Chocolate Frosting

So, my husband wanted chocolate cake. I had a mix for the cake, but no frosting. I whipped this recipe up, after finding it on all recipes.com. Oh my gosh, I can't get enough of it! It's so delicious! Someday when I own my own B & B, this will be my chocolate frosting! Please make and enjoy:)

2 3/4 cups confectioner's sugar
6 tbsp cocoa powder
6 tbsp softened butter
5 tbsp evaporated milk
1 tsp vanilla
Sift the sugar and cocoa powder together into a bowl. In a separate bowl, cream your butter with your hand mixer. Add to the dry mixture and pour in milk and vanilla. Whip with hand mixer until blended and smooth. Add more milk if you want it softer. Should be light and fluffy, and will frost a 9 inch cake perfectly. Try to keep your finger out of it, I dare you :)

Shrimp Dip

This dish has been a staple at all of my family's holiday dinners since, well, forever. Love it! Serve with wheat thins or other cracker to snack on before the big dinner.

In your 8x8 pan layer a block of cream cheese, followed by a layer of chili sauce, then a can of baby shrimp (drained), then diced onion, diced green pepper, and finish with a heavy sprinkling of shredded mozzarella. Refrigerate and enjoy!

Chicken Fried Steak

So, my family requested chicken fried steak this week. I'm not a big fryer, well I really don't do it at all, but I've gotta keep the troops happy. This a variation on Paula Deen's recipe. I don't really measure unless I'm baking, so here goes.

2 lbs round steak
1 1/2 cups flour
Garlic powder, seasoning salt and pepper
Vegetable oil
Season your steaks with the garlic powder. In a bowl, mix together flour, seasoning salt and pepper. Heat your oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Dredge your steaks in the flour mixture and place in the oil. Brown on each side and then place on a paper towel lined plate.

Gravy:
1/4 cup butter
4 cups water
2 Tbsp flour
Salt and pepper
1 bunch green onions, chopped
In the same skillet, melt the butter. With a wooden spoon, scrape up all the good bits off the bottom. Add flour and cook till bubbly and light brown. Slowly pour in the water, stirring continuously. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Salt and pepper to taste. Add the steaks back into the skillet. Sprinkle the green onions over the meat and cover. Simmer on low heat for about 30 minutes. Serve with mashed potatoes.
This dish was a huge hit at my house! They declared it better than the school's chicken fried steak;)