Homemade Gourmet easy recipes

Grandmas ham casserole
INGREDIENTS:
3 tablespoons Grandmas Sunday Roast Seasoning
6 potatoes, cubed
6 ounces thin ham steak slices, diced
1 bag frozen broccoli
2 cups shredded cheese, divided
Try: mixed cheese, like cheddar/jack or four cheesecheddar.

DIRECTIONS
1.Preheat oven to 400°.
2.Combine all ingredients except for 1 cup of cheese; spoon into a greased 13x9 baking dish. Sprinkle on remaining cheese.
3.Bake, covered, for 45 minutes or until potatoes can be pierced with a fork.

Betty's King Ranch Casserole
large onion, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
2 T Cilantro flavored Olive Oil (or vegetable oil)
2 cups chopped, cooked chicken (if you don't already have this in your freezer, get a roasted chicken from the deli and debone and chop it)
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 can (10 oz) Rotel (mild or your choice)
3 T Chicken Enchilada Soup Mix
Corn Tortillas
Grated Cheddar or Mexican Blend Cheese

Saute onion and bell pepper in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat...about 5 minutes or until tender.
Mix together canned soups, Rotel, Chicken Enchilada Soup Mix and the chopped, cooked chicken. Combine with cooked vegetables.
Tear or cut corn tortillas into 1" pieces. Layer in the bottom of a lightly greased 13 x 9 baking dish.
Top with chicken mixture and grated cheese.
Repeat layers once or twice, ending with grated cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes until bubbly and the cheese is melted.

My family didn't like the HG version as well, so I adapted my original King Ranch. If your chicken is already cooked, the prep only takes a few minutes. I use my kitchen shears to cut up the chicken (if I use the deli roasted one) and/or the tortillas. I also have a crinkle cutter (Pampered Chef) and the kids LOVE to help with the tortillas. Since the actual size and shape really doesn't matter, I let them have at it...one less thing for me to do. In fact, other than the cooking of the onion and bell pepper, I can turn the whole thing over to the kids...casseroles are VERY forgiving. Betty Dunn

Herbed Potatoes With Ham
1-2 TBS. HG Garlic Lemon Seasoning Mix
2 pounds red potatoes, cubed
6 oz. Thin smoked ham slices, diced
2 cups shredded Swiss cheese, divided

Preheat oven to 425.
Combine all ingredients except for 1 cup of Swiss cheese; spoon into a greased 9X9 baking dish.
Sprinkle on remaining cheese.
Bake, covered, for 45 minutes or until potatoes can be pierced with a fork.

The Fern and the Bamboo

One day you may decide to quit...

Let's Imagine you have said this before or you are presently thinking about saying this to yourself...I have decided to quit my business, my relationship, my spirituality, my daily focus on achieving My Why...

Imagine this is You...
I wanted to quit my business/life so then I went to the woods to have one last talk with God...
*God*, I said Can You give me one good reason not to Quit?His answer surprised me...

Look around, He said*Do you see the Fern and the Bamboo*?'
Yes', I replied.

When I planted the Fern and the Bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.

I gave them light. I gave them water...
The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Nothing came from the *Bamboo Seed

*But I did not *Quit* on the bamboo...

In the 2nd year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed.

But I did not *Quit* on the Bamboo".

He said...
*In the 3rd year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed...

But I would not quit...
In the 4th year, again, there was nothing from the Bamboo Seed..

But I would *Not Quit*He said...

Then in the 5th year a Tiny Sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the Fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. ..

But just 6 months later the Bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall...It had spent the five years growing *Roots* Those *Roots* made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive...

I would not give any of My creations a challenge it could not handle...

He said to me...

*Did you know, My child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing *Roots*? I would not *Quit on the Bamboo*...And...I will never quit on you...

Don't compare yourself to others...He said...

*The Bamboo had a different purpose than the Fern, yet they both make the forest beautiful

*'Your time will come', God said to me*You Will Rise High*!"

'How high should I rise?' I asked.

'How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return...

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

*Yes* He said, "Give Me glory by rising as high as you can"

I left the forest and brought back this story...

I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you... Never regret a day in your life...

It is a Root Building Day...

Busy Working Mom?

This post was written by Cindy Pirtle, head of research and development at Homemade Gourmet....you can see this and more on HG's offical blog at www.homemadegourmet.com/marylou


Are you a busy working Mom? Ok, you fit into this category even if you work out of your home. I do that and sometimes it is harder than actually going to an office everyday! (Especially like yesterday, which was a school holiday, so I am trying to work with two girls, yelling, “She’s touching me!”)

I know I have said it before, but really two concepts have kept my family eating well and me from losing my mind. (Don’t say it . . . you have to have a mind Cindy before you can lose it. Ha ha ha) Ok, so the two concepts:


1. 4 meals in 4 minutes - literally saving all kinds of money by purchasing meat and canned goods in bulk and filling my freezer. Not only did I save money on my purchases, I save everday because I already have choices and I do not have to freak out on what to make for dinner and then resort to pizza or drive thrus.


2. Cooking a bunch of meat all at once. Now, I know that I am in Houston so that I have an advantage in that here it is February and I am using my grill outside, but you can use an indoor grill as well. One day a week, I defrost 3-4 different kinds of meat, grill it all at the same time and save loads of time for the rest of my week.

So, for example, this past week, 1. Pork Chops seasoned with oil and 2-3 tablespoons of Maria’s Salsa mix. (The mix, not the prepared salsa.) WOW! 2. Chicken Breasts seasoned with oil and 2-3 tablespoons of Kansas City Seasoning. Double WOW! 3. Crab claws steamed on the grill in a foil pack with butter and 2-3 tablespoons Garlic Lemon Seasoning. (Admission time: I didn’t even fix a plate, I ate these standing at the counter over the trash can. The whole package was 9.29 at Sam’s and my husband and I made ourselves sick eating the entire pack! But, WOW, WOW, WOW! 4. Italian Sausages (I grilled these and later in the week I mixed a can of diced tomatoes with 2 tablespoons Garlic Basil Seasoning in a skillet, added sausages to reheat and served in hot dog buns! 5 minutes and DONE!


I had everything grilled in less than 20 minutes and that provided the meat for 4 meals! Which isn’t really true, because we had leftover pork chops and bbq chicken. I cut up the chicken and mixed it with frozen veggies, instant rice, cream of chicken soup and some milk and baked it for a yummy casserole. The left over pork chops got cut up in a big salad that had my entire produce drawer in it!


If you are a busy working Mom, please, please, please give 4 meals in 4 minutes an opportunity to feed your family great tasting food fast and save you time, money, energy and your sanity!
Do you have time saving ideas to help? Write and let me know.
Cindy

Online Party!

Want to learn about new products and specials of all your favorite companies from the comfort of your own home? Then join us at http://www.mybearbuddy.net/partyroom.htm

I'll be on at 7:00, let me know you're from CafeMom!
February 19, 2008 (Tuesday)

5:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m. Scentsy Candle Frangrances - Suzanne - http://www.scentsy.com/2938
6:30 p.m. Lia Sophia - Peggy Sue - www.liasophia.com/peggysue
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8:30 p.m. Arbonne - Chrissy - www.chrissyk.myarbonne.com
9:00 p.m. Avon - Bethany Bell - www.youravon.com/bethanybell

Homemade Gourmet Business Opportunity Call

This is a great chance to hear what Homemade Gourmet can offer you!

When: February 17, 2008-Sunday
Time: 8:00 pm CST

Join Ken Johnson, CEO and Tami VanHoy, Founder, talk about where Homemade Gourmet is heading and how you can soar with the company!!

CALL NUMBER: 712-432-7600 PIN 567489#
Press *6 to mute and again to un-mute.
There will be Q&A time too!

Mary Lou Garcia
Homemade Gourmet, Independent Distributor #12493
www.homemadegourmet.com/marylou

Strawberry Pancake Recipe

StrawberryPancakes

1 HG Strawberry Bread Mix
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 - 10oz package frozen sliced, sweetened strawberries, thawed, un-drained
Whipped topping (optional)
Fresh strawberries, sliced (optional)

Combine all except optional ingredients and stir until well
Blended. Preheat large skillet or griddle to a medium heat.
Spray with cooking spray if needed. Ladle batter onto pan
(Into pancake rings if desired)in approximately 1/4 cup portions.
Cook until bubbles appear on top. Flip and cook until lightly
Browned. Wipe pan with paper towel, add more cooking spray, and
Repeat until all batter is used. Top with whipped topping and fresh
Strawberries, if desired. Serves 6

Kansas City Brisket

On Sunday I wanted to prepare something very easy. I didn't want to be interupted during the commericals!! Who cares about the game, I was watching for the new commericals. Well, last week I had prepared 7 meals for my freezer. One was a Kansas City Brisket. I pulled the brisket out the night before, but it was still frozen. I used a crock pot liner for this meal. So I put the bag in the crock pot and set it on high for 6 hours. We made chopped beef sandwiches! The meat was so tender it just fell apart! My husband-not being a fan of brisket- just loved it. I was so happy to show him I can make a great brisket!! Kathryn just loved her sandwich too. She asked if I could put them in her lunch. They were so tasty that no one complained having it again for Monday's dinner!

Kansas City Brisket

4lb brisket

3 tbsp Homemade Gourmet Kansas City Rub

1/4 cup ketchup

1 can cola

Combine 1st 3 ingreidents in a gallon size freezer bag. Smoosh.

Crock pot: Defrost, place in crock pot, add cola and cook on low for 4-6 hours.

Serving suggestions: Serve with corn on the cob, potato salad and HG colesslaw. For dessert enjoy HG Double Chocolate Brownies. Or serve as chopped beef sandwiches.

Left Over idea: Serve as chopped beef baked potato.

Value in the 4 Meals in 4 Minutes Collection

THE 4 Meals in 4 Minutes
— C O L L E C T I O N —

A quick and easy, value packed collection that allows you to make as few as 4 great tasting
meals in 4 quick minutes or as many as 40 plus meals to stock your freezer!

VALUE
Great Taste: Perfectly seasoned and delicious meals that your grandmother would be proud of

without the long preparation time.Homemade Gourmet® has prepared the perfect season blend for your fresh ingredients to provide meals the entire family will love.

Ease: So easy your children can help! If you can put your fresh meat, canned good and Homemade Gourmet® seasoning into a zip top freezer bag and label with the name of the meal, you can be on your way to a great tasting, economical, quick and easy family meal!

Time: Preparing and freezing meals ahead takes minutes, but will save hours in the days and weeks to come when you are busy.

Money: Purchasing fresh meat, canned goods and Homemade Gourmet® products in bulk is much more cost effective easing the burden on your pocketbook. The 4 meals in 4 minutes™ Meal Planner provides ideas for leftovers, turning them into a quick and easy gourmet meal
your family will love. Having prepared fresh meals takes away the last minute more expensive, less healthy, drive through purchases.

Health: The 4 meals in 4 minutes™ program allows each person to customize their meals for their family’s needs. You pick the cut and type of meat and type of canned goods that appeal to your family.

Peace of Mind: “What will I fix for dinner tonight?” This is no longer a stressful question. Every morning, you choose a meal from your freezer for the evening. Homemade Gourmet® even provides you with a planner that gives you ideas for side dishes and leftovers.

Family Time: A gift that is priceless- precious time every night with your family to discuss the day and share stories.