Alfredo Sauce

 This is a basic recipe for Alfredo sauce.  I warn you, it is delish!  If you make this you are likely to have it requested again and again.  Experiment with additional ingredients, more whipping cream, more cheese, garlic whatever!  And trust me on the nutmeg.  :-)

*tip- I make this with chicken and broccoli.  I do not add garlic to the alfredo sauce but I do add it to the chicken while it is cooking in the skillet*

Ingredients:

-1C heavy whipping cream
-1 stick of butter
-1/2 C shredded parmesan cheese
-1 dash of nutmeg
-salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

Melt butter over med-low in a heavy bottomed skillet.  Add heavy whipping cream and stir.  Slowly stir in the parmesan cheese.  Season with a dash of nutmeg.  Stir frequently.  Sauce with thicken.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Lone Star Black Bean Soup

I've been making this for years.  This recipe barely lasts a day in my house...

Ingredients:
-2 large cans of black beans

-3 celery stalks (chopped)
-3 carrots (chopped)

-1 med white onion (diced)

-1 small package of diced ham

-1 large box of low sodium chicken broth-like Swanson's

-2 tbs of diced garlic

-1tbs cumin

-1tsp cayenne pepper

Directions:
sautee onions, carrots, garlic and celery in pot on medium low until almost cooked
add the cumin and cayenne pepper; cook for about 1 minute.
add the chicken broth to the mixutre, turn heat up to medium and simmer
add one large can of black beans
puree the second can of black beans in a blender and then add to the soup. simmer for about 30 minutes. Skim the top of the soup before serving.

Easy Baked Chicken

This is one of Marshall's favorites.  You can use this for pork chops, too!

-4 Chicken Breasts
-Ranch Dressing (for marinade)
-Italian Bread Crumbs

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.  Place the Ranch Dressing and the Italian Bread Crumbs in 2 separate plates.  Coat the chicken with the ranch and then coat with the Italian Bread Crumbs.  Bake for 30 minutes or until juices run clear.

Crock Pot Pulled Chicken

This recipe is super easy delish and healthy.  It uses chicken breast instead of pork. 

-5-6 chicken breasts (I use frozen)
-12 oz BBQ sauce
-1/4 c brown sugar
-1/2 c italian dressing
-2tbs worcestershire sauce

Directions:
Place chicken breasts in crock pot.  Mix other ingredients in a bowl and pour over chicken.  Cook on low 4-6 hours.

Simple Crock Pot Roast

This crockpot recipe is tried and true.  It was initially made with brisket meat, but now I buy whatever roasting meat happens to be on sale.  You can add root veggies (rutabega, carrot, potatoes) and play around with the lipton soup packets. 

-5lbs of roasting meat of your choice (brisket, boston butt, etc)
-1 package of lipton onion soup mix (I use beef & mushroom)
-1 can of sliced mushrooms; undrained
(optional: potatoes, carrots, rutabega)

Directions:
Lay meat fat side up in crock pot
Mix soup mix with the can of undrained slice mushrooms, pour mixture over meat
Cook over low heat 8 hours or until fork tender