Time flies so quickly, and once again I have to figure out what to take to our canyon association monthly potluck. It should probably be vegetables of some sort since most people bring either desserts or main dishes. It would be nice if they would pick a theme each month such as Mexican or Italian, or foods that being with the letter O, or foods that are orange in color so what people brought would sort of go together.

Green Beans and Caramelized Onions

4 slices bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces and cooked crisp
2 tablespoons bacon drippings
2 large onions, about 1 pound total, cut lengthwise into 1/2 inch thick wedges
1 package (16 ounces) frozen whole or French cut green beans
2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
(Dried thyme)
(Mustard)

Use a non-stick skillet. Warm up the bacon drippings, add onions, cook over medium low heat 35 to 40 minutes or until very soft, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, prepare green beans according to package directions using salt. Keep warm. Stir vinegar and sugar into onions. Increase heat to medium high; cook and stir 1 to 2 minutes or until liquid is evaporated. Stir in green beans and bacon; toss lightly. Season with salt and pepper, thyme. Mustard is optional.

I used cooked Hormel bacon crumbles: Cooked the onions in olive oil. Add the bacon crumbles, about 1 - 3 tbsp. It needed the mustard for zing.

Earlier I sent Jeri a similar recipe that was not as well described as this one. No, this isn't health food, sometimes a person just needs to use up some ingredients.

Graham Cracker Toffee
1 package graham crackers
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
12 oz. milk chocolate chips
Chopped walnuts

Line a 10 by 15 inch pan with foil. Butter foil. Cover pan with whole graham crackers. Boil sugar and butter for 2 minutes. Pour over the crackers. Bake at 400 degrees for 6 to 7 minutes. Pour chocolate chips over the bars. Let stand a few minutes, then spread. Sprinkle with nuts.

You can substitute sliced pecans for the chocolate chips and chopped walnuts.

I'm more likely to make this cheesecake, but since I need to use up some graham crackers, will probably put a crust under it.

Crustless Cheesecake Pie
1 pound cream cheese, room temperature
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
Strawberries to garnish

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Blend cream cheese, eggs, and sugar in a food processor or beat until smooth by hand. Pour into a 9 inch greased pie dish and bake until tests clean in center, about 45 minutes. Cool 15 minutes. In a small bowl mix sour cream, powdered sugar and vanilla. Pour over the cooled cheese pie and return to the oven until top is set but not browned, about 15 minutes. Serve plain or decorate with strawberries.