Chicken Noodle Soup

Really yummy.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 4 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can vegetable broth
• 1/2 pound chopped cooked chicken breast
• 1 1/2 cups egg noodles
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter. Cook onion and celery in butter until just tender, 5 minutes. Pour in chicken and vegetable broths and stir in chicken, noodles, carrots, basil, oregano, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes before serving.

Famous Bread/Rolls Recipe

This is by far the yummiest bread recipe I have ever tried!  I have been using it for about 10 years now and I love it.  It makes yummy rolls, bread, and amazing cinnamon rolls.  It has been driving me crazy that it hasn't been added on here yet, because I have wanted the recipe when I have been traveling.  Finally.

Ingredients

2 c. hot water

1 stick butter, melted

2 tbsp. yeast

¾ c. sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. baking powder

7 c. flour- (add more flour when kneading to reach correct consistency)

2 tsp. salt

Place water and yeast in bowl and stir ‘til dissolved. Add sugar and let activate. In meantime sift together dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add butter and eggs to yeast mixture. Slowly mix in dry ingredients. Let dough rest 5 minutes before kneading for 5 minutes. For rolls, I like to tie knots. Let rise 1-2 hours at room temperature (until doubled in size) before baking at 420 for 10-15 minutes, and golden brown on top.

Rice Pudding

I've tried to put all my favorite recipes on here so I can look them up when I need them instead of digging through the old recipe box, but somehow this one was missed.  I've had to dig this out too many times, so finally here it is!  Good memories sharing this yummy pudding with mom.  The boys just didn't care for it.  Now I get it all to myself, unless Porter is in the mood to share with me.

2 cups milk
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups rice

In sauce pan scald 2 c. milk.  In bowl, mix eggs, sugar and vanilla.  After milk is scalded, remove from stove and gradually add in egg mixture.  You must do this slowly to avoid scrambling the eggs.  Pour milk mixture over the rice in 8x8 casserole dish.  Place 8x8 pan in a larger casserole dish, and fill dish 1/2 way with water.  Bake 2 pans at 350 for 50-60 minutes.  We liked to eat this with a little more milk or 1/2 & 1/2 over the top.

Chicken Curry Chili

This is a recipe that Jared's parents tried in Hawaii on their mission and loved.  I want to try it out now!

2 lbs. cooked and cubed chicken  
4 cloves garlic

1 tbs. curry powder                         
2 tsp. gound coriander

1 tsp. ground cumin                            
1 tbs. lemon juice

2 medium sweet peppers                    
3 cans diced tomatoes with chilies

1 15 oz. can chicken broth                 
1 15 oz. can coconut milk

1/4 cup catsup

In large stock pot, cook garlic and sweet peppers.  Stir in curry, coriander, cumin,

and lemon juice. Stir in tomatoes, broth, coconut milk and catsup. Bring to boil

and add chicken.  Garnish with fresh basil and chopped peanuts. Salt to taste.

Jeri said that Scott sometimes adds a bit of brown sugar.  If you want the taste 

sweeter, just add brown sugar to taste.

Cranberry Spinich Salad

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3/4 cup almonds, blanched and slivered
• 1 pound spinach, rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons minced onion
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Cook and stir almonds in butter until lightly toasted. Remove from heat, and let cool.
2. In a large bowl, combine the spinach with the toasted almonds and cranberries.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, onion, paprika, white wine vinegar, cider vinegar, and vegetable oil. Toss with spinach just before serving.

Sweet Potato Hash

I saw this recipe in a magazine and decided to try it out.  I thought it was really fresh and yummy, and pretty easy to whip up, too!  I decided I was going to make it again tonight and realized I threw out the magazine just days ago.  Luckily it was posted on the internet, so I decided I better post it before it's lost for good.

Ingredients

• 1  large or 2 small sweet potatoes, peeled and quartered (about 1 lb.)
• 1  Tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1  11-oz. can Southwestern-style corn with black beans and peppers, rinsed and drained
• 1/2  cup dairy sour cream
• 2  Tbsp. chipotle salsa
• 3  medium avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced
•   Fresh cilantro leaves and chili powder (optional)

Directions

1. Place sweet potatoes in a microwave safe dish; cover and cook on 100 percent power (high) for 5 to 8 minutes or just until tender enough to chop. Cool slightly; cut into chunks. Sprinkle lightly with salt.
2. In large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add potatoes; cook until browned and crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Add drained corn to skillet. Cook 3 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
3. Meanwhile, stir together sour cream and chipotle salsa.
4. To serve, divide sweet potato mixture among 4 plates. Top with avocado and serve with chipotle sour cream sauce. Add cilantro and sprinkle chili powder. Makes 4 servings.

Beef or Pork 2 for 1 Dinner

Anytime I find a 2 for 1 dinner I am posting it on here so that in a few months when I forget what I've tried, I can find it on here.

I don't know if any body has ever tried the "spoon roast" from Harmons, but it is to die for. I can never crock pot a roast again, this is the ultimate. They call it a spoon roast because you can scoop the meat or cut the meat with a spoon... it is that tender. The butcher at Harmons does all the work for me, but he has told me how to make it on my own. All you need is a good cut roast, beef or pork. Season it to your liking. Then layer 3 to 4 sheet of butcher paper, and wrap the roast tightly, securing it with twine. Bake at 250 degrees for one hour per pound. Or... if you have a Harmons near you just ask your meat guy for a spoon roast!

Day 1: Roast with your liking of side dishes.

Day 2: Shredded beef enchiladas: Really easy! All you do, is shred the leftovers of your roast, and heat in a skillet. Pour 1/4 of a can of red enchilada sauce to the meat. After heated through roll the meat in tortillas, adding a little cheese to the inside of each. Pour rest of enchilada sauce over the top, and top with shredded cheese. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes until heated through. Serve with a green salad, and/or spanish rice.

Another 2 for 1 Dinner Recipe(s)

As you can see, have become a big fan of what I call 2 for 1 recipes. I am not a fan of leftovers... I do not like having the same thing twice in one week. So normally a lot of food gets wasted at our house, unless Jared mans up and eats all the leftovers for us. But now that I have been trying these 2 for 1 recipes, I am making the most out of my groceries! Love it!

Turkey Dinner

I love dinner that comes from Costco because it means it was easy on me! They sell this pre-cooked turkey at Costco that is so incredibly moist and yummy, Jared has actually requested that we substitute Thanksgiving turkey for this. Since it is pre-cooked it just takes about an hour to heat up in the oven. We serve it with mashed potatoes and a vegetable and it is a delicious dinner that is so easy! Tip: If you serve with rice instead, make double and your next dish will be SUPER easy!

Leftover Turkey Casseroles-
With the leftovers from the turkey dinner, I dice up the remaining turkey and use it in a casserole the following night. I have two casseroles that I like. Here they are:

Turkey & Rice Spanish Casserole

2 cups cooked rice
1-2 cups diced turkey (chicken works just as good!)
1 can green enchilada sauce
1 can green chiles
1 cup sour cream
1 can corn, drained
1/2 cup jack cheese, for top

Mix all ingredients in a bowl until combined, and place into a greased 9x13 casserole dish. Top with cheese, and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Turkey & Potato Casserole

1 pkg southern hashbrowns, frozen
2 cups diced turkey (or whatever is left)
2 cans cream of chicken
1 16oz sour cream
8 oz colby/jack cheese
salt and pepper

Combine all ingredients and put in a greased 9x13 casserole dish. Bake at 375 for 1 hour until potatoes are soft.

Baked BBQ Chicken + BBQ Chicken Pizza

I thought it was appropriate to put these two recipes together in the same post, because I use the leftovers from the 1st recipe to make the 2nd recipe the following night. This is one of my favorite meal(s) because I get 2 for one!

Baked BBQ Chicken Pizza

Don't let the simplicity of the ingredients scare you off. This was one of the top rated BBQ Chicken recipes I could find online, and it falls off the bone... it is so tender and so yummy!

• 1 (2 to 3 pound) whole chicken, cut into pieces (It's cheaper to find the package where the butcher has already cut up the pieces for you, it's about $5)
  
• salt and pepper
  
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 1/2 cups prepared barbecue sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

1. Place chicken in a shallow baking dish and sprinkle with garlic powder. Cover and bake 1 hour at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Remove baking dish from oven and drain any fat from dish. Pour the barbecue sauce evenly over the chicken and bake uncovered for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Remove and serve.

BBQ Chicken Pizza

The next day I use the leftovers from the BBQ Baked Chicken to make homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza. It is simple and yummy.

• 2 Pouches Betty Crocker Pizza Mix (just add water) (Use 1 pouch for thin crust)
• Your Favorite BBQ Sauce
• 8 oz low fat mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Diced BBQ Chicken (After I dice it, I toss it in a bowl with a little more sauce)
• Sliced Tomatoes
• Sliced Red Onion
• Freshly Chopped Basil

Preheat oven to 450

1. Press pizza dough into pan.
2. Spread thin layer of BBQ Sauce across dough. Too much will make dough soggy.
3. Sprinkle cheese.
4. Spread all your toppings.
5. Bake at 450 for 15 minutes or until crust is golden. (Bake at bottom rack.)

Guilt Free Dessert

Yogurt Parfaits

Non-Fat Vanilla Yogurt
Vanilla & Almond Granola (or your favorite flavor of granola)
Any Fresh Fruit- I prefer diced Fuji Apples

This is seriously one of my favorite treats. It is under 100 calories of pure yumminess. When I can't make it another second without a dessert in my life this baby is my go-to. I love it even when I am a friend of chocolate, so you know it is good.

Mud Pie

I actually haven't tried this, but I found it online and want to try it, so I am posting it here. Here is the recipe, and the bakers comments:

I love this recipe, it is pretty simple and can be altered how you like it. I have had it with pistachio pudding in the middle and that is REALLY good too.

1 cup flour

1 cube butter

1 cup chopped pecans

Mix thoroughly and press into the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 15 to 20 min, then cool.

8 oz. cream cheese

1 cup powdered sugar

9 oz. cool whip (1/2 of carton)

Mix well and spread on first layer.

2 small pkgs. of instant pudding (I mixed 1 butterscotch with 1 chocolate)

2 1/2 cups cold milk

Beat for 2 minutes then spread on second layer.

Spread on remaining cool whip and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.