Beefy Rice Casserole

Note:    This is a great casserole with a salad.    However, I love the fact that it works so well as a freezer meal!

Beefy Rice Casserole

Ingredients
1 pound ground beef {I use ground turkey}
1 med. Onion chopped
1 green bell pepper chopped
Salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste.
1 can Mexicorn, drained
1 can chopped tomatoes
½ can tomato sauce
¼ cup water
2 Tablespoons chili powder
1 cup uncooked rice

Directions
Put water on to boil to cook rice. When it comes to boil, add rice to cook. In the meantime, brown the hamburger, onions, and bell pepper. Drain browned meat. Return to heat and then salt and pepper to taste. Add garlic powder to taste. Add Mexicorn, chopped tomatoes, tomato sauce, water and chili powder. Turn down to low. Simmer for 10 minutes. After finished, mix rice with meat mixture. Pour mixture into one large serving pan or you can divide between two 8x8 pans. Top mixture with graded cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 until mixture is bubbly. This mixture freezes well and is great to share with a neighbor or friend!

Hot Cross Buns

Note:    These buns are a traditional Good Friday treat.    I am unsure as to all the historical reasons, but I know they have a cross on the top which symbolizes the crucifixion.      I just know that it is part of our tradition.

Hot Cross Buns

Ingredients
3/4 cup evaporated milk, warmed
3 Tbsp butter, softened
1 egg
1 egg white
3 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp yeast
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 cup raisins
3 cups flour
1 egg yolk
2 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp butter, softened
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 Tbsp water

Directions
Put the evaporated milk in the microwave for 30 seconds to warm. Combine the milk, butter, sugar, salt, yeast in a mixing bowl and let work. Add the egg and egg white and mix. Add 1 cup of flour, currants and cinnamon. Mix in the rest of the flour. Knead, cover and let rise until doubled. Form into 12 buns and place in a greased baking pan. Keep them far enough away from each other that they won't stick together as they rise. Cover and let rise 1/2 an hour. Combine the egg yolk and water. Brush the buns with the egg mixture and bake 20 minutes at 375 degrees. Remove from oven and let cool.

While they are cooling, make the glaze in a bowl. Combine the butter and powdered sugar with the back of a soup spoon. Combine the water and vanilla and add slowly to the powdered sugar mixture, stirring until smooth. It should be thick, but spreadable. Put it into a sandwich size plastic bag. Seal and snip one corner.   Be sure and wait until the buns are cooled or your icing will slide off.   Um, no, I don't speak from experience.   ha!  ha!

Granola

Note: My son is still addicted to the Food Channel. How great is Alton Brown? He always explains the science behind his food which is so awesome. My husband loves granola so we have enjoyed making this for him!

Granola

Ingredients
3 Cups rolled oats
1 Cup slivered almonds
¼ Cup, plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
¼ Cup, plus 2 tablespoons honey
¼ Cup Vegetable oil
¾ tsp salt
1 Cup craisins
1 small package slivered almonds

Directions
Preheat oven to 250*- In a large bowl, combine oats, cherries, nuts and brown sugar. In a separate bowl, combine honey, oil and salt. Combine both mixtures and pour onto a jelly roll pan. Cook for 1 hour and 15 min.- Stirring every 15 minutes. Allow to cool and store in an air tight container.

Easy Resurrection Rolls

Note:  "He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay."  Matthew 28:6    It is Holy Week.  It is a special time to remind my boys of the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf so we can have eternal life with Him.     These easy resurrection rolls remind us that after three days he arose and when they came to the tomb he was not there.   

Easy Resurrection Rolls

Ingredients

1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
8 large marshmallows
1/4 cup melted butter
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons white sugar

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F on lightly grease a baking sheet.   Separate crescent rolls into individual triangles.  Mix together cinnamon and sugar.   Dip a marshmallow into melted butter, then roll in sugar mixture.  Place marshmallow in center of crescent roll and wrap the dough around.  Seal marshmallow tightly inside!  Place on a baking sheet.    Bake in a preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes.

 He is NOT here!    He is RISEN!