Jean McGee's Macaroni Salad

 1 c. macaroni cooked and drained

1 c. cubed ham *

1 c. grated  or cubed cheese (we love Colby Jack) *

1/2 c. diced

1/3 c. chopped green pepper ( I love red sweet peppers)

1/4 c. chopped green onions

2 Tablespoons chopped pimento (optional)

1/4 c. drained pickle relish (optional)

Add dressing:

1/2 cup salad dressing or mayo

1/2 cup sour cream

Combine and chill until time to serve. The macaroni will soak up the dressing so you might want to make more by using equal parts mayo and sour cream about 1/4 c. of each

* for a twist on this recipe use 1 1/2 c. imitation crab meat and omit the cheese. This is Ken's favorite.

Shirley used to always make this for her Christmas Eve Buffet! It was Ken's favorite. 

Jean McGee was in our Ward and was the YW President and she and Bishop McGee took us to Laurel Conference in Tucson after our Junior year in High School. 

Tasty Tuesday September 12, 2023 #bisforbacon #kristiesapluscooking

 Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Cook 16 oz. of your favorite pasta, we like mini penne for this

2 c. rotisserie chicken shredded

6-8 strips bacon cooked

Alfredo sauce-this is the best recipe I have ever found (this is NOT a Weight Watcher recipeJ)

1 cup butter

3 cups of Heavy whipping cream

3 teaspoons garlic minced

1 Tablespoon of Ranch Dressing dry mix

Salt and pepper to taste

3-4  cups of freshly grated parmesan cheese

2-3 cups grated Colby jack cheese

6-8  strips of partialy cooked bacon, then chopped

1.      1.  Preheat oven to 350˚

2.       2. Add butter and cream to a large skillet.

3.      3.  Simmer over low heat for 2 minutes.

4.      4.  Whisk in garlic, ranch dressing mix, and salt and pepper for one minute.

5.       5. Whisk in parmesan cheese until melted.

6.      6.  Add the drained pasta to the sauce and chicken chunks.

7.       7. Put all the pasta mixture in a 13 X 9, sprayed with non stick cooking spray

8.      8.  Cook for about 15 minutes then top with 2-3 cups of grated Colby jack cheese and the cooked bacon.

9.      9.  Cook for about 10 minutes until cheese is melted.

       Last summer I got on a chicken bacon ranch band wagon. This is the recipe I came up with that is our family's favorite now. I love to make it for friends then we can have half. It is not as good as leftovers because the sauce separates and pasta soaks up all the sauce. 

T    The original recipe called for using bottled alfredo sauce but I used a alfredo sauce recipe I prefer. Then Lindsey found this alfredo sauce recipe and it is now our favorite one to use. As Clifford would say, "Oh the Tasty!" 

 

Slow Cooker Country Fried Apples-Cracker Barrel Copycat

Place apples in the crockpot:

3 pounds Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced. (Cracker Barrel leaves the peels on)

Combine and stir into the apples:

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

dash of fresh grated nutmeg (optional)

3 Tablespoons cornstarch

Dot with:

1-2 Tablespoons of butter, cut in small pieces

Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, or until apples are tender but not mushy. Stir halfway through. You can cook on high for 2 hours. 

Makes about 3 cups. 

The first time I made these were in our camper when we served in the Hill Cumorah Pageant. It is one of our favorite things to have with ham or fried chicken.