Grandma's Sweet Potato Casserole

3 c. mashed sweet potatoes (about 5 medium sweet potatoes)
1/2 c. white sugar
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 stick of butter, softened
1/2 c. milk
2 tsp. cinnamon

Mix ingredients with a mixer. Spread into a 13 x 9 dish.

1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. brown sugar
3/4 c. pecans, chopped
1 stick of butter, melted

Mix flour, brown sugar and pecans. Sprinkle on top of potato mixture. Drizzle melted butter over pecan topping. Bake for 30-45 minutes at 350.

Note: Don't waste time peeling the sweet potatoes. Boil them whole and then let them cool. Split the skin open with a knife and it will slide right off! This is a family favorite for years!

Flat Bread Tacos with Ranch Sour Cream

1 c sour cream
2 tsp ranch salad dressing mix
1 tsp lemon juice
1-1/2 lbs ground beef
1 can (15 oz) pinto beans,rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 oz) diced tomatoes,undrained
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 Tbs hot pepper sauce
1 tube (16.3oz) large refrigerated biscuits
Optional Toppings: sliced ripe olives,shredded lettuce,cheddar cheese

In small bowl,combine sour cream,dressing mix and lemon juice;chill until tacos are ready to serve.
In large skillet cook beef over med. heat until no longer pink;drain. Add the beans, tomatoes, taco seasoning and hot pepper sauce; heat through.
Meanwhile, roll out each biscuit into a 6" circle. In a small non-stick skillet over med. heat, cook each biscuit for 30-60 seconds on each side or until golden brown; keep warm.
To serve, spread each flatbread with 2 Tbs ranch sour cream; top each with 2/3 c meat mixture. Sprinkle with toppings, if desired.

Made these tonight and they will definitely go in the rotation. Amazing!

Ladies Luncheon

Today we had our ladies luncheon at Edgewater Grille in Newburgh. The theme was 'happiness' and each table head was supposed to decorate their table in the theme of 'what makes them happy'. One thing that makes me happy is candles! I love candles. But I needed a little more to go on than just candles. So while my Mom was here, we went to Hobby Lobby to get some nice fall decorations. Some of the other table themes were: princess theme, smiley face theme, Starbucks coffee theme, and another fall theme. I'll let you guess which one is mine!
The reason I'm putting this on my Lunch Lady blog is since I have a centerpiece tab on the side bar. And also, the centerpieces can give you some ideas to go on if ever in need of a centerpiece idea!
We had a really great time. We had about 40 ladies come and it made for a really special day!

Penne Gorgonzola with Chicken

1 package (16 ounces) penne pasta
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup white wine
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup chicken broth
2 cups (8 ounces) crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
6 to 8 fresh sage leaves, thinly sliced
Salt and pepper to taste
Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and minced fresh parsley


Cook pasta according to package directions.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, brown chicken in oil on all sides. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add wine, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan.
Add cream and broth; cook until sauce is slightly thickened and chicken is no longer pink. Stir in the Gorgonzola cheese, sage, salt and pepper; cook just until cheese is melted.
Drain pasta; toss with sauce. Sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and parsley. Yield: 8 servings.

I made this tonight for dinner. It was absolutely heavenly!!!