Orange, Cinnamon and Clove Stovetop Potpourii

The holiday season is a great time to heat orange, cinnamon, and clove potpourii on the stovetop.  The spicy-sweet fragrance welcomes friends and family as they gather for holiday meals and visits.

Ingredients:
1 orange, sliced
1 tbs whole cloves
1 stick of cinnamon, broken
2 cups of water

Combine ingredients in small sauce pan.  Bring to a boil.  Immediately reduce heat and allow to simmer.  Add extra water as needed.  Use up to 8 hours.

Pesto Parmesan Crescent Rolls

This fun variation of crescent rolls makes a flavorful side to any main course.  Just add basil pesto and parmesan cheese!

Ingredients:
Refridgerated crescent rolls
Basil pesto
Parmesan cheese

Roll out crescent rolls on wax paper or cutting board.  Spread thin layer of pesto onto dough.  Grate parmesan cheese over pesto and dough.  Roll into crescent shapes. Place on ungreased baking sheet or stoneware pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until tops of rolls are golden brown.

*Crescent rolls turn out crispier when baked on stoneware pans, versus metal baking sheets.

Not-Your-Momma's Meatloaf

This spicy take on meatloaf will make your mouth water.  Substitute traditional ketchup for sloppy Joe or Manwich sauce to zest up this well-known family dish.

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground chuck
1 cup instant oats
1 medium sized onion, diced
1 small can mushrooms, diced
1 can Sloppy Joe (or Manwich) sauce
1 egg
Dash of salt and pepper

In a large bowl, mix meat, oats, onion, mushrooms, egg, salt, pepper, and 1/2 of sloppy Joe sauce together.  Set other half of sauce aside.  On an aluminum foil lined baking sheet, form a football shape out of meat mixture, cover with another sheet of foil.  Bake in preheated oven (375 degrees) for 30 minutes.  Remove from oven and pour reserve sauce on top of meatloaf.  Place back in oven for 30 minutes. 

Serves 4-6

Peppered Chicken Linguine with Cream Sauce

This slow cooked peppered chicken linguine with cream sauce recipe is an easy and tasty spin on traditional linguine dishes, and will leave your family asking for seconds. 











Ingredients:


4 chicken breasts
1 pkg McCormicks Montreal steak seasoning (+ ingredients on pkg)
1 lb. linguine pasta
2 tbs butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
Shredded parmesan cheese

Combine seasoning package with ingredients on back of package.  Place in slow cooker along with chicken breasts.  Cook on high for 2 hours or until chicken comes apart with a fork. 

Cook pasta al dente, drain, and add to slow cooker with chicken.  Add heavy cream and butter, stirring well.  Continue cooking on low for 10-15 minutes.  Serve with freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Serves 4.

Southern Pecan Mini-tarts

Try these bite-sized pecan mini-tarts this holiday for a miniature version of traditional pecan pie.

List of Ingredients:
For tart dough:
1 stick of butter, softened
4 oz. of cream cheese, softened
1 cup All-purpose flour

For filling:
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup pecans, chopped

To prepare tart dough:
In mixing bowl, beat butter and cream cheese until lumps are smoothed.  Add flour slowly.  Cover and chill at least one hour.  Shape dough into small balls and drop into mini-tart pan, making sure pan is coated with flour.  Shape tart cups with a spoon or mini-tart shaper.  Add filling.

To prepare filling:
Melt butter in small mixing bowl.  Add egg, brown sugar, vanilla, and nuts.  Mix well with a spoon. Add spoon full of filling into each mini-tart cup, being careful not to overfill cup.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until tarts are lightly browned. Cool on cooling rack before serving.

Autumn Spice Holiday Pancakes

This seasonal variation will have your mouth watering this holiday season. 

List of Ingredients:
pancake batter
pumpkin pie spice
pecans (optional)
cinnamon (optional)
brown sugar (optional)

Prepare pancake batter according to directions.  Add 2 Tbsp. of pumpkin pie spice to batter.  Pour batter into skillet and cook as specified by directions on box.  Top with brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans.

Spicy Chicken Spaghetti

Spice up your spaghetti by adding slowcooked spicy chicken. 

List of Ingredients:
1 lb. spaghetti noodles
4 chicken breasts
1 pkg McCormick's Baja Citrus seasoning (+ ingredients on back of pkg)
1 Jar Prego Spaghetti

Cook chicken breasts in slow cooker until chicken falls apart (usually 2-4 hours).  Add spaghetti sauce to chicken in slow cooker for 10-15 minutes, mixing well.  Cook spaghetti noodles until al dente.  Add chicken and sauce to noodles.  Grate fresh parmesan over spaghetti. Serve and enjoy!