With school back in full swing, everyone looks forward to the high school and college football games and any outdoor events. The weather has been beautiful for these games. Recently we had the opportunity to attend an Iowa State game with my sister and friend. My husband, being an alumni, supporter and big fan of ISU, was very excited. It was ISU’s first game of the season and there were lots of people tailgating.

Best Ever Chili

Football, cooler evenings, homemade chili heating up in the crockpot, and beautiful fall weather is something for us all to be thankful for and to enjoy.

Ingredients

2 pounds hamburger

1 can kidney beans

1 can chili beans

1 can tomato juice

1 can tomato soup

1 cup chopped onion

2 teaspoons garlic salt

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Brown hamburger and onions. In a pot, add hamburger and all listed ingredients. Let simmer for one hour on low.

Ranchers Pork Chops

Recently I ran across this recipe for pork chops. We don’t eat a lot of pork, but I wanted to try a different recipe. They were delicious. The pork chops were so tender that we barely needed to use a knife to cut them.

Ingredients

2 to 3 lean pork chops (1/2 to 3/4 inch thick)

1 small onion, sliced

3 tablespoons catsup

2 tablespoons brown sugar

Instructions

Brown chops in skillet. Place onion slices in the bottom of the crockpot. Place the chops on top. Mix brown sugar and ketchup and pour onto the chops. Cover the crockpot and cook for 6 to 8 hours. This recipe can easily be doubled.

‘Better Than Anything’ Fruit Salad

There is a cake recipe that has a similar name to this fruit salad, but this is an easy recipe to make once you have all of the ingredients. It is recommended to use the chunky tropical fruit cocktail. This is a recipe that is great to take to a family gathering or a church function. It is also so sweet that it may be used as a dessert.

Ingredients

1 15-ounce can fruit cocktail, drained

1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained

1 21-ounce can cherry pie filling

2 bananas, sliced

1 15-ounce can sweetened condensed milk

8 ounces sour cream

1 8-ounce container of whipped topping

Instructions

Mix together the whipped topping, sweetened condensed milk and sour cream. Add the fruit cocktail, pineapple, cherry pie filling and bananas. Cover and refrigerate for at least four hours. Serve.

Cool Whip and Pudding Frosting

Do you ever wonder how some people can decorate a cake and make it look so festive and tasty? This frosting recipe is light and fluffy with a hint of sweetness. It works great for a birthday cake or just to satisfy your sweet tooth. It is also easy and quick to make.

Ingredients

1 package instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 ounces)

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 8-ounce container of whipped topping

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the pudding mix, powdered sugar, milk and vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed for 2 minutes. Add in the whipped topping and beat on medium until combined.

Use frosting immediately to top cakes or cupcakes. If storing for later use, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use. Store any leftover cake or cupcakes in the refrigerator due to the frosting.

Loretta’s Cooking Tips

Use instant potatoes instead of flour to thicken soups, stews and gravies. This works great and will result in less lumps. Another thickener for soup is a small amount of oatmeal. It will add flavor and richness to almost any soup.

Happy Cookin’!

Loretta Krahling is a columnist with over 37 years of newspaper experience. Have any favorite recipes or tips you would like to share? Email them to krahling@gmail.com.