Garlic Bread Sticks

1 c. warm water
2 tsp. yeast
1/3 c. oil
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
3 c. flour

Stir water, yeast, oil and sugar together. Let rest for 5 minutes. Stir in salt and flour. Turn onto lightly floured surface and knead for 3-4 minutes. Roll out the dough and place on a large, greased cookie sheet. Spread butter over dough. Sprinkle with garlic powder, salt and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning if desired. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into 2 inch strips and then cut the strips in half. Bake at 450 for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Salsa Chicken

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 16 oz. bottles salsa
1 c. sour cream (optional)
2 c. cheese, shredded

Place chicken breasts in a crock pot that has been sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray. Cook on high 3 hours or until chicken is tender. Remove the chicken from crock pot and shred. Return to crock pot. If desired, spread sour cream over the top and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Cook an additional 30 minutes. Serve over rice, or in tortillas.

Tater Tot Casserole

1 lb. ground beef
1/2 onion, chopped
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
1 can Cream of Chicken soup
1 soup can of milk
abt. 1/2 c. sour cream
tater tots
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Brown ground beef with the onion. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Drain off the excess fat. Add the soups, milk and sour cream. Pour into a 9 x 13 baking dish that has been sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray. Top with tater tots. About 1 2 lb. bag. Cover with foil and bake at 350 until bubbly. About 30-40 minutes. Remove and top with shredded cheddar cheese. Cover with foil again and allow the cheese to melt.

*Option: You can add 1 can of green beans (drained) to this. They're not really my thing and so I don't like to add them.

Orange Chicken

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tsp. Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base
1/3 c. teriyaki sauce
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 c. orange marmalade
2 c. water
6 green onions, chopped
3 tbsp. cornstarch
3/4 c. walnuts, chopped

Place the chicken in a crock pot that has been sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray. Mix all ingredients together, except walnuts, and pour over the chicken. Cook on high 4-5 hours or low for 6-7 hour. Add walnuts during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Chicken Cacciatore

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tsp. Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp. Italian seasoning
2 cans Italian style diced tomatoes
1 large onion, chopped
1 4 oz. can mushrooms

Place the chicken breasts in a crock pot that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Mix remaining ingredients together and pour over the chicken. Cook on high 4-5 hours, or on low for 6-7 hours. Remove chicken and cut each breast in half. Thicken the sauce with 2 tbsp. sugar and 2 tbsp. cornstarch. Place the chicken on top of cooked, hot spaghetti noodles and smother with sauce.

Baked Mac & Cheese

2 c macaroni
1/4 c butter
3 tbsp. flour
1 1/2 c milk
1/2 onion, chopped
2 c cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 c Parmesan cheese

Cook and drain macaroni according to package directions. In a large, heavy pot, melt butter. Add flour (to make a rue) and cook and stir until smooth. Slowly add milk, cooking and stirring until thickened. *If you would like, you can season with salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste, at this point.* Remove from heat and stir in cheddar cheese and macaroni. Pour into a 9 x13 baking dish that has been sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 450 for 15-20, until bubbly and lightly browned.

*Option: Butter 4 slices of sandwich bread on both sides. Grill on hot griddle or skillet. Cut the grilled bread into small squares and toss over the macaroni. Top with Parmesan cheese and bake.

Beef Stroganoff

1 pound ground beef, browned (You can also use finely chopped, lean stew meat)
1/2 onion, chopped
1 4 oz. can mushrooms
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
1 c sour cream
1/2 c milk
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
beef broth

Brown the meat and season with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Drain off fat. Add the onions and cook until they become translucent. Stir in remaining ingredients and cook over medium heat until bubbly. *If extremely thick, and it usually is ☺, thin it down with beef broth. Serve over egg noodles.