California Rice

4 c. cooked rice

2 c. sour cream

1 c. cottage cheese

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

2 c. shredded sharp cheese

7 oz diced green chilies

1/2 c. diced onion

Saute onion.  Mix other ingredients and put in 9x13 pan.  Bake 45 minutes at 375 degrees.

From Alaney

Cafe Rio Cilantro Lime Rice

2 Tablespoons butter 
pepper to taste
1 ¼ cup uncooked white rice
juice and zest 1 large or 2 small limes
2 ¼ cups chicken broth
2 Tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
¾ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cumin

In a skillet melt butter with rice. Add the chicken broth and the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and cook for 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. 

(From http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2008/10/missing-cafe-rio.html)

Grape Salad

2 lbs. red and/or green grapes

1 (8oz.) pkg. of cream cheese

1 (8oz.) container of sour cream

1/2 cup of sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla

chopped walnuts/pecans {optional}

brown sugar {optional}

Combine cream cheese, sour cream, vanilla, & sugar in a large bowl and beat together with mixer. Wash your grapes and remove from the stems.  Fold into the cream cheese mix until well coated.  Chill before eating.

(From http://pearls-handcuffs-happyhour.blogspot.com/2011/04/salad-thats-not-on-your-diet.html)

Grilled Potatoes and Onions

1 potato per person 

1/2 small onion per person
1 Tbsp. butter per person, cut into pieces
1/4 tsp. salt per person
Freshly-ground black pepper
Smoked paprika
Aluminum foil

Tear sheets (1 per person) of aluminum foil into about 16″ pieces. Fold each in half into a sqaure-ish and set aside.  Preheat grill. Slice potatoes into pieces about 1/8-1/4″ thick.  Slice onions about 1/8″ thick.  Place 1 potato in the middle of each foil square and dot with butter pieces.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper and then sprinkle generously with smoked paprika. Remember, paprika is super mild, so it’s hard to add too much. Top each pile with onions.  Fold edges in and secure tightly. It’s important to get a good seal because the moisture will cook the potatoes and onions and you want all those yummy juices, so if it seems like there’s not quite enough foil, wrap packet in another layer.  Turn heat on grill to low. Place each packet on the grill. Close lid for 15 minutes. Turn and allow to cook for another 15 minutes. Remove from heat and carefully open each packet.  These can also be cooked in the oven at 400 for about 15-20 minutes (just check on them to see how they’re doing) or in a panini press for about the same amount of time.

(From ourbestbites.com-can you tell this is my favorite site?!)

Garlic Cheese Biscuits

1 c. flour
1 Tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 c. margarine
1/2-1 tsp. garlic powder
3/4 c. grated cheddar cheese
1/2 c. milk

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and garlic powder in a bowl.  Cut margarine in as you would for pie dough.  Add cheese and stir to coat with flour.  Add milk all at once and stir gently just until incorporated.  The dough should be very soft but still hold together.  With a large spoon, drop dough onto a lightly greased baking sheet.  Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes, until lightly brown.

(From St. David Ward cookbook)

Cream Cheese Wontons

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
2 green onions, chopped
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (14 ounce) package small wonton wrappers
3 cups vegetable oil for frying
(We added lemon juice and chili powder as well)

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, green onions, paprika and ground black pepper. Place about 1 teaspoon of filling into the won ton skin and seal corner to corner forming a triangle.  In a large skillet, heat oil to a high temperature. Fry the won tons until they are browned on both sides. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.
 
(Our version of a recipe from allrecipes.com)

BBQ Sauce

3/4 cup ketchup 1/2 cup water 1/3 cup vinegar 3 Tbsp. brown sugar 1 Tbsp. worchester sauce 2 Tbsp. mustard onions sauteed in butter Heat together on stove, then use for whatever.  I like to do it over crockpot chicken and serve with baked potatoes or something. (From DawnSheree L.)

Marinated and Grilled Zucchini and Summer Squash

2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar (we used balsamic vinegar)

2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1 Tbsp. minced garlic

2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves (we used dry)

salt and pepper

1/3 c. olive oil

3 large zucchini

3 large yellow squash

Whisk together the vinegar, lemon juice, garlic and thyme in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper and gradually whisk in the olive oil. Slice both of the squash diagonally into 1/4" thick slices. Spoon 3 Tbsp. of the marinade into a small bowl, cover and set aside. Add all the squash to the remaining marinade in the large bowl and toss to coat. Transfer the mixture to a 9x13" glass baking dish, cover and marinade at room temperature for at least 3 hours (we only marinated it for 1/2 hour). Grill in grill basket until tender. Drizzle reserved marinade over cooked veggies just before serving.

(From recipezaar.com)

Grandma's Yummy Yams

Yams:
3 c. cooked, mashed yams
2 eggs, beaten
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. melted margarine
1/3 c. milk

Combine and pour into a 2 quart casserole dish. Sprinkle with topping (recipe below)and bake at 350° for 30-40 minutes. If desired, mini marshmallows may be substituted for the topping. If so, do not add until the last 5-10 minutes of the baking time. Makes 8-10 servings.

Topping:
1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar
2 1/2 T. melted margarine
1/4 c. flour
1/2 c. chopped nuts
Combine all ingredients.

Baked Beans

4 c. canned pork and beans in tomato sauce
¾ c. brown sugar
1 tsp. dry mustard
6 slices bacon, chopped
½ c. ketchup
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 large onion

Mix beans, brown sugar, mustard, and ketchup. Pour into baking pan. Slice onion thin and lay over the top of beans. Lay bacon on top of the onion. Bake at 325 degrees for 2 ½ hours.

Fried Rice

Fry 5 slices of bacon cut into small pieces and 1 bunch green onions, cut up. Push bacon and onions aside and mix up 2 eggs with fork and cook beside them. Slice up egg with pancake turner to make kind of scrambled. Add 2 tsp. soy sauce. Add about 3 cups cooked rice.

Cheesy Potatoes

1 package cubed frozen hash browns
1 small can cream of chicken soup
16 oz. sour cream
1 Tbsp. minced onion
1 tsp. salt/dash of pepper and garlic powder
1 c. grated cheese

Mix and sprinkle with cornflake crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until potatoes are soft.