Old Farmhouse Roast Beef in the Crockpot

1 Beef Roast

1 pkg. Brown Gravy Mix

1 pkg. Italian Salad Dressing Mix

1 pkg. Ranch Dip Mix

Combine mixes in a bowl for good distribution of  flavors.

When purchasing a roast, allow 1/2 pound per person.

Look for good marbling, as it adds flavor, tenderness and juiciness.

The Bread and Butter Roast is one of my favorites.

Press seasoning onto both sides of the roast 

and place in crockpot.

Cook on low for 8 hours.

Add liquid if needed.

Allow to stand for 20 minutes before carving.

Serve with the Au Jus.

Old Farmhouse Baked Walleye

8 Walleye or Tilapia fillets

2/3 cup dry bread crumbs

2/3 cup instant mashed potato flakes

2/3 cup parmesan cheese

4 eggs

2 tbsp. water

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Combine dry ingredients in a pie plate or flat pan.

Mix egg yolks with whites until well blended. Add water.

Wash fish fillets thoroughly.

Dip each fillet in egg and then coat with crumb mixture.

Place on lightly greased baking sheet.

Bake 10 minutes and then turn the fillets over.

Bake an additional 10 minutes 

or until fish flakes with a fork.

Serve with a lemon wedge

or your favorite tartar sauce.

Lasagna in the Crockpot ~Old Farmhouse Style

Old Farmhouse Lasagna

1 lb. ground beef or ground turkey

1/2 lb. Italian sausage

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 can (24 oz.) prepared spaghetti sauce

1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce

fresh oregano & basil or 1/2 tsp. each of dried

15 oz. ricotta cheese

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

2 sprigs fresh parsley

1 egg

6 - 8 lasagna noodles

8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese or Italian blend

In a medium skillet, brown the beef or turkey, 

 Italian sausage, onion. and garlic.

Drain any grease that has accumulated in the pan.

Add the sauces and herbs.

Simmer until warm. 

Stir together the Ricotta, parmesan cheese, 

egg, and fresh parsley.

Spoon a layer of meat sauce into the bottom of your crockpot.

Add a layer of uncooked lasagna noodles, breaking them to fit.

(this will be our secret, as no one will see the broken noodles)

Spread a portion of the ricotta mixture on the noodles,

and sprinkle with shredded cheese.

Repeat the layers.

Make sure you end with sauce and cheese.

Cook on low for 4 hours.

Everyone's crockpot is different.

Adjust your cooking time and amount of liquid used

according to your personal preference.

Old Farmhouse Creamy Penne Pasta

Old Farmhouse Creamy Penne Pasta

2 cups penne pasta, cooked according to package directions

3 strips bacon

4 tbsp. butter

1 clove garlic, minced

1/3 cup onion, diced

1/4 cup flour

2 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

red pepper flakes, optional

fresh basil for garnish

Cook bacon in medium saucepan until crisp.

Remove from pan and cut into bite size pieces.

Add butter to bacon drippings in pan.

Saute onion and garlic until translucent.

Add sun dried tomatoes and cook until all are tender.

Add flour and cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Add broth, stirring frequently until sauce comes to a simmer.

Remove from heat.

Add sour cream and parmesan cheese.

Mix thoroughly.

Choose light or fat free

to reduce the calorie content.

Be sure the pasta is well drained and add to the sauce.

Garnish with fresh basil and red pepper flakes.

This pairs well with Grilled Chicken.

Today, I added peas to the leftovers.

It is a tasty summer side dish!

Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Layered Dessert

No Bake Layered Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Dessert

1 box ice cream sandwiches

2 pkg. cream cheese

1 pkg. instant pudding

oreo cookies

whipped topping

Line a rectangular baking dish with foil.

Place ice cream sandwiches side by side to form the bottom layer. 

Mix softened cream cheese with pudding mix.

Spread this over the ice cream sandwiches.

Crush cookies into crumbs.

(I used my food processor)

Spread whipped topping and sprinkle with cookie crumbs.

Repeat the layers.

Ice Cream Sandwiches

Cream CheesMixture

Whipped Topping

Cookie Crumbs

Bring the foil up around the layers, and fold over.

Place in the freezer for several hours or overnight.

Slice across the ice cream loaf to expose the layers.

Use your imagination to combine 

different flavors of ice cream. pudding and cookies

to create this refreshing dessert.

Sloppy Joes ~My Mom's Recipe

Sloppy Joes

1/2 cup onion, minced

1/4 cup green or red pepper, diced

1/2 cup celery, chopped

1 lb. ground beef, browned

1 8 oz. can tomato sauce

1/4 cup tomato juice

1/4 cup catsup

1 tbsp. vinegar

1 tbsp. brown sugar

1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

I use half turkey and half beef...

it is your preference.

Brown the ground meat together in your skillet, 

breaking it into bite size pieces.  

Cook until no pink remains.

While the meat is cooking, chop your vegetables.

Drain the browned meat in a colander.

Saute the onions, peppers and celery in the same pan.

To the meat and vegetables, add the rest of the ingredients.

Simmer approximately 1 hour...

or until the desired consistency.

Serve on a bun with your favorite sides.