Mom's Baked Beans

The first time I had these beans was Thanksgiving 2003. Aaron and I had just started dating and we had dinner with his mom, his Aunt Lynn, and Grandpa Sharpe. I thought these were so excellent and I make them all the time - though maybe I should start making them in the crock-pot - It's too hot to bake something in the oven for an hour here! I keep losing the recipe so I thought I would post it here for easy access!

Calico Baked Beans

1 can white beans or pork and beans

1 can red kidney beans

1 can Butter beans

1/4 cup chopped onions
1 clove garlic minced
1 Tbsp butter

1/2 cup ketchup

2 Tbsp brown sugar

1 teas dry mustard

1 teas salt

2 Tbsp vinegar

1/2 can water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. I'm not sure the specifics of how Mom Adams puts them together, but I rinse the beans in a strainer in the sink first. While they are draining, I saute the onion and garlic in the butter until the onion is soft and clear. Then I pour everything together (beans, onion mixture, and sauce ingredients, and water) in a small casserole dish and combine well. Then I bake them for an hour covered. These are great addition to any BBQ - or any meal really.

Mexican Rice

My Latino friend taught me how to make this rice, so it is authentic. Restaurant taste!

You will need a Teflon coated pan with lid( Glass lid, so you can see inside)and a garlic squeezer.

Ingredients: This will feed family of 4 plus left over.

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1 1/2 cup of rice ( I like Jasmine rice, but long grain is good,too)
1/4-1/2 of Medium size Onion minced

2-3 cloves of garlic ( Use fresh garlic! It taste different.)

1 Table spoon of oil

1/3 -1/2 can of Tomato paste( small Can)

3 3/4 cups of water( the amount of rice times 2.5)

1 cup of frozen corn( optional)

Chicken flavor Bouillon see the picture below,

You have to get this exact powder to make authentic Taste.You can get this at American store. Check the Mexican food section.

Sam's club has a huge bucket by the spice section

It's called "Caldo Con sabor de pollo."
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1. Heat oil and squeeze the garlic through a garlic squeezer into oil and add onions. Stir them in medium heat until Onion is started to turn brown.

2. Add rice and roast them well in a medium low heat. Take time here!! 5-10 minutes

3. Add water, tomato paste and Bouillon( see the picture below for the amount) and mix well until you don't see lumps of tomato paste and bring it to boil and let it boil for a minute. Keep eye on the bottom and make sure it doesn't burn!

I'm not sure how much bouillon, so I took picture. I use 2 teaspoons full, but you can see,it's mountain of powder. When it's done, you can add it later as needed.

4. Turn down the heat to Lowest setting. Put a lid on and let it cook for a while. about 20 minutes. Try not to open. If you want to see, I recommend using a glass lid. No need to stir!

5. when the water is almost absorbed into rice, open the lid and use fork to fluff the rice. At this point, if you would like to add corn, you may.My friend uses caned corn and put it with water in the beginning. Take your time and fluff bottom up. try not to mush rice.

6.Cover and let it cook for another 3-5 minutes depends on how much water is left. Then turn off the heat and let it stand for 10 minutes. This usually takes care of access water.

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Suggestion:

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Instead of Tomato paste, you can also use tomato source or diced tomato even fresh cut tomato. Just adjust the amount of water.

You do not need to use any tomato at all. We had corn rice without any tomato product with shish kabobs. Add saffron and now it's the yellow saffron pilaf.

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Amount of water and the heat is the most tricky part of cooking rice. My friend uses more water than I do, so you have to try and experiment.

Betsy's BBQ Meatballs w/ Mac and Cheese

I got this recipe from our ward cookbook and we love it.

Mix together:
1 lb (LEAN) hamburger (or ground turkey)
3/4 cup oatmeal
1/3 cup milk
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 eggs (I used just one egg and it turned out fine)
1/2 chopped onion
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Shape into meatballs and drop into Greased casserole pan. Pour sauce over meatballs.

Sauce:
1 cup brown sugar ( I used about 3/4 cup)
1/4 cup vinegar
2 tsp mustard
1/2 bottle BBQ sauce (I used 1/2 cup Sweet Baby Ray's and 1 cup ketchup)
2 tsp worcestershire sauce

Bake at 350 degrees uncovered for 30 - 35 minutes. Turn meatballs and bake for another 15 - 20 minutes.

This is great with Mac and cheese as a side. I like this recipe. We eat with steamed veggies and a green salad too to help with the guilt.

Ashley Z's Thai Coconut Rice

We had this at Enrichment night about a month ago and I could not get enough of it. It is a perfect side dish for grilled chicken...

1 Cup uncooked rice (basmati, jasmine or long grain)
1 14 oz can coconut milk
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp. turmeric
1/4 tsp. finely chopped fresh ginger
1/4 cup coconut flakes

Cooking Directions:
-Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan.
-Stir well to combine
-cook over medium-high hear, stirring until mixture comes to a low boil.
-Immediately reduce heat to low
-cover and cook for 18 minutes
-fluff with fork.
-cover and let sit for 5 minutes
-garnish rice with additional coconut

Cheesy Potatoes

Also known as Party Potatoes or Funeral Potatoes. This is my version:

7 or 8 medium potatoes diced (or you can buy frozen hash browns - enough to fill a 9x13 inch pan)
12 oz. sour cream
1 can of cream of celery soup (you can also use cream of chicken/mushroom/broccoli, I prefer the celery
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 stick of butter (you can dice or melt)
1/4 cup of finely chopped onions
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup of crushed corn flakes or bread crumbs

1. Dice potatoes and cook in boiling water until tender - about 20 minutes, then drain- or you can just defrost the frozen hash browns
2. In large bow, stir together soup, sour cream, 1 cup of cheese, butter, onion, salt and pepper.
3. Stir in potatoes
4. Pour into 9x13 baking dish and sprinkle with remaining cheese and top with cornflakes or bread crumbs
5. Bake, covered with foil, for 40 minutes
6. Uncover and bake about 10 more minutes until topping is golden and sides are bubbling.

This goes great with ham or chicken dinners. We love it!