Baked Ziti

This is a family favorite during the holidays. Mom also likes it because it feeds a crowd!

1 lbs of dry ziti
1 onion chopped
1 lbs of lean ground beef
2 jars (26 oz each) of spaghetti sauce
6 oz of Provolone Cheese, sliced
1 1/2 cups Sour cream
6-8 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 T of grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
1. Boil pasta according to package directions. Drain.
2. In a skillet, brown onion, and ground beef over medium heat. Drain grease
3. Add spaghetti sauce and summer 15 to 20 minutes
4. Layer in a greased 9x 13 dish; half the ziti, provolone, sour cream, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese, and remaining sauce.
5. Top with Parmesan cheese.
6. Bake at 350 degrees uncovered 30 to 40 minutes.

Let set 5 minutes before serving.

Make 8 to 12 servings

Birthday Bash 2011

Well, today the girls will have their 6th and 8th Birthdays. It is hard to believe that they are getting that big. As we do every year, we will have a birthday party with the family for them. I thought this was the year I was going to order pizza and be done with it, but the other night Clay asked them what they wanted for their birthday dinner. When they made their request, it seemed reasonable. So, here is this year's menu. I'll have to post a picture of the cake later.



Grilled Chicken Breast (marinated in Italian Dressing) and BBQ Chicken Legs

Crock-pot Mac and Cheese
http://twosistersandfriends.blogspot.com/2009/04/crock-pot-mac-and-cheese.html

Green Beans
http://twosistersandfriends.blogspot.com/2008/11/gordon-greenbeans.html

Rudolph Cake

Lazy Lasagna

This recipe is one we tried at the last cooking class. The girls loved it! It was super easy, and meatless. It will be put into the rotation at the Gordon house. It would also be a great freezer meal.

INGREDIENTS:
1 package of frozen spinach
1 small onion, chopped
1 (28 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
3 lbs of cheese ravioli
4 cups of mozzarella


Ready In: 1 Hour 20 Minutes Servings: 8
DIRECTIONS: 1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

2.Brown the onion in a skillet. Pour in spaghetti sauce and simmer 5 minutes.

3.In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread enough sauce to cover bottom and put a layer of ravioli down end to end.

4.Spread a layer of sauce, spinach, and cheese just like you would with regular lasagna. Keep layering and finish with sauce on top.

5.Bake uncovered in a preheated oven for 1 hour. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Gift Ideas- Cookies

Snickerdoodle Mix in a Jar

2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 1/2 cups sugar

Layer all ingredients in Jar Or vacuum seal bag.

Attach Tag:

Snickerdoodles
Makes about 5 dozen cookies

1 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 eggs
1 package Snickerdoodle Mix
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. cinnamon

Cream butter/sugar, adding eggs. Add mix and blend till well mixed. Shape dough into 1" balls & roll in cinnamon & sugar. Bake 2" apart on ungreased baking sheets in 350F oven for 15-18 minutes.

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M&M's Cookie Mix


1 1/4 cups sugar
1 cup M&Ms® plain chocolate candies
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder

Combine all ingredients in Jar (in Layers) Or vacuum seal bag.

Attach Tag

1 Jar Mix
3/4 cup softened butter
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla;

Combine all in good size bowl & mix well. Drop by big spoonfuls on greased baking sheets & Bake in 350 F oven for 12-14 minutes.

Gift Ideas- Muffins

Apple Muffin Mix

2 cups self-rising flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup chopped dried apples


In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients. Place the mix into an
airtight container. Makes 1 package.


To Use:

Apple Muffins
1 package Apple Muffin Mix
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Preheat the oven to 400 F and grease 12 muffin tins. Stir all ingredients
until they are just blended. Do not overmix. Spoon the batter into greased
muffin pans, filling 3/4 full. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until golden
brown.

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3 Grain Muffin Mix

5 cups Whole Wheat Flour
2 cups Oat Bran or Quick Oats
5 cups Unbleached Flour
3 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Nutmeg
6 tsp. Baking Powder
2 tsp. Baking Soda

Blend Together and divide evenly into 4 pkgs.

Attach Tag:

3 cups Basic Muffin Mix
1/2 cup Oil
1/2 to 1 cup Sweetener (Honey, Maple Syrup, etc)
1 cup Fruit or Vegetable Puree (Pineapple, Apple, Carrot, Zucchini, Sweet Potato, Banana, Berries or Apple Sauce)
1/2 to 1 cup Milk
1 to 2 Egg(s)
1/2 to 1 cup Nuts, Raisins, Seeds or other Dried Fruit


Combine all ingredients. Do not overmix. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Gift Ideas- Drinks

Here are some more gift ideas for the holiday season. Here are two drink recipes that look great in a small container or mason jar. I remember my parents receiving the Friendship Tea mix as gifts growing up. I personally LOVED it!

Rich Cocoa Mix
1 cup milk powder
1 cup powdered coffee creamer
1 cup sugar
½ cup cocoa powder

Mix well and store in a labeled container.

To make cocoa, use about 1 tablespoon mix per 1/4 cup steaming hot water added, or up to 5 tablespoons per regular mug


Friendship Tea Mix
1 (18 ounce) jar Tang breakfast drink (orange flavor)
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup presweetened lemonade mix (such as Countrytime )
1/2 cup instant tea
1 (3 ounce box ) apricot Jell-O
2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves

Combine all ingredients in zip-lock or vacuum seal bag (or jar!), whatever container you prefer.

To Use: add 2-3 Heaping Teaspoons per cup of mug of Hot Water