Simple Hot Dogs and Beans

I don't make this often, but my daughter is always happy when I do!

1 package hot dogs
1 tbsp butter
1/4 c chopped onion (optional)
2 cans pork & beans
2 tbsp ketchup
2 tbsp mustard
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Mozzarella cheese, shredded

Melt butter in a skillet. Meanwhile, slice hot dogs. Brown hot dogs in butter. If I use onion as well, I add it in with the hot dogs. When hot dogs are browned, stir in beans, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. Heat through. Sprinkle with mozzarella before serving.

My Life

I have an almost-four-year-old, I'm in the middle of a divorce, and my Mom just had surgery last week. Life is stressful at the moment. Yet I know that I am very blessed, and thank God daily for the blessings in my life, especially my daughter, my family and my friends. Menu planning is out the window since I'm on part-time Mom-care duty. The next time I cook something yummy though, I'll be sure to let you guys know! Thanks for hanging in there with me! Yet another blessing. :)

Garlic Shrimp, Parsley Potatoes

This is adapted from a Southern Living recipe my Mom has. It's what she requested for her birthday dinner. Everyone in attendance raved! We had it with a salad, parsley potatoes, and buttered French bread. Delicious!!!

Garlic Shrimp

2 lbs. shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 c olive oil
1/3 c fresh parsley, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper
1/4 c butter, melted
1/2 c breadcrumbs
1/2 c freshly grated Parmesan

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place shrimp in a 11x7 baking dish. Drizzle oil over top. Stir together parsley, garlic, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper. Sprinkle over shrimp. Cover and bake 15 minutes.

Stir shrimp, then drizzle with melted butter. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and cheese. Bake uncovered until all shrimp are opaque, 5-10 minutes.

Parsley Potatoes

Potatoes (any type)
Butter
Parsley

This is very, very easy. I peel my potatoes, my sister does not. Either way, cut potatoes into chunks, and boil until tender. Drain and return to pan. Add butter to potatoes in pan, then sprinkle generously with parsley (fresh if you have it, dried if you don't.) Easy peasy!

Pantry Hamburger Veggie Soup

I just tossed all of this in a pot... It's very flexible, just use whatever you have on hand.

1 lb. LEAN ground beef
2 tbsp. The Lady & Sons Salt Mix (Paula Deen Collection), plus more to taste
1 large onion
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can green beans, undrained
1 can corn, undrained
1 can sliced carrots, undrained
1 can diced potatoes, undrained

Brown beef in a stockpot over med-high heat. Meanwhile, peel and dice onion. When finished, sprinkle Salt Mix over beef, stir, and add in onion. When beef is cooked through stir in tomatoes, green beans, and corn. Bring to a boil. Stir in carrots and potatoes then reduce heat to low. Cover; simmer 3 hours. Adjust seasoning as needed before serving.

Guacamole

YUM!

2 avocados
1 tomato
1 small onion
1 garlic clove
1 jalapeno
1 tbsp. lemon or lime juice
2 tsp. dried cilantro
1/4 tsp. cumin

Slice avocados in half, remove pit, score with a knife, and scoop out. Pour lemon juice over avocado in a bowl, and stir to coat. Seed and dice tomato, dice onion, and mince garlic; add to avocado. While wearing rubber kitchen gloves, remove stem and seeds from jalapeno. Mince; add to avocado. Add cilanto and cumin, and stir well. Using a potato masher, mash avocado and combine all ingredients. Refrigerate.

Update

My last post, on 17 Nov. 2009, was written three days before my husband and I separated. It's been exactly six months. So, that explains my absence. I'll be back soon! :)

Loaded Potato Soup

5 lbs. potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
4 strips bacon, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 white onion, diced
1/2 c butter, room temperature
Salt
Pepper
Half and Half
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Scallions
Sour Cream

Cook potatoes in salted water until fork-tender. Meanwhile, saute bacon pieces until crispy. Remove from pan. In bacon grease, saute garlic and onion until onion is translucent, but not browned. Drain, and set aside. Drain potatoes, then return to pan. Mash with a hand-masher, adding in butter, then salt, pepper, and cheese as desired. Stir in onion and garlic, then half and half until soup is desired consistency. Keep over low heat until heated through. Granish with bacon, sliced scallions and sour cream.