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It's the Celebration of the Lakes festivities this weekend, as if you didn't know that by now. There for awhile, when the weather was unusually warm, I and lots of others were wondering if we would be on the lakes this year. When we moved out to South Center Lake a number of years ago, I was introduced to the sound of the lake "making ice." It was after dark when I first heard the "whoop, whoop" coming from the lake and I got the begeebers scared out of me. I thought for sure an UFO was hovering out front above the lake. Bud was quick to tell me the lake was "making ice." And, for the first time this year, a couple of weeks ago, I heard the familiar whooping sound on South Lindstrom Lake. Didn't see any UFOs either.

I presume that you who are taking in the festivities will be having friends and relatives gathering on the lake and then going back to your home for a meal. And, you don't want to miss out on anything while preparing something to eat, right? I have the real deal for you with today's recipes. Drag out the crockpot (slow cooker, if you want to get fancy about it) start early in the day before company comes and put all the ingredients in the pot to have ready when the fun is done. If you have a newer type crockpot, you can set the timer to start cooking six or seven hours before meal time and stay out as long as you want. Sounds good to me.

NOTE: These recipes are for 3-1/2 to 5 quart crockpots.

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Let's start with a chicken dish and go from there.

COMPANY CHICKEN CASSEROLE

1 8 oz. package uncooked noodles (2-1/2 c.) cooked according to package directions until barely tender, drained and rinsed thoroughly

3 c. diced cooked chicken

1/2 c. diced celery

1/2 c. diced green pepper

1/2 c. diced onion

1-4 oz. can sliced mushrooms, drained

1-4 oz. jar diced pimiento, drained

1-1/2 c. cream-style cottage cheese

1 c. grated sharp cheddar cheese

1 can condensed cream of chicken soup (can use the low sodium or reduced fat)

1/2 c. chicken broth (can make broth using 1/2 c. boiling water and 1/2 t. granulated chicken bouillon)

2 T. butter or margarine, melted

1/2 t. dried basil leaves

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients, making sure noodles are separated and coated with mixture. Pour into greased crockpot. Cover and cook on low 7-9 hours or on high 3-4 hours. Makes 6-8 servings.

If you have the new crockpot liners, use one and there will be no cleaning the crockpot when it's empty.

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This recipe title is appropriate for the day . . .

GONE ALL DAY

CASSEROLE

2 lbs. boneless round steak, cut into 1-inch cubes

2 T. olive or canola oil

1 c. uncooked wild rice, rinsed and drained

1 c. sliced carrots, about 1/2-inch thick

1 c. sliced celery, about 1/2-inch thick

2-4 oz. cans mushrooms, drained (optional)

1 large onion, chopped (about 1-1/3 c.)

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 t. black pepper

1/2 c. slivered almonds

3 beef bouillon cubes or 3 t. granulated bouillon

3 c. water

In a large skillet, brown beef in hot oil. Drain and transfer to crockpot. Layer rest of ingredients into pot in order given. Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours or until rice is tender. Stir before serving. Makes 12 servings.

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CREAMY HAMBURGER NOODLE DISH

1-1/2 lbs. lean hamburger

1-1/2 T. olive or canola oil

1 medium green pepper, diced

2-15 oz. cans diced tomatoes, undrained (or 1 quart whole tomatoes, cut up)

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 large onion, diced (about 1-1/3 c.)

1-1/2 T. Worcestershire sauce

1-8 oz. package medium noodles (2-1/2 c. uncooked)

1/2 t. salt (optional)

1/4 t. pepper

1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Combine all ingredients in large bowl, except cheese; turn into crockpot. Cover and cook on high 3-4 hours or low 6-8 hours. Sprinkle with cheese; cover for 2 minutes or until cheese is melted. Makes 10 servings.

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Your company or family will really like this dish if they like pork and pineapple.

POLYNESIAN BARBECUED PORK

1/2 c. soy sauce (I use low-sodium Kikkomen, it's the best.)

1/4 c. sherry (Not cooking sherry or you may substitute apple juice if you don't wish to use sherry.)

1/2 c. brown sugar

2 medium cloves, crushed or minced

1/8 t. pepper

1/2 c. barbecue sauce (your favorite)

2-8 oz. can pineapple tidbits, drained

3 lbs. very lean pork, cut into strips, browned in 1-2 T. olive or canola oil, drained

hot cooked white or brown rice

Combine all ingredients in crockpot, except rice; stir well. Add pork and stir to coat thoroughly. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours.

Serve with hot rice. Makes 12 servings.

NOTE: Pork tenderloin is excellent for this recipe.

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Thought for the day: Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together.

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