With our summers seeming to be busier all the time, it is good to have some quick meals we can prepare. The softball and baseball teams are already going into postseason play with a little more road time required to be able to attend them. Also, county fairs and town celebrations are taking place everywhere you go. It’s no wonder that our summers fly by so quickly. My recipe, Chicken and Rice Casserole, is a recipe that goes together rather quickly and has a lot of flavor. I wonder what it would taste like prepared in a crock pot? I think I may have to try that.

Chicken and Rice Casserole

Ingredients

1 (7-ounce) box Minute Rice

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can cream of celery soup

1 can milk

*Thawed chicken pieces

1 package Lipton onion soup mix

Instructions

Mix cooked rice, soups and milk in a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Lay *thawed chicken pieces on top of the rice mixture, then spread soup mix on top of the chicken. Cover with foil and bake for 1 1/2 hours at 350 degrees.

* I use the Tyson bagged frozen chicken, but a person could also cook a chicken breast and slice it up.

Orange Dreamsicle Salad

A former co-worker has made this recipe and their family enjoys it. It is a great salad for when you get that phone call from a committee person who is serving a salad luncheon and asks you to bring a salad.

Ingredients

1 box orange Jell-O

1 box instant vanilla pudding

1 c. boiled water

1/2 cup cold water

1 carton Cool Whip

1 can mandarin oranges, 14 ounces, drained

1 cup mini marshmallows

Instructions

In a bowl, combine orange Jell-O with boiled water. Whisk until Jello-O is dissolved. Add cold water and chill for 15 minutes in the refrigerator until it starts to set up.

Slowly whisk in vanilla pudding mix until smooth and chill for another 15 to 20 minutes in the refrigerator. Fold in Cool Whip, mandarin oranges and marshmallows.

Chicken Enchilada Dip

This recipe was shared by my stepdaughter, who is an amazing cook. It is a baked dip that requires only about 40 minutes to put together and bake. It is a great dish to prepare for movie night as an appetizer.

Ingredients

1-2 chicken breasts, cooked/shredded

1 cup sour cream

1 can green chili peppers

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

2 teaspoon minced onions

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together in an oven-safe, medium-sized dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Garnish with chopped tomato before serving. Serve with crackers or dipping chips.

Delightful Chocolate Dessert

This recipe requires more preparation time because of the many steps to make it, but is definitely worth it. It is one of our favorite chocolate desserts.

Ingredients

1 cup flour

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1 cup chopped pecans

8 ounces cream cheese

1 cup sugar

9 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 (6-ounce) box chocolate instant pudding

1 (6-ounce) box vanilla instant pudding

3 cups cold milk

1 chocolate candy bar

Instructions

Mix flour, butter, and chopped pecans together with a fork until crumb-like. Press into a 9-by-13-inch greased pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool completely.

Mix cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Fold in half of the whipped topping. Spread mixture over cooled crust.

Combine puddings in a bowl and beat in milk until smooth and thickened. Spread over the cream cheese layer.

Spread the remaining whipped topping over the pudding layer. Grate the chocolate bar and sprinkle over top. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Enjoy!

Loretta Krahling is a columnist with more than 30 years of newspaper experience. If you have any recipes or other favorites you would like to share, email her with your recipes and why they are your favorite to krahling93@gmail.com.