Gail's Recipe Station

Cranberry Broccoli Salad Recipe (TNT) TOTAL TIME: Prep/Total Time: 15 min. YIELD: 6 servings   Ingredients 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (or 2 cups broccoli and 2 cups cauliflower florets* ) 1/2 to 3/4 cup thinly sliced red onion 1 cup dried cranberries 1/3 cup crumbled cooked bacon 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup half-and-half cream 3 tablespoons sugar   Directions In a large salad bowl, combine the broccoli, onion, cranberries and bacon. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, cream and sugar until smooth. Pour over broccoli mixture and toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving.  * Gail’s Notes : You can also add cauliflower and it’ll turn out just as yummy. (I found this recipe on Taste of Home --it is so simple and flavorful--definitely worth making for a family dinner get-together!)

Skillet Ramen Noodles (TNT) SERVES 6 COOK TIME 10 Min If you've never experimented with Asian-style Ramen noodles, you're in for a treat. Our budget-friendly and quick-cooking Skillet Ramen Noodles can be on the table in no time. What You'll Need: 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 (3-ounce) packages chicken-flavored Ramen noodles 2 cups water 1 cup frozen peas and carrots  cooked, chopped/shredded chicken or pork (*optional) What To Do: In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Break up noodles and add to skillet, cooking until browned, stirring constantly. Add noodle seasoning packets, water, meat (if using) and vegetables; cook until all water is absorbed and noodles are tender, stirring occasionally. Serve immediately. *To make this more of a meal, add some cooked, chunked chicken or pork. Yum! 

White Castle Casserole (TNT) Yield: 4 servings 1 lb. ground beef 1 packet dry onion soup mix 1 tubes (12 oz) crescent rolls 4-5 slices American cheese Mustard, to taste Dill pickles, chopped, to taste Additional condiments, if desired Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly spray an 8” square baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. In a skillet, brown and crumble the ground beef with both packages of dry onion soup mix. Drain meat into a colander; using paper towels or a clean dish towel, press down on the beef and squeeze out as much of the liquid as possible.  Unroll half of one tube of crescent rolls into the prepared baking dish. Flatten slightly to seal the seams and cover the bottom as necessary. Top with ground beef. Add cheese slices. Top with pickles and drizzle with mustard. Unroll the other half of the crescent roll over the top, sealing seams and covering the contents in the pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the top is golden br...

Pasta House Pasta Con Broccoli (TNT) Prep Time: 5 mins Total Time: 20 mins Servings: 2 Ingredients         4 ounces uncooked large shell pasta         1 cup cream         2 tablespoons butter         1/2 teaspoon minced garlic         2 tablespoons tomato sauce         1/2 cup chopped broccoli         salt and pepper         1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh button mushroom         1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese Directions Cook pasta until half done (about 4 minutes); drain. Return pasta to the pot. Add cream, butter, garlic, tomato sauce, broccoli, salt and pepper. Bring to a hard boil. When noodles are fully cooked and sauce is ...

Michele’s Awesome Pecan Cheese Ball   (TNT) 2 packages of 8 oz. Cream Cheese 1 package Ranch Dressing Mix 2 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese 1 1/2 cups chopped Pecans 1/4 cup bacon bits* Mash cream cheese, dressing mix, cheddar cheese, and bacon bits* together. Mix really well. Shape into a ball. Roll ball into chopped pecans. Refrigerate covered until ready to serve.  This dip is wonderful with all kinds of crackers! Yummmmmm!!!! * Gail's Note :  I added bacon bits to the cream cheese mix and doing so made this cheese ball even more AWESOME!  I think I'll add about ~1/4 cup of thin sliced green onions to the cream cheese mix next time. Also, this can be easily frozen: All I did was divide the cheese ball into 4 smaller balls and then wrapped each one in some Press 'n' Seal. After that, I just placed 3 of the balls in a zip lock freezer bag and put them in the freezer for future munching later on!  I got the ...

Baked Penne w/Mushrooms Bacon & Spinach for Two (TNT) (Serves 2 to 3 people) Ingredients : 4 oz uncooked penne pasta 3/4 cup whipping cream 6 slices bacon, chopped 1 cups sliced onions 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper 4 oz sliced fresh mushrooms (about 1 cup) 1/2 box (~ 4.5 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed to drain (or you can simply use fresh, steamed spinach, if you prefer) 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (or you can just use 1/4 cup, if preferred) 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or you can just use 1/2 cup, if preferred) Directions : Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook pasta as directed on package. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta cooking water. Drain pasta; return to stockpot. Add cream; toss. Set aside. Spray 12-inch sauté pan or skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat. Add bacon; cook until crisp. With slotted spoon, remove bacon from pan, then split the chopped bacon into two s...

Quick & Easy Pea and Bacon Ramen "Risotto" for Two (TNT) Prep 5 minutes Cook 15 minutes Ready In 20 minutes Ingredients 1/4 cup diced bacon (or you can use Pancetta, if you prefer) 1-1/2 teaspoons olive oil 1/2 medium onion, chopped 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/2 (3 ounce) package ramen noodles, coarsely broken in package (flavor packet discarded) 5 ounces package frozen peas 1-1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1-1/2 teaspoons butter 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus additional for serving 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Directions Cook bacon in oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until just beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add onion and salt and cook, stirring, until onion is softened, about 4 minutes. Add noodles and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add peas and broth to skillet and bring mixture to a boil. Cook, stirring, until noodles are just tender, about 3 minutes. Remove skil...