Country Cooking 7-19-17

Vegetable Beef Casserole

3 medium unpeeled potatoes, 1 teaspoon dried thyme

diced 1 teaspoon salt

3 carrots, sliced 1 teaspoon pepper

3 celery ribs, sliced 4 medium tomatoes, peeled,

1 medium onion, chopped   seeded and chopped

2 cups fresh or frozen green beans

l pound lean ground beef 1 cup (4 oz.) shredded cheddar  (90 percent lean)   cheese

In a casserole, layer half of the potatoes, carrots, celery, green beans and onion. Crumble half of the uncooked beef over vegetables. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon each of thyme, salt and pepper. repeat layers. Top with tomatoes. Cover and bake at 400º for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350º; bake about 1 hour longer or until the vegetables are tender and meat is no longer pink. Sprinkle with cheese; cover and let stand until cheese is melted. 6-8 servings.

Strawberry Cheesecake  Ice Cream

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup refrigerated French vanilla nondairy creamer

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

l carton (16 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed

2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, thawed

In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, creamer, sugar and lemon peel until blended. Fold in whipped topping and strawberries. Transfer to a freezer container; freeze for 4 hours or until firm. Remove from the freezer 10 minutes before serving. Makes 2 quarts.