When we enter the months of hurricane season, we make sure our cupboards are stocked with non-perishable supplies of all sorts.  Unfortunately, my husband’s idea of a hurricane survival-kit is a case of Vienna Sausages.  As interesting as I find that concept, it isn’t something that I can really wrap my head around.  The thought of eating those little sausages for countless days while we wait for the power to come back on is a little unnerving, to say the least.  But, now that I have numerous cans of Vienna Sausages in my cupboard, I’m thinking I will need a way to cook and eat them.

I’ve seen a few recipes for appetizers using Vienna Sausages, or other types of little sausages, but I’m wondering if there isn’t some kind of recipe that is more of a main dish.  I’m having trouble picturing such a meal, but I hope you good folks will be so kind as to share any recipe you might have  for using this unique sausage product.  Thank you!

My nephew will eat almost anything as long as it is covered in or cooked with ketchup. Since he’ll be staying with us for a few days, I’ve had recipes with this tomatoy condiment on my mind. I make a simple noodle dish that he really likes, and of course use ketchup in my meat loaf (and pour some on top while it bakes), but other than that, I haven’t really had any new ideas. Care to share your favorite recipe that uses ketchup?

Here’s mine

Boil some macaroni according to the package directions. In the meantime, brown some hamburger meat and season it with salt and pepper. Drain the cooked noodles and pour them in the pan with the hamburger meat. Squirt some ketchup on top, stir well and serve. I have yet to come across a kid that doesn’t like this simple dish.

We all know how delicious Pepper Jelly is. I have been to many a gourmet cooking parties where the hosts feature a selection of pepper jellies served over cream cheese with crackers. Not only is the appetizer appealing to the eye with its colorful presentation, but it is irresistible to the taste buds. I find myself unable to stop at just eating one, four, ten, and, if nobody is looking, even twenty.  By the end of most parties, I have ignored the serving knife and plunged the crackers straight into the pepper jelly/ cream cheese combo in order to pile more on faster.  I leave each party with a heavier body and a lighter wallet.

Needless to say, I have a pantry filled with Pepper Jelly. As much as I love it served with cream cheese and crackers, does anyone have any suggestions what else to make with Pepper Jelly?

I accidentally grabbed a can of crushed pineapple instead of pineapple chunks. I like to use the chunks on pizza or in fruit salad, but the crushed pineapple just doesn’t work with either one of those. Now that I’m stuck with a large can of the stuff, I’m wondering what I can make with it.

I thought about possibly throwing it into a smoothie. Has anyone tried that? Mixed with some coconut milk and yogurt it might make for a nice tropical treat. Any other ideas, suggestions or recipes that include crushed pineapple?

I look forward to reading your ideas in the comments below.

Susanne

We like to make tuna salad sandwiches for lunch every once in a while. For the past few weeks we had been out of canned tuna, so I stocked up on the them and bought 10 cans. Then hubby came home from grocery shopping with quite a few more (he didn’t notice that I already bought some last week). So we now have a pantry full of canned tuna.

I usually drain the tuna well, mix it with a little mayo, a splash of pickle juice, some shopped pickles, salt and pepper. Then server it on bread or rolls.

What else can I make with canned tuna? I’d love to hear some of your favorite recipes.

The Halloween candy is about gone and now it is time to focus on Thanksgiving! I love this holiday because it is so traditional. The family meets, we eat, we relax, watch football and skim the papers for the big sales for the following day.

Thanksgiving dinner is planned a week before the big day with my mother calling everyone to tell them what they are expected to prepare and bring. My dish for the last three years has been a recipe I received from a coworker.It is simple to make and is obviously delicious or she wouldn’t ask for it three years in a row!

Corn bread Casserole

1 can (12 oz) creamed corn
1 can (12 oz) sweet corn, drained
1  8.5 oz. Jiffy Corn muffin mix
1 cup sour cream
1/2 stick melted butter
1 cup cheddar cheese (optional)

Heat oven to 350.  Mix all ingredients and place into a casserole dish. Bake for 40 minutes. Remove and layer with cheddar cheese. Return to oven until cheese is melted.

I double the recipe for my larger family. The double batch feeds at least 12 and more if there are various other side items to eat.

Other than the obvious — make a pumpkin pie!

When I lived in Oregon, there was a place that made Pumpkin Pie Shakes. I wonder if they used the Pumpkin pie filling to make those? Any ideas? A pumpkin pie shake recipe would be wonderful!

I’ve also had pumpkin pie where they made it with cool whip and vanilla pudding instead of baking it in the oven.

Lay it on me. I’m craving some pumpkin pie filling. Help me or I’ll be eating it right out of the can!

oops. I went to Taco Bell the other day to get some Spicy Chicken Burritos and ended up with a few extra sauce packets.

Now, I’m not condoning stealing Taco Bell sauce packets, BUT.. if you end up with an extra one or two, what would you do with them?

I added one to a box of Macaroni and Cheese and it was quite yummy. I added another to a Turkey wrap I make that was just turkey and cream cheese. Again, yummy.

What would you make with a packet of Taco Bell sauce?

I hear Bisquick is super-handy and can be used to make everything from pizza dough to pancakes and many baked goods in between.

I’ve only used Bisquick for one thing — and that is making those “dough-boys” in Girl Scout Camp. Remember those? You mix the water with Bisquick and then wrap the dough around a large whittled stick. Cook the end of your stick (including your dough-boy) over a campfire until it’s golden-brown (although they normally look more like a blacked dough-boy than a golden-brown one). Slide it off and add butter and jam. YUM!

I’m sure there are plenty more recipes for using Bisquick than my old campfire ones. So, please share your Bisquick recipes, ideas, and experiences here. Thanks much!

My friend was just telling me that she makes her French toast with Rice Krispies. She said it’s just heavenly.

Here’s what she does -

She dips the bread into the regular egg & milk mixture, then dips it into crushed rice krispies.

Then, she fries the bread like normal French toast. I’ve got to try this. Sounds great!

So, what do you make with Rice Krispies Cereal?