Salmon Croquettes (Patties)

This was a staple from my childhood - and still love them to this day. Liam has also come to enjoy them (as long as he gets some Kep-up with them).

1 package (14 oz) pink salmon

1 egg

1/2 to 3/4 of a roll of whole grain Ritz crackers

Salt/Pepper to taste

2 Tbsp olive oil

Warm oil up in skillet, meanwhile mold the mixture into patties - usually makes about 5 or 6. If it's to runny add more crackers. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until done.

Some recipes suggest using 1/3 cup self rising corn meal, 2T flour, 1/2 cup butter milk instead of the crackers. they also truly fry them in like 2 cups of oil which isn't necessary, in my opinion.

Mama's Egg Salad

This isn't a true recipes...more of a list of ingredients used to make Egg Salad in our house. Quantities all depend on the number of eggs used, goal is to keep it from being runny so add slowly!

Two Eggs usually makes 3 sandwiches:

2 hardboiled eggs

1 large kitchen spoonful (1/4 cup?) Mayonaise

Dash of seasoned salt

Sprinkle of dry mustard (or 1 tsp regular mustard)

few shakes of Onion flakes or dried minced onion or onion powder (maybe just one little shake of powder)

Sprinkle of garlic powder

Optional - Accent (msg) use to use this in the old days...

Mix it all up, adjust seasonings to taste and refrigerate at least 1 hour for flavors to blend.

You can use the same "formula" for potato salad - just add red potatoes and real onion.

Penne, Tomato, and Mozzarella Salad

Ingredients

• 1 (12 ounce) package penne pasta
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
• salt and pepper to taste
• 5 ounces mozzarella cheese, diced
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 ounces fresh basil
• 12 large black olives, halved

Directions

1. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water as directed on package, until just tender. Drain, and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a small saucepan. Add green onions and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 or 3 minutes. Stir in garlic, and cook for 2 minutes. Add pasta, tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Cook over low heat to warm through. Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Coarsely tear basil leaves in halves or thirds; add to pasta with olives, and serve immediately.

Bacon Jack Chicken Sandwich

Ingredients

• 8 slices bacon
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
• 4 slices pepperjack cheese
• 4 hamburger buns, split
• 4 leaves of lettuce
• 4 slices tomato
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced onions
• 12 slices dill pickle

Directions

1. Preheat a grill for medium heat.
2. While the grill preheats, place the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until browned on both sides. Remove from the pan, and drain on paper towels.
3. Rub the poultry seasoning onto the chicken pieces, and place them on the grill. Cook for about 6 minutes per side, or until no longer pink in the center. Top each piece of chicken with 2 slices of bacon and 1 slice of pepperjack cheese. Grill for 2 to 3 more minutes to melt the cheese.
4. Place each piece of chicken on a bun, and top with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle slices before serving with your favorite condiments.

Smoked Sausage Kabobs

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package Hillshire Farm® Smoked Sausage
• 1 onion
• 1 green pepper
• 2 apples
• 14 cherry tomatoes
• 3 potatoes, parboiled
• Apricot preserves
• 2 (16 ounce) cans sauerkraut, drained

Directions

1. Cut sausage, onion, green pepper, apple, tomatoes, and potatoes into 1-inch pieces and assemble on skewers.
2. Grill over medium-high heat for 10 minutes. During the last two minutes of grilling, glaze with apricot preserves to taste. Serve over heated sauerkraut.

Zucchini Grinders

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 medium zucchini, cubed
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 4 (6 inch) French or Italian sandwich rolls, split

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the zucchini in butter until browned and slightly tender. Season with red pepper flakes, salt and pepper, and stir in the marinara sauce. Cook and stir until sauce is heated.
3. Spoon a generous amount of the zucchini mixture into each sandwich roll. Top with a handful of shredded mozzarella. Close the rolls, and wrap individually in aluminum foil.
4. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until bread is heated through, and cheese is melted.

Black Bean Burrito

Ingredients

• 2 (10 inch) flour tortillas
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 teaspoon minced jalapeno peppers
• 3 ounces cream cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

1. Wrap tortillas in foil and place in oven heated to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake for 15 minutes or until heated through.
2. Heat oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Place onion, bell pepper, garlic and jalapenos in skillet, cook for 2 minutes stirring occasionally. Pour beans into skillet, cook 3 minutes stirring.
3. Cut cream cheese into cubes and add to skillet with salt. Cook for 2 minutes stirring occasionally. Stir cilantro into mixture.
4. Spoon mixture evenly down center of warmed tortilla and roll tortillas up. Serve immediately.