Roasted Green Beans & Mushrooms

• 2 cups green beans, fresh or frozen (I used frozen)
• 2 cups sliced mushrooms (I used less)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 teaspoons garlic (I used garlic powder)
• salt & pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Combine all ingredients in a bowl, coating vegetables well with the oil. Pour vegetables in a single layer into baking sheet. Bake for ? minutes, until mushrooms are browned and green beans are crisp-tender.

** I found this recipe on Pinterest but the link did not go back to a post so I don't know who to credit for this recipe.

Baked Chicken Fajitas

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2-3 breasts)
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced (or 1/2 red & 1/2 green)
• 1 can Ro-Tel
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 package taco seasoning

Slice chicken breasts into strips. Place all ingredients in a greased 13x9 inch casserole dish. Stir until all the ingredients are coated in oil and seasoning. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes, until chicken is cooked and vegetables are soft. Serve on warmed flour tortillas with choice of toppings.

Inspirational recipe here. 

Turkey Sausage

• 1 pound (16 ounces) Jennie-O ground turkey (in a roll)
• 2 teaspoons rubbed sage
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Crushed red pepper to tolerance (I used 1/4 teaspoon)

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Divide turkey sausage mixture into 8 portions. Patty out or roll into links, however you prefer.
3. In a non-stick skillet, cook until no longer pink in center.
4. Can be frozen if needed.

Nutrition information (per 2 oz. serving): 80 calories, 5.5 g fat, 195 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 10 g protein

*This is my own recipe!

Grandma Robbins' Boiled Oatmeal Cookies

• 2 cups sugar
• 1/3 cup cocoa
• 1 stick oleo
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups oatmeal
• 1/2 cup peanut butter

Combine sugar, cocoa, oleo and milk; bring to a boil. Boil 1 minute. Remove from heat, add vanilla and peanut butter. Mix until smooth. Add oatmeal and stir until mixed. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let cool until dry. Lift with spatula and store in a tightly closed container.

*A tip I learned from her is if the mixture is too dry add about a tablespoon of milk to the mixture while still in the pan and warm to loosen it up.

An alternative recipe:

2 cups sugar

4 tablespoons cocoa

1/2 cup milk

1 stick oleo (margarine)

1/2 cup chopped nuts (I omit, use crunchy peanut butter instead, if you wish)

1/2 cup peanut butter

2 to 2 1/2 cups minute oats

2 teaspoons vanilla

Mix together sugar, cocoa, milk and oleo. Boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter, then oats. Add vanilla and nuts. Drop onto waxed paper, 1 teaspoon at a time. Let cool until set.

Velveeta Mac & Cheese--My Way!

• 1 ½ cups small shells pasta, dry
• 4 ounces Velveeta cheese
• ⅓ cup milk

1. Boil pasta in salted water until soft; drain and return to pan.
2. Add cheese and milk, stirring constantly over very low heat.

Cucumber & Tomato Salad

• 2 cucumbers, peeled, halved and thinly sliced
• 4 Roma tomatoes, quartered and cut into small chunks
• 1/4 medium onion, slivered
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (I probably used a bit more)
• pinch of sugar if using out of season tomatoes
• salt and pepper, to taste

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and toss. Allow to set for several hours in the refrigerator so that veggies can absorb the flavors. 

Cooks notes: I just "eyeballed" the measurements for the oil and vinegar. This salad would also be fantastic with an avocado diced in!

Inspiration recipe here.

No Velveeta Creamy Macaroni & Cheese

This is a healthier version of a favorite food...

• 1 1/2 cups (1/2 pound) elbow macaroni, dry
• 1 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 4 teaspoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons butter
• pinch nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1 cup (4 ounces) freshly grated Colby Jack cheese

Boil pasta in salted water until tender. Drain and return to pan.

Combine milk and egg in a saucepan. Whisk in cornstarch over medium heat and stir constantly until mixture boils and becomes thick. Remove from heat. Stir in butter and spices, until butter melts.

Stir in cheese until it melts.

Mix with pasta and enjoy!

Adapted from here.