Bayou Brownies

The name of this dessert is deceiving because there is no chocolate in this recipe. However, they are DELICIOUS. Make them when you're going to have company or you will end up eating the whole batch yourself. Seriously.

Ingredients:
1 c chopped pecans
1/2 c butter, melted
3 large eggs
1 pack yellow cake mix
8 oz cream cheese, softened
16 oz powdered sugar

Directions:
Combine pecans, butter, 1 egg, and cake mix
Stir well
Press into bottom of a greased 13x9 dish (set aside)
Combine 2 eggs, cream cheese, and powdered sugar
Beat at medium speed until smooth
Pour over cake mix layer
Bake at 325 for 40 minutes
Let it cool completely in pan on a metal wire rack

Zuppa Tuscana

Yet another successful recipe of me sneaking something green and leafy into J's diet :) He had this at Olive Garden but did NOT care for the texture of kale. Well, kale looks a lot like spinach. So, I convinced him to let me make it at home and use spinach instead. It worked!

Ingredients:
1 lb. Italian sausage
4 slices of bacon, cooked (I actually didn't have bacon and it was still tasty)
1 yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic
32 oz. chicken stock
3 c russet potatoes, sliced
3/4 t salt
1/4 t pepper
10 oz spinach
1 c whipping cream
Parmesan

Directions:
Cook sausage - drain
Saute onion and add garlic
Stir in stock, potatoes, and bacon
Season with s/p
Simmer until potatoes are tender
Add spinach and cream
Bring to simmer
Serve and top with Parmesan

Ground Beef Vegetable Soup

Ooo de lolly...J ate green beans. And LIKED it!!!!!! I never thought I'd see the day. This soup has the right amount of kick and is very satisfying on a winter day.

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1/2 onion, chopped
1 T flour (I use gluten free)
1 can Rotel
1 small can tomato sauce
15 oz beef broth
2 c water
2 can sliced new potatoes (drain)
1 bag mixed veggies
1 t Italian seasoning
1 t chili powder
1/2 t red pepper (optional)
1/4 t celery seed
1/2 t garlic powder
s/p to taste
1 c elbow macaroni

Directions:
Brown meat and onion, drain
Mix beef, onion, and flour well
Add other ingredients except macaroni
Cook on medium heat for 25 minutes
Add macaroni and cook for 10 minutes

Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

You know I love my slow cooker. I especially love my slow cooker when I can put chicken in raw! This is a great comfort meal without totally blowing all the healthy eating. Serve it up with something green to ease the dairy and carb train :)

Ingredients:
32 oz tater tots
3 oz bacon bits
1 lb diced chicken, raw
2 c shredded cheese
3/4 c milk
s/p to taste

Directions:
Spray crockpot with PAM
Layer 1/2 tots in bottom of cooker
Sprinkle 1/3 bacon bits and cheese
Add chicken
S/P
Sprinkle 1/3 bacon bits and cheese
Layer 1/2 tots
Sprinkle 1/3 bacon bits and cheese
Pour milk over
Cook on low 4-6 hours

It can't be a comfort meal without having some calories. Hey...it could be a big ol fried mess of grease. ;)

No Peek Beef Tips

This takes a bit of time to cook, but once you pop it in the oven you can forget about it until the timer dings!

Ingredients:
2 lb stew meat, beef
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 pack brown gravy mix
1 pack dry onion soup mix
1 c water

Directions:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees
Mix last 4 ingredients well
Place beef in oven safe baking dish
Pour gravy over beef and mix well
Cover with foil and cook 3 hours
Serve over rice

*I am in the process of making my own mixes to eliminate more gluten and additives from our diet. Stay tuned as I post recipes for mixes!