Taco Seasoning

1 Tbsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. paprika
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. black pepper


Mix all ingredients and store in an air-tight container.

Crock Pot Green Beans

1 lb fresh string bean, cut into 1-inch lengths (OR leave whole, cut ends)

6 -8 slices bacon

1 -2 tablespoon garlic, diced

1 medium onion, chopped

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

fresh ground pepper

Directions:

1

Place bacon at the bottom of the crockpot. Place other ingredients on top of the bacon in crock pot. Stir. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. If you have a large crock pot, you can double the recipe.

Yummy Meatloaf

2 pounds lean ground beef
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
2 c. grated Monterey Jack cheese
6 T. ketchup
2 eggs
1 tsp. celery salt (I use garlic salt too)
1/2 tsp. pepper

Combine the ingredients until well combined. Put into loaf pan and squirt ketchup over the top. Bake at 375 for about an hour or until cooked through.

Play Dough

2 c. flour
2 c. water
1 c. salt
2 Tbsp. oil
1 Tbsp. cream of tartar
Food coloring

Mix all ingredients together (except food coloring) and heat over LOW on stove, stirring.  When the dough pulls away from the sides and clumps in the center, remove the pan from heat and allow the dough to cool.  Keep stirring and cooking until the dough is dry and feels like play dough.

Basic Waffles

2 c. all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 3/4 c. low-fat milk
6 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 large eggs

Combine dry ingredients in mixing bowl.  Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.  Letter batter sit for 5 minutes before using.

Flaky muffins

Butter
6 eggs
1 c. flour
1 c. milk (almond milk works fine)
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt


Preheat oven to 375. Place a pat of butter in each circle of 2 muffin pans. Melt in oven.  Beat the remaining 5 ingredients together.  Place batter in muffin tins (each muffin will have only a bit of batter but will rise a lot).  Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

These are good alone, with fruit on top, chicken salad, etc.

Lemon Bread

1/2 c. butter, softened
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 Tbsp. grated lemon peel
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 c. milk

Glaze:
1/2 c. powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. lemon juice

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, lemon juice and peel. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually stir into creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition.
2. Pour into a greased 8-in. x 4-in. loaf pan. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
3. Combine glaze ingredients. Remove bread from pan; immediately drizzle with glaze. Cool on a wire rack. Serve warm. Yield: 1 loaf (12 slices).