Tag: nani’s cranny

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My Favorite Recipes

Nani’s Vegetarian Baked Beans

Baked Beans
Baked Beans
This is a favorite recipe of mine for home made baked beans. These are the real thing, made from scratch. They are surprisingly easy. It just takes a little pre-planning. I like to get them in the crockpot the night before. They can cook all night and day and be ready for an afternoon picnic.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups dry navy beans (or your favorite combination of beans)
  • 9 cups water
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 green pepper, chopped
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup Catsup or BBQ Sauce
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons dry mustard
  • 2 Tablespoons dark molasses
  • 1 teaspoon basil
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • Dash of liquid smoke
  • 1 Tablespoon chili powder
  • Dash crushed red peppers

Directions

Bring the 9 cups of water and the beans to a boil, simmer for 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and let stand for 1 1/2 hours. Drain beans and put in crockpot with the remaining ingredients. Cook on low for 12 to 20 hours. Time will vary with each individual crockpot.

Nani Tip
Use any or all of the seasonings listed. Or add your own favorite combination.

Spinach Dip Supreme

This is everyone’s favorite recipe for spinach dip. No recipe collection would be complete without it. I love to serve it in a hollowed out round loaf of bread. Use the cut-out pieces of bread and fresh veggies for dipping.

Ingredients

  • 1 package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
  • 1 can water chestnuts, chopped
  • 1 package Knorr vegetable soup mix (dry)
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup mayonnaise

Directions
Combine all ingredients. Chill and serve with bread and veggies.

Easy Thai Lettuce Wraps

Lettuce Thai Wraps
Lettuce Thai Wraps
My daughter gave me her favorite recipe for lettuce wraps and I have to admit ,they are super easy and good. These make great appetizers or a good low calorie main meal. I like them served at room temperature.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound cooked chicken breast, finely chopped
  • 1 can water chestnuts, chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
  • 1 bunch green onions, chopped
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup Bangkok Padang Peanut Sauce
  • 1 head iceberg lettuce, divided into leaves

Directions
Mix chicken, water chestnuts, peanuts, and green onions. Add enough peanut sauce to moisten chicken mixture to your liking. Serve with lettuce leaves.

Nani’s Favorite Cheese Ball

The Holidays are approaching and this is a great classic cheese ball recipe. Originally it was called Philly Cheese Bell. I believe it was Kraft that made a cold pack cheese and marketed it during the Christmas season in red containers shaped like a bell. The recipe came from Kraft. I can no longer find this brand of cold pack cheese, so I use whatever brand and flavor I can find. You can vary the taste by the flavor of cheese that you use. Smoked and bacon flavored work very well. This cheese ball is always a big hit and has a great consistency for spreading on crackers. I love rolling it in chili powder, but if your tastes lean towards non-spicy, it is very good rolled in nuts, too. Need chili powder? It’s available at [ad#Myspice Hyperlink]
Ingredients

  • 8 oz package cold pack cheese, softened
  • 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons margarine
  • 2 teaspoons chopped onion
  • 2 teaspoons chopped green pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup chili powder or 1/2 cup chopped nuts

Directions
Mix all ingredients well except the chili powder or nuts. Return to refrigerator for a couple of hours until cheese mixture becomes firm. Remove from refrigerator and shape into a ball. Pour chili powder or chopped nuts on a piece of wax paper and roll ball until it is covered. Serve with your favorite crackers.

World’s Easiest Cream of Tomato Soup

Are you looking for a quick and delicious soup? Try this easy version of cream of tomato soup. It is a favorite recipe of mine to use up leftover marinara sauce. Use your favorite marinara sauce or try mine.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 1 cup 1/2 & 1/2
  • freshly ground pepper


Directions
Mix marinara sauce and 1/2 and 1/2 in a saucepan. Cook over low heat just until heated through. Pour into soup bowls and top with freshly ground pepper.

World’s Best Chicken Wild Rice Soup

I received this favorite recipe many years ago from a co-worker. It is absolutely the best chicken wild rice soup I have eaten. My family loves it and has passed it on to many of their friends. The recipe calls for a pound of bacon, I often make it without bacon and think it is just as good. Some family members disagree with me on that!

Directions

  • 2-3 cups chicken, cooked
  • 4 cups wild rice, cooked
  • 1 lb well cooked and drained bacon
  • 1 onion, sauteed in butter
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken)
  • 1 can cream of potato soup
  • 1 can cream of celery soup
  • 1 large jar old english cheese (or 2 small jars)
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 8 oz carton 1/2 & 1/2
  • 1 can french style green beans, drained
  • salt & pepper, to taste

Directions
Put all ingredients in crock pot for 6 to 8 hours. Also you can simmer for a couple of hours on stovetop.

Jim’s Favorite BBQ Sauce

Here is a quick and easy homemade BBQ sauce. This was always our family’s favorite recipe until we discovered Famous Dave’s sauce! I still like to make this one, too. It is easy, quick, and cheap.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups ketchup
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 3 Tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 Teaspoon garlic powder

Directions
Mix all together in saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes. Serve on ribs, chicken, pork, or anything that you like BBQ sauce on.

Turkey Chow Mein

Turkey Chow Mein
Turkey Chow Mein
I found another old favorite recipe recently. Left over Thanksgiving turkey is perfect for this dish. It is easy, tasty and quick.

Ingredients

  • 1 green pepper, sliced into strips
  • 1 cup celery, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 3/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup cold water
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1/2 envelope onion soup mix
  • 2 to 3 cups cooked diced turkey or chicken
  • 1 – 3 oz can sliced mushrooms
  • 1 – 5 oz can water chestnuts, sliced & drained
  • 1 can bean sprouts, drained
  • Chow mein noodles and/or rice

Directions
In large skillet, saute pepper and celery for 2 minutes. Add chicken broth. In small bowl, blend cornstarch with cold water and soy sauce; gradually stir into the broth. Add onion soup mix. Cook and stir until mixture thickens. Add turkey, mushrooms, water chestnuts, and beat sprouts. Cook just until all ingredients are heated through. Serve over chow mein noodles and/or rice.

Nani’s Pizza Casserole

Pizza Casserole
Pizza Casserole
This is another of those favorite recipes for the kids. What kid doesn’t like pizza? This is an quick and easy recipe that will please the whole family.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
  • 1/2 cup onion, chopped
  • 1/4 cup green olives, chopped
  • 1- 4 oz can mushrooms
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1- 12 oz package egg noodles, cooked al dente
  • 2- 10 oz jars pizza sauce
  • 1- 8 oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup sliced pepperoni
  • 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

Brown meat with onion. Add mushrooms, olives, and spices. Combine noodles, beef mixture, pizza sauce, tomato sauce, milk, and pepperoni. Pour into a 9 x 13 inch pan. Cover and bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Sprinkle cheese on top and bake uncovered 15 minutes longer until cheese is melted and light brown.