YaYa's Cookbook

05/28/2026

Jalapeno Butter

Ingredients:

1-3/4 inch cube of fresh gingerroot
2 large cloves garlic
1 to 2 large jalapeno peppers seeded
1/4 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves
1/2 cup butter softened

Instructions:

In a food processor, combine gingerroot, garlic, and peppers; process until finely chopped.
Add cilantro and process until blended. Stir in butter.
On waxed paper or plastic wrap, shape into a 6-inch log.
Seal tightly and chill until serving time or freeze for up to 3 months.
Place a slice on top of each hot piece of fish when ready to serve.

05/27/2026

05/26/2026

Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients:

3 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup melted butter to mix with potatoes
2 eggs slightly beaten
1 t. vanilla
1/3 cup milk
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
2-1/2 T melted butter topping
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Instructions:

Combine sweet potatoes, sugar, ½ cup melted butter, 2 eggs, 1 t vanilla and ⅓ Cup milk
Pour into a 2-qt. casserole dish.
Mix brown sugar, flour, 2 ½ T melted butter and chopped nuts
Sprinkle over potato mixture.
Cook at 350°F for 30-40 minutes.

05/25/2026

Chuck Wagon Wraps

These Chuck Wagon Wraps are a quick and satisfying meal made with seasoned ground beef, barbecue baked beans, and sweet corn, all wrapped in a warm tortilla. Finished with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream, they bring together hearty flavors and fresh toppings for an easy, family-friendly dinner that is perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients:

1 lb. lean ground beef
1 can 28 oz barbecue-flavored baked beans
1 pkg. 10 oz. frozen corn, thawed
4-1/2 t. Worcestershire sauce
1 cup 4 oz. shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
12 flour tortillas 8 inches warmed
3 cups shredded lettuce
1-1/2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes
3/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream

Instructions:

In a large nonstick skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain.
Stir in the beans, corn and Worcestershire sauce; mix well.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered for 4-5 minutes or until heated through.
Sprinkle with cheese; cook 1-2 minutes longer.
Spoon about 1/2 cup of mixture in center of each tortilla; top with lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream.

05/24/2026

Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients:

Olive oil nonstick cooking spray
1 lb. sweet potatoes cut into 1/2-in. thick sticks
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper

Instructions:

On a large sheet or roasting pan sprayed with nonstick spray, place sweet potato sticks.
Coat with olive oil spray and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Broil 6 inches from heat for 16 to 18 minutes, turning once until brown and completely cooked.

05/23/2026

Apple-Onion Beef Pot Roast

Ingredients:

1 boneless beef sirloin tip roast 3 pounds, cut in half
1 cup water
1 t. seasoned salt
1/2 t. reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/2 t. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 t. garlic powder
1 large tart apple quartered
1 large onion sliced
2 T. cornstarch
2 T. cold water
1/8 t. browning sauce

Instructions:

In a large nonstick skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, brown roast on all sides.
Transfer to a 5-qt. slow cooker.
Add water to skillet, stirring to loosen any browned bits; pour over roast.
Sprinkle with seasoned salt, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder.
Top with apple and onion.
Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or until meat is tender.
Remove roast and onion; let stand for 15 minutes before slicing.
Strain cooking liquid into saucepan, discarding apple.
Bring liquid to a boil; cook until reduced to 2 cups, about 15 minutes.
Combine cornstarch and cold water until smooth; stir in browning sauce.
Stir into cooking liquid. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened.
Serve over beef and onion.

05/22/2026

Chocolate Custard

This Chocolate Custard is a creamy baked Southern dessert topped with fluffy browned meringue. Made with simple pantry staples, it is rich, comforting, and perfect for family suppers or holiday gatherings.

Ingredients:

2 eggs separated
½ cup sugar
1 teaspoon flour
1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring
2 cups sweet milk whole milk works best
2 tablespoons butter

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Beat the 2 egg yolks in a medium bowl until smooth. Add the sugar and mix well.
Stir in the flour and continue to mix until fully incorporated.
Add in the vanilla and milk. Mix everything together well, then stir in the butter.
Pour the custard mixture into a lightly greased baking dish.
Bake until the custard has set but still has a little jiggle in the center, about 30–35 minutes depending on your oven.
While the custard is baking, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Once the custard is done, spoon the beaten egg whites over the top and return to the oven.
Bake just until the top is lightly browned—watch closely!
Let cool slightly before serving.

05/20/2026

🌟 Cowboy Caviar – The Perfect Party Dip! 🌟

Looking for a quick, fresh, and delicious dish to bring to your next gathering? This Cowboy Caviar is a must-try! Packed with black beans, corn, tomatoes, and zesty Italian dressing, it’s a flavorful and refreshing dip that pairs perfectly with tortilla chips. 🌽🍅🌶️

✨ Easy to make: Just chop, mix, and chill!
✨ Perfect for any occasion: BBQs, game nights, or a simple snack.
✨ Customizable: Swap black beans for blackeye peas or add your favorite veggies!

Try it out and let me know what you think! Who else loves Cowboy Caviar? 😍👇



Ingredients:

1 can tomatoes w/green chilis
1 can corn
1 small onion
1 can black beans*
1 sweet pepper green, red, or yellow
1/2 – 3/4 cup Zesty Italian Dressing

Instructions:

Drain and rinse black beans & corn.
Dice onion & pepper.
Mix all ingredients together.
Chill for at least 4 hours.
Serve with tortillas or corn chips.

05/19/2026

Easy Oven-Baked Turkey Meatballs

Easy Oven-Baked Turkey Meatballs are tender, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknight suppers. Made with simple pantry staples and baked until juicy and golden, these meatballs are wonderful served over pasta, rice, or tucked into toasted sandwich rolls. They freeze beautifully for make-ahead meals and are a lighter alternative to traditional beef meatballs without sacrificing comfort and flavor.

Ingredients:

1 pound ground turkey
1 large egg
1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon olive oil for brushing or spraying

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and parsley.
Mix gently until all ingredients are combined. Do not overmix.
Roll the mixture into meatballs about 1 1/2 inches in size.
Place the meatballs evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
Lightly brush or spray the tops with olive oil.
Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Serve warm with your favorite pasta, rice, or sauce.

05/18/2026

YaYa’s Hot Chicken Salad Casserole

This old-fashioned Baked Chicken Salad casserole is creamy, crunchy, buttery, and packed with comforting flavor. Tender chicken is blended with cream of chicken soup, lemon juice, and seasonings, then layered over celery and almonds before being topped with buttery Ritz crackers and Parmesan cheese. It is the kind of cozy family supper recipe that always disappears fast at the dinner table.

Ingredients:

3 cups cooked chicken breast cubed
1 1/2 to 2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 tablespoon dried minced onions
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup finely diced celery
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 tablespoon dried parsley
Black pepper to taste
1/2 cup butter melted
20 Ritz crackers crushed
2 tablespoons butter melted
Grated Parmesan cheese to taste
Dried parsley for garnish

Instructions:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed chicken, cream of chicken soup, dried minced onions, lemon juice, paprika, dried parsley, and a few shakes of black pepper. Stir until well mixed.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight if possible. If short on time, let the mixture chill for at least 4 to 6 hours so the flavors can blend together.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
In a separate bowl, combine the diced celery, slivered almonds, and 1/2 cup melted butter. Stir gently until coated.
Spread this mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish.
Spoon the chicken mixture evenly over the layer.
Mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter until coated.
Sprinkle the buttery cracker mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
Add extra black pepper, parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese over the top as desired.
Bake for about 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly with a golden brown topping. Watch closely near the end since ovens can vary.
Serve warm with dinner rolls, fruit salad, or Jello for a classic supper table meal.