Country Soup in a Jar

This recipe comes from:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Country-Soup-in-a-Jar/Detail.aspx

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup barely
• 1/2 cup dried split peas
• 1/2 cup uncooked white rice
• 1/2 cup dry lentils
• 2 tablespoons dried minced onion
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper (or substitute favorite seasoning)
• 2 tablespoons beef bouillon granules
• 1/2 cup uncooked alphabet pasta
• 1 cup uncooked twist macaroni

Add contents of jar to:

• 3 quarts of water (possibly more)
• 2 stalks of chopped celery
• 2 sliced carrots
• 2 cups diced tomatoes

Over medium low heat, cover and simmer about 1 hour, or until vegetables are tender.

The seasoning we used in our soup mix (instead of lemon pepper) was from Gordon Food Service for about $7. It was called "Trade East Zesty Country Seasoning" no salt no msg added. The ingredients listed include onion, garlic, red and green peppers, and parsley.

Zucchini Casserole - Pam Hill

4 cups zucchini, cubed - cook 3 minutes and drain.

Mix together:

1/2 chopped green pepper
6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
1 and 1/2 cups shredded cheese
1/3 cup chopped onion
2 ripe tomatoes chopped or 2 cups canned tomatoes
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

Alternate layers of zucchini with mixture in baking dish, beginning with zucchini. Top with 1/2 cup cracker crumbs and 2 tablespoons melted butter.

Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes.

Creamy Red Potato Salad - Kristen Williams

I am not a huge potato salad fan but my husband made this and it is now my favorite. I asked him to make it for every cookout (until he showed me how to make it, now I get potato salad duty). Not only is it really yummy, it's supper easy.

3 lb. Red potatoes, unpeeled
3/4 C. Sour cream
3/4 C. Mayonnaise
2 Celery stalks, finely diced
3 Tbls. Green Onion, finely chopped
2-3 Tbls. Fresh dill, finely chopped
Celery Salt, to taste

Cut potatoes into 1-inch cups and place in a large pot 3/4 full of salted water Bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until tender but slightly resistant when pierced with a fork, 25-30 minutes. Drain and let cool

To prepare the dressing, in a small bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, celery, green onion and dill. Mix well then add celery salt to taste.

Pour the dressing over the potatoes and mix gently to coat evenly. Taste and adjust the seasoning (you will probably need to add more salt).

Before serving, cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours to chill and blend the flavors.

Hot Chicken Wing Dip - Jackie Smith

1 can of chicken meat or (chicken breast cooked, cooled and shredded)
1 block of creamed cheese (soften)
2 T Ranch dressing
Louisiana Hot sauce as much as you like

Mix everything together let sit in the refrigerator serve with crackers or tortilla chips.

Easter Story Cookies - Melody Dean

Easter Story Cookies...To be made the evening before Easter

Ingredients:
1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
Ziploc bag
wooden spoon
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

Place pecans in Ziploc bag and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Let children smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon of vinegar into a mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into the children’s hands. Let them taste it and put a pinch in the bowl. Explain, this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Let the children try some sugar. Add 1 cup of sugar to the bowl. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know Him and belong to Him. Read Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3. While you’re beating the mixture, you could also sing primary songs.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door, and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

Go to bed! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9. He lives.

Happy Easter!!

Cinnamon Bundt Cake - Heidi Jones.

Now this is YUMMY! I'm not one to "waste calories" on anything that's not chocolate, but this is worth it!

preheat oven to 350. grease bundt pan and turn upside down to sit until ready to pour in batter.

1/2 c sugar
3 tsp cinnamon

stir together and sprinkle on inside of pan until coated. reserve the rest for later.

1 yellow cake mix
1 c sour cream (no substitutes)
1 small pkg instant vanilla pudding mix
1/4 c oil
4 eggs
3 TB flour
3/4 c water

mix all of the above for 2-3 minutes. pour 1/3 of batter into pan, sprinkle with 1/3 cinn-sugar mixture. Repeat until all of the batter, cinn-sugar is in the pan. Bake. Let cool in pan 1 hour then turn out onto plate to cool. Drizzle with frosting.

Chicken Salad - Kristen Williams

This is the recipe I used for the Chicken Salad that was served at Enrichment Night. It's embarrassingly easy with no real measurements. You can easily switch out ingredients to your liking. I sometimes even use canned chicken or store bought rotisserie chicken if I don't feel like cooking.

Chicken, cooked & shredded
Pineapple tidbits, drained but not dry
Grapes, halved
Pecans, crushed
Mayonnaise
Salt & Pepper

Mix chicken, pineapple, grapes and pecans together. Add just enough mayonnaise to make moist. Add some salt and pepper to taste.