Amish Casserole

Haha, okay so after seeing DeAnn's post, I'm wondering if I should call this "Ghetto Lasagna"....cuz that's sort of what it is, compared! 

Just kidding.....this casserole is one of our family's favorite meals.  I found it a few years ago at allrecipes.com.  Nate asks for it all the time, and it's a big hit with kids.  Cam always finishes his plate, and I will chop it up for Allie, and she'll shove it in her mouth as fast as her chubby little hands can go!!

1-2 lb ground beef
1 can condensed tomato soup
1/4 c brown sugar

Brown the beef in a skillet, drain fat.  Add soup, brown sugar, s&p.  Let simmer.

Meanwhile, boil a 12 oz package of wide egg noodles in a large pot.  Drain, and return to pot. 
Stir in 1 can cream of chicken soup.  Add beef mixture and combine.

In a greased 9x13 dish, place half of the mixture on the bottom.  Top with 5-6 slices of American cheese.  Add remaining mixture and top with cheese again.  Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.

(sorry, this is one of those foodie pictures that looks gross!)

Creamy Potato Soup

6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled

1 onion, finely chopped and sauteed

2 cans (10.5 oz) condensed chicken broth

2 cups water

5 large potatoes, diced

1/2 t salt

1/2 t dried dill weed

1/2 t ground white pepper

1/2 c flour

2 c half-and-half

1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk

Combine bacon, onion, potatoes, broth, water and seasonings in a Crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours.

In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and half-and-half. Stir into the soup along with the evaporated milk. Cover and cook another 30 minutes.

Garnish with grated cheese.

**I used 3/4 t salt and still thought it needed more. If I ever find the right amount I'll write it down. It's still pretty runny for a cream soup after 30 minutes so you could let it sit longer. I actually like this soup better the next day so it's great as leftovers. It got 0 stars from my kids but Jonathan and I love it!

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

This meal is a song in my head because my kids sing it: Chiiiiiicken Broccoli Rice Casserooooooooole. This is one of the few dinners that all of my kids will eat.

Layer the bottom of a 9x13 pan with cooked, cubed chicken. I don't have a specified amount. Sorry. Add cooked broccoli on top of the chicken. Again no amount. Top the chicken and broccoli with cooked rice (I cooked 1 1/2 cups of raw rice today and it seemed just right). Next comes the sauce:

1 can cream of chicken soup
1/3 c mayonnaise
1/4 c milk

Top with grated cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes (covered with foil).

Tofu Veggie Stir-Fry

1 pkg extra-firm tofu
Drain thoroughly by slicing into strips and placing on paper towels.  Put paper towels on top and set a cookie sheet on top.  Let sit for 15 minutes.  Change paper towels and repeat.  Cube when drained.
2 TB soy sauce
1 TB rice vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil
Combine in a small bowl with the tofu.  Let marinade for 5-10 minutes, while you prepare veggies. (Can also be covered and refridgerated for a few hours).
1-2 onions, sliced into wedges
1-2 carrots sliced
1-2 c sliced mushrooms
1 red pepper, diced
Handful of snowpeas and/or asparagus, washed
Several handfuls of fresh spinach
Heat oil in a large skillet.  Saute tofu (save marinade) over med-high heat until golden brown.  Set aside.  Saute onions and carrots until softened.  Add other veggies, except for spinach.  Saute until just softened.  Add marinade, tofu, spinach and saute just until spinach is heated through.  Add s&p.  Serve over brown rice and eat with chopsticks, if you dare!  Tastes great with melted swiss or provolone cheese on top. Can also season to taste with ginger. 

If you're not a tofu fan, TRY THIS!  Cube the tofu really small so it blends in more.  Then if you still don't like it, you can probably substitute chicken in this recipe.  Experiment, lots of possibilities with this healthy dish!!

PS...Not the most kid-friendly meal....BUT you might be surprised at what they'll eat!!  Cam will eat everything but the red peppers and spinach.  Both my kids love tofu!