Sloppy Joes for a Crowd

Sloppy Joes don't usually have kidney beans in the recipe but we like them and they stretch the meat and the nutrition further.  This will make enough to serve 25 adults. 

•  2.6 kg or about 6 pounds lean ground beef
• 3 large onions diced
• 2 cups of diced celery
• 3 large green peppers
• 4 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 - 398 ml  (14 oz) cans tomato sauce
• 1 tbsp. Worchestire sauce
• 2 tbsp. hot chili sauce
• 5 - 398 ml. (14 oz) kidney beans
• 1 can water
• 1 cup instant mashed potatoes

1. In a large stock pot, scramble fry the ground beef.  I find using a stiff egg lifter and chopping it works well. Drain fat.
2. Add the vegetables and continue to fry until the veggies are tender.
3. Add the seasonings and sauces and bring to a simmer. 
4. Add the kidney beans and water. 
5. Simmer for an hour, stirring often.
6. Add the instant mashed potatoes in the last 10 minutes of the simmer as needed to thicken the sauce.
7. Serve with fresh sliced rolls and offer grated cheddar as an option to sprinkle over the sloppy joes..

Vanilla Sheet Cake with Pineapple Creamcheese Frosting

This cake is a delicious cake that can be made for a crowd. It is a good dessert to take to a potluck. A simple white cake topped with a cream cheese pineapple topping.

Cake

• 1 white cake mix
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup oil
• 4 eggs
• small package of instant vanilla pudding

1. Beat all the ingredients together, mixing well.
2. Pour into a well greased 12"x 18" cookie sheet pan with 1" sides.
3. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
4. Cool, add following topping.

This step is completely optional, and I only do it if I feel like it to achieve a higher cake. At times I beat the egg yolks into the cake mix and beat the egg whites separately until they are a nice soft peak and fold the egg whites into the cake batter after all the other ingredients have been added, but you certainly don't have to. It is good either way!
Topping

• 1/2 cup of softened butter or hard margarine
• 1- 8 oz package of cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cups of icing sugar
• 1-14 oz / 398ml. of crushed pineapple, well drained
• 2 cups of whipping cream, whipped until stiff peaks are formed

1. Beat the butter and cream cheese together until soft and light.
2. Add the icing sugar, continue beating until all the sugar is absorbed.
3. Add the tin of well drained pineapple.
4. Fold in the whipped cream.
5. Spread on the cake.
6. Cut into desired amount of serving pieces.
7. Top each piece with a slice of peaches (or desired pie filling)
8. This cake freezes very well.