Tasty recipes that will help keep the cold at bay

I thought I would revisit some of the recipes I posted last fall. Most people that visit All Things Michigan merely look at the most recent posts (within the last month or two). With that being the case, a lot of great recipes might be ignored this fall.

• Pumpkin Pie Pudding - If you like pumpkin pie, you will love this. This is just too easy. Throw everything in your slow cooker and let it cook.
• Quick Hearty Soup - Who says you don't have time to cook a tasty meal?
• Savory Skillet Pork Chops - Too cold to grill? This pork chop recipe will do just fine.
• Farmer Jake’s Breakfast Skillet - A great way to start your day.
• Easy Slow-Cooker Bread Pudding - This is very easy to make, which is good since it won't last long. Whenever I make it, it gets gobbled up right away. I like it warm or cold - very tasty. For a different spin try other dried fruits like blueberries or cherries.

Enjoy these great recipes!

Roast Beef

My husband absolutely loves roast beef. This is our favorite way of cooking it and it is so easy!What you need:

• Roast Beef
• 1/2 bottle Italian Salad Dressing
• Potatoes
• Baby Carrots

Directions:

• Cut the potatoes into chunks. Put the potatoes and carrots in the bottom of a slow cooker. Put the roast on top. Pour about half a bottle of Italian dressing over the top.
• Cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or on low for 8 to 9 hours or until the meat is tender enough to fall apart.

Pork Roast

My mother-in-law made this delicious pork roast for us not too long ago. I couldn't believe how easy it was and just had to share the recipe. It's also that time of the year when warm "comfort food" dishes replace the salads and grilling out that we ate during the summer. What you need:

• pork roast
• 1 c. water
• 1 envelope onion soup mix
• potatoes

Directions:

• Cut potatoes into chunks and put in the bottom of a slow cooker. Put the pork roast on top of the potatoes.
• Combine water and onion soup mix in a small bowl. Pour over the top of the roast.
• Cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or on low for 8 to 9 hours or until the meat is tender enough to fall apart.

Easy Eggplant Parmesan

I decided to plant eggplants in my garden for the first time this year. I chose Fairytale Eggplants. They are only about 4 inches long and 1 inch in diameter and are purple with white stripes. I came up with an easy eggplant parmesan recipe that my family loves. We always serve it with spaghetti. What you need:

• 1 large eggplant or 4 Fairytale eggplants (or however many you want)
• 1/2 c. melted butter
• 1 c. Italian bread crumbs
• 1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese (or cheddar or parmesan cheese)

Directions:

• Slice eggplant into 1/2 inch rounds. Dip in melted butter. Cover with bread crumbs.
• Cook in a frying pan (sprayed with cooking oil) over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown and tender.
• Serve with spaghetti and garlic toast.

Aunt Elma's Cherry Pie

This recipe has been in my family for generations. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family does! What you need:

• 1 unbaked pie shell
• 3 c. cherries, pitted
• 1 c. sugar
• 2 Tbsp. flour
• 1 Tbsp. butter, melted

Directions:

• Mix together cherries, sugar, flour, and butter. Put in unbaked pie shell.
• Bake at 400 for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 and bake for 25 minutes.
• Blueberries or rhubarb can be instead of cherries.

Indian Summer Salad

I was given this recipe at my wedding shower. It is cool and refreshing - perfect for the "dog days of summer." Jello:

• 2 pkg. orange jello
• 2 c. boiling water
• 1 (6 oz.) can frozen orange juice
• 1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple
• 1 (11 oz.) can mandarin oranges

Topping:

• 1 pkg. instant lemon pudding
• 1 pkg. dream whip
• 1 1/2 c. milk
• (or use 1/2-3/4 tub of whipped topping and a little milk instead of dream whip and milk)

Directions:

• Mix all jello ingredients together. Chill until firm.
• Mix topping ingredients together. Spread evenly over jello.