Green Bean Casserole
This recipe came about when I wanted to make traditional green bean casserole from scratch, but could not find a recipe. I did some research on how to make cream of mushroom soup, then started experimenting. I have used this recipe for several year now and really like it, especially for holiday meals.
—Submitted by Esther Jones, Ava, MO
- 2 qt canned green beans
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 T butter
- 1 c chicken or turkey broth
- 1 c milk
- ½ c Greek yogurt
- 1½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp xanthan gum powder (thickener)
- Mushrooms (optional)
- 1 c cheddar cheese
In a skillet, sauté chopped onions with butter. When onions are soft, add broth, milk, yogurt, salt, pepper, and xanthan gum. Continue cooking until sauce is thickened; mix in ½ cup of cheese. Add cooked mushrooms to sauce.
Put drained green beans in 9” x 13” pan, add the sauce, and stir. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Bake at 350° F for 20 to 30 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
Harvest Chili
—Submitted by Janelle Brubaker, photo by Naomi Hannay
- 2 lb ground venison
- 2 lg. tomatoes, diced
- 2 c canned tomatoes
- 1 (40-oz) can kidney beans
- 2 (1-oz) pkgs. McCormick’s chili seasoning mix
In a Dutch oven, brown venison over medium heat. Stir in rest of ingredients and simmer on very low heat for 1½ to 2 hours or in a Crock-Pot® for up to 4 hours. Serve with sour cream over white or sweet potatoes.
Old-fashioned Apple Dumplings
—Submitted by Janelle Brubaker, photo by Naomi Hannay
- 8 large tart baking apples
- Cinnamon/sugar mixture
- Pie pastry for 2 double-crust pies
Syrup
- 2½ c brown sugar
- ½ c water
- ¾ tsp cinnamon
- 5 T butter
Peel and core apples, leaving apples whole. Fill apple cavities with cinnamon/sugar mixture. Roll out pastry and cut into eight large squares. Pat pastry around each apple, securing the edges underneath the apple. May add pie pastry decorations made with cookie cutters.
In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, water, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Cook for 5 minutes. Add butter. Pour syrup over dumplings in baking dish or cast iron pan and bake at 350° F for approximately 1 hour, basting occasionally.
Acorns
—Submitted by Janelle Brubaker, photo by Naomi Hannay
- Hershey’s Kisses
- Nutter Butter Bites cookies
- Milk chocolate chips
- Peanut butter, creamy style
With peanut butter, fasten a Hershey’s Kiss to one side of each cookie and a chocolate chip to the other side. These make great edible decorations!