• 2-3 lbs country style ribs (or whatever will feed your family!)
• Salt and Pepper

AND...

• 1-12oz. jar chili sauce
• 1 can cranberry sauce

OR...

• 1-16 oz. jar Salsa
• 1 c. grape jelly

In a slow cooker mix the 2 ingredients (chili sauce and cranberry sauce or salsa and jelly). Season the ribs with salt and pepper and add to the slow cooker. Spread sauce over the ribs to cover them as much as possible. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the meat is tender and falling off the bones.

Way too easy and delicious...I hope you agree!

• 1 lb. elbow macaroni
• 2 c. diced butternut squash (I found this in a bag pre-chopped in the produce section if you cannot find it fresh)
• 1-1/2 c. milk
• 1 c. Cheddar cheese
• 1 c. Mexican cheese
• 1/2 c. Ricotta cheese
• 1/2 t. salt
• 1/2 t. cayenne pepper
• 3 T. grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 T. bread crumbs
• 2 t. olive oil

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking pan.

Cook macaroni according to the packaged directions.

Meanwhile, in a large saucepan place the squash and milk and heat over med-low heat until the squash is soft. Mash the squash with a fork into smaller pieces and continue heating in the saucepan. Add the 3 cheeses, salt and cayenne pepper to the pan and continue heating on med-low until the cheeses are melted. Pour the cooked macaroni into the 9x13 baking pan and pour the squash and cheese mixture over it.

In a small bowl combine the grated Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs and olive oil. Sprinkle this mixture over the macaroni. Bake for 25-30 mins until hot and bubbly. Broil for 3-5 mins to make the top brown and crispy.

A good way to sneak a veggie into your meal...so what do you think?

 These burritos are easy and delicious...

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 can refried beans
• 1 can Ro-tel
• 2 c. Mexican shredded cheese
• 8 oz. sour cream
• 1 1/2 c. picante sauce
• 8 flour tortillas

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x13 glass pan.

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef on med-high. Turn the heat down to med-low and add the Ro-tel and refried beans. Stir until well mixed and hot. In a large bowl, mix together 1-1/2 c. cheese, 8 oz sour cream and 1 c. picante sauce. Add the meat mixture and mix well. Spoon the mixture into the flour tortillas, roll and place seam down in the glass pan. Pour remaining picante sauce and shredded cheese over the top. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 mins or until cheese is melted and burritos are hot.

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 c. chopped onion
• 2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce
• 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
• 1 t. each Parsley, Oregano, Basil, Garlic Salt and Pepper (or spices of your choice)
• 2 c. Monterey Jack Cheese
• 2 c. lowfat cottage cheese
• 1 egg
• 9-12 cooked Lasagne Noodles

Brown beef in a large skillet on the stove over med-high heat. Drain excess fat, then add onion and continue to cook until onions start to soften. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste and spices. Bring to a boil then turn heat down and simmer covered for 25-30 mins. In a medium sized bowl add cottage cheese and egg and mix well. In a 9x13 dish layer noodles, meat sauce, cottage cheese mixture and monterey Jack Cheese - layer 2-3 times. Bake covered at 350 degrees for 45-50 mins. Let stand for 5 mins.

If you don't have time to make your own sauce, try using a 32 oz. jar of pasta sauce...enjoy!

• 4-6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts thawed
• 24 oz. salsa
• 2 c. frozen corn
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained
• 1/4 c. chopped chives
• 1 T. chile powder
• 4 oz low-fat cream cheese
• Cooked Rice, spanish or white

Slow Cooker - Place the salsa, corn, black beans, chives and chile powder in the slow cooker and stir. Add the chicken and cook on low for 8 hours, high for 4 hours or until the chicken is done. Add the cream cheese and cook another 30 mins. Serve on top of rice.

Stove top - In a large, deep skillet heat 1 T. oil and cook chicken breasts on medium heat until no longer pink. Add the salsa, corn, black beans, chives and chile powder to the skillet. Cook on med-high heat until salsa starts to boil, then cover and simmer for 30 mins. Add cream cheese and cook another 15 mins. Serve on top of rice.

This is an easy recipe, but quite delicious...don't be afraid to add your own spices to make it your own. You can also chop up the chicken and stir in the rice if you prefer...remember options are endless when you are cooking...have fun!

 I hope you enjoy these recipes...and please check out my other website for more recipes!

www.karians-cookbook.blogspot.com

I just started the website, but I hope to post several recipes, health info, good kitchen tools, etc...and eventually start a weekly menu planner once I build my recipe collection.

Thanks for reading!