Watergate Salad

Ingredients

1 can (20 oz.) DOLE Crushed Pineapple, in juice, undrained
1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) Pistachio Flavor Instant Pudding
1 cup JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows
1/2 cup chopped PLANTERS Pecans
1-1/2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

How to Prepare

MIX first 4 ingredients in large bowl until well blended.

STIR in COOL WHIP.

REFRIGERATE 1 hour.

*You can add mandarin oranges if you wish, 1 can. Personally, I love the oranges in it but this is my Mama's recipe, and she doesn't like the oranges. Also, we don't call it Watergate Salad...for some reason we have always called it "Pooka-looka" HAHA I don't know who started it, and I don't know why. But this recipe is definitely on the menu at all family gatherings; definitely a favorite!!

Sausage Balls

Ingredients

* 1 (1-pound) package ground sausage
* 3 cups baking mix (recommended: Bisquick)
* 4 cups grated sharp Cheddar
* 1/8 tablespoon pepper

How to Prepare

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with vegetable oil cooking spray. Combine all ingredients in a large glass bowl. Mix well with your fingers. The mixture will be very crumbly. Form into 1 inch balls, squeezing the mixture so it holds together, then rolling it between the palms of your hands to form balls. Place the balls on the baking sheet. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. To prevent sticking, move the balls with a spatula halfway through cooking.

Chicken Corn Chowder

Ingredients:
*2 slices bacon, chopped
*½ pound unpeeled, diced potatoes
*1 pound boneless, skinless chicken-breast cut into 1" chunks
*3 green onions, sliced
*2 tbs. flour
*1 can chicken broth
*2 cups low-fat milk
*1 can cream corn

How to Prepare:

In large pot on stove, cover potatoes with water and 1 tsp. salt and cook until tender. Drain and set aside. In same pot, saute bacon pieces over medium high heat until crisp. Add chicken chunks and cook until no longer pink. Add onion and cook for one minute more. Stir in flour and cook for one minute. Add chicken broth and cook until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat and add milk and corn. Heat through but do not boil.
Serve immediately sprinkled with bacon.

BEST Shepherd's Pie

Ingredients:

* casserole dish (9 x 13)
* 1/2 red onion
* oil
* 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
* 2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
* pepper
* 1 bag frozen vegetables (the carrots, peas, green beans combo works nicely)
* 2 to 3 medium-size potatoes
* butter
* milk
* 1 jar or can of gravy
* 1 cup grated cheese (more, if you're a cheese fan)

How to Prepare:

Defrost the frozen veggies (place them in a colander and run cold water over them if you didn't take the package out of the freezer a few hours before).

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.

Peel and boil the potatoes.

While the potatoes are cooking, sauté the half red onion in a bit of oil, then add the ground beef, along with the Worcestershire sauce and pepper.

Once the mixture is cooked, toss in the now-defrosted veggies

Once the potatoes are cooked, mash them with a little milk and butter.

Add 1/3 or so of the jar of gravy into the ground beef and veggie mixture, and then spread it into the ungreased casserole dish. Cover all of that with first the mashed potatoes and then the grated cheese.

Bake at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes; when the gravy is all bubbly and the cheese has melted, your hearty dinner is done.

Pour remaining gravy over portions of pie :)

Pesto Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

* 3/4 cup Italian salad dressing
* 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
* 2 cups fresh basil, washed
* 1 clove garlic, pressed,chopped or smashed,to taste
* 1/4 cup chopped black olives
* 3 cups cooked pasta, your favorite bite sized variety,cooled

How to Prepare:

1. Place basil, garlic, salad dressing and cheese in blender.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Make adjustments to spices as necessary.
4. Toss with olives and pasta.
5. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to mix.
6. Overnight is good.
7. Serve with a sprinkle of cheese on top.