Potato Soup Done Easy

The easiest potato soup recipe ever! No peeling, no chopping, no problem!

1 package frozen southern-style hash browns or 2 packages Simply Potatoes (found in refrigerator section)

2 cartons low sodium chicken broth

1 package country gravy mix (the white gravy, not brown and NOT sausage)

1 can cream of potato or cream of onion soup

Mix chicken broth and potatoes in large pot, cook on medium heat for 10 minutes or until hot. Remove one cup of soup mixture and mix with gravy mix. Add to pot. Add cream soup, stirring well. Cook on medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until potatoes are tender. Garnish with topping of choice, such as cheese, chopped bacon or chopped onion. Makes 6 servings.

Baked Brie

Another one from my mom!

1 wheel brie cheese, rind removed

1 tablespoon jelly of choice (I use homemade strawberry)

2 teaspoons brown sugar

1 Pillsbury pie crust (refrigerator case)

Place cheese in pie crust, top cheese with jelly. Fold pie crust over top of cheese and jelly. Place in brie baking dish or a small round ovenproof dish. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake on 375 for 20-25 minutes until cheese melted and pie crust browned.

If you want a less sweet brie, roasted red peppers can replace the jelly..also good!

4 ingredient Chili Beans

Can it be done? Yes it can! 4 ingredient Chili Beans and they are YUMMY!

1 pound hamburger cooked and drained

2 cans diced tomatoes

1 or 2 cans chili beans or kidney beans, depending on taste, drained

1 packet chili seasoning, such as McCormicks

Mix all ingredients together and place in crockpot or large pot. Cook on low for 2 hours.

Serve in bowls with garnish of choice. Can also be made without beans for hamburgers or hotdogs.

Recipe courtesy of my mother!

Cheesy Potatoes Yum!

4 medium size russet potatoes, scrubbed and cut into quarters (skin can be left on if desired)

1/4 cup margarine, melted

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated fine)

Place potatoes in glass baking dish. Pour margarine evenly over potatoes. Sprinkle cheese over potatoes. Bake 400 degrees for 40 minutes or until browned.

Hint: If you want to be even more lazy; substitute melted margarine with "squirt butter"! Can also sprinkle seasoning salt before baking.

Crock-pot Chocolate Cake

1 box chocolate cake mix

1 box chocolate pudding mix

4 eggs

1 cup water

8 oz sour cream

3/4 cup cooking oil

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Mix all ingredients and place in greased Crock-pot. Bake on low 6 hours or high 3-4 hours. Serve warm with ice cream.

Candy Covered Peanut Butter/Ritz Crackers

2 sleeves Ritz crackers

1 bar CandiQuik, either chocolate or vanilla

Creamy peanut butter

Make peanut butter sandwiches using two Ritz and a medium amount of peanut butter. Melt CandiQuik according to package directions. Dip the cracker/peanut butter sandwiches into the candy coating and cool on wax paper. Makes approximately 30. So easy you wonder why you only do it at Christmas!

Sausage Cheese muffins

1 pound sausage

1/2 jar Cheese Wiz or Salsa con Queso

1 package English muffins, split

Brown sausage over medium heat. Drain. Return to pan and stir in Cheese Wiz or for more zip; use salsa con queso. Heat over low until cheese is melted. Evenly divide and spread over english muffins. At this point, the muffins can be refrigerated or frozen. Heat in toaster oven or oven until crispy. Makes a great breakfast, snack or quick meal.