Crock Pot Brown-Sugared Baby Carrots

2 LBS (32 oz) Baby Carrots
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 cup Brown Sugar, firmly packed
4 TBS Butter, cut in small pieces
1 TBS minced fresh Parsley (Optional)

Place carrots in crock pot and sprinkle with salt, brown sugar and butter.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 - 4 hours.
Check for tenderness at  2 1/2 - 3 hours, and stir.
Cook until at desired tenderness.
Stir and serve.

CAULIFLOWER GREEN CHILE CASSEROLE

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp butter
• 3/4 cup diced onion
• 3/4 cup diced celery
• 2 cups cauliflower rice (frozen or fresh)
• 1 cup shredded Monterrey Jack cheese, divided 
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar, divided (Or any combination of cheeses)
• 4 oz canned green chiles, un-drained
• 1/2 cup sour cream 
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp granulated garlic
• 1-1/2 cups diced ham or cooked chicken - OPTIONAL

Instructions

1.   Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter or grease an 8x8 pan and set aside.

2.   If using frozen cauliflower rice, cook to package directions, usually about 3 minutes. If using fresh cauliflower rice, steam for 3-4 minutes on the stove-top or in the microwave until slightly tender. Take the steamed cauliflower rice and squeeze or press between paper towels to remove the excess moisture and set aside. You want the rice to be fairly dry so your dish isn’t watery!

3.   Melt butter in a medium sauté pan over medium high heat. Add celery and onions. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until tender. Turn down heat to medium and add cream to the pan and stir constantly and reduce by half, until thick and creamy and set aside.

4. In a large bowl combine cauliflower rice, ½ cup of each cheese, chiles, sour cream, veggie mixture, OPTIONAL diced meat, and seasonings and stir until incorporated. Spread mixture evenly in the prepared pan and top with remaining cheese. Bake at 325 for 20-25 minutes or until bubby.  

Crescent Roll Veggie Pizza

INGREDIENTS

• 2 (8-oz.) packages refrigerated crescent rolls
• 2 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 (1-oz.) package powdered Original Ranch dressing mix
• 1/2 cup finely chopped broccoli
• 1/2 cup finely chopped cauliflower
• 1/2 cup grated or finely diced carrots
• 1/2 cup finely chopped tomatoes (seeds removed)
• 1/2 cup chopped scallions

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Unroll the crescent rolls onto a nonstick baking sheet, separating the dough and arranging it in a single layer covering the entire baking sheet. Press together the perforations, and then, using a fork, prick the dough all over.
Bake the dough for 10 minutes until golden brown; remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.

In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise and Ranch dressing mix.
Using a mixer, blend together the ingredients until smooth and creamy. 

Spread the cream cheese mixture onto the completely cooled baking sheet of crescent rolls, covering the entire surface in an even layer.

Sprinkle the diced broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, tomatoes and scallions on top of the cream cheese.  Then place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper on top and lightly press down the veggies. Cover the baking sheet securely with plastic wrap and refrigerate the bars for a minimum of one hour and up to overnight.

When ready to serve, slice the sheet into bars and serve.

Mom's Green Bean Casserole

1 1/2 TBS butter
3 TBS flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1 chopped onion
2 cloves minced garlic
1 1/4 lbs. fresh green beans, ends trimmed
4 tsp dry ranch dressing mix
1/2 tsp pepper
1 cup fresh toasted bread crumbs

Cook beans until just crisp-tender.
Make a white sauce of the butter, flour, and milk.
Stir in dressing mix and pepper.
Heat oven to 350°
Cook onion and garlic until tender. Divide in half.
Combine green beans with 1/2 of the onions and the sauce.
Place in a 1 1/2 quart baking dish.
Combine other half of the onions with the bread crumbs and sprinkle over casserole.
Bake uncovered at 350° for 30 minutes
(From Genavieve Hunter)

Orange Glazed Carrots

1 1/2 lbs. fresh carrots, sliced (or small baby carrots)
1 1/2 cups orange juice
1 tsp lemon zest
3/4 tsp pepper
1 tsp lemon juice

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.
Cover and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Uncover and continue to simmer, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid is evaporated and carrots are tender and glazed.

Crescent Veggie "Pizza" Bars

2 8-oz cans crescent rolls
1 cup mayonnaise
1 small pkg dry ranch dressing mix
1 8-oz pkg cream cheese, softened
Assorted veggies - Onions, celery, broccoli, carrots, etc.

Chop veggies to a small dice.
Press out crescent rolls into the bottom of a jelly roll pan.
Bake 10 minutes; cool.
Mix together mayo, cream cheese, and dry dressing mix.
Spread on top of cooled crust.
top with chopped veggies and refrigerate overnight.
Cut into squares or triangles - serve cold.

Cheese Sauce for Broccoli

12 oz. American cheese (or 18 slices wrapped)
2/3 cup milk
Salt & pepper to taste
Heat together over medium heat, stirring frequently, until cheese is melted.
Serve over 16 oz. broccoli, cooked

Red Hot Cinnamon Candied Carrots

Ingredients:

6 large or 8 medium raw carrots
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup red cinnamon candies (red hots or cinnamon imperials)
2 1/2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon red food coloring (optional)


Directions:

In a medium-sized saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup red cinnamon candies, 2 1/2 cups water, and 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring. Stir well, and then place over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil. Turn the heat to low, and cook and stir for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside while preparing carrots. Peel 6 to 8 carrots and then divide each of them into two halves. Split each half lengthwise, and then chop into 1/4-inch slices. Place the prepared carrots carefully in the hot cinnamon, sugar, water, and food coloring mixture. Place over heat, bring back to a boil, and cook for 12 to15 minutes. Test the carrots for tenderness using a fork. The carrots should be soft, but not mushy. A fork will meet with some resistance, but the carrots will no longer be crisp and crunchy. Remove the saucepan from heat, and carefully remove the cinnamon carrots from the hot liquid. Place the Red Cinnamon Candy Carrots in a clear serving bowl using a slotted spoon. Let cool before serving. You may serve them at room temperature or chill them overnight and serve them cold. The leftover liquid may be reused (for more carrots, or apples, pears, and other fruit) and may be saved in a jar in the refrigerator for up to a week. These carrots are dramatic and add flair to any meal. I hope you enjoy serving them at your holiday meal! 

Gullivers Steakhouse Creamed Corn

The Kathrine recipe... NOT to be confused with nasty canned cream corn!

20 oz frozen corn... about 4 cups (do not substitute canned corn)

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup milk

2 TBS sugar

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

2 TBS flour

2 TBS butter

In a saucepan, combine all ingredients except butter and flour.

Bring to a boil and simmer 5 minutes.

Blend melted butter with flour and add to corn mixture.

Mix well and continue stirring until thick.

Green Beans

1 lb. fresh green beans; snap off ends

2 TBS butter

1/2 cup toasted almonds

1 tsp salt

5 slices cooked bacon, diced

1/4 cup diced onions, lightly cooked

Steam or boil beans to desired doneness.

Drain off water.

Toss remaining ingredients with beans