Creamy Tomato Pasta

1 T. butter

chopped onions

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp Italian seasoning

1/8 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

1/8 tsp pepper

1/2 T. flour

3/4 cup cream

3/4 cup pasta sauce

Saute onions in butter. Add spices and flour. Stir and cook for a minute. Add cream and pasta sauce, bring to a simmer. Toss with pasta. Also works very well with Italian sausage tortelloni.

To make this a one pot meal or side dish:

Saute the onions and spices in butter, then add the pasta sauce, 2 cups of chicken broth and 200 g of pasta. Simmer until the pasta is cooked and the liquid is mostly absorbed, then add the cream mixed with 1 tsp. cornstarch. Keep cooking a few minutes until thickened.

Pizza Sauce

 Kind of homemade, kind of not.

1 can tomato paste

1 can tomato soup (I like no name the best in this recipe)

1 tsp. sugar

1 tsp. garlic

1/2 tsp. basil

sprinkle of black pepper

Mix well and store in the fridge. Use whatever spices you like (oregano, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning, etc.). It thickens quite a bit sitting in the fridge so if I want to use it when it's thick, I add a wee bit of water.

Vegetable Dip

1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
1 T dill weed
1/2 T onion powder
1/2 T celery salt

Mix together and refrigerate. Best veggie dip ever and also works well for chips.

Onion Chip Dip

1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 pkg. onion soup mix

Mix well and chill 2 hours so the flavours blend.

Taco Dip

Layer in a 9x13 pan:

1 can refried beans

Equal amounts sour cream mixed with mayo (probably about half a cup each)

Salsa

Shredded cheese

 

Variation #1:

Leave out the refried beans and just do the sour cream/mayo, salsa and cheese.

 

Variation #2:

1 can refried beans

Equal amounts sour cream/mayo

Sprinkle of taco seasoning

Shredded cheese

Chopped tomatoes, red peppers and green peppers.

 

Serve with taco chips, ripple chips or Mexican Chili chips. Other chip flavours work as well, like jalapeno or Doritos.

Grandma's Homemade Chocolate Sauce

1/2 cup cocoa
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
1 cup corn syrup
2-4 T butter
1 tsp vanilla

Mix cocoa, sugar and salt. Add milk and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. Bring to a full rolling boil and let it go for 3 minutes. Remove from heat, add butter and vanilla. Store in a glass jar in the fridge. Before using, microwave a little so it's not too thick.

Spicy Bean Dip

This one is made in the slow cooker and is great for feeding a crowd of people. You can make it as mild or spicy as you like.


2 cans (16 oz) refried beans
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cups shredded cheese
a few drops Tabasco sauce (optional)
jalapeno peppers to taste (optional)


Mix well in a slow cooker. Heat on low for one hour until cheese is melted. Add a little water if it's too thick.

Ranch Chip Dip

1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 cup bacon bits

Combine well and keep refrigerated.

Honey Dill Dipping Sauce

1 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup honey
1 T dill weed


Microwave the honey for 10-15 seconds to make it easier to mix. Combine well and refrigerate. Easy!