With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season at full throttle, this week's recipes are simple and hearty, yet quick enough to leave plenty of time for yuletide shopping. Dennis Ripley of Michigan stops by my office from time-to-time as he visits his mom, Christina. During a conversation last week, I discovered he's quite the accomplished cook. He delivered a couple of his surefire hits this week and graciously allowed me to share them with you.

Dennis promises that his Cabbage Roll Casserole tastes just like its traditional counterpart. It's just much simpler and easy to make. And, his Awesome Broccoli Cheese Casserole will have your kids licking their lips while they're eating their veggies. Both these dishes would make excellent Christmas presents for a busy mom or dad. Prepare either of the dishes in a really cool casserole dish. Give a quick tin foil gift wrap and tie with a bow. Don't forget to attach a copy of the recipe.

Next week: more recipes to lighten your holiday load. Happy eating!
            Dennis         Ripley's
  Cabbage             Roll     Casserole
1 lb. hamburger
1 T. oil
1 onion, sliced fine
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 (10-oz.) can tomato soup
1 soup can water
1/2 C. raw rice
3 C. shredded cabbage
  Grease baking dish. Brown meat
in oil. Add onions, salt, pepper and
rice. Mix well while browning. Add
soup and water. Put cabbage in baking
    dish. Pour the rest over it. Do not
stir. Bake at 325 for 90 minutes.

            Dennis         Ripley's
        Awesome               Broccoli
        Cheese           Casserole
1 (10.75-oz.) can condensed cream
  of mushroom soup
1 C. mayonnaise
1 egg, beaten
1/4 C. finely chopped onion
3 (10-oz.) pkgs. frozen chopped
  broccoli
8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar
  cheese
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
2 pinches paprika

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9x13 baking dish. In a medium bowl, whisk together condensed cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise and onion. Place frozen broccoli into a very large mixing bowl. Break up the frozen broccoli. Using a rubber spatula, scrape soup-mayonnaise mixture on top of broccoli and mix well. Sprinkle on cheese and mix well. Spread mixture into prepared baking dish and smooth top of casserole. Season to taste with salt, pepper and paprika. Bake 45 minutes to one hour in preheated oven.