Cooking with KP

Popover Pizza Casserole

I saw this recipe on a Facebook reel and kicked it up a bit and results were good. It is great for a weeknight meal with a side salad. Forty minutes and you are on the table.

1.5 pounds of ground beef (I use 1 pound of ground beef and .5 pound of loose Italian sausage)

1 diced onion

1 diced green bell pepper

1 Tablespoon minced garlic

1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning Blend

Seasoned salt and pepper to taste

2 cups marinara sauce (the original recipe called for pizza sauce, but I prefer marinara)

8-10 slices of Mozzarella cheese

Topping

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 Tablespoon oil

1 cup milk

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1.5 cups shredded Parmesan cheese

Parsley flakes to garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown meat in a large skillet with peppers and onions. Once brown add in garlic, Italian seasoning, marinara sauce, salt and pepper. Stir to all combined. Let come to a quick boil, reduce to simmer and let cook for 10 minutes. While simmering, mix the topping except for cheese and parsley. Pour meat mixture into a 9x13 baking dish. Top with the slices of Mozzarella cheese to make sure all meat has cheese on top. Pour topping batter on top, fully covering the cheese. Then cover with Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle parsley on top. Bake 25 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.

Chicken Cobbler

This recipe is not mine. It has been shown on Facebook and TikTok for a couple years. I believe it was created by The Barefoot Neighbor, but no matter who created it, we surely enjoy it.

1 stick Butter

1 Rotisserie Chicken, shredded

1 Box of Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit mix

1 bag(12 ounces) frozen peas and carrots or mixed vegetables

1 can cream of chicken soup

2 cups of milk

2 cups of chicken broth

Garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper

Parsley flakes

First, melt one stick of butter in a 9x13 baking dish by putting it in the oven while it preheats at 350 degrees.

Now add the shredded rotisserie chicken on top of the butter

After that add the bag of frozen vegetables (no need to thaw them) on top of the chicken. Sprinkle with onion powder, garlic powder and pepper. You might want to add salt, but I don't because the soup and chicken broth both have a great deal of salt in them.

Now, in a small bowl mix the biscuit mix, seasoning packet with 2 cups of milk. Pour on top of frozen vegetables. Do not stir or spread. Let it go where it wants.

Next, whisk together the canned soup and chicken broth. Pour on top of the biscuit batter. DO NOT STIR. Sprinkle parsley flakes on top.

Now bake the pot pie until the top layer of biscuits are golden brown and the sides are hot and bubbly. Usually 45 to 60 minutes.

Finally, serve warm and enjoy

Crockpot Pork Chops and Stuffing

The basic recipe for this dish is all over the web. I have adapted it a bit to fit our tastes; I am sure you will do the same. It is super easy and super delicious.

4-6 boneless pork cops

1 can of cream of mushroom soup

1 can of cream of celery soup

(You can substitute cream of chicken for one or both of the soups--use your preferred combo.

1 box of your favorite stuffing mix

1/2 stick of butter, melted

2 cups of chicken broth

Garlic powder

Seasoned salt

Pepper

Spray your crockpot.

In a bowl, mix the stuffing mix with melted butter and broth. Set aside until needed.

Place your pork chops in the bottom of the crockpot. Season with garlic powder, seasoned salt, and pepper. Turn over and season other side. Mix the two cans of soups together and spread on top of chops. Now spread the stuffing mixture on top. Place lid on crockpot and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Scoop out a chop with stuffing on top and enjoy.

Crockpot Creamy Chicken and Pasta

I saw this recipe presented by several cooks on TikTok. I did make a few minor changes. It is great when you forget to take out meat for dinner because you can put the chicken in frozen (just add 1 hour to the cook time).

1 -2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper

1 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. garlic powder

2 tsps. Italian seasonings

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

1 Tablespoon minced garlic

24 oz jar Marinara Sauce

15 oz jar Alfredo Sauce

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

16 oz sturdy pasta like Penne, ziti , or rigatoni

freshly shredded Parmesan cheese

Dried parsley

Spray crockpot. Place chicken on bottom. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Cover with Marinara and Alfredo. Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes. Mix into sauces. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high 3-4 hours.

Boil pasta and drain.

Remove chicken from crockpot and shredded or diced as preferred

Return chicken to crockpot. Add pasta and Mozzarella cheese. Give a quick stir and return lid let sit for about 20 minutes.

Serve topping with Parmesan cheese and parsley.

American Mongolian Beef and Noodles

I found this recipe on Facebook. She called it Mongolian Beef and Noodles, but I think it is more an American version, so that is why I have named it this. I did make a couple of changes, but I am not the original creator. It is a quick dinner with some veggies on the side.

12 ounces lo mein, linguine, or fettuccine noodles

1 pound of ground beef

1 Tablespoon of minced garlic or garlic powder

1/2 tsp. black pepper

1/2 cup reduced sodium soy sauce

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 Tablespoons hoisin sauce

2 tsp. ginger

1 tsp. red pepper flakes

2 Tablespoons of corn starch

3 Tablespoons water

11/2 cups pasta water

Green onions, diced

Cook 12 ounces of noodles. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the pasta water.

Cook 1 pound of ground beef and drain the grease. Add minced garlic or garlic powder. Season with pepper.

Once your meat is cooked add reduced sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Mix until well combined. Leave heat at medium.

4. Make a corn starch mixture/slurry by added 2 tablespoons of corn starch with 3 Tablespoons or water. Mix well. Then add to your meat. Keep stirring until thickened. This won’t take long.

5. Now take the 1 1/2 cups of reserved pasta water and add it to the meat. Set the heat to medium to high until it starts to boil. Then lower it and keep stirring.

6. Now add your pasta. Keep stirring until well blended. The noodles and meat will soak up a lot of the sauce. Takes maybe 5 minutes.

7. Top with green onions and enjoy!!!

8. To make a complete meal, toss in some frozen vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, or pea pods when you add the pasta into the sauce at the end.

Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

Found this recipe online and made a few changes. This is another easy meal for 4-6 people that is great to make while you are away for the kitchen. It will be ready when you are! Also, it is good when the weather is too warm to cook.

16 ounce jar salsa or 2 cans of Rotel with green chilies (divided use)

1 each red, yellow & green bell pepper (seeded & sliced into strips) (divided use)

1 yellow onion, sliced (divided use)

3 Tablespoons garlic, minced

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 packet fajita seasoning

2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice

Pour half of the salsa or 1 can Rotel into the bottom of a 6 quart crock pot.

Top with half of the sliced onions and peppers.
Place chicken breasts on top. Sprinkle both sides with fajita seasoning.
Top with minced garlic.
Top with remaining salsa, peppers and onions.
Cover with lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Remove chicken and either shred or slice. Return them to the crock pot and squeeze in lime juice. Give everything a good stir. Reduce temperature to warm until ready to serve.
Serve with corn or flour tortillas. Top with your favorite toppings.

Crockpot Chicken Alfredo

This is a quick to prep meal for when you are busy or tired or both! This is one that is perfect for after school practices.

1 lb, boneless, skinless chicken breasts--2-3 large ones

4 oz cream cheese

4 Tbsp unsalted butter

3 garlic cloves minced or 1 Tablespoon of garlic powder

1 tsp salt

½ tsp ground black pepper

1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning

½ tsp paprika

2 cups heavy whipping cream. Plus, 1/2 c for later if needed.

1 cup chicken broth

¾ cup fresh grated parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish

8 oz penne or rigatoni pasta, uncooked

Parsley to garnish

In a slow cooker, add chicken, heavy cream, cream cheese, butter, and broth. Season with garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.

Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 5-6 hours, until chicken is cooked through. Transfer to a plate and shred with two forks, then set aside.

Add pasta and Parmesan to slow cooker, and cook until rigatoni is tender, 20 to 25 minutes more.

Turn shredded chicken to crockpot; stir well, cover with lid. If the mixture appears too dry, add 1/2 cup whipping cream. Turn off heat, but let sit for 10 minutes prior to serving.

Garnish with more shredded cheese and parsley.

Cheaper Cuts of Beef Don't Have To Be Tough

Most people avoid the cheaper cuts of beef because they tend to be tough. With 8 children and three adults in our home, my mother had to find ways to tenderize the cheaper cuts of beef. One way to cook "down", as my mother used to say, a tough cut of beef steak is to season both sides of the steak with garlic powder, seasoned salt and pepper. Lightly brown the steak in a large skillet and on top add a diced green bell pepper, medium onion, a bay leaf, parsley flakes, a few dashes of Worchestershire sauce, and a can of diced tomatoes. Cover with lid. Let the steak simmer for 30-50 minutes. Remove lid and thicken juices by cooking 5-10 more minutes. You can also do the same with a cheap beef roast in a crock pot. Add all the ingredients in crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours. The flavor is simple, amazing and great with mashed potatoes.

Fall Vegetables for a Healthy You

As the fall approaches, we will all start to stay indoors more hours. This will lessen our vitamins, such as vitamin A, D, and K, which are enhanced by sunlight. Below are a few vegetables you might want to increase in your diet as the fall and later winter days approach. Besides, they are very tasty. In fact, in the next few weeks, I will be posting recipes that incorporate many of these delicious veggies.

Sweet potatoes and yams are very rich in carotenoids, vitamins A, B6, C, potassium, iron and fiber and are delicious when baked and eaten plain (without butter) or used in soups, casseroles or stir-fries.

Bell peppers are great sources of potassium, manganese, fiber and vitamins A, B, C and K. These sweet peppers are flavorful additions to salads and healthy stir-fries. You can choose from a rainbow of colors, including: green peppers,yellow peppers, orange peppers,and red peppers.

Summer and winter squash are rich in carotenoids, vitamins A and C, potassium, magnesium and fiber and can be served alone or added to many dishes.

Just a few tips for you...

Spray your Tupperware with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato- based sauces. No more stains!

Use lifesavers candy to hold candles in place on your next birthday cake! Kids love them.

Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugarcone to prevent ice cream drips!

Zap garlic cloves in the microwave for 15 seconds and the skins slip right off!

If your celery begins to wilt in the fridge, fill a large cup half full of water and place celery in the cup. Put back in the fridge for two hours--it will be crisp. (Learned this from my mother).

Cooking Myth Busted

A Potato Can Save a Salty Soup or Stew. True or False? False. "This is an attractive idea, but it doesn't work because potatoes are not particularly absorbent," says Wolke, who conducted his own soup-and-potato experiment for his Cooking Myth Busters book. "There is no reason they would attract salt." If you remove the raw potato from the soup, the potato will taste salty, but so would a sponge — it has simply soaked up some of the salty liquid. Still, there is hope for salty stews: Adding a bit of vinegar or sugar can "cancel out" the saltiness by giving your taste buds competing flavors.

Super Moist Turkey

If you are looking for a way to get a moist turkey, you might try one of these family hints:

1--bake the turkey upside down--breast down for the first half of the cooking time. It will help the darker meat cook more thoroughly and the fatty juices of the darker meat will drip down to the breast and add moistness. Use a deep roasting pan for this.

2--bake the turkey with the breast up, but rub it with butter, garlic powder and pepper only. Do not salt the skin. Instead, mix salt in a cup of warm water and pour that cup of salted warm-not hot-water inside the cavity of the turkey. The salt water will steam up into the turkey, making it very moist.

3. bake the turkey with the breast up and slice two lemons and one orange in halves. Place the halves inside the seasoned turkey and the juices will steam into the meat, adding moisture and flavor.

Hint of the Week

Here is something I learned from my wonderful Mother, the greatest cook I have ever known. When you have just a small serving of cooked vegetables leftover from dinner, don't throw them away. Keep a large plastic container in the freezer and put the vegetables in the container. Mix them--carrots, corn, green beans, broccoli, etc. When the container is full make a pot of soup or stew. Also, if a recipe calls for 1/2 a chopped onion, chop the whole onion and add the half to the freezer container. My mother made the best vegetable soups from this idea.

Hint for the Week

With Fourth of July quickly approaching, you might be thinking of making Deviled Eggs. If you want perfectly boiled eggs, place eggs in a large pot and completely cover with cold water. Do not layer eggs on top of one another. Bring water to a rapid boil for 2 minutes, reduce to simmer and let eggs simmer 8 minutes, return to boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and empty hot water and fill pot with cold water. Let sit for 5 minutes. To peel easily, slightly crush shell in your fist and roll on counter with a firm grip. Of course, you don't want to push through the egg, but by making the shell crack in many small pieces, it is easier to peel. My father saw this on a cooking show years ago and taught me this. It truly works.