Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

This is SO easy and super yummy for those cold, wintery days.

5 cups water
2 T. instant chicken bouillon granules
1 large can (46 ounces) chicken broth
2 cups cooked chicken
1 tsp salt
15 baby carrots cut in thirds, or large carrots sliced up
1/2 cup celery
3 cups egg noodles (or to your preference)

Combine all ingredients except egg noodles in crock pot. Cover and cook on low heat 4-6 hours. Thirty minutes before serving, add egg noodles. Cover and cook 30 minutes - do not overcook.

Sante Fe Chicken

Hey Girls! I LOVE recipes that I can make and then put half in the freezer to prepare later...two meals with one meals worth of work! It's FABULOUS! Anyhow, this one is great! I made this two nights ago and Gary loved it...we cleaned it up (well, the first half of it) for dinner last night! It's really easy too!

Ingredients:
3 c. cooked & chopped chicken (I just bought one of those rotisserie chickens and used that!)
1 (15 oz.) can corn, drained
1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained & rinsed
1 (15 oz.) can black-eyed peas, drained
1 (15 oz.) can pinto beans, drained
1 (12 oz.) can Ro-Tel tomatoes*
1 (15 oz) jar picante sauce
1 T. Chili Powder (if you prefer less spice, use less)
2 t. Cumin
1 C. Shredded cheddar cheese

*Ro-Tel is a brand of canned tomatoes with chopped chili peppers added. You'll find it by the Tomatoes in the grocery.

Assembly Directions:
In a large bowl, mix together the chicken, corn, black beans, black-eyed peas, pinto beans, tomatoes, and picante sauce. Add the chili powder an cumin, stirring until evenly mixed.

Freezing Directions:
Put mixture in a one-gallon freezer bag (or I sometimes use the tin 9 x 9 pans too). Put the shredded cheddar in a quart freezer bag. Seal, label and freeze both bags. (I didn't freeze my cheese, I figure "WHO doesn't have cheese?" - I'll just grate up some cheese when I take this baby out to thaw!

Serving Directions:
Thaw both bags, if frozen. Pour chicken mixture into a spray-treated 9"x 13" pan (or if you're halfing it like I did, 9"x 9"). Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees, or until heated through. Remove foil. Top with shredded cheese. Bake an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

I served it over brown rice and it was fabulous!!! (I should have taken a picture of it eh? I'll try to remember to do that from now on)

Yummy Hot Sandwich Spread

My sister in law made these yummy sandwiches a while back when our family was at Bear Lake! It's really simple- just make the spread and use it on your favorite rolls with whatever combination of meat/cheese and you will have yourself a delicious sandwich!
Ingredients:
1 1/2 tsp poppy seeds
1 1/2 tsp prepared mustard (regular or dijon, not the powdered)
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 tsp worcestershire
1 tsp onion powder
Directions:
Combine all ingredients. Spread inside and on top of dinner rolls, and then top with meat/cheese. Bake sandwiches (closed, not open faced) in 375 degree oven for 15 minutes or until tops are golden brown and cheese is melted!
*Note: I usually half the recipe or even 1/4 for just my husband and I. If you have a large group of people then make the whole recipe.

Strawberry Tsunami

...nope, didn't come up with this one either...Kneaders did...and I don't know where I got it, just that Gary and I make it EVERY SINGLE NIGHT! No lie!

1 1/2 c. cranberry juice
1/2 c. vanilla yogurt (fat free if you please)
1/2 c. pineapple sherbet
1/2 c. frozen strawberries
1/2 c. frozen peaches

blend blend blend

Makes a perfect amount for two!

Poppy Seed and Strawberry Spinach Salad

Ok ladies here it is as promised. ENJOY.

2 bags baby spinach (wash)
1 carton feta cheese (broken in small pieces)
1 basket of strawberries (sliced)
1/2 red onion (sliced thin)
5-8 slices of crispy bacon (cut in to small pieces)
Mix all together.

Dressing:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp vinegar
1 Tbsp lemon juice (I always add a little more until it tastes more tangy)
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk
2 Tbsp poppy seeds
Blend in blender and pour over salad.

This makes enough for about 8-10 people. It is delicious.

Pizza Pizza!

I made this pizza last night:


1 T Sugar
1 cup Warm Water
1 T Active Yeast
3 1/4 C Flour
1 tsp Salt
1/4 cup olive oil

Put the warm water in a bowl. Sprinkle water with yeast, salt, sugar, olive oil, and about 3 cups flour. With wooden spoon, stir into a soft dough. Place on lightly floured board. Knead until dough is elastic and shines - 10 to 15 minutes. Shape into a ball and place in oiled bowl, turning to oil dough all over. Cover bowl and let raise until doubled in size. Press into 15 to 16" circle. Brush with oil and put on toppings. To brown crust, brush with butter. Bake at 500 for 10 minutes.

Our favorite is a Greek pizza, with the following toppings:

Fresh chopped Basil
Garlic
Roma Tomatoes
Feta Cheese
Purple Onions, chopped
Fresh Chopped Spinach

Chicken with Tomato Basil Cream Sauce

Sorry Jessica this is NOT a meatless dish, but I had to post it becaues it is sooo good.

2-4 bonless, skinless chicken breasts
3 tablespoons I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S NOT BUTTER spread, divided
2 plum tomatoes, chopped
3/4 onion, chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/2 heavy cream
2 tablespoons loosley packed basil

Season chicken, if desired, with salt and ground black pepper.

In non-stick skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Spread over medium-high heat and cook chicken 8 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink, turning once. Remove and set aside.

In same skillet melt remaining 1 tablespoonbutter. Spread and cook tomatoes, onion, and salt, stirring occationaly, 3 minutes or until tomatoes are tender. Stire in chicken broth, cook for 2 minutes, stirring occationally. stir in cream. Reduce heat to low and return chicken to skillet. simmer uncovered 4 minutes or until sauce thickens a little. Garnish with basil.

Serve with Bowtie pasta, and your favorite veggie.

I only made 2 chicken breats and the sauce was a good amount. If you make more chicken maybe increase the ingredients for the sauce a bit. It is sooo yummy.

A little help?

So meat up here in Canada is INSANELY expensive. I am on a desperate search for all good meatless recipes. If you have any favorites, please post them and I will be ETERNALLY greatful!

Easy Chicken Parmesan

I found this recipe on Kraftfoods.com and made it on Friday night. It really is easy and it was soooo yummy.

Prep time: 5 minutes Total time: 40 minutes Serves: 6

1 jar (26 oz.) spaghetti sauce

6 Tbsp. grated parmesan cheese, divided

6 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves

1.5 cups shredded mozarella cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Farenheit. Pour spaghetti sauce into 13x9 baking dish. Carefully stir in 4 Tbsp. (1/4 cup) parmesan cheese. Add chicken; turn over to evenly coat both sides with sauce. Cover with foil.

Bake 30 minutes. Uncover.

Top with mozarella cheese and remaining 2 Tbsp. parmesan cheese; continue baking 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted.

I served mine over pasta and then I also made beans and garlic cheese french bread. I buttered the french bread, sprinkled garlic salt over it, and then added some fresh shredded parmesan cheese and put it in the oven on broil for a few minutes. The edges got a little too toasty while we were saying the prayer. It usually looks a little better than this. :)

Strawberry Ice Cream

I'm just going to town this morning! I'm actually sitting here watching "The Music and the Spoken Word" while I put in some of my favs of the day. So, this recipe is divine! I mean... AMAZING! Try it for a FHE activity/treat some night! - It makes quite a bit.

Make this irresistible ice cream in a 6-quart ice cream freezer. Use peaches instead of strawberries for another fabulous flavor!

4 c. sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

2 c. boiling water

3/4 c. orange juice frozen concentrate (undiluted)

3/4 c. lemonade juice frozen concentrate (undiluted)

1 pint heavy whipping cream

1 (12-oz.) can evaporated milk

5 c. whole milk

3 1/2 c. fresh strawberries, mashed (mash really good if you don't like chunks)

Red food coloring (optional)

2 (7 pound) bags of ice

Rock Salt

Combine sugar, salt, and boiling water. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the orange and lemonade concentrates. Stir in whipping cream, evaporated milk, whole milk, and strawberries. Add red food coloring, a drop at a time (I don't do this), until mixture reaches desired color. Freeze in a 6-quart freezer, using ice and rock salt according to freezer manufacture's directions. Makes 5-6 quarts.

To make peach ice cream, substitute 3/12 c. mashed fresh peaches for the berries. Use a combination of red and yellow food coloring to attain the proper color.

Rolls

This is a very easy Roll (or BUN) recipe that all my in-laws use. They are SO yummy!!! Mine aren't quite like theirs, but I'm still working on it! Try this one out if you're wanting to try a little home made roll making! (If you want to make BREAD, I've got a different recipe for that) Another thing that I like about this recipe is that you can put it in the fridge overnight to use the next day, which is nice if you're going to have a busy Sunday morning doing other things... then you've already got half of the roll stuff done!

2 tbs. yeast

2 tbs. sugar

1/3 c. warm water

3 eggs

Mix the yeast and sugar together. Add 1/3 c. warm water. In separate bowl, beat 3 eggs until fluffy.

Add:

1 c. hot water

1/2 c. oil

1/2 c. sugar

scant 1 t. salt

Add yeast and mix. Add 4 1/2 c. flour. Beat until kind of pulls away from bowl. Let sit for 1 hour. Roll and put on pan OR refrigerate overnight and then roll out. - When rolling out, dip in butter and put in glass (preferred) 9x13 pan. Let raise three hours. Bake at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes. Makes 40 rolls! (20 on each 9x13 pan)

Banana Bread

This is a FABULOUS Banana Bread Recipe. I'm posting it because I'm going to get up and make it as soon as I'm done here! This is by far my favorite banana bread recipe!

1 3/4 c. sugar

3/4 c. butter, softened

2 eggs

1 3/4 c. mashed ripe bananas (3-4 medium)

3/4 c. buttermilk

1 tsp. vanilla

2 3/4 c. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 c. chopped nuts if desired

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom of loaf pan. Mix sugar and butter in bowl. Stir in eggs until well blended. Add bananas, buttermilk and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Stir in remaining ingredients, except nuts, until moistened. Stir in nuts. Pour into pan. Bake 1 1/4 hours or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes. Loosen sides of loaf and remove from pan. Cool completely before slicing. Makes 1 loaf. If using little bread pans, cook for 55 minutes. For alternative, add nutmeg to batter. (Watch the time on the baking part, for some reason, it seems that every time I make this the baking time is different!)

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Salad:
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup cashew halves
15 wontons, cut into strips
1 large head red leaf lettuce
1 pkg spinach
1/3 cup cooked bacon, broken into pieces
1/3 cup chopped red onion
1 cup sliced strawberries

Dressing:
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
3 Tbsp sugar
1/2 cup oil
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp strawberry jam

To make dressing, mix together vinegar, sugar, oil, mustard, salt, and strawberry jam. Mix until all ingredients are well blended. Heat a medium fry pan and add sugar and nuts. Stir constantly over med low heat until nuts are coated and slightly brown. Remove from heat and set aside. Fry wontons in oil on med high heat and drain onto paper towel. When ready to serve salad, put lettuce, spinach, bacon, onion, and strawberries into a large bowl and toss. Add dressing (blend again). Add sugared nuts and wontons last. This is my favorite salad!

Enchilada Casserole

4 chicken breasts
4 medium size tortillas
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 jar of salsa (pick based on how spicy you like it, we use medium and it is really good)
1 1/2 cup shredded cheese

1. Boil chicken until cooked (you can boil in chicken broth for extra flavor but you don't have to), shred chicken into pieces.
2. Mix both cans of cream of chicken and the jar of salsa.
3. In a 9x13 casserole dish, put two tortilla shells, pour in half of your mixture, then use half of your shredded chicken. On top two more tortilla shells, pour the other half of the mixture and then the rest of the chicken. Cover with shredded cheese.
4. Place in the oven to bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

This one is SUPER easy and a yummy pleaser, easy ingredients that we usually have on hand.

Love the idea Jess and I'm excited to see everyone's recipes

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Today I was in desperate need of a comfort food, so I baked one of my nostalgic favorites.

OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES

1/2 cup Water
1 cup Sugar
1 Egg
2 cups Flour
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Nutmeg
1 cup Nuts (optional)
1 cup Raisins
3/4 cup Shortening
1/2 tsp. Vanilla
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Cinnamon
2 cups Oatmeal

Add water to raisins and boil for 5 minutes. Let cool. Beat together sugar and shortening. Add egg and beat well. Then add vanilla, cooled raisin mixture and blend. Then add flour, soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, oatmeal, and nuts. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes.

Note: For a healthy option I substitute applesauce for at least half the shortening. It also makes the cookies lighter.

The BEST Chocolate Cake

This recipe is FABULOUS! I can't take credit for it, but I CAN give it credit for giving me about 7 unwanted pounds! - I'd have to say, this, my friends...is worth it!

1 Yellow Cake Mix
1 small box of instant Chocolate Pudding
1/2 C. Sugar
- Mix with wire wisk to remove any lumps

Add:
3/4 C. Vegetable Oil
3/4 C. Water
3 Eggs
1 C. Sour Cream
- Mix with electrix mixer for 2 minutes

Add:
1 C. Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

Put in Bundt Pan and bake 60 minutes at 350 Degrees.
Take out of oven and let cool for 15 minutes...then flip over. (Don't let it cool for much longer because then the cake will sweat and you won't get it out!)

Enjoy this wonder of a cake!

Here we go!

Enough talking about it - lets start exchanging recipes. Invite everyone and anyone you know. Anything you've tried, something you want to try, a recipe you are looking for - this is the place to find it!