Zucchini Cakes

I made these last night and they were soooo delicious, even hubby said they were awesome, which is saying something for the meat loving carnivore he is! ^_^

1 whole Large zucchini

1 Tbsp minced garlic
1/2 cup (to 3/4 cup) breadcrumbs
1/2 cup shredded cheese (your choice)
2 whole eggs
Salt (to taste)
Black pepper (to taste)
Olive oil

Directions:

1. Wash zucchini and chop off the stem end. Shred it using the large holes of a cheese grater. Squeeze the shredded zucchini inside a large clean towel until you've removed as much liquid as possible.
2. Place shredded zucchini in a medium sized bowl. Add garlic, breadcrumbs, cheese, eggs, salt and pepper. Stir with a fork until well mixed.
3. Heat oil oil to medium heat, when oil is hot drop a spoonful of zucchini mixture into skill and flatten it a bit with spoon. 
4. After about 2 minutes, turn the cakes over (should be golden brown) and cook on other side for another 2 minutes.
5. Serve with dipping sauce of your choice or top with a little more shredded cheese.

(I did not use minced garlic as I had seasoned breadcrumbs, so if you use seasoned breadcrumbs you can omit minced garlic and they're just as tasty!)

Homemade Pizza Dough

2-1/2 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp baking powder
3 Tbsp oil oil or vegetable oil
Pizza Seasoning
1 cup water
1 can tomato sauce or 2/3 cup if using jar sauce

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mix together flour, salt, baking powder, and pizza seasoning (I sprinkled in enough to give the dough some extra flavor.)
2. When dry ingredients are well mixed, add in the olive oil. Gradually add in water, stirring constantly. When dough starts to form, sprinkle a small amount of flour over the mixture. Begin to knead the dough until everything is well mixed and you have a round ball of dough.
3. Flatten dough onto a large pizza pan or baking sheet. 
4. Spread half of the sauce over your dough, then lay on the toppings.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Party Meatballs

1 (14 oz) can Cranberry Sauce

1 (12 oz) bottle Heinz Chili Sauce
1 (2 lb) bag frozen, pre-cooked, cocktail sized meatballs (or faux meatballs for you vegetarians)

Directions:

1. Combine sauces in large saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring until smooth.
2. Add meatballs, cover and cook for 15 minutes or until meatballs are heated through; stir occasionally.

(Makes 30 appetizer servings)

Slow Cooker Preparation:

1. Place meatballs in slow cooker
2. Combine sauces and pour over meatballs.
3. Cover and cook on High until heated through.

Skinny Taco Dip

1 (8-ounce) package 1/3 less fat Philadelphia Cream Cheese, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups salsa, homemade or store-bought

3/4 cup light fat sour cream
1 tablespoon taco seasoning
1 1/2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
2 Roma tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup sliced black olives
1/4 cup tortilla strips

Directions:

1. In the bowl, beat cream cheese, salsa, sour cream and taco seasoning until well combined, about 1-2 minutes.
2. Serve immediately, topped with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, olives and tortilla strips.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

1 lb bacon, diced

1 onion, diced
5 large Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
3 cups chicken stock
3 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp flour
1 1/2 cups milk
3 green onions, sliced
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 tsp black pepper
sour cream (optional)

Directions:

1. In large stock pot, cook bacon until crisp. Drain all but 2 Tbsp of bacon grease from pot.
2. Cook onions in remaining grease for 5 minutes until tender
3. Add potatoes and chicken stock to pot. Bring to boil and simmer until thick. Slowly stir into stock pot. Bring to boil, reduce heat to low and simmer.
4. Add 1/2 cup shredded cheese, 3/4 bacon and 1/2 green onions to pot. Add pepper. Stir to combine. Cook additional 5 minutes.
5. Ladle into bowls, top with cheese, bacon, green onions and optional sour cream.

Hot Dog Casserole

3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
1 – 1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 1/2 cups milk
5 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
1 pkg hot dogs, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/2 inch slices
1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. In small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in the flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil, cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly.
2. In greased 2 1/2 quart baking dish, layer with 1/3 of the potatoes, half of the hot dogs. Repeat layers. Top with remaining potatoes. Pour white sauce over all.
3. Cover and bake 350° for 1 hour. Uncover, sprinkle with cheese. Bake additional 10-15 minutes longer or until potatoes are tender.

Sugar Cookies

3/4 cup butter

1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients
2. Chill dough 1 hour
3. Roll dough out 1/2 inch thick, cut shapes
4. Bake 400 degrees or 6-8 minutes.
5. Let cool, decorate if desired.