Chicken Gumbo Sloppy Joe's

Hi everyone!

Today I'm sharing a fun recipe that I used to make on busy weeknights when the kids were still in school. After I cam home from work I could whip this up in minutes. This sloppy Joe recipe has a can of chicken gumbo soup in it, and really adds a nice hearty flavor to this popular sandwich.

Here's the recipe:

Chicken Gumbo Sloppy Joe's

1 lb. burger with 3/4 cup chopped onions, browned and drained

1 can chicken gumbo soup

1/4 c. ketchup

3 tbsp. brown sugar

Mix together and simmer 15 minutes. Serve on buns.

Apricot Chicken Wraps

I usually have a sandwich for lunch, but sometimes it's fun to switch it up and have wrap!

 I like to make these when I have some leftover chicken. The apricot jam really adds some great flavor. Sometimes I will throw on some chopped pecans too.

Here's the recipe:

Apricot Chicken Wraps

1/3 c. reduced fat Cream Cheese,softened

3 Tbsp. Apricot preserves

4 tortillas

1 c. chicken

2 c. spinach

Mix the cream cheese and apricot preserves. Spread on tortillas and add spinach and chicken. Roll and serve.

Have a great day!

Valerie's Ham Apple Cheddar Sliders

My daughter served these awesome sliders for lunch last time we visited, and I had to get the recipe! 

The combo is so fresh and flavorful, and I was surprised at how easy to throw together. She said she got the recipe from watching Valerie Bertinelli on Food Network.

As you can tell from the photo, I didn't make sliders, I made subs. That spread is awesome.... I think I will be making these often!

Ham Apple Cheddar Sliders

Valerie Bertinelli

1/4 c. dill relish

2 Tbsp. grainy mustard

1 Tbsp.chives

1 tsp. honey

1/2 Gala Apple, sliced thin

12 rolls,split

4 oz. sliced cheddar cheese

 8 oz. sliced Black Forest ham

1 1/2 c. arugula

Mix the relish,mustard,chives and honey. Spread on buns and layer with cheese,ham,apples,and arugula.

Pepper jack Pimento Cheese

I often stir up some pimento cheese to have for a quick lunch or snack. We really like this recipe with pepper jack cheese.

It's got just the right combo...a slight kick from the pepper jack with the subtle spice of the Worcestershire...such a tasty spread!

Pepper jack Pimento Cheese

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/8 tsp. pepper

1/4 tsp. salt

dash of Worcestershire sauce

2 -3 Tbsp. pimento

1/4 c. real mayonnaise

Combine all and mix well. Spread on crackers or bread. Great on top of grilled burgers!

Meatball Subs

Last year for Christmas my daughter gave me a beautiful gift. She made me a scrapbook filled with some of her favorite recipes, complete with photo's. I LOVE it! I am still making the recipes and have an awesome one to share today. 

I have to admit, when I make subs, I usually make the typical deli meat variety. Even when I order them out, I stick with the same. In fact, I think I have only had a meatball sub once, and that was many years ago!

Well that is one mistake I am going to remedy after making these!!!

They literally melt in your mouth! The meatballs are SO tasty with the Parmesan and garlic. Baked in the spaghetti sauce and topped with cheese, they are one delicious sub.

I can't wait to make them again!

Meatball Subs

1 lb. burger

1 egg

1/2 c. soft bread crumbs

1/4 c. diced onion sauteed in 1 Tbsp. butter

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 c. grated Parmesan Cheese

1 Jar Ragu 14 oz. (or Prego etc.)

 4 sub buns

shredded Mozzarella cheese

basil (optional)

Mix well and form into 16 meatballs. Brown sides and transfer to a baking pan. Pour a jar of Ragu over all and bake about 30 minutes until meatball are done. Lightly toast the sub buns, and add 4 meatballs per sub. Top with Mozzarella and return to oven until melted. Top with Basil if desired.

Tuna Salad with dill

Hi everyone!

I've been on a tuna fish craze lately, trying to zip up this ordinary everyday sandwich. I've been trying it so many different ways, but this is one of my favorites.

At some point I copied down this recipe thinking I'd like the addition of dill, and wow... I was right! It adds such a fresh and fun flavor, really perks it up!

The carrots add some fun color and texture,too. I decided to toast the bread, adding even more crunch. What a great lunch!

Tuna Salad with dill

3 (6 oz.) cans tuna, drained ( I use albacore)

3/4 c. lite mayo

1/4 c. chopped celery

1/4 c. grated carrot

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 to 1/2 tsp. dill weed

10 slices of bread

lettuce leaves

Mix the ingredinets together and spread on toast, add lettuce leaves, cut and serve.

Favorite subs with olives

Hope everyone had a great Easter!

As usual, we ate WAY to much. I always over cook, good thing I was able to send lots of leftovers home with our son.  I'll need some extra time on the treadmill this week! I need to lay off those Cadbury eggs.....

Last week I bought a bag of sub buns to make Italian subs, but I still had a few buns leftover, so I whipped up some olive dressing to finish them off. I forgot to post the recipe, so I am now. That's why you see the eggs in the background, because I already have my Easter decorations put away. 

This is my absolute favorite sub, I could eat the olive dressing by the spoonful! 

Favorite Subs

1/3 c. olive oil

1 Tbsp. dried parsley

4 tsp. cider vinegar

2 garlic cloves,minced

1/2 c. sliced ripe olives, drained

1/2 c. chopped stuffed olives

 6 sub buns

18 slices salami 

12-18 slices provolone

12-18 slices deli ham

12-18 slices deli turkey

lettuce

sliced tomatoes

Mix the olive oil, parsley, cider vinegar,olives and garlic. Refrigerate a few hours or overnight.

Spread on inside of subs, top with meats, cheeses, lettuce and tomatoes.

Italian Subs

 Sometimes I just get hungry for a sub! 

Our local grocery store makes some pretty decent sub buns, and a quick stop at the deli and I am set to go. I love the tasty dressing, which is so quick and simple to make.

Another sub we like is Subways Sweet Onion.... such an easy dressing to make. You can find that recipe here.

Have a great day!

Italian Subs

1/3 c. olive oil

1 Tbsp. dried parsley

4 tsp. cider vinegar

2 garlic cloves,minced

 6 sub buns

18 slices salami 

12 slices provolone

12 slices deli ham

12 slices deli turkey

lettuce

sliced tomatoes

Mix the olive oil, parsley, cider vinegar,and garlic. Brush on inside of subs, top with meats, cheeses,lettuce and tomatoes.

Ham Salad..pinned it and tried it

Pinned it, tried it and LOVED it!

This recipe had only a few ingredients, and all ones I had on hand. I decided to make it to take to the lake, and we thought it was delicious!

It was fun to have on hand and just be able to grab out of the frig and make a quick meal of sandwiches. 

Perfect for a hot day!

Ham Salad

JamHands

2 c. ham, diced

1/2 c. Miracle Whip

1/4 c. mayo

2 tsp. dried onion flakes

1 tsp. stone ground mustard

1 Tsp. sweet pickle relish ( I used a bit more)

Combine all and chill. ( I used a food processor.)

Dill Roast Beef Sandwich

I get tired of sandwiches for lunch, but lets face it, they are so quick and easy to make, especially in this hot weather. I found this recipe that really has lots of flavor and perks up an ordinary sandwich. I love the flavored cream cheese spread, and with garden fresh tomatoes, it can't be beat!

Dill and roast Beef Sandwich

3 Tbsp. cream cheese, softened
pinch of dill weed and garlic powder
2 slices of bakery caraway bread
3 slices of deli roast beef
4 tomato slices
2 large lettuce leaves

Mix the cream cheese, dill weed and garlic powder. Spread on  1 piece of the bread. Top with roast beef, tomato and lettuce. Top with slice of bread, cut and serve!

Crock Pot BBQ Pork Ribs

Hope everyone had a fun 4th! We celebrated with family at the lake, did some grilling and played some Farkle. Oh...and watched the fireworks..can't forget that! They looked beautiful over the lake.

Today I have a great recipe for shredded pork to share....EZ and SO tasty.

 Actually, sometimes we just eat it straight out of the crock pot with a veggie and some potatoes. But it's also delicious shredded and served with your favorite BBQ sauce on a bun.

 Either way, it's a winner!

Crock Pot BBQ Pork Ribs

1 tsp. dried mustard

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

2 Tbsp. chili sauce

1/4 c. vinegar

1/4 c. water

1 lb. boneless pork ribs

Place ribs in crock pot. Combine the rest of the ingredients and pour over the ribs. Cook on low 7 hours.Shred and serve with your favorite BBQ sauce.

Arby's copycat....

I saw this recipe online, and had to give it a try. It was delicious, and pretty easy to make. They do actually taste similar to an Arby's!

Arby's Copycat Ham and Cheddar Melt

deli ham, sliced thin
onion buns
Arby's sauce

Cheese sauce:

2 Tbsp.butter
2 Tbsp.flour
3/4 c. milk
1 1/2 c. cheddar cheese, shredded
salt and pepper to taste

Melt butter in a sauce pan, whisk in flour, cook 1 minute to make a roux. Whisk in milk slowly until thick, remove from heat and add cheese and salt and pepper.

Cook ham until heated through in a skillet. Put on onion bun, spread on Arby's sauce, and add cheddar cheese sauce.

Arby's sauce:

1/2 c. ketsup
2 tsp water
pinch of salt
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. onion powder

Paula's Tomato Sandwich

I stopped at the Farmer's Market and bought a bunch of fresh, juicy tomato's and sweet basil. I remembered seeing this easy recipe in one of my cookbooks for Paula's tomato sandwiches and thought it would be fun to serve for lunch when a few friends came over.

Not only were they fun to make, but looked pretty adorable on a plate. Besides being tasty!

You can find the recipe at Paula Deen!

Sweet Baby Ray's Crock pot Chicken..pinned it and tried it

Pinned it, tried it, and LOVED it!

I have to say there aren't very many things I pin that I don't like. There are a million good recipes on Pinterest!

This is one of them..quick and tasty..perfect for an easy week night meal!

Sweet Baby Ray's Crock pot BBQ Chicken

just get off your butt and bake

4 to 6 chicken breasts

1 (18 oz.) Sweet baby Ray's BBQ sauce

2 Tbsp. vinegar

1/2 c. brown sugar

1 tsp. red pepper flakes

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Mix all the ingredients together and pour over chicken in crock pot. Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours until pull apart tender.

Heirloom Tomato BLT

My brother and sister in law from Wisconsin came to visit last week. They surprised me with some WI cheese and apple wood smoked bacon. It's been way TOO long since I had WI cheese! Brent and I fought over the last curds. ( I  stuck a few in the back of the frig he doesn't know about)

The bacon was the BEST we have ever had, and I am seriously thinking we need to make a run to WI just to get some more. I had just a few pieces left. 

One of our favorites is BLT's, and when I saw these delicious heirloom tomatoes at the Farmer's Market, I knew what I would make with those last pieces of bacon. 

We are still sighing over these Sammy's every time we think about them. The bacon rocked, the heirlooms were juicy, and the dressing put it all over the top.

They were that good.

I'm thinking it may be worth the 10 hour drive for more bacon......

Heirloom Tomato  BLT

myrecipes

 8 slices bread, toasted

1 c. arugula or greens

8 sliced apple wood smoked bacon,cooked

3 heirloom tomatoes, sliced thick

2 Tbsp. light mayo

2 tsp. Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp. minced dry sage

1 Tbsp. minced shallots

Mix the mayo, mustard, sage, and shallots. Spread on toast, add slices of bacon and tomatoes, top with greens and another slice of toast. Serves 4.

Rachel Rays turkey roll ups...pinned it and tried it

This pin was SO simple I had to pin it and try it.

It was great! It gave me a chance to use the new soft Greek yogurt cream cheese I just bought. I really like it, it has a slight tang and such a creamy texture. The combo of cucumber with cream cheese is always good, and I even had garden fresh cukes.

Such a simple summertime lunch packed with lots of fresh flavor!

Rachel Rays turkey roll ups

whole wheat tortilla

laughing cow cheese (I used Greek yogurt cream cheese)

cucumber, diced

deli turkey

Mix cucumbers and cheese, spread on tortilla, add turkey and roll up.

Greek salad pitas

I was at a friends house a couple weeks ago and she served Greek Salad, it was so good I went home and made some the next day .

 I served it in pita's for a nice light lunch.

 It hit the spot on a hot summer day!

Greek Salad Pita's

Dressing:

1/4 c. olive oil

3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar

1 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

romaine lettuce

cucumbers, cubed

tomatoes, chopped

feta cheese

black olives,sliced

onion, chopped

pita's

Mix dressing. Toss with the rest of the ingredients and spoon into pitas.

Ham and Cheese Stromboli

I like making this simple Stromboli, as you can use just about anything you have in the frig. Fill it, and roll it, and bake it! I used to keep crescent rolls on hand in the frig when our son was home. We often needed a fast meal after baseball games. Sometimes I used pepperoni...sometimes deli beef.

This one has ham and 3 kinds of cheese. I saw a recipe similar to this floating around on Pinterest, and it reminded me of this one that I had made so often. So the next time I went to the store I picked up a can of crescents.

 It was as good as I remembered!

Ham and cheese Stromboli

1 can refrigerated low fat french loaf bread

3/4 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded

3/4 c. cheddar cheese, shredded

deli ham, sliced thin

1 Tbsp. butter, melted

3 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese

Spread out loaf, layer with ham and cheeses. Roll up and pinch shut. Place seam side down on a greased cookie sheet. Top with melted butter and Parmesan cheese. Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes.

Chicken Melt

Here's a tasty way to use up leftover chicken.  I added a salad and it was a perfect summer lunch!


Chicken Melt
T of H

1 cup chicken ,chopped
1 c. cheddar cheese, divided
1/4 c. onion, chopped
1/2 c. red and green peppers, chopped
1/4 c. mayo
3/4 tsp. Cajun seasoning
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
10 slices bread
tomatoes, sliced

Combine the chicken,1/2 c. cheese, onion, peppers, mayo, Cajun seasoning, and garlic. Spread on bread slices. Top with tomato slices and cheese. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes until cheese is melted. Serves 5.

Special Turkey Sandwhich

I love sandwiches for lunch, but sometimes it does get a bit boring. Jazzing up deli turkey with mustard and cranberries sure does the trick. Add some melted cheese, and you have one delicious sammy!

Special Turkey Sandwich

4 slices bread, lightly toasted

2 teaspoons djon mustard

2 slices cranberry sauce

thinly sliced deli turkey

2 slices cheese, your choice

Spread the mustard on 2 slices of the  toasted bread, top with cranberries, turkey and cheese. Place under broiler until cheese is melted. Top with the other 2 slices of toast.(serves 2)