Cheeseburger Soup

1 lb hamburger
3/4 C. chopped onion
3/4 C. chopped carrots
3/4 C. chopped celery
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried parsley
4 Tbsp. Butter, divided
5 C. Chicken Broth
4 C. Potatoes
1/4 C.flour
2 C. Velveeta
1 1/2 C. Milk
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 C. sour cream

Brown hamburger, drain. Saute onions, carrots, celery, basil, and parsley in 1 tbsp of butter until tender - about 10 minutes. Add broth, potatoes, and beef. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until potatoes are tender. In a small skillet melt the remaining butter and add flour and bubble. Add to soup. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes. Reduce heat and add cheese, milk, salt, pepper, and sour cream.

Slime with Worms

Make green jell-0 and pour into clear plastic cups. When jell-0 is soft set add gummy worms.

Almond Bark Popcorn

1 large bag of premade popcorn
1 bag of pretzels
1 large bag of M&M's
1 Package of Vanilla Almond Bark

Mix the first 3 ingredients in a large bowl. Melt almond bark according to package directions. Coat first 3 ingredients. Lay out on cookie sheets to cool. Store in the refrigerator.

Clay's Favorite Taco Hotdish

This is from my friend, Mindy. It's a big hit here whenever I make it!

Clay's Favorite Taco Hotdish
(this came from a church cookbook, but was renamed by request from a dck who told his mom that she HAD to get this recipe!)

2 pkg cresent rolls
1 1/2 pounds hamburger
1 small onion
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 can corn
1 (8oz) pkg shredded cheese

Pat 1 pkg cresent rolls in bottom of 9x13 pan. Fry hamburger and onion. Add seasoning as directed on package. Place hamburger mixture on top of cresent rolls. Top hamburger with a can of drained corn. Top corn with cheese. Place remaining can of cresent rolls on top an dbake until brown (25-30 minutes) in 350 degree oven.

Serve as a hotdish with taco toppings( tomatoes, lettuce, sour cream, black olives) or great served alone (this is the way my dck prefer!)

I always make a double batch of taco meat when I'm cooking. The "extra" can be used for nachos, or on potatoes or in this casserole!)

Hearty Beer Chili

Another new recipe. I have this cooking in my crockpot right now and it smells wonderful! I just sampled it and (granted it's only been cooking for about an hour so it's no where near ready but) it was wonderful! I can't wait to eat a bowl of it tonight with some sour cream and cheese and a peanut butter sandwich!

HEARTY BEER CHILI

2 1/2 - 3 pounds chuck roast, trimmed
1 pound italian sausage
3 tbsps. olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
3 tbsps. chili powder
1 tbsp. oregano
2 tsps. cumin
1 tsp. garlic, minced
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
3 medium cans diced tomatoes
6 oz. can tomato paste
8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 medium can chili beans (optional)
1 medium can kidney or black beans (optional)
24 oz. beer
12 oz. water

Cut roast into bite size pieces. Place in bowl and add 2 tbsps. olive oil and 2
tbsps. chili powder. Mix and marinate meat overnight.

Brown meat in small batches in 2-3 tbsps. olive oil. Add to crockpot. Brown
sausage in leftover oil and drain. Add to crockpot. Add onions, garlic, chili
powder, oregano, cumin, garlic, basil, salt and pepper to frying pan. Stir and
cook for about 3 minutes. Add to crockpot. Add remaining ingredients. Cook on high 4-6 hours or low 8-10 hours. Serve in bowls and top with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream if desired.

Beef Stroganoff

This is a big favorite in our family and of the daycare kids.

1 lb ground beef
1/2 c. sliced onion
1 can cream mushroom soup
1/2 c. sour cream
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 package of medium egg noodles

Brown hamburger and onion. Add soup, sour cream, and cream cheese. Heat through. Add cooked noodles. Stir and heat. Good served with garlic bread.

Mexican Haystacks

I saw this on the school menu for my kids. We used to have these when I was in school and they were always my favorites. I searched several different recipes and this one sounds about right. I haven't tried it yet, but I am excited to!

Mexican Haystacks

Chow Mein Noodles
1 lb. ground beef
1/2 onion
1 pint enchilada sauce
2 cups cooked rice
Cheese

Cook ground beef and onion. Cook rice, while cooking simmer cooked ground beef and enchilada sauce together.

Layer chow mein noodles, meat sauce, rice, cheese, lettuce, tomaot, and sour cream.

Cookin for the kids

I decided to post some of my favorite recipes (old and new) here. Favorites of the daycare kids, my kids, and mine.