Below are some of my dad's very favorite recipes. We love Mexican food, so Iíd probably do the King Ranch chicken, spanish rice, chili beans, a huge tossed salad, fruit salad, tortilla chips with homemade salsa, chili conqueso (1/2 box velveeta with about 1/2 cup salsa microwaved) and then end with homemade pecan ice cream with creamy pralines or one of the other summer desserts below. Hope this helps.

King Ranch Chicken
from Texas

1 package corn tortillas
2 fryers (boiled and boned - i do this in the crockpot the day before)
1 large onion, chopped (cook in stock with bell pepper for 10 minutes)
1 large bell pepper, chopped
1/2 lb grated cheddar cheese (or a mixture of different cheeses)
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 10 oz. can Rotel tomatoes with chilies

Grease 11 x 14 inch baking dish.
Layer in dish: tortillas, chicken, onion, bell pepper, grated cheese, seasonings, 2 cans soup undiluted, Rotel tomatoes on top.
Bake 30 minutes at 375 degrees.
Can be frozen cooked or uncooked.
Serves 10.

Veg-All Casserole

Mix:
2 cans Veg-All drained
1 c. grated cheddar cheese (or more to taste)
1 small onion
1 can water chestnuts
1 c. mayonnaise
1 tsp. season salt

Top with Pepperidge Farm

Bake 325 degrees 25 to 30 minutes.

Assemble and let sit over night, then bake before serving.

My Aunt Monethaís Fruit Salad

Mix

1 part real mayonnaise
2 parts Cool Whip
1 Tb. Frenchís prepared mustard
juice reserved from canned fruit -- enough to make dressing consistency

Drain and reserve juice from:

one can of tropical fruit
add: bananas, apples and other desired fruit

Arrange on:
beds of lettuce

Top with a generous portion of the dressing

Creamy Pecan Pralines
Mother

1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 c. evaporated milk
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. maple flavoring
1 1/2 cups pecans

Combine sugars, milk and salt in a 3 quart saucepan. Slowly bring to a boil and cook to 236 degrees (soft ball stage). Stir almost constantly. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Add flavoring and nuts, then stir until mixture begins to thicken. Drop quickly by Tb. onto wax paper or buttered pan, making 2 1/2 in ch to 3 inch patties. To prevent hardening of candy in pan, set over hot water while spooning out. Makes 15 to 20 pralines.

Creamy Banana Pudding (my dad loves this!)

1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 cups cold water
1 4-serving size package instant vanilla flavor pudding mix
2 cups (1 pint) whipping cream, whipped OR 2 cups Cool Whip, slightly thawed
36 vanilla wafers
3 medium bananas, sliced (can be dipped in fruit fresh)

In large bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk and cold water. Add pudding mix; beat well. Chill 5 minutes. Fold in whipped cream. Spoon 1 cup pudding mixture into 2 1/2 quart glass serving bowl. Top with 1/3 each of the wafers, bananas and pudding. Repeat layering twice, ending with pudding. Cover; chill. Garnish as desired. Refrigerate.

Tip: mixture can also be layered in individual serving dishes

Granny's Oreos and Cream Dessert

1 package Oreo cookies, crushed
1/2 gallon vanilla ice milk, softened
1 container Cool Whip, softened

Mix all ingredients together and store in freezer.