Chicken Fried Steak

"Doesn't this just scream comfort food?"

4 beef cube steaks

1 sleeve saltine crackers, crushed*

1/2 cup flour

3 eggs, beaten

salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder, desired amount**

1 packet of McCormick Original Country Gravy Mix, prepared according to package directions

Prepared mashed potatoes

 

In 3 separate large plastic storage or Zip-loc bags, place crushed saltine crackers, flour and beaten eggs.  (Using plastic bags allows for easy clean-up, but if you prefer use 3 glass pans for your breading stations.)  Season each with desired amounts of salt, pepper, onion and garlic powders.  One at a time, place cube steaks first in seasoned flour, then in seasoned egg and finally in seasoned cracker crumbs.  In a large frying pan over medium heat, saute steaks in about 1/4 inch of canola oil for about 4-5 minutes per side or until cooked thoroughly and golden brown.  Serve with mashed potatoes and country gravy.

 

*Crush saltine crackers in a large, sealed plastic storage bag with a rolling pan.

 

**Make sure and season the crackers, flour and eggs well.

Lunch Lady Lime Pears

Ok, does anyone remember school lunch?  I think I'm probably one of the only people who actually liked to eat in the cafeteria.  I know many people who wouldn't have eaten the food served in there if their life depended on it.  So call me crazy, but for some strange reason I was one of the few who ate cafeteria food on a daily basis and liked it.  The other day, I have no idea why, I remembered one of the 'desserts' that I ate with many of my school lunches.  It had to be back in the 70's when I had it and I have no idea if they still serve it, but here it is...

"Does it look familiar at all?"

Yes, pear halves sprinkled with lime jello.  I know, I know now there's proof that I am crazy! 

Seriously, it's really good.  Try it and see if it brings back memories! 

Crispy Chicken Wraps

"My Husband came up with this quick dinner idea.  It's one of our favorite weeknight meals because we can throw it together even when we get home late from work." 

 

frozen, breaded chicken strips or patties, prepared and cut up into bite-sized pieces
Hormel real bacon pieces or crumbled bacon
shredded cheddar cheese
flour tortillas

Layer the prepared chicken pieces, bacon pieces, shredded cheddar cheese and spicy ranch sauce (recipe follows) on flour tortillas and wrap up and ENJOY!

Spicy Ranch Sauce
1 can of Ro*tel diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon Chipotle chile pepper, depending on desired spiciness*

Combine Ro*tel, ranch dressing and chipotle chile pepper.

TIP:  If you want the sauce to be less spicy, just omit the chipotle chile pepper.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwiches

"This sandwich is so easy and it makes for a delicious dinner.  The creamy Dijon mayo tops off yummy layers of chicken, ham and Swiss.  Yum!"

 



4 frozen, breaded chicken patties
1/2 pound thinly sliced deli honey ham
1/4 pound thinly sliced Swiss cheese
4 hamburger buns

Prepare chicken patties, according to package directions.  When finished baking, divide ham and cheese evenly among each of the 4 chicken patties and return to the oven.  Bake until cheese is melted and ham is heated, about 2-3 minutes.  Serve patties topped with Dijon mayo (recipe follows) on hamburger buns.   

Dijon Mayo
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2-3 Tablespoons Dijon mustard, depending on desired spiciness
Salt and pepper, to taste

Combine mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper.

Rotini Bake

"This casserole combines two pasta sauces, marinara and Alfredo.  The combination is wonderful and this is now my favorite pasta dish."

1 pound hamburger

1/2 of an onion, chopped

salt, pepper, onion and garlic powders, desired amounts

1 (24 ounce) jar marinara pasta sauce, or your favorite jarred tomato pasta sauce

1/2 of a 1-pound box or 8 ounces of rotini pasta

1 (15 ounce) jar Alfredo sauce

2 cups shredded cheese of your choice (I used shredded Colby jack cheese.)  

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

In a large saucepan, brown hamburger, onion and seasonings.  Drain.  Add jar of tomato pasta sauce and heat through.  Prepare rotini according to package directions and drain.  In a casserole dish that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray, layer 1/2 of the meat sauce, 1/2 of the pasta, 1/2 of the Alfredo sauce, 1 cup of shredded cheese and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese.  Repeat layers.  Bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until bubbly.