Baked Feta "Pasta"

1 Spaghetti Squash (halved lengthwise and seeds removed)

8 oz block of Feta Cheese

2 cups Grape Tomatoes (halved)

2 cloves Garlic (minced)

Salt & Pepper

Olive Oil

Fresh Basil (chopped)

Microwave spaghetti squash for a couple of minutes to make it easier to cut. Gently scape out seeds and place both halves open-side up in a shallow baking dish. Place 1/2 a block of feta in each hollowed-out spaghetti squash half. Add 1 cup of halved tomatoes and 1 minced garlic clove into each half. Sprinkle each with salt & pepper to taste and drizzle with olive oil. Bake uncovered at 400 degrees for 1 hour until the squash is cooked and tender. Use a fork to separate the squash from the edges and mix together with the feta, tomatoes, and other ingredients. Top with fresh basil. Eat directly from the squash bowl as a meal, or serve as a side dish.

Candied Yams (Dad's preferred at Thanksgiving)

4-5 large yams
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup Karo syrup
1 1/2 cups brown sugar

Boil yams. When done and cooled, peel and slice into a shallow casserole dish. Combine butter, water, Karo syrup and brown sugar. Pour over yams. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes, baste with sauce and bake for another 15 minutes and serve.

Yam Casserole (Tammy's)

4-5 large yams - cooked (boiled)
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup melted butter
2 eggs (beaten)

Beat together with a mixer. Spoon into a 9 x 13 dish.

Mix together and sprinkle over yams:
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup melted butter

Bake uncovered for 30 - 45 minutes at 350 degrees

Yummy Yam Bake

4 or 5 big yams baked. Peel and cut into 2" chunks.

Toss together:

1 1/2 tsp. fruit fresh (citric acid)

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

3 tart apples cored, seeded and sliced (not too thin a bit thicker is better)

You can peel apples or not

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Layer in a 2 or 3 qt. casserole dish starting with yams, then apple/nut/spice mix.

(I use a deeper casserole for more layers.)

Dot the layers with 1/4 cup butter

Bake at 350 until apples are just crisp tender. (20 to 30 minutes)

Remove from the oven and turn on the broiler

Cover casserole with miniature marshmellows or large marshmellows.

Brown the marshmellows under the broiler, watch CAREFULLY!! It takes less time than you think to brown those marshmellows. It tends to brown all at once.

Recipe can be easily doubled for a crowd.

Potato Casserole

8 cooked potatoes - shredded
1 pint sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/4 cup melted margarine
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 cup grated cheese
salt & pepper to taste

Topping:
2 cups cornflake crumbs
1/2 cup melted butter

Mix all ingredients and place into a 9x13 dish. Sprinkle with topping. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for about 30-40 minutes until heated through.

Grilled Vegetables with Eight-Spice Seasoning

Seasoning mixture:
3 Tblsp salt
3 Tblsp packed golden brown sugar
2 Tblsp paprika
1 1/2 Tblsp chili powder
1 Tblsp ground black pepper
2 1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 1/2 tsp dried basil

Cut assorted fresh vegetables into large chucks. Use zucchini, yellow squash, different colored bell peppers, onion, large mushrooms, and anything else that sounds good to you. Drizzle lightly with olive oil, then sprinkle with seasoning. Grill in a grill pan, on a skewer, or saute in a large skillet. Cook until vegetables are the desired tenderness.

Hints: You won't need all of the seasoning for one meal unless you are making a huge serving for a very large group. You can save it in a jar and use it again later. Also, keep in mind that the squash will cook faster than the peppers and onions, so adjust the size of the chunks accordingly. Enjoy!

I got this recipe from another McGee Girl - Aunt Jeaneen!