Julie's Favorite Pumpkin Bread

Here is a great recipe that my sister found.

Julie’s Favorite Pumpkin Bread (From Taste of Home Oct/Nov 2006 Magazine)

3 ¾ cups flour
3 cups sugar
4 tsp pumpkin pie spice OR
2 ½ tsp cinnamon
¾ tsp nutmeg
1/8-1/4 tsp ginger
1/8 tsp cloves
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
4 eggs
1 15 oz can of pumpkin
½ cup oil

In a large bowl combine dry ingredients. In another bowl beat eggs, pumpkin, and oil. Stir dry ingredients in with pumpkin mixture until well blended. Pour into two greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 60-70 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the middle of the loaf. Cool in pan for 10 minutes and then cool on a wire rack. Enjoy

Easy Tex-Mex Burritos

One of my favorite recipes for when we're short on time are these Tex Mex Burritos.

1 lb of ground beef
1/2 to 1 whole can of black beans
1 jar of salsa (my favorite is the black bean and corn, but you could use any kind)
tortillas (I actually like the wheat ones)
shredded cheese

Brown the ground beef. Add the can of black beans and the jar of salsa and cook until warm. Spoon into tortillas and add shredded cheese to taste. Since there's just two of us, we seem to have left-overs for days. It probably makes about 8-10 burritos, depending on your tortilla size. It's really easy and really fast.

Taco Salad Bowls

We made these for Cinco de Mayo tonight and I meant to take a picture, but forgot. Next time! These bowls add a little style and personality to your dinner table and are so easy. Serves 4.

4 flour tortillas (8 in)
1 T chili powder, divided (though you can also just eyeball it)
1 lb ground beef
3/4 cup chunky salsa, divided
2 T light mayo
4 c. torn salad greens
1 large tomato, chopped
1/2 cup cheese (cheddar or four cheese work great)
1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Crumble 4 large sheets of foil to make four 3-inch balls; place on baking sheet. Place 1 tortilla on each ball; spray tortilla with cooking spray and sprinkle with 1/2 t. of the chili powder. Bake 6-8 minutes, until golden brown.

Brown meat with remaining chili powder in skillet on med-high heat, stirring occasionally. Add 1/2 c. of the salsa; cook 2 min., or until heated through.

Mix mayo and remaining salsa in bowl. Add salad greens and chopped tomatoes, toss to coat. Spoon into tortilla shells; top with meat mixture, cheese and cilantro. Yummy and easy!

60 Minute Rolls

This is my favorite quick, easy rolls recipe. I make them every time we need to bring rolls for something and I normally make a double batch so we can have some at home.

60 Minute Rolls

1/4 C butter
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
4 1/2 C sifted flour
5 Tbsp sugar
2 pkgs yeast (4 1/2 tsp)
1/4 C warm water
1 egg, beaten
1 1/4 C milk

Dissolve yeast with 1 tsp sugar and warm water. Heat milk with 5 Tbsp sugar, salt and butter until lukewarm. Add yeast mixture and egg and stir in flour. Dough will be sticky. Cover. Let set for 15 minutes. Knead slightly. Roll out, shape into rolls, and let rise 25 minutes. Bake for 10 minutes in 400 degree oven. Also makes delicious cinnamon rolls ready in 1 hour.

Makes 2 Dozen

Chicken Tortilla Soup

This one isn't necessarily one for when you are short on time. But if you have cooked chicken already available it is pretty fast. I canned some chicken in pint jars and used that, it worked perfectly, so I'd imagine that store bought canned chicken would work as well. Sorry I don't have a picture, but I ALWAYS serve this when we have company and it ALWAYS gets rave reviews.

4 cups cooked, shredded chicken (I normally do a pounds' worth, so it's probably less than 4 cups- if you need to serve more people, add more chicken to make the soup go further)
48-oz canned great northern white beans (I think navy beans would work too)
2 medium onions, chopped (I just do one)
1 Tbsp olive oil
4 crushed garlic cloves
2-4 cans chopped green chiles
1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper
6 cups chicken broth (5 cans)
2 tsp ground cumin
1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese

For tender chicken: Cook chicken with one cup of water in crock-pot, 6-7 hours prior (so it will shred)

Combine all ingredients and simmer.

Serve with:
Lime chips (crumble into the soup)
Monterey Jack cheese (sprinkled in the soup)
Lime juice
Avocado
Cilantro

Serves: 6

My Last Minute Meal

This is one of our favorites when we're hungry and want something homemade. This is one of Richie's creations that has definitely become a favorite.

Pasta with a Sweet Meat Sauce
16 oz tomato sauce
½-1 lb ground beef (depending on how much meat you want)
salt and pepper to taste
1 T garlic powder
1 T dried oregano flakes
3 T honey
1 lb pasta (farfalle, penne, spaghetti)

1. Boil water and cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Brown the meat in a large saucepan. Drain the excess fat off the meat. Stir the tomato sauce into the meat. Stir the spices (garlic, oregano, salt and pepper) into sauce. Stir in honey.
3. Let simmer covered for ten minutes. Add sauce to pasta and serve hot.

Add a salad and some garlic bread and this makes one yummy quick fix meal.

Dinner Ideas

Well, it has been a while since any one has posted a recipe so I thought that I would ask a question to get us all started. I love hearing new ideas so I thought to ask this question.

What is your favorite dinner to make when you are short on time?

Mine is Hamburgers
(serves two)
.5 lb lean ground beef
1 tablespoon of chili powder
1/2 tablespoon of Cumin
1/2 tablespoon of onion flakes
2 hamburger buns
butter and garlic salt

Mix thawed meet and seasonings in a bowl with your hands. You can add more or less seasoning if desired. Shape into two 1/4 lb patties (remember if you are using a hamburger press not to press too hard) Cook until well done. Put whatever toppings you desire.
I always toast my hamburger buns and then put butter and garlic salt on them. It adds great flavor! Enjoy:)