Cinnamon Rolls

2 packages dry yeast
2 1/2 C. warm water
4 1/2 C. flour
1 yellow cake mix

Let rise 1 hour in warm spot. Punch down, then roll out on floured surface in rectangle. Spread with butter, sugar, and cinnamon. Let rise 30 minutes. Cut and bake at 350* for 30 minutes.

Old Fashioned Green Beans

For those of you who grew up with fresh green beans canned from the garden, there is nothing better. I have managed to come up with a knock off that is so good it has fooled my father-in-law for many years now. He thinks I can these from scratch. Shhhh!

1 can of Bush's Shelley Beans w/ juice
1 t. minced dried onion flakes
1 t. chicken base (my fave is L.B. Jamison's) (don't use bouillon cubes)

Mix all together & bring to boil. Turn heat down to low & simmer until most of juice has been cooked down. Tastes pretty darn close to home canned grean beans. I make it for all holidays & use 4 cans & increase onion flakes & chicken base accordingly.

Note: if you can't find the Bush Shelley Beans, you can use regular cut green beans & canned pinto beans. I use about 1/4 c. canned pinto beans to 1 can of regular cut green beans. Get the shelley beans if you can!

Crispy Sweet Pickles

For anyone who has trouble making pickles, but loves a sweet crunchy pickle, this is your answer. Let someone else do the hard work for you by starting with store bought pickles, such as Vlasick. I add red or green food coloring to the pickles. It just makes them pretty & really nice for the holidays.

2 qt. jar of whole dill pickles, such as Vlasic
4 C. sugar
1 t. celery seed
1 t. mustard seed
1/2 C. white vinegar
red or green food coloring optional
water to cover

Drain juice off of pickles. Slice pickles into thick bite size chunks. Put pickles back in jar & pour above mixture over them. Add just enough water to cover. Refrigerate & shake jar every day to mix up pickles & liquid. Pickles will be ready in a week.

Hamburger Stew

This is a good hearty stew. The molasses gives it a really good flavor. These are approximate measurements. I just add whatever I have on hand. If you don't like peas, you can substitute a can of green beans.

1 lb. hamburger browned
2 carrots sliced
1 medium onion
2 stalks celery
1 large potato, diced
2 T. molasses
2 cans tomato soup - 2 cans of water or beef broth.

1 c. frozen corn - add last 15 minutes of cooking
1 C. frozen peas - add last 15 minutes of cooking

Mix all together & simmer on stove until vegetables are tender, or cook in crockpot.

Fried Chicken Seasoning

1 C. flour
2 t. garlic salt
1 t. pepper
1 t. paprika
1/4 t. poultry seasoning

Mix all together & roll chicken in it before frying.

Taco Seasoning

6 t. chili powder
4 1/2 t. cumin
t t. paprika
4 t. onion powder
1/4 t. cayenne (optional)

Mix all together - this is stronger than the packaged mixes. Start out w/ 2 T. for 1 serving & adjust to taste.

Steak Seasoning

I love this & use it especially when I grill chicken, fish, or burgers.

5 t. salt
4 t. pepper
2 t. garlic powder
2 t. onion powder
1 t. paprika
1/4 t. thyme
1 1/2 t. coriander

Dry Ranch Dressing Mix

This is an acceptable substitue for the powdered Ranch Dressing mix in the packets.

7 saltine crackers
2 T. garlic salt
2 T. onion powder
3/4 C. parsley flakes
1/4 C. dry minced onion
1 T. dry dillweed
2 T. garlic powder

In blender or food processor, blend crackers until powdered. Add parsley, minced onion & dillweed. Blend until all is finely mixed. Put mix in bowl & add garlic salt, onion powder, & garlic powder. Store in airtight container.

For dressing: 1 T. dry mix - 1 C. Mayo - 1 C. buttermilk

Pancake Mix

This is a really good pancake mix.

3 C. flour
2 T. baking powder
6 T. sugar
1 1/2 t. salt

Mix & store in airtight container.

To use, add 1 c. of mix, 1 egg & enough milk to thin to desired consistency.

French Onion Soup Mix

I use this all the time instead of Lipton's French Onion soup mix. It is a great substitute.

3/4 C minced onion
1/3 C beef flavored instant bouillon granules
4 t. onion powder
1/4 t. celery salt
1/4 t. sugar

5 T. = one pkg of dry onion soup mix - this makes 4 servings.

Biscuit Mix

This mix is a good Bisquick knockoff. I don't use it very often, but for some unexplainable reason, I feel like I should have this on hand!

10 C. flour
1/2 C. baking powder
1/4 c. sugar
2 t. salt
2 C. Crisco

Mix dry ingredients together & cut in Crisco w/ pastry cutter. Store in airtight container & use as you would use Bisquick.

Hot Chocolate Mix

This is the best substitute that I have found for making your own hot chocolate mix. I find that the powdered milk tastes better to us than the recipes that use powdered creamer. I especially love it made with the dark cocoa, but the milk chocolate is yummy too. If you like mocha flavors, add a pinch of coffee to your cup when making it. It couldn't be easier!

4 C. of powdered milk

2 C. of sugar

1 C. cocoa powder

pinch of salt

Mix all together & store in container. I use 2 heaping tablespoons for 1 mug. Adjust to taste.

No Bake Granola Bars

These are wonderful and easy to make. They are very very similar to a Quaker chewy granola bar. You can control the amount of sugar you want or additions such as raisins, chocolate chips, or nuts.

2 ½ C. Rice Krispy’s
2 C. quick cooking oats
½ C. brown sugar firmly packed
½. C. corn syrup (light or dark)
½ C. peanut butter
1 t. vanilla
½ C. raisins (optional)
½ C. chocolate chips (optional)

In large bowl, combine, rice krispy’s, oats, & raisins. Set aside. In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring brown sugar and corn syrup to a boil stirring constantly. Remove from heat, stir in peanut butter and vanilla until well blended. Pour mixture over cereal mixture and toss until well coated. Let stand 10 minutes, stir in chocolate chips. Spray 9x13 pan with Pam and press mixture in pan. Allow to cool completely before cutting.

Note: I only use half the brown sugar called for.