brief break

I am in the middle of filling out my inventory needs for the upcoming craft fair, so I won't be able to post any recipes or whatnot for a few weeks. Please bear with me. If I can get caught up, I will post before the craft fair, but if not, those of you that are local to me, please stop by ExpoLand in Fishersville, VA on November 13th and 14th!!

And I'm still looking for more inexpensive recipes as well as feedback from those of you who have tried some of the recipes I posted!!

Yummy Soup!!!

So, with the beginning of fall temps around here, it's kind of kicked me into "warm, filling food" mode...which means soups, stews, chili, and LOTS of baking (not really good for me since I taste as I go).

Last night, according to my family, the Loaded Baked Potato Soup was a grand slam, out of the park, why bother running the bases when you could just walk, kind of meal...yes, THAT good!.

Here is the recipe in it's original form, from the Diabetes & Heart Healthy Cookbook:

1 1/2 pounds baking potatoes (russet preferred)
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons imitation bacon bits
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup fat-free half and half
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sliced green onions (green part only)
1/3 cup shredded fat-free or reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
1/3 cup fat-free or light sour cream

1-preheat oven to 350 F

2-pierce each potato several times with a fork. Put potatoes on a baking sheet.

3-Bake for 1 hour or until tender when pierced with a fork or knife.

4-Let potatoes cool for at least 10 minutes. Peel the potatoes or cut the potatoes in half and scoop out the flesh. Put the potatoes or scooped-out flesh in a medium saucepan. Mash with potato masher until slightly chunky.

5-Stir in the broth, bacon bits, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer, covered for 6-8 minutes, or until the flavors have blended, stirring occasionally.

6-In a medium bowl, whisk together the half-and-half and flour. Whisk into the potato mixture along with the green onions. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened.

7-To serve, ladle into bowls. Top each serving with cheese and sour cream.

Now.....for my version:

potatoes - any kind, as many as you want
3-6 cups of water (and 3-6 chicken boullion cubes....3 of each if you want a single batch, 6 if you want a double batch)
bacon bits
diced ham
onion powder
garlic powder
salt
pepper
1-2 cups half-and-half (again, depending on if you are making single or double batch)
3-6 tablespoons all-purpose flour (single or double batch)

Notice....not too many measurements here because, honestly, it is to YOUR family's personal taste. The version I made last night had NO accurate measurements for the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, or pepper....basically what I thought "looked right".

ALL the steps are exactly the same. I add the ham in step 5 and I do *not* add in the green onions, nor do I top with cheese or sour cream....nobody in the family thinks it needs these things.

Last night, hubby added pinto beans to his serving....I guess there's room for more improvement, alterations, but once again, it all depends on your own family.

Cheers! Larisa

as promised....more recipes

So, I asked some friends for their favorite, easy, inexpensive and filling recipes, and here they are:

Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti
1 box of spaghetti
1 can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 can of Cream of Chicken Soup
2 small cans of Chicken Breasts ( believe the name is Swanson's)
1 can of Rotel tomatoes
1 pound of Velvetta cheese

Cook spaghetti and drain. While that is cooking, add all remaining ingredients to roasting pan or oven safe dish. Cut Velvetta into cubes. Add spaghetti and stir well. Cover with tin foil and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Stir well when done.

• Hamburger Tator Tot Cas.

  HB Meat( or turkey)

  1 small can of cream soup( I use cream of chicken but you use what you like)

  tator tots

  cheese

  Brown your meat and add in soup( sometimes I also add corn here too). In a 9x 13 pan layer HB mix, tator tots, cheese.( Repeat layers until your pan is full or you run out) cook in oven on what ever your tator tot bag says to bake on. ( all your doing is cooking your tator tots)

Otherwise I do Beef Broccoli with left over beef (from the pot roast or grilled meats)

1 lb thinly sliced meat cooked to medium rare or so otherwise it dries out, c. of broccoli fresh or frozen, 1 c. carrot slices, 1 small onion sliced, 1 c mushrooms (optional for kids who hate them), 1 can beef broth, 1 1/2 TBSP Corn Starch, garlic, red pepper flakes, soy sauce

to 1 c. beef broth add corn starch and 2-3 Tbsp soy sauce and mix in, set aside. unless already cooked cook your meat set aside

to a wok or skillet, add 1-2 TBSP oil and heat to medium, add 1 clove of garlic (or 1 tsp of the already minced stuff in a jar) 1/2 - 1 tsp red pepper flakes and cook until garlic starts to turn slightly brown. Add carrots and broccoli (if fresh) and cook 3 minutes, if using frozed broccoli add now with onions cook 2 minutes more, add mushrooms cook until softened. Add the beef back in and heat through. Add beef broth and cook until slightly thickened. serve with white rice.

We eat this alot because it's great for leftovers, is fast and easy.

I love to use my crockpot, especially when I'm running all day.

I throw a chicken, potatoes and carrots in the pot with some water, whatever seasoning and it's ready at dinner time.

Chili! Very easy! Get the packet of chili seasoning at the store and follow the back. I will add sausage to it sometimes too.

Pot roast in the crockpot too.

All these I spend maybe 20 min in the morning. Then I will usually make a salad and have dinner rolls with them



tacos and spaghetti are quick and easy enough....you can also get pre-cooked fajita meat.....slice some onion and bell pepper and saute til tender.....takes about 10 minutes!

2lb hamburger 4c mozzerella 2 loaves french bread

slice loaves lengthwise and hollow out......brown hamburger (season to your liking...can also put in spaghetti sauce or maranara sauce)....mix in cheese.....put in hollowed out bread.....brush top of bread with garlic butter....wrap in foil and bake 10 minutes at 350*.....open foil and allow to brown....pair with chips or a salad depending on how you season it....serves 6.....we tried this the other night....i only used 1 loaf....fed 5 of us with one big slice left over!

super quick and easy! ranch bean casserole

3 cans ranch beans (if you're not in the south you will have to use chili beans)

1 bag fritos

1lb grated cheddar

mix beans and chips til chips are well coated....put in greased 9x13 pan......top with cheese....bake at 350* til cheese is melted......serve with sour cream and salsa

easy chicken parmesan

1 chicken breast per person

1 jar maranara sauce

1lb grated mozzerella

bake chicken til almost done......top each piece with maranara sauce......bake for 10 - 15 minutes....top each piece with mozzerella....bake til cheese is melted....serve with green beans or a salad

buy the premade meatballs......place in 9x13 pan.....bake according to pkg directions.....during last 15 minutes of baking time top with maranara sauce.....during last 5 minutes add cheese.....bake til cheese is melted......again....serve with green beans or salad (we eat a lot of green beans and salad!....lol)......the left overs are great for making meatball subs

my fav easy (vegetarian) dinner is baked ziti....cook a box of pasta, add a jar of sauce, sprinkle with cheese, put in the oven at 250 until cheese is melted....and voila! yummy goodness! (I usually heat up the sauce before putting it in the oven, and add some veggies if I have them on hand, and italian seasoning....)

1lb smoked sausage (ekrich's sp?)

2 cans green beans (i know....there she goes with the green beans again!....lol)

2 cans new potatoes

slice sausage into a sauce pot.....add green beans and potatoes (with liquid)....heat to boiling....serve

veggie/beef casserole

1lb hamburger

1lb grated cheddar

1 can each.....cream of chicken, cream of mushroom and cheddar cheese soups

1 lg bag frozen veggies

brown hamburger and drain.....add remaining ingredients except for shredded cheddar.....mix well.....top with shredded cheddar.....bake at 350* til cheese is melted....you can also substitute tuna for the hamburger and also add two cups rice

something we came up with....."mixed up mommy" and mixed up daddy"....lol....dd named them....lol

1lb hamburger

1 onion chopped

1lg potato chopped

for mixed up mommy you need one pkg taco seasoning....for mixed up daddy you need one pkg chili seasoning

brown hambruger.....add potatoes and onions.....cook til tender.....add seasoning mix and mix well.....top with a layer of shredded cheddar (yea...i know....we eat a lot of cheese too....lol)....serve as is or put in a 9x13 dish....cover with cornbread mix and bake til cornbread is golden

upside cornbread....similar to mixed up daddy....omit the potatoes and onions....put in a 9x13 dish.....cover with shredded cheddar......top with cornbread mix....bake til cornbread is golden

Mexican Lasagna

1 lb of ground beef (turkey would be fine as well)

flour tortillas (taco or burrito size, doesn't matter)

1 can cream of mushroom

1 can cream of chicken

1 can enchilada sauce

2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese

Directions: preheat oven to about 460, brown and drain grease from ground beef and put it back into the frying pan, put the cream of mushroom and chicken and the can of enchilada sauce in with the beef and mix all together until there are no lumps. Line a 9x13 non stick baking pan with torn up pieces of torillas, then top with a thin layer of the beef mixure, then a thin layer of cheese. Repeat (torn up torillas, beef mix, cheese). Then bake in oven until top of cheese just begins to brown.

Let it cool before serving and enjoy!

Sweet & Sour Meatballs

1bag- frozen meatballs

1jar frame jelly

1 jar Chilli sauce (usually found by the ketchup)

There is no exact measuring in this. Put the desired amount of meatballs in the crockpot. In a sauce pan on the stove add to tasted the grape jelly and chilli sauce. Simmer on low until grape jelly is more like a sauce. Poor over meatballs in crockpot. You can serve with mashed potatos and use any extra sauce in the crockpot as a gravy or you can add the meatballs to hoggie buns and have meatball sandwhiches.

Hope some of these work for you!!

fast dessert...only 1 recipe

Really quick....need a dessert that doesn't take a lot of time?? Here you go:

Chocolate graham cracker pie crust
LARGE package of INSTANT chocolate pudding (do not use the kind you have to cook!)

Mix pudding per directions for pi (2.5 cups of milk instead of 3, I believe), pour into choc. pie crust, cover and chill.

That's it!

Serve with whipped cream if desired....we don't let our kids have the whipped cream since they have enough sugar in the pudding and crust....well....not when they are having it as a snack before bed.....and even our 10yo can make this...7yo probably could too, but she says the bowl is too heavy for her to hold and pour...whatever...lol

how's it going?

So....I did some quick posting yesterday and will continue to look for recipes in my free time. There are also recipes in my February posts.

I'd love to get some feedback if you use any of the recipes - particularly YOU, Rebecca...lol.

If anybody has any recipes that don't take all day, are yummy, and can boost your image in the kitchen, please go ahead and post them here or in your comments.

Today it's all about catching up with housework, so I will be back later this week or next week.

more easy meals

Crunchy Taco Salad

1 lb ground beef or turkey (buy what is on sale, with the seasoning, you can't tell the difference!)
lettuce
salsa
tomato
tortilla chips (or doritos!)
chili beans in chili sauce OR taco seasoning

Brown beef/turkey and drain. Stir in chili beans or taco seasoning and water and simmer about 10 minutes. Divide lettuce into 4 servings and spoon a portion of the meat on top. Top meat with salsa, tomato (and cheddar cheese, green onion, and sour cream if you prefer), crumble tortilla chips (or doritos) over each salad.

Beef fried rice

Remember that left-over pot roast???

Shred pot roast leftovers. Cook and chill rice (depending on the number of servings you need). Heat beef in skillet lightly coated with oil (olive or vegetable or whatever you prefer), and add soy sauce to taste. Stir in cold rice, and whatever vegetables you h ave on hand (yes, I use leftover veggies in this all the time). If you don't have leftover veggies, grate a carrot and dice a small amount of onion. Heat thoroughly and serve.

Balsamic chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 onion, sliced (or more if you prefer)
balsamic vinegar
olive oil

Heat oil in skillet and add chicken breasts and balsamic vinegar. Cook chicken thoroughly. When chicken is done cooking remove from skillet and set aside. Add onions to skillet and saute until tender. Add chicken back to pan and re-heat. Serve with rice or pasta and a veggie.

Turkey-Broccoli Casserole (great for Thanksgiving leftovers!)

2 10oz packages of frozen broccoli
2 cups coarsely chopped cooked turkey
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
grated cheddar cheese

We cook our broccoli before making this because the first time I followed the recipe exactly, the broccoli wasn't cooked all the way...might have been the old oven, but still...ick!

So...cook broccoli (or at least heat thoroughly!). Preheat oven to 375. Layer broccoli in a 12x8 inch baking dish. Spread turkey evenly over broccoli. Mix soup with milk until smooth and pour over turkey. Sprinkle grated cheese on top and bake for 30 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Chicken with beans and rice

If you have leftover chicken, this will make good use of it! We sometimes have a whole roast chicken as a meal, and this is one way I use the leftovers so that we don't get bored.

Leftover chicken
Zataran's family size red beans and rice or black beans and rice

Cook beans and rice as directed, adding diced, cooked chicken as it is approaching a boil (really, as soon as you have the rice, water, and spices in the pot, start adding the chicken). Once all the chicken is added (use as much as you like), cover and cook as directed on the rice and bean package.

This is a fairly fast and filling meal. My children are fairly picky eaters and both of them love this!

Shrimp and fries

Another fast and easy (and inexpensive) meal....not gourmet, but better than fast food!

Pre-cooked, de-veined, peeled shrimp or easy-peel shrimp
french fries or tater tots

Cook shrimp until pink (or simply re-heat if they are pre-cooked). Meanwhile, cook fries or tots as directed on package. Serve with salad.

*if the shrimp are easy peel, I would suggest thawing them before tossing them into the water...makes it a LOT easier on your hands if you are peeling them cool instead of boiling hot - my kids freak out if they have to peel their shrimp...go figure .

3 Easy and yummy meals

Ok, for my friends who want to actually cook meals instead of microwaving them....or who don't cook at all but want to start, here are some of the ones that I use on our hectic nights:

Ravioli with tomato sauce, salad, bread

Buy store-brand meat ravioli and cook as directed (I say store-brand because it tends to not be as spicy as name brands and costs less....I can't have spicy food)
Buy your favorite tomato/pasta sauce and heat over low while ravioli cooks
Make a fresh salad - or buy the bagged salad mixes which is what I do in the fall/winter months
Use regular bread with butter and a little garlic salt (if you prefer), or have rolls or biscuits (yes, I use the canned most often)

Roast beef/pot roast

If you have a slow cooker, this is a definite plus, but there are several oven-bake options as well (roasting bag and seasonings already packaged together - we've found that these have a lot of salt, however).

I tend to get a 4 pound roast, which yields enough for a pot roast dinner with leftovers to make beef fried rice and maybe a few other meals.

Thaw roast
Place roast in slow cooker with a small amount of water, Worcestershire sauce, onions (quartered) or else use dried minced onions, and whatever seasonings you like
Turn on low cook for 8+ hours, cover, and walk away.

By the time you get done with your workday, your house will smell wonderful and you will have your dinner nearly ready. Nearly because, of course, you need a vegetable or 2 to go with the roast.

Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp (either precooked, deveined and peeled, or uncooked will work)
garlic (or dried minced garlic)
olive oil
chicken broth (or white wine)
thin pasta noodles
Parmesan cheese

Heat a small amount of the oil in a skillet and saute the garlic. Add shrimp and cook until done. If using pre-cooked shrimp, heat thoroughly. Meanwhile, cook pasta until tender. Drain pasta, add shrimp (in oil and garlic) and toss. Serve and top with a squirt of lemon (if desired) and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.