Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Creamy Tomato-Basil soup

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) Hunt’s® Original Diced Tomatoes, undrained (I think next time I am going to blend or puree them)
  • 2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) condensed tomato soup, undiluted
  • 1-1/2 cups milk (I only used 1/2 C)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon dried basil (I added a few extra shakes)
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (I added two extra shakes)
  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed

Directions:

  • In a large saucepan, saute onion in butter until tender. Stir in tomatoes, soup, milk, sugar, basil, paprika and garlic powder.(I added the milk after I simmered because Milk and I don't get along and my recipes always separate if I simmer or heat it whatsoever)
  • Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in cream cheese until melted. Serve immediately. Yield: 8 servings (2 quarts).

PS: I served it with garlic bread and they went together perfectly

If you want the link, here it is:

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Creamy-Tomato-Soup-2

Cheesy Garlic Bread Swirls

Next time I think I will add more garlic butter and cheese than I did so they will be even MORE gooey!

I got this off of the Ourbestbites blog. She has really nice pictures that make your mouth water:

http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/08/cheesy-garlic-bread-swirls.html

Cheesy Garlic Bread Swirls

Recipe by Our Best Bites

French Bread Dough:

1 Tbsp. yeast

1 1/2 c. warm water

1 1/2 Tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. salt

4-5 1/2 c. flour

3 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1 egg yolk

Garlic Butter:

1/2 c. (1 stick) of real butter, no substitutions

1 1/2 Tbsp. garlic bread seasoning (recipe further down the page if you want it)

Shredded mozzarella cheese

If you want the garlic bread seasoning recipe (I halved it and had some left over)

1/2 c. powdered Parmesan cheese

2 tsp. Kosher salt

2 Tbsp. garlic powder

2 tsp. oregano

2 tsp. basil

2 tsp. marjoram

2 tsp. parsley


Combine yeast, water, and sugar in large mixing bowl and allow to stand 10 minutes or until bubbly. Add salt, vegetable oil, and egg yolk (set white aside for later) and combine. Add 3 c. flour and mix well until combined. Add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough that barely sticks to your finger. Knead, either by hand or in mixer (my personal and very lazy choice) for another 2-3 minutes. Cover and allow to rise 1 hour.

While dough is rising, combine butter and garlic bread seasoning. Set aside.

Now...here's a little trick I've been using a lot lately. I really, really hate cleaning up flour on my work surface after I've been working with dough, but I obviously have to use SOMETHING to keep it from sticking. If you spray a little non-stick cooking spray on your work surface and your rolling pin, your dough won't stick and clean-up is super easy!

Anyway, roll your rough into a rectangle that's about 18-20 inches by 6 inches. Smear garlic butter over the entire surface of the dough and then sprinkle with cheese.



Roll up jelly-roll style and then use dental floss to cut into 12 equal slices. Of course, I kind of forgot to take pictures of this whole process, but if what I'm saying makes no sense, check out the orange roll recipe to see what I'm talking about. Place each slice in a muffin tin. Cover with a clean cloth. Preheat oven to 350 and allow rolls to rise while the oven is heating.

When the oven is ready, bake for 18-22 minutes.


You're going to need to keep a CLOSE eye on these puppies during the last 10 minutes or so--once you notice the cheese getting brown, place a sheet of aluminum foil over the rolls (you don't need to press it down or anything, just lay it on top). This will keep the cheese from burning, although it will get pretty brown on top. It's okay, though, because the insides are still all ooey-gooey.


Pull these out of the oven and eat 'em up ASAP! If you want to try and counteract the butter/cheese/white flour combo, pair these up with Italian Turkey Soup or dip 'em in some luscious, veggie-filled pasta sauce.

Amish Breakfast Casserole

I got this one from the Tasteofhome website. My husband hates breakfast foods and he ate this all week for breakfast

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Amish-Breakfast-Casserole

Ingredients

  • 1 pound sliced bacon, diced
  • 1 medium sweet onion, chopped ( I only put a 1/4 of an onion and it was good)
  • 6 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 4 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
  • 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1-1/2 cups (12 ounces) 4% cottage cheese
  • 1-1/4 cups shredded Swiss cheese

Directions

  • In a large skillet, cook bacon and onion until bacon is crisp; drain. In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; stir in bacon mixture. Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish.
  • Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting. Yield: 12 servings.

Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

I got this from a good friend. I made these for Christmas Eve and brought it to a party and they were a huge hit!

Rolls:

3 T yeast

2 C warm water

1/2 C Sugar

1/4 C oil

1 1/4 t Salt

1 egg

2 C Flour + enough to make good soft dough

Inside:

Butter and cinnamon to your liking

Caramel:

2/3 C Brown Sugar

1/4 C Butter

4 T Corn Syrup

1/4 C heavy whipping cream

Brink to boil till smooth then add cream

put in greased baking dish

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 block cream cheese, softened

3 heaping T powdered sugar or to the consistency you like or sweetness you like

If you want it a little runny you can add milk

mix cream cheese and sugar until smooth

then add milk and mix

Instructions:

Sprinkle yeast over warm water and sugar. let rise for 10 min

Add sugar, oil, salt, and egg. Mix together

Add flour and more till soft dough ball forms

Kneed on floured surface 8-10 min

put in greased bowl and side for 1 - 1 hour 15 min (till doubles)

roll flat approximately 10 x 20 in

smear with softened butter and cinnamon sugar liberally

makes about 12-15 rolls

roll up (length wise) and cut with floss

Spray 9x13 cooking dish with nonstick spray

pour caramel on bottom

place rolls on top

cover with clean towel and turn on oven to 350

let raise for 15 min

bake till golden brown

let rolls cool and then smear with cream cheese frosting

Then enjoy!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Yummy Chicken Sandwhich

I can't remember where I got this from but I think it is a mixture of a few recipes I saw
The first time I made this I literally ate it everyday for 2 weeks NOT KIDDING, now we just eat it about once a week for lunch

1 can chicken (I get the stuff from Costco)
2-4 T Mayo
1-2 T Dijon Mustard
1/2 Granny Smith apple
1 Small Stalk Celery
1/2 C Craisens
1 T sugar (if you want it a little more sweet)
a couple shakes of pepper
Croissants or just really yummy white bread

In a large bowl shred the chicken
Add mayo and mustard and mix
Cut up apple and celery into small bite size pieces and add
Add craisens and mix

Is really good right away but EVEN BETTER after it has sat for a few hours

PS you could even have it with some shredded cheese or some avocado

White Chicken Chili

MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.06 by AccuChef (tm) www.AccuChef.com
This is similar to a tortilla soup...but it's even better! I LOVE this soup!!! I got this recipe from my amazing mother! Whenever my mom makes this, seriously EVERYONE goes crazy! And it's easy! Can't beat that!


White Chicken Chili

1 32 oz Box Of Chicken Stock
3 cans White Beans, Undrained
5 c Cooked Chicken, Diced or shredded (I usually cook some chicken breasts in my crockpot for 4 hours on high, then shred or dice them)
1 16 oz Salsa
8 oz Pepper Jack Cheese, Grated
2 t Cumin
2 cloves Garlic, Minced
Pepper, To Taste
1/2 c Corn Tortilla Chips, Finely Crushed-(To Thicken)

Place all ingredients except the corn chips in a crockpot. Cook on
high until cheese is melted. May also be cooked on the stove top over
medium high heat until cheese is melted. When Chili is ready, add
crushed corn chips and simmer 10 minutes to thicken. Garnish with more
chips, cheese and/or sour cream.

{homemade apple crisp}


I made apple crisp this past weekend....and boy was it delicious!!
The key to making this dessert perfect---- is using a wide variety of apples. I used:
Granny Smith
Golden Delicious
Gala
Johnny Gold
10 cups of apples, peeled, cored and sliced
1/2 cup white sugar
1 T. flour
1 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. nutmeg
1/2 cup of water
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 cup flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 t. baking powder
1/4 t. baking soda
1/2 cup melted butter
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Place the sliced apples in a 9x13 inch pan. Mix the white sugar, 1 T. flour, and cinnamon and nutmeg together, and sprinkle over the apples. Pour water evenly over all. Combine oats, 1 cup flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and melted butter together. Crumble evenly over the apple mixture. Bake at 350 degrees (covered) for about 50 min or until top is golden brown.

{licorice caramels}

Black licorice caramels




We made these tasty little treats last month for the holiday's.....and man are they addicting! Even if you don't necessarily love black licorice---I am betting that you will like these!
1 cup butter
2 cups white sugar
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup corn syrup
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon anise extract (licorice)
black food coloring

Line a 9x9 inch dish with buttered foil.
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in sugar, milk, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Continue to heat, without stirring, to 242 to 248 degrees F (116 to 120 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a firm but pliable ball. Remove from heat and stir in anise and food coloring. Pour into prepared pan. Let cool completely, several hours.
To cut, turn out of pan and peel away foil. Cut with a buttered knife. Wrap pieces in waxed paper or candy wrappers.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Pumpkin Trifle

I got this off of Studio 5. Made it for Thanksgiving. PERFECT! I'd half the recipe next time because it makes way more than needed! I also used mini loaf pans and had 2 loaves leftover. Also I threw away half the whipping cream. So yeah, half the recipe. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
•1 loaf Pumpkin bread, cubed (recipe below)
•Caramel ice cream topping
•Toffee bits
•1 qt. heavy whipping cream beaten with 1 ½ c. brown sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla
Method:


Create trifle by layering above ingredients. Start by placing half of the pumpkin bread cubes in the bottom of the trifle dish. Drizzle caramel sauce over the pumpkin bread. Next, sprinkle toffee bits over the bread and caramel. Spread a generous layer of the whipped topping over the pumpkin bread. Repeat all of the above for the second layer. Garnish as desired.




Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Ingredients:
•3 1/3 cups sifted flour
•4 tsp. Pumpkin pie spice
•2 tsp. Baking soda
•1 tsp. Baking powder
•1 ½ tsp. Salt
•2/3 c. cooking oil
•2 2/3 c. sugar
•4 eggs
•1 (1 lb.) can mashed pumpkin (about 2 cups)
•2/3 c. water
Method:


Sift together flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside. Using an electric mixer, beat together sugar and oil in a bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in pumpkin. Add dry ingredients and water alternately to your sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Pour batter into 2 greased 9x5x3-inch loaf pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 55 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean. Cool in pans on racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool on racks. Makes 2 loaves

Sunday, November 21, 2010

EGG NOG FRENCH TOAST

This is a DELICIOUS recipe and spin off the real thing. We will make this a tradition in our home every year from now on. Go ahead and try it, you will be happy you did!!!!

2 eggs
1 1/2 cups egg nog (I used light and it worked perfectly)
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 cup flour

Mix all ingredients together and submerge bread in the mixture and cook on the stove or griddle like you would normal french toast. YUMMY!!!!

Friday, November 12, 2010

6 Week Bran Muffins

6 Week Bran Muffins
This recipes makes a TON: 5 1/2 dozen. So it's best to cut the recipe in half.

5 cups flour
1 tsp salt
4 cups all bran cereal (looks like twigs)
2 cupsbran flakes cereal (you can use generic store brand)
2 C. raisins (or dried berries of your choice, optional)
2 cups boiling water
5 tsp baking soda
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter
4 eggs
1 quart (4 cups) buttermilk

In large bowl mix together flour and salt. Stir in all bran and bran flakes. Add raisins. Set aside.
Mix boiling water and bakin soda. Set aside to cool.
In large bowl (with lid, ice cream buckets work great) cream butter and sugar. Stir in eggs one at a time. Beat well with hand mixer. Stir in buttermilk and soda/water mixture. Sitr in bran/flour mixture. Cover tightly with lid. Refrigerate for 12 hours (or more) before baking. When ready to bake, drop by spoonfuls into muffin papers. DO NOT stir mixture. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until lightly brown on top.

The mixed, uncooked batter is good in your refrigerator for up to 6 weeks. These are delicious and packed with fiber!!!!!

Creamy Potato Soup and Homemade French Bread Soup Bowls

I found these recipes a couple of years ago on the Studio 5 (anyone from Utah will know what this means) website. It is my FAVORITE potato soup recipe.

French Bread Soups Bowls

Ingredients:
2 ½ cups warm water
3 tablespoons sugar
2 packages dry active yeast (4 1/2 tsp)
1 tablespoon salt
5 tablespoons oil
6 cups all-purpose flour

Method:
Preheat Oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl or the bowl of an electric bread mixer, combine warm water and sugar. Sprinkle yeast over the top and stir. Wait 10 minutes until yeast mixture is frothy. Add salt, oil, and half of the flour. Beat well in mixer or with a wooden spoon. Add remaining flour and mix well until a soft dough forms. Turn dough out onto floured board and knead 2 or 3 times to coat with flour. Divide into 8 to 10 equal parts, depending on size of bowls desired. Form into large balls and place in small foil pans (small pot pie pans work well). Allow dough bowls to rise for 20 minutes. Bake for 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from pans. Cut off tops and hollow out insides. Serve with soup.
Makes 8 to 10 bowls.


Creamy Potato Soup
Ingredients:
3 14 oz cans beef broth
1 cup minced onion
1 cup chopped celery
5 potatoes, peeled and diced
2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
4 cups cream or milk (cream works best)
½ cup butter
½ cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup white cooking wine
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
¼ cup chopped Italian parsley
Created Parmesan or cheddar cheese, for garnish

Method:
In a large soup pot, bring broth to a boil over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery, potatoes, and carrots. Boil, covered, for about 10 minutes, until vegetables are tender. Stir in the cream. In a separate bowl, melt butter in the microwave on high power. Add flour and stir to make a roux. Once roux is mixed well, add slowly to hot soup, stirring vigorously with a wire whisk until roux is gone. Bring to a slow rolling boil over medium heat. Soup will thicken to a nice creamy texture. Add cooking wine, seasoned salt, and parsley. Let simmer for about 20 minutes. Garnish with grated cheese.

Serves 8 to 10
Jill McKenzie - Author "52 Weeks of Proven Recipes for Picky Kids"

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Orange Creamsicle Cookies

ORANGE CREAMSICLE COOKIES

2 1/2 Cups Flour

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 Cup softened butter

1/2 Cup sugar

1/2 Cup brown sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp. vanilla

2 Tbs orange zest (about 2 oranges)

2 Cups vanilla chips

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt and set aside. Cream butter and sugars and then beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually add flour mixture. Stir in orange zest and chips. Bake on cookie sheet at 375 for 8-10 minutes. YUMMY!!!!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Ice Cream in a Bag

Did you ever make "homemade ice cream" in your junior high science class? While I very much wish I had an ice cream machine, unfortunately I do not. So, how could we make homemade ice cream as a family activity?? I thought back to my 8th grade science class, and thought that my family might enjoy doing this:

HOMEMADE ICE CREAM (in a bag)
1/2 cup reduced-fat (I used 1%) or whole milk
2 Tbs sugar
1 quart sized resealable bag (1 for each person making ice cream)
1 gallon-sized resealable bag (1 for each person making ice cream)
1/4 tsp vanilla or 1/2 Tbs cocoa powder
About 2 trays ice cubes
6 tablespoons rock salt

Optional: peanutbutter or chocolate chips, flavored syrups, flavorin extracts

Put milk and sugar in quart sized bag and seal it. For vanilla ice cream, add vanilla extract; for chocolate ice cream, add cocoa powder. Throw in 1/4 chocolate chips if desired. You could also experiement with other flavors by using about 1/2 tsp flavored syrpus like strawberry or caramel, or extras like lemon, mint, or almond.

Put ice and rock salt in gallon-sized bag. Put smaller bag inside bigger bag and seal it. Shake larger bag vigorously for 7-10 minutes. Wear gloves if you want, or wrap the bag in a towel...because it's going to be cold!!! Remove the small bag, which is now ice cream!! Snip a hole in corner of the bag and squeeze it into a dish. Makes one serving of soft-serve consistency ice cream! Enjoy! We sure did!!!

Monday, October 11, 2010

Olive Garden bread machine Breadsticks

This recipe taste SOOO close to the real thing, we love it. Not the healthiest, but sometimes you have to indulge:)

Makes 30 breadsticks

1 cup plus 2 tablespoon water
3 tablespoon butter
3 cups flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 teaspoons yeast

(Have garlic salt and butter on hand for after breadsticks are out of oven)

Put ingredients in a bread machine on a manual dough cycle. When done, divide into 30 pieces. Roll into thin ropes. Let rise 20-25 minutes. (I usually have to let them rise longer than this, until they look a little smaller than the size of the olive garden breadsticks.) Bake @ 350 degress for 15-20 minutes. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle lightly with garlic salt.