Cheese Cake with Sour Cream

Crust:
1 2/3 cup crushed graham crackers
1/2 C sugar
2/3 cube butter

Press with a fork into a 9 x 13 inch pan.Bake 8 min. at 350 degrees.Let cool.

16 oz. cool whip
16 oz. sour cream
8 oz. cream cheese
2/3 c. sugar
4 tsp. vanilla

Pour cream mixture over graham cracker crust.Cool for several hours.Add fruit topping of choice.If your fruit topping is in a can, I have found that it is better if you chill it too, then add to each piece or spread over top.

Posted by Joy FOR Melynda

Shrimp Dip

8 oz. package Cream Cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 lb. salad shrimp already cooked
1 cup cocktail sauce
2 cups cheese. I have used Monteray jack or mild cheddar
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 small tomato, chopped
3 green onions with tops, sliced

Assorted crackers

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sour cream and mayonnaise; mix well. Spread mixture on a round 12-inch platter. Sprinkle with shrimp. Top with cocktail sauce. Sprinkle with cheese, green pepper, tomato, and onions. Cover and refrigerate. Serve with crackers.

Yield: 20 servings

Post by Joy FOR Melynda

Comforting Chicken Noodle Soup

2 quarts water
6 1/2 cups noodles (1 package uncooked)
3 cups cooked chicken
8 bouillon cubes or granule equivalent
2 cans cream of chicken soup

Cook together until noodles are done--firm to bite.

Add: 1 cup sour cream and heat through.

You could easily half this for a smaller family or increase the amounts for a party!

Ginger Bread Whoopie Pies with Lemon Creme

3 cups flour
2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Baking soda
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg
1/4 granulated sugar

Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt. Beat 2/4 cup of the butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add molasses and egg; beat well. Gradually beat in flour mixture until will mixed. Press dough into a thick flat disk; wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerated 4 hours or overnight.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake in preheated 350 degree F. oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Don't over cook. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

1 jar (7 oz. marshmallow cream)
4 oz. (1/2 pkg.) cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. lemon extract
1/4 cup butter

1 cup chopped peppermint candies

Mix marshmallow cream, butter, cream cheese, and extract until blended. Place about 1 Tbsp. filling on the flat side of 1 cookie. Top with a second cookie, pressing gently to spread the filling.
Roll edge of cookie in chopped candy.

Oops! I added the candie to the mixture. That might be why it was over runny. So don't do what I did. Good luck!

Microwave Popcorn

I saw this post about making your own microwave popcorn- I have tried it and it works! Rock on! I like it because it makes small batches- so there is no wasted popcorn.

Here is the link with the directions.

http://www.makeandtakes.com/easy-homemade-microwave-popcorn

Rolls

One of the blogs I follow- Little Birdie Secrets- featured these rolls. I thought they looked good and seemed pretty easy to do so I tried them out today. They are good... so good in fact I have eaten three already. I hadn't found my Go-to-Roll-Recipe- but I have now.

Little Birdies' Homemade Crescent Rolls

2 c. warm water, 110-115°
2 Tbsp. rapid rise yeast (aka bread machine yeast)
1/2 c. oil
1/2 c. powdered milk
1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. salt
5-6 c. bread flour

Softened butter

Pour water in a bowl and sprinkle yeast over the top. Allow to soften about 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Dough will be a little sticky, but if it's really sticky add a little more flour. Allow to rise in bowl for 45 minutes. Punch down and allow to rise for another 45 minutes. Break into two equal pieces. On a floured surface, roll out each chunk into a large circle. Spread softened butter (not melted) onto entire circle. Cut into wedges with pizza cutter. (I do 12 for smaller rolls, or 8 for larger.) Starting with wide end of triangles, roll up like a crescent roll. Place on cookie sheets with pointed end tucked underneath (so it doesn’t pop open during baking) and bake at 400° for 10-14 minutes, or until just golden on top.

NOTE:

GO TO THEIR WEBSITE (the above link) to see pictures and commentary.

Also- I didn't have Bread Flour and so I just used All Purpose and it worked out just fine for me.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Cafe Rio Rice and Pork

Cafe Rio Rice

3 Cups Rice

6 Cups water

4 tsp. Chicken bouillon

4 tsp Garlic- minced

1/2 bunch Cilantro chopped

1 can diced green chilies

3/4 tsp. salt

1 Tablespoon Butter

1/2 Onion

Blend cilantro, green chilies, and onion together in food processor. Add all ingredients to rice and cook the rice as you would cook regularly. (Bring to boil, turn to low and cover. Do not disturb for 20 minutes.)

Cafe Rio Pork

3-4 Boneless pork chops

1 McKormick Grillmate Southwest Marinade packet

1 Bottle Dr. Pepper (or enough to cover the pork)

1/2 C. Vinegar

2 Tablespoons oil

2 Cups unpacked brown sugar ( I never use the full amount of sugar. I think I used about one cup and it tasted just fine)

Mix all ingredients together and cook pork in a crock pot on low for about 2 1/2 hours. Then take pork out and shred with a fork and then put the pork back in the mixture for 2 1/2 hours longer.

Cafe Rio Dressing

1 C buttermilk ranch dressing packet (make as directed on the package)

2 tomatillos

1/2 bunch cilantro

1 clove garlic (to taste)

juice of 1 lime

1 jalapeno

Put in the blender or food processor to blend all ingredients well, then refrigerate.

Notes:

I did not have all the ingredients for the dressing. I am sure it is best this way, but if all you have is ranch and cilantro it is good that way too.

Once you are done, warm tortilla in microwave with cheese. Add rice, pork, lettuce, dressing, black beans. It is all very tasty together.

Submitted by Melynda

Posted by Janelle

Chunky Apple Cake

Here is the recipe of the apple cake we had for my birthday- I am glad you enjoyed it. It takes a bit of work (cutting up all the apples) so it is one we make for a special occasion- it is not just a throw-everything-together-real-fast recipe.

Chunky Apple Cake

Cake Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 cups sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

2 cup flour

1-1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

6 cups chopped peeled tart apples

Butterscotch Sauce:

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup butter, cubed

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, sugar and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well (batter will be stiff). Stir in apples until well combined.

Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until top is lightly browned and springs back when lightly touched. Cool for 30 minutes before serving.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine brown sugar and butter. Cook over medium heat until butter is melted. Gradually add cream. Bring to a slow boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat. Serve with cake.

-taken from Taste of Home website. I found this recipe after Kaley and I went to an orchard and picked apples in the Fall 2007. I was looking for something to use up the apples. This cake gets yummier with time- the next day tastes better than the day made.

Plum Pie

We got a bunch of plums from a neighbor. They are delicious but they are quickly getting too ripe so I have been making yummy treats I really shouldn't be making (because I am eating them). I made this plum pie last night. The girls are eating the last of it this morning and I want to make another one, it was so good. It has a really easy crust- no rolling out and simple ingredients. It actually tastes like shortbread to me. I think it would be good with any kind of fruit. I am going to make one with apple. Anyways- if you want to give it a try. I hope you enjoy (I know I am enjoying it too much).

Sidenote: After I poured the eggs on, I didn't quickly spread it over the pie so I had a couple of egg puddles. When I do it again- I will pour the eggs all over and then smooth it out right away.

Ingredients

• 8 plums (about 1 pound)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten

PASTRY SHELL

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 1 tablespoon vinegar

Directions

1. 1

   PASTRY SHELL Combine flour and sugar; add butter and vinegar, mixing well. press evenly into bottom and halfway up sides of lightly greased 10-inch piepan. Prick bottom with a fork.

2. 2

   Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.

3. 3

   Cut each plum into 8 wedges; discard pits. Sprinkle flour evenly in bottom of partially baked pastry shell. Arrange plum wedges side by side in pastry shell, overlapping slightly.

4. 4

   Combine cinnamon and sugar;sprinkle over plums. Pour eggs over top, covering surface evenly. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until top is lightly browned.

Here is the link on Recipezaar.

chewy peanut butter brownies

Josh made these yesterday and they are yummy. We even had fun taking pictures. They are from the "3 books in 1" recipe book that Joy gave us for Christmas (pg2).

Chewy Peanut Butter Brownies
3/4 c. (1 1/2 sticks) butter, melted
3/4 c. creamy peanut butter
1 3/4 c. sugar
2 tsp vanilla
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease 13*9 inch baking pan.
2. Combine butter and peanut butter in large bowl; mix well. Stir in sugar and vanilla. Add eggs; beat until well blended. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt just until blended. Remove 1 3/4 cups batter into small bowl; stir cocoa into remaining batter.
3. Spread cocoa batter evenly in bottom of prepared pan. Top with remaining 1 3/4 cups of reserved batter. Bake 30 minutes or until edges begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool completely in pan on wire rack; cut into bars.

Pancakes

I love this recipe for pancakes- if you have the time to make them from scratch or have run out of the just add water kind. I actually crave these pancakes and I am not even pregnant!

1 large egg

1 cup all purpose flour or whole wheat flour

3/4 cup milk

1 TBSP sugar or brown sugar

2 TBSP vegetable oil

3 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

Beat the egg until fluffy. Beat in the remaining ingredients until smooth. For thinner pancakes stir in 1-2 TBSP milk.

Cook pancakes the way you normally do. (I didn't want to type out all those instructions).

Notes:

I double the recipe, using half all purpose flour and half wheat flour. Sometimes I use powdered milk- I just add about 4-5 TBSP powdered milk and 1 and 1/2 cup water (this is for a double batch). If you were doing just a single batch it would be 2 and 1/4 TBSP powdered milk to 3/4 cup water. You don't need to make the milk before adding it- just put the powdered milk and the water in with all the other ingredients.

These pancakes come out really fluffy (I think because of all the baking powder) and with the wheat flour it has a nice texture.

I hope you enjoy!

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

I love Olive Garden's Chicken Gnocchi Soup, so I looked up some recipes online yesterday and then picked what I liked out of all of them (sometimes depending on what I had in my cupboards) and this is what I came up with. It turned out yummy!

------
1 jar alfredo sauce
1 can chicken broth (I used 14-15 oz. of the water I boiled the chicken in with a teaspoon and a half of chicken base flavoring)
1/3 c. milk (you can add more if you want it thinner or add a tablespoon of flour to thicken)
1/4 c. butter
1-2 t. parsley flakes
2 garlic cloves, minced
salt and pepper to taste (none, if you like it as is)

simmer for a few minutes

add

3 chicken breasts, cubed or shredded
1 package gnocchi

lightly boil for roughly 4 minutes or until gnocchi is tender

add
1 packed cup of spinach, chopped

simmer 1-2 minutes

Serve
-------

Sophie loved the gnocchi. She ate a whole bowl full. Just one more thing. Do not get the enriched, sweet potato/wheat gnocchi to try and be healthy. It's quite heavy and sticks to your teeth. Get the plain, made from regular potatoes gnocchi. It's the best.

Alfredo Chicken Pizza

I tried Janelle's pizza last night and it was good. So I thought I would add one of my favorite pizza recipes. We love this pizza. I am sure any pizza dough recipe will work.

Pizza Dough Recipe:
1 c. and 2 Tbs. Hot tap water
2 Tbs. Olive oil or Vegetable oil
3 c. flour
1 tsp. sugar
3 tsp. salt
2 1/2 tsp. yeast

Make sure you add the hot tap water, yeast, and sugar together. Allow to grow 5 minutes. Then slowly add the flour one cup at a time until each cup has been incorporated, and add the salt after the first cup of flour. You may not need all the flour. Touch dough to make sure it is soft and bouncy. When it is let it rise until it doubles in size. For more italian flavor add basil and garlic powder to the dough.

Alfredo Chicken Pizza:
1 pizza dough recipe
1 c. ranch dressing
1 Tbs garlic cloved, minced
2 tsp. basil
1/2 c. shredded parmesan cheese

Toppings:
Chicken or sausage
Green onions
Vegetables (mushrooms, zucchini, yellow squash, onion, etc)
Tomatoes diced small
Artichokes (optional)
Mozzerella Cheese

Preheat pizza stone at 400 degrees. Roll out crust. Mix ranch, parmesan, basil, and garlic in a bowl. Spread mixture over crust. Saute' meat and vegetables together until soft. Put sauce on dough, put meat on top and then sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake at 400 until golden brown.

I don't have a pizza stone so I just use a regular pizza pan.

Pizza Dough and Sauce

I make homemade pizza quite often. Actually we just got done eating some and thought I should post this recipe. I tried for a long time to get the sauce how I like it but was having a hard time. When I read this recipe, I was intrigued with the use of tomato paste- I had been using tomato sauce to make mine. Anyways- I love this sauce. I put garlic powder and just use Italian Seasoning but everything else I keep the same. Also- I usually just made it with all purpose flour but tonight I made it half wheat and half white and it was better than with just all purpose.

Anyways- hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

PIZZA DOUGH

• 3/4 tablespoon yeast
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 4 cups flour (we prefer half white, half wheat)

PIZZA SAUCE

• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

• 1/2 cup red wine or water (I use water if you couldn't guess)
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or olive oil
• 1-2 tablespoon parmesan cheese

Directions

1. 1

   In a large bowl, sprinkle yeast over warm water (I add a pinch of sugar) and allow to set until it begins to foam, about 5 minutes.

2. 2

   Stir in salt, oil and half of flour. Gradually add remaining flour, mixing well.

3. 3

   Knead 8-10 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl and let rise until double (1/2-1 hour) Punch down and let rise again until double. Punch down and divide. Pat out on two pizza pans.

4. 4

   Top with pizza sauce & toppings. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

5. 5

   Pizza Sauce: Mix all ingredients together, blending well. (You can also add a few sprinkles of garlic powder if you want).

6. 6

   Makes enough for two 12 inch pizzas or one 16 inch pizza.

7. 7

   Top with meats, cheese and other toppings.

8. 8

   To freeze, prepared pizza method: double wrap and freeze the prepared pizza (without baking it) on the pizza pan. Unwrap and bake the frozen pizza at 400°F for about 22 minutes.

9. 9

   Alternative freezing method: after first punch down of dough, divide dough and place in a zip-loc bag and place in the freezer. To prepare, remove from freezer and place in a greased bowl. The dough will take about 8-10 hours to thaw and raise slightly. Pat out on grease pizza pan and proceed as directed above. I also freeze half the sauce in a small container for future use.

To go to the original post link here.

Zucchini Bread

I found this recipe when I googled Zucchini Bread and I came up with this link http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Zucchini-Bread-IV/Detail.aspx

INGREDIENTS

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 cups grated zucchini
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F ( 165 degrees C). Grease and flour two 8x4 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, beat eggs until light and frothy. Mix in oil and sugar. Stir in zucchini and vanilla. Combine flour, cinnamon, soda, baking powder, salt and nuts; stir into the egg mixture. Divide batter into prepared pans.
3. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until done.

I quadrupled the batch when I made this and instead of 4 cups of oil I used 2 and 2 of applesauce.

I didn't add the walnuts.

I think I used about a cup or 2 less of sugar (I guess this works out because of the sweetness of the applesauce?)

Green Beans

Last night I made these green beans- I could have eaten the whole batch. Kaley was asking for more (WHAT?!?!) and Jed- who doesn't like green beans- said they were good. I found this recipe on Recipezaar- go check it out to read reviews or suggested additions. So easy!

Ingredients

• 2 lbs green beans
• 1-2 tablespoon olive oil (or just enough to lightly coat beans)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (I just used regular salt)
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. 2

   Wash, dry well, and trim green beans.

3. 3

   Put green beans on a jelly roll pan.

4. 4

   Drizzle with olive oil.

5. 5

   Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste (I like them salty so I use about 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt and about 8-10 grinds of the pepper mill). *Mrs. Dash may be substituted for salt and pepper as desired.

6. 6

   Use your hands to be sure all the beans are evenly coated and spread them out into 1 layer.

7. 7

   Roast for 20-25 minutes, turning after 15 minutes, until beans are fairly brown in spots and somewhat shriveled.

8. 8

   Serve hot or at room temperature.

Brownies

Brownies

1 Chocolate cake mix

2 eggs (you can use three if you like it a little smoother)

1/3 C. oil

Filling

1 C. chocolate chips

1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk

1/4 C. butter

Mix first three ingredients together and press 2/3 of mixture on bottom of glass pan. Melt filling ingredients and pour on top. Dot the top with remaining cake mix. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

You can use different types of cake mix and different types of chips for a variety of flavors. I tried it with yellow cake mix and it turned out o.k. Everyone ate them.

Enjoy!! Melynda

Thai Lettuce and Chicken Wraps from www.thaikitchen.com

Makes 8 lettuce wraps

These little rolls are great for lunch or appetizers and are perfect for easy entertaining. Guests love “rolling their own,” prep is a snap and you can have everything ready and waiting in the fridge long before the party starts.

2 Tbsp. oil
2 tsp. minced galangal (or ginger)
1 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 lb. ground chicken (or turkey)
1/2 cup chopped water chestnuts
1 tbs. chopped cilantro
1 tbs. chopped green onions
1 tbs. minced lemongrass (the bottom 2/3 inch of stalk only)
1 tbs. Thai Kitchen Premium Fish Sauce
1 tsp. chili flakes
salt & pepper to taste
8 large washed butter lettuce leaves

1. Heat peanut oil in sauté pan. Add galangal (or ginger) and garlic and sauté for I minute

2. Add ground chicken and stir to make sure chicken breaks up. Sauté for 4 minutes

3. Add water chestnuts and sauté 2 more minutes

4. Add cilantro, green onions. lemongrass, fish sauce, chili flakes, salt and pepper

5. Place in bowl. Cool slightly or refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.

6. Present with cold crisp lettuce leaves, allowing guests to form their own little rolls.

7. Serve w/ Thai dipping sauce

Thai Dipping Sauce

1/4 simple syrup (1 cup sugar boiled w/ 1 cup water. Allow to cool)
1/4 cup lime juice
1 tsp. tamarind paste (optional) or rice vinegar
2 tsp. Thai Kitchen Premium Fish Sauce
1 red serrano chili - seeded, sliced in half rings
1 tsp cilantro leaves
Combine and blend all ingredients together.

I usually use turkey but I am sure chicken would be great too.

Lately I have been adding a little cornstarch to the dipping sauce because otherwise it is almost as runny as water.

Some of the ingredients are a little hard to find so I usually use the alternative or just leave it out. Examples - I use the rice vinegar in the dipping sauce, usually leave out the lemongrass and since butter lettuce is a little expensive I've just used iceberg lettuce (just something with a nice size leaf).

Dutch Oven Lasagna

Dutch Oven Lasagna

1 1/2 lbs hamburger (or sausage)
1/2 chopped onion
1-10 3/4 oz. can tomato puree
1 Tbs worcestershire sauce
2 1/2 cups water
6 oz. can tomato paste
1 Tbs salt
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp pepper
1 tsp sugar
3/4 lbs sharp cheese-grated
1 package lasagna noodles

Brown meat and onion. Drain grease. Blend other ingredients (except noodles and cheese); layer (noodles, meat, cheese, etc.) in 14" dutch oven. Cook with 6-8 coals on bottom and 16-18 coals on top (which is about 350 degrees) approximately 1 hour.

I cook the noodles on a gas stove. If you are camping without a gas stove, you can cook the noodles in the dutchoven first. I usually brown the meat before going camping and warm them with the sauce on a gas stove but you can cook the meat in the dutch oven after the noodles, blend in the sauce, then take it all out to layer with the noodles and cheese. You would need more coals to add for the cooking. Also, I've just used cheddar cheese and I use more than they say.

I think that's it. I hope that made sense. I like the recipes given so far. I will try them.

Swiss Chicken

This is a tasty way to make chicken and rice. I like it a lot anyway. Got the recipe from my old roommate!

4 boneless chicken portions
1 can cream of chicken soup
4 slices swiss cheese
bread crumbs for topping
Rice

Use a casserole dish large enough to hold all the chicken in a single layer. Spray dish with nonstick spray. Cover the bottom of the dish with part of the soup. lay chicken breasts on top of soup. Place cheese on top of chicken, then cover it with the rest of the soup. Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Cover tightly. Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve over rice.

Mandarin Orange Chicken Salad

I am in love with this salad. It makes me feel like I am eating at Panera Bread (a restaurant back East). I usually have bread to go on the side. I am not a huge mandarin orange lover but so good in this salad.

It comes from Recipezaar. Here is the link.

http://www.recipezaar.com/Mandarin-Orange-Chicken-Tossed-Salad-282792

My alterations:

I don't use Teriyaki sauce for the marinade. I just make up one with some olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, ginger, sugar, pineapple juice (we usually have some leftover from a can of pineapple we had for pizza), and soy sauce (almost repeating what is in the dressing).

I also don't put in almonds (they are expensive and I don't like nuts in most of my foods).

Hope you like it as much as I do!

Stromboli

Welcome to the Simmons recipe blog. I was just thinking about all of the amazing food you all make and how I'd like quite a few of your recipes. Raschel and I had talked about starting this blog, so I decided it was time. I will be the first to post a recipe, but I've invited you all to be authors, so you each can post your favorite recipes or recipes by request. I really want that brownie recipe of Melynda's (the one you made for the 4th of July), and I would love Shanalee's recipe for dutch oven lasagna. So there, I've requested them.

Anyway, here's my recipe. I made this tonight because I had a ton of ham and cheese in my fridge and wanted to use it up. I got this base recipe from cooks.com, but I used the ingredients I had in my fridge (ham and cheddar and swiss).

STROMBOLI

2 c. flour 2 tbsp. oil 1 tsp. sugar 1/8 tsp. salt 1 pkg. yeast 3/4 c. warm water Mix flour, oil, sugar, and salt. Combine water and yeast. Gradually add water and yeast to flour mix. Blend well. Knead 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle a little flour in bowl; put dough in bowl. Cover and let rise in warm oven until double in size. STROMBOLI FILLING: 1/2 lb. Mozzarella cheese 1/2 lb. Provolone cheese 1/4 lb. American cheese 1/4 lb. hard salami 1/2 lb. ham 1/2 lb. pepperoni You can substitute other cheese and meat. Roll dough to 1/4 - 1/8 inch thick. Spread small amount of mustard on dough. Alternate layers of cheese and layers of meat on 1/3 of dough. Roll tight, starting with meat end. Seal edges. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 or 45 minutes. Serve with pizza sauce.

I layered ham first, then cheddar cheese, then ham, then swiss, then a few more pieces of ham. I rolled it up and cooked it for 35 minutes. Then I cooked up a packet of alfredo sauce for dipping. Gid and Eva loved it. Eva usually is sooooo picky, so I was pleasantly surprised that she ate her first helping and asked for a second. Anyway, just wanted to share a recipe that turned out to be a favorite for Kirk and the kids. Can't wait to see your posts!

Joy