Recipes

This first recipe is one my family fell in love with when my friend Jenna brought dinner over when I had Blake. She brought it over about a week before he was born and had us put it in the freezer with directions written on the foil with how to cook it. It's one of those all in one meals. It doesn't have a name (does it Jenna?). Here is what I do. When I am getting ready to make this, I buy a ham and cook it in the crockpot. I got my ham recipe from one of my good friends, Brooke. It is SO good. I'll give you the ham recipe first.

Ham
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. mustard

*score ham and rub the paste all over it. Give it a really good rub.

Add 1 can 7-up and cook in a crock pot for 7-8 hours.

Buy a ham that is roughly the size of one of the spiral cut one's you can get at Costco. I don't buy spiral cut when I make this recipe...I usually buy a butt ham. Stop laughing. This ham freezes really well. I divide it evenly into freezer zip locks and use it for a later date.

One of these recipes lasts me about 5-6 meals depending on what I am making. Here are the different recipes I make:

1. First day ham is made I usually serve it will funeral potatoes, green beans, etc.
2. Chicken and Ham pasta (the recipe will follow this)
3. Cheesy eggs with sweet peppers and ham wrapped in a tortilla
4. Hot ham and cheese sandwiches
5. I can't think of another one, but there are endless possiblities :)

Chicken and Ham Pasta (this comes from my friend Jenna)
2-3 Chicken breasts--cooked and cubed (I boil them)
1 cup ham
1 small bag of frozen peas (they do not need to be thawed)
1 box of bowtie pasta (or whatever else you have around that is similar in size)
1 McCormick seasoning packet--Creamy Garlic Alfredo
Fresh shredded parmesan cheese (roughly 1 cup)

Cook the chicken and cube it. Make pasta and sauce according to directions. Then in a big bowl combine the pasta, chicken, ham, and peas. Then pour the sauce over all the mix and coat well. Then do the same with the parmesan cheese. Bake at 375 for 30-40 minutes (just to heat through.)

** As a side note, I like to add 1 cup of cream to the sauce. Helps it stay moist for leftovers. This makes enough to fit in a 9x13. If I have freezer space I double this recipe and freeze half of it for a later date. This meal is perfect if you have to take dinner to someone...everyone loves it!

So, there you have it. More recipes to come.