Monster Truck Cake

So this didn't turn out like I had it pictured in my head...My husband says it looks more like a rally car, but Durant loved it and that's all that matters right! 

• 3 Cake boxes
• Gram Crackers
• Peanut Butter
• Butter cream Frosting
• 1 cup butter
• 3-4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 TBS vanilla extract
• up to 4 TBS milk
• Beat butter in mixing bowl.  Gradually add sugar then add vanilla and 2 TBS milk.  You can add more sugar or milk depending on the consistency you like your frosting.

I baked 2 9x13 cakes and 1 8x8 cake and 4 small bunt pan cakes.  Then I cut the cakes down so they weren't so wide and added a piece I cut off for the angle of the windshield.  I put the cake on blocks covered with foil.  I then stuck wooden skewer sticks in to hold it all together and then put it in the freezer for a few hours.  I took it out and put 1 layer of frosting on and put back in the freezer for 20 min. I then frosted and decorated the cake using cake piping tools. For this cake I used only the butter cream frosting to decorate.  I put gram crackers covered in peanut butter with gold sprinkles to look like piles of dirt the truck was going over. 

Roat Beef with Gravy

This is a great meal that takes no time. I love to walk in after a busy day of work and have my house smell like someones been slaving over the stove all day!

• 4 lb Beef Sirloin Tip Roast
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• salt
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 envelope onion soup mix
• 1 envelope brown gravy mix
• 2 cups cold water

Rub roast with garlic and salt and place in crock pot.  Mix soup, gravy, flour and water.  Pour over and around roast.  Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.  Slice roast and stir gravy good. Serve with mashed potatoes.

Note: Save leftover roast to make another great meal...from leftover to gourmet!

French Dip

One of my favorites, but not a family favorite...so I hardly make it. I do have to sneak it in every once in a great while!

• 1 (4 oz) beef roast cooked in crock pot on low for 6-8 hrs or use leftovers!
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1 tsp beef bouillon
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ground pepper
• 2-4 cups water
• French Rolls

In a saucepan add soy sauce, bouillon, rosemary, thyme, garlic and pepper.  Gradually add water to taste. Heat on low for 10 min. Slice meat and put on french rolls and dip in sauce.

Mexican Shepherd Pie

I made this up one day when I had leftover mashed potatoes.  It was actually a big hit with my children!

• Mashed Potatoes (Use leftovers if you have them!)
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 (4 oz) can green chilies
• 1 (15 oz) can of corn, drained
• onion, diced
• 1 garlic cloves, minced
• salt & pepper
• shredded cheese

Mashed Potatoes

5 large potatoes cut into thirds

1/2 cup cream

2 TBS butter

salt and pepper to taste

Peel and wash potatoes. Boil potatoes until tender about 10 min. Drain saving some of the water. Mash potatoes with butter and cream adding drained water until the desired consistency.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large skillet fry ground beef with onions, garlic, salt and pepper.  Drain off fat then add chilies and corn.  Spread meat mixture in bottom of a 2 quart casserole dish.  Spread mashed potatoes on top and sprinkle cheese on top.  Bake for 20 min.http://simplylivinghappilyeverafter.blogspot.com/2013/04/mexican-shepherd-pie.html

Tostadas

This is one of Nic's very favorite meals and lucky for me it's an easy one!

• Corn Tortillas
• Cooking Spray
• Salt
• Chili Powder

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Lightly spray each tortilla and sprinkle with a little salt and chili powder.  Place on a cookie sheet in a single layer. Bake for 5 min then turn and bake another 3-5 min or until crispy.

• 2 lbs Ground Beef
• 1 (16 oz) can refried beans
• Garlic salt
• chopped onions
• Lettuce
• Tomato
• Onions
• Cheese
• Sour Cream
• Guacamole

Fry ground beef with onions and garlic salt. Drain hamburger; then add beans, with a little water to thin, to hamburger. Cook until heated through.
Note: If you have this on hand, great use it.  Otherwise make plenty because you can always make another meal out of meat & beans...from leftover to gourmet!

Spread meat & bean mixture on warm tostada shells.  Garnish with lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, sour cream, & guacamole.

Beef & Bean Burritos with Green Sauce

This is a very quick, easy meal...gotta love those!

• 2 lbs Ground Beef
• 1 (16 oz) can refried beans
• Garlic salt
• chopped onions
• Flour Tortillas
• Cheese

Fry ground beef with onions and garlic salt.  Drain hamburger; then add beans, with a little water to thin, to hamburger. Cook until heated through.

Green Sauce

• 1 (10 3/4 oz) can cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 (4 oz) can chopped green chilies
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 cup sour cream

In a saucepan, combine soup, broth, chilies, onion powder, & sour cream; cook for 10 minutes.  Add more broth if needed.

Place bean mixture in tortilla and roll.  Pour sauce over and sprinkle with cheese.

Note: Make plenty of ground beef & bean mixture because can be used for another meal...from leftover to gourmet!