Pierogi Casserole (dying to try)

INGREDIENTS
5 potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 pound bacon, diced
1 onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 (16 ounce) package lasagna noodles
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Place the potatoes in a large pot with water to cover over high heat. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are tender. Remove from heat, drain, then combine with the milk and 6 tablespoons of butter, mash and set aside.
3. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Saute the bacon, onion and garlic in the butter for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the bacon is fully cooked.
4. Cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions and cool under running water.
5. Place 1/2 of the mashed potatoes into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Top this with 1/3 of the cheese, followed by a layer of lasagna noodles. Repeat this with the remaining potatoes, another 1/3 of the cheese and a layer of noodles. Then arrange the bacon, onion and garlic over the noodles, then another layer of noodles, and finally top all with the remaining cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with sour cream and chopped fresh chives.

Easy Veggie Pizza

INGREDIENTS
1 (8 ounce) package refrigerated crescent rolls
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (1 ounce) package Ranch-style dressing mix
2 carrots, finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped red bell peppers
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup fresh broccoli, chopped
1/2 cup chopped green onions
*or your favorite veggies

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Roll out crescent rolls onto a large non-stick baking sheet. Stretch and flatten to form a single rectangular shape on the baking sheet. Bake 11 to 13 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown. Allow to cool.
Place cream cheese in a medium bowl. Mix cream cheese with 1/2 of the ranch dressing mix. Adjust the amount of dressing mix to taste. Spread the mixture over the cooled crust. Arrange carrots, red bell pepper, broccoli and green onions on top. Chill in the refrigerator approximately 1 hour. Cut into bite-size squares to serve.


Dish suggested by Anne and recipe by Allrecipes.com

Cranberry Sauce

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
1/2 cup water
1 (12 ounce) package fresh cranberries
touch of orange zest
dash of cinnamon

DIRECTIONS
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, dissolve the sugar in the orange juice/water and add orange zest and cinnamon. Stir in the cranberries, and cook until they start to pop (about 10-12 minutes). Remove from heat, and transfer to a bowl. Cranberry sauce will thicken as it cools.


Modified Cranberry Sauce I recipe from allrecipes.com

Yes I Can! Apple Pie

INGREDIENTS
1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
8 med Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced
(or 6 large)
1 tbls cinnamon
1 Tbls vanilla
dash of nutmeg

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add water, white sugar and brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg and bring to a boil. Reduce temperature and let simmer.
Place the bottom crust in your pan. Fill with apples, mounded slightly. Cover with a lattice work of crust. Gently pour the sugar and butter liquid over the crust. Pour slowly so that it does not run off.
Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes, until apples are soft.

Modified version of Apple Pie by Gradma Ople on allrecipes.com
Picture of my pie....

Yummy Pie Crust

INGREDIENTS
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup water

DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut in shortening and butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in water until mixture forms a ball. Divide dough in half, and shape into balls. Wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. Roll out dough on a floured counter. Don't over work it. Use as directed in pie recipe.

tip: place the dough between plastic wrap when rolling!


Recipe from Allrecipes.com Best Ever Pie Crust