Cake Mix Cookies

You can do just about anything with a cake mix. I learned this when Jillene put into our ward cookbook several dessert recipes that use them. I now use them pretty much every time I make cookies. Well, cookie bars to be more exact.

The "recipe" is pretty basic and I do it this way every time, with any kind of mix. The base of mix, oil and egg is always the same. I just change what I mix into it. By the way, you don't add the water called for on the back of the mix. You want this to be stiff like a cookie dough. Here's a few examples.

Caramel Toffee Cookie Bars

You can use any variety of a Yellow or a White mix

1 cake mix
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
about 1/2 of a bag of caramel bits (the kind you use for making caramel apples)
about 1/2 of a bag of Heath toffee bits

Mix all ingredients together and place in a lightly greased, 9 x 13 baking dish. You will have to smoosh the cookie dough to get it into the corners. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven, for 22-25 minutes. Check the center with a toothpick.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Any variety of a Yellow or White cake mix.

1 cake mix
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1 bag of chocolate chips

Same directions as above.

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

1 chocolate cake mix
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
about 1 bag of Andes Mint baking chips (the entire bag might be a bit much for some. Just use your own judgement.)

Same directions as above.

Cake mixes are great when you need a dessert in a hurry and any variety of things can be mixed into them.

Baked Beans

1 28 oz. can baked beans
1 medium onion, diced
1 medium red pepper, diced
1 medium green pepper, diced
4 links spicy pork sausage
2 tbl. chili powder
3 tbl. Worcestershire sauce
4 tbl. vinegar
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. ketchup
1 tsp. garlic powder
salt & pepper to taste
1 dash cayenne pepper (optional)

Brown the sausage links in a large skillet. Cut into bite size pieces. Combine all ingredients in a crock pot. Cook on low for 4 hours, or on high for 2-3.

Chicken and Mushrooms

2 c. sliced fresh mushrooms
1 14 1/2 oz. can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano
1 medium red sweet pepper, cut into thin strips
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1/4 c. beef broth
2 tbl. couscous
2 tbl. balsamic vinegar
3 cloves garlic, minced
4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
Hot cooked pasta

Combine mushrooms, undrained tomatoes, red sweet pepper, onion, beef broth, couscous, balsamic vinegar and garlic in a crock pot. Place the chicken breasts on top. Sprinkle salt, pepper and paprika on top of the chicken.

Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours, or on high for 4-4 1/2 hours.

Serve in shallow bowls with cooked pasta.

Spicy Orange Chicken

4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tbl. olive oil
Salt
Pepper
1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 large red pepper, cut into thin strips
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. finely shredded orange peel
1 c. orange juice
1/2 c. chicken broth
1/2 c. hot salsa
1 15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
chopped avocado (optional)

In a large skillet, cook the chicken in the olive oil for about 15 minutes. Turning to brown evenly. Remove all chicken from the pan; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Set aside. Add onion, sweet pepper and garlic to the pan. Cook until the onion and pepper are just tender. Return the chicken to the pan. Add the orange peel, orange juice, chicken broth and salsa. Bring to boiling, reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 35-40 minutes, or until chicken is tender and no longer pink. Add beans to the mixture and heat through. Serve with chopped avocado.

Beef Taco Bake

1 lb. lean ground beef
1 c. chunky salsa or picante sauce
tortilla chips
1 can tomato soup
1 c. milk
1 c. shredded cheese

Preheat the oven to 400. Brown and drain the ground beef. Add the soup, salsa, milk and half the cheese. Using your hands crush in about 1-2 cups (when they are crushed) of tortilla chips. Stir everything together well. Spray a casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Pour the mixture into the dish. Cover with a lid or lightly with foil. Bake for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. *Note: This can also be prepared in a skillet. Just add everything to the meat after it's browned and then simmer until thick and bubbly.

Pig Sandwich

1 pork tenderloin or pork roast, about 3-4 pounds
1 26 oz. bottle of BBQ sauce (I like Sweet Baby Ray's)
hard rolls

Place the pork in a crock pot. Cover with the entire bottle of sauce. Cook on low 8-10 hours, on high 4-6. Shred pork with a fork and serve on hard rolls. Pour sauce from the crock pot over the meat so it isn't dry.

Meatloaf

1 lb lean ground beef
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/2 c. bread crumbs
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 c. cheddar cheese
1-2 cloves garlic minced
1 package dry onion soup mix
1 small can evaporated milk (or 1/2 c. milk)
Salt & Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400. Combine all ingredients together, using your fingers to mix well. Spray a small casserole dish or a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray. Flatten the mixture into the dish. Cover with a lid or foil. Bake for approximately 50 minutes to 1 hour. Until cooked through.