Meatball Soup

I saw a recipe for this at a website called "The Pioneer Woman Cooks" under "Italian Meatball Soup". She has some awesome recipes. Anyway, I was intrigued. It sounded very good, but a bit too much work. For some reason I cannot make my own meatballs, they fall apart or are gross. And, I have no idea where to even purchase cheesecloth and didn't have any of the herbs on hand (the first time I made this I used Italian dressing seasoning and it was good. If you want more flavor, try that). So, here is my simplified version, and it was really good. This picture does not do it justice. The first time I made it I added the pasta (whole wheat spaghetti) and then went outside to play in the snow with the kids. When I came back inside and hour later my soup had morphed. It looked like canned pasta and meatballs. The kids still liked it, but I didn't like the mushy pasta. Lesson learned - cook the pasta and add it to the soup when you are ready to serve it. The second time was so much better and I am excited for left overs tonight.

Ingredients:
1 large onion (I prefer the big sweet onions)
1 large red pepper
3 large carrots
Olive oil
3 cans of beef broth
At least 1/2 jar of your favorite pasta sauce (After I dump the sauce I rinse it with about 1/2 cup water to get the rest that is in there and add it to the soup. You can use a full jar if you want. I had 1/2 a jar, so that is what I used.)
1 16 oz bag frozen meatballs (or 1/2 a 32 ounce bag, what I had)
small pasta of your choice, about 2 cups, cooked. (If you want more, add it)
cheese for topping
optional - fresh spinach (Frozen would work too, but fresh looks so pretty. I didn't have any this time, so my soup looks kind of blah, but it tasted awesome. ALL of the kids liked it.)

Preheat oven 425 to 450 (some cookware is not designed to cook above 425, if yours is not roast these veggies at a lower temp.) Cut up the onion and pepper, peel and slice up the carrot. Put them in a 9 by 13 pan and drizzle with 2 to 3 Tablespoons of Olive oil (or less if you want). Roast veggies in oven for 35 to 40 min, stirring once. In the meantime heat up broth and pasta sauce. In a skillet, heat up 1/2 cup to 1 cup of the broth mixture and add meatballs. Simmer meatballs until they are fully cooked. I spooned them out onto the cutting board and cut them in 1/4's so that there were more. Cook pasta. When veggies are done roasting, puree them in blender. Add veggies to broth mixture. Heat through. Add meatballs and spinach and cook for a few more minutes. Add cooked pasta right before you serve the soup. Top with Italian blend of shredded cheese. Serve with some yummy garlic bread. Enjoy!!!

Homemade Yogurt - without a yogurt maker

Seriously, this really works and I LOVE it. I have a ton of strawberry "jam" that didn't jell very well and is really more like syrup and it is perfect to use to flavor the yogurt. You can also puree frozen fruit, or use this to make frozen yogurt. I got the recipe from A Year of Slow Cooking and it really works. I changed it a little and add that you really want to try to not lift the lid off of the crock pot while making this. Here is what you need:
Ingredients:
- 8 cups of whole milk (I used lowfat milk)
- 1/2 cup of plain yogurt (I used 3/4 to 1 cup because I figured I may need more because I didn't used the whole milk
- Fresh or frozen fruit for flavoring
- Large bath towel to wrap around crock pot


The How to:
This takes a little while, so you need to make sure that you make it on a day when you will be around to turn off your crock pot at the right time. Pour 8 cups of milk into your crock pot, cover and cook on low for 2 hours. I put a dish towel over mine to be a warning flag (do not open this or I will cut your fingers off). Unplug your crock pot, leaving it covered for 3 hours (so I usually start this at 2 or 3 in the afternoon). After 3 hours scoop out 2 cups of the milk and add the 1/2 cup (or in my case 3/4 cup) yogurt, whisk to make sure it is mixed in well. Add it back the crock pot making sure it is mixed in well. She says to wrap it in a heavy bath towel and let it sit over night (at least 8 hours). I turned mine on again and set the timer for 10 minutes (just because I felt it had cooled off too much). After 10 minutes I unplugged it, wrapped it in a bath towel, and let it sit for about 10 hours (overnight). It worked out well. Transfer yogurt to containers to save in your fridge. Blend in your favorite fresh or frozen fruit combos or use yogurt for smoothies. It should last 7 to 10 days. Stephanie O'Dea says to save 1/2 cup for your starter for next time, but I get creeped out about saving stuff like that. That "Amish Friendship Bread" tastes great, but I never do the starter and keep it thing. It grosses me out having it sit on my counter or in my cabinet fermenting, sorry all those who love it. That is just my own quirk.

The Abyss of the Purse - Coupon Contest

On my quest to conquer the stuff that drives me nuts about my house, I ran into my purse. It's more like I had a hard time lifting it and extracting my insurance card that I needed to make an appointment (I almost needed the "jaws of life"). So, this was my mission today. Seriously, my wallet was looking like George Castanza from "Seinfield" in that episode where he gets back problems from sitting on his wallet that is so full of receipts that he can barely shut it. That is me the receipt and coupon junkie. I found coupons in there that expired in 2008. But now it is clutter and crumb free. It only took about 10 minutes. But, I have a contest for you all. If you can guess how many pens I found in my purse I will send you the coupons that are still redeemable that I found in my abyss. The prize is: 11 "Scoopie Points" for Culvers, 1 coupon for the kids (which adults can use too) ice cream from Culvers, and 3 -$4 off coupons for a family size pizza for Papa Murphy's, and a few other PM coupons. (Sorry, this probably only applies to those who live near Culvers and in Elkhorn or Delavan for the Papa Murphy's coupons (they are from "The Shopper"). I will check at the end of the day on Monday and whoever is closest will win the coupons. Good Luck!!

Focaccia Dippers

My kids love "dipping" things and so this is a hit. I have included the recipe for the foccacia bread, but you can just use a roll of pizza dough and cook it according to the directions on the package. The dipping sauce is a great way to sneak veggies in on them to win the battle I am not willing to fight right now at dinner. This makes enough sauce for 2 dinners. I freeze the left overs for later.

Ingredients:
1 onion
3 carrots (big one's)
1 Red pepper or other colored pepper
Olive oil
Salt and Pepper
A jar of your favorite pasta sauce

Preheat oven to 425 or 450. Cut up veggies and put them in a 9 by 13 pan, drizzle with Olive oil (2 to 3 Tablespoons) and add salt and pepper. Cook in oven for 35 to 40 min., stirring once. Puree veggies and put in a pot. Add as much as your favorite pasta sauce as you like (usually about 1/2 to a whole jar) and mix. Cover and let it simmer for about 10 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Add salt and pepper if needed. Get ready to dip.

Foccacia from CooksRecipes.com:
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 Tablespoon sugar (I use 2 usually)
2 1/2 teaspoons of active dry yeast (a 1/4 ounce package)
3 1/4 cups flour (I do half wheat half regular and usually need a little more than this.)
2 teaspoons salt
1 Tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
1/4 to 1/2 cup shredded Parm or Italian cheese

Dissolve sugar in the water in a small bowl. Sprinkle yeast over mixture and let it stand for 10 min. In a large bowl combine 3 cups of flour and salt. Add yeast mixture and knead for 10 min. (I have a mixer that kneads it for me and I usually have it on the knead setting for 2 to 3 minutes). Slowly add what flour you need until the dough is no longer sticky (I usually end up adding at least 1/2 cup, if not more). Place dough in a well greased bowl, tuning once to coat it. Cover and set it in a warm place until it doubles in size (about 1 to 1/2 hours. Mine usually is not quite double, but it has gotten bigger). Preheat oven to 375. Punch down the dough and place it on a lightly oiled pizza pan or stone, or baking sheet. Make several dimples in the dough with your fingertips. Drizzle the dough with olive oil, spread it around with a spoon to make sure it is well distributed. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown. Turn off oven and add cheese to foccacia bread. Return to oven just until cheese is melted, 3 to 5 min. Cut into "sticks" and enjoy.

Things that made my day better today

So, the day started out with finding a dead mouse in my cooking utensil drawer and mouse turds in our eating utensil drawer, yes totally gross (I had found mouse turds in the one drawer the day before and had Mike set a trap. I know it is part of living in the country, but gross...) Thankfully I had run the dishwasher last night and had clean utensils to use. So, as I am emptying all of my drawers and bottom cabinets and sanitizing everything. (I am not a clean freak, but mouse turds creep me out.) I had to think of things that I am thankful for today. Here they are:

1. My dishwasher that does all of the sanitizing of the pots and pans and utensils
for me.

2. My deodorant that has lasted to the very bottom (I have never had that
happen, it usually crumbles and I have to pick up pieces off the floor) I
had to photograph this because I don't know that it will ever happen again.

3. My new pants. I got these at Kohls with my 30% off coupon,
on clearance. I LOVE these and recommend them to everyone,
but don't wear them if you are going to be around your husband
a lot that day. He may like them a bit too much. They are kind
of silky. They are "Adidas Thermal System" and they are the most comfortable non-maternity pants I have ever worn. I will have to go and get another
pair when I get another Kohl's coupon.

4. I could actually walk this morning after playing at parents night last night. I was sore last night and feared what that would mean for morning. I guess Jillian Michaels has been helping me get into shape. Almost 6 months prego and I can still fake out a 9 or 10 year old and shoot a "J"on an 8 foot hoop.

5. I did a survey for Sonic and now get a free 44OZ soda next time I go back. I go to a Walmart that is 10 minutes further than the closest one because there is a Sonic there. It is my treat for the month. I love their grilled chicken wrap with honey mustard, onion rings, soda with my choice of flavoring.

6. The kids did not have a snow day today. I love them to death, but I needed them to go to school today.

7. Last, but certainly not least, the comments on a previous entry, about putting stuff away. I miss you guys!!

Thinking of these things helped me to smile as I am cleaning up mouse turds and whatever else the mouse left behind. I will set another trap in each drawer tonight to make sure the party in my kitchen is over. Sorry for all you animal lovers and "save the spiders" people out there. I don't let mice live in my house.

Peanut Butter Cup Cake

We are celebrating a birthday today and so I made a cake. If we were still living in Elkhorn I would have gone to the Lakeland Bakery and purchased a marble cake with fudge icing in the middle and the 1/4 inch of butter cream frosting (one of my friends told me I was the cheapest person they knew, which I took as a compliment, because I prefer to make things, like a cake, at home rather than paying $20 for one. I would pay that for a cake from LB). My word, my mouth is watering just thinking about that. I so miss the LB!!!! But this cake is AWESOME!!! I served it with "Moose Tracks" ice cream, a fabulous invention.

Ingredients:
Yellow cake mix (look at the instructions on your cake mix. I changed what I added slightly)
Add amount of water and eggs that the instructions tell you to add.
Add 1/2 of the oil that is called for.
Add 1 cup of peanut butter (I used chunky, just cause I like that word. It reminds me of "Chunky Monkey" ice cream from Ben and Jerry.)

Reese's peanut butter cups - full size, not the mini candy (I needed at least 15 because I had helpers who all needed to try some.)

Preheat oven (I baked it at 350). Mix cake mix ingredients together, pluse PB. Unwrap RPC's and break them into pieces. Put half of batter in a greased 9 by 13 pan (or you could use a bundt pan). Top with broken RPC's, and try not to eat a ton of them. Very difficult for me. I love those 2 great tastes that taste great together. Top with the rest of the batter so that the RPC's are in the middle of the cake. Bake according to cake mix box (I think mine took 35 minutes). Send the kids off to play while you lick the bowl clean.

Frost when cake is cool. I have also included the recipe for my favorite frosting in the world. I use to make the full recipe just so I had left overs to snack on. I cut it in half this time and there was just enough for the cake and a couple of small tastes, just to make sure it was ok. My friend, Nicole, likes to use this on top of angel food cake, it is really good. I got this recipe ages ago, so I have no one to credit for it. Sorry.

Buttercream frosting:

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening (I never have shortening, so I use all butter. It is thicker, so you have to whip in a little bit of milk. If you use the shortening the frosting is fluffier.)
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla (I used the full teaspoon even though I halved the recipe)
1/2 teaspoon butter flavoring (I didn't have this on hand and it was still good)
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
About 1/4 cup water (you could also use milk)
3 3/4 cup powdered sugar
If you want it to be chocolate frosting mix 1/3 to 1/2 cup of cocoa into the powdered sugar before you mix it into the frosting. (If you are adding cocoa, the frosting will be thicker, use a little bit more milk to make it more spreadable) If it needs more cocoa, add more.

Cream butter and shortening. Add flour, vanilla, water or milk, and extracts (one time my kids were begging me so much for a taste, so I let them taste it at this point. They let me alone after that.) Add sugar (and cocoa) a bit at a time. Frost cooled cake and then hide left overs in the fridge for a treat for yourself later. If you are nice, share. I am not that nice some days.

Pork taco lettuce wraps

This is a meal that takes minutes to make if you have several of the ingredients as left overs from previous meals. It is also known as ,"whatever is left in my fridge" or "Kristen surprise". I will often make a roast one night, then make this another night, then make Tortilla Soup that I posted earlier with the leftovers from this meal. I roast and puree the veggies, just because of the battle I am too tired to fight at dinner time. I roast several veggies and freeze them, then thaw and puree them when I am ready to use them. The picture of this would be so much prettier if I had not pureed the veggies, and if I had some fresh cilantro (so missing that!!!). You can also serve these on tortillas, taco shells, or with chips.

Ingredients:
Left over roast or chicken; or about 1 pound of ground beef, or other meat
1 onion
1 red pepper (I prefer Red, but others work, no prejudice here)
Olive Oil
1 tsp. minced garlic
1 to 2 cups of rice (cooked just depends on how much you need to make enough to feed everyone)
1 to 2 tsp. lime juice
1 can of beans (I prefer black, but whatever you have works)
1 tsp. chili powder (you can also use a packet of fajita seasoning instead of these three spices)
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. ground coriander
Salt and pepper to taste
Romaine, Redleaf, or Boston lettuce (to wrap them in)
Serve with Tortillas, nachos, or on lettuce
Top with salsa, chopped tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, avocados

If the meat needs to be cooked, heat up a little bit of oil in a pan and cook the meat (If I have to cook the meat I always drain it when it is cooked, so as not to add more fat to the meal). Add garlic and spices to meat. Cut up and saute veggies (or cut up, drizzled with olive oil, and roast in the oven at 450 for 35 to 40 min, stirring once). Add to meat, add lime juice. After veggies are cooked add beans and rice to meat and cook until flavors combine.

Managing Chaos - What does "I put it away" really mean?

I swear I saw this in "Everybody Love Raymond", but it happened in my life, just this week. Has your husband ever returned from a trip and just kind of left the suitcase that he used out. I hinted at it when I said "Can you please put your dirty laundry in the hamper?" and kicked it out of the way a few times. I think he was unpacking it one outfit at a time, wearing the stuff that was inside each day until it was empty (it is kind of handy to have a mini dresser in the bathroom.) Then I mentioned how I think this was an episode on "ELR" where Raymond leaves the suitcase on the steps for a week and Deborah gives him a hard time everyday. I asked, "Are you waiting to see if I put that away?" He replied, "No." Then that night we are sitting at dinner and the loving husband says, "Guess what I did today?" Now usually he has some animal emergency to tell the kids about to see their little eyes pop out of their heads. He said, "I put the suitcase away." I almost leaped out of my chair and planted one on him at that moment, because I did not have to nag. Maybe he is realizing that he can put his own stuff away, and I don't need to nag him all of the time. This was turning over a new leaf. After dinner I go into the bathroom, almost in tears, to see for myself this new step in our marriage and this is what I see:

This was the resulting conversation:
k-, "Is that away, really?"
m- "I didn't know where to put it." (another classic answer)
k- "With the other suitcases"
m- "It doesn't fit inside of them."
k- "Put it in our newly cleaned and fantastically organized closet."
m- "I didn't know that is where you wanted it."
k- "Just so it is away."
m- "It is away."
k- "Unpacked and still in the bathroom is not "away."
He put it nicely in the closet. Case closed. I guess we all have our own definition of what it means to put something "away". I love my husband and have published this with his permission, just to see if anyone else has this issue, and if you do, to give you a laugh. Have a great day!!

Managing Chaos, Entry 3 - Conquering the Laundry room/mud room and then it comes, "MO-OM!!!!!!!!!!"

I am trying to eliminate or fix those area of my house where I want to close my eyes everytime I walk into them because they are so messy, or they are so disorganized I can't find anything in them. Today (Saturday) was the day, I was feeling ambitious and still having a high from getting 3 gallons of milk for $2.70 (Pathetic that this can be still fueling me an hour later, but it did. To each his own, or her own, right?) I was going to conquer the laundry/mud room, AKA the dumping zone. Some before and after pics are posted. I couldn't get all of the chaos that spilt over into the office and occupied the floor. Too much for the camera I guess. Seriously, the floor was covered.

First, I removed the laundry which I will fold tonight. Then I pulled out the shoe racks (that my very handy husband made) and vacuumed behind them and the shelves themselves. Matched up shoes and asked my 11 year old shoe addict to come in and remove at least 4 pair of shoes that didn't need to be in there. I got all of the jackets we don't wear right now out and hung them up in kids' closets. I put all 5 purses from my 11 year old (apparently there is also a purse issue) on one hook. I put all hats and gloves in the winter bin, found a couple of bras that had been drying, for like 3 weeks. They were definitely dry, I was very glad to find them. I shined my two favorite appliances and BFF's, my washer and dryer. Vacuumed up the gardens worth of extra dirt and mopped ( I also love my Swiffer Wet Jet. It is another good friend of mine.) Wow, it was so nice to walk through there. I felt so good and as I am relishing in my accomplishment and enjoying the clean smell from the my good friend, Swiffer, I hear, "MO-OM!" You know when they make mom sound like it really has 2 syllables. "Great, what now, I thought." Here it comes... either they are telling on each other or..."David just puked." I went in the front room and there the poor kid is standing in a puddle of eggs and whatever he had to drink that morning. I really thought I was going to add to the puddle that was there, but held it in. As I cleaned it up I had to find something to be thankful for at that moment. I was thankful that he had not puked on the carpet, or on me, and that he didn't puke on my nice clean laundry room floor. And I was thankful I could enjoy the good smell from my friend, Swiffer, again. If it isn't one thing, it's another. But at least my laundry room still looks great (going on 5 days clean now) and I no longer have to shut my eyes when I walk in it.

Managing Chaos - Entry 2 - I got to go to the store by myself, but then who is managing the chaos at home?

This actually happened on Saturday, but it is written like it happened today.


The morning started off fine. My 9 year old, Joe, came in at 6:30 wanting to watch TV. I told him after I did my workout DVD. I love doing Jillian Michael's "30 Day Shred" because a lot of it I can still do even though I am pregnant. I am no where close to shredded, more like a chunk, but it makes me sweat and feel stronger. I did my workout, Joe made his breakfast. I showered, I even did my hair (seriously, I totally fit in with the Amish and Mennonite people here who just wear their hair up in a bun or some other way.) and was ready for the day.


I needed a few things from the store and knowing that it was my only chance to go by myself, I managed to escape. I left and a couple of children had eaten, but figured Mike could handle the rest, make eggs and toast or something. Now my kitchen was by no means spotless before I left, but it was definately functional.

I had such a nice, quiet stroll at the store, Dutch Way. No one asking me to get anything, I didn't count to 3 so someone would come back to the cart. It was just me. They had their big meat sale today and I found a few other bargains. 3 gallons of milk for 90 cents, yes I got 3 gallons of milk for $2.70, and the sell by date is this Wednesday, it would be gone by then. After feeling the high that I get when I find an exceptional bargain (seriously, getting a fabulous bargain is like a drug to me) I drove home in a cloud and walked in the door to what awaited me. There were plates all over the stove and counter, milk and eggs still out, empty lunchmeat or cheese bag from the store on the coutner, shredded cheese (that could not be use in the eggs because it was growing stuff) dumped in the sink, on top of a bunch of dishes that didn't get done last night because Danielle went to a friend's house, plates on the table with a few small puddles of milk, kids lounging in front of the TV, and a stressed husband (who had thankfully made the kids their favorite "Daddy eggs" for breakfast) trying to get out the door to get to a call (he was on call) to help a sick cow. Remember that high I was feeling, trying to hold onto it I took a deep breath and said to myself, "Don't freak out, don't freak out." I don't know if these people just think that this magically gets cleaned up when I wave my "Magical Mommy Wand" or if there are elves that clean it up when we aren't looking.

I took another deep breath and started bringing stuff in from the car. Then in a calm voice I said, in a rather loud tone to be sure I was heard above whatever show was entrancing my children, "It is time to stop and help clean up. Joe and Sam are on the table clearing and wiping. Dani, I need you to please finish dishes from last night and this morning. Let's go." Remarkably and to my most utter amazement, they did it. We got the kitchen cleaned up and my bargain groceries put away in no time. They helped to get rid of the chaos, and it was so nice. I am learning that enrolling the kids in solving this craziness can help, sometimes. Other times I should just do it myself. But I need to look into that "Magic Mommy Wand". I wonder if they sell them on Ebay or Amazon, or if I can rent an elf somewhere. I am learning that I don't need to freak out when there is a huge mess, but need to calmly delegate. Most of the kids are good helpers, some need a bit more motivation. M&M's always seem to work (they work for me).

Managing Chaos, Entry number 1- "What's That Sound?" Game

Ok, so I am terrible at keeping journal. I have tried several times and end up falling asleep or being tired and my writing is not readable, I am just not good at it. I don't know that it would be helpful to my posterity because it says, "I am so tired" and then there are just a bunch of scribbles that is supposed to be English, but may be interpreted a some strange hieroglyphic. So, this is my effort to keep a journal of how I try to Manage Chaos and find joy in the challenges that come with having 5 kids, one on the way, and a wonderful husband that works his bootee off, but sometimes counts as another kid. I have loved reading other people's blogs (my friend, Aleca, from Elkhorn has a great one "Leca - Unplugged", she is awesome and I miss her) and wanted to share some of my own things too.

So, this morning my son Joe (9 years old) came in and asked if he could make breakfast for himself (he loves "sunny side up" eggs). He knows how to do it so I said, "sure". He told me our dog had puked, so I got up and cleaned that up and went back to bed (what a way to wake up, right?) Then my 20 month old woke up and he got her out of her crib and brought her in. After a snuggle she left our room and went out in the rest of the house to start her adventure. David, my 3 year old, who I love to death, but is my challenge right now, came running in. He had already taken his diaper off and put his underwear on, backwards of course. (This kid does not like to be dressed and would streak through the house all day and outside if I let him). So, with 3 of 5 up (two of them are the major sources of chaos) my ears perked up a bit more. Joe fed the dog. Then there were other noises. I asked Mike what he thought the sounds were. He said legos being thrown by David, probably right. . Then it was my turn, Abby giving food to the dog. His turn, Joe finishing his eggs. My turn, Abby still feeding the dog, now she is jiggling the toilet handle (the flusher thing, sorry to any plumbers out there). TP roller in the bathroom. David playing with blocks. It went on for a few minutes. (I think I need to call into a radio station and win free movie tickets or something.) So, I go into the bathroom where we keep the dog's food, and he had been well fed by Abby. There was also a roll of TP totally unrolled, sticking out of the toilet, remarkably no water on the floor (Hallelujah!!). I guess I should just get up next time. We know that when it is quiet in our house that it is time to be concerned. I don't know what I am going to do if I ever lose my hearing.

Celia's Chocolate Chip Cookies

When we lived in Madison, WI, my friend, Celia, made THE BEST chocolate chip cookies I had ever tasted. She is such a talented cook and I have several recipes that are labeled "Celia's". The only things I change in this recipe are I use real butter instead of crisco (I know if you use crisco or shortening it makes the cookies softer, and it is really good, I just never have that on hand), use 1 Tablespoon of vanilla (because I LOVE that stuff), and if I am ambitious I grind up oatmeal and use half ground oats half flour. I was not ambitious this time. You can add the oats, not grinding them up, and then add a little more flour. These are addictive. I use the evaporated milk when I have it on hand, and then make something that calls for that in the next few days so that the leftover milk doesn't go bad (it gets nasty if you don't use it soon). Hope you enjoy and don't eat too many of these. You can also bake these in a bar pan. I am so missing my double oven in the house we sold. Making cookies takes so much longer now. Try them warm with milk, YUMMO!! Heat them up in the microwave if they are not fresh from the oven.

Ingredients:

1 cup butter (Celia uses butter flavor crisco and it works great too)

1 cup sugar

2 cups brown sugar

1/4 cup evaporated milk

4 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla (I use 1 Tablespoon)

5 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 12 oz. package of chocolate chips (Sometimes I add 1 1/2 packages because I have one package open, and figure, more chocolate is good.)

Cream butter, add sugars. Once they are mixed add eggs, vanilla, evaporated milk. In a large bowl mix flour, salt, and baking soda together. Add to other mixture one cup at a time. Once flour is mixed in well add choc.chips. Bake at 350, mine are done in about 12 to 15 min. Let them cool a little before you feed them to your kids and husband who keep asking, "Are they ready yet?" so that they don't get burns from the melted chocolate chips. Have a large glass of milk and plenty of napkins. My 20 month old is walking around with chocolate all over her hands and mouth saying "Momma, cookie, Momma, cookie." Now I hear her in the fridge. Time to go manage the chaos.

"Curry in a Hurry" - Chicken Curry

I think there is a resturaunt named that in Madison, Wisconsin, I've never been there, but I like the name. This is something my husband and his family grew up eating and I love it. I have changed the recipe a bit, but it is still really good. I got the original recipe from his mom and made the changes I wanted. This is really quick if you have chicken and vegetables cooked ahead of time. I like to serve mine with rice. At the bent and dent grocery store where I LOVE to shop, they had Kasha for super cheap. It is buck wheat (the box said gluten free and wheat free, if it is gluten and wheat free why is it called buck wheat?). Anyway, I was low on rice and mixed in some of that stuff. It was really pretty good. The kids didn't complain, well one did, but the other two ate it and didn't complain. One child is sick and the baby just plays with her food half the time. Mike said it was really good too. I like to top it with fresh cilantro, but I am in a quandary here because I cannot find that. So pretend there are lovely chopped leaves and a sprig or two of fresh cilantro. There are several things you can stir in or top this with if you want it a little different. My kids are not into chunky food, so I didn't add the apples that I have put in before, very good, or the nuts (cashews are awesome on it). If you want it to have more of a kick add a bit of Cayenne pepper, a sprinkle of paprika is good on it too. Hope you enjoy. The one child that complained just yelled to me from the hallway, "Actually, Mom, I do like the chicken curry." I wonder if that has anything to do with the M & M's her dad brought home from the M & M store in LV. "Things that make you go Hmmmmmmmmmm..."

2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/2 cup diced onion, carrot, celery (whatever root veggie you want to use. I had about 1/2 cup left of the roasted pureed veggies I used for the chicken and dumplings soup. So, I just used that.)

3 teaspoons curry powder

6 tablespoons flour

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1 15 oz. can chicken broth

2 cups milk

1/2 to 1 cup cup plain yogurt (It makes it creamy and adds more calcium too)

1/2 cup sweet potato puree (I gotta' sneak the veggies in any time I can.)

1 teaspoon lemon juice

I like to have a diced apple in here too but did not add that this time. When I use an apple I cook it with the onion to ensure that it is cooked all the way. You could probably add it at the end and it would be great too.

Heat oil, add onion or veggie puree and heat through. Blend in flour and spices. Her recipe says cook until mixture is smooth and bubbly, but mine was just kind of pasty. Stir in chicken broth, milk, and yogurt. Bring to a boil while stirring. Add chicken and lemon juice. Serve over rice. I love to top this with fresh cilantro (seriously, I am going through withdrawal. I need to venture out to the Giant grocery store and see if they have any there.) chopped tomatoes, and nuts. Good luck.

Triple T: Tomato, and Turkey on Toast. My new favorite afternoon snack.

I am really, really, really trying not to just graze on junk all afternoon after I have eaten a good meal. I realize I have got to change that bad habit. My mom was just diagnosed with Diabetes this year and my dad just got a heart stint put in. I have also gained way more weight than I should have by this time in my pregnancy (I am about 22 weeks along and weigh more than I did when I delivered my last 4 children). In order to avoid either of those problems my snacking habit has got to change. So, instead of reaching for the chocolate chips, or left over applesauce cake I made a different snack. I am trying not to be bored this afternoon, there is a ton to do, I have just been avoiding it. So, finally I turned off the radio and: cleaned 2 bathrooms, walls where there were fingerprints, all of my table and chairs with the magic eraser (I LOVE that invention), read my scriptures, worked on sharing time for our childrens class at church on Sunday, did laundry, revamped my blog layout and decided I was going to try to make yogurt in my crock pot. (Very random, but I saw it on crockpot365.blogspot.com and wanted to try it. We are out of yogurt and I have a ton of frozen fruit I can use to flavor it. I will let you all know how it turns out.) So, I kept my hands busy and out to the Neslte bag, for this afternoon anyway. I wish someone would make a "cleaner" smelling candle (bleach or windex) so that I could light it and it would always smell like I just cleaned my bathroom. Here's my new favorite afternoon snack.

Ingredients for 1:

1 slice whole grain toast

mustard

2 tomato slices

shaved or sliced turkey

sprinkle of cheese, very small, like just a few shreds. Not the fat free kind, I don't think that melts well.

Preheat oven to 375. After toasting bread and spreading mustard on it, put it on a cookie sheet or other pan. Top with turkey, tomato slices, and cheese. Bake in oven until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with salt and pepper if needed. This was very satisfying and I was no longer dying to eat my chocolate chips.

Breakfast Applesauce "Pan-Cake"

We all made the trip to the airport very late last night (yes, Macey, I did have my huge bag of carrots to help me stay awake. I am so missing Speedway for my soda combo. The local gas station does not have a soda fountain, seriously, but they do have a free air pump and really good hot chocolate. Anyway...)to get my husband who was killing himself working so hard at a conference in Vegas. (I know he works hard, but I just have to razz him a bit because he got to eat at the Belagio (spelling?) and see "The Blue Man Group" while I cleaned up puke, wiped a number of butts, and managed chaos (that I have chosen and love) here. I am thankful I get to be a SAHM, but going to the Belagio sounds good too.) Anyway, knowing that I didn't have enough cereal for more than 3 people and wanting to avoid any melt downs in the dawn getting ready for school, sometimes the hell hour, I decided to try the applesauce bars and make them into a "pan cake" recipe. So, I modified it a little and it turned out really well. The kids liked it and no one complained at all. We will be home all day today because we have a pukey kid. He fell asleep before we left last night to get Mike and 10 minutes before we were going to leave he woke up and puked all over the couch. So, we will be cleaning that a couple more times today. Enjoy your weekend. I look forward to a relaxing evening of taking a bubble bath, eating bon bons and painting my toe nails, RIGHT!! I don't think I can reach my toe nails to paint them right now, maybe I can do some cool yoga move to get to them. I think I will be folding laundry while I catch up on the rest of "Psych", "White Collar, and maybe "Leverage". I made a freezer dinner the other day, so we will just warm that up. Love the cook one serve 3 or 4 times idea. Thank you for whoever let me in on that one. Time to vacuum and clean bathrooms while listening to Glenn Beck. He makes me laugh so hard, especially when he and his crew imitate Arlen Spector, who is from our state. It is a riot. I am missing listening and calling into Charlie Sykes, ah Charlie, I know your life has moved on, but I miss our mornings together. Just kidding, I am not that pathetic. Have a good weekend!!

Inrgredients:

2 cups whole wheat flour (for the one I made I used 1/2 cup ground oats, 1 cup whole wheat flour, and 1/2 cup ground flax seeds (because I have a ton of them).)

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 to 1/2 cup softened butter (depending on how much you want to put in. Usually, the more butter added, the moister this will be. If you are trying to cut fat, use less.)

1/2 cup sugar (I think next time I will try brown sugar)

2 eggs

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups applesauce

1/2 cup pureed sweet potato

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a rimmed cookie sheet (jelly roll pan some may call it). Mike first 4 ingredients. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla. Add flour mixture to butter/sugar mixture. Add applesauce and sweet potato. Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 min. Serve warm with butter and syrup. I made mine the night before and then just warmed them up when people were ready to eat.

Chunky Chicken Salad

Remember all of that chicken I had to cook? Well, this is one of a couple of chicken recipes coming your way. This is another one of those "add a little of this and a little of that" recipes that I love.
You can make it with as many add-ins or as few as you like.

Ingredients:
4 cups cooked shredded chicken
1/2 cup may0
1/2 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
(If you want more dressing than add more. I think I use less than this, but am not sure, I don't measure it anymore)
1 to 2 teaspoons tarrogon
1 to 2 teaspoons sugar (if craving sweetness)
Salt and pepper to taste (Mine definately needed salt.)

Mix ins:
Grapes
Dried cranberries
Dried cherries
Walnuts
Apples (I prefer Gala)
Chopped up lettuce
Green onions
Chopped celery
Add whatever you want

Mix chicken and other mix ins in a large bowl. In a smaller bowl whisk together mayo and sour cream or yogurt. Add a little bit of milk if you don't want the dressing too thick. Dump dressing over chicken mixture. This is excellent on croissants, or alone. This is one of my favorite summer time dinners to make. My kids think the fruit in it is weird, but that just means more for me.

Applesauce bars, but more like cake.

This has been a fun project to post these recipes and pictures. It has helped me to be more computer literate, I can actually download photos, a big step for me. Anyway, I made applesauce in my crock pot the other day and no one has eaten it. It was good, but kind of changed color. In an effort to use it and not waste it I looked up recipes for applesauce cake and found one for "Applesauce Bars" at http://www.about.com/ . They turned out well, very moist, more cakey. To make this recipe more healthy or healthier (yes, I did pass 3rd grade language arts) I would add less sugar and use whole wheat flour or oat flour (I just put oatmeal in the blender or "magic bullet" and grind it up like that). This would also be a great recipe to add pureed veggies (carrot, sweet potato, or butternut squash would work best). It was very good. I did not add nuts or raisins. I also used more applesauce. I think next time I make this I will make it in a 9 by 13 pan as cake. I sliced it up and put it in a 9 by 13 pan, so it is like a cake now. I enjoyed it as I laughed while watching "The Middle" (very funny episode. I remember wanting cool jeans, but they didn't cost $112. Not looking foward to teenage issues and being thought of as "so lame" and "clueless") and some of "Psych". Hope you like the bars/cake. My kids liked them and they will make a great snack today. I don't think there will be any left for Mike tomorrow for when he gets home. Oh well, I guess I will just have to make them again.

Ingredients:
2 cups flour (next time I will use half whole wheat or oat flour and add some ground flax seed as well. I got a 17 pound bag at a grain sale about 3 years ago and still have some. I try to sprinkle it in everything I can so that it doesn't go to waste. Not sure why I bought that big bag. I think I was going to split it with someone and that just didn't happen)
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup sugar (I will use less next time)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla (I used 1 1/2, I LOVE vanilla)
1 1/2 cups applesauce (I used 2 cups, which may be why it was so moist)
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 cup raisins
(I think I may get fancy next time and add some lemon or orange zest, and maybe some lemon juice. It will give it a nice tangy flavor)

Preheat oven to 350. Mix first 4 ingredients in one bowl, set aside. In mixing bowl cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Add flour mixture, then applesauce, nuts and raisins. Pour mixture into greased 15 by 10 by 1 inch jelly roll pan. When I was spreading this in the pan it didn't look like it was going to cover the whole pan or bake well, but it worked very well. Bake 25 min (I had to bake mine for about 30). After they are cool you can ice these, sprinkle them with powdered sugar, top with cool whip, or just eat them a little bit at a time out of the pan which is how I started eating them.

Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches

This is a really easy meal and there is no recipe to follow. I got this idea from my friend, Nicole, in Elkhorn. We often shared recipes with each other and had big dreams of our husbands opening a vet clinic together and then we could open a cafe next door. My friend, Aleca, said we should call it "The Barkery" and have treats for the dogs and lunches for clients. It would be fun. Anyway, I made these this afternoon while my kids were coloring and then heated them up before dinner. I like hot sandwiches, they just taste better to me. The sandwich pictured here does not have cheese. I have 2 children that are anti-melted cheese. They did not get that from me!! Anyway, we had 6 people, so this is what you need for 6 sandwiches. You could also use turkey, roast beef, or sandwich style pepperoni.

6 rolls (I used the ones I bought on the day old bread cart, much cheaper and still really good)
Ham
Cheese (I prefer Provolone)
Sandwich toppings (mustard, mayo, lettuce, tomato, bacon)
Aluminum foil
Marker to label the sandwiches if people want different toppings (or for those who don't like melted cheese)

Make sandwiches. Wrap them in foil and label if necessary. When ready heat oven to 375. Bake for 15 min, until cheese is melted. Serve with oven fries, veggies, chips, soup, whatever.

"Fudgy Brownies" from www.marthastewart.com

These are seriously the BEST brownies I have ever made. As you can see I have already eaten almost 1/4th of the pan and could probably eat the whole thing. I made these to cut up and take to a friend, yes I am making friends, so I didn't feel bad taking a nibble, or 100 nibbles for that matter. So much for food being my good friend. Anyway, I hope I am not breaking any copy right laws by putting this up, but I had to share it. I am not making any money, just trying to spread the word. I did change the recipe a little, adding vanilla. Seriously, these are so incredibly good, awesome with ice cream. Click here to see the original recipe from Martha Stewart. My modifications are below.

Ingredients:
1 stick butter (she says use unsalted, but I use salted and then add less salt)
8 ounces (1 1/2 cups) semi sweet chocolate chips
1 1/4 cups sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla (my add-in)
3 large eggs
3/4 cup flour
1 cup nuts (optional)

I make it a little bit differently than Martha, saving some tin foil and work. Preheat oven to 350, grease 8 by 8 pan. Melt butter and chocolate chips in microwave. Whisk in sugar and salt, then eggs. Gently stir in flour until mixed completely, do not mix too much (not sure exactly what that means, but I mix it until the flour is well mixed in and I can't see it anymore). Gently mix in nuts. Spread batter in pan (make sure you lick the spoon and completely scrape and devour the left overs in the bowl. I could half of the batter and cook the rest in a bread pan.) and bake 45 to 50 minutes. I have baked them at a lower temp too, they turn out fudgier (usually 320 for a little over an hour), bake until tooth pick comes out mostly clean. Cool in pan and cut into squares, or leave in pan and eat throughout the day like I did. I love these. Thank you Martha!!!

Chicken Parmesan

This is just how I make this, not a tried and tested recipe. It tastes good and my kids love it. They call it chicken nuggets, tastes way better than McD's though. I have Jessica Seinfeld's cookbook, Deceptively Delicious, and she has a great way to sneak veggies into this. She suggests pureeing broccoli or carrots, mixing it with 1 egg (if I remember correctly) and then dipping the chicken in that combo, then the bread crumbs. I have done it before and it is tasty. my kids loved it, but I was not that ambitious this time. I am making this for a friend and didn't know her kids would react to the greenish tint under the breadcrumbs. My kids tried to scrape it off, but I told them if they wanted more they had to eat the whole thing and they couldn't even taste it if they eat it with the sauce and cheese. So, if you are feeling like you need more veggies, you can check out her book. It has a lot of great recipes. I started sneaking veggies in before I read it, and this has added to may selection of food I can vegetably alter to get more vitamins into the kids. Mike liked it too and didn't mind the green under the breadcrumbs. This is a great dish to make ahead and cook when it is time. I prefer to prepare my dinner in the morning while I listen to my other friends, on talk radio (food and talk radio are my friends since moving here. I spend the most time with them), and then my kitchen is clean (by clean, I mean the pots and pans are cleaned up, the kitchen is never really clean because it is always in use) for the day and dinner is made.

Ingredients:
Chicken tenders or boneless skinless chicken breasts (If you are using the chicken breasts my mom says you should "pound" the meat to make it more tender. I got tenders on sale at a great price, so that is what I used this time. If I use the chicken breasts I cut them into smaller chunks so that I have more pieces to distribute among our family.)
Bread crumbs (I like Italian style)
1/4 to 1/2 cup Parm cheese, grated or shredded (I have made it without Parmesan cheese and it has been fine, but I still call it chicken parm)
2 eggs beaten
Olive oil
1 to 2 jars of your favorite pasta sauce, depending on how much you are making.
Cheese (I usually use mozzarella or provolone. Today I had slices of provolone) to top chicken
Pasta to serve CP over, or you can make them CP sandwiches, so you would need rolls. Always check the discount shelf in the store, rolls can be more than half price and still good for a few days after you purchase them.

Preheat oven to 350. Beat eggs in a bowl. Mix breadcrumbs and Parm cheese in another bowl. Heat 2 to 3 Tablespoons of Olive oil in a large fry pan. Dip chicken in egg, then breadcrumbs, carefully place in hot pan. Cook chicken in pan until bottom side is brown, turn and brown the other side. You are just browning it, not cooking it all the way. Spray 8 by 8 or 9 by 13 pan with cooking spray. Spread some sauce in bottom of pan. After chicken is done browning place pieces in baking pan. Spread the rest of the sauce over the chicken. Top with slices of cheese (or grated cheese if you have that). Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes. Make sure chicken is done cooking before serving. There have been times when I used chicken breasts and they were really thick, so they took longer. If the chicken breasts are thicker, you can slice them in half so that they are half as thick. Serve over pasta or on rolls. Sometimes this tastes even better the next day. I often make more than I need for dinner so that I can have the left overs for lunch.

Chicken and Dumplings Soup

Mike is out of town for the week at a conference, so our meals will be really simple and quick (not that I normally go all out, but the kids are kind of picky.) My friend, Juli, gave me the idea of how to make this soup. I don't have a recipe, so I just made it up. The kids like the dumpling part a lot.

Ingredients:
Chicken broth (I just used the broth I saved from cooking all of that chicken in the CP on Friday. I added some water. You will probably need at least 6 to 8cups.)
Shredded chicken (however much you want in your soup)
Celery
Carrots
Onion (I cut up my veggies, drizzled them with olive oil, and roasted them at 425 for 40 minutes stirring once. Then pureed them in the "magic bullet"
Refridgerated biscuits, cut each biscuit into sixths or eighths. (Again, use as many as you like. I used 1 roll and it was plenty)

Heat broth, cook and puree veggies. Add to broth. Add chicken and heat through, I bring mine to boil. Add biscuit dough, cover, and let soup cook until the biscuits are cooked enough (simmer about 15 minutes without lifting the lid). Serve with grilled cheese sandwiches, bread, or alone. Enjoy!!

Coke and Onion Pork Roast and Roast Veggie "fries"

Today is Sunday and we usually have vanilla crepes and caramel syrup for dinner because it is easy and really, really, really yummy. I wanted to try something different today, which is just as easy and a bit healthier. I had a pork roast and have always heard about people marinating it in Coke (the soda) and then cooking it, so I decided to try it. I marinated my frozen roast in Coke all night, put in the crock pot, sprinkled it with onion soup mix. It was the most tender roast I have ever made. I also made veggie "fries". I love these because the kids like them and they are way lower in fat than normal french fries. We also had the rest of our salad too.

Ingredients:
Pork roast (I used a center cut loin roast, 2-3 pounds)
1 can of Coke
1 envelope of onion soup mix

Marinate roast in Coke. Put roast in crockpot and sprinkle with onion soup mix. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, use a meat thermometer to make sure roast is fully cooked.

Veggie Fries:
Potatoes peeled and cut in sticks
Carrots peeled and cut into sticks, or baby carrots
Sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into sticks (I found white sweet potatoes at the store, my kids thought they were regular potatoes.)
You could also use butternut squash too.
Extra virgin olive oil (use as little as 1 Tbsp or as much as 1/3 cup, depending on how many veggies you have.)
Italian season dressing mix or ranch dressing mix or season with salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 425 or 450 degrees. Drizzle oil over veggies, sprinkle with seasoning and mix to coat all veggies. Cook for 20 minutes. Stir veggies around and cook for another 20 minutes.

Cabbage Salad

I love this salad because it make A LOT and I can eat it for lunch and dinner alone every day and never get sick of it. It is very easy to make, very filling, and really good for you too. You can add Ramen noodles and nuts to give it a different crunch. I like to top mine with chicken. (I ended up cooking about 10 pounds of chicken in the crock pot over night because I bought a ton of chicken earlier in the week and thought I was going to be ambitious and can the chicken during the snow storm. Didn't happen. So, we will be having LOTS of chicken over the next few weeks.) If you wrap the unused halves of cabbage in press n' seal or put them in a zip lock they will keep for awhile. I made this salad on Monday, and then made it again with the other half of everything on Friday night, and it was still good. I looked up several versions of this recipe and then kind of made up my own. I found the purple cabbage (which I always used to pick out of salads, it is really pretty good and is very pretty) to add in at "The Pioneer Woman Cooks" in her "Asian Noodle Salad" I changed it to fit what I had and used a different dressing because I didn't have all of the ingredients for her dressing. Hope you enjoy it!!

Ingredients:

1/2 small green cabbage, chopped (short cut would be to use coleslaw mix)
1/2 small purple cabbage, chopped
1/2 to whole head of romaine, green leaf, or red leaf lettuce, chopped (Just however much you want). You could also use baby spinach if you want here too. It is good in this as well.
1/2 to whole bag of carrot shreds, or 1/2 pound of chopped carrots (I like to shave the carrots the "Rachel Ray" way by running a veggie peeler back and forth on a large carrot peeling it until there is nothing left and then chopping the shavings up. they are kind of like confetti and really good. But, chopped up carrot works well too, that is what I did for this one)
1/2 pound of sugar snap or snow peas

Optional mix ins:
Chopped cucumbers
Chopped red, yellow, orange peppers
Green onions
Sliced almonds
Ramen noodles (not cooked)
Regular noodles (cooked)
Caramelized nuts (very good on this too)
Fresh cilantro

Dressing:
5 Tbsp. cider vinegar
2 Tbsp. sugar
5 Tbsp. vegetable oil (I use canola)
1 to 2 tsp. sesame oil
1 to 2 Tbsp. of thawed frozen OJ concentrate (optional, if using this I use less sugar)
1 tsp. soy sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh chopped cilantro to taste (I am having trouble finding fresh cilantro here, bummer)
Small splash of lime juice

Rinse and chop up ingredients that get chopped. Dump veggies and salad stuff in a bowl. Mix dressing in a blender or the magic bullet, or whisk in a bowl. If you are serving to a crowd then dump dressing on top of salad and mix until salad is well coated. If eating over a period of time do not dump dressing on salad. It won't last as long. Top with chicken and crunchy toppings if desired. Enjoy!!

Oatmeal Cookie Breakfast

My kids (husband included) built a big snow fort on our back porch and decided it was warm enough to sleep in it. I wanted to have something warm for them for breakfast in the morning, so I made one of my favorites "Oatmeal Cookie Breakfast". My sister-in-law made this for us one time when we were visiting and I was hooked. She got her recipe at About.com (recipe called Oatmeal Bake) and I have changed it a bit. I also saw on Stephanie O'Dea's website "A Year of Slow Cooking" at http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/ (this is a fabulous website!!!) that you can cook this in the crock pot. So, I decided to give that a try. It turned out well and the kids liked it. It was gone very quickly. In fact, I made myself regular oatmeal because there wasn't enough.

Ingredients:

4 cups oats (you can use regular or quick, not steel cut for this recipe)

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp Baking Powder

1/4 cup ground flax seeds (or you can grind up some nuts or something, or just leave this out)

1 1/4 cup milk

3 eggs

1 Tsp. vanilla

3 Tbsp. melted butter

This is a great recipe to get "deceptively delicious" with and add some pureed pumpkin, sweet potato, or butter nut squash. I have done it before, added about 1/2 a cup and then used only 1 cup of milk. I sprinkle mine with a few chocolate chips so that it looks like a cookie

Mix dry ingredients together. Add wet ingredients, or visa verca. People have different theories about that, I don't think it matters for this one. If baking in oven, preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 8x8 pan. Spread ingredients in pan and cook for 45 minutes. If using crockpot, I used a 6 qt CP and cooked mine on low for about 3 hours (I have to get up in the middle of the night a few times, so before I went to bed I mixed the dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another and just mixed it all together when I got up and went back to bed). If you turn off the crockpot and let it sit for an hour it is suppossed to get very moist. Spoon into bowls and serve with milk over it. You can also just have it as a snack, kind of like a bar cookie.

Tortilla Soup

This is one of my favorite recipes because it is easy, I usually have the ingredients on hand, makes a lot, and it is inexpensive. This soup was so good today, after getting 18 inches of snow yesterday.
Ingredients
8 cups of Chicken Broth
2 cups cooked chicken, pork, beef (left over roast or something works great in this)
2 cups cooked beans (I prefer black beans)
1 red pepper cut in chunks
1 onion cut in chunks
Any other veggies you may want to throw in, cut in chunks (today I used carrots and left over sweet potatoes. If you want to add a couple of cloves of peeled garlic, go for it. Right now it give me heartburn)
1 pepper in adobo sauce, plus a little of the sauce (found in the latino food isle)
Freeze the rest of the peppers to use when you make this again.
2 cups cooked rice (I prefer brown)
If you want you can add a can of diced tomatoes too, really, this recipe is so flexible

Olive oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
Cilantro (Some like a little, some like a lot, some don't like any)
Cheese, tortilla chips, avocado, cilantro, sour cream for garnish
It also tastes great if you have lime wedges and sqeeze them in the soup. A nice touch.

This has several steps you can do simulateously, AKA multi tasking.
While you are cooking the rice preheat oven to 425 and cut up veggies into chunks. Put veggies in a 9x13 pan and drizzle with about 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil. Add Salt and Pepper. Cook for 20 minutes, stir and cook for another 20 minutes. (I like to roast several veggies at a time, then puree and freeze them for later meals. Just a shortcut.)
Puree veggies in a food proccessor. (I also puree the beans so my kids don't complain about them. I choose my battles).
Once veggies and rice are done, dump all ingredients into a big pot and simmer for about 30 minutes until flavors blend. Take out the pepper, unless you have someone who is daring and wants their tongue to feel like it is on fire. They will say, like Shaun Spencer on "PSYCH" - "Did you make this with motlen lava?"
Crunch up chips in the bottom of bowls, add soup, top with whatever toppings you have. Enjoy. Freeze left overs for another meal. You may want to add water when you re heat this as the rice tends to soak up the liquid and make the soup thicker.

Food Is My Friend- an Introduction

I am starting this blog today because I have been thinking about doing it for a long time. We just moved a few months ago and I so miss my friends, who really became family to me. One of my favorite things to do for my friends was to bring them treats or share samples from new recipes with them. Since our move I have continued trying new recipes, but have not made an effort to find anyone with whom to share the recipes or the samples. So, I am sharing them with whoever decides to look at this blog, and hoping to hog less samples. I have gained so much weight since we moved because I keep all of the samples for our family (and I am also pregnant). I am making an effort to eat more healthy, and hopefully sharing these things can help anyone who is wanting to do the same. Since we moved food has become my new BFF, especially anything sweet or with chocolate in it. I am trying to have food become a good friend to me, one who helps me rather than hinders my body's function. So, here we go!