Vegetable -Squash Casserole

We have a community newpaper where I live and there is a section of recipes in each issue. This recipe came from that collection of recipes. I have been steaming my vegetables recently, but might give this recipe a try soon. Put a comment if you try it and let me know what you think.

SQUASH CASSEROLE

2 lbs. yellow squash

1 onion, chopped

1 cup cream of mushroom soup

2 eggs

2 cups milk

1 cup grated cheese

1/2 stick margarine

bread crumbs

Slice squash. Add onions and cook in a small amount of water until tender. Drain. Mix together beaten eggs, milk, and soup. In a baking dish layer squash mixture, then a layer of cheese, and then bread crumbs. Repeat until gone. Pour milk mixture over it. Top with crumbs and dot with margarine. Bake 35 minutes at 325 degrees and then 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

Fitness-Walking

Walking is my kind of exercise. It's easy and takes no special equipment. I have been walking for months just to get rid of some pounds and it is finally working. HOORAY!!!!!! If you like to walk today I discovered the following Prevention link to some walking sources.

Thanksgiving Decorations Continues.....

Since I am not a Garden Club member and know zero about flower arrangements, I am looking for sites that share decorating ideas. This one that I just found gives ideas for fall and Thanksgiving centerpieces. This link has some ideas so take a peek if you want to. Link to Fall and Thanksgiving Centerpiece Ideas GOBBLE,GOBBLE!

Main Dish -Spanish Chicken Casserole

Sharing recipes is like sharing a treasure we've discovered. I have known some that have their recipe secrets. At times I even hold back on secrets to give certain dishes a special touch. Today I have discovered a casserole that a friend shared with me many years ago.

SPANISH CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Sauce:

Mix and heat together-

2 cans Cheddar Cheese Soup

1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 can Rotel Tomatoes

Sauteed onion & green pepper(desired amount)

Baked or boiled chicken (deboned)

Layer sauce and doritoes in a baking dish

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes

*******This same sauce is also good for chicken spaghetti.