Hearty Split Pea Soup

I usually make my MIL's fabulous split pea soup, that starts with a ham bone. However I had some ham left over from a boneless ham and I came across this recipe that I could use it in, so I gave it a try. 
This recipe is a keeper and so super easy!!! 

1 [16 oz.] pkg.dried split peas, rinsed and drained
8 cups water
2 medium potatoes, cubed
2 large onions,chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 cups cubed cooked corned beef or ham
1/2 cup chopped celery
5 tsps. chicken bouillon granules
1 tsp. dried marjoram
1 tsp. poultry seasoning
1 tsp. rubbed sage
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp. dried basil

In a Dutch oven, combine all of the ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours until peas are tender. 

Hash Brown Ham Quiche

Such an easy breakfast casserole and at my home, most of the ingredients are staples!

3 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed {I used diced as that's what I had here}
1/4 cup butter, divided
1 cup shredded pepper-jack cheese {I used extra sharp cheddar]
1 cup shredded swiss cheese
1 cup diced fully cooked ham
2 eggs
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/4 tsp seasoned salt

Press hash browns between paper towels to remove extra moisture. Grease a 9 inch pie plate with 2 Tbsp. of the butter. Press hash browns in to pie plate onto the bottom and up the sides.
Drizzle with 2 Tbsp. melted butter.
Bake at 425 degree for 20-25 min. till edges are brown.
Meanwhile in bowl

beat eggs, add cream, then remaining ingredients.
Put into the pie plate over top of the potatoes. Reduce oven to 350. Bake uncovered for 20-25 min. until knife inserted in center tests clean. Let stand 10 minutes. 

German Potato Salad

If you have never had German Potato Salad you are missing out on a taste sensation! Unlike your "typical" potato salad, this is served hot. We love it year round. I found this recipe in an old local church cookbook! 

6 medium potatoes, cooked, drained and sliced. I always use    red potatoes and leave the skins on.
2 hard boiled eggs, peeled and sliced
Toss together.
In a skillet, saute 
6 slices of bacon, till nearly crispy
Remove bacon , drain, chop and add to potato and eggs.
Remove all but 2 Tbps. of bacon grease and in that 2 Tbsp. of grease, saute 
1 small onion, diced 
2 stalks of celery , diced
until soft. 
Then add 
2 Tbsp. flour and
2 Tbsp. sugar 
Quickly stir and then add
1 cup water and 
1/2 cup cider vinegar.
Continue simmering and stirring until thickened. Add the potatoes, eggs and bacon and simmer till heated through. 

Zucchini Fritters

Obviously I have been very neglectful at keeping up with my blog. 
My friend Jan gave me her recipe for zucchini fritters that she tells me her whole family loves. Zucchini is my least favorite veggie, but when she mentioned that her grandchildren loved these, I figured I would at least try them. 
I LOVED these and so did Mike.... in fact they were like eating Lay's potato chips.... you can't eat just one!!! This is Jan's recipe as she gave it to me:

Zucchini Fritters

2 small zucchinis, grated and drained

2 cloves of garlic

2 eggs

1/3 c. grated cheese (I use Parmesan and Asiago cheese and add more than 1/3 c.)

1c. flour and 1t. baking powder ( I replace this with 1c. buttermilk pancake mix)

1/2t. or less crushed pepper flakes

some fresh parsley

1t. sugar

salt

Combine ingredients and drop by spoonful in frying pan of oil . We like them brown on the outside and crunchy with a soft center. This is the basic recipe that I go by and

usually add more cheese than it calls for.  Enjoy!

Lemon Pudding cake

This is one of my all time favorite cakes and one that is so easy even for beginner bakers!

In large bowl combine the following ingredients :
1 pkg. (18.25 oz.)Yellow cake mix
1 pkg. 4-serving size, instant lemon pudding and pie filling
4 eggs
2/3 rds cup vegetable oil
2/3 rds cup water

Blend together on low speed of mixer, then beat at medium speed for 2 minutes.
Put in floured and greased bundt pan. Bake at 325 degrees 50-60 min. Cool in pan for 10 minutes then invert onto a plate.
When cool, glaze with a mix of
3/4th cup of confectioners sugar
1 Tbsp. Lemon juice and
2 tsp. Water
Mix together and drizzle over cake!

Meat loaf dinner in a crock pot!

I am not a meat loaf lover. I think I ate too much of it growing up. However Mike loves it and the leftovers in a sandwich so I do make it a couple of times a year. I usually chose a new recipe, hoping that just once I will find one I love. Well I finally did. This is a one dish meal. The original recipe belongs to Sandra Lee but I fine tweaked it for our tastes!!!! 

4-5 medium potatoes, diced. I used red potatoes and left the skins on 
1- .06 ounce pkg. Italian salad dressing mix {divided}
1 3/4# ground beef
1# Italian sweet sausage
3 oz. prosciutto, finely chopped
1 can condensed tomato soup {divided}
1 jar {6.5 oz.} marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1/3 cup Italian bread crumbs
1 egg
1 can condensed mushroom with roasted garlic soup
1/2 cup beef broth
2 cups bell pepper strips 
1 onion, diced 

In a 5 qt. slow cooker, toss the diced potatoes and half the Italian dressing. 
In large bowl mix together, ground beef, sausage, prosciutto, 1/4 cup of the tomato soup, artichoke hearts, bread crumbs, and egg until well combined. 
Shape into a loaf and set it on top of the potatoes, making sure that the meatloaf does not touch the sides of the slow cooker. 
Combine the rest of the tomato soup, the mushroom soup and the beef broth and poor over the meat loaf. 
In a bowl combine the green peppers, the onion and the rest of the Italian dressing. Place on top of meat loaf. 

Cover and cook on high for one hour, then turn to low and cook 5 to 6 hours. 
I cooked it for 6 hours on low and it was perfect. 

Mike and I both thought this was pretty fabulous!!! The potatoes were perfect and the sauce complimented both the meat loaf and the potatoes. 
I think I can finally stop looking for a great meat loaf recipe!!! 
The original recipe called for a 1/4 cup of basil pesto to be added to the meat mixture and for the sausage to be hot. 

Fire Crackers

I came across this recipe just before the holidays and made a batch. They have already become my favorite snack food....also my "go to " food when I am hungry in between meals. They are easy to make and last for weeks in an airtight container. 

1# saltine crackers...4 sleeves
1 cup canola oil
1 (1 oz.) pkg. ranch dressing mix
2 Tbsp. crushed red pepper (I use 1 and 3/4th Tbsp.)
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Line crackers up on end , like dominoes, in an airtight container. 

Then mix all of the remaing ingredients . 

Slowly pour the oil mixture over the crackers trying to get the liquid on every single one. 

Put cover on the container, and for 20 min. turn the container upside down every 5 minutes to make sure all of the crackers absorb the oil.  ENJOY!!!