Andy and Skylar’s Cheesy Tuna Casserole

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

2 boxes of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese

2 cans of Tuna Fish

Croutons (cheese & garlic work best)

Parmesan Cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.

Cook the 2 boxes of mac & cheese then put the whole mixture into a casserole dish.

Add in the 2 cans of tuna fish after draining them and mix this all together.

Once it's mixed up put the croutons on top then sprinkle the cheese all over the top too.

Throw the thing in the oven and about 25 minutes later (depending on the oven) it comes out and you've made a quick and easy meal that feeds 2-5 people depending on how much they like to eat.  My daughter is a finicky eater but still likes it so it must be good.

Submitted By: Andy Lavoie, EMT-Paramedic/Firefighter


Massachusetts, USA

Spicy Cream Corn

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

16 ounce package of Frozen Corn

1 pint of Light Cream

1 Jalapeno Pepper

2-3 Garlic cloves

1 tablespoon Olive Oil

1 small package of LeGruyere Cheese (It's a swiss cheese)

Salt and Pepper

Dice Jalapeno pepper and garlic gloves.  Add them with olive oil to skillet.  Cook on Medium for a few minutes stirring occasionally.  When they start to brown, add the package of corn.

Let corn heat up and become slightly soft, but al dente at the same time.  Approximately 10 min or so depending on pan size.

Next add the cream.  Just enough to barely cover top of corn.  Stir and let thicken, approximately 5-10 min.

Next grate in cheese.  You want enough to make it thick and bubbly, creamy and cheesy.  Stir until it thickens.

Top off with a dash of salt and pepper.

WARNING:  This will be spicy, but the cheese off sets it.  It is a very nice texture and flavorful.  If you're afraid of it being too spicy, use half a pepper.  I use a whole one.

Excellent side for the holidays instead of boring ole can corn.

Submitted By: Janis Jope, EMT-Paramedic


Massachusetts, USA

Jen's Berry Cheesecake

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: Refrigerate for 2-3 hours

2 packages Lady Fingers (without cream)

2 (8 ounce) packages Cream Cheese

3/4 cup Sugar

2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract

1 pint Heavy Cream, whipped

1 can Strawberry or Cherry pie filling

In a large mixing bowl, add cream cheese and sugar and mix well. Fold in whipped cream and vanilla. 

In a 13x9 pan, add 1 package of split/separated lady fingers in a single layer. Spread half of cream cheese mixture over cakes. Add second package of split lady fingers, then remaining cream cheese mixture. Top with pie filling. 

Refrigerate for 2-3 hours to set. 

Submitted By: Jen Carrita, EMT-Paramedic


Massachusetts, USA

Wally’s 5 Alarm Chili

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours in Crock Pot

1 1/2 lbs.  ground Beef OR 1 lb. of ground Beef and 1/2 lb. of ground Pork

1 package Linguica

1 package hot Chourico 

2 cans red Kidney Beans, drained

2 cans Black Beans, drained

2 large Onions, dice 1/4-1/2 inch

1 Green Pepper, dice 1/4-1/2 inch 

1 Yellow Pepper, dice 1/4-1/2 inch

1 Red Pepper, dice 1/4-1/2 inch

1 large can Stewed Tomatoes, cut into quarters, juices reserved

1/4 cup Ketchup

2 tablespoons minced Garlic

3 tablespoons Chili Powder

1 teaspoon ground Cumin

2 tablespoons Cayenne Pepper

2 tablespoons Sugar

3 tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar

Optional, for topping: 

shredded cheddar cheese

sour cream  

In a large skillet, brown beef (or beef and pork). Leave the meat in large chunks while browning. Do not add any spices. Drain and put aside.

In a large crock pot, add drained beans, and diced peppers and onions.

 Slice the linguica and chourico into 1/4 inch rings, then into quarters (cut in half and half again until you have 4 pieces that resemble a slice of pie) and place into crock pot.

Add cooked, drained ground meat.

Add stewed tomatoes with juices (make sure the tomatoes are not whole, cut into several pieces).

Add ketchup, garlic, chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, sugar, and vinegar.

Note: This recipe is a bit spicy! Spices can be increased or decreased to taste. 

Give a stir so all ingredients are incorporated, but do not break up the large chunks of meat, the meat will break apart into bite size pieces during cooking.

Now the hard part: turn the crock pot on low for 4 hours and place cover on!  Stir about once every half hour until done.

Garnish with shredded cheese and a few dollops of sour cream if desired.  ENJOY. 

Submitted By: Wally and Debra Norcross, EMT/Police Officer and EMT-Paramedic


Massachusetts, USA

Prone Pumpkin Pie

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

3 Eggs

1 large can Pumpkin

1 can Evaporated Milk

1/4 cup Sugar

2 teaspoons Cinnamon

2 teaspoons Nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon Ginger

1 dash of Salt

1 box Yellow Cake mix

1 cup chopped Pecans (optional)

1 cup Butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.

In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs well, then mix pumpkin, milk, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Spread into 9x13 pyrex pan. Sprinkle the dry cake mix over pumpkin mixture, and add chopped pecans, then drizzle melted butter over top evenly.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes.

Submitted By: Nicole LaPlante, RN


Massachusetts, USA

Las Capas Graham Cracker Cheesecake

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: None!

2 (8 ounce) packages Cream Cheese, softened

1 cup Sugar

1 tablespoon Vanilla Extract

1 pint Heavy Cream

2 boxes Graham Crackers, or can use Lady Fingers

1-2 cans Cherries, or frozen Strawberries with sauce

In a large mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.

In a separate large mixing bowl, beat or use an electric mixer to whip the heavy cream until it is fluffy, like whipped cream. Carefully fold in cream cheese mixture, in 2-3 batches so you don’t deflate the whipped cream. 

In a serving dish, place 1 layer of graham crackers. Add a layer of cream cheese mixture. Add a layer of cherries, layering ingredients like you would a lasagna. Make another layer of graham crackers, cream cheese mix, cherries and top it with a last layer of graham crackers with cherries on top! 

Serve Cold. Enjoy!

Submitted By: Joanna Romero


Massachusetts, USA

Joanna’s Caramel Cream Cheese Flan

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time:  25 minutes

3 whole Eggs

3 Egg whites

1 (8 ounce) package Cream Cheese, softened 

1 can Evaporated Milk

1 can Condensed Milk

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1 cup Sugar

1/4 cup Water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.

For the Caramel: In a small thick bottomed sauce pan, add sugar and water. Without stirring, heat mixture to boiling over high heat. Adjust to to medium high heat, and continue boiling.

The mixture will start to brown after about 8 minutes. If mixture along the edges of the pan starts to brown faster or unevenly, swirl the pan to even out the coloring. Do not Stir. Continue boiling until liquid is the color of amber. The caramelized sugar is of perfect pouring consistency at this point. Use immediately. 

Pour caramel into an 8 inch round dish, carefully coating the bottom and sides of the pan. 

In a blender, add whole eggs, egg whites, cream cheese, evaporated and condensed milk, and vanilla extract and blend until it has a smooth consistency. Pour mixture into dish filled with caramel. 

Place flan dish in “Bano de Maria.” Bano de Maria is a larger pan that has been filled with an inch of water. This helps cook the flan. Place Bano de Maria with flan in oven for 25-30 minutes. Check flan by poking center with a knife. When knife comes out clean, the flan is done. 

Submitted By: Joanna Romero


Massachusetts, USA

G.I. Whoopie Pie

Prep Time:  20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes, including baking in batches

For the Batter: 

1 stick Butter, softened at room temp

1 cup Sugar

1 1/2/ teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder

1 large Egg

1 teaspoon real Vanilla Extract

1/2 cup Milk

2 cups all-purpose Flour

For the Filling: 

6 tablespoons Butter, melted

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons Confectioner’s Sugar

1 1/2 cup Marshmallow Fluff

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Confectioner’s Sugar or Chocolate Frosting, for topping

Preheat oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit. Coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. 

Batter:

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, sugar, baking soda, salt, and baking powder with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, and coca until well blended. With mixer on low speed, slowly beat in milk until blended. Add flour and stir by hand. Drop heaping tablespoons on prepared baking sheet, 2 inches apart. 

Bake 8-10 minutes, or until tops are springy to touch. Place on cooling rack. Repeat until all batter is used. NOTE: Allow cakes to cool completely before adding filling!

Filling:

In a medium mixing bowl, vigorously mix all ingredients with a wooden spoon until blended and smooth. Spread a thick layer on the flat side of cake, then top with another cake, flat side against filling. Using a sifter, sprinkle confectioner’s sugar over pies, or top with chocolate frosting. 

Serve at room temperature, or freeze and eat as a frozen treat! 

Submitted By: Donna Richard, EMT-Paramedic


Massachusetts, USA

Bernice's Cocoa-Phylactic Cake

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30-40 minutes

3 cups Flour

2 cups Sugar

1/2 cup Cocoa

1tsp Salt

2/3 cup Oil

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

2 teaspoon Baking Soda

2 tablespoons Vinegar

2 cups Water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.

No sifting for this, just put all ingredients in a bowl and beat thoroughly. 

Cook in 13x9 pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray, and bake for approx 30 minutes. Please Do Not overcook this cake, it will not be happy! 

Check after 30 min and test with knife. If it needs longer than go from there. This cake can be cooked in any size pan but to have it super moist adjust time accordingly! I use the Domino's powdered sugar butter cream frosting on top.

Submitted By: Bernice Fortier, EMT-Paramedic


Massachusetts, USA