Sloppy Joes

You can make your own Sloppy Joe mix to store in your pantry for instant meals. I chose this great meal to serve a crowd of hungry painters busily working on my new house. Speaking of "new" did you notice my great new look here....Thanks to the "Blog Fairy " I am not only getting a beautiful new kitchen /house, but a great new Blog.!!! If you want a new look on your blog check her out!!

Sloppy Joes  (printable version)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried minced onion
• 3 Tbsp. dried green pepper pieces
• 4 tsp. salt
• 3 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 4 tsp. instant minced garlic
• 2 tsp. dry mustard
• 2 tsp. celery seed
• 2 tsp. chili powder

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Store in airtight container in a cool, dry place. Makes the equivalent of 8 packages purchased Sloppy Joe seasoning mix. 3 Tbsp. Sloppy Joe Mix equals one package purchased mix.
To make the Sloppy Joes:
Brown 1 lb. lean ground beef in a large skillet; drain fat. Add 3 Tbsp. Sloppy Joe Mix, 1/2 cup water, and 1 cup ketchup or crushed tomatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover pan, and simmer 5-10 minutes until thickened.

Shepherd's Pie (using pantry items)

Here's a kid friendly food storage recipe using canned foods found in your pantry.
My kids actually enjoy this and it is super easy. It is even easier when topped with frozen Tatar tots instead of mashed potatoes.......( It is not very photogenic but you get the idea).

Shepherds Pie

2 lbs of lean ground beef browned with 1 small yellow onion( you could substitute dehydrated onion from your food storage here)
1 can of whole kernel corn ( or use the ones you canned yourself)
1 can of creamed corn
1 can of cream of mushroom soup

Drain the browned hamburger and add in the corns and soup. Place the mixture in a 9 x 13 baking dish. Mash 6 to 8 potatoes ( add milk and butter to your liking) top the beef and corn mixture with the mashed potatoes top with shredded cheese and place in a 350 * oven until cheese is melted and it is warmed through. This also freezes well.

Chewy Granola Bars Recipe: From Make and Takes
• 2 1/2 c. Oats - quick rolled oats
• 1/2 c. Rice Krispies
• 1/4 c. coconut
• 1/2 c. M&M minis
• 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 c. butter, softened
• 1/4 c. honey
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Add all of the ingredients and mix together until combined. Press into a square 8×8 pan. Bake at 350° for 18-20 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes and score into bars. Let it set completely and then cut into bars. For thinner bars, press mix into a 9×13 pan.
They seem to set a little better in the 9×13 pan. I also line my pan with parchment paper for easy removal
For additional topping ideas try these suggestions.
Instead of the m&m’s I have used in the past, I found mini chocolate chips and mini Reese’s peanut butter pieces.

You can use the same recipe for Chewy Granola Bars, but put half the mix in one glass dish(Pie Pan) and half in another glass dish(8x8) . This way the bars are a little thinner and I think they came together and crusted up better. Plus you end up with more of them.
Other moms have said they substituted raisins, chocolate chips, and peanut butter for this Chewy Granola Bar recipe. You could even use super mini marshmallows too. It’s a great recipe to experiment with.

Apple Crisp using Dehydrated Apples

Apple Crisp
4 cups dehydrated apples
8 cups hot water
½ C. Sugar
½ C. Brown Sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
In a large sauce pan combine water, apple slices, sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes. Drain off liquid reserving about 1 cup to Add back to the apple mixture.
Ingredients for Topping:
3/4 cup of old-fashioned oats
2/3 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Dash of salt
1/2 cup of butter
1/2 cup of chopped walnuts (Optional)
Instructions:
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F Butter an 8 X 11 inch baking dish Place prepared apple mixture in baking dish. Mix old-fashioned oats, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl Add butter and rub into mixture until coarse crumbs form Mix in walnuts Spread topping onto apple mixture Place in oven and bake until topping is golden brown .(about 35-40 minutes)