{cranberry salad}

I couldn't let Thanksgiving pass by without including one of our traditional recipes, and one of my favorite Turkey Day dishes. Enjoy!

CRANBERRY SALAD

2 c. whole cranberries, ground (1 package)
3/4 c. sugar
3 c. mini marshmallows
2 c. diced apples
1/2 c. pecans
1/2 c. red grapes, halved
1/4 tsp. salt
whipping cream, whipped and sweetened (I use powdered sugar--no granules)

Combine the first three ingredients and let sit overnight. Add the next four ingredients and mix well. Add whipped cream right before serving.

{fettuccine alfredo}

I have searched high and low for the perfect Alfredo recipe, and I think I've finally found it. This is a favorite dish, and is requested so often, that I really needed to find one that we all loved. Most of the ones I tried didn't maintain that really creamy texture, and had a tendency to separate easily. The cream cheese in this recipe cures that, and gives it a rich flavor. This is so, so good--it won't last long!

FETTUCCINE ALFREDO SAUCE

1/2 c. butter
8 oz. cream cheese
3/4 c.- 1 c. milk (depends on how thick you want it)
1 c. Parmesan cheese (not in the can)

Melt the butter, and then using a whisk, add the cream cheese and stir until it's melted. Whisk in the milk, stir in the cheese, then bring to a low boil while stirring often. Serve over fettuccine, or favorite pasta (we like farfalle).

{smothered chicken}

This recipe is in our ward (church) cookbook, and is such a great way to serve chicken. Ingredients can be added, or removed, so each family member can have it just the way they like it!

SMOTHERED CHICKEN

4 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
garlic powder to taste
seasoned salt to taste
1 T. canola oil
1 c. shredded Mexican cheese blend
1/2 c. green onions, chopped
1/2 c. crisp, cooked bacon, crumbled

Sprinkle chicken with garlic powder and seasoned salt. In a large non-stick skillet over medium heat, brown chicken in oil until halfway done; turn. Cook for a few minutes more, then top with cheese, green onions, and bacon. Cover and cook until chicken juices run clear and cheese is melted.
*the recipe calls for mushrooms too, but since I hate them, I left them out. :)

{hawaiian haystacks}

Everyone knows Hawaiian Haystacks, right? Well, I like to make mine a little different. Instead of using the ever-popular Cream of Chicken soup (of which I am not a huge fan), I use a basic white sauce that I've seasoned. LOVE it!

HAWAIIAN HAYSTACKS

You'll need: (another great thing about this recipe is that you can adjust the amounts to however many people you are serving)

1. Chicken breasts, cubed (or sliced) and cooked
2. Basic white sauce, seasoned to taste (see recipe below)
3. Toppings: mandarin oranges, pineapple, green onion, tomatoes, cheese, Chinese noodles, etc.
4. Cooked white rice


-Layer rice, sauce, chicken, and toppings.

White Sauce-Betty Crocker Cookbook

1 T. butter
1 T. flour
1/8 tsp. salt
Dash pepper
3/4 c. milk

In a small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour, salt and pepper. Stir in milk all at once. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 1minute more. Makes 3/4 c. sauce.
*You can either add the chicken to the sauce, or serve them separately.
*We 5x this recipe for a family of 5, but we like extra sauce.
*You can also add any other seasoning you would like---I like to add some thyme and seasoning salt.

{english toffee}

I really wanted to make English Toffee this past week, but I was in search of an easy, but good, recipe. I found this one at allrecipes.com, and it was successful by both standards. Very few ingredients, easy to make, but totally delicious!

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Best-Toffee-Ever---Super-Easy/Detail.aspx?prop31=1

Enjoy!

{spinach pasta salad}

A good friend of mine gave this recipe to me a few years ago, we love to have it when we get together for lunch. Her mother actually created this recipe after eating a similar salad at a restaurant,and she got it right! It's full of so many yummy things, and they are all brought together beautifully.

SPINACH PASTA SALAD

8 oz. penne pasta (or bowties)
Feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 red pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
6-8 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1 package baby spinach

DRESSING:
1/4 c. olive oil
2 T. vinegar
salt and pepper

Place rinsed and drained spinach in a large bowl. Saute onion and red pepper in a skillet while pasta is cooking. Drain pasta well, then add both the pasta and vegetables to the spinach while they are still hot. Add bacon, feta cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes and toss well. Serve warm or cold.

{baked chicken parmesan}

This is a very fast and easy take on this delicious dish.

BAKED CHICKEN PARMESAN

2 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
1/2 c. butter, melted
1/4 c. Italian bread crumbs
1 jar Three Cheese Prego Sauce (or same amount homemade sauce)
Parmesan cheese, grated
Mozzarella cheese

Cut chicken into pieces and place in baking dish. Pour melted better over the chicken, and sprinkle the bread crumbs on top. Pour half of the jar of sauce over the crumbs, then add both cheese to your liking. Cover with the remaining sauce and sprinkle more cheese on top. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour, then serve over spaghetti noodles.