Ginger, Garlic & Honey Marinade for Ribs

4 racks true baby back ribs (each 3/4-1lb) or 2 racks American baby back ribs (each 2-2 1/2 lbs)
6 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
1 piece (2 in) fresh ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped
1 T sugar
1 T coarse salt (kosher or sea)
2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
2 T honey
1 T soy sauce
1 T Asian fish sauce or additional soy sauce

For dipping sauce:
4 tsp. coarse salt
4 tsp. white pepper
4 juice limes, cut in half

Marinate ribs in refrigerator, covered, 1 to 4 hours.

I think this marinade would be good on any pork.

Deluxe Mac & Cheese

I don't know where my mother-in-law found this recipe, but it is one of our favorite side dishes!

2 cups small curd cottage cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 egg, lightly beaten
3/4 t. salt
garlic powder to taste
pepper to taste
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
7 oz. elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
paprika (optional)

In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, sour cream, egg, salt, garlic powder, and pepper.  Add cheddar cheese.  Mix well.  Add cooked macaroni and stir until coated.  Transfer to a greased 2-1/2 quart baking dish.  Sprinkle with paprika, if desired.  Bake, uncovered, at 350* for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.

Sweet and Sour Chicken Casserole

Submitted by Jill K.

2 cups cooked chicken, cut-up
1 can pineapple chunks, drained
12 oz apricot jam
1 can cream of mushroom soup
Mix everything together and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Serve over rice.

Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas

Awhile ago I stopped buying fajita seasoning packets and used the marinade recipe from a great lady named Betty.  Got her cookbook as a wedding gift and refer to it often.  However, I wouldn't marinate the meat, I would just throw it all in the skillet when I was ready to make dinner, minus the red wine vinegar and with less oil.

I recently decided to try to use the crock pot for an even simpler way to make fajitas.  It worked perfectly!  The original recipe below gives the amounts for 1 pound of boneless chicken.  When making in the crock pot, I used less liquid than the recipe calls for since the chicken will add liquid as it cooks.

1/4 cup vegatable oil (I used olive oil)
1/4 red wine vinegar
1 t. sugar (I used Splenda)
1 t. dried oregano leaves
1 t. chili powder
1/2 t. garlic powder
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper

Throw all the ingredients in the crock pot with your sliced chicken and cook on low for 4-6 hours.  Add peppers and onions when it is closer to dinner time.  Or you can cook the peppers and onions separately in a skillet and add to your fajitas as you are eating.

Enjoy!

This works great for company and large amounts of chicken.  When I tried it for the first time, I used 6 lbs. of chicken!

Pizza Crust

1 1/3 c. warm (not hot) water
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 pkgs. instant yeast
3 c. flour (blend of white and wheat)

Mix together with a wire whisk.

Add flour all at once. Mix with a fork until all the flour is absorbed. Form a ball - do not knead. Cover the bowl with a towel and let rise 20 minutes.

Oil hands with olive oil. Lift dough onto a stone or oiled cookie sheet. Spread out and top as desired.

Bake at 425 degrees on bottom oven rack for 15-20 minutes.

** For us, this makes 2 crusts. I only make half of the recipe when I actually make a pizza crust. Also, I only bake the pizza for about 15 minutes. And I think I turn it down a little....

Apricot Chicken

Approximately 10 oz of Apricot Jam
Approximately 12 oz of Catalina Dressing (I've used light, regular and fat free, all work great)
1 pkg. of dry onion soup mix

Mix three ingredients together. Pour over raw chicken breasts usually 4-6 work best.

Bake at 350 degrees, covered for 1 hr to 1hr 15min. 

Serve with rice.

Chicken and Noodles

1 1/2lbs homemade or frozen noodles (freezer section Reames is a name brand but store brand works too)
2 c. cooked chicken
1-10 3/4 oz can of cream of chicken soup
2-15oz cans of chicken broth
1 tsp salt
1 tsp seasoned salt
3/4c butter or margarine
1-10 3/4oz can cheddar cheese soup
2 c. grated cheddar cheese
1 1/2c water

Cook noodles only 15 minutes. Drain. Mix noodles with all other ingredients. Put in large, greased baking dish.

Bake COVERED at 325 degrees for 2-3 hours. Add more liquid if needed.

This makes A LOT. Probably at least 3 8x8 pans. It's SO good. :)