Cheesy Beef n' Rice

My favorite dish to make.

Cheesy Beef n' Rice

1 c Long Grain Rice
2 T Butter

3 c Broth (or water)
2 Carrots, shredded
2 t Beef broth powder (if using water)
1 lb Ground Beef, browned

Parsley
Basil
Salt
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder

1/2 c Cheddar cheese, shredded

Saute rice in butter. Add everything else, save the cheese. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes. Stir twice during baking. Uncover, sprinkle with cheese, and bake until cheese melts.

(can be cooked on the stovetop, covered, until the rice is soft and the liquid is absorbed)

Kate's Hard Tack

This is a favorite snack in my family. I use fresh-ground soft white wheat. I suppose store-bought whole wheat flour would work, but I've never had it in the house! :-/ I make a double batch of this, and the guys pack it up in their lunch boxes for school or work. We all love hard tack!

7/8 c Warm Water
1/3 c Oil
1/4 c Honey
1 t Salt
3 1/2 - 4 c Flour

Mix into a stiff dough and roll flat on baking sheet. Poke with fork and score. Bake 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until done.


Cora's note: "Done" can be anywhere from dark brown to barely hardened on top. Play around with it.

Grandma's Macaroni

This is the "family recipe" that we thought Grandma was hiding for years and years... turns out she never knew anyone wanted it, and when I asked, she was happy to give it to me.

Grandma Shirley's Macaroni and Cheese

Equal parts dry macaroni noodles and cubed cheese (sharp or medium cheddar)
Cook noodles in salted water with some minced onion
Beat egg in a greased casserole: 1 egg per 2 cups dry macaroni
Add one cup milk per egg
Add noodles and cheese
Mix well
Bake 20-30 minutes at 300 degrees

Cora's note: We always put tons of paprika on top. I cover it for half the cooking time.