Baked Hamburger Stew

Soups are one of my favorite winter comfort foods. Baked Hamburger Stew is one of my faves. Its easy and quick to put together and is loaded with wonderful veggies and flavor. This is great to make ahead and freeze for a quick dinner or lunch.

Ingredients:

3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced

3 medium carrots, sliced

3/4 lb lean ground beef

1 can(14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained

1/2 cup frozen peas

2 medium onions, sliced

2 tablespoons of butter

Salt and pepper to taste

In a greased 13"x9" baking dish, layer potatoes and carrots. Crumble beef over carrots. Layer withe the tomatoes, peas and onions. Dot with butter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degree for 1 1/2 hours or until meat is no longer pink and potatoes are tender.

Serve with homemade French Bread or grilled cheese sandwiches.

Brownie Layered Dessert

I found this wonderful dessert in a Taste of Home Magazine and just had to make it. Brownie Layered Dessert is a yummy brownie layered with cream cheese and chocolate pudding.

Ingredients: 2 boxes brownie mix

Filling: 2 packages cream cheese

(one 8 oz and 1 3 ounce), softened

2 cups confectioner's sugar

2 cups whipped topping

Topping: 2 cups cold milk

1 package (3.9) instant

chocolate pudding mix

Make brownies per the box directions. Pour into a 13x9 inch baking pan and bake per box directions 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.

In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese and confectioner's sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped topping: spread over brownies.

In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Spread over filling. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until served.

Cut into squares, garnish with whipped topping and nuts , if desired. ( my kids won't eat it if nuts are in it, but walnuts would be a great addition.

This would make a great make-ahead dessert to take to family or church gatherings or office potlucks.

Banana Muffins

These banana muffins were my mom's favorites. She loved banana bread and muffins! You can adapt these by adding nuts or chocolate chips (for the kids).

Ingredients:

1-3/4 Cups all-purpose flour (I cheated and used self-rising because I was out of all-purpose. If you use self-rising-omit the baking soda, baking powder and salt)

3/4 cup Sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 egg

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup Milk or plain yogurt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2-3 medium sized)

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, combine the egg, oil, milk and vanilla.

Stir liquid ingredients into dry ingredients just until moistened.

Fold in mashed bananas and (nuts or chocolate chips, if desired)

Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups 2/3 of the way full. Bake at 350 degrees for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool for 5 minutes before moving from baking pan.

Note: The top 6 muffins have streusel: to make streusel you need

1/4 brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon cold butter or margarine

1/4 cup finely ground nuts (I like walnuts with these)

Combine brown sugar and cinnamon, cut in butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle on over batter and bake.