Spring and Summer Pot Luck and Cook Out Fare Fit For a King...on a budget!

Spring and summer are full of cook outs and pot lucks. That in mind, what do you bring to the table? Well, there are simple things you can make without breaking the bank that will have everyone wowed beyond comparison.

Picture this:

You're busy. Your neighbor is on the phone trying to arrange a playdate for your children, your kids are winding toilet paper down the banister, your husband is snoring on the sofa (not helping at all) and you've just been invited to your best friend's house for a cook out the next day. No time to shop? Well, check your cabinets for odds and ends. You'll be surprised at this! Here is a recipe for a side dish and a recipe for a desert made from ingredients that everyone always has...most of the time. Easy, very little prep time, and always a crowd pleaser!

SPAGHETTI SALAD

You need:
16 oz. Italian or Zesty Italian salad dressing
16 oz. spaghetti noodles
chopped or diced green peppers and onions

optional ingredients:
chopped tomato
cheese cubes
pepperoni slices
sliced cucumbers

Directions:
Prepare noodles according to package directions. Once done, rinse with cold water until they're cool. Pour half the contents of the bottle of dressing in, stir, then add the chopped green peppers and onions. Add other optional ingredients. Refrigerate, preferably over night.When you're ready to serve this dish, add the other half bottle of dressing and stir!

QUICKY DONUTS

Ingredients:
Store bought refrigerator biscuit dough
hot hot hot cooking oil
cinnamon
powdered sugar

Directions:
Heat your oil in a saucepan on med-hi heat. When heated, get your biscuits ready by poking holes in the center. Drop biscuits in oil and deep fry until golden brown. Remove from oil with a slatted spoon and let them drain on a paper towel covered plate. When cool enough to touch, toss them in a freezer bag full of powdered sugar and/or cinnamon. Enjoy!

Easy Quesadillas

You will need:
-8-10" round flour tortillas
-boneless skinless chicken breasts (I usually do the 3lb. bags of the frozen kind--thawed of course)
-Your choice of taco sauce (chunky or not)
-Your choice of cheeses


1. Cut up the chicken in small pieces
2. Cook until done with whatever spices you want to use, set aside
3. In a mixing bowl, mix chicken, cheese, and salsa
4. In a non-stick frying pan brown your tortilla
5. Once tortilla is brown spoon filling on to one half, and fold the other side.
6. Keep over heat until cheese is melted.
7. Cut in quarters.
8. Repeat steps # 4-7 until all the mixture or tortillas are used.

*I've tried this in the oven and the tortillas didn't get golden brown. When I make this it last for at least 2 days. You can substitute any meats and add any veggies you want. I just found it's easier to please everyone if I just use chunkless taco sauce and no veggies.

Serve with Spanish Rice or whatever you choose.

**You can also use the frozen grilled chicken strips too. They work and it's easier**

Happy Cooking,
Joanna