Currently browsing: cheese

Lasagna Soup

Recipe Source: Modified from a Betty Crocker recipe.

Originally called ‘Cheesy Lasagna Soup‘

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground beef
1 medium onion, sliced
2 large green bell peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 cups water
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes with Italian herbs, undrained
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
2 cups uncooked pasta (4 ounces)
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese of your choice (6 ounces)

Directions:

Cook beef, onion, bell peppers and garlic in Dutch oven over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown and onion is tender; drain.

Stir in water, diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Stir in pasta, brown sugar, Italian seasoning and pepper. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.

Top with cheese and serve.

Cherry Glaze

This recipe (I think) came by way of my grandmother on my father’s side. This is my dad’s favorite holiday treat, and I know once my daughter tries it, it will become hers too! (that child LOVES cherry dishes!)

This is a photo of the recipe card that my mother has:

Little by little, I’m trying to get digital copies of the recipes that my mother has that I love …

Recipe Source: Carolyn Burton, Forestdale, AL

This is a layered dish.

First layer:

2 cups crushed graham crackers
1/4 cup melted butter or margarine

The easiest way I’ve found to crush the crackers, put them in a large ziplock bag and roll over pressing down with a rolling pin.

Combine butter and crackers and press into a 9×13 baking or casserole dish.

Second layer:

8 ounce package cream cheese
1 cup sugar

Whip cream cheese and sugar together and pour on top of graham cracker cracker crust.

Third layer:

3/4 cup chopped nuts (pecans usually work best)

Pour nuts onto cream cheese and sugar layer.

Fourth layer:

1/2 pint whipping cream (optional — I honestly think it tastes and looks better without this!)
1 can cherry pie filling

Pour filling on top of nuts layer and smooth out. Refrigerate then serve. To store, cover and refrigerate.

No Bake Peanut Butter Pie

Recipe Source: Lauren @ southernmamas.blogspot.com

Ingredients:

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup milk
1 (16 ounce) package frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crusts (I USE CHOCOLATE!)
(garnish with chocolate chips, chocolate shavings, or anything chocolate!)

Directions:

Beat together cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar. Mix in peanut butter and milk. Beat until smooth. Fold in whipped topping.

Spoon into two 9 inch graham cracker pie shells; cover, and freeze until firm.

Jules’ Homemade Tomato Soup

Recipe Source: Everydaymommy.net

Ingredients:

2 cans (28oz) whole tomatoes or homegrowns
1-2 cans (14oz) beef or chicken broth
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
1-2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup Half & half
1/2 stick butter
1/2 tsp sugar
House seasoning to taste *

Directions:

In large soup pot saute diced onion in olive oil over medium heat till tender. Season with house seasoning to taste.

Blend the whole tomatoes in a blender until just smooth, only a few seconds. You’ll want a slightly lumpy consistency. Pour tomatoes into soup pot. Add broth to pot to a pleasing consistency. If you prefer a thicker soup add 1 can broth. If a thinner soup add 2 cans broth. Season again with house seasoning to taste. Simmer 10 minutes to allow flavors to combine.

Add half & half, sugar and butter. Stir well as butter melts. Simmer another 20 minutes. Serve with grilled cheddar cheese on rye bread. Yum!

* House seasoning is equal parts kosher salt, black pepper and garlic powder.

Cheesy Bacon Bites

Recipe Source: Ganet, Hueytown Baptist Church / Hueytown, AL

Ingredients:

1 can flaky buttermilk biscuits
8 oz. cream cheese
3/4 cup parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons chopped onions
1 jar real bacon bits
2 tablespoons milk

Directions:

Separate each biscuit into 3 layers. Press each layer into bottom of mini-muffin pans. Mix cheeses, bacon bits, milk, and onion; place a small amount on each biscuit. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees F.

White Bean Salad

Recipe Source: 101cookbooks.com

Ingredients:

2 big handfuls baby spinach, washed and dried
2 cans white cannellini beans (or freshly cooked equivalent)
2 handfuls walnuts, toasted
a couple glugs of citrus-flavored olive oil
a small splash of champagne vinegar
a few pinches fine-grained sea salt
a bit of crumbled cheese (manouri, goat cheese work nicely)

Directions:

Rinse and drain the beans. If you like your bean salad on the warm side, my shortcut for heating them up is to run them under hot water (saves having to wash a pot).

In a large bowl combine the spinach, beans and walnuts. Add the olive oil, a splash of champagne vinegar, and salt. Toss gently but make sure you get everything nicely coated. Sprinkle a bit of cheese on top and enjoy.

Serves 4.

Christmas Seafood Casserole

Recipe Source: Down Home Soul Food Cooking Blog

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons butter
1 cup chopped onions
1 1/2 cups chopped celery
2 1/2 cups milk
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons butter
4 ounces Cheddar cheese, sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 pound crabmeat
1/4 pound lobster meat
1/4 pound medium shrimp
1/4 pound scallops

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish.

Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a skillet, and saute the onions and celery until tender.

Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat, and mix in the flour and 1 1/2 teaspoons butter until well blended. Gradually blend the cheese into the mixture. Season with salt and pepper.

In a medium bowl, mix the onions and celery with the cheese sauce mixture. Toss in the crab meat, lobster, shrimp, and scallops. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.

Bake uncovered in the preheated oven 25 minutes, or until the seafood is opaque and the surface is lightly browned.

Cheeseburger Pasta (2)

Recipe Source: Campbell’s Tasty Tuesday website (tastytuesday.com)

Prep/Cooking Time: about 15-20 minutes total

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
1 can cheddar cheese soup
1 can tomato soup
1 1/2 cups water
2 cups uncooked medium shell pasta

Directions:

Cook beef in skillet until browned. Pour off fat.

Add soups, water and pasta. Heat to a boil. Cook over medium heat 10 minutes or until done, stirring often.

Nicki’s Variation:

This is an excellent recipe as-is, but we love it with small shells, southwestern pepperjack cheese soup and chicken!

Jules’ Sweet ‘n Smoky Chili

Recipe Source: Jules @ everydaymommy.net

“Our extended autumn-like weather came to an abrupt end yesterday when the temperatures dropped to below 20º and Kansas City was hit by a wave of sleet. The frozen ground is now covered with one to two inches of tiny ice pellets. When the weather is this bitter there’s only one thing to do. Make chili! I’m not sure if I’ve shared my chili recipe before, but here ’tis. I think everyone has their own way of making chili, and this is mine. To those of you in Texas, I apologize. This is yankee-style chili. But, it tastes darn good.”

Ingredients:

1 lb lean ground beef
1 lb ground pork
1 lg green bell pepper, diced
2 lg yellow onions, diced
3 cans chili beans (I prefer Brooks brand chili hot beans)
1 can beef broth
1 x-large can tomato juice (juice, not sauce – get the x-large can)
3-4 tbsp brown sugar
3-4 tbsp liquid smoke (I prefer Colgin brand liquid smoke)
Garlic powder
Kosher salt
Chili powder
Dash Cayenne pepper
1/2 stick butter

Directions:

In your largest pot saute the diced onion and diced bell pepper in about 2 tbsp olive oil till tender. Season with salt. Add beef and pork and brown completely. Drain excess fat. Season with garlic powder and salt. Add beans, beef broth, tomato juice, brown sugar and liquid smoke. Stir well and let simmer on low about 30 minutes. Liquids will reduce slightly and flavors will blend. Season to your taste with chili powder and cayenne pepper. Be careful with the cayenne as a little goes a long way. Stir well and taste for seasoning. When it is seasoned to your taste add (yes, this is the secret) the half stick of butter. Let it melt in the chili and stir well. Check seasoning before serving. The longer you allow the chili to simmer the more reduced the liquid will be and the more concentrated the flavors.

Serve with a bit of sharp cheddar cheese on top and crackers. Enjoy!

Tomato Pie

Recipe Source: Donna Walters, allrecipes.com

Ingredients:

1 (9 inch) deep dish pie crust
4 large tomatoes, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 pound bacon – cooked, drained, and chopped
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup mayonnaise

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

In alternating layers, fill pastry shell with tomatoes, basil, scallions, bacon, garlic powder, oregano, and red pepper. In a small bowl, mix cheese with mayonnaise. Spread mixture over top of pie. Cover loosely with aluminum foil.

Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil from top of pie and bake an additional 30 minutes. Serve warm or cold.

Makes 6 servings.