Taco Bites

1 bag of Tostitos Scoops (baked is OK)
1 lb lean ground beef
1 packet of taco seasoning
1 bag of (finely) shredded cheese (Mexican blend)

Toppings (all optional)
shredded lettuce
tomatoes
salsa
sour cream
sliced black olives
chives
hot sauce

Brown hamburger.  Drain.
Add taco seasoning per directions.
Add about a teaspoonful of seasoned meat into each Scoop.
Sprinkle with cheese.
Bake at 400 degrees until cheese is melted.
Add toppings of choice.  Enjoy.

Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Ingredients:
1 9" pie shell
1 tbsp gelatin
1/4 c. of cold water
3/4 c. brown sugar (packed)
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp allspice
1 1/3 c. pumpkin
3 large eggs
1/2 c. milk
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
6 tbsp sugar

Prepare the pie shell according to directions (or try a Ginger Cookie Crust).
Combine the gelatin and cold water.  Set aside.
Separate the eggs.  Make sure NO yolk gets in with the whites.
In a saucepan, combine all of the remaining ingredients except the egg whites, the cream of tartar and sugar.
Cook over low heat, stirring continually until it has boiled for one minute.
Remove from heat and stir in softened gelatin.
Cool in refrigerator while making the meringue.
With mixer on highest speed, beat egg whites and cream of tartar.  Gradually add sugar until meringue is thick and holds stiff peaks.
Fold cooled filling into meringue and spoon into the pie shell.
Refrigerate until served.

Ginger Cookie Pie Crust

1/2 c. butter
30 or so ginger snaps

Melt butter.
Crush cookies (a rolling pin works well).
Mix together.
Pat and press into 9" pie pan.
Bake at 325 degrees for 10 minutes.
Cool before filling.

Easy Oreo Pie

1 Oreo pre-made crust
2 1/4 c. of milk
1 lg box chocolate pudding
1 tub of Cool Whip
6 Oreo cookies

Pour pudding mix into bowl and add 2 1/4 cups of milk.
Whisk together and then let sit for a few minutes to thicken.
Add a large spoonful of whipped topping into the pudding and whisk until blended. Then let it it sit for a few minutes.
Pour filling into Oreo pie crust. Place in freezer for a few minutes.
Crumble 6 Oreos in a Ziploc bag
Spread the remaining whipped topping on top of the pie until covered.
Sprinkle Oreo crumbs on top of pie.
Place in freezer until its ready to serve.

Double Baked Double Bacon Potatoes

Ten small potatoes  (about 2" diameter)
3 or 4 strips of bacon
2 tablespoons of cream
2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 a small onion
1 clove of garlic
1/2 cup of crushed croutons
1/2 teaspoon EACH ground sage, salt, and pepper
Optional: a dash of chili powder, chopped jalapenos

Preheat oven to 375.
Cook bacon, set aside.  Save grease for next step.
Scrub potatoes and poke a few holes.  Arrange on baking sheet and drizzle with bacon grease.
Baked for 40 minutes.  Stir and re-drizzle halfway through.

Crumble bacon.
Mince onion and garlic.
Shred cheese and crush croutons if not done already.
When potatoes are cool, cut in half and scoop out middles (leave 1/4" or so).
Coarsely mash middles and cream.
Combine with rest of ingredients (except croutons) and mix well.
Fill potato halves (heaping) and sprinkle with crushed croutons.

Bake for 15 more minutes at 375 until cheese is melted.

Chana Masala

This was surprisingly good.  Worked for Kathy (Indian fan) and Kiefer (vegan).

2 onions, chopped
1/2 cup soy margarine
8 oz tomato sauce
8 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp allspice
1 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste)
4 cans garbanzo beans
2 green peppers, chopped
Salt to taste

Saute onions in soy margarine (or olive oil) until golden brown, then add tomato sauce, garlic and spices. Saute for a few minutes, then add garbanzo beans and green pepper. Saute for 5 - 10 minutes. Add salt to taste.

Serve with naan and/or brown rice.

Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits

2 cups Bisquick
3/4 c buttermilk
1/2 c shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 c melted butter
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1⁄8 teaspoon Old Bay 

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Mix biscuit mix, buttermilk and cheese together until a soft dough forms.
Drop by spoonfuls onto an ungreased baking sheet.  Use butter-flavored cooking spray, if needed.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until golden brown.
Mix butter, garlic, and seafood seasoning together
Brush over warm biscuits before removing from baking sheet.

Perfect Prime Rib

1 rib roast (bone-in or not - doesn't matter)
1 stick of butter
1 tbsp black pepper
1 tbsp herbs de provence
3 tbsp kosher salt

Completely thaw the rib roast and then let it sit outside the fridge for at least 6 hours.
The rib roast must be at room temperature.

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees.
Soften the butter and mix with the black pepper and herbs de provence.
Spread the flavored butter over all surfaces of the rib roast.  Then sprinkle the kosher salt all over it.  Use more than you think you need.
Once the oven is fully preheated, cook the roast in the middle of the oven for exactly 5 minutes per pound, rounded up the to next full minute.  E.g., for a 5.5 pound roast, set the timer for 28 minutes.
Once the timer goes off, turn off the oven (don't open it!) and leave the roast in there for exactly two hours, to finish cooking slowly as the oven cools.

Serve and enjoy.

Creamy Italian Chicken

4 Chicken Breasts
1 can Cream of Chicken soup
1 8-oz. package Cream Cheese – Cut up
1/2 stick butter – Cut up
1 packet Dry Good Seasons Italian Dressing

Place Chicken in crock pot, place cream cheese, soup and butter all over top of chicken and sprinkle with Italian dressing packet. Cook on low 6-7 hours or on high 4 hours.