Taco Casserole

My aunt Jana made waffles and homemade syrup for breakfast. It was so delightful. I went back for more....and I generally don’t do that. It’s so easy too. We make it and feed our kids the store brand while my husband and I enjoy the good stuff. Aunt Jana’s Maple Syrup  2 1/4 cups water  4 cups sugar  1/2 cup brown sugar  Bring to boil. Remove from heat  Add: 1 tsp vanilla  1 tsp maple flavoring

We had a big family reunion in Minnesota a few years back and aunt Jana hosted. We had an ice cream night and she made the yummiest sauce. It’s so delicious and easy! Thanks, Jana!! Chocolate sauce (for fondue or ice cream) 32 oz. chocolate chips (equivalent to 5 1/3 cups) 1 pt cream 1 cup caramel sauce  6 Tbs Torani hazelnut syrup  Combine in a saucepan and melt 

I have a few favorite recipes that are named after my aunts. I think this week will be devoted to them.  My dad’s younger sister, Aunt Sherry, is an AMAZING cook. Her food is always a hit. My kids beg for some of her dishes. Her notable recipes are Aunt Sherry fruit salad, Aunt Sherry pasta salad and Aunt Sherry carrot cake. She also has the recipe for my dad’s favorite applesauce cookies. I have used her knowledge many times and have been able to replicate my grandma’s homemade chili. My aunts also tweaked Zuppa Toscana from Olive Garden, giving me a good start at my own take on it. I love my Aunt Sherry. On my mom’s side of the family my Aunt Jana has some amazing recipes. Her notables are homemade maple syrup and homemade hot fudge sauce. I love making those recipes because they make me think of the fun times we’ve spent together. Today we’ll start with Aunt Sherry’s dishes. They’re so simple, but so yummy!! Aunt Sherry’s Fruit Salad 1 can sweetened condensed milk  1 large tub cool

On nights when I need something quick and easy, this is one of our go-to meals.  Amy, this is just for you.  Easy Hamburger Stroganoff  1 pound ground beef, browned  1-2 cans cream of chicken soup  1-2 packages of brown gravy mix or au juice mix  1-2 cans (fill empty soup can) milk 1 bag cooked egg noodles  Brown burger and then drain and add soup, gravy packet and milk. Stir together until it thickens. Stir in cooked egg noodles.

We have used these recipes for years. Neither is figure friendly, but they are so delicious.  Dawnyel’s soft sugar cookies  1 cup shortening  2 cups sugar  1 cup sour cream 3 eggs 5 cups flour 1 tsp. Salt 1 tsp. Baking soda 1 tsp. Vanilla Mix together and chill for an hour. Roll out and bake at 375 degrees for 5-8 minutes. Buttercream Frosting  1 cup room temperature butter  1 cup shortening  Whip together. Add 5-8 cups powdered sugar  3-5 Tbsp milk 1 tsp flavoring (my personal favorite is coconut extract) 1 tsp vanilla Mix until the right consistency. If it’s too loose, add more sugar, if it’s too stiff, add more milk. My frosting always tastes better than canned frosting! And it’s easy to make. I just end up covered in powder.

I’m a born and bred Idaho girl, but when I was a teen I tasted my first tater tot casserole. I was at my friend’s house when her mom was happily making this dish. I was hooked! My twist is that I add corn to it to make it easier to include every portion of my meal. My kids love it so much they will often eat it so there is none leftover. Tater tot casserole (Dawnyel style) 1 pound hamburger, browned 2 cans cream of chicken soup  1 can corn, drained 1 bag tater tots (or we love tater rounds, flat disks instead of fluffy tots) Mix together soup, one and burger in the bottom of 13x9” cake pan, then top with tots. Bake at 350 for 30-60 minutes (depending on how crispy you want the tots)