Wendy's Chili

2 lbs ground beef
1 (29 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (29 ounce) can kidney beans (with liquid)
1 (29 ounce) can pinto beans (with liquid)
1 cup diced onion (1 medium onion)
1/2 cup diced green chili pepper (2 chilies)
1/4 cup diced celery (1 stalk)
3 medium tomatoes (chopped)
2-3 Tsp cumin powder
3 Tbs chili powder
1 1/2 Tsp black pepper
2 Tsp salt
2 cups water

Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain off the fat. In a large crock-pot, combine the beef plus all the remaining ingredients, and bring to a simmer over low heat. Cook, stirring every 15 minutes for 2-3 hours.
**I usually half the recipe.

Peppermint Bark

Crushed candy canes (1 cup)
2 pounds white chocolate
Peppermint flavorings (optional)

Place candy canes in a plastic bag and hammer into 1/4-inch chunks or smaller. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Combine candy cane chunks with chocolate (add peppermint flavoring at this point if desired). Pour mixture onto a cookie sheet layered with parchment or waxed paper and place in the refrigerator for 45 minutes or until firm. Remove from cookie sheet and break into pieces (like peanut brittle).

Yugoslavian Steak

Cut about 2 lbs round steak diagonally into pieces. Salt and Pepper Meat.
In Skillet:
Brown enough onion to taste and add 1 Tbs shortening. Add in this order while constantly stirring:
1 Tbs. flour (For GF utilize Rice Flour)
1 1/2 Tsp. paprika
2 Cups water
1/2 Cup ketchup
Green pepper pieces (to taste)
1 Tsp. Sugar

Mix well - add meat. Simmer covered about 1 hour or longer. Any ingredients may be attired as desired. Add water and ketchup as needed while simmering. Spoon gravy over potatoes or potatoes may be peeled and cut into small pieces or sliced thick and cooked right in with the meat.

***For a Gluten Free Recipe - use Rice Flour instead of Flour - tastes terrific!!!!!

Hi Ho Chicken Casserole

4 Cups Chicken
2-3 Cups cooked broccoli
16 oz. sour cream
26 oz. cream of chicken
1 Cup margarine
1/2 lb. Ritz Crackers ( Crushed in plastic bag)
3 TBSP poppy seeds


Heat oven @ 325 F. Grease 9X13 pan. Boil chicken until cooked. Cut into bite sized pieces. Combine sour cream and cream of chicken. Add chicken and broccoli to mixture, stirring well.

In separate bowl, melt margarine and pour over cracker crumbs. Mix together and add poppy seeds.

Spread chicken mixture in 9X13 pan. Sprinkle cracker mixture over the top. Bake for 30-35 min.

Serves 8 people.

My Mom's favorite! ;)

Judee's Breakfast Casserole

8 slices french bread
2 Cups cheddar cheese grated
1 lb. (Jimmy Dean Original) sausage, browned
4 eggs, beaten
2 1/4 Cup milk
3/4 Tsp dry mustard
1 can cream of mushroom soup diluted with 1/2 Cup milk


Layer 9X13 casserole dish with french bread, grated cheese, and browned sausage. In a separate bowl, mix eggs with 2 1/4 C. milk and dry mustard. Pour over top of bread in casserole dish.

Cover with foil; refrigerate over night.

Before baking, cover casserole with one can of cream of mushroom soup mixture. (Remember to mix the soup with 1/2 c. milk.)

Bake @ 300 F for 1 1/2 hours. (Sometimes it bubbles over, so I put a cookie sheet underneath it on bottom rack.) Cool for 5 minutes. Serve in squares.

BTW~ THIS IS MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE BREAKFAST RECIPE! WE ENJOY THIS EVERY CHRISTMAS MORNING.

Pasta Fagioli Soup

2 cans (141/2 oz. each) reduced-sodium beef broth
1 can (15 oz.) Great Northern Beans, rinsed & drained
1 can (14 1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 medium zucchini, quartered lengthwise & sliced
1 TBSP olive oil
1 1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 Cup uncooked small shell pasta
1/2 Cup grated Romano cheese


Combine broth,beans,tomatoes with juice, zucchini, oil, garlic,basil and oregano in slow cooker; mix well. Cover; cook on LOW 3 to 4 hours.

Stir in pasta. Cover; cook 1 hour or until pasta is tender.

Serve soup with cheese. Garnish with fresh basil if desired. (Really yummy with bread sticks.)

Makes 5 to 6 servings.

Halibut Steak

2 Tbs butter
2 Tbs brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbs lemon juice
2 Tsp soy sauce
1/2 Tsp ground black pepper
1 pound halibut steaks

Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil grate. Combine butter, brown sugar, garlic, lemon juice, soy sauce, and pepper in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Coat the halibut with sauce, and place on the grill. Grill for 5 minutes on each side, basting frequently, or until fish flakes easily with a fork.