Sweet & Sour Sauce

This sauce is excellent for meatballs.  I make this, and pour it over pre-made meatballs in the mini-crockpot, serve over rice, add a vegetable, and voila!  Dinner!

ingredients:
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
3 1/2 Tbsp. flour
2 1/4 cups water
1/3 cup white vinegar
5 Tbsp. soy sauce

directions:
1.  In a large saucepan, combine the brown sugar, flour, water, vinegar and soy sauce.  Mix thoroughly.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes.  

2.  Pour over your favorite meat dish.

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Super Moist Banana Bread

This recipe come from our favorite church's "Delightful Recipes From the Homes of Diamond Bar 1st Ward" c. 1988.  I always made this recipe when I was growing up, and I've always preferred this to any other I've tried.  Submitted by Joanne Vorkink

yield: 2 large loaves or 6 small

ingredients:
2 cubes butter or margarine
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
6 very overripe bananas
6 Tbsp buttermilk (or milk with 1 tsp. lemon juice mixed in)
2 tsp baking soda
4 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups nuts (optional)

directions:
1.  Preheat the oven to 350.  Grease loaf pans.

2.  Cream butter and sugar.  Add eggs and bananas.

3.  Add milk and dry ingredients alternately.

4.  Bake 50 minutes.  Watch carefully; do not over bake, especially if using smaller loaf pans.

  

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Fast Mac n' Cheese

I thought I'd make it in a quick pinch.  I upped the size of the recipe, and added a few things.  It was YUMMY!  Made in 15 minutes, oven for 15 minutes.  Voila!  Enjoy!

ingredients:
3 cups uncooked macaroni
24 oz. (3/4 full box) Velveeta (or generic)
3/4 cup milk  (I used 1/2 cup fat-free, 1/4 cup cream)

1 cup shredded cheese (I used cheddar, your choice though)
1 cup panko crumbs or bread crumbs
3 Tbsp. butter

directions:
1.  Preheat the oven to 350.  Cook the macaroni according to the package directions.  Drain completely.

2.  Cut the cheese (ha ha) into 1" squares.  Place in a medium size microwave safe bowl.  Add the milk.

3.  Melt the cheese/milk in the microwave on high for 2 minutes.  Remove and stir.  Melt the cheese for an additional 3 minutes.  Take out and continue to stir until the cheese is melted.

4.  Pour the cheese over the cooked pasta and stir together.  Place in 9x13" baking dish.  

5.  Toss together the shredded cheese, panko/bread crumbs and melted butter.  Sprinkle over the macaroni and cheese.

6.  Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.

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Crock Pot White Beans & Ham

I found a version of this on Pinterest, and the first time, the flavor was a bit strange.  I tweaked it a bit this

time, and it was much more pleasing.  I love how easy this is to make--it took 10 minutes to get it into the crock pot and it smelled divine within an hour of starting it.  This is perfect to use the left over bones of ham after your Easter ham is done with.  Delish!

ingredients:

1 lb. bag of dried white northern beans

6 1/2 cups water

ham bone, shanks, hocks or diced ham

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

directions:

1.  Sort and rinse the beans, removing any small pebbles.  

2.  Placing the beans in the crock pot, add the water, ham and spices.  Set on low to cook 8 hours, or high for 5-6 hours, or until the beans are tender.

3.  When the beans are soft enough, remove the ham bone from the crock pot.  Take off all of the ham meat and discard any fat, skin or bones.  Gently stir the good ham back in with the beans.  

You're ready to eat this delight!  It was quite tasty when served with corn bread.  This recipe here is quick easy and delicious for corn bread!  Enjoy!

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Crock Pot Lasagna Soup

This was a HIT with the whole family!  They loved it, and I therefore loved it.  When they don't complain, and actually like something new, it's a keeper!  It was indeed, easy to make and delicious to eat.

ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef or sausage
3 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth)
1 cup water
2 cups V8
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. dried parsley
1 Tbsp. dried basil
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1, 28 oz. can diced tomatoes
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 cups uncooked shell pasta
shredded mozzarella (for serving)

directions:
1.  Brown the meat, drain the fat.  
2.  Combine all ingredients in the crock pot, except for the pasta and mozzarella.
3.  Cook on Low for 4-8 hours.  1/2 hour before serving, stir in the shell pasta.  Put lid back on and continue to cook for 15-30 minutes.  
4.  Serve and sprinkle with shredded cheese.

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