Indoor Aluminum Foil Dinners

No, your eyes do not deceive you. There really is a new recipe on this blog. Here goes.

These are really easy to make, which always wins me over. There's not really a "recipe" as far as amounts go, but here's the general idea:

Start with two layers of aluminum foil one on top of the other. Spray with non-stick spray. Put a layer of potato slices, then a layer of carrot slices, then a hamburger pattie, then diced onions, more carrot slices, and one more layer of potato slices. It's just going to be a big pile in the middle of the foil. Pull the sides of the foil together to make a packet. (Hopefully you've done this while camping and know what I'm talking about here). Bake in the oven at 375 for about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours. I like to turn them half way through and when I do so I put them on a cookie sheet. When they're upside down they have a tendency to leak a little.

A few other things:

*I like to use super lean ground hamburger because the veggies will absorb any grease and it makes me feel better knowing there's less grease to absorb.

*I like to make one packet per person. I like to think it helps with cooking time to keep the packets small.

* I don't use salt and pepper until after they're cooking. The onions actually give the whole thing a lot of flavor so you might decide you don't even need them in the end.

EASY Yummy Salad

This is what I put in this salad:
Green Leaf Lettuce and Radicchio
1 can Mandarin Oranges
One Jicama, sliced
Sliced Purple Onion (to taste)

The dressing ingredients are:
1/2 tsp grated orange peel
1/3 cup orange juice
2 tbls ed wine vinegar
1/2 canola oil
2 tbls sugar
1 tbls Good Seasons dry Italian dressing mix

Cinnamon Bread

I got this recipe off the internet a couple of years ago. I haven't made it for awhile, but I made it today and was reminded of how EASY and yummy it is.

2 c flour

1 c sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp salt

1 c buttermilk (remember- you can make your own by adding 1 Tbsp of vinegar to milk)

1/4 c oil

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

Mix it all up. Pour it into a greased loaf pan. Then mix together in a small bowl the following for the topping:

2 tsp vanilla

2 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp margarine

Then just kind of sprinkle the topping on top of the batter in the loaf pan and swirl with a knife. Bake at 350 for about 50 minutes. It gets pretty browned in the baking process, so don't be alarmed that it's burning.

Whole Wheat Bread

I have a bread machine. We bought the bread machine to make bread. However, I have discovered that bread machines just can't compare with good ol' fashioned homemade bread. I don't make bread very often, but when I do I like to use this recipe.

1 Tbsp + 2 tsp shortening (or just round it up to 2 Tbsp)

1/3 c hot water

1/3 c brown sugar

1 pkg dry yeast

1 1/3 c warm water

1 Tbsp + 1 tsp sugar

1 1/4 tsp salt

2 c white flour

up to 2 c wheat flour

Disolve brown sugar in 1/3 c hot water. Add shortening. Stir to melt. Cool. Disolve yeast in 1 1/3c warm water. Add white sugar, salt, and white flour. Beat well. Stir in shortening mixture. Stir in enough whole wheat flour to make a stiff but not dry dough. Knead until smooth. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise until it doubles (about an hour). Knead again then transfer dough into a greased loaf pan. Let it rise again until it doubles. Bake at 350 for about 35 minutes.

This bread is so good warm out of the oven with butter and honey!

Request

I need you ladies to come to my rescue for something specific. I have a lasagna recipe that I am getting bored with. Do any of you have a good lasagna recipe you could share? We'll be eating Ramen noodles everynight until you save us... no pressure though.

Pumpkin Squares

This is a little late for Halloween but it will be great for Thanksgiving

Ingredients

2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 cup oil
2 tsp cinnamon
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 cups canned pumpkin approx. 16 oz *I like to add a little more pumpkin

Combine dry ingredients. Then add eggs, pumpkin, and oil. Grease (Oil) and flour jelly roll pan. Cook for 25 minutes at 360 degrees

Frosting
8 oz cream cheese
1 box of powder sugar (16 oz)
1 stick butter
2 tsp vanilla

Beat well and spread

Eggplant Parmesan

Eggplant Parmesan

1 medium eggplant
1 beaten egg or 1/4 cup egg beaters
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tbls canola oil
Parmesan Cheese (I use about 4 oz)
1 26 oz jar meatless spaghetti sauce (I like Prego Heart Healthy)
Mozzarella Cheese (I use about 6 oz)

Wash and peel eggplant. Cut crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices. Dip eggplant into egg, then into flour on both sides. In large skillet cook eggplant slices in hot oil for 4-6 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
Place eggplant slices in single layer in rectangular baking dish. (I usually use a square pan as well; pieces can be cut to fit). Sprinkle w/ Parmesan cheese. Top w/ spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese. Bake in 400 oven for 10-12 minutes or till heated through.


You can use as much or as little cheese and/or sauce as you like in this recipe.