Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

2 cans of chicken broth + 1 can of water

2 cans of cream of chicken

2 carrots diced

1 celery stock diced

1/2 a white onion diced

1 lg. potato diced

3/4 cup uncooked rice

1 tsp basil

1/2 tsp thyme

dash of rosemary

1/2 tsp garlic salt

salt and pepper to taste

2 tbsp sour cream

olive oil

2 chicken breasts or 4 chicken tenders diced

Heat oil in large pot or dutch oven. Add chicken and start to brown. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until vegetables tender and chicken is cooked through. Add chicken broth, water, cream of chicken, basil, thyme, rosemary, and garlic salt. Add potatoes and rice, cook until tender. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream. Salt and pepper to taste.

Peanut Butter Syrup

• This syrup is a nice change up from the usual maple. It tastes like peanut butter cookies.
• 
  
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 
  
• In a small saucepan over low heat, heat syrup and peanut butter until peanut butter is melted; stir until smooth.

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels

My friend made these last year at Christmas time and I couldn't stop eating them. So addicting!

2/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup cinnamon sugar
1 lb bag mini pretzels

4 oz white chocolate (or Almond Bark)

Mix oil and cinnamon sugar in large microwavable dish. Add pretzels and toss to coat. Microwave on HIGH for 5 minutes (stirring every 30 seconds), or until oil's absorbed. Spread on cookie sheets to air dry. Melt white chocolate and drizzle over the top. Store in airtight container.

Breakfast Pizza

1 envelope Better Crocker pizza dough (made as directed)

1/2 lb. bacon (chopped)

1/2 lb. sausage (ground)

1 packet country gravy (can serve remainder as dipping sauce)

2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar and monterey jack)

1 1/2 cup cooked shredded hashbrowns

5 eggs

1 tbsp. milk

cooking spray

flour

Preheat oven as directed on dough package. In a skillet cook bacon and sausage, drain on paper towels. Using same skillet brown hashbrowns. Make dough as directed. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Press dough on to cookie sheet. Using a floured rolling pin roll dough toward edges, being careful not to get holes in the dough. Spread 1 cup country gravy over dough. Sprinkle hasbrowns, meat, and cheese over the layer of gravy. In a bowl beat eggs and milk together and pour over the top, careful not to run over the edge of the dough. Bake for 15 minutes on the middle oven rack. Cut into squares using a pizza cutter.

I think we are going to make this a regular dinner at our house! YUMMY!

Pumpkin Crisp

1 16oz can pumpkin
3 eggs
1 15oz can condensed milk
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 cake yellow mix
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
2 sticks (1/2 pound) melted butter

Beat pumpkin, eggs, condensed milk,
sugar and pumpkin pie spice until smooth.

Pour in a greased 9x13 pan

Sprinkle dry cake mix over pumpkin mixture

Sprinkle nuts (optional)

Drizzle butter

Bake in a preheated 350 oven for one hour.

Garlic Cheese Bread

1 Loaf french bread
2 cloves garlic
1/2 mayonnaise
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 cup Monterrey jack/Cheddar blend grated cheese
1/2 stick of butter softened
chopped olives (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. Using serrated knife, cut french bread in half length wise. Using a rubber spatula spread half of mixture on each side of bread. Bake on cookie sheet until bubbly and golden brown. (sorry I didn't time it...maybe 10 min?)

Health Snack Options

Browsing around last night, I decided to look for some healthy snack options. I get burned out on string cheese and almonds. I think I will enjoy them a lot more when I can add in some others once in a while.

6 whole-wheat crackers with peanut butter

1 small pear and a small handful almonds

6 ounces of yogurt

2 cups of popcorn

1/2 cup of sugar-free pudding

1/2 cup of no-sugar-added ice cream

1 cup of berries and 1/2 cup of low-fat cottage cheese

1 small protein bar with around 15 grams carbohydrate

1 small apple with peanut butter

1/2 turkey sandwich on whole-wheat bread

Veggies dipped in hummus

1/2 cup yogurt mixed with 1/2 cup cottage cheese

6 whole wheat crackers with laughing cow cheese triangle

Note: By drinking a glass of water when eating a high fiber snack, it alows the fiber to expand keeping you fuller longer.

Here are some examples of some lower (under 15g) carbohydrate snacks:

Handful of almonds, walnuts, or pecans

Celery stalks with peanut butter

String Cheese

1/2 cup of low-fat cottage cheese

Hard boiled egg

Veggies and low-fat dip

Sugar-free jello

Cheeseburger Soup

Ingredients:

1/2 pound ground beef

dash of Worcestershire

3 1/2 cups diced potatoes

1 cup chopped carrots

1 cup chopped onion

3/4 cup chopped celery stalk

3 cups chicken stock

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried parsley

5 tablespoons butter

10 ounces American cheese / Velveeta, cubed

1 1/2 cups milk

1/4 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper

Sauté the ground beef and chopped onion in a large pot over a medium heat until browned (optional: to ground beef add a dash of Worcestershire, garlic salt, onion salt, pepper). Drain and set aside.

In the same pot, add butter, chopped celery, chopped carrots, parsley and basil and sauté. When the vegitables are tender, add flour and let cook for a minute. Now add the chicken broth. Whisk together. Add diced potatoes and cooked beef and simmer gently for 10-12 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Reduce the heat and add cubed cheese and milk. Stir until melted.

When the cheese has melted remove the pot from the heat.

(Optional) Original Cheeseburger Soup: Serve with a spoonful of sour cream in each bowl.

Fall is Here

I don't know about you, but I love anything pumpkin. Fall is a favorite season at our house. We love having yummy soups, wassail, and pumpkin desserts. See a few of our family favorites below!

Pumpkin Mousse

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups cold fat-free milk

1 package (1 ounce) sugar-free instant butterscotch pudding mix

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

1 cup fat-free whipped topping, divided

Directions

In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Combine the pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger and allspice; fold into pudding. Fold in 1/2 cup whipped topping.

Transfer to individual serving dishes. Refrigerate until serving. Garnish with remaining whipped topping. Yield: 4 servings.

~Taste of HOme

Pumpkin Fudge

1 tablespoon plus 3/4 cup butter, divided

2 cups sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

2/3 cup evaporated milk

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 package (10 ounces) cinnamon baking chips

1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow crème

1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Line a 13-in. x 9-in. pan with foil and grease the foil with 1 tablespoon butter; set aside. Cube the remaining butter and place in a large saucepan; add the sugars, milk, pumpkin, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and nutmeg.

Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low; cook and stir until a candy thermometer reads 238° (soft-ball stage).

Remove from the heat. Stir in cinnamon chips until melted. Stir in the marshmallow creme, pecans and vanilla. Transfer to prepared pan. Chill until firm.

Using foil, lift fudge out of pan. Discard foil; cut fudge into 1-in. squares. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Yield: 3 pounds.

~Taste of home

Simple Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 box spice cake mix
15 oz. canned pumpkin
1 cup mini chocolate chips

Combine all ingredients and drop by teaspoons onto cookie sheet (cookie scoop works well). Bake for 12 minutes at 350 degrees. Super Easy!!

Creamy Italian Chicken

Serve this flavorful crockpot chicken recipe over rice or noodles.

Cook Time: 6 hours

Total Time: 6 hours

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
• 1 envelope Italian salad dressing mix
• 1 stick of butter, or for less fat 1/3 cup water
• 1 package (8 ozs.) cream cheese, softened
• 1 can (10 3/4 ozs.) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
• 1 can (4 ozs.) mushroom stems and pieces, drained (optional)
  
• Hot cooked rice or noodles (I like fettuccine)
  

Place the chicken breast halves in a slow cooker. Combine salad dressing mix and water; pour over chicken. Cover and cook on LOW for 3 hours. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together cream cheese and soup until blended. Stir in mushrooms. Pour cream cheese mixture over chicken. Cook 1 to 3 hours longer or until chicken juices run clear. Serve Italian chicken with rice or hot cooked noodles.
Serves 4.

Tex Mex Beef

1 roast (rump or large chuck)
1 cup mango salsa
1 cup regular salsa
1/2 brown sugar

Cook on low 5-6 hours, shred and server in burritos or salad, cafe rio style!

Chili Verde

1 1/2 pounds pork contry style ribs, diced to cubes

1 14.5 oz can chicken broth

1/2 can Rotel tomatoes

2 cups tomatillos

2 roasted green chiles and 1 Poblano, seeded and diced

2 jalapenos (omit for milder taste)

3 cloves of garlic

1/2 medium yellow onion, peeled and diced

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon sugar

3 tablespoons oil

Roast peppers in the oven until the skins are bubbly on all sides. Remove skins and seeds from center. Cut into smaller pieces, add to blender. Boil tomatillos and jalapenos until they change color (about 5 min.) Cutting any larger ones to smaller pieces, add to blender. Remove skin and rough chop garlic, add to blender. Blend until well mixed. Add Rotel to blender and pulse lightly. Add chopped onion to crockpot, poor in blender mixture. Add oil to frying pan and brown pork. Add chicken broth to deglaze pan. Add pork mixture to crockpot. Add remaining dry ingredients to crockpot. Cook on low 4 hours. Serve as smoothered burritos or with warm tortillas as a stew.

Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

BEST cake ever!!!!!!

http://www.evilshenanigans.com/2009/06/banana-cake-with-cream-cheese-frosting/

Spicy Orange Beef

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 pound round steak, cut into thin strips on the diagonal

1/4 cup orange peel, cut into slivers

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

2 tablespoons cornstarch1 cup beef broth

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup sherry

1/4 cup orange marmalade

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

In a wok or skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add beef strips 1/3 at a time. Stir-fry for 3 minutes or until browned, removing the done pieces to a plate lined with paper towels.
Return all the beef to the wok. Stir in orange peel, garlic, and ginger; stir-fry 1 minute.
In a medium bowl, combine cornstarch, broth, soy sauce, sherry, marmalade, and red pepper. Pour this mixture into the beef, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook for 1 minute. Serve hot.

Found on www.allrecipes.com

Mexican Casserole

1 bag Cool Ranch Doritos crushed

1 lb. hamburger browned

1 can Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chillies)

1 can corn

1 packet taco seasoning (variations: add 1/2 chicken taco seasoning in place of original)

1 can cream of chicken soup

3/4 cup sour cream

1 1/2 cups grated cheese

Brown hamburger (add diced onion if desired). Add Rotel, corn, chicken soup,and taco seasoning; heat through. Stir in sour cream. Layer 1/2 bag of crushed Doritos in a 9x13 pan. Add hamburger mixture. Top with grated cheese. Add remaining Doritos to the top. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes. Serve with lettuce and sour cream.

Vodka Cream Pasta

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, once around the pan in a slow stream
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 shallots, minced
• 1 cup vodka
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 can crushed tomatoes (32 ounces)
• Coarse salt and pepper
• 16 ounces pasta such as penne rigate
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 20 leaves fresh basil, shredded or torn
• Crusty bread, for passing

Heat a large skillet over moderate heat. Add oil, butter, garlic, and shallots. Gently saute shallots for 3 to 5 minutes to develop their sweetness. Add vodka to the pan, 3 turns around the pan in a steady stream will equal about 1 cup. Reduce vodka by half, this will take 2 or 3 minutes. Add chicken stock, tomatoes. Bring sauce to a bubble and reduce heat to simmer. Season with salt and pepper.

While sauce simmers, cook pasta in salted boiling water until cooked to al dente (with a bite to it). While pasta cooks, prepare your salad or other side dishes.

Stir cream into sauce. When sauce returns to a bubble, remove it from heat. Drain pasta. Toss hot pasta with sauce and basil leaves. Pass pasta with crusty bread.

~Rachel Ray

Perfect Banana Bread

1-1 1/2 cups sugar

2 large bananas, mashed, or 3 small bananas

1 cup shortening

3 cups flour

1 cup milk

1 tsp. baking soda

2 eggs

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup nuts (optional)

Cream shortening and sugar, add bananas and eggs then mix. Add remaining ingredients, mixing well. Spoon into 2 greased loaf pans and bake at 350 degrees or 50 to 60 minutes.

Cranberry Salsa

• 1 (12 ounce) bag cranberries, fresh or frozen
• 1 bunch cilantro, chopped
• 1 bunch green onions, cut into 3 inch lengths
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
• 2 limes, juiced
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 pinch salt

Combine cranberries, cilantro, green onions, jalapeno pepper, lime juice, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a medium blade. Chop to medium consistency. Refrigerate if not using immediately. Serve at room temperature.

Pumpkin Fudge

3 cups sugar
3/4 cup melted butter
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons corn syrup
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 (12-ounce) package white chocolate morsels
1 (7-ounce) jar marshmallow crème
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


What you do:

Stir together first 6 ingredients in a 3 1/2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly, until a candy thermometer registers 234° (soft-ball stage) or for about 12 minutes.

Remove pan from heat; stir in remaining ingredients until well blended. Pour into a greased aluminum foil-lined 9-inch square pan. Let stand 2 hours or until completely cool; cut fudge into squares.

By Southern Living

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

3 cans chicken broth
2 cups chopped carrots
2 cups chopped celery
3/4 cup onion chopped
3 cans cream of chicken soup
1 cup of milk
1 1/2 cup of sour cream
3 cups cooked and cubed chicken
1 pkg. wide egg noodles

Cook the veggies in the broth until tender (about 20 min.) Add cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, then add chicken and egg noodles cooked and drained. Heat until warm, don't boil

From the kitchen of Jen H.

Creamy Lime-Cilantro Dressing

Recipe by Ourbestbites.com

1 pack (1oz) Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix (regular or buttermilk, and ignore directions on the packet)
1C mayo
1/2 C milk (or buttermilk depending on which packet you buy)
1 lime
2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1/2 C roughly chopped cilantro
1/4 C green salsa*
hot sauce

Place milk, mayo, and ranch mix in a blender. Juice the lime in there too, you should get about 2T juice. Toss in the garlic, cilantro and green salsa. Blend 'er up. Sample it and add hot sauce to taste. Make it several hours ahead of time to allow it to thicken.

*A note about green salsa:
There are several brands of green salsa available in most supermarkets and they have various degrees of heat. One of the most commonly seen brands is Hernandez. Hernandez brand is a lot spicier than any of the others I've tried. Even their medium green salsa is way too spicy for my liking. I like to buy La Costena because their medium is actually really mild. That way I get all of the flavor of the tomatillos but I control the level of heat with the hot sauce. If you're not used to buying green salsa, make sure to sample it first before you put it in the dressing so you know what you're getting into!

Easter Favorite Finds

Bird nest candy dish as seen on Etsy by Linsay.

Speckled Easter eggs by Southern Living

Polkadot Easter eggs and carrot cupcakes at DisneyFamily.com

A unique centerpiece by Mix Mingle Glow.