Best Cornbread Recipe Ever

I have been searching my whole life for a cornbread recipe that wasn't so crumbly and dry that it was impossible to spread butter on without it just coming apart in my hands, but also used ingredients that I had on hand and didn't require a special trip to the store.

This. Is. It.

Moist Cornbread Recipe:

§  1 c. cornmeal

§  3 c. all-purpose flour

§  1⅓ c. sugar – I used 1 cup

§  2 Tablespoons baking powder

§  1 teaspoon salt

§  ⅔ cup vegetable oil

§  ⅓ cup. melted butter

§  2 Tablespoons. honey

§  4 eggs, beaten – I used 3

§  2½ cups whole milk – I used 2 cups 2% and 1/2 cup whole

Instructions

1.      Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.

2.      In a large mixing bowl, stir the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

3.      Pour in the vegetable oil, melted butter, honey, beaten eggs, and milk, and stir just until moistened.

4.      Pour the batter into the greased baking dish and bake in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. (I had to bake for 50 mins) Watch the cornbread towards the end, you want it to be turning golden and starting to show some cracks.

5.      Remove from oven, serve warm with butter or honey or simply plain. It’s amazing!

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole 

1 lb. Pasta (I used penne-you could use any fun shaped pasta)
1 cup Chicken Breasts, cooked and cubed
1 cup Ham, cooked and cubed
1 1/2 cups Milk
8 oz. Cream Cheese (softened)
2 Tbsp. Dried Minced Onion
2 cups Swiss Cheese, shredded
Salt
Pepper
Cayenne Pepper(optional-add to cheese mixture)
1 cup Panko Crumbs
1/2 cup Butter, melted

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over med-high heat. Salt it and add the pasta; cook until al dente (about 11 minutes-I used whole wheat pasta which takes a bit longer than regular pasta). Drain and return to the pot. Add in the chicken and ham and toss to combine.

Preheat the broiler. In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, cream cheese and minced onion over low-medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until it becomes a smooth texture (about 5 minutes). Stir into the pasta mixture. Stir in the Swiss cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Transfer pasta to a baking dish and top with Panko crumbs. Pour melted butter over crumbs and broil until browned (I gave it 4 minutes).

Pizza Hash Casserole

Pizza Hash Casserole

Ingredients:

Rotini pasta
Spaghetti sauce, 
Cooked and seasoned ground beef
Pepperoni, 
Olives, 
Mozzarella cheese 

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together and bake at 350 until warmed through and cheese melted and bubbly.

Easy Outback Potato Soup

Easy Outback Potato Soup
Ingredients:
1 30 oz. Bag of Frozen Hashbrowns
5 cups Chicken Broth
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
1/2 onion, chopped
1-2 carrots, chopped
1 8oz. Brick of Cream Cheese

Put first 5 ingredients in crock pot and stir.  Cook on low for 5-7 hours, or high for 3-4 hours.  Add softened cream cheese cut into chunks in the last 30 minutes.

Garnish with grated cheese, bacon bits, green onions, and sour cream.

Basic Crepes

CREPES:

1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup water
2 eggs
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and the eggs. Gradually add in the milk and water, stirring to combine. Add the salt and butter; beat until smooth.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each crepe. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly.

Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook the other side. Serve hot.

Cheese Potato and Smoked Sausage Casserole

CHEESE POTATO AND SMOKED SAUSAGE CASSEROLE
From: http://www.food.com/recipe/joleans-cheese-potato-smoked-sausage-casserole-126623

3 cups idaho potatoes, peeled, boiled and cut into cubes when cool, approx. 1 lb
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 lb Velveeta cheese, diced
1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 lb skinless smoked sausage ( Eckrich is my favorite brand)
1/8 teaspoon paprika

Directions

Cut skinless smoked sausage in half, lengthwise, and then chop into 1/2 inch "half moon" cuts. Cook in a frying pan for about 15 minutes, turning frequently to SLIGHTLY brown.

Meanwhile, put cooked & diced potatoes in 2 quart casserole. Add cooked meat and give it a gentle toss.

Mix all remaining ingredients (except for shredded cheddar cheese & the paprika) in a saucepan over medium heat until warm, melted and smooth. (Use a whisk and stir constantly.).

Pour white/cheese sauce over potatoes and meat. Sprinkle shredded sharp cheddar cheese on top, and then sprinkle paprika evenly over the top.

Bake in preheated 350°F oven for 35-45 minutes (watch, until golden brown on top).

NOTE: You can substitute: 1/2 lb. hot dogs, sliced into 1/2-inch slices OR 1/2 lb. ham diced into 1/2-inch dices OR 12 oz. can of Spam diced into 1/2-inch dices, instead of the smoked sausage

Creamy Ham and Macaroni

This Recipe is a keeper and I am sick of having to search for it online, so I am posting it here.  It comes from: http://www.parents.com/blogs/thrifty-frugal-mom/2013/05/21/recipes/tasty-tuesday-creamy-ham-n-macaroni-2/

Creamy Ham N Macaroni
2 c. uncooked macaroni (or other pasta)
3 tbsp. butter
¼ c. flour
2 c. milk
4 tsp. chicken bouillon granules
¼ tsp. pepper
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 ½ c. cubed fully cooked ham
¼ c. grated Parmesan cheese
Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and set aside. In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat; whisk in flour until smooth. Whisk in the milk, bouillon and pepper. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 cup cheddar cheese, ham, Parmesan cheese and macaroni. Transfer to a greased 2 qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake uncovered, at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
* If you don’t care for ham, try it without- maybe just up the macaroni by 1/4 cup.  I think it would still be really good!
Yield: 6 servings