Grandmas Faves

My 89 year old grandma has always been a big inspiration to me in the kitchen. I used to watch her and help cook pancakes on a saturday morning while visiting her and my papa. She was the one who taught me that you needed to wait for all the bubbles to pop before you flipped them. They would always come   out golden brown and perfect! She had six kids and most always was also feeding their friends, or the football team from school. This women knew how to cook for a large crowd and on a budget. She no longer is able to cook like she used to, but her recipes will forever be with me. Here are a few of my favorites I grew up eating and now share on a regular basis with my family.

MICROWAVE CHICKEN DIVAN

Cook enough broccoli to cover bottom of a large square baking dish (just a little crunchy)

3 cups dicked cooked chicken

1 can cream of chicken soup

1/4 cup sour cream

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp garlic powder

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

1/4 cup bread crumbs

1 tsp soy sauce

broccoli ( I like to use fresh and steam it, but you can use frozen if you like)

4 cups cooked rice

In a large bowl combine soup, sour cream, lemon juice, garlic powder and soy sauce. Set aside. Evenly arrange broccoli in a 2 qt covered casserole dish. Top with 1/4 soup mixture. Lay chicken on top spread with remaining mixture. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. Cook covered on reheat for 12-14 min or until hot, turning once during cooking. Serve over hot rice.

*You could make this ahead of time and pop it in the fridge until ready to eat dinner. 

3 in 1 (GRAMS GOULASH)

So quick and easy to make and kids love it!

1/2 onion chopped

1 lb ground beef

1 can stewed tomatoes

2 tbs taco seasoning

2 tbs salsa

3 cups pasta (I use rotini)

1 cup shredded cheese

garlic powder

salt and pepper 

Cook onion and ground beef over med heat, season with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Add taco seasoning and salsa to meat mixture. Puree tomatoes and add to skillet. While this is simmering cook pasta and then add to skillet and mix. Add cheese over mixture, turn off stove and cover with a lid. The cheese will melt. Enjoy with a salad and french bread if desired. Serves 6-8

LEMON JELLO CAKE

We used to request this all the time for birthdays! 

1 pkg yellow cake mix (no pudding in it)

3/4 cup oil

4 eggs

1 pkg (small) lemon jello dry

3/4 cups water

Beat all ingredients for 4 min with mixer. Pour into 9x13 pan. Bake 35-40 min at 350. While cake is hot punch holes in the top with a fork.

2 cups powdered sugar

juice of 2 lemons

Pour over cake and dust with powdered sugar.