Old Fashioned Fried Chicken and Pasta Salad

Old Fashioned Fried Chicken
(the corn starch produces the tastiest skin with a nice crunch, I will never use flour for this again)

• 3 pounds chicken pieces
• 1 cup corn starch
• salt
• pepper
• garlic powder
• oil for frying

1. Place oil in large heavy skillet and heat.
2. Place corn starch, salt, pepper and garlic powder in a pie plate or zip close bag, mix well.
3. Roll chicken pieces in mixture and coat well, gently place in hot oil, fry on both sides until golden brown, then place lid on skillet and let cook for 5 additional minutes.
4. Enjoy!

Pasta Salad

( I like to think as a recipe or a box mix is just a starting point- it is up to use to make these things memorable)

• 1 box pasta salad mix
• 1/4 cup Italian dressing
• 1 can black olives, drained
• 1/4 cup grated cheese
• 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Prepare noodles as directed, when done, rinse with cold water until cool, drain
2. place in a large bowl, add all ingredients (plus the seasoning packet that came with pasta mix)except salt and pepper, mix well
3. season with salt and pepper to taste.

Note: The box directions called for salad dressing and I didn't want a heavy salad, so I added these items instead

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3 Bean Chili

• 1 pound ground meat, browned and crumbled( I used venison sausage)
  
• 1 large can tomato sauce
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 3 cans beans, drained( I used pinto, kidney and black beans)
• 2 tablespoons cumin
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
  
• salt and pepper to taste
• grated cheese if desired

1. Place all ingredients in a large pot, mix well.
2. heat thru.
   
3. garnish with grated cheese if desired
4. Enjoy!
   

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Shepherds Pie

• 1 pound ground beef, crumbled and browned
• 1 can sweet corn, drained
• 1 can mixed vegetables, drained
• 1/2 medium onion chopped
• 2 cans turkey gravy
• 3 cups mashed potatoes
  

Pre heat oven to 350. In a large pot mix all ingredients except mashed potatoes, place into a rectangular baking dish. Spoon Mashed potatoes on top of mixture and cover completely.
Place in oven and bake 30-40 minutes. Enjoy!

Old Fashioned Luscious Light Cheesecake

• 2- 8ounce cans of crushed pineapple or diced peaches, in natural juice
• 1- envelope unflavored gelatin
• 2 teaspoons splenda
• 1- 8 ounce cream cheese, softened
• 1- graham cracker crust, prepared with splenda in place of sugar

1. Drain fruit, reserve the juice. Save some fruit for garnish if desired
2. Mix fruit juice with enough water to make one cup.
3. Place liquid in a sauce pan and heat to a boil
4. Pour mixture over splenda and gelatin in large bowl, beat with mixer
5. Beat cream cheese into mixture, mix until smooth
6. Stir in fruit
7. pour into bowl or crust
8. Chill until set
9. Garnish with fruit if desired
   

Mrs Woods' Chicken and Rice Casserole

Mrs Woods' Chicken and Rice Casserole

• 2 hard boiled eggs, diced
• 1 small can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, diced
• 1 cup rice, cooked
• 1/2 cup celery, chopped
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup soft bread crumbs

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix all ingredients except bread crumbs in a large bowl.
3. Pour into a 2 quart casserole dish.
4. Top with bread crumbs.
5. Bake for 40-45 minutes.
6. Enjoy!
   

Tonja's Perfect Potato Salad

Tonja's Perfect Potato Salad

• 4 large potatoes, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 4 hard boiled eggs, chopped
• 2 medium dill pickles, chopped
• 1 cup mayonnaise
  
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Place diced potatoes in a medium pot, cover with water and boil until tender.
2. Rinse potatoes under cold water.(this makes the salad the best)
   
3. Add all ingredients except salt and pepper in a large bowl,fold together.
4. salt and pepper to taste.
5. Garnish with sliced boiled egg and paprika.
   
6. Enjoy