Recipes

Cowpoke Casserole

I found two recipes that had the same similar concept and similar ingredients but they were both completely different. I loved the idea of both of them so I took what I liked about each recipe and combined them together. What came of the two was an incredible recipe that my entire family loved.

The recipe calls for a 9×13 pan which is normally way too much food for us and always means a ton of leftovers. I debated half-ing the recipe but then I thought it would became a pain with too many half cans to worry with. I decided to make the entire recipe, and thank goodness I did. By the time dinner was over there was about 1/8th of the pan left over. I was stunned, but yes it was that good!

We all loved this recipe and I can easily see it being on our menu again and again. It’s easy, dirt cheap and delicious!


Ingredients:
  • 1 lb. of ground beef
  • 4 tbsp. dry minced onions
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 can Rotel (I used mild) do not drain
  • Tater tots – 32 oz. (leave frozen)
  • Cheddar cheese – 2 cups

Directions:

  1. Brown ground beef then drain the grease off (Before you add the spices)
  2. Add diced onions, cumin, garlic powder and salt and pepper. Cook until the onions are soft.
  3. Add, soup and Rotel tomatoes, then mix together well
  4. In the bottom of a greased 9×13 pan add bag of tatar tots in one single layer you may not need the entire bag, then top with 1 cup of the cheese.
  5. Then on top of the tots and cheese add burger mixture then top with remaining cheese
  6. Place in a 350F oven for 30 -45 minutes.  Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

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Recipes

The Painkiller …. The Official Drink of the British Virgin Islands



I have often found myself in pain the last few weeks trying to get through finals without have a meltdown or a nervous breakdown. One way to kill the pain of dealing with the drama was to try this amazing drink. Appropriately named by the way…

Although I only had one because I didn’t have time to be inebriated this drink is really delicious. 

It’s easy to make with no blender needed. Just place all the ingredients in a glass or shaker … shake and done! Excellent, and no doubt with enough of them a pain killer… at least until the next day. According to the recipe this is a serving for one to two. I personally think it’s a serving for only one!

Ingredients:
  • 2 oz. Rum (White or Blanco)
  • 4 oz. pineapple juice (I used fresh, but pre-packed would be sweeter)
  • 1 oz. cream of coconut
  • 1 oz. orange juice (I used fresh, but pre-packed would be sweeter)
  • Grated fresh nutmeg

Directions:
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice add first four ingredients and stir. Pour into cocktail glasses and top with grated nutmeg.

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Recipes

Chocolate Butter Chess Cake

I have been wanting to try a butter cake recipe for a while now. Tonight in celebration of our finals being over I made a chocolate butter cake. OK So it’s not the real deal because the real deal calls for a yellow cake and I didn’t have one on hand nor did I have any desire to head out and get one. The weather is nasty anyway … no thank you!

I did have a chocolate fudge boxed cake mix so I decided to try it instead of a yellow cake. I mean …. Hello! … It’s chocolate …how could it be anything but fantastic?

This is a very easy recipe to make. If you are having guests over and you need something quick and easy this recipe should hit the spot. You don’t need to have a lot of ingredients on hand nor does it take a ton of time to make. It makes a great presentation and tastes fantastic. What more can you ask for?

I read many places online that people have mixed feelings on this recipe because it’s very sweet. If you don’t like anything super sweet then this recipe is NOT for you. We all loved it but I have to admit one pieces is my limit because it’s so sweet. It may not be as sweet if you use yellow cake in place of chocolate. 

Bottom
  • 1 box chocolate fudge cake mix (15 ounces)
  • 1/2 cup margarine (4 ounces)
  • 1 egg

Topping

  • 1 package cream cheese, softened (8 ounces)
  • 1 pound powdered sugar
  • 2 eggs, slightly beaten

Directions:

Bottom:
  1. Melt margarine in 9X13 inch pan
  2. Beat egg into margarine and then sprinkle in cake mix
  3. Mix well with fork and press down in pan until evenly spread.

Topping:

  1. Beat the frosting ingredients well and pour onto cake mixture.
  2. Bake at 350º for 40-45 minutes.

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Recipes

Salisbury Steak with Caramelized Onion Gravy

I didn’t grow up on a lot of boxed processed foods so I never had the Salisbury steak frozen dinners. My husband on the other hand grew up on them and loves Salisbury steak. He was excited when I found this recipe because. I on the other hand wasn’t too sure. I have heard from other people how bad Salisbury steak is but I can only assume after trying this recipe they were referring to the frozen dinners. 

This recipe is delicious the gravy alone is ridiculously good. I think I could just eat the gravy over mashed potatoes… Who needs the meat? I am in love with this recipe and can’t wait to make it again. It’s a bit time consuming and probably not something I would make during the week, but it sure makes a beautiful Sunday dinner.


Ingredients:

Onion Gravy
  • 2 large red onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
  • Salt and pepper

Meat Patties
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 cup cooked white rice
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 clove minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:

  1. To make gravy: Heat butter in a large sauté pan. Add onions and cook over medium-high heat, until onions start to brown, stirring occasionally. When onions are slightly softened and turning a deep honey brown, add 1/4 cup broth. 
  2. Reduce heat, cover and continue cooking, adding more broth as needed to prevent caramelized bits at the bottom of the pan from burning. It should take at least 25 to 30 minutes to properly caramelize onions. 
  3. Stir in flour and cook for about 2 minutes. Add wine and reduce by half. Stir in remaining beef broth and tomato paste. 
  4. Stir in cider vinegar. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat to low and keep warm.
  5. To make patties: Mix ground beef, rice, egg yolk, salt, pepper, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, parsley and thyme in a bowl. 
  6. Shape into 4 oval patties about 3/4-inch thick. Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet set over medium-high heat. 
  7. Sear patties about 3 minutes per side, or until a brown crust forms. 
  8. Pour gravy over patties and simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Serve warm with mashed potatoes or noodles. Yield: 4 Servings.

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Recipes

Pan Fried Pineapple



This is so simple, but so good. By pan frying the pineapple it really brings out the sweetness in the pineapple. I love pineapple and love experimenting with it. One of my favorite things to do is to grill it. I thought this time it might be nice to try something a little different and pan fry it to see if it would bring out the same sweetness that grilling it does. 

I was right. It worked like a charm. The sugar in the pineapple will start to caramelize when it’s heated up and the caramelizing brings out a whole new flavor in the pineapple! Delicious!

Ingredients:
  • 1 pineapple

Directions:

  1. Cut the top and the bottom off the pineapple then remove the outer skin of the pineapple and remove the core. 
  2. Once the pineapple is cleaned up cut it into chunks. 
  3. Set the pineapple to the side and heat up a nonstick skillet on medium high. 
  4. Once the pan is heated add the pineapple to the pan. Don’t overload the pan just put in enough to cover the bottom and work in batches. 
  5. Once the pineapple has a nice brown caramelized look remove from the pan and repeat.  
  6. Serve as a side dish or over ice cream.

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