Taylor's Strawberry Pie !

Look at this strawberry pie !! 

It was just begging me and Taylor to eat it.

It was a made in a moment of weakness.  

Taylor wanted strawberry pie, I had all the ingredients, so there you go !

Can you tell Taylor was hungry. 

He enjoyed his pie !

There really is no recipe for this pie.

I totally cheated, totally!

I bought a store crust and baked it,

I washed and cleaned two pints of strawberries,

 mixed the strawberries with one container of strawberry glaze, 

filled the shell with the strawberry mix and topped with whipped cream.

  Super yummy and so refreshing on such a hot day.

Easiest Ever Guacamole Hamburgers

I made these burgers for dinner last night.  They were the easiest ever.  So easy it was like cheating.  I mean really, who doesn't want to cheat when it comes to dinner.  I know I do. I seem to never have enough time to make mouthwatering food that takes hours to prepare, so when I can make something just as delicious and only takes half an hour I'm all over it !!  These guacamole burgers hit the spot.  I love guacamole and this was a really easy way to make it quick for a weeknight meal.  I did add cheddar cheese to my burger because that's what I had, but pepper jack would kick it up a notch !! I bet taco seasoning in the burger would be great and give it a taco taste.  

Ingredients:

• For the Hamburgers
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/2 lb lean ground beef
• 2 medium tomatoes, sliced
• lettuce leaves
• Cheese (cheddar, pepper jack....)
• 6 hamburger buns

• For The Guacamole:
• For the guacamole, combine ingredients in a medium bowl:
• 1 avocado
• 1/2 medium tomato, diced
• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 small onion, diced
• juice of 1/2 fresh lime
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Preparation:

1. Combine Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper and ground beef. Shape into 6 patties. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
2. Prepare grill and cook patties to desired doneness or cook in broiler.
3. Place hamburger patty on bun half. Top with slice of cheese, lettuce, sliced tomatoes and guacamole. Top with bun half to serve.

Pasta Salad

It has been 100 degrees here for almost 30 days straight.  

With all this heat, I have been wanting something cool and easy to make.  

I decided on pasta salad with barbecued chicken.  

I love pasta salad in the summer.

Actually, I just like pasta salad !

This was such a easy, creamy, cool salad.

I made it with Kraft ranch pasta kit.

I added diced tomatoes, bacon and shredded cheese.

Super yummy!!

Pasta Salad

1 package Kraft Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Kit

1 medium tomato, diced

1 cup shredded cheese (I used cheddar)

1/4 cup cooked crumbled bacon

I made the pasta salad according to the directions.  I also made the dressing according to the directions. I then added the tomato, cheese and bacon.  Mixed everything together and refrigerated it for about an hour while I made the barbecue chicken.  How easy is that !!

Macaroni and Cheese

We made homemade mac and cheese for the fourth of July cookout.  I found a great recipe at allrecipes. Since I was in Wisconsin visiting I didn't cook out.  I went to my mom's and we made sloppy joes, fried chicken, mac and cheese, baked beans, potato salad and for dessert we had homemade strawberry pie with whipping cream.

I followed the recipe and it turned out great.  I added smashed ritz crackers mixed with melted butter to the top before baking.  Yummy !! 

I'm glad I made a double batch !!  I served the second batch with baked pork chops the next day.  Outstanding !!  I hope everyone had a great fourth of July.  I know we did !!


Ingredients

1 2/3 cups dry, small elbow macaroni, cooked and drained

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 (12 fluid ounce) can NESTLE® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk

1 cup water

2 tablespoons butter or margarine

2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease 2-quart casserole dish.

2. Combine cornstarch, salt, mustard and pepper in medium saucepan. Stir in evaporated milk, water, and butter. Cook over medium-heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese until melted. Add macaroni; mix well. Pour into prepared casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.

3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until cheese is melted and light brown.