Beef Stroganoff

From Mom

1/2 lb. ground beef
1/4 C. chopped onion
1/2 clove garlic
2 Tbsp. butter
1/2 can creamed chicken soup
1/2 C. sour cream
salt and pepper

Brown meat and onion in butter. Add garlic, salt and pepper. Add soup, sour cream and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Makes 4 servings.

Serve with buttered noodles or rice.

Penne All' Americiana

from Nicole, courtesy of Sunset Magazine

8 oz. penne pasta
4 oz. pancetta, or good quality bacon, cubed
1 C. chopped onion
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
1 large can (28 oz. ) diced tomatoes
1 tsp. each Kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper
1/4 C. grated Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.

Cook pancetta in large frying pan over medium-high heat until partly translucent. Spoon off most of the drippings. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring often, until browned, 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients except parmesan and cook over high heat until juices have reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Add pasta, stir to coat, and transfer to a bowl. Sprinkle with parmesan.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

3/4 C. butter
2 C. sugar
3 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
2 3/4 C. flour
3 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 C. grated zucchini
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 C. milk or buttermilk

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time. Add vanilla and zucchini. Alternate adding dry ingredients with milk. Put in a greased and floured bundt pan. Bake at 350* for 1 hour. Let cool 10 minutes and turn out of pan. Dust with powdered sugar.

Salmon Patties

From Mom

1 can Salmon, or tuna
1 egg, I sometimes use two eggs depending on how dry it is.
1/2 C. bread crumbs
1 tsp. powdered onion (or desired fresh)
Worcestershire sauce, to taste

Mix ingredients together. Form into patties and dip in more bread crumbs. Fry in a little oil in a skillet.

Sugar Cookie Frosting

From Nicole, courtesy of Sunset Magazine

1/2 C. butter (room temperature)
1 lb. powdered sugar
3 Tbsp. half and half
2 tsp. vanilla extract
( for thinner frosting add more half and half)

In mixer bowl, beat butter until very smooth, add powdered sugar, half and half, and vanilla. Beat until very smooth. Tint with food coloring.

Lemon Butter Caper Sauce

From Nicole

Use on grilled or broiled Salmon, tuna, chicken or turkey

2 tsp. capers, drained and rinsed (if capers are large, chop)
4 Tbsp. butter
1 small clove garlic, finely minced
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. lemon zest
parsley

In small skillet, melt butter; add garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest and capers. Simmer on low for 30 seconds. Stir in parsley. Remove from heat.

Grandma's Chocolate Chip Cookies

from Nate's Grandma

1 1/3 C. butter
1 C. brown sugar
1 C. white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
3 1/2 C. flour
12 oz. package Chocolate chips

Soften butter; blend with brown sugar, white sugar, eggs and vanilla. Mix in salt, baking soda, and flour. Add chocolate chips. Bake at 350* for 8-10 minutes. DO NOT OVER BAKE!!