raspberry cake bars

1 box of yellow cake mix
2 cups quick cooking oats
1 stick of butter, melted
1 jar (12-14 oz.) raspberry preserves

1. preheat oven to 375
2. combine cake mix & oats, then add melted butter. stir until crumbly
3. press 2 cups of mixture firmly into bottom of greased 9x13 dish
4. spread raspberry preserves evenly over cake mixture
5. sprinkle remaining cake mixture evenly over jelly
6. bake 24-28 mins. or until golden brown
7. let cool completely, then cut into bars

yields: 32 bars

"Crack" Candy

1 sleeve of saltines
2 sticks of unsalted butter
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 bag chocolate chips

1. preheat oven to 400 &  layer saltines in the bottom of a greased (or foil lined) 9x13 dish
2. meanwhile, melt butter
3. add brown sugar to butter. stir constantly to prevent burning/sticking
4. boil mixture for 3 mins or until frothy (do not overcook!)
5. pour mixture over saltines & bake for 5 mins.
6. remove from oven & sprinkle on chocolate chips
7. let chocolate melt for 5 minutes, and spread over crackers with rubber spatula
8. refrigerate at least 1 hour & break candy in pieces

Cheesey Potato Breakfast Casserole

10 eggs
2 cups (1 pt.) half & half
1 bag shredded cheese, any kind
1 - 10 oz. bag shredded potatoes/has browns (I used "simply potato' southwestern style)
veggies of your choice (chopped peppers, onions, etc.)
meat of your choice (cubed ham, crispy, crumbled bacon, think-sliced sausage)
optional - parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Add shredded potatoes in greased 9x13 dish, press lightly to bottom of dish
3. Add meat & 1/2 of the bag of cheese
3. Pour eggs evenly over other ingredients & add remaining cheese & parmesan cheese, if desired.
5. Bake for 40-50 mins. until eggs are done (check center with toothpick)

amazing layered baked ziti

this may just be my new favorite pasta dish! yum!!!!

2 TBSP olive oil
1 small yellow onion chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 large clove garlic chopped
28 oz crushed canned tomatoes (drained)
1/2 tsp salt
dash of hot red pepper flakes

1 lb ziti pasta
1 cup whole mik ricotta
8 oz thin sliced mozzarella
1 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano or percornio cheese or combo
10 basil leaves torn small

Simmer olive oil, onion and garlic until onion is tender and garlic fragrant.
Add the tomatoes, salt, red pepper flakes, and basil leaves. Simmer 12 min.
Pre heat oven to 350
Cook pasta 2 min less than usual
Blend 2 TBSP tomato sauce with ricotta in bowl
Spread 3/4 cup of the sauce on bottom of 9x13 baking dish
Toss drained ziti w/ ricotta
Spread 1/2 of pasta mix in dish
Spoon 3/4 cup more sauce over pasta
Cover with sliced mozzarella, basil, and 1/2 of the grated cheese
Top with the rest of the pasta, rest of the sauce and 1/2 cup grated cheese
Bake 45 min, cool for 10 min