Drink: Creamy Hot Cocoa

Recipe by JEANIE BEAN

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/3 cup boiling water
• 3 1/2 cups milk
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup half-and-half cream

Directions:

Combine the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt in a saucepan. Blend in the boiling water. Bring this mixture to an easy boil while you stir. Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes. Watch that it doesn't scorch. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk and heat until very hot, but do not boil! Remove from heat and add vanilla. Divide between 4 mugs. Add the cream to the mugs of cocoa to cool it to drinking temperature.

Appetizer: Pigs in a Blanket

Recipe by Brandie2134

Ingredients:

• 8 frankfurters
• 8 slices American processed cheese
• 1 (10 ounce) package refrigerated biscuit dough

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Wrap cheese around each frankfurter then the biscuit around that. Put on cookie sheet with the overlap of biscuit face down, so you don't have to use tooth picks.

Bake in preheated oven until biscuits are brown, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Dinner: Shepherd’s Pie

Recipe by STP

Ingredients:

• 5 potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 (4-ounce) can sliced mushrooms
• 1 (15-ounce) can mixed vegetables
• 1 (10.75-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (10.75-ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons butter

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat a 9- by 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook potatoes in boiling water until tender, for about 15 minutes. Drain, reserving some of the cooking liquid. Mash potatoes with a little of the cooking liquid. Set aside.

In a large skillet, cook ground beef until brown over medium-high heat. Drain fat from pan. Stir in mushrooms, mixed vegetables, mushroom soup, celery soup, and salt and pepper; heat through. Pour into prepared baking dish, cover with mashed potatoes, and dot with butter.

Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until potatoes are golden and beef and vegetable mixture is hot and bubbly.

Dessert: Dessert Crepes

Recipe by ANN57

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 1/3 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

In large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, melted butter, flour, sugar and salt until smooth.

Heat a medium-sized skillet or crepe pan over medium heat. Grease pan with a small amount of butter or oil applied with a brush or paper towel. Using a serving spoon or small ladle, spoon about 3 tablespoons crepe batter into hot pan, tilting the pan so that bottom surface is evenly coated. Cook over medium heat, 1 to 2 minutes on a side, or until golden brown. Serve immediately with desired toppings and/or fillings.

These recipes are shared at AllRecipes.com. Check out more on our Pinterest page! (www.pinterest.com/houseboatmag)