Here's a quick and easy recipe that conveniently puts your meat and vegetables together in a single casserole. Heat up some rolls or biscuits for a side dish and you are all set with a hearty and delicious meal the whole family will enjoy. Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef 1 small onion, chopped 1 small green pepper, chopped 1 15-ounce can of whole kernel corn, drained 1 10.5-ounce can of cream of chicken soup 1/2 c. cheddar cheese, divided 1 4-ounce jar of pimientos, drained 2 tbsp. sour cream 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper 1 32-ounce bag of tater tots Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. …

Just polished off a heaping plate of hot and spicy nachos and need something sweet to finish the meal? Try apple enchiladas. This recipe takes only minutes to make, is slightly better for you than apple pie and just as delicious. I first tried this recipe after seeing it in a March 1999 edition of Southern Living. Now, 13 years later, I still make this at least once a month. Give it a try and let me know what you think. Ingredients: 1 21-ounce can of apple pie filling 6 8-inch tortillas (I use four 10-inch tortillas) 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/2 c. butter or margarine (this can be omitted if …

In the week leading up to the Super Bowl, an Albany bakery made national news with its chicken wing cupcake. The cupcake was made of a buttery cornbread base, covered with blue cheese frosting and topped with a chicken wing. I thought it looked weird but interesting, so I decided to make my own version. I didn't like the idea of having to pull the chicken wing off the cupcake to eat it, so I went with boneless buffalo chicken tenders instead.  You will need: 12 corn muffins (I used this Southern Cornbread recipe and reduced the baking time to 18-20 minutes, but you can use a mix if you prefer…

A sweet smile, a warm hug, and the gift of a homemade melt in your mouth chocolate masterpiece is the perfect gift for your valentine. Gayle Norton shares her recipe for magic cookie bars; a treat that will help you spread the love this Valentine’s day.               “Magic cookie bars are quick, easy, and always loved when I make them,” Norton said. You can use the base recipe to create an individualized treat for your loved one based on their favorite ingredients. “It is versatile, I use whatever I have on hand,” Norton said. “Use your imagination to combine different ingredients.” Norton’s…

The Super Bowl is Sunday and what would a game day party be without great snacks? Here's a chili-cheese dip that both Giants and Patriots fans will enjoy. Ingredients: 1 8-ounce package of cream cheese, softened (can use light or fat-free if desired) 1 4-ounce can of green chiles 1 medium yellow onion, chopped and sauteed until the onions are clear and slightly browned 1 15-ounce can chili with beans (I use low fat turkey chili) 1 cup shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese (reduced fat cheese will also work) 1 4-ounce can of diced jalepenos   Directions: Layer the ingredients in the order …

Looking for something quick and easy to make for dinner? King Ranch casserole takes only a few minutes to prepare and just 30 minutes to bake. If you are watching fat and calories, you can use fat-free soups and low-fat cheese.  Ingredients: 1 large red or green bell pepper chopped 1 yellow or white onion 2 cups chopped cooked chicken breasts 1 10-ounce can cream of chicken soup (do not dilute) 1 10-ounce can cream of mushroom soup (do not dilute) 1 10-ounce can diced tomatoes and green chiles (you can also use tomatoes and jalapenos with good results) 1 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon …

Do you have a favorite recipe -- a recipe that you have made over and over again and still like, one that you would be willing to share? Dacula Patch readers have shared some great recipes, but we are always looking for more and need your help. Add your recipe to our growing collection by clicking here. Use the category "social notes" then add your favorite recipe and, if you like, add a photo of you, the recipe, your kitchen, your favorite apron, your favorite cookbook, etc. With your help, we can all enjoy the best recipes Dacula has to offer. This week, I am sharing a recipe for one of my …

Chili is a great crowd pleasing meal that is easy to make and easy on your pocket book. Courtney Johnson shares her recipe for chicken chili, one of her favorite go-to meals when company is coming. “What I like best about the recipe is that it is very easy and it makes a lot,” Johnson said. Even if you are not expecting a crowd around your dinner table, your family will love this warm Mexican flavored chili. “My family likes that it is a cozy meal on a cold day,” Johnson shared. To give this chili a little extra flavor Johnson adds her favorite spice to the chicken. “My best tip is to make …

A delicious bowl of soup on a cold winter night will warm your soul and bring smiles to your dinner table. You can make those warm smiles even bigger by filling that bowl with the big flavors in Judy Blackwell’s seafood soup “I love the soup for its flavor and seafood,” Blackwell said. “It is a favorite because it always makes me smile watching others enjoy it.” Blackwell has been making this crowd-pleaser for years. You can add whatever seafood you prefer to the recipe. No matter what you add, it's easy to make and she says that the end result is always wonderful. “Just adjust the seafood to…

On Wednesday nights at Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church (HMUMC), the Kitchen Angels gather together to make dinner for 150 to 200 people. This group of amazing cooks recently made a delicious turkey and dressing dinner that could proudly be serve at your holiday dinner table this year. Susan Gulden organizes this great ministry, and was kind enough to share these wonderful recipes. “This meal consists of oven roasted turkey, southern cornbread dressing, sweet potato casserole, and cranberry apple salad,” Gulden said. Like all of the great meals created and served by the Kitchen Angels, …

Do you love to make homemade gifts for the holidays, but just do not have time? With all of the festive activities, shopping and parties to attend, no one has hours to spend in the kitchen. Wendy Jones has the perfect solution. Her recipe for spicy pecans is a quick homemade holiday gift. “The pecans are easy to make and can be used as a gift or put in a salad with blue cheese, pears and a vinaigrette salad dressing for a holiday dinner,” Jones shared. Are you making a homemade gift this year? Tell us in the comments! This recipe will be perfect for all of those upcoming parties. “They are …

Imagine coming home to the smell of a warm and delicious Brunswick stew in the crock pot. The kitchen will smell like you have been slaving away all day, but it really only took a few quick minutes. “The best thing about this recipe is that it’s quick,” Brenda Knight said about her delicious and flavorful Brunswick stew recipe. Knight’s recipe only takes minutes to make because it is made from canned goods. But that does not mean it lacks anything in flavor. “It’s one of my favorites because everywhere I’ve taken it, everyone always raves about it -- especially when they find out that it’s …

Nothing describes southern comfort food better than a plate of BBQ, slaw and cheesy potatoes. No need to spend hours around the BBQ pit to get that great southern flavor. Judy Viktora’s delicious southern meal will bring the big flavors of the south to your kitchen with her amazingly simple recipes. This delicious meal is one of Viktora’s family favorites because it reminds her so much of her southern childhood. “Being born and raised in the South, I grew up with the family gathered around the open BBQ pit slow cooking for eight hours and making our family BBQ sauce,” Viktora shared.  What is…

Pumpkin pie dip will be the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving menu. Hamilton Mill resident Kelly Dyar shares her recipe for a sweet dip that can be used as an appetizer or a dessert. “It is easy, seasonal and tasty,” Dyar said. “Most dips are savory but this is sweet, which is fun.” This dip is also unique because it can be made in the crock pot. “We like all things pumpkin and I love using my crock pot,” Dyar said. “This one uses the Little Dipper and it is super simple.” Dyar has an important tip for making the pumpkin pie dip. “Make sure to use pumpkin pie in a can, not just pumpkin,” …

When you think meatloaf, do you think boring? This week’s recipe takes an ordinary dish and creates extraordinary flavor. Heather Doran shares her family favorite Italian meatloaf recipe. “My kids love this meatloaf and won't eat 'regular' meatloaf,” Doran said. “The last time I made it, my 8-year-old son, Ian said 'Mommy this is the best meal I ever ate!' That's a big accomplishment for a mom of picky-eaters!” There are a few special ingredients that makes Doran’s recipe different and give it great flavor. “I like the added ham and mozzarella,” Doan said. “It gives it a unique taste.” Doran …

This week’s recipe is a creamy southwestern chicken that you can alter to your own taste. Dacula cook of the week Renee Dickhute was happy to share one of her favorite meals. “It is a favorite on mine because it is easy, delicious and pretty good for you,” Dickhute said. “Everyone in my family likes it.”  Dickhute often uses low fat cream cheese to make the dish even healthier. She also had a few different suggestions on ways to make this dish one of your favorites. “You can choose how spicy you want it to be by changing the flavor of the salsa,” Dickhute suggests. “You can serve it as a dip…

Chicken casserole is a favorite dish because it is so quick and easy to make. But why waste your time on another chicken recipe if you are going to end up making a second meal for the children? Hamilton Mill resident Whitney Muyres shares a chicken casserole that has added sweetness and crunch to make your children ask for seconds. Do you often have to make a separate meal for your children? Do you have any family-friendly recipes to share? Tell us in the comments. “I like to make it because it's fast, easy, and the kids will eat it,” Muyres said. However, this is not just a dish that the …

Quiche Lorraine is a simple little recipe with great big flavor. Hamilton Mill resident Janie Brandau shares her recipe for a creamy, cheesy, and bacon-filled dinner you will love. “I love quiche anyways and this one is so creamy,” Brandau said. “Bacon, cheese and cream -- you can't go wrong!” This is a quick fix dinner that can be made in no time. Brandau shared a tip that she uses to make this recipe even easier. “You can use frozen pastry,” Brandau suggests, “that's what I used, or you can make your own.” Quiche Lorraine  Ingredients: 1 recipe for 9-inch single pie crust ½ cup crumbled …

Banana bread is a versatile favorite for many. It can be a dessert, a snack or a quick breakfast that even the kids will eat. But not all banana bread recipes are created equal. Some are dry, crumbly, or even lack great banana flavor. Trying to find the perfect recipe can take a while, but the search stops here thanks to Dacula resident Traci Chapman. There is one simple reason why Chapman loves this recipe and you will too. “I love this recipe because it is not dry like many banana bread recipes,” Chapman said. Traci got this recipe from her mom, and it has been quickly spreading to moms all…

Send the kids off to bed, then sit down and relax with coffee liqueur bread pudding. Windridge resident and Dacula Patch Cook of the Week Frank Romeo shares his recipe for a perfect adult dessert to indulge in on a cool fall evening. “The thing I like best about this recipe is that when served warm with vanilla ice cream it rivals apple pie a la mode,” Romeo shares. Unlike most dessert recipes, you do not have to worry about the dish failing if you do not follow the recipe exactly. “The best thing about this recipe is that it is very forgiving,” Romeo said. “I have missed steps, forgotten …