My Prairie Window

Prairie Redneck Shepherd’s Pie

Keira — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:54:36 +0000

This recipe I found on my friend Pickle’s site www.foodthoughtsofachefwannabe.com! She calls it her funeral casserole! Many call it tater tot casserole, but as I was assembling it I realized it really is the redneck version of a shepherd’s pie, so I renamed it hope she won’t be mad ! But not sure my kids would eat funeral casserole. I made this ahead and then baked it on a busy weeknight and it was fabulous!!! All the kids ( minus the one who won’t eat veggies) loved it! So simple I wish I had found it years ago!

Ingredients:

1-2 lbs ground beef

2 cnas french cut green beans(drained)

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 bag frozen tater tots

1 bag shredded cheese ( flavor of your choice)

seasoning salt

ranch powder(optional)

Preparation”

*In a 9×13 pan press your ground beef on the bottom. Then season with the salt and ranch. I also dripped some Worcester sauce for added taste.

* Then in a bowl mix the green beans and soup and pour over the meat layer. Again I seasoned.

* Then lay the tater tots over the beans layer, and sprinkle with some salt.

* Bake for 45 mins at 350 degrees. Take out and sprinkle cheese on ( I only did half) and then put back in oven and bake for another 15-20mins.

Serve and enjoy!

Prairie FireCrackers

Keira — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:41:55 +0000

This week a coworker ( you know who you are brought in these highly addictive saltines in a ziploc bag. She had me taste one and I was hooked! Headed over to her desk several times that day to get just one more. She finally printed out the recipe and handed it to me so I could make my own ! Well I was mot shocked to find it was from a website I know and follow www.bunsinmyoven.com. They were so simple that I made them this weekend and they lasted 1 day! These are simple to adapt just change out the seasoning and the oils and you can have a multitude of flavors. For example I added buffalo hot sauce to the oil , and reduced the pepper flakes. It is only limited by your pantry and imagination !

Ingredients:

2 sleeves saltine crackers

1 packet dry ranch seasoning mix

2 TBS red pepper flakes

1 cup canola oil ( I used less)

2 TBS hot sauce(to taste)

Preparation:

* In a large zip loc bag pour oil and hot sauce, put in crackers and coat the crackers thoroughly.

* Then put the powder and flakes in the bag and coat again.

* Place on a cookie sheet with a cooling rack placed over it and bake in a 250 degree oven for 15 mins.

* Stir, or turn over the crackers and bake another 15 mins.

* Take out and cool and eat!! If you have any left store them in an airtight container or bag.

Prairie Biscuits and Gravy

Keira — Sun, 05 May 2013 13:39:06 +0000

OK so this is by no means an original recipe, yet having been a baker in my past life, and having that bakery be in a cafe that made this every day I do have a few helpful hints that might be liked by some of you! While I used to think this meal was one only to be made on the weekend when there was plenty of time I realize that it really is about a 15 min meal if your biscuits are already baked.

So here it goes:

Ingredients:

1 -2lbs good quality pork sausage

2-4 cups water

2-4 cups milk

1-2 envelops country gravy packets

pepper to taste

Biscuits

Preparation:

* In a dutch oven or large pot crumble the sausage and on med heat begin to brown.

* Here is where I might lose you, but hang in there. Once the sausage is separated, not browned yet, pour in the water. Enough to cover the sausage, and turn up heat to get it a low boil. This will keep cooking the sausage and not scorch your pan , and no stirring required.

* In a pitcher add the packets of powder to 2 cups of milk(or 4 if using 2 pkts) and whisk together.)

* Once the sausage is all cooked pour the milk into the pan and whisk. It will start thickening immediately.

* Add more milk till the gravy is at the consistency you would like.

And that’s it! Eat and enjoy!

Ravioli Lasagna

Keira — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:36:24 +0000

This is my pot luck go to! All the yummy goodness of homemade lasagna with the swift easy prep of ravioli! You can make this way ahead of time and freeze, or make it the same day it is up to you!!. Feel free to adapt and change it is really the process that makes it a breeze!

Ingredients:

2 bags frozen ravioli ( I used 1 meat, and 1 cheese)

1 box frozen chopped spinach ( thawed and drained, and squeezed of extra moisture)

1-2 jars spaghetti sauce

1 – 1lb bag of shredded mozzarella cheese

Preparation:

* In a 13×9 (preferably deep) pan pour some of the sauce enough to spread around as the bottom layer.

* layer a row of the frozen ravioli on the sauce, then sprinkle in half of the spinach on top, followed by a 1/3 of the cheese.

* Add another layer of sauce, then ravioli the spinach and cheese.

* Again the rest of the sauce, rest of the ravioli, and the rest of the cheese.

* At this point you can cover and freeze, refrigerate, or bake.

* Bake at 350 degrees for about an hour, if going from frozen you will need to adjust the time.

Eat and enjoy!!!!

Prairie Patties-Cheese & Broccoli

Keira — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:16:41 +0000

I made this after I saw it on Facebook, was intrigued and made it myself. The post I saw, and the recipe I followed was from www.pomansmeals.com, go check it out! I adapted it of course and added a few prairie touches! These were great as a main course for a lunch, and a great side dish for a dinner!

Ingredients:

1 Tbs. minced garlic

1/2 onion chopped

1 12oz box frozen chopped broccoli/defrosted (I used fresh just steamed it)

3/4 cup panko bread crumbs

1/2 cup cheddar cheese ( I used sharp)

1/3 cup Parmesan cheese

2 eggs beaten

seasoned salt/pepper

hot sauce to taste

Preparation:

* Preheat oven to 400 degrees

* Sautee the onion and garlic in a little oil until limp

* Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix until well combined. If using frozen broccoli be sure to squeeze out all extra moisture!

* I used a ice cream scooper, or about 1/4 cup of the mixture to form patties place on a greased ( I used a stone) cookie sheet.

*Once they are all formed then bake in the oven for 15 min. Flip and bake for 15 more until edges get a golden brown.

These were even better the next day! I sered them with a buffalo dip made of simply hot sauce and sour cream!

Susan’s Birthday Cake with Caramel Frosting

Keira — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:23:26 +0000

This is titled Susan’s birthday cake not because she gave me the recipe, but because it she is my mom!!! She grew up with my grandma Helen a great cook and from a generation that made almost everything by scratch. My mom’s birthday was in April and when several years ago I asked her what grandma Helen used to make her she told me about this awesome 4H cake with caramel frosting. I looked all through my grandma’s recipe boxes but to no avail so I researched and using her description I tried and then I came across The Cake Doctor Cookbook by Anne Byrn. After a couple tries I found a match that was “close enough”.

I have made this recipe in the traditional 2 or 3 layer configuration, but found that I really like it in a bundt pan, pouring the frosting over it. So I make this every year for my mom on her birthday!! HOpe you enjoy it anytime of the year.

Ingredients:

Cake

1 box white cake mix (18.25oz)

1 cup whole milk ( I used 2%)

8 Tbs.(1 stick) butter, melted

3 large eggs

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Preparation:

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees

* Place the cake mix, milk, eggs,vanilla, and butter in a mixing bowl or stand mixer on low speed and mix for 1 minute. Scrape down sides and increase speed to medium and mix for 2 more minutes.

* Put batter in desired pans (that have been greased and floured).

* Bake in the oven (same rack) for 27-29 minutes. For a bundt pan it is more like 35 minutes.

* Remove from oven and put on cooling racks for 10 minutes and then turn it out of the pan to continue cooling.

* While it is cooling prepare the frosting!

Frosting: By far the best part of this cake!!!!

This is a simple easy and quick caramel frosting. If it gets thick and you can’t keep poring it, just reheat and it will get smooth again!

* Place 8 Tbs. (1 stick) butter, 1 cup brown sugar in a medium heavy sauce pan and stir and cook until it comes to a boil ( about 2 mins). Add 1/4 cup milk, stir and bring back to a boil, then remove the pan from the heat.

* Add 2 cups powdered sugar(sifted) and 1 tsp vanilla. Beat with a wooden spoon until the frosting is smooth.

* If doing a layer cake, literally pour over the layers spread it with spatula quickly.

* If doing a bundt cake just pour it over the cake letting it drip down the sides.

Be sure to let it cool just a touch before running your finger over the spoon or pan to lick !!

Waffle Omelettes

Keira — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 17:21:51 +0000

Ok, so I’m sure you have all noticed I have been absent from the website for a while, sorry! Life has just seemed to taken over lately, but I am trying to balance better and posting some of what I have been doing in the kitchen ! This post is one of those things! This came about one busy weekend morning. I made waffles for the kids for breakfast, they ate up all the batter and none left for the chef, who is eating low carb anyway so it was ok . I didn’t want to dirty up a whole lot of additional stuff that I would just have to wash so I put my thinking cap on and the waffle omelette came to be!!

This method can be used for any kind of omelette you like, I had egg whites from a previous recipe so I had those, but regular eggs would work too.

Ingredients:

3 egg whites or 2 eggs whisked

what ever ingredients you want in your omelette

pam spray

Preparation:

*Spray the waffle iron with your oil/whatever you prefer

*Put any veggies you want to cook a little on the waffle iron ( preheated)

* Let the veggies cook 1 min or so and then pour the egg on the iron- DO this slowly so you can not run the egg over the edges!!!

* Next place in other ingredients except cheese (I put in fresh spinach) and close the iron.

* It only takes about 30 sec and open the iron place your cheese and using a fork fold the omelette in half so the cheese melts.

* With the fork remove the omelette from the iron to your plate and tada!!! Enjoy!

Yep it was that easy!! And clean up was nothing! No muss no fuss, and fun!

Kickin Buffalo Cauliflower

Keira — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 13:35:10 +0000

Well this is one I found on the internet and immediately knew I had to try it! I have been in a serious “buffalo” state of mind lately and this seemed perfect! Who doesn’t love buffalo wings right? Well imagine a world full of all the flavor and mouth feel of wings with no guilt!!! Give it a try I think you’ll agree this is a keeper! Any leftovers I am going to use to make a easy soup. LOve double duty recipes. This recipe was found on tablespoon.com by BevCooks, thanks Bev this is great!

Ingredients:

1 head cauliflower

3/4 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup flour

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp coarse salt

3/4 cup hot sauce/buffalo sauce ( I use Franks)

1 TBS. Butter melted

Preperation:

* Preheat oven to 450 degrees

* In a bowl whisk all dry ingredients and then add the buttermilk to make a batter.

* Put cauliflower(in florets) in the bowl with the batter and toss to coat.

* Place the cauilflower in a lightly greased baking pan.

* Put in the oven and bake for 15-20mins check at 15 to make sure not burning around edges.

* In the meantime melt the butter and mix with the hot sauce, after it has baked pour the sauce over the cauliflower and stir to make sure it is all combined .

* Put back in oven and bake for another 8-10 mins.

* Eat and enjoy!

Cowboy Casserole – Crock Pot Style

Keira — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 20:45:36 +0000

This is another Pinterest find, looks good and easy, and it proved to be both! It is kind of like chili and potatoes cooked together. It received rave reviews from the entire family so it is a keeper.

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef – browned

1 onion chopped

6 medium potatoes – sliced

1 clove of garlic – chopped

1 can beans – I used red beans

1 can diced tomatoes/ with juice

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preparation:

* Mix everything except the cheese in a crock pot.

* Cook on low for 8 hrs or high for 4.

* Add the cheese, and cook for 1 more hour and then enjoy!

Prairie Sin Dip

Keira — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 21:26:19 +0000

This dip is simply amazing! I made it for a party last night and it was gone, and everyone wanted the recipe to make it for their next get together. After having it turn out so well I will totally take credit it for it’s invention, however we all have been around the block enough to know that nothing is truly original anymore, and this dip is no exception. The premise of Sin Dip I found on Pinterest, so the base of the dip is not original, however I made the Prairie Sin Dip by adding to the recipe and substituting a little. THe result is a wonderfully comforting warm dip with a slight kick that just keeps you coming back for more. It is baked in a french bread loaf lending itself very well to a football party, easy to change up just using a different vessel to bake it in. This is simple and easy and so good I would totally eat it as dinner !

Happy dipping!!

Ingredients:

16oz. sour cream

8oz. cream cheese

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

1/2 cup chopped(cooked) chicken breast

2 green onions chopped

1-2 Tbs hot sauce/buffalo sauce – to taste

2 tsp. worchestire sauce

salt/pepper/garlic – to taste

1 loaf of French Bread

Preparation:

* Mix all the ingredients together except the bread.

* Hollow out the bread leaving around 1/2 inch on sides and bottom. Cut the removed bread into wedges for dipping.

* Put dip in the hollowed out Bread, wrap in foil and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hr.

* remove and watch it all disappear!