Tasty bars perfect for any potluck

There's no doubt about it - we love to eat at CTC.

We just get talking about food and look for an excuse to have an office potluck.

Over the weekend, I was going through some of my recipes, getting ideas for a potluck we are having on Thursday in honor of Vanessa Thoennes, who will be leaving for college Friday.

I think I'll make Cream Cheese Layer Bars. These are quick, easy and delicious, with a layer of cream cheese sandwiched between a graham cracker crust and topped with coconut, nuts and chocolate chips.

Cream Cheese

Layer Bars

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 8 ounce package cream cheese

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

3/4 cup flaked coconut

1 cup nuts, chopped

6 ounces chocolate chips

Combine crumbs, sugar and butter; press into a 9x13 inch pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 10 minutes. Combine the cream cheese, sugar and egg, mixing until well blended. Spread over crust. Sprinkle with combined coconut, nuts and chocolate chips. Bake at 350 degrees, 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool and cut into bars.

Oven Cheese

and Garlic Potatoes

5 cups potatoes, sliced

2 heaping tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon salt

Pepper, to taste

Garlic powder, to taste

1/2 pound Velveeta, diced

3/4 cup milk

1/4 cup green pepper, chopped

1/4 cup onion, chopped

Combine the flour and seasonings and coat potatoes. Place in a 7 1/2x11 3/4 baking dish. Heat cheese and milk over low heat. Add green pepper and onion. Pour over potatoes. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes or until potatoes are done.

Bob's Crockpot

Beef Stroganoff

1 pound round steak or stew meat

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 package Lipton Onion soup mix

1 medium onion, chopped

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 pint sour cream

Lightly brown cut up round steak or stew meat in olive oil. Add 1 package of onion soup mix and onion. Add buttermilk and 1/2 pint of sour cream. Simmer on top of the stove until meat is tender. Add the other 1/2 pint of sour cream 1/2 hour before serving. Serve over cooked egg noodles. (I combine all ingredients except the last one-half of sour cream and put in the crockpot 6 to 8 hours or until meat is tender.) Fold in the sour cream and serve over egg noodles.