FR Goes to the Mattresses: Helpful Hints for the Coming Election Siege

www.freerepublic.com | November 4, 2002

[Howlin]

In perilous times such as these, filled with Breaking News on practically an hourly basis, words of war, debate about the war, an upcoming election, and scandal after scandal foisted upon this country, it is time that we FR "regulars" share helpful hints and recipes to get us through these busy days and nights ahead, logged on to FR continuously, all the while trying to maintain a "real life" -- or, at the very least, trying to maintain the appearance of one!

Please use this thread to share your experiences -- "what worked for you," if you will -- of past elections and breaking news cycles, in order to help our newest forum members understand what is coming their way -- and the preparations they must make in order to survive and still have somewhat of a life (not to mention brain) in tact after November 5th and the days that follow.

Realizing that new blood brings fresh ideas, us "old-timers" are open to any and all suggestions from any current Freepers who may have a better idea!

This IS the thread for

"Food for Breaking News"

and

"Helpful Household Tips to Free Up Time to Freep."

***Those os you who feel COMPELLED to discuss clothing for Freeping, do so at your own peril.

[Petronski]

Here's a big, juicy, schadenfreudische bump of this thread for the after-work crowd.

Also, read this:

DUh quotes CNN Headline News: "McBride going down in flames."

[KC Burke]

A really detailed LINK that has nothing to do with the Green Party...only the color of the background on the website.

[LisaFab]

Thanks for the links guys. Fun, fun, fun over at DU and pretty colors for the Greenies! A good laugh temporarily sent the butterflies in my stomach on a coffee break.

[hellinahandcart]

Just kidding...I'm getting married this Saturday.

Congratulations!

I should tell you, though, that I'm psychic to the degree that I can read the thoughts of your bride-to-be in advance.

I'm getting a vision now...church...flowers...lovely woman in white about to make her entrance. She is thinking..."Aisle...Altar...Hymn......Aisle...Altar...Hymn..." ;D

[JoeSixPack1]

OMG- does anyone want any of this chili???

PS - Omar said he needed more material and the army and navy store ran out of size 17 boots. :-)

[kcvl]

Scorecards! Get your 2002 Election Scorecards Here!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/782206/posts

[hellinahandcart]

An old joke. Some have to say it out loud before they get it. ;D

[Brad’s Gramma]

Bump for later. THANK YOU HOWLIN!!!!!!!!!

[nutmeg]

Bump to check out later

[valleygal]

"I just hate it when my everyday life interferes with my time on FR....one thing that I have learned is that the crock pot is my friend."

Getting the crockpot out tonight for tomorrow morning! LOL

[kcvl]

Bubba Gourmet

http://members.aol.com/AltMartha/BubbaGourmet.index.html
Try Texas Caviar for a side ...

Drain and rinse three 12 oz. cans of black-eyed peas. Mix in a bunch of chopped green onions and/or a small white onion, 1 small can sliced black olives, 1 cup chopped salad olives, 2 small tomatoes (Norma said Romas are best), 2 Tbls. olive oil and 2 Tbls. lime juice. Add pepper to taste and jalapenos (or other hot peppers) if that sounds good.

[kcvl]

CROCK POT MEAT LOAF

3 lbs. ground turkey or chicken
1 lb. ground hamburger
1 c. instant rice
1/4 c. A-1
2 whole eggs
1/4 c. flour, bread crumbs or crushed crackers or chips
Salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder to taste

Combine all ingredients. Form into ball. Wrap well in foil. Poke small holes in bottom side of ball. Place in crock pot on canning lids or something that will keep the meat above any drippings. Cook on low 8 hours.

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CROCK POT HAMBURGER DISH

4 lg. potatoes, sliced
1 can or pkg. green peas
3 lg. carrots, sliced
3 onions, sliced
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 1/2 lbs. hamburger, lightly browned
1 can tomato soup
1 soup can water
Salt & pepper to taste

Place vegetables in crock pot. Season with salt and pepper. Put browned hamburger on top and cover with soup and water. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours. If possible, stir once or twice while cooking. Serves 4 to 5.

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CROCK POT ENCHILADAS

1 lb. hamburger
1 onion, chopped
1 sm. can chilies
1 sm. can mild enchilada sauce
1 can golden mushroom soup, undiluted
1 can cheddar cheese soup, undiluted
1 can cream of mushroom soup,undiluted
1 can cream of celery soup, undiluted
1 lg. pkg. Dorito chips

Brown hamburger and chopped onion, pour off grease. Put all ingredients in crock pot except Dorito chips. Mix and cook low 4 to 6 hours. Last 15 minutes before you are ready to eat, add Dorito chips and stir.


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CROCK STEW

1 lb. hamburger, browned
1 can tomato soup
1 can vegetable beef soup
1 1/2 c. water
2 stalks celery, chopped
3 carrots, thinly sliced
5 med. potatoes, peeled & chunked or sliced
1/2 lg. onion, diced
1/2 tsp. chili powder
Salt to taste
Dash of garlic powder & pepper

Combine all ingredients in crock pot. Cook until vegetables are tender, (usually 6 hours). Can be cooked on stove top. Cooking time will be considerably shorter.

---

CROCK POT LASAGNA

1 pkg. pepperoni slices
1 lb. hamburger
1 onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1 can mushrooms
1 pkg. kluski noodles
1 lg. jar pizza sauce
1 lg. jar spaghetti sauce
1 pkg. each shredded Colby & Mozzarella cheese

Cook together hamburger, onion, green pepper and mushrooms. Layer this with the rest of the ingredients in the crock pot. Cook on high for 2 to 3 hours.

---

CROCK - POT SLOPPY JOES

3 lbs. hamburger
1-2 onions, finely chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce
1 c. water
2 pkgs. Sloppy Joe seasoning mix
2 tbsp. brown sugar

Brown hamburger in skillet. Drain. Put into crockpot. Add onions, green pepper, tomato sauce, water, seasoning mix and sugar. Stir thoroughly. Cover. Cook on low for 8-10 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.

[bcoffey]

The recipes sound great, but I think we'll most likely go the pizza delivery route tomorrow night. (Wish I had stock in Dominos!)

[JoeSixPack1]

Crock-pot Chicken italiano

1 whole chicken
2 large cans spaghetti sauce

cook 7hrs

eat

[kcvl]

That sound's great & EASY!!!

More...


HAMBURGER, CHEESE AND NOODLES

1 1/2 lbs. ground hamburger
1/2 c. onion
1 can Campbell's Cheddar cheese soup
1 can Campbell's tomato soup
Cheese
1 bag med. egg noodles

In a large skillet cook hamburger and onions. Mix both cans of soup in the hamburger. Boil egg noodles until done. Drain. Place in a 9 x 13 inch pan. Mix hamburger in with noodles. Place cheese on top. Bake at 350 degrees until cheese is melted and casserole is hot.

---

MOZART MOZZARELLA

2 lb. hamburger
1 onion, chopped
1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 sm. can mushrooms
8 oz. carton sour cream
1 1/2 c. shredded Mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 c. shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (8 oz.) tube crescent rolls
Oregano
Basil

Brown hamburger and onion. Drain. Mix with tomato sauce and mushrooms. Spread in bottom of 9 x 13 inch pan or casserole. Spread cheeses over top. Lay rolls out and spread with sour cream. Sprinkle with oregano and basil. Roll and place on top of cheeses. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until rolls are brown and done.

[kcvl]

BUSY DAY CASSEROLE

1 lb. ground beef
1 (15 1/2 oz.) jar spaghetti sauce
1 c. water
1 1/2 c. uncooked macaroni
1 c. Mozzarella cheese, shredded

Crumble beef in 3 quart casserole. Cook on full power 4 to 5 minutes or until beef is no longer pink, stirring and rotating dish if need be. Half through cooking time, drain beef. Mix in sauce, water, and macaroni. Cook, covered, at full power 12 to 14 minutes until macaroni is tender (you may have to add time if microwave is less than 700 watts), stirring and rotating dish half way through. Sprinkle cheese on top of casserole. Let stand, covered, 4 to 6 minutes before serving. Makes 6 servings.

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MICROWAVED MEAT LOAF

1 lb. ground beef
2/3 c. evaporated milk
2 tbsp. onion soup mix
1/4 tsp. salt

TOPPING:
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
2 tbsp. catsup

Combine ingredients and form in glass pan. Combine topping ingredients and spread over top of meat. Cook covered with waxed paper 7 minutes or until done on high setting. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

[JoeSixPack1]

WOW, copying all your recipes for later eating! Tank u !!!!!! :-)

[kcvl]

HOT TACO RICE

1 lb. ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 1/2 c. med. salsa
1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce
1 chicken bouillon cube
1 1/2 c. Minute Rice

GARNISHES:
Chopped tomatoes
Sour cream
Shredded Cheddar cheese
Tortilla chips
Sliced pitted ripe olives

Brown beef and onion in skillet. Add salsa, tomato sauce and bouillon cube. Bring to a full boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare rice as directed on package. Serve beef mixture over rice; top with garnishes. Makes 4 servings.

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DEEP DISH TACO SQUARES

2 c. Bisquick mix
1 lb. ground beef
2 tbsp. chopped onion
8 oz. sour cream
1/3 c. mayonnaise
1/2 c. cold water
1 chopped green pepper
8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 c. shredded cheese

Combine mix and water, stirring until blended. Press into greased 12 x 8 x 2 inch baking dish. Bake at 375 degrees for 9 minutes. Cook beef, green pepper and onion until meat is brown; drain. Stir in tomato sauce; spoon over crust. Combine sour cream, cheese and mayonnaise. Spoon over meat mixture. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake uncovered for another 25 minutes.

[William McKinley]

Rumble on the mattress? My wife might give me hell about that.