Sweet & Sour Beef Stew

Ingredients
1.5 lbs. beef stew meat, cut into 1" cubes (London Broil works well)
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 cup carrots, chopped
1 cup onions, sliced
1-8 oz. can tomato sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
4 tsp. cornstarch
3/4 cup water, divided
1 tsp. salt

Directions
Brown meat in hot oil. Add the next six ingredients, 1/2 cup water and salt. Cover and cook over low heat until meat is tender (about two hours). Combine cornstarch and 1/4 cup cold water; add to beef mixture. Cook and stir until thick and bubbly. Serve over egg noodles. Serves 4.

Fruit Dip

Ingredients
1-8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
1 container Cool Whip
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Directions
Soften cream cheese at room temperature for 4-5 hours. Whip in sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and Cool Whip. Serve with fresh fruit.

Classic Cucumber & Onion Salad

My version of the traditional cucumber salad, this dish accompanies picnic fare quite well.

Ingredients
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. white vinegar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 medium cucumbers, thinly sliced
2 small onions, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp. dill weed

Directions
Combine sour cream, sugar, vinegar and salt; add cucumber and onion, tossing gently. Cover and chill 24 hours, stirring occasionally. Serves 4.

Special Birthday Icing

We never liked sickly-sweet icing on our cakes growing up, so my mom concocted this recipe for our birthdays. Best with a chocolate cake, of course!

Ingredients
1 pkg. Jell-O Instant Pudding (white chocolate!)
1 cup whole milk
1 container Cool Whip

Directions
Beat milk into pudding with a whisk or fork. Let sit for three minutes. Fold-in Cool Whip. Store in the refrigerator and frost your cake just before serving!

Tortilla Pinwheels

Easy, but impressive appetizers, Tortilla Pinwheels are one of my favorite contributions to a party. Feel free to change up the ingredients per your preferences... and remove ham for a nice vegetarian snack!

Ingredients
1 lb. cream cheese, softened
1 lb. ham (2-1/4" thick deli slices), diced
1-8 oz. can chopped green chiles
1-8 oz. can chopped black olives
1-8 oz. jar diced pimentoes
12 medium to large flour tortillas
1 jar Nance's Honey Mustard

Directions
Blend cream cheese, ham, chiles, olives & pimentoes. Spread a thin layer of the mixture evenly on the tortillas. Roll the tortillas snuggly and refrigerate, covered with plastic wrap and a damp cloth for four hours. Cut into 1/2 inch slices, arrange on a platter and serve with honey mustard!

Linguini & Broccoli

This simple pasta dish never fails to satisfy even the hungriest dinner guests. It's an old stand-by in my mom's kitchen... but she finds many family members requesting it when they visit! Feel free to mix in some of your favorite additions; I've been known to add chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, black olives and/or artichoke hearts.

Ingredients
1 stick butter or margarine
1 head broccoli
1-8 oz. pkg. fresh linguini
1 tbsp. garlic, minced
1/3 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
2-3 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. black pepper, freshly ground

Directions
Cut broccoli into manageable florets and microwave, covered, in 1/2 cup water for 10 minutes. Melt 1/3 stick of margarine or butter and olive oil in a non-stick frying pan. Remove from heat. Drain the broccoli. Add the garlic and broccoli to the pan so that the broccoli absorbs the taste. (You may add-in other sundries at this point). Cook the linguini in a separate pot. Add linguini and remaining margarine or butter to the pan. Coat the linguini and broccoli, add parmesan cheese and ground pepper. Serves 4.

Baked Spinach Squares

An easy, but filling appetizer for parties!

Ingredients
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup flour
1 cup milk
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2-8 oz. pkg. monterey jack cheese, shredded
1-10 oz. box frozen, chopped spinach

Directions
Defrost spinach for several hours. Press and drain the spinach to remove excess water. Use kitchen shears to snip spinach into fine pieces. Combine ingredients and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes in a low, greased baking dish.

Crunchy Salad

Dressing Ingredients
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp. vinegar
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. fresh cracked pepper

Salad Ingredients
1 head lettuce
4 green onions
1/4 cup sesame seed
1/3 cup almonds
6 slices cooked bacon
3/4 cup chow mein noodles

Directions
Mix and shake dressing ingredients in an air tight container and store in the fridge for at least an hour before assembling the salad.

Mix all ingredients except the chow mein noodles. Pour chilled dressing over salad just before serving. Top with chow mein noodles. Enjoy!!!

Cauliflower Poppers

So, I found this VERY SIMPLE recipe in a Weight Watchers cookbook and tried it (because this girl loves anything with 0 points). It's AWESOME and has become a family favorite!!!

Ingredients
1 spray(s) cooking spray
1 small head(s) cauliflower
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. chili powder, or more to taste
1/2 tsp. table salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper

Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Cut cauliflower florets into bite-sized pieces (there should be about 4 cups). Place cauliflower in a medium bowl and add cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper; toss well to coat. Spread cauliflower on prepared baking sheet and bake until cauliflower is tender, but not mushy, stirring halfway through, about 10 minutes. Yields about 1/2 cup per serving.

Magic Mojitos

A tremendous accompaniment to Bergie's Ganked Guacamole, these mojitos will quench your thirst and have you back at the bar for more.

Ingredients*
3 fresh mint sprigs
2 tsp. sugar
3 tbsp. fresh lime juice
1.5 oz. light rum
club soda & ice

Directions
Crush part of the mint with a fork in a tall glass, to coat the inside. Add sugar and lime juice and stir thoroughly. Top with ice, add rum and mix. Top with chilled club soda or seltzer. Add a slice of lime and a mint sprig to serve.

*Mojitos are very time consuming to make. I recommend multiplying the recipe and premixing sugar, lime juice and rum.