Baked Beans

These are the perfect side dish for BBQs.  They are sweet and savory, plus they contain bacon.  Lets face it... bacon makes everything better!

Ingredients

• 2 16 oz cans baked beans (I like the maple brown sugar ones best)
• 1/4 c. molasses
• 1/4 cup chopped sweet onion
• 4 Tb brown sugar
• 1 Tb prepared Dijon mustard
• 2 Tb ketchup
• 2-4 slices bacon cooked until crispy, then crumbled

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Combine all ingredients in a greased casserole dish.  (I like to line mine with tinfoil for easy clean up).  
3. Cover and bake for three hours or until thick.

Grandma's Apple Toffee Dip

This is the best dip EVER!!  I've brought it to a number of parties and everyone always raves about it.

Ingredients

• 3/4 C. white sugar
• 1/2 C. brown sugar
• 8 oz softened cream cheese
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 package of scores or heath toffee bits
• 6-9 granny smith apples, cored and chopped into wedges

Directions

1. Combine sugars and cream cheese in a medium mixing bow and mix on medium speed until well combined.
2. Pour in toffee and mix with a spoon until well combined.
3.  Cut apples and soak in lemon juice to prevent browning.

Easiest Salsa Ever

This is my mother-in-law's salsa recipe.  It is quick, easy, and most importantly, it is delicious.  With only seven ingredients, you cant go wrong....

Ingredients

• 1 6 oz can green chilies
• 5 green onions (cut off the tip of the white end and only use the first 2 inches or so of the green part)
• 2 large cans tomatoes, drained (I use Mexican stewed, but you can use diced or whatever)
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper
• 2 tsps salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• half bunch of fresh cilantro

Directions

1. Place all ingredients in a  food processor and pulse until smooth.  Chill for at least an hour before serving.

Jalapeno Mac&Cheese

Have you ever been to Famous Dave's?  We love that place and visit it quite frequently.  One of my FAVORITE things there, besides the spicy sausage and ribs, is their jalapeno mac&cheese.  It's super cheesy, creamy, and has a little kick, but not so much that kids don't love it too.  Here is the recipe.

Ingredients

• 1/4 c. butter
• 3 jalapenos, seeds removed and diced
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 3 Tb flour
• 2 c. milk
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 12 oz dry macoroni
• 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese (I usually use the three cheese Mexican blend because its one I always have on hand)
• 3/4 cup Italian bread crumbs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil for macaroni.  
3. Melt butter in in a medium saucepan, add chopped garlic and jalapenos.  saute until semi-tender.
4. Add flour, pepper, salt, cumin, and cayenne pepper.  stir it all together.  
5. Slowly add milk and simmer 15-20 minutes.
6. Meanwhile add macaroni to boiling water along with a little oil to prevent sticking.
7. Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray.
8. Add cheese to sauce and stir until melted.
9. Drain Macaroni when it reaches desired doneness.  Return to saucepan.  Add cheesy sauce to noodles and mix til combined.
10. Pour into buttered baking dish, top with breadcrumbs, and bake until top is golden brown and bubbly.   

Enjoy!!

Loaded Baked Potato Casserole

Super good, super easy.  Nuf said.

serves 12

Ingredients

• 5 1/2 C. mashed potatoes (6-7 large baking potatoes)
• 1/2 C. Milk
• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese softened
• 1 C. sour cream
• 2 tsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 C. shredded cheddar cheese
• 8 slices bacon cooked til crispy and crumbled
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Peel, quarter, and boil potatoes for 15-20  minutes or until soft.
3. Drain and mash potatoes with a mixer until smooth.
4. Add milk, cream cheese, sour cream, parsley, garlic salt, and nutmeg.  Beat at a medium high speed until nice and creamy, adding salt and pepper to taste.  Mix in 1/2 the bacon.
5. Spoon into a 9X13 baking dish coated with cooking spray.  Top with cheese and remaining bacon.
6. Cover and bake 30 minutes.  Uncover and bake 10 additional minutes or until cheese melts.

*you can make this ahead of time and put in the fridge.  Just be sure to add about 20-30 minutes to the cooking time.

Better then Sex.... Sweet Potatoes

It isn't cake, but its just about as good.  This sweet potato casserole tops them all.  It is a thanksgiving tradition that has spread from Tyson's family, to my family, to my extended relatives, and to many friends.  It is a must try.  Even people who don't like sweet potatoes love this recipe.

Ingredients

• 3 C. cooked, mashed sweet potatoes (the orange kind)
• 1 C. Sugar
• 1/4 C. Butter melted
• 2 eggs, well beaten
• 1 Tsp. Vanilla extract
• 1/3 C. evaporated milk
• 1/2 C. brown sugar
• 1/4 C. flour
• 2 1/2 T. butter, melted
• 1/2 pecan pieces 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. In a large bowl mix the first six ingredients and place into a 2-quart casserole dish.
3. Combine the last four ingredients and sprinkle on top of sweet potatoes. 
4. Bake uncovered at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until top is crispy.

Cranberry & apple coleslaw

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 lb shredded cabbage;

• ½ lb shredded carrots;

• 2 granny smith apples, cored and

chopped in small matchsticks;

• 2 cups fresh or dried cranberries;

• 1 cup mayonnaise;

• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar;

• 2 tbsp honey, (optional; although highly recommended!)

PREPARATION

1 In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, apple

cider vinegar and honey, if using.

2 Add the cabbage, carrots, apples and cranberries

to the bowl and mix everything together.

This is an awesome coleslaw recipe that has become a family favorite!  There is just something about the sweet and tangy combination that makes it irresistible. It is the perfect side dish to bring to a BBQ or picnic and with the summer season coming up we will all be attending our fair share of those :)  Enjoy!