Ring the Dinner Bell: From the Kitchen of Jenni Held…

Farm families are used to long days and when both husband and wife work outside the home, it can be hard to find time for a sit-down meal together.

With that in mind, Jenni Held has a few go-to recipies that she wanted to share for all of those busy families who still want to enjoy a family dinner.

Jenni’s Easy Dirty Rice

• 1 pound hot Sausage

• 1 pound ground meat (beef or turkey)

• 2 cans cream of mushroom soup

• 1 large chopped onion (or frozen bag of onions or frozen bag of seasoning mix if you like celery mixed in)

• 1 green bell pepper (or frozen bag of chopped peppers)

• Zatarains Dirty Rice large box (or two small boxes)

• Zatarians wild rice large box (or two small)

Preparation:

Brown meat and sausage, rise and drain grease Mix everything in a pan with 3 cans of water (from empty can) in a 9×13” pan Cover and Bake at 350 degrees for at least 45 minutes. (Stir about halfway before the rice is done) Serve with a large green salad and crusty French bread.

“By the way,” says Jenni, “This makes a LOT!”

Farmer’s Sloppy Joes

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. ground beef (80/20) or ground turkey for less fat

• 1 yellow onion diced

• 1/3 cup light brown sugar

• 1 10 oz. can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilis

• 1 to 2 chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce from can (more to taste)

• 1/2 cup barbeque sauce

• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard

• 3/4 to 1 cup shredded cheese cheddar or pepperjack if you like it a little more spicy!

• 6 Hamburger buns

• Pickles for topping

Preparation:

In a large skillet, cook the ground meat over medium high heat until browned, drain the grease.

Stir in the onion, brown sugar, Rotel, chipotle peppers, barbecue sauce and mustard. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through and the flavors are combined.

Slowly mix in the cheese and let cook for a few more minutes, until the cheese begins to melt.

Spoon the mixture onto toasted hamburger buns. Top with pickles, if desired.

Serve immediately.

Crittenden County Cold Corn Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 12 oz. packages of frozen sweet corn (you can use canned corn also just be sure to drain it)

• 12 slices of bacon (cooked & chopped) or 1 package of real bacon bits

• 1/4 cup green onions (chopped) more if you like green onions

• 1/2 cup ranch dressing

• 1 cup shredded cheese

• Salt & Pepper to taste

Preparation:

Cook and cool the corn. I saute it in a skillet with some butter Cook and chopped the bacon (or open the package of bacon bits) In a large bowl, combine the corn, bacon and green onions Add the ranch dressing and shredded cheese Season with salt and pepper to taste Stir to combine all ingredients Cover and chill for at least one hour before serving “Spence and his guys really like this as a side for their lunches in the summertime,” says Jenni.

“It's really easy and can be doubled for a larger crowd.”

After a long day out on the tractor, there’s nothing like a nice home-cooked meal. Jenni Held shared a trio of her favorite recipes and invites you to try them out in your own kitchen.