Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

If there is one thing I have learned by living with four boys, it is that they like to eat and to eat hearty. Here is one of their favorite breakfasts:

Sausage Gravy over Biscuits.
(and there is an easy way to do this!)

Brown 1 tube of pan sausage. Drain and place on paper towel lined plate.
You can either purchase a pack of instant gravy mix (country gravy or peppered gravy). You will want to put the mix in the frying pan used for the sausage and add 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup water and cook according to directions...
Or you can spoon some flour, butter and milk into the pan and stir until thick. Season with salt and pepper.
Once the gravy is made, add the sausage to the gravy and simmer for about 5 minutes. Spoon over biscuits. (Frozen biscuits are ok!)

Taco Bake

This is a great crowd pleasing recipe. Served with tortilla chips or "scoops", it is a finger food that is filling and delicious!

2 - 8oz cream cheese bars
1 lb. Hamburger
1 pack dry taco mix
1 med size jar salsa
1 package shredded cheese - cheddar or fiesta blend

Spread softened cream cheese in the bottom of a 13x9 baking dish. Brown hamburger, add dry taco mix and salsa, stir and simmer about 5 minutes. Spoon hamburger mix on top of cream cheese, top with cheese. Bake at 350 about 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Serve with chips.

Hot Pineapple Casserole

This is one of those dishes that is not just "good", it is melt in your mouth delicous! It is a perfect compliment to any meal.

1 lg. can chunk pineapple
1/2 c. sugar
2 tbsp. flour
1 c. shredded Cheddar cheese
1 c. bread crumbs
2 tbsp. butter
Cook juice from pineapple, sugar and flour to boiling. Boil 1 or 2 minutes. Add chunk pineapple and cheese. Put in 8 x 8 inch baking dish. Melt butter, mix with bread crumbs, sprinkle on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.

Pineapple Crusted Ham

The pineapple topping on this ham makes it stand out! This is a perfect main dish for the holidays.

1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup applesauce
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 (5- to 6-pound) fully cooked semi-boneless cured ham

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a roasting pan with aluminum foil then coat with nonstick cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients except ham; mix well. Place ham in roasting pan. Pat pineapple mixture over ham, coating completely.

Bake 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 hours, or until heated through and coating is crisp and brown, spooning pineapple mixture over ham every 20 minutes. Slice and serve.

Pumpkin Cake

I have a cousin who has brought this cake to a family function twice and it is so delicious. She shared the recipe with me and it turned out wonderful.

4 Eggs
1 Cup Oil
2 Cups White Sugar
15 oz. Can of Pumpkin
2 Cups All Purpose Flour2 tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. Salt
2+ tsp. Cinnamon1
/2+ tsp. Ginger
1/2+ tsp. Cloves
1/2+ tsp. Nutmeg

Preheat oven 350* Mix first four ingredients. Mix together dry ingredients then add to pumpkin mixture. Pour into greased and floured pan. I use 14" x 10" and bake for 25-30 minutes. They can also be baked as cupcakes.

ICING: Beat 8 oz. cream cheese until softened. Add 1/4 cup butter or margerine and 1 tsp. vanilla until fluffy. Gradually add half a box of powered sugar (aprox. 2 cups).Beat until smooth.
Spead on top of cake and garnish with chopped nuts if desired.

Southern Banana Pudding

There are some foods which are staples in the South. Cornbread, fried chicken, grits and no gathering is complete without banana pudding! Here is an easy recipe for a culinary delight.

2 small packs or 1 large vanilla instant pudding
( I used 1 small pack of banana flavored and 1 small pack of vanilla flavored)
2 cups milk
1 tub cool whip
1 cup sour cream
vanilla wafers
sliced bananas

Mix pudding with milk until well blended and beginning to thicken. Stir in sour cream and fold in cool whip.

Layer a bowl or dish with a layer of vanilla wafers, top with part of pudding. Layer bananas and more pudding. Depending on how many vanilla wafers you like, you can add a layer of them also. End with pudding mix and place vanilla wafers around the edges of the bowl. Crush a few and sprinkle crumbs on top for decoration.

Lima Beans Supreme

Here is a recipe to add some dazzle to lima beans!

1 package frozen lima beans
1 chicken bouillon cube
chopped onions
chopped garlic
salt and pepper to taste
1 T butter
water

Put beans in pot, add water to cover. Add all other ingredients, cook per directions on bag.

*You can also add 1 can chopped tomatoes to this - optional