CALIFORNIA COFFEE WITH ICE CREAM AND BRANDY Absolutely delectable, and so easy! Reminiscent of the popular German Eiskaffe (Creamy Iced Coffee), but with a kick. This cool and creamy adult coffee is perfect for sipping on the veranda on a balmy afternoon, or as an after dinner drink. Serve with a wafer cookie, a straw and a spoon. May be made sans alcohol, if desired. Enjoy! 2 tablespoons brandy 2/3 cup hot strong coffee 1 scoop good quality chocolate ice cream or coffee ice cream or vanilla ice cream (about 1/4 cup) whipped cream cocoa powder wafer cookie sugar (optional, to taste) Directions 1. For each serving, pour 2 tablespoons brandy into a mug or heat safe glass. 2. Fill 2/3 full with hot strong coffee (see note below). 3. Top with 1 scoop chocolate, coffee or vanilla flavor ice cream. 4. Finish with a generous dollop of whipped cream, a dusting of cocoa powder, and a wafer cookie on the side. Offer sugar, to individual taste. 5. Serve with an iced-tea spoon, and a straw for sipping. Enjoy! 6. Note: Pour coffee over ice, if desired. CROCK POT ZUCCHINI LASAGNA Easy and delicious! 1 lb lean ground beef 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 medium zucchini, sliced thinly into 1/4-inch pieces (about 2 cups) 2 garlic cloves, crushed and minced 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon oregano leaves 1/2 teaspoon basil leaves 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/8 teaspoon fennel seed, crushed (optional) 1 (4 ounce) can sliced mushrooms (optional) 1/4 cup snipped fresh parsley (optional) 1 (26-28 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce, any flavor 1/4 cup dry red wine 11-12 lasagna noodles, uncooked 1 lb part-skim ricotta cheese 1 egg, beaten 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated 2 cups part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded Directions: 1. Brown the beef, onions, zucchini, and garlic in 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet, stirring to break up meat. 2. Stir in the oregano, basil, pepper, crushed fennel seeds, sliced mushrooms, parsley, spaghetti sauce, and wine. 3. In a separate bowl, stir together the beaten egg and the ricotta cheese, beating well until mixture is smooth. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, combine well. 4. Grease the bottom and sides of the crock pot (I use cooking spray or butter). 5. Layer about 1/4 of the meat sauce mixture in the bottom of the crock pot. Put a layer of noodles on top of that (break noodles to fit, overlapping is fine). Put about 1/3 of the cheese mixture and sprinkle with 1/4 of the mozzarella. Repeat with sauce, noodles and cheese for another two layers. Top with meat sauce and a little Parmesan and shredded mozzarella on top. 6. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours (4 hours on HIGH plus 30 minutes on LOW, in my 4 quart older model crock pot), or until noodles are tender.

Made these a number of times Green Chile Squares =================== April 12/02 Perfectentertaining.com We love simple recipes, and this one certainly qualifies. With only three ingredients it whips up in under five minutes and then bakes unattended, making it perfect for parties. It can also be made up to 24 hours ahead of time and served hot, cold, or at room temperature. 2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese 2 cans green chiles 4 well beaten eggs . Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Sprinkle the cheese and chiles in the bottom of a 9X13 baking dish. Pour the eggs over the top. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown and firm. Cool to room temperature and then cut into squares. Preparation Time: 5 minutes

We had this for dinner last night. Sure was good. BROWN SUGAR MEATLOAF (Jimmy, my BIL) 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup ketchup 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef 3/4 cup milk 2 eggs 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp worchestershire 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 small onion, chopped 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 3/4 cup finely crushed saltine cracker crumbs Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 5x9 inch loaf pan. Press the brown sugar in the bottom of the prepared loaf pan and spread the ketchup over the sugar. In a mixing bowl, mix thoroughly all remaining ingredients and shape into a loaf. Place on top of the ketchup. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour or until juices are clear. NOTE: Instead of using a loaf pan, I formed the meat into a loaf. put it in a baking pan and topped with the brown sugar, then ketsup. That way the sauce didn't sit in and get mixed in the grease from the meat and get drained off and thrown away. Worked much better.

Watched Pioneer Woman make these for her church potluck. On my next try when serving green bean casserole â¾2 pounds Fresh Green Beans, Ends Cut Off â¾4 slices Bacon, Cut Into 1/4 Inch Pieces â¾3 cloves Garlic, Minced â¾1/2 whole Large Onion, Chopped â¾4 Tablespoons Butter â¾4 Tablespoons All-purpose Flour â¾2-1/2 cups Whole Milk â¾1/2 cup Half-and-half â¾1-1/2 teaspoon Salt, More To Taste â¾ Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste â¾1/8 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper â¾1 cup Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese â¾1 jar (4 Ounce) Sliced Pimentoes, Drained â¾ Extra Milk For Thinning If Necessary â¾1 cup Panko Bread Crumbs Preparation Instructions Cut green beans in half if you like pieces to be a little smaller. Blanch the green beans: drop them into lightly salted boiling water and allow green beans to cook for about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove them from the boiling water with a slotted spoon and immediately plunge them into a bowl of ice cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain beans once they're cool and set aside. Add bacon pieces to a skillet over medium heat. Cook bacon for two minutes, then add diced onion and garlic and continue cooking for 3 to 5 minutes, or until bacon is done (but not crisp) and onions are golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside. In a separate skillet or saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Sprinkle flour into the pan and whisk immediately to evenly mix it into the butter. Cook for a minute or two, then pour in milk and half and half. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, while sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and cayenne then add the grated cheddar. Stir while cheese melts. Turn off heat. Add pimentos to pan, then add bacon/onion mixture. Stir to combine. Pour over green beans and stir gently to combine. Pour into a baking dish and top with panko crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and panko crumbs are golden.