November 7: Rice Dessert

My family and I were spending some time with our friends, the Boogert's, on their house boat at Lake Powell and one evening they showed us this great treat using leftover rice.

Cooked rice

Sugar

Butter

Combine all ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Heat until butter melts and heated throughout.

November 5: Creamy Alfredo

This recipe is a staple in our family. It tastes like Pizza Factory's Alfredo. It is fast and easy. A friend, Linda, took a cooking class and shared this recipe with me.

1 8-oz cream cheese, cubed

½ c butter

¾ c grated Parmesan cheese

½ c milk

In a large saucepan stir together cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, butter and milk over low heat until smooth. It gets very thick. I add more milk to the consistency that I like.

November 4: Easy Delicious Homemade Mac and Cheese

This is definitely the best homemade mac 'n cheese recipe I have found. It is so simple and yummy and very rich tasting. I got this recipe on the internet.

8 oz pkg elbow macaroni

1 8 oz pkg shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 16 oz container small curd cottage

8 oz container sour cream

¼-1/2 c grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup dry bread crumbs

¼ c butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350. Bring a lg pot of water to boil, add pasta and cook until done, drain.

In a 9x13 baking dish, stir together mac, cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, Parm cheese, salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix together bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle topping over mac mix.

Bake 30—35 minutes.

November 3: Street Tacos

Love this recipe! Found it online. The marinated meat is so rich and full of flavor. The cucumber mix is something we added ourselves. Your kitchen will smell so wonderful as you are making this meal.

3 lbs flank steak, or any steak the butcher has sliced very thinly

1/3 c white vinegar, I like rice wine vinegar

1/2 c soy sauce

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 limes, juiced

1/2 c olive oil

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp paprika

1 (32 ounce) package corn tortillas

2 c grated cheese, optional (cheese is not needed in this recipe, but if you are a die hard cheese lover you can use it)

Your favorite salsa

Lay the steak on a cutting board and slice in 1/2 inch slices about 2 inches long. In a medium bowl, whisk together the vinegar, soy, garlic, juice of limes and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, oregano, cumin and paprika. Whisk until well blended, then pour over the steak in a large glass bowl. Turn over once to coat both sides. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate from 1 to 8 hours.

Heat a griddle to high heat. Add a TB or 2 of vegetable oil and fry half of the meat mixture until well brown, but tender. Remove and set aside. Do the same with the other half.

Onion mix:

1 white onion, chopped

1/2 c chopped fresh cilantro

1 lime, juiced

Mix together. Set aside.

Cucumber mix:

1 lg cucumber

salt and pepper, to taste

2 TB sugar, or to taste

1/2 c rice vinegar, maybe a little more

Cut up the cucumber in small cubes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add sugar and vinegar. Set aside.

Place several corn tortillas in between two paper towels and heat in the microwave.

Layer tortilla, meat mixture, salsa, onion mixture, cucumber mixture and cheese. Fold in half.

November 2: Ravioli with sauteed butternut squash

I was standing in the check out line at the grocery store and saw this recipe on the cover of a magazine and it looked so yummy. I have a real love for winter squash. I bought the magazine and was very glad I did. This recipe is so good.

2 TB olive oil

1/2 medium butternut or Hubbard squash (about 1 lb), peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces

salt and pepper

2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1 TB small fresh thyme springs (I also use dried)

1 16 oz pkg cheese ravioli or whole wheat pasta

1/4 c grated Parmesan

Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the squash, season with salt and pepper and cook, covered, stirring occasionally for 8 minutes.

Add the garlic and thyme and cook, uncovered, tossing occasionally until the squash is tender and beginning to brown, 2 to 3 minutes more.

Meanwhile, cook the ravioli or pasta according to package directions. Transfer the ravioli to plates, top with the squash mixture and sprinkle with the Parmesan.

November 1: Crispy Bean Burritos

I was craving one of these and decided to try and make them. They were fast and easy and delicious.

2 cans re fried beans

10 regular size flour tortillas

grated cheddar cheese

oil to fry in

1. In a large skillet, pour about 2 inches of vegetable oil. Heat up to medium heat.

2. Lay out one tortilla.

3. Spoon re fried beans down middle of it.

4. Sprinkle with cheese

5. Roll up, tightly.

6. Secure with a toothpick.

6. Fry in oil, turning over to fry on both sides.

7. Serve with: sour cream, salsa, guacamole, hot sauce.