Almost Homemade

With this recipe you can impress all with this "homemade version" of salsa.  Everyone will think you worked extra hard on this one.  It's amazing it's so easy and turns out so good.  Tastes great and makes plenty without doubling the recipe. When I received this from a good friend the main instructions were "make sure you only use the brands listed for it to turn out".  I believed her and never tried any other.  Why mess with a good thing.

Homemade Salsa

1 Sm Can El Pato Mexican Hot Sauce
1 Sm Can Diced Chilies
1 Lg Can Hunts Whole Tomatoes (drained, no juice)
4 Green Onions
Handful of Cilantro
1/2 Tbl Garlic

Combine all ingredients in blender.  Pulse a few times til mixed and chopped.  Make sure you don't over do it.  Set overnight in refrigerator.  Enjoy. 

Always a Winner

No matter the season you can't go wrong with this salad.  Whether it's a BBQ, potluck, or family and friends get together this is perfect.  Quick and easy to make and take along with you.

Broccoli Salad


2 Lbs Chopped Broccoli  ( I use the shredded broccoli, makes it even easier)
1 Bag Real Bacon Bits (1/2 cup or so)
2 Cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese 
1/2 Red Onion 

1 Cup Mayonnaise
1/2 Cup Sugar
2 Tbl.  Apple Cider Vinegar



Combine first four ingredients together in a bowl. In a separate bowl whisk together remaining three ingredients to make the dressing.  Pour dressing over broccoli mixture and stir well.   Make ahead and chill or serve right away.  
If you even want to save a little time, you can use coleslaw dressing from the grocery store instead of making the dressing.   

Cake that's good for you?

This is so moist and yummy.  My mom's famous recipe with carrots and pineapple. It's probably one of the healthier dessert choices out there! That's what I keep telling myself anyways.   :)

Mom's Carrot Cake

1 1/2 Cup Oil
2 Cups Sugar
4 Eggs
2 Tsp Vanilla
2 Tsp Baking Powder
2 Tsp Baking Soda
2 Tsp Cinnamon
1/2 Tsp Salt
2 Cups Flour
2 Cups grated Carrots
1 20 oz can Crushed Pineapple (drained)
2 Cups Chopped Walnuts (optional) (I normally don't use nuts, my family is nutty enough)
(I also like to add a cup or so of flaked coconut)

Mix all ingredients together.  Pour into two greased and floured 9 inch round baking pans.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.  Let cool and frost.


Mom's Cream Cheese Frosting


1 8oz pkg Cream Cheese
1 lb Powder Sugar
1/2 stick of Butter
2 Tsp Vanilla

Mix until Creamy.  Instead of using vanilla, I like to use the pineapple juice from the crushed pineapple.  You can always add a little more juice and then powder sugar to get the flavor and consistency that you like.

Harvest Time Pies

This is soooo easy!  Great for this time of year.  Really anytime is a good time for pie.   The recipe calls for apples but it's perfect for other fruit, like peaches or berries as well.  I like to add a little nutmeg and swap out some of the white sugar for brown sugar.  Don't be afraid to experiment with this one.  You can also use ramekin dishes for easy individual servings, just adjust baking time.  I'm sure you don't need reminding but don't  forget the ice cream. :)

Easy Apple Pie

1 1/2 pounds Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced
1 tablespoon Sugar
1 cup Sugar
1 cup Flour
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
3/4 cup melted Butter
1 Egg

Toss apples with 1 tablespoon of sugar, and pour them into a pie plate. Mix together 1 cup of sugar with the flour, cinnamon, butter, and egg. Spread this evenly over the top of the pie.  Bake at 350 degrees until the apples have cooked and the topping is golden brown, about 40 to 45 minutes.

You can't go wrong with chocolate cake

This is always a favorite for the chocolate lovers I know.  Even those who aren't big chocolate lovers love this one.   I got this recipe from one of my very best friends.

Chocolate Kahula Bundt Cake

1 Box Devil's Food Cake Mix with pudding in it
1 small box of instant chocolate pudding ( I use Fudge Flavor)
6oz of Chocolate Chips (the mini ones work great here)
2 Cups Sour Cream
3/4 Cup Oil
4 Eggs
1/2 Cup Kahlua (optional, but what would be the point) (I have also tried it with Irish Cream, yummy too!)

Mix all ingredients together except the chocolate chips.  Mix them in last.  Then pour into a greased and floured  bundt cake pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
This recipes calls for a dusting of powdered sugar which is perfect for this rich cake.  But for those of you like me, where it can never be too rich, a chocolate gaze or frosting is wonderful too!

My First Post - Sweet Smokies

I'm starting this blog to list and share my "can't live without recipes".  It seems that there is always an occasion that comes up where I need to go digging thru my piles of recipes to find that perfect one to make.  Then I normally can't find the one I'm looking for (hopefully I'm not the only one that this happens to).  So I end up searching the web for the something only to waste a lot of time looking.  
This blog is for all of us who don't need "gourmet" recipes but great ones that will get "oohs and aahs" from our family and friends.  And even a few envious looks from those people that we really don't care what they think.
As I come across my favorite old standbys and find great new ones I will be posting them here.  I hope that this will soon become a favorite resource for you to find the perfect recipe for whatever your life has planned.  
So whether you need a recipe for a quite (or not so quite) night at home, a party, a weekend BBQ or for a night out at bunco, you'll  be sure to find one here just waiting to sing you praise. Cause we know that's what's it's all about.  :) 
All teasing aside I hope that you'll find some new favorites to add to your collection.  Please feel free to share your comments and suggestions.          
So for my first recipe it will be a super easy but loved greatly be all partakers.  Perfect for any old occasion. 
Thanks to my awesome little sister for sharing this one with me!


Sweet Smokies


1 pkg Bacon
1 pkg Little Smokie Sausages
Brown Sugar
Toothpicks


Cut bacon into thirds.  Wrap each smokie with a piece of bacon.  Hold together with the toothpick.  Arrange on a foil lined and greased cookie sheet.  Sprinkle ( I smother) with brown sugar.   Bake at 350 degrees until bacon is fully cooked.  About 45 minutes depending on how crispy you want the bacon.  Serve warm.