Dana's Easy Shepards Pie

This is the easiest cassarole to make! It mimics the time-consuming old-fashioned shepards pie.

Ingredients:
2 lbs ground beef, browned with s&p, a dash of chili powder and garlic
1 bag of mix frozen veggies (which ever kind you prefer.. we like peas and corn)
1 bag of tater tots
1 can of tomato soup
Shredded Cheese

Preheat oven to 400 (or whatever the tater tot bag says)
Combine beef, veggies, soup and 1/2 cup of shredded cheese in a large casserole dish. Top with tater tots and about 1/4 cup of cheese. Pop into the oven for the suggested time on the tater tot bag. (about 20-25 mins)
Let stand for about 5 mins.. it will be hot!!

My daughter LOVES this!! And my husband will eat his veggies with this dish! Enjoy! :o)

Pizza Balls

I cant bake very well! I dont like to measure or follow recipies so my baking projects tend to fall flat... literally. But this is a full proof baking item! And its great for parties, picky kids, or game night snackers! The bread mix makes it easy and really tastes great!

Ingredients:
1 box of italian bread mix
1 container of pepperoni (anyway you prefer it)
1 bag of string cheese cut into 1 in peices
Olive oil

Jar of spaghetti or pizza sauce for dipping.

Follow instructions on box for making loafs or rolls. (rolls preferably.. but it depends on the box).
After you have finished all instructions on box, take the about a spoonful of dough and roll it into a ball. Place a peice of pepperoni and a peice of cheese and close the dough around it and re-roll it into a ball. Make sure you close the balls well. Place in a pre-greased muffin pan, seam side UP! After you fill up a muffin pan with your Pizza Balls, brush with olive oil. (Optional- top with a dash of garlic powder, salt & pepper).
Bake according to box instructions! Serve with sauce and enjoy!

Veggie Soup

This recipe is my adaptation from my grandmother's traditional P.A. Dutch style soup. She uses ground beef and no tomato. Of course, this very easy recipe can be adapted to whatever you happen to have in your pantry! You can use frozen veggies, canned veggies, or fresh, whatever is easiest!! Use your favorite ones.. and if your trying to get more vegatables in your kids.. this is a great place to hide frozen spinach and other undersirables!

Ingredients:
Half head of cabbage- chopped
1 small onion- diced
2 tablespoons of diced garlic
3 stalks celery- diced
1 tablespoons olive oil
1-3 cups of sliced mushrooms
1 can petite diced tomatos
1 small can tomato paste
1 can tomato sauce
1 bag frozen mixed vegetables
2 cups reduced sodium chicken stock
Water to cover veggies
Abodo, salt, pepper, paprika, & chili powder all to taste.
Herbs- fresh or dried, your choice! My favs are basil and thyme.

Medium-high heat on a big dutch oven, or other large cooking pot. Add olive oil, cabbage, onion, garlic and celery cook until slightly tender. Add the rest of the veggies, and tomato products, chicken stock, adobo, s&p, paprika, and chili powder. Add enough water to cover your veggies, bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 15- 30 mins. 5 mins before serving, add herbs.

One way to add some interest to your soup is to serve it with "add-ins". I put out bowls with different fresh herbs, pepperoni, cheeses, crackers, pretzels, noodles, croutons, or whatever you family may like to add! It helps my veggie-hating hubby enjoy veggie soup night!! He actually eats his veggies this way!!