Quick Corn Fritters!

One day last week, my youngest son was telling me about some great fried cornball-type things that he and his brother had enjoyed at a lunch place in Illinois.  From the description I could tell they were similar to what I've always called,"corn fritters"!  I told him that my way of fixing fritters is really easy.  We got out the skillet and had a cooking lesson!

1.  Mix your favorite pancake or buckwheat cake mix up according to the recipe or package directions.  Mix in some canned or fresh corn (jalapeño peppers may be diced into this batter, as well). 

  Here, for ours, we used complete pancake mix from SAM'S and a little cornmeal(about 1/4 C).  We mixed the pancake mix according to directions, added the cornmeal and a little extra milk because of the addition of the meal.

2.  Get some butter hot in your skillet.

3.  Pour spoonfuls of batter into the skillet.  Make each fritter about the size of a regular jar lid.  Leave space around each to fry for a crispy edge.  Let bubbles form, and flip halfway through cooking.

You can top these with just butter, or maple syrup or agave, but we loved this raspberry-jalapeño jelly that we bought at the Bentonville Farmer's Market on top of ours!  You can get creative with your toppings.  These fritters are great for breakfast, brunch or lunch!!

Baked Steak Makes Its Own Gravy!

I raced through Walmart yesterday to pick up a couple of items, and then hurry on to the post office to beat the,"noon rush"!

I wasn't looking particularly fetching since I had just walked Abbey, our little dog, in the rain before leaving for the store.  Although I tried to walk quickly and keep my head down, of course, I saw someone that I knew!  Haha...seems it always happens that way!   (It was still great to see a friend and make future plans to get together for lunch!). Just sayin'...If you run in the grocery store dressed up, hair done and new shoes, you won't see a soul that you know!

  Anyway, as I walked past the meat cooler, I spotted some of the nicest-looking round steak that I'd seen for a while.  My menu plan for dinner changed immediately!  I have a great recipe for baked steak and it calls for individually-sized pieces of round steak.  I took pictures as I fixed it for dinner.  Hope you like it as much as my family does!

1.  Dredge individually- sized portions of round steak in all-purpose flour.

2.  Get 2 or 3 TBSP of your favorite oil hot in the skillet (I use canola for this, but purists say only Crisco will do).  Brown the meat.  Salt and pepper each side generously.

3.  Layer meat in a glass casserole in a single layer.  Top with chopped onion or onion slices.  You can put whole mushrooms in, too, but that's optional.  (The onions are crucial to the flavor and gravy part!)

4.  Rinse the drippings out of the skillet and pour over the meat.  Make sure that you scrape the skillet clean!  Add enough water to barely cover the layer of meat.  Cover tightly with foil and place in a 325 oven for 3 or 4 hours (depending on thickness of meat and number of pieces. It is done when the meat is fork-tender and it's made a gravy!  Serve with mashed potatoes.

Super Easy Chili Dogs

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I'm sharing another one of my unbelievably easy recipes!  This is one of my throw-it-together-on-Sunday-morning recipes!  Get out your slow cooker and a skillet.

1.  Brown 1 lb of ground beef and 1/2 C chopped onion in a skillet.  Salt and pepper.

2.  Spray your slow cooker with cooking spray and put in the browned ground beef and onion mixture.  Mix in 1 can of Hunts Manwich Sauce.

3.  Top with a layer of Nathan's Beef Hotdogs (or whatever kind you like).  Put slow cooker on low and cover with lid.  Leave for church (if it's Sunday morning).

Look what's waiting when you come in the door from church!  Your house smells amazing and all you have left to do is make some coleslaw!

Toasted Ciabatta with Turkey, Provolone and Red Onion

I find Sunday afternoon to be comforting,  yet challenging.  After a good sermon and some fellowship, topped off by our wonderful Bible class, I just want to come home, relax and be with family. 

  But after a morning of church service and Bible study, everyone is,"starving"!  Here's where the challenging part comes in!  We all want something good to eat, but unless I've thought ahead (and gotten up extra early to put something in the slow cooker) it's not going to happen.  I do have a few really quick and reliable Sunday favorites.  These recipes have simple ingredients and require very little prep or clean-up time!  You can also stretch them to include an extra person or two on the spur of the moment.

  On Sunday, I like to look around the table and see my husband and sons' faces.  As our sons have grown up, this has become a treat rather than the usual occurance.  However, if our youngest son doesn't have plans, and our older son has Sunday off I invite him over and then we have time to connect (FaceTime is included for our middle son who lives in Illinois).  This is part of the comforting aspect of Sunday.  (We've even found a way to play board games to include all three sons using FaceTime!)

  As you enjoy your Sunday, here is the recipe for my toasted turkey sandwiches.  Just add a vegetable tray and fruit plate and lunch is served!

1.  Slice ciabatta rolls in half (got these at Walmart deli).  Then spread one half with butter  and top with very thin slices of red onion.  Top the other half of the bun with a thin slice of Provolone cheese.  Place on baking sheet in a preheated oven (400 degrees).  

2.  When the roll is toasted and the cheese has melted, take the baking sheet from the oven.

3.  You are ready to add deli turkey breast, tomato, lettuce and mayonnaise!

I told you it was easy!!