When I first started MasonMetu, I was a better blogger and I wrote a post about winning a Superbowl chili cookoff with this recipe my Mom gave me.  I made it last night for my card group and got so many compliments that I wanted to post the recipe in our recipe section.  I made this as a hot appetizer in the trusty ol' crockpot but it can easily be converted to a chili if you add some extra tomato sauce.  You could add shredded chicken or hamburger to make it heartier.

Sandy’s #1 Superbowl C...
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This week, I am so excited to introduce a new featured blogger, Dining Diva (a.k.a. Susan Vanell-Charpentier).   She forwarded me the recipe for her Special K bars.  They look so yummy.


From Dining Diva: "These are a family favorite. We take them as a special treat on vacation, and we have to ration them out or they would all be gone on day one. My tip? Cut them into smaller pieces. They are very rich, and everyone will want one.

• 1 c sugar
• 1 c Karo syrup
• 1 ½ c peanut...

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Okay, so I'm looking at our recipe page and realize that it has been really neglected (last post was in February - oh my).  But I got inspired after getting together with some girlfriends and eating this delicious dip.  My friend, Trisha, made it and we all loved it.  It is sooooooo yummy and so easy to make plus it looks really pretty (see picture).


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Our featured blogger for March is Kristy from Mommy Hates Cooking.  I love her blog and getting all her great recipe emailed to me.  Kristy shares a link to her Meatball Calzone recipe which includes  a link to a recipe for  spinach meatballs from $5 Dollar Dinners (shhhh, don't tell the kids).  On  a side note, Erin Chase from $5 Dinners, is a local Ohio Mom who has a great blog with lots of terrific recipes to make all with your budget in mind.  What a small world.

All this talk of cooking i...
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My friend, Tammy, makes this delicious Kugel. Lucky for us, she is sharing her recipe.  I want some right now but I there is no magic Kugel baker here.  Enjoy. 

Tammy's Yummy Noodle Kugel

• 1 lb bad of wide egg noodles, cooked according to package
• 5 eggs
• 4 cups milk or cream (or both)
• 1 cup ricotta
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 can crushed pineapple, undrained

Whisk eggs in very large bowl, add milk/cream until frothy.  Add the rest of ingredients.  Then stir in cooked egg noodles.  Pou...
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Both my girls will be selling Girl Scout cookies for the Cosmos Girl Scouts of Western Ohio this year and they are really excited.  The sale starts Jan. 21 so you may be seeing some sweet little faces trying their cookie best at your doors very soon.  My all time favorite Girl Scout cookie is the Thin Mint.  I LOVE them.  I especially love them frozen.  Yum.

My friend, Chris Burke, sent me a recipe that would put those Thin Mints to good use.  Chris is a consultant for Pampered Chef so she ha...
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Thanks Courtney H. from Mason, Ohio for sharing another great recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ lb. ground sirloin
• 1 lb. ground pork, ground lamb, ground turkey, or any combination of the three
• 1 ½ c. herbed stuffing mix
• ½ onion, minced
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• ½ c. cinnamon applesauce
• 1 pack maple brown sugar oatmeal
• ½ c. water
• Bacon (3-4 slices)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350º.
2. Mix together stuffing mix, onion, beaten eggs, salt, applesauce, oatmeal
3. and water in a large bowl
4. Add meat and mix un...

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Happy Accidents...and a Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Lemon Glaze from The Comfort Table - Meredith R., Mason, Ohio


"In cooking and in life, things don't always turn out how you plan. Maybe there are metaphors in cooking...like when your incredible brown sugar nut topping sinks to the bottom of the cake during baking. Who cares. What the hell...sometimes things look better upside down...giving you a whole new perspective. That's what happened the day I baked this cake. So, when you bak...
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Thank you Courtney H. for this great summer recipe. 
If anyone needs any mint, I have a jungle of it growing in our garden in the box.

• 4 Mahi Fillets
• ½ c mayo
• ¼ c feta
• 3 TBSP fresh mint, chopped
• 2 TBSP fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• salt and pepper to taste
• 8 thin slices of lemon
• olive oil spray

Preheat broiler with rack 8 inches from broiler.
Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Place fish skin side down on parchment paper and season with salt and pepper.
Stir together mayo, feta, herbs, and...
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This recipe was so yummy that I made my friend Trisha S. from Loveland, Ohio share it with all of you.  It is a light, refreshing dip perfect for a hot summer day.

3 Bean Salsa

• Black beans
• Black eyed peas
• Garbanzo beans / chick peas
• Pinto beans or hot chili beans
• Can of Corn
• Medium onion finely chopped
• Red bell pepper finely chopped
• 4 to 6 jalapenos seeded & finely chopped

In saucepan, bring the following to a boil:
1 tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
1 tbsp water
¾ cup apple cider vinegar
½ cup vegetable oil
¾ cup ...
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Thank you Courtney from Mason, Ohio for this yummy muffin recipe.

• 2 c. all purpose flour
• ½ c. sugar
• 4 TBSP unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1TBSP baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 3 mashed bananas
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 c. canola oil
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ½ c. milk
• 1 c. chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350º
2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt
3. Add sugar and cocoa powder to flour mixture
4. In a separate bowl, beat together eggs, banana, vanilla, oil, and milk
5. Dump wet ingredients onto dry ingredients, and beat until tho...

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A great recipe from Christina Lindsey of Domestic Daydreams blog! She's another great Mom blogger who has recipes, craft ideas and miscellaneous ramblings to keep you engaged! 

Ingredients:

• 1 (16 ounce) package breakfast sausage
• 1 chopped green onion
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 6 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 (2.64 ounce) package country gravy mix (I make my own if I don't have this on hand)
• 6 slices bread, cut into 1 inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons melted butter (optional)
• paprika to tas...

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This is soooooooooo easy......I found this on a post-it note and have no idea who gave me the recipe but it is very yummy.

• 3 cups self-rising flour
• 3 tbls sugar
• 1 can beer
• 1/2 stick butter (melted)
  

Mix flour, sugar and beer together. Pour into bread pan (spray with cooking spray). Pour melted butter over top of dough.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake 45 minutes or until bread browns and looks yummy. 

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This is a yummy chicken dish that my Aunt Jeanne shared with me.  Use fresh parsley and mint for the best flavors - Kristin G.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

• 4 chicken breast halves (boneless & skinless)
• 3 roma or plum tomatoes (diced)
• 2 tbsp. parsley
• 1/2 tsp of dried mint or 1 tbsp. of fresh mint
• 1/2 tsp. oregano
• Grated pepper to taste
• 2 cloves of garlic (finely chopped)
  
• 4 tbsp feta cheese
• 1 tsp. olive oil

Place chicken breast in a glass baking dish.  Mix all other ingredients together and spoon over ch...
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Artichoke Chicken - submitted by Irena D., Mason, Ohio.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Bake: 30 minutes

1 (14-oz) can water packed artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 tsp garlic powder (or use fresh minced garlic)
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (sliced in half to create 8 thin pieces)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, mix together the artichoke hearts, Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, and garlic powder. Place chicken in a greased b...
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Submitted by me, Kristin G. (liked the rhyme on that one).  My Mom gave me this easy recipe and it has been a winner each time I make them.

• Slab of ribs
• Montgomery Inn BBQ sauce (or any other BBQ sauce you like)
• Salt & Pepper the ribs first or use Montreal seasoning on them
• Cover ribs in BBQ sauce (reserve some for later to dip ribs in)
• Cover with foil
• Bake at 325 for 3-4 hours
• Ribs should fall off the bone and be very yummy
• Heat up reserve BBQ sauce to pour over ribs and enjoy!
  

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Submitted by Jennifer O, Liberty Township
" A friend turned me on to it and every time I make it, its a hit."


INGREDIENTS

• 36 buttery crackers such as Keebler Club® Crackers
• 12 slices bacon, cut into thirds
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees.  Line two rimmed cookie sheets with aluminum foil (the non stick foil works great).
Arrange crackers on the prepared cookie sheets in a single layer. Place a piece of bacon on top of each cracker, then put about a teaspo...
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Submitted by Kristin G., Mason, Ohio

"This was a really easy recipe.  You do most of the prep work in the morning then put it in the slow cooker and you get to enjoy the yummy smells all day long.  I served it with refried beans (put in a dish and microwave) and spanish rice."

• 1 lb pork roast or pork chops, cut and cubed (you could substitute chicken too)
• 1/4 chopped onions
• 4 oz diced green chilies
• 7 oz green chile salsa (you could use regular salsa too)
• 1 tsp cocoa powder (I didn't have this so I ...

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Recipe given to me by my Mom, Sandy, from Cincinnati, Ohio.

"This is a great marinade for top round steak - serve with fresh steamed broccoli, some crusty bread and a starch and you'll be good to go.  If you have any extra, you can make great steak sandwiches the next day."

• 1 1/2" to 2" thick top round steak - no bones
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 3 tbsp ketchup
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon or lemon juice
• 3-4 garlic cloves chopped
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1/4 tsp. pepper

Mix all ingredients together.  Poke holes in round steak and po...
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Submitted by Bonnie C., Mason, Ohio

Citrus Shrimp Tacos

• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• juice of 2 limes
• 2 TBS. salt
• 1 1/2 lb. large shrimp, peeled & deveined
• 1 clove garlic, minced (about 1 tsp.)
• 1 serrano chile, thinly sliced (I used a can of diced chiles from the mexican section at grocery store)
• 1 cup orange juice
• 2 TBS lime juice (about 1 lime)
• 2 TBS lemon juice
• 2 TBS honey
• 1 TBS annato spice (left this out because I couldn’t find it anywhere)
• 1 package small soft tortillas

Place onion in bowl, and spri...
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Submitted by Celeste Governanti of Made with Love!

• 3 lbs fresh organic tomatoes
• ½ finely chopped onion
• 2-3 cloves pressed garlic
• ½ stick unsalted butter
• 2 ounces good vodka
• 3-4 ounces of heavy cream
• Salt & pepper to taste
• ¾ pound of Penne Pasta

1. Heat sauté pan and melt butter until it foams.
2. Add onions and stir frequently for 3-5 minutes – do not let onions brown.
3. Add pressed garlic and stir for 1-2 minutes
4. Add finely chopped tomatoes & salt & pepper to taste.
5. Simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
6. Add vodka...

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Submitted by Irena D., Mason, Ohio

Thai Turkey Tacos
 

• One pound lean ground meat or turkey (I always use turkey)
• 2 tablespoons grated ginger or 1/2 tsp dry ginger
• 1-3 garlic clove, peeled and crushed
• 1 can chopped water chestnuts
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cups coleslaw mix with carrots
• Cilantro for garnish

 
Thai Cooking Sauce
Combine:

• 1-2 tsp sesame oil
• 4 Tablespoons of soy sauce
• 2 Tablespoons of lime juice (sometimes I omit this if I don't have limes)
• 2 Tablespoon of hone...

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Submitted by Courtney H., Mason, OH

Courtney’s Oven Fried Chicken

Oven Fried Chicken - A healthy alternative for when you're craving greasy fried chicken!

2 ½ - 3 lbs chicken legs or thighs with skin and fat removed
½ c. buttermilk
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp hot sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ c. whole wheat flour
1 ½ tsp paprika
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
Olive oil cooking spray

1.    Whisk together buttermilk, Dijon mustard, hot sauce, and garlic in a shallow dish
2.    Add ...
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Submitted by Irena D., Mason, Ohio

• 2 bags frozen Berries
• 1 Yellow Cake mix
• 1 cube butter (1/2 cup)

Preheat oven to 350.
In a 13x9 pan, spread frozen berries evenly.
Sprinkle dry cake mix over berries.
Melt butter and pour on top of the berries and cake mix.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.

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Submitted by Stephanie, Mason, Ohio

• microwaveable green beans
• grape tomatoes
• EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
• salt & pepper
• Parmesan cheese
• fresh basil, cut up

Mix EVOO to coat tomoatoes (1/4 cup) with salt and pepper and pour onto a lipped cookie sheet or pan.  Roast at 400 degrees for 10 - 15 minutes until tomatoes shrink and pop skin.  Microwave green beans.  Pour tomatoes, oil and juices into container and take grated parmesan and fresh cut up basil.  Mix with the green beans.

 
The tomato mixture is...
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Submitted by Stephanie, Mason, Ohio

"Great veggie recipe"

• 2 fresh ears of corn on the cob, cut lengthwise off cob after you boil them
  
• diced green and red pepper
• vidalia onion diced
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) in pan to coast veggies - sautee for 2-5 minutes and sprinkle salt & pepper to taste. 
• Optional is to mix in cut up cilantro.

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Submitted by Courtney H., Mason, Ohio.

Chocolate Torte - Make sure you have whipped cream and vanilla ice cream on hand for this dense chocolate dessert.

• 1 c. pecans, coarsely ground
• 1 c. graham cracker crumbs
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• ¼ c. butter, melted
• 16 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips (use the minis if you can)
• 1 c. whipping cream
• 6 eggs
• ¾ c. granulated sugar
• 1/3 c. all purpose flour

 

1.       Preheat oven to 325º

2. Spray 9 in. springform pan with non-stick spray

...

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Submitted by Irena D., Mason, Ohio

2 lbs cubed stew beef
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can mushrooms (I'm using fresh)
1 pkg dry onion soup mix
1 pkg dry brown gravy mix
1 c. ginger ale or 7 up
Egg noodles

Layer ingredients in proceeding order. Cover and bake at 300* for 3 hours. I'm making in the slow cooker for 6hrs. Serve over rice or pasta.

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Courtney H., Mason, Ohio.

"Great as an appetizer, a main course, or served over a salad!  If you decide to serve the shrimp over a salad, make a little extra of the marinade and set aside as a vinaigrette."

1-2 lbs medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

Zest of 1 lemon

1 tbsp dill

½ c. lemon juice

2 cloves minced garlic

½ c. olive oil

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1.        Whisk together all ingredients, except shrimp

2.        Add shrimp, cover, and marinate for 1-4 hours

3....

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“ A really simple preparation for a side of salmon.”

Courtney H., Mason, Ohio

1 ½ - 2 lb. side of salmon

1/3 c. brown sugar

Zest of 1 lemon

Juice of ½ lemon

1 ½ tsp kosher salt

½ tsp ground pepper

 

1.       Position rack in oven 6 in. from broiler

2.       Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil and place salmon skin side down onto pan

3.       Squirt lemon juice onto salmon

4.       Combine the brown sugar, zest, salt and pepper in small food processor and process for 1 mi...

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Angela, Cincinnati, Ohio - she got this from recipes.com and modified it slightly.

 

Serve with sliced sourdough baguettes, tortilla chips or crackers

 

Original recipe yield 4 cups

 

 

Ingredients: 

    2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

    1 cup mayonnaise (or light mayo)

    1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chilies, drained

    2 ounces canned diced jalapeno peppers, drained

    1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

 

 

Directions:

Stir together cream cheese and mayonnais...

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Submitted by Linda Palmer, Knoxville, TN

·         1 lb. ground beef

·         1 onion, chopped

·         1 large jar of Ragu – I use “chunky garden style”

·         9 lasagna noodles

·         1 8 oz. package cream cheese

·         1 8 oz. can parmesan cheese

·         1 8 oz. package grated mozzarella cheese

·         Italian seasoning

·         oregano

·         1 Tbsp. sugar (optional)

·         garlic salt

Brown the ground beef in a large frying pan with the ...

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Submitted by Courtney Hardie, Mason, Ohio.

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 lb pork tenderloin
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 8 ounces mushrooms
• 1 c. apple juice or cider
• ½ c. white wine
• 1 c. heavy cream
• 1 large or 2 small Granny Smith apples
• 1 c. walnuts, chopped
  
1. Add oil to sauté pan and over high heat, brown pork on all sides (approximately 15 min.)
2. Put pork in slow cooker
3. Add onion to pan and sauté (approximately 7 min.)
4. Add mushrooms to pan and sauté (approximately 5 ...

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Submitted by Stephanie, Mason, Ohio

"Always a winner - no leftovers!  I usually make a low fat version if I bring it for a girls outing.  I thought it would a great one to serve during March Madness Month or St. Patrick's day."

• 1 bag of country style potatoes (thawed)
• 2 eggs
• salt/pepper
• 16 oz cream cheese (you can use lowfat or nonfat)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar (regular or lowfat)
• package of real bacon bits (Hormel or Oscar Meyer)
• chives (finely chopped)
• Mini muffin tins

Mix ...