Rainbow Chard Soup

Occasionally, I do something really smart.  Occasionally, I am a really good mom.  And, even more occasionally, I am both smart AND a really good mom.  Yesterday, I had one of those moments!  I took the kids to the grocery store with me after school, and set them loose in the produce department.  I let them pick out LOTS of fruits and veggies.  Our cart was so colorful, and they were so excited!
Then, we went home, and, while they devoured a bowl of fresh berries each, I used some of those yummy veggies to make some stew.  It turned out SO pretty and SO yummy!  And, the kids were excited to eat it, because THEY had chosen the veggies.  We all ate the yummy stew with some dark pumpernickle bread.
But, when I knew I had truly succeeded was this morning when Ben asked, are we having the same dinner tonight?  When I said "probably" he was SO happy!  That makes me happy!

Here's what I threw into the pot yesterday:

3 Tbsp. olive oil
1 1/4 onions
4 garlic cloves
2 celery stalks
5-6 stalks of rainbow chard (this was so fun and colorful!  Pink, Orange, Red!)
2-3 cups chicken stock
1/4 cup whipping cream (because it was in the fridge)
2/3 cup evaporated milk (because it was in the fridge)
chopped up ham
salt
Monterey Steak Seasoning

I sauteed the veggies, then added the chicken stock, whipping cream, evaporated milk, and ham and let it simmer on the stove for a couple of hours.

The one thing I would have changed is that I would have put in MORE veggies and less ham.  :)  Super Yummmy!

Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

So, I got a little creative with dinner tonight, and it turned out really well. Here's what I did:

Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

Alfredo Sauce
1/4 cup of butter
2-ish tsp garlic
1 can chicken broth
1-ish cup of cream
1/2-ish cup of half -n-half
3/4 container of Kraft shredded parmesean
1/4 - 1/2 cup Kraft Three Cheese blend
1 big spoonful plop of low-fat mayonnaise
Salt to taste (approx. 1 - 2 tsp.)
pepper to taste
Fresh chopped parsley, several Tbsp.

Melt butter over med-low heat, add garlic and saute. Pour in chicken broth then cream and 1/2-n- 1/2. Add salt & pepper and cheeses and continue to heat over medium to medium-low heat until cheese melts into sauce. Plop in mayonnaise and stir in. Add fresh chopped parsley just before pouring over noodles, chicken sausage, and veggies.

*****
Cook fettuccini noodles to al dente in chicken broth.
*****

Saute chopped chicken sausage (Bistro Sensations, smoked mozzarella with artichoke and garlic) in chicken broth. Add more chicken broth, add chopped broccoli and chopped red bell pepper. Cover and steam for a few minutes.

******
Combine everything and serve with garlic bread and Ceasar salad.

_________
The reviews are as follows:
James: Olive Garden has nothin' on you.
Great Grandpa: This is really excellent.
Ben: I'd have to say the same thing.
Brianna: More bread, please.

____________
I'm glad it worked, because I didn't follow a recipe, and I've never made Alfredo sauce from scratch before. I just looked at a bunch of recipes and got an idea of what is usually in Alfredo sauce, and then I winged it. I wrote it down the best that I can remember.

Andes Mint Brownie Cookies

1 brownie mix (I used Albertson's brand)
1/4 c. flour
1/4 c. vegetable oil
2 eggs

Mix above ingredients.

Add:

1 pkg. Andes creme de menthe baking chips (found in the baking isle next to the chocolate chips)

Form into balls with an ice cream scoop, or two spoons, or with your fingers. (Eat a little dough.) Bake at 350 degrees for 10-13 minutes. Take out of oven and drop onto counter. Eat the deliciousness, and consider -- maybe -- sharing. . . . Maybe.

P.S. These are only REALLY yummy for two days, then they become quite stale. Of course, I continue to "suffer through" eating them, but thought you might want to be warned ahead of time.

And the Winner Is . . .

I know you've been waiting with baited breath. So, without further ado, the winner of the drawing part of the tRcg Recipe Contest is:

Tiffany of the Would-Be Writer's Guild . Wahoo!! Congratulations Tiffany!!

Incidentally, if you're sad about missing out on the $10 gift card to Target, Tiffany is holding an $11 cash give-away right now on her site.

Now, for those of you who are of a suspicious nature, I promise there was no nepotism involved. The drawing was completely fair and unbiased.

By the way, WOW!! What great recipes!! Thanks for all of you who entered! I've got a lot of cooking to do. We have tried two recipes so far, and they were both delicious! This is going to be a lot harder than I thought. James is really excited about all of this good food that is going to feed him, and Ben is taking his role as one of the judges quite seriously. (FYI, a little authority can be a dangerous thing for a six-year-old!) Brianna, well, if we could get her to sit still long enough to actually eat a complete meal, we would consider that a success!

Recipe Contest

I have been in a dinner idea slump of gargantuan proportions. Since about, oh, February. Yes, I know it's October. That's a l-o-n-g time for my poor family to suffer for my lack of dinner genius. Even the Food Network hasn't revived my creativity.

Out of love for my dear family, and because we are sick of repeatedly eating pancakes and/or oatmeal for every meal, I am pleased to announce the first tRcg Dinner Recipe Contest!!

Here are the rules:

1. Write your favorite quick go-to meal in the comments.

2. Somewhere included in the meal there must be a vegetable or salad.

3. Recipes which include the following ingredients will promptly be disqualified: liver, brussel sprouts, pig's feet, tongue, and anchovies.

4. It has to be a recipe that YOU actually like and make.

5. All entries must be submitted by Sunday, October 12, 11pm MST.


Winners will be chosen in the following two ways:

1. All contestants will have their names put into a hat, and one winner will be chosen at random. (I promise there will be no peeking.)

2. After my family has had a chance to try the recipes, my family will vote on its favorite recipe, and that contestant will also win a prize. (This phase of the contest will take a bit longer, of course. But I promise that there will be a second winner, and they WILL receive a prize.)

The winner chosen at random will receive a $10 gift card to Target!

The winner for the best recipe (as determined by the taste buds of my family) will receive a $25 gift card to Target!

Tips: I love quick, one-dish meals. (Your recipe doesn't HAVE to be a one-dish meal. I do make non-one-dish meals too!) James REALLY loves FLAVOR.

Crowd Pleasing Spinach Dip (aka, Knorr Spinach Dip)

1 package (10 oz.) baby spinach, chopped, or 1 package (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 container (16 oz.) sour cream
1 cup Hellmann's or Best Foods Real Mayonnaise
1 package Knorr Vegetable recipe mix
1 can (8 oz.) water chestnuts, drained and chopped
3 green onion, chopped

Combine all ingredients and chill about 2 hours. Serve with your favorite dippers. I like to serve it with really good bread to dip in it.

(See how much I love you, Corrie.)

Brazilian Black Bean Chili

For the last nine years, the Wards we've been in have had an annual Chili Cook-off. James has won several times with his traditional Brazilian dish. It's true name is Feijoada, however, in order to be able to enter it into the competition, James has called it Brazilian Black Bean Chili. He has even added a smidgeon of chili powder from time to time, so that he doesn't feel like he's cheating. Well, now that we will no longer be entering competitions in those wards, we have decided to share the top secret recipe. Here it is, folks:

Feijoada (Brazilian Black Beans)

1 lb. Black beans, Soak overnight in lots of water

The next day, rinse beans. Then, put beans in pressure cooker and cover with enough water to have about 2" water above beans. Cook on high until pressure builds up. Then turn down to medium-low heat (enough to maintain pressure) and cook for about 20 minutes. Once cooled off and pressure is gone (follow pressure cooker instructions to ensure safety), remove lid and continue to simmer on stove top.

Seasoning:
4-6 cloves crushed or diced garlic, Sautee in vegetable or olive oil until golden brown, then add to beans, oil and all.
Salt to taste (approximately 4 teaspoons)

Optional:
4-6 Bay Leaves
Cilantro to taste.
Meat, (as much or as little as you like) add to simmering beans. For example: ½ lb. Pre-cooked bacon, ½ lb. smoked sausage, and/or ½ lb. pre-cooked seasoned pork. (I’ve been known to put up to 2 lbs of meat in a pot of beans, but it is optional according to personal preference.)

Allow to simmer as long as desired. The longer it is allowed to simmer, the more the flavors infuse and the thicker the end product will be. Of course, you can always add water if it becomes thicker than you would prefer.

Serve over Brazilian-style rice. (Note: if served over regular rice, the flavor may seem very bland.)

Brazilian-style rice

Hint: Brazilian rice, unlike Asian rice, is not sticky. Ideally, each grain should be separate from the others. It is also seasoned and flavorful.

2 cloves crushed or diced garlic, Sautee in 2-4 tablespoons olive oil. Then add:
2 cups regular white rice, uncooked. Sautee uncooked rice in oil until most of the translucent rice becomes opaque (white), stirring constantly. (Hint: When rice is first added to oil and garlic, it will become translucent, then as it cooks it will become opaque. Sometimes this happens very quickly.) Then add:
4 cups very hot water (should begin to boil immediately.) Then add:
Salt, to taste (approximately 2 tsp ) (Hint: The water should just barely, but definitely, taste salty.)

Reduce heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes or until rice is soft and no water is left in the bottom.
Optional:
1/4 to ½ cup diced carrots
1/4 to ½ cup raisins
1/4 cup chopped chives
Sounds kind of strange, but tastes really good.

Farofa (Topping that adds lots of flavor and texture.)

Sautee minced garlic and chopped onion in butter. Add desired quantity of manioc flour (may substitute corn meal or cream of wheat). Add salt (or better yet "Arisco Tempero Compelto") and parsley. May also add chopped bacon or smoked sausage. Sprinkle on top of beans and rice.

To Answer Your Questions . . .

How did you and James meet?
James and I met April 5, 1997. It was conference weekend. My mission reunion was Friday night, then all day Saturday I hung out with a group of sisters from my mission. After the second session of conference on Saturday, one of the sisters announced that she was going to call every guy she knew in the area (we were haning out in Provo/Orem area.) Well, James grew up with this sister, and he happened to be the only guy who showed up. It was love at first sight!

Do you plan to "have" more children?
If there's is one thing I've learned in this life, it's that I'm DEFINITELY not in charge of this aspect of my life. I am o.k. with that now. I know that He knows better than I what is best for our family, and the individual members of our family. I think that we will likely apply for adoption again when we've settled in the West, but whether or not anything comes of that is out of my hands.

Do you really have to move? :(
Yup.

What is your family's favorite meal?
I think this changes from time to time. One of my current favorites to fix is Chicken Enchilada Casserole. I will put the recipe at the bottom of this post. It is easy and oh, so yummy!

What stain remover do you use?
Well, let me first start by saying that the shirt Brianna was wearing while eating spaghetti is permanently stained. She is such a neat eater, usually, that I don't always think to put a bib on her. That was one time I should have remembered. But, I use Oxy-something, and Spray-n-Wash. The Oxy-something is amazing on blood, however, you may not have to deal with that much.

What is your favorite hobby? (when you have time!)
Hmmm, I guess blogging and watching movies (if those can count!)

What are two strengths/talents that you see in yourself?
I have an uncanny talent for making a genuine-sounding pig noise.
I am incredibly good at rhyming.

What are two things you'd like to change [about yourself]?
Hmmm, just two?? I would like to be more energetic. And I would LOVE to completely ENJOY housework.

What do you think of my two favorite singers, Michael Buble and Josh Groban?
I really enjoy both of them, but Michael Buble's voice and style just turns me to butter! Love, love, love his stuff!

Did you have a childhood experience that convinced you that Heavenly Father loves you and is aware of you?
My family and I attended an outdoor play up in the mountains. We got rained out and the whole, huge audience trekked down the mountainside in the mud to their cars. On the way down the mountain, I couldn't see for the rain on my glasses, so I took them off and put them in my pocket.
When we got into our car, I realized that my glasses were gone. I felt awful. It was too dark, rainy, muddy, and crowded to look for them that night. So, the next day, my brother was sent back up the mountain to look for my glasses. When he arrived and saw the muddy mess, he was overwhelmed not knowing where to begin looking. He said a prayer for help, and afterward walked right to my glasses which had not a scratch on them. I think that was the beginning of my testimony.

Just for the record, do you think you could beat the crap out of Tiff?
I don't know, I am pretty fragile, you know.

What do you miss most about the west?
Family.

What will you miss most about the mid-west?
Friends. . . . But Autumn comes in a close second.

After living through medical school, how confident are you in your diagnostic abilities?
VERY. I'm just not sure whether other people ought to share that confidence.

Being so close to Lake Powell, do you suppose a boat purchase is on the horizon?
It has most definitely been discussed. We have also toyed with the idea of just renting a boat when we do go.

What's most valuable time or money?
Very interesting question. For most of my life, I think I would have said money (i.e., "we'll save money by doing it ourselves"); however, time has become a most precious commodity in our home, and my perspective has changed. I now think it depends on your personal circumstances. I still feel inclined to "do-it-ourselves" where feasible, however, if the bank account will allow, I'd much rather do something fun or relaxing with my hubby in the few hours I get to see him, and pay someone else to do the "work".

What has kept you going when the going got tough?
Lexapro, counseling, and prayer. ;)

What is one memory you have that anytime you think of it, it makes you laugh?
The movie clip on this post of my boy dancing.

What kind of laundry detergent do you use?
Gain, liquid. I also, occasionally, use fabric softener: Downy Simple Pleasures, lavender and vanilla. (And no, I don't think you're weird. I LOOOVE the smell of clean laundry!)

Do you keep in touch with any of your High School buddies?
Yes, with Marci via e-mail.

What is your best attribute?
Can I use the pig noise thing again? I'm guessing not. My best attribute, hmmm . . . oh, oh, wait, I have pretty toes!

How many times a year do you watch The Princess Bride?
Never enough.

With the different places you have lived or will live, who will you support (even if it's casually)? Columbus Crew, Colorado Rapids, Real Salt Lake?
Hmmm, this is a tough one. I've only actually attended Columbus Crew games; however, I would probably be disowned by my younger brothers if I don't support Real Salt Lake; But then, we will have more money in the fairly-near future, and I could see us attending some Colorado Rapids games. I guess I better stick with Real!

What would happen on your ideal Wednesday?
My ideal Wednesday would start with breakfast in bed, prepared and served by my fabulous, sexy hubby. James would, of course, have the day off. It would be sunny, and about 72 degrees, with a slight breeze. I would have a darling new outfit to wear, and my hair would cooperate fully. The kids would be happy and delightful. We would go to a park and play. There would be an outdoor local concert in the park. We would then drop the kids off at a babysitter, so James and I could have a date. We would go try someplace new and just enjoy being together and talking, dreaming about when these kinds of days might be more frequent.

My goal this year was to be a more creative mom so what makes you feel creative as a mom?
Making up stories for my son as we snuggle before bed.

How did you become interested in massage?
All growing up, my family and I would exchange back-rubs. I was always told that I was good at it. I attended 2+ years of college, but couldn't decide what I wanted to be when I grew up. I was hating my job, and obsessing about my inability to get pregnant, when I decided to go to massage therapy school. It was a good decision for me. I actually really enjoy giving massage.

What's your favorite quick go-to meal?
Probably quesadillas. I put all sorts of stuff in them: veggies, spices, meats, and, of course, a variety of cheeses.


Chicken Enchilada Casserole

1 (13 oz.) can of chicken, drained
1 onion, chopped
2 (10 3/4 oz.) cans cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream (I use reduced fat)
1 (4 oz.) can diced green chilies
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
3 oz. cream cheese (optional)

Place above ingredients in mixing bowl and mix well.

1 (15 oz.) package flour tortillas

Stack tortillas and cut with a sharp knife into thin strips.

2 cups grated Colby Jack or Cheddar cheese

In a greased 9"x13" glass baking pan, layer half of tortillas strips, half of chicken mixture, and half of cheese; repeat. Bake for 30 min at 350 degrees. (I usually cover with foil for 25 min, then broil on low for the last 5 min to get the cheese just a little toasty.)

Ask and Ye Shall Receive

Neverfail Sugar Cookies
(from The Mormon Cookbook 1963)

Cream together:

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs

Sift together:
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

Add to dry ingredients to creamed mixture and mix well. Refrigerate dough for 4 hours or overnight. Divide dough into 2 balls and roll out to a 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut out cookies and bake on an ungreased cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees. Allow cookies to cool then decorate with Butter Cream Icing.

Butter Cream Icing

1/2 cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1/8 cup milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Cream together butter, extract, and powdered sugar. Gradually add milk to desired consistency. (Remember: using liquid food coloring will thin the frosting, so leave the base a little thicker than you want it to be.)

This recipe makes about 30 cut out cookies.

Simplification, Clarification, and Stuff

O.k., so, when James and I lived close to family, we would go to one of our parent's homes for Thanksgiving dinner, and we would bring . . . the ROLLS! Yup, that's it. Rolls. So, when you live far from home, and you decide it's important enough to you to continue the traditional dishes that made up your family's Thanksgiving meals, then all of a sudden, your menu looks fairly complex. Instead of 5-11 families contributing, it's just you. So, that's why there are so many things on our menu. Truly, it isn't as bad as it seems. The recipes are fairly easy, and the pay-off for me is worth it.

That being said, James and I discussed it last night and we decided to save the Green Jell-O Salad and the Wassail for our Christmas or New Year's Celebration, in order to simplify things a bit. We even discussed the option of buying Sam's Club rolls, but then we decided that our rolls "rock!" So, they stayed on the menu.

Also, this year, we decided to substitute Corn Pudding for our Green Bean Casserole. I found a recipe online, but I would be interested in anyone else's recipe for Corn Pudding.

O.k., that's enough about my Thanksgiving meal for now. Now onto some clarification. I believe that Ben's "O-R-A-N-G-E" song was learned at school. He may have changed the lyrics a bit, but for the most part, it came from school.

And the quote, "Let us not have tears. Partings are a natural part of life." is, indeed, from Anne of Green Gables, one of my all time favorite shows! (Eight hours is worth it just for the kiss at the end!!)

Thanksgiving Dinner Planner

A few years ago, I decided to lower my stress level for future Thanksgivings, by compiling a Thanksgiving Dinner Planner, comprised of the recipes that I use and the general time-line for preparations. I also compiled a detailed shopping list based on these recipes, but, hey, I'll save that for tomorrow's post. Not a very exciting post, but this is my blog, and my personal history; and if it happens to lower someone else's stress level this season, then all the better. Happy Thanksgiving planning!!

Thanksgiving Dinner Planner

Saturday before. . .
Thaw Turkey. (I found out the hard way that the Monday before isn't always early enough. Nothing ruins a Thanksgiving dinner faster than a turkey still frozen in the middle.)

Monday before ...
Orange Slushy Punch
1 can (46 oz.) Pineapple juice
2 cans frozen Orange Juice
Juice from 2 lemons
6 c. water
4 c. sugar
2- 2 liter bottles of Sprite or 7-Up
Boil water and sugar until sugar is dissolved. Mix in the rest of the ingredients, except the Sprite. Freeze. Before serving, add Sprite and "slush up." Serve.

Day Before Preparations. . .
Green Bean Casserole
3/4 c. milk
1/8 tsp. Pepper
10 3/4 oz. can Cream of Mushroom Soup
2 (9 oz.) Pkgs. Frozen cut green beans, thawed (or two cans French cut green beans)
1 ½ cups FRENCH’s French Fried Onions
In 1 ½ qt casserole, mix all ingredients except 2/3 c. French Fried Onions.
Bake 30 min. at 350° or until hot; stir. Top with 2/3 cup onions. Bake 5 min. or until onions are golden.

Wassail
2 ½ c. sugar
4 c. water
10 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
1- 6oz can lemonade concentrate
1- 6oz can orange juice concentrate
1 gal. apple cider
Mix sugar and water. Bring to a boil. Add spices and simmer 1 hour. Remove spices. Add frozen concentrates and water that each calls for. Add cider. Serve hot. Makes 2 gallons.
Note: May also add orange or lemon slices as garnish. This drink will make your home smell heavenly, and it tastes that way too!

Green Jell-o Salad
1- 3oz. pkg. Lemon Jell-o
1- 3oz. pkg. Lime Jell-o
Add 2 cups boiling water. Let cool, but not set.
Add and gently stir in:
1 large can crushed pineapple with juice
1 lb. Cottage cheese
1 c. cool whip
½ c. mayonnaise (optional)

Watergate Salad
1 pkg (4 serving size) Jell-o Pistachio Flavor instant Pudding & Pie filling
1 cans (20 oz.) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
1 c. miniature marshmallows
½ c. chopped pecans
1 ½ c. (½ of an 8 oz tub) thawed Cool Whip
Mix dry pudding mix, pineapple, marshmallows, and pecans in a large bowl until well blended. Gently stir in whipped topping. Cover. Refridgerate 1 hr or until ready to serve. Garnish with additional Cool Whip and pecans.

Pudding pie
Graham Cracker crust
Pudding flavor of choice
Follow directions on pudding package for pie. Top with Cool Whip or whipped cream.

On Thanksgiving Day...
Turkey
Prepare Reynold’s cooking bag according to directions. Preheat oven following directions that come with bag. Rinse turkey thoroughly, pat dry w/paper towels. Place turkey inside bag. Place the following ingredients inside the turkey:
1 ½ tsp salt
½ + 1/8 tsp pepper
1 raw onion , quartered
1 head garlic, halved crosswise
Several sprigs of rosemary, thyme, parsley and sage into turkey.
2 bay leaves
Rub outside of turkey with vegetable oil, or unsalted melted butter.
Place uncooked stuffing around turkey. Continue with directions that come with Reynold’s bag.

Stuffing (requires stove top & then oven–with turkey)
1 Bag of unseasoned stuffing
1 cup sauteed onion
½ cup sauteed sliced celery
Salt (required!)
Pepper
Sage (optional)
Butter
½ cup Buttermilk
1 cup chicken broth
Saute onion and celery in butter. Add to dry stuffing along with chicken broth and buttermilk. Add salt/pepper and sage as desired. Arrange around turkey and in turkey if desired.

Butter-rich Rolls
1 c. water
1 lg. Egg
3 1/4 c. bread flour
4 T. Sugar
1 tsp. Salt
3 T. Dry milk
1/4 c. butter
1 ½ tsp active dry yeast or 2 tsp. Rapid rise yeast
Egg glaze:
1 lg. Egg, beaten
4 tsp. Water
Make dough in bread maker. Form dough into balls. Brush egg glaze generously over formed dough balls prior to baking. Bake at 375° 10-15 min.

Sweet Potatoes (requires stove top and oven)
1 ½ lbs (approx. 2 medium) sweet potatoes, peeled & cubed. Cook 25-30 minutes in water. Drain water and add:
½ cup sugar
½ cup milk
1 egg
3 Tbsp. Butter cubed
½ tsp vanilla
Stir to break, but not mash. Pour into a 2qt. buttered casserole.
Crumb Topping
½ c. brown sugar
1/3 c. flour
2 Tbsp. Butter
½ c. pecan pieces
Sprinkle crumb mixture onto sweet potato mixture. Bake @ 350 for 25 minutes.

Mashed Potatoes
Several white (Russet) potatoes, peeled, and cut into 1 ½ inch chunks. Chop up ½ onion add to potatoes. Cover with salted (abt 1 T.) water and boil until fork tender (about 10-20 minutes). Remove from heat, drain water. Mash up. Add butter (quite a bit). Add evaporated milk until desired consistency.

Turkey Gravy
Chicken broth
Flour or corn starch
Neck meat
Boil turkey neck and giblets with salt and pepper. Shred neck meat, throw giblets in garbage. Add chicken broth to turkey broth and drippings. Add neck meat. Bring to a boil. Add flour or corn starch to some water, then add to boiling broth mixture to thicken. Boil until desired thickness.

Don’t forget to cook the green bean casserole!

Apple Crisp

4 cups sliced, peeled (or not) apples (approx. 4 apples)
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cups flour
3/4 cups oatmeal
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 stick butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease (or don't) a 9x9 pan. Place sliced apples on bottom of pan. Mix dry ingredients (I do it in a ziplock bag), then add butter. Mix well. Sprinkle mixture over apples. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven. Serve warm with or without vanilla ice cream.

Perfectly Pleasing Pumpkin Bread

So, when I feel at a loss for what to post, I post a yummy recipe! Tonight's choice is our FHE treat. We had it without the icing, simply because it's so darn good by itself, but then, you can never really go wrong with cream cheese icing, can you? What a great treat for this time of year! I hope you enjoy this, or some other tantalizingly 'Fall' treat!


Pumpkin Bread or Cake

3 1/3 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
3 cups sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Mix above ingredients well, then add:

1 cup oil
4 eggs
2/3 cups water
2 cups pumpkin (canned or cooked and crushed)

Mix together until smooth. Divide in 2 or 3 well-greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 to 1 & 1/2 hours. Or if you cook it in a tube pan, bake for approx. 1 & 1/2 hours.

Cream Cheese Icing (optional)

3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter
8 oz. cream cheese
2 tsp. vanilla

Mix together until smooth. Ice loaves or cake. Or just dip your finger in and lick it over and over!

(I received this recipe from Mary Rollins, for those of you who know her! Thank you Mary!)

If You Could Put Summer In A Bowl, It Would Taste Like This . . .

Mexican Dip

2 cans black beans, drained
2 cans chopped tomatoes, drained
1-2 bunches green onions, chopped
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
1-4 bell peppers (red, orange, or yellow)
2 avacados
1 small bottle of Catalina salad dressing
1 tsp. fresh garlic
1 tsp. salt

Mix together and serve with tortilla chips! MMmmmm! Enjoy your tasty summer!

(recipe comes from James' sisters!)

Taffy Apple Dip

8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp vanilla extract

Mix with Kitchen Aid wire mixer. (That's what my recipe says, but I'm guessing that if you mix it with another brand, it would still turn out.)

Don't be fooled by it's simplicity. This is one SUPER YUMMY dip for just about any fruit!

P.S. - I have no idea why 'taffy' is in the name!?

Mmmmmm!! Yummy and quick!

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

2 medium baking potatoes, unpeeled
1 can (14 1/2 oz) chicken broth
1 cup milk
3 slices bacon, cooked, crumbled and divided
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
2 Tbsp. sliced green onions, divided (I used a small, chopped regular
onion.)
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tsp salt

Pierce potatoes; microwave on HIGH 5 min., turning over after 2 1/2 min.
Cut potatoes into chunks. Combine potates, broth and milk (and regular
onion) in large microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 6 min., stirring
after 3 min. Slightly crush potatoes with a potato masher or blend with a hand mixer.

Reserve 2 Tbsp. each of the bacon and cheese and 1 Tbsp. of the green onions for topping; set aside. Add remaining bacon, cheese, and green onions to soup.

Serve topped with reserved bacon, cheese, onions and sour cream.

Makes (4) 1 cup servings.

I have made all sorts of substitutions and variations. I haven't been disappointed yet! Hint: If you want to add broccoli, cook it separately, and add it after you've crushed/blended everything else.

Greatest "Grinella" Recipe in the World

1 1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup water
4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
6 cups rolled oats
1 cup chopped pecans or slivered almonds
1 cup bran flakes
½ cup coconut
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup cornmeal
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
½ cup raisins
3 Tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour

Preheat oven to 275 degrees F. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper and reserve. Combine brown sugar and water in a 4-cup microwave proof glass measuring cup or bowl. Place in microwave on high for 5 minutes and cook until sugar is completely dissolved. Set aside the flour, butter, and raisins. In a large mixing bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Remove brown syrup mixture from microwave, add vanilla extract and salt. Pour liquid mixture into dry mixture and stir until thoroughly mixed. Add flour and butter, mixing with your hands to form little chunks. Spread the granola onto cookie sheets and bake 25 minutes then stir and switch oven position between the two cookies sheets. Cook an additional 20 to 35 minutes or until golden and crunchy. When the mixture comes out of the oven, it is still very pliable. Add in raisins as a finishing touch at this time. When granola has cooled completely, store in an airtight container.