Maple Squash with Brussels Sprouts, Bacon, and Cranberries

 Maple Butternut Squash with Brussels Sprouts, Cranberries, and Bacon

1 small butternut, cubed (or 12-16oz precubed fresh or frozen)

1 lb Brussels Sprouts, stems trimmed and cut in half

5 slices bacon of choice, I recommend peppered bacon, cut up in pieces

1 C cranberries, if desired

3 cloves minced or 1 spoonful from the minced garlic jar

1/4 maple syrup

2 TBSP dijon mustard, whole grain. 1 TBSP if ground

3 TBSP olive oil

1 1/2 tsp smoke paprika

1/2 tsp cracked pepper

1/2 tsp salt, if you must

1. Preheat oven to 425
2. Mix veggies + bacon, minus cranberries in large bowl
3. Mix garlic through pepper together, pour over veggies and stir
4. Spread out on baking pan lined with parchment paper
5. Put in oven with 15 min timer
6. Stir gently, add cranberries
7. Set timer for another 15 mins

Old Fashioned Fluffy Pancakes

 Old Fashioned Fluffy Pancakes

3 TBSP butter, melted

1 egg

1 1/4 C milk

1 TBSP white sugar

1 1/2 C all purpose flour

3 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1. Melt butter.
2. Add egg; whisk until frothy.
3. Add 1/2 C of flour, whisk.
4. Start heating griddle.
5. Add milk; whisk.
6. Add flour and baking powder (salt if desired, I never do); whisk until combined.
7. Ladle 1/2 C sized pancakes, cook until golden brown.

Makes 6 medium pancakes

Cheeseburger Soup

Cheeseburger Soup

3-4 frozen burger patties, thawed, cut into cubes
or 1lb ground beef1/2 white or yellow onion, sliced

1 large/2 small peeled potatoes, diced smallish

1 large/2 small peeled carrots, diced small
1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes
4-5 drops liquid smoke (optional)
4 cups chicken broth
1/4c heavy whipping cream or 1/2 milk + 2 tbsp corn starch n cold water slurry
1/2c shredded cheese of choice

1/2 brick cubed cream cheese (optional)
Minced garlic
Ground pepper

Fox Point from Penzey's works well in this one.

salt if you must

1. Brown ground beef and onions.
2. Add potatoes, tomatoes,chicken broth, garlic and pepper/spices
3. Bring to a light boil and simmer until potatoes are tender.*
4. Add the optional liquid smoke.
5. Stir in dairy and or corn starch slurry.
6. Add cheese and let sit a few minutes before stirring again.
7. Can sprinkle on extra cheese or bacon bits when serving.

If using instapot, do steps 1-2, set for 8 mins, release, then steps 4-6.