Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potato casserole is a new-found-old-love of mine. I've made it a couple times sans any recipes. I'm sure you've seen it with a variety of toppings, bur I make it with my two favorites--pecans and marshmallows. This way seems to keep everyone happy!!




You will need:

Aprox. 4 large sweet potatoes
1/2 cup of butter (1 stick)
1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
A pinch (or 2) of salt
Marshmallows (about 3 cups will cover a 9x13 pan)
OR
Chopped pecans - it's best if you salt and toast these ahead of time b/c it keeps them crunchy!
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon light brown sugar

Bring water to a boil in a dutch oven over high heat. While you're waiting on that, remove the skin on your potatoes with a vegetable peeler, and cube potatoes so that they're all somewhat the same size--in order for them to cook the same. Boil potatoes in water until tender, then drain them and return to pot. Mash with a potato masher. (Tip: If you cook them long enough, the less mashing you'll have to do!!) Add stick of butter, brown sugar, and salt. Stir until mixed well and butter is melted. Pour mixture into 9x13" pan.

Now for the toppings: for marshallows, just spread the 3 cups evenly over the top. For pecans, mix toaster chopped pecans, melted butter and tablespoon of brown sugar in small bowl, and then spread evenly over potatoes.

Cook at 350F for about 20-30 minutes, or until marshmallows (if that's what you went with) are golden and potatoes are bubbly.

Chicken Pie

Chicken Pie is a yummy, quick fix for a weeknight meal! Pair it with a salad or some mashed potatoes and green beans, and you've provided a full-out meal!

You'll need:

1. About 1 lb of chicken, cooked and cubed
2. 8 oz sour cream
3. 1 can cream of mushroom soup
4. 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
5. 1/2 teaspoon salt
6. Ritz crackers, about 1/2 tube
7. 2 tablespoons butter, melted

You'll:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Mix soup and sour cream together in bowl.
3. Add chicken, salt and pepper to cream mixture.
4. Pour mixture into oven-safe 9" pie dish
5. Crumble ritz crackers in small bowl. Add melted butter, and mix to coat.
6. Spread cracker mixture over the top of the prepared chicken mixture.
7. Bake at 350 until the cracker topping is golden brown, probably about 20 minutes.

Nom! Nom!