Quick and Easy Beef Manhattan

Make a hearty open face sandwich for lunch or dinner in under 10 minutes.

In researching the origins, I found that this has very little to do with Manhattan and originated in Indiana in the '40's and is more and Indiana dish.  Regardless, it is still good.

I will do the breakdowns per serving and you can multiply it as needed

Ingredients:  

• 1/3 to 1/4 lb of roast beef
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup of prepared mashed potatoes
• 1 jar prepared gravy (makes about 4 servings)
• 1-2 slices of bread

I started used instant mashed potatoes and made them according to the the instructions on the box.

I used sliced roast beef from the deli but leftover potroast works well also.  Put on a microwave safe plate and nuke on high for approx. 2 mins.

For the bread, use 1 to 2 slices per person as the base.  To toast or not to toast is a personal choice, I usually toast very lightly in the oven for a minute.

Open gravy and warm on medium heat on the stove.

Put 1 to 2 slices of bread or toast on a plate.

Put a large scoop of mashed potatoes on top.                         

Use a fork to put slices of roast beef on top of the bread or toast.

Ladle gravy over the top of the roast beef, then serve.

Easy Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad

A crisp, sweet salad that only takes about 10 minutes to prepare and very low in calories if artificial sweetner is used.

Thankfully we have had unseasonably warm weather where I live which left me yearning for summer, so I made I made what is traditionally more of a summer salad to brighten up lunch.

This is based on a recipe at Recipezaar:
http://www.recipezaar.com/Easy-Cucumber-Tomato-and-Onion-Salad-82461

• 1 1/2 cups chopped cucumbers
• 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 6 packets artifical sweetener (or 3 TBSP Sugar)
• 1/2 cup vinegar 
• 1/2 cup water 
• 1 teaspoon dried dill weed  

How you chop the cucumber and onion is a matter of preference; I usually cut lengthwise half, then each half in half horizontally.
 



Chop up cucumber












Chop up onion

Open up can of diced tomatoes, drain off excess liquid (I used Fiesta Mexican, which made it have a more hot and spicy flavor, but if you have never made anything like this before, you would probably want to just try plain diced tomatoes.

Combine cucumber, onion and tomatoes in large bowl

 In a separate bowl, add 6 packets of artificial sweetener (or you can use 3 TBSP of sugar)

 Add 1/2 cup water

Add 1/2 cup of vinegar (I used white wine vinegar)

 Add 1 tsp. of Dill

Mix water, vinegar and Dill together to make the dressing

 Pour the dressing over the cucumber mixture and toss until well coated, then refrigerate at least 2 hours (best if left to sit overnight).

Serve with at slotted spoon to drain excess liquid.

CHEATERS PINEAPPLE ORANGE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

Tastes like it is from scratch, but you really "cheat" and use a mix instead.

Ingredients:

• 1 box cake mix, Pineapple or if none available, white or yellow
• Ingredients used for box mix - usually eggs, oil, but you will not use the water or liquid that the mix uses.
• 1 1/2 cups orange juice or 3/4 cup orange juice and 3/4 cup pineapple juice
• 1 stick butter or margarine
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 15 oz can pineapple (I used chunk, but you can use rings or crushed)
• Marichino Cherries - optional (I didn't use on this cake)
• 1-2 TBSP Rum or Rum Extract (I didn't use on this case, but have in the past)

Preheat the oven to the degree on the box mix. Put the stick or margarine in a 13x9 pan and put in the oven until melted (takes 2-3 mins).

Mix the cake mix, eggs, oil, and juices together until well blended.

Take the melted butter out of the oven. If you want to add rum or rum extract, mix it into the melted butter at this time.

Sprinkle the brown sugar, distributing evenly.

Distribute the pineapple evenly across the bottom of the pan. If you want to add marichino cherries, you would put them in amoungst the pineapple.

Pour the batter mixture over the top of the brown sugar and pineapple, distributing evenly.

Bake in the oven the time recommended on the package (usually around 30 minutes) and bake until the cake springs up in the center.

For presentation purposes, you could flip the cake over on to a baking sheet, or you could just leave it in the pan and flip the picces over as you serve them (which is more exciting if being served to kids that have never had upside down cake before because they will want to know why you didn't frost the cake and you cut the cake, take the spatula and flip it over on the plate and abbra cadabra, you the "frosting" is on the bottom!).

QUICK & EASY QUESO

I made this a late night movie snack between movies we were watching - it took less than 10 minutes. It is great if you want a quick warm snack on a cold night.

• 1 2lb pkg of Pasteurized Processesed Cheese Product (like Velveeta) - cut in half (use 1 lb)
• 1 can of Dices Tomatoes with Green Chile Peppers (like Rotel)

Optional

• 1 tsp Mustard or Worstecher Sauce or Ranch Dressing (depending on what your like)

Cut the cheese product in half - put one half away as you will only need 1 lb, unless you want it to be extra cheesy.

Cut up the half of the cheese you are going to use and melt it on low heat, stirring constantly for a few minutes.

Once the cheese is melted, open the can a tomatoes add them to the cheese and stir. If you choose to add any optional items, stir them in at this point also.

Remove from heat, pour into serving bowl and serve with tortilla chips.