Sausage Balls

Shane's mom made these last year for the holidays, and they were so good.  In preparation for Thanksgiving we have been cooking and baking a lot, and these were at the top of the list.  Snacks are important in our household!

3 1/2 cups Bisquick
1 lb Cheddar cheese
1 lb (raw) breakfast sausage

Mix cheese & bisquick together, then add crumpled sausage and continue to mix.  Sprinkle with water until you can form balls.  We did walnut sized balls when raw, and they grew quite a bit when baked.  Next time I'd go smaller (not sure what nut is smaller than walnut, but bigger than pecan...).  Grease cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until lightly brown ontop.  [These also freeze very well, and then microwave easily.]

Chicken Spaghetti

This recipe is a great recipe to share with others, and enjoy with your family.  I originally got it from my sister, we all love it, and it is easy to freeze.  Warning: with the amounts given makes a double recipe.

8 boneless chicken breasts, cooked and cut into bite sized pieces
24oz spaghetti (I used over half wheat pasta, and no one noticed)
10oz package frozen mixed veggies (I added some fresh diced carrots, and celery as well, so really whatever you have on hand)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of celery soup
1 can Rotel, drained
2/3 of a 2lb box of Velveeta cheese
1/3 cup milk
salt to taste
optional: 2 4.5 oz cans chopped green chilies (I omitted these because I don't like green chili's)


Boil chicken in water until done (Use your biggest stockpot, you'll be happy later!).  Keep the water, and boil the spaghetti and frozen veggies together.  Cut up chicken into bite sized pieces and set aside.  When the spaghetti is done, let it sit in the water (about 15 minutes until most of the broth is absorbed.  Add chicken and remaining ingredients to spaghetti.  Toss gently until everything is well incorporated.

Depending on how many people you are feeding split into your baking pans.  (I generally divide this up into 3-4 pans, 8x8 size will feed 4 people).  If you are going to freeze any just wrap in foil and saran wrap, or put it in a large ziplock (I freeze 3 and we eat one the night I make it).  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.  For frozen casseroles, I try to defrost it slowly throughout the day, then bake.

Nana Rolls

This is a precious recipe I hope to keep forever.  Growing up my Nana made rolls all the time, and I thought it was perfectly normal.  Little did I know they take some time and effort, and a lot of skill!  Our family loves making these and remembering all our good times at Nana's eating homemade rolls.

6 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter
2 cups water
2 Tablespoons yeast (or 2 packets)
2 teaspoons Salt
2 eggs

Pour 1 cup boiling water over butter and sugar.  This needs to be done first so it can start cooling.  Let cool to room temp.  In 1 cup cold water add yeast.  Once the first mixture is cool add well beaten eggs and salt.  Then mix in yeast mixture and flour.  Mix well & knead.  Let rise for about 2 hours.  Punch down then make into rolls and let rise for about another 2 hours.  Bake rolls at 350F for 10 minutes.  This makes a lot of rolls, so it may be advisable to half the recipe unless you are making it for a crowd.