Shortcut Meals--November 1, 2018

November's Recipe Club theme focused on quick cooking, especially using premade ingredients to make cooking faster. Here are some of the variety of recipes that were brought to the meeting!

Mary B. made "Pigs in a Blanket," which brought everyone back to their childhood. It's really easy. It's a tiny hotdog wrapped in a crescent roll and baked!

Rose Mary and Fred brought "Chinese Braised Short Ribs." Using a premixed 5-spice blend helps make this recipe go faster.

Rose Mary and Fred also brought "Skor Cake." Like a poke cake, boxed cake mix and cool whip are used to make a tasty treat!

Don brought  a "New Orleans Hash." This hot dish uses frozen hash browns, so you don't have to grate all those potatoes!

Pat R. brought "Jiffy Cornbread with Creamed Corn." Using canned corn and corn bread mix, it is really quick and easy to throw together.

Roger made "Taco Bean Soup." Many canned means and veggies were used to make this quick and easy soup.

Margene baked"Chocolate Brownie Cake." This cake combines a cake AND brownie mix that has been doctored up! Make a ganache to put on top and sprinkle on some powdered sugar for a chocolaty, decadent dessert!

Marie baked "Pumpkin Bread." Canned pumpkin makes this a quick and easy bread to make!

Pat D. baked "Apple Dumplings." Crescent rolls are used to make these delicious treats faster!

Sue R. brought "Al Pastor Street Tacos." She used a skillet sauce starter to make these tacos fast!

Josh made "Flat Turtle Pie." Refrigerated pie dough, chocolate shell, and caramel sauce help make this a quick treat!

I made "Slow Cooker Risotto with Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese." I used precut butternut squash to help make this dish go a little faster.

There were many great recipes shared and more to try next time! Getting hungry? Join us December 6 at 6:30pm at Franklin Public Library. The theme is Holiday Party--Celebrate the holidays with your favorite, festive holiday dish!

All you have to do to join is cook a dish from the monthly theme, and bring the dish and the recipe to the meeting! It's as easy as pie! See you soon!

Al Pastor Street Tacos

The "Al Pastor Street Tacos" recipe can be found at La Tortilla Factory.

Submitted by Sue Richichi

La Tortilla Factory. "Al Pastor Street Tacos." La Tortilla Factory, https://www.latortillafactory.com/recipe/al-pastor-chicken-street-tacos/. Accessed 26 November 2018.

Skor Cake

The "Skor Cake" recipe by Claudia can be found at Claudia's Cookbook.

Submitted by Rose Mary Walecki

Claudia. "Skor Cake." Claudia's Cookbook, http://www.claudiascookbook.com/2010/08/24/skor-cake/. Accessed 26 November 2018.

Chinese Braised Short Ribs

The "Chinese Braised Short Ribs" recipe by Sandra Lee can be found at Food Network.

Submitted by Rose Mary Walecki

Lee, Sandra. "Chinese Braised Short Ribs." Food Network, https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/chinese-braised-short-ribs-recipe-1944178. Accessed 26 November 2018.

Jiffy Cornbread with Creamed Corn

The "Jiffy Cornbread with Creamed Corn" recipe by Julie Pollitt can be found at Back to My Southern Roots.

Submitted by Pat Reilly

*NOTE: Pat used 1/4 cup of butter, no sugar, 1 box of Jiff Corn Muffin Mix, and added 1 beaten egg for volume.

Pollitt, Julie. "Jiffy Cornbread with Creamed Corn." Back to My Southern Roots, https://www.backtomysouthernroots.com/jiffy-creamed-corn-sweet-cornbread/. Accessed 26 November 2018.

Apple Dumplings

The "Apple Dumplings" recipe by Ree Drummond can be found at The Pioneer Woman.

Submitted by Pat Dallman

Drummond, Ree. "Apple Dumplings." The Pioneer Woman, https://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/apple_dumplings/. Accessed 26 November 2018.

Slow Cooker Risotto with Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese

The "Slow Cooker Risotto with Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese" recipe by Erin can be found at Well Plated.

Submitted by Sarah Bublitz

Erin. "Slow Cooker Risotto with Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese." Well Plated, https://www.wellplated.com/slow-cooker-risotto-butternut-squash/. Accessed 16 November 2018.

Chocolate Brownie Cake

The "Chocolate Brownie Cake" recipe by Amanda Rettke can be found at I Am Baker.

Submitted by Margene McLoughlin

Rettke, Amanda. "Chocolate Brownie Cake." I Am Baker, https://iambaker.net/chocolate-brownie-cake/. Accessed 16 November 2018.

Flat Turtle Pie

Ingredients:

• 2 refrigerated pie crusts
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
• 3 tbsp. caramel sauce
• Chocolate shell ice cream topping

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll out pie crusts and allow to warm up while oven preheats.
2. Mix together pecans, sugar, and caramel sauce.
3. Place 1 pie crust on parchment lined cookie sheet. Spread pecan mixture on crust, leaving about 1/2-inch around the edge. Top with other pie crust. Fold and pinch around the edge to seal. Cut slits into the crust to allow for venting.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes. 
5. Squeeze the chocolate over the top of the crust and store in the fridge to allow chocolate to set up. Use a pizza cutter to slice into desired number of pieces.

Submitted by Josh Price

Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients:

• 2 beaten eggs
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1/4 cup water
• 1-2/3 cups flour
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

1. Beat eggs. sugar, and pumpkin together. Add the oil and water. Blend and add the remaining ingredients. 
2. Bake in 2 loaf pans at 350°F for 35-40 minutes.

Submitted by Marie Weber

Slow Cooker Revolution--October 4, 2018

This post is a little late, but it has been very busy at the library. We celebrated our slow cookers at our October meeting, and we had a great variety of food!

Rose Mary and Fred brought a hearty "Slow Cooker 6-Layer Dinner."

Pat R. made "All-Day Apple Butter."

Pat R. also brought kohlrabi, to be used in this "Creamy Kohlrabi Soup."

The newest member to our group, Roger, brought well-seasoned "Herb Mushrooms."

Sue R. made sweet and delicious "Bread Pudding" in her slow cooker.

Trudy L. cooked a Sweet and Sour Pork recipe.

Mary A. brought a hearty "German Potato Salad with Sausage."

Sue S. cooked "Lime Chicken Tacos" for the meeting.

Josh made "Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup."

Pat D. made Ham Swiss Chicken Casserole.

Mary B. made a Caramel Dip.

Margene made "Crock Pot Cheesy Hamburger Dip."

Trudy C. made "Creamy Ranch Potatoes in Slow Cooker."

Jan brought "Cheesy Creamed Corn in Slow Cooker."

Cherryl made "Crock-Pot Salisbury Steak."

This was definitely one of our bigger gatherings, with people sharing lots of tasty slow cooker recipes! 

Slow Cooker 6-Layer Dinner

The "Slow Cooker 6-Layer Dinner" recipe by Jessica Jacobs can be found at Cooktop Cove.

Submitted by Rose Mary Walecki

Jacobs, Jessica. "Slow Cooker 6-Layer Dinner." Cooktop Cove, http://cooktopcove.com/2017/09/07/slow-cooker-6-layer-dinner/. Accessed 7 November 2018.

Crock Pot Cheesy Hamburger Dip

The "Crock Pot Cheesy Hamburger Dip" recipe by Julie can be found at Julie's Eats and Treats.

Submitted by Margene McLoughlin

Julie. "Crock Pot Cheesy Hamburger Dip." Julie's Eats and Treats, https://www.julieseatsandtreats.com/spicy-crock-pot-cheesy-hamburger-dip/. Accessed 7 November 2018.

Creamy Kohlrabi Soup

The "Creamy Kohlrabi Soup" recipe by TiKiWaHiNe can be found at Allrecipes.

Submitted by Pat Reilly

*NOTE: Pat cooked the kohlrabi as directed in step 1, but did not turn it into the soup.

TiKiWaHiNe . "Creamy Kohlrabi Soup." Allrecipes, https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/223034/creamy-kohlrabi-soup/. Accessed 7 November 2018.

Lime Chicken Tacos

The "Lime Chicken Tacos" recipe by Tracy Gunter can be found at Taste of Home.

Submitted by Sue Stoecker

*NOTE: Sue used 2 lbs. of chicken, an additional tablespoon of lime juice, and 1/2 tablespoon extra chili powder.

Gunter, Teri. "Lime Chicken Tacos." Taste of Home, https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/lime-chicken-tacos/. Accessed 7 November 2018.

Slow-Cooker Pumpkin Harvest Chex Mix

The "Slow-Cooker Pumpkin Harvest Chex Mix" recipe by Betty Crocker Kitchens can be found at Tablespoon.

Submitted by Sarah Bublitz

Betty Crocker Kitchens. "Slow-Cooker Pumpkin Harvest Chex Mix." Tablespoon, https://www.tablespoon.com/recipes/slow-cooker-pumpkin-harvest-chex-mix/bd30da14-2813-481f-b7c5-66c6c8ce396c. Accessed 7 November 2018.

All-Day Apple Butter

The "All-Day Apple Butter" recipe by Terri can be found at Allrecipes.

Submitted by Pat Reilly

Terri. "All-Day Apple Butter." Allrecipes, https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/21205/all-day-apple-butter/. Accessed 7 November 2018.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 2 (10.75 oz.) cans cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup salsa
• 2 cups frozen corn
• 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1-1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. dried cilantro
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Spray your slow cooker with cooking spray. Add chicken to the bottom of the slow cooker. 
2. In a bowl, mix together the soup, salsa, corn, beans, broth, cumin, and cilantro. Pour over the chicken.
3. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Remove the chicken and shred with forks. Place the cheese and chicken back into the slow cooker and stir. Continue cooking for 15 minutes to allow cheese to melt.

Submitted by Josh Price, slightly adapted from https://therecipecritic.com/slow-cooker-chicken-fajita-soup/

Creamy Ranch Potatoes in Slow Cooker

Ingredients:

• 2-1/2 lbs. small red potatoes, quartered
• 1 (8 oz.) container sour cream
• 1 (0.4 oz.) pkg. buttermilk ranch dry salad dressing mix
• 1 (10-3/4 oz). can cream of mushroom soup

Directions:

1. Place quartered potatoes in slow cooker. 
2. In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Spoon mixture over potatoes and stir.
3. Cover and cook on low heat for 7-8 hours. Stir gently before serving.

Submitted by Trudy Cleaver

German Potato Salad with Sausage

The "German Potato Salad with Sausage" recipe by Teresa McGill can be found at Taste of Home.

Submitted by Mary Arndt

McGill, Teresa. "German Potato Salad with Sausage." Taste of Home, https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/german-potato-salad-with-sausage/. Accessed 7 November 2018.

Herb Mushrooms

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs. mushrooms
• 4 oz. Italian dressing
• 5 sprinkles oregano
• 5 shakes Worcestershire sauce
• 2 sticks butter
• 1 pkg. Good Seasons Dry Italian
• 3 tbsp. chicken bouillon (or 9 cubes)
• 1-2 tbsp. onion powder
• Kraft Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1.  Put mushrooms in crock-pot. Add all ingredients except for onion powder and Parmesan. Once the ingredients are in, add generous amounts of onion powder and Parmesan. 
2. Set on LOW and cook for 6-8 hours. More mushrooms can be added after the first ones cook down.

Submitted by Roger Torgerson

Crock-Pot Salisbury Steak

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. ground beef
• 1 (1 oz.) envelope onion soup mix
• 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce (optional)
• 1/4 cup flour
• Olive oil
• 2 cans cream of chicken soup
• 1 pkg. dry au jus mix
•  3/4 cup water
• Fresh mushrooms (optional)

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mix ground beef, onion soup mix, bread crumbs, milk, and Worcestershire sauce (optional). Shape into 8 patties.
2. Heat oil over medium-high heat. Dredge patties in flour, just to coat. Quickly brown on both sides. Place in crock-pot, and stack pyramid style.
3. In a medium bowl, mix soup and au jus mix. Pour over meat. Add mushrooms (optional). 
4. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. 

Submitted by Cherryl Pergande