Baked Tenderloin

This is such a simple, yet flavorful steak recipe. I rarely make it though, because whole tenderloins are expensive. I've also made it with other cuts of meat and individual steaks, but it is best with a whole tenderloin.

whole beef tenderloin
1/2 stick margarine
2 tsp beef bouillon granules
salt, pepper, garlic salt

Place tenderloin in pan. Melt margarine and bouillon. Pour over meat. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic salt. Let stand 1 hour. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Turn down to 350 degrees. Put meat thermometer in thickest part of meat and bake. (For medium, about 30 minutes) Slice and serve.

Spicy Beef Bundles with Fiesta Rice

Spicy Beef Bundles? Silly name, I know. My mom found this recipes YEARS ago, while I still lived at home. I have never come across any recipe even similar to these. I would describe it as chimichanga-ish. But, it is baked, not deep fried. My husband is not an olive fan, so these were coined "crappy olive bundles" until I started omitting the olives. I made them last night for friends and they LOVED them. I even added the olives, but used chopped, and Derek was none the wiser. The "Fiesta Rice" paired nicely.

2 (8pk) crescent rolls
1 lb ground beef
taco seasoning packet
green pepper (diced)
1/2 c olives, sliced or chopped (optional, I guess)
2 (3 oz) cream cheese (softened)
shredded cheddar cheese
melted butter (or margarine)
crushed taco chips (we use Doritos)

brown beef with green peppers and drain
add taco seasoning and cream cheese, combine well, add olives
break crescent rolls into 8 rectangles, pinch dough to get rid of seam
put some filling down center of each rectangle
top each with shredded cheese
fold up ends and seal to create a little closed up rectangular bundle
brush melted butter on each and sprinkle with crushed chips

Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes

FIESTA RICE

(This recipe is from Campbell's Soup. Really simple, but good)

1 can Campbell's Chicken Broth
1/2 c water
1/2 c chunky salsa
2 cups uncooked Minute rice

Heat chicken broth, water and salsa in saucepan to a boil. Stir in 2 cups rice. Cover and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

German Chocolate Caramel Bars

F.A.B. (Derek's Favorite Aunt Beth) made these for a graduation party YEARS ago. Definitely a family favorite. I've been meaning to post this recipe since this blog began, but I always make them for a potluck, etc. and always forget to take a picture. Today, I remembered! Enjoy.

1 (14 oz) package of caramels
2/3 c evaporated milk (divided)
1 box of German Chocolate cake mix
3/4 c butter, melted
1 c chopped nuts (optional...I always omit)
1 c chocolate chips (I use milk chocolate)

Melt caramels with 1/3 c evaporated milk. Keep warm. Combine dry cake mix, melted butter and remaining 1/3 c evaporated milk and nuts, stirring by hand. Press half of the mixture into a 9 X 13 prepared pan. Bake 350 degrees for about 6 minutes. Pour melted caramel over baked layer. Sprinkle chocolate chips over caramel layer.

Cover top with teaspoons of remaining cake mixture. Bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes. Cool completely before cutting.

Mmmmmm, Monster Cookies

These are seriously THE BEST cookies....EVER! My dear friend Kristen passed the recipe along years ago. I lost it, and lucky for me, she has now posted it on her blog:

Here you go! (Click on me, click on me...you know you want to!)


I always cut the recipe in half, and even that makes A LOT of cookies. Make these. You won't be sorry.

Caramel Apple Dip

LOVE this recipe. My mother found it years ago and passed it along.

1 (8 oz) cream cheese, softened (I used 1/3 less fat)
1 cup brown sugar
1 jar caramel ice cream topping (we use Mrs. Richardson)
salted peanuts (optional)
apples

beat cream cheese and brown sugar
spread into serving dish
pour caramel topping evenly over the top
sprinkle with peanuts
chill
serve with apple wedges (toss in lemon juice to prevent browning)

Shredded Beef Sandwiches

This just might be THE BEST shredded beef I've EVER had...SERIOUSLY! Derek's "favorite Aunt Beth" passed this our way and I am sooooooo glad she did. Love that you fix it and forget about it until it is time to eat.

3 lbs beef chuck roast
2 green peppers, chopped
1/2 C brown sugar
2 Tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 C. chopped onions
1 (6 oz) tomato paste
1/4 C. cider vinegar
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dry mustard

Lay roast in crockpot and add ingredients in order given. Cover & cook on high 8 hrs. WITHOUT EVER mixing it. When the 8 hours is up, stir mixture with wire whisk until meat is shredded. Yep, a wire whisk is all it takes with this super tender roast. Serve on buns. YUM!

Apple Brickle Dip

Looking something a little different than caramel apple dip? Try this. DELICIOUS!

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 c brown sugar
1/4 c white sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 bag (8 oz) brickle chips/toffee chips/Heath bits (etc)

In bowl, beat cream cheese, sugars and vanilla with electric mixer. Gently stir in brickle chips. Chill. Serve with apple wedges.