Enchilada Layered Casserole

~the farmgirl story~
So, I just discovered this recipe.  We are putting together recipe books in YW for our girls that are seniors this year.  This recipe is from Eloise, the lovely lady I serve with.  So, SO easy.  And I don't remember the last time I fixed something all my kids (minus one) kept eating it until it was gone.  They loved it! And I love that!  No pictures, sorry.

Enchilada Layered Casserole

Brown 1 lb. ground beef together with one chopped onion and one chopped green pepper.  Season with salt & pepper to taste.
Add 1 can tomato soup
1 can water (can use 1/2 can water & 1/2 can salsa)
1 packet taco seasoning

Layer corn or flour soft shell tortillas, meat and grated cheese 3 times.
Bake for 30 min. at 375*.

~farmgirl disclaimer~
I know, amazing that I have a disclaimer when I've only made it once--but I do.  She said this is a really liberal recipe.  I didn't have any tomato soup so I used a can of tomato sauce and omitted the water.  I did add salsa and some refried beans I had in the fridge.

Bean Casserole

~ the farmgirl story~
This is by no means fancy.  Most of my dinner items are not fancy, and a lot of them involve ground beef.  I'm a dairy farmers daughter, lest you forget....beef-it's what's for dinner.  But it is really good.  This recipe is from my mom.  Mike likes to heat the leftovers and put them on a tortilla, roll 'em up and walk out the door.  Super easy lunch.

Bean Casserole

1 lb. ground beef browned & drained

1 can pork & beans

1 can kidney beans

1 Tbl. vinegar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup ketsup

1 Tbl. mustard

chopped onion to taste

Combine all ingredients together.  Put in 9x13 pan, top with cheese and heat through.

~the farmgirl disclaimer~

I started out making this in a 9x13, but now I just make it in a skillet and heat it on the stove.  Less dishes and time.  Win, win.

Bread Sticks

~the farmgirl story~
Once upon a time a long, long time ago I got married and before that I had a bridal shower.  At that bridal shower my friends had put together a recipe book of all their favorite recipes.  This is one of those very recipes...thank you Anneke.  It has been a favorite for a very long time.

Bread Sticks

1 Tbl yeast

2 Tbl sugar

1 ½ cup warm water

3-cup flour

1 tsp salt

Mix yeast, sugar & water- set aside 5 mins.  Mix with flour and salt- knead well. Let raise 15 mins. Roll out dough, place on cookie sheet, cut into strips with pizza cutter let raise 15 mins.  Bake 400* for 12-15 mins.  Put butter and Parmesan cheese on top.

~the farmgirl disclaimer~
I am quite liberal with the raise time on these things.  Pretty much whatever time I have seems to work.

Natalie's Peanut Butter Bars

~the farmgirl story~
One day last fall I was at my SIL Natalie's house, she had whipped up these delightful little things and shared some with me.  MmmMMmmm.  These are good.  She found the recipe on a bag of Western Family sugar or some such crazy place.  The original recipe is called Scott's Peanut Butter Bars, but we renamed them.

Natalie's Peanut Butter Bars

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/3 cup peanut butter
1/2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup flour
1 cup oatmeal
1 cup chocolate chips

Icing
1/2 cup powdered sugat
2 Tbl peanut butter
2 Tbl milk

Cream butter & sugars.  Add egg & peanut butter and mix well.  Stir in soda, salt, flour & oats.  Spread in 9x13 pan.  Sprinkle chocolate chips on top and press down.  Bake 15-20 mins.  Remove from oven and drizzle with icing.

~the farmgirl disclaimer~
I always need to add more milk to the icing to get it to "drizzle" consistency.

Pancakes

~the farmgirl story~
This recipe is from my sister Sara.  I have been making these for years.  I don't really ever buy pancake mix any more.  I don't know for sure if these are cheaper, but they are definitely better and by not buying pancake mix it's one less thing I need to purchase at the store.

Pancakes

1 cup flour
1 Tbl. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 egg
1 cup milk
1 Tbl. oil

~the farmgirl disclaimer~
I usually add a bit more milk.  I also make these using whole wheat flour and my kids still love them.  If I want to make waffles, I just add a bit more oil and baking powder and it works great.

And while we're on the subject of purchasing fewer items at the store...I no longer buy syrup.  And it's better homemade too!  I just bought Mapleine imitation maple flavor and followed the directions on the bottle.
1 cup boiling water poured over 2 cups sugar, add 1/2 tsp Mapleine and stir.  Easy peasy lemon squeezy.  I've also done 1 cup white sugar 1 cup brown sugar.  I know exactly what's in it, and it doesn't leave an after taste like store bought syrup does.  Sure, it's not Butter Milk Syrup (or my favorite name for it Crack Sauce)--but it's simple and I like it.

Crack Sauce aka Buttermilk Syrup

1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
3 Tbl. corn syrup

In a LARGE saucepan, bring contents to boil, boiling for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat, add 2 tsp vanilla.  Start the timer as soon as it looks like there are bubbles in the syrup, I don't wait for a rolling boil.

Baking Powder Biscuits

~the farmgirl story~
My MIL used to work at the LDS dry pack cannery.  She gave me a Family Recipes- Use and Enjoy your Food Storage recipe book printed by the cannery a long, long time ago.  I must admit some of the recipes appear a little sketchy, but this biscuit recipe is a keeper.

 Baking Powder Biscuits

2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
3 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup shortening
3/4 cup milk

Combine flour, baking powder & salt.  Add shortening and use fork to cut in to resemble course meal.  Add milk, stir until blended.  Transfer dough to lightly floured surface.  Knead gently, 8-10 times.  Roll dough 1/2 inch thick.  Cut into biscuits.  Bake 425* for 10-12 mins.

~the farmgirl disclaimer~
I think they are too dry if you just use 3/4 milk.  I always add closer to a cup.  And I usually don't roll the dough quite that thin either, I like a nice thick biscuit.