Netta's Niche - Favorite Recipes

EDIT:
My friend, Sarah, pointed out that I had listed salt
twice on the Choc. Cake recipe. Only add it once!
I updated the recipe.
THANKS, Sarah!!!!

Jesus has done such amazing things in so many lives this weekend...
and He's teaching me new things about getting out of the classic
procrastination mode that plagues certain areas of my life.

HOWEVER, more about that later! (is anyone else finding that
funny, or just me!? ha!)

Seriously, though, writing about that takes more concentration
than my home/life will allow at the moment. Instead, I'll answer
the request of several of my Facebook friends who have requested
some recipes. (Not that I'm a famous cook, just a constant, frugal
one with lotsa people to keep fed and hopefully some even happy!
Keeping all 7 of us pleased about the menu is not always possible!)

Every home needs a crock pot (slow cooker!).
Here's a couple of my favorites and then some other recipes, too.

CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS
my version of a recipe taken from this cookbook...







4-6 boneless chicken breasts
4 chicken bouillon cubes
4 cups of water
2 or 3 celery sticks cut into small pieces
4 or more carrots cut into small round slices
salt
pepper
oregano and/or italian seasonings
Also, left over corn or peas are yummy, too.

DUMPLINGS:
1 recipe for biscuits
(you can use bisquick, I just make'um homemade)

Put all ingredients EXCEPT DUMPLINGS into
crock pot and cook for approx. 6-8 hrs. on low.
Then, turn on High and add spoonfuls of dumpling
mix to the top of cooked chicken mixture.
Cover & cook for approx. 35 minutes.
Don't open the lid until biscuits are done.

Serve immediately.
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NETTA'S CHICKEN GUMBO
click here



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CROCK POT SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS
2 bags of Turkey Meatballs (from Aldi)
2 jars of pasta sauce & 1/2 jar of water
extra Italian Seasonings

Cook on low for at least 4 hrs.
Since the meatballs are already cooked, the
crockpot thaws them out and the flavors of
meat & sauce blend together.

Then serve over spaghetti noodles
(I cook them ahead of time & store them in the frig with
some olive oil mixed in. Then I just nuke'um up & serve)
Crazy Easy!


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SUNDAY ROAST
(Our weekly tradition that dates back to my childhood, except my Mom
put it in the oven on time bake. But I'm addicted to the Crock Pot!)

Any cut & size of Beef Roast (cheap cuts work fine!)
Season with steak pepper, onion & garlic powder and
braise on a hot skillet.
(Braise means to brown on the outside for a couple of
minutes per side. This keeps the juices in while it's roasting.)

Fill crock pot 2/3 full of potatoes cut into lg. chunks
and carrots cut into large pieces
and sliced or diced onion
Place braised beef on the top and add at least 1 Cup of liquid.
Cook for at least 6 hrs. on high or much longer on low.

Liquid ideas:
water, flat cola, beef broth, 1 bouillon cubes & 1 C water
or even tomato juice or dice tomotatoes

When you get home from church, mmm, the smell meets you
before you even open the door! It's ready! NO WAITING!


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RANCH DORITO CASSEROLE
(I made this up based on an idea from my Husband! and his
Mom's Beef Doritos Casserole)

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken, cooked & shredded or diced
1 can (15 oz) cream corn
2 cans (15 oz) cream of chicken soup
4 oz green chili or green salsa verde
1/2 C (or more) of Ranch Dressings
1 bag of Ranch flavored Doritos, crushed (my boys like doing this!)
1/2 (or more) C Shredded cheese
Minced onion (or onion powder)
garlic powder, salt, pepper, cumin

-Mix everything EXCEPT CHEESE, together
-Place in greased 9x13 pan
-Cover the top with cheese
-Bake at 350 f approx 30 min.
Longer if everything is cold to begin with

Yummy to serve with rice and cornbread, sliced tomatoes
and ice-tea. mmmm


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CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP
(My Mom & friend, Jodi, make this more than I do!)
Yummy!

1 onion chopped
garlic powder or minced garlic
1 T olive oil
2 t chili powder
1 t oregano
1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes or diced works, too
5 chicken bouillon cubes
5 C water
1 can corn
1 can hominy (or just use another can of corn)
1 4 oz. can chopped green chili peppers
1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed & drained
1/4 C chopped fresh cilantro
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked & chopped or shredded
crushed tortilla chips
Mexican flavored cheese (or any other shredded cheese)

Mix everything EXCEPT fresh cilantro.
Cook on MED heat until almost boiling.

Serve with crushed tortilla chips, fresh cilantro and shredded
cheese.


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ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE CHIP CAKE
(My Mom used to pack 2 pieces of this in my lunch cuz my friend,
Wendy, & I LOVED this cake. I still make it... often! mmm)

Mix- 1 & 3/4 C boiling water with 1 C uncooked oatmeal
let it sit for 10 minutes

Mix- 1 C brown sugar 1 C sugar
1 stick of butter 2 eggs

Stir together-
1 & 3/4 C flour
1 t baking soda 1/2 t salt
1 T cocoa powder

Add ALL three mixtures together and stir in 1/2 bag of
chocolate chips. Pour into 9x13 greased pan and the
sprinkle remaining 1/2 of choc. chips on the top.
(You can also add crushed walnuts on the top)

Bake at 350 for approx. 40 minutes.

Do NOT frost this cake. It stands alone!
(And makes any day a party! Right, Wendy?)
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