Meatless Meals

No, we're not going vegetarian, but I would like to start trying some new meatless recipes considering how expensive meat is. I found this site http://www.vibrantlife.org/vl/rcategories.html that has vegetarian ideas that look yummy. Some are a little too much for me. (Still not willing to try tofu for one.) If you have any yummy meatless or mostly meatless meal ideas, email them to me and I'll post them. I'll post what I find as well.

Cinnamon Sugar Cookies

These are the perfect cookies to leave for Santa or anyone else for that matter. (I even burned a batch and they still tasted good!) Enjoy!

Cinnamon Sugar Cookies
From the kitchen of: Angie Maynes

1 c. butter, softened 4 1/3 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. sugar 1 tsp. Salt
1 c. confectioner’s sugar 1 tsp. Baking soda
1 c. vegetable oil 1 tsp. Ground cinnamon
2 eggs 1 tsp. Cream of tartar
1 tsp. Vanilla extract Colored sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, sugars and oil. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Combine the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and cream of tartar; gradually add to creamed mixture. Shape into 1-inch balls.

Place on greased baking sheets; flatten with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar. Sprinkle with colored sugar if desired. Bake at 375˚ for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. Yields: about 8 dozen.

Fabulous Fall Foods

Fall is the reason I love the kitchen. Every year about September I start into a baking frenzy. This year has been no exception. I've done 2 pumpkin pies, an apple pie, and rolls from scratch to name just a few things. I like the smell, the warmth, and the comfort of baking. Jeff thinks I've gone a little nutty. Every Sunday he sees me satisfying my itch to bake and welcome the crispness of fall into our home. This Conference weekend was no exception. Saturday found my family and I (including my parents) bottling apples from my uncle's tree. (They turned out beautiful.) We also did a few jars of apple pie filling, too. Sunday I decided a nice Sunday dinner of roast, mashed potatoes, veggies, and Jell-O wasn't enough. It need some fresh homemade rolls to go along with it, and we had them. (Thank you Grandma, for always making fresh rolls at Thanksgiving! Now they are a must in my house.) Long story short, fall is my favorite time to bake. I think tonight we'll have chili with some homemade cornbread. If you haven't tried this recipe, it is a must-have for a good pot of chili or any other soup!

CORNBREAD:

4c. Bisquick
1 1/2 c. sugar
3/4 c. cornmeal
4 eggs beaten
1 1/2 c. milk
1 c. melted butter

Mix ingredients together. Bake at 350 in a lightly greased 9 X 13 pan for 35-40 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before serving. Serve with butter and honey!

More Compassionate Service

Aunt Robyn sent this idea for a compassionate service meal:

The thing I like to take for compassionate service dinners if the family has small children is tin-foil dinners cooked in the oven If you put them in a paper bag with newspaper all around them they keep warm a long time. It¢s great for kids who don¢t like their food mixed up together.

Thanks Robyn!!

Swedish meatballs

I halfed the meatball recipe and made the sauce as is.

Swedish meatballs

Meatballs:
3 lb. ground beef
2 sm. cans evaporated milk (5 oz each)
2 c. oats
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 eggs
1 c. finely chopped onion
2 tsp. chili powder
2 tsp. salt

Sauce:
2 c. ketchup
2 sm cans tomato sauce
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
3 tsp. liquid smoke (I did it without this and they were still good)

Combine all ingredients and form into balls. Place in baking dish and cover with sauce. Cover dish with foil and bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes. Remove foil for last 5 minutes of baking.

Fun Appetizers

Here's a fun appetizer ideas for your end-of-summer parties:

Apple Berry Salsa w/ Cinnamon Chips

Chips:
4 (7-in) flour tortillas
1 tbsp. granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Salsa:
2 med. Granny Smith appples
1 c. strawberries, sliced
1 kiwi, peeled and chopped
1 small orange
2 tbsp. packed brown sugar
2 tbsp. Apple jerky (not sure what it is, but will find out)

Makes 16 servings (3 c. salsa and 32 chips)

Compassionate Service

I'm curious to know what others make when they are given a compassionate service assignment to take a meal in to a family. Please post or email me some ideas of what you've taken before and I'll post them here along with my own ideas.