Taters!

I love potatoes almost any way they are fixed. No cheese of any kind and no mashed taters. I'll take a baked potato any time. Add butter salt and pepper, but no mashed. So if you read my blog about getting healthier, you know I've had to change some things. But I need more change so last night for supper I tried something new for me. I took 4 small potatoes, peeled and wedged them (quartered in wedges), tossed them with about a tablespoon of olive oil, (which I've never used before), a few twists of sea salt, about a teaspoon of parsley flakes, and a pinch each of thyme and oregano. First I placed them in a shallow baking dish, added about 3 slices of onion and covered with foil, 350 degree oven, (I was cooking other stuff), after 20 minutes progress seemed slow so I covered with Saran Wrap (remember it's HOT and you must not burn yourself!!) and nuked them about 10 minutes and raised the oven to 450 degrees and removed the plastic wrap and finished them off in about 20 minutes they were done. And can I cay yum?! Yes I can. This serves 4! Beth said she often fixes taters this way and sometimes adds garlic and Parmesan cheese. Garlic I can handle.... Not cheese! Anyway. If you've never fixed taters this way, try them! It was great!! 

My taters with homemade sloppy joe on a homemade bun. All these recipes are in this blog! 

Happy cooking!

To be continued......

Homemade Christmas Gift (Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce)

Who doesn't love hot fudge on their ice cream?! Did you know you can make it at home and put it in a jar, decorate that jar and give it as a homemade Christmas gift? It's so easy thanks to the Land O' Lakes folks! Visit them on twitter @LandOLakesktchn for lots of #Christmasideas!! 

Home made hot fudge sauce

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 stick Land O' Lakes butter

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and over low heat, stir until chips and butter are melted and mixture is smooth. Place in jars and store in fridge until ready to heat and use! Keeps for a week. 

Any brand sweetened condensed milk will do, but a name brand like carnation or eagle brand will work better-- be sure you are NOT using evaporated milk. 

Add one cup of your favorite semi-sweet chocolate chips

And a stick (1/2 cup) butter (Land O' Lakes of course!) 

It will soon begin to melt, stir often over low heat to avoid scorching! 

It's done! Yum! 

It was wonderful over plain yellow cake! Imagine it over that new Edy's peppermint ice cream! I need to go to Kroger!! 

Those used coffee drink bottles would be perfect! Add a homespun or Christmas ribbon, add a note that says carefully reheat as needed and store in the refrigerator! 

Or use a jelly jar! Perfect for giving!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Cooking!!

I love all y'all! 

To be continued!!

Recipe from the Land O Lakes twitter site. Cooking photos are mine! Jar photos are from a google search and are available readily on the internet! My plate is Fiesta! 

Homemade Chili

Start by sauteeing a couple coarsely chopped onions in a couple tbsp oil for about 10 minutes over medium-low heat - until they begin to soften. Next, add 3 cans of your favorite chili beans. 

I use Bush's or Lucks- whatever is on sale and I use the mild chili sauce. You can mix it up and use one or two cans of the hot; your chili will be hotter! 

Stir these around and let them begin to cook just a bit. 

Now, I stir in some chili powder

Maybe a tbsp or two.....

Then stir in a couple cans of diced tomatoes. On sale or store brands work well. I used Red Gold here. It was on sale at the Cee Bee.... Next, a lil more chili powder.... I tasted.

Now, while you bring this to a simmer, brown about a pound of ground beef, chuck or turkey

You want all the pink gone. Drain and add it in......

Give it a stir. All the elements of your chili are basically done now. You can taste and add salt, pepper, more chili powder if you desire, remember- you can't subtract so add just a little at a time! Now, cover and turn it on low and let it simmer - give it a stir occasionally. It will be ready to eat in about an hour! Enjoy!